Coming of age is a prominent theme in Her First Ball by Katherine Mansfield Essay Example for Free

Coming of age is a prominent theme in Her First Ball by Katherine Mansfield Essay Coming of age is a prominent theme in ‘Her First Ball’ by Katherine Mansfield. It is expressed in the plot, wherein an adolescent girl attends her first ball and is fascinated and thrilled by it all. Her hopes are then let down by an older gentleman who cruelly reminds her that she will soon be an old lady with no happiness and excitement left in her life. Mansfield depicts the theme of growing up in title, language, literary devices and characterization. The title, ‘Her First Ball’, clearly states the subject of the story while maintaining the implications of growth and ageing. The use of the pronoun, ‘her’, instead of the name, Leila, shows how ubiquitous this process- how every woman has had a first ball that is a milestone in their journey to adulthood. This reiterates the notion that Leila, like everyone else will grow up and will no longer be the ecstatic young girl in awe of everything, whether it be for better or worse. The word ‘first’ implies youth and the change that comes with ageing. It suggests many more balls and experiences to come and marks this incident as a milestone in her life. Another technique Mansfield uses to express the theme of growing up in the story is the language. The language in ‘Her First Ball’ is extremely descriptive and ornate. She uses irony in ‘I can’t see a single invisible hairpin!’. This adds to the humor of the story. This also suggests the idiocy and stupidity of the youth, lost in the thrilling chaos of the ball. Mansfield also uses elaborate phrases to capture the magnificence of the ball and how Leila feels about it such as the alliterative phrase, ‘gleaming golden floor’. The words ‘gleaming’ and ‘golden’ both represent an epitome of beauty and splendor that is contrasted with descriptions from Leila’s school. The phrase ‘ dusty smelling hall- with calico texts on the wall’ provides a juxtaposition between Leila’s past and her present to show beyond doubt the changes in her life as she ages. An additional aspect of language that brings out the significant experience of the ball is the register used in ‘Her First Ball’. It is one of informal 18th century British English. Mansfield uses words and phrases such as ‘Twig’, ‘Oh, I say’ and ‘Pardon’. This adds to the authenticity of he story and emphasizes the setting and time. The tone used in ‘Her First Ball’ changes often in the story, which adds to the notion of change and growth. Although, it’s a third person narrative, it captures Leila’s feeling very effectively in the tone. At the start of the story, the tone is one of excitement and anxiety. Leila feels unsure yet thrilled about how the ball will be and also feels slightly out of place being a country girl. She expresses her doubts and the tone is also one of wistfulness and longing to be like everyone else. As the story progresses, the tone becomes more ecstatic and admiring of the ball. The hall, the people and the experience is absolutely thrilling to Leila. This excitement is represented in the tone until she converses with the fat, old man. He reminds her that this is only temporary and this happiness will soon be replaced with a feeling of sadness and longing to be youthful once again. This brings upon a new tone into the story- one of dismay and dread. Leila knows it’s inevitable and her visions of a life of joy and come crashing down. However, the tone soon changes to one of renewed happiness and everlasting joy. The music changes to something better and she loses herself in the dance, forgetting the words of the fat man; forgetting him altogether. The frequent changes in tone conceivably represent the changes in life that come with ageing and development. The music plays an important part in the story, mirroring the feelings of Leila. ‘with rabbit ears thumping the cold piano’ is a description of Leila’s boarding school dance lessons that were uncomfortable and a drag to her. This contrasts with ‘a soft, melting, ravishing tune’. The words chosen describe the music as an art or even as a food- ‘soft’, ‘melting’. This shows the overwhelming joy Leila feels in the fantastic ball. However, after the fat old man reminds Leila of her fate, ‘the music seemed to change; it sounded sad, sad’. The music that once ‘rose upon a wave’ now ‘rose upon a sigh’. This illustrates the quick changes in mood symptomatic of the youth, the gullibility and naivety as well. Even more so, Leila doesn’t even recognize him with the advent of another dance and has forgotten her dreadful encounter, which adds to the notion of the growing up and the mercurial c hanges in adolescence. Perhaps the most potent techniques to show the theme of ageing are the literary devices used. Mansfield uses an array of similes, metaphors and imagery to capture the scene and Leila’s emotions. The metaphor ‘all became one beautiful flying wheel’ expresses Leila’s intense happiness and high spirits. The old man, the antagonist, is described with the simile ‘ his coat looked as if it was dusty with French chalk’. It shows his lack of involvement in the ball and in it’s customs that comes with age. Another sign of this is when Leila’s partners ‘were not more interested’ and joyful about the ball as she was. This shows the inevitable mellowing down that Leila will, like everybody else, achieve. The author also uses visual imagery at the end of the story to show how the reminder of the inexorable affects Leila. Although she is initially dissatisfied, she soon notices that ‘the stars they had long beams like windâ⠂¬â„¢. This phrase with striking visual imagery marks the end of her short period of unhappiness and signifies her change in mood to once again being delighted. This leads to an important idea in the story, that adds to the characterization of Leila. The old man’s attempt to remind her of her destiny, however cruelly done, is quite true. Leila remembers this for only a short period of time before returning to her admiring self. This shows that the reminder of her future has fallen on deaf ears and that Leila is so intent on having a good time she forgets her worries and perhaps that she simply doesn’t consider the advisory anything more than a bitter man’s negative opinion. Her lack of heed to her wake up call indicates the naivety of the youth. She is quick to forget unpleasant experiences rather than to learn from them and ignores the prospect of growing up entirely as it upsets her. An important idea in the story is one of symbolism. There are many symbols in the story, Leila being on of youth. She represents the curiosity and happiness of adolescence along with the gullibility and inanity. She lives in the present, which is seen both positively and negatively in the story. Her ability to concentrate on the current happenings result in her extreme joy and thrill from the dancing and fun of the ball but also result in her sadness on meeting the fat man. The ball changes from her heaven to a place where she must face her inexorable depressing fate. However, it is this quality of hers that leads her to forget her bad memory and move on to the pleasures of life, even if they are short lived. The Old man on the other hand, could be a symbol of wisdom. When he first meets her he says ‘ Do I remember this bright little face’ although he’s obviously never seen her before. This creates an atmosphere of eerie knowledge around him. His shabby appearance and the fact that he dances with the youth despite his age sets him apart from the rest of the gentlemen and marks him as different. His age, his correct conjecture that it’s Leila’s first ball and his accurate prediction of her future signifies that he perhaps plays the role of a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The fact that Leila forgets him suggests her immaturity and her inability to see past the present. Thus, Mansfield perhaps tries to achieve the notion of the pettiness and fatuity as well as happiness and celebration of the youth in the story and its contents. She uses the plot to describe an incident where Leila is at her most happy and later, probably her least. The ending of the story shows Leila’s resilience, or rather, her ignorance. While centered on the theme of coming of age, I feel that Mansfield used the many effective literary techniques and the conclusion of the story to show that Leila has, essentially, not matured.

High School Sports :: essays research papers

Do Students Who Play Sports In School Tend To Be More Successful In The Future?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  High school is a time for young adults to try and find themselves. Some students decide to be the nerds, or join certain clubs but many students venture into the world of sports. I believe that students who play sports are more likely to stay off the streets and not partake in activities that deal with alcohol and drugs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In today’s society more and more kids find themselves on streets drinking and doing drugs. I feel that young adults who partake in sports are more likely to stay in school and get an education. Sports give students an opportunity to find themselves. One reason why kids should be involved in sports is that it allows the children to stay of trouble. The schools have a strict policy regarding grades for those who play sports. Sports give the children to have an education because the children have to do well in school to get the opportunity to play a sport they love very much. These policies, though many kids do not like them very much, keeps kids off of the streets and in the classroom. Sports not only give an incentive to going to classes and school but also doing well in school. Not only do sports academically help young adults today but also society puts great pressures on kids about how they look with great emphasis on their weight. The sports programs in school provides a great opportunity to stay healthy and in shape. As well as health issues sports also improve your self-esteem. It is hard to accomplish anything if children do not think they have it in them. In result through sports not only do become physically fit but children also feel good about themselves as a person. Another reason sports are important is that sports provide an easier way of making friends. For many making friends is a hard thing to do, but through sports children do not really have a choice but to get to know their teammates. With these friendships, children are able to build some great memories and fun times that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. High School Sports :: essays research papers Do Students Who Play Sports In School Tend To Be More Successful In The Future?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  High school is a time for young adults to try and find themselves. Some students decide to be the nerds, or join certain clubs but many students venture into the world of sports. I believe that students who play sports are more likely to stay off the streets and not partake in activities that deal with alcohol and drugs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In today’s society more and more kids find themselves on streets drinking and doing drugs. I feel that young adults who partake in sports are more likely to stay in school and get an education. Sports give students an opportunity to find themselves. One reason why kids should be involved in sports is that it allows the children to stay of trouble. The schools have a strict policy regarding grades for those who play sports. Sports give the children to have an education because the children have to do well in school to get the opportunity to play a sport they love very much. These policies, though many kids do not like them very much, keeps kids off of the streets and in the classroom. Sports not only give an incentive to going to classes and school but also doing well in school. Not only do sports academically help young adults today but also society puts great pressures on kids about how they look with great emphasis on their weight. The sports programs in school provides a great opportunity to stay healthy and in shape. As well as health issues sports also improve your self-esteem. It is hard to accomplish anything if children do not think they have it in them. In result through sports not only do become physically fit but children also feel good about themselves as a person. Another reason sports are important is that sports provide an easier way of making friends. For many making friends is a hard thing to do, but through sports children do not really have a choice but to get to know their teammates. With these friendships, children are able to build some great memories and fun times that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The primary stakeholders for this case

The primary stakeholders for this case are the investors, stock holders and other clients that are directly doing business with the company. Furthermore, secondary stakeholders can be the company’s employees and board members. Whatever decision the company’s controller takes, it will have a direct effect on these com/tesco-and-oxfam-stakeholders/">stakeholders. b. The president’s request regarding increasing the allowance for doubtful accounts from 2% to 4% poses some ethical dilemma for the company.As the controller of the company, the controller knows what is best for the company, thus, suggesting a 2% allowance for doubtful accounts guarantees that the company will be, at least, achieve its target growth rate. However, the president wants the company to play safe, thus, suggesting an increase in allowance. Even though the president has a good intention in his request, the fact that he is overestimating the allowance poses many possible effects for the company and for the stakeholders in the long run.The company and its stakeholders might be mislead by the impression that they are achieving their target growth rate when in fact, that percentage is lower compared to the actual target growth rate that the company should accomplish. In addition, the request posted by the president does not have any quantitative data to support the decision. This, in the long run may underestimate the potential of the company in terms of financial growth because the increase in allowance in turn, means an decrease in company income (Clausen 2009).c. The company’s controller should be concerned in the company growth rate because as the company’s employee, he is also a stakeholder of the company who can be affected if wrong decisions are implemented. His job of assuring the company’s stability will be affected if wrong estimations regarding financial activities will be followed. He as the controller should make sure first if the presidentâ €™s suggestion would be suitable for the company before implementing it.If the suggestion will pose unreasonable risk for the company, then the suggestion should be abandoned and other ways on securing the company’s growth rate should be done to still achieve the target results (Clausen 2009). ? Source: Clausen, James (2009). Accounting 101 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Suite 101. com. Available at: http://accounting. suite101. com/article. cfm/accounting_101_allowance_for_doubtful_accounts

Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb - 976 Words

ALBERT EINSTEIN and the ATOMIC BOMB The physicist Albert Einstein did not directly participate in the invention of the atomic bomb. But as we shall see, he was instrumental in facilitating its development. In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, he made the intriguing point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by the equation E=mc2 (energy = mass times the speed of light squared). The atomic bomb would clearly illustrate this principle. But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation. Indeed, he considered himself to be a pacifist. In 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would unconditionally refuse to do war†¦show more content†¦But Bush and other leaders in the atomic bomb project excluded Einstein from any other a-bomb related work. Bush didnt trust Einstein to keep the project a secret: I am not at all sure... [Einstein] would not discuss it in a way that it should not be discussed. (Clark, pg. 684-685; G. Pascal Zachary, Endless Frontier: Vannevar Bush, Engineer of the American Century, pg. 204). As the realization of nuclear weapons grew near, Einstein looked beyond the current war to future problems that such weapons could bring. He wrote to physicist Niels Bohr in December 1944, when the war is over, then there will be in all countries a pursuit of secret war preparations with technological means which will lead inevitably to preventative wars and to destruction even more terrible than the present destruction of life. (Clark, pg. 698). The atomic bombings of Japan occurred three months after the surrender of Germany, whose potential for creating a Nazi a-bomb had led Einstein to push for the development of an a-bomb for the Allies. Einstein withheld public comment on the atomic bombing of Japan until a year afterward. 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