Ethics in Nursing Essay Example for Free

Ethics in Nursing Essay Nurses are to provide compassionate, competent, and ethical care, and follow the moral principles and guidelines set out by the College of Nurses and the Canadian Nurse’s Association’s code of ethics. The nursing profession is a self-sacrificing one, and nurses take on the Nightingale Pledge, to elevate the standard of their practice and dedicate themselves to those committed in their care (Keatings Smith, 2010, p. 64) However unfavourable working conditions, inadequate patient to nurse ratios, and intensive job-related stress can lead to poor performance of daily routines, and adversely patient safety (Ozata et al. , 2013). In the situation regarding Mr. Gurt who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, it is vital for the nurse to weigh him at the beginning of each month. This is her obligation under her employing institution’s standards of care, as well under the autonomy of her practise in which any deviation from this could result in exposure to liability (Austin 2006, p. 62). In order for the nurse to properly care for Mr. Gurt, assessing his accurate weight is essential in providing a care plan that will focus on his overall wellness and healing. Because Mr. Gurt is frail, and has stage one pressure ulcers on both heels and his coccyx, it is imperative that he has every opportunity to build up his skin integrity and prevent future disruption of his skin surface. Complications that may arise because of the nurse’s neglect in failing to weigh him, may contribute to other underlying problems. General health concerns Mr. Gurt would be facing on top of his current co- morbidities would include a decline his general appearance, gastrointestinal, neurologic, integumentary, and musculoskeletal systems (Holloway, 2004, p. 80). By recording a weight of 70kg with a height of 170cm, the nurse calculated Mr. Gurt’s Body Mass Index (BMI) at 24.2 which is borderline overweight, when in fact it was 14.5, with 18.5 being the baseline for being underweight ( http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/ obesity/ BMI/bmicalc.htm., n.d.). According to this value, it would be likely that Mr. Gurt would suffer from imbalanced nutrition, less than his body requirements leading to other complications and failing to thrive. Nanda defines failure to thrive as the progressive functional deterioration of a physical and cognitive nature. The individual’s ability to live with multisystem diseases, cope with  ensuing problems, and manage his care are remarkably diminished (Ackley Ladwig, 2011, p. 350). To add on to potential problems, drug doses are given based on factors such as age, gender, and the weight of a patient (Raman-Wilms, 2013). Since Mr. Gurt is elderly and suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s with an imbalance of neurotransmitter activity between dopamine and acetylcholine, there may be fewer receptors and a decrease in neurotransmitters to take up his drugs (Raman-Wilms, 2013). Levadopa a dopaminergic medication which treats the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease should be reviewed with b ody weight changes (Raman-Wilms, 2013). A study looking into the factors of weight loss in Parkinson’s looked at the effects of dopaminergic treatment which suggested that the drug had a lipolytic effect and body mass fat was decreased with the advancement of Parkinson’s symptoms (Lorefalt, 2004, p.186). The potential magnitude and likelihood of harm occurring in this case is significant as drug tolerances, adverse effects, and toxic effects are high, making the liver and kidneys susceptible to disease (Urquhart, 2014), as Mr. Gurt’s body mass index indicates he is underweight and a higher risk for drug overdoses. Effectiveness of this drug will diminish over time in which the adverse effects may become severe and may include palpitations, abdominal movement, dizziness, and confusion (Raman-Wilms, 2013, p. 331). Incorrect doses of his medication could lead to physical and psychological issues based on the nurses documented weight and his actual weight. Failing to weigh Mr. Gurt will have a great impact on his nutritional needs, but will also affect his ability to heal his pressure ulcers on his heels and coccyx. Mr. Gurt is emaciated which may be in part to dysphasia, tremors, still muscles, and slow movements among other symptoms of Parkinson’s (Wilk Newmaster, 2013, p. 288). As well, Mr. Gurt’s weight is evidence that he is not receiving the nutritional intake his body’s immune system requires to create the proteins and blood cells (macrophages the body’s first line of defence), needed to attack and repair his wounds, and prevent the risk for infection (Raman-Wilms, 2013). The nurse’s blatant disregard to weigh Mr. Gurt puts him at greater risk for infection and is a form of negligence. Negligence in nursing can be unintentional, however it is important to understand the effects this has on health professionals practicing in Ontario. A registered nurse is responsible to follow the standard of care when performing nursing  acts under autonomy within their scope of practise (College of Nurses, 2004) (CNO, 2004). Standard of Care is the legal benchmark against which a person’s conduct is measured to determine whether a person has been negligent and whether the person’s conduct or actions in a given situation have met those expected of a competent health care professional (Keatings Smith, 2010). The College of Nurses is the governing body for registered nurses that protect the public through regulating the nursing profession (CNO, 2014). A practising nurse is obliged to follow the standards of care and ethical guidelines set out by this governing body (CNO, 2014). The College of Nurses lists seven ethical values which are all important, but recognizes that client well-being is a primary value (CNO, 2014). The College of Nurses connotation of client well-being is to promote the patients health, while preventing or removing harm (CNO, 2014). In the case regarding Mr. Gurt, where the nurse is required to weigh him monthly and record the data, she is morally responsible for the patient’s well-being and for any adverse outcomes regarding his health for failing to provide safe care. The nurse’s complacency in failing to weigh Mr. Gurt, a simple act, would be of concern in investigating her moral responsibility in providing ethical care in her work environment. The nurses ethical duty is to advocate for her patients and provide safe, effective, and ethical care (CNO, 2014). Possible outcomes that could arise for the nurse in failing to provide ethical care include: her co-worker filing a complaint to the College of Nurses, a discipline hearing with the College of nurses, and possibly a lawsuit (CNO, 2014). Potter Perry note the criteria nurses can be found liable for negligenc e as summarized; the nurse owed the duty to the patient; to whom that duty was not carried out; and the patient was injured for failing to carry out that duty (Potter Perry 2013, p. 96). A common negligent act is failing to monitor a patient’s condition adequately (Potter et al., 2013, p. 97). For a nurse to be sued, and in the case with Mr. Gurt, the nurse had carelessly not performed a duty which was vital to his ongoing care. While the ability to predict harm is evaluated is this case, the nurse had committed a wrong doing to Mr. Gurt and could be tried as an unintentional tort. (Potter et al., 2013, p. 97-98). According to the Criminal Code, 1985, if Mr. Gurt was to pass away as a result of improper care or toxic levels of medication being given due  to the nurse failing to weigh him, the nurse could also face criminal liability if the nurse was proven to have a reckless disregard for her patient (Potter et al., 2013, p. 99-100). The best way for nurses to avoid being negligent is to follow the standards of care; be self aware and to reflect on their nursing practise; to follow the ethical framework established by the College of Nurses; and to continuall y educate themselves on best practices, assessments, and evaluations within their nursing abilities (Potter et al., 2013, p.98). With that in mind, one final thing I would suggest is to have professional liability and legal assistance protection insurance coverage. References BIBLIOGRAPHY \l 4105 Ackley, J. A., Ladwig, G. B. (2011). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook (9th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby/Elsevier Canada. Austin, S. (2006). Ladies gentlemen of the jury, I present the nursing documentation. Nursing, 56-64 Calculate Your Body Mass Index. (n.d.).Calculate Your BMI. Retrieved June 4, 2014, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm.(n.d.). College of Nurses of Ontario/Ordre des Infirmià ¨res et Infirmiers de lOntario. (2014). College of Nurses of Ontario. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.cno.org/ Holloway, N. (1999). Medical-Surgical Care Planning. Orinda: Springhouse Corporation. Keatings, M. (2010). Ethical Legal Issues in Canadian Nursing (3rd ed.). Toronto:Mosby/Elsevier Canada. Lorefalt, B., Ganowiak, W., Palhagen, S., Toss, G., Unosson, M., Granerus, A.K,.(2004). Factors of Importance for Weight Loss in Elderly Patients with Parkinsons disease. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 180-187. Ozata, O., Ozturk, Y.E., Cihangiroglu, N., Altunkan, H. (2013). The Development of a Scale of Malpractice Trend in Nursing and Validity and Reliabilty Analysis. International Journal of Academic Research, 57-65. Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Kerr, J. C., Wood, M. J. (2009). Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing (4th ed.). Toronto: Mosby/Elsevier Canada. Raman-Wilms, L. (2013). Guide to Drugs in Canada (4th ed.). Toronto: Dorling Kindersley. Urquhart, B. (2014). Exploring how kidney failure impacts the bodys systems. Western News. Wilk, M. J., Newmaster, R. (2013). Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker.Toronto: Mosby/ Elsevier Canada.

Ma Joad as Leader in The Grapes of Wrath :: Grapes Wrath essays

In a crisis, a person's true colors emerge. The weak are separated from the strong and the leaders are separated from the followers. In John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family, forced from their home in Oklahoma, head to California in search of work and prosperity only to find poverty and despair. As a result of a crisis, Ma Joad emerges as a controlled, forceful, and selfless authority figure for the family. Ma Joad exhibits exelent self-control during the sufferings and frustrations of the Joad's journey. Ma knows that she is the backbone of the family, and that they will survive only if she remains calm. Ma keeps her self-control when Ruthie tells some children about Tom's secret. The family becomes nervous and enraged over the situation, but Ma restores order by handling the situation in a calm and collected manner. If Ma were to ever show fear, the family would most likely collapse. For, "Old Tom and the children could not know hurt or fear unless she acknowledged hurt or fear." Thus, if Ma acts as if everything is all right, then the family will assume everything is all right. Most members of the family openly express their doubts or fears. Ma may be just as frightened as the rest of the family, but she always maintains a front for the rest of the family. When Ma had fears, "She had practiced denying them in herself." This extraordinary self-control helps to keep the Joad unit together and alive. Ma, like all leaders, must be forceful for things to work in her favor. Numerous situations occur in which Ma must be forceful or relinquish her role as the head of the family. Her forceful leadership occurs once when the family, without Ma's consent, agrees to leave Tom and Casey behind to fix the Wilson's car. Ma feels this will break up the family and uses a jack handle to prove her point. It is at this point Ma replaces Pa as the official head of the family. Ma's forceful leadership also surfaces when she threatens a police officer with a frying pan and when she decides for the family to leave the government camp. In both situations Ma must use force to achieve her objectives; in both situations, she emerges victorious. Eventually, Pa becomes angered because of his loss of power to a woman and says in frustration, "Seems like times is changed.

Good and Bad Arguments

ASSIGNMENT 1 MODULE 1 SHORT ANSWER PAPER Distinguish between good and bad arguments. Give the elements of ethical arguments. On what grounds do you distinguish between fact and mere opinion? An argument is a group of statements where one of which is supposed to be supported by the rest. The premise is the supporting statement and the conclusion is the statement being supported. Ethical arguments must have premise(s) and a conclusion and may appear in any order. Often arguments have indicator words that signal a premise or conclusion is near.There are two types of arguments, deductive and inductive and they can be valid or invalid, strong or weak, or sound or cogent. A good argument has a conclusion that is worthy and gives good reasons to accept a claim, where a bad argument fails to have a premise or conclusion or both. A true argument always has something to prove and presents good reasons to a claim. An argument is not the same thing as persuasion but if you express it correctly a nd prove something then you may be able to persuade people by reasoning and not by appealing to them via other methods.Good arguments have true premises and show its conclusion is worthy of belief, it also both must have the correct form by being either valid (having true premises that logically prove that the conclusion is also true) or strong (having premises that provide probable support for its conclusion). A bad argument proves nothing however it can still be persuasive. A bad argument can persuade someone by influencing them by any means besides reason.A bad argument has false premises that lead to false conclusions, these conclusions are called fallacies. Fallacies though wrong can be persuasive. There are nine different types of fallacies which all try to persuade by appealing to people’s emotions, using linguistic or rhetorical tricks, deception, threats, lack of evidence, using invalid citations and many other tricks. To check if a argument is bad you must learn dif ferent techniques, do research, and beware when there is conflicting evidence.To distinguish between fact and opinion in an argument you must check the form, the validity of the argument, and whether or not the premise has any truth. If something is a fact it is a statement or a claim that asserts that something is either true or false. Opinions are based on moral judgments, principles, and theories. Opinions also take into account feelings, desires, and beliefs. However in an argument both a fact and a opinion can be proven if the opinion has a good premise.

19 Interesting Selenium Facts

Selenium is a chemical element found in a wide variety of products. Here are some interesting facts about selenium: Selenium gets its name from the Greek word selene, which means moon. Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon.Selenium has atomic number 34,  meaning each atom has 34 protons. The element symbol of selenium is Se.Selenium was discovered jointly in 1817 by  Swedish chemists Jà ¶ns Jakob Berzelius (1779–1848) and Johan Gottlieb Gahn (1745–1818).Although it is uncommonly found, selenium does exist in relatively pure form, free in nature.Selenium is a nonmetal. Like many nonmetals, it exhibits different colors and structures (allotropes) depending on the conditions.Selenium is essential for proper nutrition in many organisms, including humans and other animals, but is toxic in larger amounts and in compounds.Brazil nuts are high in selenium, even if they are grown in soil that is not rich in the element.  A single nut provides enough selenium to meet the daily requirement for a human adult.English electrical engineer Willoughby Smith (1828–1891) discovered tha t selenium reacts to light (photoelectric effect), leading to its use as a light sensor in the 1870s. Scottish-born American inventor Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) made a selenium-based photophone in 1879.The primary use of selenium is to decolorize glass,  to color glass red, and to make the pigment China Red. Other uses are in photocells, in laser printers and photocopiers, in steels, in semiconductors, and in assorted medicinal preparations.There are six natural isotopes of selenium. One is radioactive, while the other five are stable. However, the half-life of the unstable isotope is so long that it is essentially stable. Another 23 unstable isotopes have been produced.Selenium salts are used to help control dandruff.Selenium is protective against mercury poisoning.Some plants require high levels of selenium to survive, so the presence of those plants means the soil is rich in the element.Liquid selenium exhibits extremely high surface tension.Selenium and its compo unds are anti-fungal.Selenium is important to several enzymes,  including  antioxidant enzymes  glutathione peroxidase  and  thioredoxin reductase and the  deiodinase  enzymes that convert thyroid hormones into other forms.Approximately 2,000 tons of selenium are extracted annually worldwide.Selenium is most commonly produced as a byproduct of copper refining.The element was featured in the films Ghostbusters and Evolution.

Essay about Euthanasia Allows Death with Dignity - 1347 Words

Every single day, people all over the United States are diagnosed with terminal illnesses. They are forced to wait until they die naturally; all the while their bodies are deteriorated by the illness that will eventually take their lives. Sometimes this means living with insufferable pain and nothing they can legally do about it. People are able to put their pets to sleep when they are suffering; it is even considered the humane thing to do. Why must we live with life ending illnesses and insufferable pain? Physician-assisted suicide should be legalized because people should have the right to end their lives when they choose to and contrary to popular belief, physician-assisted suicide will not leave the presumably vulnerable†¦show more content†¦This provision takes the control out of the doctor’s hands and gives it strictly to the patient, preventing anyone from taking the life of another. It is thought that the presumed vulnerable would be left helpless if physici an-assisted suicide were legalized, though evidence shows this claim is false. People presumed vulnerable to physician assisted suicide are the uninsured, the poor, people with little education, people older than 80, women, people with mental illnesses, people with physical disabilities, minors and racial and ethnic minorities. There is no evidence supporting the claim that any of these groups have been adversely affected since physician-assisted suicide was legalized in Oregon in 1997. Since the law was passed in 1997, 460 patients have died from ingesting physician prescribed medication under the Death with Dignity Act (Department of Human Services, 2010). In 2009 a total of 59 deaths were from physician-assisted suicide; 98.3 percent were white, 48.3 percent had at least a bachelors degree, 98.7 percent had health insurance, and 78 percent were between 55 and 84 years-old (Department of Human Services, 2010). These statistics clearly show the vulnerable have not been poorly affec ted by the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. Receiving physician-assisted suicide is not an easy task; patients must first complete a long seriesShow MoreRelatedEuthanasi The Treatment Of Euthanasia846 Words   |  4 Pagesall forms of Euthanasia, whether passive or active, is a great way to aid and relieve patients with terminal or life threatening illnesses which makes their life unbearable and unliveable. Euthanasia in general is a steady process of ‘assisted suicide’ that aids the patient in ending one’s life with their consent or the consent of their close family member. Active Euthanasia is when death is intentionally accelerated, for example by the injection of a lethal drug; while Passive Euthanasia is the withdrawalRead MoreEuthanasia Is The Killing Of A Patient979 Words   |  4 PagesEuthanasia is the killing of a patient who is painfully suffering with the help of a doctor. The classifications of euthanasia are voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia is the consent of the patient and involuntary is the consent by another person because the patient is unable to do it themselves. There are also two procedures known as passive and active. Passive euthanasia is when the doctor stops doing something that will keep the patient alive. Active euthanasia is when the doctorRead MoreThe Debate Over Euthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide Essay1441 Words   |  6 Pages Legalization of Euthanasia in the United States The debate over Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide is becoming progressively complicated as doctors develop a better understanding of its purpose and usefulness. Euthanasia, a Greek term meaning â€Å"good death† and it can portray as a killing of a patient who chooses to take this course of action by applying, administrating, and enduring a procedure to terminate their life (Euthanasia Debate). Prescribed when a patient is in intense pain or sufferingRead MoreEuthanasi A Gentle And Easy Death1240 Words   |  5 Pagesright and life? B. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Euthanasia is â€Å"a gentle and easy death.† 1. Euthanasia is not suicide. Suicide is taking one’s own life because one does not want to live C. Today, I will go over the countries and states that allow Euthanasia, the types of Euthanasia and conditions that patients need to be under to pursue euthanasia, and if it is our rights to pursue euthanasia. I believe that Euthanasia (under strict conditions) should be legalized in all states becauseRead MoreSiya Kumar. Dying With Dignity. . Imagine Yourself With1360 Words   |  6 PagesSiya Kumar Dying with Dignity Imagine yourself with a terminal illness. It has been confirmed that you will die in a few months, and there is nothing that can be done to change that. You have two options- you can wait to die a natural but terrifyingly painful death where you lose your eyesight, burn the hair off your scalp and become paralyzed without the ability to walk, or you can die peacefully in the company of your friends and family. Which would you choose? â€Å"I am not suicidal. 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But if we just legalize euthanasia, then we must accept suicide and murder. Anybody could have the right to end their own or another’s life. So if it is regulated and we remove the patient’s dignity. Why should theRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legal?1635 Words   |  7 Pagesover our deaths. We claim to be free people but someone else’s morals and standards could possibly govern the way we die. Medicine today makes it possible for patients who are living with unbearable pain to choose to die peacefully and with dignity. Physician-assisted suicide or active, voluntary euthanasia for an adult who is in a rational state of mind and whose suffering happens to be unbearable despite the strongest medical efforts, is an idea that should to be put into action. Euthanasia oughtRead More Euthanasia Essay1393 Words   |  6 PagesEuthanasia The term Euthanasia comes from the Greek word for easy death. It is the one of the most public policy issues being debated about today. Formally called mercy killing, euthanasia is the act of purposely making or helping someone die, instead of allowing nature to take its course. Basically euthanasia means killing in the name of compassion. Euthanasia, can be either voluntary, passive, or positive, Voluntary involves a request by the dying patientRead MoreEuthanasia And Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1611 Words   |  7 PagesWhen the topic of euthanasia or assisted suicide is spoke about usually it is only whispered, people don’t like to speak about death but are very out spoken when it comes to enjoying your life and being free. There are many reasons why people in society believe that it is morally wrong but who are we to tell a person that is suffering and can take it no more they aren’t allowed to end their own life even though that’s what that person wants? Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide should be made legal in

Things Fall Apart and Citizen Kane Essay - 1544 Words

Things Fall Apart and Citizen Kane Okonkwo, the main character of Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. And Charles Foster Kane of Orson Welles Citizen Kane, both have value systems that are incongruous with their cultures. Thus allowing them to be defeated by society. These are two men with a great need for recognition. Their need for something that was extinguished long ago. Okonkwos struggle to prove his greatness in the face of those who knew his father. Charles Foster Kanes void that must be filled. The relentless pursuit of respect, power. Okonkwo must conquer the image of weakness inside him and his fear of powerlessness. Both characters feel that their material possessions can earn†¦show more content†¦In this scene the protagonist receives a gift from Mr. Thatcher wishing him a merry Christmas. And cuts directly to a happy new year, some ten years later. Suggesting conveniently, the lack of a meaningful childhood. This editing technique carries the viewer quickly through time, to the beginning of Charles idealism. The films plot is separated into flashbacks of the important people in Kanes life. Each flashback is in sequence with the events of his life. The nature of each flashback is consistent with the narrators opinion. The first flashback is that of Mr. Thatchers. He was the only person involved in Charles pre-adult life. Although not greatly involved, his presence is purely in the area of financial aspects. Bernsteins flashback focuses on a very positive and successful part of Kanes life. Which is concordant to Bernsteins idolization of Charles. Jed Leilands flashback is centered on Kanes downfall, and so on. Throughout these recollections we slowly gather evidence with which to judge Kane. This evidence along with the cinematic techniques used, create a perfectly clear perception of the characters inner conflicts. The first occurrence Charles selfish pride is depicted in a group of cuts with his new wife Emily. The first shot is of Emily being complimented by the charming young Kane. The lighting in the seen is focused on her and she looksShow MoreRelatedCitizen Kane Film Analysis1195 Words   |  5 PagesWelles’s Citizen Kane: The Blackmail Scene (Definite Version) â€Å"There’s only one person in the world to decide what I’m going to do – and that’s me.† – Charles Foster Kane from Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. Orson Welles’ 1941 classic film Citizen Kane tells the story of Charles Forster Kane. The turning point of the film is when Jim Gettys attempts to blackmail Kane. The scene demonstrates Kane’s fall from grace through pride. His reactions to the other characters in this scene (Mrs. Kane, Susan AlexanderRead MoreOrson s Citizen Kane : The Blackmail Scene1270 Words   |  6 PagesWell’s Citizen Kane: The Blackmail Scene â€Å"â€Å"There’s only one person in the world to decide what I’m going to do – and that’s me.†Ã¢â‚¬  – Charles Foster Kane from Citizen Kane Script by Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles. Orson Welles’ 1941 classic, Citizen Kane, tells the story of a man named Charles Foster Kane. The turning point of the film is where Jim Gettys attempts to blackmail Kane. The scene demonstrates Kane’s fall from grace through pride in his reactions to Mrs. Kane, SusanRead MoreAnalysis Of Orson Wells Citizen Kane1388 Words   |  6 PagesOrson Wells Citizen Kane (1941), is remembered as one of the greatest American films to be made. Its’ revolutionary story line and its new ideas that Orson Welles introduces in the film is what sets it apart from other films created at the time. The film depicts a young man, Charles Kane, who grew up wealthy and who eventually owns a newspaper. Throughout the movie, as hr grows more wealthy and powerful as he ages, he exhibits a distinct weakness that eventually leads to his downfall. Although theRead MoreCitizen Kane1211 Words   |  5 PagesWhen I first saw this clip of Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) my first instinct was t hat it was comic relief. The extremely frustrated director, Jedediah trying so hard not to fall asleep and of course Bernstein reclining back in his seat more interested in playing with the playbill then watching Susan on stage. While this scene may be rather humorous a lot about both Susan and Kane is revealed through emotions and actions of the two. As the clip progresses it begins to become less and less humorousRead MoreOrson Welles’s Citizen Kane (1941) and Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon (1950)1852 Words   |  7 Pages Introduction: At first glance, Citizen Kane and Rashomon seem structurally similar to each other and as well each explores the concept of truth. They both use multiple narratives to tell their stories; however, the idea of truth is handled differently in each. Citizen Kane is a fictionalized documentary about the life of wealthy newspaperman Charles Kane. In Rashomon, while each narration widens understanding of the motivations of the narrators of the event, only one of the varying accounts isRead MoreOrson Welles And Citizen Kane2180 Words   |  9 Pagesin half between his polar personalities. Charles Foster Kane has recently died and the predicament of interpreting his life and its meaning is left upon a single reporter. â€Å"†¦A group of prominent films critics were asked to list the greatest directors and the greatest films, Orson Welles and Citizen Kane both came in first (Carringer 32).† Orson Welles’ produces, co-wrote, directed, and starred in the great American classic film, Citizen Kane, at the age of 26. Throughout this entire film, the audienceRead MoreThe Film Of Orson Welles And Alfred Hitchcock2138 Words   |  9 Pagesdirected, co-wrote, and starred in his first feature film, Citizen Kane (1941). Well es was given much artistic freedom in creating the film. This resulted in political controversy, but also brought new approaches to cinematic devices (Geiger 321-322). Part of the controversy results from the life of the protagonist, Charles Foster Kane, which references the life of William Randolph Hearst and many other American capitalists. To start, Kane s career as a newspaperman starts off as a service to theRead MoreCitizen Kane Analysis2693 Words   |  11 PagesFilm History Research Citizen Kane Film Essay Orson Welles Citizen Kane Success the first time around is very uncommon. Orson Welless first feature film richly realizes the full potential of excellent craftsmanship. Citizen Kane is almost indisputably the greatest achievement in the history of filming. In 1941, this film was considered by many as the best film ever made. This film is about the enormous conflict between two twentieth-century iconsRead MoreGatsby and the Complexity of the American Dream4080 Words   |  17 Pagesthe Complexity of the American Dream F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is an exploration of the American dream in modern society, in which money and prosperity are significant factors and it may not be as simple as you think; and the movie Citizen Kane is another example of the complex issues relating to the American dream. First, we will explore the American dream, in which it is to make a great deal of money because it provides for a comfortable living, and characters in the novel reflectRead MoreDancer in the Dark Film Review Essay1943 Words   |  8 Pagesthis not only allows her to break away from the horrors of the situations she finds herself in, but also allows Von Trier to briefly break away from the confines of his Dogma. As the movie progresses we get to witness her life crumbling and falling apart around her. There are many aspects about Dancer in the Dark that make it stand out so distinctly. Relating to the songs, the first phrase that came to my mind after seeing the film was: a musical for people who dislike musicals. The whole mood

Russian Romantic Music and Tchaikovsky Essay Example For Students

Russian Romantic Music and Tchaikovsky Essay Russian Romantic Music and TchaikovskyRussian music bears its own styles and emotions, free from the outside influence of other European countries during the Romantic period. Politics play an indirect role in the development of Russian music, isolating the country both politically and musically. Until the Decembrist revolt in 1825, Russia was under the unrelenting rule of czars. Russia retained the ways of the old its caste system, its severity of censorship while the rest of Europe had already shed its Middle Age characteristics. Since the revolt, it had become fashionable for the educated public to promote social reform. Political activity in Russia was a dangerous game, likely to lead to death or exile. Because of this, Russians turned to their national roots, finding solace in rich folk culture and explorations in art, literature, and music. A new concern for national differences in language and the arts provoked a new age of nationalism. For Russia, music was seen as a particularly strong way of expressing the soul of a people. In Russia, the leader of the nationalist revival was Mikhail Glinka. His followers Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Csar Cui, Borodin, and Mussorgsky became known as The Five. These composers were an unusual crowd of dedicated drinkers, but despite that, they were also exquisitely talented amateur composers. Borodin worked as a chemist; Csar Cui was a military engineer; and Modest Mussorgsky was a civil servant whom the rest of the group regarded with contempt. The most successful of The Five was Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, who was an accomplished and skillful orchestrator. His operas, based on Russian folk songs, were very popular in their time, while his attractive orchestral works such as Sheherazade and the famous Spanish Capriccio are still often heard today. The leader of the group was Mily Balakirev, whose judgement was feared by everybody in the group. Balakirev was a fierce nationalist, actively detesting any form of art that was not purely Russian. His aim was to establish a truly national music, and much of The Fives time was spent criticizing and rewriting other peoples compositions including each others in the approved Russian style. No one dared challenge the authority of The Five. One man attempted to project his o wn voice. That man was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His music had a special appeal to his listeners: memorable tunes, whether passionately eloquent or stylishly graceful; wild, abandoned dance music; the sheer grandeur of pieces such as the 1812 Overture or the famous opening of his Piano Concert No. 1; and most strikingly, his masterful handling of a vast palette of orchestral color. Ironically, Tchaikovsky was to win far more renown for Russian music abroad than any of his fellow nationalists. Tchaikovskys music was always easy to listen to, giving immense pleasure even at its most tragic and overwhelmingly emotional climaxes. In contrast to his enjoyable music, Tchaikovskys life was exceedingly tumultuous and unhappy. The man himself was often melancholy and moody. These qualities were result of his own temperament: he was a hypochondriac, and was homosexual, which was regarded as a great shame and disgrace at that time. But after all, he was Russian, and like many of his fellow countrymen, was impelled towards displays of extreme emotion. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Kamsko-Votkinsk, a small industrial town east of Moscow. His father, Ilya Petrovich, was a mining engineer. He was a person of high standing in Kamsko-Votkinsk and was able to comfortably provide for his wife and four children. Pyotrs mother Alexandra was a nervous epileptic, of whom Pyotr inherited his tendency to real or imagined ill-health, fits of hysteria, and deep depression.. Even as a youngster, Pyotr Tchaikovsky was hypersensitive; the slightest scolding would reduce him to a flood of tears. Besides this, his parents were also worried about his addition to music, which often ironically seemed to upset him. One night after a party, Alexandra found him awake, pointing to his forehead, and crying, Oh this music, this music! Take it away! Its here and it wont let me sleep!Pyotrs father was in possession of a great variety of music, playable on the Orchestrion, a rudimentary form of a record player. It was his listening of tunes from the opera Don Giovanni on the Orchestrion that Pyotr dedicated his lifelong admiration to Mozart. It was due to Mozart that I devoted my life to music, he wrote many years later. Tchaikovsky began to play the piano early in childhood. His first teacher was Maria Palchikova, a freed serf. As mentioned earlier, the influence of the czar retained the old caste system. Within a year, Tchaikovsky was able to play better than she could. At the age of ten, Pyotr was send to St. Petersburg to study at the School of Jurisprudence. A reluctant student, Tchaikovsky worked without much interest, but was naturally gifted and quickly passed through his schools upper divisions. Meanwhile, he kept up with his profound interest in music, taking lessons from the well-known concert pianist Rudolph Kndinger. Kndinger was impressed by Pyotrs ability to improvise, but beyond that, Pyotrs teacher though that he had no unusual talent for music. When Pyotrs father asked Kndinger if he should change his mind and consider encouraging the boys interest in the piano with a view to a career, Kndinger advised him against it. Kndinger later said, certainly Pyotr was gifted, he had a good ea r and a good memory, a fine touch, but otherwise there was nothing, absolutely nothing, that suggested a composer. Tchaikovsky entered the Ministry of Justice in St. Petersburg as civil servant. To ordinary Russians, civil servants were then people to be shunned and hated: they represented petty officialdom and oppression. Tchaikovsky was not naturally suited to such a job: he was not really interested in politics, and he was once said to have absentmindedly torn up an important document, rolled the scraps into pellets and swallowing them. He remained at the Ministry of Justice for four years, bored but dutiful. While Tchaikovsky worked as a civil servant, he found that his duties were not heavy ones. He was able to take a leave of three months to accompany a relative around Europe, acting as his interpreter. Also, Tchaikovsky had plenty of time for music, playing the piano and going to concerts. He joined the Ministrys own choral group, and in 1861, he began to study musical theory under Nikolai Zaremba, the Head of the Russian Musical Society. BULLIES IN SCHOOL EssayThere was another woman in Tchaikovskys life: Nadezha von Meck, who was to be the mainstay of Tchaikovskys life, both emotionally and financially. Throughout the rest of Tchaikovskys life, they exchanged over one thousand letters. It was to her that Tchaikovsky admitted his homosexuality in light of his failure of a marriage. Von Mecks family made a fortune out of railroads, and she was soon Tchaikovskys patron. She had been a great admirer of his music and was a pianist herself. She began by overpaying Pyotr for arrangements of piano works. After 1878, she had settled upon paying Tchaikovsky an annual income of 6,000 roubles, which was a large sum at the time. This enabled him to give up teaching and concentrate entirely upon composing. He returned her generosity by dedicating his fourth symphony to her. Another masterpiece emerged during this tumultuous period of Tchaikovskys life: the Violin Concerto, written during his long stay in Switzerland. He dedicated this concerto to the great Russian violinist Leopold Auer. However, this concerto suffered the same fate as Tchaikovskys first piano concerto; Auer claimed it was far too difficult and refused to play it. In 1881, another violinist, Adolf Brodsky, gave the first performance in Vienna. A famous critic declared that the music gave off a bad smell. Th e Violin Concerto, like Piano Concerto No. 1, possessed a powerfully lyrical opening theme, a nostalgic cadenza, and an exhilarating Finale in the style of a wild Russian Cossack dance. It is now established as among one of the best-loved violin concertos of all time by players and performers alike. When Tchaikovsky returned to Russia in 1880, he moved out to the country to be alone. There, he completed the Serenade for Strings, and the piece most often associated with his name the 1812 Overture, complete with cannons, a commemoration of the historic Russian defeat of Napoleons army. The new Czar of Russia, Alexander III, commissioned three pieces from Tchaikovsky for his coronation, from the opera Mazeppa. From Czar Alexander III, Tchaikovsky received an official decoration the Order of St. Vladimir. This was a great and distinguished honor. By now, Tchaikovsky had felt the need to settle down. He was elected head of the Moscow branch of the Russian Musical Society and found a quaint cottage in the Moscow countryside to reside. He was finally happy and at peace. He had maintained acquaintance with Balakirev, who inspired Pyotr to compose two more brilliant pieces: Manfred Symphony based on Lord Byrons heroic poem; and The Sorceress. In December of 1877, Tchaikovsky set out on his first European tour as a conductor, meeting several famous composers: Brahms, Grieg, Busoni, and Dvorak. His musical tour was a success, especially in Paris, where the current fashion was for anything of Russian/Slavic nature. After his tour, Tchaikovsky returned to his country cottage and composed the Fifth Symphony, which is said to embody a heroic struggle against Fate. Despite its popularity, Tchaikovsky had ominous feelings about it: There is something repulsive about it, and excessive cheapness and insincerity, even artificiality. This was foreshadowing his fate tragedy. In December of 1888, he set to work on a new ballet score, based on the old French fairy tale of the exquisite Princess Aurora who is cursed by a wicked fairy at her christening, put to sleep on her seventeenth birthday for a hundred years, and finally woken by the kiss of a Prince. Whereas Swan Lake had been ruined by poor staging, Tchaikovsky worked closely with the great French ballet master Marius Petipa. His detailed sequence of dances gave Tchaikovsky true enthusiasm for working on this composition. The Sleeping Beauty inspired some of Tchaikovskys finest music. Eloquent solo dances, tender duets, and brilliant waltzes all interwoven together by a strong and unforgettable plot. The Sleeping Beauty was considered by Stravinsky as the most convincing example of Tchaikovskys great creative power. It remains one of the greatest of all classical ballets. Tchaikovskys final ballet was The Nutcracker. The story is agbout a magic nutcracker which turns into a Prince, defeats the evil Mouse-King, and whisks Clara off into an enchanted kingdom of toys and sweets. Tchaikovsky utilized the new distinctive silvery sound of instruments such as the celeste, used to depict the Sugar Plum fairy. By now, Tchaikovsky felt that his creative powers were lessening, as indicated by the lukewarm reception of The Nutcracker at its first performance in Christmas 1892. His last symphony was titled Pathetque. Its melodies covered a vast range of emotion from violent passion to a tender, yearning love theme. The last movement, Adagio Lamentoso, slides painfully downward until it disintegrates into an anguished silence. Pathetque undoubtedly reflected Tchaikovskys acceptance of his impending death. It is believed that Tchaikovsky was having a scandalous relationship with the nephew of duke. Fearing that a scandal would shake society, the authorities gave Tchaikovsky the option of poisoning himself in return for a cover story that he had died from sudden illness, thus sparing his family from shame of either scandal or suicide. One week after Pathetques first performance at St. Petersburg, Tchaikovsky committed suicide on November 6, 1893. Tchaikovsky had left behind a legacy unlike that of any Russian composer, or any composer. His ballet music, violin and piano concertos, symphonies, and even his delicate Serenade for Strings had made their mark as the epitome of Russian Romantic music. His life, though tragic, added an emotional dimension to his compositions not seen in any other genre. Tchaikovskys personal suffering had come through only as beauty in all his music. Bibliography: