Post Mortem Review Essay Example for Free

Post Mortem Review Essay OBJECTIVE This memo details the benefits and drawbacks of a postmortem review of this training project. Additionally it will include who should partake in the postmortem review meeting, and in conclusion what the team hope’s to discover upon conclusion of this review. BENEFITS OF A POSTMORTEM REVIEW The benefits of this review are to list the goals versus outcome of the project, the budget against the final costs, and stakeholder participation. It is also helpful to document what went well and what did not go well during this project. Areas to review are morale, communications, and cost components such as hardware, software, office space, people, time, and budget. This should also include project scope, requirements, conflict management, and deadlines. DRAWBACKS OF A POST MORTEM REVIEW The drawbacks of this review are that it is too late to correct or fix any problems or errors that occurred during this project. Because this project is so small, there are few milestones to help gauge the success of the entire project. THE MEETING There will be a meeting the day after training ends on February 14, 2000 at 800 am at the Holiday Inn media room for the sponsor, project manager, and trainers to discuss the lessons learned and to prepare the postmortem report. Stakeholders will take notes during the project to ensure there is valuable feedback prepared bout how things went, the milestones, what went well and what could be improved upon for the final meeting. The project will terminate on February 14, 2000 and a final meeting and presentation will be provided to the stakeholders. This presentation will cover the project history and summary to include: ââ€"   Project description ââ€"   Project MOV ââ€"   Scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives ââ€"   Comparison of planned versus actual ââ€"   Original scope and history of any approved changes ââ€"   Original budget versus actual cost of completing the project ââ€"   Test plans and test results ââ€"   Deliverables and Milestones ââ€"   Ongoing support required and duration ââ€"   Project documentation list ââ€"   Systems documentation ââ€"   User manuals ââ€"   Training materials Closing the Project: Upon conclusion of the presentation meeting, the project manager, and team will conduct an administrative closure. Team member performance will be reviewed, an audit of the project by an objective outside party and evaluation to determine if the project achieved its envisioned MOV. Additional documentation such as lesson’s learned and best practices will be evaluated and documented. CONCLUSION This meeting hopes to serve as a valuable resource for everyone involved in this project and a helpful guide to future projects. References Marchewka, J., (1998). Information technology project management, 4e. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Mantel, J., Meredith, S. (2000). Project management, a managerial approach . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons.

Why Chinese mothers are superior Essay Example for Free

Why Chinese mothers are superior Essay This Wall Street Journal is very true about the way Chinese parents raise their children, and how they raise them is how they will grow. Each person has their own opinion on how their child should be raised and taught. In Amy Chuass Why Chinese Mothers are Superior an article from the Wall Street Journal, she explains the difference between Chinese parenting and Western parenting. Her belief is if you are hard and strict on a child they will be successful and go far in life, unlike westerner parents who make excuses for their child for being unsuccessful. Many people think that since Chinese parents are so hard on their children that they don’t care or love them but its complete opposite, they just express a different and unique parenting role. Amy Chuas is a professor at Yale Law School and author of Day of Empire and World on Fire. Her argument in this article is in her ethos, from the beginning she stated her character as the stern and demanding and don’t care attitude type of mother. Chuas is the author of this and she is constantly comparing and contrasting Western parenting from Chinese parenting, she mainly defends Chinese ways and almost guilt trips Western parents and puts them down. She states, First Ive noticed that Western parents are extremely anxious about their children’s self esteem. She is implying that they want their children to do good, but are concerned about their feelings will be if they don’t succeed at something, that is why they are always encouraging them to do good, and try their best. Western parents are worried about their childrens intellect, where Chinese parents aren’t, Chinese parents suppose hardness and power unlike vulnerability and this explains why they act so contrasting. Amy Chuas seems to be open to both sides of this argument but still stands tall and supports her own beliefs and opinions which makes her a smart and open minded author in which more people will honor her for her beliefs instead of looking down on her for having her own opinions. Ive noticed that she is content with facing people who want to argue with her belief of parenting skills, and is readily given to listening to other people’s arguments that disagree with her. Amy Chuas uses her pathos as an inconsiderate customary humor, and is looking down at westerners for how they raise their children. Amy likes to discuss what Western parents want to do to act and be like the Chinese but in all reality Western parents know they cant be like how Chinese parents are toward their children; even though they would like to think they are rough and tough on their discipline. What i think is interesting is that her own husband has an argument out against her when he states Children don’t choose their parents, so its the parents responsibility to provide for them basically making a pled for the Western side of this argument. With all this being said she tried to have a good comeback for him but she failed to do so because her request is damaged because she is not thinking in a neutral state of mind. She really didn’t have much to say, other than of course all parents out there want to see their children do good and succeed and achieve lifetime goals to help better their self. Its like she contradicts her point because she says she disproves how Western parenting is; and then turns right around like i stated earlier that all parents are the same, and if they care for their children then they only what want is right for their children. Amy Chuas states in the beginning and tells us the percentages of Western and Chinese mothers who agree that children stressing with their school and academics that it isn’t good for them. Stressing with learning and any type of struggling isn’t good for children especially at such a young age because this is a crucial time in their life, but all of the Chinese mothers thought this was good for their children. They think that if their child is under some sort of pressure they will try harder and when they are strapped with school work it will make them even try harder to succeed, and this is where all the moms stood behind Amy and could relate to why she thought this way. Chaus makes 1 / 2 this confusing for the reader, especially when calling her daughter trash and making her feel worthless when she didn’t do good on a test but since we don’t know what her daughter really did this could be a lie or her exaggerating just to get us to understand her point. She doesn’t intricate when she says what decent parents really are and what is best for children. I feel if she is going to say that she should go into more detail and explain her argument and point of view better, even with all her exaggeration there is no certain ways set in stone to decide what conditions a excellent parent has. I like the fact she has made it very clear that there are differences between Western and Chinese parents. She is just stating that her parents must have raised her this way so apparently their is a long line of Chinese history behind her so she is just carrying out the family tradition, and raise her daughter this way. For her this culture of changing would be hard to do because the reason of her essay was to differ Western from Chinese and of course we expect her to think the Chinese way is more efficient. The audience is whoever decides to read this and i feel as if she wants them to take in so they will take in all what she has said into consideration and change their mind to the way she sees stuff. This topic is very eye catching and really makes you think about how many different ways their is to raise your children and how different nationalities teach and want their children to grow up. Amy Chua thinks being hard on children while they are young and criticizing them academically when doing wrong they will grow into a successful adult one day. This article might not be effective but it does help you to understand and explain why Chinese mothers are superior and how Western ones are not. I think teaching them freedom and independence is what is better, not scolding them for getting a B when we all know that’s a good grade to get. Teaching them independence and how to make choices that will follow them until their older is what should be more important. Either way she does have a good static of parenting children and it shows because so many Chinese people really are successful and its because their parents raised them this way and that is all they know. You can ask anyone today about Chinese parents and most of them will tell you that they are hard on their children because that is all they know, and they are just passing how they were raised in return hoping their kids raise their children the same way. Chua, Amy. Amy Chua Is a Professor at Yale Law School and Autho Od Day of Empire and World on Fire. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones amp; Company, 8 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. Chua, Amy. Western Parents Are Extremly Anxious about Their Childrens Self Esteem. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones amp; Company, 8 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. Chua, Amy. Children Dont Choose Their Parents, so Its the Parents Responsibility to Provide for Them. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones amp; Company, 8 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. 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Dementia Symptoms, Causes and Strategies

Dementia Symptoms, Causes and Strategies Symptoms of Dementia Repetitive behavior- people with dementia may say or ask anything same over and over again. Repetitive behavior also occurs when they are unsettled and unsettled. Here are some of the examples of repetetive behavior it includes tapping, rubbing hands asking questions, making same noise, it can be very irritating for some carers and family with people living with dementia. It is usually caused by anxiety separation from loved one cauising consistent asking for their loved one or side effects of medications such us particularly repetitive movement, inability to express needs, trying to express emotion too many unfamiliar objects or sounds and sights that causing anxiety. The best thing to cope with this behavior was asked them to have a walk like in the garden, don’t tell them that they have already asked the same question, use calm voice when approaching them, and when they can still read, use signs like we â€Å"we will have and eat the afternoon tea at around 15:30 pm. Wandering- wandering is the major priority , it is the most common form of disruption with people with dementia. It is also due to forgetfulness and frequent need for stimulation. It is common cause of tension and anxiety for the carer and the people with dementia is the wandering. It can also triggers with medication which causes restlessness and unfamiliar environment assistant to find their way around plenty of reassurance may lessen the problem or if the person bored sad or lonely. It includes to keep the need and make the person safe allowing them some independence and choice can also be challenging for them, this can be resolve depending on several factors involving and including neighborhood environment, personality of the carer plus the coping mechanism. The coping strategy was encourage exercise such as walking, gardening or stacking wood and also provide good exercise and some interest give meaning ful activities such as folding clothes. Consider electronic buzzer, chimes, bell above door or a pressure sensitive mat if the person way out.Ensure gates are lock and also ensure she/he carries that can identify him/her. If unable to find within an hour let the police know and when the demented being found notify the police. Sundowning- it increased confusion and restkessness in person with dementia. It is means progression of dementia and it occurs more frequently during middle stage of alzheimers. People with dementia will become more confused restless or insecure in the late afternoon or early in the evening. They get worse after a change in routine, they become more demanding, become upset and disorientated, attention span during this time is limited they became impulsive they may feel see things that are unreal. The causes is there is a psychological or physiological function during tge day or each day that can increased confusion that leads to agitated behaviors. They become anxious going home and even finding mothers which indicate they need safety and security protection. If surrounding becomes worst early afternoon rest is recommended, offer a drink and do not restrain make them feel safe. Aggressive behavior- it can be due to verbal abuse like physical violence bitting or even scratching. It may trigger may be because of changes in the brain misunderstanding of messages being sent by the carers. It is also causes and lead to emotional harms to others or threatens. It can be reactive it can be overt and secretive. Environmental factors such as noise feeling of failure frustration and poor ineffective communication by staff, talking loudly being bossy, threatening tone and body language can trigger behavior. The coping mechanism involves use gentle approach, remove the person from trigger, smile, use distraction such listening to music, avoid confrontation which may worsen aggressive behavior. Rummaging- rummaging means to search thoroughly by handling turning over or disarranging contents, it also means searching thoroughly. People with dementia intrude into other private spaces and rummage when they are lost searching for purposeful activity, it triggers when the person is feeling of being unfamiliar in surroundings. It may be searching for a purposeful activity. The coping strategy is provide picture of something familiar on the door provide distraction, provide things or objects which can connect a person with their past, provide rummaging box or draw full of familiar items. Have an area or room provide client to rummage. Hoarding- people with dementia may search and find for something they may believe that is missing and they do hoarding and hoard things to collect them for safe keeping.It is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting or possessing because need to save them. A person with this experience distress thought of getting rid of items. It influence and triggers the behavior everytime they may feel insolated and they may feel neglected so hoarding is a common response to this. It can also triggers memories on the past like her sister is tooking her things. The person with this type of behavior has a fear of fear or loss. Catastrophic behavior- it is behavioral and emotional response in a situation which create a stress to people with dementia. It is a caused for a person with dementia and situation its beyond the person’s ability to comprehend. Trigger can lead to too much inform,ation, feeling of insecurity, changes of routine and environment, too much stimuli and unfamiliar noises can be a factor. The coping mechanism is use gentle, calm, slow speech, smiling and touch theraphy may be used , removed the person from the stimuli, and document if dituation may be avoided in the future. Changes in the Brain Changes that taken place in the brain and affect person memory mood and behavior it also depends on what part of the brain has being affected. Plaques and tangles stop communicating between nerve cell and caused them to die. It can trigger challenging behavior such as sundowning hoarding, aggressive catastrophic rummaging wandering etc. anger and agression are often directed to a family member because they are closest. The behavior is out of person’s control and they may be frightened by it they need assurance eventho it doesn’t show that way. Communication style of others- as dementia progress ability to communicate decreased and decline in language is lost that leads to frustration and anxiety. If they cant understand what people or carers saying this may cause them to act as a challemnging including aggression. Aggressive behavior may be a person’s way meeting the need attempt to communicate and can result of unmet outcome need. Approach by other people- Never ever approach from behind it can trigger challenging behavior, do not be loud and bossy cause it might upset the client and can make them feel angry and frustrated, different carers with different approach or changes in routine can trigger challenging behavior. Loss of choice- Other people may think people with dementia can not longer do thimgs for themselves and leave them out of decision that affect them. This cause frustrated to people with dementia it can cause angry because they are not being listened and they are being ignored, the person may loose confidence if there is a loss of choice including their ADL;s, activities and meals. They can become stress and have anxiety if they don’t have choice. Environment- The environment may not meet their needs or may be overstimulating too hot or too cold, noisy or bright can trigger their behavior, too much agitation but less stimulation can lead to boredom frustration and apathy. Sensory issues- Impaired vision and hearing can misinterpret sight and sounds in this it can trigger behavior issues. Poor eyesight and loss hearing may lead to anxiety, frustration and communication difficulty. Anxiety- Anxiety causes inability to carry out activity o daily living. Inability to understand words around them , inability to perform previous ability and anxiety can be due to multiple factor causing frustration which caused sense of loss. Cultural factors- In other instances client feels that they are not being understood. Dementia person may revert on their own language, become angry, anxious, and frustrated when other doesn’t understand what they are saying. Service limitation- Services may not be person centered in health changes they are not noted and reported properly. Carers and meals may not be on time which can greatly affecting the client behavior not enough staff on duty which client routines may change due to lack of staff that leads to challenging behavior. Physical health changes- An inability to communicate any pain or health problems may lead to anxiety and feeling of helpless. Infection, pain and constipation may lead to delirium. There may be pain illness infection or physical discomfort including being constipated or thirsty or from sitting for too long. Medication- Some medication can increase agitation and confusion new meds can lead to changes in behavior, side effects for taking too many medication may mean that person becomes more confused and drowsy. Challenges toself esteem and dignity- Need to accept personal cares may lead to loss of dignity and loss of independence, loss of privacy may lead to embarrassment sometimes person with dementia may feel useless and as unable to so such activity may feel burden to family. Loss of independence- person may becaome frustrated for not being able to complete the task.(e.g dressing up and feeding herself). Aggression may occur due to frustration with own inability to carry out previous task. Strategies for Dementia Care Behavioral strategies (diversion)- it can be a very effective way to challenging behavior it means distracting from present situation. Take them for a walk smell flowers, look at the garden, use of CD, playing music of their music song, encourage to do household task with a client who is capable of folding clothes. Etc. Individualised service plan- Services should be safe, and services providers shall ensure that a patient receives best possible care available and that patient is safe from harm for both themselves and others. Safe social and physical environment- when a person starts to wander and become dangerous to themselves it may be necessary to assessed as required stage 3 residential care. this is where all external gates to the facility are blocked and residents are unable to leave their own desire. As dementia progress person with dementia is vulnerable safety issue and requirements and protection is important not only from physical injury but also from exploitation and abuse. Individualised activity plan- Activities should be safe voluntary, familiar and provide chance of satisfaction and success. Each client have and requires activity plan. Avoidance of triggers- It is the key to management and problem solving consultation with family/whanau. Use of behavior charts and good documentation with times, location, dates and the staff involved. Ensuring that the care being delivered is client not task oriented, assist with ensuring values and self esteem. Timeout- timeout for person with dementia means gently taking their hand and encouraging them to walk away from a situation which causing them distress. Going for a walk, going back to their room or in a quiet area should be assisting in reducing tensions.it should not be necessary toi restrain or shut someone into isolation. Communication techniques- It is provided and acknowledge required that carers should talk in a respectful and calm way to residents and even to staff’s as a sign of respect. Staff education and training- It is ongoing training and monitoring of systems and strategies. Manangement often offer trainings to staff to familiarize and know whats to do when the situation arises example falls, what to do etc. Debriefing- Support workers having regular meeting and discussion to relieve the stress and discuss concerns or just have a meeting and talk to relieve the stress. Having trained support workers such as team leaders to open discussion and assistance to other support worker. Stress management- Stress management is a spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s level of stress especially chronic stress. One way to solve and lessen the stress was to d solving the problem which causing to stress thinking intervention how to deal with it remove yourself from the stimuli, listening to music watching movies and talking to friends to lessen and cope with the stress. Care Worker Strategies Personal restraint- it means that the service provider uses their own body to intentionally limit the movement of client upper body and arm that can be held to allow for a bloodtest, and a body and legs might be restrained for insertion of a catheter. Physical restrain- which limit a person normal freedom of movement mostly applied directly to a person’s body. Strap and lapbelt are used in a bed chair. Vest restrain-vest crosses body at the front and strap to secure at a chair or bed to decreased forward or sideway movement. Mitten restrain- restrain person hand to restrict the ability to use finger thumb. Wrist ankle-limit movement of legs/arm . Elbow restrain- preventing elbow from bending. Environment restrain- Reduction of social contact or intentionally removing environment stimulation, it is a change to a person surrounding that restricts or control movement example bed rails can be raised on side of the bed some are padded which make them suffer. Locked doors- locking doors to a room and certain area. It can stop people who are wandering to go into a place they are not supposed to. Seclusion- can be reduced if they are at risk of injury for themselves or other. It means locking a person in a particular room, it should be used in mental health and intellectual disability to prevent violent behavior compromising safety. Fences it can be used as a restrict on outdoors area, Indoors can be used in a corridor or at a top of staircase. Furniture portable tables or reclining chairs can be used as form of environment restrain. Important Factors for Dementia Care 2.2 Dignity- Restrain reduces dignity when our choices are diminished and we rely on others to meet our needs such as fluids,toileting bathing, etc. Person or support worker should make sure that they are continually aware of dignity am person. Privacy- Person al information should be stored securely and should not be visible to people who are not authorized to see it. Support- positive communication is essential to reduce agitation and anxiety. Should be within the person’s understanding and it may be repeated. Touch are useful ways to communicate with the person. Be sure touch is culturally acceptable for demented client. Communication- use simple short clear sentences as the person my be having difficulty understanding because of dementia, speak politely this will decreased client stress. Safety- document the use of restrain example progress notes, Make sure that it is culturally accepted, during restrain monitoring forms and if a new restrain it can be check every 15 mins, then it can become less if a person get used with the restrain. Process of Dementia Care Approval process- This is the first step before it needs to approved, before restrain full restrain can be used, any risk desired ourtcome, person age, gender, current treatment, recovery plan, possible alternative, hoe the person will be affected, and the possible effect of this like confusion response on future treatment. Documentation- document sufficient detail and the intervention and outcome that is being done. Documentation is a legal proof of what is being done. It consist if details of advocacy, intervention and observation, and monitoring, type of restrain being used the time, the risk and the cultural considerations. Document it on restrain form which can be checked and fillup every 2 hours for the notes. Assessment is needed before the treatment is being started, it includes here the clients health gender, culture, if experience trauma, being abuse in the past , how long should be in place and what factor should be considered and what is the expected outcome on this. Informed consent- Informed consent is a process of involving indivisual and or their representative if the individual does not have the capacity to consent all involves needs to be appropriately involved and are willing to agree on what is being suggested.consent must be obtained before doing retrain. The ffg should be explained like what is the restrain being used, the risk and benefits, alternatives on the use of restain and the outcome of its use. Planning- The decision to approve for restrain on a client should be made only as a last resort, to maintain safety for the clients workers and others. It is also based on the information that is being gathered during the assessment process and the organisation policies and procedure. Care and Monitoring- The need for continuous use of restraint is continually monitores and regulatly reviewed to ensure it is applied for the minimum amount of time necessary. To minimize the risk of harm to the patient during anby period of the restrain the patient safety, comfort, provision of all are support and treatment must met at all times. Must check the color- the skin may also feel cool if blood flow is restricted the circulation restricted blood floew affects circulation which they may feel tingling sensation especially in fingers, hands and feet and toes. Sakin breakdown may occur especially in the area where the restrain is it can become red and will develop sores. Breathinh- The person should breath normally when the restrain is in the place if the person having difficulty of breathing the restrain may be too tight.Posture- if the person is uncomfortable the restrain may be too tight or incorrectly placed. Degree of restriction- there should be enough two finger space b etween restrain and person body. Comfort- make it comfortable to keepthe injury on its minimum.Personal needs- Ensuring that needs are met and opportunities to eat and drink go to toilet is being prioritized and being given to decrease the impact of restrain. Reporting and recording- A restrain is being registered or equivalent process is established to record sufficient information to provide audible record of restrain use. Organisation policies will describe what observation monitoring and unexpected changes you need to record and how often this needs to be done.

Gender Roles and Ideas :: Arab Women Culture Literature Essays

Gender Roles and Ideas The Male Character in Arab Women’s Novels: Often in literature authors, particularly men, are criticized for falsely or inaccurately portraying or "writing" women. This debate has been historically confined to male authors, but is on occasion reversed and female authors are criticized for inaccurately writing men. Although it may sound like a fair trade—or at least the beginnings of one in the world of critics—these situations are limited to primarily European and predominately North American literature. Examining the portrayal of men and the male sex as a whole, by women, is an important if not essential undertaking in this modern world, but where is comes to a point of being absolutely crucial is when it is the women authors of a world where they are second class citizens only because of their gender. If the writing of men in Arab women’s novels can be understood at even the most basic level it may allow some insight into what these women think and assume consciously and subconsciously, about themselves and their position in society and about the inherent oppression that they deal with and resign themselves to—no matter how weak or extreme the degree of the oppression, ranging from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this discourse is to first, examine and delineate the manner in which Arab women novelists portray or ‘write’ men; and second, to discuss the most relevant reasons why the women write them as they do. This will be accomplished by focusing mainly on three novels written by women from Jordan and Palestine with settings form Beirut to London. The first of these three novels is Fadia Faqir’s, Pillars of Salt. This story is set in Jordan before and during the British occupation and Mandate. The book itself is broken into a number of chapters, each shifting between the voices of "The Storyteller", Maha, and Um Saad, and Faqir’s third-person. For purposes of ease in this discourse these short chapters will be grouped into eight natural sections, as each five or six chapters between Maha and Um Saad is set off by an interlude from The Storyteller, who himself appears nine times altogether. In this book there is a large spectrum men that Faqir writes, but in terms of relevance to the topic above we will focus on the following characters to illustrate how Faqir portrays the male sex: The Storyteller, who could be argued as not being a man, but with very little success, as it is undoubtedly Faqir’s intention to have the story’s told by The Storyteller to be from a male perspective.

The Author to Her Book :: essays research papers

The Author to Her Book In â€Å"The Author to Her Book,† Anne Bradstreet explains how she felt when her poems were published without her knowledge and consent. She explains these feelings of resentment, humiliation, pride, affection, and commitment with the use of many poetic devices. She frequently experiences an internal struggle. Bradstreet uses extended metaphor throughout the poem to express her unhappiness with the publishing of her poems. The use of this metaphor helps us to relate emotionally to her. Line one shows how Bradstreet views her own creation as her own child. She uses apostrophe and personification to express to us how her works were taken away and published without her perfecting them first. In the line â€Å"At thy return my blushing was not small,† Bradstreet declares her embarrassment. She then uses another metaphor in line eight to express again her pain â€Å"My rambling brat (in print) should mother call.† Her words seem to be harsh, but they are written with good cause. Bradstreet is trying to show more clearly her pain, relating her feelings of embarrassment to the embarrassment a parent of a misbehaving child may feel. This poem is written in iambic pentameter and the rhyme pattern is heroic couplet. For example, in line eight she uses the iambic pentameter to stress th e relationship of the child and the book. She uses a simile in line nine to communicate her feeling of objection to the poems. She does not see them fit for publishing. Although she is disappointed, she cannot turn her back on them. Just as a mother would not turn her back on her own child. Bradstreet uses personification in lines thirteen through fifteen when she speaks of her poems as if they had a face. She explains that she would fix things if she could. She speaks of â€Å"rubbing off a spot† or erasing a mistake. Bradstreet also tells of adjusting the meter in her poem when she says â€Å"stretched thy joints to make thee even feet.† In line nineteen Bradstreet uses consonance â€Å"mongst vulgars may’st thou roam.† She uses this consonance to stress how she is about to finally let go.

The Compelling Motives of European Imperialism Essay -- European Histo

The Compelling Motives of Imperialism The presence of Europe in Africa in the late nineteenth century was one of extreme power. The countries of France, Britain, and Germany had especially large claims to the African continent during this time. The motives of imperialism for these countries greatly define Europe at this time. Insatiable desires for economic markets, power and political struggles, the motivating belief in Social Darwinism, and the European idea of superiority were the driving forces at the European home front in the late nineteenth century. Many of the causes for imperialism in Africa were evident in Joseph Conrad’s turn of the century novel, Heart of Darkness. Successful domination of Africa was not attainable prior to the eighteen hundreds. The obstacles of travel and disease were too powerful to overcome. However, with the development of the steamship and the protection from malaria in the form of quinine, Europeans tackled Africa with a renewed energy (Sanderson â€Å"Imperialism notes†). A European council congregated in 1885 and drew up the Berlin Act, which was responsible for the carving of Africa into pieces of land for the major imperialistic powers in Europe (Lehmann â€Å"The Scramble for Africa†). Political and nationalistic rivals were fueled and each European power desired to prosper greater than their competitors did. Political goals were often achieved through imperialism. Countries competed for â€Å"strategic passages† and â€Å"overseas bases† in locations throughout Africa (Lehmann â€Å"European Imperialism). The goals of achieving the most power and wealth from various regions throu gh imperialistic measures were realized during the age of imperialism. A new source of economic resources for eve... ...rialism in the nineteenth century. Links and Works Cited: http://www.usd.edu/honors/HWB/1999/1999f/index.htm Clayton Miles Lehmann compiled this website. It is based upon Imperialism, with my attention to â€Å"European Imperialism† and â€Å"The Scramble for Africa†. There is also a map depicting the carving of Africa. http://www.angelfire.com/tx/sandersonAP/NotesImp.htm This website provides note-like structured description of European imperialism by Dr. Sanderson. It highlights reasons for imperialism and different areas that were imperialized. http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/~patrick/151/africa.htm Patrick M. Patterson designed this website. A description of Africa before European imperialism is provided here. There are also explanations of the delay of imperialism and some causes of it. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: The Modern Library, 1999.

Comparison between Frankenstein and “The Birthmark” Essay

The Industrial Revolution that was happening in the early twilight of the 19th centuries changed the world forever. The introduction of science as a possible cure for all became apparent. Many fascination inventions such as steamboat, cars and electricity were created and the outlook for the future was bright. However, because of this, many scientists turned a blind eye to the dangers of knowledge and unwittingly caused many sorrows in their process to become â€Å"god†. Such examples are introduced in the following two stories: Frankenstein and â€Å"The birthmark†. In both stories, the author created a character that was to symbolize the scientists of the early 19th centuries who believed that anything was possible with science. In â€Å"The Birthmark†, Hawthorne’s character Aylmer tries to remove his wife’s birthmark with his use of science but ends up killing her. While in Frankenstein, the protagonist Victor attempts to use science to create li fe but ends up destroying those there were closest to him. There are many similarities between the two stories, especially between the characteristics of Victor Frankenstein and Aylmer. Both men have a deep passion and love for science that borders on obsession. One of the prevalent themes in both stories is the danger of playing god. In Frankenstein, Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and access the knowledge of life and therefore becoming godlike. The story begins with Walton’s letter to his sister. From the letter, we are introduced to the danger of science. Victor tells Walton, â€Å"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.† (pg 31) The theme of destructive knowledge is then developed further throughout the story as the tragic events and consequences of Victor’s obsession for life is unfold. He cuts himself off from the world and eventually commits himself entirely to his task, â€Å"while I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour, my cheek has grown pale with study and my person has become emaciated with confinement.† (pg 55) This is similar to what Aylmer went through, â€Å"He was pale as death, anxious and absorbed, and hung over the furnace as if it depended upon his utmost watchfulness†¦ or misery. (pg 70) He was so obsessed about perfection that he forsakes the consequences of his action. Throughout Frankenstein, Victor repeatedly convinced himself that what he is doing is absolutely right and because of this, his fall from grace mirrors those of Aylmer. Both of them have unrealistic goals to achieve and both unintentionally destroy those that are precious to them. For all their similarities, Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer are still significantly different characters. Victor wants to be god but does not know what to do with the power, â€Å"When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it.† (pg 54) Victor views science as the path to new knowledge: â€Å"in other studies you go as far as others have gone before you†¦ but in scientific pursuit, there is continual food for discovery and wonder.†(pg 52) While Aylmer views science as the path to greater power, â€Å"We know Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man’s ultimate control over nature.†(pg 59) He tries to play god in order to bend the laws of nature and make imperfection to perfection, â€Å"I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless†¦ and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall have corrected what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work!† (pg 63) In the end however, it was nature that got the last laugh when the potion that Aylmer gave Georgiana resulted in her death. Both Frankenstein and Aylmer are victims of the destructive fascination for science and nature. Both men try to transcend to godhood and, ultimately, both fail. Perhaps, that is why both Shelley and Hawthorne wrote similar stories in an attempt to illustrate the danger of ambition, science and godhood.