Friday, September 6, 2019
College Athletes Should Be Paid Essay Example for Free
College Athletes Should Be Paid Essay Tyus Jones was a basketball player at the University of Minnesota who was extremely talented on and off the court. In just his freshman year he won The University Of Minnesota their first national championship in 94 long years. Despite of Tyus’s on court abilities even with a full ride college scholarship Tyus was not able to afford the basic college life needs. To help out with the expenses Tyus got a job at the nearby Burger King, but after two short weeks he was forced to quit because it was impossible to manage school,basketball, and work. Tyus then realized he would have to get some form of help from the school to help him manage his spending. It should be required for all colleges to pay all their Division I athletes enough money for them to support themselves during the season. Tyus was lucky, he was very talented on the court which gave him some legal extra benefits, but some players are not that lucky. Some players have no options but to accept illegal benefits and can be suspended or even fined. Most athletes are so busy with school and their sport that they are not able to work on the side to earn money. Also college are paid millions and millions of dollars by large network companies like Nbc, Fox, and even Espn when the main reason their college is in the spotlight is because of these talented players who get nothing for making everything happen.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Social Networking And Uncertainty Reduction Theory Psychology Essay
Social Networking And Uncertainty Reduction Theory Psychology Essay The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between social networking and uncertainty reduction theory having the focus on how this theory is related to social attraction and uncertainty reduction in a social media situation. Previous research suggests that as uncertainty decreases the threshold of information increases. Results suggest that (popular media personnel are a large rold in womens media usage, social comparison tendencies, and body image). A discussion of findings in comparing social networking and uncertainty reduction follows the results.   With the advancing technology of the Internet, members of the community are being exposed to social networking. It was four years ago that I remember Facebook becoming a thing of the future and MySpace a thing of the past. The data doesnt deny that Facebook has come to dominate social networking in the US and over took Myspace in 2009 (Owyang, 2010). With the advancement of social networking, the Uncertainty Reduction Theory is becoming more applicable to everyday life as well as everyday encounters. For example, imagine walking into an unfamiliar situation then suddenly becoming filled with uncertainty about the people that surround you as well as the area that you are in. With this example, you are likely to become more reserved and not as willing to open up to your peers unless they do so first. It is this case for the social networking in an unfamiliar world otherwise known as the world wide web.  While researching this topic, I came across the phenomenon of social networking and uncertainty reduction. In doing the research, I found repeatedly that with the increase of communication between strangers, uncertainty decreases. However, I also found that Charles Berger, Uncertainty Reduction Theorist, developed 8axioms to describe how uncertainty reduction unfolds.  Although extensive research has been done on Bergers theory, there are many doubts about his views on uncertainty and the methodology in which he goes to reduce it. With the development of social networking being on the rise and the relationship to the amount of information that is revealed, there is a need for further research on these topics. Therefore, the purpose of this paper it to explore the relationship between social networking and uncertainty reduction theory. The paper will be organized around a discussion of relevant literature, methods, study results, discussion, and future research. Literature Review   This project covers two variables: social networking and uncertainty reduction. Many surveys have been conducted to further discuss the online statistics on these two variables. The following topics will report on previous findings on these two variables. With the phenomenon of uncertainty reduction, there are two different ways of describing the theory: either by the eight axioms or by describing it as passive, active, or interactive as forms of seeking information from the other person. Positive or negative reinforcement of certain behaviors can have an impact on other people who are witnessing these behaviors and their reinforcements whether it is positive or negative aid in the increase or decrease of uncertainty. Rationale With the increasing popularity of social networking as well as the convenience, there is a need for further research on social networking and uncertainty reduction. With the growing problem of Internet safety, further research is needed to be done on how to meet new people online in a safe fashion. Therefore, this research project examines the relationship between social networking and the amount of information that is revealed in an online setting. Research Question R.Q. 1: What is the relationship between uncertainty reduction and strangers meeting online. R.Q. 2:  What is the threshold of information revealed in an online setting opposed to an in person? Methodology The goal of the present investigation is to explore the relationship between social networking and uncertainty reduction theory. The study is organized around a survey questionnaire. The methodology will be organized around a discussion of participants, measures, procedures, and analysis. Participants The participants were comprised of 100 male and females ages 19-25. A convenient random sample of 40 participants came from online surveys while the other 60 were randomly passed out around the University of Tennessee-Knoxville library and Communication Classes. Measures After determining the questions for the survey, a likert-type scale was used to have a uniform guide for the scale used ranging from 1-5 and 1 being Strongly Disagree to 5 being Strongly Agree. The survey questionnaire was comprised of 15 questions centered on the following topics: Facebook, MySpace, and Chatroulette. To ensure that the answers were closed-ended, neutral questions. To measure the amount that each participant spends social networking on the specified sites, Facebook, MySpace, and Chatroulette, questions were tailored around asking the amount of time spent chatting or video chatting. However, to measure the participants uncertainty in an online setting, questions were designed to reveal the amount of information that each participant revealed in each given setting. For a view of the complete survey questionnaire, please refer to Appendix A. Procedure Surveys were sent out online and handed out in person at the Universitys library. The participants were first informed that the survey was completely voluntary and they would in no way be tied to their responses. After agreeing to complete the survey, the participants were given a survey of 17 questions and of the 17, one asked age and the other asked biological sex. The other 15 questions were close-ended, neutral questions to measure the amount of social networking and uncertainty reduction. The 40 participants that were asked in an online setting were asked through a posting on Facebook so their participation in the survey was completely voluntary. The remaining 60 were randomly approached in the University library and asked for their corporation and a few minutes of their time to fill out the survey questions. Analysis        In analyzing the participants answers to the survey questions presented, a likert-type scale was used. In using the likert-type scale, using a scale of 1-5 having 1 be Strongly Disagree, 3 being Neutral, and 5 being Strongly Agree. The survey questions were divided into 3 different categories which pertained to Facebook, MySpace, and Chatroulette. In choosing to separate the survey questions into 3 different categories, I found that I could differentiate between the amount of information that is shared for the 3 types of social networking cites listed. I found that by using the closed-ended questions from a neutral standpoint helped in putting the data into similar groups to find a correlation across the participants responses. Results The goal of the present investigation is to explore the relationship between social networking and uncertainty reduction.The following information reports on the results of the study. The results are based and answered on the research questions. The survey questions were placed into three different categories for evaluation. The three groups are Facebook, MySpace, and Chatroulette. Questions 1-5 report on Facebook and the trust developed in an online setting, 6-10 report on Chatroulette and the amount of information each participant revealed to a stranger only if they did so first, and 12-15 report on MySpace and if they reveal more information to strangers online or face-to-face. The themes and patterns found pertaining to Facebook were as follows: The themes and patterns found pertaining to Chatroulette were as follows: The themes and patterns found pertaining to MySpace were as follows:  Discussion The goal of the present investigation was to explore the relationship between social networking and uncertainty reduction theory. This study posed two research questions regarding social networking and the amount of personal information given to a random stranger to see if there was a direct correlation in the amount of information revealed by the online stranger.  The following information reports on the patterns and themes found in participants responses to close-ended, neutral survey questions. A major theme Participants responses regarding social networking among the three categories given showed ___ variation. Most participants revealed that they Study of Limitations and Future Directions     There are several limitations that pertain to this study. The participants were predominately male in a 60/40 ratio. With these results it could be misleading because women typically reveal more information than do guys and having a participant bank of mostly males could affect the findings. Also, I found that in doing my poster presentations as well as handing out survey questions, some people were unfamiliar with Chatroulette and what it does.  However, after explaining the concept, most people were very interested in giving it a try. Another limitation is that all participants were found in the same city. Possibly if participants were gathered from different geographic locations, they would be more familiar with the Chatroulette concept. Also, participants ages ranged from 19-25 where as someone younger may be more technologically advanced or more seasoned in the online advances.  While this study of social networking and uncertainty reduction was only a survey, I feel that if this study were to be replicated, doing an exploratory analysis would help because it is looking at a qualitative perspective. This way by interviewing each participant, you could ask more specific questions if they were unfamiliar with one of the concepts. Appendix A Social Networking and Uncertainty Reduction Theory Survey By receiving this survey, you are participating in a study involving the purpose to better understand peoples behavior in finding information about their views on social networking sites and the amount of information they reveal to online strangers. For the following items please answer with the best of your ability. Do you identify as:         à ¢- ¡                   Male à ¢- ¡                   Female What year were you born? __________ Directions: Please indicate the answer that best indicates how you feel about Facebook and online strangers. 1.) I typically enjoy meeting new people online.  Strongly Disagree   1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 2.) I usually meet new people through Facebook. Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 3.) Typically when I meet new people face-to-face, I reveal personal information if they do so first.                                                                   Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 4.) I am skeptical of meeting people in an online setting.       Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 5.) I almost always trust the information that I receive online from strangers.                                                                    Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree Directions: Please indicate the answer that best indicates how you feel about Chatroulette and online strangers. 6.) I usually meet new people through Chatroulette.    Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 7.) I typically never trust any information given by a stranger online.        Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 8.) I typically reveal personal information such as name, age, and biological sex in the initial interaction.                                                                  Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 9.) I typically reveal personal information such as a picture, e-mail address, or a phone number in the initial interaction.                                                        Strongly Disagree    1   2    3   4   5    Strongly Agree                                                                                                  10.) I prefer to get information from the stranger I meet online before I reveal any information about myself.                                                                              Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 11.) I prefer to meet strangers online through video chatting.    Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree Directions: Please indicate the answer that best identifies how you feel about Myspace and online strangers. 12.) I usually meet new people through MySpace.       Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 13.) I almost always question the information I receive from the online stranger.                                                                   Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 14.) I have faith in the information that I receive from the online stranger.                                                                   Strongly Disagree    1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree 15.) Typically when I meet new people face-to-face, I reveal personal information.                                                                        Strongly Disagree     1    2   3   4    5   Strongly Agree
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Investigation of Aspirin Overdose Using Salicylate Assay
Investigation of Aspirin Overdose Using Salicylate Assay Introduction Aspirin is the most widely used over-the-counter drug in the world. The average tablet contains about 325 milligrams of acetylsalicylic. Aspirin is used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. Aspirin originally was derived by boiling the bark of the white willow tree. Although the salicin in willow bark has palliative properties, purified salicylic acid was bitter and irritating when taken orally. Phenylsalicylate could be produced by modifying Salicylic acid which resulted in better tasting and less irritating outcomes. Felix Hoffman and Arthur Eichengrà ¼n first produced the active ingredient in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, in 1893. However, Hippocrates wrote about a bitter powder extracted from willow bark that could ease aches and pains and reduce fevers during the fifth century B.C 200 ml well mixed stomach contents (Sample A)- Transparent Yellow 200 ml hydrolysed stomach contents (Sample B)- Purple 200 ml urine (Sample D)- Light Purple 200 ml negative control (water)- Transparent Yellow 200 ml positive control (400 mg /ml sodium salicylate)- Purple Solution i and iv which where stomach content and negative control turned Transparent Yellow this means, No change, Negative test. Solutions ii and v turned purple which means that the test where portative for high aspirin traces. Solution iii turned Light Purple which means that slight trances of aspirin are shown the sample. Salicylic acid is a weak acid, and very little as its ionized in the stomach after oral consumption. Acetylsalicylic acid is poorly soluble in the acidic conditions of the stomach, which can setback amalgamation of high doses for 8 to 24 hours. In addition to the increased pH of the small intestine, aspirin is rapidly absorbed due to the increased surface area, which results in allowing more of the salicylate to dissolve. However, aspirin is absorbed much more slowly during overdose, and plasma concentrations can continue to rise for up to 24 hours after ingestion. As much as 80% of therapeutic doses of salicylic acid are metabolized in the liver. Renal excretion of salicylic acid becomes ever more important as the metabolic pathways become saturated, because it is extremely responsive to changes in urinary pH. There is a 10 to 20 fold increase in renal clearance when urine pH is increased from 5 to 8. The use of urinary alkalinization utilizes this particular aspect of salicylate elimination. From the deductions that can be from by results and investigations, it shows that aspirin is absorbed via the small intestine, which then transported to the blood serum. Waste product is transported to urea and disposed via renal excretion. Therefore more aspirin is present in the serum, that why forms a precipitate and the urine dose not as much of it is waste product. The acutely toxic dose of aspirin is commonly regard as greater than 150 mg per kg of body mass. Moderate toxicity occurs at doses up to 300 mg/kg, severe toxicity occurs between 300 to 500 mg/kg, and a potentially lethal dose is greater than 500 mg/kg. Chronic toxicity may arise subsequently to doses of 100 mg/kg per day for two or more days. Around 3 grams per day in divided doses for rheumatoid arthritis is recommended. Serum salicylate levels may be useful in guiding therapeutic decisions regarding dosage. Serum salicylate levels of 150 to 300 mcg/mL are associated with anti-inflammatory response. However, the incidence of toxicity increases with salicylate levels greater than 200 mcg/mL. This patients salicylate concentration level levels where 400 mcg/mL. Therefore I believe this person was overdosing on aspirin. The key objectionable side effects of aspirin are tinnitus, gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach bleeding contestably in higher doses; this is due to aspirin irritating the stomach lining. In youngsters, aspirin is no longer used to control flu-like symptoms or the symptoms of other viral illnesses, because of the risk of Reyes syndrome. Another common side effect of aspirin is heart burn, this can occur at low doses. Aspirin was once used as an anti-inflammatory drug as well as a pain killer. This results in the medication working as a block pain. For example, when a person has a headache, it is often the result in restriction in the blood vessels of the brain. Aspirin reduces the swelling and also thins down the blood to help with blood flow through the vessels; this help in reducing pain and prevention of recurring when the painkiller properties of aspirin wear off. Aspirin is also effective in reducing fevers. People who have a history of heart problems and those at risk of heart attacks are often advised by doctors to take daily doses of aspirin as a preventative measure. The blood thinning properties of aspirin can save a life in the event of a heart emergency by helping some blood to pass through the body until a clot or blockage can be treated. Aspirin is also a known anti-coagulant, which means that it helps to keep the blood thin and prevents clotting. Anti-coagulant is used to prevent blood clots forming within the blood vessels; this can cause heart attack, stroke or other circulatory system problems.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Essay --
CHAPTER ONE - ‘If you don’t like something, change it.’ As said by Maya Angelou, ‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.’ And it seemed like he would have to opt for the latter, because there was no chance he was going to get anywhere with the former. For James, change was almost a foreign concept, because everything was fine as it was. Or at least he thought it was. He couldn’t really be sure about anything in his world, because there was still so much he had to learn about it. He was young, just turned seventeen, and still finding his feet. There was no way he could ever lead an army for any cause. It would just be moronic. People who knew him called him a dreamer, and he agreed. He did like to exit reality sometimes, when it all got too much. It was his escape valve. He thought that everyone had to have at least one, but maybe they did not. He did not know. But that was his way of dealing with the world, and it worked for him, no matter what anyone else said. He knew that most did not take whatever he said seriously. It was only natural, he was young. But the fact that they called it a ‘democracy’ had always annoyed him. A democracy. From the Greek ÃŽ ´ÃŽ ·ÃŽ ¼ÃŽ ¿ÃŽ ºÃ ÃŽ ±Ã„Î ¯ÃŽ ±, which means ‘the rise of the people’. He did like to learn what others called things. Everything was always so fascinating because of the fact that he knew barely anything. He was not from Greece. His world was one where he stood at a disadvantage in more ways than one. He was ‘white’, as they called it, people called He had grown up in a secluded area, because his parents were heterosexual. He sometimes found it difficult to remember to always say that one of his ‘mothers’ was on a business trips or ill or so, be... ...rrect?†He had expected Elias to detonate in his face, but that was not so. All he got in response was a finger pointing towards Mother’s side of the house, and he walked over and up the stairs. He stopped before the ladder that would take him up into the attic. He had never climbed the ladder before. Elias had told him never to do it without his permission, and he had never dared to ask. He drew a deep breath in, and released it again. And he started to climb. The climb was longer than he thought it would. Perhaps it was because he was so afraid he would fall off. It was rather frivolous, as even if he were to fall, it would only be a drop of around four meters. He could take that. Pushing open the flap, he ascended into the attic. It was spacious, if a little damp. Had he not had a job to do, he might have spent a little time sitting there. It seemed awe-inspiring
Internet Addicts in Danger Essay -- Technology Computers Communication
Internet Addicts in Danger Internet chat rooms have become a devastating disadvantage to the social interaction and growth of people in the world. More and more of the world’s youth are becoming addicted to Internet chat rooms. Not only are Internet chat room relationships leading to impersonal contact of people hiding flaws behind anonymity, they are leading to the abduction of many underage individuals. In an article published in The Age, a magazine in Melbourne, Australia, Doctor Mubarak Rahamathulla has researched teenagers that have become "pathologically addicted" to Internet chat rooms. Rahamathulla argues that this addiction could damage their social skills as well as their ability to form intimate relationships. Rahamathulla says that "The young people who are introverts who are having difficulties establishing a rapport with others are going to go deeper into these kinds of forums to interact with others, that will further shrink their social network." In Rahamathulla’s research he found that while Internet chat rooms are not the ideal form of communication for most of these "addicted" teens, it is better than no interaction at all. The research revealed that these teens are lonely, usually unpopular and that chat rooms contribute to some teenagers fearing one on one situations. Internet chat rooms do not seem like they are targeting this specific demographic, when it is considered that there are chat rooms for basically every interest any human in the world could think of. So, if Internet chat rooms are not targeting lonely, unpopular teenagers, but those are for the most part the people becoming "addicted" to these chat rooms, are these chat rooms making the people who are interested in them addicted and lonely ... ...there is no immediate solution for the problem that is at hand. But it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Internet chat rooms are making the worlds youth into anti-social, lonely people. Internet chat rooms are enticing children to go out and meet much older people that they should not be associating with and no one is stopping them. Parents and Internet companies both need to make drastic changes for the benefit of the world’s youth. Works Cited Barr, Elizabeth "Face the Music". 17 January. 2003 BCT Reporter "Should there be tighter laws governing the Internet?". UK Newsweek Regional Press. 25 July. 2003 Bruce, Iain "Fishnet Stalking; from the erotic to the pornographic, sex on the Internet is booming". The Sunday Herald. 8 December. 2002 Nader, Carol "Introvert Internet Addicts and ‘Social Risk’". The Age. 2 October. 2003 Statistics
Monday, September 2, 2019
Intellectual Property: Response to Question Essay
One’s claim over something that may be considered as intellectual property, such as software, is not automatically established upon the completion of the software. In this sense, there are steps that are required to be taken in order to gain proper claim over the software produced. There are two methods in attaining a copyright or a patent for a given software which may protect the intellectual property created; although there are differences in the scope, the length and ease of filing the application are present between the two (U. S. Congress – Office of Technological Assessment [USC-OTA], 1990). Given that ownership to a certain software and having exclusive rights to its distribution and use requires patent or copyright application, then in the situation given wherein my uncle asked me to write a certain software and have not charged him for the services, the question is whether I have applied for either patent or copyright before giving a copy to my uncle. In this sense, if I have at least applied for a copyright, then my uncle’s actions of freely giving out copies of the software to his peers should be paid for, at the same time requiring my uncle to ask for my permission beforehand. However, if I simply made the software and give it to my uncle, then I should not be concerned if he gives copies of the software for his peers to use since I have no proper claim over the software and in a sense I have just given my uncle complete flexibility as to what may be done to the software. Possibly, one may not immediately consider a software to be his or her own intellectual property if the law or regulations are concerned. Of course, when disputes over intellectual property is considered, laws pertaining to it are most often used to resolve the issue. Therefore, considering that applying for copyright is relatively easily accomplished (USC-OTA, 1990), then if one believes that the software completed is worthwhile and useful then it would be best to apply for a copyright in order to lay claim over the intellectual property.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
‘The Pit and The Pendulum’ by Edgar Allan Poe and ‘An Encounter’ by James Joyce Essay
An analytical study of ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’, ‘An Encounter’ and ‘The Pedestrian’, focusing on the themes of paralysis, entrapment and isolation The texts chosen for this study are: ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’ by Edgar Allan Poe and ‘An Encounter’ by James Joyce which, I feel, are appropriate as they provide comprehensive coverage of the themes analysed whilst managing to cover a historical period of some seventy years1. Poe’s piece is a dark, Gothic work which deals, in great depth, with the notion of both mental and physical paralysis encompassed in an entrapping and isolated atmosphere. Joyce, on the other hand, takes a characteristically more diverse and subtle approach to the concept of paralysis, cunningly concealing the theme within the stagnant surroundings of his Dublin. Verbal ‘entrapment’ is furthermore offered in the form of a dubious elderly man. The story ‘An Encounter’ by James Joyce amply exhibits many stylistic features associated with the modernist author – for example the use of epiphany or writing through first person narrative, with inner monologue to highlight the consciousness of the protagonist and also subtly divulge the feelings of others to the perhaps more ‘aware’ readership. However, Poe, on the contrary, chooses to play the cards of shock and terror in a style which is far more explicit and gruesome in comparison with Joyce’s incorporation of ambiguity. The theme of paralysis is key to Joyce’s work – the notion is implicit throughout Dubliners as a whole. With this idea comes its antithesis – escape – or with respect to ‘An Encounter’ and many of the other stories, thwarted escape. It is because of the character’s desire to achieve this freedom, that when the day fails to reach its high expectations, the stagnation and restrictiveness of the surroundings are powerfully reinforced – perhaps even confirmed. From the outset of the tale, Joyce ponders the notion of escape. Characters searching for such an escape, often describe how they would wish to travel afar to achieve it. So important, it seems, is this idea that the protagonist of the initial story of Dubliners, can be quoted of aspiring to exotic, foreign fantasy: ‘I felt that I had been very far away, in some land where the customs were strange – in Persia, I thought.’ This feeling is openly exhibited in ‘An Encounter’, as Joyce’s first person narrator states; ‘Real adventures, I reflected, do not happen to people who remain at home: they must be sought abroad.’ In the story, Joyce develops the theme in the form of an inner monologue – the thoughts of the protagonist dictating how his ‘Wild West’ adventures ‘opened doors of escape’. The method used is quite customary of the author- the thought processes of the boy (relating to escape) are ultimately what drive the tale, yet Joyce quietly conveys them through subtle, nondescript details. Joyce’s relationship with his hometown appears, like his works, slightly ambiguous. He may often be quoted of his distaste for the stagnant city2, succeeding in displaying it with an absence of enthusiasm, as a moribund, non-eventful hive. However, one feels that on reflection, after reading his work a subtle affection is undoubtedly apparent – perhaps Joyce’s time spent in exile3 incubated an innate longing for the city – Dublin’s entrapment being, perhaps, what fuelled this fascination with the petty happening of the city? Joyce’s relationship with the theme of entrapment in Dubliners is essential to the text: at times he appears intent, at others repelled. ‘An Encounter’ deals with methods of escape other than exotic foreign adventure, focusing on the attempt of two boys to ‘break out of the weariness’ of their everyday environment. Although, at first the prospect of adventure excites the young boys, there is constant undertone of anti-climax carefully intertwined into the story. Joyce writes from the first person point view, often through analepsis. It is perhaps because of this that a frequent air of frustration pursues the young schoolboys – it is as if the story is being recalled by a man embittered by the ‘restraining’ and ultimately paralysed city of Dublin. Quite often Joyce refuses to commit any fervent emotion to events, preferring to use lacklustre qualifying adverbs or adjectives; ‘†¦ We were all vaguely excited†¦ it was a mild sunny morning’ Joyce intently chooses to focus in on the most insipid details, usually choosing to focus on empirical sense experience – such as Mahoney’s grey suit or the ‘brown4 fishing fleet’- which works to suppress the buoyant atmosphere. This notion is also relative to the descriptive mood, which the author quite purposely generates through negative evocation of certain aspects: ‘†¦ The docile horses†¦ the drivers of groaning carts.’ This process of qualification through modifiers generates a subdued atmosphere parallel to that of the jaded inner-consciousness of the protagonists. The negativity which is now apparent in almost everything encountered appears to be an entrapping agent over the boys, who sulk into a resigned and somewhat resentful state, a state which is furthermore reiterated by the repetition of the adverb ‘too’: ‘It was too late and we were too tired to carry out our project of visiting the Pigeon House.’ Joyce has succeeded in presenting Dublin as an impotent city of circularity and entrapment. He is now anxious to erase the protagonist’s claim; ‘I was very happy’, from the audience’s memories, introducing words such as ‘solemn’, ‘sedulous’ and eventually even denotes the character’s thoughts as ‘jaded’. There is constant, yet suitable repetition of the adjective ‘tired’ – the day has become tedious, adventure and escape have proved elusive, and the encounter of a less than legendary sea-farer has confirmed that the protagonist will not find merriment in Dublin, forever doomed to live in the fantasies of comic book and literature. However, despite its lack of event, the day does provide the boys with one notable incident. Aspirations of escape having been superseded, Joyce begins a new paragraph focusing primarily on the silence and ‘stillness’ of the eventual situation: ‘There was nobody but ourselves in the field. [We had] lain on the bank for some time without speaking’. Through creating such an ominous, yet ‘dying’ atmosphere – sentences slowly becoming shorter, more concise (defeating imaginative possibility as displayed by the boys hitherto) and less picturesque use of vocabulary – Joyce signals the need for new themes to be introduced. He achieves this through the introduction of a curious elderly antagonist. The old man introduces the possibility of in-depth monologue and direct speech. In the conversation with the boys, he seemingly manages to entrap the young protagonist with his reference to literature – a topic of known interest to the boy – and also through cunningly incorporating a sinister ‘circular’ approach. Joyce is very keen to exploit the idea of circularity in his work and in this piece, the ‘monotonous’ voice of the antagonist and the way his voice ‘slowly circles round and round in the same orbit’, help to achieve the spellbinding quality of the man. This technique paralyses the narrator, who seemingly allows the man to give a discourse in the form of a monologue – mainly due to his apparent inability to interrupt. The politeness evident in the boy’s character is in hindsight, far from being useful. Joyce implicitly airs his personal views on the expensive Jesuit schooling that the protagonist has been subject to by placing the boy in a situation of danger. The resultant irony – learnt social skills being a hindrance – also helps highlight Joyce’s disregard for the church and its establishments. The worrying feature of the man’s discourse is the implicitly perverse way in which he speaks. He frequently refers to the ‘whipping’ of young boys, with one feels, over-excitable ardour. Joyce establishes the man’s odd approach through primarily using such adjectives as ‘magnetised’ and ‘circle’ in reference to his thought process. This creates the impression that he is intent on the subject. Secondly, a section of reported speech is introduced; ‘When a boy was rough and unruly there was nothing would do him any good but a good sound whipping†¦ what he wanted was to get a nice warm whipping.’ Joyce emphasises the mans positive outlook on the subject through the use of a positive lexical range; there is repetition of the word ‘good’ – firstly as a noun, secondly as an adjective – and also use of the adjective ‘nice’, which appears somewhat misplaced when used in conjunction with the concept of whipping. The protagonist’s isolation from sympathetic intellectuals due to young age means he is quick to warm to the old man when he talks of literature. In the epiphany, he even appears isolated from his closest friend, Mahoney, and it appears to me that the epiphany of the piece (from the young boy’s perspective) confirms that the older man has had a profound influence on his views – both intellectually and sexually. It appears that after entrapment, the isolation of the naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve child has left him susceptible to corruption and the ‘encounter’ has left the boy and the audience with the idea (with undoubted authorial intent) that the world is not such an innocent place. Such mental metamorphosis is more openly explicit in Edgar Allen Poe’s work, no epiphanies are evident, yet a first person narrative works to convey the progressively tortured thoughts of the protagonist to the reader. ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’ is a piece typical of the nineteenth century ‘gothic horror’ genre. The main area of focus is that of psychological terror and mental torture of the protagonist, brought about through natural agents and physical entrapment and isolation. The style is typical of Poe, aesthetic – as opposed to scientific – and wholly grotesque. The piece is, in its simplest form, an account of the destruction of the protagonist’s psyche. Poe begins ‘in medias res’ by describing the trial of the man, the narrator intently focusing upon his gloomy and confused mental state. Syntax used is complex and verbose, helpfully describing the characters inner consciousness and displaying his tangled, entrapping thought processes. The lexical field and imagery employed is especially exotic and indulgent – Poe uses metaphorical language peppered with adverbs and adjectives as the candles before the man alter from ‘white slender angels’ to ‘meaningless spectres, with heads of flame’. Another technique which is commonly employed by Poe is that of repetition, in this particular story, Poe often relies on the syntactical position of verbs to gradually heighten tension, and prompt his audience. A good example of repetition may be found when the protagonist is awaiting his doom at the hands of the pendulum – each new paragraph commences with the preposition ‘down’: ‘Down – steadily down it crept†¦ Down – certainly relentlessly down!.. Down – still increasingly – still inevitably down!’ This repetition works to give extra strength to the nemesis and increase the tense, anxious and bleak atmosphere. The notion of ‘down’ is the most important in the authors mind, and the layout of the word on the page vividly reflects the terrifying motion of the blades descent and, more importantly, the ever more dejected mental state of the protagonist. A technique used by Poe – and also exhibited by Joyce- is that of prolepsis. The fact that the protagonist is often left thinking of what ‘may be’ suggests a certain degree of isolation – the surrounding atmosphere offering no apparent subjects for the character to focus on in the present. In ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’, Poe incorporates a feeling of perpetual unease into the thought processes of his protagonist. There are frequent examples of this which often come about directly before the ‘ghastly’ prospects of the character are realised; as in the heightened, almost hysterical language and excited syntax of: ‘The result of the slightest struggle, how deadly! Was it likely, moreover, that the minions of the torturer had not foreseen and provided for this probability? It is characteristic of Poe to use hyperbole, a technique which creates a melancholy, theatrical feeling – often seemingly increasing the grandeur. Hyperbole also escalates the terror and entrapment suffered by the protagonist, the indulgent language used portrays a somewhat exaggerated experience to the audience. This technique is supported by extensive use of adjective and adverb, commonly negative in effect, as when the protagonist is close to death by the pendulum; ‘The odour of the sharp steel forced itself into my nostrils. I prayed – I wearied heaven with my prayer for its more speedy descent. I grew frantically mad, and struggled to force myself upward against the sweep of the fearful scimitar. And then I fell suddenly calm, and lay smiling at the glittering death†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Psychological entrapment in the story is offered in the form of ‘The Pit’. To accomplish the desired atmosphere for such a tortured fate, Poe begins to describe the physical surroundings of the protagonist in some detail. The ‘subterranean world of darkness’ to which the man is instantly subject to is stereotypically associated with Poe’s genre of writing, the gloom becoming a perfect vehicle to carry an unnerving, mystifying atmosphere. Further concern for the antagonist is drawn from the constant reference to his ‘fatigued’ state and also the dangerously ‘moist and slippery’ characteristics of the chamber. The tension generated relies heavily on Poe’s use of syntax – the protagonist encounters ‘The Pit’ through a sequence of brief sentences: ‘I proceeded for many paces; but still all was blackness and vacancy. I breathed more freely.’ The length of the sentences and the fact that Poe does not feel it necessary to justify or convolute the thoughts of the protagonist – who currently sees his punishment as ‘[not] the most hideous of fates’ – represents relatively calm and clear thought processes. As the narrator becomes evermore aware of the horrific situation, Poe mirrors his mounting terror through increasingly complex syntax: ‘The difficulty, nevertheless, was but trivial; although, in the disorder of my fancy, it seemed at first insuperable.’ Poe’s evidently excessive accentuation of punctuation, creating furthermore verbose sentences, achieves a faster movement of thought and a growing sensation of confusion. Eventually, as the protagonist gradually uncovers the secrets of his confinement, a greater fear of entrapment and danger being incubated inside him is realised. Poe displays this through every quickening pace in complex sentences which are supported with dashes – giving the effect of total bemusement and terror in the protagonist, feelings which almost lead to the making of treacherous mistakes. Quite suddenly, with a simple sentence – perceptibly out of step with the ever-increasing complexity of the syntax – the climax of the character’s investigation is revealed; ‘I stepped on it, and fell violently on my face.’ With the inclusion of this short, astute sentence, Poe signals that complex syntax hitherto has given sufficient insight to the audience and that the tensi on has peaked. The fact that the piece is written in the form of a first person narrative always suggests – in a similar style to James Joyce’s reflective, possibly older narrator – that the protagonist is reminiscing about his exploits, and that ultimately the piece will not end in his death. This is, of course, the case when General Lasalle of the French army comes to the rescue. The ending is extremely interesting as Poe chooses, unlike the other events of the story, to dramatically reduce proceedings – deciding to summarise the rescue in a short paragraph. The said paragraph uses more restrained syntax – exclamation is succeeded by a simple statement which, in the context, appears almost bathetic. ‘The fiery walls rushed back!.. The French army had entered Toledo.’ It is not entirely clear why Poe has chosen to end the piece in an almost anticlimactic manner. Perhaps he chooses to condense the singular joyful occurrence of the narrative thus maintaining its stance as a work of horror. Many sources, however, maintain that the story’s closure was dictated by demanding time restrictions implemented by Poe’s publishers5. Another reason for Poe choosing a first person narrator is perhaps that this perspective gives us a stronger feeling of entrapment due to our constant awareness of the innermost feelings of the protagonist. The narrative does not, unlike a third person perspective, allow the audience to transcend the situation, providing direct access to the horror which is occurring on the page. There is also no direct speech in the story. This fact reinforces the idea of isolation in the way that the protagonist has no need to speak due to absolute solitude. The grotesque element of Poe’s work, which quite frequently works as a perversely aesthetic or romantic catalyst for the mental entrapment of the protagonist, is usually evident in the form of a tormentor drawn from nature.6 In ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’, psychological suffering is brought on by a swarm of rats. These animals bring negative connotation, as they are associated with such horror as The Plague. They are definitely an effective device which works to supplement the physical entrapment already being suffered by the protagonist at this time. At one point, Poe also uses ‘fearful images’ of skeleton forms and such, which ‘disfigure’ the surrounding walls. It is stated that these figures have been created by monks, suggesting that this environment is some kind of medieval building – not designed specifically for torture. It is therefore interesting to observe how Poe manages to alter these innocent images into emotionally petrifying fiends – working as the author will have wished, to terrify the protagonist and therefore, the readership. By introducing entrapment in the form of the wooden framework and hideous vermin, Poe has realised the importance of including both physical and metaphysical entrapment a work of the Gothic horror genre of which he is undeniably a master.  1 ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’ was first published in 1843 for a collection named The Gift, later (revised) for the Broadway Journal in 1985. ‘An Encounter’ – taken from Dubliners – was written in 1904 yet published 1914. 2 In a letter to his English publisher, Grant Richards, he claimed that his intention was ‘to write a chapter of the moral history of my country and I chose Dublin for the scene because that city seemed to me the centre of paralysis.’ (Letters, II, 134). 3 During the summer of 1904, Joyce and his new-found love Nora Barnacle left Ireland for Europe. At ‘An Encounter’s’ time of writing, it is most likely that Joyce was living in Pola – Croatia. 4 The use of the adverb ‘brown’ is also evident to the same effect in the story ‘Araby’. Entrapment is projected through the ‘brown imperturbable faces’ of the housing. 5 SEE NOTE
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