Review of Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys - 830 Words

I would say that doomed would be the correct adjective to use. Antoinette did not stand a chance at a happy marriage with Rochester. There are lots of different things that happen to undermine the success of their marriage. To begin with their marriage is based on money. The only reason that Rochester is marrying Antoinette was due to the large dowry placed on her by Mr Mason. A marriage without love will never work but all Antoinette wanted was to be loved as her mother had not loved her. Mr Rochester also felt manipulated by his father. Rochester was not the first born son and so did not stand to inherit anything. He felt neglected by his father and marrying Antoinette was his way of trying to not be a disappointment to him. One of the main themes of loneliness is expressed by the two characters in this way. I will never be a disgrace to you or to my dear brother the son you love. Because he has been effectively forced into this marriage, Rochester feels very unenthusiastic about s pending time with his new bride. Once Rochester is on the island he instantly hates his surroundings. He is used to Great Britain and everything on the island is an assault on his senses. Everything is too much, I felt as I rode wearily after her. Too much blue, too much purple, too much green. The flowers too red, the mountain too high, the hills too near. And the woman is a stranger. He sees Antoinette as a wild Creole girl who is not like English girls. She is wild just like the placeShow MoreRelatedBook Review: Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea543 Words   |  2 PagesIdeas like slavery and post-colonial aftermath on former British colonies are dominant ideas in Jean Rhys 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea. The writer focused on providing a realistic display concerning feelings in former British colonies as individuals struggle to reclaim their cultural identity in environments destroyed as a consequence of oppression occurring during British influence. The first part of the novel focuses extensively on people who were formerly slaves working on plantations ownedRead MoreEssay about Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre an3613 Words   |  15 Pagescanonical texts re-written by female authors? Answer with close reference to Charlotte Bronte#8217;s Jane Eyre and Jean Rhys#8217;s Wide Sargasso Sea. The Sargasso Sea is a relatively still sea, lying within the south-west zone of the North Atlantic Ocean, at the centre of a swirl of warm ocean currents. Metaphorically, for Jean Rhys, it represented an area of calm, within the wide division between England and the West Indies. Within such an area, a sense of stability, permanence and identityRead MoreThe Presentation of Isolation in Jane Eyre and the Wide Sargasso Sea1546 Words   |  7 PagesIsolation in Jane Eyre and the Wide Sargasso Sea. The theme of isolation is explored in Bronte’s novel; Jane Eyre. This theme is also developed in The Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys. Both pieces present different types of isolation, such as isolation due to location and the isolation of a character due to their social status, such as Jane’s status as a governess. The various ways in which isolation is present in each of the texts show how inescapable and unavoidable isolation is for the charactersRead MoreComparatve Essay on the Fat Black Womans Poems, Sula and Wide Sargasso Sea3043 Words   |  13 Pageswriters explore gender. Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys, and Sula by Toni Morrison are both novels that respond to the issues of women that are confined to their social roles. Grace Nichols book, The Fat Black Womans Poems, supports and also contrasts the views of both Rhys and Morrison. All three texts question gender roles and oppression in society. While Nichols is very outspoken and doesnt let her gender confine her, the main character in Wide Sargasso Sea, Antoinette, is restrictedRead MoreThe Loss of Identity Portrayed in a Range of Literature2785 Words   |  12 PagesReport: Loss of Identity portrayed in a range of literature For my report I chose to look at the loss of Identity portrayed in a range of different literature. The texts that I chose to study were: ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ by Jean Rhys, ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson, ‘I am not Esther’ by Fleur Beale, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde and ‘Face Off’ directed by John Woo and written by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary. In all five texts that I studiedRead MoreBelonging Essay4112 Words   |  17 Pagesfall apart AF Ali, Monica Brick Lane AF YA http://www.themanbookerprize.com/search Alcott, Louisa May Little women JF Anderson, Laurie Twisted YA Anderson, M.T The astonishing life of Octavian nothing YA Atwood, Margaret The handmaid’s tale AF Auel, Jean Clan of the cave bear AF Baranay, Inez Pagan SF Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan JF Binchy, Maeve Circle of friends AF Boyne, John, The boy in the striped pyjamas AF YA Braithwaite, E.R. To sir with love SF YA Brashares, Ann Sisterhood of the travelling

A Descriptive Essay Hiking in Payson, Arizona - 719 Words

It is amazing how some experiences stay so crisp in my memory, that if I were to close my eyes, I could almost swear that I was there right at that moment. Its as if my body can almost taste the sweet air, feel the cold, wet breeze on my skin, and recall the scent of the pine trees towering above our heads. Hiking in Payson, Arizona, after a snow storm is one of the best places I have ever visited in order to collect one of these memories. Payson is a great place to take the family dog hiking, but also you will be able to appreciate the beautiful landscape Payson has to offer, with it being conveniently located just a brief drive from the sweltering heat of the Desert Valley. Turning off of the main road I am always amazed by how†¦show more content†¦Paysons landscape is an ever changing experience of seasons, but my favorite has always been that first snow fall of the year. The way the snow trickles down from the foggy sky and lands on the towering birch trees, is lik e a scene from a movie. Little chirps eco through the canyon as the birds prepare their homes for a long-awaited winter. We sat and watched as the pine trees quietly gathered the flakes that snuck through the arms of the birch trees. The brisk powder like snow continued to pile up and slowly started to fill in our foot prints, erasing any sign that we were ever there. A few more steps on the trail lead us to one of our most memorable spots. Peering over the edge of the cliff is always a bewildering sight. The vast open valley below was covered in a blanket of milky white snow, and the sweet smelling, cool air was as refreshing as a tall glass of ice water during a smoldering desert summer night. In the distance the sound of the powerful water fall below breaking over the ice sickle reddened boulders is one that is truly breathtaking. After spending all day soaking in all of the beauty and fun, I think to myself how thankful I am that this amazing area is just a short drive fr om home. The winding narrow roads that lead us back down to the dry desert valley can be daunting at times. The steep walls of stone surround us and the loose rocks at the top make me

Role of Addiction Counselors in Community Prevention Programs free essay sample

Secondary prevention uses approaches available to individuals and populations for early detection within high-risk groups and prompt and effective intervention to correct or minimize alcohol abuse in the earliest years of onset. Tertiary prevention consists of measures taken to reduce existing impairments and disabilities and to minimize suffering caused by alcohol abuse. INTRODUCTION: Social workers play vital roles in assisting individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities to address addictions. Addictions affect people from all walks of life, and social workers in virtually all practice areas see people with these problems. Addiction is described as impulse-control disorders or compulsive (repeated) behaviors that can cause psychological, social, and sometimes physical harm, such as gambling, overeating, sex, Internet use, and shopping. Addictive disorders, broadly defined, often co-occur. For example, many pathological gamblers have alcohol use disorders (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005). In addition, a person trying to control one addictive disorder may develop another in its place. Addictive or impulse-control disorders also often co-occur with depression or other mental disorders. Social workers see individuals with addictions or impulse-control disorders in many settings. For example, social workers help parents with alcohol and drug problems in the child welfare system, and they often treat individuals who gamble pathologically as a condition of deferred adjudication for Addictions and Social Work Practice. Social workers employed as supervisors or agency administrators are also responsible for employees who come to work intoxicated or have other addictive disorders that interfere with their work. Social workers may also see colleagues impaired by these problems. In all these sit- uations, social workers need to be able to identify problems and intervene. The public generally considered alcoholism a sin or moral problem. Mary Richmond, a notable Charity Organization Societies leader, had a more enlightened view. She referred to â€Å"inebriety† as a dis- ease, encouraged early identification and treatment, and developed an alcoholism assessment instrument that contains items that social workers today continue to use. In these early days of the profession, social workers often addressed alcohol problems through the temperance movement and their work in public welfare, child welfare, and the workplace, but few alcoholics received direct help. Many died early or were confined in men- tal institutions, jails, or prisons because professionals knew little about how to treat them or had little interest in helping them. WHAT CAUSES ADDICTIONS AND OTHER COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS? The causes of addiction or impulse-control disorders are widely debated (McNeece DiNitto, 2005). Many people have strongly held views about what causes these problems. Social workers should carefully examine their personal views of these problems before proceeding to help clients. Some people see addictions as moral problems that result from a lack of willpower or the wanton acts of individuals unwilling to change and become responsible citizens. Others see them as a lifestyle or conscious choice and believe that if individuals choose to engage in these behaviors, they can choose to stop. Many individuals with alcohol or drug disorders have a family history of these problems, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Growing evidence indicates that genetics and abnormal neurotransmitter systems (brain chem- istry) play a part in substance use disorders (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). Many report that using alcohol and drugs makes them feel â€Å"normal. † Alcohol and drug consumption in sufficient quantities and over a period of time can alter brain chemistry and promote continued use. Abnormal brain chemistry has also been identified in some pathological gamblers (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Social workers need information about brain chemistry and medication use in treating these problems. What Causes Addictions and Other Compulsive Behaviors? 177 Chapter 08 7/13/07 3:22 PM Page 177 Having parents, grandparents, or other relatives who have had alcohol or drug disorders may suggest a biological predisposition to these prob- lems. It may also mean that using alcohol or drugs to deal with life is a learned behavior. In addition to learning theory, personality theories have been used to explain substance use and other impulse-control disorders. Prevention Many social workers enjoy working with children. Children are the focus of many efforts to prevent addictive behaviors, and school social workers are often involved in delivering prevention programs. For example, SAMHSA offers information on evidence-based prevention programs targeted to chil- dren of different ages and ethnic backgrounds. Adults also need prevention or health promotion programs. Social work- ers in public health practice and other medical and social service settings help adults recognize early indicators of alcohol and drug problems or overeating before they develop into full-blown problems, encourage them to adopt healthier habits, and instruct them on how to do so. Social work- ers have become increasingly involved in developing adult prevention pro- gramming that is culturally relevant and age appropriate. Screening and Diagnosis Social workers in nearly all practice areas need skills to screen for the problems discussed in this chapter and refer to treatment providers. Screening tools are generally short questionnaires administered by the social worker or completed by the client. There are many alcohol- and drug-problem screening tools. For example, the CAGE is a four-item screening device for alcohol problems that social workers can administer in less than a minute (Ewing, 1984). But helping requires more than a ing clients questions about whether they have tried to reduce their drink- ing or have felt guilty about their drinking. Developing rapport, asking questions in a nonjudgmental way, and ensuring confidentiality (to the extent possible) are also important. Social workers also use questionnaires or inventories based on DSM criteria, such as the South Oaks Gambling Screen, to help screen clients for gambling problems (Lesieur Blume, 1987). Social workers assess the validity and reliability of screening and diag- nostic tools and select those appropriate for their clientele based on age, gender, ethnicity, and whether the client has a disability. For example, the South Oaks Gambling Screen has adult and adolescent versions. The Problem Oriented Screening Inventory for Teenagers screens for alcohol and drug problems as well as social, behavioral, and learning problems (Winters, 1999). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is available in several anguages and can be adjusted for drinking norms in different cultures (Babor, Higgins-Biddle, Saunders, Monteiro, 2001). You can search the Internet to learn about tools for helping people consider whether they are overeaters, sexually compulsive, or have other problems, but they may not have been subjected to reliability and validity testing. Screening may suggest an individual has a particular problem, but the social worker needs additional knowledge and skills to support or confirm a diagnosis. Social workers must usually have a master’s degree and cre- dentials such as a clinical license to make diagnoses. A clinical license may also be required to obtain payment for making diagnoses and providing treatment Brief Interventions Brief interventions can take many forms, such as having clients attend one or several short counseling sessions, asking clients to read educational materials and keep logs to monitor their behavior (e. g. , number of drinks consumed; cigarettes smoked; amount of time or money spent gambling, shopping, or using the Internet), and providing cards to remind clients what to do should alcohol or drug cravings or urges to gamble, eat, or engage in compulsive sexual behavior occur. Research indicates that brief interven- tions are often, but not always, effective in reducing risk drinking (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). It may be a sign of the times and current insurance policies that brief interventions are now used to address many problems discussed in this chapter, particularly those that have not reached very serious proportions. One framework for brief interventions is the FRAMES approach, which stands for giving feedback to the client on his or her problem behavior such as exceeding safe drinking limits or screening positively on the South Oaks Gambling Screen), recognizing the individual’s personal responsibili- ty to change, providing clear advice about how to alter the behavior of con- cern, offering a menu of choices about how to change, counseling in a warm and empathic way, and emphasizing self-efficacy —that the client can do it (Miller Sanchez, 1994). Social workers delivering brief interventions also hel p clients establish goals for behavior change, follow up to assess progress, and provide ongoing encouragement. Of course, some clients need interventions that are more intense or of longer duration Motivational Enhancement Therapy Approaches more consonant with social work practice have replaced the heavy confrontation once used in alcohol and drug treatment programs. Research suggests that alcohol and drug therapists’ interpersonal skills are key factors in treatment effectiveness (Najavits Weiss, 1994). Among the approaches that stress a supportive, empathic counseling style are motiva- tional interviewing and motivational enhancement therapy (Miller Rollnick, 2002). Motivational enhancement therapy is usually short term and can be applied to a variety of problem behaviors (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005). The therapist helps the client weigh the advantages Evidence-Based Addictions Practice 181 Chapter 08 7/13/07 3:22 PM Page 181 and disadvantages of changing (decisional balance) in order to resolve the client’s ambivalence about changing. Motivational approaches can help move clients along the stages of change, from precontemplation , where they may not recognize a problem â€Å"I drink like everyone else,† â€Å"I can control my gambling†) or its cause (â€Å"I wouldn’t drink like this if my work weren’t so stressful†), to contemplation , where they recognize the problem and consider changing, to preparation , where they make plans to change, to action , where they make behavioral changes, and maintenance , where they continue to change and prevent relapse (Prochaska, DiClemente, Norcross, 1992). Depending on the stage of the intervention and the individual client, social workers may use education, consciousness-raising, role-playing, positive reinforcement (e. g. rewards), community involvement, and many other techniques to help clients move on in the process of change Relapse Prevention Individuals usually make more than one serious attempt before they suc- cessfully abstain from alcohol or drugs, quit smoking, stop gambling, or reduce other behaviors to nonproblem levels. Those in recovery from alcohol. hol dependence often say, â€Å"It is easier to get sober than to stay sober. † People who have lost weight know how easy it is to regain weight. Lifelong work is often needed to remain free of an addictive or compulsive behavior. Lifestyle changes are generally needed. Many individuals do not sustain the desired change indefinitely, but social workers continue to help them achieve pro- gressively longer periods of abstinence or other desired behaviors. Some professionals may be dissuaded from specializing in addictions practice because they perceive clients’ resistance to be strong and relapse rates to be high. Treatment compliance and relapse in clients with alcohol disorders are similar to treatment compliance in individuals with other chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and asthma (McLellan, Lewis, O’Brien, Kleber, 2000). Helping clients prevent relapse is an important task. Social workers use relapse prevention approaches to help clients identify triggers, or high-risk situations, for problem behavior and ways to avoid or defuse these situations and adopt healthier lifestyles (Marlatt Gordon, 1985). For example, socializing with old buddies may be a trigger for drinking for one client, or failed relationships with men may be a trigger for shopping sprees for another. Social workers help clients avoid triggers and make plans to adopt other behaviors in their place— counting to ten and going for a walk, exercising, talking with friends, or engaging in other healthy and rewarding behaviors Social Workers and Mutual-Help Groups Some individuals recovering from addictive disorders utilize professional assistance; others utilize mutual-help groups; some use both. In 1935, a stockbroker and a doctor both struggling with alcoholism founded Alcoholics Anonymous. The number of AA groups has grown tremendous- ly. Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, and Debtors Anonymous are all patterned after AA. These are all twelve-step programs that have a spiritual orientation and make refer- ence to God. The Lord’s Prayer is generally recited at meetings. Atheists, agnostics, and those of non-Christian religious persuasions have recovered through twelve-step programs, perhaps due to the camaraderie and sup- port. Those who do not want a spiritually based program may prefer pro- grams like Secular Organizations for Sobriety or Rational Recovery. The loose organization and emphasis on voluntary participation and anonymity make studying mutual-help groups’ effectiveness difficult, but many individuals attribute their recovery to these programs. Some clients need a relatively short course of professional treatment and use one or more of the many mutual-help groups for longer-term assistance. Others report that they do not find these groups useful. While many social workers embrace these groups, others have a more reserved view of them and for whom they may be most helpful. Since little hard research is available, social workers need to learn about mutual-help groups and attend meetings before they make their own judgments. Many groups have open meetings where professionals and other visitors are welcome. Social workers generally educate clients about mutual-help groups; sug- gest they attend; and consider which, if any, they might find useful. Social workers also keep group literature and Internet addresses handy for clients. Mutual-help group members may offer help that professionals do not pro- 186 Chapter 8 Addictions and Social Work Practice Chapter 08 7/13/07 3:22 PM Page 186 vide and may be available at times when professionals are not. Some AA groups operate clubs that are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Many mutual-help groups have twenty-four-hour phone lines or answering services. Continued attendance at meetings may help avert relapse UTURE OF ADDICTIONS PRACTICE AND SOCIAL WORK Social workers specialize in addictions practice for many reasons, includ- ing the challenge of the work (DiNitto, 2007). The field needs social work- ers’ systems and strengths perspectives to develop new and improved approaches that will prevent people from developing addictions, motivate those with addictions to enter treatment, and produce better treatment results. Social workers are also needed to press for policy changes that will increase treatment access and promote more rational and effective approaches to drug offenders and others with impulse-control disorders and compulsive behaviors. SUMMARY Social workers play important roles in addressing addictions. Some do this by specializing in addictions prevention or treatment. Others work in set- tings like probation, corrections, child welfare, emergency rooms, and col- lege campuses, where alcohol and drug problems are prominent and inter- ventions must be conducted or service referrals made. Others are employe in medical settings where patients present with conditions like diabetes related to being overweight and with lung cancer, emphysema, and other health problems caused by smoking. Many of them need social work ser- vices as well as health care. In addition to developing skills in screening, intervention, and treatment, social workers can work to ensure that every- one with an addictive disorder, broadly defined, has access to affordable and effective treatment. More social workers are needed to address the growing problem of addictions.

Life as a Phone Girl free essay sample

It’s a busy Friday night at work as I stand behind the counter. The phones are ringing every two minutes and I can barely keep up. I’ve only been at work for an hour and already everything is going wrong. Customers are calling to complain, delivery drivers are getting lost, and the kitchen is chaos. But above all, the excitement and stress that my job brings upon me is what I love the most. As a phone girl, I am responsible for interacting with customers and addressing any problems they might have. The phone rings. I answer the call and greet the customer. â€Å"Thank you for calling Rosati’s in Oconomowoc, how can I help you?† â€Å"I came in 20 minutes ago to pick up my order and my pizza is all wrong. I live half an hour away and I am not driving back there to pick up a new one. We will write a custom essay sample on Life as a Phone Girl or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What kind of service is this?† Dealing with unhappy customers is not uncommon. I am the one who is yelled at for mistakes that aren’t my fault. I ignore the customer’s angry tone and apologize for the mix up. I give her a credit on her account and I ask if there’s anything else I can do for her. In the midst of answering phone calls, I’m also responsible for carry-out orders. Customers are continuously complaining about how long they must wait for their food to be ready. I politely let them know that I will inform the chef that he needs to finish the order as quick as possible. I’ve learned through my job, if I keep calm and positive, I can achieve and help. I use these characteristics in every aspect of my life and am able to see success in others areas as well.