Abstract The paper presents a strategic analysis of the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas, suggesting some of the ways that the zoo can raise money and renovate its structure to prepare for the future. The paper discusses ways of increasing income and visitors noting some of the efforts already being made. The paper recommends more effort for the near future so as to make the zoo more solvent and stronger.
From the Paper "The Frank Buck Zoo in Leonard park, Gainesville, Texas has reached a crossroads, facing closure after 50 years or a better future with a better plan for bringing in enough money to operate the zoo, increase the reach into the community and provide for a future for the park and its visitors. The zoo started as an outgrowth of the Gainesville Community Circus that used the town as a winter base and training ground, but the circus closed in 1948. The animals were transferred to the new zoo and housed in small cages, allowing zoo visitors to get close enough to toss food to the animals. Over the years, the size of the zoo and the number of animals housed there have increased. But things began to change in the 1990s, leading to the current concern about the future of the zoo."
Abstract This paper analyzes the significance of Jerry's monologue regarding his landlady's dog in Edward Albee's play "The Zoo Story." The paper discusses how Jerry's interaction with the dog parallels his relationship to other human beings.
From the Paper "In Edward Albee's short play "The Zoo Story" the character of Jerry is isolated from humanity and goes out of his way to make connections with others in an attempt to bridge that distance. His encounter with Peter is certainly evidence of this fact but it is the story that Jerry tells about this landlady's dog that best illustrates his difficulty in establishing relationships with others. Indeed Jerry becomes so desperate in his pursuit of contact with another living creature that he becomes almost obsessed with the dog."
An discussion of the similarities and differences between the film "Pleasantville" written and directed by Gary Ross and Edward Albee's play "The Zoo Story".
Abstract This paper compares Edward Albee's 1959 play "The Zoo Story" and the 1998 film "Pleasantville", written and directed by Gary Ross. The paper explains that though it is fairly obvious that they were created in different forms, one as a stage play and the other as a film, both began life as different forms of the written word, and both manage to handle and deal with various angles of human life and behavior, but they do it in two very different periods: one in the 1950s, the other in the late 1990s. The paper looks at how "Pleasantville", in an ironic way, tends to undermine and examine some of the social and personal realities of the 1950s, whereas "The Zoo Story" examines these realities in a more subtle way appropriate to a comedy/fantasy aimed at a mass audience. The paper also compares the actions, reactions and attitudes of the two protagonists, Jerry in "The Zoo Story" and David in "Pleasantville".
From the Paper "The Zoo Story holds a mirror up to the culture of the late 1950s, with its well known constraints in the political, social and cultural spheres of life - constraints most ironically illustrated in 1950s television series such as "Leave it to Beaver," "I Love Lucy," etc. It is some of these constraints that the play works against, for instance, in its criticism of middle class life and the ordinary, conformist lifestyle as typified by the character of Peter. Notice how Jerry asks him where the dividing line is between "upper middle middle class" and "lower upper middle class," for example, showing that Jerry is very aware of these fine class differences."
Tags: conformism, satire, political, risk, reality, fantasy, TV
Abstract The paper describes how the film "Pleasantville" capitalizes on the images that were made to represent the values of containment culture; stability, family, strict gender roles and capitalism as happy and fulfilling, although they were often experienced as oppressive and confining. The paper discusses how "Pleasantville" simplifies the history of social change since the 50s into a tale of paradise that was corrupted and ultimately led to a better place. The paper explains that this serves only to pat the modern audience on the back for being so open-minded and enlightened while not actually challenging them at all.
From the Paper "The 1950s are remembered in the popular imagination as a time of ice cream parlors and roller-skates, of little red wagons and poodle skirts. Pleasantville relies heavily on this version of the decade, when life was simpler, people were friendly, trustworthy and neighborly, families were paramount, and a youthful optimism permeated the country (Hine, 1999, 178). This version comes largely from the images that people in the 50s made of themselves, in advertising, television, and the material culture, not from the actual experience of people living during that decade."
Abstract In contemporary sociology, four major perspectives are widely accepted. Each of these viewpoints serves as a platform from which one can understand the same sociological phenomena. Although they are each distinct ways of interpreting reality, each can be used to derive conclusions about specific phenomena that occur. The paper describes the four contemporary theoretical perspectives as the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, the symbolic interactionist perspective, and the postmodern perspective. The paper looks at how all four of these angles are exhibited clearly in Gary Ross's film, "Pleasantville".
From the Paper "The fact that this inevitable struggle eventually brings about social change clearly supports the neo-Marxist approach to the conflict perspective. Unlike the functionalist perspective, this viewpoint is shown somewhat before the children leave their reality at home. The scenes of modern-day high school also moderately display the different social groups and cliques which compete for social status. The students are learning about the "competitive world" ahead of them in class. They are being taught that a degree will get them everywhere and that it is the only way to succeed. This is going to perpetuate the Weber belief in the importance of economic conditions in producing inequality and conflict in society."
Abstract While some may view the beliefs of animal activists as extreme, it does seem possible that as a result of pressure from such groups, zoos have become more sensitive to the true needs of the animals they hold and protect. This paper explains that, while critics maintain that zoos cannot teach anything useful or accurate about wild animals, others argue that, for the great majority of people, they will come across wild animals only in zoos or in books. It discusses how those who support zoos believe that by seeing these animals upfront people become more aware of the need to preserve the animals' natural habitats, to end poaching, and to take the other measures that will ensure the animals' long-term survival in the wild.
From the Paper "Zoos have come a long way in the last 150 years, moving from small, cramped cages to natural habitats. Zoos make sure that social animals live in groups, and they try to make the habitats as natural and comfortable for the animals as possible. However, animal activists argue persuasively that these settings are artificial and that visitors don't actually learn a lot about the animals in their natural environment from seeing them in a zoo (Staff writers, 1997)."
Abstract The paper explains, bases on a news article, that the death of a beloved elephant was cause by unnecessarily exposure to cold temperatures in a zoo environment. The author points out a letter to the editor regarding the general treatment of zoo animals, who are often exposed to harsh environmental conditions. The paper suggests that elephants residing in cold climates, such as Chicago and other cities, should be moved to sanctuaries in warmer environments rather than zoos in order to provide these beloved animals with the freedom to roam and to exist in a more acceptable habitat."
From the Paper "An article written by Kaufman describes the recent death of a beloved elephant that resided in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Although it was determined that the elephant named Peaches died of natural causes due to its elderly age, many animal activists have argued that allowing these elephants to remain in cold climates during the winter months is particularly harmful for these animals, who are not accustomed to the cold temperatures and precipitation that are found in zoos in the North (Kaufman A03). Therefore, it has been strongly suggested that elephants residing in cold climates such as Chicago and other cities should be moved to sanctuaries in warmer environments rather than zoos in order to provide these beloved animals with the freedom to roam and to exist in a more acceptable habitat (Kaufman A03)."
Abstract This paper describes the Bronx Zoo's history and its purpose. It illustrates today's exhibitions and programs, which is set in the natural setting of the animals. It states the zoo was founded to educate the public and save endangered species by advancing the study of zoology and protecting wildlife.
From the Paper "The Bronx Zoo first opened its gates to the public on November 8, 1899. At the time, the zoo had 22 exhibits and 843 animals" (About). The zoo was actually in the planning stages since 1895, when the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) (now called the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), starting thinking about making a park where the public could learn more about animals, while the society protected animals, and funded wildlife research."
Tags: new, york, zoological, society, protected, animals, wildlife, conservation, nyzs, wcs, research
Abstract An argumentative paper promoting the idea of zoos as an important place for the preservation of endangered species, as well as a place of education and entertainment. It also examines arguments against the traditional purpose of a zoo from anti-animal cruelty activists.
From the Paper "If the world was ideal, all wildlife would roam freely and safely in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, however, the world is a place of commercialization and ignorance. Many species through the years have been hunted and poached to near extinction, and zoos have become a place of refuge and regeneration. Zoos today include natural wildlife parks and wildlife conservation parks. These parks "encourage animals to behave more like they do in the wild by creating conditions as close as possible to the natural habitat" (Biology pg). Moreover, zoos and wildlife parks provide healthier diets with foods similar to what is found in the wild. Conditions are often designed to enable animals to live with others of their species. Furthermore, many zoos and parks provide a refuge for ill and injured animals that can be returned to the wild, by creating a secluded area to avoid ?human imprinting (when exposure to humans makes the animal prefer human company over its own species)? (Biology pg). These new natural zoos and parks not only give the public a more educated and realistic idea of how a particular animal lives in the wild, but, provide a more nurturing world for an animal to live and mature (Biology pg)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Albee's play has a timeless quality about it that comes from its setting and its themes. "The Zoo Story" is more than a play with only two characters; it is an intimate look at two men's lives and the hopelessness we all face at times. It explains how these men's lives are meaningless, and they confront that as they learn about each other.
From the Paper "Albee's play "The Zoo Story" has a timeless quality about it because it has timeless themes. It is still relevant today because it is a story about people, everyday people and the meaninglessness of their lives, and this is a theme that never grows old. Jerry is a crazy man who is looking for someone he can torment into killing him, and Peter is just the man. "JERRY: But every once in a while I like to talk to somebody, really talk; like to get to know somebody, know all about him" (Albee). Ultimately, the two men face the fact that their lives are both meaningless, and Peter must come to grips with the fact that he is not all that different from Jerry, which is enough to torment anyone. The underlying theme in the story is that man is more like an animal than he cares to admit, and this is played out in the play's dramatic conclusion. Because these themes are timeless, this play could have taken place yesterday rather than over forty years ago. The men would remain the same, the setting would remain the same, and the outcome would remain the same."
Abstract This paper analyzes the social comparison theory in four sections, first by exploring a journal article that explored the theory in the United States and China. The paper also analyzes a mass media example in the context of social comparison. A personal example is then provided within an academic setting to see how the real life-scenario works. Finally, the theory was examined in an ethical context.
Outline:
Abstract
Social Comparison, Individualism-Collectivism, and Self-Esteem in China and the United States by Chung and Mallery
Mass Media Example of the Social Comparison Theory
Personal Example of Social Comparison Theory
Social Comparison Theory and Ethics
From the Paper "Chung and Mallery (1999) "examined the possible differences in social comparison between individualistic and collectivistic cultures" using the United States and China for the sample (para. 1). Chung and Mallery predicted that based on past research, collectivistic cultures, where individuals focused on achievements that would be beneficial to a collective group rather than themselves, would be positively correlated with upward social comparison, while the contrary would be true for individualistic cultures. In essence the a priori expectation is that "upward comparisons were positively correlated with individual self-esteem, and downward comparisons were negatively correlated with collective self-esteem" (Chung & Mallery, 1999, para 14)."
Abstract This paper introduces, discussees, and analyzes Plutarch's "Comparison of Pompey with Agesilaus". Specifically, the paper considers the historical significance of the document about the time, place, and environment in which it was created. The paper explains that the comparison of Pompey and Agesilaus is valuable for the insight it gives into both men, including their motivation, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses.
From the Paper "A quick reading of the document offers several historical points, including information on the culture, religious beliefs, and social customs of the times. First, the author refers to a "false gloss on the oracle" in relation to Agesilaus and his reign. This indicates the importance of oracles and sooth-sayers during the time. In fact, civilizations relied on oracles for much of their decision-making, including laws and military actions. Indeed, Plutarch himself served Apollo at the Oracle at Delphi. Thus, oracles were extremely important in the environment of the time."
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the behaviors and actions of Hamlet and Othello. In particular, the two characters' handling of love, grief and revenge are examined.
From the Paper "Chance, coincidence, and circumstance influence the actions one takes when dealing with highly emotional situations. Everyone has their own way of dealing with these emotional situations, but the actions one chooses to carry out portray an image of the character they have become. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Othello, Hamlet and Othello, respectively, are similar in ways of handling their emotional states, but are very unalike in some aspects also. Hamlet and Othello's handling of love, grief, and revenge can be compared and contrasted in their respective plays. The love of their women, the grief of their losses, and the revenge that consumed them, have different, yet similar approaches by Hamlet and Othello."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the legendary story of the hero Aeneas who survives the fall of Troy and follows the will of the gods and fate to build a nation that will eventually become Rome. The paper includes an analysis of "The Aeneid", written in Homeric style and gives a comparison of Aeneas's character with Greek heroes, Odysseus and Achilles.
From the Paper "The son of Anchises and Venus, a prince of Troy and leader of the expedition to Italy, Aeneas is the main character in the book "The Aeneid". The most admired and valued characteristics in Augustan Rome are marked on his personality. He is true to his word devout, a courageous and skillful soldier and a pious. The heroism of Aeneas is his ability, to place his belief in Rome in all times and the Roman ideal before his own selfish interests, which was unlike Achilles and Odysseus."
Abstract The writer of this paper speculates as to the causes of these two regimes, and effects some sort of a comparison as to their respective causes. The paper thoroughly examines the causes of these regimes and compares the respective regimes of these two dictators. By doing so it illuminates some of the historical circumstances that produced these regimes and shows what can be used to prevent the horrors perpetrated by these men from happening again.
From the Paper "Thus the reasons for the development of dictatorial regimes in Germany and Russian, though parallel in the level of fear of foreign invasion and of economic turmoil are similar, they are not synonymous. Germany's Nazi regime was rooted more in a psychological rather than an economic reality, the lack of a democratic tradition, rather than of an industrial tradition. The causes may have been different, though the toll of human life was still great."
