Thursday, December 26, 2019

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Treatment Essay

In 1980, the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) first came into existence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III). Only in 1987 did the DSM series make reference to traumatized children. The first major studies of the effects of large traumas on children were Blochs 1956 study of the effect of a tornado in Mississippi, Laceys 1972 study of the effects of an avalanche on a Welsh school, Newmans 1976 work on the Buffalo Creek disaster and Terrs 1979 research on the Chowchilla bus kidnapping. Psychological trauma is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as an experience beyond the range of usual human experience, that would be markedly distressing to almost anyone, and†¦show more content†¦Dissociation is defined as a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment. The disturbance may be sudden or gradual, transient or chronic (Abess, M.D.). For some people, conscious thoughts and feelings, or memories, about the traumatic event may come back at a later date (Noll). People with PTSD inevitably experience extremes of recall regarding traumatic circumstances or avoidance of thoughts and feelings about the event. Some people say they are haunted by memories of traumatic experiences which intrude on and disrupt their daily lives. They often cant get the pictures of the trauma out of their heads. They may have recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or they may even relive the trauma as if it was happening in present time. It is also common for traumatized people to make deliberate efforts to avoid thoughts or feelings about the traumatic event and to avoid activities or situations which may remind them of the event. In some severe cases, avoidance of reminders of the trauma may cause a person to have dissociative amnesia, or memory blanks for important aspects of the trauma. The individual can have problems interacting in social a nd family life, occupational instability and the breakdown of marriages can occur. PTSD is linked to structural neurochemical changes in the central nervous system which may have a directShow MoreRelatedPost-traumatic Stress Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment1612 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Statement of Thesis Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious condition and one that is challenging in terms of identifying the disorder and effectively coping with this disorder. Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that the individual develops following a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened toRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1189 Words   |  5 Pagesbattle fatigue, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been around since the history of stressful events themselves. First discovered in the 1600’s as nostalgia, it was usually left untreated as it was seen as a sign of weakness in men. In the early years of diagnosis’s, PTSD was most commonly present in soldiers due to their always present high stress situations. PTSD is a mental illness caused by traumatizing events or series of events. As defined by healthline.com, a traumatic event is â€Å"an incidentRead MoreSymptoms And Treatments Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder2995 Words   |  12 PagesAdam Baggs Mrs. Guzzo ENG3UI Monday, October 20, 2014 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENTS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN RELATION TO HOLDEN CAUFIELD INTRODUCTION Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect any person who experiences a traumatic event throughout their life. Experiencing death at a young age and lack of parental support through a hard time can lead a young adult to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.). In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, When Holden’sRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1033 Words   |  5 Pagesdepressive disorder that I chose for my final paper is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or more commonly known as PSTD. This is a very complex disorder and effects men, women, and children alike. Most people associate PSTD with servicemen or women returning from defending our country. However, statistics show these people do experience PTSD, they are not the only people this disorder effects. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a reaction a person has after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic, lifeRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Implications Of Drugs A nd Post Traumatic Stress Disorder2076 Words   |  9 Pagesï  ¶ Effects and Treatment implications: 1) Cannabis and post-traumatic stress disorder: Effects: The adjacent effects of taking cannabis include rapid heartbeat, bewilderment, and lack of physical coordination, often followed by depression or drowsiness. On the other hand Post-traumatic stress disorder causes short-term memory loss and can have long-term chronic psychological repercussions. Treatment implications: The most commonly accessed methods of treatment in New Zealand for cannabis are 12-stepRead MoreThe Effects Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1494 Words   |  6 PagesCauses and Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Post-Traumatic stress disorder has affected humans probably as long as we have had a higher consciousness, but it is only recently that researchers, medical professionals and psychotherapists have had much understanding into its nature and treatment. Although this disorder may be easy to describe, the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder negatively affect a person’s mental health, physical health, work andRead MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Or As Many Know By The1669 Words   |  7 PagesPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or as many know by the abbreviation PTSD, is a complex mental issue that affects several every day. People that know of post-traumatic stress disorder tend to connect it to military personnel. In recent years, PTSD has been diagnosed in people who have endured other types of high-stress experiences as well (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)). In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) added PTSD to the third edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical ManualRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Syndrome Essay1722 Words   |  7 Pages There are numerous different mental disorders that people are diagnosed with on an everyday basis. Some mental disorders are genetic, but yet other disorders come from the things that people encounter in life. One mental disorder that is being diagnosed more often every day is called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This is a disorder that does not discriminate based on genetics, race, age, or even sex. This mental disorder occurs due to events in a person’s life. As everyone knows it is naturalRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1453 Words   |  6 Pages84.8% of those diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder still show moderate impairment of symptoms, even 30 plus years after the war (Glover 2014). As of today, the Unites States has 2.8 million veterans who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, of those it is estimated that 11 to 20% currently suffer from Pos t-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As of 2013, a total of 12,632 veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are currently diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Glover 2014). Of course itRead MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder1496 Words   |  6 Pages Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological reaction to experiencing or witnessing a significantly stressful, traumatic, or shocking event. Did you know that one in three returning troops are being diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder and less than 40% will seek help (PTSD Foundation of America). When people think of PTSD they automatically assume it just has to do with war veterans. But what people dont know is that children and teens all over the

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Ethical Responsibilities Of Journalists - 962 Words

In the 21st century, journalists and news companies face a complex problem of rethinking their ethical responsibilities when they are dealing with social media outlets. Before reading the articles, my belief was that journalists should rethink their ethical responsibilities when it comes to using content from social media in their news feeds without consent, because if journalists are using someone s post without their consent then they lose the trust the public has with them. However after reading both the articles, the only way journalists can keep their ethical responsibilities is if they stop using social media as a source of information in their news feeds all together. For example, if journalist are allowed to use content from social media without consent in their articles, that is same thing as allowing kids to get away with plagrisim due to the reason that the internet is public. In the rare case that journalists use photos or videos from social media, they need to be 101 pe rcent sure they can verify its authenticity. Journalists shouldn t be using social media as a source of information in their news feeds but rather using it to see what people are talking about and are interested in knowing about (trending topics). In the article, â€Å"Is All of Twitter Fair Game for Journalists?† Amanda Hess discusses about a women, Christine Fox, who had posted an article on the twitter feed about rape victims. After a while, Buzz Feed got interested in the article posted by Fox;Show MoreRelatedLegal And Ethical Issues Of The Media1430 Words   |  6 Pagesmeans of mass communication. Many legal and ethical concerns arise when representing specific cultural demographics and the complex nature in which they exist. When representing indigenous Australians in the media, a deep understanding of cultural practices, beliefs, consent and privacy are critical in producing content that is both legally and ethically appropriate. Communication practitioners hold a specific responsibility to adopt legal and ethical frameworks that abide by and acknowledge theRead MoreEthical Principles, Morals And Values Of A Company Or Organization Essay1612 Words   |  7 Pagesimplemented to educate employees on the ethical principles, morals and values of a company or organization. Organizations such as the National Association for Social Workers (NASW), and the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) have ethical codes in place for individuals working within the Human Services field. The American Psychological Association (APA) have ethical principles for psychologists. Furthermore, journalist’s and corporations have ethical codes they must follow, yet their codesRead MoreCode Of Ethics And Ethics912 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstand the ethical expectations of the organization. The code acts as a guide for employees to ensure they apply ethical decision making in the workplace. As the manager you will play an essential role in disseminating this information to employees as well as ensuring they are in compliance with the code. Employees must understand the consequences of failing to uphold the code and the importance of reporting ethical failures. To ensure your complete understanding of the importance of the ethical code IRead MoreThe Role Of Conventional Journalism And Citizen Journalism850 Words   |  4 Pagespolitical influences at the first stage. Codes of conduct and responsibility While Kant’s categorical imperative indicates that an ethical action is derived from a universal law, utilitarianism is based on the outcome and focuses on the good of greatest number of people. The universal law for journalists is the moral codes governing their practice, and the consequence of journalistic practice render their potential influence and responsibility. However, we can hardly predict the absolute outcome, orRead MoreThe Radio-Television News Directors Association: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct1040 Words   |  4 Pagesestablishes this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. PREAMBLE Professional electronic journalists should operate as trustees of the public, seek the truth, report it fairly and with integrity and independence, and stand accountable for their actions PUBLIC TRUST: Professional electronic journalists should recognize that their first obligation is to the public. Professional electronic journalists should: ? 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There is no question that ‘celebrity sells’, but there has to be a burden of responsibility on each journalist to ensure that simply because the ‘public has an interest’ in an individual celebrity does not mean that every story is ‘in the public interest’. Journalists are required to adhere to the same set of principles irrespective of the individual or group upon which they are reporting and this includes ‘celebrities’Read MoreBusiness Code of Ethics Essay1591 Words   |  7 Pagesare important to the particular business needs. The Society of Professional Journalists has a code of ethics that guide journalists toward the proper reporting methods and protocol which is meant to ensure that fact based journalism is the result passed on to the community. The code of ethics consists of four major areas which include seeking the truth, minimizing harm, acting independently and accountability. Journalists should be held accountable to the code of ethics established by following aRead MoreCelebrities and Privacy1609 Words   |  7 Pagesfreedom of expression. The exercise of these freedoms â€Å"carries with it duties and responsibilities and may be subject to conditions and restrictions; for example, in the interests of the protection of the reputation or rights of others† (Fenell, 2008). MEAA Code of ethics gives a practical form to freedom of expression and encourages the journalists to have public responsibilities as an honest and efficient journalist that respect the rights of others. The 8th code of ethics in MEAA is to ‘use fairRead MoreThe Image Of Media1491 Words   |  6 Pagesconsidered by news agencies to decide if the image is suitable for a publication. The decision-making process of publishing images of graphic content varies by publication, and not all publication take the same position. For the Associated Press it was ethical to publish photographer Julie Jacobson’s image of Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard in the Afghanistan war. In 2009 a group of Marines were ambushed by Taliban figures in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. The AP photographer Jacobsen was in

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Sustainability Community Investment Access -Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss About The Sustainability Community Investment Access? Answer: Introduction The industry of hospitality is wide and involves theme parks, lodging, cruise line, event planning, transportation, and various industries of tourism (Adesina and Chinonso, 2015). The hospitality industry is a money making industry which is based on the accessibility of leisure time and disposable income. Any unit of hospitality like a hotel, amusement park or a restaurant involves multiple operational groups like the facility of handling and direct operations (kitchen workers, servers, marketing, housekeepers, human resource, porters, management, bartenders, etc.). The report consists of a brief overview of the Hospitality industry as well as structure, and culture of Como Hotel. Along with this, it will explain the leadership style followed in the hotel, number of employees involved in the functioning of the hotel, and ethical practices of the business. Overview of Como Hotel COMO Hotels and Resorts is a group of luxury hotels providing extraordinary experiences to interested people who have a desire to live life fully (COMO hotels and resorts, 2015). The properties of the group are located range from Bhutan to Miami and attract customers to visit convincing locations. They have expertise in offering wellness services, nurturing mind-body, along with exciting service and world-class cuisine. Not a single hotel of the group looks similar, except their values which are common and followed in every unit. The values of the group demonstrate confidence in responsible living and the unforgettable power of expressive experiences. Above all, COMO delivers comfort to the customers and offers them an experience they can cherish lifelong (COMO hotels and resorts, 2018). Overview of the Hospitality Industry The hospitality industry is much wider than other industries. Most of the businesses consist of only a few of diverse businesses, but hospitality industry includes any company which is concentrated towards the satisfaction of customers and fulfilling leisurely needs in place of general ones (Dominici and Guzzo, 2010). Whereas this industry is wide-ranging, there are certain important features that are significant to understand. Defining Aspects The describing features of the hospitality industry are that it emphasizes on satisfaction of the customers. This aspect is considered to be very true because the growth of the business is largely dependent on customer satisfaction. It is due to this fact that COMO hotels offers luxury services to customers. One more important feature of the hospitality industry is its dependence on leisure time and non-refundable income (Dominici and Palumbo, 2013). Due to this many companies are moving towards rich customers or tourists. If disposable income for any economy falls down due to any economic factor, then these are the main businesses to suffer because customers do not have that extra money which they ideally spend in relishing hospitality services. Different Businesses Many people have a perception that hotels form the industry of hospitality, but hotels are a part of this industry. Various forms of transportation that are involved in tourism are also considered as the part of this hospitality business world. For instance, this niche contains airlines, fancy trains, and cruise ships. Restaurants, event planning, and general tourism are also belonging to this industry (The Authority for hospitality degrees and schools, 2018). Structure and Culture of Como Hotel As per the statistics of COMO of 2010, the COMO hotel and resorts consist of 18 apartments and three hotels in metropolitan cities. These also include Umas, one Shambala estate, and two resorts. COMOs one hotel is situated in Bangkok and two in London. COMOs Maldives Coco Irelands and Turks Caicoss Parrot Cay are very exclusive resorts. However, the Umas in Bali, Uma Paro in Bhutan and COMO Shambala Estate in Bhagawan Giri (Biri) are the key differentiator of COMO from its other hotels and resorts. With its distinctive approach of business, hotel and resorts of COMO have been able to attain individual competitive advantage over their competitors in the last few years. Three hotels in COMO situated in busy cities are industrialized to attract professionals who are visiting these cities for business. Due to this COMOs marketing and sales department is established in London and its communication office is in Bangkok. These three hotels with a five-star rating that are situated in the centre of the busy cities are strategically placed by COMO to invite or attract customers. The major strategy of COMO is to construct Resorts in the rural, unusual and wild places of the world. COMO Hotels and Resorts are established with an exclusive spirit of Asia In opposing to various hotels COMO does not attempt create a hotel like a home, instead it tries to carry the local culture, along with all the country features in order to make sure that visitors will recall the lodge as memorable. This makes COMO hotels unique in their offerings. COMO honours its local traditions and also assists its guests to absorb the local culture by showing them around the city. Due to these exotic locations of the resort, whether it's an oceans secluded island or a hotel at the centre of UK, COMO Hotels and Resorts - an honour winning, a private company - recognizes how to create memories of the visitors last forever. Overview of Leader Leadership is said to be an art of encouraging a team or individual to perform effectively in order to achieve the goals of the organization (Hao Yazdanifard, 2015). The leader and the establisher of COMO hotels and resorts group is Mrs Ong. She is an Asian lady, the COMO groups owner, devoted and interested businesswoman who toured a lot all over the world but was not actually pleased with the already renowned hotels of London (Roberts, 2010). By 1991 Mrs Ong had a well-known business of fashion due to which she toured quite repeatedly to London. In one of her tours in 1991 to London, she founded that in Central London there was a building which was constructed at a perfect location and was available for sale. Instantly she chose to purchase that construction and convert it into an excellent hotel and that Hotel subsequently converted in an entree for the hotels and resorts of COMO. Therefore she started her own business in order to satisfy her anticipations on her London visits. About Como Hotel Employees Employees of COMO hotel and resort group are creative, talented and have experience which supports the group in offering best services and experience to the visitors or customers in the hotel and resorts. The COMO hotel and resort always demand stylish, creative and passionate individuals who can effectively perform in hospitality jobs. They search for people who have different and original ability of thinking, can respond instinctively and have desire to be a part of the COMO hotel and resorts family which is considered as one of the most thrilling companies in the industry of luxury (COMO hotels and resorts, 2018).The number of employees in each hotel and resort of Como is approximately 501-1000 (Crunch Base, 2018). The hotel and resort group always have an open invitation for the people who want to learn and want to serve the best experience to the customers. COMO treats its employees like one big family and provides excellent benefits in order to confirm that each employee feels worthy and appreciated within the organization. A personal development plan is offered to the employees of the group in order to enhance their skills and ability to achieve goals. The environment of the group involves experienced and talented people who offer excellent services along with this they offer a personal touch to the customers (Kibiko, 2018). Every employee has to reflect its talent and bring something new that can help in further growth of the firm (Career Scope, 2018). Maintaining records of employees In order to maintain the record of the employees COMO hotels and resorts group has implemented a system of the biometric clock in and clock out which assists the firm to mechanize the processing of payroll, exclude unofficial overtime and precisely report the employee attendance/ time to HR. COMO is executing a time card that has to be swiped in order to maintain all the records of employees attendance. However, attendance through biometric recorder can support the company to exclude early punch ins and help in more effective calculation of hours of payroll. Its services exclude the energy and time needed by the HR department to observe the activity of time-clock and decreases the manual participation of payroll subsequently leading to cost-effectiveness and enhanced output. Ethical Practices of the Como Hotel Corporate social responsibility is the form of self-regulation of the corporate incorporated into a business model (Ismail, 2009). In place of acting as managers COMO hotels and resorts act as guardians or caretaker of every destination. They identify the rights and accountabilities of becoming the part of the society and are dedicated to celebrating the local culture, helping the domestic economy, and reducing the influence of the groups hotels and resorts on the environment. Functioning sustainably stimulates and energies the group to offer better services to the customers as well as improve the plan and teams for the coming future. These goals are very important for the COMO as it helps them in making travel experiences memorable for every customer (COMO hotels and resorts, 2018). The Group identifies unique and exclusive locations for its hotels and resorts and deals with different opportunities and challenges for sustainability. However, the foundation for the groups efforts is the same they believe in offering different, unforgettable experiences for the visitors by functioning sensibly. Reducing Consumption The COMO hotels and resorts are dedicated to decreasing the use of valuable natural resources and reducing the impact of their operations on the environment. They try to manage the consumption of energy and water by implementing well-organized fixtures and equipment, whereas at the Yamu in Phuket of COMO, they make use of glasses for low thermal emissivity. In every glass, there is a feature to decrease the heat amount transmitted in the building. In every case, technology is just the initial investment. Engagement of employee and training are equally important. They welcome their guest or customers who want to be the part of these initiatives. At every property of COMO, people can select to re-use linens and towels throughout their stay. Slight gestures, such as sliding doors and closing windows to preserve energy, are also considered as a big deal. Sourcing locally and sustainably Whenever it is possible, COMO sources domestically by helping local manufacturers, non-profit organizations, community enterprises, and entrepreneurs. They select their merchants not only for the reason that they frequently have the freshest and best products but also for the reason that they are the leaders of development of the sustainable economy in the society. Conclusion COMO hotels and resorts are comprised of luxury hotels and resorts which offer an unforgettable experience for the visitors or customers. The property of the group is present at different locations. They have an expert workforce who offers best services and along with this each hotel and resorts of the group are different from each other except their imbibed values. In the conclusion, it can be said that the COMO is the best choice for the people who want to have lifelong experience and memorable period. It is the part of hospitality industry which involves various businesses and is only concerned about the satisfaction of the customers. The report has identified the culture and structure of the COMO which says that they want to offer satisfaction to the customers and make them familiar with the countrys culture. Along with this, it has explained about one leader who is the creator of COMO group i.e. Mrs Ong. Further, the report has provided the brief explanation of the employees and ethical practices performed by the COMO group. References Adesina, K.L., and Chinonso, I., 2015, Service delivery and customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry: A study of the Divine Fountain Hotels Limited, Lagos, Nigeria, Journal of Hospitality and Management Tourism, 6(1), 1-7. Career Scope, 2018, Meet The Employers, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://careerscope.uk.net/work/employers/hotels/all/item/como-hotels-and-resorts COMO hotels and resorts, 2015, Como Hotels And Resorts Makes Its Debut In Australia With A New Luxury Hotel In Perth, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.comohotels.com/media-centre/press-release/como-hotels-and-resorts-makes-its-debut-australia-new-luxury-hotel-perth COMO hotels and resorts, 2018, About Como Hotels And Resorts, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.comohotels.com/media-centre/press-release/como-hotels-and-resorts-makes-its-debut-australia-new-luxury-hotel-perth COMO hotels and resorts, 2018, Sustainability and Community Investment, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.comohotels.com/about/sustainability/responsible-business COMO hotels and resorts, 2018, Career Opportunities, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.comohotels.com/careers Crunch Base, 2018, COMO Hotels and Resorts, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/como-hotels-and-resorts Dominici, G., and Guzzo, R., 2010, Customer Satisfaction in the Hotel Industry: A Case Study from Sicily, International Journal of Marketing Studies, 2(2), 3-12. Dominici, G., and Palumbo, F., 2013, The drivers of customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry: Applying the Kano Model to Sicilian hotels, International Journal Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 3(3), 215-236. Hao, M.J., Yazdanifard, R., 2015, How Effective Leadership can Facilitate Change in Organizations through Improvement and Innovation, Global Journal of Management and Business Research: A Administration and Management, 15(9), 1-6. Ismail, M., 2009, Corporate Social Responsibility And Its Role In Community Development: An International Perspective, The Journal of International Social Research, 2(9), 199-209. Kibiko, J., 2018, The Most Important Characteristics of a Successful Employee, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/important-characteristics-successful-employee-14292.html Roberts, S., 2010, The World of Christina Ong, Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.departures.com/art-culture/profile/world-christina-ong The Authority for hospitality degrees and schools, 2018, What Exactly Is The Hospitality Industry? Accessed on: 4 February 2018, Accessed from: https://www.besthospitalitydegrees.com/faq/what-exactly-is-the-hospitality-industry/

Monday, December 2, 2019

Kate Chopins The Awakening Essays (693 words) - The Awakening

Kate Chopin's The Awakening Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a work of fiction that tells the story of Edna Pontellier, Southern wife and mother. This book presents the reader with many tough questions and few answers. It is not hard to imagine why this book was banished for decades not long after its initial publication in 1899. At that time in history, women did just what they were expected to do. They were expected to be good daughters, good wives, and good mothers. A woman was expected to move from the protection of her father's roof to the protection of her husband. Edna didn't fit this mold, and that eventually leads her husband to send for a doctor. It is here that Edna Pontellier says words that define The Awakening, "I don't want anything but my own way. That is wanting a good deal, of course, when you have to trample upon the lives, the hearts, the prejudices of others - but no matter_" As the book begins, Edna is a married woman who seems vaguely satisfied with her life. However, she cannot find true happiness. Her "awakening" begins when a persistent young man named Robert begins courting her. Edna begins to respond to him with a passion she hasn't felt before. She begins to realize that she can play roles other than wife and mother. Throughout the book Edna takes many steps to increase her independence. She sends her children away, she refuses to stay at home on Tuesdays (as was the social convention of the time), she frequents races and parties. Unfortunately, her independence proves to be her downfall. Edna stays married because divorce was unheard of in those days. She wants to marry Robert, but he will not because it will disgrace her to leave her husband. No matter how much Edna exceeds social boundaries, she is held down by the will of others, despite what she wants. In today's world divorce, sadly, is almost commonplace, but in her time she would have been an outcast of her society. By the end of The Awakening, Edna feels like a possession - of her husband, of her children, and of her society. The only solution she sees is to end her life, which she does by swimming out into the sea until her strength gives out. This is a very symbolic death. I feel the theme of The Awakening is deeper than the obvious themes of independence and women's rights. The Awakening presents suicide as a valid solution to problems that do not offer many choices. Why do people commit suicide? Some common reasons are isolation and loneliness, disruption of one's social life, and suicide for the common good. It's easy to connect these with Edna's life: the isolation of her small house, the disruption caused by Adele's death, and the common good of the children. However, her suicide had nothing to do with any lack of personal freedom. She was, for the most part, doing whatever she wanted and there were no signs that she intended to stop. Rather, it was the lack of good, healthy alternatives that led to her demise. Robert had left her in an attempt to protect her, himself, or possibly both. This left Edna to pursue a minor romance with Alcee Arobin. Or stay in a marriage that held no hope of fulfillment. Or she could pursue other third-rate affairs, while being discreet enough not to hurt her children. None of these options satisfied her longing for the one who had "awakened" her. Edna chose suicide. The only shortcoming I found in The Awakening was its lack of dialogue. The book is filled with page after page of descriptive phrases, thoughts and actions. This doesn't leave much to the imagination, and in spots, the book seems to drag. The merits of The Awakening far outweigh its few faults. It tells a story of independence, freedom and will power unheard of during the times of its publication. It's a stirring book that forces you to confront tough issues. It paints a picture of what goes through the mind of a person who loses hope. Like Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Chopin's The Awakening tells us a story from the perspective of the oppressed. It is far more than another romance novel with a tragic ending. It is a book about the choices one will makes to protect one's freedom, and Chopin wonderful job presenting them in The Awakening.