Friday, January 31, 2020
Jazz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2
Jazz - Essay Example Miles Davis one of the most famous jazz players worked on the modern jazz musical concepts that have helped to grow this genre to a next level. The very first jazz melody ââ¬Å"Agitationâ⬠gives the listener a very exotic feeling by using his trumpet. It combines the different aspects from the musical perspectives. The song follows quick transitions with specific background sounds. The background music keeps the flow of the music steady and continuous. The trumpet is used throughout the music owing to its main emphasis on the intensity to the certain point it shows. Miles Davis improvisation in this specific type of Jazz know as Modal Jazz music has helped specifically to stretch out the harmony of the music into certain parts which makes the it more systematic and helps the music to proceed in an organized manner. Miles Davis stretched out certain improvements in different types of Jazz music, such as bebop, hard bop, cool jazz, modal jazz and jazz fusion. This specific piece from Miles Davis joins in with different instruments to give the feel of the environment producing a story of its sort. This modal jazz requires knowledge of musical nodes beforehand. Miles Davis, the most well-known protagonist of Jazz Music history had been on top of creating creative method for Modal Jazz. The video specifically has piano to create the specific background rhyme to the music that follows throughout the length of the video. Throughout the video there are specific changes in the chords which at times follow a certain transition and after a break follow another set of harmonies. In its historical aspect, this piece shows the jazz music that followed up in the 60ââ¬â¢s. Miles Davis, who was a pro trumpeter, performed his music based either solo or like in the video, along with different instruments such as French horn, Tuba, Wood winds. The video reflects on the charismatic methods of attaining the attention by progressive music. This video stretches
Thursday, January 23, 2020
leadership :: essays research papers
There are two broad approaches to seeking to shape values in society. One is by being "salt and light" in the world (Mt 5:13,14), where by living distinctively Christian lifestyles we seek to influence those around us, and through this the values, decisions and priorities adopted by our communities. The other approach is to confront a particular value, decision or priority which the Christian community feels is out of place, and this may require a more structured and focused campaign. This page offers a six step approach to run such a campaign, whilst click here to view some thoughts on being salt and light. The six steps below seek to help a leader put some structure around an influencing campaign. This may be related to a specific proposal within a community, or more generally trying to influence the values that the community adopts. This community may be a geographic community : neighbourhood, town or even country, or it may be another form of network eg work or interest related. 1. Know what you're trying to achieve. Ã · Write down some specific aims for your influencing. If possible, make these aims measurable. Ã · These may be related to a specific issue that has arisen within the community, or it may be seeking to change more general values and behaviours. Don't overload with issues - it's better to focus on one or two and achieve something, than make little progress against a broad agenda 2. Decide on your audience and message. Ã · Who are the people who hold the key to achieving your objectives? This may include those with formal responsibility (councillors and MPs) , those who can influence them (respected thought leaders and influential organizations) and influential channels such as the media. Ã · What is the action you want them to take, and therefore, what is the message that you need to deliver to them to persuade them to take such action? Can you write it down - physically writing the message down is very worthwhile as it ensures that there is sufficient clarity of thinking. Ã · The same message can be received very differently when delivered by different people or organizations. Taking the time to identify the most credible and capable people to deliver the message is important. In some cases, you may want to focus on people with specific skills, knowledge or position who can speak with authority.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Quantification of Proteins in Solution by Spectrophotometer Essay
Introduction: Absorption spectroscopy is a common method for finding the concentration of proteins or protein complexes in a solution. Proteins absorb light at specific wavelengths and can be defined by the equation A = log (Io/I). This equation states that an absorbance at a specific wavelength, A is equal to the log of the ratio of incident light intensity (Io), to transmitted light intensity (I). A spectrophotometer can be used quantitatively and qualitatively. A spectrophotometer is used qualitatively to obtain an absorption spectrum, which can be obtained by plotting the absorbance values, over the range of wavelengths tested for the solution. This helps to find out the suitable wavelength that the compound absorbs maximum. And the spectrophotometer is used quantitatively by using the Beer-Lambert Law; Log [ Io/I] = A = à ¾cl, where à ¾ is the molar extinction coefficient (unit = Lmol-1cm-1), helps to define the absorbance of the protein, c is the concentration of the substance (mol liter-1), and l is the path length of the light (unit = cm) through the medium. Log [Io/I] is called optical density or absorbance of the substance, and does not have units. Also, an absorption spectrum is created, which deals with absorption and wavelength (nm) of light used, with which ââ¬Å"maximum absorptionâ⬠is observed. Maximum absorption is when most of the solution particles are absorbed, and this happens at a specific wavelength. Since the Beer Lambert law is useful only for a range of wavelengths, it is not applicable to all protein solutions. In this experiment, an absolute standard was calculated using BSA, so that the concentrations of the other unknown protein solutions can be determined (Lambert et.al, 2011).The different assays used for this protein quantification were Lowry, Bradford (Coomassie Blue) and UV direct. Protein assays help to determine the amount of desired particle present (Srivastava, 2008). The aim of this lab is to understand the various aspects of spectrophotometry and its applications in biochemistry, such as quanitification of protein solutions. Methods: (Carleton University, 2012) The steps were followed without any changes made. Results: Figure1. Absorption spectrum of 6Ãâ"10-5M p-np solution in 0.02M NaOH, for wavelength range between 330-800nm using a Novaspec spectrophotometer. Sample Calculation: c = 6Ãâ"10-5M l = 1cm A = 1.166 The Beer Lambert equation is A = à cl Rearranged, à = A/cl à = 1.166/(6Ãâ"10-5)*1 à = 1.94Ãâ"104 L mol-1 cm-1 Table1. Values of extinction coefficient (Lmol-1cm-1) determined using Beer-Lambert Law. Figure2. Absolute standard curve obtained for BSA test protein solution with the 3 different assays tested (Lowry, Coomassie Blue, UV). Table 2. Absorbance values recorded for different protein dilutions (2X, 5X, 10X) for the three assays used, namely Lowry, Coomassie Blue and UV direct. Sample Calculation for BSA stock protein: * Lowry Equation of line from Fig2; y = -5Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.0016x + 0.038 For 5 fold; y = 5 * 0.44 = 2.20 Substituting in equation; 2.20 = 5Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.0016x + 0.038 X1 = 1600 à µg/ml = 1.6mg/ml For 10 fold; y = 10 * 0.23 = 2.30 Substituting in equation; 2.30 = 5Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.0016x + 0.038 X2 = 1600 à µg/ml = 1.6mg/ml (X1 + x2)/2 = 1.6mg/ml * Coomassie Blue Equation of line from fig2; y = -7Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.002x + 0.0219 For 5 fold; y = 5 * 0.36 = 1.80 Substituting in equation; 1.80 = -7Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.002x + 0.0219 X1 = 1428.57 à µg/ml = 1.4mg/ml For 10 fold; y = 10 * 0.20 = 2.00 Substituting in equation; 2.00 = -7Ãâ"10-7Ãâ"2 + 0.002x + 0.0219 X2 = 1428.57 à µg/ml = 1.4mg/ml (x1+ x2)/2 = 1.4mg/ml * UV direct Equation of line from fig 2; y = 0.0006x + 0.0175 For 2 fold; y = 2 * 0.42 = 0.84 Substituting in equation; 0.84 = 0.0006x + 0.0175 X1 = 1374.16 à µg/ml = 1.4mg/ml For 5 fold; y = 5 * 0.15 = 0.75 Substituting in equation; 0.75 = 0.0006x + 0.0175 X2 = 1179.16 à µg/ml = 1.2mg/ml (x1 + x2)/2 = 1.3mg/ml Discussion: Figure 1 shows the absorption spectrum of stock solution (6Ãâ"10-5M), p-nitrophenol and 0.02M NaOH, and from the graph it can be inferred that 400nm is the wavelength of maximum absorption because absorption is noted to be the highest at this point. Absorbance is noted to increase when wavelength increases till it reaches the point of maximum absorption, after which it decreases till it nearly reaches zero. It is best to consider wavelength of maximum absorption because stronger the intensity, the more accurate will be the readings for absorbance. As seen from table 1, the path lengths remain the same as the cuvettes used were of the same size. The Beer-Lambert Law states that Abs = à .c.l, where à = molar extinction coefficient, c = concentration of protein solution, and l = path length of light through medium. Thus, it is noted that absorbance and path length share a directly proportional relationship, i.e. if path length increases, absorbance increases as well. It was clear ly observed in the wide and narrow test-tubes, that as the path length was doubled, the absorbance value doubled too (Srivastava, 2008). Also, from the same equation, it can be determined that absorbance and concentration share a directly proportional relationship meaning that as the concentration decreases, it directly affects the absorbance value obtained, and this value decreases too. Thus, as seen for the four cuvettes tested (in Table 1) as the concentration is halved in every cuvette, the absorbance value is halved correspondingly as well. It is known that the Beer-Lambert law says absorbance is proportional to number of absorbing molecules, and that this is valid for a variety of compounds over a wide range of concentrations. But even as the molar extinction coefficient is seen to be attributed to wavelength, it is true only for monochromatic light (Lambert et.al, 2011). The relationship can be stated as ââ¬Å"à is a measure of the amount of light absorbed per unit concentrationâ⬠. Molar extinction coefficient is a constant for a particular substance, therefore according to the Beer-Lambert Law it is expected that if the concentration of the solution is halved so is the absorbance. A compound with a high molar extinction is very effective at absorbing light (of the appropriate wavelength), and hence low concentrations of a compound with a high molar extinction can be easily detected. In the values determined (Table 1), the experimental values are in accordance with the theoretical statement except for one cuvette. The cuvette no.3 with à = 1.8Ãâ"10-4 L mol-1cm-1 does not agree with the trend. Thus it can be deduced that due to experimental error, the à value is inaccurate. Also, from the equation it is understood that à and path-length are inversely proportional as well (i.e. à = Abs/cl) that means that as path-length increases, à decreases, assuming that the concentration is kept constant. But the experimental values do not agree with this statement, because it is seen that as the path-length increases so does the molar extinction coefficient, à . Biochemical methods are applied for to determine protein concentration in solutions. Many techniques are less used because they have limitations such as reduced sensitivity, time available for the assay, or they are highly specific about the amino acids in the protein solution being tested. But for e very protein, the component amino acids are different, so there is no single assay that can be used for quantification of all proteins. The absorbance assays use the method of testing the intensity of the color produced by the protein solutions when chemical reagents are added to it. A ââ¬Å"standard proteinâ⬠whose concentration is known, is treated using the same chemical reagents and thus an absolute standard curve is obtained (Boyer, 2000). In this experiment, the standard used was Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Development of color is significantly better in BSA than any other protein, and this makes it one of the most preferred test solutions for quantification of proteins (Antharavally et.al, 2008). Hence figure 2 is obtained by performing the three suitable assays on BSA to produce a standard curve, also it can be noted that only the UV direct gave a straight line passing through zero, whereas the Lowry and Coomassie Blue gave curved lines, passing through zero. Table 2 shows the absorbance values recorded, for different dilutions of the test protein in three different assays. With the help of the values obtained in Table 2, and with the equations obtained from Figure 2, the concentration of protein (mg/ml) was calculated and presented in Table 3. Since all the values in Table 3 were deduced from the equation of standard curve BSA, it is considered as the absolute standard, and the other test protein solutions are known as the relative standards. Using the values from Table 3, taking BSA as the absolute standard, the almost actual concentration of the protein (mg/ml) can be concluded, and they are 1.6 (mg/ml) for Lowry assay, 1.4 (mg/ml) for Coomassie Blue and 1.3 (mg/ml) for UV direct. For Lowry assay, the concentration value for all test proteins was 1.6 mg/ml, which must mean that the value obtained is accurate. For Coomassie blue, BSA and Hemoglobin were the same (1.4mg/ml), Ovalbumin and Lysozyme had similar values of 1.9mg/ml, and 1.8mg/ml respectively, whereas Gamma globulin showed 2.5mg/ml. The value for Gamma globulin is off because of experimental error, of spilling some of the contents from the cuvette while transferring it to the spectrophotometer for calibration. For UV direct, BSA and Ovalbumin have similar readings (1.3mg/ml and 1.5mg/ml respectively), Gamma globulin is 2.5mg/ml, but Lysozyme is 5.9mg/ml and Hemoglobin is 3.8mg/ml. The reason for this could be due to the fact that UV direct helps to identify the presence of aromatic compounds indicating that Lysozyme and Hemoglobin contain aromatic compounds present in them. The Lowry protein assay is the most common and one of the more sensitive, but it is time consuming, on the other hand Coomassie blue (the Bradford assay) is much more sensitive as compared to Lowry, and requires less time too. They both show change of color with proteins. As for UV direct method, it is one of the faster methods too, and it is helpful to identify aromatic compounds because aromatic residues absorb 280nm light (Boyer, 2000). The Lowry procedure can detect protein levels as low as 5à µg (Boyer, 2000). It depends on the color development by the reagent Folin-Ciocalteu. Peptide bonds are formed under alkaline Cu2+ conditions and reduced from Folin-Ciocalteu phosphomolybdate-phosphotungsten by aromatic amino acids (tyrosine and tryptophan) to heteropolymolybdenum blue. The standard curve obtained with BSA helps to determine concentration of unknown protein solutions (Antharapally et.al, 2008). In the case of Coomassie blue, it is more efficient than Lowry because even though there is variation with different proteins, there is very less interference by non protein components (Borley, 2000). Therefore, according to literature, Coomassie Blue is the most preferred protein assay but this contrasts the experimental inferences, because through experimental procedure it was seen that Lowry method gave the most accurate and precise results. With this experiment, the method to quantify unknown protein concentrations has been understood. Also, that this process must be performed carefully to avoid irrational experimental errors. References: Antharavally B.S, Bell P.A, Haney P, Mallia K.A, Rangaraj P. 2008. Quantitation of proteins using a dyeââ¬âmetal-based colorimetric protein assay. Analytical Biochemistry. 385; 342-245. Boyer R, 2000. Modern Experimental Biochemistry, third edition. Addison-Wesley Longman, Inc. USA. (41-45). Lambert J.B, Gronert S, Lightner D.A, Shurvell H.F, 2011. Organic Structural Spectroscopy, second edition. Pearson Education, Inc, New Jersey. (401, 404) Srivastava M.L, 2008. Bioanalytical Techniques. Alpha Science International, Ltd. Oxford, UK. (58,118)
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
The Pros and Cons of Three Types of Online Communities-...
An online community is a network of people who come together and communicate online, usually because of a common interest or goal. There are many different types of online communities. Some examples of online communities are: email distribution lists, message boards and newsgroups, instant message (IM) services, chat rooms, blogging sites, social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, and online classrooms/school groups. I intend to discuss three of these types of online communities ââ¬â chat rooms, social network sites, and online classrooms/school groups ââ¬â and look into the pros and cons of using each of these. First, I will talk about internet chat rooms. A chat room is a site where users can talk live to other users. Usersâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦There is no face to face with online chat rooms. Chat rooms enable people to act or say things in ways that they may not normally if they were face to face. This could also be a pro or a con, depending on the situation. One last con of chat rooms would be that, although you can talk to other people almost as if you were face to face instead of waiting for a response as you would have to with an email, you still have to wait for the other person to be online. If you want to chat with someone and they are not online, the chat room isnââ¬â¢t going to do you much good. Sometimes people will prearrange times to get online and chat with another person. This is one way to overcome this con. Next, I will discuss social networking sites. Some examples of social networking sites would be MySpace, Facebook, Classmates.com, and Twitter. Social networking can be a wonderful and fun way to keep in touch and communicate with your family, friends, and colleagues. They can save you time and effort. If you need to get in touch with someone, and you are both members of the same social networking site, you can quickly and easily send him/her a message on the site. Instead of having to make arrangements and plans to meet at a certain place, at a certain time, you can discuss things on the site. Social networking sites can also be a great place to get in touch with old friends or talk to people that you donââ¬â¢t often get to see. You canShow MoreRelatedSocial Research 2.0: Virtual Snowball Sampling Method9226 Words à |à 37 PagesInternet Research Emerald Article: Social research 2.0: virtual snowball sampling method using Facebook Fabiola Baltar, Ignasi Brunet Article information: To cite this document: Fabiola Baltar, Ignasi Brunet, (2012),Social research 2.0: virtual snowball sampling method using Facebook, Internet Research, Vol. 22 Iss: 1 pp. 57 - 74 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/10662241211199960 Downloaded on: 11-05-2012 References: This document contains references to 48 other documentsRead MoreTechnology Essay11684 Words à |à 47 PagesRelationships are being built online or through phones. Keyboards and keypads are becoming the keys to our heart. Technology provides a way of communication but is becoming the only way to communicate with todayââ¬â¢s youth because it has made one on one interaction less frequent and has made a negative effect on the social abilities of the youth. Technology is a great way to stay entertained but it is disconnecting people. Todayââ¬â¢s Internet users have many ways to be occupied online. These days we have theRead MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words à |à 960 PagesIntelligence Journey CASE STUDY II-4 Mining Data to Increase State Tax Revenues in California CASE STUDY II-5 The Cliptomaniaâ⠢ Web Store: An E-Tailing Start-up Survival Story CASE STUDY II-6 Rock Island Chocolate Company, Inc.: Building a Social Networking Strategy CASE STUDY III-1 Managing a Systems Development Project at Consumer and Industrial Products, Inc. CASE STUDY III-2 A Make-or-Buy Decision at Baxter Manufacturing Company CASE STUDY III-3 ERP Purchase DecisionRead MoreWireless Technology Essay16392 Words à |à 66 PagesSociety and Culture LAS432 Professor Laurence Hornibrook Table of Contents Introduction to Wireless Technology 4 Overview of Wireless Technology 5 Science that Drove Wireless Development 6 Signal Types 10 Wireless Network Infrastructure 12 History of Wireless Technology 15 Social Factors that Drove Wireless Technology 19 Wireless Technology Timeline 24 Political Effects on Development 28 Legal Issues Related to Wireless Technology 30 Legal Concerns Related to the DevelopmentRead MoreItsc 2439 Ch1-12 Study Guides Essay28023 Words à |à 113 Pagesprofessionals. 7. A knowledge worker is another name for a computer user. 8. Use of a computerââ¬â¢s graphical user interface means that users no longer have to remember which command to enter to perform a task. 9. To operate a graphical user interface, a user types keyboard commands to tell a computer which tasks to perform. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 10. The Information Technology department is a modern name for the Data Processing department. ____ 11. Distributed computing links large-scaleRead MoreCase Studies13817 Words à |à 56 Pagespoor quality work, absences, and lateness related to her drinking problem, informs you that she has applied for a position at another company and has already given your name as a reference. She desperately needs a job (she is a single parent with three children), and she asks you to give her a good recommendation and not mention her drinking, which she assures you is now under control. She also asks you to say that she voluntarily left the company to address a family medical crisis, and that theRead More65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays 2nd Edition 147256 Words à |à 190 PagesJames Reinhart Jemine Rewane Anonymous Apar Kothari Anonymous Anonymous Stephen Cravens Anne Morriss 63 66 69 72 75 78 81 84 87 90 iV. typical day Anonymous Jay Glaubach Lexie Hallen Benoit...Olivier Boureau Jason Bohle 97 99 101 104 106 V. three accomplishments Anonymous Anonymous Martin Brand Anonymous Anonymous Scott Griffin Daniel Lewis 113 117 121 124 128 132 136 vi Contents Dale Schilling Erik Johnson 140 143 Vi. setback or failUre Chris Withers Eugenia Gibbons John RichardRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words à |à 1056 PagesThis online teaching and learning environment integrates the entire digital textbook with the most effective instructor and student resources With WileyPLUS: Students achieve concept mastery in a rich, structured environment thatââ¬â¢s available 24/7 Instructors personalize and manage their course more effectively with assessment, assignments, grade tracking, and more manage time better study smarter save money From multiple study paths, to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visualRead MoreSuccessful Start-Ups Key Success Factors37688 Words à |à 151 Pagesfirms, but also for everybody, introduced in 1993 the Business platform Model. 1.1 The Background of the Study I am personally involved in the topic of this study. I belong to the Internet generation. My everyday life deals with emails, downloads, chats and surfing on the net. However the net not only represents a way of entertainment but also the new wonderful opportunities to start its own business. Indeed the first looks sound pretty good. E-businesses involve no machinery investment, no productionRead MoreAccounting Information System Chapter 1137115 Words à |à 549 Pagesmonitoring can have disastrous effects on employee morale, however. On the other hand, it might provide legitimate information about group membersââ¬â¢ individual contributions and productivity. b. To what extent should management monitor which Web sites employees visit? Students are likely to argue whether or not this should be done. One potential benefit that could be argued is the likelihood that if employees are aware that they will be monitored they will be less prone to surf the Web for non-work-related
Monday, December 30, 2019
Uncertainty In The Hamlets Story - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 913 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/04/08 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Hamlet Essay William Shakespeare Essay Did you like this example? Literary composers often employ different tools to emphasize on their primary purposes. Writers often use the tools to meet their requirements and make a play appear dramatic or tragic. William Shakespeares play, Hamlet, is one of the most prominent works of its time. Donââ¬â¢t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Uncertainty In The Hamlets Story" essay for you Create order Similar to its pioneers, the play is a tragedy that follows drama in the kingdom of Denmark. The main characters have constant conflict with themselves and one another. Shakespeare uses certain aspects of uncertainty to emphasize on the traits of his characters. Furthermore, the context of the story also introduces drama and suspense throughout the play until the tragic end. Although the play is full of tension, the end surprises the reader. Correctly, the writer uses the context, the ambiance, and the events to create uncertainty and magnify the behaviors of primary characters. The play follows the kingdom of Denmark at its peak of confusion since the king is deceased. Apparently, the kings brother, Claudius, marries his brothers wife, Gertrude moments after the death of the king. Therefore, when the prince returns to his home country, he is appalled by the events since he concludes that Claudius and Gertrude colluded to kill his father. Thus, he embarks on a mission to avenge his fathers death. A notable incident occurs at the initial act whereby the prince, Hamlet, sees a ghost of his father (Shakespeare 30). The ghost fuels the vengeance plot, and the prince tries to investigate the murder to affirm his suspicion. In the end, all characters in the play suffer a series of deaths due to the initial plan.The play is set at a time when the social and family constraints in the story create uncertainty; hence, characteristics of main actors are revealed. Main characters in the story include Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. The context of this story is Denmark after the death of the beloved king, Hamlets father. Aside from the mysterious death of the king, the people are forced to embrace another leader before they can moan the previous ones. The people have lost a popular king, and his brother interrupts the lineage when he takes over the leadership, yet the kings son is still alive. At the time, the kings killer is unknown, and the people are afraid. The context shows that Hamlet is a defender and is passionate about avenging his fathers death. On the contrary, Gertrude and Claudius appear as insensitive individuals, greedy, and murderers of the king. The two marry moments after the king dies, which makes them suspects for the murder. In brief, the context creates tension and uncertainty in the play; therefore, it highlights the characteristics of Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. The ambiance of the play also introduces uncertainty in the play and emphasizes the characteristics of the main characters. The mood of the play indicates tension within the family, individuals, and the social setting. Events and circumstances in the story create tension among the characters; for example, Gertrudes marriage to her husbands brother introduces awkwardness in the story. In this case, the servants and the public are expected to respect the royal family, but the marriage raises suspicions among people. Therefore, the reader is uncertain whethe r the two had an affair and killed the king or he died under different circumstances. Hamlets reaction to the marriage indicates that he is skeptical about women including Ophelia (Shakespeare 59). The mood of the play shows Hamlets judgmental character when he confronts his mother about the marriage. Gertrude and her new husband appear inconsiderate and insensitive as they wed immediately after the death of the king. Markedly, the ambiance of the story is grim, and it emphasizes the uncertainty and characteristics of Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius.Besides the ambiance, the plot emphasizes uncertainty and characteristics of Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. As the story begins, the prince feels depressed and commits a series of heinous acts. The prince says that the ghost of the king encourages him to avenge the death. In the story, the prince questions the credibility of the ghost when he fails to gather enough evidence on the matter. As the plot unfolds, Shakespeare introduces a play within a play, and the kings reaction confirms the princes suspicions. Claudiuss manipulations make Ophelias brother seek vengeance for his fathers death; in this regard, all major characters die. The plot introduces uncertainty through the odd occurrences. At the same time, the writer uses the uncertainty from the plot to portray Hamlet as a patient and cunning individual. Shakespeare also uses the plot to introduce uncertainty that portrays Claudius as a killer. Shakespeare uses the plot, ambiance, and the context to introduce uncertainty and emphasize on the characteristics of the three main characters, namely Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. The context is a kingdom where the king has died, and no one knows the cause of his death. Such an uncertain setting portrays Hamlet as a passionate individual while the new king and queen appear greedy and potential killers. Next, the author uses ambiance to introduce uncertainty while the prince appears judgemental, the new rulers appear insensitive and inconsiderate. Lastly, the plot appears unpredictable and confusing since matters escalate fast. In this regard, Hamlet appears patient and cunning since he plans his fathers vengeance while he deceives the other characters. The new rulers appear to have conspired to kill the king. Markedly, Shakespeare uses the three elements to maintain uncertainty in the story, and emphasize on the traits of Hamlet, the new king, and queen.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Childhood Obesity Is It The Enemy - 869 Words
Childhood Obesity has become a topic of national concern. There has been an extremely rapid increase in the number of obese children in the recent years. The percentage of obese children from the age of 6-11 has increased from 7% to 18% and for adolescents age 12-19, a 5% to 21% in a short span of about 30 years. This epidemic has grown to such a high number that it had been brought to the attention Michelle Obama, the First Lady of America, who then created a plan to try to end this Childhood Obesity Epidemic in 2010. So, what is the cause of this new and uprising epidemic? Among the articles that Iââ¬â¢ve come across, researchers have begun to link the source to the lack of exercise and fast food establishments. My first read was ââ¬Å"Fast food ââ¬â Is it the Enemy?â⬠by Sarah Muntel, who is a registered dietician. Sarah began with a list of a de-constructed meal from various fast food chains and labels them with the nutritional facts such as the calorie and fat amount in each item, to where she then determines ââ¬Å"you could easily take in 1,500 calories from just one meal alone,â⬠which is roughly the recommended caloric intake for an American per day! She then goes on to explain that in the past, the people did not have the pleasure of picking up a pre-made convenient meal, rather they had to personally spend time and energy to prepare their own meals, but because ââ¬Å"most Americans are overscheduled and overcommittedâ⬠they fall victim to the easy way out by picking a ââ¬Å"cheapâ⬠and easy mealShow MoreRelatedOverweight, and Obesity are Results of Calorie Imbalance779 Words à |à 3 Pagesfrom water, bones, muscles, fat or a mixture of them all. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat, they both are results of calorie imbalance. Within the last 30 years adult as well as childhood obesity has increased significantly. Pediatric obesity has become an epidemic within the last 20 years. At the present time 31% of adults and 18% of children are obese. Body Mass Index is used to diagnose a child as being obese. Most often obesity represents an improper balance in calories ingested andRead MorePersuasive Essay On Fast Food986 Words à |à 4 PagesIt is all too easy to blame a personââ¬â¢s eating habits for their health problems such as obesity and diabetes, but if one were to take a step back and look at the big picture of that personââ¬â¢s life they would quickly understand it is not entirely that personââ¬â¢s fault. In a society that highly values speed and efficiency, fast food has quickly become a popular choice thanks to its ability to provide quick meals at low prices. This popularity has made it possible for fast food restaurants to dominate theRead MoreObesity : Obesity And Obesity1318 Words à |à 6 PagesObesity Epidemic Due to Fast Food or Something More Obesity is rising at a rapid rate here in the United States, especially childhood obesity. The obesity epidemic is one of the countryââ¬â¢s most serious health problems. Adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980 from 15 to 30 percent, while childhood obesity rates have more than tripled. Is there a link in obesity and fast food eating? Are fast food restaurants to blame for our nationââ¬â¢s obesity issues? Or are we ourselves and our lack of knowledgeRead MoreEssay about Fast Food is Destroying America1477 Words à |à 6 PagesCoronary Artery Disease is a type of heart disease and the most common cause of heart attacks. Plaque from eating unhealthy foods, builds up in the arteries, the arteries harden and begin to become narrow and can cause chest pain and heart attacks. ââ¬Å"Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problem s.â⬠The environment is affected by the fast food industryRead MoreThe Sugar Craze And Its Effects On Society s Health1260 Words à |à 6 PagesSugar, the thing that makes everything sweet; or so it should more aptly be named: the inescapable ingredient. Sugar was first added to many non-sweet foods as a substitute for fat. Fat, being viewed as the enemy was removed from many products as a ââ¬Å"healthier optionâ⬠and to keep that same good taste, the missing fat was replaced with sugar. Recent research has shown that this decision could have ultimately been the cause for many of societyââ¬â¢s modern ailments. The abundance of sugar present in todayââ¬â¢sRead MoreObesity And The Rate Of Children Obesity1585 Words à |à 7 Pages the continuous rising in the rate of children obesity in America is worrisome. According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of children obesity rise from 7% in 1980 to 12% in the course of twenty years. Many people might not compare obesity to other problems happening in the world, and deem it as important, but what they do not understand is the detrimental consequences of this epidemic on each individual facing it. Obesity can affect more than the physical attributes ofRead MoreFat Tax On Junk Food930 Words à |à 4 Pagesmilk, processed foods, pizza, soda, and candy. The purpose of such a tax is to deter consumers from purchasing these unhealthy foods and lower the obesity rate. According to Ogden, Carroll, Kit and Flegal (2014), ââ¬Å"prevalence of obesity in the United States is high, with one-third of adults and 17% of children obeseâ⬠(ââ¬Å"Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in the United Statesâ⬠, 2014).The number of obese children is alarming, albeit, significant measures have been taken in schools to provide healthierRead MoreFast Food : An Alternative Food Source1080 Words à |à 5 Pagesadults are severely obeseâ⬠(Loonin). Obesity can be caused by many factors, some people have slower metabolism, some people just eat too much food, and some people don t exercise enough. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s think back to the pioneer days. People had to plant their crops, tend to their animals and cook foods from scratch. There were no box mixes or pre-made items. Meals had to be planned ahead every day. People really had to work for their food Coincidentally, the obesity rates were much less years ago.â⬠(Muntel)Read MoreAlternative Ways To Defeat Obesity Essay1375 Words à |à 6 PagesFinding Alternative Ways To Defeat Obesity When Mcdonalds, Wendys, and Burger King and other fast-food industries opened their doors, the number of young adults that are considered obese have dramatically increased like the speed of light every year. Moreover, obesity is described as a condition where the body stores unnecessary fat. Obesity is the leading cause of death due to the consumption of unhealthy food on a daily basis. In fact, it is responsible of heart disease, diabetes, and it causesRead MoreFast Food : An Alternative Food Source1080 Words à |à 5 Pagesadults are severely obeseâ⬠(Loonin). Obesity can be caused by many factors, some people have slower metabolism, some people just eat too much food, and some people don t exercise enough. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s think back to the pioneer days. People had to plant their crops, tend to their animals and cook foods from scratch. There were no box mixes or pre-made items. Meals had to be planned ahead every day. People really had to work for their food Coincidentally, the obesity rates were much less years ago.â⬠(Muntel)
Friday, December 13, 2019
Chapter 2 Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s Big Mistake Free Essays
string(45) " I wanted to come,â⬠said Harry coldly\." Harry went down to breakfast the next morning to find the three Dursleys already sitting around the kitchen table. They were watching a brand-new television, a welcome-home-for-the-summer present for Dudley, who had been complaining loudly about the long walk between the fridge and the television in the living room. Dudley had spent most of the summer in the kitchen, his piggy little eyes fixed on the screen and his five chins wobbling as he ate continually. We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter 2 Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s Big Mistake or any similar topic only for you Order Now Harry sat down between Dudley and Uncle Vernon, a large, beefy man with very little neck and a lot of mustache. Far from wishing Harry a happy birthday, none of the Dursleys made any sign that they had noticed Harry enter the room, but Harry was far too used to this to care. He helped himself to a piece of toast and then looked up at the reporter on the television, who was halfway through a report on an escaped convict. ââ¬Å"â⬠¦the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hot line has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately.â⬠ââ¬Å"No need to tell us heââ¬â¢s no good,â⬠snorted Uncle Vernon, staring over the top of his newspaper at the prisoner. ââ¬Å"Look at the state of him, the filthy layabout! Look at his hair!â⬠He shot a nasty look sideways at Harry, whose untidy hair had always been a source of great annoyance to Uncle Vernon. Compared to the man on the television, however, whose gaunt face was surrounded by a matted, elbow-length tangle, Harry felt very well groomed indeed. The reporter had reappeared. ââ¬Å"The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will announce today ââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Hang on!â⬠barked Uncle Vernon, staring furiously at the reporter. ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t tell us where that maniacââ¬â¢s escaped from! What use is that? Lunatic could be coming up the street right now!â⬠Aunt Petunia, who was bony and horse-faced, whipped around and peered intently out of the kitchen window. Harry knew Aunt Petunia would simply love to be the one to call the hot line number. She was the nosiest woman in the world and spent most of her life spying on the boring, law-abiding neighbors. ââ¬Å"When will they learn,â⬠said Uncle Vernon, pounding the table with his large purple fist, ââ¬Å"that hangingââ¬â¢s the only way to deal with these people?â⬠ââ¬Å"Very true,â⬠said Aunt Petunia, who was still squinting into next doorââ¬â¢s runner-beans. Uncle Vernon drained his teacup, glanced at his watch, and added, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d better be off in a minute, Petunia. Margeââ¬â¢s train gets in at ten.â⬠Harry, whose thoughts had been upstairs with the Broomstick Servicing Kit, was brought back to earth with an unpleasant bump. ââ¬Å"Aunt Marge?â⬠he blurted out. ââ¬Å"Sh-sheââ¬â¢s not coming here, is she?â⬠Aunt Marge was Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s sister. Even though she was not a blood relative of Harryââ¬â¢s (whose mother had been Aunt Petuniaââ¬â¢s sister), he had been forced to call her ââ¬ËAuntââ¬â¢ all his life. Aunt Marge lived in the country, in a house with a large garden, where she bred bulldogs. She didnââ¬â¢t often stay at Privet Drive, because she couldnââ¬â¢t bear to leave her precious dogs, but each of her visits stood out horribly vividly in Harryââ¬â¢s mind. At Dudleyââ¬â¢s fifth birthday party, Aunt Margo had whacked Harry around the shins with her walking stick to stop him from beating Dudley at musical statues. A few years later, she had turned up at Christmas with a computerized robot for Dudley and a box of dog biscuits for Harry. On her last visit, the year before Harry started at Hogwarts, Harry had accidentally trodden on the tail of her favorite dog. Ripper had chased Harry out into the garden and up a tree, and Aunt Marge had refused to call him off until past midnight. The memory of this incident still brought tears of laughter to Dudleyââ¬â¢s eyes. ââ¬Å"Margeââ¬â¢ll be here for a week,â⬠Uncle Vernon snarled, ââ¬Å"and while weââ¬â¢re on the subject,â⬠he pointed a fat finger threateningly at Harry, ââ¬Å"we need to get a few things straight before I go and collect her.â⬠Dudley smirked and withdrew his gaze from the television. Watching Harry being bullied by Uncle Vernon was Dudleyââ¬â¢s favorite form of entertainment. ââ¬Å"Firstly,â⬠growled Uncle Vernon, ââ¬Å"youââ¬â¢ll keep a civil tongue in your head when youââ¬â¢re talking to Marge.â⬠ââ¬Å"All right,â⬠said Harry bitterly, ââ¬Å"if she does when sheââ¬â¢s talking to me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Secondly,â⬠said Uncle Vernon, acting as though he had not heard Harryââ¬â¢s reply, ââ¬Å"as Marge doesnââ¬â¢t know anything about your abnormality, I donââ¬â¢t want any ââ¬â any funny stuff while sheââ¬â¢s here. You behave yourself, got me?â⬠ââ¬Å"I will if she does,â⬠said Harry through gritted teeth. ââ¬Å"And thirdly,â⬠said Uncle Vernon, his mean little eyes now slits in his great purple face, ââ¬Å"weââ¬â¢ve told Marge you attend St. Brutusââ¬â¢s Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Harry yelled. ââ¬Å"And youââ¬â¢ll be sticking to that story, boy, or thereââ¬â¢ll be trouble,â⬠spat Uncle Vernon. Harry sat there, white-faced and furious, staring at Uncle Vernon, hardly able to believe it. Aunt Marge coming for a weeklong visit ââ¬â it was the worst birthday present the Dursleys had ever given him, including that pair of Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s old socks. ââ¬Å"Well, Petunia,â⬠said Uncle Vernon, getting heavily to his feet, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be off to the station, then. Want to come along for the ride, Dudders?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Dudley, whose attention had returned to the television now that Uncle Vernon had finished threatening Harry. ââ¬Å"Duddyââ¬â¢s got to make himself smart for his auntie,â⬠said Aunt Petunia, smoothing Dudleyââ¬â¢s thick blond hair. ââ¬Å"Mummyââ¬â¢s bought him a lovely new bow-tie.â⬠Uncle Vernon clapped Dudley on his porky shoulder. ââ¬Å"See you in a bit, then,â⬠he said, and he left the kitchen. Harry, who had been sitting in a kind of horrified trance, had a sudden idea. Abandoning his toast, he got quickly to his feet and followed Uncle Vernon to the front door. Uncle Vernon was pulling on his car coat. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not taking you,â⬠he snarled as he turned to see Harry watching him. ââ¬Å"Like I wanted to come,â⬠said Harry coldly. You read "Chapter 2 Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s Big Mistake" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"I want to ask you something.â⬠Uncle Vernon eyed him suspiciously. ââ¬Å"Third years at Hog ââ¬â at my school are allowed to visit the village sometimes,â⬠said Harry. ââ¬Å"So?â⬠snapped Uncle Vernon, taking his car keys from a hook next to the door. ââ¬Å"I need you to sign the permission form,â⬠said Harry in a rush. ââ¬Å"And why should I do that?â⬠sneered Uncle Vernon. ââ¬Å"Well,â⬠said Harry, choosing his words carefully, ââ¬Å"itââ¬â¢ll be hard work, pretending to Aunt Marge I go to that St. Whatsitsâ⬠¦.â⬠ââ¬Å"St. Brutusââ¬â¢s Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys!â⬠bellowed Uncle Vernon, and Harry was pleased to hear a definite note of panic in Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s voice. ââ¬Å"Exactly,â⬠said Harry, looking calmly up into Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s large, purple face. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a lot to remember. Iââ¬â¢ll have to make it sound convincing, wonââ¬â¢t I? What if I accidentally let something slip?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll get the stuffing knocked out of you, wonââ¬â¢t you?â⬠roared Uncle Vernon, advancing on Harry with his fist raised. But Harry stood his ground. ââ¬Å"Knocking the stuffing out of me wonââ¬â¢t make Aunt Marge forget what I could tell her,â⬠he said grimly. Uncle Vernon stopped, his fist still raised, his face an ugly puce. ââ¬Å"But if you sign my permission form,â⬠Harry went on quickly, ââ¬Å"I swear Ill remember where Iââ¬â¢m supposed to go to school, and Ill act like a Mug ââ¬â like Iââ¬â¢m normal and everything.â⬠Harry could tell that Uncle Vernon was thinking it over, even if his teeth were bared and a vein was throbbing in his temple. ââ¬Å"Right,â⬠he snapped finally. ââ¬Å"I shall monitor your behavior carefully during Margeââ¬â¢s visit. If, at the end of it, youââ¬â¢ve toed the line and kept to the story, Ill sign your ruddy form.â⬠He wheeled around, pulled open the front door, and slammed it so hard that one of the little panes of glass at the top fell out. Harry didnââ¬â¢t return to the kitchen. He went back upstairs to his bedroom. If he was going to act like a real Muggle, heed better start now. Slowly and sadly he gathered up all his presents and his birthday cards and hid them under the loose floorboard with his homework. Then he went to Hedwigââ¬â¢s cage. Errol seemed to have recovered; he and Hedwig were both asleep, heads under their wings. Harry sighed, then poked them both awake. ââ¬Å"Hedwig,â⬠he said gloomily, ââ¬Å"youââ¬â¢re going to have to clear off for a week. Go with Errol. Ronââ¬â¢ll look after you. Ill write him a note, explaining. And donââ¬â¢t look at me like thatâ⬠ââ¬â Hedwigââ¬â¢s large amber eyes were reproachful ââ¬â ââ¬Å"itââ¬â¢s not my fault. Itââ¬â¢s the only way Iââ¬â¢ll be allowed to visit Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione.â⬠Ten minutes later, Errol and Hedwig (who had a note to Ron bound to her leg) soared out of the window and out of sight. Harry, now feeling thoroughly miserable, put the empty cage away inside the wardrobe. But Harry didnââ¬â¢t have long to brood. In next to no time, Aunt Petunia was shrieking up the stairs for Harry to come down and get ready to welcome their guest. ââ¬Å"Do something about your hair!â⬠Aunt Petunia snapped as he reached the hall. Harry couldnââ¬â¢t see the point of trying to make his hair lie flat. Aunt Marge loved criticizing him, so the untidier he looked, the happier she would be. All too soon, there was a crunch of gravel outside as Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s car pulled back into the driveway, then the clunk of the car doors and footsteps on the garden path. ââ¬Å"Get the door!â⬠Aunt Petunia hissed at Harry. A feeling of great gloom in his stomach, Harry pulled the door open. On the threshold stood Aunt Marge. She was very like Uncle Vernon: large, beefy, and purple-faced, she even had a mustache, though not as bushy as his. In one hand she held an enormous suitcase, and tucked under the other was an old and evil-tempered bulldog. ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s my Dudders?â⬠roared Aunt Marge. ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s my neffy poo?â⬠Dudley came waddling down the hall, his blond hair plastered flat to his fat head, a bow tie just visible under his many chins. Aunt Marge thrust the suitcase into Harryââ¬â¢s stomach, knocking the wind out of him, seized Dudley in a tight one-armed hug, and planted a large kiss on his cheek. Harry knew perfectly well that Dudley only put up with Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s hugs because he was well paid for it, and sure enough, when they broke apart, Dudley had a crisp twenty-pound note clutched in his fat fist. ââ¬Å"Petunia!â⬠shouted Aunt Marge, striding past Harry as though he was a hat-stand. Aunt Marge and Aunt Petunia kissed, or rather, Aunt Marge bumped her large jaw against Aunt Petunias bony cheekbone. Uncle Vernon now came in, smiling jovially as he shut the door. ââ¬Å"Tea, Marge?â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"And what will Ripper take?â⬠ââ¬Å"Ripper can have some tea out of my saucer,â⬠said Aunt Marge as they all proceeded into the kitchen, leaving Harry alone in the hall with the suitcase. But Harry wasnââ¬â¢t complaining; any excuse not to be with Aunt Marge was fine by him, so he began to heave the case upstairs into the spare bedroom, taking as long as he could. By the time he got back to the kitchen, Aunt Marge had been supplied with tea and fruitcake, and Ripper was lapping noisily in the corner. Harry saw Aunt Petunia wince slightly as specks of tea and drool flecked her clean floor. Aunt Petunia hated animals. ââ¬Å"Whoââ¬â¢s looking after the other dogs, Marge?â⬠Uncle Vernon asked. ââ¬Å"Oh, Iââ¬â¢ve got Colonel Fubster managing them,â⬠boomed Aunt Marge. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s retired now, good for him to have something to do. But I couldnââ¬â¢t leave poor old Ripper. He pines if heââ¬â¢s away from me.â⬠Ripper began to growl again as Harry sat down. This directed Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s attention to Harry for the first time. ââ¬Å"So!â⬠she barked. ââ¬Å"Still here, are you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠said Harry. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you say ââ¬Å"yesâ⬠in that ungrateful tone,â⬠Aunt Marge growled. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s damn good of Vernon and Petunia to keep you. Wouldnââ¬â¢t have done it myself. Youââ¬â¢d have gone straight to an orphanage if youââ¬â¢d been dumped on my doorstep.â⬠Harry was bursting to say that heââ¬â¢d rather live in an orphanage than with the Dursleys, but the thought of the Hogsmeade form stopped him. He forced his face into a painful smile. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you smirk at me!â⬠boomed Aunt Marge. ââ¬Å"I can see you havenââ¬â¢t improved since I last saw you. I hoped school would knock some manners into you.â⬠She took a large gulp of tea, wiped her mustache, and said, ââ¬Å"Where is it that you send him, again, Vernon?â⬠ââ¬Å"St. Brutusââ¬â¢s,â⬠said Uncle Vernon promptly. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a first-rate institution for hopeless cases.â⬠ââ¬Å"I see,â⬠said Aunt Marge. ââ¬Å"Do they use the cane at St. Brutusââ¬â¢s, boy?â⬠she barked across the table. ââ¬Å"Er ââ¬âââ¬Å" Uncle Vernon nodded curtly behind Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s back. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠said Harry. Then, feeling he might as well do the thing properly, he added, ââ¬Å"All the time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Excellent,â⬠said Aunt Marge. ââ¬Å"I wonââ¬â¢t have this namby-pamby, wishy-washy nonsense about not hitting people who deserve it. A good thrashing is whatââ¬â¢s needed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. Have you been beaten often?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, yeah,â⬠said Harry, ââ¬Å"loads of times.â⬠Aunt Marge narrowed her eyes. ââ¬Å"I still donââ¬â¢t like your tone, boy,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"If you can speak of your beatings in that casual way, they clearly arenââ¬â¢t hitting you hard enough. Petunia, Iââ¬â¢d write if I were you. Make it clear that you approve the use of extreme force in this boyââ¬â¢s case.â⬠Perhaps Uncle Vernon was worried that Harry might forget their bargain; in any case, he changed the subject abruptly. ââ¬Å"Heard the news this morning, Marge? What about that escaped prisoner, eh?â⬠****** As Aunt Marge started to make herself at home, Harry caught himself thinking almost longingly of life at number four without her. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia usually encouraged Harry to stay out of their way, which Harry was only too happy to do. Aunt Marge, on the other hand, wanted Harry under her eye at all times, so that she could boom out suggestions for his improvement. She delighted in comparing Harry with Dudley, and took huge pleasure in buying Dudley expensive presents while glaring at Harry, as though daring him to ask why he hadnââ¬â¢t got a present too. She also kept throwing out dark hints about what made Harry such an unsatisfactory person. ââ¬Å"You mustnââ¬â¢t blame yourself for the way the boyââ¬â¢s turned out, Vernon,â⬠she said over lunch on the third day. ââ¬Å"If thereââ¬â¢s something rotten on the inside, thereââ¬â¢s nothing anyone can do about it.â⬠Harry tried to concentrate on his food, but his hands shook and his face was starting to burn with anger. Remember the form, he told himself. Think about Hogsmeade. Donââ¬â¢t say anything. Donââ¬â¢t rise ââ¬â Aunt Marge reached for her glass of wine. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s one of the basic rules of breeding,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"You see it all the time with dogs. If thereââ¬â¢s something wrong with the bitch, thereââ¬â¢ll be something wrong with the pup ââ¬âââ¬Å" At that moment, the wineglass Aunt Marge was holding exploded in her hand. Shards of glass flew in every direction and Aunt Marge sputtered and blinked, her great ruddy face dripping. ââ¬Å"Marge!â⬠squealed Aunt Petunia. ââ¬Å"Marge, are you all right?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not to worry,â⬠grunted Aunt Marge, mopping her face with her napkin. ââ¬Å"Must have squeezed it too hard. Did the same thing at Colonel Fubsterââ¬â¢s the other day. No need to fuss, Petunia, I have a very firm gripâ⬠¦.â⬠But Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were both looking at Harry suspiciously, so he decided heââ¬â¢d better skip dessert and escape from the table as soon as he could. Outside in the hall, he leaned against the wall, breathing deeply. It had been a long time since heââ¬â¢d lost control and made something explode. He couldnââ¬â¢t afford to let it happen again. The Hogsmeade form wasnââ¬â¢t the only thing at stake ââ¬â if he carried on like that, heââ¬â¢d be in trouble with the Ministry of Magic. Harry was still an underage wizard, and he was forbidden by wizard law to do magic outside school. His record wasnââ¬â¢t exactly clean either. Only last summer heââ¬â¢d gotten an official warning that had stated quite clearly that if the Ministry got wind of any more magic in Privet Drive, Harry would face expulsion from Hogwarts. He heard the Dursleys leaving the table and hurried upstairs out of the way. ****** Harry got through the next three days by forcing himself to think about his Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare whenever Aunt Marge started on him. This worked quite well, though it seemed to give him a glazed look, because Aunt Marge started voicing the opinion that he was mentally subnormal. At last, at long last, the final evening of Margeââ¬â¢s stay arrived. Aunt Petunia cooked a fancy dinner and Uncle Vernon uncorked several bottles of wine. They got all the way through the soup and the salmon without a single mention of Harryââ¬â¢s faults; during the lemon meringue pie, Uncle Vernon bored them a with a long talk about Grunnings, his drill-making company; then Aunt Petunia made coffee and Uncle Vernon brought out a bottle of brandy. ââ¬Å"Can I tempt you, Marge?â⬠Aunt Marge had already had quite a lot of wine. Her huge face was very red. ââ¬Å"Just a small one, then,â⬠she chuckled. ââ¬Å"A bit more than thatâ⬠¦and a bit moreâ⬠¦thatââ¬â¢s the ticket.â⬠Dudley was eating his fourth slice of pie. Aunt Petunia was sipping coffee with her little finger sticking out. Harry really wanted to disappear into his bedroom, but he met Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s angry little eyes and knew he would have to sit it out. ââ¬Å"Aah,â⬠said Aunt Marge, smacking her lips and putting the empty brandy glass back down. ââ¬Å"Excellent nosh, Petunia. Itââ¬â¢s normally just a fry-up for me of an evening, with twelve dogs to look afterâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She burped richly and patted her great tweed stomach. ââ¬Å"Pardon me. But I do like to see a healthy-sized boy,â⬠she went on, winking at Dudley. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll be a proper-sized man, Dudders, like your father. Yes, Iââ¬â¢ll have a spot more brandy, Vernonâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Now, this one here ââ¬âââ¬Å" She jerked her head at Harry, who felt his stomach clench. The Handbook, he thought quickly. ââ¬Å"This oneââ¬â¢s got a mean, runty look about him. You get that with dogs. I had Colonel Fubster drown one last year. Ratty little thing it was. Weak. Underbred.â⬠Harry was trying to remember page twelve of his book: A Charm to Cure Reluctant Reversers. ââ¬Å"It all comes down to blood, as I was saying the other day. Bad blood will out. Now, Iââ¬â¢m saying nothing against your family, Petuniaâ⬠ââ¬â she patted Aunt Petuniaââ¬â¢s bony hand with her shovel-like one ââ¬Å"but your sister was a bad egg. They turn up in the best families. Then she ran off with a wastrel and hereââ¬â¢s the result right in front of us.â⬠Harry was staring at his plate, a funny ringing in his ears. Grasp your broom firmly by the tail, he thought. But he couldnââ¬â¢t remember what came next. Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s voice seemed to be boring into him like one of Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s drills. ââ¬Å"This Potter,â⬠said Aunt Marge loudly, seizing the brandy bottle and splashing more into her glass and over the tablecloth, ââ¬Å"you never told me what he did?â⬠Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were looking extremely tense. Dudley had even looked up from his pie to gape at his parents. ââ¬Å"He ââ¬â didnââ¬â¢t work,â⬠said Uncle Vernon, with half a glance at Harry. ââ¬Å"Unemployed.â⬠ââ¬Å"As I expected!â⬠said Aunt Marge, taking a huge swig of brandy and wiping her chin on her sleeve. ââ¬Å"A no-account, good-for-nothing, lazy scrounger who ââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"He was not,â⬠said Harry suddenly. The table went very quiet. Harry was shaking all over. He had never felt so angry in his life. ââ¬Å"MORE BRANDY!â⬠yelled Uncle Vernon, who had gone very white. He emptied the bottle into Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s glass. ââ¬Å"You, boy,â⬠he snarled at Harry. ââ¬Å"Go to bed, go on ââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"No, Vernon,â⬠hiccuped Aunt Marge, holding up a hand, her tiny bloodshot eyes fixed on Harryââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Go on, boy, go on. Proud of your parents, are you? They go and get themselves killed in a car crash (drunk, I expect) ââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"They didnââ¬â¢t die in a car crash!â⬠said Harry, who found himself on his feet. ââ¬Å"They died in a car crash, you nasty little liar, and left you to be a burden on their decent, hardworking relatives!â⬠screamed Aunt Marge, swelling with fury. ââ¬Å"You are an insolent, ungrateful little ââ¬âââ¬Å" But Aunt Marge suddenly stopped speaking. For a moment, it looked as though words had failed her. She seemed to be swelling with inexpressible anger ââ¬â but the swelling didnââ¬â¢t stop. Her great red face started to expand, her tiny eyes bulged, and her mouth stretched too tightly for speech ââ¬â next second, several buttons had just burst from her tweed jacket and pinged off the walls ââ¬â she was inflating like a monstrous balloon, her stomach bursting free of her tweed waistband, each of her fingers blowing up like a salamiâ⬠¦ ââ¬Å"MARGE!â⬠yelled Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia together as Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s whole body began to rise off her chair toward the ceiling. She was entirely round, now, like a vast life buoy with piggy eyes, and her hands and feet stuck out weirdly as she drifted up into the air, making apoplectic popping noises. Ripper came skidding into the room, barking madly. ââ¬Å"NOOOOOOO!â⬠Uncle Vernon seized one of Margeââ¬â¢s feet and tried to pull her down again, but was almost lifted from the floor himself. A second later, Ripper leapt forward and sank his teeth into Uncle Vernonââ¬â¢s leg. Harry tore from the dining room before anyone could stop him, heading for the cupboard under the stairs. The cupboard door burst magically open as he reached it. In seconds, he had heaved his trunk to the front door. He sprinted upstairs and threw himself under the bed, wrenching up the loose floorboard, and grabbed the pillowcase full of his books and birthday presents. He wriggled out, seized Hedwigââ¬â¢s empty cage, and dashed back downstairs to his trunk, just as Uncle Vernon burst out of the dining room, his trouser leg in bloody tatters. ââ¬Å"COME BACK IN HERE!â⬠he bellowed. ââ¬Å"COME BACK AND PUT HER RIGHT!â⬠But a reckless rage had come over Harry. He kicked his trunk open, pulled out his wand, and pointed it at Uncle Vernon. ââ¬Å"She deserved it,â⬠Harry said, breathing very fast. ââ¬Å"She deserved what she got. You keep away from me.â⬠He fumbled behind him for the latch on the door. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m going,â⬠Harry said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve had enough.â⬠And in the next moment, he was out in the dark, quiet street, heaving his heavy trunk behind him, Hedwigââ¬â¢s cage under his arm. How to cite Chapter 2 Aunt Margeââ¬â¢s Big Mistake, Essay examples
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