The story of Summer Essay example -- Literary Analysis, David Updike

The story of Summer, by David Updike, is set during that idyllic time in life when responsibility is the last word on anyone's mind. And yet, as with all human affairs, responsibility is an ever-present and ever-necessary aspect to life. What happens when the protagonist, Homer, loses his awareness of a certain personal responsibility to maintain self-control? Homer's actions increasingly make him act foolishly, internally and externally. Also, how does Homer return to a sense of sanity and responsibility? To a degree, I would say that he does. At first, Homer's control over himself seems strong; he is only mildly aware of tempting situations. The reader begins to notice, however, that Homer's mind is still easily swayed by that most primitive of urges - sexual desire. The passage, "Homer looked up. Through the screen he watched Fred's sister Sandra as she came ambling down the path, stepping lightly between the stones in her bare feet," (293) is the first mild manifestation of Homer giving in to a loss of control to his sensual appetite. The next case of Homer's decreasing ability to control himself takes place on a tennis court. Throughout the game, the reader gets the impression that Homer was trying to get Sandra's attention through talented athletics, "On the tennis court she was strangely indifferent to his heroics." (293) Towards the end of the tennis match, Homer's eyes, once again, follow her as she is leaving, which leads him to double fault. This is the first time his decreasing self-control manifests itself in a somewhat harmful manner: namely, having hurt his score. Homer comes even closer to abandoning self-control during the night when he watches Sandra in bed. Homer's decreasing self-control is beginning t... ...e of sanity and self-control. Given the chance to show Sandra his affectionate lust, Homer withdrew his chance as one reads in the passage, "But to touch her, or kiss her, seemed suddenly incongruous, absurd, contrary to something he could not put his finger on." (296) Here Homer is becoming quite aware of the insanity which has driven his previous actions. Finally, Homer's inner turmoil is laid to rest and his sanity fully returns as his affection is returned. At the very end of the story, as Homer and Sandra are sitting on a couch together, her foot comes into contact with Homer's back. "But to Homer's surprise Sandra's foot remained, and he felt, in the faint sensation of exerted pressure, the passive emanation of its warmth, a distant signal of acquiescence." (296) Homer still had a desire for Sandra, but it would not consume him as it had in times before.

Cultural Behavior Essay

Cultural behavior is behavior exhibited by humans (and, some would argue, by other species as well, though to a much lesser degree) that is extra-somatic or extra-genetic, in other words, learned. For a behavior to be considered cultural it must be shared extra-genetically; that is, it must be taught. Language is an important element in human culture. It is the primary abstract artifact by which culture is transmitted extra-geneticallyCultural programming is an integral part of the overall school programming. The school has several initiatives that provide for cultural experiences. Culture is a collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another. The position that the ideas, meanings, beliefs and values people learn as members of society determines human nature. People are what they learn. Optimistic version of cultural determinism places no limits on the abilities of human beings to do or to be whatever they want. Some anthropologists suggest that there is no universal â€Å"right way† of being human. Right way† is almost always â€Å"our way†; that â€Å"our way† in one society almost never corresponds to â€Å"our way† in any other society. Proper attitude of an informed human being could only be that of tolerance. The optimistic version of this theory postulates that human nature being infinitely malleable, human being can choose the ways of life they prefer. The pessimistic version maintains that people are what they are conditioned to be; this is something over which they have no control. Human beings are passive creatures and do whatever their culture tells them to do. This explanation leads to behaviorism that locates the causes of human behavior in a realm that is totally beyond human control. It does not imply normalcy for oneself, nor for one’s society. It, however, calls for judgment when dealing with groups or societies different from one’s own cultural differences manifest themselves in different ways and differing levels of depth. Symbols represent the most superficial manifestations of culture, with heroes and rituals in between. Symbols are words, gestures, pictures, or objects that carry a particular meaning which is only recognized by those who share a particular culture. New symbols easily develop, old ones disappear. Symbols from one particular group are regularly copied by others. This is why symbols represent the outermost layer of a culture. Heroes are persons, past or present, real or fictitious, who possess characteristics that are highly prized in a culture. They also serve as models for behavior. Rituals are collective activities, sometimes superfluous in reaching desired objectives, but are considered as socially essential. They are therefore carried out most of the times for their own sake (ways of greetings, paying respect to others, religious and social ceremonies, etc. ). The core of a culture is formed by values. They are broad tendencies for preferences of certain state of affairs to others (good-evil, right-wrong, natural-unnatural). Many values remain unconscious to those who hold them. Therefore they often cannot be discussed, nor can they be directly observed by others. Values can only be inferred from the way people act under different circumstances. Symbols, heroes, and rituals are the tangible or visual aspects of the practices of a culture. The true cultural meaning of the practices is intangible; this is revealed only when the practices are interpreted by the insiders. Sources of cultural programming are family, friends, peers, schools, media, acquaintances, places of work, places of entertainment†¦ in that order of importance. Indeed, pretty much everyone we meet or interact with in any way.

Students With Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (...

In a qualitative study conducted by Edmonds-Cady and Hock (2008), 19.6 percent of students receiving special education services were expelled without school personnel considering the manifestation determination guidelines provided by the Individual with Disability Education Act (IDEA). This paper will be discussing what school psychologist should consider and do when deciding to expel a student who is receiving special education services. Specifically, a student with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Facts Drake is in 8th grade and has ADHD. He is receiving special education services under the category of other health impaired (OHI). His Individualized Education Program (IEP) includes a behavior plan and two hours of weekly specialized academic instruction (SAI). Since the beginning of the school year, his IEP team has provided one hour per week of his SAI. Currently, Drake is being recommended for expulsion because he brought a knife to school. When school personnel questioned him, he reported that it was an â€Å"impulsive last minute decision†. In addition, he admitted that the knife was taken from a locked knife encasement. As soon as the school recommends Drake for expulsion, a manifestation determination review (MDR) must take place within 10 days to determine if his behavior was a manifestation of his disability (34. C. F. R.  §300.530(e)). Expulsion Before the MDR takes place, it is important for school psychologist to consider the federal and state lawsShow MoreRelatedRad Is An 11 Year Old Male Student With Parental Instability And Documented Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd857 Words   |  4 Pages11-year old male student with parental instability and documented Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). After reviewing Rad’s records from previous schools, I learned Rad often missed school or skipped school. 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