An Analysis Of Emission Spectra Environmental Sciences Essay

An Analysis Of Emission Spectra Environmental Sciences Essay Emission spectra are the radiation emitted by the atoms when their electrons jump from higher energy level to lower energy level. The emission spectrum of a chemical element or chemical compound is the relative intensity of each frequency of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the elements atoms or the compounds molecules when they are returned to a ground state. The subatomic particles that comprise the atom can absorb various kinds of energy and then emit that energy as a photon of a specific energy and corresponding wavelength and frequency. This emitted energy is called an emission spectrum. Electrons in particular release electromagnetic radiation in the visible range as well as in wavelengths surrounding the visible range. The particular wavelength that an electron releases depends on the difference between its ground state energy and the energy level that it jumps to. The amount of energy required for an electron to jump to a higher energy level depends on where it is starting from (its ground state). So the specific visible wavelengths (colors) released by an atom that has absorbed energy depend on the arrangement of its electrons. All the various elements and molecules that exist have their own unique arrangement of electrons, and so the particular wavelengths (colors) produced will always be unique to any one element or molecule. Th is spectrum of specific electromagnetic waves can therefore identify the substance. Note that Bohr used discreet emission spectra to show the discreet energies possessed by electrons in atoms. Because the electrons of different atoms so closely arranged in solid substances influence each other, the spectrum of a solid is different from that of the substances gas state, where the electron arrangement of individual atoms or molecules are not interfered with by neighboring atoms or molecules. Normally, therefore, substances are identified by their gas phase spectrum. A plot of the brightness of an object versus wavelength is called a spectrum, (even called spectra), and is observed using a spectrograph. By spreading out the light by wavelength, we can gain insight into whats happening to photons of particular wavelengths (or energies), which in turn tells us whats happening with particular types of atoms. There are three components of a spectrum: continuum emission (or blackbody radiation), emission lines, and absorption lines. Continuum emission is a wide, smooth (continuous!) band of colors like a rainbow. This type of emission is caused by an opaque material which emits radiation because of its temperature. Hotter objects are brighter and bluer than cooler objects. All objects have continuum radiation. (Even you; although in your case, since its in the infrared, we usually call it heat.) An absorption line is characterized by a lack of radiation at specific wavelength. Absorption lines are created by viewing a hot opaque object through a cooler, thin gas. The cool gas in front absorbs some of the continuum emission from the background source, and re-emits it in another direction, or at another frequency. Absorption lines are subtracted from the continuum emission, so that they appear fainter. An emission line is characterized by excessive radiation at specific wavelengths. You can observe emission lines by looking through a spectrometer at an energized gas. They are created by the photons that are released by the falling electrons. The important thing to know about absorption and emission lines is that every atom of a particular element (hydrogen, say) will have the same pattern of lines all the time. And the spacing of the lines is the same in both absorption and emission, only emission lines are added to the continuum, while absorption lines are subtracted. VARIOUS OBSERVATIONS OF SCIENTISTS IN EARLY AGE: When a sample of gaseous atoms of an element at low pressure is subjected to an input of energy, such as from an electric discharge, the atoms are themselves found to emit electromagnetic radiation. On passing through a very thin slit and then through a prism the light (electromagnetic radiation) emitted by the excited atoms is separated into its component frequencies. The familiar dispersion of white light is illustrated below: Solids, liquids and dense gases glow at high temperatures. The emitted light, examined using a spectroscope, consists of a continuous band of colours as in a rainbow. A continuous spectrum is observed. This is typical of matter in which the atoms are packed closely together. Gases at low pressure behave quite differently. The excited atoms emit only certain frequencies, and when these are placed as discreet lines along a frequency scale an atomic emission spectrum is formed. The spectral lines in the visible region of the atomic emission spectrum of barium are shown below. Spectral lines exist in series in the different regions (infra-red, visible and ultra-violet) of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. The spectral lines in a series get closer together with increasing frequency. Each element has its own unique atomic emission spectrum. EXPLANATION OF ABOVE MENTIONED OBSERVATIONS: It was necessary to explain how electrons are situated in atoms and why atoms are stable. Much of the following discussion refers to hydrogen atoms as these contain only one proton and one electron making them convenient to study. In the early 1913, the famous scientist Neils Bohr solved many problems in chemistry of the time by proposing his view that the electron revolves around the nucleus of the atom with a definite fixed energy in a fixed path, without emitting or absorbing energy. The electron in the hydrogen atom exists only in certain definite energy levels. These energy levels are called Principal Quantum Levels, denoted by the Principal Quantum Number, n. Principal Quantum Level n = 1 is closest to the nucleus of the atom and of lowest energy. When the electron occupies the energy level of lowest energy the atom is said to be in its ground state. An atom can have only one ground state. If the electron occupies one of the higher energy levels then the atom is in an excited state. An atom has many excited states. When a gaseous hydrogen atom in its ground state is excited by an input of energy, its electron is promoted from the lowest energy level to one of higher energy. The atom does not remain excited but re-emits energy as electromagnetic radiation. This is as a result of an electron falling from a higher energy level to one of lower energy. This electron transition results in the release of a photon from the atom of an amount of energy (E = h Ã‚ ®) equal to the difference in energy of the electronic energy levels involved in the transition. In a sample of gaseous hydrogen where there are many trillions of atoms all of the possible electron transitions from higher to lower energy levels will take place many times. A prism can now be used to separate the emitted electromagnetic radiation into its component frequencies (wavelengths or energies). These are then represented as spectral lines along an increasing frequency scale to form an atomic emission spectrum. Principal Quantum Levels (n) for the hydrogen atom. Comment: A hydrogen atom in its Ground State. The electron occupies the lowest possible energy level which in the case of hydrogen is the Principal Quantum Level n = 1. The Bohr Theory was a marvelous success in explaining the spectrum of the hydrogen atom. He calculated wavelengths agreed perfectly with the experimentally measured wavelengths of the spectral lines. Bohr knew that he was on to something; matching theory with experimental data is successful science. More recent theories about the electronic structure of atoms have refined these ideas, but Bohrs model is still very helpful to us. For clarity, it is normal to consider electron transitions from higher energy levels to the same Principal Quantum Level. The image given below illustrates the formation of spectral lines in visible region of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation for hydrogen, called the Balmer Series. The Spectral Lines are in Series As referred to above for hydrogen atoms, electron transitions form higher energy levels all to the n = 2 level produce a series of lines in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, called the Balmer Series. The series of lines in the ultra-violet region, called the Lyman Series, are due to electron transitions from higher energy levels all to the n = 1 level, and these were discovered after Bohr predicted their existence. Within each series, the spectral lines get closer together with increasing frequency. This suggests that the electronic energy levels get closer the more distant they become from the nucleus of the atom. No two elements have the same atomic emission spectrum; the atomic emission spectrum of an element is like a fingerprint. The diagram to the right illustrates the formation of three series of spectral lines in the atomic emission spectrum of hydrogen. THE RESON BEHIND DISTINCT WAVELENGTHS: As we know light from a mercury discharge tube was composed of only three colors, or three distinct wavelengths of light. This feature, that an element emits light of specific colors, is an enormously useful probe of how individual atoms of that element behave. Indeed, the science of spectroscopy was developed around the discovery that each element of the periodic table emits light with its own set characteristic wavelengths, or emission spectrum. of light. If one has a collection of several elements, all emitting light, and the spectra of the different elements combine or overlap. By comparing the combined spectra to the known spectra of individual elements, we can discover which elements are present. It is amusing to note that the element helium was first discovered in this manner through the spectroscopic analysis of light from the sun in 1868 and was only later discovered in terrestrial minerals in 1895. But why do we see distinct wavelengths in emission spectra? And why are the spectra different for particular elements? There is nothing distinct about the light from an incandescent source such as the ordinary light bulb. In an empirical study of the spectrum of hydrogen, Balmer discovered that the precise frequencies and wavelengths of the light produced could be described by a simple equation involving a constant and an integer. Balmers equation was then expanded to describe the entire spectrum of hydrogen, including the ultra-violet and the infrared spectral lines. This equation is called the Rydberg equation: = R (â‚ ¬Ã‚ ­ ), Where R is the Rydberg constant, and n1 and n2 are integers. The presence of integers in this equation created a real problem for physicists until the development of the quantum theory of the atom by Neils Bohr. Bohrs theory suggested that the electron orbiting the nucleus could have only certain quantized angular momenta. The implication of this idea is that the electron can orbit only at certain fixed distances and velocities around the nucleus and subsequently can possess only certain discrete energies. Individual electron orbits are associated with specific energy levels. Integer numbers uniquely identify these levels and these integers, quantum numbers, are the ones that show up in the Rydberg equation and that are labeled n1 and n2. The integers in Rydbergs equations identify electron orbits of specific radius. In general, the larger the value of the integer, the larger the size of the orbit. Rydbergs equation says that the wavelength of the light emitted from an atom depends on two electron orbits. The interpretation is that an electron makes a transition from the initial orbit identified by the integer n1 to a final orbit identified by the integer n2. Furthermore, since there is a unique energy associated with each electron orbit, these integers n1 and n2 also identify or tag the energy of the electron. Hence, a discrete amount of energy is released or absorbed when an electron makes a transition between two orbits. In the case of the atom, when an electron makes a transition from one orbit to another with a lesser value of its identifying integer, energy is released from the atom and takes the form of emitted light of a distinct wavelength, or equivalently, of distinct frequency. So the picture we have is that electron transitions between different orbits produce different wavelengths of light and that the actual wavelength value of the light depends on the energy difference between the two orbits. Furthermore, since the energies of the different orbits and the energies of the transitions are determined by the atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus), each atom has its own characteristic spectrum. distances and velocities around the nucleus and subsequently can possess only certain discrete energies. Individual electron orbits are associated with specific energy levels. Integer numbers uniquely identify these levels and these integers, quantum numbers, are the ones that show up in the Rydberg equation and that are labeled n1 and n2. Emission Line Spectra of Various Elements REFERANCE NO. Explanation of the above Image: First spectrum is hydrogen, typical of a hydrogen spectrum tube. Second spectrum is helium, typical of a helium spectrum tube. Third spectrum is lithium, as typically from a flame or an electric arc. Fourth spectrum is neon. Fifth spectrum is low pressure sodium, but with secondary lines exaggerated. Sixth spectrum is argon, typical of an argon glow lamp or spectrum tube. Next spectrum is copper, drawn using a wavelength table and Ioannis Galidakis photos of a copper arc spectrum (see link below). Oxide lines which may appear in the flame spectrum are not shown. Next spectrum is zinc, drawn using a wavelength table and a photo by Ioannis Galidakis of a zinc arc spectrum. Intensity of the red line is shown for the slightly greenish light blue usual zinc arc, but Ioannis reports getting a pinkish zinc arc and shows the red line to be brighter. Next spectrum is barium. Oxide lines are not included. Next spectrum is krypton. Ion lines typical of flashlamp use are not included. Next spectrum is that of the most common variety of metal halide lamp, which is basically a mercury vapor lamp enhanced with iodides of sodium and scandium. Next spectrum is that of a xenon flashtube of lower-than-usual pressure, operated with a higher than usual voltage and a lower than usual energy level to favor a line spectrum. An actual typical xenon spectrum generally has a strong continuous spectrum, which I show more dimly than actually occurs in order to show the lines. The lines are mainly those of excited xenon ions, rather than excited neutral xenon atoms. At lower current, the most distinct visible spectral lines are two close together in the blue and the brightness is usually low. Next spectrum is high pressure mercury vapor, typical of a mercury vapor lamp. Low pressure mercury vapor has a similar spectrum except the green line is slightly dimmer and the yellow lines are significantly dimmer. Next one after that is a mercury lamp with the common Deluxe White phosphor. Next one after that is a compact fluorescent lamp of the 2700K color. Emission line spectra of various other elements is given below APPLICATIONS: Emission Spectroscopic techniques are used in Flame Emission Spectroscopy Energy spectra are used in astrophysical spectroscopy. Energy Spectra are used in Optical Spectroscopy

Healthcare in Netherlands vs. U.S. Essay

Completing this assignment will require anywhere from 60-80 minutes. It will count as two response papers. This documentary is a case study in policy making. It helps us to learn about the mechanisms of making laws at the national level for high profile policies in America. In particular, this case focuses our attention on the role of powerful and wealthy interest groups in Washington, and how they can easily influence government and sway laws to their benefit. It also helps us to lean about who has power over and in government, who is represented, who has voice, influence, and who doesn’t. Please, watch â€Å"Obama’s Deal: PBS Documentary Exposing Corruption and the Role of Big Money and Powerful Lobby in American Policy Making Process† You may start filling out the questionnaire while you are watching the documentary. Simply copy these 14 questions into your response paper and answer them in the order of appearance. 1. What immediate problem did the president run into when initiating the healthcare reform? 2. Obama’s administration believed that taking on a healthcare reform is a test of what in American politics? According to Obama, it was intended to prove what? 3. Who opposed the healthcare reform under both Clinton and Obama? Who stood to lose from the healthcare reform? 4. What did the propaganda ads funded by insurance lobby advertise to the American public about the healthcare reform? Whose interests did they keep in mind when doing that? 5. Who could get to the congressional hearings on the healthcare reform? Was there anyone representing 50 million uninsured Americans at the congressional hearings? 6. While powerful insurance lobbyists initially stated that they would support the reform, what did they request in return and why? (hint: they wanted some feature added to the bill, what is that feature?) 7. Senator Baucus received $2.5 millions from insurance interest groups to do what? Whose interests did he represent? 8. Who is denied a seat at the negotiation table about the healthcare? Who is removed physically by guards from the press conference in the White House? 9. When in Congress senator Baucus introduced â€Å"Medicare prescription drug bill†, it was a payoff to drug  and pharmaceutical industries for what? Who did the bill benefit (financially)c? 10. Insurance lobbyists (Ignani being one big player) spend tens of millions of dollars to defeat the health bill through ads that created panic, scare, rumors, and etc. Why? What is at stake for insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists if a meaningful healthcare reform took place? 11. The answer to this question would require some speculation on your part: why do you think many Americans bought the negative campaign ads against the healthcare reform that were manufactured by the insurance lobby? Why did some ordinary Americans end up siding with greedy insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists, even though saving money and health of working Americans is the last thing that those lobbyists cared about? 12. What does this documentary show us about the role of money and powerful interests in American politics? For whose benefits laws are made or blocked? Based on this case study, what would you say about who controls American political process? 13. What have you learned from this documentary that either reinforces or contradicts information from the textbook chapter 11 about interest groups? 14. Anything else you wish to state about your reaction to this case study in policy making: Background and further readings on healthcare policy in the U.S.: Healthcare is one of the most contentious policy areas in American politics. Some of the most conspicuous issues with healthcare provision in our country are: -medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy for middle class and low income households in America -Insurance premiums and co pays are too high and limits for patients with preexisting conditions are numerous; insurance industry is fairly unregulated and has monopoly on setting the rules of the game on who and how they cover. -50 million Americans remain uninsured, with elderly, students/young, and workers in low paid or part time jobs that offer no health insurance benefits most affected. We do not have a public health option that would offer a choice aside from private care, just like we have public education/universal education for any American who does not wish to spend tons on private education -while we have such programs as Medicare (for the elderly), Medicaid (for low income families), and emergency rooms, they do not cover all those who need medical care; states became strict with qualifications for such programs, cutting funding and  eliminating many Americans from qualifying. Emergency rooms, if you have been to one, do not offer quality care, preventative treatment, and many other essential services. Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions; insurance plans have limits and co-pays that many people simply cannot afford once faced with a serious illness. -Healthcare is too expensive and inaccessible to many -What reforms are needed to address such disparities in healthcare? And more importantly, in our political system what reforms can or cannot be made? This documentary provides one way to think through the structure of policy making process in America. Supplementary/suggested readings: Start with understanding facts, numbers, and myths about Obama’s Affordable Care Act: http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform Margaret Flowers: Obamacare did not go far enough, we still need universal health coverage for Americans: http://www.thenation.com/video/168604/margaret-flowers-obamacare-doesnt-go-far-enough# Number of uninsured Americans rises to 50.7 million: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-09-17-uninsured17_st_n.htm Census data on health coverage in America: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/data/incpovhlth/2010/highlights.html Republicans who benefit from Obama’s healthcare bill are torn about the candidates: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/06/health/republicans-conflicted-obamacare/ Listing some benefits for women under Obama’s healthcare bill, particular for potential cancer patients: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021447151 Three myths about Obama’s Affordable Care Act: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Noq_tktemE0 Republican presidential candidate Romney on healthcare: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/opinion/krugman-romneys-sick-joke.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 Public opinion about Obama’s healthcare bill: healthcare is complex in terms of public opinion–while a majority favored it’s repeal, large majorities actually favored each aspect of the law. Moreover, with the Supreme Court’s upholding the law, this seems to have made it more popular (but made the Court less so): http://themonkeycage.org/blog/2012/10/03/the-effect-of-the-courts-ruling-in-the-aca/ http://themonkeycage.org/blog/2012/06/27/framing-and-health-care-reform/ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/62242.html Paul Ryan’s (runs as vice-president on the Republican ticket in 2012 election) plans to undercut social security and Medicare infuriate the elderly, he dismisses concerns with contempt and removal of a senior citizens from the hall: http://www.upworthy.com/paul-ryans-medicare-plan-will-hurt-old-people-paul-ryans-security-guys-have-hurt?g=2 Healthcare debate in cross-cultural perspective: Canada vs. U.S. http://www.diemer.ca/Docs/Diemer-TenHealthCareMyths.htm Healthcare in Netherlands vs. U.S.: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03european-t.html?pagewanted=all

Guns of August - 2668 Words

1 The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman A predilection for the high drama of war stories and an appreciation for history as narrative led me explore Barbara W. Tuchman’s The Guns of August , a dramatic, comprehensive and painstakingly detailed account of the beginnings of World War One. Having read her history of fourteenth century Europe, A Distant Mirror, I was eager to see how she would apply her style of taking important individuals of the period and showing how events unfolded through the prism of their experiences, to the subject of the First World War. Moreover, the period is one in which I have long been interested, having been introduced to it through the World War One poets, T. S. Elliot’s The Wasteland and All Quiet on†¦show more content†¦For Germany, 1914 would witness the enthronement of Kultur in Europe and the fulfillment of Germany’s historic mission. As Thomas Mann saw it, â€Å"Germans . . . deserved to be the most powerful, to dominate, to establish a ‘German peaceâ €™â€  (311). The French, for their part, in the face of growing German militarism given voice by the Kaiser himself, â€Å"possessor of the least inhibited tongue in Europe,† stoked up their furor Gallicae and awaited the moment that had seemed inevitable ever since the Treaty of Versailles had amputated her eastern flank. Aside from nationalistic scores to settle, many other nations were simply â€Å"sore-headed and fed up† with â€Å"Germany’s clattering of the sword† and saw in the coming conflict hopes for the â€Å"moral regeneration of Europe† (312-313). Tuchman sees the parts as well as the whole, and her discussion of cause as it relates to individual battles and the generals involved is psychologically astute without being limiting. She offers plausible explanations for General John French’s lack of will in the defense of Belgium (218) and shows how the breakdown of Plan 17 in the first weeks of the war paved the way for a l ong and brutal struggle (262), as did the final failure of the Germans’ Schlieffen Plan for a double envelopment of the enemy. The ensuing deadlockShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Guns of August1091 Words   |  5 PagesThe Guns of August Barbara Tuchmans Pulitzer prize-winning book about the start of World War I is a fascinating and detailed work that delivers the thoughts and actions of the belligerents and their previously mysterious leaders to life on every page. This military history of the first month of the war is written in a way as to keep the reader interested because of the great detail. The author also manages to write about the events in such a manor as the reader sees them as they happenedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Guns Of August Essay1566 Words   |  7 PagesHistory of Western Civilization II The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman. London: England. Macmillan. 1962. The Great War, more known as World war 1 is perhaps the most famous war in American history. Most people only know that the Great war was the first world war that caused catastrophe through the worlds alliances. The Guns of August also known as August 1914 is a historical work of nonfiction written about the beginning of World War I. The Guns of August is an interesting book that goes throughRead MoreEssay on The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman456 Words   |  2 PagesThe Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman Barbara Tuchmans Guns of August is about World War 1. Her book has a unique way of telling this story. Her books gives explanations for each countrys involvement in the war. 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The Characteristics Of Thomas Mores Utopia - 913 Words

In 1516, Thomas More published the well-known book titled â€Å"Utopia,† where he defined the word as either â€Å"a good place† or â€Å"no place.† In the novel, More described an ideal communal society that was almost unheard of in his time. His â€Å"Utopia,† whose name was possibly derived from the Greek roots â€Å"ou not† and â€Å"tà ³p(os) a place† (â€Å"Utopia), can ultimately be considered a prototype of a modern welfare state (â€Å"Utopia (book)†). This, combined with a lack of private property and other characteristics, provided the backbone for many experimental societies, both fictional and real, since the book’s publication. There are numerous traits that can be associated with a utopia, including conformity, isolation from external influences, and a lack of†¦show more content†¦To facilitate this, both their education and the tales they were told from birth would have been fitted so the Guardians could witness and emulate the desired behavior (Plato). This willing conformity is essential to the functioning of a utopia. As one can derive from Plato’s â€Å"Republic,† if members of such a society are able to do as they please, a utopia would never be able to function. The fact that many utopias separate themselves from the outside world is another possible characteristic of a Utopia. Ernest Callenbach’s Ecotopia, formed 20 years prior to the events in the novel â€Å"Ecotopia† out of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, had not allowed any Americans to cross its border. Even in the secretive Helicopter War where the United States attempted to regain Ecotopia did the Ecotopians manage to repel individuals from the outside world (Callenbach). Another example of this seclusion is the Utopia described in More’s novel of the same name. Originally starting as a peninsula, it was transformed into an island after the inhabitants excavated a 15-mile-wide waterway during the reign of the first king, King Utopos (â€Å"Utopia (book)†). A potential reason for this complete isolation could be to prevent exterior influences from contaminating the ideals of the utopia. Again, members of a utopian society need to conform to some degree in order for such an unconventional civilization to survive, andShow MoreRelated Utopian Dreams Essay1391 Words   |  6 Pagescompetitive by nature and would never be happy in a society where everyone is equal and there is no chance of advancement. Sir Thomas More dreamt of a land that was much like England but could never surpass time. He opened the eyes of a nation and made its people desire something new. Views were significantly changed and the world would never be the same. Sir Thomas More inspired dramatic changes in religion, community life and even paved the way for communism. And he did all of this throughRead MoreAnalysis of Thomas Mores Utopia Essay527 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is it about Thomas Mores Utopia that makes it as accessible and relevant to a 21st century westernized Catholic teenage boy as it did to an 18th century middle aged Jewish women? Utopia, a text written 500 odd years ago in differing country and language, is still a valid link to a contemporary understanding of society, human nature and morals. Through Mores Utopia, it becomes evident that the trans-historical and trans-cultural nature of the text emerges through Mores conscious and subconsciousRead MoreThe Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins1081 Words   |  5 Pagessociety capable of living in a flawless world, in a true utopia? In Sir Thomas More’s novel, Utopia, a paradisiacal island is depicted containing a faultless society. Since the release of this work in 1516, countless authors have used this idea to create their own perfect worlds. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is a prime byproduct of More’s utopia. However, the key difference between both novels is the intended creation of a utopia or dystopia. Collins understood that her text portrayed aRead More Socialism and Thomas Mores Utopia Essay2345 Words   |  10 PagesSocialism and Thomas Mores Utopia      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Socialist ideals have recurred throughout the history of literature; from Plato to Marx the elusive goal of a perfect state has occupied some of the best minds in political thought manifesting itself in literature. In the midst of this historic tradition is the Utopia of More, a work which links the utopias of the ancient with the utopias of the modern. Hythlodays fantasy island draws heavily on the Greek Republic and yet it influenced the revolutionaryRead More The Political Structure of More’s Utopia Essay2634 Words   |  11 PagesOver the past few centuries the word utopia has developed a variety of meanings: a perfect state, paradise, heaven on earth, but the original definition of the word means something quite different. Utopia, coined by Saint Thomas More in his famous work Utopia, written during the English Renaissance, literally means nowhere. It is ironic that a word meaning nowhere has become a catchall phrase for paradise. More’s wor k is popular because of its wit, its use of metaphor, and its proposals forRead MoreEssay on Thomas Mores Utopia and His Context3405 Words   |  14 PagesUtopia is Sir Thomas More’s seminal work, depicting a fictitious island and its religious, social, and political customs. Working as an advisor to King Henry VIII, More was aware of the issues of his time such as ridiculous inflation, corruption, wars for little or no purpose, courtly ostentation, the abuse of power by the absolute monarchs, and the maltreatment of the poor. Consequently, More used Utopia to contrast some unique and refreshing political ideas with the chaotic politics of his ownRead MoreUtopia By Sir Thomas More, Is Utopia The Best State Of Commonwealth?1799 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to More, Is Utopia the Best State of Commonwealth? Utopia, by Sir Thomas More, is a socio-political commentary on the state of 16th century English society. Originally published in 1516, More’s work has divided scholars on his intentions; whether he wanted for readers to seriously consider his ideas as a blueprint for society, or whether Utopia was merely an avenue for satire on his country. By examining how the text is presented, as well as features of Utopian society, including communalRead MoreJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal, And Thomas More s Utopia1584 Words   |  7 Pages Jonathan Swift’s â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† and Thomas More’s Utopia both treat the poor, old, or sick similarly. Swift writes a mock proposal to eat the children of poor families, while More writes about an â€Å"ideal,† utopian society where the old and sick are told that they might as well just die. Both exaggerate the similarities between humans and animals in order to reveal to the public how they are treating these types of people in real life. The authors’ ideas are pushing how society deals with peopleRead MoreEssay on Comparing Societies: Why Utopian Freedom is Best2107 Words   |  9 Pagesjustice and societal goals is one of these features. Through this relationship we will explore both the nature and the quality of freedom in Thomas More’s Utopia. What relationship exists between freedom, justice and societal goals? To answer this question we, like Plato, should look to a model society. Our model society will have a goal: a characteristic that makes a model citizen and which the populace desires to achieve. Our model society will also have justice: which protects the societal goalRead MoreA Comparison Of Thomas Mores Utopia, And The Symposium By Plato1607 Words   |  7 Pages Utopia by Thomas More, and The Symposium by Plato are similar in that they both challenge pre-existing notions in society. The two stories prompt readers to reconsider certain aspects of life which one might have found to be quite one-sided. Thomas More introduces us to an island called Utopia which serves as a model of perfection in each facet of everyday life. In The Symposium, Plato and his friends contribute distinctive interpretations on the origin and meaning of love. Both author’s purpose