Essay Comparing Solzhenitsyns Gulag and Camus The Stranger (The Outsider) :: comparison compare contrast essays

Camus' Stranger and Solzhenitsyn's Gulag      Ã‚  Ã‚   We must tell them what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us, Corrie, because we have been here. 1    The dying words of Betsie ten Boom to her sister Corrie in the Ravensbruck concentration camp reveal a strength and victory even in great oppression. Historically, Christianity is full of voices crying victory in the midst of the terror. Elijah and David hiding in caves, the prophets of the Babylonian captivity, St. John's Apocalypse during the Domitian persecutions, the confessions of Foxe's martyrs all testify to God's power and truth even in the most severe circumstances. However, much twentieth-century writing sides with a view of God similar to that of Albert Camus--God either does not exist or is evil. The oppressive evil of our age is often used to prove divine indifference. Nevertheless, literature coming out of severe oppression often says the opposite. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn shares that for many the experience of injustice and oppression makes a person appreciate truth much more. And with truth comes a more orthodox Christian view of life.    Life's Suffering Proves God Does Not Care    Camus wrote, "An injustice remains inextricably bound to all suffering, even the most deserved in the eyes of man."2 Suffering and injustice should demonstrate divine indifference to any "thinking person."    Knowing whether or not man is free involves knowing whether he can have a master ... For in the presence of God there is less a problem of freedom than a problem of evil." You know the alternative: either we are not free and God the all-powerful is responsible for evil. Or we are free and responsible but God is not all-powerful.3    Seeing the promises of both Christianity and Socialism as offering hollow hopes, Camus opts for the "happy" state of "no hope." At least, then, the problem of suffering and injustice is understood when the thinker partakes of "the wine of the absurd and the bread of indifference."    Meursault's Indifference Camus illustrates this well in The Stranger. Meursault is a prisoner. He killed a man in cold blood.

Sodium (Na) :: Science Chemistry

Sodium (Na) Sodium has an atomic number of 11 and a mass of about 23g. It is a silvery white-metallic element classified under the alkali metals. Sodium has been known since early times and was used by the people of Mesopotamia and Egypt to make glasses. Sodium is the sixth most common element found on the earth. It is usually not found in nature but more often in compounds such as salt (NaCl). Sodium conducts heat and electricity easily. Without this element life could not exist. Each compound is used for a certain reason. About 2.8 percent of the earth's crust contains this element making it the sixth most common in the earth's crust. Sodium is found in compounds among dry lake beds, underground, and as well as in seawater in such places as: Belarus, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States. Sodium is an extremely chemically active element. If combined with water it tends to react vigorously. For example . Since, sodium is such a dangerous element it has to be handled with care and stored airtight meaning without oxygen. Sodium was first extracted into pure form in 1807 by an English chemist known as Sir Humphry Davy. He used the process of electrolysis where an electrical current is passed through a molten sodium compound such as sodium chloride, sodium was first extracted into its pure form. Many manufacturers today still use electricity to obtain sodium. Sodium is still highly manufactured for many industrial and commercial uses. Sodium has commercial us es as well as industrial uses. From soaps to fertilizers, sodium is used to make water softeners, textiles, and is used as well as to relieve stomach acid, sodium bicarbonate: a white crystalline weakly alkaline salt NaHCO 3 used especially in baking 1 powders, fire extinguishers, and medicine. (Definition from Structure and Matter, Glossary) Photographers use sodium thiosulphate: a hygroscopic crystalline salt Na 2 S 2 O 3 used especially as a fixing agent (Definition from Structure and Matter, Glossary)and a reducing or bleaching agent to fix photographic images on paper. Sodium in its pure form also has industrial uses such as in catalyst which help in making synthetic rubber. Sodium is combined with other metals to produce titanium zirconium and many other chemicals. It is used in the manufacture of tetraethyl lead and some power plants even use it in liquid form to cool nuclear reactors.

The Use of Portfolios to Measure Classroom Performance as an Alternativ

The Use of Portfolios to Measure Classroom Performance as an Alternative to Mandated Testing â€Å"Teachers teaching to the test† has become an ongoing issue among grade schools around the world. Teachers are changing the curriculum to revolve around standardized testing hoping to ensure good grades on this test. They are obsessed with doing this in order to gain a good reputation for the school and are throwing curriculum out the window. Requiring students to take these mandated tests to evaluate how much knowledge they gain throughout the year is not necessarily accurate. But limiting the students’ absorption of knowledge to strictly the test is not teaching students to think critically. Almost everyone who disagrees with mandated testing have come to a conclusion that the main alternative to this issue is to assess students’ learning growth by the use of portfolios. Observing how students perform in the class room should be measured by critical thinking exercises and portfolios that are a reflection of what they are actually learning. Portfolios are a great collection of what is ...

English Paper One Example Essay

Furthermore the actions and emotions of the protagonist and his sister demonstrates the immense fright and thankfulness experienced throughout the text. In this passage, the description of characters plays and extremely important role since it throws light upon the evil character of the attackers and the kind and helpful nature of Mr. Bapu the millionaire who rescues the protagonist and his sister Deepa. Since this story is told from a first person perspective the other characters are experienced through the mind of the protagonist. By giving a very precise description of these characters, the author has conjured up a very believable understanding of the way that these characters are perceived by the protagonist, which in term, makes the fear felt by these characters much more real to the reader. An example of this is the â€Å"terrifying, unearthly squeal† (6) that is heard by the siblings as the attackers surround them. This description of sound gives a very wild and primitive idea of the attackers. Furthermore, the â€Å"howling of wild dogs† (8) also adds on this terrifying image of the aggressors. This in term makes the terror undergone by the protagonists very understandable and real to the reader. On the other hand, the character of Mr. Bapu is described in a completely different manner which highlights his benign personality. He is described as a millionaire who does not mind talking to his staff (28), but also â€Å"cut for Deepa a red rose. †(29), an act which induces the feeling of adoration for Mr. Bapu by both the reader and the protagonists. It is the contrast in description of Mr. Bapu and the muggers that invokes the idea of friends and enemies which is later addressed at the end of the passage. The setting in this extract plays a primary role setting up the mood. This in term greatly aids the reader’s understanding of the protagonists fear and relieve. The passage starts off with the description of a â€Å"mosque stood towering in all its grandeur† with â€Å"a brilliant series of decorative lights† (3). This setting brings forward an uneasy mood since the building was â€Å"towering† over the two siblings. With this comes the feeling of vulnerability which is later demonstrated when they are attacked. The setting further attributes to the feeling of confusion and being surrounded when Deepa and her brother try to run â€Å"backwards, sideways, forwards again† (12) like running through a maze without an exit. Which is described as a â€Å"horrifying checkmate† (13), also adding onto the feeling of being trapped, making is very understandable that the protagonists are panicking. Later in the passage, the setting is again used to give a clear understanding of the character Mr. Bapu. The morning after the siblings were rescued by him they wake up in the house of the millionaire and walk through his garden. This is described as being â€Å"quite wonderful† (27) and seems to have red roses, these both clearly oppose the nocturnal setting of the night before. This deepens the contrast between the attackers and Mr. Bapu since both settings bring up completely different moods. The nightly setting of the streets add of the wild like persona of the muggers, while the rose garden emphasizes the kindhearted nature of Mr. Bapu. This again adds onto the idea of the difference between friends and enemies and the way that these are shaped in the mind. Lastly, another aspect that greatly enhances the experience of the reader is the behavior and emotions expressed by the protagonist and his sister. The text starts off with â€Å"a tremor in my sister’s arm. † (1). This sentence is emphasized by its shortness and it being on a separate line. This immediately conjures up a tense mood and grabs the attention of the reader. When the two siblings first face their attackers they â€Å"froze in our tracks† (7), this betrays their shock and fear to the reader. The two then run for their lives like a prey trying to escape its hunter. This episode both adds tension and excitement to the story. The protagonists are then relieved and surprised by the arrival of the â€Å"white Mercedes† (14) of Mr. Bapu. The whiteness Mercedes being a stark contrast to the nocturnal nature of the attackers. After the actual attack, the story very much relies on the thoughts of the protagonists. He describes the attack as a â€Å"terror-filled eternity† (32). This clarifies the contempt of the protagonists towards the attackers. He then later describes Mr. Bapu as â€Å"preserved in amber†, giving the reader an understanding of the protagonist’s kind image of the millionaire. These are examples of the emotions and thoughts of the protagonist, helping the reader understand other characters in the text. This is also done by giving a bit of background on the protagonists giving an understanding of the attackers’ reasons. This also adds a theme of discrimination between social groups. Since the muggers seem to attack due to the protagonists background. In conclusion, with the use of the setting, character description and the thoughts of the protagonists a very clear contrast between the attackers and Mr. Bapu has been established. One being seen as the the personification of evil and the other as pure kindness. This contrast is very important to understand when reading the last part of the passage in which the central theme is explained. Here the protagonist’s uncle explains how enemies and friends are shaped in the mind. Here, the reader can understand that the protagonists was looking back at a past event throughout the passage and it becomes very clear why the attackers have been described in a very evil fashion as opposed to Mr. Bapu. This story is therefore an excellent example of how the mind can form its own image of enemies and friends only including the negative or positive instead of both.

Use of Acetazolamide in conjunction with Pilocarpine for the treatment of acute closed angle glaucoma in the elderly patient

Glaucoma has been reported as one of the main reasons for causing blindness all over the world. There are different types of glaucoma that is known. Fifty percent of Glaucoma cases are closed-angle glaucoma which usually affects Asians (â€Å"Glaucoma†, 2007).Many treatment methods are utilized in treating glaucoma. One method is the use of drugs. Different drugs have different effect and each have their own unique benefits. There are also known side effects brought about by use of prescribed drugs. However, combination of drugs has been also prescribed to patients but this should be done with regular consultation with the patient’s physician.Two commonly prescribed drugs used in treating closed-angle glaucoma are Acetazolamide and Pilocarpine. Normally they are used singly and separately. This paper intends to show the effect of these two drugs when used in combination during the treatment process.Since the elderly comprises a large percentage of glaucoma patients, thi s paper intends to show the effects of the combined use of these drugs specifically on the elderly patients.Acute Closed Angle GlaucomaGlaucoma is a type of an eye disease which is caused by the increasing intraocular pressure or fluid pressure that may end into the malfunctioning of the drainage system or structures of the eye and lesser visual acuity. Glaucoma has different types. The first and most common is the open angle glaucoma (â€Å"Glaucoma†, 2007). Another type which is very rare is the congenital glaucoma (â€Å"Glaucoma†, 2007). It is mostly seen in newborns and this type requires surgery.Another one is the acute angle closure or the acute closed angle glaucoma (â€Å"Glaucoma†, 2007). This type of eye disease occurs abruptly and also to those people that have an eye condition called farsightedness (â€Å"Glaucoma†, 2007). This eye condition is also irreversible. In some cases, closed angle glaucoma manifests some symptoms like: a) headache; b) glare and light sensitivity; c) sudden decrease of vision; d) nausea and vomiting; and e) extreme eye pain.The following symptoms are also used to categorize the closed angle glaucoma from the other types of glaucoma. The prevalence is more on females than in males. Other possible cause of closed angle glaucoma includes intake of specific anti seizure medicines, antihistamines, asthma medications, and antidepressants; darkness and emotional stress.AcetazolamideThere are several methods use to treat closed angle glaucoma. Physicians usually use acetazolamide for the initial interference(Darkeh & Silverberg, 2006). Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Their brand names are Diamox and Sequels.   The chemical content of acetazolamide which is the carbonic anhydrase works for the breakdown and production of carbon acid and also for the inhibition of the production of bicarbonate (â€Å"Acetazolamide†, 2004). Bicarbonate is an important substance needed for the pro duction of fluids in the eye (â€Å"Acetazolamide†, 2004).Therefore, intake of acetazolamide will lessen the bicarbonate production which also reflects with the decrease in the amount of fluid in the back of the eye. When it happens, the intraocular pressure in the eye will be lessened.The drug will take effect within an hour and last for 12 hours but the peak of this drug is on its 4th hour (Darkeh & Silverberg, 2006). This drug is not prescribed for long term medication because if acetazolamide is taken for a long time, it will manifest more side effects.

Health Care: History, Developments, and Problems Essay

Health care is necessary in every individual’s well-being. A lot of individuals require health care in one way or another, for, unfortunately, illness—not to mention old age and the disadvantages that come along with it—are inevitable. While it may seem rather frivolous to many, it is necessary to understand the various aspects of health care, as well as the related issues to it, for this will help pinpoint necessary information in the advent one needs to undergo hospitalization and long-term care. Understanding Nonprofit and For-profit Hospitals The difference between nonprofit and for-profit hospitals is actually historical. Nonprofit hospitals are were originally found by religious organizations. In a sense, these hospitals are those which aim to help people out of kindness. It is stated that nonprofit hospitals tend to be more dedicated in caring for their patients because their motivation is to help people without expecting anything in return. However, one important issue regarding nonprofit hospitals is that their facilities and equipment may not be updated, for they are getting no returns for their service (Cutler, 2000). On the other hand, for-profit hospitals are those hospitals which eventually emerged from nonprofit hospitals due to one important factor: profit. for-profit hospitals earn money and can afford to develop their health care programs, as well as provide better equipment and facilities in order to provide better service. Apart from this, for-profit hospitals can fund health education for its employees as well as fund medical research. However, it is stated that for-profit hospitals might skimp on health care. Since for-profit hospitals have â€Å"shareholders who demand the highest possible returns† (Cutler, 2000, p. ), there is a tendency for the hospital to be stingy with its services in order to provide the business demands of its shareholders (Cutler, 2000). Trends in the Hospital Sector As the service of health care improved over time, a various amount of changes occurred. Currently, there are several trends in the hospital sector which are said to aim for organization improvement and better service. One of the most prominent trends in the hospital sectors is the consolidation of hospitals. This merging is done in order to ensure that some of the small hospitals are able to survive. Apart from this, merging is a way to improve health care quality, as well as strengthen their financial and organizational capacity. This will also end the competition between hospitals whenever there are scarcities in resources (Laschober, Wiley & Gelband, 1995). Another trend in the hospital sector is the increasing number of doctors who specialize in various fields of practice. This only means that hospitals have decided to focus on creating a more efficient means of treatment for patients through hiring a wide range of specialists who can provide the appropriate health care needed by a patient. Laschober, Wiley & Gelband, 1995). And lastly, the hospital sector has largely improved in its patient care through removing the hotel function of hospitals. Gone are the days that patients need to spend days lying on a hospital bed; there is now a significant increase in the volume of outpatient care and the trend is that patients who undergo same-day surgeries and are allowed to go home on the same day (Laschober, Wiley & Gelband, 1995). Long-Term Care in Hospitals and Nursing Homes Nursing homes are residential settings for individuals who need assistance; commonly, individuals who are admitted into nursing homes are there due to poverty, advanced age, living alone, impaired mental status, loss of ability to take care of oneself, heart disease, and dementia. Primarily, the criterion is that the individual must be sick enough to need nursing care, but not sick enough that he or she requires hospitalization. Read more: Problems of Old Age Essay The long-term care plan in nursing home involves assisted-living facilities (focuses on providing all of the basic needs), special care units (different units created to address different needs of specific residents in the nursing home) and resident-centered care (addresses the need of patients for increased quality of life) (Miller, 2009). On the other hand, long-term care in hospitals is very different; usually, patients require an array of services which are dependent on the their changing condition. This is referred to as integrated care, wherein every single condition is addressed differently. Also, unlike a nursing home, patients are not required to stay in for a long time in hospitals; they may eventually go to their homes under the care and supervision of home health agencies (Singh, 2010), whereas those who are admitted in nursing homes are predetermined to stay there. Also, the patient can move into different types of long-term care, depending on his or her condition—this can also mean that the services provided may either be long-term or non-long term (Singh, 2010). Long-term Care in the United States As seen in the aforementioned discussion, long-term health care is undoubtedly important in ensuring that patients are well-cared for during times of illnesses and weakness. However, currently, the state of the long-term care policy in the United States is rather problematic. For example, long-term care benefits cannot be collected for the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program is still not running. The earliest predicted date when individuals can claim their benefits will be in 2017, which is a problem especially if some individuals need benefits to support their hospitalization and so on. Apart from this, this health care policy concerning CLASS does not cover individuals who are not working, such as those who cannot work or retired (Andrews, 2010). Summary As seen in the aforementioned discussion, health care has come a long way from being provided by religious institutions. It has developed systems for the benefit of its patients, as well as new policies. However, it could be seen in the current situation of long-term care in the United States, there needs to be more improvement in order to attain the appropriate policies to serve the people. In a nutshell, although long-term care has been developed appropriately, whether it is on a hospital or in a nursing home, long-term care policies which have been currently implemented, such as CLASS, will prohibit people from receiving the appropriate health care. Even if such program will provide more benefits for individuals compared to the private long-term care insurances, it, nevertheless, excludes other individuals from being properly cared for because it is not encompassing.

Natural Disasters in the Caribbean

The natural disasters that are typically experienced in the Caribbean can have catastrophic and devastating impacts on the environment, economic development and social structure of these islands. Severe damage to the built infrastructure that has supported communities on Caribbean islands for decades can place a huge strain on economic activity. The social impacts that are experienced following natural disasters consist of homelessness, injury, suffering, sickness, disease, and even death.This paper will introduce the major natural disasters that have affected life in the Caribbean and they include hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding and tsunamis. Other than Barbados, all Windward Islands of the Caribbean are of volcanic origin. Volcanoes are ruptures in the earth’s surface that allow for the escape of lava and gas. The two types of volcanic eruptions, explosive and effusive, can both have devastating consequences on the environment and the Caribbean inhab itants.Although not a common occurrence, several volcanic eruptions have take place on Caribbean islands. For example, an eruption on St. Vincent in 1979 left economic losses of 1 billion dollars, but fortunately no casualties. Flooding is another very impactful natural disaster that is one of the more common types of natural disasters to greatly affect CARICOM countries. Sometimes called the silent killer, flooding can greatly affect socio-economic development.Whether it is coastal or river flooding, it has the ability to greatly damage the agricultural landscape as well as introduce water-borne disease that can lead to death in local inhabitants. There is a disproportionate vulnerability of CARICOM countries to natural disaster demonstrated by the numerous events that have occurred over the last few hundred years. The intrinsic vulnerability is due to the small size of Caribbean islands, their insularity and remoteness, and the economic, environmental and demographic factors that are associated with these islands.Furthermore, there is limited hazard forecasting ability for several CARICOM countries. The CARICOM countries are geographically set in a location that makes them vulnerable to natural disasters. The Caribbean climate is tropical and temperatures range between approximately 24 °C and 32 °C throughout all islands as a whole. The prevailing trade winds along with year round sunny skies set a warm climate for CARICOM countries with both dry and wet season.Precipitation depends on the elevation of the island and is also effected by water currents. The environmental impacts of Caribbean natural disasters are correlated with the large coastal zones on the numerous islands and the damage can vary from affecting the entire landscape or the falling on one tree. It was noted that from 1960-1989, â€Å"hurricanes in the Greater Caribbean Basin resulted in the deaths of 28,000 people, disrupted the lives of 6 million people and destroyed property worth U. S. $16 billion. All the Caribbean nations that have already faced the fury of the hurricane Sandy and have had to fight back by burying the dead, finding shelter for the homeless and counting the economic losses. Sandy moved northwards with gusts in over 110 mph destroying homes, crops and roads on its way. More than 69 people were killed in six countries. Even though Haiti was not in Sandy’s direct path, the island was greatly affected as Haiti has confirmed that 52 people have dead and a lot of people are missing. Buildings were engulfed in mudslides or swept out to sea by flood tides.The Government in Port-au-Prince declared that about 200,000 people are homeless and only 17,000 shelters have been provided. The country has short-term fears of cholera and other water-borne disease and besides that there is also a huge food shortages because the agricultural landscape has been badly damaged by the hurricane Sandy. Smaller scale fatalities and damage were also reported in Jam aica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, where seawaters surged over coastal barriers to deluge roads and buildings.February 8th, 1843, the Eastern Caribbean was affected by the biggest ever recorded earthquake. The region from St. Maarten to Dominica experienced very intensive damages. All masonry was destroyed and the earthquake also caused a big fire that destroyed a lot of wooden structures in Antigua. The estimated number of deaths is about 4000-6000 people, which represents 1/3 of the population. This earthquake was felt as far south as Caracas and British Guiana and was even felt in Washington, which is 2000 km away.The magnitude of this earthquake is estimated to have a range of 8. 0-8. 5. On January 12, 2010, a 7. 3 magnitude strong earthquake happened in Haiti, the capital Port-au-Prince. The World Health Organization confirmed that the Haiti earthquake resulted in 222,500 death and 196,000 more injured. The epicenter was 15 kilometers from the Haitian ca pital, Port-au-Prince. According to the preliminary estimates of the International Committee of the Red Cross, this devastating earthquake will result in 3 million Haitian refugees.