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Explain the influence of culture on health
How culture influences health
How culture influences health
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Clutching the letter I had received only 2 weeks prior, I paused outside Nonno Montresor’s my palazzo. My fingers traced the scrawled ink of a letter from my grandfather. His shaky handwriting indicated that with time he was growing weak, and I knew that I had made the right decision to see him. I reread his request, “I perceive your university closes for the holiday and it would be of great pleasure if you could come see me” hoping this would not be the last time I would see him. My grandfather had always been introvert, reserved and modest with no desires. He had been helping with my education since I lost my father when I was still very young. He had a bizarre sense of nature. I could recall numerous times when he woke up abruptly at the middle of the night with a loud sound of cry only to stare at the vacant wall for several hours. Upon asked what the matter was, he simply would reply, “Nothing, really. Frances, would you mind getting me a glass of Oloroso?” He was a connoisseur of wines. I shuffled the letter into my left hand: my forefinger pinning the envelope, the bottle my hand already held. Using my right hand, I delicately knocked on the faded yellow door, recalling myself as a young boy who barged right in. After several moments, my grandfather swung the door open, ushering me inside. Francesco: Nonno, you look very pale, are you sure you wish to see me today? Perhaps I could come when you have gained some strength. Montresor: (firmly) I am fine. (Calmer) It is nice to see you Francesco. Tell me, how are your studies? Francesco: I am quite fond of Bologna. I have made many acquaintances there. Please excuse my heavy eyelids, grandfather. The city is indulged at the annexation by kingdom of Sardinia. Everybody is ... ... middle of paper ... ...unato, were you able to live a life in peace? Montresor: I could not have lived better dear! Francesco: I too have someone who belittles me. And I wish to continue my studies without the disruptions. A series of coughs overtake Montresor’s breath. Montresor notices blood on the tissue he coughed into. After several minutes, Montresor recovers his breath and is able to speak hoarsely. Montresor: Now, let us drink to Fortunato’s misfortune. I looked at my grandfather and decided I would ask no more questions. He has, I remarked, lived a peaceful life. Despite his actions, he, unlike many others, has lived a life of happiness. I look at the smile his sagging skin suggests, and realize that I too want to live a happy life. Just like Nonno, I shall eliminate the enemy and give his advice to my first or second generation of children. This man, I thought, is never wrong.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
When presenting ‘A Place in Tuscany’ the perspective changes to that of a young man. Compared to the house in Brisbane, more use is made of the conversation and there is a more sophisticated and advanced vocabulary and knowledge of the area. This gives the reader a more adult insight into the area.
Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).
Her family life is depicted with contradictions of order and chaos, love and animosity, conventionality and avant-garde. Although the underlying story of her father’s dark secret was troubling, it lends itself to a better understanding of the family dynamics and what was normal for her family. The author doesn’t seem to suggest that her father’s behavior was acceptable or even tolerable. However, the ending of this excerpt leaves the reader with an undeniable sense that the author felt a connection to her father even if it wasn’t one that was desirable. This is best understood with her reaction to his suicide when she states, “But his absence resonated retroactively, echoing back through all the time I knew him. Maybe it was the converse of the way amputees feel pain in a missing limb.” (pg. 399)
...ome the dream of attainment slowly became a nightmare. His house has been abandoned, it is empty and dark, the entryway or doors are locked. The sign of age, rust comes off in his hands. His body is cold, and he has deteriorated physically & emotionally. He is weathered just like his house and life. He is damaged poor, homeless, and the abandoned one.
His grandfather had always been a model citizen. He was a quiet, meek man who always acted in a desirable way towards the whites. And then, on his deathbed, he called himself a traitor and a spy. What haunted the narrator is that he acted in the same manner...
He seems overall both happy and apathetic towards the situation. “Another characteristic is the total lack of empathy or sympathy for anyone else. If people lose everything they have, suffer terrible emotional or physical pain, even lose their life, it will not bother a sociopath at all. Not only does the pain or misfortune of others not bother them, but many sociopaths actually enjoy it” (Jones 21). This perfectly describes Montresor’s views and thoughts in the story. He went as far enough to joke and laugh about it numerous times. For example, "Enough," he said; "the cough 's a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough." "True --true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily --but you should use all proper caution. A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.” (Poe 168). Montresor is both joking and foreshadowing about the future course of events. He is joking in a smug way about how he is going to be the one murder Fortunado not his petty drunken coughs. He seems very amused with his reply. Even to go as far as to give him precaution as they continue on their venture, though in reality he couldn’t care less. This is also an example of dramatic irony. He does this in another instance as
The point of view and tone for this story helps relate to the theme. The narrative is in third person point of view with limited omniscient. This means that the reader is able to go inside the mind of the grandmother and know what she is thinking and feeling. The only ot...
I looked around at everyone in the room and saw the sorrow in their eyes. My eyes first fell on my grandmother, usually the beacon of strength in our family. My grandmother looked as if she had been crying for a very long period of time. Her face looked more wrinkled than before underneath the wild, white hair atop her head. The face of this once youthful person now looked like a grape that had been dried in the sun to become a raisin. Her hair looked like it had not been brushed since the previous day as if created from high wispy clouds on a bright sunny day.
Meursault’s Maman, when introduced to the reader, has already passed away; however, her past relationships that disclose themselves when Meursault attends the funeral directly contrast her son’s emotional receptivity, or lack thereof. During Maman’s funeral, a woman “in the second row...emitted a little choking sob” (8). The keeper subsequently relieves Meursault of his frustration by explaining to him that “she was devoted to [his] mother” and that they were close friends (8). Along with friendship, Maman also embraces romance during her last few days with her relationship with Thomas Perez at the home, where “[he] and [maman] [are] almost inseparable” and “people [would] tease Perez about having a fiance” (10). Maman’s attempt to form de...
Often people look towards old people as people who are dull, and not full of life. They don’t understand anything of the times. They pinch cheeks. They always tell boring stories. These are many things people stereotype the older generation as being. Yet, this is not true at all. Older people need to be highly respected. They have lived such long lives and gone through so much. They give so much insight on how people should live their lives as clearly they have endured through it. In the short story of A Celebration of Grandfathers by Rudolfo A. Anaya, it suggests important life lessons that everyone needs to know.
Moreover, even as the son attended Exeter, she drove up with the family for Parent’s Day and provided a plethora of her cooking; the son then noticed that “beneath the face of her worry, I thought my mother was smiling” (3857). No matter how disconnected the son was from the family when he attended a boarding school, when they were together there was an ultimate bonding experience. Additionally, whenever he came home, she made kalbi (3857). As mentio...
Childhood can be a fragile thing. It is commonly believed that children see the world through different eyes. Everything seems fresh and interesting to them, where we become saturated with the details of our everyday lives. The eyes of Vittorio Innocente act as a safeguard, seemingly protecting him from truth and danger that he cannot see. Since the incident with the snake, Vittorio had noticed that his mother had been keeping to herself, working in the garden. However, he could not understand what was wrong with her, and could not figure out why the household seemed so empty. ‘…A veil seemed to have fallen between us, and for a while I had nursed this estrangement like a precious wound I could somehow turn to advantage; but the passing days brought only a growing awkwardness, as if my mother and I had suddenly become strangers, with no words now to bridge the silence between us’ (74). Vittorio’s ‘safety-goggles’ also help him when the gang of boys inv...
The celebration of the Carnival first began in Italy before the first day of the Lent season and was later brought to Brazil by Catholic Portuguese settlers in the 18th century. The origin of Carnivals may not be Brazilian, yet even today Brazil most embodies the Carnival celebrations and spirit. There are many small festivals held throughout the year, but few claim to compare to the annual “Carnaval” in Rio de Janeiro. The celebration is only a small part of the year, but its influence on the community remains for the whole year. Carnaval is considered a time when socio-economic status disappears and communities come together. However, Carnaval also strongly impacts Brazil by providing space for individuality and celebrating individual characteristics. Indeed, Carnaval has become an opportunity for small revolts and protests by the people usually against the government. Brazilians who aren’t satisfied with social standards or laws will speak up and use Carnaval as their platform for protest. The celebration creates an atmosphere of trust and community in which people feel comfortable voicing their opinions. It has been used for feminist movements, gay right movements, as well as others. Not only is it beneficial to marginalized groups who find the opportunity to voice their frustration, Carnaval is used as an opportunity to forget and move past the brutality of life. Whether it’s death or unemployment, Carnaval activities focus on the positive aspects of life and don’t tend to dwell on the past. Brazil has become one of the happiest emerging nations because of the Carnaval. Although Carnaval appears to consist of mainly outrageous parties, it represents much more than that. Carnaval provides a public forum to ce...
Given with her vulnerable, sickly sate, Amor went to home in order to seek rest and comfort in the arms of her family. Her arrival was a surprise for her family. Two things brought their surprise. First was that they are shocked that Amor is home again, and second was Amor’s state when she got home, a...