Rise of Two Operas Essay Example for Free

Rise of Two Operas Essay The Italians and the French have been two prominent figures in the world of opera music. Their music in the field of tragedy has been flourished by history and emerged from different social context and background. Opera traced its roots from Italy. Opera, in its earliest form can be traced from various types of Italian literature. The themes, moods, and subjects of opera can be associated with Italian poetry, drama, and allegory (Kimbell, 1991. p. 19-21). More importantly, opera particularly the opera seria, has originated at the height of the Renaissance period. The Renaissance art were centered on man. It revolved around man’s greatness, man as passionate, and as virtuous. The themes of opera described the life of the Italians as a whole, which is according to Luigi Barzini: The pleasure of Italy comes from living in a world made by man, for man and on man’s measurement (cited in p. 3). A theme deeply embedded in reality. Revolving around this theme, opera became for the sole purpose of entertainment. However as Renaissance became a period for the flow of rising ideologies, the face of opera changed into a moving art combined with philosophy and moral teaching. This aim served the purpose of educating its audience and not just by mere entertainment (Kimbell, 1991. p. 182). It was Apostolo Zeno and Silvio Stampiglia who created operas that were historical in nature. Stampiglia wrote a series of operas relating early Italian history and Zeno’s works have long been distinguished as a combination of moral and scholarship significance (p. 183). The Italian opera seria had not been completely tragic but became more serious. Metastasio offered ‘suspense’ or in Italian ‘sospensione’ in place of tragedy, in which the audience were presented the internal conflicts of the protagonist. Seeing this kind of progression, the French opera scene has its trend going on as well. However, as mentioned from the beginning, opera had its roots originating from Italy. There were no French composers at that time. It was an Italian national who moved to France, named Jean-Baptiste Lully who was said to have popularized opera to the French people (Edwards, 1862. . 14). Origins of French opera may have come from other form of arts such as ballet. Ballet has incorporated music with dramatic dance routines thus making as a basis into recreating a dance that has dramatic dialogues in the form of music (Grouts Williams, 2003. p. 22). Lully gained full monopoly when spreading his music due to his friendship with King Louis XIV. He collaborated with the likes of Quinault to create operas which they called tragedie en musique (Anderson, 2003. p. 3). It is important to note that though it was the time of Rennaisance in Italy, it had been a slow progress for France to grasp the music from other countries. Since Lully gained monopoly for production of operas, the monarchy controlled the flow of music from outside in accordance to Lully’s advice (p. 1). Basing it from here, the themes of the operas that were being played within King Louis XIV’s court still centered on mythical themes rather than on humanism. The plot of tragedy focused on mythical characters and fictional conflicts (Easterling, 1997. p. 136).

Social Classes Of The 19th Century Sociology Essay

Social Classes Of The 19th Century Sociology Essay What would it be like to live in a world where everyone is put into separate groups based on nothing more than gender, what family you were born into and how much money you make (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4)? Theories of social class were not fully recognized until the nineteenth century from that point forward the idea of social classes has been discussed by many famous philosophers and theorists (Social Class 1). In England, long before the Victorian Age, Aethelberht set down a code of laws known today as social class (United Kingdom 1). In many parts of the world throughout history social classes have been commonly broken down into three groups, but in the British Empire of 1814 there were as many as eight (Jane Austens World 1-2). Social groups were usually divided by race and stereotypical by gender (Turpin 1). One of the most common means of dividing people into social class is financial income (Scott 2). All social groupings regardless of location and era are based to some degree upon gender, kinship and economic status. The history of social class in England began before England was even a country when Aethelberht reigned over the Anglo-Saxons (United Kingdom 1). He set down a code of laws where the most important bond was kinship; every freeman depended on his kin for protection (United Kingdom 1). Since then philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau further elaborated on the idea by discussing the issues of social inequality and stratification (Social Class 1). These ideas were later passed on to Henri de Saint-Simon, who put forth the argument that a states form of government corresponds to the system of economic production (Social Class 1). Later his successors introduced the theory of the proletariat, or working class, as a major political force, which greatly influenced the development of Karl Marxs theory of class, which has dominated later discussions of the topic (Social Class 1). Social class has been divided into three different groups in many countries and governments throughout history (Victorian England: An Introduction 3). Those three are usually upper, middle and lower or working class (Victorian England: An Introduction 2). The upper class in the Victorian Age were the royalty, lords spiritual and temporal and great officers of state many of whom did not work and received most of their wealth from there inheritance (Victorian England: An Introduction 4 and Jane Austens world 1). Middle class men did most of the white collar work such as business, commerce, and politics they were paid monthly or annually (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Now, last and unfortunately least, the lower class men and women did the physical labor and were paid daily or weekly wages (Victorian England: An Introduction 3). Men and women were also separated in society (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). The women were assigned the private sphere and the men were assign ed the public sphere of business and commerce (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). A majority of the time there are three social groups but some have found there to be up to eight specific groups in England during the nineteenth century (Jane Austens World 1-2). There were the highest orders which are put into the generic upper class of royalty and the rich, the second class which seems to be a mix between the upper and the middle class in that they are prestigious but not of royal blood (Jane Austens World 1). Also the third class which contained the doctors, clergy and merchants which can be put into the middle class, the fourth class consists of many of the same people as the third class just on a lesser scale (Jane Austens World 1). Fifth class is where the shopkeepers were placed along with the publicans and people with miscellaneous occupations (Jane Austens World 1). The sixth class is where the lower or working class of people are found (Jane Austens World 2). Members of this class included working mechanics, artists, craftsmen and farmers or agricultural l aborers (Jane Austens World). The people that were in the seventh group were either a paupers, vagrants, gypsies and criminals (Jane Austens World 2). The army and the navy had their own social class, which includes officers, soldiers, marines and pensioners (Jane Austens World 2). Economic status also played a big part in the development of the social classes because of the economy the people were grouped by their income (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). The upper class or aristocrats usually had about 30,000 pounds of annual income, which is around 41,000 dollars in America (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Bankers and merchants made around 10,000 pounds a year while the middle class including doctors made anywhere from 300 to 800 (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). Head teachers, journalists and shopkeepers who were considered to be lower class at this point in time only made 150 to 300 pounds per year (Victorian England: An Introduction 4)! Skilled workers and domestic staff made even less than the teachers with only 40-75 pounds a year and soldiers scraped the bottom of the barrel with a grand total of 25 pounds annually and that rounds out the list (Victorian England: An Introduction 4). From the late eighteenth century, class has been seen as the key to understanding modern society (Scott 1). This idea went virtually unchallenged, despite the fact that people have been arguing what defines it ever since it was introduced, until the last third of the twentieth century (Scott 1). Challenges to the class system have grown even stronger due to the fact that some have argued that social class was made extinct by the postmodern social process (Scott 1). Nevertheless some have interpreted social class to be a powerful and active variable today but a common factor is found in both sides of this argument (Turpin 1 and Scott 1). Both agree that the social class analysis is not thorough enough and that it should be based on more specific things than just money and gender (Scott 1 and Turpin 1). Apparently the social system wasnt perfect then and it isnt perfect now because it is a futile human attempt to categorize people by trivial earthly possessions (Turpin 2). So what would it be like to live in a world where everyone is put into separate groups based on nothing more than gender, what family you were born into and how much money you make (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4)? Other than the obvious, like technology and entertainment, the same way it was in the Victorian Era, everyone would be separated into groups by things that dont necessarily matter and that wouldnt change until someone questioned it (Victorian England: An Introduction 3-4 and Scott 1).

Meditation In Zen Buddhism Philosophy Essay

Meditation In Zen Buddhism Philosophy Essay Meditation is the foundation of Zen Buddhism. Zen literally means to meditate. Meditation, in Zen, is the path and the goal. The goal is to meditate. Like all religions, Zen Buddhism has split into sections. Zen has two schools of thought, the gradual and the sudden approach to enlightenment. In the gradual school, there is only one way to practice Zen meditation, which is seated meditation, called zazen. Zazen can be performed in several different ways, but the positions have no spiritual significance. The positions are mainly to create comfort, stability, and ability to breathe through the diaphragm properly. The sudden school believes enlightenment could potentially occur instantly. They use koans, mondos, and turning phrases to help the practitioner gain more insight, and hopefully be enlightened. Koans, mondos, and turning phrases are irrational dialogues or statements that practitioners contemplate upon. The main topics to point out when discussing meditation in Zen Buddhism ar e the goals of their meditation, the gradual school of thought, and the sudden school of thought. In Zen, the path of meditation is the goal. It is similar to riding your bicycle just to ride your bicycle. Through mediation, Zen Buddhists do not attempt to do anything, but to be in the moment. The Vietnamese Zen teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, says, We practice so that each moment of our life becomes real life. There is no goal in Zen, but to focus on ones being, moment by moment. While practicing meditation, one may also find other benefits, like better health and a more relaxed state of my mind. Unlike many sects of Buddhism, as well as many other religions, Zen Buddhists do not have scriptures to which they should study, but they may do so if they choose. Zen Buddhists focus primarily on one simple act, which is meditation. They believe that achievement of the Buddhahood comes from silence. Zen has two popular sections, gradual and sudden. They both are means to enlightenment, but have two different points of view. In the gradual school of Zen, there is only one technique of meditation, which is called zazen. Zazen literally means sitting meditation. Zazens motto is: To be a Buddha is to sit like a Buddha. That is, while sitting, sit completely. Be aware of the stillness of everything while enjoying not having to do anything but be in the moment. Although there are no doctrines or disciplines in Zen, there are many instructions for meditation postures. In Zen culture, there was less of a difference between body, breath, and mind than in the west. Zen practitioners believe if one aligns their spine correctly, fold their legs properly, sit properly, and keep still; they can achieve stillness of the mind. Much of the stillness of the mind in Zen is believed to be achieved through the correct posture of the body. Many of the Zen postures come from ancient Indian yogic positions developed to increase alignment and awareness. Although they come from yogic postures, they have no divine meaning them; they are only intended to increase comfort, stability, and the ability to breathe well. In Zen, it is believed that awakening must penetrate every cell of the body, so they must engage the body as well as the mind when meditating. Zazen is typically done in one way with several variations. The most effective way of seated meditation is done is with ones legs crossed and spine aligned straight up and curved, giving a pyramid shape to ones posture. It is usually done on the floor, with a soft mat and pillow to sit on to raise the body a little so that ones knees can touch the ground. With ones knees touching the ground, it creates three points of contact with the ground to give the practitioner a sturdy base. The easiest form of zazen is the Burmese position. In the Burmese position, one has their legs crossed, and their feet flat on the floor. In this position it is very easy to keep ones back straight because putting ones feet on the floor forces the practitioner to keep his back curved, which is an essential part of zazen. Two other positions are the half lotus and the full lotus. Both positions are very similar, but the half lotus requires less flexibility, and is easier for most people. To perform the half lotus, one foot placed over the opposite thigh, and the other foot is placed under the opposite leg. The full lotus position is when both legs are put on both thighs. This position is more recommended because it gives the practitioner much more balance. There are also two other zazen positions which are commonly used. The first position is the sieza position. The sieza position is kneeling, with your buttocks on both feet. You can sit on either a pillow, or your bare legs. You can also use a sieza bench to kneel on. The second position is the chair position. The bench keeps ones back straight, and takes the weight off of ones feet. The other position is to simply sit on a chair with ones feet on the floor, arching the back. It is important to keep ones back straight while meditating so that one can breathe with the diaphragm properly. A good sitting posture as well as good hand position allows the body to give uninhibited deep breaths. While doing Zen meditation, one should use the Dhyani mudra hand position. The Dhyani mudra is a way to position ones hands so that they can take deep breaths from their diaphragm. To do so, the practitioner will place both hands on top of one another, with their palms facing up. Their knuckles should be on top of one another as well, with their thumbs touching gently together. Breathing through the diaphragm creates deep, slow breaths, which is quite useful when practicing zazen. Breathing is not only useful while meditating, but it is useful in all aspects of our health. Andrew Weil M.D., an author and physician said, Improper breathing is a common cause of ill health. If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly. Theres no single more powerful or simpler daily practice to further your health and well-being than breath-work. ~ Andrew Weil, M.D. The sudden school of Zen, which believes in sudden enlightenment, has koans as a focal point of meditation. In The Complete Idiots Guide to Buddhism, Gary Gach says that koans are seemingly illogical riddles, like Two hands come together in a clap. What is the sound of one hand? A koan is not a riddle. It doesnt call for a solution (its not a math puzzle with an equation waiting in an answer book); rather, it is a personal breakthrough with a flash of enlightenment. In other words, it is a statement or conversation that cannot be understood by rational thinking; it can only be understood by intuition. Zen Buddhists believe that scriptures will lead scholars to misinterpretations of the original meanings, which is why Zen masters made Koans. Koans go beyond words. They attempt to go beyond the boundaries of intellect and language, and find awakening or enlightenment. Zen master Hakuin, author of the koan, What is the sound of one hand? has said, Whats true meditation? Its to make it all coughing, swallowing, gestures, motion, stillness, words, action, good and evil, success and shame, win and lose, right and wrong into one single koan. Although Zen Buddhists are not against words, they try to limit the amount of description to leave the interpreting to the practitioner who is attempting to gain insight. The primary beginning of using koans in Zen Buddhism originated from Hui Neng, a poor man who gathered and sold firewood for a living. He achieved enlightenment suddenly while he overheard a man reciting the Diamond Sutra, a scripture on emptiness and wisdom which requires great insight to understand. When he overheard the man say, Awaken your mind without fixing it anywhere, he was enlightened on the spot. Koans are meant to be contemplated until they are realized. While one meditates is the optimal time to think about them, but they can also be taken home to contemplate. According to The Complete Idiots Guide to Buddhism, there are about 400 indexed koans and about 1700 in all. There are so many koans because they deal with particular parts of the Way of enlightenment. Many of the koans, such as Hakuins koan, What is the sound of one hand? are designed to take the practitioner past the normal self into Buddha mind. There are also koan related Zen dialogues called mondos. Mondos are question-and-answer banter between people. They are similar to koans because they have the same non-sense questions and statements. An example of a mondo is in the Milindapanha, which reads, King Milinda said to learned monk Nagasena, Im going to ask you a question. Can you answer it? Nagasena replied, Please, ask your question. The King: Ive already asked. Nagasena: Ive already answered. The King: What did you answer? Nagasena: What did you ask? The King: I asked nothing. Nagasena: I answered nothing Also similar to koans and mondos, the sudden school of Zen also used turning phrases to help promote enlightenment and understanding. Examples of a turning phrases are, Not one, not two, Chop wood: carry water, and Form is emptiness; emptiness is form. These are all mottos that are used to help the practitioner gain more insight, and hopefully find sudden enlightenment. Being the foundation of Zen Buddhism, meditation is the main aspect of the religion. Zen essentially is meditation. In Zen, the path is the goal. It is like riding your bicycle simply to ride your bicycle. Zen Buddhism has split into two schools of thought, the gradual and the sudden approach to enlightenment. In the gradual school, there is only one way to practice Zen meditation, which is seated meditation, called zazen. Zazen can be performed in several different ways, but the positions have no significance other than comfort and stability. Breathing is an important part of meditation as well. The sudden school believes enlightenment could potentially occur instantly. They use koans, mondos, and turning phrases to help the practitioner gain more insight, and hopefully be enlightened. Koans, mondos, and turning phrases are irrational dialogues or statements that practitioners contemplate upon. The main topics to point out when discussing meditation in Zen Buddhism are the goals of their meditation, the gradual school of thought, and the sudden school of thought. Gach, Gary. The Complete Idiots Guide to Buddhism. 3rd. New York City, New York: Alpha Books, 2009. 183-200. Print. Saint-Hilaire, J.Barthelemy. The Buddha and His Religion. 1st edition. London: New York E.P. Dutton and Company, 1914. 267-87. Print. Zazen. DharmaRain.org. Dharma Rain Zen Center, 2003. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Zazen Posture. DharmaRain.org. Dharma Rain Zen Center, 2003. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Zazen breathing techniques. DharmaRain.org. Dharma Rain Zen Center, 2003. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Zen Meditation Instructions. mro.org. Mountains and Rivers Order, 2010. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Phelan, Josho Pat. Zazen Posture. intrex.net. Josho Pat Phelan, 1997. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . About Zen Meditation. Zazen.rutgers.edu. N.P., 04/21/2010. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Phillips, Fred. A Primer on Zazen. omcl.ogi.edu. Fred Phillips, 1998. Web. 20 Sep 2010. . Breathing and Medicine. oxygengenesis.org. Oxygen Genesis Institute, 2003. Web. 20 Sep 2010. .

Eleanor Roosevelt :: Essays Papers

Eleanor Roosevelt Growing up in India, as I did, one never hears about female elected officials of United States. We had our own female leaders to study that not much was taught about female leaders of other countries. But among the exception was Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of one the greatest American President. Though, she was the wife of Franklin Roosevelt, she was not known for being his wife. She, as I remember, more than any other woman, "typified... the realizaton of the dreams of the female Crusaders of the 19th century who threw off the restrictions of the Victorian age." So when I had the opportuinity to study the life of any female American leader, I choose Eleanor Roosevelt for her achivements, her strugel and her vision of a United world. For someone who never held elective office, Eleanor Roosevelt wielded a great deal of political power. She wrote now laws and appointed no high officials, yet the self-knowledge and profound humility that invested her regard for every human being has made the story of her life a morality play that brightens the American memory. "There is no human being," wrote Eleanor Roosevelt in one of her several columns that she frequently wrote for newspaper, from whom we cannot learn something if we are interested enough to dig deep." This basic sense fo kinship with which she approaced the world dictated her vocation of helpfulness. The honesty with which she told us of hte long path she travelded to free herself of fear and prejudice and become an independent person has pl aced her in that specaila pantheon reserved for shapers of the human spirit. Eleanor Roosevelt appeared on the American secent, and began being herself, out in the open wehre folks could see the process of women's long struggle to free themselves from their husbands's dutiful shadows. "It is said that famous mane are usually the product of an unhappy childhood," wrote Winston Churchill. "The stern compression of circumstance, the spur of slights and taunts in early years are needed to evoke that ruthless fixity of purpose and tenacious mother-wit without wich great actions are seldom accomplished." His words, about an unhappy childhood shaping the reateness of later years, were applicable to Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1 make friends easily. She would have to regain her trust in the world befor she could act upon the lession her Grandfather Theodore had impressed upon his children-receive people's love and peopld will love you. Eleanor Roosevelt :: Essays Papers Eleanor Roosevelt Growing up in India, as I did, one never hears about female elected officials of United States. We had our own female leaders to study that not much was taught about female leaders of other countries. But among the exception was Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of one the greatest American President. Though, she was the wife of Franklin Roosevelt, she was not known for being his wife. She, as I remember, more than any other woman, "typified... the realizaton of the dreams of the female Crusaders of the 19th century who threw off the restrictions of the Victorian age." So when I had the opportuinity to study the life of any female American leader, I choose Eleanor Roosevelt for her achivements, her strugel and her vision of a United world. For someone who never held elective office, Eleanor Roosevelt wielded a great deal of political power. She wrote now laws and appointed no high officials, yet the self-knowledge and profound humility that invested her regard for every human being has made the story of her life a morality play that brightens the American memory. "There is no human being," wrote Eleanor Roosevelt in one of her several columns that she frequently wrote for newspaper, from whom we cannot learn something if we are interested enough to dig deep." This basic sense fo kinship with which she approaced the world dictated her vocation of helpfulness. The honesty with which she told us of hte long path she travelded to free herself of fear and prejudice and become an independent person has pl aced her in that specaila pantheon reserved for shapers of the human spirit. Eleanor Roosevelt appeared on the American secent, and began being herself, out in the open wehre folks could see the process of women's long struggle to free themselves from their husbands's dutiful shadows. "It is said that famous mane are usually the product of an unhappy childhood," wrote Winston Churchill. "The stern compression of circumstance, the spur of slights and taunts in early years are needed to evoke that ruthless fixity of purpose and tenacious mother-wit without wich great actions are seldom accomplished." His words, about an unhappy childhood shaping the reateness of later years, were applicable to Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1 make friends easily. She would have to regain her trust in the world befor she could act upon the lession her Grandfather Theodore had impressed upon his children-receive people's love and peopld will love you.

Solar Cookers :: Essays Papers

Solar Cookers Jewish families celebrate Passover to commemorate the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. When the Pharaoh Ramses II freed the Israelites, they fled so quickly that there wasn't time to bake their breads. Instead the Israelites packed the raw dough, which they quickly baked in the hot sun into hard crackers called Matzohs as they fled through the desert. The exodus of the Israelites took place over 3000 years ago, but the Israelites were not the first to harness solar power for cooking, neither were they the last. Solar cooking has had a long rich history and has important implication for the future. Solar cooking is an important link in understanding the sun’s power, is a sink of innovation and technology, is widely applicable around the world, has social, economic and ecological benefits, and is the answer to some of the world’s biggest natural resource shortages. Although, solar cooking is an ind ustry that has yet to be revolutionized into an efficient home appliance, therefore, there are many avenues for innovation and technological advancement to be explored. Horace de Saussure coincidently created the first solar box cooker, although, because cooking food was not his objective he failed to revolutionize the solar cooking as an efficient home appliance. Horace de Saussure, â€Å"set out to determine how effectively glass heat traps could collect the energy of the sun.† Horace de Saussure placed five consecutively smaller open bottomed glass boxes within each other on a black table, in which he placed a piece of fruit. When this miniature five walled green house was exposed to the sun, each consecutive glass chamber trapped warm air and thermal radiation, which are by products of light energy being turned into heat. Consequently the innermost glass box became the hottest, a recorded 189.5 degrees Fahrenheit and Horace de Saussure successfully cooked fruit within this box. Cooking was only an experiment used by Horace de Saussure to understand his greater goal, which was how effectively glass heat traps could collect the energy o f the sun. Although, Horace de Saussure realized the practical application of his heat trap. Horace de Saussure stated, â€Å"someday some usefulness might be drawn from this device . . . [for it] is actually quite small, inexpensive, [and] easy to make.† Horace de Saussure was correct in stating that solar cooking is useful, but contrary to his advice the solar cooker failed to be revolutionized into an efficient home appliance.

Solar Power Essay -- Alternative Energy Clean Photovoltaic Cells Panel

Solar Power: An Alternative Energy Source Since first discovered in the 1860s, the concept of storing energy from the sun to use as a source of power has been studied and pursued by many programs. Either using solar collectors or photovoltaic cells, the methods of using solar power are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Solar technology is currently being used by homes and businesses, but is still too expensive and risky for many residents. Researchers are still making advances to solar technology for it to be a feasible energy source in the future. Solar energy was first started in the 1860s when Auguste Mouchout and William Adams found a way for storing solar radiation into tanks of water. Since then, there have been improvements to the processing of solar energy, which has been split into two categories: agricultural based and electricity based. The agricultural method, otherwise known as thermal solar energy, uses the sunlight to heat liquid and power steam engines. Solar collectors can be used on houses or business buildings to store the energy. Different types of solar collectors are flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and integral collector storage systems (US Department of Energy, 2007, para. 2). The electrochemical process is more complicated and requires photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture the solar energy and convert it into electricity. PV cells have many uses, including powering batteries or mechanical devices by absorbing the photons and creating a voltage. (Simon, 2007, p. 88) Silicon in the PV conductors absorbs photons, but sometimes impurities are added to create a charge. Phosphorous is added to create negatively charged silicon and boron is added to create positively charged silicon in... ...om the Sun. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/solar.htm National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2007). Solar Research. Retrieved July 28, 2007 from http://www.nrel.gov/solar/ Nersesian, Roy L. (2007). Energy for the 21st Century. New York: M.E. Sharp. Simon, Christopher A. (2007). Alternative Energy. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. United Nations Development Programme. (2002). Energy for Sustainable Development. New York: UNDP. U.S. Department of Energy. (2007). Solar Energy Technologies Program. Retrieved July 28, 2007 from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ Van Wyk, Anita. (2005). Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Solar-Energy-Advantages-Disadvantages&id=50178 Wikipedia. (2007). Solar Power. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power Solar Power Essay -- Alternative Energy Clean Photovoltaic Cells Panel Solar Power: An Alternative Energy Source Since first discovered in the 1860s, the concept of storing energy from the sun to use as a source of power has been studied and pursued by many programs. Either using solar collectors or photovoltaic cells, the methods of using solar power are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Solar technology is currently being used by homes and businesses, but is still too expensive and risky for many residents. Researchers are still making advances to solar technology for it to be a feasible energy source in the future. Solar energy was first started in the 1860s when Auguste Mouchout and William Adams found a way for storing solar radiation into tanks of water. Since then, there have been improvements to the processing of solar energy, which has been split into two categories: agricultural based and electricity based. The agricultural method, otherwise known as thermal solar energy, uses the sunlight to heat liquid and power steam engines. Solar collectors can be used on houses or business buildings to store the energy. Different types of solar collectors are flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and integral collector storage systems (US Department of Energy, 2007, para. 2). The electrochemical process is more complicated and requires photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture the solar energy and convert it into electricity. PV cells have many uses, including powering batteries or mechanical devices by absorbing the photons and creating a voltage. (Simon, 2007, p. 88) Silicon in the PV conductors absorbs photons, but sometimes impurities are added to create a charge. Phosphorous is added to create negatively charged silicon and boron is added to create positively charged silicon in... ...om the Sun. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/solar.htm National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2007). Solar Research. Retrieved July 28, 2007 from http://www.nrel.gov/solar/ Nersesian, Roy L. (2007). Energy for the 21st Century. New York: M.E. Sharp. Simon, Christopher A. (2007). Alternative Energy. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. United Nations Development Programme. (2002). Energy for Sustainable Development. New York: UNDP. U.S. Department of Energy. (2007). Solar Energy Technologies Program. Retrieved July 28, 2007 from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ Van Wyk, Anita. (2005). Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Solar-Energy-Advantages-Disadvantages&id=50178 Wikipedia. (2007). Solar Power. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power

The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin, known as The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the and enduring comic-book series—the thrilling, globetrotting exploits of the intrepid boy reporter Tintin, his loyal dog Snowy, and his quirky band of comrades. The Secret of the Unicorn. Though the subtitle was dropped and the film pulls from several stories, that’s the primary Herge book this first film is based on. The legendary author published about two dozen Tintin books in total but, instead of starting with the first one, Spielberg and Jackson opted to jump into the middle (Unicorn was the 11th book) because it introduced a very popular sidekick character in Captain Haddock.Since they didn’t lock themselves into a specific time in the Tintin mythology.Tintin (character)Tintin is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin the comics series Belgian cartoonist Herge Tintin is the eponymous protagonist of the series; a reporter and adventure who travels around the world with his dog Snowy. The character was created in 1929 and introduced in a weekly youth supplement to the Belgian newspaper He appears as a young man, 14–19 years old with a round face and quiff hairstyle. Tintin has a sharp intellect, can command any type of vehicle, can defend himself, is honest, decent, compassionate, and kind. Through his investigative reporting, quick thinking, and all-around good nature, Tintin is always able to solve the mystery and complete the adventure. Tintin's personality is neutral, which allows the reader to not merely follow the adventures but assume Tintin's position within the story. Combined with Hergà ©'s signature (â€Å"clear line†) style, this helps the reader â€Å"safely enter a sensually stimulating world.† Captain (Haddock)Captain Haddock is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergà ©. He is Tintin's best friend, a seafaring Merchant Marine Captain. Haddock is initially depicted as a weak and alcoholic character under the control of his treacherous first mate Allan, who keeps him drunk and runs his freighter. He regains his command and his dignity, even rising to president of the Society of Sober SailorsThe Shooting Star, but never gives up his love for rum and whisky, especially Loch Lomond. In the adventure Secret of the Unicorn (and continuing in Red Rackham's Treasure he and Tintin travel to find a pirate's treasure captured by his ancestor, sir Francis Haddock (Franà §ois de Haddock in French). Captain Haddock becomes a socialite; riding a horse, wearing a monocle, and sitting in a theatre box seat (The Seven Crystal Balls). He then evolves to become genuinely heroic, volunteering to sacrifice his life to save Tintin's own in the pivotal Tintin in Tibet. In later volumes he is clearly retired. Throughout it all, the Captain's coarse humanity and sarcasm act as a counterpoint to Tintin's often implausible heroism. He is always quick with a dry comment whenever the boy reporter gets too idealistic. Captain Haddock remained without a first name until the last completed story, Tintin and the Picaros.Comparision:I love all the characters in Tintin, but Captain Haddock has a special place in my heart. Captain Haddock is undoubtedly the most appreciated character and everyone is in love with him. His confusion and forgetfulness is what i like most. Captain Archibald Haddock’s character certainly remains one of the most lovable aspects about the Tintin books. His cuss words were especially hilarious & quite unforgettable. Interestingly, in the earlier Tintin books Snowy used to be the wisecracking foil to Tintin’s comparatively bland persona; but after Haddock debuted, he took upon the role of counterbalancing Tintin, and consequently, Snowy’s role in the subsequent books diminished considerably. And I would like to believe that the river has just changed its course, it will someday flow through the familia r land of poetry once again