different cultural beliefs about death

different cultural beliefs about death Person, Culture and Medicine Alexandra Lamb â€Å"Human Behaviour is essentially the same across groups and populations.† Biological death is inevitable. For all humans, death is the exclamation point marking the end of a life, the end of a journey; however it is approached and for however long. This is the universal biological condition for all humans. According to Benjamin Franklin, â€Å"†¦Everything appears to promise that it will last. But in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.† (Curran 1975) It is in how we live our lives that we see the breadth of human cultural and psychological variation (Seeman, 2010), leading us to discover a great diversity of meanings regarding death and dying, spanning across all groups and populations (Charmaz, 1997). â€Å"Cross cultural [variation embodies] not just different opinions or beliefs, but different ways of everyday living and different systems.† (Jecker Carrese Pearlman, 1995, p. 6) At the most basic level we are all â€Å"built† the same. Death is a complicated process that is the result of the breakdown of the body’s systems. We all live, until the chaos in our body, caused by either natural causes or a forced external factor, is too much for all the intricate systems to work together as a coherent whole (Badham, 1996). Despite the advancement of technology and medical progress, there is no stopping everyone eventually facing death. Whilst biologically we are all essentially the same, from a cultural and psychological perspective, we all behave very differently. This can be seen by considering the bond between a parent and a child, which is said to be the most significant, powerful and enduring human relationship (Parkes Laungani Young, 2003,). Thus, the death of a child is acknowledged as the worst possible event, one that gives the deepest emotional impact. In this tragic event, we can see marked behavioural differences across and within cultures and so it is a good example to use to examine the differences in human behaviour in the face of death. Nations, as well as individuals, all live with very distinctive ideas and beliefs around how to deal with death (Charmaz, 1997). Most cultures are similar in that they attribute unique significance to a child’s death. Biologically many aspects of a parent-child relationship are pre-programmed from conception however, each of these characteristics are developed within a specific family, social and cultural context (Parkes Laungani Young, 2003,). These wider influences are what greatly shape the meaning and experience of the relationship for both parent and child and thus influence the meaning of death. This makes the emotional impact of parental bereavement unique. For example, in Western Societies, parents are expected to grieve in private and return to normal activities soon after the child’s death, where as in Egypt, a mother may be withdrawn and mute up to seven years after the child’s death and this is considered normal. A Balinese mother would be considere d normal if she remained cheerful and calm after her child’s death, as her culture believes that emotional upset makes one vulnerable to illness (Parkes Laungani Young, 2003,). â€Å"Grieving and death rituals vary across cultures and are often heavily influenced by religion† (Lobar Youngblut Brooten 2006, p. 45). For example whilst the traditional burial is common around the world, the rituals that are associated with it vary. In areas influenced by Islamic and Jewish faiths, the corpse is washed and dressed in a shroud and placed in a simple wooden coffin (in areas where coffins are used). In China, where Confucian beliefs dominate, thick wooden coffins packed with clothing and shrouds are used to delay decay and in Christian-dominated regions, bodies are dressed in normal clothing and placed in a coffin made of either chipboard, wood or metal. (Canning Szmigin 2010) The combination of both structural (cultural) and individual factors that impacts the experience of death is dynamic. (Howarth, 2007) Not every member of a particular ethnic group will share the same beliefs and values and other aspects such as social status, economic position, gender, sexuality, age will also have an impact on experiences and beliefs which when combined give meaning to the experiences of death and dying (Howarth, 2007). For example, the prevalence of child mortality also influences the experience of death. In developed countries, where changes to nutrition and sanitation and the evolution of medicine have made childhood mortality rare, a death of a child is more likely to be perceived as tragic. Whereas in developing countries, where the death of a child occurs much more often and thus is considered inevitable, mourning may only last a few days (Parkes Laungani Young, 2003,). Each person has their own beliefs about death, which are generated through experiences at a social, cultural and individual level. Universally, there is a level of respect shown for the dead and there are different â€Å"accepted† practices depending on the age, gender, social status and cause of death of the individual. (Bradbury, 1999) However, all of the beliefs around death are determined by the way the individual lives, which is why there is such diversity with regards to the biological condition that is an inevitable human fact. Just in this discussion of how different people across different groups and populations approach death and dying, a lack of conformity with the statement â€Å"Human Behaviour is essentially the same across groups and populations,† has been shown. Parallels can be drawn between people, but vast differences can also be highlighted. (Seeman, 2010) We begin and we end in much the same way, but the way we live our lives is remarkably different . Much can be learned about the breadth of human variation by examining the way we approach death and dying: â€Å"Our ways of dying are our ways of living. Or should I say our ways of living are our ways of dying?† -Toloki the Professional Mourner (Seeman, 2010, p. 1) References Badham, P. Ballard, P. (1996) Facing Death- An Interdisciplinary Approach. Cardiff, University of Wales Press. Bradbury, M. (1999) Representations of Death- A Social Psychological Perspective. New York, Routledge. Canning, L. Szmigin, I. 2010, ‘Death and disposal: The universal, environmental dilemma,’ Journal of Marketing Management, vol. 26, viewed 28 August 2014, (electronic Scopus). Charmaz, K. Howarth, G. Kellehear, A. 1997, The Unknown Country: Death in Australia, Britain and the USA. Great Britain, Macmillan Press Ltd. Curran, C. 1975, ‘Death and Dying’, Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 14, viewed 28 August 2014, (electronic Scopus). Howarth, G. 2007, Death and Dying- A Sociological Introduction. Cambridge, Polity Press. Jecker, N. Carrese, J. Pearlman, R. 1995, ‘Caring for Patients in Cross-Cultural Settings’, The Hastings Center Report, vol. 25, p.6, viewed 28 August 2014, (electronic Scopus). Lobar, S. Youngblut, J. Brooten, D. 2006, ‘Cross-cultural beliefs, ceremonies, and rituals surrounding death of a loved one,’ Peadiatric Nursin, vol. 32, p. 44, viewed 28 August 2014, (electronic Scopus). Parkes, C. Laungani, P. Young, W. 2003, Death and Bereavement Across Cultures. Routledge. Seeman, E. (2010) Death in the New World- Cross Cultural Encounters. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press.

Explain the way in which Duffy presents the strengths and limitations E

Explain the way in which Duffy presents the strengths and limitations of language in two poems. When drawing from both 'Warming Her Pearls' and 'Selling Manhattan' , it is evident that Carol Anne Duffy maintains a certain avant-garde approach to the vast array of possibilities that language presents. She acutely exposes the ambiguity that language holds in its meanings, presenting the reader with endless connotations to consider. Duffy also draws attention to its inability to fully express the extent of human emotions. Both of the above stated poems focus on societal and cultural stratification, with Duffy's use of language carefully designed to emphasise the distance between different social groups. 'Selling Manhattan' being a dramatic monologue, articulates the thoughts of the Dutch settler, Peter Minuit, who is reputed to have bought Manhattan from the North American Indians, for twenty-four dollars worth of glass beads, in 1626. A strong division and contrast exists when this is compared to the feelings of an indigenous North American Indian. Duffy uses language to demonstrate this contrast. In Minuit's glee, he states 'I got myself a bargain'. This heavily exhibits his rapacious attitude and his inability to consider the cost to others that his actions create. The value that he places on money is also shown. This is a key theme to the entire section, also entitled 'Selling Manhattan', with Duffy fiercely criticising the capitalist attitude to economics. Duffy's use of language with the words 'I ' and 'myself' in Minuit's stanza draws attention to just how self absorbed the Dutchman really is. When the reader is first introduced to the Indian a comparison is automatically made. The first line i... ...uses on intimate detail. It could also however be interpreted as being the result of an obscene and abnormal obsession. When considering that this poem is not based upon a modern society, holding modern values that are now far more accepting towards homosexuality, the ambiguity in the depth of this line creates a hindrance to any sympathy that a reader may feel. A reader may take on a similar attitude to that which is evident in the society that 'Warming Her Pearls' describes, perceiving an iniquitous abnormality. Additionally, as this possibility exists that her seeming love is in fact an obsession, the reader has no choice but to question their belief in her affections. The influence and energy of this poem is therefore abridged by this ambiguity, due to the lack of absolute meaning in language, as illustrated by the French philosopher, Jacques Derrida.

Susan Hill Exploits the Form of the Novel in ‘Strange Meeting’ to Present a More Moving Ad Sensitive Depiction of the Corruption of Youth Than R.C. Sheriff’s Portrayal of This Within His Dramatic Text ‘Journey’s End’.

Susan Hill exploits the form of the novel in ‘Strange Meeting’ to present a more moving ad sensitive depiction of the corruption of youth than R. C. Sheriff’s portrayal of this within his dramatic text ‘Journey’s End’. How far do you agree? Strange Meeting is a novel that was first published by Susan Hill in 1971. The text powerfully depicts the emotional effect that a life in the First World War could have on youth. Strange Meeting tells the tale of two young soldiers placed in an environment that breaks people.Hilliard is a young man who in the back story has already experienced the horrors of war; this experience has left him to be out of place in a civilian life. Susan Hill tells us of a relationship that Hilliard and his sister used to share with one another, a relationship of which meant they could rely on one another for anything. However, after being exposed to the war, the effects it can have on a person show through. He no longer feel s that he can relate to her, and she sees only a different man when she looks at him now. Raleigh also the perilous effects that the war can have on a, the main character in R. C.Sherriff’s text ‘Journey’s End’. In this text Raleigh sees a man whom he once looked up to, Stanhope, having been destroyed and turned into a drunk. This reaction to the stress of war was a common one that many men turned to in order to cope with the war- we know that in the war many of the men were young men, and this was the only way they knew would help them to fight the loss of the people they may have lived with all of their lives. Almost all of the young men serving in the war suffered mental scars, and those who survived the war would almost never wholly recover from them. This shows exactly just how devastating the front lines were.Especially for those who were in the start of their lives, to see someone they knew come to the end of theirs so suddenly so young and in such horrific ways. We know that this was not a rare situation for people to be in; this was in fact happening on a mass scale to millions of people at a time. This shows just how insignificant the loss of life was in this time. The officers in both texts depict strong examples of the corruption of youth; however, it is hard to say which one, if any does so in a better way. An argument could be used to say that Sheriff produces a better example of how ast these effects can happen, and he does so in a very strong dramatic way. However, at the same time Susan Hill depicts the effects over a long duration of time, this is shown in a very good way at the start of the novel, when she introduces Hilliard, and says ‘He was afraid to go to sleep. For three weeks, he had been afraid of going to sleep’ this was shows how even after the war, or when a soldier left the war they were still being affected by it. This adds to the knowledge that these corruptions are not something that you can escape once they have taken effect.Both texts show great examples of how they did not just effect the soldier himself; they in fact affected every one they came into contact with especially the soldiers they would be working with and living with as relationships swayed from hatred to that of a family member time-and-time again. More so it affected the families of the solders, as the corruption of youth, caused many families to lose the younger members of their family not always to the war its self but often to the emotional changes that the young men would go through.A perfect example of this is in Susan Hill’s novel when we witness the destruction of a once great bond between Hilliard and his sister, all due to him wanting to block people out of his life in order to reduce the amount of loss he would face emotionally. Sheriff uses a lot of direct dialogue in order to allow the reader to feel the ups and downs that his characters were going through at the time, as well as showing how fast things could change. This meant that the audience was able to experience first-hand what was going through the mind of a soldier faced with the events that happened.Susan Hill however, shows a more in depth look at the emotions and feelings of the men at war. In doing so the reader is able to build up a stronger relation to the characters than in Sheriff’s text, as we go through month after month of what the men are going through, seeing every change they experience and every relationship that builds and falls. Doing this allows us to see and witness the changes that the characters experience and go through, it is because of this that we are able to see the dramatic change in the relationship between Hilliard and his family in ‘Strange Meeting’ by introducing the characters to us the reader like this he allows us to become more attached to individual characters and the characters on a whole, a lot more than we are able to with ‘Journeyâ₠¬â„¢s End’. In addition to this, Hill is able to exploit the fact that she is using a novel, over a dramatic text in order to set up an understanding of the character and to produce character backgrounds, in doing this she is adding more purpose and meaning to the characters and the story on a whole. This helps to portray the effects that could be inflicted upon people, by showing us how people are before, during and after the war environment.One of the main examples of the corruption of youth is the way in which the older characters react when they meet the younger newer officers serving alongside them. In ‘Journey’s End’ this is shown by the way in which Stanhope reacts to Raleigh’s arrival and presence in the trenches with him, and in ‘Strange Meeting’ it is depicted to us through Hilliard’s first impressions towards Barton. In the case of Stanhope, he meets a one former friend from school, whom he shared many experiences and who idolised him.Seeing Raleigh causes Stanhope to realise just how much the war has changed and taken away from him, as well as the intense levels on which it has corrupted his youth. This is a great example as to just how drastic some of these corruptions could be. This being, as it shows two young men separated by only a few years of age, who at the same time are worlds apart in how they look at life. Raleigh who has a strong idealistic view of the world and Stanhope who has aged greatly passed what he should be and appears infinitely older than Raleigh, and has even descended to state which all he can do to get him through the days is drink.This is very similar to that of Hilliard and Barton. Barton is new to the war and has yet to experience the terrors or feel the effects of the war on him; he is a younger man who is untouched by the effects of the war. Whereas Hilliard has been exposed for what to him seems like his entire life, he is no longer capable of living out a civilia n life. This has hit him so hard that at the start of the novel, even having been injured and relieved of duty, he wishes for nothing less than to return to the war as he doesn’t know how to live any life without war as its focal point.So when he meets Barton a young man who is the complete opposite to what he has become- untouched, unaffected by the war and what it can do to a person. However, all he wants is his life to be more like Hilliard. He does not realise that Hilliard does not like his life at all. Hill uses the fact that a large amount of the soldiers were uneducated or poorly educated to show Hilliard as a man who takes charge and places a great level of personal responsibility over the younger, more naive men, in this case Barton. he felt suddenly ready to defend Barton, as he might defend a younger boy at school who had blurted out something because he did not yet know the form’ this is a simile used by Hill to show just how protective and responsible he has become over the younger boy. In giving us a deeper and closer insight into his life, Hill, has been able to exploit this and show us the change that is occurring within him from the cold, emotionless person to someone who is beginning to care about this young boy.The meeting of these two pairs and the forming of these relationships are focal points in both texts that lay down the foundations in the texts. However, the way in which the authors have chosen to depict these relationships varies in both. Susan Hill chooses to show us the bonds that grow and strengthen over time. However, in the dramatic text that Sheriff is showing us, we see just how quickly relationships can be formed in conditions such as the ones these men are facing.This text by Sheriff also shows us how quickly a previously formed relationship can be changed, this is shown when Raleigh meets for the first time since school, his old role model Stanhope. A man who was once everything Raleigh aspired to be, but no w is nothing more than a drunk. This meeting allows Stanhope to realise suddenly to just how great an extent his own youth has been corrupted, and almost destroyed. When Raleigh firs arrives her greats Stanhope, and he replies, Stanhope (In a low voice): How did you – get here?From the patterns in Stanhope’s voice in this quotation, it suggests someone who is hesitant about the situation at hand. And to further this idea, the use of the hyphen this suggests a pause in what he is saying. This expresses his shock, and tension at the arrival of Raleigh which is rendering him almost speechless. Strange Meetings shows an impressive example of the corruption of youth within the war. This is when Raleigh has just finished his first mission as an officer in the trenches.Osborne has just died, and to him he has just lost one of his closest friends and one of the people who he trusted his life with. As a young man who has never, and should have never, had to experience the death of one of his closest friends happening he is destroyed by this and we see a great change in him at this point in Sheriffs play as he goes from an enthusiastic young man who was proud to be a part in supporting his country at war, to a one who has under gone a sudden realisation as to just how futile his role and that of everyone around him is.And he feels as though he is the only one that feels this way and that no one else realises this. This is an argument that takes place between Raleigh and Stanhope, after their meal following the mission. Raleigh: And yet you can sit there and drink champagne- and smoke cigars- Stanhope:the one man I could trust – my best friend – the man I could talk to man to man – who understood everything – and you think I don’t care-This laid back approach to one of their own men and closest friends dying, allows Raleigh to realise that he is not the only one who feels this way and that in fact there are other people fa cing much worse situations like Stanhope, who has lost his best friend and a man who was like a brother to him. And he discovers that these men have themselves realised the loss of their youth and how it has been torn away from them and replaced with this life, filled with nothing but pain and suffering. The only way they know to cover these feelings is to drink it all away.In conclusion, I feel each text brings its own points in expressing and depicting the corruption and deconstruction of youth in the war. Sheriff gives us a closer view into events and characters, as well as a level of intimacy that Hill’s text lacks. He gives us a sharper look and insight into these emotions that were being experienced and shared by the character, including the suffering and death. And due to this way that he has chosen to express these emotions sheriff is able to show an emotional impact that Susan Hill is just not able to achieve in the depiction of this deeply tragic and emotional theme . Word count: 2,241

Influence Of Martin Luther King Jr On Americans - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1060 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/10/30 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: I Have a Dream Essay Martin Luther King Essay Did you like this example? Martin Luther King Jrs speech I Have A Dream was performed in 1963 at the march on Washington. In this speech Dr. King would take advantage of pathos. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Influence Of Martin Luther King Jr On Americans" essay for you Create order He shows that through the power in his rhetoric he can make a difference. King uses many metaphors as a vehicle to deliver an appeal to the emotions of the audience. His demonstration of pathos helps the audience better embrace the concepts and the purpose of the speech. It also amplifies the struggles of black Americans and he uses this to show the pain of his people because he wants a change to made. Dr. King uses repetition, urgency, and inclusiveness to get his message across. Kings speech was all for using metaphors in order to appeal to the audiences emotions. He was talking about the Emancipation Proclamation and said This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. He is very descriptive and gives a profound voice to those that dont have one. With these somber words he can pull the audience in his favor. His words touch you within and bring an energy for change. He wants everyone to be on board with him, but his target audience is black people. Those that feel the same pains and struggles he does because he knows that deep down each and everyone of them had a dream like his, but not everyone can speak it into existence. That is what made him such a good speaker. His rhetoric, influence, and relatability was truly a   treasure for America. Dr. King uses repetition in this speech to further drive the point home. He did this to put a sense of urgency into his audience so that they would act now instead of later. He says things such as I have a dream today and Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. King is calling for action for men and women to express their freedom of speech. In his speech he says now a lot to signify that he wants things changed immediately. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves, King says the life of the negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.   His speech provides a plethora of metaphors of racism, segregation, injustice and more. All of these constant metaphors are to hammer in the message of his speech. He knew that this would make the audience sad, but it would also make them determined. Determined to put a stop to the injustices that Dr. King procl aims. He also provided the subject of inclusiveness in his speech. Although his target audience was black people he did not want that to discourage anybody from joining his cause. He wants members of all peoples from all nations to walk hand in hand in harmony. Maybe the most famous line from Kings speech was I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. This resonated with the crowd as it was a sentiment shared among them. He calls for America to live up to the creed We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal. He wants racial harmony and justice. He wants a world where no one is excluded because of their appearance. He really appeals to pathos throughout the entire speech looking back at atrocities and remembering the struggles of their ancestors. It is through this rhetoric that he continuously calls for a change to be made as soon as pos sible. Its worth noting that his target audience is the audience he best appeals too. He relates to black people because they can put themselves in his shoes. When he references oppression and segregation they are the ones who truly understand the harsh realities of being black in America. From this he can guarantee himself an audience of black people. King was also very spiritual in his speech. He was a pastor for Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church from 1954 to 1960 and this showed in his speech. King says the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This gives king the chance to target a more religious audience. People who are religious dont judge based upon color and are more likely to accept Kings message. King finds a way to talk about all of the pain and sorrows, but still lead the audience to believe there is hope and freedom is near. Through god King can get his message of equality to nearly every American. This is why his rhetoric was so effective. He shows that even through harsh struggles the glory of god will always prevail. He says With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. King is willing to make sacrifices for his cause and he wants everyone to come together. He shows complete dedication to his cause and leads by example. This makes the audience more likely to believe Dr. King and his ideas. He is most interested in appealing to this type of audience because they are the ones who are going to stand up to racial injustice they will be the ones who fight for equality. If King didnt rally around these people they wouldnt have the courage or bravery to stand with the minority. With this speech Dr. King was able to influence millions of Americans through the power of his rhetoric. On that day in 1963 Kings speech would go down in history as one of the most important moments of the civil rights movement. Kings speech had such an impact that it is still making changes to this day. People find their voice through Kings speech to speak out against equality. King along with the touching words in his speech will never be forgotten because of the impact that they had on America and its peoples.