The Bean Eaters Essay Example for Free

The Bean Eaters Essay Gwendolyn Brook’s poem, â€Å"The Bean Eaters† as depicted in eleven lines, is symbolic to a more mature couple that has endured a journey filled with togetherness, obstacles, and peace. Although, its setting is surrounded with restraints, limitations, and isolation, they have lived their better days and have what’s left of their future together. The image portrayed by the author presents a quiet, sensitive, grim yet humble atmosphere. The author emphasize that the couple is of maturity, â€Å"Two who have lived their days† (6). They live in a small rental with only each others company. It is obvious that they have lived the best of their days working closely together and surviving on a strict budget, â€Å"They eat beans mostly, this old yellow pair† (line 1). The setting portrayed by the author presents restraints, and limitations, â€Å"Plain chipware on a plain and creaking wood† (3), Tin flatware† (4). In this setting, it appears that the couple is conservative and lives with the same routine in their tight rented space. In this poem, there is no other family or friends, â€Å"this old yellow pair† (1), Two who are Mostly Good† (5), â€Å"Two who have lived their days† (6). This is evidence that they were loners. The key word that continued to arise is giving distinction of just a pair. â€Å"Remembering, with twinkling and twinges† (10), they have endures their past together and are holding on for their final destination. In conclusion, Gwendolyn Brook’s poem, â€Å"The Bean Eaters†, is built on the lives of a couple who have lived and laughed throughout their journey together.

Sports Narrative - Track Competition :: Personal Narrative Essays

Personal Narrative- Track Competition The moment of truth was upon me. The official times, this includes whom qualified for finals, for the 400m relay had been posted. My eyes scanned the page for the bold letters that spell ANDERSON. As I ran my finger across the page to where the times were posted, my ears began to shut out all outside noises, leaving me alone with the thump of my heart and the inhale and exhale of my lungs. Both began to increase in speed as my eyes narrowed in on the time. My sophomore year had begun and I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to do track this year. Last year I played football in the fall and soccer in the spring. Not really enjoying it, the decision was made to play " real futbol" (soccer) in the fall, leaving the spring sports season open. My friend kept telling me how fun track was, so I decided to give it a try. As the first meet neared, things were going well. I made it onto the 4x100 team making me the third fastest kid on the team. The other members of the relay were Jason Schmidt, Jeremy Willard and Rodney Schmidt. Jason and Jeremy were both the top dogs and Rodney and I were second from the bottom of the barrel. The 400 relay was my best event. We placed in every meet and even took home some medals as the season progressed. As the track year rounded for the home stretch, we had only three more meets to compete in: the Tiger Invitational, regionals, and state. As the Tiger rolled around, there arose a question of whether or not to keep the team together or break it up and give the two seniors a chance to compete in other individual events at regionals. I actually didn't know about this possibility until about five minutes before the race began on Saturday. We were all huddled together preparing for the start. Jeremy came up to Rodney and me and told us that if we didn't do well the team might be dropped. Kicking our motivational drive into high, the four of us focused on only one thing: running the time we all knew we could. Getting into the blocks I felt more ready than ever. At the sound of the gun, I shot out of the blocks. I sprinted around the track, concentrating on making a great hand-off.

Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality Essay

Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality Is homosexuality a choice or genetic? Homosexuality is becoming more and more common all over the world. There are many different perspectives and theories regarding homosexuality. There are historical, culture, species, scientific, and psychological perspectives on being a homosexual person but which is true and which is simply a theory. Homosexual Perspectives Historically being a gay man or a lesbian was a sin. According to the reading sodomy is a sin and was most likely the reason why Sodom was destroyed all those years ago. Historically any release of sperm not meant for procreation is a sin. However, in ancient Greece it was common for established men to form sexual relationships with young men about the age of growing a beard. There are pictures on vases that depict a man inserting his penis between a boy’s legs but not in the anus. I think that given the historical views of homosexual behaviors it makes some people think that it is still wrong and should still be hidden from people. It also depends on how a person was raised in my opinion. If a person was raised to believe that it is a sin to enter into homosexual relationships then they will try to hide it from everyone for as long as possible. However, if a person was raised to believe that there is nothing wrong with being homosexual then they will be more likely to be open about it. (Rathus, 2011) A study was done in 76 preliterate countries as to if male-male relationships were considered to be acceptable. In 49 of these countries it was considered to be normal and acceptable for male-male relationships. However, the other 27 countries had sanctions if you were caught in male-male relationships. Another study was done years later that was of 70 of the world’s non-European societies and the prevalence of male-male relationships. 41% of the 70 found that male-male sexual relationships were present but uncommon. The other 59% claimed that it was rare or absent in their societies. In some countries  li ke New Guinea it is considered a rite of passage for boys between the ages of 7 and 10 to leave their homes and move into a â€Å"clubhouse† with adolescent boys and adult males. While living there they would fellate the older boys and drink their semen. They are encouraged to drink as much semen as possible to give them a rise in puberty. However, in their late teens early 20s they are expected to take a bride and enter in exclusively into male-female relationships. I think that homosexuals would be more open about their homosexuality depending on if it is accepted in the society that they live in. There are many reasons as to why people hide that they are homosexual from those around them but I think that the most common reason is that they feel that they will not be accepted by others if they tell. (Rathus, 2011) In the animal kingdom it is not uncommon for there to be male-male or female-female sexual relationships. However, in male-male relationships in the animal kingdom it is usually an act of dominance not pleasure. This is very similar to the behaviors of male and female inmates or those with limited access to the opposite gender. In prison there is a dominant and submissive person involved in these male-male and female-female sexual relationships. (Rathus, 2011) Coming Out and Adjusting When a gay male or a lesbian announces that they are a gay male or lesbian it is commonly referred to as coming out. I think that depending on the person and the society that they live in it is easy to come out. If you live in a society that accepts it even if they do not approve of it then it is easier to come out to people. It also depends on the support that a person has around them. If a person has a good support system than they will have an easier time coming out. However, if they feel that they will be scorned, mocked, harassed, or any other form of teasing then they will be less likely to come out. (Rathus, 2011) I think that the adjustment is the same for homosexuals as it is for heterosexuals. It is more of a lifestyle choice and therefore depending on how you live your life you will be happy. However, before a person comes out they may be very stressed, tense, overwhelmed, or any number of other feeling and emotions because they are hiding who they are from the world. Pers onal Beliefs I do not think that the historical or scientific reasons from the reading  have really shaped my sexual orientation. I think that religion might have a part in some people’s lives but me personally I think that a person should be judged for who they are not for their sexuality. Scientifically, I think that there is possibly a gene in the human body that causes you to be gay or lesbian but I do not think that I have that gene if it does exist. I think that I like who I like regardless of what other people think. Homosexuality is different for every person. There are people who are proud to be homosexual and there are people who are ashamed of being a homosexual. I think that this all depends on how a person is raised and what their beliefs are on the subject. No two people are exactly the same and this is true of homosexuals as well. What works for one person might not work for another person. Homosexuality is only on aspect of a person’s life and thus a person should not be judged and treated differently for this one aspect of their life. References Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2011). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (8th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Characteristics of Left Brain Dominant Students

While there are differences of opinion when it comes to brain hemisphere dominance, one thing seems clear: there are some students who are more comfortable with logic and reasoning than they are with creativity and intuition. These preferences are characteristic of people who are sometimes called left brain dominant. Are you very organized? Do you believe that there is a right way and a wrong way to do things?  Do you enjoy math homework more than English homework? If so, you may be left-brain dominant. Characteristics of Left Brain Dominant Students Work well with a daily task listLike to be the critic in classFeel naturally  good at math or scienceAre rational and logicalPerform research that is precise and well-documentedLike to set goalsCan interpret information wellKeep a tidy roomAnswer questions spontaneouslyFollow directions and read directionsArent touchy-feelyCan listen to a long lecture without losing interestDon’t let feelings get in their wayEnjoy action moviesRead sitting upChoose precise words Left Brain Dominant Students in Class Able to remember dates and processes in history classEnjoy going through a long calculation in math classLike the order of scienceHave a good understanding of grammar and sentence structure in English class Advice for Left Brain Dominant Students Study in a quiet room to avoid distractionYou understand math but may get impatient trying to explain it to someone who struggles. If so, don’t volunteer to be a tutor unless you know you have the patience for it.You like to take the lead in study groups, so go ahead and volunteerJoin a debate team or academic competitionTry to excel at the science fair; you can be a winnerUse your skills in math and science to your advantageChoose non-fiction readingYou prefer factual questions and assignments, as opposed to open-ended questionsYou can organize your notes well, so you shouldKeep your room organizedTry to refrain from arguing with the teacherWhen selecting assignments, choose to do analytical essaysWork alone when you have a choice; you get frustrated with others who â€Å"clown around†Avoid â€Å"free-thinking† teachers if they confuse youTake more risks; don’t be afraid to be creative With all of your factual knowledge, you might be a finalist on Jeopardy someday.