The Wedding Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Wedding Story - Essay Example Significance of the use of Simile in Literature IV. Conclusion V. References The Use of Simile in Julianne Homokay’s The Wedding Story A literary device is a technique that the writer uses for a given literary purpose (Niazi & Gautam, 2010). Literary devices can be any form of method or procedure that the writer/artist uses to express ideas through language, and produce a desired effect on the reader/audience. Examples of common literary devices used are Allegory, Analogy, Climax, Foreshadowing, Hyperbole, Metaphor, and Simile. As in any piece of good literature, Julianne Homokay’s The Wedding Story is also filled with literary devices that make the drama come to life. Homokay used a number of different literary devices to make the drama a comedic take on criticizing the conventional pictures that men and women are pictured as, especially in the confines of marriage. Thus, The Wedding Story may be considered as a farce, because it is a comedy in which the plot took an u nfortunate, almost exaggerated twist. One particular literary device used repeatedly in the drama is Simile. Simile is a literary device known as a figure of speech, which makes a comparison between two dissimilar objects using as, like, or as though (Bertens, 2008). Since similes are essentially a group of descriptive words, they are able to paint a clearer picture in our minds as opposed to when they are left out in a text. Since the actual object used in the text may be an abstract one, using simile to liken it to a more concrete and visually engaging object gives the reader a chance to create a more vivid picture of the scenario in his or her mind. Simile, as a figure of speech, is very similar to metaphor, except that comparisons are made without the use of as, like, or as though. In The Wedding Story, simile was used in the dialogue to emphasize particular points. The narrator, who may be considered as the protagonist in the story, reads from his book and talks of a â€Å"wom an, pretty as a day in June.† This comparison paints the woman in the minds of the reader as someone who is young, fresh, and vibrant, comparable to the vibrance of June’s summer. Of course, the bride and groom (who may be labeled as the antagonists of the drama), clarifies that the bride bears no resemblance to a pretty day in June because she was a middle aged woman who had to get married for convenience. The bride C. How did the use of Simile as a literary device contribute to the drama VI. Significance of the use of Simile in Literature VII. Conclusion VIII. References A prominent literary device used in the drama was

Critical Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Critical Evaluation - Essay Example McCullin, Don, "Don McCullin in Syria, December 2012" Don McCullin, internationally known British photojournalist, is majorly renowned and known for his war photography and post-war coverage especially for his visit to Syria at the age of 77. His work features 134 exceptionally taken photographs that cover world's most dangerous and conflicted images. For the first time, the work of a British photojournalist is being exhibited in the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) till April 14, 2013. Major newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Observer have also printed his works. McCullin has always depicted the unemployed, the impoverished and the downtrodden. NGC director and CEO Marc Mayer reported to have said, "McCullin's photographs belong in an art gallery because they consistently bring clarity and compositional grace to their compelling subject matter. These pictures are both hard to look at and hard not to" (Mallet, 2013). However, his recent e ncounter of Syria has not been displayed in the gallery, as Sobey Curatorial Assistant Katherine Stauble writes, "Likely (these images) were not meant to hang on a gallery wall, but rather, to communicate information, to reveal truths and to mobilize action. Now that McCullin has escaped the battlefield and for the past twenty years has been focusing his lens on landscape and still life, one might expect the artist moniker to sit more comfortably with him" (as cited in Mallet, 2013). The following attached files are few of pictures of his last war with Anthony Loyd: Figure 1: Anthony Loyd  and Don McCullin  Atmeh, on the Syria-Turkey border. According to McCullin, "Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures" (Mallet, 2013). This is what has been the most predominant feature of McCullin's photography as shown in Figure. 1. There has been embedded in his pictures "the feelings of people" rather than focusing on the other artistic values (figure 1). He, through his images, has tried to get the sympathetic feelings for the affected people. By capturing a child's picture, he is making use of emotions and feelings of people to get attention. As Susan Sontag writes in her book, Regarding the Pain of Others (2003), that sufferings and emotions sell more than any other factors (Sontag, 2003). Figure 2: Don McCullin for The Times. The most effective and credible advantage of McCullin's work (as shown in Figure. 2) would be his unbiased reporting. He not only showed images of the public dying and their sorrows, but he also showed the sorrows of the free Syrian army (Figure 2). "I'm just a carrier pigeon that brings the message back home" (Archer, 2013), says McCullin. Thus, effectively, his images do not downplay the role of one opposing army to another nor do they cast blame on any side. His images can nev er prove to be the barriers against peace-making between the conflicted armies (Greenslade, 2013). The images represent war in a way that they do not exploit people nor do they express problematic ideas that would exacerbate the situation and/or the relationship between photographer and his subject (figure 2). Figure 3: McCullin in Syria McCullin's photography explicitly points out at the major weakness of his images which was the portrayal of sufferings of the evicted people as shown in

A Perspective on the Influence of College Clubs Essay Example for Free

A Perspective on the Influence of College Clubs Essay College clubs have been a part of university life since the very first fraternities and sororities were created. If the student so chooses, he or she can make college an experience to remember by joining a club. They range from things like journalism and math to sports such as soccer or lacrosse. People who join these clubs tend to have a background in the topic or at the very least, an interest in learning about it. There is a club for everything you can think of, and if there isn’t, it is not that hard to start one. Clubs in college, although similar to those in high school, are quite different in the types of people and the variety of cultures brought together by the sheer size and caliber of a college. The importance and benefits of college clubs cannot be numbered, not just for the students but also for the community. Though there are myriad benefits to joining a college club, some have brought up possible problems with joining or being able to join clubs. Academically speaking, college clubs have interfered with a student’s productivity, particularly in the areas of homework and studying. This leads into the economic issues with college clubs; students sometimes have trouble being able to pay fees to join clubs that they would like to join and therefore can be deprived of the experience simply because of financial issues. Finally the social perspective: some sociologists have been led to the conclusion that college clubs have, in several cases, caused social problems for students because of the connections people unknowingly make between a club name or topic and a preconceived notion about what it may concern. These arguments, while valid, do not outweigh the benefits derived from joining clubs. Joining a club during your freshman year of college is a great way to meet people who have similar interests. Finding friends in college can be difficult. College clubs can help change that because they bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds and create a common ground where they can discuss their ideas about a certain topic in a safe environment without having to worry about being ridiculed. College clubs are a way for people to establish their own socioeconomic status, or SES, within the campus and dictate their values. Depending on the clubs available, people join the ones that will most suit them and create a reputation just by the clubs they join. The various options come with various consequences and outcomes during and after college. Marybeth Walpole, an Assistant Professor at Rowan University, has discovered that the clubs one joins have been proven to shape the way one progresses through college, and, in some cases, completely alter the way one views the world after college. John Foubert and Lauren Grainger explored the psychological development of students in their freshman year and those in their senior year and the differences between the two. They found that students who get involved during their freshman year show more development over the course of the four year period and are more likely to continue to join clubs and find ways to involve themselves on campus. Clubs have a very influential and positive impact on both the students that participate in them and the campus, or community, where they take place. Research on college clubs has been tested and revealed several interesting facts about the correlation between academic performance and being part of a club. In general, taking part in a club has little to no effect on doing well academically in school. This generalization, taken from the statistical analysis of a collection of survey responses conducted by Myrnell L. Martin, a graduate of Missouri West, is applied with the knowledge that most clubs are non-academic and instead support extra-curricular activity. Many believe that clubs can interfere with homework and study time in a student’s life. This can be true if the student is unorganized and is unable to manage a schedule. With this in mind, a club can therefore act as a tool to help the student manage time more wisely. For most college students, participation in a club allows the student to have a basis on which he or she can create a schedule and arrange their daily lives. Homework and studying should not take a backseat to clubs but certainly does not have to as long as the students takes into account the amount of work that must be done both for the club and outside of the club. This concept, of successful time management, learned by the student because of joining a club in college, can then be applied outside of college in the working world. Joining a club can quite possibly cost a lot, depending, of course, on the club. Clubs whose fees are higher generally have smaller group and a much more developed program. Most clubs only require a few dollars out of pocket, perhaps twenty-five dollars at most, at the very beginning for small purchases here and there. Those clubs that don’t require any fees are usually the most populated and will have a greater chance of bringing people from very diverse backgrounds together. Although clubs may charge fees, many clubs will have payment options or even sponsorships from various third parties. This is truly beneficial for students who are stretched to the limit financially, especially at expensive universities. Paying for club participation is usually a sign of quality, and leads to an enriched environment in which the student can take more away from the experience. When clubs charge a fee, it means they have either activities planned for the club or possibly some food and paraphernalia throughout the year. While having to pay for a club does not sound like the most exciting thing in the world for college students, it will most likely to lead to a more rewarding experience and more enjoyment from that club. College clubs have their place on campus, and are often widely recognized as important contributors to the campus as a whole. In special cases, clubs have developed into organizations that play a major part in the goings-on on campus. These include student governing organizations and the like which have developed because students take an interest in government and ruling ideals which help these students later on in life because they learn about the democratic process in a hands-on environment, as well as leadership skills that can be applied across the board. Clubs have a history of improving campus life and involving students in societal projects to better the community. Edward Hartshorne conducted research in this field and discovered that college is the ideal place for continuous club organizations and their universal impact on the campus. He reasons that each student’s impact spans for an approximate seven year â€Å"generation,† where there are the three years ahead of the student as a freshman and then the three years behind the student as a senior. This provides for a perpetuation of ideas through normal contact which results in a link that can span for as long as the club or organization decides to continue. This continuation of clubs and ideas transforms into a sort of â€Å"college culture†, described by Hartshorne as the upholding of certain social â€Å"norms†, which were established long before each generation arrived and will continue to endure after that generation departs. I, myself, am currently involved in Cal Poly Club Lacrosse as well as Formula SAE, and feel I am better for it. It allows me to escape from the academic side of college and do physical exercise in a manner that suits me. I love playing lacrosse and though I find it hard to make the time commitment I have always been able to push myself to make time in my schedule for everything I need to get done. Club lacrosse helps me to organize myself because it creates a time pressure situation where I must manage my time wisely and complete the homework necessary before I plan time for myself. Although I have had less time to do the things I want to do, such as hang out with friends, I still am able to do these activities, just in moderation. However, I accomplish more because I strive to do better so that I don’t have to stress out over the small things. Lacrosse has also been an outlet for me to find new friends on campus which I can rely on because I know that lacrosse is important for them as well. Formula SAE allows me to utilize what I’ve learned in school and apply it to real life situations by designing a racecar to compete against other schools. I have learned a lot from both the club experience and the other members of the club. This club also allows me to spend time with other engineers who are interested in cars. Clubs have definitely made a difference in my life at Cal Poly and I’m that they can do the same for all college freshmen.

Analytical Paper The Departed Essay Example for Free

Analytical Paper The Departed Essay The average trip to the theater will indulge the lesser senses, relaxing the mind while also discovering the storyline as the film progresses. When approaching a film with an analytical mindset it is important to have a deeper more developed thought process. Small details within a movie can prove to have extreme importance to the storyline sometimes having multiple meanings. While analytically watching the film The Departed it is apparent that the director Martin Scorsese uses an immense amount of symbolism along with character representation to develop the storyline. The use of animal clothing to represent the alpha male is a use of symbolism within the film that is a reoccurring. Another use of symbolism can be found in the shot of the Massachusetts State Building which entails the desire of a more lawful existence and the shot is also a reoccurring image throughout the film. The question of â€Å"what is loyalty† is a big idea that the director develops with the use of several characters along with meaningful dialogue. In Martin Scorsese’s The Departed the theme of loyalty is expressed along with the symbolism of the state building and animal clothing. In the film The Departed Matt Damon’s character Collin Sullivan infiltrates the Massachusetts State Police department as a detective who is secretly working as an informant for the Irish Mob lead by Frank Costello who is played by Jack Nicolson. Meanwhile Leonardo Dicaprio’s character Billy Costigan is placed in an undercover position within Frank Costello’s crime ring. The two informants are placed in a state of confusion as to their true identity when they become consumed with their double lives. The challenge of uncovering the identity of each other is introduced when both parties, the Police Department and the Irish Mob discover that there is a mole inside their units. Both characters reach a tragic end once their identity is reviled. Throughout the film The Departed the Irish Mob leader Frank Costello is viewed as a dominant character. This idea arises from the ruthlessness that Frank demonstrates in his criminal lifestyle. Committing multiple murders which were done in an extremely horrid manner gives supporting evidence of Frank’s dominance. Having multiple people operating under him shows that he is the leader in that he does not ask for respect he demands it. Like the lion, Frank is the king of his concrete jungle. He has a hand in every criminal occurrence and knows of everything going on in the community around him. If any person in the community rivals Frank in any way he eliminates the threat by any means, keeping him in the highest position of power. People seem to fear Frank for the threat of what he is capable of doing so if he is not respected or disobeyed in any way then severe consequences will result. Martin Scorsese takes certain scenes in which it is important for Frank to be feared and uses underlying symbolism to develop his ideas. â€Å"I’m not the cops I’m not asking†. The first scene in which animal clothing is used to show Frank dominant position is his first meeting with Billy Costigan. Frank talks down to Costigan in this scene exerting his dominance and at one point beating him repeatedly in his broken hand asking several times if Costigan is a cop. Frank uses certain dialogue to show his position of high power giving evidence that he is the king of his concrete jungle. Another scene in which Frank is shown wearing animal clothing is the scene in which Billy Costigan is meeting with Frank inside his condominium on the harbor. The true ruthlessness of Frank is yet again shown when he pulls the hand of a recently assassinated protestant man from a plastic bag. Frank then looks to Billy and says â€Å"a man can look at anything and make something out of it. For instance, I look at you and I think what can I use you for?† This entails that Frank does not truly care about Billy and that he is just another tool for Frank to use to achieve success. In this scene several responses occur, one is that Frank is a dominant tactician. An additional response comes through the symbolism of the animal clothing. This response is that Frank has an apparent disregard for human life. There is a moral obligation of people in a normal society to avoid harming one another. In the animal kingdom survival of the fittest is the law in which the animals abide by throughout daily life. Frank defies the normality of typical humans in that he has no moral obligations to take care of anyone. He eliminates anyone who interferes with his business or anyone who stands between him and accomplishing his goals. Like the lion Frank understands that if killing is the only option to keep him alive or out of jail then he will go to any end to preserve his way of life and better himself. He does what it takes to survive living life with a ruthless strong animal like persona. This idea is clearly represented throughout The Departed in which Martin Scorsese uses the symbolism of animal clothing to revel Frank’s true ruthlessness and attitude towards humans. Frank gives reason to believe that a person is only as good as what they can do for him. He is constantly setting people up to take falls for his crimes disregarding their lives family and friends. Frank’s complete disregard for the sanctity of life shows that he is a true animal in which Martin Scorsese portrays perfectly in The Departed. Without the aid of small symbolism within The Departed it would be much harder to distinguish characters true identity and intentions. The true intentions of Collin Sullivan or Detective Sullivan are most prevalent in the instances in which he is engulfed and mesmerized by the shots of the Massachusetts State Building. Collin desires to escape his criminal lifestyle by achieving success as a lawyer. He also desires to be a high-class citizen and to make something of himself unlike his father. Whenever placed in situations of trouble a shot of the Massachusetts State Building is shown it is evident that this is another use of symbolism by director Martin Scorsese. During the opening scenes of The Departed it is shown through the director’s choice of shot along with meaningful dialogue that Collin Sullivan desires to achieve greatness outside of the criminal realm. While sitting on a park bench Barrigan, Sullivan’s coworker says to Sullivan as he gazes in awe at the sight of the State Building â€Å"What are you looking at? Forget it. Your father was a janitor, and his son’s only a cop†. This first scene of the State Building opens a door to view Collin’s internal desire to have a more distinguished lawful existence rather than that of a rat lacking honor and integrity. As the film progresses it is shown through Collin’s dialogue that he is attending law school showing that he has ambitions to someday become a lawyer or politician leaving his current position which lacks honor behind. While being shown an apartment Collin is once again caught in a trance peering through his soon to be apartment window at the State Building. The realtor then makes the remarks â€Å"You move in your upper class by Tuesday†. This once again exemplifies the desires of Collin to become a person of class or someone who is respected and held in high regards by others. In the concluding scenes after the films climax which included the deaths of Costello, Costigan, and Queenan Sullivan enters his apartment to find Detective Dignam waiting to assassinate him. As Sullivan falls to the apartment floor the ever-present symbolism of the State Building is shown again. While Sullivan’s life ended in a tragic manner it is evident through the symbolism that he desired and could have achieved a lawful existence. If placed in a different environment at a young age Collin could have possibly become a great law enforcement official rather than a criminal.

The Darfur Genocide War

The Darfur Genocide War Genocide is the deliberate extermination of a national, racial, or cultural group. There exists genocide in our world today. In one of Sudans poorest regions, Darfur, thousands of people are slaughtered monthly. This is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The genocide occurring in Darfur needs to be absolved and would be if the United States and United Nations greatly intervened. This situation only worsens when aid is not provided and the nation of Sudan is left to fend for itself. The war in Darfur has been raging on since 2003. It began when rebels attacked government posts, which then triggered an immense response by the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed (Cauvin). The members of the Janjaweed are composed of mostly nomadic African Muslims who herd cattle and camels. They have destroyed entire villages, ruined water and food supplies, tortured, raped, and slaughtered hundreds of thousands people in Darfur. These attacks take place with the support of the Sudanese Government. On top of the massive numbers of murdered people an estimated two million people are without homes and forced to live in squalid refugee camps (Cauvin). The unfolding crisis is being compared to the horrific slaughter that occurred in Rwanda a decade earlier. As Cauvin stated in his article quoting Melissa Salvatore, â€Å"We cannot let what happened in Rwanda happen in Darfur† (Cauvin). None of Darfurs civilian population are spared from the inhumane acts of brutal torture, murd er, and rape. â€Å"As one illustration of how Khartoum (Sudans capital) has waged its war, the Sudanese military paints many of its attack aircraft white the same color as UN humanitarian aircraft a violation of international humanitarian law. When a plane approaches, villagers do not know whether it is on a mission to help them, or to bomb them. Often, it has been the latter† (Save Darfur). The Sudanese government continues to commit atrocities as the world watches, waiting for someone to take the first step in resolving this crisis. Genocide: this is what the violence in Darfur has caused. The United States has avoided voicing the word â€Å"genocide† to portray the situation. If the crisis in Darfur was classified as Genocide, then the â€Å"United States, along with 135 other countries would be obligated to intervene† (Booker). This is because all of these countries have signed the Genocide Convention which compels immediate action to resolve the situation if genocide is occurring in a part of the world. The United States involvement as of now is very minimal. Many of U.S. officials are looking to the United Nations to intervene and resolve the problem. The problem with this is that â€Å"if the U.N. were to put an operation together it would take an upwards of three months under the best circumstances† (Booker). The U.S. is equipped for quick military action that could be used to benefit Darfur. As of now the U.S. has close to 2,000 troops stationed less than two hours away from Darfur in Djibouti (Booker). Presently, the only U.S. involvement with private organizations attempting to provide shelter and relief efforts. If the U.S. government were to mobilize troops to Darfur numerous European and African countries would follow (Booker). Some of the African countries that will enter Darfur if the U.S. leads are Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and Nigeria. Britain has also pledged to join (Booker). Many countries have been very inadequate in helping the situation in Darfur. Many of these countries choose just to ignore it while others offer some sort of indirect support. China is one of the countries that condones and/or just plainly ignores the atrocities occurring in Darfur. Sudans largest trade partner, China, is its most outspoken defender and uses the threat that it will veto to any UN Security Council action in Darfur. China has discreetly increased their commitment with Khartoum about Darfur under the pressure of international scrutiny regarding the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics with their theme One World, One Dream while the nightmares of genocide still continues in Darfur (Save Darfur). China chooses to support Sudans government in their actions by continuing to trade and publicly announce their future veto on any UN resolution or action into Darfur. Another one of the bodies that supports the Sudanese Government war effort indirectly is the European Union. They have no t enacted any sanctions against the Sudanese Government, or discouraged the many European companies from conducting business in Sudan. The Union hides behind the requirement that the United Nations must perform the mandatory global sanctions prior to the individual countries (Save Darfur). Without any countries taking individual action how is the massacre supposed to cease? Some governments, like the United States, must take responsibility and step forward to make a stand. To abolish the crisis in Darfur there are many steps that need to be completed. The first step has to be a cease-fire. The cease-fire must respected by both sides of conflict. In the past there have been cease-fires. The most notable ones occurred in 2004 and again in January 2007 when Governor Bill Richardson traveled to Khartoum, but the Sudanese Government has ignored every single one. The international community must be obliged to back the United Nations while they work for a real ceasefire respected by all parties (Save Darfur). Since cease-fires have been issued in the past and blatantly ignored it is almost justified that military intervention is needed. The next step would be to institute an effective peacekeeping force whose main goals are to protect civilians. Then, the peace process needs to be renewed. In order to attain an everlasting end to the atrocious genocide in Darfur, the current peace effort must find political and social solutions to be instated. The peace agree ment that would be instated must include three items: first, the agreement must create a secure environment that allows refugees to return to their homes. Second, there must be a sustainable political agreement that is fully embraced by all armed groups participating in the war. The agreement must also extent to non-combatant groups which are representative of a large portion of Sudani society. Lastly, there must be accountability for all the people who have committed or can be proven to have had command and â€Å"responsibility over the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law† (Save Darfur). To accomplish the goals previously stated there is a process that be taken in order to proceed with the ultimate goals. The United States and other world leaders must make peace the top priority in Darfur. Over two years ago President Bush declared the situation in Darfur genocide: it still continues. The U.S. administration and the President have made very little progress. The participation of almost all other world leaders has been, to a large extent, worse. The worsening in Darfur demands more than harsh speeches. The U.S. must take the leadership role in building a coalition that forces Khartoum to end the massacres. In the most urgent provisos, that means the execution of multinational sanctions against the Sudanese government and all those affiliated with it (Save Darfur). This is a tough task to accomplish but with the heightened awareness it is possible to convince the government to act accordingly. . It is vital for the requirement of accomplishing the ultimate goals of peac e that the nation of China use its leverage on Khartoum. This means that China has an immense deal of influence on Sudan (China is Sudans top trade partner). China has shown an increased unease and neglect regarding Darfur. China also has many oil investments in Sudan. These benefit the Sudanese Government but not the people; â€Å"these investments also help fund the government military operations in Darfur† (Save Darfur). If these actions are taken then the healing of Darfur can begin. It is, however, necessary that all of these actions/goals take place to ensure the safety of the Darfurians. Only a decade after the mass genocide in Rwanda, the United States cannot afford to have a repeat of the same mistakes. The United States needs to act now and intervene in Darfur to stop the inhumane crimes being committed daily against the innocent people of Darfur. â€Å"Our first responsibility is to the people of Darfur, who are dying at a rate of 1,000 people every day as the genocide continues† (Booker). Can we save Darfur?

Gay Marriage is An Attack on Christianity Essay -- Persuasive Essay

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in the majority opinion: "The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them." Many conservatives are completely against gay marriage and they have stated that they will fight to have the Supreme Court ruling overturned. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or another," President Bush said (Hinojosa). From 2003 until present, gay marriage has been a hot issue. Debates rage on the sanctity of marriage and constitutional equal rights. Though many states have already decided on this issue it has yet to be resolved federally. Is it right to deny rights because of gender? The answer is no. Is it more importantly right to deny them because of moral issues? YES! From a Religious stand point this issue is not even debatable, any god-fearing man or woman would not have to think twice about prohibiting gays to join in union. Patrick Henry once said ?It cannot be emphasized to strongly or to often that this great nation was founded not by religionist, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ? (Jennings). To stray from our ideals as a nation and allow such blasphemy to occur on our great nation?s soil would turn our for-fathers in their graves. Where do...

Listening to Prozac : The dangers behind the sirens seductive call :: Neurological Neurology Brain Essays

Listening to Prozac : The dangers behind the siren's seductive call "If the human brain were simple enough for us to understand, we would be too simple to understand it" (1). In his book Listening to Prozac, Dr. Peter Kramer thoroughly examines how Prozac has revolutionized the power of psychopharmacological medication and what it teaches us about the human self. Prozac has demonstrated the ability to transform a person's behavior, outlook, and conception of self through a neurological change of biology, thus providing more evidence that brain does indeed equal behavior. Perhaps more fascinating than the answers it provides about human neurobiology are the difficult questions, ironies, and problems its usage raises. The administration of Prozac challenges the model of healing through cognitive powers due to its purely biologic effectiveness. This success has widened the gap between the un-medicated and medicated human self. Which is the "true" reflection of a person? Do Prozac's transformations emulate an unnatural idealized social norm or release a healthy individual trapped in an unnatural state? How does this reflect or change our definitions of " illness" and "wellness"? Dr. Kramer's discussions hinge upon the idea that the nervous system controls behavior. The case studies he provides show people who, after taking Prozac, have remarkable "transformations" of multiple facets of behavior including perceptions, motivation, emotions, sense of choice, values, and personality (defined by given temperament as well as developed character). Prozac's ability to change a person so drastically on a biological level causes much apprehension because the change does not need to be processed cognitively or even consciously. Dr. Kramer asserts that this change need not coincide with any self-knowledge because it is "evidently not necessary"(32). His comment points to a desire among many that the conscious self (I-function) has a stronger influence on behavior than biology does because we intimately connect behavior with self-identity. Relying on a foreign substance to change biology (and self) without apprising and receiving sanction from the conscious-self first se ems unnatural. The utter reliance on biology without utilizing our human gift of cognition seems to be a violation of how humanity has separated itself from our own inner animal. Dr. Kramer dismisses claims that Prozac compromises our vision of humanity through changing behavior in psychobiological terms by saying, "biological models are not reductionistic but humanizing, in the sense that they restore scale and perspective and take into account the vast part of us that is not intellect" (143).