Heart Of Darkness And Modest Proposal Essays - Cultural Geography

Heart Of Darkness And Modest Proposal Colonization in the Theme of "A Modest Proposal" and "Heart of Darkness" Starting at the beginning of the seventeenth century, European countries began exploring and colonizing many different areas of the world. The last half of the nineteenth century saw the height of European colonial power around the globe. France, Belgium, Germany, and especially Great Britain, controlled over half the world. Along with this achievement came a notable sense of pride and confident belief that European civilization was the best on earth and that the natives of the lands Europeans controlled would only benefit from colonial influence. However, not everybody saw colonization as positive for all those involved. Some of the most notable writers of the time produced works criticizing the process of colonization. Two of the most significant works in this area are Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal." Although these pieces of literature both criticize colonization, they have different themes. The theme of "A Modest Proposal" could be described as the negative effects of colonization on the colonized, while the central idea in "Heart of Darkness" is the negative effects of colonization on both the colonized and the colonizers. The differences in these themes are significant to the strategies used by the authors to explore the adverse effects of colonization. Swift makes great use of irony and imagery, to accentuate the plight of the Irish. Conrad comments on the frightening changes that people involved with colonization can go through by exploring character development and detailing a narrative of oppression. Swift uses irony in "A Modest Proposal" because it allows him to highlight the emotional detachment felt by the colonizing British towards the Irish. It is this emotional detached feeling that lead to the atrocities committed against the Irish citizens. The irony in "A Modest Proposal" is evident right in the title. There is certainly nothing "modest" about the "proposal" of eating the infants of impoverished Irish citizens. The irony accentuates how cruel and uncompassionate the powerful British Imperialists were, towards the destitute Irish population. The reader must realize that "Swift is operating independently of the narrator in a covert manner" (Phiddian 607). He develops the persona of the proposer to say exactly the opposite of what he feels. While the proposer suggests eating poor Irish children is particularly proper at "merry meetings, particularly weddings and christenings," this could not be further from the opinion of Swift. Nor does Swift actually believe that this plan will "increase the care and tenderness of mothers toward their children." (NA 1052) Moreover, the whole topic of cannibalism, is discussed with tongue in cheek and is meant to suggest that the British were devouring the Irish. Images of cruelty and evil put, forward by the narrator, weigh heavily in the theme of "A Modest Proposal." Throughout the pamphlet, the reader is bombarded with disturbing imagery of Irish people and their children being treated like livestock raised for consumption. The narrator refers to the parents of the children as "savages" (NA 1050) and "breeders" (NA 1051) and "dams" (NA 1048). Then he compares the children to "roasting pigs" (NA 1050) and continues as if he were writing a cook book. He speaks of how delicious he thinks these infants would be "whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled" (NA 1049) or served in a "fricassee or a ragout" (NA 1049). He describes how the "carcasses" (NA 1050) of these babies could be nicely seasoned with "a little pepper or salt" (NA 1050) and "will be in season throughout the year" (NA 1050). Flaying the carcass and using the skin of these babies to make "admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen" (NA 1050) is another suggestion he puts forward. He expands beyond just slaughtering the infants for food and leather products by suggesting the possibility of hunting the adolescents for sport. He dismisses this idea because he imagines the flesh of the adolescents would be too tough for eating and because hunting them would reduce the breeding stock. He also has concerns that "some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering on cruelty" (NA 1051). All of the gruesome imagery used in "A Modest Proposal" has earned it the reputation of being one of Swift's most potent attacks in his "war on a class of civilized people who often behave like animals" (McMinn 149). Joseph Conrad details a narrative of oppression emphasizing the horrible treatment of African natives during the colonization of the Congo. The Europeans

Vaccines and Autism Professor Ramos Blog

Vaccines and Autism Vaccines and Autism Do vaccines really cause autism in children? What are Vaccines? Vaccines stimulate the making of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases. It prepares your body to fight the disease faster and more effectively so you won’t get sick. A vaccine is made from small amounts of weak or dead germs such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins that can cause diseases. The system of vaccinations in the U.S. is one of the great public health achievements of our time.    Common Ingredients contained in Vaccinations Aluminium MF59 Thiomersal, also called Thimerosal Gelatine Human serum albumin and recombinant albumin Sorbitol and other stabilisers Emulsifiers Taste improvers antibiotics Thimerosal Thimerosal is an organic mercury compound that has been used for many years in the U.S. in more than one dose of vaccines. This type of mercury does not stay in your bloodstream and it is not the type of mercury found in the earth’s crust. Thimerosal is added to vaccines to prevent bacteria and fungi growing in them. If these specific germs grew on the vaccines and they were injected into a human, then the person would experience severe reactions, illnesses, or death. Children six years and younger are recommended by their doctors to their parents to avoid vaccines containing thimerosal. Thimerosal is also used as a preservative in other medical products such as some throat and nose sprays. Other than minor side effects that can be treated with medicine, thimerosal has been tested safe. Ethylmercury Thimerosal contains ethylmercury, a metal that is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury, and is therefore less likely to cause any harm. Methylmercury is the type of mercury that is contained in certain fish and high exposures of this metal can be toxic. Methylmercury constantly gets confused with ethylmercury and parents get worried for the safety of their children. Vaccines (MMR) Side Effects Although vaccines provide immunity from getting diseases, there are also side effects. It really does depend on the type of vaccination a person is getting and how they react to it. The main vaccines that parents question due to side effects is the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. According to: â€Å"MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) VIS.† Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Feb, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mmr.html. this vaccine has three types of levels for side effects- minor, moderate, and severe. Minor events can cause a sore arm from the injection, fever, redness/ rash, or swelling in the cheeks or the neck. Moderate events can cause Seizures that come with a fever, Temporary pain or stiffness in the joints, or blood clots which can cause unusual bleeding or bruising, and Rash all over the body. Severe events rarely happen. They are Deafness, long-term seizures, comas, or lowered consciousness and brain damage. It has no t been confirmed that autism is the result from brain damage. Risks of Not Being Vaccinated   Risks of not being vaccinated are not too common and are portrayed as non realistic side effects because it is hardly ever seen. Therefore people do not see the possible birth defects, hearing loss, paralysis and death that can be caused by MMR. Most of the U.S. citizens are well vaccinated, therefore they are almost  protected completely from getting diseases. Choosing not to vaccinate is a risky choice for the individual and the community. If a child is not vaccinated then they are at risk of catching a disease and contaminating other children. It is possible to catch a disease even if you are vaccinated. The sickness will not be as strong as someone who is not immune but a small portion of the disease still affects the other person who got contaminated by the person without vaccinations. A healthy parent will try to protect their children and infants by making sure their car seat is buckled in tight, they make sure to keep them censored from violence and nudity, they feed them s everal meals a day, and they make sure their environment is as safe as they can possibly provide for their little ones. So why are vaccines not a part of the safety list? A child is more likely to die from all types of diseases because their immune system is not as strong as the immune system of an adult. A child’s body has not experienced as many illnesses compared to older people who have dealt with plenty of flu, colds, and have been exposed to many more different types of environments. -If an infected mother has her baby in her womb, there is a big risk the baby will be born sick. Even though the baby might survive painful illnesses, he or she will grow up with health problems or will be more at risk to develop illnesses in their later years. *According to Szabo, Liz. Full Vaccine Schedule Safe for Kids, no Link to Autism. Gannett News Service, 28 Mar, 2013. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com., there was a study done through a pediatric department about babies who received all of their immunizations within the first year compared to babies who missed a few. The study found no differences between health problems, face symmetries, or IQ differences. There is no reason to delay immunizations from the day they are meant to get them. â€Å"When you delay your childs vaccines, you put them at risk†. Do Vaccines Cause Autism in Children? Some parents lack the confidence to vaccinate their children according to their pediatrics schedule because they fear their children may never be the same after a dose enters their system. But Scientific studies have shown no relationship between vaccinations and the risk of autism. The removal of thimerosal from childhood vaccines over 15 years ago has had no effect on the rising rate of autism in the U.S.. In the 1980’s, autism was diagnosed one in 10,000- now it is one in 59 children. There is a rise in autism and the cause is unknown but scientists have proven autism not to be the cause from vaccines and it has been ruled over as a myth. Work Cited Wharton, Melinda. Truth Revealed: New Scientific Discoveries regarding Mercury.. Truth Revealed: New Scientific Discoveries Regarding Mercury in Medicine, 08 Sep, 2004. SIRS Government Reporter, https://sks.sirs.com. -Thimerosal has been eliminated from most vaccines for children under six years young.   This happened because after an FDA analysis of the amounts of mercury exposure that were being contained in vaccinations became a worrisome in the U.S. Public Health Service Agencies. They took action to remove thimerosal preservatives being contained in vaccines. Now, if a person goes to to a pediatric clinic, there are vaccines that still contain thimerosal but a parent can now request to get an immunization without it. Side effects to thimerosal are redness in the body, inflammation and on rare occasions- allergic reactions. our body easily eliminates the thimerosal by being removed by our blood and quickly excreted in your waste. Thimerosal does not build up in your system like other mercury-based compounds can. Austin, David. â€Å"An epidemiological analysis of the ‘autism as mercury poisoning’ hypothesis†. international Journal of Risk Safety in Medicine, Vol. 20 Issue 3, 2008, p.135-142. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=a9hAN=33945774site=ehost-live -Mercury occurs in three forms: Organic, Inorganic and elemental. Though, organic elements such as thimerosal have been discovered in vaccinations, the percentage of mercury being contained is insufficient to the percentage that has been collected through children with autism. It has been proven children who develop autism in their future years could have slowly gotten to where they are through mercury poisoning. Elemental mercury is more common in our food and water sources, and can affect the way our brain is progressing. Parasidis, Efthimios. â€Å"Public Health Law and Institutional Vaccine Skepticism.† Journal of Health Politics, Policy Law., Vol. 41 Issue 6, p1137-1149, Dec. 2016. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=a9hAN=119443430site=ehost-live. -This article is demonstrating vaccines are unknown to be linked to autism. â€Å"Vaccine-hesitant parents are often portrayed as misinformed† because every doctor is sharing different information about their own studies and beliefs. Something we are introducing to our bodies is causing harm to the way our brain develops. In the early 1990’s children who were diagnosed with autism might have been misdiagnosed with a type of learning disability. Our technology and knowledge were not advanced to the level our current science and medical field is now. But through studies and years of observation there have been many debates if vaccines are linked to autism through mercury or an unknown supplement being contained.   Vaccines could or could not be the answer but it is not- not impossible. Autism Science Foundation.† Searching Solving Sharing, 2018. https://autismsciencefoundation.org/what-is-autism/how-common-is-autism/. -Autism has been on the rise ever since the 1980’s when the disabilities statistics were gathered and recorded. ASD has been changing because there were certain symptoms that were originally counted as the disease but later doctors and scientists ruled it as another disability. Now it is more noticeable to recognize autism due to the technology advancement and the knowledge of doctors passed on through generations and information gathered compared and studied. Autism is more common in boys than girls. Szabo, Liz. Full Vaccine Schedule Safe for Kids, no Link to Autism. Gannett News Service, 28 Mar, 2013. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. -This site explained there is no difference in a person who receives immunizations during their entire childhoods or getting them all in one day. Vaccines were much more dangerous when they were first exposed to the public but throughout the years of experimenting with antigens, there are only very few put into the vaccines that help stimulate the immune system to fight block infections. This article mentions vaccines linked to autism is a myth because autism is caused before a baby is born. Autism is usually diagnosed during the 12-18 month mark but a doctor can spot it as early as six months.