Diffusion in Sociology Definition, Theory, Examples

Diffusion, also known as cultural diffusion, is a social process through which elements of culture spread from one society or social group to another, which means it is, in essence, a process of social change. It is also the process through which innovations are introduced into an organization or social group, sometimes called the diffusion of innovations. Things that are spread through diffusion include ideas, values, concepts, knowledge, practices, behaviors, materials, and symbols. Sociologists and anthropologists believe that cultural diffusion is the primary way through which modern societies developed the cultures that they have today. Further, they note that the process of diffusion is distinct from having elements of a foreign culture forced into a society, as was done through colonization. Social Sciences Theories The study of cultural diffusion was pioneered by anthropologists who sought to understand how it was that the same or similar cultural elements could be present in numerous societies around the world long before the advent of communication tools. Edward Tylor, a British anthropologist who wrote during the mid-nineteenth century, posed the theory of cultural diffusion as an alternative to using the theory of cultural evolution to explain cultural similarities. Following Tylor, the German-American anthropologist Franz Boas developed a theory of cultural diffusion for explaining how the process works among areas that are close to each other, geographically speaking. These scholars observed that cultural diffusion happens when societies that have different ways of life come into contact with each other  and that as they interact more and more, the rate of cultural diffusion between them increases. In the early 20th century, American sociologists Robert E. Park, Ernest Burgess, and Canadian sociologist Roderick Duncan McKenzie were members of the Chicago School of sociology, scholars in the 1920s and 1930s who studied urban cultures in Chicago and applied what they learned elsewhere. In their now-classic work The City, published in 1925, they studied cultural diffusion from the standpoint of social psychology, which meant they focused on the motivations and social mechanisms that allow diffusion to occur. Principles There are many different theories of cultural diffusion that have been offered by anthropologists and sociologists, but the elements common to them that can be considered general principles of cultural diffusion are as follows. The society or social group that borrows elements from another will alter or adapt those elements to fit within their own culture.Typically, it is only elements of a foreign culture that fit into the already-existing belief system of the host culture that will be borrowed.Those cultural elements that do not fit within the host cultures existing belief system will be rejected by members of the social group.Cultural elements will only be accepted within the host culture if they are useful within it.Social groups that borrow cultural elements are more likely to borrow again in the future. The  Diffusion of Innovations Some sociologists have paid particular attention to how the diffusion of innovations within a social system or social organization occurs, as opposed to cultural diffusion across different groups. In 1962, sociologist and communication theorist Everett Rogers wrote a book titled  Diffusion of Innovations, which laid the theoretical groundwork for the study of this process. According to Rogers, there are four key variables that influence the process of how an innovative idea, concept, practice, or technology is diffused through a social system. The innovation itselfThe channels through which  it is communicatedHow long the group in question is exposed to the innovationThe characteristics of the social group These will work together to determine the speed and scale of diffusion, as well as whether or not the innovation is successfully adopted. Steps in the Process The process of diffusion, according to Rogers, happens in five steps: Knowledge: awareness of the innovationPersuasion: interest in the innovation rises and a person begins to research it furtherDecision: a person or group evaluates the pros and cons of the innovation (the key point in the process)Implementation: leaders introduce the innovation to the social system and evaluate its usefulnessConfirmation: those in charge decide to continue using it Rogers noted that, throughout the process, the social influence of certain individuals can play a significant role in determining the outcome. In part because of this, the study of the diffusion of innovations is of interest to people in the field of marketing. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Theodore Roosevelt, President Of New York - 1745 Words

Born in New York City on October 27, 1858, Theodore Roosevelt was governor of New York before becoming U.S. vice president. At age 42, Teddy Roosevelt became the youngest man to assume the U.S. presidency after President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. He won a second term in 1904. Known for his anti-monopoly policies and ecological conservationism, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in ending the Russo-Japanese War. He died in New York on January 6, 1919. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City, to Theodore Roosevelt Sr., of Dutch heritage, and Martha Mittie Bulloch, a Southern belle rumored to have been a prototype for the Gone with the Wind character Scarlett O Hara. His family owned a successful plate-glass import business. As a young boy, Theodore Roosevelt as he was known to his family members â€Å"Teddy†, spent a lot of time inside his family s handsome brownstone, home schooled due to his illnesses and asthma. This gave him the opportunity to nurse his passion for animal life, but by his teens, with the encouragement of his father, whom he revered, Theodore developed a rigorous physical routine that included weightlifting and boxing. When his father died during his second year at Harvard College, Roosevelt channeled his grief into working even harder: After graduating magna cum laude in 1880, he enrolled at Columbia Law School and got married to Alice Hathaway Lee of Massachusetts. Roosevelt didn t stay longShow MoreRelatedTeddy Roosevelt And The Development Of The National Parks1353 Words   |  6 Pages Teddy Roosevelt and the development of the National Parks 11/30/2014 Nicholas Wittkopp He was the youngest candidate to become president. He was the leader of the progressive movement. He was our twenty sixth president, he served from 09/14/1901 to 03/4/1909. He was a writer of thirty five books. He was New York s thirty third governor. He was a naturalist. He was a war hero in the Spanish-American War. He was a member of rough riders. He trust busted forty corporations. He madeRead MorePresident Roosevelt: Steward of the People Essay1386 Words   |  6 PagesTheodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States and made a huge impact on the world. Not only was he the youngest President at age 42, but he was also a greatly respected war hero (Theodore Roosevelt). He was also the first US President to win the Nobel Peace Prize (Theodore Roosevelt - Biography). As President, Roosevelt looked at the role of President as a â€Å"steward of the people† (Theodore Roosevelt). Theodore Roosevelt was not only known to be the first modern President butRead M oreEssay Theodore Roosevelt: One of Our Greatest President1718 Words   |  7 PagesTheodore Roosevelt was one of our greatest presidents. He created the FDA and improved the position of the presidency greatly. Before Theodore came to be president, the position of presidency was slow and wasn’t very interesting so he made the executive branch more powerful by starting new reforms and a strong foreign policy. The life of a president is hard. It is full of stress, responsibilities, and a strong dedication the welfare of your country. Theodore had to deal with all of these presidentialRead MoreTheodore Roosevelt : A Modern Presidency1384 Words   |  6 PagesSchwarz/1 Theodore Roosevelt once said, â€Å" Believe you can and you are halfway there.† During his time in office, he added 5 national parks to our nation, tripled the amount of forest area, created 50 wildlife refuges, wrote many books, and captured the attention of many Americans, no matter what their political party was. Theodore Roosevelt is credited with having created a modern presidency and held a number of political positions before he was thrown into office after the assassination of PresidentRead MoreThe First Modern President Of The United States1069 Words   |  5 PagesThe First Modern President of the United States: Theodore D. Roosevelt Some may wonder why Theodore Roosevelt would deserve the title â€Å"the First Modern President†. He accomplished many things, and although he was liked by most, he promised he would not run a second term. In his short four years as president, Theodore Roosevelt was able to pass many acts such as: Dolliver-Hepburn Railroad Act, Extension of Forest Reserve, National Irrigation Act, Improvement of waterways and reservation of waterpowerRead MorePresident Of Government And Political Affairs1130 Words   |  5 PagesDepartment of Government and Political Affairs May 3rd, 2017 What does president do that makes the public feel as if they are strong, or powerful, and what determines a president to be labeled as limited? That’s really up to one s views on politics, their morals, and opinions. In this paper I will go over three of what I consider to be the best, and strongest Presidents history has ever had. The presidents will be judged on how they handled themselves in office, as well as any importantRead MoreTheodore Roosevelt : President Roosevelt1564 Words   |  7 Pages President Theodore Roosevelt By Ryan Baglietto  Table of Contents: 1. Presidential Facts 2. Theodore Roosevelt’s Childhood 3. Education 4. Personal Life 5. Accomplishments 6. What do I think of President Roosevelt: 7. Presidential Picture 8. Bibliography  1. Presidential Facts: My president’s name is Theodore Roosevelt. His nickname is Teddy. Did you know the Teddy Bear was named after him? President Roosevelt was in office from September 14, 1901 until March 4, 1909Read MoreTheodore Roosevelt . Introduction To The Life Of Theodore1574 Words   |  7 PagesTHEODORE ROOSEVELT Introduction to the Life of Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt was born October 27, 1858 in New York City to Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and Martha Bulloch. Theodore was also known as Teedie or Teddy. Due to his continuing battle with health issues, which started at birth, Roosevelt was homeschooled along with his siblings. The family house also had a gymnasium where he lifted weights and boxed to help him gain strength. Despite what appeared to be a sickly and weak child, RooseveltRead MoreTheodore Teddy Roosevelt And The President Of The United States955 Words   |  4 Pages Theodore â€Å"Teddy† Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States. He was born in New York City on October 27, 1858. His parents, Theodore and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, had 4 children. Teddy’s brother’s name was Elliot, and his sisters were Anna and Corinne. As a child, Teddy was active and curious. He had asthma, though, and was also nearsighted. He traveled a lot with his family. He went to Europe and the Middle East when he was 10 and 14. When he was 12, his father built a gymnasium forRead MorePresident Roosevelt s President Of The Republican Progressive Party1481 Words   |  6 PagesMy president’s name is Theodore Roosevelt. His nickname is Teddy. Did you know the Teddy Bear was named after him? President Roosevelt was in office from September 14, 1901 until March 4, 1909. 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Health Promotion Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Levels Free Essays

Health promotion is composed of three levels. Primary is the initial level of health promotion and prevention of diseases. The next level is secondary which involves early detection of a disease and prompt intervention to prevent the progression of the disease. We will write a custom essay sample on Health Promotion: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Levels or any similar topic only for you Order Now Tertiary, the final level, is when a disease is permanent and the goal is to return the individual to the best possible level of functioning (Edelman Mandle, 2010). According to American Diabetes Association website, the 2011 diabetes statistics in America is 25. 8 million of the population has diabetes. This paper focuses on the health promotion in primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of patients diagnosed with diabetes. Health promotion can affect many factors of a patient’s life from progression of a disease to loss of school or work days therefore loss of education and income to increase in healthcare. O’Donnell (2009) defines health promotion as: â€Å"the art and science of helping people discover the synergies between their core passions and optimal health, enhancing their motivation to strive for optimal health, and supporting them in changing their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health. Optimal health is a dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health. Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of learning experiences that enhance awareness, increase motivation, and build skills and, most important, through the creation of opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice. † Patient’s active participation is a main part of health promotion. Patients have to take an active role because education provided to patients is to empower them to make better decisions in their healthcare. Primary interventions include making changes to the individual’s diets, activity levels, motivation, and knowledge. These interventions were utilized in a study to decrease the development of diabetes. The participants were selected by having diabetic risk factors including hypertension, obesity, increased blood sugar, hypercholesterolemia, or family history of diabetes (Penfold, 2013). Diet and nutrition advice was given to individuals. They were educated and demonstration provided on how to make healthy changes in their meals that was within a limited budget. Exercise sessions were also used as a preventative measure in which the individuals were encouraged to participate in cardio activities. The program encouraged the individuals to continue with the exercising by offering free classes. The participants of the study had a positive outlook as they progressed with the new healthy changes. Follow up will be a main factor in this fairly new study to determine if primary intervention was successful. Once an individual is diagnosed with an illness, intervening without hesitation is the key to the secondary level of health promotion. The cause of gestational diabetes is not completely known. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes, but certain risk factors such as obesity can increase a women’s chance of developing it (Webb, 2013). Secondary preventions include prevention of further complication and treatment of a disease to decrease complications (Edelman Mandle, 2010). The women should be educated on how to take blood glucose, targeted blood sugar levels and to contact providers with abnormal readings. Treatment of the gestational diabetes is also aimed at patients modifying their lifestyles with diet and exercise. If blood sugars remain uncontrolled Webb reports according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) recommends metformin for treatment of gestational diabetes in spite of successful evidence. Patients that are not compliant are at risk of progression of diabetes. Primary and secondary prevention continue into tertiary level of health promotion. â€Å"Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation to help people attain and retain optimal level of functioning regardless of their disabling condition (Edelman Mandle, 2010). A patient can suffer from many complications of diabetes such as eye complications, foot complications, hypertension, kidney disease, neuropathy and depression. Patients are encouraged to have a satisfying lifestyles and function with their diseases. In an article about health and lifestyles of diabetic adolescents â€Å"Diabetic adolescents had healthier eating habits and more positive attitude towards their satisfaction with life, but their health perception is less positive than that of other adolescents (Serrabulho, Matos Raposo, 2012). In the study diabetic adolescents had similarities of inactive activities and social support to adolescents without diabetes. The care of diabetic patient from a health promotion point view involves diet, exercise, medication, and knowledge. Involvement of experts in the fields and communities can assist the patient in awareness of diseases. When nurses and patients are educated on primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention care, they develop a mutual respect and responsibility in assisting patients to have successful healthy lifestyles. How to cite Health Promotion: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Levels, Papers

Why this is hell nor are we out of it Essay Example For Students

Why this is hell nor are we out of it? Essay Why this is hell nor are we out of it? How does Grahame Greene depict human existence as hell in Brighton Rock, is there any hope? Grahame Greene seems like a writer who has a very solemn view of human existence. In this book he is always referring back to the world as hell and the religion revolving around this subject. Each character Grahame Greene creates seems to have some aspect of evil within them giving an impression of the existence of these people as one stuck in hell. Easily the character that reflects existence as hell in the book is Pinkie. We will write a custom essay on Why this is hell nor are we out of it? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Apart from a few glimmers of hope Pinkie really could be thought as the definition of evil. Never thinking about anyone but himself with a hatred of everyone and everything normal. Pinkie lives in a shroud that cant be penetrated and never wants anyone to feel close to him which could be one of the reasons he hates Rose so much. Always referred to as the boy he really is a person with a stolen childhood brought up to fear God. His religion is really looked in to in the book by Grahame Greene really searching the depths of Catholicism and the very existence of heaven and hell. Good examples of this fear of God are seen within the living environment of Pinkie. His home is very run down living in a very small filthy place run by a blind man with no control of it. There are never any real references to food apart from empty cans of sardines and half-finished fish in the book, which could represent the power of Christianity in the life of Pinkie but significantly its failure. The fact that they are finished could represent the emptiness of Pinkies beliefs and his life as well which has no real meaning apart from the avoidance of hanging. Spicer represents the more experienced damned presence in the book. He is the oldest of the gang and towards the end realises what he has devoted his life to especially after the death of Hale. To begin with he may seem as the words of reason within the gang, almost like a father figure. In the end, however he may seem like someone who wants to leave hell and his existence in Brighton he is too deep in sin in the end to escape. The man that ends his life is Pinkie just as Spicer is about to leave. Wanting to leave could shot goodness in his heart but in the end it would seem that no one who has indulged in sin in hell is permitted to leave just like Prewitt and Hale. Spicer always seem worried about what is going to happen to him in the future about the wrath of Pinkie. Spicer perhaps could show the end all the game members will take without repentance and forgiveness from God, which Pinkie is always thinking about. The rest of the gang slowly do things wrong in the attempt to confess and are all dismissed or killed by Pinkie. This shows Pinkies mistrust and how he has no loyalty. The gang really have no representation in the book and its references to hell although they are always reasoning with Pinkie until he has gone too far. In the entire novel the weather is always dark and damp with no real references ever to much sunshine or daytime. Although the characters are seen as outside, the only time the weather is mentioned is while they are out at night or when something perhaps bad has happened. This confirms Greenes attempt to depict Brighton as hell. In the whole novel the main characters either never leave Brighton or are stopped in the attempt to get away. Grahame Greene then shows a lot of people just coming and going in Brighton which could show this as hell for the main characters whose dealing are coated in sin. .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .postImageUrl , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:hover , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:visited , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:active { border:0!important; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:active , .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6 .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucde7434e00d3b12a9a29b57aad962fd6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: How far do you agree? EssayThe fact that some people are able to leave shows some hope that some of the main characters may be able to get out. Rose is an extremely innocent character drawn into a very harsh world of danger and sin. She is extremely nai ve and only until the end doesnt realise Pinkies extreme hatred towards her although several hints. When first introduced she could be thought as someone who could influence Pinkie towards confession and leading a normal life but she isnt strong enough to do this and gets led into Pinkies path of sin, perhaps she is still too young. She refuses to accept anything told to her of Pinkies ill doings and even accepts him mauling her with his nails, confused by her as affection. Led into this world there is no turning back for her. She still loves Pinkie after his death and regrets not committing suicide for him. This shows Brighton as hell, once youve dabbled in the sin of the city there is no going back and you are damned for eternity by a poisoned mind. Ida Arnold is perhaps the one character who could represent any hope in the novel. The novel is extremely hopeless apart from her false ideas of being a person of great moral judgement. She is an extremely drunk woman always up for any sort of fun with any sort of man. She isnt a prostitute although she is the nearest thing to one. She is the complete opposite of Rose with no belief of God and an extremely strong will. She shows compassion still to someone like Rose who is too nai ve to accept that someone may be right about Pinkie. By never giving up and at least doing what is right for Brighton even though perhaps she doesnt realise it completely in the end. The book has very little hope, which really reflects the character of Grahame Greene. Every small gleem of hope is cut off like the stairs, which are broken. Aswell as the stairs the pier is just a bridge halved and no-one can ever leave it, one of the only hopes is the people come and going it gives you a visual (although small) of people managing to escape hell itself. If only the some of the characters couldve managed to leave the book wouldnt be thought as so cynical.

Gravity Model Definition and Examples

Gravity Model Definition and Examples For decades, social scientists have been using a modified version of  Isaac Newtons Law of Gravitation  to predict the movement of people, information, and commodities between cities and even continents. The gravity model, as social scientists refer to the modified law of gravitation, takes into account the population size of two places and their distance. Since larger places attract people, ideas, and commodities more than smaller places and places closer together have a greater attraction, the gravity model incorporates these two features. The relative strength of a bond between two places is determined by multiplying the population of city A by the population of city B and then dividing the product by the distance between the two cities squared. The Gravity Model Population 1 x Population 2_________________________   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  distance ² Examples If we compare the bond between the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan areas, we first multiply their 1998 populations (20,124,377 and 15,781,273, respectively) to get 317,588,287,391,921 and then we divide that number by the  distance  (2462 miles) squared (6,061,444). The result is 52,394,823. We can shorten our math by reducing the numbers to the millions place: 20.12 times 15.78 equals 317.5 and then divide by 6 with a result of 52.9. Now, lets try two metropolitan areas a bit closer: El Paso (Texas) and Tucson (Arizona). We multiply their populations (703,127 and 790,755) to get 556,001,190,885 and then we divide that number by the distance (263 miles) squared (69,169) and the result is 8,038,300. Therefore, the bond between New York and Los Angeles is greater than that of El Paso and Tucson. How about El Paso and Los Angeles? Theyre 712 miles apart, 2.7 times farther than El Paso and Tucson! Well, Los Angeles is so large that it provides a huge gravitational force for El Paso. Their relative force is 21,888,491, a surprising 2.7 times greater than the gravitational force between El Paso and Tucson. While the gravity model was created to anticipate migration between cities (and we can expect that more people migrate between LA and NYC than between El Paso and Tucson), it can also be used to anticipate the traffic between two places, the number of telephone calls, the transportation of goods and mail, and other types of movement between places. The gravity model can also be used to compare the gravitational attraction between two continents, two countries, two states, two counties, or even two neighborhoods within the same city. Some prefer to use the functional distance between cities instead of the actual distance. The functional distance can be the driving distance or can even be flight time between cities. The gravity model was expanded by William J. Reilly in 1931 into Reillys law of retail gravitation to calculate the breaking point between two places where customers will be drawn to one or another of two competing commercial centers. Opponents of the gravity model explain that it can not be confirmed scientifically, that its only based on observation. They also state that the gravity model is an unfair method of predicting movement because its biased toward historic ties and toward the largest population centers. Thus, it can be used to perpetuate the status quo.

Sad Plays - Tragedies and Tear-jerkers

Sad Plays - Tragedies and Tear-jerkers Have you ever noticed how some plays are such a downer? Even some plays that are supposed to be comedies, such as Anton Chekovs masterpieces, are dour and cynical and downright depressing. Of course, the theater like life isnt all about comedy and happy endings. To be reflective of human nature, playwrights often delve into the tears-soaked corners of their souls, producing literary works that are timeless tragedies that evoke both terror and pity, just how Aristotle likes it! Here is a list of theaters most hauntingly sad plays: #10 - Night Mother There are many plays that explore the topic of suicide, but few are as direct and, dare I say, as persuasive as Marsha Normans play, night Mother. During the course of a single evening, an adult daughter has a sincere conversation with her mother, clearly explaining how she plans to take her own life before dawn. The daughters miserable life has been plagued with tragedy and mental illness. However, now that she has made her decision, she has gained clarity. No matter how her mother argues and begs, the daughter will not change her mind. New York theater critic John Simon praise the playwright stating that Marsha Norman conveys the simultaneous monstrousness and ordinariness of this event: that Jessie both solicitously provides for her mothers future and abandons her, coolly matter-of-fact about what strikes most of us as the ultimate irrational act. As with many sad, tragic and controversial plays, Night Mother ends with much to contemplate and discuss. #9 - Romeo and Juliet Millions of people think of Shakespeares classic Romeo and Juliet as the ultimate love story. Romantics view the two star-crossed lovers as the quintessential young couple, forgoing the wishes of their parents, throwing caution to the proverbial wind and settling for nothing less than true love, even if it comes at the cost of death. However, theres a more cynical way of looking at this story: Two hormone-driven teenagers kill themselves because of the stubborn hatred of ignorant adults. The tragedy may be overrated and overdone, but consider the ending of the play: Juliet lies asleep but Romeo believes that she is dead so he prepares to drink poison in order to join her. The situation remains one of the most devastating examples of dramatic irony in the history of the stage. #8 - Oedipus the King Also known as Oedipus Rex, this tragedy is the most famous work of Sophocles, a Greek playwright who lived over two thousand years ago. In case you have never heard the plot of this famous myth, you may want to skip to the next play on the list. Spoiler Alert: Oedipus discovers that years ago he murdered his biological father and unknowingly married his biological mother. The circumstances are grotesque, but the real tragedy stems from the bloody reactions of the characters as each participant learns the unbearable truth. The citizens are filled with shock and pity. Jocasta hangs herself. And Oedipus uses the pins from her dress to gauge out his eyes. Well, we all cope in different ways I guess. Creon, Jocastas brother, takes over the throne. Oedipus will wander around Greece as a wretched example of mans folly. (And I assume Zeus and his fellow Olympians enjoy a mean-spirited chuckle.) Read the complete plot summary of Oedipus the King. #7 - Death of a Salesman Playwright Arthur Miller doesnt just kill off his protagonist, Willy Loman, by the end of the play. He also does his best to euthanize the American Dream. The aging salesman once believed that charisma, obedience, and persistence would lead to prosperity. Now that his sanity is wearing thin, and his sons have failed to live up to his expectations, Loman determines that he is worth more dead than alive. In my review of the play, I explain how this drama may not be my favorite of Millers work, but the play clearly accomplishes its goal: To make us understand the painfulness of mediocrity. And we learn a valuable, common sense lesson: Things dont always go the way we want them to go. #6 - Wit: There is a lot of humorous, heartwarming dialogue to be found in Margaret Edsons Wit. Yet, despite the plays many life affirming moments, Wit is filled with clinical studies, chemotherapy, and long stretches of painful, introspective loneliness. Its the story of Dr. Vivian Bearing, a hard-as-nails English professor. Her callousness is most evident during the plays flashbacks. While she narrates directly to the audience, Dr. Bearing recalls several encounters with her former students. As the pupils struggle with the material, often embarrassed by their intellectual inadequacy, Dr. Bearing responds by saying intimidating and insulting them. Yet, as Dr. Bearing revisits her past, she realizes she should have offered more human kindness to her students. Kindness is something Dr. Bearing will come to desperately crave as the play continues. If you have already experienced Wit then you know you will never look at John Donnes poetry the same way. The main character uses the cryptic sonnets to keep her intellect sharp, but by the end of the play she learns that academic excellence is no match for human compassion, and perhaps a bedtime story. Continue reading the Top Ten List of the Worlds Saddest Plays.

Professional communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Professional communication - Essay Example I want to emphasize that taking care of you, our customer, remains our highest priority and we thank you for your patience. If you have any further questions, or require assistance locating an Audi dealer, please visit audi.com or call us directly at 800-822-8987. First of all, as an important rule of business proposal letter writing serves the need to initially define who will be a reader of a letter, or, if it may have multiple recipients, what is its audience. In our particular case the letter is addressed to a concrete person, but there is every reason to believe that this letter was actually sent to many people, and thus is audience-oriented in nature. Its audience then is a group of people who have purchased a certain model of Audi, i.e. the existing clients of the company. Although the signature of the letter belongs to the Vice President of the company, the authorship of the letter is presented as if being from Audi company itself. In this situation such an authorship sets clear relations of seller-buyer between the sender of the letter and its recipients. Moreover, in this case the relations emerge on the ground of sellers responsibility before customers.