Dramatic Irony In The Age Of Innocence

Dramatic Irony In The Age Of Innocence Dramatic irony occurs when the reader is aware of past or future events that make it easy to recognize the contradiction in a characters speech or actions. This essay will explore how and to what effect the literary technique of dramatic irony has been used in portraying the main issue of discord between characters and their respective societies in the novels The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. This conflict is both external and internal. At times the society disapproves of the behaviour of the individual and ostracizes the person or displays its displeasure, while at other times the character is in a dilemma whether to listen to the public opinion or the voice of his or her own mind. This will be done through a thorough literary examination of the works in question, and also by the reading of critics and Whartons own writings on her two novels. Wharton uses characters speech and actions, narrators comments and the events of the two novels to create dramatic irony. This helps in the conveyance of key themes, characterization, plot progression and providing a window into two different societies of upper class New York in the late 1800s. Introduction Novels of manners allow the reader to delve into the worlds of contemporary cultures, providing a far more enriching experience than factual research. Edith Whartons works are attractive for their vividly descriptive prose and mildly derisive view of the societies/ cultures depicted. What problems plagued the outwardly perfect upper class New Yorkers of the late 19th century? In The House of Mirth, Lily Bart is torn between her innate morals and desires and the route that she has been taught to take by public opinion, while in The Age of Innocence, Ellen Olenska and Newland Archer are thrown into turmoil, at times resenting the constraints and petty troubles of their society and at other times bowing willingly to its guiding hand. In studying the conflicts, it is possible to see the restrictive nature and other aspects of both cultures -their ideals, the role of women, and their outlook on matters such as marriage and divorce. Since both rebels are members of the societies they criti cise, readers are able to regard society from the inside as well as the outside, as they mull over societal norms. Throughout the novels, the reader is made to take cognizance of past and future events to feel the impact of a particular line or situation. Thus, Edith Wharton effectively uses dramatic irony to highlight one of the key issues in her novels-the clash between individual choice and societys unspoken rules. Marriage and Love If she did not marry him?  [1]  Lily Bart asks herself as she pursues Percy Gryce. She is supposedly sure of him and sure of herself  [2]  , but the if  [3]  in her mind is the first indication of her departure from societys expectations. The dramatic irony lies in the fact that the reader is well aware that Lily actually has no desire to marry Percy Gryce, but Lily herself is unaware of this fact. Ultimately, her own irony  [4]  cuts deeper  [5]  for she is the one who wanted the marriage, and yet it is she who consciously drives Gryce away. This incident marks the beginning of the constant clash between what she wants to do and what she is expected to do. Lilys question after she loses Gryce-What wind of folly had driven her out again on those dark seas?  [6]  is ironic because the wind of folly  [7]  is none other than herself. The metaphor also reveals the frivolity of society, as the journey of life without the comfort of money and a husband is consid ered dark seas  [8]  . It portrays the extent of the womens dependence on men. The issue of marriage arises once more when Rosedale asks for Lilys hand during her exclusion from society. Lily has to stop and consider that, in the stress of her other anxieties, as a breathless fugitive may have to pause at the cross-roads and try to decide coolly which turn to take.  [9]  The simile brings out the tension in the situation and there is a clear conflict between Lilys intuitive repugnance  [10]  and years of social discipline  [11]  . Ironically, it was earlier Rosedale who was dependant on Lily to give him a permit into society. the power of society is highlighted here-it can make or break a person. Rosedale eventually rejects Lily, as in the time that passes between his proposal and her answer, he had mounted nearer to the goal, while she had lost the power to abbreviate the remaining steps of the way.  [12]  Achieving a position in society is represented as a dest ination; the steps represent the progress of characters. The importance of social standing is brought out and the unexpected turn of events creates irony since the reader is able to compare Lilys desperation with her previous dismissal of Rosedale. Lily realizes this, and completes Rosedales remark of Then you thought you could do better; now-Ë ®Ã‚  [13]  with You think you can?  [14]  . The sharp dramatic irony shows Lilys descent in society and the materialistic attitudes of people. They are willing to give second priority to love and friendship for the sake of appearances. The caesura shows that Rosedale is ashamed of the shallowness that he is now a part of. In a twist of cosmic irony, it is the person she snubs who helps her in her time of need. When Lily visits Selden, she smiles, recognizing the irony in the situation. Then she had planned to marry Percy Gryce-what was it she was planning now?  [15]  The reader can note the similarity in Lilys situation now an d a year ago-marriage is her only way out, and she is standing in Seldens living room. The reader wonders if she will finally bow to the dictates of society and marry Rosedale or tread her own path. Throughout the course of the book, Lily also struggles with the feelings that she has for Selden, a man not rich enough and who does not care enough about high society to be of value in Lilys social climb. They share a conversation, and Selden passes his judgement on Lilys pursuit of Gryce and all the things she is striving for through it-money, name and a social life. She sums up: Then the best you can say for me is, that after struggling to get them I probably shant like them?  [16]  What a miserable future you foresee for me!  [17]  In a cruel twist of dramatic irony, his words foreshadow Lilys future. Selden is seen as an intuitive character who can see through Lilys ambitions. He foresaw that I should grow hateful to myself!  [18]  she tells Gerty Farish. Lilys true char acter is revealed through her exclamation. She grows disillusioned with the shallow, materialistic life her friends lead. This is seen again as she sets up a comparison between Gryce and Selden at the dinner table. Wharton brings out the irony of the situation by highlighting a fact, which the reader is well aware of: it is this comparison which is her undoing  [19]  . The pull towards Selden that Lily feels distracts her from the task of marrying Gryce, which ultimately leaves her alone, and penniless. Lilys walk with Rosedale become symbolic in the light of her earlier walk with Selden, which represented an irresistible flight from just such a climax as the present excursion was designed to bring about  [20]  . Lily herself points out the ironic contrast to her present situation  [21]  , thus creating dramatic irony. Ultimately, it is with a kind of tragic irony that Selden resolves to declare his love to her the day after she dies, thinking, It was strange that it had not come to his lips sooner-that he had let her pass from him the evening before without being able to speak it. But what did that matter, now that a new day had come? It was not a word for twilight, but for the morning.  [22]   The theme of forbidden love runs through The Age of Innocence as well, in which Ellen and Archer fall in love despite Archers engagement and consequent marriage to Ellens cousin, May. This is first foreshadowed when Archer muses on Ellens alleged relationship with her husbands secretary, thinking that Rich and idle and ornamental societies must produce many more such situations; and there might even be one in which a woman naturally sensitive and aloof would yet, from the force of circumstances, from sheer defencelessness and loneliness, be drawn into a tie inexcusable by conventional standards.  [23]  As the reader knows, but Archer does not, this is exactly what happens between Archer and Ellen later on in the novel. The author uses this thought of Archers to compare New York society to European ones and indirectly comment on it. The adjectives rich and idle and ornamental  [24]  also describe New York society, while naturally sensitive and aloof  [25]  characterize Ell en. The sentence provides some justification for the relationship that is to develop between the two characters, so that the reader is able to see their side as well as societys. May at first refuses to hasten her and Archers wedding, giving him a chance to leave her. May is the typical young New York woman, and the fact that it is her telling Archer that, when two people really love each other  [26]  , there may be situations which make it right that they should-should go against public opinion  [27]  adds a flash of situational irony to the omniscient dramatic. May is speaking of Mrs. Thorley Rushworth, an older woman with whom Archer had had an affair. Tension is created when she does not mention names, simply referring to two people  [28]  , but Archer and the reader initially believe that May has guessed about Ellen, for the advice is well-suited to Ellen and Archers situation. There is a hidden criticism of society in this ironic sentence, for although May says tha t society bends its rules for true love, it does not in the case of Ellen and Archer, choosing instead to send Ellen out of its tight circles. Archer uses Mays refusal to implore Ellen to throw conventions away and be with him. Shes refused; that gives me the right-Ë ®Ã‚  [29]  he begins, but Ellen cuts him off to strike him, as well as the reader, with a sharp bolt of dramatic irony. Ah, youve taught me what an ugly word that is,  [30]  she says, reminding the reader of Archers staunch adherence to conventions when he convinces her not to get a divorce although she has a right to, by saying that though legislation favours divorce, social customs dont.  [31]  This once again brings out the idea of a parliament governed by society, as well as old New Yorks attitude towards divorce. Ellen evidently understands New Yorkers better than one of their own. Finally, Archer meets Ellen alone a few years after they part. They sit at a restaurant, close together and safe and sh ut in; yet so chained to their separate destinies that they might as well have been half the world apart.  [32]  Although their literal propinquity is apparent, Wharton reminds the reader that they are in completely different worlds figuratively. The verb chained  [33]  suggests unwillingness on both parts, while also hinting at the power that society holds over the individual. This type of dramatic irony, known as tragic irony, is drawn out yet again when Archer and Ellen sit next to each other in Mays brougham and interwoven with cosmic irony: The precious moments were slipping away, but he had forgotten everything that he had meant to say to her and could only helplessly brood on the mystery of their remoteness and their proximity, which seemed to be symbolised by the fact of their sitting so close to each other, and yet being unable to see each others faces.  [34]  This sentence serves as an explanation of Whartons technique. She uses symbolism to convey Archer and E llens predicament. The words remoteness  [35]  and proximity  [36]  are contrasting, highlighting the frustration and sorrow of the characters circumstances. Ellen too adds to the tragic irony, saying, Were near each other only if we stay far from each other.  [37]  This paradox also helps to bring out the almost ridiculous wretchedness of the moment. The Struggle within the Character The conflict between the individual and society is in part caused by the battle between two sides of Lilys character. While one part of her lusts after the money and power associated with New Yorks elite, another part of her yearns to be free from the clutches of materialism. At first, Selden is only aware that the qualities distinguishing her from the herd of her sex were chiefly external: as though a fine glaze of beauty and fastidiousness had been applied to vulgar clay.  [38]  The simile shows Lilys superficiality and artificiality. Ironically, Lilys the reader soon recognizes difference is on the inside rather than the outside, when she voluntarily strays from the beaten path of marriage and comfort. Lily is also compared to an orchid when she works with a charitable organization. All this was in the natural order of things, and the orchid basking in its artificially created atmosphere could round the delicate curves of its petals undisturbed by the ice on the panes.  [39]   This, unfortunately, does not hold true for her. There is some verbal irony in the metaphor, but it is the dramatic irony that comes through strongest, for Lily, unlike the orchid, does not survive untouched much longer. She has been feeling, and will continue to feel the burden of poverty. The metaphor also reflects the nature of society, for it is also like the orchid, untouched by reality and unable to see anything beyond its world. Wharton employs symbolism to unfurl the dramatic irony, as Lily decides to marry Gryce and thus enter inner societial circles, but thinks that her friends had earlier symbolized what she was gaining, now they stood for what she was giving up.  [40]  This disillusionment is further developed when Lily also feels a vague sense of failure, of an inner isolation  [41]  , and continues throughout the novel. Although Lily herself hardly knew what she had been seeking  [42]  , the reader realizes that she desires freedom from societys constra ints as she later refuses to be tied down by marriage despite having to remain poor and ostracized. The theme of freedom is touched upon here. Newland Archer too displays a rebellious streak, which is seen first when he visits Ellens home, although he thinks that she ought to know that a man whos just engaged doesnt spend his time calling on married women  [43]  . This is also the beginning of the irresistible pull that Ellen and Archer feel towards each other. The author also comments that, if Archer had cared to look within himself, he would have found there the wish that his wife should be as wordly-wise and as eager to please as the married lady whose charms had held his fancy  [44]  . Ironically, Ellen comes through as wordly-wise  [45]  and eager to please  [46]  , and not his real wife, May. The love between Ellen and Archer is foreshadowed at the opening of the novel. When Archer enters the florists, he sees a cluster of yellow roses. He had never seen any as sun-golden before, and his first impulse was to send them to May instead of the lilies. But they did not look like her-there was something too rich, too strong, in their fiery beauty.  [47]  He instead sends them to Ellen and his impulsive action foreshadows his attraction towards Ellen. Therefore, the flowers become symbols, the roses standing for Ellen and the lilies, with their purity and innocence, May. Archer feels that Nothing about his betrothed pleased him more than her resolute determination to carry to its utmost limit that ritual of ignoring the unpleasant in which they had both been brought up.  [48]  Dramatic irony is created as he later comes to resent her exactly for this. When she warns him to close the window, saying, Youll catch your death.  [49]  , Archer recognizes the irony in her words and thinks, But Ive caught it already. I am dead-Ive been dead for months and months.  [50]  Archers change in beliefs shows his character development; he now feels the monotony of a society that cannot face reality. In yet another case of dramatic irony, Janey, Archers sister, is in the dark about past events. Immediately after Archer unsuccessfully attempts to persuade Ellen to marry him since May refuses to pre-pone the wedding, he receives a telegram from May agreeing to postpone the wedding. Archer realizes the twist of fate and throws back his head with a long laugh.  [51]  Janeys question, But, dearest, why do you keep on laughing?  [52]  further emphasises the irony by repeated references to his laughter. The Direct Conflict with Society Ultimately, Lily finds herself cast out of societal circles. Her destitution is ominously foreshadowed from the very beginning of the novel. Lawrence Selden is struck with the irony of suggesting to her such a life as his cousin Gertrude Farish had chosen  [53]  . It is impossible to imagine this sybarite as anything but rich. The reader, however, recognizes a different kind of irony-dramatic-for Lily does later lead a life even worse than the lonely, poverty-stricken Gertrude Farishs. However, her real troubles begin when she receives The Dorsets invitation to go abroad with them  [54]  . Although it seems to come as an almost miraculous release from crushing difficulties;  [55]  , it is but a precursor to even greater difficulties. Lily does not yet know this, but the reader does. The same type of irony can be seen in the narrators comment that The fact that the money freed her temporarily from all minor obligations obscured her sense of the greater one it represented.à ‚  [56]  Lily later falls into debt and social disgrace due to her borrowing from Gus Trenor. When Lily returns to Bertha immediately before Bertha accuses her of having an affair with George Dorset, she is more than ever alarmed at the possible consequences of her long absence.  [57]  Ironically, Lily innocently fears for Mrs. Dorsets reputation, when it is her own she should care for. There is some situational irony as well, since the reader also expects Bertha to be afraid for her reputation, but she is in full command of her usual attenuated elegance  [58]  . Pity for Lily is created, as her kind nature shines through, while Bertha is seen to be cunning and false. Dà ©nouement-isnt that too big a word for such a small incident?  [59]  she asks, little knowing that the incident is big enough for the word, while the reader shares this knowledge with Bertha. Berthas remark to Lily, I suppose I ought to say good morning  [60]  holds dramatic irony as the reader is informed that it is the day Lily is to be thrown out of her friends good graces. The author points this out through the phrase with a faint touch of irony  [61]  prior to Berthas sentence. Once again, Berthas malicious nature comes across. Lily finally finds herself probing the very depths of insignificance  [62]  and courting the approval of people she had disdained under other conditions  [63]  . Lily Bart, once a figure to arrest even the suburban traveller rushing to his last train  [64]  and create a general sense of commotion  [65]  by her mere presence, has been reduced to an inconspicuous speck. The reader is fully able to appreciate the tragic irony of the novels conclusion through the stark contrast. Ellen Olenska clashes with the highly conventional New York setting from her arrival as she brings with her odd European ways and the scandal of having left her husband. Oh centuries and centuries; so long, she says at first, that Im sure Im dead and buried, and this dear old place is heaven;  [66]  Although she does not know it yet, New York turns out to be anything but heaven for Ellen later on as her ideals and lifestyle constantly clash with the conformist society. Ellens comment shows her to be a very liberal woman, expecting a society rooted in traditions to forget its differences with her, and creates some curiosity about her. Archer warns her, with a flash of sarcasm  [67]  , that New Yorks an awfully safe place  [68]  , but she takes him literally. The reader is able to discern his meaning, being aware of her subsequent exclusion from society. Ellen is evidently very innocent, emphasised by her exclamation on New York: If you knew how I like it for just that-the straight-up-and-downness, and the big honest labels on everything!  [69]  Little does she realize that most things remain unspoken here, such as the ritual of ignoring the unpleasant  [70]  . When Ellen finally realizes this, she admits, New York simply meant peace and freedom to me: it was coming home.  [71]  , but the reader is able to appreciate the dramatic irony in the narrators comment: simple-hearted kindly New York, on whose larger charity she had apparently counted, was precisely the place where she could least hope for indulgence  [72]  . Ellen also believes that she is conforming to American ideas in asking for her freedom.  [73]  However, American ideas are the opposite of this, as society is aghast at her desire for a divorce. There is no freedom for the women of New York, and the standing that a marriage brings is esteemed. Initially, Archer too expresses his forward thinking through his violent I hope she will!  [74]  , but he is later the one who convinces her not to go ahead with it, saying our legislation favours divorce-our social customs dont.  [75]  The power that society holds over even an open-minded man and womens lack of freedom is manifest here. When the van der Luydens host Ellens welcoming party, Archer notices a number of the recalcitrant couples who had declined to meet her at Mrs. Lovell Mingotts.  [76]  Only when an influential family supports Ellen, society rallies behind her. Its hypocrisy and shallowness is observable here, and also in Mr. van der Luydens remark: its hopeless to expect people who are accustomed to the European courts to troubles themselves about our little republican distinctions.  [77]  Absurdly, this is exactly what they expect of Ellen as can be seen throughout the novel, from the time she is persuaded to remain married until the time she is sent out of New York. At one point, Mrs. Welland wonders, I wonder what her fate will be?  [78]  Archer adds the irony by remin ding the reader of what her fate actually becomes towards the end of the novel: What weve all contrived to make it  [79]  . Lawrence Lefferts had once remarked, our children will be marrying Beauforts bastards.  [80]  Archers son marries Fanny Beaufort, who had appeared in New York at eighteen, after the death of her parents, had won its heart much as Madame Olenska had won it thirty years earlier; only instead of being distrustful and afraid of her, society took her joyfully for granted. She was pretty, amusing and accomplished: what more did anyone want? Nobody was narrow-minded enough to take a rake up against her the half-forgotten facts of her fathers past and her own origin. Only the older people remembered so obscure an incident in the business life of New York  

Methods of Refrigeration: Literature Review

Methods of Refrigeration: Literature Review REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Introduction In study of applied thermo dynamics all the while we have been observing heat transfer from a system at higher temperature to that at lower temperature. Now in the study of refrigeration we will be observing various methods of cooling the objects and maintaining the temperature of bodies at values lower than surrounding temperature. According to American society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHARE) â€Å"Refrigeration is the science of providing and maintaining temperature below that of the surrounding (ambient) temperature†. In the olden days around 2500 years B.C. Indians, Egyptians, etc., were producing ice by keeping water in the porous posts open to cold atmosphere during the night period. The evaporation of water in almost cool dry air accompanied with recitative heat transfer in the clear night caused the formation of ice even when the ambient temperature was above the freezing temperature. Further references are available which support the use of ice in China 1000 years BC. Nero, the emperor, was using ice for cooling beverages. Further, the East Indians were able to produce refrigeration by dissolving salt in water as early as 4th century A.D., of course, on very small scale. The use of evaporative cooling is another application of refrigeration used olden days. The cooling of water in earthen pots for drinking purpose; is the most common example where the evaporation for water through the pores of earthen pot is accompanied with cooling of water. The fore said methods of the production of cooling were not feasible for the commercial use due to very small amount of ice production. Availability of natural ice in limited regions and unavailability of good quality insulation confined the application of ice to those localities only. These all led to the development of artificial refrigeration side, a few would be presented here. Thomas Harris and John Long got the earliest British parent in 1790. Later on in 1834 Jacob Perkins developed hand operated refrigeration system using ether (volatile) as the working fluid. Ether vapor is sucked by the hand-operated compressor and then high temperature and pressure either vapor is condensed in the water cooled chamber (condenser). Liquid ether is finally throttled to the lower pressure, and thus evaporation of this liquid in chamber A lowers the temperature of water surrounding the vessel. Finally ice is formed. In this system, ether is used again and again in the cyclic process with negli gible wastage. In 1851, Dr. John Garrie of Florida, a physician obtained the first American patent of a cold air machine to produce ice in order to cure people suffering from the high fever. Instead of air or ether, sulphuric ether was used by Dr. James Harrison of Australia in 1860, the world’s first installation of refrigeration machine for brewery. The steam engine works as a power source which drives the compressor for the pressurization of sulphuric ether vapor, which is, in turn, condensed and is allowed to expand and evaporate in order to produce refrigeration. Dr. Alexander Kirk of England constructed a cold air machine is 1861 similar to that of Dr. Gorrie. The air was compressed by a reciprocating compressor driven by a steam engine running on coal. His actual machine consumed about 1 kg of coal to produce 4 kg of ice (approximately). In the 19th century, there was tremendous development of refrigeration systems to replace natural ice by artificial ice producing machines. Unfortunately steam engine, a very low speed power developing source, was used to drive the compressor, rendering very poor performance of the refrigeration system. Some Recent Advancements of in Refrigeration In the beginning of 20th century, large sized refrigeration machines were under progress. By 1904 about 450 ton cooling system for air conditioning the New York Stock Exchange was installed. In Germany people used air conditioning in theatre for comfort purposes. In around 1911 the compressor speed was raised between 100 to 300 rpm. The first two-stage modem compressor was brought under use in 1915. During the civil war there was an acute shortage of the supply of natural ice from the north. Hence, Ferdinand Care of the USA developed vapour-absorption refrigeration system ammonia as a refrigerant and water as a absorbent. The system consists of an evaporator, an absorber, a pump, a generator, a condenser and an expansion device. The evaporated vapor is absorbed by the weak ammonia-water mixture in the absorber yielding strong aqua ammonia. The pump delivers this strong solution into the generator where heat transfer from a burner separates ammonia vapor and the weak ammonia water returns to the absorber. On the other hand the ammonia vapor condenses in the condenser before being throttled. The throttled ammonia liquid enters the evaporator resulting in completion of the cyclic process. In the beginning of two decades of the twentieth century, the development in refrigeration system was confined to refinement in cold air machines and vapor compression thermoelectric, pulse tube refrigeration systems, etc. The developments are vortex tube, steam-jet refrigeration system, availability of materials of specific properties for thermoelectric materials. The possible use of waste heat or solar energy in case of vapor-absorption and thermoelectric systems has led to development of several commercial units these days especially due to the like hood of future energy crisis, the world is going to face. A condenser is a heat exchanger is which de-superheating of high temperature vapor changes the phase from vapor to liquid and sub cooling of condensate occurs. The condenser is an important device used in the high pressure side of a refrigeration system. Its function is to remove heat of hot vapor refrigerant discharged from the compressor. The hot vapor refrigerant consists of the heat absorbed by the evaporator and the heat of compression added by the mechanical energy of the compressor motor. The heat from the hot vapor refrigerant in a condenser is removed first by transferring it to the walls of the condenser tubes and then from the tubes to the condensing or cooling medium. The cooling medium may be air or water or a combination of the two. An air cooled condenser is one in which the removal of heat is done by air. It consists of steel or copper tubing through which the refrigerant flows. The size of tube usually ranges from 6mm to 18mm outside diameter, depending upon the size of the condenser. Generally copper tubes are used because of its excellent heat transfer ability. The condensers with steel tubes are used in ammonia refrigerating systems. Majority of the domestic refrigerators uses the natural convection air cooled condenser. The present work refrigerator uses the natural convection air cooled condenser. In natural convection air cooled condenser, the heat transfer from the condenser coils to the air is by natural convection. As the air comes in contact with the warm condenser tubes, it absorbs heat from the refrigerant and thus the temperature of air increases. The warm air being lighter, rises up and cold air from below rises to take away the heat from the condenser. This cycle continues in natural convection air cooled condensers. This work is an experimental approach to increase the heat to be rejected in the condenser as well as increase the performance of the system. If the condenser is having more fins spacing then the number of fins avail able at the condenser are less. Due to this surface area decreases. Therefore less heat transfer occurs. On the other hand if the condenser is having less fins spacing then the number of fins available at the Condensers are more. Therefore more heat rejection takes place in the condenser. Because of more heat rejection sub cooling occurs at the exit of the condenser which in turn increases the performance of the system. Decreasing energy consumption and increasing efficiency is one of the most important points in our era. Becoming a matter of primary importance in air conditioning, industrial and commercial cooling applications, supermarket cooling, blast freezing and process cooling applications, energy efficiency affects design of chillers (and its equipment such as condensers, compressors etc.) and urges manufacturers to develop high performance, energy-efficient, environment friendly, economic, and long life products. Becoming a matter of primary importance in air conditioning, industrial cooling, supermarket cooling, commercial cooling, blast freezing and process cooling applications, etc., energy efficiency affects the design of chillers that account for a significant ratio of the energy consumption in plants. Legal legislations that for the short run limit, and in the long run prohibit the use of fluids of high global warming potential, that are detrimental to the ozone layer are also influential on designs. Since air cooled condensers are among the essential components of cooling groups, efforts to improve their energy efficiency are made incessantly, the related national and international standards are upgraded and limitations on their energy consumptions are always increasing. Our statement will convey –in the light of the latest applicable standards- detailed and comparative information on applications aimed at improving the energy efficiency in air cooled condensers, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency in cooling installations. 2.2 The effect of condensation temperature on capacity The condensation temperature of the refrigerant is considered to be 6 °C – 20 °C above air inlet temperature for general purposes. The condensation temperature varies according to the ambient temperature in which the system will operate. This said, the condensation temperature for applications is commonly taken as 30-60 °C. Factors taken into consideration for determining the condensation temperature Ambient temperature, Thermo physical properties of the refrigerant, Properties of the selected compressor and The dimensions of the condenser. While providing the nominal condenser capacity in condensers as per the Euro vent Standard, the air inlet temperature and condensation temperature are taken as 25 °C and 40 °C respectively. In other words, T = 15  °C. A low value should be selected for the temperature differential T, in places of high ambient temperature. For instance, while designing for the conditions of Antalya the T value should be selected within the range of 7 ° 10 ° C. For systems that will operate in outdoor environments in conditions of Turkey, the temperature differential should be lowered as one goes from the north to the south and selections should be made accordingly. It must always be considered that High Compression Temperature creates a load on the compressor that reduces efficiency and shortens its useful life. It will be quite beneficial in the design for the condensation temperature to be specified as low as possible. However, in some conditions it is not possible to take a low value for the condensation temperature. For example in Middle East countries where the outdoor temperature is 50 °C-55 °C, high condenser temperature is unavoidable. The following example shows the compressor absorbed power at various condensation temperatures and the achieved cooling capacities for a semi-hermetic type HGX4/555-4 model compressor manufactured by BOCK, which uses R134A gas. The cooling gas selected for the example is R134A. As seen from the table, when the condensation temperature rises from 30 °C to 60 °C, the compressor draws 25% more power while the cooling capacity drops by 38.5%, the COP value decreases by 51% and the a unit that is 38.5% larger must be used to achieve the cooling capacity declared in the design. 2.3 Tried and True for Millennia Copper tubing has been in use by civilization for thousands of years, and it has been found present in the water lines of Ancient Egypt. Modern-day houses having copper pipes installed 70 years ago are still working well in the present day and require far less to fix and modify than alternative methods. Should you choose copper, you will have very little maintenance, whereas even stainless steel begins to rust over time, especially if it is not painted or coated. There are a great variety of uses for copper tubing. If you invest a high degree into copper, you may be able to easily reclaim your investment with high rates of return for reuse and recycling for example. Copper is a fantastic renewable resource because it is easily recycled. Beneficial Qualities of Copper Tubing Proven Longevity Comparably Lightweight Resistant to Corrosion Can Be Formed to Shape Largely Nontoxic and Non Carcinogenic 2.4 Copper Condenser Coils Condensers are one of the prominent uses of copper tubing. Changing gases into liquids occur at appropriate temperature dew point. Coppers fantastic heat transfer rates are one of the best choices for achieving this goal, exceeding other heat transfer tubing materials (such as aluminum in this case) by nearly 800% while maintaining a strong, lightweight structure. Having a higher heat transfer rate renders less total material necessary for a given space, allowing for more compact, lightweight, and simple condenser applications that minimize back pressure. CTCG builds condensers with copper tubing, aluminum tubing, and stainless steel tubing, to customer printsbut we highly recommend copper tubing for condenser applications. 2.5 All Designs Accepted for Review Whether your coil is, serpentine, coaxial, or completely customized, all designs are accepted for review. Both hard drawn and annealed, flexible copper tubing acceptable for forming and coiling. Easily outsource production runs of custom copper tubing coils or buy bulk loads of custom and non-custom length copper tubing, including level wound coils, water tubing and piping, refrigeration tubing, DWV and capillary tubing. Providing Tubing Coils for Most Industries Copper meets many industries highest standards for excellence; thus we recommend the use of copper for your applications in The Aerospace Industry, Construction Industry, Freon Recycling Industry, Medical Industry, and the AC Refrigeration Industry Most projects can be easily manufactured, including such items as gas turbines, artistic projects, diagnostic hardware, in one to four weeks (and sometimes faster). Check our present inventory to see what tube types can be serviced this month 2.6 Why Copper Copper tubing is the ideal material for many applications. Its strength, the ease with which it is fabricated and soldered, and its high conductivity to heat is invaluable in the process of building homes and industrial buildings, particularly for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment installed. Tubing made from copper is one of the few naturally-sourced materials that are 100% recyclable, so no metal is lost in reclaiming copper from pipes no longer needed, making it a good choice for the future. Maori Trends and Paradigms: 1919 to Present Day Maori Trends and Paradigms: 1919 to Present Day Research hauora Maori trends and paradigms from 1919 to the present day Unit Standard 18414 Gilanne M. Natividad Identify the Region The TÄ maki Makaurau region stretches from the South Kaipara in the north to the southern reaches of the Manukau Harbour and covers more than 5,600 square kilometres. It is the smallest of the Te Puni KÄ kiri regions but contains the largest population of MÄ ori. Identify the Hauora Maori trends and paradigms Lung cancer Is a disease whereby, cells grow uncontrollably in the lung tissue usually beginning in the lining of the bronchi or bronchioles (small tubes in the lungs, through which air passes while breathing). As these tumours enlarge they can block off the bronchi and restrict the airflow into the lung. They commonly spread into the local lymph nodes and occasionally the chest wall. This reduces the airways capacity leading to shortness of breath and coughing. The growth may lead to metastasis, which is when the cancer spreads to other areas of the body. Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer and is attributed to approximately 85% of cases. Lung cancer in non-smokers is attributed to a combination of genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos and air pollution, including second-hand smoke. (Cancer NZ) Cervical Cancer Is cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus or womb. Cervical cancer develops slowly over time, usually taking many years, when abnormal cells grow on the cervix. These abnormal cells are caused by infection with high-risk types of HPV. Abnormalities in the cells of the cervix can be detected by cervical screening and removed. Each year there are around 25,000 abnormal smear test results among New Zealand women. The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection. Other factors may contribute, including: Genetics: some women are more likely to get cancer than others (family history) Smoking: tobacco is a factor in causing many types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Women who smoke are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop cervical cancer Nutrition: women with a diet low in fruits and vegetables have an increased risk Number of sexual partners: the more sexual partners a person has, the higher their risk of contracting HPV Not having regular smear tests: this increases a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer. (Ministry of Health, 2014) Gynaecological cancers are not common cancers but they do take the lives of around 350 New Zealand women each year. Ovarian cancer causes around 190 of these deaths. For all the gynaecological cancers, like most cancers, the risk increases with age. For ovarian and endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancers the causes are not well understood. However it is known that; †¢ Women who have not had children †¢ Women who are overweight May have an increased risk for these cancers a cause of some cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers is a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). This is a common sexually transmitted virus. Most women are infected with it at some point in their lives. For most women it will never cause any problems. However, for a few women it causes cell changes that can lead to cancer. (Gynaecological Cancers Information for all Women, 2012) Colon Cancer or Bowel Cancer Bowel cancer is named according to where it is found: for example, cancer of the colon, cancer of the rectum or colorectal cancer. This cancer occurs when the cells in some part of the bowel grow abnormally and form a lump or tumour. Most cancers are in the large bowel. Cancer in the small bowel is less common. How common is bowel cancer? The latest provisional information available from the New Zealand Cancer Registry1 recorded 2,759 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2008. It is one of the most common cancers among both men and women in New Zealand. It may occur at any age, although 90 percent of cases are found in people over the age of 50. There are different risk factors in developing Bowel Cancer: Lifestyle A diet high in fat and protein and low in fruit and vegetables Alcohol consumption Weight gain, particularly around the waist Low rates of physical activity. Family History of Bowel Cancer Rare Genetic Conditions (Bowel Cancer Matepukupuku Puku Hamuti, 2009) Identify traditional approaches to Hauora Maori Models of health The Medical Wheel (Stamler, 2003) Purpose: effectiveness of healthcare for Maori by delivering quality service. 4 themes Mental Emotional Spiritual Physical Te Pae Mahutonga (Durie, 2011) Purpose: the star constellation focuses on modern health promotion 4 stars Mauriora – cultural identity Waiora – environmental protection Toiora – healthy lifestyle Te Oronga – participation in society Te Wheke (Pere, 1984) Purpose: this is to link between the mind, spirit, human connection with the whanau and the physical world. 10 components Te whÄ nau – the family Waiora – total wellbeing for the individual and family Wairuatanga – spirituality Hinengaro – the mind Taha tinana – physical wellbeing Whanaungatanga extended family Mauri – life force in people and objects Mana ake – unique identity of individuals and family HÄ  a koro ma, a kui ma – breath of life from forbearers Whatumanawa – the open and healthy expression of emotion Te Whare Tapa Wha (Durie, 1984) Purpose: is to set foundation for a holistic approach and to reflect on a way of being 4 components Wairua spiritual Hinengaro mind Tinana body Whanau – family Utilising of Maori medicine Rongoa MÄ ori – traditional MÄ ori medicine Rongoais the MÄ ori term for medicines that are produced from native plants in New Zealand. Use of these medicines prevented many sicknesses, and provided remedies for the sick. In traditional MÄ ori healing, diagnosis involved a holistic approach that included mind, body and spirit mauri(spark or life force),wairua(spirit), andtapu(natural law).Whakapapaor genealogy was also considered. Tohunga, the medical practitioners of the MÄ ori world, passed their knowledge down through the generations, and modern MÄ ori healers still use many of the concepts and practices.(100% New Zealand, 1999) Identify issues to primary and secondary health service Discrimination The role of discrimination and racism in harming health is not new but has received increasing attention over the past 20 years. Doctors have been shown to be less likely to advocate for preventive measures for Maori patients than for non-Maori patients, and Maoris may be less likely than non-Maoris to be referred for surgical care. (Lis Ellison-Loschmann, 2006) Accessibility Access has been defined in terms of both ‘access to’ and ‘access through’ health care, the latter concept taking into account the quality of the service being provided. Health care need and health care quality have been developed into framework for measuring disparities in access to care, a framework that includes broader environmental and societal factors like racism that may affect access. There is increasing evidence that Maoris and non-Maoris differ in terms of access to both primary and secondary health care services that Maoris are less likely to be referred for surgical care and specialist services, and that, given the disparities in mortality, they receive lower than expected levels of quality hospital care than non-Maoris. One survey showed that 38% of Maori adults reported problems in obtaining necessary care in their local area, as compared with 16% of non-Maoris. Maoris were almost twice as likely as non-Maoris (34% vs 18%) to have gone without health care in the past year because of the cost of such care. This adds to previous evidence that cost is a significant barrier to Maoris’ access to health services. (Lis Ellison-Loschmann, 2006) Affordability Many of the Maori people are unemployed due to lack of qualifications for they did not have a chance to study. This results to not being able to avail the health services offered in Tamaki Makau Rau whether it is primary or secondary health services. Instead of seeking professional help from the doctors or health workers, they tend to self-medicate by buying over the counter medicines to have a relief on whatever symptoms they are experiencing. The development of Maori health services At the beginning of the 20th century, Maori leadership played a key role in advancing health promotion and disease control activities within Maori communities.This approach was to be important throughout the century, and there are many examples of both national and local Maori-led initiatives committed to advancing Maori health. These initiatives occurred outside of the mainstream services being provided at the time, which made them vulnerable to changes in government and funding availability. An opportunity for the focused development of Maori provider services emerged with the introduction of the 1991 health reforms. However, this restructuring of health and social services also led to a widening gap in inequality, as evident in such key determinants of health as income, education, employment, and housing. Moreover, the reforms had direct effects on the health of Maoris, particularly that of children. What are the differences between health services provided by Maoris and those provided by non-Maoris? Crengle identified use of Maori models of health and promotion of positive Maori development as 2 key philosophies underpinning Maori primary health care services. Maori cultural processes used as a basis for developing and delivering contemporary health services that support self-sufficiency and Maori control are crucial to the success of these provider organizations. Maori provider services have specifically identified access issues as a key factor and have used a range of strategies to address these issues, including extensive mobile services and outreach clinics (alongside a health center service base), free or low-cost health care, employment of primarily Maori staff who are more likely to have access to Maori consumers in their communities,and active inclusion of the community in the planning and delivery of services. The number of Maori health providers increased from 13 in 1993 to 240 in 2004. However, these providers continue to face a number of difficulties. For example, a lack of good primary health data, such as ethnicity data, has limited the potential of many Maori health providers, and a small Maori health work-force has been quickly absorbed into the growing number of Maori provider organizations. Also, the short contract time frames in place require extensive renegotiations each year. In addition, because Maori providers work primarily with families at high levels of need in terms of health services, increased costs are inevitable if health gains are to be achieved, and funders must take this situation into account. Similar policy initiatives have recently been adopted in Canada and Australia to improve the health of indigenous peoples; however, the contractual environments in these countries lean toward single multiyear funding contracts for comprehensive primary health care, and there is early evidence that such systems are more efficient for providers and promote better outcomes among consumers. It is too soon to assess the effects that the Maori provider organizations are having on the health status of Maoris, and these organizations should be viewed as representing one of a package of necessary long-term measures. Although the evidence that such strategies are effective is not yet available, there is certainly evidence that the reverse is true; that is, health service provision with little Maori participation results in poor Maori outcomes. (Lis Ellison-Loschmann, 2006) Government Health Policy i.e Whanau Ora It is when the family is empowered as a whole in facing the health problems instead of focusing individually with the whanau members. It encourages the family to help one another in dealing with sickness or any ailments by giving them health lectures, brochures and pamphlets with regards to the disease. Explain the research methodology Result of consultation with local iwi and/or hapu Consultation helps develop a cooperative working relationship with local Iwi and Hapu. Te reo drives tikanga and kawa for each Iwi and Hapu. It is done usually before and during the research, for the researchers to advise them of the nature of the intended study and invite their comments and/ or involvement. Ethical and cultural considerations within a hauora context As a researcher, we should secure consent first. So that the subject will be aware on what is the scope of the research and on how he or she can participate. It is also given to secure his/her rights as a subject. The researcher should also consider his client’s cultural safety by not putting into risk his client’s cultural beliefs. The researcher should also work on establishing the relationship and set rapport or also known as whakapapa-kawakia. The researcher should allow his client to do their Karakia before and after their session. Data collection and tikanga Data is collected for this unit standard by using different available resources which involves the three trends namely Lung Cancer, Gynaecological Cacer and Bowel Cancer. These are by utilizing books, journals, websites and notes from our lectures with respect to the Tikanga of the subject. It I important to observe their Tikanga for they will uphold each other’s culture and beliefs. Describe the research methodology in accordance with research ethics and tikanga Maori, ensuring you cover the following areas: Complete literature review has been already submitted. Sourcing information References: Bowel Cancer Matepukupuku Puku Hamuti. (2009) Cancer Society: Understanding Cancer, 7-10. Gynaecological Cancers Information for All Women. (2012) Cancer Society, 1-2 Ministry of Health. (2014, January 23). Retrieved January 30,2014, from Ministry of Health, http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/condition-and-treatment/diseases-and-illnesses/cancer/cervical-cancer Te Puni Kokiri. (2012, March 6). Retrieved January 30, 2014, from Te Puni Kokiri: http://www.tpk.govt.nz/ Ministry of Health. (2010). Trends in Cancer Incidence by Ethics and Socioeconomic Group, New Zealand 1981-2004. Trends in Cancer Incidence by Ethics and Socioeconomic Group, New Zealand 1981-2004, 52-57 The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright  ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. The Free Dictionary. (n.d.) Retrieved January 30, 2014, from The Free Dictionary, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/auckland Procedures for recording and analysing information and presenting findings Assessment Task 2 Analyse research regarding hauora Maori trends and paradigms from 1919 to the present day The table above shows the cancer registration by tumour sites for Maori clients in year 2003-2006, Northern Region. There is a high significance rate which is 63% in Lung Cancer for Maori people. This is mainly because of the exposure to cigarette smoking and second hand smoke that the Maori people are experiencing. Next is, Colorectal Cancer with 18%, which mainly caused by not eating enough vegetables high in fibre. The diet of the Maori people has a major impact in the second leading cancer. Most of the Maori people eats meat and processed food which contributes in acquiring colorectal cancer. The next three types of cancer are under the umbrella of gynaecological cancer for women. These three has different contributing risk factors which are obesity, improper diet, number of pregnancy and genetics. It can be prevented by undergoing screening and regular check-up with their OB-Gyne. Most of the Maori women are getting pregnant with their first child at an early age which causes them to bear more children through their lifetime that may cause one of these cancers. Assessment Task 3 Present your findings and explain a present day health priority for Maori The leading five female cancer registrations were breast, colorectal, melanoma, lung and uterus in the Northern Region and nationally for the period 2003-2006, accounting for approximately 65% of all female cancers. The leading five male cancer registrations were cancers of the prostate, colorectal, melanoma, lung and non-Hodgkin’s cancer in the Northern Region and nationally for the period 2003-2006, accounting for approximately 65% of all male cancers. Uterine cancer was the second most common cancer (12%) amongst Pacific women, both nationally and in the Northern Region. Cervical cancer was among the five most common female cancers in Maori, Pacific and Asian women but not in European/Other women in the Northern Region. Nationally, cervical cancer was in the top five female cancers for Asian women only. In the early years, Maori people don’t have the enough knowledge with Cancer and they seek help with their local village doctor and instructed to take herbal medicines to relieve whatever symptoms they were experiencing that moment. And later on will be deceased due to different complications without knowing the real cause. The present day health priority for Maori is early screening for cancers. For female Maoris, they can undergo mammography for breast cancer screening, and Pap smear for cervical cancer screening. For male Maoris, they can undergo Digital Rectal Examination to check if there are any tenderness and lumps in their prostate. Early prevention is important for there are many treatments that can be used like surgical removal of lumps or undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. The chance of survival is high when the cancer is diagnosed at the early stage. Proper health education and having Maori representatives in public health care services is important for the Maori, for they will feel that they are safe and secured if they will speak to their co-Maori people in regards with their health concerns. The partnership of the Maori with The Crown will help the Maori people to avail the different health services offered by The Ministry of Health with respect to their culture and beliefs.

Hemingway and Fitzgerald Essay -- Friendships Writers Authors Essays

Hemingway and Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the parties of one of the most famously infamous relationships in literary history met for the first time in late April 1925 at The Dingo Bar, a Paris hangout for the bohemian set. In his novel A Moveable Feast (published posthumously) Hemingway describes his first impressions of Fitzgerald: â€Å"The first time I ever met Scott Fitzgerald a very strange thing happened. Many strange things happened with Scott, but this one I was never able to forget. He had come into the Dingo bar in the rue Delambre where I was sitting with some completely worthless characters, had introduced himself and introduced a tall, pleasant man who was with him as Dunc Chaplin, the famous pitcher†¦I much preferred him to Scott†¦Scott was a man then who looked like a boy with a face between handsome and pretty†¦The mouth worried you until you knew him, and then it worried you more.†(Hemingway, 149) The above passage, as several scholars have pointed out, is an excellent example of Hemingway’s â€Å"selective memory† as far as his descriptions of Scott are concerned, and in a larger part, is also indicative of the rather mythological quality their relationship took on over the years.(Bruccoli, 1) In his book Fitzgerald and Hemingway: A Dangerous Friendship, famed Fitzgerald academic Matthew J. Bruccoli writes that in fact, â€Å"Chaplin was not in Paris in 1925; Chaplin was not in Europe in 1925; Chaplin never met Hemingway.†(1) He goes on to raise the point that has somewhat frustrated scholars and students of the duo for the past half a century: that much of what is â€Å"known† about their relationship is through their correspondence and Hemingway’s writing, both of which are ... ...ngway vs. Fitzgerald: The Rise and Fall of a Literary Friendship. Woodstock, New York: Overlook, 1999. Hemingway, Ernest. A Moveable Feast. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1964. â€Å"Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and The Sun Also Rises† This website gives a thorough description of the story behind the publication of SAR as well as links to other helpful Hemingway sites, and a well-written article by scholar Paige Grande. â€Å"Scott and Ernest: A Logical Friendship† This is a great website that has a lot of detailed information about Hemingway’s literary and personal life. Scholar Kelly Dupuis does an excellent job of sifting through the sometimes dense research done by Bruccoli and others, which makes the site clear and accessible. Hemingway and Fitzgerald Essay -- Friendships Writers Authors Essays Hemingway and Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the parties of one of the most famously infamous relationships in literary history met for the first time in late April 1925 at The Dingo Bar, a Paris hangout for the bohemian set. In his novel A Moveable Feast (published posthumously) Hemingway describes his first impressions of Fitzgerald: â€Å"The first time I ever met Scott Fitzgerald a very strange thing happened. Many strange things happened with Scott, but this one I was never able to forget. He had come into the Dingo bar in the rue Delambre where I was sitting with some completely worthless characters, had introduced himself and introduced a tall, pleasant man who was with him as Dunc Chaplin, the famous pitcher†¦I much preferred him to Scott†¦Scott was a man then who looked like a boy with a face between handsome and pretty†¦The mouth worried you until you knew him, and then it worried you more.†(Hemingway, 149) The above passage, as several scholars have pointed out, is an excellent example of Hemingway’s â€Å"selective memory† as far as his descriptions of Scott are concerned, and in a larger part, is also indicative of the rather mythological quality their relationship took on over the years.(Bruccoli, 1) In his book Fitzgerald and Hemingway: A Dangerous Friendship, famed Fitzgerald academic Matthew J. Bruccoli writes that in fact, â€Å"Chaplin was not in Paris in 1925; Chaplin was not in Europe in 1925; Chaplin never met Hemingway.†(1) He goes on to raise the point that has somewhat frustrated scholars and students of the duo for the past half a century: that much of what is â€Å"known† about their relationship is through their correspondence and Hemingway’s writing, both of which are ... ...ngway vs. Fitzgerald: The Rise and Fall of a Literary Friendship. Woodstock, New York: Overlook, 1999. Hemingway, Ernest. A Moveable Feast. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1964. â€Å"Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and The Sun Also Rises† This website gives a thorough description of the story behind the publication of SAR as well as links to other helpful Hemingway sites, and a well-written article by scholar Paige Grande. â€Å"Scott and Ernest: A Logical Friendship† This is a great website that has a lot of detailed information about Hemingway’s literary and personal life. Scholar Kelly Dupuis does an excellent job of sifting through the sometimes dense research done by Bruccoli and others, which makes the site clear and accessible.

Julius Caesar Tragic Hero (Brutus) :: Julius Caesar Essays

Tragic Hero Essay In the play the Life and Death of Julius Caesar (just as in all of Shakespeare’s tragedies) there is much death, much tragedy, and of course, a tragic hero. However unlike most of Shakespeare’s plays this time the tragic hero is not particularly obvious. Throughout the play a few main characters present themselves as possibilities for being the tragic hero. But as being a tragic hero is not only having a tragic flaw but also entails much more, there really is only one person to fit the mold. The character Brutus is born into power and is higher/better then we are. He has a tragic flaw that causes his downfall and at the end he realizes his mistake (a trait none of the other characters can really claim). Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar. This flaw eventually leads to his downfall because of all the bad decisions it causes him to make. The first mistake pride causes him to make is to kill Caesar and the next mistake follows right after. â€Å" Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, but speak all good you can devise of Caesar, and say you do’t by our permission; Else shall you not have any hang at all about his funeral; and you shall speak in the same pulpit wherto I am going, after my speech is done.† (24) This was said by Brutus to Antony right after Caesar’s death. Brutus not only allows Antony to live but then allows him to speak at Caesar’s funeral after Brutus speaks, completely unsupervised. This choice of Brutus’ is brought about by his pride (and maybe a little bit of shortsighted stupidity).

Opium :: essays research papers

History of Opium Opium is a narcotic drug prepared from the juice of the opium poppy, Pa paver somniferum, a plant probably indigenous in the south of Europe and western Asia, but now so widely cultivated that its original habitat is uncertain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The medicinal properties of the juice have been recognized from a very early period. It was known to Theophrastus and appears in his time to have consisted of an extract of the whole plant, since Dioscorides, about A.D. 77, draws a distinction between it and an extract of the entire herb derived from the capsules alone.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From the 1st to the 12th century the opium of Asia Minor appears to have been the only kind known in commerce. In the 13th century opium is mentioned by Simon Januensis, physician to Pope Nicholas IV., while meconium was still in use. In the 16th century opium is mentioned by Pyres (1516) as a production of the kingdom in Bengal, and of Malwai. Its introduction into India appears to have been connected with the spread of Islam. The opium monopoly was the property of the Great Mogul of Persia and was regularly sold. In the 17th century Kaempfer describes the various kinds of opium prepared in Persia, and states that the best sorts were flavoured with spices and called theriaka. These preparations were held in great estimation during the middle ages, and probably supplied to a large extent the place of the pure drug.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opium is said to have been introduced into China by the Arabs probably in the 13th century, and it was originally used there as a medicine. In a Chinese Herbal compiled before 1700 both the plant and its juice are described, together with the mode of collecting it, and in the General History of the Southern Provinces of Yunnan, revised and republished in 1736, opium is noticed as a common product.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first edict prohibiting opium smoking was issued by the emper or Yung Cheng in 1729. Up to that date the amount imported did not exceed 200 chests, and was usually brought from India by junks as a return cargo. In the year 1757 the monopoly of opium cultivation in India passed into the hands of the East India Company through the victory of Clive at Plassey. Up to 1773 the trade with China had been in the hands of the Portuguese, but in that year the East India Company took the trade under their own charge.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 32. Company

The Cullens' enormous house was more crowded with guests than anyone would assume could possibly be comfortable. It only worked out because none of the visitors slept. Mealtimes were dicey, though. Our company cooperated as best they could. They gave Forks and La Push a wide berth, only hunting out of state; Edward was a gracious host, lending out his cars as needed without so much as a wince. The compromise made me very uncomfortable, though I tried to tell myself that they'd all be hunting somewhere in the world, regardless. Jacob was even more upset. The werewolves existed to prevent the loss of human life, and here was rampant murder being condoned barely outside the packs' borders. But under these circumstances, with Renesmee in acute danger, he kept his mouth shut and glared at the floor rather than the vampires. I was amazed at the easy acceptance the visiting vampires had for Jacob; the problems Edward had anticipated had never materialized. Jacob seemed more or less invisible to them, not quite a person, but also not food, either. They treated him the way people who are not animal-lovers treat the pets of their friends. Leah, Seth, Quil, and Embry were assigned to run with Sam for now, and Jacob would have happily joined them, except that he couldn't stand to be away from Renesmee, and Renesmee was busy fascinating the strange collection of Carlisle's friends. We'd replayed the scene of Renesmee's introduction to the Denali coven a half dozen times. First for Peter and Charlotte, whom Alice and Jasper had sent our way without giving them any explanation at all; like most people who knew Alice, they trusted her instructions despite the lack of information. Alice had told them nothing about which direction she and Jasper were heading. She'd made no promise to ever see them again in the future. Neither Peter nor Charlotte had ever seen an immortal child. Though they knew the rule, their negative reaction was not as powerful as the Denali vampires' had been at first. Curiosity had driven them to allow Renesmee's â€Å"explanation.† And that was it. Now they were as committed to witnessing as Tanya's family. Carlisle had sent friends from Ireland and Egypt. The Irish clan arrived first, and they were surprisingly easy to convince. Siobhan – a woman of immense presence whose huge body was both beautiful and mesmerizing as it moved in smooth undulations – was the leader, but she and her hard-faced mate, Liam, were long used to trusting the judgment of their newest coven member. Little Maggie, with her bouncy red curls, was not physically imposing like the other two, but she had a gift for knowing when she was being lied to, and her verdicts were never contested. Maggie declared that Edward spoke the truth, and so Siobhan and Liam accepted our story absolutely before even touching Renesmee. Amun and the other Egyptian vampires were another story. Even after two younger members of his coven, Benjamin and Tia, had been convinced by Renesmee's explanation, Amun refused to touch her and ordered his coven to leave. Benjamin – an oddly cheerful vampire who looked barely older than a boy and seemed both utterly confident and utterly careless at the same time – persuaded Amun to stay with a few subtle threats about disbanding their alliance. Amun stayed, but continued to refuse to touch Renesmee, and would not allow his mate, Kebi, to touch her, either. It seemed an unlikely grouping – though the Egyptians all looked so alike, with their midnight hair and olive-toned pallor, that they easily could have passed for a biological family. Amun was the senior member and the outspoken leader. Kebi never strayed farther away from Amun than his shadow, and I never heard her speak a single word. Tia, Benjamin's mate, was a quiet woman as well, though when she did spe ak there was great insight and gravity to everything she said. Still, it was Benjamin whom they all seemed to revolve around, as if he had some invisible magnetism the others depended upon for their balance. I saw Eleazar staring at the boy with wide eyes and assumed Benjamin had a talent that drew the others to him. â€Å"It's not that,† Edward told me when we were alone that night. â€Å"His gift is so singular that Amun is terrified of losing him. Much like we had planned to keep Renesmee from Aro's knowledge† – he sighed – â€Å"Amun has been keeping Benjamin from Aro's attention. Amun created Benjamin, knowing he would be special.† â€Å"What can he do?† â€Å"Something Eleazar's never seen before. Something I've never heard of. Something that even your shield would do nothing against.† He grinned his crooked smile at me. â€Å"He can actually influence the elements – earth, wind, water, and fire. True physical manipulation, no illusion of the mind. Benjamin's still experimenting with it, and Amun tries to mold him into a weapon. But you see how independent Benjamin is. He won't be used.† â€Å"You like him,† I surmised from the tone of his voice. â€Å"He has a very clear sense of right and wrong. I like his attitude.† Amun's attitude was something else, and he and Kebi kept to themselves, though Benjamin and Tia were well on their way to being fast friends with both the Denali and the Irish covens. We hoped that Carlisle's return would ease the remaining tension with Amun. Emmett and Rose sent individuals – any nomad friends of Carlisle's that they could track down. Garrett came first – a tall, rangy vampire with eager ruby eyes and long sandy hair he kept tied back with a leather thong – and it was apparent immediately that he was an adventurer. I imagined that we could have presented him with any challenge and he would have accepted, just to test himself. He fell in quickly with the Denali sisters, asking endless questions about their unusual lifestyle. I wondered if vegetarianism was another challenge he would try, just to see if he could do it. Mary and Randall also came – friends already, though they did not travel together. They listened to Renesmee's story and stayed to witness like the others. Like the Denalis, they considered what they would do if the Volturi did not pause for explanations. All three of the nomads toyed with the idea of standing with us. Of course, Jacob got more surly with each new addition. He kept his distance when he could, and when he couldn't he grumbled to Renesmee that someone was going to have to provide an index if anyone expected him to keep all the new bloodsuckers1names straight. Carlisle and Esme returned a week after they had gone, Emmett and Rosalie just a few days later, and all of us felt better when they were home. Carlisle brought one more friend home with him, though friend might have been the wrong term. Alistair was a misanthropic English vampire who counted Carlisle as his closest acquaintance, though he could hardly stand a visit more than once a century. Alistair very much preferred to wander alone, and Carlisle had called in a lot of favors to get him here. He shunned all company, and it was clear he didn't have any admirers in the gathered covens. The brooding dark-haired vampire took Carlisle at his word about Renesmee's origins, refusing, like Amun, to touch her. Edward told Carlisle, Esme, and me that Alistair was afraid to be here, but more afraid of not knowing the outcome. He was deeply suspicious of all authority, and therefore naturally suspicious of the Volturi. What was happening now seemed to confirm all his fears. â€Å"Of course, now they'll know i was here,† we heard him grumble to himself in the attic – his preferred spot to sulk. â€Å"No way to keep it from Aro at this point. Centuries on the run, that's what this will mean. Everyone Carlisle's talked to in the last decade will be on their list. I can't believe I got myself sucked into this mess. What a fine way to treat your friends.† But if he was right about having to run from the Volturi, at least he had more hope of doing that than the rest of us. Alistair was a tracker, though not nearly as precise and efficient as Demetri. Alistair just felt an elusive pull toward whatever he was seeking. But that pull would be enough to tell him which direction to run – the opposite direction from Demetri. And then another pair of unexpected friends arrived – unexpected, because neither Carlisle nor Rosalie had been able to contact the Amazons. â€Å"Carlisle,† the taller of the two very tall feline women greeted him when they arrived. Both of them seemed as if they'd been stretched – long arms and legs, long fingers, long black braids, and long faces with long noses. They wore nothing but animal skins – hide vests and tight-fitting pants that laced on the sides with leather ties. It wasn't just their eccentric clothes that made them seem wild but everything about them, from their restless crimson eyes to their sudden, darting movements. I'd never met any vampires less civilized. But Alice had sent them, and that was interesting news, to put it mildly. Why was Alice in South America? Just because she'd seen that no one else would be able to get in touch with the Amazons? â€Å"Zafrina and Senna! But Where's Kachiri?† Carlisle asked. Tve never seen you three apart.† â€Å"Alice told us we needed to separate,† Zafrina answered in the rough, deep voice that matched her wild appearance. â€Å"It's uncomfortable to be away from each other, but Alice assured us that you needed us here, while she very much needed Kachiri somewhere else. That's all she would tell us, except that there was a great hurry†¦ ?† Zafrina's statement trailed off into a question, and – with the tremor of nerves that never went away no matter how often I did this – I brought Renesmee out to meet them. Despite their fierce appearance, they listened very calmly to our story, and then allowed Renesmee to prove the point. They were every bit as taken with Renesmee as any of the other vampires, but I couldn't help worrying as I watched their swift, jerky movements so close beside her. Senna was always near Zafrina, never speaking, but it wasn't the same as Amun and Kebi. Kebi's manner seemed obedient; Senna and Zafrina were more like two limbs of one organism – Zafrina just happened to be the mouthpiece. The news about Alice was oddly comforting. Clearly, she was on some obscure mission of her own as she avoided whatever Aro had planned for her. Edward was thrilled to have the Amazons with us, because Zafrina was enormously talented; her gift could make a very dangerous offensive weapon. Not that Edward was asking for Zafrina to side with us in the battle, but if the Volturi did not pause when they saw our witnesses, perhaps they would pause for a different kind of scene. â€Å"It's a very straightforward illusion,† Edward explained when it turned out that I couldn't see anything, as usual. Zafrina was intrigued and amused by my immunity – something she'd never encountered before – and she hovered restlessly while Edward described what I was missing. Edward's eyes unfocused slightly as he continued. â€Å"She can make most people see whatever she wants them to see – see that, and nothing else. For example, right now I would appear to be alone in the middle of a rain forest. It's so clear I might possibly believe it, except for the fact that I can still feel you in my arms.† Zafrina's lips twitched into her hard version of a smile. A second later, Edward's eyes focused again, and he grinned back. â€Å"Impressive,† he said. Renesmee was fascinated with the conversation, and she reached out fearlessly toward Zafrina. â€Å"Can I see?† she asked. â€Å"What would you like to see?† Zafrina asked. â€Å"What you showed Daddy.† Zafrina nodded, and I watched anxiously as Renesmee's eyes stared blankly into space. A second later, Renesmee's dazzling smile lit up her face. â€Å"More,† she commanded. After that, it was hard to keep Renesmee away from Zafrina and her pretty pictures. I worried, because I was quite sure that Zafrina was able to create images that were not pretty at all. But through Renesmee's thoughts I could see Zafrina's visions for myself – they were as clear as any of Renesmee's own memories, like they were real – and thus judge for myself whether they were appropriate or not. Though I didn't give her up easily, I had to admit it was a good thing Zafrina was keeping Renesmee entertained. I needed my hands. I had so much to learn, both physically and mentally, and the time was so short. My first attempt at learning to fight did not go well. Edward had me pinned in about two seconds. But instead of letting me wrestle my way free – which I absolutely could have – he'd leaped up and away from me. I knew immediately that something was wrong; he was still as stone, staring across the meadow we were practicing in. Tm sorry, Bella,† he said. â€Å"No, I'm fine,† I said. â€Å"Let's go again.† â€Å"I can't.† â€Å"What do you mean, you can't? We just started.† He didn't answer. â€Å"Look, I know I'm no good at this, but I can't get better if you don't help me.† He said nothing. Playfully, I sprang at him. He made no defense at all, and we both fell to the ground. He was motionless as I pressed my lips to his jugular. â€Å"I win,† I announced. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. â€Å"Edward? What's wrong? Why won't you teach me?† A full minute passed before he spoke again. â€Å"I just can't†¦ bear it. Emmett and Rosalie know as much as I do. Tanya and Eleazar probably know more. Ask someone else.† â€Å"That's not fair! You're good at this. You helped Jasper before – you fought with him and all the others, too. Why not me? What did I do wrong?† He sighed, exasperated. His eyes were dark, barely any gold to lighten the black. â€Å"Looking at you that way, analyzing you as a target. Seeing all the ways I can kill you .. .† He flinched. â€Å"It just makes it too real for me. We don't have so much time that it will really make a difference who your teacher is. Anyone can teach you the fundamentals.† I scowled. He touched my pouting lower lip and smiled. â€Å"Besides, it's unnecessary. The Volturi will stop. They will be made to understand.† â€Å"But if they don't! I need to learn this.† â€Å"Find another teacher.† That was not our last conversation on the subject, but I never swayed him an inch from his decision. Emmett was more than willing to help, though his teaching felt to me a lot like revenge for all the lost arm-wrestling matches. If I could still bruise, I would have been purple from head to toe. Rose, Tanya, and Eleazar all were patient and supportive. Their lessons reminded me of Jasper's fighting instructions to the others last June, though those memories were fuzzy and indistinct. Some of the visitors found my education entertaining, and some even offered assistance. The nomad Garrett took a few turns – he was a surprisingly good teacher; he interacted so easily with others in general that I wondered how he'd never found a coven. I even fought once with Zafrina while Renesmee watched from Jacob's arms. I learned several tricks, but I never asked for her help again. In truth, though I liked Zafrina very much and I knew she wouldn't really hurt me, the wild woman scared me to death. I learned many things from my teachers, but I had the sense that my knowledge was still impossibly basic. I had no idea how many seconds I would last against Alec and Jane. I only prayed that it would be long enough to help. Every minute of the day that I wasn't with Renesmee or learning to fight, I was in the backyard working with Kate, trying to push my internal shield outside of my own brain to protect someone else. Edward encouraged me in this training. I knew he hoped I would find a way of contributing that satisfied me while also keeping me out of the line of fire. It was just so hard. There was nothing to get a hold of, nothing solid to work with. I had only my raging desire to be of use, to be able to keep Edward, Renesmee, and as much of my family as possible safe with me. Over and over I tried to force the nebulous shield outside of myself, with only faint, sporadic success. It felt like I was wrestling to stretch an invisible rubber band – a band that would change from concrete tangibility into insubstantial smoke at any random moment. Only Edward was willing to be our guinea pig – to receive shock after shock from Kate while I grappled incompetently with the insides of my head. We worked for hours at a time, and I felt like I should be covered in sweat from the exertion, but of course my perfect body didn't betray me that way. My weariness was all mental. It killed me that it was Edward who had to suffer, my arms wrapped uselessly around him while he winced over and over from Kate's low† setting. I tried as hard as I could to push my shield around us both; every now and then I would get it, and then it would slip away again. I hated this practice, and I wished that Zafrina would help instead of Kate. Then all Edward would have to do was look at Zafrina's illusions until I could stop him from seeing them. But Kate insisted that I needed better motivation – by which she meant my hatred of watching Edward's pain. I was beginning to doubt her assertion from the first day we'd met – that she wasn't sadistic about the use of her gift. She seemed to be enjoying herself to me. â€Å"Hey,† Edward said cheerfully, trying to hide any evidence of distress in his voice. Anything to keep me from fighting practice. â€Å"That one barely stung. Good job, Bella.† I took a deep breath, trying to grasp exactly what I'd done right, i tested the elastic band, struggling to force it to remain solid as I stretched it away from me. â€Å"Again, Kate,† I grunted through my clenched teeth. Kate pressed her palm to Edward's shoulder. He sighed in relief. â€Å"Nothing that time.† She raised an eyebrow. â€Å"That wasn't low, either.† â€Å"Good,† I huffed. â€Å"Get ready,† she told me, and reached out to Edward again. This time he shuddered, and a low breath hissed between his teeth. â€Å"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!† I chanted, biting my lip. Why couldn't I get this right? â€Å"You're doing an amazing job, Bella,† Edward said, pulling me tight against him. â€Å"You've really only been working at this for a few days and you're already projecting sporadically. Kate, tell her how well she's doing.† Kate pursed her lips. â€Å"I don't know. She's obviously got tremendous ability, and we're only beginning to touch it. She can do better, I'm sure. She's just lacking incentive.† I stared at her in disbelief, my lips automatically curling back from my teeth. How could she think I lacked motivation with her shocking Edward right here in front of me? I heard murmurs from the audience that had grown steadily as I practiced – only Eleazar, Carmen, and Tanya at first, but then Garrett had wandered over, then Benjamin and Tia, Siobhan and Maggie, and now even Alistair was peering down from a window on the third story. The spectators agreed with Edward; they thought I was already doing well. â€Å"Kate†¦,† Edward said in a warning voice as some new course of action occurred to her, but she was already in motion. She darted along the curve of the river to where Zafrina, Senna, and Renesmee were walking slowly, Renesmee's hand in Zafrina's as they traded pictures back and forth. Jacob shadowed them from a few feet behind. â€Å"Nessie,† Kate said – the newcomers had quickly picked up the irritating nickname, â€Å"would you like to come help your mother?† â€Å"No,† I half-snarled. Edward hugged me reassuringly. I shook him off just as Renesmee flitted across the yard to me, with Kate, Zafrina, and Senna right behind her. â€Å"Absolutely not, Kate,† I hissed. Renesmee reached for me, and I opened my arms automatically. She curled into me, pressing her head into the hollow beneath my shoulder. â€Å"But Momma, I want to help,† she said in a determined voice. Her hand rested against my neck, reinforcing her desire with images of the two of us together, a team. â€Å"No,† I said, quickly backing away. Kate had taken a deliberate step in my direction, her hand stretched toward us. â€Å"Stay away from us, Kate,† I warned her. â€Å"No.† She began stalking forward. She smiled like a hunter cornering her prey. I shifted Renesmee so that she was clinging to my back, still backing away at a pace that matched Kate's. Now my hands were free, and if Kate wanted to keep her hands attached to her wrists, she'd better keep her distance. Kate probably didn't understand, never having known for herself the passion of a mother for her child. She must not have realized just how far past too far she'd already gone. I was so furious that my vision took on a strange reddish tint, and my tongue tasted like burning metal. The strength I usually worked to keep restrained flowed through my muscles, and I knew I could crush her into diamond-hard rubble if she pushed me to it. The rage brought every aspect of my being into sharper focus. I could even feel the elasticity of my shield more exactly now – feel that it was not a band so much as a layer, a thin film that covered me from head to toe. With the anger rippling through my body, I had a better sense of it, a tighter hold on it. I stretched it around myself, out from myself, swaddling Renesmee completely inside it, just in case Kate got past my guard. Kate took another calculated step forward, and a vicious snarl ripped up my throat and through my clenched teeth. â€Å"Be careful, Kate,† Edward cautioned. Kate took another step, and then made a mistake even someone as inexpert as I could recognize. Just a short leap away from me, she looked away, turning her attention from me to Edward. Renesmee was secure on my back; I coiled to spring. â€Å"Can you hear anything from Nessie?† Kate asked him, her voice calm and easy. Edward darted into the space between us, blocking my line to Kate. â€Å"No, nothing at all,† he answered. â€Å"Now give Bella some space to calm down, Kate. You shouldn't goad her like that. I know she doesn't seem her age, but she's only a few months old.† â€Å"We don't have time to do this gently, Edward. We're going to have to push her. We only have a few weeks, and she's got the potential to – â€Å" â€Å"Back off for a minute, Kate.† Kate frowned but took Edward's warning more seriously than she'd taken mine. Renesmee's hand was on my neck; she was remembering Kate's attack, showing me that no harm was meant, that Daddy was in on it†¦. This did not pacify me. The spectrum of light I saw still seemed tainted with crimson. But I was in better control of myself, and I could see the wisdom of Kate's words. The anger helped me. I would learn faster under pressure. That didn't mean I liked it. â€Å"Kate,† I growled. I rested my hand on the small of Edward's back. I could still feel my shield like a strong, flexible sheet around Renesmee and me. I pushed it farther, forcing it around Edward. There was no sign of a flaw in the stretchy fabric, no threat of a tear. I panted with the effort, and my words came out sounding breathless rather than furious. â€Å"Again,† I said to Kate. â€Å"Edward only.† She rolled her eyes but flitted forward and pressed her palm to Edward's shoulder. â€Å"Nothing,† Edward said. I heard the smile in his voice. â€Å"And now?† Kate asked. â€Å"Stillnothing.† â€Å"And now?† This time, there was the sound of strain in her voice. â€Å"Nothing at all.† Kate grunted and stepped away. â€Å"Can you see this?† Zafrina asked in her deep, wild voice, staring intently at the three of us. Her English was strangely accented, her words pulling up in unexpected places. â€Å"I don't see anything I shouldn't,† Edward said. â€Å"And you, Renesmee?† Zafrina asked. Renesmee smiled at Zafrina and shook her head. My fury had almost entirely ebbed, and I clenched my teeth together, panting faster as I pushed out against the elastic shield; it felt like it was getting heavier the longer I held it. It pulled back, dragging inward. â€Å"No one panic,† Zafrina warned the little group watching me. â€Å"I want to see how far she can extend.† There was a shocked gasp from everyone there – Eleazar, Carmen, Tanya, Garrett, Benjamin, Tia, Siobhan, Maggie – everyone but Senna, who seemed prepared for whatever Zafrina was doing. The others' eyes were blank, their expressions anxious. â€Å"Raise your hand when you get your sight back,† Zafrina instructed. â€Å"Now, Bella. See how many you can shield.† My breath came out in a huff. Kate was the closest person to me besides Edward and Renesmee, but even she was about ten feet away. I locked my jaw and shoved, trying to heave the resisting, resilient safeguard farther from myself. Inch by inch I drove it toward Kate, fighting the reaction that fought back with every fraction that I gained. I only watched Kate's anxious expression while I worked, and I groaned quietly with relief when her eyes blinked and focused. She raised her hand. â€Å"Fascinating!† Edward murmured under his breath. â€Å"It's like one-way glass. I can read everything they're thinking, but they can't reach me behind it. And I can hear Renesmee, though I couldn't when I was on the outside. I'll bet Kate could shock me now, because she's underneath the umbrella. I still can't hear you†¦ hmmm. How does that work? I wonder if†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He continued to mumble to himself, but I couldn't listen to the words. I ground my teeth together, struggling to force the shield out to Garrett, who was closest to Kate. His hand came up. â€Å"Very good,† Zafrina complimented me. â€Å"Now – â€Å" But she'd spoken too soon; with a sharp gasp, I felt my shield recoil like a rubber band stretched too far, snapping back into its original shape. Renesmee, experiencing for the first time the blindness Zafrina had conjured for the others, trembled against my back. Wearily, I fought back against the elastic pull, forcing the shield to include her again. â€Å"Can I have a minute?† I panted. Since I'd become a vampire, I hadn't felt the need to rest even once before this moment. It was unnerving to feel so drained and yet so strong at the same time. â€Å"Of course,† Zafrina said, and the spectators relaxed as she let them see again. â€Å"Kate,† Garrett called as the others murmured and drifted slightly away, disturbed by the moment of blindness; vampires were not used to feeling vulnerable. The tall, sandy-haired Garrett was the only non-gifted immortal who seemed drawn to my practice sessions. I wondered what the lure was for the adventurer. â€Å"I wouldn't, Garrett,† Edward cautioned. Garrett continued toward Kate despite the warning, his lips pursed in speculation. â€Å"They say you can put a vampire flat on his back.† â€Å"Yes,† she agreed. Then, with a sly smile, she wiggled her fingers playfully at him. â€Å"Curious?† Garrett shrugged. â€Å"That's something I've never seen. Seems like it might be a bit of an exaggeration___† â€Å"Maybe,† Kate said, her face suddenly serious. â€Å"Maybe it only works on the weak or the young. I'm not sure. You look strong, though. Perhaps you could withstand my gift.† She stretched her hand out to him, palm up – a clear invitation. Her lips twitched, and I was pretty sure her grave expression was an attempt to hustle him. Garrett grinned at the challenge. Very confidently, he touched her palm with his index finger. And then, with a loud gasp, his knees buckled and he keeled over backward. His head hit a piece of granite with a sharp cracking noise. It was shocking to watch. My instincts recoiled against seeing an immortal incapacitated that way; it was profoundly wrong. â€Å"I told you so,† Edward muttered. Garrett's eyelids trembled for a few seconds, and then his eyes opened wide. He stared up at the smirking Kate, and a wondering smile lit his face. â€Å"Wow,† he said. â€Å"Did you enjoy that?† she asked skeptically. â€Å"I'm not crazy,† he laughed, shaking his head as he got slowly to his knees, â€Å"but that was sure something!† â€Å"That's what I hear.† Edward rolled his eyes. And then there was a low commotion from the front yard. I heard Carlisle speaking over a babble of surprised voices. â€Å"Did Alice send you?† he asked someone, his voice unsure, slightly upset. Another unexpected guest? Edward darted into the house and most of the others imitated him. I followed more slowly, Renesmee still perched on my back. I would give Carlisle a moment. Let him warm up the new guest, prepare him or her or them for the idea of what was coming. I pulled Renesmee into my arms as I walked cautiously around the house to enter through the kitchen door, listening to what I couldn't see. â€Å"No one sent us,† a deep whispery voice answered Carlisle's question. I was immediately reminded of the ancient voices of Aro and Caius, and I froze just inside the kitchen. I knew the front room was crowded – almost everyone had gone in to see the newest visitors – but there was barely any noise. Shallow breathing, that was all. Carlisle's voice was wary as he responded. â€Å"Then what brings you here now?† â€Å"Word travels,† a different voice answered, just as feathery as the first. â€Å"We heard hints that Volturi were moving against you. There were whispers that you would not stand alone. Obviously, the whispers were true. This is an impressive gathering.† â€Å"We are not challenging the Volturi,† Carlisle answered in a strained tone. â€Å"There has been a misunderstanding, that is all. A very serious misunderstanding, to be sure, but one we're hoping to clear up. What yousee are witnesses. We just need the Volturi to listen. We didn't – â€Å" â€Å"We don't care what they say you did,† the first voice interrupted. â€Å"And we don't care if you broke the law.† â€Å"No matter how egregiously,† the second inserted. â€Å"We've been waiting a millennium and a half for the Italian scum to be challenged,† said the first. â€Å"If there is any chance theywill fall, we will be here to see it.† â€Å"Or even to help defeat them,† the second added. They spoke ina smooth tandem, their voices so similar that less sensitive ears would assume there was only one speaker. â€Å"If we think you havea chance of success.† â€Å"Bella?†Edward called to me ina hard voice. â€Å"Bring Renesmee here, please. Maybe we should test our Romanian visitors' claims.† It helped to know that probably half of the vampires in the other room would come to Renesmee's defense if these Romanians were upset by her. I didn't like the sound of their voices, or the dark menace in their words. As I walked into the room, I could see that I was not alone in that assessment. Most of the motionless vampires glared with hostile eyes, anda few – Carmen, Tanya, Zafrina, and Senna – repositioned themselves subtly into defensive poses between the newcomers and Renesmee. The vampires at the door were both slight and short, one dark-haired and the other with hair so ashy blond that it looked pale gray. They had the same powdery look to their skin as the Volturi, though I thought it was not so pronounced. I couldn't be sure about that, as I had never seen the Volturi except with human eyes; I could not make a perfect comparison. Their sharp, narrow eyes were dark burgundy, with no milky film. They wore very simple black clothes that could pass as modern but hinted at older designs. The dark one grinned when I came into view. â€Å"Well, well, Carlisle. You have been naughty, haven't you?† â€Å"She's not what you think, Stefan.† â€Å"And we don't care either way,† the blonde responded. â€Å"As we said before.† â€Å"Then you're welcome to observe, Vladimir, but it is definitely not our plan to challenge the Volturi, as we said before.† â€Å"Then we'lljust cross our fingers,† Stefan began. â€Å"And hope we get lucky,† finished Vladimir. In the end, we had pulled together seventeen witnesses – the Irish, Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie; the Egyptians, Amun, Kebi, Benjamin, and Tia; the Amazons, Zafrina and Senna; the Romanians, Vladimir and Stefan; and the nomads, Charlotte and Peter, Garrett, Alistair, Mary, and Randall – to supplement our family of eleven. Tanya, Kate, Eleazar, and Carmen insisted on being counted as part of our family. Aside from the Volturi, it was probably the largest friendly gathering of mature vampires in immortal history. We all were beginning to be a little bit hopeful. Even I couldn't help it.Renesmee had won over so many in such a brief time.The Volturi only had to listen for just the tiniest second. The lasttwo surviving Romanians – focused only on their bitter resentment of the ones who had overthrown their empire fifteen hundred years earlier – took everything in stride. They would not touch Renesmee, but they showed no aversion to her. They seemed mysteriously delighted by our alliance with the werewolves.They watched me practice my shield with Zafrina and Kate, watched Edward answer unspoken questions, watched Benjaminpull geysers of water from the river or sharp gusts of wind from the still air with just his mind, and their eyes glowed with their fierce hope that the Volturi had finally met their match. We did not hope for the same things, but we all hoped.