Nudibranch Facts

Nudibranch Facts Enchanting to both divers and scientists, colorful nudibranchs (pronounced nooda-bronk and including Nudibranchia, suborders Aeolidida and Doridacea) inhabit the sea floors of oceans all over the world. The unattractively named sea slug comes in a fantastic array of shapes and neon-bright colors that they themselves cannot see. Fast Facts: Nudibranchs (Sea Slugs) Scientific Name: Nudibranchia, suborders Aeolidida and DoridaceaCommon Name: Sea slugBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: Microscopic to 1.5 feet longWeight: Up to just over 3 poundsLifespan: A few weeks to a year  Diet:  CarnivoreHabitat: On seafloors all over the world, between 30 and 6,500 feet below the water surfacePopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description Nudibranchs are mollusks in the class Gastropoda, which includes snails, slugs, limpets, and sea hairs. Many gastropods have a shell. Nudibranchs have a shell in their larval stage, but it disappears in the adult form. Gastropods also have a foot and all young gastropods undergo a process called ​​torsion in their larval stage. In this process, the entire top of their body twists 180 degrees on their foot. This results in the placement of the gills and anus above the head, and adults that are asymmetrical in form. The word nudibranch comes from the Latin word nudus (naked) and Greek brankhia (gills), in reference to the gills or gill-like appendages which protrude from the backs of many nudibranchs. They also may have tentacles on their heads that help them smell, taste, and get around. A pair of tentacles called rhinophores on the nudibranchs head have scent receptors that allow the nudibranch to smell its food or other nudibranchs. Because the rhinophores stick out and can be a target for hungry fish, most nudibranchs have the ability to withdraw the rhinophores and hide them in a pocket in their skin if the nudibranch senses danger. Amin Benhameurlaine  / Getty Images Species There are over 3,000 species of nudibranchs, and new species are still being discovered. They range in size from microscopic to over a foot and a half long  and can weigh up to just over 3 pounds. If youve seen one nudibranch, you havent seen them all. They come in an astonishingly wide variety of colors and shapes- many have brightly colored stripes or spots and flamboyant appendages on their head and back. Some species are transparent and/or bio-luminescent, like the Phylliroe. Nudibranchs thrive in an enormous variety of underwater environments, from shallow, temperate, and tropic reefs to Antarctica and even hydrothermal vents. cbpix/Getty Images Suborders Two main suborders of nudibranchs are dorid nudibranchs (Doridacea) and aeolid nudibranchs (Aeolidida). Dorid nudibranchs, like the Limacia cockerelli, breathe through gills that are on their posterior (back) end. Aeolid nudibranchs have cerata  or finger-like appendages that cover their back. The cerata can be a variety of shapes- thread-like, club-shaped, clustered, or branched. They have multiple functions, including breathing, digestion, and defense. Habitat and Distribution Nudibranchs are found in all the worlds oceans, from cold water to warm water. You might find nudibranchs in your local tide pool, while snorkeling or diving on a tropical coral reef, or even in some of the coldest parts of the ocean or in thermal vents. They live on or near the sea floor and have been identified at depths between 30 and 6,500 feet below the ocean surface. Diet Most Nudibranchs eat using a radula, a toothed structure that they use to scrape off prey from the rocks they cling to; some suck out the prey after predigesting its tissue with selected enzymes, rather like a wasp. They are carnivorous, so that prey includes sponges, coral, anemones, hydroids, barnacles, fish eggs, sea slugs, and other nudibranchs. Nudibranchs are picky eaters- individual species or families of nudibranchs may eat only one kind of prey. Nudibranchs get their bright colors from the food they eat. These colors may be used for camouflage or to warn predators of the poison that lies within. The Spanish shawl nudibranch (Flabellina iodinea) feeds on a species of hydroid called Eudendrium ramosum, which possesses a pigment called astaxanthin that gives the nudibranch its brilliant purple, orange, and red coloration. Some nudibranchs, like the Blue Dragon, create their own food by eating coral with algae. The nudibranch absorbs the algaes chloroplasts (zooxanthellae) into the cerata, which acquire nutrients by photosynthesis using the sun to sustain the nudibranch for months. Others have evolved other ways of farming zooxanthellae, housing them in their digestive gland. Behavior The sea slugs can see light and dark, but not their own brilliant coloration, so the colors are not intended to attract mates. With their limited vision, their sense of the world is obtained through their rhinophores (on top of the head) and oral tentacles (near the mouth). Not all nudibranchs are colorful; some use defensive camouflage to match the vegetation and hide, some can change their colors to fit, some hide their bright colors only to bring them out to warn off predators. Nudibranchs move on a flat, broad muscle called a foot, which leaves a slimy trail. While most are found on the ocean floor, some can swim short distances in the water column by flexing their muscles. Some even swim upside down. Aeolid nudibranchs can use their cerata for defense. Some of their prey such as Portuguese man-of-wars have a specialized cell in their tentacles called nematocysts that contain a barbed or venomous coiled thread. Nudibranchs eat the nematocysts and store them in the nudibranchs cerata where they can be used late to sting predators. Dorid nudibranchs make their own toxins or absorb toxins them from their food and release those into the water when needed. Despite the unsavory or toxic taste they can present to their non-human predators, most nudibranchs are harmless to humans, except those like Glaucus atlanticus which consumes nematocytes and so may consider you a predator and sting. Reproduction and Offspring Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have reproductive organs of both sexes. Because they cant move too far, too fast and are solitary in nature, its important for them to be able to reproduce if the situation presents itself. Having both sexes means that they can mate with any adult that happens to pass by. Nudibranchs lay masses of spiral-shaped or coiled eggs, which are for the most part left on their own. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae which eventually settle onto the ocean bottom as adults. Only one species of nudibranch, the Pteraeolidia ianthina, exhibits parental care by guarding the newly-laid egg masses. Nudibranchs and Humans Scientists study nudibranchs because of their complex chemical makeup and adaptations. They have rare or novel chemical compounds which possess anti-microbial and anti-parasitic traits which may aid in the fight against cancer.   Studies of nudibranch DNA also offer assistance in tracking ocean conditions relative to climate change. Threats These beautiful animals dont live very long; some live up to a year, but some only for a few weeks. The global population of nudibranchs is currently unassessed- researchers are still discovering new ones each year- but field observations such as that conducted by Endangered Species International suggest that many species are becoming rare, due to water pollution, degradation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline associated with global warming.   Sources Bertsch, Hans. Nudibranchs: Sea Slugs With Verve. The Slug Site, 2004.Cheney, Karen L. and Nerida G. Wilson. Quick Guide: Nudibranchs. Current Biology Magazine 28.R4–R5, January 8, 2018.Epstein, Hannah E, et al. Reading between the Lines: Revealing Cryptic Species Diversity and Colour Patterns in Hypselodoris Nudibranchs (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Chromodorididae).  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.zly048 (2018).King, Rachael. Is It a Worm? A Snail? No...Its a Nudibranch!. Southeast Regional Taxonomic Center, Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.Knowlton, Nancy. Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures From the Census of Marine Life. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2010.Lewis, Ricki. Celebrating National Sea Slug Day. PLOS Blogs: Diverse Perspectives on Science and Medicine, November 1, 2018.Nudibranchs and other sea slugs. New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, 2016.

Best Character Analysis Tom Buchanan - The Great Gatsby

Best Character Analysis Tom Buchanan - The Great Gatsby SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Tom Buchanan – hulking, hyper-masculine, aggressive, and super-rich – is The Great Gatsby’s chief representative of old money, and (in a book with many unlikeable people) one of the book’s least sympathetic characters. He is Gatsby’s rival for Daisy’s love, but he is also caught up in an affair with Myrtle Wilson that proves fatal for many involved. So what’s important to understand about Tom? What are his motivations? Is there anything sympathetic about him at all? Find out here! Article Roadmap Tom Buchanan as a character: Physical description Biographical backstory Actions in the novel Analysis of Tom Buchanan: Quotes about or by Tom Frequent essay topics and discussion questions FAQ answering common student questions about Tom Quick Note on Our Citations Our citation format in this guide is (chapter.paragraph). We're using this system since there are many editions of Gatsby, so using page numbers would only work for students with our copy of the book. To find a quotation we cite via chapter and paragraph in your book, you can either eyeball it (Paragraph 1-50: beginning of chapter; 50-100: middle of chapter; 100-on: end of chapter), or use the search function if you're using an online or eReader version of the text. Tom Buchanan's Physical Description He had changed since his New Haven years. Now he was a sturdy, straw haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shining, arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward. Not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body- he seemed to fill those glistening boots until he strained the top lacing and you could see a great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat. It was a body capable of enormous leverage- a cruel body. (1.19) Tom is established from the outset as masculine, aggressive, and, most importantly, dangerous. We also get a much more complete physical description of him than we ever get of Gatsby or Nick, which leaves little room to ever see Tom in a different, more sympathetic light – and in fact, all subsequent descriptions continue to show Tom as masculine, aggressive, and strong. Tom's Backstory Tom Buchanan is born into money, so along with Daisy, he is the book’s chief representation of old money, and what it means and looks like to be a member of that class. He attends Yale University, where he meets Nick, plays on the football team, and makes a few enemies: â€Å"there were men at New Haven that hated his guts† (1.20). A few years after, he marries Daisy, a wealthy heiress from Louisville. Daisy’s very much in love with him at first.But just after their South Seas honeymoon is over, he cheats on her with a maid at the Santa Barbara hotel they’re staying at, beginning a pattern of infidelity that we see continued in the novel (4.143). The two move around, spending time in Chicago and even abroad in France, â€Å"wherever people played polo and were rich together† (1.17). They have a daughter, Pammy, but Tom seems distant from her – after Daisy wakes up after giving birth, he’s â€Å"god knows where† (1.8) – in fact we never see Tom and Pammy in the same room in the novel. The family moves to New York, and Tom begins having an affair with Myrtle Wilson shortly afterwards. You can see how Tom's biography intersects with the backstories of the novel's other characters in ourGreat Gatsbytimeline. Want to get better grades and test scores? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. Summary of Action in the Novel In Chapter 1, Daisy Buchanan invites her cousin Nick Carraway to dinner at the Buchanans’ house. Nick is an old classmate of Tom’s who just moved to New York. Daisy and Nick take a private walk where Daisy confesses some of her unhappiness to Nick, but Tom cautions Nick not to believe everything Daisy says. In Chapter 2, Tom takes Nick with him to see Myrtle, his mistress. They meet up in Queens and then later in Manhattan, and have a party at the apartment Tom keeps for Myrtle. As the evening draws to a close, Tom punches Myrtle in the face and breaks her nose. In Chapter 6, Tom attends one of Gatsby’s parties with Daisy, and immediately becomes suspicious of Gatsby’s wealth and his wife’s relationship with him, and asks a friend to investigate him. In Chapter 7, Gatsby comes over for lunch at the Buchanans’ house, along with Nick and Jordan. The group ends up going to Manhattan at Daisy’s suggestion. Tom notices the way Daisy looks at Gatsby and realizes they are having an affair. But during the climactic confrontation in a Manhattan hotel, when Gatsby tries to get Daisy to admit she never loved Tom, Daisy can’t. Tom reveals that Gatsby is a bootlegger and promises to treat Daisy better. After this confrontation, Tom lets Gatsby and Daisy drivebackto West Egg alonetogether. This is a show of power: Tom is saying he has nothing to fear from Gatsby and knows that Daisy will never leave him. On that drive back, Daisy fatally hits Myrtle. Tom stops at the scene afterward, finds out Gatsby’s yellow car hit Myrtle, assumes it was Gatsby, and sobs on the drive back to East Egg. In Chapter 8, in the aftermath of Myrtle's murder, Tomand Daisy remain together and quickly leave New York, George Wilson shoots Gatsby and then himself, leaving Nick to grapple with Gatsby’s death alone. In Chapter 9, Tom runs into Nick outside of a jewelry store and confesses to Nick that he insinuated to George that Gatsby was both his wife’s killer and her lover, sparking the murder. Tom's preferred ratio of men to women. Tom Buchanan Quotes â€Å"[Tom], among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven- a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax.† (1.16) Tom is established early on as restless and bored, with the threat of physical aggression lurking behind that restlessness. With his glory days on the Yale football team well behind him, he seems to constantly be searching for – and failing to find – the excitement of a college football game. Perhaps Tom, like Gatsby, is also trying, and failing, to repeat the past in his own way. "Well, it's a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be- will be utterly submerged. It's all scientific stuff; it's been proved." (1.78) In Chapter 1, we learn Tom has been reading â€Å"profound† books lately, including racist ones that claim the white race is superior to all others and has to maintain control over society. This speaks to Tom’s insecurity – even as someone born into incredible money and privilege, there’s a fear it could be taken away by social climbers. That insecurity only translates into even more overt shows of his power - flaunting his relationship with Myrtle, revealing Gatsby as a bootlegger, and manipulating George tokill Gatsby – thus completely freeing the Buchanansfrom any consequences from the murders. "Don't believe everything you hear, Nick," he advised me. (1.143) Early in the book, Tom advises Nick not to believe rumors and gossip, but specifically what Daisy has been telling him about their marriage. Nick certainly is wary of most people he meets, and, indeed, he sees through Daisy in Chapter 1 when he observes she has no intentions of leaving Tom despite her complaints: â€Å"Their interest rather touched me and made them less remotely rich- nevertheless, I was confused and a little disgusted as I drove away. It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms- but apparently there were no such intentions in her head† (1.150). But as the book goes on, Nick drops some of his earlier skepticism as he comes to learn more about Gatsby and his life story, coming to admire him despite his status as a bootlegger and criminal. This leaves us with an image of Tom as cynical and suspicious in comparison to the optimistic Gatsby – but perhaps also more clear-eyed than Nick is by the end of the novel. "And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time." (7.251-252) After seeing Tom’s liaisons with Myrtle and his generally boorish behavior, this claim to loving Daisy comes off as fake at best and manipulative at worst (especially since a spree is a euphemism for an affair!). We also see Tom grossly underreporting his bad behavior (we have seen one of his â€Å"sprees† and it involved violently breaking Myrtle’s nose after sleeping with her while Nick was in the next room) and either not realizing or ignoring how damaging his actions can be to others. He is explicit about his misbehavior and doesn’t seem sorry at all – he feels like his â€Å"sprees† don’t matter as long as he comes back to Daisy after they’re over. In short, this quote captures how the reader comes to understand Tom late in the novel – as a selfish rich man who breaks things and leaves others to clean up his mess. "I found out what your 'drug-stores' were." He turned to us and spoke rapidly. "He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That's one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong." (7.284) Again, Tom’s jealousy and anxiety about class are revealed. Though e immediately pegs Gatsby for a bootlegger rather than someone who inherited his money, Tomstill makes a point of doing an investigation to figure out exactly where the money came from. This shows that he does feel a bit threatened by Gatsby, and wants to be sure he thoroughly knocks him down. But at the same time, he’s the only one in the room who sees Gatsby for who he actually is. This is also a moment where you, as a reader, can really see how clouded Nick’s judgment of Gatsby has become. "You two start on home, Daisy," said Tom. "In Mr. Gatsby's car." She looked at Tom, alarmed now, but he insisted with magnanimous scorn. "Go on. He won't annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over." (7.296-298) A common question students have after reading Gatsby for the first time is this: why does Tom let Daisy and Gatsby ride back together? If he’s so protective and jealous of Daisy, wouldn’t he insist she come with him? The answer is that he is demonstrating his power over both Daisy and Gatsby – he’s no longer scared that Daisy will leave him for Gatsby, and he’s basically rubbing that in Gatsby’s face. He’s saying that he doesn’t even fear leaving them alone together, because he knows that nothing Gatsby says or does would convince Daisy to leave him. It’s a subtle but crucial show of power – and of course ends up being a fatal choice. â€Å"What if I did tell him? That fellow had it coming to him. He threw dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy's but he was a tough one. He ran over Myrtle like you'd run over a dog and never even stopped his car." (9.143) One of Tom’s last lines in the novel, he coldly tells Nick that Gatsby was fooling both him and Daisy. Of course, since we know that Gatsby didn't actually run over Daisy, we can read this line in one of threeways: MaybeDaisy never actually admitted to Tom that she was the one driving the car that night, so he still has no idea that his wife killed his mistress. Or maybe the way Tom has made peace with what happened is by convincing himself that even if Daisy was technically driving, Gatsby is to blame for Myrtle's death anyway. Or maybe Tom is still scared of speaking the truth about Daisy's involvement to anyone, including Nick, on the off chance that the police will reopen the case with new evidence. Depending on your interpretation, you can use this line as evidence if you’re arguing for a darker, more selfish version of Gatsby’s character. What level of bad guy is Tom, exactly? Depends on how you read his last confession to Nick. Common Essay Topics/ Areas of Discussion Since Tom himself isn’t a hero (or, on the flip side, a straightforward antagonist) of the novel, most essays about Tom involve comparing him to other characters – often Gatsby but sometimes George. Sometimes you have to do this from a higher level, and sometimes you have to do more in-depth character analysis. To see adetailedguide to a compare/contrast essay between these characters, read our article on the most commonly assigned compare/contrast character pairs. Either way, make sure to read Chapters 1, 2, 6, and 7 for Tom’s most important moments, and don’t neglect your analysis of the other characters. Read on for the most common discussion topics about Tom! Discuss Tom and Daisy (Old Money)vs. Gatsby (New Money) In this prompt, you would first find examples in the text that clearly illustrate Tom and Daisy as old money and Gatsby as new money. Yes, the Buchanans and Gatsby both live in mansions, they all have vast amounts of money at their disposal, and they all variously engage in bad behavior (affairs, drinking, crime), but their differences end up looming much larger than these similarities. Taste and Appearance. One place to start is to examine their dress, homes, and parties. Tom and Daisy dress luxuriously but without indulging in the very latest fashions or wild styles (note Tom’s riding clothes and Daisy’s white dress), while Gatsby wears a pink suit during the crucial scene in the Plaza Hotel in Chapter 7. And while Tom and Daisy have a mansion, it’s described as fashionable and white, with muted wine-colored carpet and white curtains, while Gatsby’s is a copy of a palace in France, and seen as over-large and garish. Finally, while Tom and Daisy host quiet dinner parties, Gatsby is notorious for his packed, lavish, and raucous blow-out bashes. Perception by Others. Also in Chapter 6, it's notable that Tom is immediately suspicious of Gatsby and doesn’t see him as worthy of their crowd during the encounter with the Sloanes,while Daisy is horrified by Gatsby's vulgar parties. Not only do their class differences become apparent to the reader through their dress, homes, and parties, but also Tom and Daisy are very aware of these differences in status, while Gatsby consistently misreads social clues. Displays of Power. Finally, the pecking order becomes painfully clear during the encounter in the hotel. Gatsby puts everything on the line and asks Daisy to confess that she never loved Tom. But not only can she not do that, she ends up admitting she did in fact once love Tom very much, so that Tom leaves the encounter secure in his marriage. Once you’ve fleshed out examples of how Tom and Daisy exemplify old money while Gatsby exemplifies new money, you could make a larger argument about one of the book’s major themes: the rigidity of society and class in 1920s Americaor the hollowness of the American Dream. Discuss Tom and Daisy as Reckless and CarelessPeople This prompt relies on this famous quote: They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . .(9.146) Physical Recklessness.There are many examples of Tom and Daisy acting reckless, and of the fact thatthey are protected from the consequences of their actions by their money. Of course, while you can go for the biggest event, Daisy hitting Myrtle in Gatsby’s car, you should also find some smaller examples can help build your argument: Tom's mid-honeymoon car accident, when he "ran into a wagon on the Ventura road one night and ripped a front wheel off his car. The girl who was with him got into the papers too because her arm was broken"(4.143). the moment Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose in Chapter 2 In all threecases, there areapparently zero consequences for this behavior. After the honeymoon, Tom's marriage stays intact, and hegets to gooff to France. His affair with Myrtle continues even after the violence. And after Daisy kills Myrtle, the couple just skips town and doesn't even show up in the official police record of the accident. Emotional Recklessness.The pair are just as cavalier with each other's emotions as they are with everyone else's. Tom starts cheating on Daisy early on in their marriage (on their honeymoon!), assumingthat because she is soweak and passive, Daisy won't leave him.Meanwhile, Daisy enters into the affair with Gatsby, dismissing Tom and her marriage in a blasà © way. With these examples (along with other examples you can find!) fleshed out, you can start thinking about an overall argument or point to make. Here are just a few ideas: Tom and Daisy’s money protects them from consequences in a way the working class cannot be protected. Moral decay in America comes from the top down (with the hardworking George Wilson, who’s at the bottom of the social heap, the most hurt). Tom and Daisy’s behavior illustrates the emptiness of the American Dream. Tom and Daisy: never afraid to break eggs to make their selfishness omelet. FAQ Here are answers to some common student questions about Tom and his place inThe Great Gatsby. What’s up with Tom’s affair with Myrtle? Does he love her more than Daisy? Tom may enjoy spending time with Myrtle, but he would never divorce Daisy to marry her – she’s just the latest in a series of mistresses he has had since the beginning of his marriage. Tom and Daisy come from the same social class, and they both need each other to remain part of that group. In contrast, Myrtle is from a less-wealthy background, and would never truly fit into Tom Buchanan’s circles. So while Tom is pretty brazen about showing Myrtle off in restaurants and not hiding his affair with any real effort, for him the relationship is more about power – power over Myrtle, over George, and over Daisy – than about love. Want to get better grades and test scores? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. So does Daisy love Tom? Does Tom love Daisy? A lot of students wonder about Daisy and Tom’s marriage. Since we learn that Daisy was still in love with Gatsby right before going through with her marriage to Tom, and we see Tom engaging in affairs, it makes sense that we would wonder whether Tom and Daisy like each other at all. Well, first of all, it seems clear that, at least in the early days of their marriage, they were in love: "I never loved [Tom]," [Daisy] said, with perceptible reluctance. "Not at Kapiolani?" demanded Tom suddenly..."Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry?" There was a husky tenderness in his tone. ". . . Daisy?" "Please don't." Her voice was cold, but the rancour was gone from it. She looked at Gatsby. "There, Jay," she said- but her hand as she tried to light a cigarette was trembling. Suddenly she threw the cigarette and the burning match on the carpet. "Oh, you want too much!" she cried to Gatsby. "I love you now- isn't that enough? I can't help what's past." She began to sob helplessly. "I did love him once- but I loved you too." (7.258-264) Tom brings up happy memories from early in the marriage, and for once, his voice has a â€Å"husky tenderness,† which causes Daisy’s voice to lose the cold tone it had when she said she never loved him. She then breaks down and admits that she loved Tom. However, the fact that Tom is clinging to old memories, and Daisy uses the past tense – â€Å"I loved him once† – suggests that Tom and Daisy aren’t exactly head-over-heels for each other anymore. But our last scene that shows Tom and Daisy together suggests that that doesn’t matter. Even if they’re not in love, their relationship is stable, and neither has any interest in leaving the other: Daisy and Tom were sitting opposite each other at the kitchen table with a plate of cold fried chicken between them and two bottles of ale. He was talking intently across the table at her and in his earnestness his hand had fallen upon and covered her own. Once in a while she looked up at him and nodded in agreement. They weren't happy, and neither of them had touched the chicken or the ale- and yet they weren't unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together. (7.409-410) What does Tom’s racism have to do with anything? As we discuss above, Nick makes a point of showing Tom to be a racist, a believer in the pure white face’s need to subjugate everyone else in the world. But why does this come up at all? Is it just another unflattering detail about Tom? Tom’s racism is a reflection of his slight insecurities and his need to continually reassert his money and status. Even with all of his money and privilege, hestill has a slight fear that his place isn’t assured. That fear comes out in small moments in the novel – when George says he’s taking Myrtle out west and when Daisy briefly threatens to leave him. This is why we see Tom constantly swaggering and asserting his status. What’s Next? If you’re writing about Tom, it can be helpful to take a close look at the beginning of the novel, specifically, Chapter 1and Chapter 2. In these chapters, you both see Tom both in his high-class, old money home, and engaging in a â€Å"spree† with Myrtle. Make sure to close read and annotate both chapters! Tom is a major player in not just one but two of the novel’s major relationships. Read more about love, sex, and desire in The Great Gatsbyin our detailed article. Check out our analyses of all the other characters in the novel and learn how to compare and contrast Tom to other characters. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Streetcar Named Desire as a Play and as a Film Essay

Streetcar Named Desire as a Play and as a Film - Essay Example Society was still immersed in a political climate not conducive to equal rights without regard to race or gender let alone sexual orientation. In the original version of the piece, seen as a play, the audience finds out that Blanche’s husband killed himself shortly after she found him in bed with another man. The version which the audience is given in the film is much more suggestive with an expectation for its audience to read between the lines rather than a forward approach to the information which is given in the play. With regard to the issue of Blanche’s rape by Stanley, the play is sure to embrace this incident as it is crucial to the ‘take-home message’ intended originally by Williams. The movie seems to understand this ironically moral inclusion but not without a tradeoff which came in the form of the punishment of Stanley for his actions which is really not part of the ambiance of the play. The issue of Blanche’s rape and her husband’s homosexuality and suicide are the heavier topics demanding a presentation appropriate for their display during that time period, but are not the only morals to the story, so to speak. There are other themes which exist both in the play and in the movie version of Williams’ work. In looking at the movie first, the beginning is the first of many small deviations. The movie’s audience finds Blanche who seemingly emerges from the steam of the train, in an almost ethereal or heavenly manner. This is a contrast because though Blanche is introduced to the audience in this light, she is taken from a place of presumed innocence through the film, only to be displayed as anything but that. The play does not make the same attempt at disillusioning the audience that the film makes at the piece’s beginning, but beyond this point, the play and the movie are overall quite similar with little variations.

Environmental Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Environmental Science - Essay Example The pollution of the environment is caused by residential, commercial, and industrial wastes. These include Carbon dioxide (COÂ ­2)), Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) (ENERGY.GOV, 2014). The release of such compounds into the environment leads to environmental degradation. Therefore, it is prudent for human beings to take necessary steps in preventing any further damage to the environment and mitigate on the damages that have already occurred. This responsibility is a concern of the international community, respective governments, and every individual. The individuals can work hard to care for the environment by participating in environmental conservation measures. It is important for individuals to take care of the environment because it is where they live. Polluted air means that there would be an increase in respiratory diseases. Furthermore, polluted soil, full of chemicals and fertilizers, will result into crops with high levels of toxic su bstances and pollute the water bodies when these fertilizers are washed into streams and rivers. This paper explores three goals and action plans, which an individual can use to become more aware of environmental issues and human impact on the environment. The production of electricity often involves a lot of emission of gasses, which cause considerable damage to the environment. Therefore, an individual should bear this in mind when operating electrical appliances. This can involve a slight change in their habits or using more energy efficient appliances. For example, change of habits include: Using cold water to wash laundry and hanging them out to dry instead of using the dryer. This habit will ensure that when doing laundry, less electric energy is consumed, and the one utilizes the abundant natural energy of the sun to dry the clothes Installing energy efficient bulbs, which save more energy and are longer lasting as compared to incandescent light

Development from Birth - 19 Years Essay Example for Free

Development from Birth 19 Years Essay The aspects of development are defined as Physical, Social Emotional, Language and Intellectual. There are different stages of development for each category, 0-3 years, 3-7 years, 7-12 years and 12-19 years. All children will follow the same pattern of development but at different rates and will reach their milestones at different times. Physical During the 0-3 year period a child’s physical development will see them start to move and react to memorable sounds and voices. They recognise people, reach for brightly coloured or noisy items. Their ability to move begins with rolling over, moves to crawling, shuffling and finally the ability to walk. Fine motor skills will also increase, from being able to hold and shake interesting objects to using crayons to scribble and make marks. They will use body language to communicate, such as shaking the head to indicate ‘NO’. As they move into years 3-7 their skills become more refined, they will be able to walk up and down stairs, catch a ball, use paints. Then they will learn to pedal a bike start to draw basic pictures of people or houses. Movement continues to improve and they become confident at climbing and jumping and their fine motor skills allow them to write more clearly, sew and manage shoe laces. By ages 7-12 years children are generally able to hit a ball and participate in team sports although their ability may not meet their own expectations at first. During adolescence physical development becomes more about appearance and the process of puberty. Whilst girls begin this process earlier than boys all children will develop as individuals. This can be a very difficult time for teenagers, with insecurities about they way they look and how they compare to their peers. Some will suffer anxiety at some point and worry about being a late or early developer. Social and Emotional Social and emotional development begins by showing affection and becoming attached to parents or carers and becoming what we usually call ‘clingy’. Young children may become distressed when a parent leaves the room or is not in sight. Slightly older children may demand attention and use tantrums to get their own way. They will generally be easily distracted from unwanted behaviour. By age 2-3 years children enjoy playing with older people who provide them with attention and begin to enjoy time with children their own age. Over the next few years the child becomes more independent and coopertative and likes to help. They develop social skills and play with others is more comfortable as they begin to consider the feelings of others and make friends, although resolving disputes can still be an issue. Rules and routine are required to help the child feel secure and safe. In later years the child becomes less dependant on their parents and moves closer to their peers. They develop a sense of right and wrong by may still adult intervention to settle arguments. They become aware of their gender and normally prefer the company of their own sex. Their behaviour differs with their emotions depending upon circumstance. In the final stages of development puberty creates feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity about body image. Behaviour is very unsettled as they sway between the feelings of being a child and wanting to be an adult. Friendships become stronger and adolescents depend less on the parents. They are much more aware of the opposite sex and need to fit in social with their peer group. People of this age begin to think about their social environment and may start to form strong opinions about community, politics and religion. Language In the early stages of development language is more about making sounds to show feelings. Babies watch others to learn facial movements to help them to begin making their own sounds and will turn towards sound they hear. From making sounds, words develop and gradually increase in number. They begin to understand key words spoken to them and will repeat back what they hear building from single words, to phrases and then sentences. Children’s ability to understand develops faster than the ability to speak and this can cause frustration with not being able to express themselves. During the 3-7 year period children begin to question things more intently, use more accurate grammar and their vocabulary increases dramatically. Reading skills start to develop, first recognising a few frequently seen words and understanding stories and books. During the Key Stage 1 years learning and recognising letters and the sounds they make develops into reading and later into writing. The next stages of language development involves the vocabulary increasing further and learning to spell more difficult words. Adult interaction is important to help children learn fluency and progress towards telling more complicated stories and the correct use of grammar and tenses. During adolescence language becomes more mature and logical thinking begins to develop. They can be sarcastic and begin to experiment with humour or may wish to publicly demonstrate their new found skills. Intellectual Early intellectual development involves copying others through play and testing different styles of behaviour. Young children also begin to recognise that all people are separate from themselves. Next comes the ability to understand instructions and recognise things that are similar, for example, shapes and colours. Between 5-7 years children start to become aware of their environment and understand what is means when things are different or the same. Next a child will develop their own interests and reading becomes a skill used for entertainment. Finally the mind matures and young people learn responsibility for their own thoughts and actions. They begin to think about their future lives and things they might like to do like, jobs, marriage and children. The ability to make connections between pieces of information and the world around them also matures. The speed of development at this stage very much depends upon the amount of guidance received. The more guidance a person gets the quicker they are able to reflect upon how things relate to in practice to their lives. An individuals personal identity is formed from the things they learn at this stage which should be more moral and cultural. Adolescents begin to take more responsibility away from their parents with regard to managing their finances, employment and their personal relationships and becomes complete during adulthood.

The Peloponnesian War :: essays research papers fc

The Peloponnesian War Is war inevitable? It appears that the answer to this question is yes. However, war is unpredictable and must be studied based on individual circumstances, actions taken, and reactions. States disagree with each other on many subjects and conflicts arise often. To answer this question, we must first examine the causes of a conflict, evaluate the outcome and determine any alternatives that may exist. Then we can analyze some alternative theoretical outcomes compared to the actual conclusions. The Peloponnesian War provides an excellent example to be evaluated. The following gives a brief history of the war, causes of the war, and the importance of its study. In the case of the Peloponnesian War, we have two equal but different powers in control of Greece and the surrounding area. Athens and Sparta as allies gained independence from the Persians in 480 BC. Athens with a democratic rule expanded by using the surrounding waterways for trade and developing a great navy. Sparta with an oligarchic rule settled in by developing a thriving agriculture community and a land based army. Civil war occurs in Epidamnus with two sides, democratic and oligarchic. The democrats requested assistance from Athens. If Athens chooses to get involved, she breaks the truce with Sparta. If she does not, the balance of power leans towards Sparta and her allies. Sparta already feared Athens’ growing power. Therefore, Sparta needed to check Athens’ control of the region. The need to keep a balance of power is the main reason of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides attains that Sparta’s fear of Athenian rule provided an unavoidable path to war. Athens controlled about half of the city-states; dominated much of the trade; and maintained a strong navy. Sparta kept a strong army and retained equal allies but was primarily an agriculture state. Athens’ ability to maneuver on the sea provided opportunities to expand her power, and this alarmed Sparta. Since Sparta is concerned by Athens’ growing power, Sparta waits for a way to be able to stop the expansion. When an opportunity comes for war against Athens, Sparta is not very reluctant and could even be considered eager to enter an altercation. Pericles leadership appeared sound but may have over reached the power of Athens. Pericles convinced the Athenians that allowing allied states to become free was a sign of weakness. In addition, he convinced them that Sparta was no match and could not win a long-term war against the great Athenian navy.

Persuasive Essay on Positive Thinking Essay

Positive thinking is a skill that I believe everyone should master and use as a everyday way of life.First you need to know the law of attraction. From there you can start a new life style that can only really benefit you. The law of attraction is how positive energy attracts positive energy and negative energy attracts negative energy. There is a man named Morris Goodman I learned about in the book The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. His story is amazing. Morris Goodman was in a plane crash march of 1981. Morris surrvived the plane crash but was left paralyzed, his spinal cord was crushed, and his diaphram was destroyed which left him unable to breath on his own. He lost the ability to do anything but blink and think*. No one thought he would be much of anything ever again because of the severity of his injuries. Morris did not believe this. He set a goal of walking out of that hospital by Christmas. All Morris did was focus on breathing, and walking, and being positive, not allowing anyone or anything distract him from his goal. He did, Morris achieved his goal. Doctors were at a loss for explanation, but Morris Goodman walked out of that hospital before Christmas. Morris Goodman is The Maracle Man. He proved that whatever you put your mind to you can do. The power of positive thinking can benefit everyone in countless ways; increase self esteem, increase confidence, and a more relaxed state of mind. Just to name a few. Â  You see the consequences of negative thinking everyday. You see it in war and violence, even on the local level. Depression and poverty are often consequences of negative thinking as well. Â  Could you imagine what the world would be like if the whole world believed they could achieve anything they dream of? Could you imagine what your life would be like if you truely believed you could achieve anything you want? If you are always thinking positive there is no room for the negative. Increase of self esteem, confidence, a more relaxed state of mind will all manifest from just that . This is a skill that I believe everyone can benefit from. * Some of this info taken from themaracleman.org run by Morris Goodman.