Star Image of Helen Mirren Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Star Image of Helen Mirren - Essay Example This analysis will concentrate on two specific points in Helen Mirren's career. First, her arrival on the scene at the height of the sexual revolution and how sexuality became a major part of her star image, and second, her recent renaissance as a sexual object near the end of her career. It is thus only partly ironic that Helen Mirren was recently voted the world's sexiest OAP; she is surely the oldest woman to pose naked on the front of the normally staid Radio Times. From youthful, bohemian sexuality in her early films and theatre roles onto a more mature, developed and confident seductiveness in films such as The Long Good Friday, Mirren has succeeded in being "sexual" without seeming to lose her identity as an autonomous female. Helen Mirren came to prominence at the height of the sexual revolution in the mid 1960's She auditioned for the National Youth Theatre at the eight of eighteen (in 1963) and at the age of twenty was already starring at the Old Vic Theatre. Her early roles reflected a sexuality that was perhaps beyond what most might expect of a young woman of her age. Thus she played Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra in 1965 for the National Youth Theatre and then Cressida in Trolius and Cressida for the Royal Shakespeare Company, followed by Lady Macbeth for the same company in a famous production directed by Trevor Nunn. Two early film roles exemplified the mixture of a fire-like and yet vulnerable sexuality. The left still below is from Age of Consent (1969), while the right one is from O Lucky Man, along side Malcolm McDowell : - While it is perhaps very difficult to extrapolate from a film still to the actual experience of watching a film, and thus considering the screen presence which makes a "star", these stills hint at the fact that Mirren has never been a traditional "sex object" along the lines of Marilyn Monroe, Bridget Bardot or Sophia Loren. She looks, to be frank, simply too intelligent to be pigeon-holed into such a one-dimensional identity. A popular entertainment website describes her as "perhaps the ultimate thinking man's sex symbol. . . " (starpulse, 2007). On its surface this might appear to be a rather superficial interpretation of the actress, but on closer inspection it brings us to the heart of Mirren's unique star quality. Even when she was gaining a reputation as a something of a sex-pot through regularly removing her clothes both on stage and in films during the 1970's, it seems clear that Mirren was careful never to be associated merely with eroticism and thus to be exposed in a gratu itous manner for the voyeuristic pleasure of the audience. The sexuality in her films is nearly always an integral part of the plot rather than merely a chance for the director to show off Mirren's rather obvious sex-appeal. For example, in The Long Good Friday she turns from the classic, almost clichd figure of the subservient gangster wife into a fearless avenger who uses sexual encounters as a source of revenge. Mirren is the controlling subject of her sex scenes rather than the controlled object. She is thus the opposite of the kind of

Dissolution Profile of Paracetamol Generics

Dissolution Profile of Paracetamol Generics 1 Introduction The pharmaceutical industry had an estimated turnover of $773 billion in 2008,1 however not all of this revenue was taken as profit; a significant cost goes into research and industry guideline compliance. With regards to new generic medications, proving bioequivalence is crucial to success, however necessary in vivo testing can be costly.2 Drugs which meet certain Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) criteria may be exempt from these expensive tests and can be permitted a biowaiver.3 This allows in vitro dissolution testing in place of in vivo plasma analysis. Paracetamol is one such drug that has qualities which place it at the borderline of biowaiver suitability.3 It is the worlds most commonly used analgesic4 and the question arises as to whether all preparations are as effective as each other? More specifically we ask, is there is any significant difference between the dissolution profile of paracetamol generics? This literature review is in preparation of experimental t ests designed to ascertain if there is any difference in dissolution profile of eight bioequivalent preparations listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and whether this difference may correlate to a clinical significance in such a common place drug. 2 Search Strategy All data was sourced through internet databases, i.e. Medline, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library. The search engines Google Scholar and UWA library were also utilized. Keywords included. KEY WORDS Paracetamol, acetaminophen, bioequivalent (therapeutic equivalency), Delayed-action Preparations, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Tablets, Drug Compounding, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, Observer Variation, Dissolution, Metabolism, in vitro, in vivo, IVIVC, Drug Content, Bioavailability and Correlation. Boolean searching was utilised to broaden or narrow search results and once appropriate articles were sourced, citing and cited articles were also evaluated. 3 Paracetamol 3.1 History Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the worlds most popular drugs for the treatment of pain and fever.4 It was first synthesized in 1878 by Morse, and was used clinically for the first time in 1887 by von Merring.4, 5 Paracetamol fell into obscurity shortly thereafter in favour of other chemically related drugs such as phenacetin.5 However, phenacetin was later found to be nephrotoxic, and the search for a substitute arose.5 In 1950, a study from Brodie and Axelrod rediscovered paracetamols suitable analgesic properties.4 Although, this drug did not experience widespread acceptance until the 1970s due to unfounded concerns about safety; but from then on, it became the most commonly used medication for pain.4 In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, paracetamol sales have exceeded those of aspirin since 1980.4 3.2 Physicochemical properties Paracetamol or N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide, is a white crystalline powder with a melting point of 168-172C (Martindale). It is sparingly soluble in water, ie. one part of paracetamol is soluble in 70 parts of water at room temperature.3 It is also freely soluble in alcohol. (Martindale) Paracetamol shows maximal UV absorption at a wavelength of 249nm and is reported to have a pKa of 9.5 at 25C.3 3.3 Pharmacology Pharmacokinetics 3.3.1 Pharmacodynamics Mechanism of Action The exact mechanism of action of paracetamol has remained largely unknown for some time.6-9 For years it has been thought to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in a similar manner to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, however definitive proof of analgesia and antipyresis being dependent on COX inhibition is still lacking.4 Recently, two independent groups have produced experimental data that has demonstrated that analgesia involves the potentiation of the cannabinoid vanilloid tone in the brain and in the dorsal root ganglia.4 Blockade of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in rats has eliminated any analgesic properties of paracetamol and suggests that paracetamol is in fact a cannabinomimetic.4 3.3.2 Pharmacokinetics 3.3.2.1 Absorption Bioavailability: Paracetamol has been reported to have a bioavailability of 62%-89% in those of a fasted state,3, 8 this divergence from absolute bioavailability is attributed to first pass hepatic metabolism. Peak plasma concentrations are reached between 0.17-2.0 hours post-dosing.10 As expected, food has been shown to reduce absorption by increasing tmax and decreasing Cmax values. Food has not been shown to affect the amount of acetaminophen reaching the blood.3 3.3.2.2 Distribution: Paracetamol has a reported volume of distribution of 0.69-1.36L/Kg.11 Around 20%-25% of the drug is bound to plasma proteins at therapeutic dosages; however this value has been shown to increase to 20%-50% in over dosage. Paracetamol has also been shown to cross the placenta, and has a 1.24 milk/plasma ratio in breast milk.3 Paracetamol is an ADEC category A drug, i.e. it is safe to use in pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding.9 3.3.2.3 Metabolism Excretion: Around 85%-90% of paracetamol is metabolized within the liver via the process of glucuronidation and sulfation.3 These inactive metabolites are then eliminated by the kidney in the urine. Approximately 5% of paracetamol is passed out unchanged in the urine, the remaining drug is conjugated with cysteine and mercapturic acid.3, 8 The half-life of paracetamol has been reported as 1.9 4.3 hours3, 8, 10 but longer in those with renal impairment. 3.4 Indication Paracetamol is indicated in the symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate pain as well as fever3, 9 and has also been described to have mild anti-inflammatory properties.3 3.5 Dose Dosage Forms For adults, the optimal single dose of paracetamol is 1g,3, 9 with a maximum dose of 4g daily.9 Hepatocellular necrosis can occur from doses of 10-15g, and death may result in doses in excess of 20-25g.3 Paracetamol is available in many dosage forms, as a single active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), or in combination with other analgesics such as codeine (Panadeine), dextropropoxyphene (Di-Gesic), metoclopramide (Metomax), as well as in combination with decongestants such as pseudoephedrine in cold-and-flu preparations.9 This drug is available as immediate release (IR) tablets, sustained release (SR) tablets, chewable, elixirs, IV injections and suppositories.9 4 Biopharmaceutics Classification System The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) is a method of grouping active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) based on their solubility and intestinal permeability.12-16 The system allows for easy identification of those drugs whose in vivo absorption can be easily anticipated based on their in vitro dissolution.12, 15, 16 This implies that two different products containing the same drug will have the same rate and extent of absorption if, over time, they both have the same concentration profile at the intestinal membrane.12 Since it is the dissolution profile of a drug which determines its concentration profile in the intestinal lumen, comparability of this parameter in vitro should produce comparable absorption results in vivo.12 In reality however, only those drugs with high permeability which are formulated into IR preparations can be easily and reliably applied to this logic.12, 15, 16 4.1 BCS Drug Classes There are four classes within the BCS to which a drug can be assigned (as outlined in figure 1). Class I is comprised of those drugs with high permeability and solubility, these drugs are expected to be well absorbed and, providing dissolution is slower than gastric emptying, show a good correlation between in vitro dissolution rate and the rate and extent of in vivo absorption (IVIVC).12, 15, 16 Class II drugs also have high permeability but their solubility is low which ensures in vivo dissolution is the rate limiting step in drug absorption and thus IVIVC is expected.12 Class III drugs have a low permeability with high solubility, traditionally these drugs were believed to have little or no IVIVC,12 however recent studies have shown that if a class III drug is very rapidly dissolving then a correlation may exist.18, 19 Finally Class IV drugs have both low permeability and solubility these drugs are not expected to show any IVIVC.12 For each of the four BCS classes a drug substance is considered highly soluble when the highest [IR] dose strength is soluble in 250mL or less of aqueous media over the pH range of 1-7.5.16 The permeability of a drug is considered high if greater than 90% of a dose is absorbed across the intestinal membrane.16, 20 Using these definitions, paracetamol is classified as a BCS class III drug but it is also described as borderline class I because it is only just on the cusp of low permeability.3 4.2 Utility of the BCS The genius of the BCS is that it allows easy identification of drug candidates for which relatively cheap and fast in vitro dissolution testing can replace the more expensive, time consuming and invasive in vivo absorption testing.2 The system does away with complex bioavailability modeling that must account for fasted and fed states as well as cyclical changes in motility and gastric emptying.12, 14 The impact of the BCS on the pharmaceutical industry was so great that in 2006, creator Dr. Gordon Amidon was awarded the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Distinguished Scientist Award.21 5 Correlation between in vitro dissolution and bioavailability Following the introduction of the BCS a great deal of research was conducted exploring the power of IVIVC. It became a main focus not just of the pharmaceutical industry but also of academia and regulatory authorities.2 IVIVC became popular because it can be used as a substitute for resource intensive bioavailability testing; the concept has essentially improved the speed and cost of drug development as well as quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing.2 5.1 Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Bioavailability is an important concept because it determines the efficacy, safety and reproducibility of the therapeutic effect of drugs and the many formulations in which they come.22 For the purpose of drugs that produce a systemic therapeutic effect, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)22 defines bioavailability as the extent and the rate at which a substance or its active moiety is delivered from a pharmaceutical form and becomes available in the general circulation. Bioavailability is therefore inherently linked to drug absorption and may also be predicted using IVIVC as defined by the BCS. If two pharmaceutically equivalent (same active ingredient and content in the same formulation) products have the same bioavailability they are considered bioequivalent and will essentially have the same efficacy and safety. Bioequivalence is important because it is the basis for which innovator medicines can be substituted with generics. 5.2 Strength of in vitro in vivo correlations The BCS is a predictive tool for determining which drugs will have an IVIVC. Table 1 demonstrates that under the BCS only class II along with some class I drugs are expected to have IVIVCs.12 Research subsequent to Dr. Amidons first BCS publication has generally upheld his initial findings however exceptions to the rule have been found. 5.2.1 Drugs with IVIVC The BCS suggests that if the bioavailability of a drug is dissolution rate limited then a good IVIVC should be possible. This notion has been demonstrated for flutamide a very poorly soluble high dose compound which is not expected to have IVIVC but has dissolution rate limited absorption.23 A paper published by Posti, Katila Kostiainen23 concluded that there is a strong IVIVC for flutamide and this was identified on four separate occasions where bioavailability was studied. All four studies were of single dose, cross over design and each subsequent study increased the number of subjects tested (study I: n = 6, Study IV: n = 24). The strength of the papers methodology provides good support for its conclusions however this was undermined by a lack of documented statistical analysis. Much more compelling evidence comes from a study by Sakuma et. al.24 which was able to show an IVIVC for two BCS class I drugs after they received an enteric coating, thus eliminating the possibility that gastric emptying was the rate limiting step. The results were statistically significant, however the tablets were tested in rat models rather than human subjects and the dissolution test may not have adequately reflected the in vivo environment that enteric coated tablets are subject to.24 Further studies in human subjects demonstrating the difference in IVIVC between enteric and non-enteric coated tablets could not be identified in the literature. There are hundreds of other drugs which have an IVIVC and these are neither limited to BCS class II drugs or drugs with dissolution rate limited absorption. Theophylline is a BCS class IV drug and yet in a complete cross over study of four different theophylline tablets the in vitro dissolution was able to significantly predict several in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC Cmax) which dictate bioavailability.25 The study was small (n = 6) and not all pharmacokinetic parameters could be correlated. Other common drug examples with IVIVC include digoxin,26 rifampicin,27 diclofenac28 and lamotrigine29 and these are by no means exhaustive. 5.2.2 Drugs without IVIVC Not all drugs have an IVIVC and this can also include some BCS class II drugs. A research paper by Frick, Moller Wirbitzki 199830 demonstrated that the in vitro dissolution of glimepiride (BCS class II) is not comparable to dissolution in vivo. The study employed a single dose cross-over design with 12 subjects, Latin-Square statistical analysis was employed and the results were assumed to be significant however not all the data was accompanied by supporting confidence values. No correlation was possible because the solubility of glimepiride is low and strongly pH dependent.30 Unlike glimepiride, ciprofloxacin a quinolone antibiotic, is classified as a BCS class III drug and as a consequence would not be predicted to have an IVIVC. Correspondingly, when tested for this possibility none could be found between dissolution and any of the parameters for bioavailability (Tmax, Cmax, AUC Ka).31 5.2.3 Strength of BCS in predicting IVIVC There is a wide variance between IVIVCs that are anticipated according to the BCS and those that are actually demonstrated after experimental testing. Examples have been provided where both expected and unexpected correlations occur and this suggests that the BCS system while helpful should only be taken as a guide. Laboratory testing is still the only reliable method for determining if a correlation is occurs. Paracetamol is a BCS class III medication and as such is not expected to demonstrate strong IVIVC. Given the fact that paracetamol has a wide therapeutic index and the BCS can only be used as a guide, a safe and useable IVIVC may still exist. 5.2.4 IVIVC of paracetamol The prodigious use, vast quantities manufactured and the presence of many generic products in the marketplace makes paracetamol a prime candidate for IVIVC testing. In 1996 Retaco et. al.32 conducted a small crossover study using five subjects to assess whether an IVIVC for paracetamol may exist. The study stated that the absorption data from saliva partially correlated with those found in vitro,32 this however is not a valid conclusion. One of the subjects studied produced in vivo data that opposed a correlation and this anomaly was further confounded by the fact that statistical analysis was not performed on the IVIVC but rather covered the in vitro and in vivo data separately. This pilot study was later contradicted by Babalola et. al.33 who found limited IVIVCs and suggested that paracetamol absorption may not be limited by its dissolution rate. Similarly, a thorough, well designed, complete crossover (44) study that balanced for first order residual effects, suggested that it wa s dangerous to use dissolution as the sole test for paracetamol bioequivalence.34 Interestingly, all of these studies demonstrated bioequivalence between the various products of paracetamol even if they showed no IVIVC. 6 Biowaiver for bioequivalence testing In vivo bioequivalence studies are required to ascertain the potential differences in bioavailability between innovator and generic products which, may lead to therapeutic inequivalence. A biowaiver provides the authority and grounds for fiscally intensive bioequivalence testing to be replaced by more tolerable in vitro testing. For the most part, IVIVC must first be established in order for a drug to be considered for a biowaiver. The BCS has outlined properties of solid preparations which require evaluation in biowaivers, i.e. solubility, permeability, and dissolution rate.35 In addition to this, the non-critical therapeutic range of a drug should also be considered35 and this is the basis for which paracetamol has gained biowaiver status.3 It should be noted that products produced by the same manufacturer at the same site are exempt from bioequivalence studies.36 6.1 Paracetamol Biowaiver Several characteristics must be considered when a drug presents as a candidate for a biowaiver through dissolution testing. Paracetamol is not a classic biowaiver candidate because it is classified as a BCS Class III drug, it does however possess properties borderline to Class I3 and these enable it to fulfill the requirements of a biowaiver. 6.2 Biowaiver requirements 6.2.1 Characteristics relevant to the active ingredient 6.2.1.1 Risk of therapeutic failure or adverse drug reactions i.e. the need for critical plasma concentrations. When considering a biowaiver for a drug substance, its therapeutic use and therapeutic index also needs to be taken into account.16 In the case of paracetamol, the therapeutic indications are not critical, and there is a wide difference between the usual therapeutic dose and toxic doses. Given that an optimal therapeutic dose for an adult is 1g, and that hepatocellular necrosis can result from ingestion of 10-15g, it can be assumed that paracetamol is not a narrow therapeutic index drug.3 6.2.1.2 Risk of bioinequivalence: Previous evidence of bioavailability problems for an active substance can complicate the justification of in vitro dissolution bioequivalence correlation.35 For paracetamol, the absolute bioavailability has not been shown to vary between therapeutic dose ranges of 5-20mg/kg.3 Other studies have also demonstrated that bioequivalence in different IR paracetamol preparations is achievable.11, 32, 37 6.2.1.3 Solubility: If a drug is highly water soluble it generally lends to exemption of bioequivalence testing, however polymorphism and particle size are major determinants of dissolution and must be considered.35 A drug is considered highly soluble if the amount contained in a preparation of maximal strength dissolves in 250mL of three buffered solutions ranging between a pH of 1-8 at 37C.35 Paracetamol has a pKa of 9.5 and is therefore not substantially ionized at a pH less than 9. As a result, it can be said that its solubility does not vary with pH.3 The highest strength IR preparation of paracetamol is 500mg. Experimentally, this has been shown to dissolve in 21mL,3 which is significantly less than the 250mL that is required by the BCS guidance to prove solubility.16, 35 6.2.1.4 Pharmacokinetic properties: High permeability which is typically indicated by a linear absorption pattern, reduces the potential influence of an IR preparation on bioavailability.35 For paracetamol, the permeability is slightly below the cut-off value of 90%, i.e. one study by Stewart et al.38 found permeability to be 80% once absorbed. This formally excludes paracetamol from being considered for a biowaiver, although extensions to BCS Class III drugs have recently been given more attention.20, 39 6.2.2 Characteristics relevant to the medicinal product 6.2.2.1 Rapid dissolution: Dissolution profiles can be regarded as equal when more than 85% of the active ingredient is dissolved within 15 minutes.35 This comparison must occur between test and reference product in three buffers which with a pH range between 1-8, at 37C.35 Paracetamol tablets have been shown to dissolve within 30 minutes,32 however this rate does not satisfy BCS exemption standards. 6.2.2.2 Excipients: Those included are to be well established and not in atypically large quantities. Kalantzi et al.3 details a table of acceptable excipients which can be used within paracetamol IR tablet formulations which are considered for in vitro dissolution biowaiver. 6.2.2.3 Manufacture: Critical parameters such as particle size and polymorphism should be addressed and documentation should be provided in the dossier that is submitted to TGA.35 Paracetamol has three metastable forms, the only commercially available from is the monoclinic acetaminophen as it is the most thermodynamically stable polymorph.3 From review of the literature, it can be concluded that in vivo bioequivalence testing of solid, oral IR paracetamol dosage forms may not be necessary. This can be justified given that a paracetamol formulation can be shown to:3 Rapidly dissolve under USP guidelines Contain only the acceptable excipients, in usual quantities Demonstrates dissolution profile similar to reference product under conditions stated in USP guidelines 7 Statement of Purpose 7.1 Aim hypothesis The purpose of the proposed study is to compare the dissolution profiles of bioequivalent IR paracetamol preparations listed on the PBS. In particular, comparisons between every preparation will be made, rather than a single comparison against a referent. We hypothesize that there will be no significant difference between the dissolution profile of IR paracetamol tablets when dissolved according to USP specifications. 7.2 Methodology We propose to analyse the dissolution profiles of eight PBS listed bioequivalent paracetamol preparations, namely; APO-paracetamol, Chemmart Paracetamol, Dymadon P, Febridol, Panamax, Paracetamol Sandoz, Paralgin, and Terry White Chemists Paracetamol. Sixteen tablets of each preparation will be dissolved in compliance with USP dissolution test for tablets and capsules, using apparatus II. As mandated, tablets are to be dissolved in 900mL phosphate buffer at a pH of 5.8 with a paddle set to 50rpm. Samples will be taken at intervals of 2,5,10,15,30,45,60 minutes in concordance with practice by Dominguez et al.34 these aliquots will be examined for paracetamol by UV spectrophotometry at 289nm. These data will be statistically analysed by ANOVA. 7.3 Timeline Date Tasks to be performed Work Deadlines Week 11 (15.03 21.03) Create paracetamol standard curves, Test expected dissolution time, Order materials, Source test tablets, Visit school of statistics for advice. Literature Review Due Monday 15th March 12pm Week 12 (22.03 28.03) Testing of tablets 1 2: Dissolution UV vis Week 13 (29.03 04.04) Testing of tablets 3 4: Dissolution UV vis Week 14 (05.04 11.04) Testing of tablets 5 6: Dissolution UV vis Week 15 (12.04 18.04) Testing of tablets 7 8: Dissolution UV vis Week 16 (19.04 25.04) Week in lieu to finish experiments in case of unforeseen circumstances Week 17 (26.04 02.05) Data collation statistical analysis Briefing on the writing of the final report Wed 28.04 2pm Week 18 (03.05 09.05) Writing draft report Week 19 (10.05-16.05) Editing final draft report Week 20 (17.05 23.05) Powerpoint presentation format 1st Draft Research Project Due Friday 21st May Week 21 (24.05 30.05) Correcting draft report Week 22 (31.05 06.06) Amending powerpoint presentation Final report due Mon 31.05 12pm Week 23 (07.06 13.06) Amending final report Week 24 (14.06 20.06) Presentation rehearsal Seminars, submission of amended report to pharmacy office

Sorrowful Black Death is Not a Hot Ticket and Seduction and Betrayal Es

Sorrowful Black Death is Not a Hot Ticket and Seduction and Betrayal    Toni Morrison and bell hooks share the same views on how white America envisions blacks.   In bell hooks' essays " Seduction and Betrayal" and " Sorrowful Black Death is Not a Hot Ticket" she focuses in on the portrayal of African Americans on the big screen.   In "Seduction and Betrayal"   hooks uses   Spike Lee's Crooklyn to demonstrate how invaluable the life of a black person is.   In " Sorrowful Black Death Is Not a Hot Ticket" she claims the Bodyguard and The Crying Game illustrate the notion that blacks, especially black females, are inferior to whites. In Toni Morrison's introduction to Birth of a Nation'hood , she suggests these same views by looking at the O.J. Simpson case.   Through the use of these movies and courtcases, hooks and Morrison suggest that blacks are viewed as worthless, violent criminals, who are subordinate to the white race. hooks believes, " The racial politics of Hollywood is such that there can be no serious representation of death and dying when the characters are African-Americans" (99). By stating this, she implies that black life in movies is thought of as useless.   She finds that the majority of black death in movies is done through violence. An example of such a   film is Paris Trout in which a young girl is brutally murdered and her relatives "too cowardly to save or avenge her life, ...willingly show the lawyer who will defend her killer the blood stains left by her dragging body, the bullet holes in the walls.   Her life is worth nothing"( hooks, 100).   Not even the girl's own family could find worth in her life. Her relatives cared so little that they were willing to accept money to show her kil... ...al of black life are the views shared by the majority of Americans.   Their views on this portrayal of blacks in America can be summed up in a quote taken from Melville's Benito Cereno, "We will see what the American...wanted to see: the head of the Negro 'fixed on a pole in the Plaza" (27). Works Cited hooks, bell.   "Seduction and Betrayal." Writing as Re-Vision: A Student's Anthology.   Ed.   Beth Alvarado and Barbara Cully. Needham Heights: Simon & Schuster Custom   Publishing, 1998. 108-111. hooks, bell.   "Sorrowful Black Death Is Not a Hot Ticket." Writing as Re-Vision: A   Student's Anthology.   Ed. Beth Alvarado and Barbara Cully. Needham Heights:   Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing, 1998. 99-107. Morrison, Toni. Introduction. Birth of a Nation'hood. Ed. Toni Morrison and Claudia   Brodsky Lacour.   New York: Pantheon Books, 1997.   7-28.

Women During the Middle Ages

Women during the middle Ages The middle ages were a big part of the world’s history. Every aspect of life was influenced. One important influence was on women. Medieval society was ruled by men and women had their â€Å"place’ depending on their social class (â€Å"Medieval Women†). Peasant women had the hard life; they were expected to cook and clean and help their husbands all at the same time (â€Å"Daily Life for Peasant Women in the Middle Ages†).Peasant women would typically begin their days at 3 am during the summer and began to prepare breakfast and prepare for the daily meals, and then they would begin to weave and make clothes for the family (â€Å"Daily Life for Peasant Women in the Middle Ages†). Peasant women would work in the fields until dusk and then eat dinner after their families would (â€Å"Daily Life for Peasant Women in the Middle Ages†). She was also responsible for the children and basic nursing (â€Å"Daily Life for Peasant Women in the Middle Ages†). The daily routing of noblewomen followed her husband’s, or lord’s (â€Å"Daily Life of a Noblewoman in the Middle Ages†).She would begin with mass at dawn and then be dressed in her dress of the day (â€Å"Daily Life of a Noblewoman in the Middle Ages†). Leisure time was spent on embroidery and dance (â€Å"Daily Life of a Noblewoman in the Middle Ages†). Education for noblewomen consisted on practical rather than academic like manners, etiquette, how to dance and ride, and archery (â€Å"Noble Women in Middle Ages†). Noble women typically had no choice in the marriage process and were usually a game of politics (â€Å"Noble Women in Middle Ages†). Life after marriage consisted of creating large families (â€Å"Noble Women in Middle Ages†).Joan of Arc was born to a small, poor family at Dom Remy at Champagne (â€Å"St. Joan of Arc†) during the 100 years’ war (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†). Ever since she was little she was always in the life of God and was tender to the poor (â€Å"St. Joan of Arc†). When she was thirteen voices came to her, which she called her counsel, and identified them at St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine, and she was very hesitant to tell anyone about these voices (â€Å"St. Joan of Arc†). She said the voices told her to lead the siege of Orleans and bring Dauphin to his coronation (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†).Joan set out with her army and was able to capture and take over four towns and destroy half of the English Army (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†). These events led up to the coronation of Charles VII (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†). After an unsuccessful attack against English-held Paris, her army disbanded when she was injured (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†). Later she went on another campaign, in which she predicted she would be captured in C ompiegne because she was breaking the treaty (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†). Her troops were forced to retreat and she was convinced to surrender to Lionel of Wandomme, and then was put on trial by the English (â€Å"Joan of Arc’s Life†).She was tried by the English for witchcraft and heresy and was condemned to death by a French clergy (â€Å"Joan of Arc- Trial, Death, and Sainthood†). The Pope in 1456 found Joan to be innocent of heresy and she was beatified by Pope Pius X in 1909 (â€Å"Joan of Arc- Trial, Death, and Sainthood†). And in 1920 she was named a Saint by Pope Benedict XV (â€Å"Joan of Arc- Trial, Death, and Sainthood†). Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Louis VII of France when she was fifteen (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). She helped to lead thousands of voyages to the Second Crusade (â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†).The church was happy to hear of this but was unhappy when they heard that she and 300 of her ladies were going to heal the wounded (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). Her efforts were bashed and her marriage ended up failing because her husband did not approve of her, and in spite she said that her marriage was never valid (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). After returning to France her marriage to Louis was annulled and less than a year later she married the future King of England, Henry (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). She bore five sons and three daughters to Henry, but their marriage wasn’t always perfect (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†).She turned her three sons against their father and ran a rebellion against him, something that was unusual for a woman but was just in her eyes because of his infidelities and having to share the wealth with him (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). But the rebellion was put down and Henry imprisoned her for fifteen years (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). But her son, Richard, killed Henry and she wa s released for prison (â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). She was later seen as a very powerful politician because of the work she did to help her favorite son, Richard, to be released after he was captured (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†).She was always traveling to keep her appearance up with the English subjects and to manage her army and estates (2 â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†) and before she died she was able to get her children the thrones of every country in Europe (â€Å"Eleanor of Aquitaine†). Lady Godiva of Coventry, England was known for her long, beautiful hair and her vow to help the less fortunate (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legend†). She was married to Lord Leofric, who didn’t care about the less fortunate people of his town, and set a heavy tax on his people (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legend†).Lady Godiva protested and he set a bet with her: to ride through the streets naked and then he would lift the tax (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legen d†). She was known as being a modest woman and no one thought she would do this, but didn’t think twice and woke up at dawn the next day and set out (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legend†). Lady Godiva was a generous person and her townspeople were even better and closed their shutters while she took this ride so nobody could see her (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legend†). When her ride was over he husband stuck to his word and lifted the tax on his people and her place in history would be set in stone (â€Å"The Lady Godiva Legend†).

Monster Walter Dean Myers

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, is about a 16 year old Harlem boy named Steve Harmon. Steve gets tried for murder in a court of law because he supposedly was involved in the burglary/shooting of Mr. Nesbit, the convenience store clerk on December 22. Steve is wrongfully arrested, and spends time in jail awaiting his verdict, which he is found innocent for after a long trial. While in prison, Steve put his time to good use and wrote a play word for word based on his trial. This book falls under the theme of stories that expose limits. This is true because Steve lost all hope in his case, and thought that he will be found guilty for the murder of Mr. Nesbit; however he found thestrength to push through and regain his confidence. Steve's main inspiration was his family because he does not want to look weak in their eyes, especially his younger brother. In addition, Steve has to live in prison for a few months awaiting his verdict; he has to keep up a tough attitude to get through the daily occurrences of beat-downs, molestation and corruption. Prison is even worse for an inmate when they are truly innocent. Steve Harmon is a very strong individual for being able to push through this whole trial without going over the edge; he coped with everything and kept sane by writing his play. Steve Harmon portrays the fear of a teenager who is in prison and portrays a confident teenager who is strong enough to pull through any adversity while having his world thrown upside down. He portrays fear of ones life in prison because the whole book he is trying to get out of prison and to have his life back. He also convinces his lawyer of his innocence and the fact that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. If Steve Harmon had not put any effort in, or did not convince his lawyer he was innocent, he would have rotted for his whole life in a 6 by 8 foot cell. Steve Harmon portraysconfidence because he always believed in his innocence, and would stop at nothing to convince others. Steve's family and lawyer, Kathy O'Brien, motivated Steve to believe in himself because they believed that he could never commit a heinous crime such as murder. I can relate to Steve Harmon because when I was elementary school I did not have much confidence in myself. For example, when I would be in plays I did not like to be on stage and perform. When Steve started his trial he didn't have muchconfidence in himself either. Steve Harmon had such little confidence he thought he was guilty even though he was not. As time progressed, I felt much more confident in myself to take certain risks, try new stuff and make my voice heard. I can thank my parents and friends for this accomplishment. My parents would always encourage me to try new things, speak out, and always tell me I am the best. Steve Harmon gained hisconfidence from his friends and family also, his lawyer always telling him he is going to be ok and he will be tried innocent. What this taught me about myself is family is the most important thing in your life and they can only make your life better.