How to write academic papers
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
A Sliver of Awareness essays
A Sliver of Awareness expositions The first occasion when I read The Awakening by Kate Chopin, I was baffled and needed to pound my clench hands on my thighs. I was irate with the creator for denying the character Edna an option to love and bliss, just as making her such a narrow minded animal, that ended it all, along these lines denying her offspring of their mom. Be that as it may, on closer reflection and class conversation, I have come to see an alternate side to the story, and have been moved. I see in Edna what I have seen in numerous young ladies, loaded up with optimism, as they start their family and their cheerfully ever after. However, it generally appears that after the fabulousness and euphoria wears off from the wedding and endowments and new status throughout everyday life, that vision goes to weariness, dreariness, and authenticity. This welcomes somebody like Robert to introduce themselves as a break from routineexcitement, fascination, show, and a component of risk also. Edna falls prey to the acknowledgment that her wedded life isn't satisfying her, and as confounded as she may be, she feels extraordinary requirements and feelings that must be tended to. Her captivation by Robert, just as her experimentation with craftsmanship, is revealing a similar profound underlying foundations of energy inside her. She (Edna) dozed yet a couple of hours. They were pained and hot hours, upset with dreams that were elusive, that escaped her, leaving just an impression upon her half-stirred faculties of something unreachable. (p. 32). This odd, practically supernatural inclination that Edna has is the consequence of her first acknowledgment of want for Robert. Chopin places sections like this in better places to help the peruser to remember Edna's enthusiastic arousing. Edna felt as though she were being borne away from some dock which had held her quick, whose chains had been looseninghad snapped the prior night when the spiritualist soul was abroad, leaving her allowed to float whithersoever she decided to set her sails. (p. 33). Utilizing these instruments, Chopin sets u... <!
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Bursitis :: essays research papers fc
Bursitis Does it hurt to move your arm? Is it delicate and emanating agony to your neck and fingertips? Do you have a fever? On the off chance that you addressed yes to at least two of these questions then you may have ordinary joint injury called bursitis. Bursitis is an irritation of the bursa that is effectively forestalled, identified and treated. Bursitis is a typical condition that can cause a lot of torment and expanding around an influenced bursa. A bursa is a sac between body tissues that move against each other. They are loaded up with a greasing up fluid to limit the fiction between the tissues. The bursa are found for the most part in joints among skin and bone or bone what's more, ligaments. At the point when you aggravate these greasing up sacs, the bursae load up with liquid and become aggravated and excited. This aggravation causes extreme agony with development of the joint, frequently restricting the development of the influenced zone. Bursitis regularly strikes in the shoulders, elbows, knees, pelvis, hips or Achilles ligaments. Bursitis can influence about anybody for any number of reasons. It influences essentially grown-ups both male and female. The people most in danger are individuals who take part in extreme and inappropriate extending and individuals who are included intensely in athletic preparing. Bursitis can be brought about by numerous things. For one, it tends to be brought about by injury or abuse of a joint. Demanding new practice likewise can cause Bursitis. Additionally, such infections as gout, joint inflammation, and incessant contamination of a joint can be likely causes. However, every now and again the reason for Bursitis can not be resolved. The main approaches to forestall getting it are to wear defensive rigging while exorcizing, practice proper warm ups and cool downs during exercise and to keep up a high wellness level. Bursitis is a without any problem treatable ailment. On the off chance that you presume that you have bursitis, you will most likely look for the exhortation of a specialist. Probably the specialist will take a gander at your clinical history and take some x-beams. On the off chance that you are determined to have bursitis the specialist may endorse some non-steroidal calming drugs and additionally torment relievers and may make some cortisone infusions into the bursa to soothe aggravation. Once at home you are normal rest the influenced territory however much as could be expected and to apply RICE ( rest, ice, pressure and height of the aggravated joint). Additionally to keep the joint from freezing you should start moving and practicing the influenced territory as quickly as time permits. No doubt the difficult will die down in 7 to
Thursday, August 20, 2020
A Week In Review
A Week In Review So I was looking through my camera tonight, and heres what I found: Its Director of Financial Aid Daniel Barkowitz, holding up some fondue! As his associate advisor for a group of six freshmen, I got to tag along to the end-of-year dinner at the Wine Cellar Restaurant, just across the Harvard Bridge from MIT. We had an exquisite dinner of cheese, meat, and chocolate fondue paid for by the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming. It was about $50/person! (There were three types of fondue this one had cheddar in it, and there was another that had artichoke hearts and emmenthal.) Kim Brink 10 is all dressed up for the occasion The main course three or four different meats here lamb, shrimp, all raw you cook it yourself on a skewer in a marinade, fondue-style. The sauces were excellent! And then for dessert, we had hot chocolate fondue this one had caramel and almonds in it. Yeah, it was really good. Those fruits were skewered, dipped, and consumed in short order. Back at East Campus, Cameron Lewis 07, an electrical engineering and computer science major, was preparing his final project for 6.115, the Microcomputer Project Laboratory. Hes been building a spinning, multi-colored LED sphere from scratch that means designing the circuit board, machining the parts, drilling and threading the screw holes, and programming the controllers. Its been a huge part of his life for a month or two now!
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Essay on the Evil in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown
The Evil in Young Goodman Brownnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp; In my interpretation of the story, I will be discussing three main topics: the beginning conversation with Faith, the devilish character, and Brownââ¬â¢s wifeââ¬â¢s meaning in the story.nbsp; Young Goodman Brown is about to take a journey like many others before him, across the threshold separating the young unknowing boys and the elderly sages.nbsp; This, however, will not be without peril, because aging is a testing process defined by trial and error, and the errorsââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ ¦show more contentâ⬠¦nbsp;The old companion that meets him in the forest looks similar to him, as if they were father and son.nbsp; Goodman describes him as a man that would know the world, a man who would not feel uncomfortable at the governorââ¬â¢s dinner-table, or King-Williamââ¬â¢s court.nbsp; His personality is very complex and mysterious.nbsp; Certainly, he is a very good speaker and a good persuader, convincing this Brown whenever he had doubts and steering him towards personal intere sts.nbsp; If all these characteristics are not enough to label him as Satan, then his introduction should suffice.nbsp; In the unknown forest, at the climax of the self-inflicted paranoia about his surroundings, he says, ââ¬Å"What if the Devil himself should be at my very elbow!â⬠nbsp; That is when the character makes his entrance.nbsp; We know that Goodman Brown had aShow MoreRelated Good and Evil in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay788 Words à |à 4 PagesGood and Evil in Young Goodman Brown In Young Goodman Brown. Nathaniel Hawthorne considers the question of good and evil, suggesting that true evil is judging and condemning others for sin without looking at ones own sinfulness. He examines the idea that sin is part of being human and there is no escape from it. Of the many symbols he uses in this story, each has a profound meaning. They represent good and evil in the constant struggle of a young innocent man whose faith is being testedRead MoreGood Vs. Evil in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay673 Words à |à 3 PagesGood vs. Evil The short story, Young Goodman Brown is a fascinating rendition of the battle between good and evil. The reader must delve into the depths of his/her own beliefs to understand what the symbolism is. Nathaniel Hawthorne writes an entire lesson in life as one big symbol using allegory. The various examples are fruitful and will be presented throughout this essay. First, the main characters name is Goodman Brown. Does this mean something? It seems Nathaniel Hawthorne wishedRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s Young Goodman Brown1492 Words à |à 6 PagesIn Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s short story of Young Goodman Brown, the author uses symbolism and allegories in order to showcase the Puritan faith as well as manââ¬â¢s conflict between good and evil. This analysis will breakdown the techniques that the author uses to critique the puritan society, and to show the difference between how people appear to be in society and the true colors that they are hidden inside of them. There has been a lot of great authors in our time, but none more interesting than NathanielRead MoreThe Dichotomy of Self Reliance and Conformity1169 Words à |à 5 Pages This was the Romanticism Period. An incredible number of miraculous masterpieces were contrived during this period of enlightenment, including Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s dramatically thematic and ambiguous short story, ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠, as well as Ralph Waldo Emersonââ¬â¢s intriguingly influential and uplifting essay, ââ¬Å"Self-Relianceâ⬠. Hawthorneââ¬â¢s writing aspires to implicate theories and themes about the reality of the world we live in and to illustrate our individual limitations through the art ofRead MoreFiction Essay - Young Goodman Brown and the Lottery1051 Words à |à 5 PagesFICTION ESSAY WRITING STYLE USED: APA OUTLINE I. THESIS: A thorough analysis of Jacksonââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"The Lotteryâ⬠and Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠reveals that different literary elements, such as tone and setting, are used to convey the charactersââ¬â¢ arrival at dark, sinister places. II. INTRODUCTION III. SHIRLEY JACKSONââ¬â¢S ââ¬Å"THE LOTTERYâ⬠A. Setting the tone: Peaceful and relaxing B. Irony: Even though the mood is relaxing, there is a premonition of something bad toRead MoreShort Story Analysis: Young Goodman Brown Essay1115 Words à |à 5 Pagesmore intriguing than Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ability to weave stories through the use of complex language and early puritan society narratives has long been a topic of study amongst scholars and young adults, alike. ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠explores the idea of good vs. evil and draws many parallels to the life of Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is often debated whether man is born innately good or evil. In ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠it is possible to see Hawthorneââ¬â¢s stance on this. However, before delvingRead More Ambiguity in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1743 Words à |à 7 PagesAmbiguity in ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠à à à à à à à à à à There is no end to the ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠; this essay hopes to explore this problem. à Peter Conn in ââ¬Å"Finding a Voice in an New Nationâ⬠makes a statement regarding Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ambiguity:à à Almost all of Hawthorneââ¬â¢s finest stories are remote in time or place. The glare of contemporary reality immobillized his imagination. He required shadows and half-light, and he sought a nervous equilibriumRead More Morality and Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1146 Words à |à 5 PagesYoung Goodman Brown was published in 1835, when Nathaniel Hawthorne was 31 years old. Hawthorne was born and reared in Salem, Massachusetts, a village still permeated by its 17th century Puritanism. When he was four, Hawthornes fatherà died, and from that point on he was surrounded mostly by females: two sisters, a maiden aunt, and a retiring mother who was not close to her children. He had little contact with his deceased fathers family, but his maternal relatives were supportive and saw toRead MoreThe Moral Complexity Of Nathaniel Hawthorne s Young Goodman Brown1681 Words à |à 7 PagesThe Moral Complexity Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠is about a Christian man, the title character who walks through a dark and dreary forest, witnessing some people in his community he thought were godly walking deeper into the ââ¬Å"path of evil.â⬠He has to make a decision whether to keep walking towards the satanic meeting or go back home. The characters Hawthorne chooses have some relation to either the trials or the Christian way of life. Back in the middle 1900s, the society relied heavilyRead More Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown and History Essay1704 Words à |à 7 Pagesââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠and Historyà à à à à à à à à à à à à à Q. D. Leavis states that ââ¬Å"perhaps the persecuting aspect of their way of life was peculiarly present to Hawthorne because of the witch-hanging judge and the Quaker-whipping Major among his ancestorsâ⬠(30). This is a reference to one instance of historical allusion in Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brown.â⬠This essay will explore a variety of historical incidences referred to in this short story. à Clarice Swisher in ââ¬Å"Nathaniel
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Last Sacrifice Chapter Eleven Free Essays
string(73) " my hair and then drew me close again, brushing a kiss against my cheek\." I BRACED MYSELF, EXPECTING TO see the Dashkov brothers appear again with some last minute ââ¬Å"advice.ââ¬â¢ Instead I sawââ¬â ââ¬Å"Adrian!ââ¬â¢ I ran across the garden Iââ¬â¢d appeared in and threw my arms around him. He hugged me back just as tightly and lifted me off the ground. We will write a custom essay sample on Last Sacrifice Chapter Eleven or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"Little dhampir,ââ¬â¢ he said, once he put me down again. His arms stayed around my waist. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve missed you.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve missed you too.ââ¬â¢ And I meant it. The last couple days and their bizarre events had completely unhinged my life, and being with himââ¬âeven in a dreamââ¬âwas comforting. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, enjoying a small moment of warmth and peace as our lips met. ââ¬Å"Are you okay?ââ¬â¢ he asked when I broke away. ââ¬Å"No oneââ¬â¢ll tell me much about you. Your old man says youââ¬â¢re safe and that the Alchemist would let him know if anything went wrong.ââ¬â¢ I didnââ¬â¢t bother telling Adrian that that probably wasnââ¬â¢t true, seeing as Abe didnââ¬â¢t know weââ¬â¢d gone freelancing with some backwoods vampires. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m fine,ââ¬â¢ I assured Adrian. ââ¬Å"Mostly bored. Weââ¬â¢re holed up in this dive of a town. I donââ¬â¢t think anyone will come looking for us. I donââ¬â¢t think theyââ¬â¢d want to.ââ¬â¢ A look of relief spread over his handsome face, and it occurred to me just how worried he was. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m glad. Rose, you canââ¬â¢t imagine what itââ¬â¢s like. They arenââ¬â¢t just questioning people who might have been involved. The guardians are making all sorts of plans to hunt you down. Thereââ¬â¢s all this talk about ââ¬Å"deadly force.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, they wonââ¬â¢t find me. Iââ¬â¢m somewhere pretty remote.ââ¬â¢ Very remote. ââ¬Å"I wish I could have gone with you.ââ¬â¢ He still looked concerned, and I pressed a finger to his lips. ââ¬Å"No. Donââ¬â¢t say that. Youââ¬â¢re better off where you areââ¬âand better not to be associated with me any more than you already are. Have you been questioned?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Yeah, they didnââ¬â¢t get anything useful out of me. Too tight an alibi. They brought me in when I went to find Mikhail because we talked toââ¬âââ¬Ë ââ¬Å"I know. Joe.ââ¬â¢ Adrianââ¬â¢s surprise was brief. ââ¬Å"Little dhampir, youââ¬â¢ve been spying.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s hard not to.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"You know, as much as I like the idea of having someone always know when youââ¬â¢re in trouble, Iââ¬â¢m still kind of glad I donââ¬â¢t have anyone bound to me. Not sure Iââ¬â¢d want them looking in my head.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think anyone would want to look in your head either. One person living Adrian Ivashkovââ¬â¢s life is hard enough.ââ¬â¢ Amusement flickered in his eyes, but it faded when I switched back to business. ââ¬Å"Anyway, yeah. I overheard Lissaââ¬â¢s â⬠¦ um, interrogation of Joe. Thatââ¬â¢s serious stuff. What did Mikhail say? If Joe lied, that clears half the evidence against me.ââ¬â¢ It also theoretically killed Adrianââ¬â¢s alibi. ââ¬Å"Well, not quite half. It would have been better if Joe said you were in your room during the murder instead of admitting heââ¬â¢s a flake who doesnââ¬â¢t remember anything. It also would have been better if he hadnââ¬â¢t said all this under Lissaââ¬â¢s compulsion. Mikhail canââ¬â¢t report that.ââ¬â¢ I sighed. Hanging out with spirit users, Iââ¬â¢d started to take compulsion for granted. It was easy to forget that among Moroi, it was taboo, the kind of thing youââ¬â¢d get in serious trouble for. In fact, Lissa wouldnââ¬â¢t just get in trouble for illicitly using it. She could also be accused of simply making Joe say whatever she wanted. Anything he said in my favor would be suspect. No one would believe it. ââ¬Å"Also,ââ¬â¢ added Adrian, looking dismayed, ââ¬Å"if what Joe said gets out, the world would learn about my motherââ¬â¢s misguided acts of love.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Im sorry,ââ¬â¢ I said, putting my arms around him. He complained about his parents all the time but really did care about his mother. Finding out about her bribery had to be tough for him, and I knew Tatianaââ¬â¢s death still pained him. It seemed I was around a lot of men in anguish lately. ââ¬Å"Although, I really am glad she cleared you of any connection.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"It was stupid of her. If anyone finds out, sheââ¬â¢ll be in serious trouble.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s Mikhailââ¬â¢s advice then?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s going to find Joe and question him privately. Go from there. For now, thereââ¬â¢s not much more we can do with the info. Itââ¬â¢s useful for us â⬠¦ but not for the legal system.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Yeah,ââ¬â¢ I said, trying not to feel disheartened. ââ¬Å"I guess itââ¬â¢s better than nothing.ââ¬â¢ Adrian nodded and then brushed away his dark mood in that easy way of his. Still keeping his arms around me, he pulled back slightly, smiling as he looked down at me. ââ¬Å"Nice dress, by the way.ââ¬â¢ The topic change caught me by surprise, though I should have been used to it with him by now. Following his gaze, I noticed I was wearing an old dress of mine, the sexy black dress Iââ¬â¢d had on when Victor had unleashed a lust charm on Dimitri and me. Since Adrian hadnââ¬â¢t dressed me for the dream, my subconscious had dictated my appearance. I was kind of astonished it had chosen this. ââ¬Å"Oh â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ I suddenly felt embarrassed but didnââ¬â¢t know why. ââ¬Å"My own clothes are kind of beat up. I guess I wanted something to counteract that.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Well, it looks good on you.ââ¬â¢ Adrianââ¬â¢s fingers slid along the strap. ââ¬Å"Really good.ââ¬â¢ Even in a dream, the touch of his finger made my skin tingle. ââ¬Å"Watch it, Ivashkov. Weââ¬â¢ve got no time for this.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re asleep. What else are we going to do?ââ¬â¢ My protests were muffled in a kiss. I sank into it. One of his hands slid down the side of my thigh, near the dressââ¬â¢s edge, and it took a lot of mental energy to convince myself that him pulling the dress up was probably not going to clear my name. I reluctantly moved back. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re going to figure out who killed Tatiana,ââ¬â¢ I said, trying to catch my breath. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s no ââ¬Å"we,â⬠he said, echoing the line Iââ¬â¢d just used on Victor. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s me. And Lissa. And Christian. And the rest of our misfit friends.ââ¬â¢ He stroked my hair and then drew me close again, brushing a kiss against my cheek. You read "Last Sacrifice Chapter Eleven" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry, little dhampir. You take care of yourself. Just stay where you are.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t,ââ¬â¢ I said. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you get it? I canââ¬â¢t just do nothing.ââ¬â¢ The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. It was one thing to protest my inactivity with Dimitri, but with Adrian, I needed to make him and everyone else at Court think I was doing the ââ¬Å"right thing.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"You have to. Weââ¬â¢ll take care of you.ââ¬â¢ He didnââ¬â¢t get it, I realized. He didnââ¬â¢t understand how badly I needed to do something to help. To his credit, his intentions were good. He thought taking care of me was a big deal. He wanted to keep me safe. But he didnââ¬â¢t truly get how agonizing inaction was for me. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll find this person and stop them from doing whatever it is â⬠¦ they want to do. It might take a long time, but weââ¬â¢ll fix it.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Time â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ I murmured against his chest, letting the argument go. Iââ¬â¢d get nowhere convincing him I needed to help my friends, and anyway, I had my own quest now. So much to do, so little time. I stared off into the landscape heââ¬â¢d created. Iââ¬â¢d noticed trees and flowers earlier but only now realized we were in the Churchââ¬â¢s courtyardââ¬âthe way it had been before Abeââ¬â¢s assault. The statue of Queen Alexandra stood intact, her long hair and kind eyes immortalized in stone. The murder investigation really was in my friendsââ¬â¢ hands for now, but Adrian had been right: it might take a while. I sighed. ââ¬Å"Time. We need more time.ââ¬â¢ Adrian pulled away slightly. ââ¬Å"Hmm? Whatââ¬â¢d you say?ââ¬â¢ I stared up at him, biting my lower lip as a million thoughts spun through my mind. I looked again at Alexandra and made my decision, wondering if I was about to set new records in foolishness. I turned back to Adrian and squeezed his hand. ââ¬Å"I said we need more time. And I know how we can get it â⬠¦ but â⬠¦ well, thereââ¬â¢s something you have to do for me. And you, uh, probably shouldnââ¬â¢t mention it to Lissa yet â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ I had just enough time to deliver my instructions to Adrianââ¬âwho was as shocked as Iââ¬â¢d expectedââ¬âbefore Dimitri woke me up for my shift. We switched off with little conversation. He had his usual tough face on, but I could see the lines of fatigue etched upon his features. I didnââ¬â¢t want to bother himââ¬âyetââ¬âwith my Victor and Robert encounter. Not to mention what Iââ¬â¢d just told Adrian to do. Thereââ¬â¢d be plenty of time for a recap later. Dimitri fell asleep in that easy way of his, and Sydney never stirred the entire time. I envied her for a full nightââ¬â¢s sleep but couldnââ¬â¢t help a smile as the room grew lighter and lighter. Sheââ¬â¢d been inadvertently put on a vampire schedule after our all-night adventures. Of course, Lissa was on the same schedule, which meant I couldnââ¬â¢t visit her during my watch. Just as well. I needed to keep an eye on this creepy collective weââ¬â¢d stumbled into. These Keepers might not want to turn us in, but that didnââ¬â¢t make them harmless either. I also hadnââ¬â¢t forgotten Sydneyââ¬â¢s fears about surprise Alchemist visits. When late afternoon came for the rest of the world, I heard stirring inside the house. I gently touched Dimitriââ¬â¢s shoulder, and he jerked awake instantly. ââ¬Å"Easy,ââ¬â¢ I said, unable to hide a smile. ââ¬Å"Just a wakeup call. Sounds like our redneck friends are getting up.ââ¬â¢ This time, our voices woke Sydney. She rolled over toward us, her eyes squinting at the light coming through the badly screened window. ââ¬Å"What time is it?ââ¬â¢ she asked, stretching her limbs. ââ¬Å"Not sure.ââ¬â¢ I had no watch. ââ¬Å"Probably past midday. Three? Four?ââ¬â¢ She sat up almost as quickly as Dimitri had. ââ¬Å"In the afternoon? â⬠The sunlight gave her the answer. ââ¬Å"Damn you guys and your unholy schedule.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Did you just say ââ¬Å"damnââ¬â¢? Isnââ¬â¢t that against Alchemist rules?ââ¬â¢ I teased. ââ¬Å"Sometimes itââ¬â¢s necessary.ââ¬â¢ She rubbed her eyes and glanced toward the door. The faint noises Iââ¬â¢d heard in the rest of the house were louder now, audible even to her ears. ââ¬Å"I guess we need a plan.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"We have one,ââ¬â¢ I said. ââ¬Å"Find Lissaââ¬â¢s sibling.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I never entirely agreed to that,ââ¬â¢ she reminded me. ââ¬Å"And you guys keep thinking I can just magically type away like some movie hacker to find all your answers.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Well, at least itââ¬â¢s a place toââ¬âââ¬Ë A thought occurred to me, one that could seriously mess things up. ââ¬Å"Crap. Your laptop wonââ¬â¢t even work out here.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s got a satellite modem, but itââ¬â¢s the battery we have to worry about.ââ¬â¢ Sydney sighed and stood up, smoothing her rumpled clothes with dismay. ââ¬Å"I need a coffee shop or something.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I think I saw one in a cave down the road,ââ¬â¢ I said. That almost got a smile from her. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s got to be some town close by where I could use my laptop.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢s probably not a good idea to take the car out anywhere in this state,ââ¬â¢ said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Just in case someone at the motel got your license plate number.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I know,ââ¬â¢ she said grimly. ââ¬Å"I was thinking about that too.ââ¬â¢ Our brilliant scheming was interrupted by a knock at the door. Without waiting for an answer, Sarah stuck her head inside and smiled. ââ¬Å"Oh, good. Youââ¬â¢re all awake. Weââ¬â¢re getting breakfast ready if you want to join us.ââ¬â¢ Through the doorway, scents of what seemed like a normal breakfast drifted in: bacon, eggs â⬠¦ The bread had gotten me through the night, but I was ready for real food and willing to roll the dice on whatever Raymondââ¬â¢s family had to offer. In the houseââ¬â¢s main section, we found a flurry of domestic activity. Raymond appeared to be cooking something over the fireplace while Paulette set the long table. It already had a platter of perfectly ordinary scrambled eggs and more slices of yesterdayââ¬â¢s bread. Raymond rose from the fireplace, holding a large metal sheet covered in crisp bacon. A smile split his bearded face when he spotted us. The more of these Keepers I saw, the more I kept noticing something. They made no attempts to hide their fangs. From childhood, my Moroi were taught to smile and speak in a way that minimized fang exposure, in case they were out in human cities. There was nothing like that here. ââ¬Å"Good morning,ââ¬â¢ said Raymond, carefully pushing the bacon onto another platter on the table. ââ¬Å"I hope youââ¬â¢re all hungry.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Do you think thatââ¬â¢s, like, real bacon?ââ¬â¢ I whispered to Sydney and Dimitri. ââ¬Å"And not like squirrel or something?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Looks real to me,ââ¬â¢ said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d say so too,ââ¬â¢ said Sydney. ââ¬Å"Though, I guarantee itââ¬â¢s from their own pigs and not a grocery store.ââ¬â¢ Dimitri laughed at whatever expression crossed my face. ââ¬Å"I always love seeing what worries you. Strigoi? No. Questionable food? Yes.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"What about Strigoi?ââ¬â¢ Joshua and Angeline entered the house. He had a bowl of blackberries, and she was pushing the little kids along. From their squirming and dirty faces, they clearly wanted to go back outside. It was Angeline who had asked the question. Dimitri covered for my squeamishness. ââ¬Å"Just talking about some of Roseââ¬â¢s Strigoi kills.ââ¬â¢ Joshua came to a standstill and stared at me, those pretty blue eyes wide with amazement. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve killed the Lost? Erââ¬âStrigoi?ââ¬â¢ I admired his attempt to use ââ¬Å"ourââ¬â¢ term. ââ¬Å"How many?ââ¬â¢ I shrugged. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t really know anymore.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you use the marks?ââ¬â¢ Raymond scolded. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t think the Tainted had abandoned those.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"The marksââ¬âoh. Yeah. Our tattoos? We do.ââ¬â¢ I turned around and lifted up my hair. I heard a scuffling of feet and then felt a finger touching my skin. I flinched and whipped back around, just in time to see Joshua lowering his hand sheepishly. ââ¬Å"Sorry,ââ¬â¢ he said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve just never seen some of these. Only the molnija marks. Thatââ¬â¢s how we count our Strigoi kills. Youââ¬â¢ve got â⬠¦ a lot.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"The S-shaped mark is unique to them,ââ¬â¢ said Raymond disapprovingly. That look was quickly replaced by admiration. ââ¬Å"The otherââ¬â¢s the zvezda.ââ¬â¢ This earned gasps from Joshua and Angeline and a ââ¬Å"What?ââ¬â¢ from me. ââ¬Å"The battle mark,ââ¬â¢ said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Not many people call it zvezda anymore. It means ââ¬Å"star.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh. Makes sense,ââ¬â¢ I said. The tattoo was, in fact, kind of shaped like a star and was given when someone had fought in a big enough battle to lose count of Strigoi kills. After all, there were only so many molnija marks you could cram on your neck. Joshua smiled at me in a way that made my stomach flutter just a little. Maybe he was part of a pseudo-Amish cult, but that didnââ¬â¢t change the fact that he was still good- looking. ââ¬Å"Now I understand how you could have killed the Tainted queen.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s probably fake,ââ¬â¢ said Angeline. Iââ¬â¢d been about to protest the queen-killing part, but her comment derailed me. ââ¬Å"It is not! I earned it when Strigoi attacked our school. And then there were plenty more I took down after that.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"The mark canââ¬â¢t be that uncommon,ââ¬â¢ said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Your people must have big Strigoi fights every once in a while.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Not really,ââ¬â¢ said Joshua, his eyes still on me. ââ¬Å"Most of us have never fought or even seen the Lost. They donââ¬â¢t really bother us.ââ¬â¢ That was surprising. If ever there was a Strigoi target, a group of Moroi, dhampirs, and humans out in the middle of nowhere would be it. ââ¬Å"Why not?ââ¬â¢ I asked. Raymond winked at me. ââ¬Å"Because we fight back.ââ¬â¢ I pondered his enigmatic statement as the family sat down to eat. Again, I thought about the entire communityââ¬â¢s willingness to fight when weââ¬â¢d first arrived. Was it really enough to scare off Strigoi? Not much scared them, but maybe certain things were too much of an inconvenience to deal with. I wondered what Dimitriââ¬â¢s opinion would be on that. His own family had come from a community that separated itself somewhat from mainstream Moroi life, but it was nothing like this. All of this spun in my mind while we ate and talked. The Keepers still had a lot more questions about us and Tatiana. The only one not participating was Angeline. She ate as little as Sydney and kept watching me with a scowl. ââ¬Å"We need some supplies,ââ¬â¢ said Sydney abruptly, interrupting me in the middle of a gruesome story. I didnââ¬â¢t mind, but the others looked disappointed. ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s the nearest town that would have a coffee shop â⬠¦ or any restaurant?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Well,ââ¬â¢ said Paulette. ââ¬Å"Rubysville is a little over an hour north. But we have plenty of food here for you.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Its not about food,ââ¬â¢ I said quickly. ââ¬Å"Yours has been great.ââ¬â¢ I glanced at Sydney. ââ¬Å"An hourââ¬â¢s not so bad, right?ââ¬â¢ She nodded and then glanced hesitantly at Raymond. ââ¬Å"Is there any way â⬠¦ is there any way we could borrow a car? Ill â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ The next words clearly caused her pain. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll leave the keys to mine until we get back.ââ¬â¢ He arched an eyebrow. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got a nice car.ââ¬â¢ Sydney shrugged. ââ¬Å"The less we drive it around here, the better.ââ¬â¢ He told us we could take his truck and that he ââ¬Å"probablyââ¬â¢ wouldnââ¬â¢t even need to use the CR-V. Sydney gave him a tight smile of thanks, but I knew images of vampires joyriding in her car were dancing through her head. We set out soon after that, wanting to be back before the sun went down. People were out and about in the commune, doing chores or whatever else it was they did with their lives. A group of children sat around a dhampir reading a book to them, making me wonder what sort of education process they had here. All of the Keepers stopped whatever they were doing as we passed, giving us either curious looks or outright smiles. I smiled back occasionally but mostly kept my eyes ahead. Joshua was escorting us back to the ââ¬Å"parking lotââ¬â¢ and managed to walk beside me when we reached the narrow path. ââ¬Å"I hope you wonââ¬â¢t be gone long,ââ¬â¢ he said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d wanted us to talk more.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Sure,ââ¬â¢ I said. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢d be fun.ââ¬â¢ He brightened and chivalrously pushed aside a low-hanging branch. ââ¬Å"Maybe I can show you my cave.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Yourââ¬âwait. What? Donââ¬â¢t you live with your dad?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"For now. But Iââ¬â¢m getting my own place.ââ¬â¢ There was pride in his voice. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not as big as his, of course, but itââ¬â¢s a good start. Itââ¬â¢s almost cleaned out.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s really, um, great. Definitely show me when weââ¬â¢re back.ââ¬â¢ The words came easily to my lips, but my mind was pondering the fact that Raymondââ¬â¢s house was apparently ââ¬Å"big.ââ¬â¢ Joshua parted ways from us when we reached Raymondââ¬â¢s truck, a big red pickup with a seat that could just barely hold the three of us. Considering the Keepers didnââ¬â¢t leave the woods much, the truck seemed like it had seen a lot of miles. Or maybe just a lot of years of disuse. ââ¬Å"You shouldnââ¬â¢t lead him on like that,ââ¬â¢ Dimitri said, when weââ¬â¢d been on the road for about ten minutes. Surprisingly, Sydney had let him drive. I guessed she figured a manly truck deserved a manly driver. Now that we were moving, my mind had focused back on the task at hand: finding the other Dragomir. ââ¬Å"Huh?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Joshua. You were flirting with him.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I was not! We were just talking.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Arenââ¬â¢t you with Adrian?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Yes!ââ¬â¢ I exclaimed, glaring at Dimitri. His eyes were fixed on the road. ââ¬Å"And thatââ¬â¢s why I wasnââ¬â¢t flirting. How can you read so much into that? Joshua doesnââ¬â¢t even like me that way.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Actually,ââ¬â¢ said Sydney, sitting between us, ââ¬Å"he does.ââ¬â¢ I turned my incredulity on her. ââ¬Å"How do you know? Did he pass you a note in class or something?ââ¬â¢ She rolled her eyes. ââ¬Å"No. But you and Dimitri are like gods back at camp.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re outsiders,ââ¬â¢ I reminded her. ââ¬Å"Tainted.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"No. Youââ¬â¢re renegade Strigoi ââ¬â and queen-killers. It might have all been southern charm and hospitality back there, but those people can be savage. They put a big premium on being able to beat people up. And, considering how scruffy most of them are, you guys are â⬠¦ well â⬠¦ letââ¬â¢s just say you two are the hottest things to walk through there in a while.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re not hot?ââ¬â¢ I asked. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s irrelevant,ââ¬â¢ she said, flustered by the comment. ââ¬Å"Alchemists arenââ¬â¢t even on their radar. We donââ¬â¢t fight. They think weââ¬â¢re weak.ââ¬â¢ I thought back to the enraptured faces and had to admit that a lot of the people there did have a weathered, worn-out look. Almost. ââ¬Å"Raymondââ¬â¢s family was pretty good- looking,ââ¬â¢ I pointed out. I heard a grunt from Dimitri who no doubt read this as evidence of me flirting with Joshua. ââ¬Å"Yeah,ââ¬â¢ she said. ââ¬Å"Because theyââ¬â¢re probably the most important family in town. They eat better, probably donââ¬â¢t have to work in the sun as much. That kind of stuff makes a difference.ââ¬â¢ There was no more talk of flirting as we continued the drive. We made good time to Rubysville, which looked eerily similar to the first town weââ¬â¢d stayed in. When we stopped at what appeared to be the Rubysvilleââ¬â¢s only gas station, Sydney ran inside to ask a few questions. She came back, reporting that there was indeed a cafe of sorts where she could plug in her laptop and try to look up what we needed. She ordered coffee, and we sat there with her, too full from breakfast to order anything substantial. After a couple dirty looks from a waitress who seemed to regard us as loiterers, Dimitri and I decided to take a walk around town. Sydney looked almost as pleased as the waitress about this. I donââ¬â¢t think she liked having us hover around. Iââ¬â¢d given Sydney a hard time about West Virginia, but I had to admit the scenery was beautiful. Soaring trees, full of summer leaves, surrounded the town like an embrace. Beyond them, mountains loomed, very different from the ones Iââ¬â¢d grown up with near St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s. These were rolling and green, covered in more trees. Most of the mountains surrounding St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s had been stony and jagged, often with snowy peaks. A strange sense of nostalgia came over me, thinking back to Montana. There was a good possibility Iââ¬â¢d never see it again. If I spent the rest of my life on the run, St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s was the last place I could go. If I was caught, well â⬠¦ then Iââ¬â¢d definitely never get to see Montana again. ââ¬Å"Or any place,ââ¬â¢I murmured, speaking out loud before I could catch myself. ââ¬Å"Hmm?ââ¬â¢ asked Dimitri. ââ¬Å"I was just thinking about if the guardians find us. I never realized how much there was I wanted to do and see. Suddenly, thatââ¬â¢s all at stake, you know?ââ¬â¢ We moved off to the side of the road as an orange pickup came driving by. Children out of school for the summer screeched and laughed in the back of it. ââ¬Å"Okay, suppose my name isnââ¬â¢t cleared and we never find the real murderer. Whatââ¬â¢s the next-best-case scenario? Me: always running, always hiding. Thatââ¬â¢ll be my life. For all I know, I will have to go live with the Keepers.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢ll come to that,ââ¬â¢ said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Abe and Sydney would help you find some place safe.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Is there a safe place? For real? Adrian said the guardians are increasing their efforts to find us. Theyââ¬â¢ve got the Alchemists and probably human authorities looking for us too. No matter where we go, weââ¬â¢ll run the risk of being spotted. Then weââ¬â¢ll have to move on. Itââ¬â¢ll be like that forever.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll be alive,ââ¬â¢ he pointed out. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what matters. Enjoy what you have, every little detail of wherever you are. Donââ¬â¢t focus on where you arenââ¬â¢t.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Yeah,ââ¬â¢ I admitted, trying to follow his advice. The sky seemed a little bluer, the birds a little louder. ââ¬Å"I suppose I shouldnââ¬â¢t whine over the dream places I wonââ¬â¢t get to see. I should be grateful I get to see anything at all. And that Iââ¬â¢m not living in a cave.ââ¬â¢ He glanced over at me and smiled, something unreadable in his eyes. ââ¬Å"Where do you want to go?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"What, right now?ââ¬â¢ I glanced around, sizing up our options. There was a bait and tackle store, a drugstore, and an ice cream parlor. I had a feeling that last one would be a necessary trip before leaving town. ââ¬Å"No, in the world.ââ¬â¢ I eyed him warily. ââ¬Å"Sydneyââ¬â¢s going to be pissed if we take off for Istanbul or something.ââ¬â¢ This got me full-fledged laughter. ââ¬Å"Not what I had in mind. Come on.ââ¬â¢ I followed him toward what looked like the bait and tackle store and then noticed a small building tucked behind it. Naturally, his sharp eyes had seen what I missedââ¬â probably because Iââ¬â¢d been fixated on the ice cream. RUBYSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. ââ¬Å"Whoa, hey,ââ¬â¢ I said. ââ¬Å"One of the few perks of graduating was avoiding places like this.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Its probably air conditioned,ââ¬â¢ he pointed out. I looked down at my sweat-soaked tank top and noticed a faint pink tinge to my skin. With my tanned complexion, I rarely burned, but this was some serious sunââ¬âeven so late in the day. ââ¬Å"Lead on,ââ¬â¢ I told him. The library was mercifully cool, though even smaller than the one at St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s. With some uncanny sense (or maybe just a knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System), Dimitri led us over to the travel sectionââ¬âwhich consisted of about ten books, three of which were about West Virginia. He frowned. ââ¬Å"Not quite what I expected.ââ¬â¢ He scanned the shelf twice and then pulled out a large, bright-colored one entitled 100 Best Places to Visit in the World. We sat down cross-legged on the floor, and he handed me the book. ââ¬Å"No way, comrade,ââ¬â¢ I said. ââ¬Å"I know books are a journey of the imagination, but I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢m up for that today.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Just take it,ââ¬â¢ he said. ââ¬Å"Close your eyes, and flip randomly to a page.ââ¬â¢ It seemed silly, considering everything else going on in our life, but his face said he was serious. Indulging him, I closed my eyes and selected a page in the middle. I opened to it. ââ¬Å"Mitchell, South Dakota?ââ¬â¢ I exclaimed. Remembering I was in a library, I lowered my voice. ââ¬Å"Out of all the places in the world, that makes the top hundred?ââ¬â¢ He was smiling again, and Iââ¬â¢d forgotten how much Iââ¬â¢d missed that. ââ¬Å"Read it.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"â⬠Located ninety minutes outside of Sioux Falls, Mitchell is home to the Corn Palace.â⬠I looked up at him in disbelief. ââ¬Å"Corn Palace?ââ¬â¢ He scooted over next to me, leaning close to look at the pictures. ââ¬Å"I figured itââ¬â¢d be made of corn husks,ââ¬â¢ he noted. The pictures actually showed what looked like a Middle Easternââ¬âor even Russianââ¬âstyle building, with turrets and onion domes. ââ¬Å"Me too.ââ¬â¢ Reluctantly, I added, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d visit it. I bet they have great T-shirts.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"And,ââ¬â¢ he said, a sly look in his eyes, ââ¬Å"I bet no guardians would look for us there.ââ¬â¢ I made no attempts to conceal my laughter, imagining us living as fugitives in the Corn Palace for the rest of our lives. My amusement brought us a scolding from a librarian, and we quieted as Dimitri took his turn. Sao Paolo, Brazil. Then my turn: Honolulu, Hawaii. Back and forth we passed the book, and before long, we were both lying on the floor, side by side, sharing mixed reactions as we continued our ââ¬Å"global tour of the imagination.ââ¬â¢ Our arms and legs just barely touched. If anyone had told me forty-eight hours ago that Iââ¬â¢d be lying in a library with Dimitri, reading a travel book, I would have said they were crazy. Almost as crazy was the realization that I was doing something perfectly ordinary and casual with him. Since the moment weââ¬â¢d met, our lives had been about secrecy and danger. And really, those were still the dominant themes in our lives. But in those quiet couple of hours, time seemed to stand still. We were at peace. We were friends. ââ¬Å"Florence, Italy,ââ¬â¢ I read. Pictures of elaborate churches and galleries filled the page. ââ¬Å"Sydney wants to go there. She wanted to study there, actually. If Abe could have managed that, I think she would have served him for life.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s still pretty obedient,ââ¬â¢ Dimitri remarked. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know her well, but Iââ¬â¢m pretty sure Abeââ¬â¢s got something on her.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"He got her out of Russia, back to the U.S.ââ¬â¢ He shook his head. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s got to be more than that. Alchemists are loyal to their order. They donââ¬â¢t like us. She hides itââ¬âtheyââ¬â¢re trained toââ¬âbut every minute with the Keepers is agony. For her to help us and betray her superiors, she owes him for some serious reason.ââ¬â¢ We both paused a moment, wondering what mysterious arrangement my father had with her. ââ¬Å"Its irrelevant, though. Sheââ¬â¢s helping us, which is what matters â⬠¦ and we should probably get back to her.ââ¬â¢ I knew he was right but hated to go. I wanted to stay here, in this illusion of tranquility and safety, letting myself believe I might really make it to the Parthenon or even the Corn Palace someday. I handed the book back to him. ââ¬Å"One more.ââ¬â¢ He picked his random page and opened the book. His smile fell. ââ¬Å"Saint Petersburg.ââ¬â¢ A weird mix of feelings entangled themselves in my chest. Nostalgiaââ¬âbecause the city was beautiful. Sorrowââ¬âbecause my visit had been tainted by the awful task Iââ¬â¢d gone there to do. Dimitri stared at the page for a long time, wistfulness on his face. It occurred to me then that, despite his earlier pep talk, he had to be experiencing what I did for Montana: our old, favorite places were lost to us now. I nudged him gently. ââ¬Å"Hey, enjoy where youââ¬â¢re at, remember? Not where you canââ¬â¢t go.ââ¬â¢ He reluctantly shut the book and dragged his eyes away from it. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d you get so wise?ââ¬â¢ he teased. ââ¬Å"I had a good teacher.ââ¬â¢ We smiled at each other. Something occurred to me. All this time, Iââ¬â¢d figured heââ¬â¢d helped break me out because of Lissaââ¬â¢s orders. Maybe there was more to it. ââ¬Å"Is that why you escaped with me?ââ¬â¢ I asked. ââ¬Å"To see what parts of the world you could?ââ¬â¢ His surprise was brief. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t need me to be wise, Rose. Youââ¬â¢re doing fine on your own. Yes, that was part of it. Maybe I would have been welcomed back eventually, but there was the risk I wouldnââ¬â¢t. After â⬠¦ after being Strigoi â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ He stumbled over the words a little. ââ¬Å"I gained a new appreciation for life. It took a while. Iââ¬â¢m still not there. Weââ¬â¢re talking about focusing on the present, not the futureââ¬âbut itââ¬â¢s my past that haunts me. Faces. Nightmares. But the farther I get from that world of death, the more I want to embrace life. The smell of these books and the perfume you wear. The way the light bends through that window. Even the taste of breakfast with the Keepers.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re a poet now.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"No, just starting to realize the truth. I respect the law and the way our society runs, but there was no way I could risk losing life in some cell after only just finding it again. I wanted to run too. Thatââ¬â¢s why I helped you. That andââ¬âââ¬Ë ââ¬Å"What?ââ¬â¢ I studied him, desperately wishing he wasnââ¬â¢t so good at keeping emotions off his face. I knew him well; I understood him. But he could still hide things from me. He sat up, not meeting my eyes. ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t matter. Letââ¬â¢s go back to Sydney and see if she found out anything â⬠¦ although, as much as I hate to say it, I think itââ¬â¢s unlikely.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I know.ââ¬â¢ I stood with him, still wondering what else he would have said. ââ¬Å"She probably gave up and started playing Minesweeper.ââ¬â¢ We headed back toward the cafe, stopping briefly for ice cream. Eating it while we walked proved quite the challenge. The sun was nearing the horizon, painting everything orange and red, but the heat lingered. Enjoy it, Rose, I told myself. The colors. The taste of chocolate. Of course, Iââ¬â¢d always loved chocolate. My life didnââ¬â¢t need to be on the line for me to enjoy dessert. We reached the cafe and found Sydney bent over her laptop, with a barely eaten Danish and what was probably her fourth cup of coffee. We slid into seats beside her. ââ¬Å"Hows itââ¬âhey! You are playing Minesweeper!ââ¬â¢ I tried to peer closer at her screen, but she turned it from me. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re supposed to be finding a connection to Ericââ¬â¢s mistress.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I already did,ââ¬â¢ she said simply. Dimitri and I exchanged astonished looks. ââ¬Å"But I donââ¬â¢t know how useful itââ¬â¢ll be.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"Anythingââ¬â¢ll be useful,ââ¬â¢ I proclaimed. ââ¬Å"What did you find?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"After trying to track down all those bank records and transactionsââ¬âand let me tell you, that is not fun at allââ¬âI finally found a small piece of info. The bank account we have now is a newer one. It was moved from another bank about five years ago. The old account was still a Jane Doe, but it did have a next-of-kin reference in the event something happened to the account holder.ââ¬â¢ I could hardly breathe. Financial transactions were lost on me, but we were about to get something solid. ââ¬Å"A real name?ââ¬â¢ Sydney nodded. ââ¬Å"Sonya Karp.ââ¬â¢ How to cite Last Sacrifice Chapter Eleven, Essay examples
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment A Lesson in the Power of Si
Question: Describe about the Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment, A Lesson in the Power of Situation Zambardo? Answer: Two studies Classic: Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment: a Lesson in the Power of Situation. Zambardo Modern: Stressing the Group: Social Identity and the Unfolding Dynamics of Responses to Stress. Haslam, S. Alexander Reicher, Stephen Classic Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment: a Lesson in the Power of Situation. Zambardo Summary This study was conducted to understand how the participants would react when they were placed in a simulated situation. Researchers of all ages had an interest to find out, which is the winning factor in practical life, an evil situation or good people. To find out the fact Zimbardo conducts an experiment. Zimbardo performed an experiment to check if human beings could change (behavior wise) according to their surroundings. In 1973, Professor Zimbardo showed his interest to find out whether the violence amongst guards in American prison was due to aggressive personalities of the guard, i.e. dispositional or had more to do with the prison environment or situational (Zimbardo, 2007). To conduct the research, the prisoners and the prison guards conferred well to their assigned duties. They acted out as if in real life. In this experiment, the null hypothesis stated that social life does not affect the behavior of a person (Thoits, 2013). However, according to our findings the social place of the prison and the prison wardens change their behavior, thus we rejected the null hypothesis. In our conclusion, the research supported the situational theory Literature Review In 1973, Philip Zimbardo decided to find out a psychological study on how a human would respond while in captivity. He performed this experiment while he was a junior lecturer at Stanford's Psychology Department. He took students to role-play as prisoners" and "guard". Both parties were offered an incentive of $15 per day. This would motivate them to act as if they are in the real world. His main interest was to understand if the environment largely contributed the brutality of wardens or not. They took the basement of the Stanford University Psychology Department. The mock prison was prepared to look exactly like a prison; with grilled doors and windows, bare walls and tiny cells with tiny beds (Magnusson Magnusson, 2013). The prisoners were dressed in uniforms and the guards were dressed in khaki uniform with whistles and handcuffs. Zimbardo himself was a correctional officer in order to make clear observations. Both the prisoners and the guard conformed well into their roles. Dur ing an initiation meeting, Zimbardo, himself was a correctional officer of the experiment and he notified the guards that the only rule in this experiment is that physical punishment is not allowed (Cooper Baglioni, 2013). The guards, other than that were allowed to run the prison as they want and were split into routine working patterns and shifts. Research question The research was undertaken in order to find out if people would conform to the role of the prisoner and a correctional officer once exposed to prison life. Hypothesis H0: Social roles do not affect the behavior of a person H1: Social roles have an effect on the behavior of a person. Methodology The researcher conducted a real life experiment to gather data. The experiment was performed in a real life set up prison in the basement of the university. To collect the data for the experiment, one needed to observe the subjects closely and record their behavior (Ursin, 2012). Therefore, Zimbardo acted as one of the prison wardens. The guards were given sunglasses in order to avoid eye contact with the prisoners (who were supposedly their colleagues at the University) and sticks, just in case the "prisoners" behaved in a rowdy manner (Hobfoll, 2011). Local police was asked to take the fingerprints of the prisoners, captured from their homes and subject them to jail. Results Within a few hours, the prisoners and the guards adapted to their respective roles. Some guards started punishing the prisoners. They were treated badly, and this seemed to be fun to them. Soon the other guards joined in the enjoyment and started punishing prisoners without any reason. The prisoners had adopted their roles as they had started taking the prison rules seriously. Even some of them started to report to the guards if their fellow prison mates broke any prison rules. Conclusion Our null hypothesis was social roles do not affect the behavior of a person. However, when we followed the experiment thoroughly we found that the subjects in this experiment took lesser time to adapt with the given environment than assumed by the researcher. It has also been observed that some of them actually adopt themselves with the environment readily and started behaving like real life, guards. They started dominating the prisoner as well as punishing them unnecessarily. Soon after, the other guards joined with them and they actually started enjoying their power and forgot who they really are. Therefore, after going through this experiment, we tend to reject the null hypothesis. This is owing to the fact that people will automatically conform to the social roles given to them. The findings of this experiment fully support the situational theory. Modern Study Stressing the Group: Social Identity and the Unfolding Dynamics of Responses to Stress. Haslam, S. Alexander Reicher, Stephen Summary The purpose of this research paper is to find more about how social identity processes affect the participation of individuals. This experiment was carried out by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). The BBC assigned their participants randomly to low status groups (as prisoner) and high status groups (as guards) (Haslam Reicher, 2006). They were exposed to prison cell conditions; some acting as guards and others as prisoners. The researcher group collected psychological, psychometric, observational and behavioral data. Cortisol levels were also taken and every conversation of the participants was recorded. After analyzing the data, the results were found and quite interestingly, the result did not agree with the findings of Zimbardos experiment. It can be assumed that bias in data collection led to the incorrect results. In our conclusion, we saw that social identity affected a person in all aspects such as behavioral, psychometrically and psychologically. Literature review In 2001, Haslam and Steve Reicher collaborated to perform an experiment on the BBC television program. They wanted to review the issues that came up from Zimbardo's' experiment at Stanford University (Psychology Department) (Schwarzer, 2014). Social identity is an individuals sense of belonging. A sample of 15 participants was randomly selected. They were assigned to either low or high-status category (prisoner or guard). For the purpose of experiment, the guards were grouped in the high status while the prisoners were grouped in the low-status category (Altman Wohlwill, 2012). Their behavior was studied for eight days by the researchers. The experiment was designed as harmless as possible. To ensure the safety of the participants, they were subjected to go through a three phase clinical check up (Appley Trumbull, 2012). The prisoners were kept in a three-person lockable cell with all amenities provided (Water, a toilet, toiletries and a sink). They made sure that a hierarchical atmosphere is created in the institution. The participants were wired, so that anything they said could be recorded. Research Question This research is aimed to determine if self-categorization theories and the social identity in organizations, clinical and social environment had any correlation between them. To find out if the low-status group (prisoners) would be buffered by the social identity, they found there, or they would give in to the strains of the level (being bullied and facing the poor conditions there). Hypothesis H0: Social identity-based processes do not affect participants; in terms of experiencing stress H1: Social identity-based processes have a big impact on applying stress to the participants. H0: Effects of the stressors in the prison do not rely on the guard level of social identification. H1: Effects of the stressors in the prison largely depend on the guard level of social identifications. Methodology Research methods used in this experiment was observational, psychological, psychometrical and behavioral. Data was collected in multiple sessions throughout the eight days. They even wired the participants to get the right information with the recordings (Beehr, 2014). In addition to that, they measured the Cortisol level of every participant everyday so that they can monitor their stress levels. Since the participants were under surveillance throughout, this ensured good observations both psychological and psychometric. It was observed that the guards harassed and bullied the prisoners. Results Findings supported that the enhanced social identity model of stress that addresses intergroup and intra group dynamics of the stress process. Their social identification changed with time (for both of the groups, the prisoners and the guards). The amount of cortisol level was very high for both groups, but a bit higher on most guards as compared to the prisoners. Even though the prisoners were exposed to bullying, the guards are the ones who were found to be experiencing much bullying from fellow guards (Kaplan, 2013). Conclusion The prisoners showed signs of distress, but also they had conformed and adapted to the system. They put up with the hardships. It was observed that the increasing sense of shared identity helped them to support each other, which in turn helped them to fight back against the adverse effects of situational stressors. This behavior led to the guards feeling more insecure. This led them to disregard most complaints of the prisoners. The guards started criticizing each other on the grounds of how they were handling the prisoners. It was evident that the social identity increased among the prisoners. The ability for the high status not having a shared identity led them to deal poorly with the set stressors. Therefore, we are bound to reject our null hypothesis. On the other hand, in Zimbardo's study, the guards were comfortable with their identity due to his leadership role. Hence, they supported each other and buffered themselves against the stressors in place. They only showed signs of being stressed and burnt out. This shows stress, like any other psychological state, cannot be explained by using results on role, rather it comes from the way our social identity easily accepts our roles to be carried. References Altman, I., Wohlwill, J. F. (2012).Human behavior and environment: Advances in theory and research(Vol. 2). Springer Science Business Media. Appley, M. H., Trumbull, R. A. (Eds.). (2012).Dynamics of stress: Physiological, psychological and social perspectives. Springer Science Business Media. Beehr, T. A. (2014).Psychological Stress in the Workplace (Psychology Revivals). Routledge. Cooper, C. L., Baglioni Jr, A. J. (2013). A structural model approach toward the development of a theory of the link between stress and mental health.From Stress to Wellbeing Volume 1: The Theory and Research on Occupational Stress and Wellbeing,1, 47. Haslam, S. A., Reicher, S. (2006). Stressing the group: social identity and the unfolding dynamics of responses to stress.Journal of Applied Psychology,91(5), 1037. Hobfoll, S. E. (2011). Conservation of resources theory: Its implication for stress, health, and resilience.The Oxford handbook of stress, health, and coping, 127-147. Kaplan, H. B. (Ed.). (2013).Psychosocial stress: Trends in theory and research. Academic Press. Magnusson, D., Magnusson, D. (Eds.). (2013).Toward a psychology of situations: An interactional perspective. Psychology Press. Schwarzer, R. (2014).Self-efficacy: Thought control of action. Taylor Francis. Thoits, P. A. (2013). Self, identity, stress, and mental health. InHandbook of the sociology of mental health(pp. 357-377). Springer Netherlands. Ursin, H. (Ed.). (2012).Psychobiology of stress: A study of coping men. Elsevier. Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment: A Lesson in the Power of Situation.Chronicle of Higher Education,53(30).
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Sinbad Essays (249 words) - Sinbad The Sailor, Sinbad, Roc
Sinbad Sinbad the parade originated from Sinbad the Arabic mariner. The Sinbad Sinbad the parade originated Krewe parades in Metairie, Louisiana. The Krewe of Sinbad was founded in 1989 and will hold it's tenth annual parade this year. Myth has it that Sinbad was always having great adventures. One day he found himself in front of a large rock. However, he discovered that it was actually a huge egg. A large bird swooped down to snatch the egg. Sinbad tied is whole body to the bird's leg and was carried way into the sky. The bird made a crashing landing and Sinbad quickly untied himself. Sinbad was now in a large valley full of diamonds as big as his head. Suddenly, big chunks of meat fell down from the heavens and were on top of the diamonds. The birds picked up the meet that contained the diamonds as big as bowling balls and flew away. Sinbad roped some of the big diamonds to his waist and covered himself up with a piece of meat that he through across his back so that the birds would scoop him up. Sinbad was dropped into a nest where he found a man. The man was dropping the meat to have the bird's pick up the meat and he would collect all of the diamonds. The man later showed him the way to get back home. Sinbad w as able to harness a bird by using his head and the tools around him. Mythology Essays
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