Saturday, October 5, 2019
A breakthrough drug Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
A breakthrough drug - Essay Example A group of scientist under the supervision of NH Director Francis S. Collins reported that the drug Everolimus have the capacity to clear out the protein Progerin from theses children’s body. Everybody’s body produces progerin a mutated form of protein lamin A, which is important for the organizing of the genome contained in the cells of the body. There is number of research which shows that progerin in the body of people accumulates as they age. The studies have also reported that, the drug Everolimus also cut back the protein progerin from the body of healthy man and also prolonged their cell life. On study with mice, Everolimus which is a derivative of immunosuppressant rapamycin, has shown to extend the life span. With a control on cycling process of protein progerin, the drug Everolimus helps in controlling the aging process. The recycling of the progerin is possible because of the ability of this drug to clear toxins from the cells of the body. The FDA approved Everolimus on May of 2011 as a drug to fight the aging process of cell progerin . According to (Rockfeller)â€Å"The Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, also known as Progeria, is a genetic disease that affects small children and toddlers causing them to age prematurely†. Eventhough this drug treat the patients from outside the underlying disease which is genetic remains. However, the drug Everolimus treats the patients and reduces 50% of chances of getting the disease again. This medicine treats 50% of the cell but still there is underlying chance of getting the disease again. Progeria is a rare disease which affects the children, and even children and adults with brain tumor and other carcinogens can be cured with Everolimus. The diseased child has an increased amount of protein A and thus causes disruption in the working o f the cells in the body. The everolimus has got a trade name which is â€Å"
Friday, October 4, 2019
Argument essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2
Argument - Essay Example Censorship discourages economic growth by hindering business development; this has a vast negative impact. This is evident when considering the number of the movies that are being banned or scrapped off due to the sole decision of an individual that the contents of the movies are said to be unfit for public viewing. This is not in order in spite of the fact that individuals may at times be dismissive of it terming it as protection (Reichman 66). The role of film classification officers is thus put into question as it is unclear why a committee is left to determine what films are watchable and which are not despite the clear fact that it is the regulators who place the age restrictions quite higher than they should actually, creating a negative impact on the business personalities. Information is power and a population that is empowered is better off than that which is denied information. This impact was seen in Ireland for example in the year 2000 on the film called, ‘The cider house rules,’ a movie which was given an over 18 certificate proclaiming that the information that it presented on abortion and incest was wrong. In issuing such restrictions, they argue that any individual who wants to have access to such a film must first possess an idea of the film contents and the message passed (Caso 172). This may be correct but the younger population should access the message communicated by the film especially with the onset of technological growth coupled with the fact that technology is and will continue to be a major pillar of economic growth. Therefore, many businesses are adversely affected when restrictions in terms of laws and regulations are put in place in such an environment (Lederer and Richard 312). In addition, censorship denies individuals their freedom of expression and access to information, since it is beneficial for one to be able to make well-informed decisions, but it is discouraging when some sectors within the society influence, and place restrictions on individuals to shape the values of the society members in terms of what they should do or not do. It is only possible to make clear and well-informed decisions when the individuals have all the necessary information to make such decisions. This is what censorship denies the population, the chance to make their own independent and well-informed choices by influencing their decisions and choices in a direction of their preference (Lederer and Richard 72). However, the fact that people should be allowed to make their own decisions does not mean the same people will invest their efforts in acts that would go against the norms of the society. The regulations placed have resulted into situations whereby individuals are not able to make critical decisions like those that involve the choice of curriculums in schools. This inability is attributed to inappropriate information that has made it extremely difficult for the school going personalities to be in the positi on of choosing extra curriculum activities and relevant collegial groups than they were able to before. Therefore, censorship should be discouraged since it even cuts
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Financial Analysis of Competition Bikes Essay Example for Free
Financial Analysis of Competition Bikes Essay Financial Analysis of Competition Bikes Introduction            In financial analysis a complete assessment of a business organization covering competitiveness, profitability, liquidity and stability concerns. Financial analysis of a business is undertaken by reviewing the business’ financial statements. Summarized financial statement reports are frequently presented to executives and top managers for setting up business goals as well as making decisions. Analysis of the financial statements of Competition Bikes demand evaluation of the internal operation focusing on vertical, horizontal, ratio and trend analyses and the working capital. These evaluations communicate profit margins enabling projection of budgets and restraining sales and costs potential. Annual comparison of production performance subject to profit versus overhead helps in forecasting of budgets for production ingredients on a monthly basis (Shim, J. and Siegel, J. 2009). Competition Bikes Horizontal Analysis            This is the examination of percentage changes in comparative statements of a business. In this case, it is the evaluation of Competition Bike’s comparative statements between the year 6 and 7 as well as 7 and 8. The horizontal analysis chart helps in indicating the value of accounts payable differential in year 6 and 7 as well as year 7 and year 8. The company’s net sales soared up by 33.3% between year 6 and 7 at $1,495,000. However, net sales differential between year 7 and 8 was a negative implying that sales decreased by 15% at $897,000. Therefore, it is essential that Competition Bikes increases annual sales to reap higher profits. The value of gross profit registered was a negative figure of $266,600 equivalent to 16.3% decrease. Interestingly, the company registered a 37.5% gross profits increase between year 6 and 7 at $447,000.            The time period between purchasing of raw materials, manufacturing and distribution of goods is referred to as the operating cycle. The net period in collection of receipts from payments and sales is the cash conversion cycle for the different ingredients consumed and produced by Competition Bikes. The company witnessed a decrease in the operating cycle between years 6 and 7 from 50.52 to 48.00 days. This is explained by the increased growth of sales relative to the inventories growth rate. The cash conversion period between year 6 and 8 was relatively negative. This is because Competition Bikes Inc has a high liquidity owing to the short receivables period supplemented by a lengthy payable deferral period. It is indicative of the efficient management of the company’s resources.            The aggregate of administrative and general expenses between year 6 and 7 increased at $156,440 equivalent to 20.4% increase. However, the increase between year 7 and 8 was significantly lower at $11,004 equivalent to 1.2% increase. Still, Competition Bikes Inc operating income between year 6 and 7 increased at $191,820 equivalent to 154.6% increase. However, this parameter decreased at $318,392 equivalent to 61.9% decrease. Higher profits were registered between year 6 and 7 relative to year 7 and 8 which registered a dcrease in profits.            In addition, the company’s cash account differential between 6 and 7 was a decrease of $142,451 equivalent to 54.6%. However, this differential increased between year 7 and 8 at $326,475 equivalent to 275.4%. The net liabilities difference between year 6 and 7 was $128,620 equal to 1.2% increase. According to horizontal analysis, the total liabilities differential from year 6 to 8 was a decrease at $35,500 or 1.9% (Brigham, E. and Houston, J. 2007).            Still, Competition Bike’s common equity differential between year 6 and 7 was a 2.9% increase equating to $119,914 increase. Horizontal analysis of the same parameter indicates a fall between year 7 and 8 equal to $2,400 or 0.1% decrease. Since year 7 and 8 registered a lesser loss comparative to the gain between years 6 and 7, Competition Bikes Inc. broke even in the former years from the aggregate of year 6 and year 7. Competition Bikes Inc Vertical Analysis            In vertical analysis, an exploration of a company’s statement of financial position is considered to validate each element comparative to the total assets as a percentage. For the income statement, vertical analysis involves exploration of the various variables subject to total sales. This analysis helps in evaluation of the financial performance of Competition Bikes Inc with time. The tabulation below indicates the Vertical Analysis of the Competition Bikes Inc’s Balance Sheet Account elements Year 6 Total assets ($4,199,303) Year 7 Total assets ($4,319,217) Year 8 Total assets ($4,316,817) Notes and accounts Payable 1.6% 4.5% 6.1% Accrued Salaries and other expenses 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% Accrued Expenses 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% Mortgage 42.9% 39.4% 37.1% Long term Liabilities 2.1% 2.0% 1.9% Stockholders Equity 52.5% 53.3% 54.1%            Competition Bikes Inc Vertical Analysis assesses the liabilities, equities and assets of the company. Overall, the operating expenses fluctuated in little figures indicate a strong internal control policy. Therefore, there was little depreciation on the company subject to the operating sales versus costs. The proportion of liabilities decreased over the three years indicating an improved ability in Competition Bikes Inc to settle debts. The proportion of common equity relative to debts increased over the period signifying a growth in the net capital of the company. Competition Bikes Trend Analysis            This is the evaluation of the financial performance of a business over time. Firstly, Competition Bikes Inc balance sheet figures increased tremendously between years 6 and 8. This signifies growth and expansion trend in Competition Bikes. On average, the company grew at 3.3% which is a sustainable growth rate. Over the three years, the sales dropped significantly and especially between year 7 and 8. Nonetheless, the profit margin was relatively strong due to little fluctuations in overhead costs such as materials, productions costs and carrier fees. Therefore, it is potentially possible that the future sales in years 9, 10 and 11 high provided the company maintains the current growth and expansion rate.            Based on trend analysis, it is anticipated that the company’s sales in future will remain strong. This inspires the shareholder to invest more in the company over the next three years. Profits are anticipated to increase at 103.2%, 107.6% and 111.8% over the next three years respectively. In additional, further prodding of the company’s financial statements indicates a declining rate in sales growth rate. For instance, the company sales increase at 8.65% between year 6 and 7 as well as 9.85% between year 7 and year 8. Nonetheless, the significantly small sales growth rate is associative to higher boost in net income which rose by 12.82% and 14.46% in year 7 and 8 respectively. Competition Bikes Ratio Analysis            It is the determination of the past years financial performance relative to other companies ratios, trends as well as those of the company/business under review. These ratios include liquidity, profitability and efficiency ratios.            Liquidity ratios extracted from the statement of financial position determine the ability of the business to pay its debts at and as when they fall due. The fractions are significantly important in computation of the business ability to meet its short term and long term financial obligations and goals. Quick ratio is computed by dividing quick assets by current liabilities. The company registered a low quick ration of 3.11% and 3.21% for years 8 and 7 respectively. This is because as a motor bike retailer, the company must hold high levels of inventory meaning that most of the working capital ends up tied. Considering that the company enjoys a small inventory turnover ratio, this is not a worrying level.            Efficiency ratios include the inventory turnover ratio and the average collection period. The former is obtained by dividing total sales by total inventory. This ratio indicates the efficiency and the rapidity with which the company manages to sell its bikes. In year 7 and 8, the company’s inventory turnover fell from 46.7 to 45.9 indicating decrease strength in paying off debts. The latter ratio is the anticipated period of cashing owed receivables from clients. Competition Bikes Inc current average collection period is 102.6 days. It is not an ideal duration because it implies delayed conversion of receivables into cash for clearing debts and expenses.            Profitability ratios include return on assets and gross profit margin. The former ratio assesses the aptitude of Competition Bikes to raise revenue from its assets. The company’s return on asset parameter in year 7 and 8 was 4.52 and 4.25 respectively. The gross profit margin at the same period was 27.4% and 27% respectively. However, this was a 4.7% drop from the previous 5.3%. The fall in profits translates to poor operations and hence the need to evaluate the company’s strategies. Competition Bikes Working Capital            This is the difference between the current assets and the current liabilities. It is important to a business because it determines the available resources for increasing production, hiring additional staff, merging and buying out other companies as well as investing in expansion projects. The company had a working capital of $2,123,000 and $1,768,000 in year 7 and 6 respectively. The increased values in working capital indicate an advanced working capital over the three years. Internal Control Strengths and Weaknesses            These are predominant in the accounts departments. The company has adequate resources to finance its operations now and into the future. This is because all activities are adequately covered financially. Besides, the company boasts a readily available clientele with a potential to attract additional clients. The company maintains a check and balance system to control sales, purchase and cash management translates to a strong internal control system.            Corrective action in weaknesses lists changes to be made to enhance completion of targets and achieving of total significance in a business. The operations and management for implementation are executed by the management to ensure resolution of identified weaknesses. When the firms adopts a tracking system, execution of identified strategies top resolve the deficiencies is easily executed. Corrective actions were installed to improve production and purchasing deficiencies. This is to help in constant inquiry as well as cooperation among various departments in the business. Risks            Businesses face constant risks and threats and therefore, it is important to identify, address and mitigate the risks. Competition Bikes is susceptible to numerous risks such as increased competition resonating to low profit margins. Therefore, the company must strategize on maintaining and attracting additional clients. Still, the internal controls are a threat to the company. Impromptu competition between purchasing unit and the accounting department may result to delay in payment of invoices. Proper communication lines must be set within the company to address broken communication. Compliance            Competition Bikes Inc compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley is indicative of the stringent monitoring controls that the company has installed for internal auditing purposes. This assures stakeholders of the efficient management of the company as well as in compliance with different regulatory framework. Compliance entails provision of an admirable working framework such as motivation of employees, retention of skilled labor and recycling of products. Recommendation            Considering the past performance of the company, it is recommended that the firm must maintain a sound internal control system. This will report deficiencies such as weaknesses in financial reporting. It will help in securing a lock tight financial recording and documentation. Closer monitoring and evaluation of the excess raw materials and manufacturing surpluses will be maintained in reasonable amounts reducing overspending and potential theft. References Bateman, T. S., Snell, S. (2013). M: Management. New York, NY.: McGraw-Hill Companies. Internal Control Systems. (2011, July 4). Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Tread way Commission (COSO). Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.coso.org/documents/COSO_ERM_ExecutiveSummary.pdf.Kieso, D. E., Weygandt, J. J. (2012). Intermediate accounting (9th ed.). New York: Wiley. Shim, J. K., Siegel, J. G. (2012). Schaums outline of financial management (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Source document
Metaphors In Cognitive Linguistics
Metaphors In Cognitive Linguistics The nature of metaphor. Are people aware of the existence of metaphors in their everyday lives? Very often we treat them only as stylistic devices, but in fact metaphorical expressions verbally represent the way of human thinking and reasoning. People tend to conceptualise emotions, love being one of them, metaphorically because both emotions and metaphors connected with them are inevitable parts of everyday live. Without our ability to categorize, we would not function at all, either in the physical world or in our social and intellectual lives (1990: 6) explains Lakoff in Women, Fire and Dangerous Things. According to Cognitive Linguistics, language is a very powerful tool as it reflects the way we categorize and conceptualise the world we live in. It is almost impossible to understand a thing without grouping it with other category members that share the same properties. In doing so, we acquire different kinds of concepts and, as a result, build our general knowledge. Cognitive Linguistics allows us to understand that metaphorical thinking is crucial to human cognition. Thus, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in their Metaphors we live by propose a cognitive theory of metaphor, as a process thanks to which one concept is understood using another concept (Lakoff 1980: 5). The best example of this is talking about LOVE in terms of JOURNEYS. As mentioned previously, our ability to categorize allowed us to gather knowledge about journeys that we can depend on in understanding love. Zoltà n Kà ¶vecses in Metaphor, A Practical Introduction emphasizes that we need to differentiate conceptual metaphor from metaphorical linguistic expressions. He proves that the latter disclose the existence of the former. Let us use a few examples to reveal the relationship between conceptual metaphor ( small capitals) and metaphorical expressions ( italics). LOVE IS A JOURNEY Were at the crossroads. Its been bumpy road. Our marriage is on the rocks. Were stuck. We cant turn back now. ( Kà ¶vecses 2002:6 ) We can conclude that such metaphorical expressions give us insight into the metaphorical nature of the concepts that structure our everyday activities (Kà ¶vecses 2002: 7). How do we conceptualise emotions? Lakoff in Women, Fire and Dangerous Things views emotions as having no conceptual content. However, I believe there must be some, as we are able to describe the intensity of a particular emotion. Although feelings and emotions are extremely difficult to understand, these abstract concepts can be conceptualised with the help of more concrete ones (Lakoff 1980:59), that is why LOVE is conceptualised in terms of FIRE or WAR (e.g. My love is on fire, I do not want to get burned again, This kindled love in his heart). Concrete concepts facilitate the understanding of these complex emotions. There are many examples of metaphors of love ( which I will try to present in the following chapters). They are common in everyday life as they present different aspects of this powerful emotion. Without the notion of metaphor, we would not be able to comprehend such an abstract feeling as love. The intensity plays an essential role in the way we think of love, for instance. The conceptual metaphor LOVE IS FIRE emphasizes the existence of love (on fire), its intensity (flames), duration and shows how love affects people (He was consumed by love) . Due to the existence of metaphor, the most powerful emotions, love being one of them, can be interpreted. 1.2 Source and Target Domains So far, we have managed to explain that metaphor consists of two concepts and that we comprehend one concept in terms of another. These concepts are called domains. According to Kà ¶vecses, conceptual metaphors tend to use abstract concept as a target and more concrete as their source ( 2002:6). LOVE IS A JOURNEY love forms the target domain journey forms the source domain ( a conceptual domain we try ( a conceptual domain we take a to comprehend) conceptual content from) As far as metaphors of love are concerned, many people wonder why some endearments are more popular than others. Why the expression my sweet-heart is more popular then my sweet-leg when talking to the beloved person? Why do we use one and not the other? When we look at the endearments containing fairy-like elements the most common are: prince-charming, my princess, my knight. Why is it like that? The answer is obvious, we choose these fairytale characters because we find some of their charactristics attractive and we want to ascribe them to the person we love. Lakoff and Johnson claim that this kind of tendency is more regular rather than occasional (1980: 67). The previously mentioned characters, are the SOURCE domains whereas the person to be described the TARGET domain. Similarly, from fire (source in LOVE IS FIRE metaphor) love takes its intensity and from an insane person (source in LOVE IS MADNESS metaphor) his/her quite irresponsible and strange behaviour. The examples above show that the source domain provides us with terms necessary to describe the target domain. As Lakoff proposes, in order to describe and understand the target domain, one must have the knowledge of the source domain. Let us take LOVE IS A JOURNEY metaphor. We understand love because we have knowledge about journeys. Each time we think about journeys, we consider travelers, route and destination. In order to understand love in terms of a journey, one must have in mind the idea of lovers as travelers, the course of their romantic relationship as an act of traveling with happy moments as well as obstacles (Its been bumpy road). Our knowledge about different kinds of journeys equips us with a powerful tool that can be used to make the description of love richer and more adequate. 1.3 Mapping So far, we have established that a conceptual metaphor consists of two domains: source and target. We have also found out that we need to take into account both domains to fully understand a conceptual metaphor. However, what does it mean to understand a metaphor? Kà ¶vecses explains that the knowledge of correspondences between these two domains is necessary to comprehend a conceptual metaphor. We refer to these conceptual analogies as MAPPINGS ( Kà ¶vecses 2002: 6). Let us take one example concerning metaphor of love to see how the mapping can function. We cannot turn back now. When we use the expression cannot turn back, we reveal that we are not going to change the direction and destination of our journey. We refers to people involved in a journey. That is how we created three necessary elements of a journey: a destination, travelers and a journey as such. However, when we apply an appropriate context to the sentence, we will get a new meaning of it. We will understand the whole sentence to be about love. Thus, the travelers are lovers who discuss things that are happening in their relationship while cannot turn back can be interpreted as a situation when lovers cannot change the course of events that happened to them. JOURNEY LOVE THE SOURCE DOMAIN THE TARGET DOMAIN We- travelers We-lovers Journey Romantic relationship Destination of a journey Lovers aims or goals Difficulties that travelers encounter Obstacles in the relationship The example above shows that the understanding of a conceptual metaphor goes from more concrete (the journey) to the more abstract concept (events in the relationship) (Kà ¶vecses 2002: 6). Such a rule was called The Principle of Unidirectionality . 1.4 Metaphorical Systematicity: Highlightning and Hiding We have already learnt that there is a systematicity that allows us to understand one concept in terms of another (e.g. interpreting development of love in terms of a journey or the intensity of love in terms of fire) (Lakoff, Johnson 1980:10). However, what does systematicity mean? When we talk about love in terms of a journey, we use vocabulary that is normally applied when discussing travelling e.g. We are at the crossroads. We can see that there is a kind of a pattern we tend to use. Thus, systematicity is a pattern that affects the way we talk about love, allowing us to use words or phrases that previously had been used to refer to different concepts (Lakoff 1980: 7). Kà ¶vecses points out that when a metaphor concentrates on one or more features of a concept, it highlights those features. However, when one aspect of a given concept is highlighted, the other ones will be hidden (2002: 80). Checking which features are highlighted or hidden in the following metaphors of love will give more light to this interesting issue. LOVE IS SUBSTANCE She was filled with love. He poured out his affections on her. She couldnt hold in her love for him any longer. LOVE IS NATURAL FORCE She swept me off my feet. Waves of passion came over him. She was carried away by love. (Lakoff 1980: 49) As we can see conceptual metaphors create and describe the target domain by directing attention at or hiding different angles of it. Thus, in LOVE IS SUBSTANCE metaphor, the aspect of content is highlighted, whereas the possible chance of development of a romantic feeling is concealed. The examples of LOVE IS A NATURAL FORCE metaphor reveal that love cannot be controlled as well as show the intensity of the emotion. However, the aspect of an emotional enrichment, which is also present when people experience such an overwhelming feeling, is hidden. 1.5 Structural metaphors So far we have found out that metaphors are not discussed only as poetic devices but as ways of our thinking and understanding abstract concepts. We can distinguish three kinds of metaphors: structural, ontological and orientational. In ontological metaphors experiences are treated as concrete objects e.g. containers (I put a lot of energy into preparing decorations) . When we deal with them in such a way we can refer to them, categorize them, group them, and quantify them and, by these means, reason about them (Lakoff 1980:25). The group of orientational metaphors is said to be connected with our orientation in space. Concepts are connected with physical orientation, for instance happiness is up (Im feeling up) and sadness is down (Im feeling down) (Lakoff1980:16). Structural metaphor is the most productive type of all conceptual metaphors. Thanks to these metaphors, complex and abstract experiences can be understood in terms of simpler and more concrete ones e.g. LOVE IS A JOURNEY. In Metaphors we live by Lakoff and Johnson state that the conceptual system is metaphorical in nature (1980:4). What does it mean, how can it structure the world we live in and how does it influence our activities? Let us take LOVE IS FIRE metaphor as an example. My heart is on fire. He was consumed by love. I do not want to get burned again. That kindled love in his heart. Thanks to the metaphorical expression That kindled love in his heart, we can conceptualise love as having a beginning and an end just as fire has. When the fire is kindled, the love begins; when it goes out, the love ends. These examples also prove that we not only talk about love in terms of fire. The lover can be consumed by love when he/she is so in love that it is all that he/she thinks about. If the lover does not want to get burned again it may mean he/she does not want to experience the same serious dissapointment after an unsuccessful relationship. Due to the fact that the essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another (Lakoff 1980:5), we can conclude that love is structured and understood (Lakoff 1980:5) in terms of fire. 1.6 Container Metaphors and Personification Another kind of a conceptual metaphor has been called by Lakoff and Johnson the container metaphor. In container metaphors humans are viewed as containers with boundaries and an orientation of inside and outside f.e. She was filled with love (Lakoff 1980:29). As far as non-physical objects are concerned, they can also be comprehended by mentally converting them into physical ones. Let us imagine our world as a container with borders separating the inside from the outside. It is clear when we take into consideration objects that have natural or artificial boundaries, for instance rooms. However, when we talk about our emotional states or conditions e.g. He is in love, the matter is not so obvious. Lakoff and Johnson suggest that we tend to conceptualise our emotions as containers, whereas the way we feel when we experience particular emotions is conceptualised as being inside the container (1980:30). Emotions can be also comprehended in terms of substances e.g. His heart was filled wi th love (Bierwiaczonek 2002:140). As Bierwiaczonek points out heart and eyes are most frequently used as containers for emotions being understood with the help of substances (2002:140). A crucial as well as interesting group of ontological metaphors are those describing something as a person: personifications (Lakoff 1980: 33). This means that we ascribe human features to non-living objects. Looking at metaphors of love, we are overwhelmed with a feeling that love has been personified in many metaphorical expressions. The following are only the most common examples. Love can give you hope. Love can be blind. Love can be tender. What is even more appealing, love can go through the same stages as humans do in the course of life, love comes to life, it lasts and dies. References Lakoff, George. 1990. Women, Fire and Dangerous Things. What Categories Reveal About the Mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Lakoff, George and Mark Johnson. 1980. Metaphors we live by. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Kà ¶vecses, Zoltà ¡n, 2002. Metaphor, A Practical Introduction. Oxford University Press, Inc. George Lakoff, 1993. Contemporary Theory of Metaphor. In Andrew Ortony, (ed.) Metaphor and Thought, 202-251. New York: Cambridge University Press. McGlone, M.S. 1996. Conceptual Metaphors and Figurative Language Interpretation: Food for Thought? Journal of Memory and Language, 35, 544-565. CHAPTER 2 THE CHARACTERIZATION OF METAPHORS OF LOVE The models of love In the previous chapter we have managed to understand that thanks to metaphor, which is a crucial part of our everyday life, we are able to conceptualise the world we live in. We have admitted that metaphor cannot be treated only as a stylistic device because as Reddy suggests the locus of metaphor is thought, not language (in Lakoff 1980: 204). Such an idea proves that our reasoning as well as our behaviour reflect the way we metaphorically comprehend everything that happens in our lives. Powerful emotions, love being one of them, are inevitable parts of the human existence thus metaphors such as LOVE IS FIRE or LOVE IS A CONTAINER help us to understand this overwhelming feeling. Very often love is seen as a kind of an award we get, something that enables us to do things we are normally afraid to do as it equips us with extra power. According to Kà ¶vecses (in Bierwiaczonek 2002:25) we distinguish two models of love: ideal and typical. Having in mind that only ideal love provides us with the previously mentioned power, it is not difficult to guess what kind of love we look for. In the ideal model of love, lovers see themselves as a unity (e.g. We are one) as they complement each other. They are imbued with the feelings that their love is a true one, that they were created to live together and that their love is immortal. The lovers believe that there is an emotional bond between them, which enables them to live in a perfect harmony. Needless to say, there are certain psychological effects that occur when we are in love: increased body heat, blushing, increased heart rate (2002: 25). There are many categories of love, however five of them are the most common. Bierwiaczonek (2002:28) presents the following kinds of love: FAMILY LOVE: PARENTAL and CHILDS LOVE OF PARENTS, the family love is revealed through the care and attention that parents give their children and vice versa (e.g. Mother muzzled my cheek); FRIENDSHIP, great liking for someone, friendship constitutes an emotional bond between people, it can even complement sexual love, give a new meaning to it and enrich partners realationship; SEXUAL LOVE, sexual passion; AGAPE, Gods admiration, Christian love and LOVE OF THINGS, fondness for material possessions (e.g. His love was money.) Most of the metaphors of love consider sexual love, thus for the purpose of the work we will discuss only these types of metaphors. Metaphors of love 2.2.1 Metaphors of lovers Metaphors of lovers are very intriguing kinds of metaphors since they highlight the aspect of lovers who are involved in a romantic relationship (Bierwiaczonek 2002:112). In the metaphor LOVE IS A UNITY, the metaphorical expression We are one indicates that lovers are parts of a whole. Similarly, the metaphor LOVE IS A JOURNEY shows lovers as travelers, whereas the metaphor LOVE IS WAR presents them as participants in a war or even opponents. LOVERS ARE PARTS OF A WHOLE She is my better half They are unseparable There is a strong bond between them (Bierwiaczonek 2002:113) The examples above prove that we can discuss lovers or think about them as parts of a larger whole. Although metaphors reflecting our emotional states are used spontaneously, not all combinations are possible. The metaphorical expression She is my better half perfectly suits when we consider she as a lover. When we think of she as a family member e.g. My mum is my better half, the whole expression sounds ridiculous (Bierwiaczonek 2002:113). There are also metaphors emphasizing the behaviour of lovers f.g. LOVERS ARE BIRDS (f.e. Look at those two lovebirds on the bench). In LOVE IS MADNESS metaphor, lovers are presented as insane people mainly due to the intensity of love which makes them behave irresponsibly or, in extreme cases, lovers may lose control over themselves (e.g. He has gone mad about her). 2.2.2 Love is a journey metaphor So far, the analysis of conceptual metaphor enabled us to explain that such an abstract feeling as love can only be comprehended with the help of metaphor. Which metaphors of love can facilitate the understanding of contemporary world? How do people conceptualise these metaphors? LOVE IS A JOURNEY Its been a long, bumpy road. Look how far we have come. We are at a crossroads. I do not think this relationship is going anywhere. We are stuck. Our marriage is on the rocks. We have gotten off the track. Well just have to go our separate ways. (Lakoff 1980:45) As mentioned in the first chapter, people use concrete concepts to understand more abstract ones (Kà ¶vecses 2002:6). Such a tendency justifies the fact of using the concept of a journey when trying to comprehend love. Worth mentioning is also the variety of metaphorical expressions concerning different types of journeys. When talking about love, people can refer to train travel (e.g. We have gotten off the track), car travel (e.g. We are at the crossroads) and sea travel (e.g. Our marriage is on the rocks) (Lakoff 1980:45). Such a diversity makes the verbal reflection of our emotions richer and, as a result, the pictures created in mind are more vivid. SOURCE- JOURNEY TARGET- LOVE Love is war metaphor LOVE IS WAR He is known for his many rapid conquests He is slowly gaining ground with her He fought for him but his mistress won out He overpowered her She is besieged by suitors He has to fend them off He made an ally of her father ( Lakoff 1980:49) LOVE IS WAR metaphor is an example of a strutural metaphor, the metaphor which facilitates understanding an abstract concept of love using the concept of war. As far as war is concerned, we consider the following issues: two fighting sides, the result of the fight and the fight itself. In LOVE IS WAR metaphor, such components respectively refer to the lovers, the result of the verbal battle and the disagreement between lovers. SOURCE- WAR The above examples clearly emphasize the existence of the fight between the lovers f.e. He overpowered her. However, the fact of cooperation, which is also present during the war, is hidden. The lovers are shown as opponents trying to fight for their rights. According to Lakoff (1980: 61-67), our language is an expression of our thoughts and feelings. Treating them as parts of our personality, we can assume that LOVE IS WAR metaphor shows one aspect of our personality- willingness to fight for what we consider crucial to our well-being. TARGET- LOVE Love is magic metaphor LOVE IS MAGIC She cast her spell over me She had me hypnotized I was entranced by him She is bewitching I was spellbound (Lakoff 1980:49) From the dawn of history people have been intrigued by magic. On one hand they saw impossible things taking place in front of their eyes, on the other hand their common sense forbade them to believe in such miracles. Although, it is not important whether humans belive in magic or not, what is important is the fact that people are not indifferent to it. Magic affects people and fascinates them profoundly. Women especially are said to have the power to seduce men, hypnotize them or even, cast spells on them. As love is treated almost as a magical and inexplicable phenomenon, it is not difficult to understand why LOVE is comprehended in terms of MAGIC. LOVE IS MAGIC metaphor definitely emphasises the existence of an almost magical conncection that bonds lovers, while hiding the aspect of the mortality of partners and their inability to use magic. SOURCE- MAGIC TARGET- LOVE Love is madness metaphor LOVE IS MADNESS Im crazy about her She drives me out of my mind He has gone mad over her Im just wild about Harry He constantly raves about her (Lakoff 1980: 49) In LOVE IS MADNESS metaphor love is presented as a state of insanity. When one is in love, she/he experiences certain kinds of emotions which are, in fact, similar to mental states of madness. Only intensity differentiates these emotions from each other. Each time we go through them, we have symptoms indicating a psychological illness. Very often the object of love is treated as a cause of a particular feeling or illness (e.g. She drives me out of my mind). One in love is shown as an insane person (e.g Im crazy about her) and a feeling of love as an illness itself. LOVE IS MADNESS metaphor directs our attention at the profound effect that love has on people, thus humans tend to compare it to the state of madness. However, the metaphor refuses to highlight the ability to create plans for the partners future and the aspect of a fruitful cooperation which are also present in a romantic relationship SOURCE- MADNESS TARGET- LOVE Love is a patient metaphor LOVE IS A PATIENT This is a sick relationship They are a strong, healthy marriage Their marriage is dead, it cannot be revived We are getting back on our feet Their marriage is on its last legs (Lakoff 1980: 49) We have already mentioned that lovers are treated as a unity (e.g. We are one). The existence of a unity between spouses indicates the belief that they are actually one person. Due to the fact that a person in love can suffer from symptoms of an illness, we can assume that lovers are patients. The patients health state represents the state of the relationship or marriage. Although the physical and mental condition of the relationship is revealed, the possible ways of healing the marriage are concealed. All of us have experienced an illness at least once in our life-time. However each illness, even the smallest one, is treated as something new. As far as love is concerned, each new relationship is worth taking care of because as Hubert H. Humphrey said The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. Love can make us feel sick, but it is also able to heal our hearts and souls. SOURCE- PATIENT TARGET- LOVE Love is fire metaphor LOVE IS FIRE I dont want to get burned again. My hearts on fire. That kindled love in his heart. She is his latest flame. He was consumed by love. (Lakoff 1980: 49) Humans describe love as a one of the most vivid and powerful feelings we experience, that is why we use so many metaphors in order to describe the aspects of this overwhelming emotion. However, LOVE IS FIRE metaphor is the most significiant as far as the intensity of love is concerned. As we have observed the intensity of the emotion is highlighted, whereas the possibility of a regeneration after an unfortunate relationship is hidden (people, things cannot revive after being utterly damaged by flames). Thanks to this conceptual metaphor, people can connect different phases of fire burning with different stages of being in love. Such a conceptualisation explains that love, as well as fire, has its beginning, duration and the end. The damage caused by the intensity of fire can refer to the lovers psychological damage because of the disappointment in love. SOURCE- FIRE TARGET- LOVE Love is a physical force metaphor LOVE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE He was magnetically drawn to her His whole life revolves around her The atmosphere around them is always charged They gravitated to each other immediately I could feel the electricity between us (Lakoff 1980: 49) Intensity, being one of the most siginficant features of love, enables us to use forces such as magnetism, gravity and electicity while talking about this powerful emotion. LOVE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE metaphor definitely highlights an imperious aspect of love over other emotions that people can feel. In this metaphor, humans conceptualize love as a force majeure, something that they cannot control or have an influence on. If we assume that such a feeling as love cannot be controlled, we have to admit that also lovers cannot be restricted. The existence of magnetism between them signifies the necessity of living together or spending as much time as possible with each other whereas electricity between lovers presents the power of love that bonds them. SOURCE- A PHYSICAL FORCE TARGET- LOVE 2.2.9 Love is a rapture metaphor LOVE IS A RAPTURE Im giddy with love Ive been high on love for weeks She is drunk with love He is intoxicated with love (Lakoff 1980:49) The examples above present love as a state of an ecstasy caused by drugs or alcohol. The existence of such a metaphor proves that the behaviour of people who are in love resembles the conduct of those being on a drug- induced high. Although lovers do not usually take any narcotic stimulants, they indeed show symptoms of an addiction. A constant thinking about the object of love, a difficult to understand happiness when spending time with each other or a determination to win the beloveds heart are symptoms which may be misunderstood and the person showing them may be accused of using illegal stimulants. However, in everyday situations humans realize that love has such an impact on those experiencing it that they actually can act irresponsiby. SOURCE RUPTURE TARGET- LOVE There are many different kinds of metaphors of love presenting various aspects of this overwhelming feeling. I have chosen only a few of them, the most fascinating and ambiguous ones. The analysis of the metaphors of love proved that this feeling is difficult to comprehend because of its complexity. By trials and errors I have realized that it is impossible to present all the possible sides of this powerful emotion. Love affects people profoundly and therefore it is very important for them. That is why they try to comprehend this abstract feeling using more concrete concepts such as a journey, war or fire. Thanks to metaphors we create in our minds the breathtaking pictures of an incredible world we live in.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Macbeth, King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing :: English Literature Essays
Macbeth, King Lear and Much Ado About No Shakespeare writes his plays to teach a moral story, of behavior and love. The three plays, King Lear, Much Ado About nothing, and Macbeth, the parents are very stubborn and their views are very narrow toward their children. The children know that they are treated poorly but love their parents although they have many faults in trust and love. Each play ends with a loving relationship because thoughts about one another is cleared up and they live happily ever after. King Lear, has many valuable points. Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of love between family members by showing how much harm disloyal or unloving family members can cause. King Lear cruelly abuses his most loving daughter, Cordelia, simply because she admits that her love for her father is limited: "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty/ According to my bond, no more nor less." This truthful declaration by Cordelia leads to her disinheritance. However, despite this rejection, Cordelia continues to stand by her father's side and defend him in his time of need against Regan and Goneril. Now that they have their land and power, these disloyal sisters won't care for or even support their father. In fact, the two are now so greedy and disloyal that they wish to have Lear murdered. In effect, Lear, Goneril and Regan are very much alike: their failure to love family members causes great pain, first for themselves and then for others. Lear treats Cordelia poorly because he does not realize that he has mistrusted his only true daughter. This mistrust comes from the fact that Lear believed Regan and Goneril when both professed their love for him. However, neither is honest. Toward the end of the play, Lear realizes that he has been very unfair to Cordelia, and that the other two sisters have misled him. Cordelia, however, remains true to Lear, as she respects the relationship between them although he does not. Shakespeare expects family members to be true to one another and have a solid trust in each other. Lear doesn't do what Shakespeare expects: he no longer loves Cordelia after she confesses she loves him only to the extent a daughter should. All of his love is for Regan and Goneril because both of them tell their father what he wants to hear: that they love him more than anyone in the world. Macbeth, King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing :: English Literature Essays Macbeth, King Lear and Much Ado About No Shakespeare writes his plays to teach a moral story, of behavior and love. The three plays, King Lear, Much Ado About nothing, and Macbeth, the parents are very stubborn and their views are very narrow toward their children. The children know that they are treated poorly but love their parents although they have many faults in trust and love. Each play ends with a loving relationship because thoughts about one another is cleared up and they live happily ever after. King Lear, has many valuable points. Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of love between family members by showing how much harm disloyal or unloving family members can cause. King Lear cruelly abuses his most loving daughter, Cordelia, simply because she admits that her love for her father is limited: "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty/ According to my bond, no more nor less." This truthful declaration by Cordelia leads to her disinheritance. However, despite this rejection, Cordelia continues to stand by her father's side and defend him in his time of need against Regan and Goneril. Now that they have their land and power, these disloyal sisters won't care for or even support their father. In fact, the two are now so greedy and disloyal that they wish to have Lear murdered. In effect, Lear, Goneril and Regan are very much alike: their failure to love family members causes great pain, first for themselves and then for others. Lear treats Cordelia poorly because he does not realize that he has mistrusted his only true daughter. This mistrust comes from the fact that Lear believed Regan and Goneril when both professed their love for him. However, neither is honest. Toward the end of the play, Lear realizes that he has been very unfair to Cordelia, and that the other two sisters have misled him. Cordelia, however, remains true to Lear, as she respects the relationship between them although he does not. Shakespeare expects family members to be true to one another and have a solid trust in each other. Lear doesn't do what Shakespeare expects: he no longer loves Cordelia after she confesses she loves him only to the extent a daughter should. All of his love is for Regan and Goneril because both of them tell their father what he wants to hear: that they love him more than anyone in the world.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Toni Morrisons Sula - The Provinciality of Sulas Characters :: Sula Essays
The Provinciality of Sula's Character's In her review of Toni Morrison's novel, Sula, Sara Blackburn complains that the setting and characters "seem somehow frozen, stylized"(1). While Blackburn talks favorably about Morrison's past novels (The Bluest Eye in particular), she is of the opinion that Sula is less successful because the characters are confined to one location and one mode of thought. Morrison hasn't endowed her people with life beyond their place and function in the novel, and we can't imagine their surviving outside the tiny community where they carry on their separate lives (1). While I agree with Blackburn that the characters remain inside the confines of the Bottom and the way of life there, I disagree with her that the characters are nothing more than their place and function in the novel. After reading this review, I began to think about other famous authors and novels and I realized that most stay within a certain setting and way of life. Morrison is not writing her characters as flat by making them a product of their environment and upbringing; she is simply mirroring the reality of life and human nature. I also disagree with Blackburn that the character of Sula is the exception in the novel. She too is simply a meshing of her surroundings and the people who raised her and whom she came into contact with. Had Sula not been raised by a mother prone to taking other women's husbands into storage closets, she would not have slept with her best friend's husband and then act as if she had done nothing wrong. Morrison say's the following in the novel about ho w Sula became the woman she was: Eva's arrogance and Hannah's self-indulgence merged in her and, with a twist that was all her own imagination, she lived out her days exploring her own thoughts and emotions, giving them full reign, feeling no obligation to please anybody unless their pleasure pleasedher (118). I also disagree when Blackburn says that Sula is a novel "whose long-range impact doesn't sustain the intensity of its first reading"(2). How can that be true when the character's actions are never those that the reader expects. The reader is forced to wonder why about so many different situation in the novel, that it sticks with them way after they've put down the book. How could Eva justify burning alive her own son?
Fast Food or Sit down Restaurants Essay
Enjoying your food with warm cooked bread along with sweet butter to spread and an iced cold drink to top it all off, or Rushing to eat your food because you feel as if you have to scarf it down before it gets to cold. Sit down restaurant or fast food what would you prefer? Sitting down talking, ordering refills and desserts is my favorite while at a sit down restaurant but sometimes I am in a bit of a hurry and need to swing bye and get something fast that is easy to eat in a short amount of time. Some people may think fast food compared to sit down restaurants are almost the same but they do have many differences. Comparing two local food businesses such as Taco Bell and Texas Road House, there prices I would like to say are a little low but the other are a little high. Taco Bell is considered a fast food joint, and is a place to go when you may be low on cash or even when you may want something fast and easy after a long day at work to feed your family. Taco Bell always has deals and low prices for those times when you want something good not to expensive but worth your money. Texas Road house on the other hand is the opposite this is the place to go when you just got a really good paycheck and feel as if you and your boyfriend need to be spoiled or maybe just want to have a night and go somewhere that will have fun serving you and also do not mind if you get a little crazy cause that’s what having fun is all about.. Texas Road House is considered a Steak House and it is somewhere to go when you want to enjoy a delicious meal and maybe even some drinks to have just a great night out ye s you will be spending way more then you would if you went to Taco Bell but Texas road house always fulfills my taste buds and its worth the money every time. For some people the environment Is the most important part about eating at a restaurant. Some like it quiet and not to be bothered others like it loud and packed. When picking a place like taco bell it is a very quiet place to go and eat and rarely do you go in and enjoy your meal. Texas Road House on the other hand is very loud and there is always a long waiting list because it’s so packed. Not only is the environment important but also how clean the place is to, taco bell is always on top of cleaning and how nice and clean there lobby is and also there bathrooms too. Texas Road house is clean besides all the peanuts you bring home on your shoes bathrooms are always kept up and you always leave with a full stomach.. To me having something fun at your restaurant is good it gives the place character and everyone knows where to go when they just feel like a bag of peanuts, or when you need some extra hot sauce packets at home. When it comes to different food items at these two places, they are different but that’s what makes each place unique. Taco bell has burritos, tacos, nachos, Mexican pizza etc. Texas Road House has a variety of things burgers, steaks, salads, baked potatoes, bread rolls, and so much more but each place does have a signature sauce they serve, taco bell has there mild ,medium, hot, and Verde sauce while Texas road house there steak sauce and there butter that everyone loves. Not only do you need the sauces and butters with your meal but you do need drinks as well. Taco bell has a variety of different pops, while Texas road house has pop, tea, lemonade, beer, margaritas, shots, etc. Taco bell compared to Texas Road house are very different in their own ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)