Frankenstein, Blade Runner Context Essay Example for Free

Frankenstein, Blade Runner Context Essay Good morning/ afternoon miss, today I will be speaking about the themes of two texts and the context in which they were written. The two texts ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Blade Runner’ both embody themes of science, creation and nature that are reflected in the author’s life and what was happening in the world around them. By examining Mary Shelley’s life we can see many of the key themes of her time reflected in Frankenstein. The novel Frankenstein was written in 1818 and follows the story of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein and his quest for creating life. However his experiment goes wrong as his creature goes on a rampage after he has been rejected. One theme from this novel that is part of Shelley’s life is the natural world. The theme of the sublime natural world was embraced by Romanticists such as Mary Shelley who, in their writing, glorify the natural environment. By showing nature as a powerful force it gives an idea that nature is a great and controlling force, somewhat god like. Victor, depressed after the deaths of William and Justine for which he feels responsible for, heads to the mountains. A cold†¦ breeze†¦ upon my cheeks †¦ fills me with delight† is a shortened quote from Victor which expresses his feelings towards nature as a joyous one. The influence of nature on mood is evident throughout the novel and just like Victor feeling happy in the embrace of nature; the monster also feels his heart lighten as spring arrives after a being abandoned in the cold winter. â€Å"The weather became fine and the skies cloudless†. Contrasting to Frankenstein that explores the beauty of nature, Blade runner explores how when the natural environment fades the consequences for both humans and the planet are terrible. Blade Runner is a film directed by Riddley Scott in 1982 and follows the story of a blade runner named Deckard as he sets out on destroying artificial humans known as replicants. In the 1980s many Americans, including Scott feared their country was in a great decline and depression of the war and industrialization. These somber themes are evident within the film. At the beginning of the film we see a montage of manmade buildings and structures that overwhelm the landscape as there are no natural elements. Symbolism is very important in this opening scene as we also see setting in the background, the sun. The sun setting symbolizes the end of the earth and that humans are entering into the dark. Rain in many parts of this film and is used as a visual metaphor to suggest that nature is crying for its destruction by humanity. The effect of this impression is that when nature dies everything will mourn. The setting of this post apocalyptic film is not the only thing that has been urbanised. Many animals have been created artificially. When Deckard first goes to Tyrell he is shown an artificial owl, to which he responds â€Å"must be expensive†. The repetition of animals being artificial and expensive highlights that nothing natural remains and that nature has been taken over by commerce. Scott uses the animals as a symbol to represent how artificial the world has become. Another theme that is evident in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner is science and creation. Frankenstein was written in a period of technological advancement where science was just beginning to take shape and the thought of recreating life was evident. An event in Shelley’s life that impacted her was the work of Luigi Galvani who discovered that the muscles of dead frog’s legs twitched when struck by a electricity. This advancement leads Shelley to critique the ideals of science contrasting to the value of nature. Shelley is clear on her feelings about the use and abuse of technology. The reanimation of a man from the dead can be useful so we can always be with loved ones, but what responsibility should we take once we bring people back from the dead? How far can we go in raising the dead without destroying the living? Shelley seems to portray the idea that man cannot handle becoming like God without difficulty. Victor Frankenstein learns all he can about the field of science, both before, during, and after his work at the university and is continuously obsessed with creating life. The effect of uses a character obsessed with creating life, then later rejecting it further shows how Shelley feels about miss using technology. Similarly to Frankenstein, Blade Runner also questions the values of science and creation. Scott created his film when industrialization and when technology is rapidly becoming part of everyday life. As the creator of the replicants, Tyrell simply creates the androids for money and power then immediately outcasts them. Scott makes the company of Tyrell seem very dark and large to emphasize his power within the city. Both Mary Shelley and Riddley Scott draw inspiration from the events and other themes that are impacting their life, whether it is nature, the advancement of technology or creation issues at the time of writing.

The Problem with Presidential Primaries Essay -- Politics Political Es

The Problem with Presidential Primaries Ever since the election season of 1972, presidential primaries have become â€Å"the dominant means of selecting the two major party candidates.†i[i] The primary system is one in which the eligible voters of each state do one of the following: 1) Vote for a presidential candidate to run for their party in the general election. 2) Vote for a delegate pledged to vote for a certain candidate at the party’s national convention. As intended, this process would bring the candidate selection processes out into the open and â€Å"let the people vote for the candidate of their choice.†ii[ii] On the surface, this may look very democratic (and admittedly, in some instances it was/is), but upon closer examination, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that the candidates are chosen long before the people cast their vote. The culprit: the structure of the presidential primary system. The most influential structural element of the new primary system is the newfound practice of the political parties choosing a favored candidate before the primary season. The parties then throw all their support and financial backing behind this candidate and instantly make him/her a front-runner. While this element is standard among the two parties, the remaining structure of the primary system differs between the two main political parties. While both the Democratic and Republican parties hold open and closed primaries, the two parties hold many of their state primaries on separate dates. Additionally, the two parties have different rules that determine how each state’s delegates are allotted. The Democrats practice the proportional representation method of delegate allocation. The Republicans, on the other hand, pract... ... Online. Internet. 18 Mar. 2000. Available: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/Definitions.html#Prop. i[iv] â€Å"New Hampshire Republican Delegation 2000.† The Green Papers: Election 2000. 1 Mar. 2000. Online. Internet. 18 Mar. 2000. Available: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/NH-R.html. v[v] â€Å"Delaware Republican Delegation 2000.† The Green Papers: Election 2000. 9 Feb. 2000. Online.Internet. 18 Mar. 2000. Available: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/DE-R.html. v[vi] â€Å"South Carolina Republican Delegation 2000.† The Green Papers: Election 2000. 4 Mar. 2000. Online. Internet. 18 Mar. 2000. Available: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/SC-R.html. v[vii] â€Å"The Green Papers: Election 2000 Presidential Primary Season.† The Green Papers: Election 2000. 18 Mar. 2000. Online. Internet. 18 Mar. 2000. Available: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/.

Final Exam Prep Questions

1) The term channel in communication means A. the volume at which a message is received B. the context of the communication C. the process of changing thoughts into symbols D. the medium through which a message travels from sender to receiver 2) In which of the following communication activities do people spend the greatest percent of their day? A. Listening B. Writing C. Reading D. Speaking 3) A receiver’s response to a sender’s message is called A. encoding B. decoding C. feedback D. channel 4) With this type of response, you analyze or teach the sender about the cause of his or her concern.A. Evaluating B. Interpreting C. Paraphrasing D. Questioning 5) This happens when you receive, construct meaning from, and respond to the sender’s message. A. Hearing B. Attending C. Listening D. Responding 6) When the receiver uses this response style, he clarifies or seeks more information. A. Evaluating B. Supporting C. Paraphrasing D. Questioning 7) Which of the followin g are the most common types of doubts people may have about a source? A. Status and academic degree B. Occupation and employer C. Prominence in the field of study and experience D. Expertise and accuracy ) Which of the following is the most reliable source of information? A. Wikipedia ® B. A blog C. A book recommended by your instructor D. Britannica Online ® BCOM 275 Final Exam 9) Consider the following exchange: â€Å"How do I know God exists? How do you know he doesn’t? † Which fallacy does the second statement illustrate? A. Perfectionist fallacy B. Slippery slope C. Misplacing the burden of proof D. Inconsistency ad hominem 10) Stating someone has negative features and his claim is invalid is an example of which fallacy? A. Ad hominem B. Genetic fallacy C. Straw man D. False dilemma Feature Article Fin 486 Final Exam11) Consider the following statement: â€Å"So what if the Senator accepted a little kickback money—most politicians are corrupt after all. † This is an example of which fallacy? A. Argument from envy B. Argument from tradition C. Argument from common practice D. Straw man BCOM275 Final Exam 12) Consider the following statement: â€Å"Studies confirm what everyone already knows: Smaller class sizes make better learners. † This is an example of which fallacy? A. Argument from common practice B. Begging the question C. Misplacing the burden of proof D.Slippery slope 13) Audience analysis should occur at what point in the creation of a message? A. Once feedback is received B. Before the message is sent C. Before the message is created D. After selecting the channel 14) Behavior descriptions should meet which of the following criteria? A. Present inferences about another’s motives. B. Describe only observable behaviors. C. Inc lude terms such as â€Å"never, always, or constantly. † D. Focus on more than one behavior. 15) An effective message should be A. topic-based B. audience-centered C. time-centered D. channel-focused 6) Which informal communication channel involves its own abbreviations to accommodate the limited number of characters available in any given message? A. E-mail B. Text message C. Voicemail message D. Handwritten letters 17) Sound and light waves are an example of which part of the communication model? A. Encoding B. Channel C. Noise D. Decoding 18) In this channel of communication, messages are carried by sound and light waves. A. Teleconference B. Voicemail C. Hard copy memos D. Face-to-face 19) A framework for putting all of your information together in a logical sequence is called A. an introduction B. a thesis C. central idea D. an outline 20) Which verbal support breaks down complex processes or concepts into their component parts to ensure understanding? A. Comparisons B. Analyses C. Descriptions D. Definitions 21) What type of language is used when communicating with classmates, coworkers, family, and friends? A. Official B. Informal C. Formal D. Ceremonial 22) The connotation of words such as skinny or thin focuses on the A. actual meaning B. denotative meaning C. emotional meaning D. contextual meaning 23) If you try to persuade your classmates to donate canned goods for the hungry in your community, your topic is one of A. olicy B. fact C. value D. pathos 24) Persuasive topics that attempt to show an audience that something is good, bad, right, or wrong are topics of A. cause-effect B. fact C. value D. policy 25) If you use only a few examples to represent the whole of the conclusion, you are committing this logical fallacy. A. Either/or thinking B. Slippery slope C. Faulty causation D. Hasty generalization 26) What logical fallacy can occur when a speaker focuses on similarities and ignores significant differences? A. Either/or thinking B. Hasty generalization C. Faulty comparison D. Slippery slope 7) When you display ethos in your persuasive presentation, you have A. credibility B. emotion C. evidence D. logic 28) Developing cross-cultural competence includes which of the following? A. Overcoming personal biases B. Walking on eggs C. Separating culture from communication D. Using hot button words 29) An attempt to characterize causes of events to either personalities or external situations is called A. projection B. selective attention C. attribution error D. halo effect 30) Groups that value higher power distance believe relationships are A. individualist B. informal C. hierarchical D. elationship oriented 31) What is the belief that laws are justified if they prevent a person from harming him- or herself known as? A. Offense principle B. Legal moralism C. Harm principle D. Legal paternalism 32) What is the belief that correct moral principles are those accepted by the correct religion known as? A. Religious absolutism B . Virtue ethics C. Religious relativism D. Moral relativism 33) The practice of using a case that has already been decided as a guide when deciding new cases is referred to as A. legal morality B. legal paternalism C. causation principle D. appeal to precedent

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Seasons Of Life And Land

Many people would find it easy to sympathize with the conservation of the natural, magnificent wilderness and all of its glory; and Subhankar Banerjee, the author of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land, A Photographic Journey, uses that sympathy to gain the reader’s support in his claims. While his article does offer a very compassionate viewpoint with vivid imagery to capture the reader’s attention, it lacks strong logos arguments to back up his claims and falls victim to a few major logical fallacy points that injure his stance. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land, A Photographic Journey is an editorial that argues in favor of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and how it must be protected from the dangers of human industrialization and oil exploration that would surely destroy the land. The author of the passage dwelves into great detail about the vast, untouched beauty of the Arctic Refuge and how its majesty is among the greatest things he has witnessed. Banerjee, however, fails to support his argument using substantial facts that might otherwise sway skeptics. For instance, Banerjee states: â€Å"I was saddened to think of the tragedy that might occur if this great wilderness was consumed by a web of roads and pipelines, drilling rigs and industrial facilities†. The author here uses an ethos and pathos standpoint, coming from the perspective of personal experience and opinion of how distraught he should feel if the land wereShow MoreRelatedPictravels Actions On National Wil dlife Refuges1084 Words   |  5 PagesReview it overturned an original rule, Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participating and Close Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. This rule prohibited: hunting brown bears, wolves and coyotes (including pups and from within their den), expansion of season lengths or increases bag limits, same-day airborne take of bears and prevented loopholes for trapping and snaring of bears and selling their parts (Arctic National†¦2015). HJR 69 came about not from science, but rather theRead MoreThe Debate Over the Idea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge1480 Words   |  6 PagesOver the Idea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Throughout American history, there have been a number of conflicts and disagreements among the populace over various issues. These conflicts of interest help to define political parties and allow people to distinguish themselves through party allegiance. One such item that is currently being debated is over the idea of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For years, environmentalist groups and oilRead MoreThe Arctic Oil Drilling Industry2148 Words   |  9 PagesAbstract The Arctic oil drilling industry can be seen as one of the most driven economic gains and a step ahead for the country to become energy independence. Nonetheless, the price that comes with this gold liquor has shifted the country’s mission to harvest and provide a clean, eco-friendly energy. The continuous drilling processes come with negative impacts towards the areas involved: in this case, The Chukchi Sea, The Beaufort Sea and The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). In order to sustainRead More America Does NOT Need to Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge5388 Words   |  22 PagesAmerica Does NOT Need to Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Thesis: If the United States is going to choose to conserve energy responsibly, then our governments energies should not be focused on developing oil in the ANWR, but rather on the topics of conservation through higher fuel efficiency standards in vehicles and by developing alternative energy sources. Conservation, fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources are the solutions that will lead usRead MorePolar Bear Evolution Is a Continuing Story Essay1748 Words   |  7 PagesPolar Bear Evolution is a Continuing Story The polar bear, the largest land carnivore in North America, one of the largest animals in the world and a favorite at zoos worldwide, has, over the years, adapted to its harsh Arctic environment. The appropriately named ‘ursus maritimum’ or sea bear usually lives between 15 and 18 years in the wild and spends most of its life on ice. It is the most recent of the eight bear species. The first polar bear was a brown bear subspecies, with brown bear dimensionsRead MoreHunting Essay3907 Words   |  16 Pagespopulation dynamics and has contributed to the extinction of animal species all over the world, including the Tasmanian tiger and the great auk.(1,2) Although less than 5 percent of the U.S. population hunts, hunting is permitted in many wildlife refuges, national forests, and state parks and on other public lands3  where almost half of all hunters slaughter and maim millions of animals every year (by some estimates, poachers kill just as many animals illegally).(4,5)  The vast majority of hunters doRead MoreEnd of Nature3093 Words   |  13 Pagesthat we tell time badly and that our sense of scale is awry. 1 b) Nothing at all has changed, but actually gotten worse. It has increased by 15%. 1 c) Three pieces of evidence that support global warming is that sea levels will rise, warmer seasons and a lot more hurricanes will come. 1 d) Everything we do involves fossil fuels and in order to change it we would have to change the way we move around, spaces we live in and jobs we perform and food we eat. A New Atmosphere 2 a) We believeRead MoreEssay on Silent Spring - Rachel Carson30092 Words   |  121 Pages........................................................................................94 iv Introduction First published in the United States in 1962, Silent Spring surveys mounting evidence that widespread pesticide use endangers both wildlife and humans. Along the way, Rachel Carson criticizes an irresponsible chemical industry, which continues to claim that pesticides are safe, and imprudent public officials, who accept without question this disinformation. As an alternative to the scorchedRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesPerspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian