West European Studies Essay Example for Free

West European Studies Essay 1. The three-fold divisions of learning by Augustine were: ? Physical- he related it to the working of nature, and posited that there was a cause to all things- the principle of cause-effect. ? Education- the acquisition of knowledge followed some rules, i. e. the methodology of science and procedures used in scientific studies and systematic experimentations ? Practice- Augustine argued that life had some meaning and an end, which people sought in their daily lives through actions and practicing of ideologies and principles. 2. The seven liberal arts outlined by Martianus Capella were: a) The Trivium which comprised of;   Grammar Rhetoric   Logic/dialectic b) The Quadrivium which included; Arithmetic   Geometry   Music   Astronomy Grammar taught one how to write words and understand their meaning. Music signified the cardinal virtues of temperance, prudence, fortitude and justice. Logic was necessary to help individuals distinguish right from wrong so as to avoid evil deeds. Rhetoric was the art of effective use of language to speak eloquently. Geometry was useful in measuring space, distance such as fields and cities. Arithmetic was significant as it aided in assigning numerical values- counting objects. Lastly, astronomy was used to foretell luck or misfortune- it was an essential art in predicting the future. 3. According to St. Augustine, pagan learning was reliant on logic and skeptical criticism of scripture. It appealed to observable evidence and to those things that are physically provable. St. Augustine taught that Christians should shun those elements, which undermined their faith by challenging beliefs that could not be substantiated with physical evidence, e. g. the existence of God. By appealing to logic, therefore, pagan learning dismissed the spiritual aspect of life to which Christianity was intimately connected. Nonetheless, he recognized the significant of logic and reason in a Christian’s life. He observed that the scripture was given by God’s inspiration for correction and reproof of character. Thus, to understand its teachings, believers ought to examine its contents critically to make correct interpretations. At the same time, logic reflected the logical and orderliness of God’s nature, represented by the order he perfected in His creation. Similarly, logical reasoning makes a significant contribution to the ordering of life in the world. Without logic, there would be chaos and conflicts among men. Reason appeals to the common sense that compels people to observe basic rules and obligations. 4. Hugh of St. Victor outlined four types of philosophy in his quaternary of the arts. The first three are concerned with human character, as they shape people into better mortal beings. They include: ? Truth, which is derived from theoretical philosophy- through abstract reasoning and contemplations that leads to insights about acceptable principles Practical philosophy which leads to good virtues that guides human conduct ? Mechanical philosophy which reliefs men from physical burdens ? Logic enables men to make clear and realistic conclusions concerning the preceding three philosophies. 5. The seven mechanical arts as defined by Hugh of St. Victor are: ? Fabric- it is necessary as man is essentially naked, lacking in the fur that is endowed to wild animals ? Armaments- necessitated due to man’s innate weakness for his lack of defensive mechanisms such as the teeth and claws of animals. Commerce- it is necessary to reconcile the world’s nations that have become divided by selfish aspirations. It leads to international relations and diplomacy that calms wars, enhances peaceful negotiations and achieves the greatest good of individual possessions.   Agriculture- it is a compensation of hard labor, what Hugh called the ‘brow’s sweat’ that goes back to Adam’s time, when the ground was cursed such that he had to sweat for a living.   Hunting was a skill necessary to help man get food by preying on wild animals Theatrics- the sooth the mind through laughter, and by providing relaxation and refreshment to a tired spirit; probably after a day’s work. 6. The four senses of scripture of St. Gregory the Great are: literal sense, allegorical sense, moral/tropological sense and the anagogical sense. a) Literal sense- it reveals the plain facts about events or things. For instance, the creation of Adam as explained in the Book of Genesis is a literal understanding of scripture, since the events happened just the way they are stated. b) Allegorical sense- it goes beyond what is plainly stated, to arrive at a meaning that is both metaphorical and symbolic. For instance, the creation of Eve from Adam’s rib symbolizes the subordinate role that a woman plays in her relation to man. This is exemplified in the family unit where the man is the head of the household. Similarly, it symbolizes the significance of marriage, since a woman, with her one rib taken from Adam, is considered incomplete. Consequently, she must seek completeness by uniting with her source- Adam/man. c) Moral sense- it derives from the Greek word â€Å"trepein,† which means ‘to turn. ’ In scriptural interpretation, it refers to the act of ‘turning’ ideas, principles and divine teachings into deeds. It is reflected in an individual’s life through good deeds to all people. In the scripture, the parables of Jesus were reflections on the moral conduct of men. For instance, the parable about the Good Samaritan represents real life situations where Christians are called upon to help those in need, and not to be like the uncaring Levite who walked past the robbed man on his way to Jericho. d) Anagogical sense- it refers to the interpretation of scripture teaching within the wider context of eternity. It attaches a universal meaning to divine concepts, which transcends all boundaries of space and time. For instance, the reference to the Lord’s feast in Mathew 22 signifies the eternal happiness to be enjoyed by the save in heaven. Likewise, the new Jerusalem refers to God’s City, the kingdom that shall reign forever after the second coming.

Structured Language and Higher Learning Essay Example for Free

Structured Language and Higher Learning Essay Simplified, social language plays acts as a vehicle for students to comprehend the basis of others’ arguments or opinions. According to Moore and Zainudin (2003), English learners use critical thinking skills to analyze dilemmas that may have been difficult to understand if they were complex issues (p.1). Teachers that emphasize the importance of familiar context could ease the English learners’ progress into acquiring their new language. Utilizing the mechanics of communication: listening, reading, writing, and speaking; create open opportunities for the students to get a â€Å"feel† of the other party’s perspective of their dialogue (Moore Zainudin, 2003, p. 2). Strong, constructed arguments tap into students’ imagination and ability to compile syllogisms. Their attempt to explain the premises of their experience; e.g. Yukiko’s inquiry of Vanessa’s recent piracy in correlation with her mother being a web designer, can build an understanding of the flaw in their understanding (Moore Zainudin, 2003, p.4). In other words, if the students realize that their responses are incoherent with their thesis or stated argument, they may reconstruct their thinking to align with facts involved in their learning. Structured controversial dialog allows students the opportunity to move from concrete usage to more abstract ideas. Moore and Zainudin’s (2003) example, â€Å"Telling on the Bully† scenario, Hiro is aware of Dylan’s behavior towards one of his friends (p 3). Hiro’s discussion with Erica brings the concreteness of him witnessing Dylan bullying another kid, but his internal conflict (retribution) comes to surface when Erica asks him if he will inform the teacher (p.5). Teachers can use the concepts of abstractness to complete the structure of a complete argument, thus, enhancing the student’s critical thinking through controversial dialogue. Reference Cited Moore, R. and Zainuddin,   H. (2003, June). Enhancing Critical Thinking with Structured Controversial Dialogues, 6. Retrieved September 27, 2006 from http://iteslj.org/Technique/Zainuddin-Controversial.html.

Pantoprazole Compound Discovery and Development

Pantoprazole Compound Discovery and Development Abstract Pantoprazole is an proton pump inhibitor, which inhibits the gastric acid secretion by blocking the proton pump or the H+K+ATPase in the gastric parietal cells of stomach. Pantoprazole was synthesized in the year 1987 and was launched in the year 1994 after development and clinical trials. Development of the lead compound timoprazole and the discovery of H+K+ATPase as an target, were the two most important discoveries which led to the generation of a new class of compounds, the proton pump inhibitors. In this review, the discovery and the stages of development of pantoprazole will be discussed. Introduction The gastric acid is secreted in the stomach by the parietal cells. The gastric parietal cells are known to have three stimulators viz. gastrin, acetycholine and histamine. Acetylcholine and Histamine exert their effect through the M3-Muscarinic and H2-Histamnic receptors respectively. Whereas, gastrin exerts its action via release of histamine. Antagonists of the cholinergic and histaminic receptors were the first agents used for the inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The side effects and low efficacy limited the use of cholinergic receptor antagonists[1] and the histaminic receptor antagonists were the first class of drugs to be clinically used for the treatment of acid related disorders. These classes of drugs were widely developed in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] But, variability in response and phenomenas like acid rebound and tolerance were observed in these class of drugs[2]. Thus there was a need of more effective targets and drugs for the optimal inhibition of gastric acid. This search led to the discovery of a new target, the gastric acid pump- H+K+ATPase and a new class of anti-secretory drugs were born that is the Proton pump inhibitors[2]. Omeprazole was then synthesized in 1979 and was the first clinically used proton pump inhibitor launched in 1988 and then gradually pantoprazole was synthesized in 1986 and launched in 1994. Today pantoprazole is one of the first line drug used in the treatment of acid related disorder. Initiation of research for new compounds: In 1967 at Astra HÃ ¤ssle researcher Ivan -stholm initiated an innovative research project in gastrointestinal field in order to develop anti-secretory agents which could be used in the peptic ulcer diseases[4]. Their first idea was to inhibit the gastric stimulating hormone gastrin[4]. It was known from the various animal experiments that local anesthetic agents of the antrum blocks the release of gastrin. Therefore the researchers at Astra HÃ ¤ssle aimed at synthesizing a local anesthetic compound which could be administered orally and is orally active. But all the available local anesthetic agents were however, protonated in an acidic environment and therefore were inactive, thus the goal was to change the chemical structure of lidocaine which was an established local anesthetic agent of the Astra HÃ ¤ssle itself into a non-basic compound[4]. The shay rat or the gastric fistula rat was used as a screening model. A large number of compounds were synthesized by the researchers, b ut it was found that the anesthetic property of the compound induced toxic effects. The chemical development finally ended with compounds including carbamates which were devoid of local anesthetic properties. Carbamates were found to be very effective inhibitors of gastric acid secretion in rat models but were rather ineffective in dog.[6-7] The most effective carbamate compound was H81/75 but however in 1971-72, when it was tested in humans it was found to be completely ineffective. Instead of reviving this local anesthetic lead, the researchers undertook a literature search to look for new approaches. In 1972, the researchers found an abstract from an Hungarian pharmacological meeting in which a new anti-secretory agent called CMN-131 was described.CMN-131 was synthesized by French company Servier.[4,5] In this abstract it was reported that CMN-131 induced inhibition of stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats as well as anesthetized dogs. But due to severe toxicological problems the research on this drug never continued.[4] By this time in 1973, Smith-Kline and French announced the development of Cimetidine, worlds first H2 receptor antagonist which inhibited the gastric acid secretion by blocking histaminic receptors[1]. Based on the structure of cimetidine, a benzimidazole ring was added to the structure of CMN-131and was tested on animal models this new compound was named as H124/26 .[4]This sulphide compound was then modified for stabilization into its su lfoxide analogue and thus a new compound called as Timoprazole was born which was found to be a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion. But, however timoprazole was found to show toxicities in the thyroid gland. It causes enlargement of thyroid gland, the possible reason for this toxicity was that the timoprazole inhibits the iodine uptake. Thus timoprazole was not further developed and it served as a lead compound for the development of new anti-secretory agents. Uptill now the target of timoprazole was unknown. Discovery of H+K+ ATPase: In 1977, George Sachs and John Forte discovered H+K+ ATPase pump commonly known as the proton pump or the gastric acid pump[3.4]. From the experiments carried out on hog gastric mucosa, they showed that the exchange of H+ and K+ were responsible for the regulation of the gastric acid secretion and they also suggested that this was the terminal step in the acid secretory process of the parietal cell wall[4]. When acid secretory membranes are isolated from the parietal cells, they round up and form closed vesicles containing H+K+ ATPase. On the basis of imunohistological data from various organs with the help of antibodies against a crude preparation from the secretory membranes of the parietal cells, Sachs showed that the proto pump was localized in the gastric parietal cells.[4] This immunohistological data not only revealed strong immunoreactivity in the parietal cell region of the stomach, but also revealed some acitivity in the thyroid gland.[5] Target identification: On the basis of various pharmacological methods, like the isolated guinea pig atrium, it was found that timoprazole was neither an H2-histaminic receptor antagonist nor an anti-cholinergic drug. Furthermore there were no evidences supporting any anti-gastrin activity of the compound.[4,5] Therefore, though timoprazole inhibited the gastric acid secretion in various animal based models but its exact mechanism and site of action due to which it can account for its anti-secretory activity was yet to be identified. During this time, the proton pump was discovered and there were evidences that the activation of this newly discovered proton pump, present in the secretory membranes of the stomach parietal cells, was the final step of the gastric acid secretion. Also, the imunohistological data obtained using antibodies reveled strong immunoreactivity in the parietal cell region of the stomach and also some activity in the thyroid gland. On the basis of these facts coupled with the knowledge of the side effects of timoprazole on the thyroid gland, discussed earlier, raised an intriguing question in the minds of the scientists that could H+K+ ATPase, be the target of site of action of timoprazole. Research was initiated in this area in parallel to the further development of the benzimidazole compounds. With the help of the various pharmacological techniques such as the isolated gastric vesicles, it was indeed shown that the substituted benzimidazoles inhibited the gastric acid secretion by the inhib ition of the H+K+ ATPase pump. Studies showed that the pre-incubation of isolated vesicles with substituted imidazoles resulted in inhibition of gastric acid secretion only when the conditions were acidic[4,5]. This was really a breakthrough finding. This finding was further verified in experiments where the compound solvent was acidified[4]. All these facts and findings were the first indication that the substituted benzimidazoles had to be probably be transformed in other forms in order to bring about the active inhibition of the proton pump. Protonation of the compound was the first step in the transformation of compounds. These findings were followed by a series of experiments using various different types of test systems, in order to study the interactions of substituted benzimidazoles with the H+K+ ATPase pump. Several binding studies were carried out with substituted benzimidazoles which showed specific binding to the H+K+ ATPase.[3,4] All the studies and findings showed that the substituted benzimidazoles inhibited the gastric acid secretion by binding to the H+K+ ATPase pump and thus inhibiting its action. Optimization of timoprazole: Due to the various toxicological effects of timoprazole on the thyroid gland due to the inhibition of the iodine uptake, timoprazole was not suitable for further development. Therefore the researchers were in search of a new compound and a new possible approach. In order to optimize the lead compound timoprazole various studies were carried out, so that an compound devoid of toxicities could be developed. A literature search of the chemistry of thiourea compounds showed few substituted mercapto-benzimidazoles having no effect on the iodine uptake by the thyroid[4,5]. Thse substituted mercapto-benzimidazoles analogues were introduced into the structure of timoprazole. Various tests and experiments showed that the above analogue of timoprazole had a considerable anti-secretory actitvity and also was devoid of any inhibitory action on the uptake of iodine. This potent anti-secretory compound obtained after the introduction of mercapto-benzimidazole substituents in the structure of timoprazole was named as picoprazole.[5,4] The first toxicological studies of picoprazole showed necrotizing vasculitis in the small intestine of dogs[4]. However it was later found out that the toxic effect of picoprazole was an non-drug related phenomenon. The second toxicological studies carried out with picoprazole was rather successful. Picoprazole was then tested in human volunteers, where it showed very potent anti-secretory activity with a long duration of action.[4,5] Development of pantoprazole: As discussed earlier, these compounds were only effective in inhibition of gastric acid secretion, if an only if the ATPase was making acid. As this compound was a weak base the steps that were thought then to result in inhibition of ATPase activity and acid secretion involved accumulation of the compound in the acid space of the isolated or intact gastric vesicles or in the parietal cell canalicullis during H+ transport, followed by a conversion of compound to its active form to account for acid dependence.[1] The conversion of compound to its active form is acid dependent. It was then postulated that these compounds acted as pro-drugs which can only react with the H+/K+ ATPase,if they are converted into their active form in an acid dependent manner. The active form of this compounds are the sulfenic acid or sulfenamide form. Further studies showed that the final structure of the compound generated in the acidic solution was a result of tetracyclic planar rearrangement of the compou nd, which leads to compounds containing a highly -SH reactive sulfenamide group.[1] However it is not clear whether the sulfenamide or the sulfenic acid or its dehydro form is responsible for binding to the H+/K+ ATPase covalently. In order optimize the acid stability of the lead compound and to generate selectivity for maximal accumulation at the site of action and for proper activation in the acidic space of the parietal cells, chemists changed and introduced new substituents on the heterocyclic ring of the lead compound which lead to the development and synthesis of Omeprazole in the year 1979[5]. It was found to be the most powerful inhibitor of stimulated gastric acid release[5]. Omeprazole was devoid of toxicities. Omeprazole was launched in 1988 and it was the first clinically used proton pump inhibitor. In order to develop more acid stable and effective compounds various modifications were done and in 1986 Byk Guilden synthesized Pantoprazole.[3] It was tested in both in vivo and in vitro and was found to be a potent anti secretory agent. studies on human volunteers was successful and it also suggested that pantoprazole had greater acid stability and target selectivity than omeprazole[2]. In addition its pharmacokinetic and metabolic profile was also different[2]. In 1987 sodium salt of pantoprazole was synthesized as the salt was more stable, more soluble and was more compatible with other excipients used in the formulation finally after seven years of clinical development pantoprazole was launched in 1994 for the first time in Germany.

All Quiet On The Western Front themes :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  All Quiet on the Western Front   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the main themes in All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is Futility of War. The novel takes place during the Great War and takes place in France. Paul Baumer is the main character in the book along with many of his friends. In the book the theme of futility of war appears in the beginning, middle and end of the novel and Baumer slowly becomes more aware of what war is really like.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning Baumer enters the war as a recruit and begins to see the reality of war. During training he has to remake the officer’s bed 14 times. The entire training course was marching, which does not help them at all fighting in the trenches. â€Å"I have remade his bed fourteen times in one morning. Each time he had some fault to find and pulled it to pieces† (26). Here Baumer describes how his commanding officer makes him do over a simple task over and over for absolutely no reason.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout the middle of the book Baumer saw many actions that were pointless acts of war. His company was ordered to guard an abandoned village, which happened to have a few supplies but still a large waste of manpower. When Baumer was at the front the officers had the troops charge the enemies trenches, only to have the soldiers mowed down by machine gun fire. Baumer makes a trip home, but while he is there he feels lost and also feels like he doesn’t belong there   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Towards the end of the book after more of his comrades were killed Baumer saw more of the futility of war. Even though it was clear to all the soldiers and Baumer that they were losing the war, they were still required to fight. More recruits were dumped into battles only to die due to their inexperience. â€Å"A single flyer routed two companies of them for a joke, just as they got off the train- before they ever heard of such a thing as cover†(237). This quote shows how all the new recruits were sent to their deaths, its describes how two companies of recruits were killed right when they got off the train to the front. They didn’t even get to learn how to survive because it was not taught in the training. Even though Baumer had learned to survive the war and had lasted longer than anyone else, he was still killed right before the war ended.

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Beowulf as the Ideal Anglo-Saxon :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

Beowulf as the Ideal Anglo-Saxon Beowulf is a hero who embodies the ideal characteristics in the Anglo-Saxon culture; these characteristics all come together to make up an epic tale. He possesses the virtues, traits and beliefs that were respected in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf displays these virtues in his own actions and words during different circumstances throughout the tale. Beowulf was "the strongest of the Geats" and also "greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world". Beowulf is shown to be the strongest among the strong. Physical strength was very much envied by the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf could slay the greatest monster of all, Grendell. Beowulf killed Grendell; Grendell had never come to such a match among a stronger person "That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder". This shows the physical strength that Beowulf embodied. Beowulf was fearless of all opponents and fought to defend his fame and glory. Beowulf did not need to tell anyone that he was fearless; he showed them how fearless he was. Beowulf needed no sword or shield to protect him from Grendell when he killed Grendell with his own hands "My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster". Beowulf jumped in the water to fight Grendell's mourning mother, he did not know where he was going yet, he went for glory and fame showing no fear. Beowulf displayed that he was very resourceful, as well as, the other traits listed. He shows how intelligent he can be when he was fighting Grendells mother and he became weary and became stumbling. In the midst of a battle, Beowulf almost dies if it were not for his woven mail shirt he wore on his chest. "Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons", "lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through, broke bones and all.

Hidden Fraud in Trollope’s The Way We Live Now :: Literature Fortune Papers

Hidden Fraud in Trollope’s The Way We Live Now Hamilton K. Fisker supplies â€Å"the impetus for rolling Augustus Melmotte onwards into almost unprecedented commercial greatness† (Trollope 1.324). While his character occupies very little narrative space, Fisker functions as the catalyst which sets the novel’s financial ventures in motion; Melmotte rolls because Fisker has pushed. Not only does Fisker bring the Great South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway (or at least the prospectus) to England, but he also delimits the board members’ role in the venture. He places Melmotte, the novel’s â€Å"great financier,† in charge and repels Paul Montague’s desire to involve himself as an active director in the railroad’s daily operations (1.217). Fisker rejects Paul’s attempt to oversee the Mexican Railroad’s actualization by arguing that building railway lines does not concern an investor such as Paul: But Fisker got the better of him and put him down. â€Å"Fortune! what fortune had either of us? A few beggarly thousands of dollars not worth talking of, and barely sufficient to enable a man to look at an enterprise. And now where are you? look here, sir; — there’s more to be got out of the smashing up of such an affair as this, if it should smash up, than could be made by years of hard work out of such fortunes as yours and mine in the regular way of trade.† Paul Montague certainly did not love Mr Fisker personally, nor did he relish his commercial doctrines; but he allowed himself to be carried away by them. (1.85) If Fisker’s momentum rolls Melmotte, it carries away Paul, and the force of Fisker’s rhetoric subjugates Paul to his â€Å"commercial doctrines†: Fisker â€Å"put him down.† Fisker gets the â€Å"better† of Paul by making speech subservient to lucrative economic principles. He does not want Paul to enforce honest practices in the railroad’s financial transactions. Fisker’s first commercial doctrine, then, declares that we should consider small investors â€Å"not worth talking of.† Since small, individual investments financed the majority of English railway ventures in Victorian England (Robb 36), Fisker essentially declares that the Mexican Railway’s investors should not receive any narrative attention. Even though Paul does not love Fisker or respect him personally, Fisker’s dominant narrative carries him away. Similarly, even though The Way We Live Now cynically satirizes fraudulent business practices, T rollope takes Fisker’s declaration that a few thousand dollars are â€Å"not worth talking of† to heart.

Film Review: Boys Don’t Cry

Boys Don’t Cry is a movie examining the life of the late Teena Brandon. It is an intense movie that follows her journey to self-discovery and essentially her passing. Boys Don’t Cry not only explores how difficult it is to be queer but also what it means to have a sexual identity crisis (as Brandon puts it). Brandon goes through so much to cover his true identity and in the end nothing is enough. This adaptation of a true story engages and walks the watcher through the difficulties transgender people have in life.The opening scene of Boys Don’t Cry lets the audience know that Teena Brandon has now become Brandon Teena. Following the lines of New Queer Cinema this film gives the outside world a new way to look at transgender individuals. This film breaks new ground by showing â€Å"true crime material through the prism of New Queer Cinema† (Brooks, 2000) The fact that what happened to Brandon was true makes this movie all the more important. Both straights and queers can watch this movie in disgust and learn something from it also.Discrimination (any type and in this case especially sexual) should be stopped. Examining this movie more in depth the audience gets a look not only in the life of Brandon but of the people he surrounds himself with. In the Film Journal article Driving into the ‘Dustless Highway' of Queer Cinema By Daniel Mudie Cunningham he gives background information about Falls City, Nebraska. Being a native San Franciscan myself it helped to know what Falls City was all about because of the obvious contrast between California and Nebraska. Cunningham describes the â€Å"wall people† in his article.The â€Å"wall people† in Falls City are â€Å"bored kids who congregate against the wall at the Qwik Stop convenience store all night long. † This is actually a subculture in Falls City. The activities that Brandon and his friends do in the film are what actually happen there. Karaoke and whip-its a re the thing to do for fun in a place life Falls City. An interesting point that Cunningham brings up is that the lives the â€Å"wall people† live and essential the life Brandon wants to be in entraps them more to the rural un-open minded kind of life style.Brandon doesn’t see that moving from Lincoln to a more rural town like Falls City is a bad idea. I find it interesting that for the people in Falls City they probably would have done anything to get out of there but Brandon found refuge and called it his home. Even his love, Lana, wanted to get out of Falls City and go as far as Memphis. In actuality no one got to leave and if time could be turned back Brandon and Lana should have made their escape from the beginning. The reasons Brandon didn’t want to leave Falls City was because he thought that he had finally been accepted and he had found what he was looking for his whole life.Through out the movie we see Brandon searching for the perfect girl. His cousin , Lonnie, even says on the phone call back home from Falls City â€Å"no more girls† The romantic aspect of this film re-examines what romantic movies are really about. In this film Brandon is the apidemy of hot for a girl living in Nebraska. And even though Brandon has a secret no one cares because the way he talks and treats girls in interpreted as cute and loving so the lie doesn’t matter. When transforming from Teena to Brandon she/he chooses the sweetheart cowboy to be her male persona.With a cowboy hat and a little bit of a twang Brandon is able to sweep girls of their feet. Even with the first girl in the opening scene, Nicole, she points out that Brandon isn’t from around here and when asked where he is from she replies â€Å"somewhere beautiful. † Brandon’s boyish/girlish good looks and cowboy â€Å"I’m here to save you† charm wins everyone over. Enough so that his small physique and high voice gets left unnoticed. However no matter where Brandon would have went his identity could not be left behind.Brandon through out the whole movie was trying to be someone he wasn’t. Hiding his identity got him in all kinds of trouble. The reason he was found out was because of the petty crimes he committed trying to prove himself as a man. The beginning of Brandon’s undoing was when the gang and him were driving down the highway evading the police. Cunningham once again noted that this scene was an escape for Brandon but can also be seen as his downfall. Brandon’s life begins to swirl down the drain when little bits of is identity came out, from the ticket to the check written by Teena Brandon. As the events go by it is interesting that when Brandon finally gets some action form Lana she doesn’t freak out when she discovers he is a she. Brandon doesn’t exactly tell her but in the scene where they are first making love Lana sees Brandon’s cleavage. In the article written by X an Brooks for Sight and Sound Lana’s trust in Brandon is seen as commendable and endearing. To the very end Lana believed whatever Brandon believed and that was that he is a man.To bad for Brandon not all of his compadres were that trusting. The end of Boys Don’t Cry can definitely make one cry. The gut-wrenching finale is hard to take. When all is found out Brandon’s friends, especially John and Tom, turn against him and break him down in the worst way possible. The rape scene is crude and shows the destruction of Brandon’s life. Instantly he is turned back into Teena and is striped of all dignity and courage. All the characters worst personality traits prevail here except for Lana’s.Every one turns on Brandon including Lana’s mother who at one point was completely in love with him calling him a â€Å"movie star†. After the rape when Brandon was reporting it to the police the way the police treated him was horrible. The questions abo ut his sexuality were not pertinent to the rape and were said almost to humiliate him and insinuate that it was brought on because of his lie. A rape victim in Brandon’s case or in any other case has historically been led to believe that she brought it on herself for being sexy or for the clothes she wears.Movies like this can be used to open the doors to show the public how disgusting and unforgivable rape can be, especially when done out of the need for control by men. In the case of Brandon John and Tom had be threatened by Brandon’s cordial manner from the beginning. Brandon â€Å"who knew exactly how to please women, both carnally and emotionally† (Brooks, 2000) was more masculine in the way he treated women that when it was found out he was a she John and Tom finally found their chance to be superior and raped her. After rape death can be the worst thing to happen to a woman.After Brandon’s dignity was taken from him his life was also taken. After a beautiful scene when Lana and Brandon fully make love John and Tom find Brandon hiding out at Candice’s house and come for him. John purposefully takes Lana with them so she can witness the death of her lover. This ending scene is not typical however for a suspense movie. Brandon is killed instantly after some screaming and comes as a blunt shock to the audience. The death of Candice happens the same, very blunt and unexpected, with her child right beside her.Boys Don’t Cry was almost too much to absorb. Brandon’s intense death goes to show how closed-minded people can be. Brandon did nothing in his life but be the person he wanted to be and yet because that didn’t fit into the norm other people held he was murdered. The life and death of Brandon can be seen as a learning tool and a way to see how discrimination can only lead to bad things happening. Everyone should be left to their own devices and should be able to be whoever they want to be.