Analysis Of Mary Shelleys Frankenstein

Analysis Of Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Possibly one of the very best works of literature of all time is the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. It is a worldwide known book, and there have been countless film adaptations, sequels, and retellings of it. As one reads this novel he or she will more than likely be able to relate to the story or the characters in some way or another. It makes a great analysis project also. Things that readers are likely to find when researching this book are the interesting way Shelley came up with the idea of the book, the differences in film adaptations and the actual novel, the view of both science fiction and horror in the book, the relationship between creature and creator, the different interpretive levels the story has to offer, and the way Shelley related a lot of the topics of the story to the political community. A very interesting topic to research when it comes to this novel is how it actually came into existence. The tale began to form in the year 1816 as a result of a ghost-story-telling session between Mary Shelly, her husband, and a couple friends when the Shelleys were in Switzerland. They decided to have a contest to see who could write the scariest story in one weekend. It took her a few days to get inspiration, but she eventually got her waking dream. She said that what terrified her would terrify others, and she needed only to describe the specter which had haunted her midnight pillow. The story and its monster-hero eventually became such a well known and popular subject for film and stage that many acquaint themselves with the creature before even reading the book itself. Most first-time readers shockingly discover that the monster remains unnamed throughout the whole book, and the creators name is actually Frankenstein. The novel can be difficult for modern readers to understand, with an older form of language and a plot that has less action or suspense than expected. Usually readers discover a much more intimate view into the lives of Victor and his creation than they would with the movies. Frankenstein is a novel thought of as both horror and science fiction. Although the reader is more than likely horrified and disturbed by the events that happen, Victor Frankensteins creature is not born by magic or the supernatural but by scientific principles. It is true that it is terrifying to think the morbid events in this story, but they are done in the name of science. For example, Victor gathers the dead body parts, but he is doing it to have supplies for his experiments. The very core of this story is the intensely bitter relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Victor creates the creature but is afraid of it after doing so. He completely rejects it and doesnt even give it a chance to show if its good or evil. Victor just automatically assumes that its an evil monster. At one point in the story the creature tells Victor to remember that he is Victors creature and that he ought to be his Adam, but instead Victor treats him like the fallen angel. This shows that the creature feels hurt by the way his creator is acting, and therefore may not be a monster. Perhaps Victor Frankenstein is the actual monster here. When one is reading Frankenstein the novel intends the reader to see Victor Frankenstein as stealing creative fire from heaven in order to make a creature, who most people call a monster. One of the only reasons this creature is even referred to as a monster is because of what Hollywood has done to the story. In spite of the creatures crimes, he is as much angel as he his monster. The traditional movies dont show the true side of the creature or the creator. There is a significant difference in Hollywoods depiction of this relationship between creator and creation and the original story. One way to measure the distance in Mary Shelleys daemon and Hollywoods monster is to try to imagine the film monsters being self-educated by reading Miltons Paradise Lost. The original creature does exactly that, and actually receives a great education. Unlike Victor, who has lack of imagination, the creature has great sensibility. As a matter of fact, critics normally agree that Victor and his creation are two halves of the same being, somehow divided against itself. This is how most critics believe the confusion came about in Hollywood giving the creature the name Frankenstein. Readers realize that, in the actual novel, the creatures sympathy far surpasses Victors. Frankenstein exerts a very strong hold on the readers imagination because it works on so many different interpretive levels. Beyond its appeal as a gripping tale of morbid horror, it is also a myth of technological arrogance showing what happens when man attempts to rival the laws of God and mother nature. Victors is the tale of an out of control ego whose drive for power is self-destructive in the end. From another point of view, it is the exploration and creation itself, both creative act and psychical birth, posing questions of responsibility and consequence. At a psychological level Frankenstein and the creature may possibly represent two combined aspects of a broken psychic whole, with the creature enacting murderous desires that Victor simply ignores. The novel also treats societys sin in blocking out disturbing aspects of human nature that challenge us to second guess what we conceive as monstrous. Is it that it resides with the creature, or does it reside with the denial of l ove that he wants? The story of the way Victor treats his creation remains part of a tale that has just as strong a message against humans acting outside rational thinking now as it did two hundred years ago when Mary Shelley wrote the novel. It can be directly compared to an irresponsible father refusing to take responsibility for their children. As strange or comical as it may seem, this process can actually be compared to how some of fathers are when it comes to sexual intercourse. He was engulfed in the idea of creating this creature. He was overwhelmed with the process leading up to giving it life, but when the creature came alive Victor realized what he had done and refused to have anything to do with it. This leads to a very popular question about the book. Is the creature the monster for killing and causing so much trouble over wanting to be loved, or is Victor Frankenstein the monster for not loving and taking responsibility for what he has done? Now, if one does a close analysis of this novel there is actually a lot to that the reader can see. In Victors attempt to create life in his laboratory, he makes a somewhat frightening being. At the same time the being has great sensitivity and intellect. After Victor does this deed, he considers his actions to be a crime against mankind. He thinks that he has crossed the boundaries of forbidden intelligence, and he realizes that he failed to take responsibility for what he has unleashed upon the world. In consequence, Victor Frankenstein places himself, and his creation, beyond all possibility of forgiveness and redemption. Its true that the reader can tell the Victor Frankenstein apart from his creature, but can be difficult to tell what to make of them. Victor Frankenstein is a young man who comes from a nurturing family, and the creature is something completely different than human. Sure hes made from human, but they were dead human parts. Hes simply made up of dead body parts that were brought to life by an electric current and the brilliance of a very curious student. The question remains as to the true essence and nature of Victor Frankenstein and his creation. It is hard to speak of them separately. The creature is Victors daemon and is type of manifestation of his subconscious personality. Victor probably never imagined how the birth of his creature would turn out or what consequences would result from it. There are actually ways that Victor Frankenstein and his creation can be compared to a plant, however this will require some explanation. There are basic properties that plants must have. The plant is an organism, starting as a seed, with the entire thing being greater than the sum of all of its parts. In its natural state, it grows and manifests. It evolves spontaneously from some type of internal source of energy. Its structure is organic whereas a machine is just a combination of things whose parts can be substituted. From a physical point of view, Victor Frankenstein is clearly a human being. The son of Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein. While growing up, he is intelligent, sensitive, and a very responsible person who starts his education at the University of Ingolstadt. He has a huge enthusiastic love for the natural sciences. However, its this enthusiasm that eventually brings him to his own downfall as he becomes seduced by his own personal abilities to surpass the rest of the scientists that came before him. This all begins at the very moment he gives life to the creature he has assembled together. Starting from his creatures creation onward, Victor Frankensteins mental and physical well-being are terribly interrupted and continuously become increasingly unstable as he is aggravated and just sickened by the deed he has done. The most important thing, though, is Victors belief and overwhelming fear that he must not ever tell what he has done. So, he vows to never tell another soul of his doin gs, and can never again act ethically. Victor Frankenstein forfeits his integrity as a result of his experiment and the transgressions that it implies. Victor becomes more and more speechless and it gets harder for him to even communicate with others. As a very extreme result of his lack of integrity he is unable to testify during Justines trial, and he becomes responsible for her undeserved execution. In the creatures case, he is a manufactured being who was put together from body parts that Victor Frankenstein went around collecting from grave sites and crypts. The creature is made up of dead matter that is missing an organizational plan, and Victor has no idea of how or whether the disparate parts will even work. Victor Frankenstein just learns as he gets further into the construction of his being and makes adjustments as needed. The creature is being condemned to loneliness and he is rejected by all who look at him, but he is very sentient. The creature develops amazing language skills and eventually convinces Victor Frankenstein that he is obligated to at least create him a female companion. The creature agrees with Victor that he will go out into the wilderness away from all civilization forever with his wife, as long as Victor will create her for him. Its almost like the creature has stolen Victor Frankensteins powers of articulation and surpassed him as well. We really dont have any evidence of Victors previous rhetorical skills. The monster plays with the readers sympathies and, although one probably wouldnt uphold him for the crimes of murder and all of the chaos that he has caused, the novel allows you to understand the motives that drives him to do those horrendous acts. In the moments when the creature acts out of love and desire to be a part of the human civilization, the creature acts with integri ty. So basically, the monsters possession of human characteristics appears to be because of Victor Frankensteins dehumanization, blurring the distinctions between the human and mechanical being. Mary Shelley could have very well titled her work à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“One Catastrophe after Another.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Victor Frankenstein is in love with his own disastrous history and thinks about his creation all the time. The night of the creation is actually the fateful event to which all the other catastrophe in the story follows. So much hardship follows people in this tale, but Victor Frankenstein is the chief victim. Not only does he have to live with the fact that he created what he thinks is a hideous monster, but he also has to live with the fact of knowing that he is responsible for all of the grief that has fallen on the world from his creation. Upon reading and examination, one can see that this novel is deeply interested in a certain kind of social union; the political community. The book was written in 1818 which was the time period between revolution and reform. Mary Shelleys novel raises discussions and theorizations of the political community. In her novel Shelley engages with certain political debates by depicting characters who endeavor to attach themselves to others, like the creature. On Montanvert, Victor Frankenstein declares that there can be no community among enemies. This voices Shelleys belief that hostility and alienation are unavoidable characteristics of the human condition. It also draws some attention with the books preoccupation with building new communities. All of the characters in Shelleys novel long for companionship, whether it be longing for a father, longing to be married, etc.. So one of the principal tasks the story sets for the characters is the building of social community. In contemplating new communities on new terms, Mary Shelley uses her creature to interrogate the basis and boundaries of certain social groups. The creature, in a sense, represents a version of a man, put together by carefully picked out body parts, just as government is carefully assembled of different people. The creatures origins, however, meant that he is unaffiliated with others. He is looked at as a person but not a citizen. He isnt naturalized nor socialized with any certain community. He is the novels main community seeker. Because the creature is self-dependent and is related to no one he must seek out membership in different groups that dont rely on ties of intimacy, ancestry, or memories as a necessity for inclusion. However, what is very intriguing about Mary Shelleys novel is that she chose to stage the creatures searches for community and acceptance around the most intimate of social groups, family. Normally, it may seem that family groups are not candidates for trying to find acceptance because they are usually defined by special obligations and attachments. Choice has virtually no role in a familys organization, but Shelleys representative households are not solely private unions; instead, they are mobile and joinable. She uses family unions and the fact that the creature is an outsider to think through the problems of the value of affiliation, heredity, and sentiment as the basis of political commonality. Starting around the second half of the novel Mary Shelley further explores alternatives to familial bases for communal ties through Victor and the creatures relationship. Victor is not given the option of living in a creature-less world. Him and his creation are unable to flee from each others presence. They must confront the task of figuring out how to live in the same world together. They eventually meet on the Alpine slopes. It is there where they form the compact of Victor creating the female companion for the creature, as mentioned earlier. The compact here didnt last, but it actually is a crucial point in the book. It sets up brand new principles of connectivity with certain characters who normally disagree deeply with one-another. The creature begins to suspect that Victor Frankenstein cannot be entrusted to be a loving parent. He then presents himself to Victor as a person who has been deeply injured by Frankensteins doings; in doing so, the creature blames Victor for his act ions. The agreement reached at Montanvert produces a reality effect in the story. It is the moment when the characters different opinions and interests meet on a common political world. If one looks only at the surface it will appear that the creature solicits Victor mainly because he is a father figure when they meet. He refers to Victor Frankenstein as his creator and his natural lord and king, and to himself as Frankensteins own creature. Victor does not argue against these facts. He actually admits that he is the author of the creature. Victor admits that he is the one who has authorized the creatures existence. Back at the laboratory right before he created the creature, he was talking about how his new species would bless him as its creator and source. He was really looking forward to giving the being life. Even though Victor was horrified when the being actually came to life, he now seems willing to be moved by something like paternal care. Frankenstein agrees to hear the creatures story because he felt that it was his duty as creator to render the creature happy before complaining of his wickedness. Victor suddenly has a small amount of compassion for the cr eature that he has given life, he is prepared to render him happy by sympathizing with the creature and accepting his wish to just be heard out. However, a closer look of this scene shows the creatures true intent to appeal to Victor Frankensteins paternity as more strategic than sincerity. The creature seems to only coax Victor into temporarily forgetting his hatred in order to hear what the creature has to say. He placates Victor to buy some time in order to tell his story. In other words, he intends to soften Victor up before he makes the request that may very well decide their fates. The creatures tactic is very strategic. He has every reason to be wary of affective ties. What the creature already knows at this time is that sympathy isnt always given to other people, even if they deserve it. He learned this through the way people have treated him when he done good to them. It is clear that Shelley was making a reference to political strategy here. They get you to think of the sympathies and get your vote, just like the creature is getting Victors sympathy to coax him into making him a companion. So, after reading this it is very apparent that there are very many different things to look into when reading Frankenstein. When looked at closer the reader can get a deeper view of the lives of the characters. One may even be able to compare his or her own self to the story. Either way, Frankenstein is arguably one of the very best pieces of literature of all time.

Culture of Entrepreneurship Essay -- essays research papers

Culture of Entrepreneurship Developing a culture of entrepreneurship within an organization can be a very important factor with the potential growth in an organization. There are many factors that can be accomplished by having a state of the art internal entrepreneur system established. One is obviously the development of new ideas. The new ideas that come along can be a turning point for the whole organization. If there is one good idea it could set the company apart from the competition drastically. As long as you constantly have new ideas coming in, and capitalize on the good ones; the company can stay on top for a very long time. This also brings about another good point of ideas within the company. The more ideas that a company has coming in among employees creates competition among those employees and in return spark better ideas in the long run. This new idea of internal entrepreneurship has coined the term intrapreneur. An intrapreneur is defined as "a person within a large corporation who tak es direct responsibility for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk-taking and innovation" (Nan Hawthorne, Intrapreneur, http://www.esightcareers.net/View.cfm?x=934). So why exactly besides the points illustrated above do we need more entrepreneurship within a large corporation? From the stand point of a large corporation it is very difficult for the managers to properly see... Culture of Entrepreneurship Essay -- essays research papers Culture of Entrepreneurship Developing a culture of entrepreneurship within an organization can be a very important factor with the potential growth in an organization. There are many factors that can be accomplished by having a state of the art internal entrepreneur system established. One is obviously the development of new ideas. The new ideas that come along can be a turning point for the whole organization. If there is one good idea it could set the company apart from the competition drastically. As long as you constantly have new ideas coming in, and capitalize on the good ones; the company can stay on top for a very long time. This also brings about another good point of ideas within the company. The more ideas that a company has coming in among employees creates competition among those employees and in return spark better ideas in the long run. This new idea of internal entrepreneurship has coined the term intrapreneur. An intrapreneur is defined as "a person within a large corporation who tak es direct responsibility for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk-taking and innovation" (Nan Hawthorne, Intrapreneur, http://www.esightcareers.net/View.cfm?x=934). So why exactly besides the points illustrated above do we need more entrepreneurship within a large corporation? From the stand point of a large corporation it is very difficult for the managers to properly see...

Poverty In the Philippines Essay example -- Poverty Essays

Poverty In the Philippines The rich, the middle class, and the poor; are described by the way we live and the amount of money one has. There are many different ways of describing what poverty is, whether it is by how you live or how much money you have. What is poverty and what does it mean to be poor? Not many of us know the true meaning of these terms. Poverty is an issue dealt with throughout the world, but we are not all aware if its conditions. Poverty is a very serious problem around the world. Poverty is defined as the equality to poorness and impoverishment -- (the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions). A question to ask ourselves is: â€Å"Should poverty be defined strictly in terms of monetary income, as opposed to some qualitative formula which takes into consideration styles of life as well as material possessions?† (Sheppard 13) Because there are so many different ways we can express the term poverty, maybe there should be a certain way we ca n determine poverty world wide? A person might look like they are poor or think that they are, but by definition they really are not even close. Every country has poverty levels that decide if they are poor or not. The Philippines is a country that deals with this issue on a daily basis. The Philippine islands are located in Southeastern Asia, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The country is made up of about 7000 islands, only 2000 of those islands are inhabited. The population of the country includes about 84,619,974 people. The people of this country are all very close to their families. They work together to make the income that their family needs to survive. Sometimes th... ... rest of my life. Works Cited American Poverty and Welfare Reform. 2002. Women's Policy Research. . Cruz, Maria C., et al. Population Growth, Poverty, and Environmental Stress: Frontier Migration in the Philippines and Costa Rica. N.p: World Resources Institute, 1992. 1-92. Sheppard, Harold L. Poverty and Wealth in America. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1970. 3-279. Davis, Leonard. The Philippines People, Poverty and Politics. New York: St. Martins's P, 1987. 1-225. Philip M. Finnegan. Philippine Islands 2000. Catholic Encyclopedia. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12010a.htm The Real World Fact Book.Map. 1 August 2003. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html Poverty In the Philippines Essay example -- Poverty Essays Poverty In the Philippines The rich, the middle class, and the poor; are described by the way we live and the amount of money one has. There are many different ways of describing what poverty is, whether it is by how you live or how much money you have. What is poverty and what does it mean to be poor? Not many of us know the true meaning of these terms. Poverty is an issue dealt with throughout the world, but we are not all aware if its conditions. Poverty is a very serious problem around the world. Poverty is defined as the equality to poorness and impoverishment -- (the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions). A question to ask ourselves is: â€Å"Should poverty be defined strictly in terms of monetary income, as opposed to some qualitative formula which takes into consideration styles of life as well as material possessions?† (Sheppard 13) Because there are so many different ways we can express the term poverty, maybe there should be a certain way we ca n determine poverty world wide? A person might look like they are poor or think that they are, but by definition they really are not even close. Every country has poverty levels that decide if they are poor or not. The Philippines is a country that deals with this issue on a daily basis. The Philippine islands are located in Southeastern Asia, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The country is made up of about 7000 islands, only 2000 of those islands are inhabited. The population of the country includes about 84,619,974 people. The people of this country are all very close to their families. They work together to make the income that their family needs to survive. Sometimes th... ... rest of my life. Works Cited American Poverty and Welfare Reform. 2002. Women's Policy Research. . Cruz, Maria C., et al. Population Growth, Poverty, and Environmental Stress: Frontier Migration in the Philippines and Costa Rica. N.p: World Resources Institute, 1992. 1-92. Sheppard, Harold L. Poverty and Wealth in America. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1970. 3-279. Davis, Leonard. The Philippines People, Poverty and Politics. New York: St. Martins's P, 1987. 1-225. Philip M. Finnegan. Philippine Islands 2000. Catholic Encyclopedia. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12010a.htm The Real World Fact Book.Map. 1 August 2003. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html

Women in the Epic of Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems Essay

The Women in Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Are women in these poems active equals of the men? Or are they passive victims of the men? The roles of the women in Beowulf and other Anglo-Saxon poems are not always stereotyped ones of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but sometimes ones giving freedom of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. Beowulf makes reference to Ingeld and his wife and the coming Heathobard feud: in that hot passion his love for peace-weaver, his wife, will cool (2065-66) This is a rare passage, for Anglo-Saxon poetry rarely mentions romantic feelings toward women. In fact, one’s marital status wasn’t even considered significant. For example, with the hero himself the poet never mentions whether he is married or not, likewise with most characters in the poem. Because this is a poem about the heroic deeds of men, Hildeburh excepted, the feeling between man-and-woman is downplayed, and the feeling among warriors is emphasized. Remember that the poem opens with Scyld Scefing, who came motherless to rule the Danes: than those at his start who set him adrift  when only a child, friendless and cold,  lone on the waves. (44-46) Scyld’s motherlessness perhaps tells the reader that the heroic, superhuman, violent deeds about to transpire are perhaps not all that compatible with women and womanly qualities like passivity, gentleness, compassion. It is a predominantly masculine, rough and tough narrative which would only be detracted from by the presence of many women. Chickering says that women in the poem had â€Å"all the dignity and standing they commanded in Tacitus’ day,† when they were greatly respe... ...im (in the case of Hild). And the language in reference to the women seems to be respectful, non demeaning. Some women have stereotyped roles of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but others, particularly royalty, have freedom of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. BIBLIOGRAPHY Alexander, Michael, translator. The Earliest English Poems. New York: Penguin Books, 1991. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Overing, Gillian R. â€Å"The Women of Beowulf; A context for Interpretation.† In The Beowulf Reader, edited by Peter S. Baker. New York: Garland Publishing, 2000. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Tacitus: The Annals of Imperial Rome, translated by Michael Grant. New York: Penguin, 1996.

Effects of Broken Family to Students Essay

Family is the basic components of the society. And the parents are the most important source of youth’s behavior, which effect to their outlook in life. A home is where a family lives. It may be alternated to the word ‘house’ but a house is more appropriately referring to the material structure, whereas ‘home’ refers to the intangible things that bind together the family members. The Family is an essential factor for a human’s whole-being, everything about a man, his background, attitude, all of his achievements, his honor and dignity, relies on the structure of the family a man lives in with. A family is composed of a father a mother and their offspring, bonded by their love for each other. Here in the modern age a family could be two things, complete or broken. A broken family is believed to be a cause of a child’s mislead in life, some people give it as the main reason of the rebellious and unclear acts of a person. Meanwhile school is another factor which molds us on becoming a good person. Separation, family problems and misunderstandings from the family are the major causes of single – parent or broken families. see more:having relationship while studying Good relationship of parents to their siblings may build a strong relationship and a strong relationship with their family can develop the behavior of a person. The behavior of a person can also affect by the relationship of their family. A person who comes from broken family will have different behavior on their social well-being. The parents have a special role in the behavior of a person. Here in the Philippines, most of the students come from broken family with a single parent. Many of them feel sad. Sometimes they can’t explain to their self or to others why they feel that way. When they saw a happy family they feel depressed moods seems to arise from within. They depression feels unpleasant, inconvenient, and unacceptable. Some of the VMA Global College students come from broken family as well. This research helps the reader to understand the role of good relationship of parents on the behavior of a student. Broken Family can affect the behavior of a student. But the students who come from broken family have different behavior and different principle in life. It also show us the different ways of the respondents on how they overcome their situation.

Positive Impact of Internet on Internet Essay

E-government, based on The World Bank definition is â€Å"the use of information technology by government offices for better services to people, business and to facilitate cooperation among government institutions†. The use of E-government has a prospect of empowering the society through public access to information resources available. (Krisna Sen, 2005) For example, a number of American and European sites feature extensive government reports and scientific studies as well as dynamic debates about government and politics. Analogous Indonesian sites usually offer little beyond public relations materials from government agencies and corporations. Krisna Sen, 2005) There are unlimited advantages in the application of e-government. The wide use of e-government provides services and assists in communication between government and communities. It, also, provides services and makes a communication possible between government and business sector. Finally, â€Å"e-government facilitates communication in intergovernmental and among government institutions† (David Lazer, 2007). Basically, it supports the communication between central and local governments and balances their authority. Indonesia could use E-government for other reasons as well. E-government can maintain the government change towards a democratic future. Online E-government services will motivate general public to use internet and transform the society towards an information epoch. There are many factors that, unfortunately, contribute to the low use of Internet. Most of the ICT development has been concentrated in the metropolis centers like Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, and Surabaya, while rural areas lack access to even the most basic telecom infrastructure. Telephone and computer access have gradually increased over the years, but these figures are still very low. Another main aspect contributing to the little use of ICTs is the narrow knowledge and use of English in Indonesia. The national language of Indonesia, a dialect of Malay, is used in education, government, and business. That is why the ability to use the Internet is very limited. However, despite an array of geographical, political, and economic obstacles, progress has been made in the operation and use of the Internet in Indonesia with the support of local communities. Also, a significant steps forward has been made in the distribution of ICT education in the country.

Alcohol and substance abuse Essay

Introduction There are many challenges facing the world today raging from political conflicts (wars), natural disasters, famine, diseases, economic and social problems among others. Every continent on this earth and for that matter every country have encountered one or more of such problems. However some countries have been able to eradicate or minimize the occurrence and effect of some these problems such as famine, economic issues, political conflicts etc. Usually, developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America are the most vulnerable to all these problems. Apart from natural disasters which its occurrence can hit any country, developed countries encounter minimal problems of famine , political or economic problems but are often challenged with especially social problems including substance abuse mainly alcohol usage. What is Substance Abuse Substance abuse have been one of mankind oldest weakness as we have as human beings, in one way or the other either consciously or unconsciously have abuse some sort of substances at a particular point in time of our life. In ancient Greece, were a group of people called â€Å"lotus eaters† where they used lotus fruits and flowers as form of food which put them in some form of hallucinogenic state. Substance abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the excessive use of legal substance so as to produce physical, psychological or social harm. The World Health Organization refers to substance abuse as harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs. Substance abuse which is commonly referred to as drug abuse is therefore the use of illegal or in appropriate use of a legal substance that alter the normal functioning of the brain or nervous system and are harmful to the general health of the user. (Levin et al 2000, WHO 2010) Substance Abuse in the Context of Alcohol Alcohol is a form of liquid known as ethanol and used as an ingredient or a constituent of intoxicating beverages such as beer, spirits, wine and other drinks. Alcohol is the most prevalent psychoactive substance used by many people. It is often used as a form of depressant which as a result slow the effective performance or operation of the central nervous system. Substance abuse drugs are categorized as stimulants (caffeine, nicotine), depressant (alcohol, valium), hallucinogens (ecstasy, LSD), cannabis (hashish, marijuana) and steroids (Macionis 2005, WHO 2010). Why people use alcohol There are number of reasons why people use alcohol. Curiosity among other reasons such as for recreational, spiritual, psychological, social conformity etc. are often the explanation given. Some of these reasons are not obvious and most people use different forms of excuses like, I have had a stressful day or week, I have friends coming around, I have to get in the mood to socialize etc. Recreational and Spiritual People see alcohol consumption as a form of leisure. Example, some people may drinking a glass of wine or beer before, after or with a meal to increase their appetite, make the food taste better or make them more relaxed. Many cultures around the world use alcohol in their spiritual practices and believes. In Ghana and other African countries, often alcohol is used as a form of offering in pouring libation to the gods. Psychological and Social Conformity Due to the psychoactive effect of alcohol, it is seen as a way of alleviating stress, mental and emotional problems. Some people use alcohol due to a particular society, group, affiliation etc. that they belong to in other to fit in. During social events, alcohol are usually served and many people believe by consuming alcohol will instill a sense of confidence when in the company of others. Example is among college students and young adolescent where due to peer pressure find themselves drinking alcohol. People living in isolation with poor network support and decrease mobility may often turn to alcohol especially among senior citizens. Alcohol and other substance abuse as a problem In most societies, people have different opinions and mixed feelings about alcohol and other forms of substance abuse. Some people may consider its use as beneficial while others may disagree. However, the problems created by alcohol and other substance abuse are staggering than the benefits derived. The most commonly problems we often witness are public drunkenness, disorderly behavior, traffic and industrial accidents, broken families, crime, poor social functioning and worsening of existing conditions such as poverty, mental and physical illness. (Kornblum and Julian 1974). Key findings indicated that more people suffer from alcohol use disorders compare to drug use and both types are common in men than in women. In every year 35 out of 100,000 people are killed by alcohol where as in 2012 3. 3 million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption globally. 5. 4% of world’s annual disease burden is caused by alcohol and illicit drug use, whereas tobacco accounted for 3. 7%. Globally 46% of all men and 73% of women abstain from alcohol. This means 54% of men and 27% of women of the total global population have at some point in their life consumed alcohol before. Therefore 81% of the total worldwide population have consumed alcohol at some point in time. 6. 2 liters of pure alcohol were consumed per person aged 15 years or older in 2010 worldwide. Developed countries have the highest consumption rate with Europe having the highest level of alcohol consumption while the lowest is found in the South East Asia region (WHO 2014). Effect of Alcohol Alcohol consumption has several negative effect on the user which as a result affect the society, country and the globe. The annual death rate related to alcohol consumption is about 3. 3 million globally. The individual also becomes very vulnerable of contracting other diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, anemia, heart attack etc. Alcohol and other substance users are more exposed to social related harm like rape, accidents, injury or even death. Governments in various countries spend huge sums of money to treat and rehabilitate substance abuser, such individuals sometimes lose earnings, become unemployable or lose their family. The money, time and health care facilities used to rehabilitate these individuals put lot of economic strain on the government budget and even the economical contributions of such individual is even severe if the person is a professional example a medical doctor, teacher, IT technician etc. Such monies could be used to do other social economic developments to improve the overall wellbeing of the society and the globe. The Finnish government spend about 1. 3 billion euros annually for managing alcohol related problems according to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (Yle News 2013, WHO 2014). Conclusion Alcohol and other substance abuse is not an individualistic problem but a worldwide issue where all governments must work together to combat, reduce, if not eradicate the total consumption of it. Good policies on better health care systems, improved economic policies and strong but encouraged social living programs should be implemented. Efficient advocacy programs, effective regulatory strategies and the involvement of community base action programs to care, support and prevent the sale and consumption of alcohol and other substance abuse materials should be implemented and encourage. Reference Dowd Thomas E, Rugle L. Substance Abuse, A Practitioner’s Guide to Comparative Treatments. New York: Springer Publishing Company 2006. Julian J, Kornblum W. Social Problems. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Publishing 1974. Levin et al. Social Problems. California: Roxbury publishing company 2000. Macionis John J. Social Problems. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Publishing 2005. Alcohol: Definition. World Health Organization (Accessed 13. 09. 2014) http://www. who. int/substance_abuse/activities/msbatlaschone. pdf? ua=1 Alcohol and Health: Factors and Effects. World Health Organization (Accessed 13. 09. 2014) http://www. who. int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/msb_gsr_2014_1. pdf? ua=1 Alcohol: Cost. National Institute for Health and Welfare THL. (Accessed 14. 09. 2014) http://yle. fi/uutiset/huge_costs_caused_by_alcohol_ause/6639487.