How to Pronounce Vowels in Italian

How to Pronounce Vowels in Italian Italian pronunciation might pose some difficulties for the beginner. Yet it is very regular, and once the rules are understood, it is easy to pronounce each word correctly. Italian vowels (le vocali) are short, clear-cut, and are never drawn out. The glide, with which English vowels frequently end, should be avoided. Finally, it should be noted that the vowels a, i, and u, are always pronounced the same way. E and o, on the other hand, have an open and a closed sound that may vary from. How to Pronounce Vowels A- sounds like a in fatherE- has two sounds: short vowel like e in pen; long vowel, similar to ai in fairI- sounds like ea in tea or i in marineO- has two sounds: like o in cozy or similar to o in costU- sounds like u in rude Tips: Italian vowels are always articulated in a sharp, clear fashion, regardless of stress. They are never slurred or pronounced weakly.Vowels (a,e,i,o,u) always retain their value in diphthongs.Italian is a phonetic language, which means that it is spoken the way it is written. Italian and English share the Latin alphabet, but the sounds represented by the letters often differ considerably in the two languages.    Examples of Vowels a is like a in the English word ah! Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. casa  houseantipasto  appetizerama  lovesbanana  bananasala  hallPapa  Popefama  famepasta  pasta; dough; pastry e is sometimes like e in the English word they (without the final i glide). Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. e  andbeve  drinksme  mefede  faithvede  seesmele  applessete  thirstpepe  pepper e is sometimes like e in the word met. This is the open e. Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. à ¨Ã‚  islento  slowbene  wellfesta  party; holidaysedia  chairpresto  soonvento  windtà ¨Ã‚  tea i is like i in machine. Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. libri  booksbimbi  childrenvini  winesviolini  violinstini  vatspini  pines o is sometimes like o in the English word oh!. Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. o  ordono  giftnome  namesolo  aloneposto  placetondo  roundvolo  flightmondo  world o is sometimes like o in or. This is the open o. Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. moda  fashiontoga  togano  nooro  goldposta  mailbrodo  brothcosa  thingtrono  thronerosa  roseolio  oil u is like u in rule. Here are some examples in Italian with an English translation. luna  moonfungo  mushroomuno  onelungo  longfuga  fuguemulo  muleuso  usetubo  tube

The Architectural Pediment and How to Use It

The Architectural Pediment and How to Use It A pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable originally found on temples in ancient Greece and Rome. Pediments were reinvented during the Renaissance and later imitated in Greek Revival and Neoclassical house styles of the 19th and 20th centuries. Use of pediments has been freely adapted in many styles of architecture, yet remains most closely associated with Greek and Roman (i.e., Classical) derivatives. The word pediment is thought to have come from the word meaning pyramid, as the triangular pediment has a spatial dimension similar to the pyramid. Use of Pediments Originally the pediment had a structural function. As the  Jesuit priest Marc-Antoine Laugier explained in 1755, the pediment is one of only three essential elements of what Laugier called the basic primitive hut. For many Greek temples, first made of wood, the triangular geometry had a structural function. Fast forward 2,000 years from ancient Greece and Rome to the Baroque period of art and architecture, when the pediment became an ornamental detail to be extravagantly modified. Pediments are most often used today to create a solid, regal, stately look-and-feel to the architecture, such as is used for banks, museums, and government buildings. Often, the triangular space is filled with symbolic statuary when a message need be proclaimed. The space within a pediment is sometimes called the tympanum, although this word more commonly refers to the Medieval-era arch areas over a doorway decorated with Christian iconography. In residential architecture, pediments are commonly found above windows and doorways. Examples of Pediments The Pantheon in Rome proves just how far back in time pediments were used - at least 126 A.D. But pediments were around before that, as can be seen in ancient cities around the world, like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, Jordan, the Nabataean caravan city influenced by Greek and Roman rulers. Whenever architects and designers turn to ancient Greece and Rome for ideas, the result will likely include the column and the pediment. The Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries was such a time -- a rebirth of Classical designs by the architects Palladio (1508-1580) and Vignola (1507-1573) leading the way. In the United States, American statesman Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) influenced the architecture of a new nation. Jeffersons home, Monticello, incorporates Classical design by using not only a pediment but also a dome - very much like the Pantheon in Rome. Jefferson also designed the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond, Virginia, which influenced the federal government buildings being planned for Washington, D.C. Irish-born architect James Hoban (1758-1831) brought Neoclassical ideas from Dublin to the new capital when he modeled the White House after the Leinster House in Ireland. In the 20th century, pediments can be seen throughout America, from the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan to the 1935 U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. and then on to the 1939 mansion known as Graceland near Memphis, Tennessee. Definition pediment: the triangular gable defined by the crown molding at the edge of a gabled roof and the horizontal line between the eaves. -   John Milnes Baker, AIA Other Uses of the Word Pediment Antique dealers will often use the word pediment to describe an ornate flourish in Chippendale-era furniture. Because the word describes a shape, it is often used to describe man-made and natural shapes. In geology, a pediment is a sloping formation caused by erosion. Five Types of Pediments 1. Triangular Pediment: The most common pediment shape is the pointed pediment, a triangle framed by a cornice or ledge, with the apex at the top, two symmetrical straight lines  sloping to the ends of a horizontal cornice. The rake or angle of the slope can vary. 2. Broken Pediment: In a broken pediment, the triangular outline is non-continuous,  open at the top, and without a point or vertex. The broken space is usually at the top apex (eliminating the top angle), but sometimes at the bottom horizontal side. Broken pediments are often found on antique furniture. A swan-necked or rams head pediment is a type of broken pediment in a highly ornamented S-shape. Broken pediments are found in Baroque architecture, a period of experimentalism in detail, according to Professor Talbot Hamlin, FAIA. The pediment became an architectural detail with little or no structural function. Baroque detail thus became a matter of the increasingly free modification of forms originally classic, to made them sensitive to every possible nuance of emotional expression. Pediments were broken and their sides curved and scrolled, separated by cartouches, or urns; columns were twisted, moldings duplicated and reduplicated to give sharp emphasis, and broken suddenly out and in where a complexity of shadow was desired. - Hamlin, p. 427 3. Segmental Pediment: Also called round or curved pediments, segmental pediments contrast with triangular pediments in that they have a round cornice replacing two sides of the traditional triangular pediment. A segmental pediment might complement or even be called a curvilinear tympanum. 4. Open Pediment: In this type of pediment, the usual strong horizontal line of the pediment is absent or nearly absent. 5. Florentine Pediment:  Before Baroque, architects of the early Renaissance, when sculptors became architects, developed a decorative styling of pediments. Over the years, this architectural detail became known as Florentine pediments, after their use in Florence, Italy. It consists of a semicircular form placed above the entablature, and as wide as the enclosing columns or pilasters. Usually a simple ban of moldings runs around it, and the semicircular field below is often decorated with a shell, although sometimes molded panels and even figures are found. Little rosettes and leaf and flower forms are usually used to fill the corner between the ends of the semicircle and the cornice below, and also as a finial at the top. - Hamlin, p. 331 Pediments for the 21st Century Why do we use pediments? They give a sense of tradition to a home, in the Western Classical architecture sense. Also, the geometric design itself is innately pleasing to the human senses.  For todays homeowners, creating a pediment is a rather simple, inexpensive way to add decoration - usually over a door or window. Have pediments gone sideways? Todays modern skyscraper architects use triangles for structural strength as well as beauty. David Childs design for One World Trade Center (2014) is a good example of aesthetically pleasing grandeur. Norman Fosters Hearst Tower (2006) is filled with triangulation; its beauty is up for discussion. Sources American House Styles: A Concise Guide by John Milnes Baker, AIA, Norton, 1994, p. 175Architecture through the Ages by Talbot Hamlin, Putnam, Revised 1953, pp. 444, 427, 331Furniture with broken pediment Agostini/A. Dagli Orti/Getty Images (cropped)Broken Pediment on Residential Portico Richard Leo Johnson/Getty Images (cropped)Contrasting pediments Julian Castle/ArcaidImages/Getty ImagesPediments over windows Brian Bumby/Getty Images

Research Question Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Question - Research Paper Example The user can make the computer more fault tolerant by a way of thinking how the computer or the devices of the network may seems to fail as well as, taking the required steps so that the faults can be prevented whenever they occur (Qian, 2008 p 101). For this case, the steps to be followed when improving the network’s fault tolerance include. The user should by all the time have his or her computer or the networks running on the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). UPS provides the backup power source when there is a power outage (blackout), or a power surge. UPS provides additional time for the computer to shut down by providing the power to the computer from where it was stored. However, the user should also have the system messages that are sent to every network so as to let the administrators know when the power goes off or when computer shut down because of the failure of the power. If there is no UPS which is connected on the computer or the UPS fails to provide the surge fortification, the surge protector may be connected to the network devices or the computer so as to help prevent those devices from failing during the power surge (Briggs, 2009, p 13). The user should all the time run backups on the computer. Running of the backups may be done daily or at least every month if only the relevant information is stored in them. The user should make sure that he/she creates a mirror of data on the alternate location. When the computer devices are connected to the network, the user should make sure that the firewall are set up. A firewall is normally the software utility that can limit the accessing of the network on the computer by blocking or restricting the ports. Firewalls are extremely significant since it helps preventing un-authorized members from accessing to the company network or a network which is at home.

Public Policy Formation and Analysis Assignment

Public Policy Formation and Analysis - Assignment Example Cobb and Rocheford identified certain traits that make up the nature of a problem and of course these traits are incumbent on the solutions to such identified problems. We must also note that the traffic problems in Oman has a social, economical and political dimension. Severity: The severity of any identified road safety problem has to be taken into cognisance in other to ascertain how severe the said problem is. How serious a problem and its consequences are taken to be, is what determines the extent to which actions will be taken to resolve that particular problem. A good example is the constant road traffic accidents in Oman. The amount of lives that has been lost this few years has motivated the Government of Oman to take a firm stand in formulating Traffic policies to curb the incidence. Incidence: According to Cobb and Rocheford, (1993) a social problem's incidence is an important descriptive dimension that represents the overall scope of people affected as well as those group s disproportionately at risk (64) Those groups that are affected by this incidence in Oman are teenagers between the ages of 16-25. This is a volatile group of persons still full of l;ife and the excitement of motor cars, who do not necessarily consider the implications of traffic safety policies. Novelty: Simply refers to situations where a policy seems to have popular opinions from the public, which soon becomes obsolete as the public and the media becomes less enthusiastic about such policies overtime. This is a major problem in Oman as many road safety policies that seemed to excite the people have become distasteful and un effective today. This has not augured well for the Government of Oman. It is a major social and political barrier to policy formulation as regarding Road safety policies. Proximity: To judge an issue as having proximity is to insinuate that it brings your point close home or directly affects a person's interest. Now if such cases can be made successfully, mem bers of the general public will become more concerned and may go all the way to express this opinion politically which will aid in more positive policy formulation. Crises of the problem: This terminology is used to denote a situation where corrective action is long overdue and the problem still exist. Thus dire consequences are in occurrence due to such delay. The lack of adequate action by the Government of Oman to tackle the impeding road safety abuse and non-compliance has become a crises situation in the country. Question 2 Drunk driving: Many youths are addicted to alcoholic products and tend to ply the roads at very high state of drunkenness, most especially at nights. The statistics in the article by Shalama et al (179) shows that that results of drunk driving were between 3-982 and as of last year it was 4% alone. This is an aspect of individuals behaviour as it relates to accidents in Oman Lack of formal traffic education: This is a major social/cultural condition that mus t be checked in Oman. Teaching all road users in Oman how to observe road usage norms and regulations and lunching campaigns via the media on the importance of road safety applications is paramount if the Nation is to witness less accidents and more respect for traffic regulations. Traffic regulation enforcement organization and licencing: must be effective at all times within the country. They have a major responsibility to check the

Badly behaved pupils and parents put teachers off Essay Example for Free

Badly behaved pupils and parents put teachers off Essay Suggestions have been raised over the child benefits in United States. For example, Iain Duncan Smith’s suggested that child-related benefits should be limited to two offspring in a family. The fight against the child benefits aren’t justified as they are ill treated. The move should be encouraged as it has helped a good number of the families in the country, in addition limiting the benefit to only a handful (two) children in a family, it doesn’t really play the intended role in the society. Contrary to this, the government should be encouraged to continue with the child benefits program as it has been a gain to a big number of families. Despite the need to have family planning aspects among the people to control the number of children at each family, the child benefit from the government should still remain (Liz, 2014). Child benefit or better still child allowance is a social security payment distributed to parents, children or guardians which highly dependent on the number of children in a family. the child benefit has been effective in helping to support children from less advantaged families which has enables them access essential human needs such a education, food and such. The anti- child benefit campaigns should be shunned as the move is more beneficial to a good number of people and children in the society. Scrubbing the project would land more families especially the poor ones which cannot afford human basic wants. In other words it is the cash expenditure to families with kids not considering their parents income. The advantage amount may vary by the ordinal arrangement of the child, the age of the child, and/or the employment status of the parent. In addition to being of great benefit to the families and children, the benefit helps with extra cost to the families on the extra cost of children. The benefit also includes benefits for women who are pregnant or who have just given birth. The benefits are also helpful to partners whose partners have given birth, people who adopt, tax credits among other benefits. The benefit is essential when one has a responsibility for a child or a young person. In addition to child benefit, there is also the child tax credit. The benefit is also intertwined with the guardians allowances as well as both are meant to help children below the age of 18. The redeployment of income from childless households to families with children, in appreciation of the heavier financial weight incurred by child-rearing (Liz, 2014). Moreover, in order to enjoy the benefits of the child benefit, the benefiting families aren’t required to contribute any national insurance contribution and this in turn comes as gain to the poor families. In addition, the benefit isn’t offered to children who might be under the custody or in prison. In case of child death that was on the child benefit plan, the benefits continue to be given to the family for the next eight weeks. However, despite the benefit behind the child benefit payment, families should be encouraged to practice family planning in order to be able to raise the number of children whom they can comfortably support. The move is however, beneficial in case of calamities such as misfortunes and unemployment’s incase of the parents (Liz, 2014). The child benefit has been beneficial and should be maintained in order to keep boosting the upbringing of the children especially in the financially unstable family. In addition, when the parents loose their jobs they still have the chance to provide for their children, such as food and education. The benefit for the program is numerous and they outweigh the downside of the program. This program is one of the government programs for the grants to the people which have gone miles in assisting less fortunate families financially. A good number countries offer higher benefits levels or supplements for children with disabilities. Family allowances and child benefits are viewed as an instrument that can foster societal cohesion and progress and in turn should be maintained. The benefits also help in strengthening labor force attachments in the country and hence shouldn’t be abolished. Last and not the least, the benefit helps in supplementing the incomes of poor and modest income families with children as a means of reducing or preventing poverty. In conclusion, it’s clear that, the child benefit program is more beneficial to community, and in turn should be maintained. This means the anti-child benefit campaigns should be shunned as the program is of great help to the people. Article (II) Student Behaviour One of the driving forces behind the motivation of teachers in the school is the student behaviours. Badly behaved students are subject to putting off their teachers from the teaching profession. Teachers and school staff understands the changes encountered by students in school and provides them with relevant information and support needed. However, the dedication of the teachers and the staff depends much on the student behaviour and in most cases good behaved students encourages their teachers into the teaching profession. Contrary to this, badly behaved students and teachers are a discouraging factor to the teachers as they put them off from the teaching profession. It is ‘however’ true the student behaviour plays an important role in motivating and maintaining teachers into the profession. The survey is a true reflection of the teachers experience and the parent’s negligence in moulding their children’s behaviour (Jessica, 2014). ‘Badly behaved pupils and parents put teachers off’ was a survey conducted by Guardian Teacher Networks which shows that a good number of teachers have once in awhile considered quitting the profession. Student and parent’s behaviour are essential towards the teacher’s performance in schools. A good number of schools have issues in reference to student behaviours in recent years, which have become a vital problem in modern society. One of factors behind poor student behaviours is collapse of family functions such as divorced family, single parenthood, and children becomes isolated. This in turn leads to bad behaviour among parents and/or students, which de-motivates the teachers. According to the survey, it is clear that, the student or the pupil’s behaviours directly influence the performance of the teachers. Bad behaviour among parents and pupils would negatively influence the teachers and in turn them off from the work. Students who develop behavioural problems from their families are a discouraging aspect to the teachers. It is believed that, pupils/learns important skills and knowledge such as morals and wisdom, which are normally learned from their parents. The survey shows that, the student behaviour is one of the driving factors behind motivated and dedicated teachers (Jessica, 2014). One of the effects of bad student behaviour is that it interferes with individual and other learner’s behaviour. This turns to a challenge for the teacher, as the behaviour challenges day to day running and functioning of schools. In addition, the parents are not helping as much as they would in eradicating negative student and pupils behaviours, hence burdening the work of the teachers purporting them to consider leaving their jobs. Nowadays, the parents have become overprotective to their children. This has not helped at all in taming negative children behaviours and in turn, the burden is left to the teacher to mould the children’s behaviour. For example, an overprotected child expects special treatment at school is in for a frustrating time, which in turn may frustrate the teacher too. The frustration may overwhelm the teacher to a point of making the job dissertation choice. In addition, parents have developed negative expectations for their children which in turn instill negative or unruly behavior in children. From the survey conducted, it’s clearly evident that, If unruly behavior is not policed with proper boundaries and a culture of respect for authority at home, teachers cannot effectively implement discipline in the classroom. In addition to negative learner’s behavior, the interference from the government demands of the teacher. 50 % of the interviewed teachers named poor pupil behavior as the main reason behind them leaving the teaching job. The unwanted student behavior influences teachers attitude towards the teaching profession, and if the unruly behavior continues, it may force the teachers to quit the teaching job. Attitude provides a frame for reference for an individual’s conduct and conditions behavior. The creation of unfavorable attitude to the teacher, elicits a reaction of avoidance or aggression towards the job or the learners (Jessica, 2014). In conclusion, it’s clear that, student and parents behavior towards the teachers as well as in the school plays a vital role in molding the teachers. The study reveals that, teacher’s motivation into teaching profession is highly dependent on the children or the learner’s behaviors. The parents are making the scenario worse by failing to support the teachers in the in order to change the learner’s negative behavior into acceptable ones. These demands and the stress accompanying the works force the teacher to quit. The survey, however suggests that since its is disruptive children whose behavior is unchecked who miss out the most on their education. Thats why we want to make sure that teachers have more freedom to clamp down on persistently bad behavior without being hampered by bureaucracy, so that teaching time is not lost because of poor behavior, and in turn prevent a stressing profession to the teachers. This would go miles in improving both the teach ers and students performance in the school. References Liz Jones. You dont pay for my cats so why should I pay for your kids? Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2224260/LIZ-JONES-You-dont-pay-catsI-pay-kids.html. On Tuesday 1 April 2014. Jessica Shepherd, ‘Badly behaved pupils and parents put teachers off’ ’ badly behaved pupils and parents put teachers off: retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/oct/03/teaching-poll-behaviour. On Tuesday 1 April 1, 2014. Source document

The Meaning of Life Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Meaning of Life My few years on this planet have been a bit confusing. I have learned of many aspects of life from which one can draw meaning, if indeed such meaning can be drawn. I have also learned that there can be no singular meaning of life to stand for us all, or even any one of us. What I have learned above all is that trying to put words to the meaning of life is a task of absolute absurdity. This is not to be confused with the idea that life has no meaning, for life certainly has meaning. However, there is no single meaning of life to be defined - life is different for us all. Therefore, rather than define life for an entire planet, I shall try to explain what life means as I perceive it, and why it means so. When I was a child I felt as though I owned the world. I lived my young life oblivious to the struggles and triumphs of society, simply happy for being in my place with my things. On one cool January evening, as I sat in my room playing with my favorite action figures, simply holding my contentment, my father interrupted my peace to take the family out for dinner. The meal was pleasant to my knowledge, but so ordinary in itself that the meal has long been forgotten, except dessert. I wanted ice cream, but I had no care for the waffle ice cream cones; I preferred my ice cream to be served in a bowl. As I extended for my spoon, it slipped between my fingers and tumbled to the floor. I was taught to never eat with a dirty utensil, but to leave it on the floor would be impolite, so I reached for it intending to place it on the table. As my fingers grasped the shiny object, my forehead nudged the bowl of ice cream that happened to be conveniently near the edge of the table. It was a health... ...to learn - it is a reciprocal relationship, and both aspects are required elements of life. What does this mean? Does this mean that life is merely a story written from the suffering and laughing over a few revolutions around a star, while learning what can be learned before the experience is over? I try not to confuse life with such confusing meanings, for there are far too many reasons to contradict such meanings and even more opinions. Simply put, the sole purpose of life is to just go with the flow. Whatever happens should happen naturally, and it cannot happen by any other method. Even supernatural interference, if present, can be viewed as natural, for who or what am I to decide that the hand of God is not natural? Who am I to say that I am even living outside of my own mind? In conclusion, I have narrowed life to one simple purpose: to live.

Analysis of the Poem: The Darkling Thrush Essay

Speaker: The speaker in the first two stanzas is portrayed as pessimistic and dark, but this changed in the two last stanzas. In any case, the speaker is conveyed to have strong feelings for nature. Form: Rhyming scheme is clearly visible giving to poem a rhythm. The 3rd stanza’s rhyming scheme seems to have been modified, if not a little disturbed having a not as good phonetic ending at the end of each stanza conveying the speaker’s disturbance and surprise at the appearance of the thrush. Imagery: L.1 the coppice became a gate conveying that it’s not in its natural state, humans could have modified it. L2: â€Å"When Frost was spectre-grey† a spectre/ghost is something dangerous, menacing, conveying Frost is dangerous, and cold is dangerous, deadly. The Frost being as cold as a ghost. L2-3: Frost and Winter with capital letters, this personifies them. ïÆ'   Cold, winter, death theme introduced. They will be the two â€Å"main characters â€Å"of the poem. L3: â€Å"Winter’s dregs† winters residue, conveys the snow. L3-4: â€Å"Winter’s dregs made desolate, The weakening eye of day† The snow is taking over the day, dark over light. â€Å"Eye of day† conveys the sun symbolizing light, happiness, warmth, is being taken over by â€Å"Winter’s dreg’s† darkness, snow, cold. L5-6: â€Å"The tangled bine-stems scored the sky, like strings of broken lyres† this simile compares plants that are reaching for t he sky, like broken lyres, lyres are instruments symbolizing usually illusion, and mostly the instruments of the gods. Lyres are therefor in the sky with the gods, and the plants are trying to do the same, but will never reach it â€Å"Broken Lyres† or broken â€Å"illusions†. This simile conveys somehow the sky in contrast to earth, heaven, and hell that plants are trying to flee â€Å"score the sky†. L7-8: â€Å"And all mankind that haunted nigh† all the men that were hunting close by, â€Å"Had sought their household fires† had gone back to their house by the fire for warmth. Winter, or death, is more powerful than men with guns. L9: â€Å"The land’s sharp features seemed to be† sharp here conveys the cold. This verse introduces the nature or â€Å"land† as main theme of the stanza. L9-10 â€Å"The land’s sharp features seemed to be† the lands cold features seemed to be â€Å"The Century’s corpse outleant† the Century’s dead body. This metaphor connects the two verses and develops them further in doing so. The land’s â€Å"features† are now clearer to convey member’s like body members. This metaphor also connects â€Å"the land† to the â€Å"Century’s dead body† the speaker here could also convey his thoughts that our present Century is dying. L11-12: â€Å"His crypt the cloudy canopy† This verse conveys the transformation of the â€Å"cloudy† canopy, the unclear, mysterious conveying menace canopy (human being afraid of the unknown) into a crypt, chamber for the dead. Once again the death (here of nature specifically) is here conveyed. This continues the metaphor of the dying land by â€Å"his† asserting a personification of the land. This verse transforms the â€Å"cloudy canopy† into the chamber of death â€Å"crypt† of the land. Finally, to finish the portraying image of a dead body in a crypt, the image of a funeral is clearly conveyed through the 12th verse. â€Å"The wind his death-lament.† This image portrays the wind as the relative, or witness, grieving the land’s death. L13-14: â€Å"The ancient pulse of germ and birth† the verse bring through the image of a â€Å"pulse† of life, that is now no more â€Å"ancient† used to be, but no longer is. â€Å"Was shrunken hard and dry† this continuation of the verse beforehand confirms the death of the â€Å"pulse of germ and birth†, of life, that was â€Å"shrunken hard and dry† that was killed by winter. The use of â€Å"shrunken hard and dry† contrasting â€Å"the pulse of germ and birth† is very well chosen. The pulse of germ and birth is something soft, happy, promising, whereas the use of â€Å"shrunken† shrinks the promising life, turns it into something hard and dry. The contrast of life and death is portrayed here through nature. L15-16: â€Å"And every spirit upon earth seemed fervourless as I† This conveys the desperation and hopelessness that seems to be shared by â€Å"every spirit upon this earth† the whole world seems to have no more hope for better days. With these two last verses, it leaves the second stanza on sorrowful â€Å"fervourless† tone. L16-17: â€Å"At once a voice arose among the bleak twigs overhead† The 3rd stanza starts off with an element of surprise, raising the curiosity of the reader creating suspense of who this might be, or what. This also somehow creates a certain feeling of hope. The 3rd stanza also starts of unlike the other first stanzas through hearing, and not seeing. Therefor the images that were up to now conveyed through the eyes, is not conveyed through the ears. L19-20: â€Å"In full-hearted evensong of joy unlimited† this element brings about hope and joy which was not brought through so far. L21-22: â€Å"An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small, in blast-beruffled plume† The suspense is now broken, we find out what this element of surprise and joy is, a bird, a â€Å"Thrush† like indicated in the poem’s title. The sense goes back to seeing now, and the bird is portrayed as â€Å"frail, gaunt, and small† in contrast to the merciless powerful cold winter and death that was conveyed beforehand transforming an entire land into corpse, and yet this bird is full of joy and life unlike â€Å"every spirit on earth†. The bird’s appearance is further more explicit in verse 22 â€Å"In blast-beruffled plume† This feeds further the contrast between the bird and the harsh winter. Indeed the thrush is not only portrayed as markedly frail, but the sharp wind has ruffled his feathers, and we can imag ine the tail-feathers blown nearly inside-out by the sharp blast. L23-24: These verses are very important as they mark another contrast between the bird’s appearance, and â€Å"character†. Indeed this feeble blast-beruffled bird that was conveyed earlier on â€Å"had chosen thus to fling his soul upon the growing gloom† This small bird is like a brave small weak, and yet brave soldier â€Å"flinging† his soul into the midst of a battle, â€Å"upon a growing gloom† that menaces to kill him at any moment. The 3rd stanza brings through an element of hope and surprise. L25-29: The senses are now changed into hearing again as the speaker describes the â€Å"carolings† of the little bird that seems to light up â€Å"terrestrial things â€Å"afar or nigh around† (near or far) into this growing gloom that the speaker doesn’t seem to understand. L30-32: The final 3 verses of the last stanza are very important as they will change the view of the speaker. Indeed the â€Å"happy good night air† of this bird â€Å"some blessed Hope† which is conveyed to be brought through to the speaker by this thrush â€Å"whereof he knew, and I was unaware† The speaker here conveys the relief and comfort and wisdom that was brought to him through the natural wisdom and bravery as well as optimism of this feeble and delicate, yet brave, and tenacious thrush. On this the poem ends on a good note full of hope and optimism for the future.

Definition of Poetry Essay

According to W.H.Hudson we all have a sense of what poetry constitutes. There are innumerable definitions of poetry given by poets and critics of poetry and out of which Hudson chooses some famous definitions. They are given below: * Johnson : â€Å"Metrical composition† , it is â€Å"the art of uniting pleasure with truth by calling imagination to the help of reason† * Macaulay: â€Å"we mean the art of employing words in such a manner as to produce an illusion on the imagination, the art of doing by means of words what the painter does by means of colours† * Carlyle: â€Å"We will call Musical thought† * Shelley: â€Å"In a general sense may be defined as the expression of the imagination† * Hazlitt: â€Å"It is the language of the imagination and the passions† * Leigh Hunt: â€Å"The utterance of a passion for truth, beauty, and power, embodying and illustrating its conceptions by imagination and fancy, and modulating its language on the principle of variety in unity† * Coleridge: â€Å"Poetry is the antithesis of science, having for its immediate object pleasure, not truth† * Wordsworth: â€Å"It is the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge and the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science† * Edgar Allan Poe: â€Å"It is the rhythmic creation of beauty† * Keble: â€Å"A vent for overcharged feeling or a full imagination† * Doyle: â€Å"It expresses our dissatisfaction with what is present and close at hand† * Ruskin: â€Å"The suggestion by the imagination, of noble grounds for the noble emotions† * Prof. Courthope: â€Å"The art of producing pleasure by the just expression of imaginative thought and feeling in metrical language† * Mr. Watts-Dunton: â€Å" The concrete and artistic expression of the human mind in emotional and rhythmical language† * Matthew Arnold: * â€Å"It is simply the most delightful and perfect form of utterance that human words can reach† * â€Å"It is nothing less than the most perfect speech of man that in which he comes nearest to being able to utter the truth† * â€Å"It is a criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty† As Hudson state when we look at them critically, and compare them with one another, certain disturbing facts about them become clear. Commenting on these definitions Hudson concludes they are almost distracting in their variety because the subject is approached from many different points of view. Some, strictly speaking, fail to define, because they express rather what is poetical in general, wherever it may be found, than what is specifically poetry. Some, on the other hand, are too narrow and exclusive, because they recognize only the particular kind of poetry in which the writer happened to be personally interested.

Free Essays on Kimpa Vita

Kimpa Vita The story of Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita, a Kongolese woman alleged to be possessed by the Saint Anthony is a narrative that discusses the Catholic movement she led in her home Kingdom of Kongo. In his book, Thornton follows the life of Kimpa Vita, giving the reader a sense of the culture and daily lives of the Kongolese. Kimpa Vita grew up in a very unstable time and heard about local events from her family and neighbors. Three ruling families competed for power in the Kongo. This resulted in numerous, seemingly unending civil wars throughout the Kingdom of Kongo. In fact, her own father was often away at war to defend the people of the Kibangu region. Turmoil had gripped the lands for many years, and the people of the Kongo began to think nothing short of a miracle would bring peace and stability back to the Kingdom. In 1704, when Kimpa Vita was twenty years old, she apparently died and then returned to life, possessed by the Catholic Saint Anthony. As Saint Anthony, she began to preach her version of Christianity, a mix of Catholicism with traditional Kongolese beliefs. Much to the dismay of the Catholic Church, Kimpa Vita quickly attracted a large following of common people, as well as some nobility. Her message was simple and believable, and in a time of such distress, people were willing to believe almost anything that would bring them peace. Kimpa Vita taught that Jesus was actually born in Sao Salvador, and therefore wanted it to be restored as the capital of the Kingdom of Kongo. Jesus, Mary, and the Saint were also of Kongolese origin. She changed the prayer Salve Regina to Salve Antonio and dismissed the ritual of baptism. After converting many Catholics to Antonionism, Kimpa Vita was burnt at the stake on the charge of heresy. There are many different aspects of the Antonian Movement that can be identified and examined, but perhaps the most interesting is the relationship and conflict between Christianity a... Free Essays on Kimpa Vita Free Essays on Kimpa Vita Kimpa Vita The story of Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita, a Kongolese woman alleged to be possessed by the Saint Anthony is a narrative that discusses the Catholic movement she led in her home Kingdom of Kongo. In his book, Thornton follows the life of Kimpa Vita, giving the reader a sense of the culture and daily lives of the Kongolese. Kimpa Vita grew up in a very unstable time and heard about local events from her family and neighbors. Three ruling families competed for power in the Kongo. This resulted in numerous, seemingly unending civil wars throughout the Kingdom of Kongo. In fact, her own father was often away at war to defend the people of the Kibangu region. Turmoil had gripped the lands for many years, and the people of the Kongo began to think nothing short of a miracle would bring peace and stability back to the Kingdom. In 1704, when Kimpa Vita was twenty years old, she apparently died and then returned to life, possessed by the Catholic Saint Anthony. As Saint Anthony, she began to preach her version of Christianity, a mix of Catholicism with traditional Kongolese beliefs. Much to the dismay of the Catholic Church, Kimpa Vita quickly attracted a large following of common people, as well as some nobility. Her message was simple and believable, and in a time of such distress, people were willing to believe almost anything that would bring them peace. Kimpa Vita taught that Jesus was actually born in Sao Salvador, and therefore wanted it to be restored as the capital of the Kingdom of Kongo. Jesus, Mary, and the Saint were also of Kongolese origin. She changed the prayer Salve Regina to Salve Antonio and dismissed the ritual of baptism. After converting many Catholics to Antonionism, Kimpa Vita was burnt at the stake on the charge of heresy. There are many different aspects of the Antonian Movement that can be identified and examined, but perhaps the most interesting is the relationship and conflict between Christianity a...

Stephen Decatur, Naval Hero of the War of 1812

Stephen Decatur, Naval Hero of the War of 1812 Stephen Decatur (Jan. 5, 1779–March 22, 1820) was a U.S. naval officer who became famous for his exploits during the  Tripoli War. He later served as a heroic commander in the  War of 1812. He was killed in a duel by a fellow officer whose court-martial he had participated in years before. Fast Facts: Stephen Decatur Known For: Naval exploits during the Tripoli War and War of 1812Born: Jan. 5, 1779 in Sinepuxent, MarylandParents: Stephen Decatur Sr., Anne PineDied: March 22, 1820 in Bladensburg, MarylandSpouse: Susan WheelerNotable Quote: â€Å"Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!† Born at Sinepuxent, Maryland, on January 5, 1779, Stephen Decatur was the son of Captain Stephen Decatur, Sr. and his wife Anne. A naval officer during the American Revolution, Decatur, Sr. had his son educated the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia. Graduating, young Stephen enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and was a classmate of future naval officers Charles Stewart and Richard Somers. At the age of 17, he secured employment with the firm of Gurney and Smith and aided in securing timber for the keel of the frigate USS United States (44 guns). Early Career Wishing to follow his father in the naval service, Decatur received the aid of Commodore John Barry in obtaining a midshipmans warrant. Entering the service on April 30, 1798, Decatur was assigned to United States with Barry as his commanding officer. He sailed aboard the frigate during the Quasi-War and saw action in the Caribbean as United States captured several French privateers. Demonstrating his skill as a gifted sailor and leader, Decatur received a promotion to lieutenant in 1799. At the end of the conflict in 1800, the U.S. Navy was downsized by Congress with many officers discharged from the service. First Barbary War One of thirty-six lieutenants retained by the U.S. Navy, Decatur was assigned to the frigate USS Essex (36) as first lieutenant in 1801. Part of Commodore Richard Dales squadron, Essex sailed to the Mediterranean to deal with those Barbary states that were preying upon American shipping. After subsequent service aboard USS New York (36), Decatur returned the US and took command of the new brig USS Argus (20). Sailing across the Atlantic to Gibraltar, he turned the ship over to Lieutenant Isaac Hull and was given command of the 12-gun schooner USS Enterprise (14). Burning Philadelphia On December 23, 1803, Enterprise and the frigate USS Constitution (44) captured the Tripolitan ketch Mastico after a sharp fight. Renamed Intrepid, the ketch was given to Decatur for use in a daring raid to destroy the frigate USS Philadelphia (36) which had run aground and been captured in Tripoli harbor on October. At 7:00 PM on February 16, 1804, Intrepid, disguised as a Maltese merchant ship and flying British colors, entered Tripoli harbor. Claiming that they had lost their anchors in a storm, Decatur asked permission to tie up alongside the captured frigate. As the two ships touched, Decatur stormed aboard Philadelphia with sixty men. Fighting with swords and pikes, they took control of the ship and began preparations to burn it. With combustibles in place, Philadelphia was set on fire. Waiting until he was sure the fire had taken hold, Decatur was the last to leave the burning ship. Escaping the scene in Intrepid, Decatur and his men successfully evaded fire from the harbors defenses and reached the open sea. When he heard of Decaturs achievement, Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson called it the most bold and daring act of the age. In recognition for his successful raid, Decatur was promoted to captain, making him, at age twenty-five, the youngest to hold the rank. For the remainder of the war, he commanded the frigates Constitution and Congress (38) before returning home at its conclusion in 1805. Three years later he served as part of the court martial that tried Commodore James Barron for his role in the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair. In 1810, he was given command of United States, then in ordinary at Washington DC. Sailing south to Norfolk, Decatur oversaw the refitting of the ship. War of 1812 Begins While in Norfolk, Decatur encountered Captain John S. Garden of the new frigate HMS Macedonian. During a meeting between the two, Garden wagered Decatur a beaver hat that Macedonian would defeat United States should the two ever meet in battle. When war with Britain was declared two years later, United States sailed to join Commodore John Rodgers squadron at New York. Putting to sea, the squadron cruised the east coast until August 1812, when it put into Boston. Returning to sea on October 8, Rodgers led his ships in search of British vessels. Victory Over Macedonian Three days after departing Boston, Decatur and United States were detached from the squadron. Sailing east, Decatur spotted a British frigate on October 28, approximately 500 miles south of the Azores. As United States closed to engage, the enemy ship was identified as HMS Macedonian (38). Opening fire at 9:20 AM, Decatur masterfully outmaneuvered his adversary and methodically pummeled the British ship, ultimately forcing its surrender. Taking possession of Macedonian, Decatur found that his guns had inflicted 104 casualties, while United States had only suffered 12. After two weeks of repairs to Macedonian, Decatur and his prize sailed for New York, arriving to a massive victory celebration on December 4, 1812. Refitting his ships, Decatur put to sea on May 24, 1813, with United States, Macedonian, and the sloop Hornet (20). Unable to escape the blockade, they were forced into New London, CT by a strong British squadron on June 1. Trapped in port, Decatur and the crew of United States transferred to the frigate USS President (44) at New York in early 1814. On January 14, 1815, Decatur attempted to slip through the British blockade of New York. Loss of President After running aground and damaging the ships hull leaving New York, Decatur elected to return to port for repairs. As President sailed home, it was attacked by the British frigates HMS Endymion (40), HMS Majestic (58), HMS Pomone (44), and HMS Tenedos (38). Unable to escape due the damaged condition of his ship, Decatur prepared for battle. In a three-hour fight, President succeeded in disabling Endymion but was forced to surrender after sustaining heavy casualties by the other three frigates. Taken prisoner, Decatur and his men were transported to Bermuda where all learned that the war had technically ended in late December. Decatur returned to the United States aboard HMS Narcissus (32) the following month. Later Life As one of the US Navys great heroes, Decatur was immediately given command of a squadron with orders to suppress the Barbary pirates which had become active again during the War of 1812. Sailing to the Mediterranean, his ships captured the Algerian frigate Mashouda and swiftly compelled the Dey of Algiers to make peace. Using a similar style of gunboat diplomacy, Decatur was able to compel the other Barbary states to make peace on terms advantageous to the United States. In 1816, Decatur was named to the Board of Naval Commissioners in Washington D.C. Taking up his post, he had a home designed for him and his wife, Susan, by famed architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Death by Duel Four years later, Decatur was challenged to a duel by Commodore James Barron for comments he had made regarding the latters conduct during the 1807 Chesapeake-Leopard Affair. Meeting outside the city at Bladensburg Dueling Field on March 22, 1820, the two squared off with Captain Jesse Elliott and Commodore William Bainbridge as their seconds. An expert shot, Decatur only intended to wound Barron. As the two fired, Decatur severely wounded Barron in the hip, however he himself was fatally shot in the abdomen. He died later that day at his house in Lafayette Square. Over 10,000 attended Decaturs funeral including the President, Supreme Court, and the majority of Congress. Legacy Stephen Decatur was one of the first national heroes after the American Revolution. His name and legacy, like those of David Farragut, Matthew Perry, and  John Paul Jones, became identified with the U.S. Navy.

Data Analysis Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Data Analysis - Statistics Project Example Average GDP per capita (2013) of the European Union is computed from the World Bank data and is compared with data for individual countries as reported by the Central Intelligence Agency data (based on purchasing power parity). GDP per capita for the region can, therefore, be computed as follows (The World Bank, 2015). GDP per capita= 17.96 trillion/507 million= $ 35424.06 Hypothesis HO:  µCIA= 35424.06; No significant difference between the two sources, sources are reliable HA:  µCIA≠  35424.06; A significant difference exist, one of the sources is not reliable  µ represents mean The data are on a ratio scale and represents an average output of a country per person per year. Data was collected through observation from existing sources, the World Bank and the Central Intelligence Agency (US), and with European Union countries as the population. The data is with respect to the year 2013 and may not represent the countries’ and the region’s current GDP per capita. Distribution of the countries’ GDP per capita is skewed, positively, and has an outlier in GDP of Luxembourg that was $ 91900. The countries GDP per capita also differed widely as the high values of range ($ 75100) and standard deviation (15237) shows. High concentration of countries occurred in the second and fourth stems. Mean of the countries’ GDP per capita, based on CIA data (34084) is statistically the same as the regional value that the World Bank reported for the same year.

Financial Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Manager - Essay Example All the operations of the business are initiated and supported by the financial manager's evaluations and judgments. The cost/benefit analysis, the timings of the cash flows, the sources of finance and provision for liquidity are pivotal to the decision-making process of financial management. In the context of the above, a financial manager's role is three fold. He has to perform the functions of capital budgeting, capital structuring and working capital management simultaneously, providing effective risk management. Thus a financial manager best serves the owners of the business (shareholders) by identifying goods and services that add value to the firm because they are desired and valued in the free marketplace. Every business enters into long-term investments in anticipation of promising returns and higher growth. Such investments call for efficient assessments and effective decisions by the financial manager. This process of planning and managing a firm's long-term investments is better known as capital budgeting. In capital budgeting, the financial manager tries to identify investment opportunities that are worth more to the firm than they cost to acquire. This means that the value of the cash flow from generated by an asset exceeds the cost of that asset. Evaluating the size, timing, and risk of future cash flows is the essence of capital budgeting. ... In this area two main issues face the financial manager. One is that how much should the firm borrow and two is that what are least expensive sources of funds for the firm. The capital structure (or financial structure) refers to the specific mixture of long-term debt and equity the firm must use to finance its operations. In addition to deciding on the financing mix, the financial manager has to decide exactly how and where to raise the money. The expenses associated with raising long-term financing is a considerable factor. Therefore different possibilities have to be carefully evaluated. Businesses borrow money from a variety of lenders in a number of different ways. Choosing among lenders and among loan types is another job handled by the financial manager. A financial manager is also responsible for everyday financial activities and for the working capital management. Managing the firm's working capital is a day-to-day activity that ensures the firm has sufficient resources to continue its operations and avoid costly interruptions. The term working capital refers to a firm's short-term assets, such as inventory, and its short-term liabilities, such as money owed to suppliers. The working capital management involves a number of activities related to a firm's receipt and disbursement of cash. The financial manager must plan for and respond to matters as to the amount of cash and quantity of inventory to be kept on hand, should credit be allowed on sales to customers and which sources should be used for short-term financing as and when the need arises. The above three functions of financial management are very broad and only a brief overview of each category is given. By