Feminist Movement Essay Example for Free

Feminist Movement Essay Feminism is a significant theme addressed in many literary works of the contemporary period. In the 1800s and early 20th century, many women were oppressed and denied the right to equal opportunities that men were granted. However, after the active and significant role women played in World War II, a drastic change occurred. Women began to play a more respected and crucial role in society. Many women abandoned their expected roles as housewives and mothers and looked for other valued opportunities. This societal shift became a political movement and spawned the social theory of feminism. There was a momentous crusade for equal rights. Women were motivated to eliminate the gender stereotyped roles that were hindering their progression in society. Women began to openly voice their beliefs on equality. They fought for social, political, and economic equality. This movement inspired many female writers to challenge the sexist ideologies held against women and advocate the right for equality in their poems, stories, and novels. Two significant contemporary feminist writers of this period are Margaret Atwood and Sally Ito. Atwood and Itos literary works stress female empowerment, equality, celebrate womanhood, and portray the importance of the female role in society. Margaret Atwood conveys powerful and passionate feminist themes, issues, and conflicts through many of her literary works. Atwood portrays a realistic view and illustration of women in society, focusing on the ways in which females are hindered and victimized by gender-typing and stereotypes. In the prose, Happy Endings, Atwood mocks and argues against the traditional fairy tale of the ideal relationship between men and women. She challenges the stereotypical characterization of men and women through different scenarios, using satire to poke fun at societys flawed misconceptions about relationships between the sexes. In scenario A, the ideal husband and wife, John and Mary, live happily in their nice house, have interesting careers, two children, an active social life, and are able to retire living out the rest of their life happily (Atwood). Atwood mocks this scenario as the fairy tale life and argues that it is unrealistic to the lives of contemporary families and relationships. In another scenario, Atwood tackles the challenging task of displaying a more realistic relationship and the appalling way in which women are sometimes treated. Atwood illustrates the  character of Mary as weak and regarded by John as an object. Mary worries about pleasing John and is determined to get his attention by preparing him dinner and looking nice for him. John, however, does not care about Mary and . . . merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind (Atwood). Mary believes that she can use sex as a weapon to hold on to John. She is blinded by her love for him and refuses to accept or believe that she is treated badly by John. Atwood states that, John goes out the door with hardly so much as a good-night and three days later he turns up at six oclock and they do the whole thing over again (Atwood). Mary is trapped in a vicious loveless cycle with John. She is unable to find the strength to break this cycle and fears she is nothing without John. In another scenario, Atwood addresses freedom in relationships and the notorious double-standard theory. Mary is stuck in a relationship between two men, John and James. John is an older married man having an affair with Mary, but is in love with her. James is a wild young man free from lifes commitments. Mary is not impressed by John, but is infatuated by James free and unbridled life. James is often away seeing the world upon the seat of his flashy motorcycle. Atwood states that, Freedom isnt the same for girls, so in the meantime Mary spends Thursday evenings with John. Thursdays are the only days John can get away (Atwood). Marys life is insignificant and she is stifled into planning her life around John and James. This scenario displays the subservient and obedient roles women were expected to take on in many relationships. In the remaining scenarios of Atwoods prose, Happy Endings, two other characters are introduced, Fred and Madge. These characters illustrate more practical and equal roles in the male-female relationship. Atwood erases the sexist ideologies against women in these scenarios, concluding that whatever the relationship story may be . . . the endings are the same however you slice it (Atwood). The reality is men and women both die and that in life, women should not be considered submissive idealists. Sally Ito also celebrates womanhood and feminism in many of her literary works. Ito voices strong feminist themes, depicting women as empowering and compelling figures. She centers much of her writing on portraying women realistically and commemorating the bonds shared by women. In the poems,  Sonata for Three Sleeping Women and Sisters of the Modern Mind, Ito honors the bonds of sisterhood and links the diverse stages and experiences of a womans life. The poem, Sonata for Three Sleeping Women, illustrates Itos feminist view of the remarkable journey from girlhood into womanhood. Ito relates the innocence and purity of childhood to a peacefully sleeping child, . . . dreaming of the nights darkness passing in grace of he who answers prayers forever (Ito). The child breathes easy and gently, sheltered from the world and its pain. Ito compares new love and passion to a young woman tensely sleeping anticipating, . . . the brink of loves summation (Ito). A picture is painted of the dreams of many young women and the beauty of everlasting love. Ito describes old age as the realization that life is not forever and the significance of every night and breath. Darkness signifies the end of each day and women are able to cherish their memories and Now breath for breaths sake (Ito). In the poem, Sisters of the Modern Mind, Ito describes the special and unique bond of sisterhood. She conveys that, in life, women can take many different courses. Some women are stimulated by the need for knowledge and intellectual growth. Other women seek out stimulating careers, while others long for the love and nurturing bonds of motherhood. Women have the freedom to take on many of these roles in society and are not to be hindered or pigeonholed into one stereotypical category. The diverse stages and paths of life are what link women together as sisters. Ito reveals that, . . . time and anatomy still wear at our bones like the tide upon the sand that tosses the jeweled shells, you and I, sisters, of the wave (Ito, 188). Women are affected the same by time and the experience of lifes journey. This is what Ito emphasizes as the remarkable bond of sisterhood. The literary works by Margaret Atwood and Sally Ito convey a very powerful, realistic, and feminist view of women in the contemporary period. They honor and celebrate womanhood in many of their writings helping to eliminate the sexist ideologies held against women in society. Atwood and Ito were significantly inspired by the feminist movement and its impact on modern society. Their literary works signify the crusade for equal rights and pay tribute to the emancipated female in contemporary times.

Physics of How Tires Throw Rocks :: physics tire rock

Many of us have gotten rock chips, but how many of us understand how those pesky rocks hit our windshield? A common misconception is that the car in front of us throws rocks "backward" and hits the following car's windshield. A rolling tire cannot throw a rock backwards. A tire is a rolling object, thus every point along the tire is moving forwards. There is no force going in a backwards direction. Only direction part of a rolling object can go is a combination of up or down, and forward. The velocity of the rock at any given point can be determined by adding it's translational velocity at the center of mass (the orange arrow) with it's rotational velocity. Vrock= Vcenter of mass + Wrock Where V is the translational velocity, and W is the angular velocity This can be simplified to Vrock=WDR Where D is the distance from the road at the point of contact in terms of R, the Radius. That is to say, that the velocity at the top of the tire would be Vrock=W(2R) =2Vcenter That is to say, that the rock at the top of the tire may be going twice as fast as car itself. Similarly, at the point of contact of with the road, the velocity of the rock is 0. So this leaves one to ask, how do those pesky rocks get thrown at a windshield? If it is hit by the following car, then it is because the rock was thrown somewhat vertically, slowed down by air resistance and the car behind it ran into the rock. It can also be hit by a car going in the opposite direction. The magnitude of this collision will be much greater because it involves objects going in opposing directions. This is why the worse rock chips are often from cars going in the opposite direction, and why it is possible to throw rocks at yourself, which often do not do any damage. Tires are thrown from tires because the centrifugal force expels snow, rocks, and other foreign objects.

What did the people of the Upper Paleolithic period eat and how did they obtain this food?

Throughout Africa, the Middle West, Asia, the Americas, and Australia, complicated and elaborate technologies and other cultural decorative artifacts are found in abundance (Scupin, 2008). This is known as the Upper Paleolithic period, which dated between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. This was the earliest era of human development and transformation of the entire human species from apelike to true Homo sapiens. During this period, the development of specialized tools, weapons, engraving, sculptures, and cave painting were formed.This evolution was the longest and it spread over three consecutive periods. The key development that came out of this period, were the creation of tools and weapons, which were made of stone, wood and bone. Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers lived in areas that was rich of resources and consumed a significant amount of meat. Today’s technology reveals that early modern Homo sapiens were clever and excellent hunters. Not only did they make tools, but th ey developed weapons with long, narrow blades (known as harpoons) used for hunting. They became great spear throwers with good accuracy.The weapons helped the Upper Paleolithic protect themselves as well as help from any harm during their hunting trips. Vast amount of animal bones, both large and small, were found at the bottom of high cliffs. This indicated that hunters not only used their weapon to kill, but use their weapons as aid by stampeding the animals off the cliffs. This would allow other hunters to wait and butcher the dead animals at the bottom of the cliff. Upper Paleolithic people also gathered fish, shellfish, leafy vegetables, fruit, insects, and plants to supplement their food resources.Plants were probably used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes (Scupin, 2008). Having other resources, other than hunting, enable Paleolithic foragers to have enough food without expanding excessive amount of energy. In conclusion, the Upper Paleolithic was characterized by hi gher intake of meat and lower intake of other resources. They developed their own tools and weapons, made of stone, wood and bone, which made them excellent hunters. They obtain their food through their use of weapons and strategic planning and took advantage of the area resources.

Controversy Surrounding The New Immigration Reform Essay

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the new immigration reform that was introduced by President Barack Obama. The issue has been split between politicians because one side wants illegal immigrants to face deportation while others want to make drastic changes to improve the broken system, so President Obama decided to take his own legal action on the issue. â€Å"Three critical elements of the President’s executive actions are: cracking down on illegal immigration at the border, deporting felons not families, and accountability by passing criminal background checks and paying their fair share of taxes† (The White House). Every year hundreds of thousands of immigrants come into the United States illegally. These immigrants come to America for a variety of reasons; whether it’s hoping for a chance at a better life or escaping violence and poverty in their home country. America’s immigration system has been broken for decades. Too many employers ch eat the system by hiring undocumented workers who don’t have proper work authorization. There are millions of people living in the shadows that are afraid of being caught by authorities and sent back. These ongoing problems are neither good for the economy or the country. Obama has argued that this has been an ongoing problem for decades and that its time to fix this broken system. â€Å"The President’s actions will streamline legal immigration to boost our economy and will promote naturalization for those who qualify† (The WhiteShow MoreRelatedIllegal Immigration1356 Words   |  6 Pagessymbol of freedom to many, is engraved with the famous poem, â€Å"New Colossus†, by Emma Lazarus. It reads, â€Å"†¦ give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!† Our country embraces diversity, yet one of the most controversial and debated topics in the United States is immigration. The founders of the United States were immigrants themselvesRead MoreSupport Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act1560 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-immigration law’s in history was heavily disputed and extremely controversial nation-wide. The conversation surrounding current United States immigration regulations and issues that are aimed to be ‘addressed’ by Arizona’s infamous SB 1070 are currently at a standstill. By changing ways in which opposing parties view the ‘issues’ of illegal immigration in the United States and the effects caused by SB 1070, there is hope for the advancement of not only Arizona’s struggle with immigration, butRead MoreEssay about Illegal Immigrants: Amnesty1007 Words   |  5 Pagesaccepting immigration in the world. It has contributed to the countrys population growth as well as social change. However, the polic y remains to be a controversy because of the topic that is illegal immigration. According to the Department of Homeland security in 2010, there are 10.8 million illegal immigrants residing among the 300+ million Americans. Since then, the number has grown to 11+ million people. The U.S. Congress has always sought to find the solution for illegal immigration, with amnestyRead MorePro-Illegal Immigration Paper916 Words   |  4 PagesLabrada 11/16/11 FYS 138 Professor Lodge The Melting Pot The debate of illegal immigration in the United States is one that is plagued with many details, and one that sparks a huge amount of controversy among politicians and citizens alike. While it is an issue that many argue about, few people are actually knowledgeable about the subject and have facts to back up their opinions. According the Center for Immigration Studies, the â€Å"unauthorized resident immigrant population is defined by all foreign-bornRead Morecase study immigration4147 Words   |  17 Pages The End of the Culture War over Immigration A culture War has erupted in America. The country has become visibly divided over emotionally charged topics such as: abortion, gay marriage, gun-control, and healthcare. Many Americans have chosen sides in a polarized debate which pins conservative traditionalists against liberal progressives over the direction of America’s future. One topic which has not received as much attention as the rest, yet potentially has the largest impact on the common AmericanRead MoreImmigrants From Latin America s Annexation Of Mexico Essay1544 Words   |  7 Pages Historically, Latinos have struggled against ethnic labeling, immigration as well challenges surrounding education. This can traced back to mid-19th century when according to Harvest of Empire America’s annexation of Mexico which gave the United States Texas, California, and the southwest. â€Å"Mexico’s territory was cut by half and its mineral resources by three-quarters. These appalling numbers help explain so much. In fact, you can arguably lay Mexico’s poverty and loss through emigration rightRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Night Of September 11 1630 Words   |  7 Pagesour district. 6. Immigration Reform †¢ Where have we been- Until now California had been the third leading state in deportations. All immigrants arrested were given to federal deportation agencies to be deported. †¢ Where we are at now- In California a new Trust Act had been recently passed as immigrants arrested for minor criminal charges are being released as Obama wanted gang members targeted rather than minor criminals. Obama supported the law as to ease law and immigration enforcement to settleRead MoreCivil Rights : Human Rights1274 Words   |  6 PagesCIVIL RIGHTS: Human Rights/Immigration This country was founded on the fact that America was built by immigrants. From Plymouth Rock in the seventeenth century to Ellis Island in the twentieth, people from everywhere came to America. Some were fleeing religious persecution and political turmoil. In recent years, an increased number of immigrants have caused many Americans to believe that the country is overwhelmed by immigrants and have urged policymakers to create laws that discourage both legalRead MoreIslamic Militant Groups Of Al Queda Hijacked Four Airliners And Carried Out Suicide Attacks Against The United States1264 Words   |  6 PagesSeptember eleventh 2001, 19 terrorist associated with the Islamic militant group of al Queda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against the United States. Two of these four planes were flown into the World Trade Center located in New York City, the third plane was flown directly into the pentagon located outside the Washington D.C. area, the fourth and final p lane crash landed in a field located in Pennsylvania. These attacks have since been referred to as the 9/11 attacks. TheRead MoreCalifornia Politics And Government : A Practical Approach1444 Words   |  6 Pagesthe California politics. It includes budgetary politics and policies, California law and court cases, government regulations, policymaking and elections in terms of political parties and interest groups. It addresses the economic, educational, immigration and social issues and theireffecton the politics. Students are able to familiarize with the public policy coverage; hence, make a connection between the effects and practical applications of legislation and the government. The first chapter of the