The Rio de Janeiro Experience Essay Example for Free

The Rio de Janeiro Experience Essay Life is full of contradictions. The aforementioned adage exemplifies the main message of the narrative that talks about the experience of Isabel Jones in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As mentioned by Barthes, narrative plays an important role in the lives of people and also the society as a whole because it provides the necessary story and information about the various beliefs, values, experiences, and other important parts of an individual’s life. In the same manner, the narrative about the experience of one person in Rio de Janeiro does not only expresses a part of that person’s life but rather it also talks about important issues about the country of Brazil and its relevance in to the society. Being the case, it is essential that the narrative is critically analyzed in order to see whether life is indeed full of contradictions as seen in the eyes of an individual who actually experienced and realized such kind of reality. The first part of the narrative talks about the process by which the Isabel Jones has to live her country, the United States of America and travel far into a foreign land. The moment where Isabel left the Los Angeles and eventually her country, symbolizes the process of parting not only in terms of territorial boundaries but also when it comes to the comfort zone of the person. Living her country of origin starts her journey of experiencing new things that she is not used to. In addition, the transition of living for a new country is actually a metaphor that symbolizes the departure of Isabel from her usual way of thinking about life and comfortable lifestyle in order to venture into new experiences that will substantially change her perspective about many things, especially life in general. After Isabel’s arrival in Brazil the flow of the narrative is actually divided into two distinct experiences, wherein she came face to face with both the good and bad sides of Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro. The first impression that she had of Rio de Janeiro is the active and happy people that always have smiles in their faces. In relation to this, she also noticed the way by which people of various colors tend to harmoniously co-exist with each other because they each know their limitation. The use of vivid description about the scene that Isabel saw puts her narrative into life, especially with her imagery that is full of color that is also used in making the narrative of Imaginary Homelands more real-life to its readers. The narrative even pointed out the exceptional sceneries of Rio de Janeiro by using irony of comparison, which is exemplified when she described the beach that is made of black and white stones. During this part of the narrative, Isabel’s perception of contradiction or differences are actually in a positive light that added more beauty to the new city that she is in. The frame of mind of Isabel is not explicitly shown in this part of narrative just like Jayne Anne Phillips’ Cheers (1979), the description of Rio de Janeiro’s shows her perspective without directly telling it. When Isabel was already on her way to the Ipanema Lodge, she was already having a preview of the actual irony of the situation in Rio de Janeiro wherein she is both fascinated and confronted by the beautiful sceneries and interesting facts that Lunzinho were describing to her, which gives importance to the history of the country just like the way Isabel Alliende wrote her narrative entitled Unrooted Childhood but she also took notice of the children sleeping in cardboard boxes. This is the first instance that Isabel is hit by the reality that Rio de Janeiro is not all color and fun because there is actually a depressing reality with it and that is poverty. Once Isabel arrived in the Ipanema Lodge she was introduced to her roommate, Christina Lopez. The narrative included the actual conversation between Isabel Jones and Christina Lopez during the first time that they meet each other. It is quite obvious in their exchange of conversation that these women already like each other because there is a certain connection among them that made them feel at ease with each other. The comfortable relationship between Isabel and Christina is brought about by the common interest that they have like teaching children and even when it come to their sense of humor, which is quite observable when they both found the reaction of Lunzinho as funny. The inclusion of conversation in the narrative gives its readers a more vivid impression of the relationship that exists between the two women. The exchange of conversation between two people is one of the most effective way to properly establish the dynamics of the relationship of the main actors who are involved in a narrative, which is also exemplified in the work Martin Amis’ wherein he used the actual conversation of him and his father in order to let the reader see and identify their actual relationship. Isabel spent her following experiences in Rio de Janeiro with the company of Christina. The first things that they did together are enjoy the luxury and amenities of the Ipanema Lodge, especially its beach. Both women were having fun in the Ipanema beach when they met young men who they thought at first will protect them but eventual became the cause of trouble. At first, Isabel and Christina thought the young man was kind enough to offer his assistance to two women by means of making sure that no guys in the beach will take advantage of them. The two women, having good-natured qualities just allow the young man to help them but the young man does not know his limitations and even threaten the NGO representative that was assigned to the two women. In this incident, Isabel saw that her previous notion that people in Rio de Janeiro know their limits, do not apply to all people because there are also those who will break the rules and get themselves hurt just like what happen to the young man. In the behavior of the young man, the concept of psychoanalysis that is given importance in the post-modern theory of narrative is highlighted. Isabel and Christina are not the only people who are puzzled and shaken by the behavior of the young man because the inclusion of this incident in the narrative also makes its readers question psychological well-being of the person as well as the possible reasons that turn him into such kind of person. The most important and life-changing part of Isabel’s travel to Rio de Janeiro is when she experienced going to the favelas or slums in Brazil. Isabel and Christina personally experience the poverty in the country wherein the young children that they have to teach are not given the opportunity to study or even play because most of them have to work at a very young age. Both women saw and feel the depression situation of the people in the favelas with their homes squatted in mountain side and the difficulty of the people to make ends meet for their everyday needs. It is in this situation that the narrative regarding Isabel’s experience in Rio de Janeiro does not only tell about her story but it also narrated the people in the favelas and the situation of Brazil. The experience of Isabel in Rio de Janeiro allowed her to see the contradictions of life that the presence of good and lavish things in life also meant the existence of untoward things like poverty. Isabel’s visit in Rio de Janeiro changed her perspective about being a teacher and also her perspective in life because there is a deeper awareness within herself and also a challenge to contribute something and make a difference as an educator.

The Homeless In England :: essays research papers

The Homeless in England Introduction I decided to study the homeless' situation before we went to England, so I tried to get information about it via the internet, but it was so much information that I soon gave up... When we got to England I thought about changing subject to the pub culture because it seemed easier to write about, but after a few days I had seen so many homeless people that I got used to it and therefor dared to talk to them and ask them questions about their situation and why they where homeless. Many people just walked right by the homeless without even look at them (rather the reverse, look another way), but other people stopped to talk to them and buy their paper. I've used the homeless people as sources and also their paper. When I came home I searched on the internet to get information and there was a lot of it, so I choosed some headings and took a closer look at them. Who's homeless? I thought, before I went to England, that every homeless person was that by his/her own choice, but after talking to them and read about it I know that some of the homeless is that by their own choice. They choose to be homeless for different reasons, like a protest against the society or just to try the homeless life. 25% of the homeless are war veterans and most of them from Vietnam. They are mentally traumatised by their war experiences, some of them are disable and others are just unable to find work so they can pay a rent. 25% of the homeless are children and many of them are alone. They're maybe run- aways who left home because there was no food at home, or because they're victims of rape, incest or violence. Many of them are "throwaways", whose parents tell them to leave home or won't allow them to return home once they've left. Many of the homeless are elderly people with fixed income, and I guess that's not the traditional image of homeless people. They receive about  £450 a month in benefits and if they pay  £350 for rent it's pretty logical that they can't live a decent life. Many elderly people are living in poverty in an apartment with no proper heating, no water etc., and many of the elderly homeless are afraid to go to soup kitchens or shelters, so they aren't seen on the streets. Myths There's a lot of myths going around about the homeless. Very often these myths are told by someone without any or with just a little knowledge about the

Analysis of the Modernist Design Style

Modernism is appear in 20Thursdaycentury. And Modernism is including simple and no ornament design manner. Although this manner was appear early 20Thursdaycentury and have different interior decorators or designer have many spread. But still hold excessively small modern architecture physique in early 20Thursdaycentury. After World War II, they become many company and bureau. And do this manner be the top. Here have some designer is more celebrated. Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the celebrated designer in early 20Thursdaycentury. He is a American Institute of Architects, interior interior decorator, Writer and Educators. His design undertaking is over 1000 and complete about five 100s. And he believes that design should accomplish harmoniousness between worlds and the environment. And it become Organic architecture. For illustration, Fallingwater is the celebrated on the universe. This design can turn out his thought. Besides this design is one of the best designer on the American. More than 70 old ages of his calling at Architects. He design different architecture. It including Office, Church, Skyscrapers, Hotel and Museum. Besides he design some furniture and stained glass. In his life he write over 20 book and article. And he is the celebrated talkers. In 1991, American Institute of Architects name Wright â€Å"The best Architect† . He designed different architecture. And his design was celebrated. For illustration, Robie House, Imerial Hotel, Fallingwater, Taliesin West, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Price Tower and Jonson Wax Headquarters. Besides his thought was affected many interior decorator. Person said how Wright work alteration American architecture, but person said â€Å"How did n't Frank Lloyd Wright alteration architecture in America I think is truly the manner to state it because it is difficult to conceive of what American architecture would be like or even likely universe architecture without Frank Lloyd Wright. About the Organic architecture, he has a celebrated plant. It called Fallingwater. Fallingwater physique in 1934-1937. In 1991, members of the American institute of Architects named the house the â€Å" best all-time work of American architecture† and in 2007, it was ranked 29th on the list of Amercian’s Favorite Architecture harmonizing to the AIA. About the design, the form of the edifice expression natural, insouciant, stretch. Besides The chief room of the edifice with an out-of-door patio, platforms and roads, intertwined, besides obtained with the environing natural landscape with the consequence of merger. About the stuff, White concrete and rock Lashkar-e-Taiba this design expression merge in the environment. And this design is really particular. Because the platform is above the waterfall, this design in that clip is intensely. And this design was influence many designer. Besides it cause the new design manner. About the Taliesin West design, he thinks it has b een linked with the desert. So he utilize local rock and concrete. Besides the natural lighting is the chief function. Because he believes the natural lighting can allow inside the edifice connect to the exterior. His thought has affected some designer. For illustration Neville Gruzman, Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, Alvar Aalto, Nari Gandhi and Bruce Goff. All of them have build Organic architecture. Such as Neville Gruzman. Hills House and Gruzman House is the celebrated organic architecture. Besides Hills House is the work is thought of as a two 20Thursdaycentury houses: â€Å"Fallingwater† and â€Å"Farnsworth House† . And Gruzman House is use stuffs such as dark stained lumbers and natural brick. His designer is conform Wright method. About Bruce Goff, he said that his hero is Wright and Sullivan. Then he started to reach the original design. Bavinger House is important illustration of organic architecture. The house has no interior wall ; alternatively there are a series of platforms at different tallness, with drapes that can be drawn for privateness. The design usage many natural dark, make the inside country connect to the exterior. Kendrick Bangs Kellogg is an pioneer of organic architecture. In 1955, he met Wright and the brief meeting provided an inspiration. His design is non fit neatly into the same with Wright, Bruce Goff or other organic designers. His edifice are surveies of superimposed, segmented and unfolding infinite. And he design Onion house. It is a landmark of organic architecture. The design usage employs semitransparent curving roof panels. Since with no outside walls, the division between interior and exterior consists of screen or stained glass. But person possibly doesn’t cognize what organic designer is. So Wright explains that, it is term meant from nature, organic architecture was so a natural architecture. And now we eventually understand what organic designer is. And he believe good edifice is non one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the edifice was built. So he wants clean lines and simpleness. And disliked intricate item and irritability of the architectural manners. In add-on to organic designer, Wright steel has affected other designer. For illustration John S. Van Bergen. And his manner is Prairie manner places. About the Prairie manner. In 1909, Wright developed what known as the Prairie Style. Typical Prairie manner place is distinguished by horizontal lines on the outside, emphasized by a low-pitched hipped roof. But Wright use different colour, and allow the ceiling highs and hallway breadths to alternately compress and spread out the sense of infinite. His design went beyond the edifice to the finest inside informations of the interior infinite, include furniture, art glass and other interior design. And the celebrated prairie manner designer is Robie House. It was designed in 1908. Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs of place and edifice have inspired coevalss of designers, including most of what is called â€Å"modern architecture.† His influence is international—many other states have considered Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs as a major templet of their modern-day manners. More than 30 provinces in the United States possess Frank Lloyd Wright constructions and most architectural critics agree with that every province in the state has edifices that reflect Wright’s manner. Presents, when human want to develop something else, and they will destruct the natural. So they must retrieve that Wright has said the human existences and nature can conexist. And it is of import, even he is gone, but his architectural theory still affected other interior decorator. But person think he was chesty adult male. Because he want to allow his ain considerable on his clients. For illustration, Fallingwater. The design is particular and advanced. But despite there may be dangers he still carry out his out his design. I think his behaviour is right. Because if one’s creativeness is easy affected by the others, so that one is non a qualified interior decorator. Plagiarism:24 % hypertext transfer protocol: //encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6404/Wright-Frank-Lloyd.html hypertext transfer protocol: //freshome.com/2012/09/03/10-great-architectural-lessons-from-frank-lloyd-wright/ hypertext transfer protocol: //translate.google.com.hk/translate? hl=zh-TW & A ; sl=en & A ; u=http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright & A ; prev=/search % 3Fq % 3Dfrank % 2Blloyd % 2Bwright % 2Binfluences % 2Bon % 2Barchitecture % 26sa % 3DN % 26biw % 3D1367 % 26bih % 3D840 hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Goff hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Gruzman hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendrick_Bangs_Kellogg hypertext transfer protocol: //www.distinctbuild.ca/neville_gruzman_architect.php

Understanding Islams Stance on Alcohol

Alcohol and other intoxicants are forbidden in the Quran, as they are a bad habit that drives people away from the remembrance of God. Several different verses address the issue, revealed at different  times over a period of years. A complete ban on alcohol is widely accepted among Muslims as part of wider Islamic dietary law. Gradual Approach The Quran did not ban alcohol from the beginning. This is considered to be a wise approach by Muslims, who believe that Allah did so in His wisdom and knowledge of human nature—quitting cold turkey would be difficult as it was so ingrained in society at the time. The first verse of the Quran  on the topic forbade Muslims from attending prayers while intoxicated (4:43). Interestingly, a verse revealed thereafter acknowledged that alcohol contains some good and some evil, but the evil is greater than the good (2:219). Thus, the Quran took several initial steps toward steering people away from the consumption of alcohol. The final verse took an unequivocal tone, forbidding it outright. Intoxicants and games of chance were called abominations of Satans handiwork, intended to turn people away from God and forget about prayer. Muslims were ordered to abstain (5:90–91) (Note: The Quran is not arranged chronologically, so the verse numbers are not in order of revelation. Later verses were not necessarily revealed after earlier verses). Intoxicants In the first verse cited above, the word for intoxicated is sukara which is derived from the word sugar and means drunk or intoxicated. That verse doesnt mention the drink which makes one so. In the next verses cited, the word which is often translated as wine or intoxicants is al-khamr, which is related to the verb to ferment. This word could be used to describe other intoxicants such as beer, although wine is the most common understanding of the word. Muslims interpret these verses together to forbid any intoxicating substance—whether it be wine, beer, gin, whiskey, etc. The result is the same, and the Quran outlines that it is the intoxication, which makes one forgetful of God and prayer, that is harmful. Over the years, the understanding of intoxicating substances has come to include more modern street drugs and the like. The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his followers at the time to avoid any intoxicating substances—(paraphrased) if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount. For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking. Buying, Serving, Selling, and More The Prophet Muhammad also warned his followers that participating in the alcohol trade is  forbidden, cursing 10 people: ...the wine-presser, the one who has it pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who conveys it, the one to whom it is conveyed, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from the price paid for it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. For this reason, many Muslims will decline to work in positions where they must serve or sell alcohol. Sources and Further Reading Kamarulzaman, A., and S. M. Saifuddeen. Islam and Harm Reduction. International Journal of Drug Policy 21.2 (2010): 115–18.Lambert, Nathaniel M. et al. Invocations and intoxication: Does prayer decrease alcohol consumption? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 24.2 (2010): 209–19.Michalak, Laurence, and Karen Trocki. Alcohol and Islam: An Overview. Contemporary Drug Problems 33.4 (2006): 523–62.Why is it forbidden to drink alcohol? Islam Question Answer, October 21, 2010.