Abstract This paper examines how poetry is a good example of how the effective and powerful portrayal of mythology, especially in Lord Byron and W. B. Yeats? literary works. It looks at how the theme of mortality is an important issue often discussed in works of poetry depicting myths and it characters. It shows how the direct comparison between gods and man illustrates the ability of man to overcome power and display bravery despite his shortcomings and the gods? advantage for being powerful and possessing extraordinary skills. It analyzes the use of the theme of mortality in the two poets? works, namely "Prometheus" by Lord Byron, based on the myth of Prometheus, who had experienced sufferings in the hands of the great god Zeus and "Leda and the Swan" by W. B. Yeats which reflects the stagnation and suffering of humanity, as expressed by the "harassment" and violation Leda experiences under the swan's (Zeus) control.
From the Paper "Similarly, Lord Byron's "Prometheus" is an example of Man's mortality and conflict with the immortal gods. Mortality is usually perceived as weakness, while immortality is associated with power, since being an immortal denies you the gift of Death, which most people fear and do not want to happen. Mortality is portrayed in Byron's poem through Prometheus? suffering, which is evoked in the opening lines of the poem: "TITAN! to whose immortal eyes/ The sufferings of mortality/ Seen in their sad reality"? By using the word mortality in rhyme with ?sad reality,? Byron illustrates how mortality is a disadvantageous trait of man if pitted against the powers and immortality of gods, who can never lose because they can live forever. Prometheus? suffering can be likened to Napoleon Bonaparte who has to experience suffering and death first before the society realized his fight for freedom of all people. "
Abstract This paper reviews "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The paper discusses the problematic issue of the paradox between mortality and immortality as being inconsistently represented in regards to the title of Mary Shelley's short story. The paper argues that the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story.
From the Paper "This literary study will examine the theme of immortality in "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The problem of age is a critical error in this tale, as immortality implies a deathless state for the main character. Shelley does not provide an accurate depiction of how immortality is a possibility in the text, since many of her descriptions of time do not correspond with a personality that could possibly exist beyond the realm of death. In essence, the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story. Shelley, in the beginning of her short story provides a first person narrative that defines the age of her main character in relation to the ageless myth of the "Wandering Jew." "
A discussion of the article "Marriage, Bargaining, and Intrahousehold Resource Allocation: Excess Female Mortality Among Adults During Early German Development", by Stephen Klasen.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses the female mortality rate in West Germany between 1680 and 1870. The paper is based on an article review of Stephen Klasen's "Marriage, Bargaining, and Intrahousehold Resource Allocation: Excess Female Mortality Among Adults During Early German Development." The analysis includes examining four other articles that are relevant to the topic.
From the Paper "Adult Female Mortality in Early German Development: 1680-1870 The article "Marriage, Bargaining, and Intrahousehold Resource Allocation: Excess Female Mortality Among Adults During Early German Development, 1680-1870", written by Stephen Klasen, examines mortality rates of adult females in Germany between the late 1600s and mid to late 1800s. The purpose for Klasen's study was to find out whether gender bias existed in the allocation of household resources. His empirical research discovered that the mortality rate among married adult females was considerably excessive."
Abstract The paper examines Mary Shelley's haunting short story, "The Mortal Immortal" that is a grim tale about a man given immortal youth who finds that his boon has really become a prison from which he cannot escape. The writer chose this short story because it captures better than most the unforeseen consequences of human impulsivity.
From the Paper "Winzy - furious at the coquettish nature of his fickle love - drinks his master's elixir in the expectation that it will cure him of loving her evermore. Instead, he discovers that he has been more cursed than blessed: by taking the elixir, the hapless assistant Winzy makes himself a monster among men who is unable to establish meaningful relationships with other human beings because they are ephemeral and prone to the vicissitudes of nature while he never grows old."
Abstract This paper explains that the SIMUVAC (Simulated Evacuation) episode in Don DeLillo's novel "White Noise" serves as a pivotal turning point in the narrative. The writer then points out that much of the rest of the narrative is haunted by the main protagonist's (Jack) obsession with his own impending mortality. The paper also investigates the concepts of reality and simulation in real life and concludes that the ultimate significance of the SIMUVAC episode in "White Noise" is that it effects the transformation of death from an abstract sphere to something that is very real in Jack's perceptive field.
From the Paper "This episode confirms Baudrillard's characterization of the mass media's deceptive role. While the media generates a strong desire in the masses for knowing the absolute truth, of attaining total objectivity in relation to information, it is actually the "truer than true which counts or, in other words, the fact of being there without being there. Or, to put it yet another way, the fantasy." The tabloid media can be thought of as an extreme representation of this desire for a truth that goes beyond truth, until it ultimately satisfies our hidden desire for escape from reality - i.e. fantasy."
Abstract It is frequently been suggested that the infant mortality rate (IMR) is a reliable indicator of a country's civilization and focus on the welfare of its citizens. Although global infant mortality rates have shown steady improvement over the past century, many developing countries continue to experience inordinately high rates compared to the world levels; surprisingly, though, even the United States, which claims to have one of the best health care systems in the world, continues to experience relatively high infant mortality rates, higher even than many developing nations. This paper provides an overview of the problem, followed by an examination of the infant mortality rates in the Republic of Ghana and the United States. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Infant mortality reflects the well-being of entire populations, whether nations or subgroups, a fact that makes it a fundamental area of mortality study (Zopf 1992). According to Berger (2001), infant mortality has been subdivided into three major categories to clarify understanding of risk factors. Infant mortality encompasses two subgroups: neonatal (birth to 27 days) and postneonatal (28 days to 364 days). Child mortality applies to one-to-18 years olds. For the purposes of this investigation, the IMR will employ the definition provided by the CIA World Factbook, defined as infant deaths within the first year of life. This IMR therefore provides the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year."
Abstract This paper explains that research shows that prenatal care is positively associated with improved birth outcomes including reduced incidences of premature births and infant mortality. The author points out that low birth weight is a key indicator of infant health, as low birth weight babies have much higher mortality rates. The paper relates that research also shows that, of all the environmental threats to a fetus, the most harmful clearly is smoking, which women can control.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Analysis
Background and Overview
Prenatal Care and Premature Births
Prenatal Care and Infant Mortality Constraints
Conclusion
From the Paper "Interestingly, the geographic place of birth may also be a risk; for example, Mexican-American mothers born within the United States have higher rates of SGA than those born outside the U.S.. In fact, one of the main reasons for the inordinately high incidences of infant mortality is that birth weights are too low. According to a 1985 report from the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, "Preventing Low Birthweight": "Low birthweight is a major determinant of infant mortality in the United States." On a positive note, during the 1990s, studies have shown that more American women sought prenatal care and refrained from smoking during pregnancy; however, the number of births to women who were not married increased, as well as the number of premature and underweight infants. A report from Child Trends and the Kids Count Special Report of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2001 compared how the 50 states and the 50 largest cities, including Washington, D.C., in eight categories that can provide an infant with "the right start" to life."
A demographic analysis of research on child mortality in developing countries including risk factors, gender, economics, environment, pre-natal education and health care.
3,600 words (approx. 14.4 pages), 37 sources, 2000, $ 127.95
Abstract This article examines the differences in infant mortality rates (IMR, babies younger than one year) and child mortality rates (CMR, age group 1-4) between and among developing nations around the world.
From the Paper "Demographic Study of Child Mortality in Developing Countries
Introduction
This article examines the differences in infant mortality rates (IMR, babies younger than one year) and child mortality rates (CMR, age group 1-4) between and among developing nations around the world. This article will build on the analysis and research of Hill and Pebley (1989). Which was a well-developed literature review examining CMR in 1988, taking issue with certain of the demographic trends in mortality then either noted or projected.
Hill & Pebley, along with other authors since their study, attempt to explain IMR and CMR by looking at demographic, economic, health care and educational factors, in the context of a variety of theoretical models that consider both the birth..."
Abstract This paper focuses on the causes of the high infant mortality rate in Philadelphia, the city with the highest infant mortality rate in the U.S. The paper analyzes the issue in detail and suggests some remedial measures that might be undertaken to help mitigate the problem.
From the Paper "Infant mortality by definition refers to the "death of infants that occur within the first year of their life". The infant mortality rate is the "number of infant deaths within the first year of life per 1,000 live births per year" . [UDOH]. Infant deaths fall under the following two categories namely perinatal deaths and neonatal deaths. Perinatal deaths include fetal deaths, those that occur after 20 or more weeks of gestation, and deaths that occur within the first 28 days after delivery of the baby. Neonatal deaths refer to infant deaths that occur after 28 days of birth and within one year. This classification serves to provide us with a better picture of the actual conditions that result in infant deaths. It has to be noted however, that, in general many conditions that originate in the perinatal period are responsible for the large proportion of deaths in the neonatal period."
Abstract This paper reviews the proposed Tennessee legislation for the Nurse Home Visitor Program, Tennessee House Bill 1892 and Senate Bill 2040. The program is designed to provide funding and structure to provide home visit nurses to aid in the reduction of the Tennessee infant mortality rate. This paper reviews the discouraging present state of affairs of infant mortality in Tennessee and the disparate effect upon White and African-American mothers. Finally the papper reviews the present state of the legislation and the fiscal impact of the program.
From the Paper "The death of an infant child whether in utero, at birth, or within the first year of life is a tragedy that no family should endure. This is not only a traumatic event for the affected family, it affects the community at large and is a reflection of society in whole. The infant mortality rate for Tennessee in 2004 was 8.6 per thousand live born infants, nearly fifty percent higher than the national average of 6.6 ("Tennessee's Racial Disparity," 2006, p.2). This not only a fifty percent increase in the likelihood a family in Tennessee will experience the sadness of loosing an infant child, but it reflects poorly upon the state of public health in the state. The unfortunate state of affairs of public health was recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly, and a bill was introduced in February of 2007 to provide for nurse home visitations for low income, first-time mothers to provide prenatal through first year care for infants ("Bill History Section," 2007)."
A look at the theme of mortality in Emily Dickinson's poems - "Because I Could Not Stop for Death", "There's Been a Death in the Opposite House", and "My Life Closed Twice Before it Closed".
Abstract A major theme that exists throughout the works of the poet Emily Dickinson is mortality. The topic of death and how it affects the subject that is passing and those around them is prevalent in such works as "Because I Could Not Stop for Death", "There's Been a Death in the Opposite House", and "My Life Closed Twice Before it Closed". This paper examines how within these works, one can observe Emily Dickinson's views on the end of existence.
From the Paper "In the work "Because I Could Not Stop for Death", death itself is put into an almost human form. One could view in the mind a figure such as the grim reaper, showing up at the narrator's doorstep to pick him or her up for the ride to "eternity". In reading this poem, I gathered that the narrator was busy in day to day life like we all are, perhaps even stating like some do, that we are too busy to die. However, death, as illustrated in this poem, will "kindly" stop for us. Death, as Dickinson seems to view it in her poem, does not care for the busy life in the world. In reading, I enjoyed how the narrator had an evolution in his or her thinking and priorities. At the beginning of the verse, we read the line "Because I could not stop for Death," which gives me the first impression of the hectic life the narrator had been leading. I then see the speaker's views change with the lines "We slowly drove, he knew no haste, And I had put away My labour, and my leisure too,". With these lines, I saw the narrator change his or her perspectives on the day to day rush of life, realizing that with the end of life there are no more trials and toils. The worries of life go away into what is expressed as a carriage ride into immortality."
Abstract This paper examines how the relationships between the opinionated gods and needy mortals in Homer's "The Iliad" can be seen through the use of persuasion, such as in Thetis's entreaty to Zeus, the seduction of Zeus and Zeus's request for Thetis.
From the Paper "It is interesting to see the lengths a mother will go for her son, especially when it requires a plea to Zeus, the leader of the gods. In Book One Thetis, although only a nymph, is able to use her wits to persuade Zeus into performing a favor for her son, Achilleus. As shown in the passage on page 72 of Lattimore's translation, Thetis waits twelve days to speak with Zeus and is not intimidated by the broad-browed god. The actions Thetis makes when speaking with Zeus exhibits her cunning and persuasive ways. Thetis embraces the knee of Zeus and thoughtfully caresses his chin, all while speaking in supplication."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that today, breast cancer remains the focus of a growing amount of research around the world and new, improved diagnostic techniques, drugs and treatment are constantly improving survival rates. Nevertheless, the writer points out that the incidence of female breast cancer remains unacceptably high in many regions of the country, especially New Jersey. To identify recent trends in the incidence of female breast cancer generally and in New Jersey specifically, this paper provides a review of the relevant peer-reviewed literature and an analysis of the statistical rates by race for the state and its counties. A summary of the research and salient findings are presented in the conclusion. The writer concludes that the the research is clear in showing that virtually every county in New Jersey is considered high-risk for increased rates of breast cancer by virtue of their geographic proximity to nuclear reactors, as well as the potential environmental toxins that go hand in hand with high concentrations of humanity.
Outline:
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Environmental Factors
Table 1 - Breast Cancer Statistics - New Jersey
Table 2 - Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Race, New Jersey and the U.S. 1989-1993.
Table 3 - Cancer Death Statistics for the State of New Jersey by Race
Summary of Breast Cancer Trends Identified in New Jersey
Conclusion
From the Paper "Other environmental factors may relate to socioeconomic conditions. While the National Cancer Institute and other medical organizations agree that women age 50 years and older should obtain a routine mammography every one to two years, estimates of breast cancer screening utilization show that participation in mammography screening is typically lowest among groups of women with whom social workers often work; that is, older, low-income, rural, and racially and culturally diverse women. Studies have investigated a variety of factors predictive of women's decisions about breast cancer screening, including socioeconomic factors, and to a lesser extent, psychological and cultural variables; the results of these studies generally indicate that older and ethnic minority women, women with inadequate insurance coverage and no regular source of medical care, women that are less educated, women that live in medically underserved areas, and women that report strong religious values, attitudes, and beliefs about breast cancer, are less likely to obtain breast cancer screening and are at greater risk of dying from breast cancer than are white women who are younger, educated, have health insurance and access to medical care, and that do not express strong beliefs about breast cancer."
Abstract This paper is a study that investigates infant mortality of babies born to African-American women in Georgia for the years between 2000-2005. It looks at five public health districts all within the state of Georgia with the highest and lowest rates of infant mortality. The author has included a literature review and several tables and diagrams.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of Study
Literature Review
Five Health Districts with Highest Infant Mortality Rate
Infant Mortality Rate - Contributing Factors
Social Cognitive Theory
Summary and Conclusion
Recommendations
From the Paper "Infant rate mortality in Georgia is extremely high and is an indicator of the overall poor status of health among women and children in this state. Between 1990 and 2000, it is reported that Georgia was among the states with the highest rate of infant deaths. In 1990 the infant morality rate in Georgia was at 12.4 deaths for each 1,000 live births and decreasing to 8.5 per 1,000 in 1998. The infant death rate among the white population is 6.1 per 1,000 while the African American population was stated at a much greater rate of 13.5 per 1,000, which is over twice as high as infant death rates among the white population in the state of Georgia. (Georgia Department of Human Resources: Infant Mortality Fact Sheet, 2000)"
