Coming Of Age By Margaret Mead - 965 Words

Through Margaret Mead’s ethnography, in the book Coming of Age in Samoa, we learn about the lives of women in Samoan culture. Young girls of Samoan culture have very little freedom in the beginning of their lives. Girls are expected to take care of the infants in their families until there is a younger and more capable girl that can provide care. Taking care of the babies in the family is a Samoan girl’s main responsibility as a child. The author further explains, â€Å"She also develops a number of simple techniques. She learns to weave firm square balls from palm leaves, to make pin-wheels of palm leaves or Frangipani blossoms†¦But in the case of the little girls all of these tasks are merely supplementary to the main business of baby-tending† (Mead 20). At a young age women are expected to attain skills in certain household tasks that help provide towards their Samoan families. Weaving is a household task that a Samoan girl is required to learn and become very skilled at. She learns different techniques and styles of weaving which help Samoan families throughout their everyday duties. Usually the older women of the household teach the younger girls how to weave. When a girl is 13 or 14 she is expected to weave a ‘fine mat.’ â€Å"The fine mat represents the high point of Samoan weaving virtuosity† (Mead 24). This ‘fine mat’ takes about 1 to 2 years to complete. Often these ‘fine mats’ are not finished until a girl is about 19 or 20 years of age. It is considered â€Å"aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Margaret Meads Coming Of Age In Samoa1227 Words   |  5 Pages31, 1925, Margaret Mead arrived in Pago Pago, American Samoa to conduct ethnographic research on a particular problem. Prior to her arrival in American Samoa, Mead with the guidance of her mentor Franz Boas, decided to investigate the lives of adol escent girls in Samoa as a focal point of her research. Mead chose this subject matter due to her speculation that the period adolescence within the United States during the 1920s was filled with stress and a period of turbulence; therefore, Mead hypothesizedRead MoreCritical Analysis Of The Mead-Freeman Debate1283 Words   |  6 PagesNature versus Nurture Controversy: Critical Analysis of The Mead-Freeman Debate Research Topic Outline In 1983, Derek Freeman challenged Margaret Mead’s 1928 ethnographic work Coming of Age in Samoa, Freeman asserted that Mead’s conclusion of adolescent behavior conflicted with important facts within the social sciences. Freeman’s critique sparked an intense controversy in anthropology regarding the concept of nature versus nurture. Freeman claimed that Boasians’ insisted on separating cultural determinismRead MoreThe Strengths And Weaknesses Of European Ethnography And / Or Science1283 Words   |  6 Pagescaused for the heavy sexualisation of the islands. Others observed the Pacific Islands as a place of savagery. These views of the Pacific became strengthened and/or weakened by the works of American and European Explorers and Ethnographers such as Margaret Mead. In effect, western thought unavoidably affects the Pacific people by how they view oneself and that of the western world. Western perspectives of the Pacific Islands have a wide spectrum from the beginning with Magellan’s contact with the GuamRead MoreComing of Age in Samoa1724 Words   |  7 PagesComing of Age in Somoa Margaret Mead s Coming of Age in Samoa, which was actually her doctoral dissertation, was compiled in a period of six months starting in 1925. Through it, people were given a look at a society not affected by the problems of 20th century industrial America. She illustrated a picture of a society where love was available for the asking and crime was dealt with by exchanging a few mats. This book helps one to realize the large role played by social environment. OneRead MoreComing of Age in Samoa1229 Words   |  5 PagesMargaret Mead’s book â€Å"Coming of Age in Samoa† is an anthropological study of a â€Å"primitive† group of people under completely different cultural conditions than people of western society, namely America. She chose to study a group of adolescents in the South Sea Island of Samoa, a place where one might study a people: â€Å"Whose society has never attained the complexity of our own.† Mead attempts to determine whether or not the experience of turbulence and difficulty during the time of puberty and adolescenceRead MoreEssay on coming of age in samoa1705 Words   |  7 Pages Coming of Age in Somoa Margaret Mead’s â€Å"Coming of Age in Samoa†, which was actually her doctoral dissertation, was compiled in a period of six months starting in 1925. Through it, people were given a look at a society not affected by the problems of 20th century industrial America. She illustrated a picture of a society where love was available for the asking and crime was dealt with by exchanging a few mats. This book helps one to realize the large role played by social environment. One ofRead MoreThe World s Culture And Traditions1881 Words   |  8 PagesBefore Mead, detailed immersive field work was not a common practice, and at the time the book was published the idea of living with native people was fairly ground breaking. Mead’s fieldwork was done entirely in the Samoan language, because few, if any at all of the natives spoke English. I believe this to be the best way to study a culture. Total emersion into another society’s culture and traditions would be the only way to truly grasp the concepts with in a culture. Although difficult as it mightRead MoreThe Cultural Anthropology : Margaret Mead890 Words   |  4 Pageslife. So, with my newfound love for cultural anthropology I decided to write about one of the most influential female anthropologists. I decided to write about Margaret Mead. I want to discuss her early life. Then, move on to her life as an anthropologist. Lastly, I would like to discuss her contributions to today’s cultural anthropology. Mead was brought into this world on December 16, 1901 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was brought up in a household full of social scientists. Her father was aRead MoreCritical Annotation of Watson Reading and Commentary Reading1765 Words   |  7 Pagesintellectuals are making judgements and evaluating the level of significance that actions have for community members particularly on social and cultural side of anthropology (Watson, 1999). In retrospect, observers should give clear details about their gender, age, general education orientation and marital status. Anthropologists usually encounter various challenges in their pursuit for information and data especially in recording of emotions and study of effect (Watson, 1999). The American anthropology has beenRead MoreGed 210 Unit 1 Examination Answers960 Words   |  4 Pagesrituals of warfare and celebration in the South Pacifi †¢ contrasting models of cultural diffusion. 1. Margaret Mead got most of her information on the behavior of adolescents in Samoa from: †¢ accounts of travelers and missionaries. †¢ newspaper accounts and government reports. †¢ watching ethnographic films. †¢ interviewing young women. 1. The central object of Mead’s study, Coming of Age in Samoa (1928), was to determine whether or not: †¢ kinship patterns in Samoa could be attributed to diffusion

Essay on The Global Warming Controversy - 3199 Words

The globe is being rocked by extreme weather and the hottest temperatures on record. As the average global temperature soars, there are floods, droughts, unusually cold winters, forest fires, and huge storms. Are all of these horrors being caused by human-induced global warming? The source of global warming is a very controversial topic. Some scientists think that global warming is a natural part of the Earth’s cycle because the Earth has always had natural heating and cooling cycles. Other scientists believe that global warming is caused by humans dut to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the accumulation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels. These scientists believe†¦show more content†¦Since being on the â€Å"green† side seems to make the politicians popular, many of them â€Å"stand up† to global warming. So environmentalists, among of whom are some politicians, hide or just ignore the facts regarding global warming and its true aspects. First of all, the environmentalists disregard the fact that there has been several global warming and cooling periods throughout the history. Willie Soon, a professor at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, confirmed that from 800 to 1300 A.D. the average temperatures of the world were 2 to 4 degrees or more higher than that of the 20th century, which is referred to as the Medieval Warm Period (Anderson, par.16). This warming trend was detected in many other parts of the world at that time, and the history proves that it brought wealth rather than disaster. During this period, Europe flourished and was awoken by Renaissance culture.â€Å"Olives grew in 13th –century Germany, where St. Albert the Great also noted abundant fig and pomegranate groves in Cologne and the Rhine valley-places too cold for those crops today† (16). Following the Medieval Warm Period, the temperature plummeted 3 to 5 degrees, which is 2 degrees colder than our climate today, lasting until 1900. Since 1900, the world has warmed up about 1 degree (18). One of the other natural causes is the activities of volcanoes. Volcanoes release a huge amount of sulfuric acid, which is believed to contribute to global warming. Then what can beShow MoreRelatedGlobal Warming Controversy667 Words   |  3 PagesGlobal warming is defined â€Å"as an increase in the average temperature of global surface air and oceans since about 1950† (White). The global warming controversy is an ongoing dispute with two main sides; one stating that the direct cause to global warming is through people’s daily activities and the burning of fossil fuels, while other people all around the world refuse to believe that human contributions are the main cause, saying that the earth is going through a natural stage of climatic changeRead MoreThe Controversy of Global Warming: Who Is Right? Essay example603 Words   |  3 Pages Most people believe that the controversy of the existence of global warming stopped long ago. In fact, that is very untrue. The common belief is that, yes the earth is warming, the glaciers are melting, and our atmosphere is being polluted, all due to man-made green house gases. What’s new? Shockingly there are still some scientists who disagree. Global warming; a very controversial phenomenon that is still happening, which already is not being handled sufficiently enough, is being argued thatRead MoreGlobal Warming Controversy : The Debate Around The Climate Change, And Its Causes And / Or Effects2869 Words   |  12 PagesGlobal Warming Controversy Critically assess how the media have used the scientific evidence in the debate around the climate change, and its causes and/or effects Introduction Nowadays, the whole world are paying attention on the controversy about climate change and global warming. Hot topics include whether global warming is occurring, warming level in modern times, causes, effects and what that action should be taken (Science Daily). On one hand, there is a strong consensus that human and industriesRead MoreMedia s Interpretation Of Global Warming992 Words   |  4 PagesMedia’s Interpretation of Global Warming A major problem and controversy that’s continuing to build up in the world, is global warming. There are two opposing sides to this controversy. One side are scientists and environmentalists who use collective data in order to prove that global warming is real and caused by human activity. The opposing side are interests groups such as an oil company or individual, who believe that global warming is just a bogus subject and misleading information put togetherRead MoreThe Heartland Institute: Summary and Major Findings on Climate Change824 Words   |  3 PagesABSTRACT The Heartland Institute is well known for funding deniers of global warming and climate change, and is mostly funded by large corporations like Microsoft and GlaxoSmithKline, and wealthy Right-wingers like the Koch Brothers. Recently leaked documents from the Heartland Insider posted on the Internet showed that the Institute has been preparing a new curriculum against teaching about these subjects in the public schools. In 2008-12, the Institute also gave $1.6 million to the NongovernmentalRead MoreGlobal Warming Debate Essay1241 Words   |  5 Pages In the controversy over whether Global Warming there is two sides in which people can choose either human caused or just Mother Nature doing her thing. Most scientists will tell you that Global Warming is mostly the cause of humans. While there are some who will disagree and say that it is just nature doing what it has done for thousands of years. For most scientists the topic of global warming is one that is caused by us humans. They have many facts data to back this up. Some examples of theseRead More Global Warming is a Reality That Must be Taken Seriously Essay520 Words   |  3 PagesGlobal Warming is a rising epidemic that is one of high controversy. The growing concern that Global Warming is going to thermally destroy the earth is causing concentrated precautions to take place. With worry mounting in the lives of the human race, it is intensifying the idea that things must be done to stop the depletion of the ozone layer. There are several problems around the earth that prove the occurrence of Global Warming. It is very real. The world could end at any given time in the nextRead MoreGlobal Warming Forewords Global warming is the result of a large concentration of CO2 and1400 Words   |  6 PagesGlobal Warming Forewords Global warming is the result of a large concentration of CO2 and greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and emissions are held responsible for this situation developing. The climate change is the result, and a factor of global warming. There are several factors impacting global warming, and these include ozone layer depletion, carbon cycle, pollution, human actions, and orbit of the earth. There is a debateRead MoreGlobal Warming And The Environment1678 Words   |  7 PagesGlobal warming and the environment are two topics that have become more and more relevant in today’s discussions. With the help of political figures such as Al Gore and the outreach of charities for help such as the World Wildlife Fund, American citizens have become more aware of their impact on the environment and the effects they have on the Earth. Not only is the United States concerned with these changes, countries such as England, Austr alia and Canada are joining in on trying to limit the causesRead MoreThe Debate On Global Warming1239 Words   |  5 Pagesis much controversy concerning global warming. The controversy takes the form of public debate that centers on five issues (Mazo 30). The first issue is whether or not global warming is occurring. The second issue is whether global warming is real and extent it has occurred in the recent decades. The third question relates to the causes of global warming. The fourth question centers on the effects of global warming. The fifth question is whether any action needs to be taken to contain global warming

Analysis of Similes in the Illiad Essay Example For Students

Analysis of Similes in the Illiad Essay In the Iliad, Homer finds a great tool in the simile. Just by opening the book in a random place the reader is undoubtedly faced with one, or within a few pages. Homer seems to use everyday activities, at least for the audience, his fellow Greeks, in these similes nearly exclusively. When one is confronted with a situation that is familiar, one is more likely to put aside contemplating the topic and simply inject those known feelings. This would definitely be an effective tactic when used upon the people of Homers day. From the heroic efforts in the Iliad itself it is clear that the populace of his time were highly emotional creatures, and higher brain activity seems to be in short, and in Odysseus case, valuable, order. It is also wise to remember that history is written by the winners. In the Iliad, there seems to be relatively little storyline from the Trojans side. We are regaled with story upon story of the Greeks, their heroes, and their exploits, while the Trojans are conspicuously quiet, sans Hector of course. It could almost be assumed that throughout time most of the knowledge of the battle from the Trojan side had been lost. Considering the ability to affect feelings with similes, and the one-sided view of history, Homer could be using similes to guide the reader in the direction of his personal views, as happens with modern day political spin. These views that Homer might be trying to get across might be trying to favor Troy. It could easily be imagined that throughout time, only great things were heard about the Greeks mettle in war, and that Homer is attempting to balance the scales a bit by romanticizing the Trojan peoples, especially Hector, and bringing to light the lesser-heard tales of Greek stupidity. Shortly into Book Two, Agamemnon gives the speech to his assembly about his plan to rally the troops with reverse psychology. Agamemnon shall announce he is giving up on taking Troy, whereupon the individual army captains will then prevent their doing so. When the announcement is made, King Agamemnon is startled to see the ranks, not surprisingly, take advantage of the chance to leave and make for the ships with vigor. Homer describes the scene as bees that sally from some hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters This simile is tainted with dark words like from a hollow cave and bunched in knots, giving thebees an ominous tone. The Greek ranks are painted as a throng of weak-kneed wimps with their constitution sapped, obviously not the case as they go on to win the war, but it suffices to cast the Lycians in a negative light. A short, but emotionally appealing, simile is found after the Greek warriors have changed their mind about leaving and return to the Scamander: They stood as thick upon the flower-bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer. This scene assumes quite a juxtaposition. A flower-bespangled battlefield? This is perhaps an attempt to show the absurdity of the Greek army, changing positions from fleeing to brazenness as flowers are to the field of death. Near the beginning of Book Three a group of elders of Troy, not fighting material, but skilled orators, are found resting on the tower like cicadas that chirrup delicately from the boughs of some high tree in a wood. The cicadas song and the tree in a wood cast memories of repose and relaxation, rest and peace, which are then injected into the delicate elders. Another attempt of Homer to cast the Trojans in a favorable light. Later in the same book Ptolemaeus is Homers vehicle for putting down the Greeks again. Upon seeing shirkers of the front line of battle he likens them to frightened fawns who, when they can no longer scud over the plain huddle together. Undoubtedly, the men of Homers time hunted to survive, and relished the sight of the frightened fawns grouped together. But does not one also feel pity for them? This is a wonderful simile that brings home the nervous twitchiness that would denote a person scared to death in such a situation. A Doll"s House EssayHis reaction is described as like that of a man crossing a wide plain, dismayed to find himself on the brink of some great river rolling swiftly to the sea. Up until this point Diomedes had been a potent force for the Greeks. His newfound humility brought upon by the unsurpassable river of Hectors troops. It is enough to convince us that Hectors army is menacing in this facet alone, but to imagine that mass of fighting spirit would be enough to purge its enemies like the rapids swallows an unexperienced kayaker is all the more frightening. At the end of Book Six we find Paris catching up to Hector, to rejoin the battle. Paris takes off as a horse, stabled and fed, breaks loose and gallops gloriously over the plain to the place where he is wont to bathe in the fair-flowing river- he holds his head high, and his mane streams upon his shoulders as he exults in his strength and flies like the wind to the haunts and feeding ground of the mares- even so went forth Paris from high Pergamus, gleaming like sunlight in his armor, and he laughed aloud as he sped swiftly on his way. Obviously Paris is just as much a show off as Agamemnon, and definitely more vain. This simile is packed with phrases that exalt strength, beauty and gracefulness, but little reference to battle prowess, thus presenting Paris as nothing more than a figure-head. The notable laughing at the end is something that is singularly Trojan. Not once is a Greek found laughing, more evidence that Homer has glamorized the Trojan lifestyle. The method I used for ex amining these examples is exceptionally difficult. First, I examined the way the similes were used and the effect they achieved, and at the same time, and the same space, attempted to prove that Homer tried to bring the Trojans a sense of honor they didnt receive in battle. Homers similes proved to have been generally bipolar, good or bad, and he applied them liberally where needed. The goal of Homers trade, as a poet, was to stir people, and the easier the better. What better way than to appeal to ones already experienced emotions? To make a person feel like their everyday actions somehow partook in a greater story is what is accomplished by using the similes that Homer used. These similes brought the story down to earth, and everyday life into the story. There is evidence for Homer favoring the Trojans, at least literarily, in this poem. His consistent use of beauty and grace with the Trojans contrasted with the viciousness portrayed in the Greeks is clear. Homer might have given other Trojan warriors besides Hector moments of aristea also if their exploits had not have been lost through time. Anyone, especially a poet, would feel indebted to the dead to give them some honor for their duties, and Homer has done just that.