Eragon Essay Example for Free

Eragon Essay Often, heroic characters have to make tough choices in life; occasionally, the result of said choices is not to the individual’s benefit, but the outcome may bring joy to other people’s lives. In Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, coincidences, decisions, and desires combine to change Eragon’s life forever. Eragon is a hard working farm boy who shows a great deal of patience, honesty, and curiosity. He showcases these skills when hunting for food, and by coincidence he discovers a mysterious blue stone which he decides, out of curiosity, to take home with him. This â€Å"egg†, which happens to hatch into a dragon; this discovery becomes a turning point in Eragon’s life and he knows it could enable his way out of a long and tedious life. In fact, Eragon’s decision to keep and ultimately raise the dragon triggers his transformation from a boy to a dragon rider; forever altering his destiny, he will have to travel and meet new people. He will have to make sacrifices and must accept the consequences to bring peace to Alagaesia; and he will make the inevitable choice of raising this dragon (Saphira) and training himself and his dragon to kill the Ra’zac and overthrow the Empire. In this commitment, Eragon shows that a point in a person’s life where an event dramatically changes who or what he/she will become. Eragon’s decisions bring consequences and responsibilities’ compel him to fight for something in life and stand up for what one believes in. People can lead their lives one way and know what their destiny might be, only to have coincidences alter their lives for the better, or the worst. As Eragon’s quest begins he shows how any person with desire, passion, and hard work can prove himself to be a man of honour, and bravery. Coincidences can lead someone to meet different people, and see new places. A person’s life can ultimately be altered because of one coincidence and can change the course of his/her life in a good or bad way. Eragon’s life takes a dramatic turn after coincidently finding the egg while hunting for food, for his family. After finding the egg and realizing it is a dragon Eragon knows he has to do what he was destined to do: train Saphira and overthrow the Empire. â€Å"He raced home, trying to escape the dragon my dragon† (pg. 6) This mindset of Eragon shows that as much as he wants to escape the dragon, he can’t because he has made a special bond with the dragon and will inevitably raise her as his own, and because Eragon’s eye that catches the stone in the forest leads him to become the next dragon rider and to overthrow the evil reign of King Galbatorix. Also by coincidence, there is a story teller (Brom) who lives in Eragon’s village who has a great deal of knowledge about dragons and magic, and decides to aid Eragon in his journey. After Eragon is aware that Brom is willing to help him, this pushes Eragon to make the decision and to take the responsibility as the next dragon rider. Eragon learns a great deal from Brom, who becomes one of his closest friends who also ends up being a dragon rider many years ago. Being the good friends they become Brom aids him and Eragon has the knowledge and strength to defeat Durza (Galbatorix’s Shade). When captured by the Ra’zac and almost being killed, another coincidence occurs when a mysterious figure scares away the Ra’zac saving Eragon’s, Brom’s and Saphira’s lives. This mysterious person, whose name is Murtagh, also joins Eragon in his journey and assists him in killing the Ra’zac. This coincidence results in Murtagh saving Eragon’s life and continuing their journey, as well finding a helper in Murtagh to support him in his journey. †Who are you? † â€Å"Murtagh† (pg. 268) Not only does Murtagh save their lives but he plays a big role in helping Eragon, but shows how without Murtagh he would not make it as far as he did. Knowing Brom dies shortly after) Making a decision can alter someone’s life forever, and there is no going back especially when the decisions affects other people’s lives as well, making the decisions irreversible. Eragon makes the decision to keep the egg and when it hatches and to raise Saphira as his own, this leads to the Ra’zac coming to his doorstep and killing his uncle. This is a significant event because Eragon’s uncle was practically his father and making the decision to keep the egg results in his uncle’s death, and without him he feels lost; however, the bond he creates with Saphira is so immense, that only death can break it. The Empire is alerted that Eragon has the egg, and the send the Ra’zac to retrieve the egg back for the King. Making the decision to keep the egg is what instigates his entire journey and creates that special bond with his dragon. Eragon makes the decision to pursue the killers to avenge his uncle’s death and to bring peace to Alagaesia. He changes his life by pursuing the Ra’zac wanting the satisfaction of doing to the Ra’zac what they did to his uncle and feeling obligated to his uncle for all that he has done in his life to apprehend the murderers â€Å"What do you want me to do ursue the strangers? † (pg. 92) He asks this of Saphira, who agrees with Eragon to pursue the strangers. With this one decision of following the killers, he changes his life dramatically and if he succeeds, he can change everybody’s life for the better. Eragon decides that he cannot continue his journey without more help, so he travels to the Beor Mountains to seek help from the Varden, a rebellious group also against the Empire. After Brom dies, Murtagh helps him; however, this is not enough after he knows he has too many enemies: Urgals, the Ra’zac and Durza the shade. It is a desperate path to take We are desperate† (pg. 320). This decision is a great benefit to Eragon because he gets all the help he needs, meets the person who has been in his dreams in Arya (an elf from the Varden who is trapped) and eventually kills Durza. When a person desires something in life, he/she will do whatever it takes to achieve it, sometimes the desire is so strong that is can change someone’s life. Eragon has a desire to avenge his Uncle Garrow’s death after the Ra’zac brutally murders him. This eventually changes his life, because of chasing the killers. And what would give him more satisfaction than hunting down the strangers? †(pg. 93) He asks Saphira how he can satisfy himself, then realizes hunting them down and killing them would be the only way to achieve total satisfaction for his burning desire to avenge his uncle as well as finally feeling the sense of accomplishment of the commitment he made. Eragon has a desire to become the very best he can at magic, and swordsmanship, this pushes him to become the best so he can fend off for himself and not rely on others to help him. It is time for you to use the blade We’ll cut each other to ribbons Not so. Again you forget magic† (pg. 159) This is when Eragon and Brom have their daily sparring, where Brom teaches Eragon how to fight with a sword and magic, his desire to become the best shows when he wants to learn something new every time they spar. After seeing Arya imprisoned in his dreams, he is determined and has a desire to rescue her. Arya, who ends up being the elf that sent the egg to Eragon in the first place. â€Å"I expect the queen’s hostility will abate. The fact you rescued Arya will greatly help our case with her† (pg. 410) The queen is somewhat against having a dragon rider joining the Varden, but because he had a desire to rescue her and risked his life saving Arya, the queen allows Eragon to join. Sometimes in life people have to make tough choices that will positively or negatively affect others around them. The choices we make can change our and other people’s lives forever, there are many things that may change how our life is played out, coincidences, decisions, and desires just being a few.

American Technological Advancements and the Cold War Essay -- Military

American Technological Advancements and the Cold War Many of the military technological advancements that have been made in the last 60 years can be attributed to the Cold War. Much of the technology developed during the period of the Cold War is still in use today by the military and government. Advancements in offensive technology are well known to just about everyone in the way of nuclear energy harnessed in the form of the nuclear bomb, but little is known about the battle for information during the Cold War. The Cold War produced some of the most advanced technology used in the fields of detection and reconnaissance in history. The United States’ detection and reconnaissance technology played a major role against communism during the Cold War, and these types of technology still play roles today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A cold war is an ideological conflict with military standoffs while keeping diplomatic relations open. The Cold War consisted of two sides (or Superpowers); the first was the United States, who believed in and practiced capitalism, the opposing side was the Soviet Union, who believed in and practiced the idea of communism. Many historians dispute the start time of the conflict; however, it began some time after World War II and dragged on until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. The Cold War Project Group Online claims â€Å"the advancement of technology during the Cold War was greater than that of any one time period† (â€Å"The Arms Race†). The war developed nuclear missiles and many other technological advancements taking the world into a new era, the Nuclear Era. It was estimated at one time the United States and the Soviet Union could nuke the world seven times over; the governments realized the pointlessness of so many nuclear missiles a nd turned their attention toward other ways to get an upper hand in the conflict. Tensions ran high during this time; without military confrontation, research and resources were redirected towards other fields of technology such as detection systems, surveillance equipment, and underwater technologies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The North American Aerospace Defense Command, other wise known as NORAD, is a series of radar stations in North America that were built in 1950s. NORAD is a joint United States and Canadian organization that provides warnings and aerospace control for North America. The North American Aerospace Defense Comm... ...ent, they have found usefulness in today’s world through reassessing their mission or in scientific research. The art of reconnaissance changed during the Cold War with the invention of the spy satellite, the U2 Spy Plane, and the nuclear powered submarines. Today much of the photo taken by the United States spy satellites and U2 Spy Planes are classified but they are still used today as a part of the military and the Center Intelligent Agency to identify threats just as they did during the Cold War; submarines The tracking down and monitoring Soviet submarines movements during the Cold War was one of the major missions of the nuclear submarines, unfortunately today the submarine force of the United States is slowly shrinking do to budget cut with in the military. Fear and uncertainty surrounded the Cold War, however thanks to these technological advancements during the Cold War it helped to keep offensive weapons form being fired and destroying the world. Unfortunately on ly a few of these technologies have found there way into the world today. The Cold War was a conflict that brought fear to Americans but also brought the United States new technology that is still around today.

My School and Its Teaching Environment Essay

In my school, the teaching environment is very good for teachers and especially for the students. When you see the school, at first you will say â€Å" wow! Excellent facilities, playground for teachers and students, cozy cafeteria and a library with good ambience where you can study comfortably, all classrooms are air-conditioned, enough computers for students with the ratio of 1:1 with internet connection. Each student has internet password as well as the teachers and staffs. The school used Fiber Optic line for internet (this is part of my work where I maintain the internet connection for the whole school). In my first 2 years in this school, I was assigned in Middle School but this year I was transferred to Elementary Department as Head of Information Technology including repair and maintenance with 24 hours a week teaching load for students from grade 1 to 5 (too many works hehehe) forgot to mention at the same time I am one of the administrators for TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) exam. Every year, especially year-end everybody is waiting for contract renewal, thinking who will be renewed and who will say goodbye. If someone will leave then we are thinking who will replace them. Why? Simply because we are waiting for another teacher who will introduce another technique in teaching or I simply put it this way for new teachers: If you can’t beat us, then join us†¦ hahahahaha! The Culture of this country (Thailand) is almost the same in our country (Philippines) when it comes to being hospitable and respecting other people. They have great respect with each other especially with the old ones. In my school, students develop respect and tolerance for all others, regardless of religion, race, or class. One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgement, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved. Generally, the salutation involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands, and it also may include a slight bow of the head. This salutation is often accompanied by a serene smile symbolizing a welcoming disposition and a pleasant attitude. Thailand is often referred to as the â€Å"Land of Smiles† in tourist brochures. There are a number of Thai customs relating to the special status of monks in Thai society. Due to religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. A notable social norm holds that touching someone on the head may be considered rude. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. In every activity we do whether it is curricular or extra-curricular, we always align it to their culture if this is acceptable or not. But since we do have native speakers, sometimes they don’t even care about the culture. They always say that â€Å"Everybody knows what Thailand is† (for them most of the Thai women are slut, people have already changed) but somehow these native speakers must learn how to adapt into this environment. Yes, maybe that is their perception in this county and they forgot that they are Teachers. Teachers should give moral values and educate them in proper way. One of the problems of this school and even this country, discrimination between Asian and English Native speakers are very obvious. Sometimes they just use these native speakers as front of the school but most of the teachers are Asian who are more dedicated to work and yet under paid compared to these native teachers. Our administrators are composed of Executive Director (owner), Associate Executive Director, Business Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Student Support Coordinator, Principals and PTA. PTA in this school is very active in every. If we have activities either curricular or extra-curricular, the parents are always there to support us. Just to name a few for extra-curricular activities: 1. Students vs Teachers and Staff football match 2. Teachers and Staff vs Parents football match 3. Teachers, Staff and Parents vs Military Personnel Football Match 4. Teachers and Staff Football Match These are some interesting extra-curricular activities that everybody loves to see. Because even the owner of the school also plays in this event. We do have some curricular activities such as: 1. Debate in English(I’m the coach) 2. Debate in Thai 3. Public Speaking 4. Spelling 5. Story Telling 6. Quiz bee

Artist Robert Indiana Facts and Biography

Robert Indiana, an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker, is frequently associated with Pop Art, though he has said he prefers calling himself a sign painter. Indiana is most famous for his Love sculpture series, which can be seen in more than 30 locations around the world. The original Love sculpture is located at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Early Life Indiana was born Robert Earl Clark on September 13, 1928, in New Castle, Indiana. He once referred to Robert Indiana as his nom de brush, and said it was the only name by which he cared to go. The adopted name suits him, as his tumultuous childhood was spent moving frequently. Indiana says he lived in more than 20 different homes within the Hoosier State before the age of 17. He also served in the United States Army for three years, before attending the Art Institute of Chicago, the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and Edinburgh College of Art. Indiana moved to New York in 1956 and quickly earned a name for himself with his hard-edge painting style and sculptural assemblages and became an early leader in the Pop Art movement. His Art Best known for sign-like paintings and sculpture, Robert Indiana worked with many numbers and short words in his work, including EAT, HUG, and LOVE. In 1964, he created a 20-foot EAT sign for the New York World’s Fair that was made of flashing lights. In 1966, he began experimenting with the word LOVE and the image of the letters arranged in a square, with LO and VE on top of each other, with O tilted on its side was soon featured in many paintings and sculptures that can still be seen today around the world. The first Love sculpture was made for the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1970. The 1973 Love stamp was one of the most widely distributed Pop Art images ever (300 million were issued), but his subject matter is drawn from decidedly un-Pop American literature and poetry. In addition to the sign-like paintings and sculpture, Indiana has also done figurative painting, written poetry and collaborated on the film EAT with Andy Warhol. He reintroduced the iconic Love image, replacing it with the word HOPE, raising more than $1,000,000 for Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign. Important Works The Calumet, 1961Figure 5, 1963The Confederacy: Alabama, 1965LOVE series, 1966The Seventh American Dream, 1998 Sources and Further Reading Hobbs, Robert. Robert Indiana. Rizzoli International Publications; January 2005.Indiana, Robert. Love and the American Dream: The Art of Robert Indiana. Portland Museum of Art; 1999.Kernan, Nathan. Robert Indiana. Assouline; 2004.Robert Indiana. Prints: A Catalogue Raisonne 1951-1991. Susan Sheehan Gallery; 1992.Ryan, Susan Elizabeth; Indiana, Robert. Robert Indiana: Figures of Speech. Yale University Press; 2000.Weinhardt, Carl J. Robert Indiana. Harry N Abrams; 1990.​