Literary Analysis About “Hills Like White Elephants” free essay sample

She apparently wants to have the baby and settle down to a normal life, but he wants her to abort their baby so that they can continue their adventures for the world. The girl and the American desperation revels the necessity of taking responsibility for the one’s own life. The theme, character and symbols of the role of the woman in Hills like White Elephants, are helpful to discuss the story because many sides of being a woman are shown, even though there hourglass are only two female characters. The theme in this story is talking versus communication. Hills like White Elephants are a short story about a conversation between the American man and his girlfriend. Neither of the speakers can communicate with the other. The story is mostly about how they discuss the issue, what choices they explore, what choices they do not explore, and how they go to get a clear resolution about the issue. We will write a custom essay sample on Literary Analysis About â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Both persons are talking, but neither wants to understand the other’s point of view of the issue. The American man is trying to convince the girl to have an operation, which is understood to be an abortion that never mentioned by this name in the story. He tells her he loves her, and that everything between them will go back to the way it used to be. Meanwhile, she wants the child, she knows that have a child will destroy their relationship, and if she goes through with the abortion their relationship will alter radically. Here is somewhat that the girl and the American reaches a crucial point, If Jig gives in to her lovers wishes, their live cannot, as she well knows, be the same as before (Wyche 59). They struggle to communicate their opposing viewpoints on the course their relationship should take. But the story ends without clear resolution, so this does not show is they manage to find common ground. The character of the woman in Hills like White Elephants is less assertive and persuasive. According with the literary criticism of Paul Rakin that says, â€Å"The story emerges as a series of parries that demonstrate the girl’s superiority is terms of her cognitive and cognitive intelligence, as well as her experience, her scathing wit, and her facility with ironic sarcasm† (Rakin 234). She appears confused and mentally/emotional weak. She is unclear about what she wants and needs, and she is unable to make up her mind. She is unfamiliar with the language of Spain. Everything she does in influenced by the American man, in fact she cannot order drinks from the bartender on her own without having to rely on the man’s ability to speak Spanish. She is seen as a victim of the American man. She looks like a woman forced into having an abortion against her will. She is unlikely to encounter even the limited insight and empathy that a well-intentioned, loving man might provide alone with the American. She has an ability to take in her surroundings and find ways to diffuse the mans anger as are showing here, â€Å"She makes another observation and changes the subject† (Rakin 235). She could also expect a wide variety of assistance if she did choose to raise a child on her own. She wants to accept the new identity of being parent, while he wants to reject it. She is willing to try new things, but she doesnt know what is right or not. The symbols in this story are vague leaving much to interpretation and imagination for the reader. These symbols from the story are the hills, white elephants, and the railroad station. The hills symbolize big obstacles that she must climb, but they are not enormous mountains. This represents the fact that the girls baby is a major obstacle in her life and the Americans life, but it is not the end of their life. She thinks they could make it through, but he doesnt wants to accept it. Hills are beautiful and natural. In other words, they have always been in the same place, and they will always be that way they are. This shows that being pregnant is no simple thing. It also shows how the girl and the American settling down would be a necessity with a baby. In spite of the girls decision, it is not something that the girl and the American man will be able forget about. The white elephants symbolize the girls unborn child. This is the reality of what Jig is going through. She has a baby which is, at this time in her life, useless to her. This story uses this play on words to develop the idea of Jigs possibility of having an unexpected child. The girl later retracts the observation, so this means that she wants to keep the baby after all. This can be thought of as the image of the swollen breasts and abdomen of a pregnant woman, and the prenatal dream of mother. The symbol of the railroad station is symbolic of being at the crossroads of life during a time of crisis. The American man and the girl cannot stay at the station forever because they are traveling and there will be change. This is symbolizes the decision of whether or not to keep the child. There must be a decision of where to go next, either keep or abort the child is a difficult decision. In conclusion, Hills like White Elephants are a story about crisis. The American and the woman have a relationship, and they have been traveling for Europe. They are talking about an operation sitting at the train station.

Bio Experiment Light Intensity Essays

Bio Experiment Light Intensity Essays Bio Experiment Light Intensity Essay Bio Experiment Light Intensity Essay Research question : How does the different light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis in plants? Objective : To investigate the relationship between different light intensity (by having the source of light at different distance to the plant discs which is at; 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, and 35cm ) and rate of photosynthesis of plant. Introduction : Photosynthesis is the process where light energy is absorbed by green plants to convert the raw materials (carbon dioxide and water) into sugars and oxygen (waste product). This conversion can be summarized into the equation below: Raw materials Products 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 (light energy) waste product Referring to the above equation, it can be seen that light energy plays the role as the source of energy stimulating the process of photosynthesis. The main pigment that absorbs light energy is chlorophyll which is the green pigment found inside chloroplasts. A green leaf cut out into discs of the same size are used in this experiment. This experiment is carried out to discover how different intensity would affect the rate of photosynthesis. Hypothesis : As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases. Variables : Variables| Ways of controlling| Independent variable :The distance of the source of light energy to the plant discs (light intensity). | Use different distance in each experiment by measuring using a 1 m ruler. The different distance are 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, and 35cm. Dependent variable :Rate of photosynthesis | The rate of photosynthesis in each experiment is calculated by using the formula ;1tt = the time taken for each plant discs to float on the surface of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate measured by using a stopwatch. | Controlled variable : * Number of plant discs used in each experiment * Concentration of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution * Volume of sodium hydrogen carbonate used * Size of plant discs * Source of light| Bu sing a cork borer, 5 discs measuring 8 mm in diameter each are cut out from the same leaf for each experiment. Each experiment uses a set of 5 plant discs). Use the sodium hydrogen carbonate solution of 3% concentration only for each experiment. Use only 10ml of sodium hydrogen carbonate in each experiment measured by using a 20ml syringe. The plant discs are cut out by using the same cork borer with each of them having the diameter of 8mm each measured with 15cm ruler. The same desk lamp and its bulb is used in each experiment. | Table 1 : List of variables and ways to control them Materials and apparatus : Materials and Apparatus| Quantity| Volume/size| Fresh green leaf| 1| 5 of 8mm discs for each experiment| 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution| 1 reagent bottle| 20ml for each experiment| Desk lamp| 1| -| syringe| 6| 20 ml| Stopwatch| 1| -| 1m ruler| 1| -| 15cm ruler| 1| -| Cork borer| 1| -| beaker| 66| 100ml50ml| White tile| 1| -| Measuring cylinder| 1| 100 ml| Table 2 : list of materials and apparatus, their quantities, and volume or size used in the experiment. Methodology: 1. The distance between the bottom of the light bulb (from the desk lamp) and the surface of the laboratory table is adjusted at 10 cm. The lamp was turned on, and all other source of light was turned off. 2. 20 ml of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution was measured by using a 100 ml measuring cylinder and then was poured into a 100 ml beaker. 3. 10 ml of the 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution was transferred into a 20ml syringe. 4. 5 of approximately 8mm in diameter each plant discs were cut out from the same green leaf by using a cork borer. 5. A thumb or any finger was placed over the hole at the tip of the syringe to hold its content while the plunger is slowly pulled out. 6. The 5 plant discs are put into the syringe containing 10 ml of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The plunger was then slowly pushed back inside the syringe while still keeping the finger or thumb over the hole at the tip of the syringe. 7. The finger was then removed to expel the excess air inside the syringe by pushing the plunger forward slowly. 8. Then, the finger was placed back again on the hole at the tip of the syringe, and the plunger is pulled in to compress the remaining content in the syringe. 9. The plunger was pulled slowly until it came out and the content in the syringe was poured into a 50 ml beaker. 0. The beaker was then quickly placed below the light bulb and a stopwatch was simultaneously started. 11. The time taken for each plant disc to float on the surface of the 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution was recorded. 12. Steps 1-11 were repeated with the distance of 15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, and 35cm. 13. All data were recorded, and tabulated. Results : * Quant itative data Distance between source of light energy to plant discs, cm ( ±0. 05 cm)| Time taken for plant discs to float on the surface of sodium hydrogen carbonate, s ( ±0. 1 s)| | Trial 1| Trial 2| Disc 1(reading 1)| Disc 2(reading 2)| Disc 3(reading 3)| Disc 4(reading 4)| Disc 5(reading 5)| Disc 1(reading 6)| Disc 2(reading 7)| Disc 3(reading 8)| Disc 4(reading 9)| Disc 5(reading 10)| 10. 00| 655. 0| 960. 0| 1170. 0| 1470. 0| 1835. 0| 1110. 0| 1280. 0| 1350. 0| 1370. 0| 1440. 0| 15. 00| 1212. 0| 1590. 0| 1490. 0| 1812. 0| 1856. 0| 1214. 0| 1350. 0| 1490. 0| 1710. 0| 1736. 0| 20. 00| 1530. 0| 1600. 0| 1610. 0| 1730. 0| 1950. 0| 1651. 0| 1700. 0| 1710. 0| 2026. 0| 2130. 0| 25. 00| 1720. 0| 1790. 0| 1820. 0| 1916. 0| 2066. 0| 1780. 0| 1950. 0| 2000. 0| 2410. 0| 2480. | 30. 00| 2110. 0| 2150. 0| 2240. 0| 2420. 0| 2750. 0| 2180. 0| 2250. 0| 2412. 0| 1570. 0| 2780. 0| 35. 00| 2411. 0| 2426. 0| 2483. 0| 2723. 0| 3057. 0| 2533. 0| 2566. 0| 2661. 0| 3503. 0| 3310. 0| Table 3 : Distan ce between source of light energy to plant discs, and time taken for plant discs to float on the surface of sodium hydrogen carbonate for trial 1 and 2. * Qualitative data 1. The leaf was green in colour, was quite thick, and felt a little spongy when discs were being cut out from it using a cork borer. 2. Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is a colourless solution. 3. Bubbles were seen surrounding the plant discs when the plunger was being pulled to compress the contents in the syringe. 4. Bubbles were also seen forming during the wait for the plant discs to float as they were photosynthesizing. * Data processing Distance between source of light energy to plant discs, cm ( ±0. 05)| Light intensity(cm-2)| Uncertain-ty for light intensity| Average time taken for plant discs to float (s), ( ±0. 1s)| Overall average time taken for plant discs to float (s)( ±0. 1s)| Standard deviation| Rate of photosynthesis(s-1)| Standard error| | | | Trial 1| Trial 2| | | | | 10. 00| 1. x 10 | 5. 0 x 10 | 1218. 0| 1310. 0| 1264. 0| 3. 2 x 10 ? | 7. 9 x 10 | 6. 3 x 10 | 15. 00| 4. 4 x 10 | 1. 5 x 10 | 1592. 0| 1500. 0| 1546. 0| 2. 4 x 10 ? | 6. 5 x 10 | 4. 2 x 10 | 20. 00| 2. 5 x 10 | 6. 3 x 10 | 1684. 0| 1843. 4| 1763. 7| 2. 0 x 10 ? | 5. 7 x 10 | 3. 2 x 10 | 25. 00| 1. 6 x 10 | 3. 2 x 10 | 186. 40| 2124. 0| 1993. 2| 2. 6 x 10 ? | 5. 1 x 10 | 2. 5 x 10 | 30. 00 | 1. 1 x 10 | 1. 8 x 10 | 2334. 0| 2238. 4| 2236. 2| 3. 5 x 10 ? | 4. 5 x 10 | 2. 0 x 10 | 35. 00| 8. 2 x 10 | 1. 1 x 10 | 2620. 0| 2914. 6| 2767. 3| 3. 9 x 10 ? | 3. 6 x 10 1. 3 x 10 | Table 4 : Distance between source of light energy to plant discs, light intensity, uncertainty for light intensity, average time taken for plant discs to float, overall average time taken for plant discs to float, standard deviation, rate of photosynthesis, and standard error. * Light intensity (cm ) is calculated by using the formula: 1(Distance between source of light energy to plant discs)? For example on 10. 00 cm distance : = 110. 00? = 1. 0 x 10 (for the rest of the light intensity values, please refer to table 4) * Uncertainty for light intensity : ight intensity=1(Distance between source of light energy to plant discs)? ? light intensitylight intensity = ? Distance between source of light energy to plant discsDistance between source of light energy to plant discs+? 11 ? light intensity = ? Di stance between source of light energy to plant discsDistance between source of light energy to plant discs x light intensity For example on 10. 00cm distance : ? light intensity = 0. 05 cm10. 00 cm x 1. 0 x 10 = 5. 0 x 10 ( For the rest of the uncertainty of light intensity, please refer to table 4 ) * Average time taken for plant discs to float in trial 1 and 2 (s) : Average time taken in trial 1 = reading 1+ reading 2+ reading 3+ reading 4 + reading 55 Average time taken in trial 2 = reading 1+ reading 2+ reading 3+ reading 4 + reading 55 For example on 10. 00 distance : Average time taken in trial 1 = 655. 0 + 960. 0 + 1170. 0 + 1470. 0 + 1835. 0 5 = 1218. 0 s Average time taken in trial 2 = 1110. 0 + 1280. 0 + 1350. 0 + 1370. 0 + 1440. 0 5 = 1310. 0 s (for the rest of average time taken for plant discs to float in trial 1 and 2, please refer to table 4) * Overall average time taken for plant discs to float (s) : Overall average time take or plant discs to float = Average time taken in trial 1+ Average time taken in trial 22 For example on 10. 00cm distance : Overall average time take for plant discs to float = 1218. 0 +1 310. 02 = 1264. 0 s ( For the rest of the overall average time taken for plant discs to float, please refer to table 4) * Standard deviation : SD=reading 1-overall average2n-1+reading 2-overall average2n-1+†¦+(reading 10 -overall average2n-1) For example on 10. 00 cm distance : =655. 0-1264. 029+960. 0-1264. 029+†¦+(1440. 0-1264. 029) = 3. x 10? ( For the rest of the standard deviation, please refer to table 4 ) * Rate of photosynthesis (s ) : = 1(overall average time taken for plant discs to float, s) For example on 10. 00 cm distance : =1(1264. 0 s) = 7. 9 x 10 ( For the rest of the rate of photosynthesis, please refer to table 4) * Standard error : rate of photosynthesis=1overall average time taken for plant discs to float, s Rate of photosynthesis ? rate of photosynthesisrate of photosynthesis = ? overall average time taken for plant discs to floatoverall average time taken for plant discs to float+? 11 ? rate of photosynthesis = ? verall average time taken for plant discs to floatoverall average time taken for plant discs to float x For example on 10. 00cm distance : ? rate of photosynthesis = 0. 1 s1264. 0 s x 7. 9 x 10 = 6. 3 x 10 ( For the rest of the standard error, please refer to tab le 4) Graph 1 : graph of light intensity against rate of photosynthesis. Discussion : Photosynthesis is a process in which green plants use the energy of sunlight to produce sugars from the inorganic raw materials of carbon dioxide and water. In this experiment, we are trying to find the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis of plant. Theoretically, the rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to light intensity up to certain point; as in graph below: Rate of photosynthesis X Light intensity Graph 2: Theoretical graph of relationship between light intensity and rate of photosynthesis As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases up to a certain (point X) and then the graph will remain plateau. A further increase in light intensity (beyond point X) does not increase the rate of photosynthesis because of limiting factor such as concentration of carbon dioxide and temperature. However, this is not the exact case in this experiment. As we can see from the graph of light intensity against rate of photosynthesis, there is no constant reading (the readings continued to increase from 3. 6 x 10 s to 7. 9 x 10 s ) which means that the photosynthesis process in this experiment have not reached it’s the maximum point yet. When chlorophyll other pigments in the plant discs absorbs light, electrons becomes excited and the chlorophyll is also photoactivated. As more light is absorbed, more electrons can be boosted to higher level energy, and eventually the production oxygen is also vigorous. Hence, we can say that the rate of photosynthesis increases as chlorophyll absorbs more light. This explains why the first three points in the graph of light intensity against rate of photosynthesis produces a much steeper line. In this experiment, we can also see that although the plant discs were placed inside the sodium hydrogen carbonate at the same time, they still photosynthesize at different rate. This is because the discs are taken from taken from different part of the leaf. The side part of the leaf contains more spongy mesophyll cell and palisade mesophyll cell compared to the centre part of the leaf. The part which contain more spongy mesophyll cell and palisade mesophyll cell would have higher rate of photosynthesis as they are rich in chloroplast. As there are more chloroplast, there would be more absorption of light photons; leading t higher rate of photosynthesis when compared to the discs taken from the centre part of the leaf. As for the method of the experiment, air are expelled from the syringe containing the plant discs at the beginning of the experiment to ensure that each disc would have no gas in them initially; especially carbon dioxide. Once all plant discs are placed in the solution, the beaker containing them is put under the desk lamp, and a stopwatch is immediately started. When the plant disc starts to float on to the surface, it shows that photosynthesis has occurred and the presence of gas inside the cell causes the density of the disc to decrease; allowing it to float. The small bubbles seen are actually the release of oxygen gas as a result of photosynthesis. Limitations and suggestion : Limitation| Suggestion | The range between the 1st reading and the 10th reading of time taken for plant discs to float in each light intensity value varies with such great gap. | To avoid it, cut out the plant discs from the same area for all trials. Preferably, cut it out from the side of the leaf as that part contain lots of mesophyll cell (with lots of chloroplast; making it easier for photosynthesis to occur). | When expelling the air, some of sodium hydrogen carbonate tends to spill out too; leading to the decrease in volume of sodium hydrogen carbonate should be used. Hence the volume of carbon dioxide supplied which is supposed to be constant; became varied. | Expel the air on top of beaker containing the rest of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution so that when any of it inside the syringe leak out, it would drop inside the beaker itself; maintaining volume of carbon dioxide. | There is also presence of external source of light other than the desk lamp itself. The plant discs may have synthesized before they were put inside the beaker. This leads to unconvincing data. | All other source of light must be switched off before the experiment started. This will yield more accurate results. Some of the plant discs were stacked on each other when placed inside the beaker. Although this condition is already altered by moving them away from each other, the disc on top has received more light then the one below. | Before putting the beaker containing the plant discs under the desk lamp, make sure that the discs are not piled on top of each other by swirling the beaker a little. | Table 5 : limitations and suggestions Conclusion : From the experiment, it is proven that when light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases; while other factors remained constant. As light intensity increases, from 8. 2 x 10 cm to 1. 0 x 10 cm , the rate of photosynthesis of plant discs also increases from 3. 6 x 10 to 7. 9 x 10. The hypothesis is accepted. Reference : * MCB Biology HL students handbook (year 1) 2010 edition: page 192,193. * Alan Damon, Randy McGonegal, Patricia Tosto, William Ward : Heinemann Baccalaureate HL Biology,2007 for the IB diploma. * Biology for the IB DIPLOMA, by CJ Clegg,2008 by Hodder Education. * Biology Seventh Edition, by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece, 2005 by Pearson.

American National Identity 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American National Identity 2 - Essay Example Since America is the superpower nation of the world, there is reason enough to believe such claims, and quite rightly so. The people are satisfied with their lives largely and do not like to mingle with the lives of others. In essence, America is a free world where every soul has the right to be free on his own and let others enjoy their freedom nonetheless (Schlesinger 1998). These are some of the most sought after aspects that America brings to the fore when one thinks of the superpower nation of the world, a nation which manifests success, growth, development and security matching none other. Even though the September 2001 attacks on the America were something totally out of the blue, the Americans feel safe more than ever. They know that their country is being protected from the evil forces which are widespread all over the world. They trust their government and they know that they have become the superpower nation of the world through a better and more resilient ideology than an y other country in the world (Schuck 2008). This has come about through a lot of hard work and dedication that the Americans have shown for their country, and the manner in which they have been cohesive is something that stands out in a head and shoulders scenario when one compares America with the rest of the nations around the globe (Huntington 2005). When one wants to know what the most significant factors are that make people to visit America, the answers seem ready and coming. This is because America is such a happening place that people would like to be there at any time. They would give up their homelands just to be in America – a place where they can dream to be in. There is a good amount of diversity that one can witness within America. This has meant that there are different races and communities that have started to live in America. It is because of this that there are several languages that are being spoken in the country. These have meant that English has started to break down and it has given rise to a number of languages in the different areas and states of America. This is true that people no longer need to learn English if they want to live in America or even visit it from time to time. There are so many ethnic communities widespread in America that one can make do with other languages as well, and thus live easily without a doubt. Also the fact that America allows people to enter into its different states and regions through a legal procedure is something that asks of people to cherish their stay as long as they are within America. The legal ramifications for the illegal visitors and immigrants is indeed very harsh and this is one of the reasons why Americans feel safe that unwanted intruders would not be able to enter into America. However on the flip side, America has more problems than any other country in the world. People have unequal chances of getting jobs, have basic problems like the rest of the world, and enter into health an d educational issues just like others. There is violence within certain states, one of which is Texas where many people die due to a number of negative incidents that have started to come to the fore (Bellah 1967). But all in all, America is a heaven to live within, and this has been proven time and again by the