Heart of Darkness Essay Example for Free

Heart of Darkness Essay The mistress was always considered primitive and did not become civilised after being with Kurtz, showing she had strength to stay who she was and not be influenced by the `white man, as many black people were. Her power on Kurtz, however, was far too great and he could not help but be influenced by this wild woman and also by the country, in which she lived. Kurtz was also influenced and changed by the `power of Africa. He could have control over the natives but he would never be able to succumb to the heart of darkness. The mistress, herself was actually a representation of Africa: like the wilderness itself which emphasises her power and compares it to that of her land into which even white men were afraid to venture too deep. When Marlow looked at a map of Africa he described the Congo river as looking like a snake. This again makes the audience relate back to Adam and Eve. A snake which symbolised the devil convinced Eve to tempt Adam. So through this we can see that the mistress received some of her power through a greater source. Her inability to speak makes readers think of her as more animal and primitive but this just adds to her mystery and makes her appear more like Africa and at one with the power in it. the immense wilderness, the colossal body of the fecund and mysterious life seemed to look at her, pensive, as though it had been looking at the image of  its own tenebrous and passionate soul. Emphasising these three characters power, Conrad uses a contrasting character for comparison. This character is Kurtzs `intended who was very much opposite to the other females, in particular Kurtzs `mistress. This woman was a typical Victorian fantasy: This fair hair, this pale visage, this pure brow her forehead, smooth and white her fair hair seemed to catch all the remaining light in a glimmer of gold. She is the type of woman any British man would want. The use of words such as `fair, `white, `smooth and `pure conveys her as being innocent and good and she was never spoken about in a sexual way- she seemed not to have any sexuality- which is a very powerful attribute to have. Someone with these characteristics is usually not very powerful. Also her background: she is British and British women were often marginalised from power or authority due to males values so too would she be- she is no exception to this- more like an example of it. A year after Kurtzs death she still mourned him and tells Marlow: I have survived. This tells readers she finds it hard to like without Kurtz- she is finding it hard to find the power to struggle on. Then when Marlow lies to her about Kurtzs last words- readers are aware that he is does not believe she has enough strength (power) to handle that kind of truth. This lie is made to maintain womens great and saving illusion. For this `powerless woman Marlow wants to help (her/women) to stay in that beautiful world of their own This is contrasted with the other three `powerful women as they were not in that beautiful world of their own. The aunt was almost in a `mans world- finding power from others in high places. The knitting women were represented as being in the `after world having power over peoples lives and guarding the door of Darkness therefore having the power (like the men believed they had over women) of deciding who could come in to their world and who could not. Then there was the mistress: her personality and her `world was the complete opposite to the intended (who was the representation of `powerless). The mistress was considered wild, very sexual and uncivilised, living in an almost `animal world obtaining her power from nature. The typical woman in the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, is represented as not possessing much or any power. This is seen through the eyes of a man therefore women are marginalised. They are excluded from the bulk of the story but when they do make an appearance, the `aunt, the `knitting women and the `mistress all convey some sort of amazing power that is not typical to Marlows views and that men (of those times) do not consider or want women to have. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Joseph Conrad section.

Totalitarianism in Brave New World Essay -- essays research papers

The formative years of the 1900’s, suffered from communism, fascism, and capitalism. The author of the Brave New World, Mr. Aldous Huxley lived in a social order in which he had been exposed to all three of these systems. In the society of the Brave New World, which is set 600 years into the future, individuality is not condoned and the special motto â€Å"Community, Identity, Stability† frames the structure of the Totalitarian Government. The Brave New World â€Å"community† is divided into five castes ranging from the Alphas, who are the most intellectually superior, and ending with the Epsilons who are the most intellectually inferior. â€Å"Identity† is portrayed in the â€Å"Conditioning Center,† where babies are not born but made then separated into the five classes. â€Å"Stability† in this society is insured through limitations placed on the intelligence of each group. The fundamental tenant behind the New World is â€Å"UTILITARIAN TOTALITARIANISM.† The goal of utilitarianism is to make the society happy as a whole and thus more efficient. A Totalitarian Government is kept in the New World by control, conditioning, and a lack of emotion and intelligence. Through science people are not just created, they are conditioned to guarantee the happiness in humanity, â€Å"What man has joined nature, is powerless to put asunder,† shows how much conditioning can change behavior. In his writing, Huxley shows that misinformation starts at birth and can be used against us whenever we are unaware of it. The New World is a blend of capitalism and communism. Capitalism seeks to stimulate trade market to generate a substantial amount of money, which results in economic benefits for the country. The system of rule in the Brave New World has a similar aspect. In it, t... ...der, Adolf Hitler who led under a Fascist rule, controlled everything from religion to politics. â€Å"Fascism is a form of right-wing totalitarianism which emphasizes the subordination of the individual to advance the interests of the state.† The Nazi idea of life was that all â€Å"non-Aryans,† should be scorned, and German unification should be reached. Unification was to be reached in any way possible including terror and loyalty to their autocrat. â€Å"[People constantly requesting government intervention] are casting their problems at society. And, you know, there's no such thing as society. There are individual men and women and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look after themselves first. It is our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbors.† --Margaret Thatcher September 23, 1937

Air pollution economic case for enviromental regulation

IntroductionEconomic development and prosperity takes place, several times, coupled with contamination of the urban environment. This situation is defined in economics as an externality, which is an effect from one activity which has consequences for another activity but is not reflected in market prices. When these consequences are the generation of external costs they are defined as negatives. This is the particular case of air pollution. For example, â€Å"Pollution represents an external cost because damages associated with it are borne by society as a whole and are not reflected in market transactions.†(Koomey and Krause, 1997)  Despite the fact that stricter controls were put into practice in the last years, and the observed reductions in pollution, air pollution remains as a common concern among countries.Externalities correctionsThere are four major measurable examples to correct this problem which are: Property Rights, Regulation, Taxes and subsidies, Marketable Per mits.  Although it works in few cases, small groups, if property rights are correctly defined it may avoid the problem, e.g. if a firm owns the right to clean air and can charge people for using it.  Air pollution regulations were strengthened by enactment of the Air Quality Act in 1967, which introduced a regional approach to air pollution control; and has been has been increasing in the last years, E.g., limits on vehicle emissions, controls on allowable factory emissions, smoking bans. The problem on this measure is that does not encourage change in technology uses or new technology developments.Taxes and subsidies, for example differential taxes on carbon emissions, has the benefit that the company that produces contamination â€Å"pays†, thus encouraging technology change and being more efficient.  At last, marketable permits are a number of permits issued according to a total limit of output pollution. They may be auctioned to the highest bidder, going to companie s that can not reduce pollution easily. The Clean Air Act is a well-known example of the application of the marketable permits technique.ConclusionControlling air pollution is a difficult task, plenty of trade-off decisions. Many measures have been taken to stop the problem, but many of them have proven to be inefficient. It seems that taxes and subsidies are the best measures but this might be introduced slowly into the market, thus giving time to firms to adjust their production methods. Hence is that marketable permits are a validate instrument to go together with taxes in the meanwhile.ReferencesNorberg, Johan. â€Å"In Defense of Global Capitalism†. Publisher: Cato Institute. Place of Publication: Washington, DC. Publication Year: 2003. Page Number: 229.Cherni, Judith A. â€Å"Economic Growth versus the Environment: The Politics of Wealth, Health and Air Pollution†. Publisher: Palgrave. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 2002. Page Number: 1.Colls, Jeremy. â€Å"Air Pollution†. Publisher: Spon Press. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 2002. Page Number: 21.Arya, S. Pal. â€Å"Air Pollution, Meteorology and Dispersion†. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1999. Page Number: 15.Koomey, Jonathan and Krause, Florentin. â€Å"Introduction to Environmental Externality Costs†. Year: 1997. Published in the CRC Handbook on Energy Efficiency. Energy Analysis Program. Applied Science Division. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.   

Methane as a Greenhouse Gas

Methane is a major constituent of natural gas, but its chemical and physical characteristics also make it a powerful greenhouse gas and worrisome contributor to global climate change. Methane A methane molecule, CH4, is made of a central carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogens. Methane is a colorless gas usually formed in one of two ways: Biogenic methane is produced by microorganisms breaking down certain types of sugars in conditions where oxygen is absent. This biologically-produced methane can be released to the atmosphere immediately upon being produced, or it can be accumulated in wet sediment only to be released later.Thermogenic methane was formed when organic matter was buried deeply under geological layers and over millions of years, and then broken down by pressure and high temperatures. This type of methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, making up 70 to 90% of it. Propane is a common by-product found in natural gas. Biogenic and thermogenic methane may have different origins but they have the same properties, making them both effective greenhouse gases. Methane as a Greenhouse Gas Methane, along with carbon dioxide and other molecules, contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect. Reflected energy from the sun  in the form of longer-wavelength infrared radiation excites methane molecules instead of traveling out into space. This warms up the atmosphere, enough that methane contributes to about 20% of the warming due to greenhouse gases, second in importance behind carbon dioxide. Due to the chemical bonds within its molecule  methane is much more efficient at absorbing heat than carbon dioxide (as much as 86 times more), making it a very potent greenhouse gas. Fortunately, methane can only last about 10 to 12 years in the atmosphere before it gets oxidized and turns into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide lasts for centuries. An Upward Trend According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of methane in the atmosphere has multiplied since the industrial revolution, growing from an estimated 722 parts per billion (ppb) in 1750 to 1834 ppb in 2015. Emissions from many developed parts of the world have now appeared to have leveled off, however. Fossil Fuels Once Again to Blame In the United States,  methane emissions come primarily from the fossil fuel industry. Methane is not released when we burn fossil fuels, as carbon dioxide does, but rather during the extraction, processing, and distribution of fossil fuels. Methane leaks out of natural gas wellheads, at processing plants, out of faulty pipeline valves, and even in the distribution network bringing natural gas to homes and businesses. Once there, methane continues to leak out of gas meters and gas-powered appliances like heaters and stoves. Some accidents occur during the handling of natural gas  resulting in the release of large amounts of gas. In 2015 very high volumes of methane were released from a storage facility in California. The Porter Ranch leak lasted for months, emitting almost 100,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere. Agriculture: Worse Than Fossil Fuels? The second-largest source of methane emissions in the United States is agriculture. When evaluated globally, agricultural activities actually rank first. Remember those microorganisms that produce biogenic methane in conditions where oxygen is lacking? Herbivorous livestock guts are full of them. Cows, sheep, goats, even camels have methanogenic bacteria in their stomach to help digest plant material, which means they collectively pass very large quantities of methane gas. And it is not a minor issue, as a full 22% of methane emissions in the United States are estimated to come from livestock. Another agricultural source of methane is the production of rice. Rice paddies contain methane-producing microorganisms as well, and the soggy fields release about 1.5% of global methane emissions. As the human population grows and with it the need to grow food, and as temperatures rise with climate change, it is expected that methane emissions from rice fields will continue to increase. Adjusting rice-growing practices can help alleviate the problem: temporarily drawing down water mid-season, for example, makes a big difference but for many farmers, the local  irrigation network cannot accommodate the change. From Waste to Greenhouse Gas Organic matter decomposing deep inside a landfill produces methane, which is normally vented out and released into the atmosphere. It’s an important enough problem that landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the United States, according to the EPA. Fortunately, an increasing number of facilities capture  the gas and route it to a plant that uses a boiler to produce electricity with that waste gas. Methane Coming From the Cold As Arctic regions warm up quickly  methane is released even in the absence of direct human activity. The Arctic tundra, along with its numerous wetlands and lakes, contains large amounts of peat-like dead vegetation locked in ice and permafrost. As those layers of peat thaw, microorganism activity picks up and methane is released. In a troublesome feedback loop the more methane there is in the atmosphere, the warmer it gets, and more methane is released from the thawing permafrost. To add to the uncertainty, another worrying phenomenon has the potential to further disrupt our climates very rapidly. Under Arctic soils and deep in oceans large concentrations of methane exist entrapped in an ice-like mesh made of water. The resulting structure is called a clathrate, or methane hydrate. Large deposits of clathrate can be destabilized by changing currents, underwater landslides, earthquakes, and warming temperatures. The sudden collapse of large methane clathrate deposits, for whatever reason, would release lots of methane into the atmosphere and cause rapid warming. Reducing Our Methane Emissions As a consumer, the most effective way to lower methane emissions is by reducing our fossil fuel energy needs. Additional efforts include choosing a diet low in red meat to reduce the demand for methane-producing cattle and composting to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills where it would produce methane.

The Setting Of The Book By Gregor Samsa - 2124 Words

The setting of the book is primarily in the home of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa. While references are made to outside places (such as his workplace, and a conservatory where he dreams to send his sister to study), the location of the book doesn’t really change. The story last for what appears to be several weeks, but the time period isn’t specified, although the technology which is referenced and terminology which is used would indicate that it is set during Kafka’s time and day (early 20th century). 6. Importance of the setting (consider ideas/beliefs indicative of the time and possible symbolism) The setting isn’t important in a literal sense, because outside cultural influences don’t really have a huge impact within the plot. However, the existentialist narrative that is felt is a part of the larger school of absurdism, which was based on the prevalent literary ideologies during that time period in Europe. The onset of World War I, and the growing disillusion with the industrial system had led many philosophers prior to Kafka to first criticize methods of labor production (such as Marx) and later the value of life itself (Nietzsche). While Kafka’s criticisms are nowhere nearly as radical, his tone and approach in The Metamorphosis carry strong undercurrents from existentialist schools of thoughts which thus provide context for the narrative of the story. 7. Plot (key conflicts and resolution, approximately 250 words) Gregor Samsa is an ordinary man, who works as aShow MoreRelatedThe Metamorphosis notes Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesPlot summary- Write at least 5 sentence for each of the 3 parts Part 1: One day Gregor Samsa wakes up as giant cockroach. He is late for work and cannot get out of bed, he is a traveling salesmen. The mom and sister (Grete) are concerned for him since he never misses work, he works a lot. The manager from his work comes to check on him and warns him of the consequences of missing work, that he might get fired. Gregor does unlock the door later, and everybody is horrified by his appearance, his momRead MoreMetamorphosis, By Frank Kafka941 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book, Metamorphosis, Frank Kafka tells the story of a dysfunctional family that becomes even more dysfunctional when their son, Gregor, transforms into a cockroach. Before and after his transformation, Gregor has a variety of identity and self-esteem issues. Through his transformation, many of these issues are maximized. He begins to not know who he is anymore, and he is disgusted by the fact that he has turned into a hideous creature, both figuratively and literally. This is demonstr atedRead MoreData Sheet Analysis for Kafkas Metamorphosis Essay4848 Words   |  20 Pages|Note: You may download from Edline or email me for a Word version of this sheet. | | |Details of the setting (include changes in setting): | |Author: Franz Kafka |The entirety of the novel takes place within the confines of the | | Read More A Portrait of Franz Kafkas Life in his Fictional Story, Metamorphosis1515 Words   |  7 PagesHe may have tried through his fictional writing to reach his father prior to the letter, using a kind of metaphor code. Franz Kafka became other characters representing himself in his fiction. In The Metamorphosis, his character, whose name is Gregor Samsa, becomes a giant beetle as the result of an unexplained transformation at the very beginning. The fact that the author is actually the main character is so cleverly disguised and the details so carefully presented that this encoded message becomesRead MoreAnalysis Of Franz Kafka s The Metamorphosis1500 Words   |  6 PagesMetamorphosis, the opening sentence introduces the main character, event and the setting. Gregor Samsa is one of the only two characters who are addressed by name, this reflects his importance in the story because he is the protagonist and he plays a central role in the lives of his family and friends. Besides introducing the central character, this opening line has a dramatic impact on readers. It draws the reader straight to Gregor Samsa’s transformation and Kafka’s absurd reality creating a sense of curiosityRead MoreEssay The Sins of Gregor Samsa of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis2749 Words   |  11 PagesThe Sins of Gregor Samsa of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis Gregor Samsa’s crimes originate from his intense devotion to his family, and thus in his intense devotion to his work, which in turn makes him intently devout to the conformist society that creates his world. Gregor’s crimes are not of the scope that contains what one may consider normal or standard crimes, and his motivations come from a separate set of values than those that society would consider to be the median. As a result ofRead MoreSubconscious Rebellion in the Novel The Metamorphosis Essay940 Words   |  4 Pagesones responsibilities. The story begins, When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. (Kafka, 3) This is quite surprising. Most people would be extremely shocked and frightened to wake up as a giant beetle, but this matter-of-fact tone Kafka uses makes it seem as if Gregor is not shocked at all. It sounds like this is completely normal. In fact, Gregor ponders more over his job than his strange transformationRead MoreThe Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka1435 Words   |  6 PagesIn Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, readers are thrown into a fictional setting in which the main character; Gregor Samsa, transforms into a cockroach. As a response to Gregor’s metamorphosis, his mother and his sister patiently attempt to take care of him and make him as comfortable as they can. However, Gregor’s father’s love is challenged by Gregor’s drastic change in appearance and becomes less patient, acting in complete hatred towards his son. The Metamorphosis is both a cruel and tragic storyRead More Comparing the Absurd in The Metamorphosis and Endgame Essay1232 Words   |  5 Pagesinstance of absurdity, as Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find himself an insect. Kafka’s â€Å"characters †¦ react in a common-sense way when such a response (given the situation) is utterly grotesque.† (Mack 2299)  "All events and incidents seem improbable yet the casual acceptance of Gregor’s transformation by the characters creates a sense of mystery.†(Belur 1) Kafka mixes everyday reality with dreamlike or nightmarish elements. There is never an explanation given as to why Gregor changes, he simply doesRead MoreQureshi Marxist Interpretation Of Kafka1910 Words   |  8 Pagesobject rather than extension of the self of the worker. Second is estrangement or alienation on all levels from product to world. Alienation is a central theme in the story. The levels of alienation can be seen in the story through the alienation of Gregor Samsa, the worker, â€Å"a commercial traveller† (Kafka 1). First, he is distant from his work and takes no interest in it though he does it regularly, like his mother remarks â€Å"the boy thinks about nothing but his work† (Kafka 8). Even though he is not a

Global Climate Change A Proposal Argument - 1359 Words

Global Climate Change: A Proposal Argument Statement of the Problem Climate change is not a new concept. It has been mostly referred to as global warming in the past. As much as people would like to file this issue away as something to deal with at a later date, it simply cannot wait. This problem we face is costing us billions of dollars, forests and wildlife are being eliminated, and people are dying. Starting to sound like a big deal, right? Future generations will be affected the most. People who do not even exist will have to pay for what we, all people, have done to this earth. To begin to make changes, one must realize the severity of the issue. Bill Mckibben, author of â€Å"Recalculating the Climate Math,† conveys that â€Å"We’ve already raised the world’s temperature by one degree—enough to melt almost half the ice in the Arctic, kill off huge swaths of the world’s coral, and unleash lethal floods and drought. July and August tied for the hottest months ever recorded on our planet, and scientists think they were almost certainly the hottest in the history of human civilization† (Page 3 of 5). Global climate change is a serious problem because it increases natural disasters and is the cause of extreme weather. First, global climate change is a serious problem because it increases natural disasters. If you have ever watched the news in your lifetime, you know that this issue is becoming more frequent and worse over time. â€Å"Globally, the number of reported weather-relatedShow MoreRelatedA Room Of Full Of Sitting Ducks1545 Words   |  7 Pagesfor ignoring the signs of their pond’s condition decreasing. While ducks cannot actually do much to preserve their planet, people of various kinds can, included those of the United Nations, scientists, and ordinary citizens. The issue of the global climate change has been on the rise for decades due to greenhouse gases caused by every day human consumption of the land’s resources. With countless studies and conclusions of more than just a steady rise in various effects of the Greenhouse Effect, butRead MoreClimate Change Has Become The Most Pressing Issue Of Our Time1448 Words   |  6 PagesIt is best put bluntly: climate change ha s become the most pressing issue of our time. It is a concern so urgent that many say we have already passed a point in which we cannot recover; we can merely hope to minimize the damage. It is an issue that has found its way to the forefront of many governmental platforms, regardless of political affiliation. Most recently, APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – held its yearly summit in Beijing, the capital of the world’s greatest polluter: China. HoweverRead MoreIs Climate Change Real?1177 Words   |  5 PagesIs Climate Change Real? Global warming, or what is now called climate change, is caused by the sunlight coming through the Earth’s atmosphere, containing greenhouse gasses, and becoming cemented between the Earth’s crust and Ozone layer. This causes an uncontrollable heating in the territory between them (â€Å"Global Warming Science†). â€Å"Even though these greenhouse gases hold the heat from the sun the greenhouse effect is what keeps the Earth’s temperature suitable for life. Without the greenhouse effectRead MoreGarbage Collection And The Waste Of Garbage1659 Words   |  7 Pagescrops. This example, in its most rudimentary form, represents the current climate change crisis that faces our world today. Who is responsible for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere and how do we allocate responsibility amongst the nations of this world? The complex nature of this crisis makes the question proposed difficult to answer. Ever country on this planet has contributed to the climate change crisis in one way or another. Whether their impact be small or large, it isRead MoreSummary Of The Trump Administration Repealing Obamas Global Warming Policy1509 Words   |  7 Pagesanalyzing the least biased article, it only makes sense to begin with the most biased article. The New York Times’ article â€Å"Trump Takes a First Step Toward Scrapping Obama’s Global Warming Policy†, examines the Trump administration’s proposal to repeal Obama’s Clean Power Plan. The article provides few accurate details about the new proposal, as most of the news refers to features the document lacks, as well as the withholding of critical dates and details by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) andRead More Global Warming Essay1486 Words   |  6 PagesGlobal Warming Global warming is the progressive gradual rise of the earths surface temperature thought to be caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect and responsible for changes in global climate patterns. The greenhouse effect is a term used to describe the roles of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases in keeping the Earths surface warmer than it would be otherwise. These radiatively active gases are relatively transparent to incoming shortwave radiation, but are relativelyRead MoreRunning Head : A Sustainable Energy Proposal1446 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROPOSAL 1 A Sustainable Energy Proposal Gwynedd Mercy University SCI 2000 From Telescope To Microscope Thomas R Becker A SUSTAINABLERead MoreAnalysis Of Transcanada s Proposal Of The Keystone Xl Pipeline Essay1123 Words   |  5 Pages This paper explores TransCanada’s proposal of the Keystone XL Pipeline. I will analyze the past problems which resulted in its defeat, along with possible solutions for future implementation. The case study is split in to three main parts: the identification of past issues, an examination of action plans and lastly, recommendations for upcoming development. Identification of Issues The Keystone XL Pipeline fight involved large economic and political issues. Some of the major issues included:Read MoreThe Keystone Xl Pipeline Extension Project1263 Words   |  6 Pagesenvironment and land use in the construction of the pipeline. This proposal is meant to address the how the pipeline extension affects the environment and the economy positively and/or negatively. People are against the construction of the extension because of harm to the environment, risk of a spill, excessive use of land, and climate change. The transportation of this oil over the pipeline contributes to the growing problem of climate change. The size of the pipeline affects land owners as constructionRead MoreGlobal Warming And The Rising Sea Levels1353 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the first indicators of global warming when it was first discovered and discussed was the acknowledgment of rising sea levels. In many climate change and apocalypse movies the rising of the ocean is the downfall of the population of the planet. The topic about the rising sea levels was not always indisputable. When the topic of climate change was first brought up it was mostly known as global warming and connected to the greenhouse effect. The notion of oceans ra ising above sea level was

The Ohio State University College Application Essay free essay sample

â€Å"You’re our new Safety Captain,† said Matt, a tower of an upperclassman and the FIRST Robotics Competition team captain. These were the opening words of my four-year enterprise. I had no idea what being a Safety Captain meant, but I knew I wanted to be a leader like Matt. So I focused my time on being the best. And at the end of the season, Team 706 awarded me the Rookie of the Year award for making strides in safety, introducing new safe processes, and improving from the previous years. The following two seasons, I joined the mechanical branch of Team 706. This immersed me in the metal shop. With passion, I designed, cut, bent, screwed, soldered, and riveted our robot. More difficult, I added complex systems like conveyor belts, elevators, pressure valves, and a belt drivetrain. During competition, I diagnosed mechanical problems and initiated solutions to pneumatic leaks, parasitic battery drain, and structural concerns. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ohio State University College Application Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page With my extensive knowledge of our robot and team, I became an ambassador to the other 50 teams at regionals. My team finished as the runner-up twice at Milwaukee and once in Cleveland–that was the first time we traveled outside the state to compete. Then our teacher advisor quit. Robotics was over. The following meetings were quiet. Defeated, with no other teachers interested in heading our club, my club vanished. And soon, no one heard about Team 706. During my junior year, I took action. Although it wasn’t my responsibility, I didn’t want to sit and wait. I made a list of potential teachers to head the program. However, after talking with eight teachers, I got nowhere. Then I remembered our superintendent displayed our runner-up and award plaques in his office–one of the few things decorating his pale walls. Inspiration struck. Someone still valued our team. Driven, I returned to our Technology and Engineering Education department chair. He told me there were new teachers headed to Arrowhead to fill our previous advisor’s classes. These people were fresh and open-minded. I reconvened with our mentors and team, creating hope for robotics. â€Å"Yes,† said Mr. Christian, a new Arrowhead teacher, in August. Relieved and invigorated, I accomplished my goal. Robotics returned with Mr. Christian as the advisor. Ideas, plans and projects flashed like a strobe light geared at robotics. But, the offseason was less than a month away and Mr. Christian needed new student leaders and plans for the season. September went quickly and productive meetings brought new freshmen and familiar faces. Mentors met privately and reported the difficulty of the decision and the number of applicants. I was up against established peers and dynamic second year members. I never felt so nervous. â€Å"Congratulations. We would like Jacob Brewer to be Business Team Leader and Team Captain for FRC Team 706.† It was complete. This is my organization–it’s time for me to lead this team to worlds. Continuing to improve–from Rookie of the Year to Team Captain–was a challenge. But, I reached the epitome of the robotics chain of command. After four years of hard work, dedication, extra hours outside meetings, and keeping the team alive, I am the Team Captain and Leader of Business. I’ve set my mind to robotics since I first stepped into Arrowhead High School. Now, as I take my final steps out, I’m waiting to hear†¦ â€Å"Congratulations. You have been offered admissions to The Ohio State University.†