THOUGHTS ARE BETTER THAN ACTIONS Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

THOUGHTS ARE BETTER THAN ACTIONS Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers THOUGHTS ARE BETTER THAN ACTIONS The reports from the Department of Education Statistics show that more than 90 million American adults lack simple literacy. Less than 20 percent of them have the know-how of metaphors and less than 4 percent of them can calculate on a calculator when given a problem sum. 60,000 youngsters drop out by the middle of the school year. A number of these drop outs end up in the prison. Even these days 130,000 children bring in guns along with their books to school everyday. There has been an 85 percent increase in the juvenile arrests for murder from 1987 to 1991. It really depresses me when I look at these statistics and think of International students like me. We have come away from home into a completely different country, a completely different culture, only because of the educational opportunities here and are paying twice, thrice the amount an American resident is paying in tuition but most of the nationals don?t seem to have recognition or the realization of the facilities that they can avail. All. just because they do not have enough time to waste on "thinking" about these matters. Education is the key to the development in any area of life of an individual. Education seems to pertain to all important aspects of one?s life reflecting upon personal ideas and thoughts. I seem to believe that the mind of today?s generation are from all aspects , no less creative than those of Einstein ,or for that matter , any person who we might look up to for their intelligence or creativity. The brains of the present are intelligent but numb, requiring a little exercise before can reach its true capabilities. Even though, one might be intensely involved in what they are doing, rarely have I found someone who really understood, and thought about what they do, why they do it and what is it that they really want. It somehow is just taken as a fact of life. Basically, I am from a Third world country where the masses are mainly illiterate. People see deep thinking as being extremely dangerous for the person health and is even believed to give birth to an evil mind. Generally people have blind faith in the fact that what their forefathers have been practicing is the best and only way in which they are to lead their lives. It so appears that a farmer?s son is to be a farmer, tailor?s son is to be a tailor and a doctor?s son is to be a doctor. We are living in a world where we do not even have the freedom of thinking for what exactly we want without being influenced by how others might perceive it .All we seem to be concerned about is how the society feels about a certain thing, and as for our own minds, they are set to rest and go stale . Anyone who appears, to be pondering over something is believed to eventually go insane. I, for one have personally been laughed at and called things like, " He is most probably half way through conquering the world", " What does he think that just by sitting there and fantasizing , all the riches of the world are going to come to his doorstep", "In reality is that all this thinking is only meant for the philosophers ." As for most of us we have to work in order to earn a living and sitting idle and brooding over something is merely a waste of time. Even thinking of something so ordinary as what to wear for the next party is considered as a waste of time by some. If only we could sit down once in a while, and think of all that we have achieved, and all that we would want to achieve. Be grateful for what we have, and think of ways of getting what more we want .The regular creative use of the brain, accompanied by good education would definitely help in making peoples lives a whole lot happier and peaceful .

Helpful Discussion Questions for The Necklace

Helpful Discussion Questions for 'The Necklace' ​The Necklace is a favorite French short story by  Guy de Maupassant. A tragic piece about vanity, materiality, and pride, its definitely a humbling story that will get rid of any little girl or boys princess complex. Although short, Maupassant packs many themes, symbols, and even a surprise ending into The Necklace. Here are some discussion questions helpful for teachers or anyone looking to talk about the story.   Lets start from the very beginning with the title. By titling his work, The Necklace, Maupassant is immediately notifying readers to pay special attention to this object. What does the necklace symbolize? What theme does the necklace convey?  What other themes exist in the story?   Turning towards the setting, this story takes place in Paris.  Why did Maupassant decide to set this story in Paris? What was the social context of life in Paris at the time, and does it relate to The Necklace? Although Mathilde is at the center of the story, lets consider the other characters as well: Monsier Loisel and Madame Forestier. How do they advance Maupassants ideas? What role do they play in this story? Speaking of characters, do you find the characters likable, or detestable? Does your opinion of the characters change throughout the story? Finally, lets talk about the end. Maupassant is known for springing twist-endings on his readers. Did you think the ending to The Necklace was unexpected? If so, why?   Lets take this discussion beyond just analyzing the story; did you like The Necklace? Would you recommend it to your friends?