Thursday, October 31, 2019
Legalization of marijuana. How can it boost the U.S economy Research Paper
Legalization of marijuana. How can it boost the U.S economy - Research Paper Example Legalizing marijuana will increase the government tax revenue. The government loses huge revenue from the illegal trade and use of marijuana. Marijuana is the most consumed and most traded substance of abuse in the US. Whether legal or illegal consumers must always find a way of getting it and traders have to smuggle it in the country through the black market. The implication of illegal trading of marijuana is the huge loss of revenue the government could raise through taxation. Therefore, legalizing marijuana gives the government a chance to regulate it through taxation hence increase of national income. For example, the state of Colorado estimated a revenue increase of about $67 million from marijuana sales the first year after legalization. Increase in national revenue will contribute to economic growth because the additional revenue can be used to carry out development activities of the government.Legalizing marijuana will increase employment because many people can open up busin esses as traders, farmers, distributors, etc. Increase in employment opportunities in the country is a contributing factor to economic growth through income they earn. Increase in citizens’ income results to increase consumption hence increase in economic growth.The U.S. government incurs huge expenses to the tune of $40 billion to enforce drug regulations every year. Most of the inmates causing congestion in the U.S. prisons are victims of drugs that have not been involved in any crime of violence.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Sustainable energy storage and distribution Essay Example for Free
Sustainable energy storage and distribution Essay Sustainable energy storage and distribution Introduction            Sustainable energy refers to the provision of viable energy development which responds to the present energy demands without compromising the possibility of future generations to meet their energy demands (Robinson Schut, 2014). Some of the technologies which support sustainable energy comprise of the renewable sources of energy like solar energy, hydroelectricity, wind energy, geothermal energy, wave energy, tidal power, bioenergy and various technologies planned to improve the energy efficiency. In the current world, the cost of energy has decreased drastically and continues to decrease due to the continuous use of renewable energy. Most of the modern technologies utilized for sustainable energy are economically competitive (Moseley Garche, 2014). Notably, effective government policies promote the confidence of the investors in sustainable energy while expanding this market. A considerable progress has been made and continues to be pursued in the transition of energy from different fossil fuels into sustainable ecological systems up to a point where different researches support renewable energy. Solutions            As revealed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hydrogen generated through electrolysis offers the solution to fluctuating renewable energy sources. The hydrogen generated through renewable electrolysis provides the promising solutions in transportation sectors and electric power (Moseley Garche, 2014). As depicted through the study by NREL, renewable electrolysis utilizes electricity generated from renewables to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen. From this process, the hydrogen produced can be used as a medium of energy storage which can store renewable energy until an engine or full cell transforms it to electricity (Robinson Schut, 2014). Additionally, this hydrogen can be combined again with CO2 to generate synthetic gas used in transportation applications and power plants. Moreover, this hydrogen can be generated within the off-peak seasons or during the periods when there is extra renewable energy. Since the h ydrogen is convertible back to electricity at times when there is insufficient renewable power, this assists in the stabilization in utility grid. The excess hydrogen may be used as fuel to run vehicles and other purposes.            Secondly, different nations have embraced various ways of storing energy for future use since the traditional way of using batteries seem to be expensive and not sustainable. Many nations are now using the current energy technology to store energy from renewable resources instead of batteries which can be used for future use. Some of these technologies include pumped hydro storage and flywheels (Moseley Garche, 2014). Flywheels are suitable for low and high power applications since they store energy in motion form through a rotating mass which demand frequent cycling.            In addition, pumped hydro storage of renewable energy is capable for storing energy in water form elevated at a high position. This is achieved through pumping water when the supply of electricity is high and utilizing gravity in the transportation of water down when there is high demand for electricity with low supply. Pumped-storage facilities are very economical because of the differentials in off-peak prices since it offers important services in ancillary grid. The projects initiated using this type of technology has offered energy storage capability and the transmission ancillary grid advantages in Europe and US. Currently, more than 40 projects in pumped-storage are operating in USA providing more than 20GW in the national grid systems (Robinson Schut, 2014). This pumped-storage hydropower provides the solutions in energy balancing, storage capacity, ancillary grid, and stability like the network frequency reserves and control. This is because the plants used in pumped storage can respond to potential changes in electrical load within a few seconds.            Another storage medium which provides the solution to alternating renewable energy sources is the use of compressed air energy storage (CAES). This is similar to the pumped hydro storage through output, storage capacity and application although it utilizes the ambient air instead of water. The use of CAES technology has gained popularity more than pumped hydro because it provides storage in large scale without any geographic restrictions. In the CAES technology, the compressed ambient air is driven into underground caverns or storage tanks. When the need for electricity arises, the air compressed and stored in tanks is expanded to drive motors which eventually generate power (Moseley Garche, 2014). The current advancement in CAES technology has improved its efficiency, the fuel used and storage methods. In addition, CAES possess many advantages compared to other different types of energy storage since the ambient air utilized is free and the technologies and material utilized are abundant and well understood.            Moreover, batteries have been used for long to store energy from many renewable sources. People using the solar energy can use the lead-acid batteries to store energy for future use. Despite the fact that some of these batteries are not durable, the use of rechargeable batteries offers the solutions for power storage in rural areas (Robinson Schut, 2014). The use of lithium-ion batteries have created a recent attention in renewable energy storage since they take longer before recharging and their weight is much less compared to the traditional lead-acid batteries.            Some of the current proposed solutions in the storage of energy include the proposed potential gravity power storage which involves the storage of energy without losses (Moseley Garche, 2014). This project has been in progress since 2013 and experts reveal that if finalized, it will respond to the current problems encountered in sustainable energy solutions. Current policies            The current renewable policies supported by the US government include the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). These two policies were primarily enacted by the US federal government to reduce the demand of the power from fossil fuels like petroleum and coal while decreasing the related carbon emissions. Through these policies, the American nation has reduced the carbon emissions significantly since 2007 up to date. The PTC is an incentive offered by the federal government to offer financial support in the development of renewable energy in America (Robinson Schut, 2014). The companies which produce electricity from geothermal, wind and bioenergy qualify for the federal PTC. These companies are eligible for incentive in the production of renewable energy for ten years since the beginning of their operations.            Together with the state standards in renewable resources, PTC has supported many development projects in wind power. As disclosed by the Department of Energy in USA, these development supported by PTC has resulted in many economic benefits in the production and distribution of electricity. Between 2007 and 2010, the production of wind power in America tripled with an approximate 550 manufacturing companies distributed in 44 states (Robinson Schut, 2014). Consequently, the cost of producing electricity from renewable sources like wind in US has reduced considerably over the last two years.            Moreover, different nations and states have adopted various policies supporting greater investment and other adoption in renewable technologies in renewable energies. Some of these policies include the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) which needs electric utility providers to offer particular percentage. The RPS is a policy which opens the alternatives to increase the production of energy from the renewable sources like biomass, solar, geothermal and wind. In USA, according to the rules of RPS, some companies must generate certain fraction of power from renewable sources of energy which are acknowledged (Moseley Garche, 2014). When these companies produce electricity from the renewable resources, the federal government requires them to supply to other organizations at a certain fee. Despite the fact that the RPS depends majorly on the private sector to produce energy, the federal government offer some financial support in order to incr ease the private investment in renewable use of energy.            Another environmental policy which affects the changes in the storage and transmission of the production of sustainable energy is the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). SEPA assists environmental local agencies to identify any environmental impact that may result from the decisions made by government (Hendrickson, 2012). This act was enacted through the Washington Legislature in the year 1971. Since many projects proposed in the production, storage and storage of renewable resources by the private sector must get approval from the relevant authorizes, SEPA intervenes in the adoption of the proposed solutions in energy storage. Notably, SEPA advises the federal government on any environmental issues that may result in any proposed solutions. Moreover, SEPA also advises the local governments on the construction of different projects proposed in the states, particularly the on renewable energies.            Furthermore, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) enacted in 1970 through the US environmental law offers the procedure or implementation of objectives in the federal agencies. According to the current legislations of NEPA, all the states must provide effective sustainable renewable energy storage facilities that do not affect the future generations. Various states need to regulate the production and regulation of renewable sources of energy (Sukumar, 2014). NEPA assists the private developers in individual states on the objectives formulated to engage in better production of renewable power. NEPA also provides instructions on the impact of different solutions in the production of renewable energy. Since most of the projects in renewable resources are supported by private developers, NEPA offers directions on how to go in different projects. Challenges            Some of the challenges associated with the implementation of the current and previous policies related to the production, storage and transmission of renewable energy include the poor implementation process through poor funding. Many proposals have been formulated to venture in advanced technological production and storage of renewable energy but only a few have been implemented (Hendrickson, 2012). This is because private developers in renewable energy seek funding from the government which takes a lot of time before responding. As depicted through the current report by NEMA, many private developers venturing the renewable energy technologies lack the appropriate muscle to put into practice what they have put into plan (Robinson Schut, 2014). Different nations struggle to attain sustainable energy to meet their demands. However, in these nations, the proposals by different private developers in the associated renewable energies are still pending.            Another challenge is the limited awareness and confidence in the use of renewable technologies. As divulged by NEPA, the public require more information on solar technologies. Better programs are needed to educate builders, designers and other potential users of renewable energy in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors (Hendrickson, 2012). Most consumers lack the basic information in the use of renewable energies like solar and wind. Lack of effective programs to protect the manufacturing and installation of renewable energy has hindered effective implementation of RPS. The governments need to educate their citizens on the current available renewable sources of power that they can purchase and use in their homes. In addition, the change in governments from one reign to another affects the transition in the implementation process aimed at increasing the production of renewable power. This is because, each government that comes into power they want to actualize their manifesto in order to lure support in the next elections. Since 1980, the American private sector has been formulating different approaches to solve the demand for electricity (Hendrickson, 2012). However, lack of transition in the leadership of projects in renewable resources has resulted in many pending projects which are useful in the nation. Therefore, poor transition of leadership from one government to the other has resulted in the delay of many projects which are significant in the improvement of renewable energy production and utilization. NEPA claims that the poor funding process in renewable energy projects is as a result of lack of effective transition from one government to the other.            Furthermore, political influences in many nations affect the implementation process in policies related to renewable energy. Since the policies supporting the production, distribution and utilization of renewable energy must be approved and enacted through parliamentary sittings, some political struggle in terms of personal interest affect their enactment (Sukumar, 2014). Despite the fact that some of these policies affecting renewable energy are beneficial to the entire nation, lack of significant support during the enactment process hinder the significant progress in renewable energy projects. For instance, in America, the political swings from republican government to democratic government affect the approval in projects in renewable sources of energy like nuclear. There is a big struggle in passing of policies in the current government due to political struggle.            The wide spread utilization of renewable energy in USA has also been hindered by the state and federal policies and other market imperfections which subsidize the competing sources of energy (Hendrickson, 2012). Some these policies which affect the implementation of renewable energy projects include the price controls through federal governments in the oil and gas prices. Through these subsidizes, the renewable sources are unable to compete effectively in the market and attain a competitive advantage over other sources of energy due to the cost of production and distribution required (Moseley Garche, 2014). Despite the fact some of the environmental policies support sustainable energy production, the subsidies provided by the federal governments in other sources shy off private investors in this sector. Alternative methods            Through technology, the production and storage of hydrogen has been made easy using the Nano-technology. Some fuels such as gasoline used in renewable energy production lead to carbon footprint and pollution. Experts reveal that hydrogen is a clean source of renewable power when the two problems of easy accessibility and safe storage are solved. A team of scientists in USA have invented the nano-composities from magnesium which are air stable used in the hydrogen storage. The Nano-composites particles are formed through magnesium metal and mixed with other polymers associated with Plexiglas (Moseley Garche, 2014). Notably, the Nano-composite technology form of hydrogen storage is able to absorb and release hydrogen in any conventional temperature without the metal oxidation taking place. As claimed by the DOE of America, the Nano-technology invented recently, is one of the major steps in the storage advancement of hydrogen since it is abl e to overcome the challenges in kinetic and thermodynamic (Sukumar, 2014).            Moreover, the use of technology in different renewable resources has resulted in the invention of better methods in storage and distribution of power. Some of these current technologies include the use of leviathan energy in the wind turbine production, reflective dishes in solar energy, use of cells which are spherical and the utilization of clean energy from algae.            In wind power, new technologies have been developed in the production of energy in areas with low wind and other offshore sections. Experts have developed better designs in blades, mooring systems in ocean and efficient turbines (Hendrickson, 2012). Through these technologies, cheaper wind energy has been produced in different states in America. Most of the American experts reveal that these new technologies will allow better utilization in the existing grid through driving the power grid to minimize transmission impact required to distribute wind power in different cities.            Since the struggle for power in different nations hinders the implementation of different projects in renewable energy, separation of powers would solve the procedures followed in the implementation process (Hendrickson, 2012). Most of the private invented projects in renewable energies are affected by competing political interests in power and therefore, separating the powers involved in the national renewable policies will eventually solve the implementation process.            Furthermore, in order to attract more investment and use of renewable energy, the Energy Commission in America have formulated the solar partnership in new homes which provides incentives to attract people to install solar panels in their new homes. This program encourages new house owners in America to use solar panels due to their efficiency in energy at all times. According to the energy commission in America, the solar partnership in new homes aim at installing more than 400MW of power through solar energy by the end of 2016 (Sukumar, 2014). Through this partnership, people who are building new homes are able to get solar panels at subsided prices which are affordable. Since the solar panels have been built using the current technology, their durability and ability to trap energy from the sun attract more people to buy them.            In other nations like German, the formulation of programs with market incentives like the MAP, aims to lure more people to use renewable sources of power. Through the MAP program, people building new houses are encouraged to obtain a specific share in the amount of energy they consume from renewable energy (Moseley Garche, 2014). Alternatively, those people with old buildings are been provided with financial assistance to renovate their buildings in order to use renewable energy.            Moreover, people with small homes, can apply for large and small solar panels, effective heat pumps and furnaces which are biomass-fired with feed systems which are automatic through the MAP project (Sukumar, 2014). The change in lifestyle from rental houses to personal houses which utilize the modern technologies in the production of renewable energy has also solved the fluctuating power problems in different nations. Many people now prefer to build or buy modern houses through mortgages which have effectively increased the use of renewable energy in homes.            In conclusion, in order to attain sustainable energy in the world, the governments ruling different nations need to understand their roles in supporting of projects in renewable energy. Despite the fact that different private developers have constituted various approaches in tapping and generation of energy, without the financial support required in this project the problem of electricity will continue to increase. Since different government and other non-government policies affect the production and distribution of renewable energy, all the government must evaluate the viability of the projects presented by the private developers in renewable energy. As depicted from this essay, it is evident that through government incentives in the production and purchase of better equipment, there is a recommendable increase in the use of renewable power. References Hendrickson, C. (2012). Sustainable Energy Challenges for Civil Engineering Management. Journal Of Management In Engineering, 28(1), 2-4. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.00000 Moseley, P. T., Garche, J. (2014). Electrochemical Energy Storage for Renewable Sources and Grid Balancing. Burlington: Elsevier Science. Robinson, M., Schut, D. (2014). RAIL AS THE SUSTAINABLE BACKBONE OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENT TRANSPORT CHAIN A WORLD VIEW. OIDA International Journal Of Sustainable Development, 7(4), 19-30. Sukumar, S. (2014). LAW AS A MEDIUM OF CHANGE, TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT USE OF CLEAN ENERGY. OIDA International Journal Of Sustainable Development, 7(3), 45-54. Source document
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Construction Method Statement Example
Construction Method Statement Example 1.0 Introduction This Construction Method Statement describes the development of six houses in three identical semi-detached blocks on a plot of land. The document will suffice for the majority of works undertaken during the construction but will require alterations or additions for certain projects. This method statement is a qualified assessment based on current information and is subject to refinement as the project evolves. This method statement is prepared to discuss about all the construction process and operations and also emphasize on the health, safety and environmental concerns. 2.0 Preliminary Works 2.1 Access and Material Distribution Constant flow of transport is needed during the construction period. Small access roads and driveways together with temporary roads are constructed to define site circulation routes and provide a suitable surface for plant movement (Chudley Greeno, 2008, p.118). A small access road is set up nearby the storage area of the site to transport materials that are required within a short space of time. A forklift will be used for material offloading and distribution around the site. The location of the access road shows in the Figure 1 site layout plan. Moreover, the road will be subjected to light and heavy day to day traffic such as concrete delivery, steel delivery lorries, brick and block delivery lorries and delivery vehicles generally. All the deliveries will be fitted into a delivery schedule system which is controlled by site personnel under guidance of Construction Manager. (Griffith Watson, 2004, p.392) Materials are closely phased and delivered when assembled which to achieve just-in-time management in this project. Materials that are transported with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are expected to take place at night and that certain works may have to be undertaken during this period so that it does not cause disruption to traffic flows, especially at peak times. 2.2 Storage Storage on site is erected to store materials, tools and equipments, spare parts for mechanical plant, and manufactured goods for incorporation in the work. (Griffith Watson, 2004, p.188) The distance between storage and activity areas keeps short to reduce transportation needs in terms of time. Timber and steel reinforcement will be stored in a dry safe place and special store for fuel oils needed by the requirement of legislation. (Griffith Watson, 2004, p.189) 2.3 Site Office A temporary site office will be provided on the site for management purposes and paperwork. These offices will be housed in modular portable units. The size of site office will be calculated based on an example below: Size Example: Office for site agent and assistant plus an allowance for 3 visitors. Assume an internal average height of 2.400. Allow 3.7m2 minimum per person and 11.5m3 minimum per person. Minimum area = 5 x 3.7 = 18.5m2 Minimum volume = 5x 11.5 = 57.5m3 Assume office width of 3.000 then minimum length required is = 57.5/ (32.4) = 57.5/7.2 = 7.986 say 8.000 Area check 38 = 24m2 which is > 18.5m2; satisfactory (Chudley Greeno, 2008, p.94) 2.4 General Site Facilities General site facilities such as toilets, changing facilities, canteen, as well as shelter from inclement weather will be provided on site. Adequate heating, lighting and ventilation are required in all toilet, washing, changing, and accommodation. The requirements of each facilities are specified the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation (Griffith Watson, 2004, p.192). The location of all the facilities must be close together for easy access. The site accommodation will be located in the north corner of the site so to suit site access strategy. A row of single storey accommodation will be needed in the project. All the facilities buildings build in portable. 2.5 Site Enclosure Fencing and Hoarding A minimum height of 2.4m hoarding and fencing will be erected around the perimeter of the site for protection (Griffith Howarth, 2001, p.252). Safety measures outlined by the Albert Building Code (ABC) must be followed. An external signposting will be installed around the hoarding to enable the site to be more visible. Caution signs will also be displayed on fences and gates so that people will be aware when passing through the site. There will be a principle gate to the site along with pedestrian gates for access. 2.6 Safety and Security For both security and safety reasons, site-bases security presence will be provided during normal working hours with a visiting patrol covering nights and weekends to protect against theft and vandals of storage. Site-based security presence with a full 24 hours will be in place during the later stages of the construction works and fit out prior to occupation (Griffith Watson, 2004, p.391). All entry points will be clearly signed with appropriate warning notice. Flood lightings with 500 watts in 7.50m high are installed as a measure of night security. (Chudley Greeno, 2008, p.91) Main Construction Work 3.1 Substructure Concrete strip foundation will be used as the foundation of the houses. Foundation works include excavating, earthwork support, concreting and bricklaying of the strip foundation. Trenches are excavated under the line of the walls and the soil at the bottom of the trenches is compacted. Rough sawn timber as strutting will be temporary support for the sides of excavation for strip foundation. At least 150mm of concrete is placed at the foot of the trench with a concrete pump and brick walls are then built up to the damp proof course (DPC) which will be at least 150mm above ground level. The DPC is bedded on a layer of mortar on each leaf of brick or block cavity foundation wall. (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.199) The depth of the strip foundation of 1m 1.2m is adequate to ensure the soil acting as the natural foundation cannot be affected by the weather and stake will be used to determine depth of concrete foundation (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.181 186). The strip foundation made of a cont inuous strip of concrete with 1:3:6 mix. Hardcore will be compacted using a vibrating plate or roller and the top of the hardcore is kept below the substructure block work so that the slab can be cast inside the walls. Concrete is protected with a sheet of hessian or sand in cold weather and sheet of polythene in hot weather. (Marshall Worthing, 2000, p.57) The provision of damp proof membrane (DPM) for the entire area on top is between the over site concrete slab and it will be done on a bed of sand or ash of 12mm thickness. 3.2 Superstructure 3.2.1 External Wall Cavity wall will be used in this project as it has good thermal insulation and weather resistance properties. Cement-lime mortar mixes is used to ensure adequate bond of ties to wall. An adequate size of vertical spacing will be required for door and windows opening. 3.2.2 Scaffolding In Mitchells Intro to Building (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.207) states that, As the work progress beyond a height where it is unreasonable for the bricklayer to lift materials from ground level, it will be necessary to erect scaffolding to support raised working platform. The scaffolding with aluminum alloy which connected by special fitting or couplings will be used to lay the upper floor wall. 3.2.3 Doors and Windows Temporary props will be erected until lintel construction has been complete. To connect the opening frames with the wall, rigid-angled galvanized mild steel lugs screwed to their side edges as the work proceeds. (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.203) DPC will be bedded when the work is carried out. 3.2.4 Internal Wall Work sequence will be similar to external wall but the internal wall is in single leaf. The partition wall will be positioned and used to separate spaces within the building into rooms. Insulated plasterboard will be installed through the wall to gain thermal for the building. (EDP Energy, 2010) 3.2.5 Roof Pitch roof which erected by timber trussed rafters space about 600mm at close centres to provide direct support for roof cladding and ceiling. (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.221) Install the ridge board on 2 end posts with temporary bracing and set it straight and level. Each rafters is nailed to the wall-plate which ready placed on a mortar bed on top of cavity block wall. (Osbourn Greeno, 1997, p.221) Prefabricated ladder fixed to the end trussed rafter. Fascia board fixed to the feet of rafter and barge board to the outer face of gable ladder. (Marshall Worthing, 2006 p.94) Install collar ties, purlin and bracing as needed for the rafters and ridge to prevent sagging over time. Timber trusses with bracing are manufactured off-site. Clay tiles will be laid in continuously on the timber battens on sarking felt with 45 degree sloping of pitched roof. Finishes 3.3.1 Internal Wall Finishes Plaster board will be applied to internal wall as finishes with wet plaster method. Half-hour fire resistance will be provided when 5mm coat of wet plaster and 9.5mm thickness wet plaster applied on both sides of partition wall. A gap which is used to provide additional air passage is left between the back of plaster board and the face of the wall. Then the gap will be connected to the cavity to the internal environment to allow air leakage. (Emmitt Gorse, 2005, p.535) Emulsion paint with Water Based Paints Timber will be painted through the wall using the roller method. (Chudley Greeno, 2008, p.669)Skirting board with 19mm thickness will be nailed to the concrete fixing blocks at the base of walls after plastering is completed. (Emmitt Gorse, 2005, p.548-549) 3.3.2 Floor Finishes Skim coats with mix of cement and water applied with a steel float to make smooth finish on screed to allow carpet laid on it as floor finishes. Tackless strip placed around the entire perimeter rooms and shoot masonry screws into the strip and cut the strip by tin snip. Underlayment will be pour to hold the carpet padding. (Beach,1999-2010) 3.3.3 Ceiling Finishes Plasterboard ceiling made with a core of gypsum sandwiched between face sheets of strong durable paper with 2.4 x 1.2 x 9.5 mm thick at centres and it fixed to joist by nailing. Then, 5mm single coat board finish plaster over bonding grade undercoat. (Chudley Greeno, 2008, p.664) 3.4 Existing Services Existing services drawings will be obtained for the site area, which are applicable to the complete development and must be referred to at all times. Prior to any mechanical excavation commencing, each suspect area will be hand dug to confirm the depth and location of any service and clearly marked on the surface. Extreme care will be taken when planning to work in these vicinities i.e. double check with CAT and Genny and follow above procedures. (Marriott 2009) 4.0 Health and Safety 4.1 Significant Hazard Hazard:Â Moving plant or vehicles Risk:Â Operative have to be trained and competent to operate the plant or equipment. They should understand the emergency and evacuation procedures. ( Prifysgol Bangor University, 2001-2010) Control Measure:Â Isolating workers or pedestrians from the moving plant. (Department of Labour, 2007) Maintenance and servicing of plant. (Department of Labour, 2007) Operator must follow all the directions in the hazard management. (Department of Labour, 2007) Hazard:Â Falls of materials Risk:Â Materials fall as bricks or steel through hole or gap will cause injury people working below. Control Measure:Â Keeping working platforms clear of loose materials. Provide a way of preventing materials or other objects rolling, or being kicked, off the edges of platforms by with toe boards, solid barriers, brick guards etc at open edges. ( Prifysgol Bangor University, 2001-2010) Hazard:Â Safe working platform Free of openings and traps through which peoples feet could get caught, causing them to trip, fall or be injured. ( Prifysgol Bangor University, 2001-2010) Risk:Â Risk of fire may be occurred. Control Measure:Â Good housekeeping with keeping the workplace cleans all the time. ( Prifysgol Bangor University, 2001-2010) Hazard:Â Work at height Risk:Â Accident as falling from height during laying brick or block at height level and also cladding and roofing. Control Measure:Â Temporary scaffolding will be used during the height risk works. Assess weather condition before working at high take place. 4.2 Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an effective method of controlling occupational hazard. Operatives have to wear safety helmet at all times on site. Besides, suitable safety footwear such as steel-toe-capped boots will be worn by all company personnel. Casual shoes and trainers will not be permitted. All personnel are required to wear high visibility jacket or clothing at all times. This clothing must be suitable for the working environment and prevailing weather conditions. Eye goggles, hearing and respiratory protection and protective clothing will be made available for use where required and according to on site conditions. Furthermore, gloves have to be worn all the time can trap hazardous chemical against skin. 5.0 Potential Environment Impact A review of the potential environment impacts associated with construction works are being considered. Below is a table of the different environment Impacts: Issue:Â Water contamination Potential Impact:Â Run-off from plant or vehicle washing. Issue:Â Material spill to drains and watercourses. Potential Impact:Â Discharge of contaminated water. Issue:Â Ground contamination Potential Impact:Â Disturbing contaminated ground. Issue:Â Wind blow contamination. Potential Impact:Â Existing contamination of site. Issue:Â Spillage and leakage of hazardous substances. Potential Impact:Â Noise and vibration contamination Issue:Â Increased road noise levels from vehicles. Potential Impact:Â Particular methods of construction or use of heavy plant, equipment and haulage. Issue:Â Traffic Potential Impact:Â Traffic congestion caused by site. Issue:Â Increased vehicle movements mainly consisting of heavy goods vehicles. Potential Impact:Â Transfer materials from vehicles into public road as main road. Issue:Â Disruption from abnormal or hazardous loads. Potential Impact:Â Exhaust emissions cause air pollution. Issue:Â Plant and wildlife contamination Potential Impact:Â Habitat disruption or destruction Issue:Â Disruption to wildlife activity Potential Impact:Â Changes to natural environments ( noise, dust, light ) Issue:Â Disruption to food or water sources. Potential Impact:Â Historic/archaeological contamination Issue:Â Disruption or destruction of natural features Potential Impact:Â Disruption by temporary works like access road Table 1: Potential Environment Impact
Friday, October 25, 2019
Plagiarism: A Pestilence in Education Essay -- Plagiarising Education
Plagiarism: The Pestilence in Education When I think of plagiarism, I imagine a person literally stealing from another individual. The term plagiarism is derived from the Latin word plagi rius, which essentially represents the felony of kidnapping. An individual who kidnaps anothers work is a felon. Obviously, this form of larceny is not as immoral as the form for which one can be imprisoned; however, most educators and honest students view plagiarism in this manner. Within education I conceive that there are two kinds of plagiarism: copying a paper word-for-word and not providing the correct recognition to the original author when utilizing their composition. I believe that each situation of plagiarism should be considered serious enough to investigate in order to determine an appropriate consequence. If an individual is not clear on how to cite works properly within the context of an essay, then the omission should be determined non-intentional and, therefore, not subject to punishment. However, if someone deliberately d uplicates somebody elses work, then he or she should be reprimanded. This form of pilfering usually occurs in the higher levels of education, as in high school or college. Steiner 2 When I attended Calabasas High School, I was caught cheating in my tenth grade European History class by my instructor, Mr. White. This offense consisted of giving a fellow student, who sat in front of me, my homework. My friend told me he intended to compare his homework to mine. Not only did my peer betray me and copy my work, but I was punished for being so gullible. This homework assignment was worth two points out of a class that was worth close to three hundred total points. I was awarded a threatening letter sent home... ...rofessors are having a challenging time discovering the offense. The Honor Code Committee modified and modernized the Academic Honor Code in an effort Steiner 8 to elucidate what denotes cheating. The result was a broader, more encompassing definition that was clearly more strict and rigid. With the revised conduct code plagiarism cases have escalated out of control. Perhaps the problem may also be due to the increased drains on students time, in which young adults are trying to work, achieve in school, engage in extracurricular activities, and volunteer. Competition has become fierce, and the result has been an increase in plagiarism. The problem is educators have put more effort into stopping the spread than into understanding the causal factors for the upsurgence. With the increase in plagiarism, educators feel they must have a firm defense against what they see.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Amy Tan Essay
Although the daughters know some Chinese words and the mothers speak some English, communication often becomes a matter of translation, of words whose intended meaning and accepted meaning are in fact quite separate, leading to subtle misunderstandings. †¢The first mention of this difficulty with translation occurs when Jing-mei relates the story of her mother’s founding of the Joy Luck Club. After attempting to explain the significance of the club’s name, Jing-mei recognizes that the concept is not something that can be translated. She points out that the daughters think their mothers are stupid because of their fractured English, while the mothers are impatient with their daughters who don’t understand the cultural nuances of their language and who do not intend to pass along their Chinese heritage to their own children. Throughout the book, characters bring up one Chinese concept after another, only to accept the frustrating fact that an understanding of Chinese culture is a prerequisite to understanding its meaning. †¢The Power of Storytelling Because the barriers between the Chinese and the American cultures are exacerbated by imperfect translation of language, the mothers use storytelling to circumvent these barriers and communicate with their daughters. The stories they tell are often educational, warning against certain mistakes or giving advice based on past successes. For instance, Ying-ying’s decision to tell Lena about her past is motivated by her desire to warn Lena against the pa ssivity and fatalism that Ying-ying suffered. Storytelling is also employed to communicate messages of love and pride, and to illumine one’s inner self for others. †¢Another use of storytelling concerns historical legacy. By telling their daughters about their family histories, the mothers ensure that their lives are remembered and understood by subsequent generations, so that the characters who acted in the story never die away completely. In telling their stories to their daughters, the mothers try to instill them with respect for their Chinese ancestors and their Chinese pasts. Suyuan hopes that by finding her long-lost daughters and telling them her story, she can assure them of her love, despite her apparent abandonment of them. When Jing-mei sets out to tell her half-sisters Suyuan’s story, she also has this goal in mind, as well as her own goal of letting the twins know who their mother was and what she was like. †¢Storytelling is also used as a way of controlling one’s own fate. In many ways, the original purpose of the Joy Luck Club was to create a place to exchange stories. Faced with pain and hardship, Suyuan decided to take control of the plot of her life. The Joy Luck Club did not simply serve as a distraction; it also enabled transformationâ€â€of community, of love and support, of circumstance. Stories work to encourage a certain sense of independence. They are a way of forging one’s own identity and gaining autonomy. Waverly understands this: while Lindo believes that her daughter’s crooked nose means that she is ill-fated, Waverly dismisses this passive interpretation and changes her identity and her fate by reinventing the story that is told about a crooked nose. †¢The Problem of Immigrant Identity At some point in the novel, each of the major characters expresses anxiety over her inability to reconcile her Chinese heritage with her American surroundings. Indeed, this reconciliation is the very aim of Jing-mei’s journey to China. While the daughters in the novel are genetically Chinese (except for Lena, who is half Chinese) and have been raised in mostly Chinese households, they also identify with and feel at home in modern American culture. Waverly, Rose, and Lena all have white boyfriends or husbands, and they regard many of their mothers’ customs and tastes as old-fashioned or even ridiculous. Most of them have spent their childhoods trying to escape their Chinese identities: Lena would walk around the house with her eyes opened as far as possible so as to make them look European. Jing-mei denied during adolescence that she had any internal Chinese aspects, insisting that her Chinese identity was limited only to her external features. Lindo meditates that Waverly would have clapped her hands for joy during her teen years if her mother had told her that she did not look Chinese. As they mature, the daughters begin to sense that their identities are incomplete and become interested in their Chinese heritage. Waverly speaks wishfully about blending in too well in China and becomes angry when Lindo notes that she will be recognized instantly as a tourist. One of Jing-mei’s greatest fears about her trip to China is not that others will recognize her as American, but that she herself will fail to recognize any Chinese elements within herself. †¢Of the four mothers, L indo expresses the most anxiety over her cultural identity. Having been spotted as a tourist during her recent trip to China, she wonders how America has changed her. She has always believed in her ability to shift between her true self and her public self, but she begins to wonder whether her â€Å"true†self is not, in fact, her American one. Even while a young girl in China, Lindo showed that she did not completely agree with Chinese custom. She agonized over how to extricate herself from a miserable marriage without dishonoring her parents’ promise to her husband’s family. While her concern for her parents shows that Lindo did not wish to openly rebel against her tradition, Lindo made a secret promise to herself to remain true to her own desires. This promise shows the value she places on autonomy and personal happinessâ€â€two qualities that Lindo associates with American culture. †¢Jing-mei’s experience in China at the end of the book certainly seems to support the possibility of a richly mixed identity rather than an identity of warring opposites. She comes to see that China itself contains American aspects, just as the part of America she grew up inâ€â€San Francisco’s Chinatownâ€â€containe †¢ Storytelling – Narrative Style, Symbolism, Figurative Language †¢She uses storytelling to in order for the different characters to understand each others struggles as well as the reader to understand the lives and emotions of both the mother and the daughters †¢The stories they tell are often educational, warning against certain mistakes or giving advice based on past successes. For instance, Ying-ying’s decision to tell Lena about her past is motivated by her desire to warn Lena against the passivity and fatalism that Ying-ying suffered. Storytelling is also employed to communicate messages of love and pride, and to illumine one’s inner self for others. †¢Another use of storytelling concerns historical legacy. By telling their daughters about their family histories, the mothers ensure that their lives are remembered and understood by subsequent generations, so that the characters who acted in the story never die away completely. In telling their stories to their daughters, the mothers try to instill them with respect for their Chinese ancestors and their Chinese pasts. Suyuan hopes that by finding her long-lost daughters and telling them her story, she can assure them of her love, despite her apparent abandonment of them. When Jing-mei sets out to tell her half-sisters Suyuan’s story, she also has this goal in mind, as well as her own goal of letting the twins know who their mother was and what she was like. †¢Storytelling is also used as a way of controlling one’s own fate. In many ways, the original purpose of the Joy Luck Club was to create a place to exchange stories. Faced with pain and hardship, Suyuan decided to take control of the plot of her life. The Joy Luck Club did not simply serve as a distraction; it also enabled transformationâ€â€of community, of love and support, of circumstance. Stories work to encourage a certain sense of independence. They are a way of forging one’s own identity and gaining autonomy. Waverly understands this: while Lindo believes that her daughter’s crooked nose means that she is ill-fated, Waverly dismisses this passive interpretation and changes her identity and her fate by reinventing the story that is told about a crooked nose. †¢ All the stories in her books are interlocking personal narrative in different voices. The narrators appear as characters in each other’s stories as well as tell their own stories, Tan does not have to fully develop the narrator’s voice in each story. While American daughters like Jing-mei employ personal narrative as a way of telling stories, the ’’ Because this indirect means is the only way Jing-mei’s mother c an interpret and express her experiences, she is shocked into silence when her daughter speaks directly about the daughters she abandoned in China years earlier. Point of View †¢In â€Å"Two Kinds†the perspective moves back and forth between the adult and then child. In this way, Tan tells the story through the child’s innocent view and the adult’s experienced eyes. This allows reader to make judgments of their own, to add their own interpretations of the mother daughter struggle. Figurative Language †¢This literary device also invites readers to think about the way memory itself functions, how we use events in the past to help make sense of our present. Literary critic Ben Xu explains that ‘‘it is not just that we have ‘images,’ ‘pictures,’ and ‘views’ of ourselves in memory, but that we also have ‘stories’ and narratives to tell about the past which both shape and convey our sense of self. Our sense of what has happened to us is entailed not in actual happening but in meaningful happenings, and the meanings of our past experience . . . are constr ucts produced in much the same way that narrative is produced. ’’ †¢In other words memory is a two-way street; it shapes the story as much as the story makes the memory. In Xu’s words, ‘‘memory is not just a narrative, even though it does have to take a narrative form; it is more importantly an experiential relation between the past and the present, projecting a future as well. ’’ Tan’s style is mainly composed of storytelling as a way for her characters to share their history and retell the significant events of their lives. The Chinese mothers find it exceptionally difficult to talk about their lives due to the language barrier; therefore Tan uses a strategy that is borrowed from Chinese folk tradition called talk story (Brent). E. D. Huntley defines talk story as ‘‘a narrative strategy for those characters whose ties to Chinese tradition remain strong. ’’ It allows these characters to ‘‘draw on traditional oral forms to shape their stories and to disguise the urgency and seriousness with which they are attempting to transmit to their daughters the remnants of a culture that is fading even from their own lives. ’’ This means that the mothers, ‘‘who have been socialized into silence for most of their lives,’’ learn to ‘‘reconfigure the events of hese lives into acceptable public utterances: painful experiences are recast in the language of folk tale; cautionary reminders become gnomic phrases; real life takes on the contours of myth (Huntley). †Story telling serves many different functions in the novel. Primarily, the mother’s use storytelling to communicate with their daughters about their past and better relate to their daughters. In Kitchen God’s Wife, Winnie and Pearl have a hard time understanding each other’s situation as they have had a disconnect since Pearl was a teenager. However, after Winnie tells Pearl the stories of the hardships she had to face living with her abusive husband in China and how that has made her the hard person she is today, Pearl is able to connect better with her mother and understand where she is coming from. Another purpose of storytelling is so the mother’s can teach their daughters important life lessons that can help them be happy as many of the daughters are struggling with their marriages. Thus, she knows that the only way to save her daughter is to tell her story, the story of how her submission to fate and other people’s wills led to discontent and even agony. In her novels, Amy Tan allows her characters to employ storytelling as a device for shaping their histories and making coherent sense of the significant events of their lives. For these characters, storytelling is a means of keeping the past alive and building a bridge between it and the present, of transmitting cultural codes and rituals, of subtly educating their daughters, and finally of somehow imprinting the essence of their selves on the next generation. Tan is especially gifted at weaving multiple stories with a variety of narrators into the intricate fabric of each book. Tan herself has recognized her own ability to construct distinctive and memorable narratives, commenting that her storytelling gifts are responsible in large measure for the ongoing popularity-with readers and critics alike-of her work. She has said that her childhood exposure to Bible stories as well as â€Å"tons of fairy tales, both Grimm and Chinese†(Wang) has made stories a significant element in her writing, and she credits her parents with both instilling in her the impulse to tell stories and providing her with models for unforgettable. In an interview with Gretchen Giles, Amy Tan reveals that she learned the craft of story construction from her father, a very busy Baptist minister who managed to spend quality time with his children by reading his sermons to them and then asking for their opinions on content and language. Citations Xu, Ben. ‘‘Memory and the Ethnic Self: Reading Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club,’’ in MELUS, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 3-16. Huntley, E. D. Amy Tan: A Critical Companion, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998. Brent, Liz. ‘‘Amy Tan Criticism Overview. ’’ Short Stories for Students. Ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 19–20: 288.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
The American Dream
The American Dream Abstract Since those times when America was discovered, many people overflowed to this continent in search of a better life. Those emigrants who hoped to find in America better political, economic, or private life, wanted to realize American Dream. The word â€Å"movement†has a figurative meaning connected with those emigrants from Africa, England, Ireland, Mexico, etc., who arrived in the USA, chasing American Dream.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The American Dream specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More What is American Dream? It is a phenomenon that symbolizes the ideal life of the USA population. American freedom includes success and prosperous life for everyone, regardless from the person’s origin or a social class. This idea is based on the United States Declaration of Independence which states that all people are equal, and have equal rights. The practical realization of this dream is one’s ow n house, built on a private land. American Dream is tightly connected with the concept of â€Å"self-made person†that means a person who, with the help of individual hard work, achieves success in his/her life (Schnell 2). Most of the emigrants, who arrived to the USA chasing their American dream, faced hard life, full of challenges and difficulties. Their American Dream was not realized, and they either died or resigned themselves to the dreadful way of life. Thesis: The evasive American Dream rouses people to the unfulfilling reality. Introduction The American Dream is United States’ national ideal. It offers freedom and a promise of prosperity in which life should get better and richer for everyone. It promises a fair chance for everyone with ability, without regard of social class or birth. Jennifer Hochschild succinctly defines the American dream as a set of â€Å"tenets about achieving success†. According to President Bill Clinton, the American dream requ ires an individual to work hard to get a chance at advancement. Simply put, it is a persons’ attempt to achieve wealth and success through hard work and thrift. However, the American dream has remained difficult for many to achieve for a wide variety of reasons (Cullen 124).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Living the American dream is the ultimate dream for most of the American citizens and those aspiring to acquire American citizenship. However, the American dream has turned out to be a nightmare for them. For many nowadays, the American dream has been rendered dead. Many who opted to get decent jobs better housing better health facility formal education etc. have languished to deteriorated living standards. Wages for many of the citizens have stagnated or fallen. Many authors have expressed failure of the American dream in their works. This theme is also v ery common in many contemporary works. Education, Employment, Healthcare, Housing and the American dream Many of those who sought better education resorted to working instead of studying. Financing education for many of the American citizens has become a heavy burden for them. US has the best education facilities and the best education system together with high technology, hence accessing this is quite an uphill task to those wishing to access this. Unemployment has been the nature of the day many American citizens facing layoffs due to economic recessions. In addition, they are left to seek casual jobs to meet their end needs. With the minimal income of up to $40000 per year, they are unable to keep up with the high taxation bills and mortgage. This is due to the difficulty in economic mobility in the US. Many employed citizens have stagnated and unable to climb the economic ladder. Nevertheless the rise in economic inequality has contributed too many citizens missing out on the ec onomic reward that comes with success. Health services are also a serious concern. Even though America has the best health facility in the world, health care is a chronic problem to many American citizens. For those who are uninsured it has been a nightmare accessing these health facilities. Very few citizens are provided with this basic necessity by their employment companies. This has resulted to the sprouting of two health care systems for the haves and the have-nots (Bloom 93). Housing is another factor that makes the American dream hard to achieve. Hunger and homeless is increasing every day street families are on the rise daily. As a result, they sleep and depend on the garbage sites. The state has constructed home for the poor to cater for these street families. This has done little to reduce their ever growing numbers Poor housing state has hit almost one quarter of the US citizens. It is extremely difficult for the US citizens to own homes; this has prompted them to rely on mortgages. Many of them are unable to keep up with the mortgage hence face being evicted from their homes. Others spend the rest of their lives paying up the mortgage. The housing policy in the US has failed to provide a level ground for all citizens and those aspiring to acquire citizenship there to acquire this basic need.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The American Dream specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More American dream and the works of Denis Johnson and Raymond Carver Jesuss Son Denis Johnson Jesus Son is an anthology of eleven interlinked short stories, which are all narrated by the same character; a broken alcohol and heroin addict. The narrator (and protagonist) interacting with disturbed, drug addicts. Ultimately sympathetic characters of these linked stories. We follow the narrator through eleven short stories that revolve around wild incidents under the influence of drugs. Car Crash While Hitchhiking This is the opening story in the book. The narrator is involved in a traffic accident while hitchhiking. This bleak story takes a positive turn when the narrator rescues a baby trapped in a wrecked vehicle. He ends up in hospital. Work The narrator describes a fight with his girlfriend at the start of this story. He then meets an interesting character named Wayne in a bar. He goes on a job with Wayne to tear down the walls of his old house to take out the copper wires and sell them. While so engaged, they see a naked red headed woman hang gliding. She is Wayne’s wife. Beverly Home This is the last story in the collection. This story follows the narrator’s life after he has undergone drug rehabilitation. The narrator works as a newsletter writer in a nursing home. With all the patients suffering in some way, the narrator seems to have found a place to fits in. He is obsessed with a Mennonite woman he overhears singing. As a result of his occupation at the home and his relat ionship with the Mennonite lady, the narrator finds acceptance. The narrator seemed destined for an incongruous ending. The story has an interesting and poignant ending. Through all of these stories, we see a hidden spirituality in the characters and so the ending of the book, while surprising, is inevitable. The stories take place in different settings and give the reader a detailed description of the narrator’s outcast friends. We see him in myriad predicaments and at all stations of his life. The characters in these stories are all addicts in some way. These drugs and alcohol are the only certain factors of the narrator’s life. The settings of the stories are as varied as the narrator’s friends. The settings cover from Iowa, to Seattle to Phoenix. The narrator does not reveal anything about his past to the reader. The narrator only divulges aspects of his self through his words and his many incarnations. He surrounds himself with a coterie of lowlifes who dwe ll in a bleak and violent American reality. The surreal quality, the intense fragility, of the narration is striking in Jesus’s Son. This voice does not seem to alter even when narrating the violent episodes that litter the stories.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cathedral -Raymond Carver This narration short story opens with the narrator anticipating his wife’s blind visitor. He has many reservations about the visit. His narration reveals his prejudiced nature. He does not make any effort to engage the blind man, Robert, in conversation, and choses to remain aloof. Not unlike the characters in Carvers stories, the main character in Cathedral is subconsciously alienated and lonely. The narrator is unsatisfied with his occupation, and has petty resentments towards his wife. He does not get attached to people. The narrator is essentially blind, unaware of his actions and their effect on others. He lives in unique oblivion, isolated from others by his prejudice and beliefs. The narrator disdains his visitor for no other reason but his sightlessness. He carelessly throws rude stereotypes into the conversation. This bias, to the extent that he refers to the visitor simply as ‘the blind man’, reveals his misplaced feelings of s uperiority. The narrator betrays his opinion that Robert’s life must be far inferior since he has no sight. The narrator finally comes to realize that he, and not Robert, is actually blind. Despite his handicap, Robert has made the most of life. He has travelled and educated himself by listening to educational television programs and reading books. Robert continues to better himself, unlike the narrator who has stagnated in his smug self-satisfaction. The narrator appears unmotivated, is a habitual drug user and does not seek to improve himself. The narrator sees Robert as a temporary imposition on his life, a trifling inconvenience. Robert, however, enables him to become self-aware. The narrator attempts to describe a cathedral he has just seen on TV to Robert. Robert asks him to draw it with him instead. It is here, with narrator closing his eyes and Robert holding his hand, that the narrator experiences an epiphany. By drawing the cathedral with Robert, the narrator has be come open to a completely new world. Before the drawing, the narrator had a strong bias towards Robert. Yet this time the narrator feels a difference between the two. The narrator feels liberated saying, â€Å"I didnt feel like I was inside anything (Carver 13). The narrators experience with Robert allows him to view his life from an entirely new vantage point. When the drawing is complete, the narrator keeps his eyes closed and continues to use the experience as an awakening. The narrator now realizes that life is really something (Carver 13) and he would benefit from changing his lifestyle. Ironically, it is through his experience with a visual impaired man, that Robert is introduced to an entirely new perspective on life. Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Preservation†and the American dream. Preservation by Raymond Carver is a story about working class white Americans who are bemused and fed up with the American dream that they see on the television. These working class Amer icans have always hoped to achieve this dream, although so far in their toil they have never even set their eyes on it. The characters in this story have never protested against these disappointments and disillusionment in the American dream. Instead, they channel their views and anxieties of the dream to drugs and alcohol. They have focused their attention to the day-to-day details of their lives as opposed to struggling to achieve the American dream. In Caver’s story, Preservation, lacking a job in America implies lacking a name. The unnamed husband in the story, who is also unemployed, has recently been retrenched form his job that involves putting up roof tops on new houses. He was having difficulty finding a new job â€Å"His face began to sweat as he tried to describe to Sandy the milling crowd of men and women down there in the unemployment office (Carver 36). The husband in this story becomes numb, and Sandy, his wife, just stands there helpless. She observes her hus band as a compilation of body parts that are becoming less powerful by the minute: Her husband’s bare feet stuck out from one end of the sofa. At the other end, on a pillow which lay across the arm of the sofa, she could see the crown of his head. She saw his head down on the pillow that lay across the arm of the sofa. He adjusted the pillow under his head and put his hands behind his neck. Then he lay still. Soon she saw his arms move down to his sides†¦. His eyes were shut. His chest seemed to rise and then fall (Carver 44). Each time Sally looks at her husband, repetition of the words hands, sofa, head, feet, and TV occur. These words together with the husband’s body parts are depicted like having equal weight. His arms or eyes’ depiction is not any different with the sofa or the newspaper. This lack of distinction between her husband, who she sees as body parts, and the nonliving objects around him is the leading conflict in this story. â€Å"Her husba nd- who is almost reclining, living now in the living room- is becoming a vegetable, an object, separated into parts, in the field of their home†(Carver 46). Sandy’s memories, of men who contribute nothing in the lives around them, are used metaphorically to relate to her husband who is slowly getting into that category. She recalls of her friend’s story about an uncle who went to bed at 40 and was still alive 63 years later. The uncle used to cry each day winning about his fear of getting old. She also recalls he father, who after divorcing her mother, bought a car in an auction and later died in it after inhaling carbon monoxide from the car (â€Å"He stayed in the car until someone found him a few days later.†) These memories follow one another and put emphasis on the failure of the American dream, making men useless in front of their families. The husband in this story is preserved by lying on the sofa, although he has no job. His wife realized just h ow useless he has become, how apart they are drifting from each other, and how his job, Freon and energy has been lost. In as much as families have gained a massive amount of disillusionment in the American dream, they still hope that something will happen and make that dream a reality. Sally hopes that someone might turn up and offer her husband a job, or that she might buy a new refrigerator before everything in the house spoils. Conclusion The American dream is a public vision that involves America’s identity. The American dream has turned into a myth that is inconsequential as far as the socioeconomic identity of America is presently concerned. The American dream refers to the act of pursuing happiness by every person as shown in the Declaration of Independence. The American dream is more of an ideology that is rooted in the mind of people. With thus the American dream is just a mere mirage to the many people aiming for it around the world (Palecek 58). Bloom Harold. The American dream. Kansas: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print. Carver, Raymond. Fires: Essays, Poems, Stories. New York: Random, 1972. Cullen, Jim. The American dream: A short history of the idea that shaped a nation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. Palecek, Mike. The American Dream. New York: CWG Press, 2006. Print Schnell, Hildegard. The American Dream. GRIN Verlag, 2010. 1-3.
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