Annas Exploitation in Voyage in the Dark - Literature Essay Samples

In the novel Voyage in the Dark by Jean Rhys, we eventually see the character of young Anna Morgan shift from a naive chorus girl to a hardened woman who endures an unending cycle of pain and suffering. At first glance it seems that Anna is exploited by all the men she encounters in England, but a more careful reading shows that women also use and exploit Anna for their own personal gain. Without anyone to look up to or close friends to trust, Anna begins a mental decline through alcohol abuse and cheap sex, which finally brings her to rock bottom with a botched abortion that nearly kills her. It is through Anna’s eyes we can see the gritty truth of the demimonde in England and a life from which, though we would wish otherwise, she will not escape. After the death of her father, Anna is sent as a young girl from the warm, colourful West Indies where she grew up to cold and bleak England, at the demands of her stepmother Hester. Hester doesn’t so much exploit Anna but she leaves the young girl without any opportunity or options. She was Anna’s only connection to childhood and family, but the lack of financial and emotional support has caused Anna to look elsewhere: You wont have to give me any more money. I can get all the money I want and so thats all right. Is everybody happy? Yes, everybodys happy (p. 57 and class notes Tolley). Hester virtually abandons Anna after a suspect explanation as to why no more money can be given, even when Anna tries to keep in contact with this woman she has grown up with, Hester cuts the ties; â€Å"I wrote once to Hester but she only sent me a postcard in reply, after that I didn’t write again. And she didn’t either.† (p. 63). Consequently Anna begins without much money and takes a modest job as a chorus girl, and this is when she meets Walter, nearly 20 years her senior. Right away she realises that Walter will give her money if she gives him what he wants, but the author in cludes subtle clues to show that although this may not be the most prudent thing to do Anna accepts this way of being in the world because of the money. One clue can be suggested by the words of Anna’s landlady, â€Å"I don’t hold with the way you go on Crawling up the stairs at three o’clock in the morning. And then today dressed up to the nines I don’t want no tarts in my house, so now you know.† (p. 26) Even Anna’s fellow chorus girls can recognise the men with the money and subconsciously teaching Anna; â€Å"You’ve only got to learn how to swank a bit, then you’re all right, she would say† (p. 9). Walter gives Anna money in amounts she never before had, and she begins to feel secure with it, â€Å"It was as if I always had it.† (p. 24), and she had mentioned before that she would do anything for good clothes. Seemingly all she has to do for Walter is love him back, only she doesn’t realise until itâ₠¬â„¢s too late, Walter is only after one kind of love. This is how Anna begins the cycle of exploitation, she likes Walter, he gives her money and makes her feel safe, however she is still too naive and even with other girls counselling her she falls for Walter in a much more romantic sense. She loses her virginity to him as well, which likely lends to the fact of why she is so unmindfully attached to this man. Walter eventually leaves Anna after a weekend in the country likely at the advice of his shady friend Vincent, and this absolutely devastates Anna as she explains; â€Å"There was a man I was crazy about. He got sick of me and chucked me. I wish I were dead.† (p. 99) She had relied on Walter not only for financial support but also for emotional support and companionship; he was the only person in England she had felt that she could trust, even though he was using her. After he leaves her Anna feels lost and doesn’t have anyone or anywhere to turn to, as indicat ed by â€Å"I walked straight ahead. I thought, ‘Anywhere will do, so long as it’s somewhere nobody knows† (p. 86). At this point in her life Anna has really experienced her first encounter with men, and she begins the downward spiral in mental and physical health (by over-drinking), the breakup caused a blow to her already fragile self esteem. At this point Anna goes out with a girl called Laurie, whom she believes is her friend, and with two men. Laurie starts to use Anna as someone to help pick up men and Anna goes along because she thinks they are friends. Rhys demonstrates that Laurie is just using Anna when Laurie â€Å"dismisses Anna as a child,† throughout pages 106 and 107 (class notes Dale) and does not treat her as an equal friend, she never really cares about Anna’s needs. Realistically Laurie could be a role model, but she only shows Anna that in order to ‘get on’ in the world one has to do what the men want without getting attached, a lesson Anna is already learning. The men they go out with are just as bad. Anna is already emotionally unstable because she has still not recovered from her break up with Walter. Therefore, when she meets Carl from America she is vulnerable and goes along with anything he wants, even after she finds out he is a married man; â€Å"Are you married?’ ‘Yes,’ he said. He looked vexed. ‘Have you got any kids?’ ‘Yes,’ he said after a while. ‘A little girl† (p. 135). Also Carl gives Anna significantly less money than Walter did, tells her he will be leaving London in a few weeks (p. 135), yet she still continues giving him sexual favours. This illustrates that Anna must be suffering not only emotionally but also from low self esteem. All the while Anna has been going out with Laurie she has been living with the equally unstable Ethel, who exploits Anna for her personal gain of her business. Ethel seems to constantly f luctuate between moods. There are some positive moods where she is affable to Anna such as when they first become roommates; â€Å"I’ll bring you something to eat,’ she said She sat by my side while I ate and began to tell me how respectable she was.† (p. 115). Then there are other times which become more and more common where Ethel’s mood is jaundiced and she is envious of Anna, â€Å"You went out with your pals and enjoyed yourself and you didn’t even ask me. Wasn’t I good enough to come?’ ‘But it’s always the same thing. You didn’t even ask me,’ she said. ‘And oh God, what a life I’ve had. Trying to keep up and everybody else trying to push you down and everybody lying and pretending and you knowing it† (p. 125). Ethel is conscious of her own personal failures in life and while she sets up a new business it’s really a massage salon under a false pretence and uses the young unwit ting Anna to draw in male customers. Although the text never explicitly states that Ethel’s business is a sort of â€Å"glorified brothel† (class notes Seifert), the reader can infer this by a conversation between Laurie and Anna; â€Å"One of them did ask me to take him upstairs, but when I said no he went off like a shot’ Laurie laughed. She said, ‘I bet the old girl wasn’t pleased. I bet you that wasn’t her idea at all.† (p. 121). Ethel also continually makes reference that Anna should ‘be nice’ to the clients, it is in this way that assumptions can be made as to the true nature of Ethel’s business. Anna is continually exploited by the parlour business, the clients and even through emotional abuse by the deeply inconsistent character of Ethel. It appears at first that Ethel to could serve as a role model or as an adult Anna could at least trust, however Rhys makes it implicit that Ethel exploits Anna almost more than the men do. The men, especially Walter, at least looked after Anna in that they gave her money and made sure she had clothes, whereas it is the opposite with Ethel, she only takes from Anna. Once it becomes clear that Anna really has become darkly depressed, she seems to be exploited by many faceless men. After manicuring them she would take them upstairs where she is treated like a prostitute. Anna finally hits rock bottom when she realises that she is pregnant, and nothing she tries on her own will change the state she is in. She even laughs when Ethel asks her who the father is, â€Å" won’t he help you out- she said I do not know who he is and started laughing quite brazen† (p. 142). Anna has a hard life adjusting to London. Being cut off from her family and childhood home was the first thing she had to overcome. After that, there were many people trying to exploit her; without true role models she couldn’t learn how to avoid this and start fresh. She continued in the cycle of exploitation until depression became the norm and she was reduced to a constant feeling of numbness. It’s only at the very end of the novel that Jean Rhys shows the reader a glimmer of hope in Anna’s life; the last lines offer an uplifting sense, â€Å"And about starting all over again, all over again† (p. 159). Works Cited 1. Rhys, Jean. Voyage in the Dark. Penguin Modern Classics, London England. 1934 2. Tolley, Sarah Voyage in the Dark Online posting. 19 January 2010. Accessed February 7th 2010. https://online.ufv.ca/webct/urw/lc2107152105001.tp3012913619001/newMessageThread.dowebct?discussionaction=viewMessagemessageid=3374713655001topicid=3369538800001refreshPage=falsesourcePage=3. Dale, Chelsey Voyage in the Dark. Online posting. 18 January 2010. Accessed February 7th 2010. https://online.ufv.ca/webct/urw/lc2107152105001.tp3012913619001/newMessageThread.dowebct?discussionaction=viewMessagemessageid=3374576954001topicid=3369538 800001refreshPage=falsesourcePage= 4. Seifert, Nadia Voyage in the Dark. Online Posting. 19 January 2010. Accessed February 7th 2010. https://online.ufv.ca/webct/urw/lc2107152105001.tp3012913619001/newMessageThread.dowebct?discussionaction=viewMessagemessageid=3374720894001topicid=3369538800001refreshPage=falsesourcePage=

Case Study Micro Vex Probe Ultrasound - 1039 Words

Engineering Girl Essay: Micro-Vex Probe Ultrasound One promising new technology related to engineering is ultrasound probes which are used in Veterinarian Medicine also considered as a part of Biomedical Engineering. Taking biomedical engineering is a major required to take in order to learn the basics of this career path in college. Veterinarians use instruments to see what is wrong with their patient or in this case their animal. An example of one instrument veterinarian’s use most often that might need to be advanced, is an ultrasound probe. Which is used to view the inside of an animal and detect where the source of the problem is located. How it works: Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency used in diagnostic radiology is in the range of approximately 1 to 10 megahertz; audible sound is about 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. Ultrasonography has many medical applications in which a machine is used to create these high-frequency sound waves. The machine has a hand-held wand, which is placed directly on the animal’s skin. The sound waves emanate from the face of the transducer, which is a few inches long, relatively thin, and shaped some-what like an electric shaver. The sound waves are transmitted through the animal’s body, so the area that is imaged consists of the skin under the transducer and everything below it. In other words, when you place the transducer on the animal, the image shown on the screen will be a â€Å"slice† of the body below the spot where you place it. The

The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Essay - 4075 Words

The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Imagine a world where diabetes is effectively treated, where cancer has a cure, and where food is altered for higher quality and increased production. This â€Å"fantasy† world is on the brink of becoming a reality due to advances in genetic engineering and cloning. These medical innovations have the potential to revolutionize our lives in numerous ways. However, the fear of controversy and the fear of the â€Å"new† could hinder and possibly halt any progress that we are capable of making. There are concerns that society should carefully consider. It is important, though, to thoroughly research and examine a topic in order to understand why there should be no fear caused by cloning and genetic engineering†¦show more content†¦Basically, there are two ways to genetically engineer an organism. The genetic material in the organism is altered, for example, by cutting some out. 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Nursing - senior project essay free essay sample

Although most people think they can get away with picking an easy topic for their senior projects it turns out to be a little more complex than that. Growing up my ideas and passions would always seem to be changing but when I finally became set in my ways at least in knowing what I would like to pursue the Nursing Program was up to par. I chose to do mine on Nursing in the ED (emergency department) because this is a field I would love to go into so I can be of service to those in need of any medical care, to always have a stable job to rely on, and further more to be able to excel in the field of medicine. I would love to be one of the people on call to respond to the needs of another individual in their time of need. Anyone could only imagine that feeling one would get after providing such an extraordinary service. Although the job seems like a walk in the park it takes many years of hard work and studying to get there. A registered nurse is responsible for the needs of patients suffering from illness or injury, and can provide care and cater to the needs of patients in a variety of settings, including operating rooms, ambulatory care, intensive care, physician’s offices, health care clinics or specialized practices. Most registered nurses can be found working in teams for health care facilities. Some of the positions involve little or no direct patient care and varying roles with health care staff, but the general responsibilities of a registered nurse can include: Observing and recording patient medical history and symptoms, Establishing a plan of care for patients or adding to an existing one then putting the plan into action, Managing and assigning tasks to licensed practical nurses and nursing assistant, Advising and providing emotional support for patients and their families (Guide to Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).). If a nurse decides to  work outside of a health care facility there is a different set of nursing careers available to them. Some of these include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. In all nursing education programs, students take courses in nursing, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other social and  behavioral sciences, as well as in liberal arts. BSN program s typically take four years to complete; ADN and diploma programs usually take two to three years to complete. All programs also include supervised clinical experience in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A number of programs include clinical experience in extended and long-term care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, or ambulatory (walk-in) clinics. Bachelors degree programs usually include more training in the physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking, which is becoming more important as nursing practice becomes more complex. They also offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. A bachelors degree or higher is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of education programs (bachelors, associate’s, or diploma) qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse.Many registered nurses with an ADN or diploma find an entry-level position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. There are also master’s degree programs in nursing, combined bachelor’s and master’s programs, and programs for those who wish to enter the nursing profession but hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. To make sure one can handle the conditions of this job you have to be in a good physical condition. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and Because patients need round-the-clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Nurses spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching and standing, so they must follow proper body mechanics to guard against injury. Because of the fast-paced and variable environment  of emergency rooms, ER Nurses must possess good stress coping skills and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. They must be able to work accurately around frequent interruptions. Nurses may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, they treat patients that may be confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative. Along with all this you need. At a minimum for most entry-level emergency room (ER) nursing careers, applicants must have a diploma from an accredited Nursing degree program. However, most employers prefer to hire ER nurses who possess Associates or Bachelors degrees in nursing. Even more preferred are nurses who further their specialty by earning post-baccalaureate certificates in emergency nursing. Applicants also must be state licensed to practice as registered nurses (RNs). Emergency room nurses need strong  listening and communication skills. Because the job is unpredictable and requires quick thinking, nurses often need to make immediate decisions and pay close attention to detail. ER nurses also need be cautious and observe strict guidelines to guard against potentially disease transmission. Emergency rooms and hospitals operate 24 hours a day, and emergency room nurses are often expected to work irregular hours. As our economy starts coming to a slow halt in most career fields, the medical field is alive and well in every category. Registered nurses who work in general medical and surgical hospitals, including trauma nurses, made an average of $66,650 per year in 2010, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Geographic location, career demand, job experience, and benefits packages all impact the amount that you can make in this career. The job outlook for nurses is quite good, with 26th percent growth expected between 2010 and 2020. However, that growth is expected to be strongest in outpatient centers and private physicians’ offices, rather than hospitals and emergency rooms, so growth may not be as strong for trauma nurses as for nurses in other specialties. A nurse has significant opportunities to advance into management and similar roles. If you find that you prefer the fast-paced life on the floor of the ER, you can advance by taking on more responsibilities or transferring to a busier facility. If you find that the   environment of the ER is not for you, you can take your experience and use it in other branches of nursing. The skills you gain working in the trauma field will help you in many nursing areas. In most jobs that people decide to go after once they arrive there isn’t very many options of higher education, as well as higher pay. A trauma nurse has significant opportunities to advance into management and similar roles. If they prefer the fast-paced life on the floor of the ER, they can advance by taking on more responsibilities or transferring to a busier facility. If they find that the environment of the ER is not for them, they can take your experience and use it in other branches of nursing. . The skills one can gain working in the trauma field will help them in many nursing careers (Career). Within these higher ranked jobs, comes a substantial increase in ones salary. The only downfall is that to make this amount of money, two years of additional school will be required. In conclusion I chose to do my research paper on Nursing in the ED (Emergency Department) because it has been the most intriguing field of study that I have come across. Over the years my job choices have differentiated but Nursing has been the one for me. Nursing is a field I would love to go into so I can be of service to those in need of any medical care, to always have a stable job to rely on, and further more to be able to excel in the field of medicine. I have realized on my job shadowing experience that this is the field of study that I will more than likely go into. Although the money is good, and it opens many doors in the medical field if one does not have the right motives for choosing this it will be all for nothing.