...In Paradise of the Blind Duong Thu Huong Has created a touching portrayal of three women fighting to maintain their dignity in a society that expects them to make sacrifices and be subservient to men .Paradise of the Blind is beautiful journey through a Vietnam landscape and culture. Duong Thu Huong impresses and captivates the reader with her ability to evoke the colours, the foods, the smells, and the age-old rituals of her country. The novel’s plot revolves around Hang, a young woman forced to grow up too fast in the slums of Hanoi and the turbulence of modern Vietnam. Duong Thu Huong brilliantly captures Hang's rebellious attitude towards her mother and the despair and loneliness of her search for self identity. On the other hand Hang’s mother is seen watching powerless, as her life is shattered by a fanatical political campaign led by her own brother. And there is the mysterious Aunt Tam, who is wealthy and bitter in equal parts and seeks to pass on both to her niece, Hang. Throughout the text we find symbolism of food. A symbol is an object, image, or action that is conventionally understood to represent something else. Food is particularly powerful as a symbol because it is associated to everyday life. Food fulfils physical as well as emotional and psychological needs; it may be intentionally utilized as a symbol in Paradise of the Blind. Since food engages all the senses, it tends to evoke strong sensory and emotive as well as cognitive associations. This range of association...
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...In today’s interactive oral, our discussion on the cultural and contextual aspects of Duong Thu Huong’s Paradise of the Blind developed my personal understanding of the imagery and subtle connotations of Vietnamese culture found in the novel. One of the repetitive cultural themes present is food. Time and place contextualizes the value of food. During this time Vietnam was adapting a communist regime therefore food was rationed and scarce which significantly advanced the worth of food. Hence for Aunt Chinh and her two son’s food represents luxury while for those who heavily oppose communism do not value food as portrayed in several instances where Aunt Tam does not devour, let alone eat food. The discussion took a new direction when one...
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...Historical books often criticize a society’s zeitgeist to display the harmful impacts they may have on one’s identity. This is true of Paradise of the Blind (Paradise) by Duong Thu Huong and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (Fan) by Lisa See, which explore the demeaning impact of their respective societies’ standards upon love in female relationships and gender subjugation. See examines the impact upon women in a 19th century Chinese perspective, whereas Huong delves into a 20th century Vietnamese. The historical settings coerce women to experience interpersonal relationships without consent, due to the emphasis placed on Confucian ideals. Moreover, these ideals harm the protagonists as they suffer through common gender disparity. Hence, both...
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...Descriptive Writing The fiery ball blinds you as it floods the beach with its rays, making the shady beach of Barry Island seem like paradise, heat comparable to the Sahara desert. A child desperately tries to prevent his ice cream from a sand encrusted death as it plummets to the floor, debating whether or not he wants a vanilla and sand flavour ice cream, his face puzzled as he decides on retrieval, he would soon be distracted by the horde of people rapidly rushing to the depths of the sea. The sea sits calm and patient, almost inviting to the untrained eye. From afar the sea seems crystal-like projecting as it does a near perfect mirror image as if the sky and sea are at one. The closer you get to the sea you soon start to see its cracks as if it was a porcelain doll, beautiful and almost elegant from a distance. It's too late to turn back now the seas illusion has set in, the soggy sand has captured your footprint. Suddenly the sea shows its true colours a horrible musk of black filth, home to all types of disgusting bacteria waiting to pounce on the weak immune system. The stench of chip fat rules the air like a corrupt king slaying the sense of smell. Enticing the beach goers into a calorific snack, washed down by the warmth of a flat lifeless beer, where the rules of 'best served chilled' have been extremely violated. Seagulls circle the area ready to raid the sand for the food the sea has not yet claimed, Vermin of the air are hunting their prey. ...
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...Irresponsible is a word that fast food companies are no stranger to and is defined as the lack of accountability of a person or thing, for something that’s within their power, control, or management. I believe that fast food’s irresponsible and negligent behavior has damaged and impacted our society. A. It has become extremely evident that the fast food industry serves a major role in destroying our environment. 1. Fast food has contributed to the significant growth in food wastage and is the second largest contributor of discarded waste. The amount of food waste generated in the last 25 years has skyrocketed by 1.2 million tons, greatly due to fast food’s increasing expansion and popularity. 2. It also drives the industries that strip our land of its natural resources, such as grain, cattle processing and transportation. 3. Every second, MacDonald’s sells 75 hamburgers and producing a cheeseburger involves the emission of about 3kg of carbon dioxide. Data shows that McDonald's contributed 1,882 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year. 4. MacDonald’s uses beef from 350,000 cattle a year and a cow will produce 220 kg of methane gas in its lifetime, however, methane gas warms the world 20 times faster than carbon dioxide. 5. Greenpeace claims that tests done on KFC’s pulp-based products like napkins and French fries holders, found fibers of tropical hardwood trees, specific to Indonesia’s forests that are home to many endangered species...
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...Bone craved to see the Northern Lights. His father had seen it, once upon a winter’s night, and he told Bone what he could to little Bone as his hunting boots thawed on the candle rack. The end of father’s tales had not sated him. When he recounted his wish to the other boys, they laughed at him: “Blind Bone, how will you see the Light?” The boys had beaten him regularly. After they’d left, Bone would get up and weep, but he never held grudges. All he prayed for night after night was a glimpse of the Lights, but even this, could not be granted. One night, while he was sleeping, a strange creature budged into his tent. It sniffed him, and chewed at his box. Bone gave his food to the creature. It ate liberally, and rested in his bed afterwards. Near daybreak it left, giving Bone a kiss on his eyes. The next night it came again, as if it were a friend, leaving with a kiss. Others warned him, “You sleep with a monster.” However the next night came, and Bone kept it still....
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...in my mind. Then by using memory, symbol, and pattern, I’ll try to sort everything out to make it clearer for my understanding. Chapter 1 – Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It’s Not) * List the five aspects of the QUEST and then apply them to something you have read (or viewed) in the form used on pages 3-5. * The quest has five aspects, which includes: (a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route, and (e) a real reason to go there. I believe that almost every literary work consists of a quest, but some are more obvious than others. An example of a quest would be from my all time favorite Disney movie, “Up”. * (a) A quester: Carl Frederickson (b) A place to go: Paradise Falls (c) A stated reason to go there: When Carl and his wife were younger;...
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...Paper Number 4: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Forbidden knowledge From the beginning of humanity, a thirst for knowledge was born within the human soul. This thirst made it essential for the human mind to seek knowledge constantly and discover new things. We want to know everything. And it has been a great journey for mankind in the field of technology and science; the achievements that humanity has managed to accomplish in the different fields of knowledge are outstanding. Over the past few centuries, the intellectuals of society have made countless advances in science and the development of technology, which, to different degrees, have all benefited mankind. Our thirst for knowledge is what has kept and still keeps us moving forward, and it is what separates us from our ancestors and makes the present life different than the ancient one; without it we wouldn’t have the full-of-technology, modern life we have today. Every scientific discovery is the result of man’s hunger for and dedication to acquiring knowledge, information, and power. However, the innate curiosity and desire for understanding in an individual can grow so immense that his or her moral and ethical boundaries erode, which might result in tragic and disastrous results for all who are involved. Despite that there is a huge number of fields in which humans can seek knowledge, forbidden knowledge have always been attractive for some. The secrets of life and death stand as the most tempting, and in Frankenstein...
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...In Paradise of the Blind, Duong explores the effect of individual values, and their role in the creation of identity. In post-war Vietnam, two set of values are at odds; communistic values are in direct competition with traditional values. One set of collective values, and one set of individual values. Across a single family, these values can be observed, along with their effects on its members. Through the actions and interactions of her characters, Duong demonstrates that individual values are an important part of one’s identity. Aunt Chinh and her family hold communist values, and these values detract from their identities. Communism, by its very definition, encourages sameness, and a lack of individuality. Citizens ruled by communism have less identity because they are all expected to be the same. They receive the same treatment, the same resources, and are expected to not to be different from each other. When Que walks the streets of Residence K with Aunt Chinh, Aunt Chinh does not want to be seen...
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...monster” (Shelley). Frankenstein runs from his creation with fear and dread while his monster looks on with innocent curiosity. In this way a twisted version of the original creation story is manifested; and from the first moment of his life the monster is subjected to rejection by his own creator. Despite being left alone with no one to care for him, the monster originally feels no hatred or malice towards anyone or anything. His mind and body are similar to an infant’s in their struggle to adapt to the new life they have so recently been infused with, and overcome by thirst, hunger, and his newfound senses the monster naively explores the world around him. He slowly yet steadily begins to understand the basics of life such as how to obtain food, water, and warmth from the enchanting “live embers” he discovers (Shelley). In addition to this he is curious who the humans around him are and how he could perhaps interact with them. His attempts to draw closer to these beings are not only unfruitful, but cruel and discouraging in many cases. The first man the monster encounters “shrieke[s] loudly, and quitting the hut, r[uns] across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable” merely from the sight of the monster(Shelley). Later he attempts to meet more people by exploring a village; during this short encounter “the children shriek, and one of the women faint[s]. The whole village [is roused]; some fle[e] [and] some attack” him (Shelley). After these...
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...Paradise Lost By John Milton The Book note Table of Contents Introduction Cast of Characters Plot Summary An Analysis of Major Characters Satan Adam Eve Chapter Summary and Analysis Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 and 6 Book 7 Book 8 and 9 Book 10 Book 11 and 12 Symbols and Themes Quotes The Quiz Introduction John Milton was born in London on December 9, 1608. He was the son of a successful Protestant merchant, and was provided with an excellent education that included the opportunity to travel widely throughout Europe. He was fluent in a number of classical as well as modern languages, including Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Aramaic, Spanish, Italian, French and Dutch. In 1625, he began his attendance at Cambridge University with the intention of becoming a clergyman in the Church of England, but was disillusioned by what he considered the arrogance and ignorance of his fellow students. He decided that his true calling was to serve God and his country as an author and poet. Inspired by Roman poets of antiquity, and particularly Virgil, Milton aspired to create a great epic poem in the English language. He considered two other distinctly British topics for his epic—the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and the military exploits of the general Oliver Cromwell—before settling on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and their fall from God’s grace through disobedience. Milton was politically active throughout his life, and was outspoken...
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...MARY You have not lost that time, Thomas. My son is what he says he is and more. THOMAS If he is, Ima, why then did he die like a sheep? MARY He is the sheep that brings salvation to the world. Do you not see? THOMAS A dead sheep is food for the worms. There is no salvation coming for the living just some well-fed worms in a tomb, and a Roman occupation of Judea that is unending. We have been duped! MARY MAGDALENE In three days I will build back the Temple. THOMAS Well, the Temple is still standing. How would he build back what is still standing? Can't you see we were all hypnotised by some dark magic to take all he said at face value? MARY MAGDALENE I never took his words at face value. John, Peter, Judas, Ima, Abba, did any of you take the words of the...
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...become a fascist or a communist state. The government is shown to be playing a manipulative puppet-master role to the people in both societies. The two governments have gained absolute power over their people due to psychological motivation by the use of propaganda. Humanity is often criticized to be nothing more than evolved Neanderthals, striving for our own survival. These two novels show that human will turn a blind eye to any wrong-doing if there is a benefit for them. It analyzes how extreme human greed can be and how humans have great amounts of weakness. Both the text 1984 and V for Vendetta is a satire that ridicules the enemy leaders of World War II, exaggerates government manipulation, and criticizes humanity. The two satires ridicule the World War II leaders and the tactics involved. The society in 1984 is a ridiculed society that support communism; this is similar to the Stalin Russia in WWII. “… the Russian Communists came very close to us in their methods, but … pretended…that they had seized power … and that just round the corner there lay a paradise where human beings...
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...Pubs and beer bars 3.1 Sukhumvit Rd. 3.2 Patpong No. 1 4 Specialty bars and karaoke JOINTS 4.1 Counter 1 and 2 4.2 Star of Lights 4.3 Lolitas 4.4 EDEN Club 5 Dance Clubs 5.1 CM2 5.2 La Lunar 5.3 Bed 5.4 Club Orbit 6 Go-go clubs 6.1 Patpong 6.2 Thaniya Plaza 6.3 Nana Plaza 6.4 Soi Cowboy 6.5 How to avoid the pushy GGgirls? MEMBER Clubs and KTVs/PR Clubs 7 MEMBER Clubs and KTVs/PR Clubs 7.1 Exotica 7.2 Piano 7.3 Club 487 7.4 Chateau Blanc 7.5 Spice Club 7.6 The Club 7.7 FAQs on member clubs 8 Freelancers 8.1 Siam Hotel 8.2 Grace Hotel 8.3 How to behave with a freelancer? 9 Transportation 9.1 The useful BTS Skytrain 9.2 Taxi from the Airport 10 Money Matters 11 Health Issues 12 FAQ section 13 Miscellaneous 14 Glossary One Pinga in Paradise 1 ACCOMMODATION DURING HOLIDAYS 1.1 Medium and long-term residents If your stay will last a week I think that your best bet is to try the so-called “service apartments” or my favorite choices i.e. Manhattan Hotel, Majestic Suites and Landmark Hotel. I have a brief...
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...earthquake according to Moreau de Saint-Mery. North of Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Sans-Souci Palace, other towns were demolished from an earthquake on May of 1842. An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 hit the Dominican Republic and made Haiti shake on August of 1946, producing a killer tsunami that took the lives of 1,790 people and injured others. The Haiti earthquake of January 2010 consisted a magnitude of 7.0, that occurred local approximately sixteen miles from Port-au-Prince with 8.1 miles as its depth. Occuring on blind thrust faults connected with the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system. There is no evidence of surface rupture. Recorded in Port-au-Prince on the Modified Mercalli scale, there was intense shaking connected with intensity IX. The earthquake was a result of a rupture of the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault that was locked for 250 years, all the while collecting stress. Because the earthquake occurred on blind thrust faults, the quake was also felt in several surrounding countries and regions leaving them vulnerable: Guantanamo, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica; Caracas, Venezuela; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the bordering region Santo-Domingo, Dominican Republic. According to the US Geological Survey, the number of people living...
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