Catch-22 Essays (1494 words) - Catch-22, Black Comedy,

Catch-22 Since the dawn of literature and drama, comedy and tragedy have always been partitioned into separate genres. Certainly most tragedies had comedic moments, and even the zaniest comedies were at times serious. However, even the development of said tragicomedies left the division more or less intact. Integrating a total comedy and a total tragedy into a holistic union that not only preserved both features, but also blended them into a new and harmonious entity remained elusive. That is, until Catch-22. Using his unique style and structure, Joseph Heller masterfully manages to interlay humor and terror, comedy and tragedy, and reveals in the process the perversions of the human character and of society gone mad. The first stroke of Heller's deft touch is his presentation of outrageous characters, acting outrageously. From the first chapter, we are presented with a slew of unbelievable characters whose actions and ideologies are uproariously funny, and horrifically disturbing. In fact, the manner in which the reader recognizes the character's dual nature will serve as the first example of Heller's amalgamation of comedy and tragedy. Dunbar's theory of life is first received with a burst of laughter from the audience. Life is short, and Dunbar wishes to extend it as much as possible. If time flies when one is having fun, then conversely, time must slow when one is bored. Dunbar endeavors to make his life as boring as possible, thus increasing the length of its passing. Indeed, it is understandable why such an attitude should elicit a laugh, but the further implications are horrific. Society's emphasis on life over meaning comes as a shocking revelation to the audience. Heller further reinforces that idea with characters such as Doc Daneeka, who values self-preservation and money over responsibility and friendship, and Milo who values self-improvement and fortune over the lives of thousands of others. The motif that follows gives us characters that are, above all else, more interested in self (Cathcart, Mrs. Daneeka, Duckett, the Old Man, Peckem, etc.). Though they are initially humorous, their nature is ultimately revealed to be false and horrific, arousing disgust and pity, a brilliant combination of comedy and tragedy. The perversion of society is revealed further in a second major type of character, the deluded. Though most serve largely as foils to Yossarian and his philosophy, much can still be made of their condition. Clevinger is perhaps the best example of a deluded character. His debate with Yossarian serves as an insightful evaluation of their psyche. He argues that, although everyone is trying to kill him, everyone is not trying to kill him. The humor of the debate cannot be denied, but horror and tragedy are equally present. The debate leaves the audience struggling to decide who is crazy. Clevinger falls into an obvious contradiction, but his argument still strikes as common sense. In face of Yossarian's triumphant "What difference does that make?" the audience is left not only with the realization of its speciousness, but of the realization that they believed it. The terror evoked by the deluded lies mainly in that the audience is equally deluded. Perhaps Clevinger, Appleby, and Havermeyer are fighting for "what they have been told" was their country-- and perhaps so has the audience. The genius of Heller's characterization is further enhanced as the audience sees itself in the hollow rationale of the deluded, and is aghast with horror, even in face of such humor. With this revelation, Heller compels the audience to follow the rebellious path of Yossarian, or fall victim to the indoctrination of society, and meet the same fate as the deluded. As the audience is bombarded with insanely comedic ironies of Catch-22, they are further aware of its horror. A primary example of irony is found in Milo, when he is praised for bombing his own company when it is learned that he made a great deal of money. Again, this evokes a staunch laugh, and then leaves the audience aghast with horror. Exaggeration makes this funny-- an event such as this occurring, and then inciting such a reaction by those affected is almost unfathomable-- but the ultimate truth provides the terror. Society truly does reward persons for profit, even if it results, as it often does, in terrible distress. The further instances of ridiculously backward behavior-- Hungry Joe's screaming, Havermeyer's disregard for life, McWatt's destructive flying, Cathcart's "list", etc.-- further provide the audience with humorous instances of exaggeration, whose ultimate truth proves to be horrifying. Heller's blend of hyperbole and truth create a horrifying, though comedic, charge for his irony. Perhaps the most

Epithelial Tissue Observations Essay Example

Epithelial Tissue Observations Essay Example Epithelial Tissue Observations Essay Epithelial Tissue Observations Essay Data Table 1 – Epithelial Tissue Observations TISSUE TYPE OBSERVATIONS Simple Squamoussingle layer, flattened cells Simple Cuboidalsingle layered, cube shaped cells Simple Columnar (stomach)single layered, elongated cells Simple Columnar (duodenum)long columns in â€Å"S† shapes Stratified Squamous (keratinized)many layers, top cells flattened Stratified Squamous (non-keratinized)flat long strands with nucleus Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnarcells together in a column structure, single layer, elongated cells Transitionalmany layers of cube shaped and elongated cells Stratified Cuboidal (online)2-3 layers, cube shaped cells Stratified Columnar (online)top layer of elongated cells, lower layers of cubed shaped cells Questions A. Why is the study of histology important in the overall understanding of anatomy and physiology?Histology allows us to examine the structure and composition of all our tissues B. How are epithelial tissues named? They are categorized by the size and shapes of their cells C. Why are some epithelial tissues stratified? It’s because the stratified epithelial tissue is multilayered, as opposed to the monolayered simple epithelial tissue. D. Unlike squamous cells, cuboidal and columnar cells have large, open cytoplasm. Which functions of epithelial tissue are supported by having such big cells? The large round cells allow it to slide or move past each other. It also allows the tissue to stretch . Questions A. What is the primary function of connective tissue? It connects the epithelium to the rest of the body. It also provides structure (bone), stores energy (fat), and transports material (blood). B. What can the shape of the cells in a particular type of tissue tell about the function of that tissue? Epithelial tissue comes in different shapes and sizes, for example there is ciliated epithelial tissue, which has cilia that helps it move objects around. This kind of tissue can be found in the respiratory tract, where it sweeps to clean dust and germs trapped in mucus. Other epithelial tissues such as stratified squamous epithelial tissue is found in areas prone to abrasion because its structure is irregular and can prevent cuts and scrapes. C. What is matrix? Why do some tissues have more matrix than others? Matrix is the extracellular fibers and ground substance of a connective tissue. Some tissues have more matrix because the cells fibers are not as tightly packed. D. What do collagen fibers provide? Collagen is strong and flexible and resists force in one direction. It is stronger than steel when pulled. Ligaments and tendons are collagen fibers. E. Tendons, ligaments and cartilage have limited blood supply. Explain how this might affect the ability of these tissues to heal after an injury. If there is limited blood supply it means the nutrients and supplies to heal an injury in this area are not that readily available. 5. Repeat the above steps 2 through 4 for the smooth and cardiac muscle slides. Questions A. What kind of muscle would you find in your stomach? Smooth muscle tissue B. How is smooth muscle structure different from that of skeletal and cardiac muscle? Smooth muscle can contract on their own. Smooth muscle tissue has no striations. C. Why do we say that skeletal muscle is voluntary? Skeletal fiber muscle do not contract unless stimulated by nerves and the nervous system provides voluntary control over their activities. D. What  is unique about cardiac muscle? These muscles are involuntary striated muscle which are only found in the wall of the heart. This is specialized muscle that can contract, cardiac muscle, like other muscles, can contract, but it can also carry an action potential (i.e. conduct electricity) like the neurons that constitute nerves. Furthermore, some of the cells have the ability to generate an action potential, known as cardiac muscle automaticity. Questions A. What is the function of nervous tissue? Nervous tissue conducts electrical impulses. It also rapidly sense internal and external environment . they process information and control responses. B. Why are the cell bodies of neurons elongated into cell processes? Neurons are elongated because they need to transfer a signal from the periphery to the center. C. If all nerves respond to stimuli why cant your eyes hear sound and your ears see light? All that any nerve can do when simulated if fire off electrical impulses. It’s how the brain interprets the impulses that cause us to perceive light or sound. D. How is a nerve different from a neuron? Neurons are specialized for intercellular communication through changes in membrane potential and synaptic connections. Nerves refer to a structure made up of many neurons. Conclusions Explain the purpose of these exercises and why studying histology is important to your understanding of how the human body functions. The purpose of the exercise and studying histology is important to know because it gives us a better understanding of the branch of anatomy concerned with the study of the microscopic structures in our bodies.

Cuba Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cuba Crisis - Essay Example John F. Kennedy constituted his high ranking team of advisers commonly known as the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm). The committee met on several occasions and deliberated on certain measures that were to be taken to end the confrontatio0n over the Cuban missile. The ExComm came up with several options on how to deal with the crisis that was at hand. The first option that they deliberated on was invading Cuba. Secondly they considered ordering an air strike on Cuba which was aimed at destroying the missile sites that were staged in Cuba by the Soviet Union.   The third option they considered was imposing blockade around Cuba in order to counter the undelivered missiles. This was to tighten the blockade and or resulting to air strikes or invasion. The fourth option was to present a sort of ultimatum the president of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev. This was on condition that if the missiles were not removed a military action was to be taken. The fift h and the last option that the ExComm considered was to make a trade offer in that the US were to withdraw their missiles from the republic of Turkey and in exchange the Soviet Union were to withdraw and remove their missiles from Cuba.Option one and two which were on invasion and air strike attacks were aborted on the fear of the retaliation by the Soviet Union. Theodore Sorensen, a member of the ExComm and who was also the presidential speech writer thought that the Soviets would retaliate by knocking on their missiles in Turkey.