McTeague Frank Norris Expression of Social Darwinism free essay sample

The theory of Social Darwinism avows that biologically superior humans endure, while genetically inferior individuals die out. Author Frank Norris, a proponent of Social Darwinism, asserted that one should remain within his inborn social class. In his view, if one acts contrary to his inherited societal state, then Social Darwinism will level him back to his innate societal class. Frank Norris expressed this theory in his novel McTeague. Through his conceptualization of Social Darwinism, Frank Norris illustrated the downfall of Trina and McTeague, and Maria and Zerkow, and the prosperity of Old Grannis and Miss Baker. Despite their white European ancestry, McTeague and Trina changed their financial status too abruptly, which ultimately led to their demise. For example, when Trina wins the lottery, the McTeagues quickly climb the social ladder. Accordingly, an abrupt financial deviation ensues with McTeague and Trina. Trina’s penny-pinching tendencies worsen, while McTeague spirals into an unemployed drunk. We will write a custom essay sample on McTeague: Frank Norris Expression of Social Darwinism or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Eventually, when Trina continues to deny him money, McTeague brutally murders her. After escaping the authorities, McTeague digresses back to the life of a miner, his natural occupation. In spite of their white heritage, the McTeagues’ hasty transformation of social status serves as a prime example of Norris’ view of Social Darwinism. Unlike the McTeagues, Zerkow and Maria represent the marital union of the lowest ancestral classes of society, which confirms their destiny to fail. Zerkow, a Jew, marries Maria based on a financial fallacy. As Maria’s memory of the gold dishes depletes, Zerkow’s lust for the gold dishes intensifies. Maria’s continual denial of her fictitious family affluence infuriates the Jew, and he eventually cut her throat. The downfall of the marital union results from Maria and Zerkow’s biological inferiority. According to Norris, Zerkow’s and Maria’s marriage, biologically speaking, is naturally bound for catastrophe. Contrary to the previous examples, the union of Old Grannis and Miss Baker exemplifies the proper integration of wealth and lineage. While the other characters in the novel attempt to fill prevailing voids in their lives through monetary means, Old Grannis and Miss Baker fill their void with authentic love. The fulfillment of this void comes when Miss Baker brings Old Grannis a cup of tea. Norris portrays the prosperity of Old Grannis’ and Miss Baker’s union, as a result of their biological superiority. The elderly white European couple possesses a genetic disposition for opulence and material comfort. Incorporating elements of Social Darwinism, Frank Norris demonstrated the breakdown of hereditarily inferior couples and the success of intrinsically superior couples. McTeague and Trina brusquely rose in social class, so the couple parted in death. Among the bottom barrel of society, the marriage of Zerkow and Maria, likewise, resulted in dissolution. Finally, Old Grannis and Miss Baker endured successfully due to their Anglo-Saxon heritage. Despite Norris’ views expressed in the novel, survival of the fittest theories should not be applied to human civilization.

Lessons Learned from Ovarian Cancer Survivor Stories

Lessons Learned from Ovarian Cancer Survivor Stories An ovarian cancer diagnosis may bring to mind grim statistics instead of optimistic ovarian cancer survivor stories. Why? The numbers can be discouraging. Each year, approximately 22,000 women are newly diagnosed with the disease. An estimated 14,000 die from ovarian cancer (OC) yearly. Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) knows at least one BC survivor she can look to with hope and questions. But ovarian cancer is diagnosed more infrequently and often at a later stage. OC patients are typically older, and the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be confused with any of a number of illnesses. In its earliest and most curable stage, there may not be any physical symptoms, pain or discomfort. For these reasons, you may not know an ovarian cancer survivor. Perhaps the only celebrity you may have heard of  with ovarian cancer was the comedian Gilda Radner, whose Gildas Club (now named the Cancer Support Community) provides a meeting place for those with cancer to build emotional and social support.   Their Survivor Stories SHARE (Self-Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer), was the first national hotline offering peer-to-peer support for women with ovarian cancer. The survivors staffing the hotline  share their stories of how they were diagnosed and how they fought back. Hotline callers often ask them for their own experiences, seizing each survivor story as a lifeline of hope and inspiration. The inspiration is profound. In one hotline training group, women from 40 to 70 revealed that theyd recovered from Stage 2, 3, and even Stage 4 ovarian cancer. They learned from each other that even if OC recurs, it can be successfully treated. Many new treatment options have been developed that long-term survivors didnt have available when they were diagnosed. Progress is being made for treatment and diagnosis. The rate of diagnosis has slowly fallen over the past two decades, according to the American Cancer Society. Making women aware that ovarian cancer exists and that they should seek out medical care if they experience any symptoms can help them get treatment earlier. The Ugly Stepsister Ovarian cancer has been called the ugly stepsister of female cancers because OC doesnt get the same kind of attention as breast cancer. The advantages of mammograms, the habit of monthly self-exams, the instant recognition of a pink ribbons meaning, and the widespread availability of support groups have been advanced by breast cancer awareness and advocacy. In comparison, ovarian cancer awareness and advocacy are still in their infancy. Groups like Gildas Club, SHARE, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA), the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and others are educating women about the disease. But the meaning of the teal-colored OC ribbon is still largely unknown. Ignoring Your Health Women know what to do when they feel a breast lump. But the uncertainty clouding the often vague symptoms of ovarian cancer makes it hard for women to take action. You may  brush things under the rug when youre not feeling well. Because women tend to the needs of others, they can become adept at ignoring our own. A woman who experiences tiredness, weight loss and loss of appetite can think these are just normal reactions to the stresses and pressures of her life. Not Simply in Your Head You sense when somethings wrong, even if you cant put your finger on it. The SHARE ovarian cancer hotline volunteers, hear from countless women who say that they had a nagging uneasiness over subtle changes that worsened over time. But because most of them are (or have been) caregivers, they are  afraid of being hypochondriacs. They are reluctant to take time away from others to focus on themselves. When you finally take the time to see a doctor but come away without answers, and are made to feel as if your dis-ease may simply be in your head, how many call it quits? Your Own Best Advocate I am alive today because I didnt let my first inconclusive visit to a doctor be my last. I saw a nurse practitioner, an OB-GYN, a surgeon, and a family practitioner before the necessary tests were ordered and an accurate diagnosis was made. Fortunately, my OC was caught at Stage 1 and the prognosis for full recovery after a hysterectomy and chemotherapy was very good. When it comes to ovarian cancer, you have to be your own best advocate. If youre reading this because you may have some of the symptoms, but youre afraid of an ovarian cancer diagnosis, dont let the fear stop you from seeking medical help. Like every other form of cancer, early detection is the key.