The Character Of Henry Perowne In Saturday English Literature Essay

The Character Of Henry Perowne In Saturday English Literature Essay Ian McEwans Saturday is a novel that introduces the present-day world to readers through the perspective of its protagonist, Henry Perowne. Throughout this novel, readers are exposed to an impressive evaluation of what makes up life in this modern century, in which the future appears unpredictable for anyone. By reading every detail about this particular Saturday in the life of Perowne, readers begin to appreciate elements of life that may go unnoticed, the aspects that make each day unique. Perowne ends up interacting with all his family members on his one day off from work. His day is filled with thoughtful reflections and evaluations of the fine points of human behaviour in the modern life. McEwans portrayal of Perowne and his thoughts and actions are what drives this novel from beginning to end. Perowne is a model of a comfortable, contemporary man who lives in a present-day age of uncertainty. All he longs for are possession, belonging, and repition (McEwan 40). However, this un certainty of the future causes even content men such as Perowne to be thrown off into a world of chaotic events and brings out their strengths and weaknesses. The entire novel takes place in London on February 15, 2003. As Perowne, a man in his late forties, gets out of his bed at four oclock in the morning to look out his window, readers begin to sense some foreshadowing of the uncertainty that is waiting ahead of him. He watches a plane on fire fly over London during a post-9/11 time when words like catastrophe and mass fatalities, chemical and biological warfare and major attack have recently become bland through repetition (McEwan 12). But Perowne is not fully shaken by the event he witnesses. He comprehends that this obligation to the news adds to the unease of people in the contemporary world: Its a condition of the times, this compulsion to hear how it stands with the world, and be joined to the generality, to a community of anxiety. The habits grown stronger these past two years; a different scale of news value has been set by monstrous and spectacular scenes. The possibility of their recurrence is one thread that binds the days. The governments counsel that an attack in a European or American city is an inevitability isnt only a disclaimer of responsibility, its a heady promise. Everyone fears it, but theres also a darker longing in the collective mind, a sickening for self-punishment and a blasphemous curiosity. Just as the hospitals have their crisis plans, so the television networks stand ready to deliver, and their audiences wait. Bigger, grosser next time. Please dont let it happen. But let me see it all the same, as its happening and from every angle, and let me be among the first to know. (McEwan 176) However this 21st-century apprehension of a catastrophe about to happen fails to let people see the casual details that affect lives at a deeper and personal level. Perowne is surrounded by people that need his help. His mother is a dementia patient who cannot identify any of her friends or family. His patients at work come to him to rescue them from a sickness or mishap that they couldnt evade or control.He is determined to use science and his skills to better others lives, as well as his own since God chooses to afflict people with these tragedies. He never held a belief in destiny or providence, or in creationism. In its place, he believes that at every instant, a trillion possible futures are possible. To him, the unpredictability of possibility is more real than a God who is in control of the universe and everyones life outcomes. Perowne is introduced in the novel as a man who is happy and satisfied with his life. He lives in an enormous house in London, and leads a prosperous, upper-middle class life. He is content with his work as a respected neurosurgeon, his family of four, and particularly his successful wife: What a stroke of luck, that the woman he loves is also his wife (McEwan 38-9). Readers are then introduced to Perownes unease as a man. He observes the adventures that his married friends have with younger women and begins to think he may be lacking an element of the masculine life force, and a bold and healthy appetite for experience (McEwan 40). Perowne is very self-aware and is a habitual observer of his own moods (McEwan 5). He is a dreamer sometimes and lets a shadowy mental narrativebreak in, urgent and unbidden, even during a consultation (McEwan 20). He mocks at known postmodern suspicions: If the present dispensation is wiped out now, the future will look back on us as gods, certainly in this city, lucky gods blessed by supermarket cornucopias, torrents of accessible information, warm clothes that weigh nothing, extended lifespans, wondrous machines (McEwan 77). Perowne is so aware of the present that he even continues his amusing evaluation of contemporary life in the shower. The more time the reader spends with Perowne, the more one can see a man who is dedicated to doing the correct thing instead of doing the practical thing. McEwan portrays Perowne as a man who in some ways has got it all: happiness and success. However, in the end Perowne sees something in Baxters character that he himself has not got. He realizes through encountering the random yet chaotic events with Baxter that there has to be more to life than merely saving lives (McEwan 28). Baxter is gifted in something that Perowne is not-appreciating the meaning of poetry. It may have been love that changed and touched Baxter, not the scientific activity occurring in his brain. Perownes frame of mind changes throughout the course of the novel, and therefore throughout his Saturday. He goes from being cheerful to cross to optimistic. Schrodingers cat could either be alive or dead in a box, the war could either happen or not happened. Whatever the case may be, the world continues to go on anyway. As this particular Saturday in the life of Perowne unfolds itself, he demonstrates to readers that uncertainty of the future will always exist. It is something that cannot be predicted but can only be responded to.

Gender and Social Norms Essay

In today’s society social norms have huge effects on parental decisions. Some would say that shaping a child’s life around these norms might be what is needed in order for one to have a successful life. Majority of individuals tend to migrate towards others who are like them. With this being said, if you aren’t raised how the average person is, you will not have a group to migrate to and will never develop relationships that can benefit your future. My survey consisted of three questions, which were answered anonymously by ten different individuals. The first two questions were to find out what my participant’s sexes were and what their current marital status was. My final question was, â€Å"Do you feel boys from the ages four to seven should be provided with Barbie Toys if asked for them?† The statistics I received were quite diverse. Being accepted in today’s society is the key factor when developing early relationships, which will impact your future. As it is one has to face plenty of other obstacles such as being discriminated against due to their individual sex, race, culture or religion. If you aren’t raised around the norms society has developed then that is one more obstacle you must face when going through life. Sociological imagination is stated to be forces of society that control our personal experiences. I believe that this hits the direct point I am making when I say that there are forces outside of what one’s parents believe in that influence the way someone is raised. Parents want their children to have the average childhood and be accepted by everyone. The only way one can accomplish this is to base the decisions made for their child around the social norms. For boys, they should only play with action figures and should participate in athletics. Females should only play with Barbies and should be put in classes such as ballet. It is out of what society accepts if one’s child does participate in anything that the opposite sex should be doing. This may lead to harassment of many sorts and keep one from advancing and becoming successful. On the other hand, if someone partakes in something their gender is known for, this may lead to extra opportunities. I am stating that if someone of a specific sex has been raised the way the rest of that society has been, it will broaden their chances to migrate towards others due to a higher chance of commonalities. I found out that sex did not play much of a part when determining what people thought about my topic. Majority of the males did answer no when asked if boys should be allowed to play with Barbies. Females also leaned towards that end. Seventy-one percent of them said they would not allow a boy to play with a Barbie if they asked for it. While tallying the statistics I noticed that every person who was currently in a relationship said they would not allow it. I feel they answered it no because they may have already spoken with their significant others about possibly having children, and they wouldn’t want their child to be an outcast. I would bet that they have not spoken about this specific topic in general; therefore they would keep aware from such topics to avoid any disagreements with their partner. They may believe in two different sides, but choose to stick to what society accepts. I also saw that the few who answered yes were either single or divorced. I think these individuals are at a point where they know they are free to have their own beliefs and will exercise them because there is no one they have to persuade, other than themselves. A single parent may stick to what they believe in when raising their child, or they may resort to what society accepts. The only person I received a survey from who was married chose not to buy such toys for young boys. She actually chose to express why she felt this way. She said that her and her husband are expecting a child shortly and have been open with one another about these sorts of scenarios. She stated that they refuse to force their child (ren) to live in this â€Å"invisible acceptance bubble† that society has come to. They feel everyone should be raised differently so the world will be as diverse as possible. She expressed that she does not want to be a part of raising someone who is exactly like the next child. She described it as society losing its color. Everything will soon be black in white if we keep allowing these invisible rules to take over what should be our decisions. Society has developed norms that many people feel forced to go buy in order to achieve acceptance. Although they may not agree with what the majority does, they refuse to be a part of an outcast group. I understand why people would take part in such actions. I believe it is because they are afraid to be different and not accepted by most, which can lead to lack of relationships, needed to be considered â€Å"normal.† The survey I conducted showed what ten random people thought when asked if they would allow and/or supply a boy from the ages four to seven with a Barbie if asked. Majority responded no, which I feel was because it has been declared â€Å"wrong† in our society. Survey You are being asked to complete this survey on family issues for a paper I am writing for my FCS 340 class. All answers will remain confidential and anonymous.

Reproductive Technology And The Medical Field - 1946 Words

Reproductive technology is one of the most revolutionary developments in the medical field today. One of the newest and most advanced developments in modern medicine is in vitro fertilization (IVF). In vitro fertilization is a reproductive technology in which an egg and sperm are combined in a petri dish and then transferred to a woman’s uterus. This technique is widely used for parents struggling with infertility. This advancement in technology has created the possibility for what scientists are calling, â€Å"designer babies†. A designer baby is a fetus with genes that may be chosen by parents to prevent genetically-transmitted diseases, select the gender of the baby, and most controversially, to choose various physical and mental characteristics such as eye color, hair color, intelligence, and athletic and musical abilities. Although there may be some benefits to being able to genetically modify a child by eliminating diseases, this technique raises many ethical and medical issues. Bioethicists, geneticists and others have suggested that genetically modifying babies may cause miscarriage, other potential dangers such as an increase in class divisions in society, and have unknown effects on other gene characteristics if one gene is altered. Other problems raised include societal issues such as sex discrimination and discrimination favoring designer babies over non-designer babies. I propose that parents should not be allowed to alter and choose a fetus’s genetics exceptShow MoreRelatedThe Field Of Reproductive Technology1484 Words   |  6 PagesToday’s culture has a growing fascination with biotechnology and genetic engineering. This is especially true within the field of reproductive technology. Advancements in this field has expanded family options significantly with the advent of reproductive technologies such as in vetro fertilization, embryo transplant, and varying genetic testing and screening (Finsterbusch, 2008). H owever, what drives humanity to want to modify humankind? Should there be limits placed on these modifications? AndRead MoreEthics Reproductive Technologies. Nicole Hedrick. Baker1371 Words   |  6 PagesEthics Reproductive Technologies Nicole Hedrick Baker College HSC 402A /Dr. Eric Oestmann/Seminar One Position/Argument Essay Abstract There are people around the world trying to have children right now, that cannot and need to use services like reproductive technology to even have the chance of a little one in their future. NRTs are one thing that can help, and it is moving forward with the advancements in technology and science. With this huge advancement in technology and science, many peopleRead MoreBrief Description Of Technology And Assisted Reproductive Technology1453 Words   |  6 PagesBrief description of technology Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) refers to the technology  used to assist human  reproduction  for individuals who are infertile (inability to conceive after trying for at least 12 months). Assisted Reproductive Technologies are categorized as HardwareThere are a variety of assisted reproductive technologies that are used to help couples reproduce: †¢ In vitro fertilization (IVF) – this is fertilization outside of the body. IVF is the most effective and the mostRead MoreThe Ethical Implications Of Cloning997 Words   |  4 Pagessure without the use of humans. Religious, societal, and the destroying of human embryos are some of the ethical standpoint of cloning, reproductive cloning is highly against moral code but hasn’t even been proven to have been used. Yet there is actually a field of genetic cloning that has been working for some time gene, cloning has aided greatly in the medical field and therapeutic cloning may not be that far behind. Gene cloning is the artificial type of cloning scientists use only whenRead MoreA List of Some Medical Specialties1407 Words   |  6 PagesTest †¢ CRH Stimulation Test †¢ Dexamethasone Suppression Test †¢ Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy †¢ Five-Day Glucose Sensor Test (For Diabetes) PULMONOLOGIST A pulmonologist is a physician (MD, or DO degree) who specializes in the field of pulmonary medicine. Pulmonary medicine is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Pulmonary medicine, or pulmonologist, entails the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, conditions, and abnormalities of the lungs and cardio-pulmonary system. PulmonologistsRead More Weighing the Right to Own an Embryo by Mike McKee1290 Words   |  6 PagesMcKee achieves this success is by framing his article as a set of either-or propositions. He presents three main issues: To Birth or Not to Birth, Contract v. Intent, and judicial versus legislative authority. As to the liking of most in a legal field, his article is very neatly and precisely organized. McKee attempts to present each proposition in a very unbiased view with quality evidence, allowing the reader to form his/her own opinions. The first proposition, To Birth or Not to BirthRead MoreThe Medical Tourism Industry Is Beneficial1728 Words   |  7 Pagesand cross cultural exchanges between guest (people coming for medical treatment) and host (country people are resorting to). To strengthen the argument as to why the medical tourism industry is beneficial is that it provides an opportunity to successfully promote the image of India as a healthcare destination as it forms customer relations with foreign travel companies as well as other global medical relatives (Singh, 2014, Pg.8). â€Å"Medical tourism can be considered a kind of import: instead of theRead MoreHuman Cloning Is Justified?1295 Words   |  6 Pagesunethical and dangerous, there are procedures at hand currently that are far from that. The act of human cloning allows for treatment of otherwise incurable diseases, new medical recovery rates, as well as allow technology to advance exponentially. Human cloning is categorized into three main groups:genetic cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Genetic cloning is rather self explanatory, the cloning of genetic cells, where one study genetic variations within a person or animal andRead MoreThe Cloning Debate On Cloning1227 Words   |  5 PagesEva Gaetz Sec 09 Kanchan Hulasare The Cloning Debate According to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, the term â€Å"cloning† is defined as â€Å"a procedure for producing multiple copies of genetically identical organisms or cells or of individual genes.† Researchers have conducted several cloning experiments over the years, replicating tissues, organs, and even full organisms such as Dolly the Sheep in 1997. The history of cloning dates back to the early 1900’s when Hans Adolf Edward Dreisch studied the resultsRead MoreCloning Pros And Cons Of Cloning1147 Words   |  5 Pagesscience and technology has been introduced to where cloning can intentionally be done. Some people see this type of science and technology of cloning as beneficial to society whereas other people find this type of procedure to be inhumane and not beneficial for any purposes. Science has the ethical obligation to present to the public both the benefits of the science and technology process of cloning, such as eliminating birth defects, as wel l as the burdens of the science and technology process of

Cold War in the Eyes of Ray Bradbury - 1689 Words

Ray Bradbury, from small town America (Waukegan, Illinois), wrote two very distinctly different novels in the early Cold War era. The first was The Martian Chronicles (1950) know for its â€Å"collection† of short stories that, by name, implies a broad historical rather than a primarily individual account and Fahrenheit 451 (1953), which centers on Guy Montag. The thematic similarities of Mars coupled with the state of the American mindset during the Cold War era entwine the two novels on the surface. Moreover, Bradbury was â€Å"preventing futures† as he stated in an interview with David Mogen in 1980. A dystopian society was a main theme in both books, but done in a compelling manner that makes the reader aware of Bradbury’s optimism in the†¦show more content†¦The fire that chokes the life from the autonomous house is ironically man’s first invention and a similar fire is used by Montag to: burn the homes of books, to choke the life out of inte llect, and to smother the lungs of those who speak out in Fahrenheit 451. A chaotic flamethrower is used instead a simple fire to show the pure hatred by the general population of books and the â€Å"sadness† they can cause by thinking. This is a loose tie to the two books but; nonetheless, a symbolic and therefore important one. Beyond its symbolism, it also is a metaphor. One could conclude that the fire more fittingly acknowledges starting new again with a blank slate. It is a tree that sets off a chain reaction of events in â€Å"There Will Come Soft Rains† which, ironically means after all of man’s destruction to one another nature overtakes the house, the last faà §ade of man, with mans first invention –fire—the great equalizer. Just as Montag had thought to himself in Fahrenheit 451, â€Å"One, two, three, one, two, three! Rain†(Bradbury 48). There will come soft rain to wash it all away. When speaking of the Cold War one can envision the â€Å"McCarthism† under Truman that had entrenched the U.S. in a very mean spirited paranoia that blossomed into fear and irrational thought. This illusion of â€Å"potentially disloyal† was swallowed by many and created a, as William Touponce put it, â€Å"mass culture† that Bradbury could not stomach. This theme of distrust in the majorityShow MoreRelatedFahrenheit 451 Analysis798 Words   |  4 Pageslessons that are more real than you would think. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is no exception. Bradbury had quickly gained global recognition from his stand out dystopian hit that makes controversial social commentaries. Some of the commentaries he touches upon the topics of censorship and social conformity. All of which are demonstrated through the strategic use of demanded conformities and the dystopian setting. Overall, In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury comments on the censorship and ideological limitationsR ead MoreRay Bradbury s Writing Is Loved By Many, And Read By Students And Teachers Across The Globe1426 Words   |  6 Pages Ray Bradbury is a name most people know in the world today. Famous for his science fiction novels and short stories Ray Bradbury’s writing is loved by many, and read by students and teachers across the globe. Ray Bradbury was an american author. Born on august twenty second of nineteen twenty bradbury lived through many of the most important events in modern history. Bradbury recently died on the date of june fifth of two thousand twelve leaving behind his best literature. Though Bradbury wroteRead MoreEssay on the setting of there will come soft rains786 Words   |  4 PagesEssay on the setting of â€Å"August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains† by Ray Bradbury In â€Å"August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains†, a short story by world renown author Ray Bradbury, the narrator tells the story of a house in Allendale California, in the year 2026. The setting in this short story is very particular; it is set in a post-apocalyptic world that most likely illustrates the aftermath of a devastating nuclear war. The story takes place over the course of one day: â€Å"August 4, 2026†. The houseRead MoreRay Bradbury s Fahrenheit 451 Government Control And Fear1488 Words   |  6 Pages In 1947, the United States of America faced the beginning of the Cold War. The Cold War lasted about 45 years. Within that time; in 1953, one of the most influential American authors published his Science-Fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451. Fahrenheit 451 is about a Dystopian culture in which books are forbidden, and burned. Burning the books is a type of censorship, in which the citizens are only permitted to read books that have been preapproved by the gov ernment. The conflicts and concerns expressedRead MoreThought Provoking Illustrations in The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury1170 Words   |  5 PagesThought Provoking Illustrations in The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury first introduces us to the Illustrated Man in Wisconsin, on a warm afternoon in early September. The Illustrated Man is shown to be large and well built, but now, for some reason, going to fat. ===================================================================== His outfit is odd-a woollen shirt buttoned to the top and with cuffs tight. Although this makes him sweat, he pays no attentionRead MoreThe Sniper And The Foghorn917 Words   |  4 Pagesboth have unique writing styles that both work well with the types of stories they wrote. Liam O’Flaherty uses the conflict and setting in â€Å"The Sniper,† to help describe the character during his battle and a very good resolution. In â€Å"The Foghorn†, Ray Bradbury uses the setting, characters, resolution, and conflict to help get the reader interested. Both stories and interesting and can get a reader hooked on them but the one that hooked me was â€Å"The Sniper.† Both stories are good in many ways but I believeRead MoreArchetypes Of Dark In Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 4511483 Words   |  6 Pages Take a look at any timeless movie like the Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Marvel superhero series. In each of these movies, a villain dressed in long black robes, with a corruptive smirk and mind uses their malicious powers to battle rel entlessly with the force of the hero, the strongest and at times, the most kind-hearted character in the film. In these films, Luke fights Vader, Harry battles Voldemort, and Spider-Man combats against his villains. In the end, the hero is praised for bringing peaceRead MoreAnalysis Of Fahrenheit 451 During The Cold War2348 Words   |  10 PagesAndrea Aggarao Mrs.Thunell English II Honors 7 April 2016 Guy Montag’s Transformation Throughout Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury wrote his novel, Fahrenheit 451, during the Cold War. Although he initially wanted to warn people about the danger that technology can greatly affect a society and community for the worst, Bradbury s novel was interpreted as commentary for censorship at the time he was writing the novel. His use of many examples of reality was thought to emphasize this point. Even so, theRead MoreFahrenheit 451: the Firemen851 Words   |  4 Pagesplagued the minds of Americans with fears of atomic war and Cold War conspiracies, provides an appropriate setting for the foundation of novels protesting government policies. Animal Farm, 1984, and other similar satires of the time period demand government reform. But Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 staunchly contrasts these other writings; rather than presenting some omniscient tale admonishing its audience of the dangers of government hierarchy, Bradbury uses satire to criticize primarily emerging trendsRead MoreRay Bradbury s Fahrenh eit 451 1124 Words   |  5 PagesFahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury About the author: Ray Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920 in in Waukegan, Illinois. He died on June 5th, 2012. Ray Bradbury s work has been included in four Best American Short Story collections. He has been awarded the O. Henry Memorial Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America, the PEN Center USA West Lifetime Achievement Award, and many others. Historical