An Experiment with an Air Pump
Is it ethical or even helpful to try to impose order on a haphazard existence? Is it right to play God, to steal the limelight from the cosmos? Man used to ponder existence, but with the increasing possibilities of science, we now ponder our power over existence. In “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Shelagh Stephenson uses symbolism associated with Isobel as a voice of foreboding in a society “enraptured by the possibilities of science” (3). Stephenson associates Isobel with a bird, a pile of bones, and a sheep to reveal the dark side of the “light,” the scientific revolution.
The play commences in 1799 when Fenwick risks the life of Harriet’s bird in order to conduct an experiment with an air pump. Later in the play, Armstrong puts a different life on the line for the “intoxication of discovery” (3). This time the life is human. From the moment Armstrong sees Isobel he wants to “examine her beautiful back in all its delicious, twisted glory” (85). His infatuation with Isobel has nothing to do with matters of the heart, but he proceeds to woo her because of his sheer lust for science.
Upon learning of Armstrong’s motive, Isobel attempts to hang herself. As Isobel lies helpless on the floor, fighting for one last breath, Stephenson illustrates that Isobel’s “heels flutter almost imperceptibly” (92). Later, everyone gathers around Isobel’s dead body much like they did around the fluttering bird in the first experiment. “But this time Isobel, in her coffin, has taken the place of the bird in the air pump”(96). The fact that now a dead Isobel symbolizes the bird implies that this time the experiment has gone dreadfully wrong. The fact that the second experiment fails harbors a much more solemn consequence than if the first had failed. If the bird in the first experiment had died, tears would have been shed only until the purchase of a new bird. Not only does Armstrong sacrifice a human life in the name of science, but he symbolically diminishes all that the bird and Isobel represent. Isobel’s death implies the demise of freedom, will, and humanity.
Stephenson also associates Isobel with a sheep, to represent what can be lost in a future of “industry, science, wealth, and reason” (15). Harriet writes her own play within this play in which the future is exalted as “a new Jerusalem” (15).
Although a portion of Leuchtenburg’s evidence supporting his opinion on which case constituted a constitutional revolution involved the shift in the Court’s decision-making, the question of the reason for the shift in the Court begs to be explained. At the time, during the case of West Coast v. Parrish, the court seemed to be in sorts fueled by politics. The Justices were concerned with the consequences that could very well up rise from their reluctance to approve the standard legislation. In other words, they may have shifted their votes in hopes of saving the traditional foundation. Justice Roberts’ voting decisions would then need to be closely examined seeing that he supported the liberal side in 1934 concerning the case of Nebbia v. New York, supported the conservative side in 1935-1936 concerning the Rail Pension and Tipaldo, and then returned to suppor...
project of the play, of which is touched upon in Act One. It is this
Superior Pump 91250 by Superior Pump is a utility pump designed to handle day-to-day chores smartly. This ultra-compact pump is convertible into a backup sump pump by connecting a float switch to it. In addition, the pump is highly portable and has rugged thermoplastic casing making its use as well as handling reliable. It helps in clearing water from basements, waterfalls, and even pools. It indeed is one handy companion to count on.
In modern times we are brought face-to-face with the tangible issue of engineered-creation and the hopes and fears it inspires. It is a common hope that science should be able to mimic the abilities and power of the God that created us. However, with respect to Mary Shelley's famous novel, "Frankenstein," one will find that the desire to play god is met with dire consequences.
In many cases outsourcing has proven to be beneficial for businesses. It can help a business’s management by allowing executives to focus on the core structure of the firm rather than every specific element. Production, manufacturing, or additional servic...
Mainly because I play basketball, I am aware of all the issues students’ athletes, trainers, water boys/girl and the coaches’ deal with. When it comes to playing sports a lot of equipment is needed, and when equipment is needed money is needed. The sports I am talking about deals with some type of ball that needs air pressure. The type of sports I am referring to can be basketball, volleyball, soccer, and football (Figure 1). All of those sports contain some kind of air to be placed inside of a ball. To do this we will need some form of an air pump. The price of each type of ball is over $25.00 (Figure 2). So instead of the athletic department, AAU Teams, summer leagues, etc. spending money on an air pump that temporary places air in balls; why not invest in an air pump product that does the job of all and more. Why is this air pump so different? This is an air pump that cannot be denied, it helps your pockets when budgeting
The rope symbolizes death and destruction. When Mr. Wright was killed, he was chocked to death with a rope. The same way Mrs. Wright was killed, so was Mrs. Wright's bird. The death of Mr. Wright was Mrs. Wright's way of starting a new life. The bird's death symbolizes Mrs. Wright's dying because she is with Mr.
In William Paley’s paradigm, the world is perfectly designed by a benevolent God who purposefully created everything and “superadded pleasure to animal sensations” (RP 47 ). Paley strongly believes the existence of a God who is wise and benevolent enough to create everything on earth with happiness and a purpose. For Paley, science is a tool to complement the greatness of religion and prove the importance of Design (RP 46). In order to support his paradigm, Paley illustrates the contrivance and work of God in nature with the methodological assumption of First Cause (the belief in the existence of God) and Final Cause (the belief that a God creates an object with a purpose). Additionally, the metaphysical assumption of a close, active God underlies the paradigm as a premise that influences e...
By using a bird as a symbol for hope, Dickinson conveys the message that hope is continuous in a way that is easily understood b...
Firstly I would set this play in the 21st century so that a modern audience could relate to it. Algernon, one of the main characters in the play, would live in a luxury apartment in the centre of London, over looking the River Thames. His apartment would have a minimalist theme to it and would be influenced by aesthetic; for example he would have a piece of abstract art on the wall for no reason other than that he thinks it looks nice.
How does dropping out of high school affects students’ lives in the future? Students’ dropping out has become a crisis, President Obama said, “It’s time for all of us to come together parents and students, principals, and teachers, business leaders and elected officials to end America’s dropout crisis” (“ President Obama”). There are 7 thousand students’ that drop out of high school that adds up to about 1.2 million each year, wouldn’t it be nice to drop that number and help kids stay in school instead of dropping out of high school(“ President Obama”). Students’ shouldn’t drop out of high school because they couldn’t go to college, couldn’t hold down a job, and would struggle making minimum wage for the rest of their life.
The setting for this novel was a constantly shifting one. Taking place during what seems to be the Late Industrial Revolution and the high of the British Empire, the era is portrayed amongst influential Englishmen, the value of the pound, the presence of steamers, railroads, ferries, and a European globe.
If you chose to walk away from high school without a diploma, then expect it to be extremely hard to find a decent paying job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “…approximately 54 percent of the nation’s young high school dropouts were unemployed in 2008.” One reason dropouts have a hard time finding a job is because the majority
...urcing services, the company operation will be became a mess. This is because one organization can’t run a lot of task or project at one time. Therefore an organization need outsourcing in the way to help their organization run smoothly.
Wright was described as a beautiful women filled with such joy and life until she married John Wright. Mrs. Peter’s and Mrs. Hale feels sorry for her because her husband treated her so bad. Due to female bonding and sympathy, the two women, becoming detectives, finds the truth and hides it from the men. The play shows you that emotions can play a part in your judgement. Mrs. Peter’s and Mrs. Hale felt sorry that Mrs. Wright had one to keep her company no kids and she was always left alone at home. “yes good; he didn’t drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debt. But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters just to pass the time of day with him. Like a raw wind that goes to the bone. I should of think she would have wanted a bird. But what you suppose went with it?” Later on in the play the women find out what happens to the bird. The bird was killed the same way Mrs. Wright husband which leads to the motive of why he was killed. Mrs. Wright was just like the bird beautiful but caged no freedom not being able to live a life of her own. Always stuck in the shadows of her husband being told what to do and