Analysis of Ma Jodes Character in The Grapes Of Wrath :: essays research papers

For this essay on John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath, I have chosen to do a character analysis. The character that I chose is Ma Jode. I have chosen Ma Jode, because I think she is one or the most important characters in the book.Ma Jode is the most important character because she is very strong-minded. Ma and the family know that she is the backbone of the family and she is very strong-minded, so if she shows any concern or weakness, the family may diminution apart. If at that place is anything on Mas mind she must not show any sign of it around the family. Ma might be still as frightened with doubts and fear as the rest of the family, but she always maintains a strong figure or leader. In order for things to go Mas way, she must push for them. There are many situations were Ma has to push and put order back and continue strong leader as she is displayed as. An example of were Ma must stay strong is when the family agrees to let Tom and Casey stay behind, to fix the Wilsons car, without her approval, and she thinks that that will break up the family. After that incident, she pretty much replaces Pas place as the head of the family. Another big situation is when she is threatening a police man with a pan, and she parts the family there leaving the government camp. Pas gets pissed because his power became lessened due to Mas leadership, Pa says Seems like the times are changing.Mas loves her family so much that she often sacrifices he own well being to help out the family in any way that she can viable do it. An example of her doing so, is when Grandma is dying. The family stops at the boarder of California and she fears that if the guard know the grandma is dead, they wont let them in, so she lies to the guard and tell them that grandma is very sick and she needs to see a doctor. Ma sits succeeding(a) to grandma for the rest of the night. That is a big sacrifice for the family, because she had to lay next to a dead person all night just to get her famil y through to California. During the hole journey for the Jode family Ma is the strongest, and upheld character of the book.

Good vs. Evil in John Cheevers The Five-Forty-Eight Essay -- Five-For

Good vs. Evil in John Cheevers The Five-Forty-EightJohn Cheever was an award winning American author of the twentieth century. His work often possessed psychological and religious vision with central themes of sin, deception, and redemption (Kennedy, 551). Cheevers short story entitled The Five-Forty-Eight portrays a struggle of good vs. bad. Following the themes of sin, deception, and redemption, we read of a green woman (good) seeking revenge for the evil done to her. Through the course of the story the reader can distinguish between the traits of good and evil. The Websters dictionary defines evil as that which is morally wrong. Blake has some distinct morality issues. Blake, the evil force in the story, possesses some character flaws that are indicative of the force he portrays. He is self-absorbed, manipulative, and shallow and has isolated himself from his friends and family. Blake sacrifices his relationships to give into his sexual desires, which is our first indication of his evil streak. He sleeps with Mrs. Dent, his secretary, and proceeds to fire her. As a result of Blake?s many one night of stands, in which he manipulates women to sleep with him, he loses his wife, son, and friends. He is so incredibly shallow and self-involved that he married his wife for her debaucher alone he has no regard to her in her old age. He does not even pretend to love his wife ?the physical charms that had been her only attraction were gone? (554). His neighbors and friends hear of the evil Blake has done to his own wife, and as a result they reject Blake as a friend. His self-involved attitude prevents him from caring that he has no companions. When his neighbor, Mrs. Compton, cannot give him a genuine smile, we r... ...relationship. Cheever?s preoccupation with sin and deception is played out in the story. Works Cited Cheever, John. ?The Five-Forty-Eight.? Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. eighth ed. New York Longman, 2002. 550-561. Chesnick, Eugene. ?The Domesticated Stroke of John Cheever.? Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 7 of 46. Detroit, MI Gale Research Company, 1980. 48. Oates, Joyce Carol. Article on John Cheever. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 11 of 46. Detroit, MI Gale Research Company, 1980. 119-120. The New Webster?s Dictionary. New York Lexicon Publications, Inc., 1990. 135. Tyler, Anne. Article on John Cheever. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 11 of 46. Detroit, MI Gale Research Company, 1980. 121.

Abraham Lincoln :: essays research papers

Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the sixteenth chairwoman of the United States. He served from 1861- 1865. the great unwashed referred to him as " Honest Abe." During the Civil War Lincoln helped with the North, in doing this the North selected him for a second time in 1864. In all of his time he never wavered from his primary goal- to save the Union and also he saw the nation through its most dreadful experience, war between Americans. In the beginning- Abraham was innate(p) on February 12, 1809. Him ad his family moved a couple of times from place to place. With helping on the farm and managing to get in some schooling at a local school. He learned how to read and write. His full size grew to be 64. The middle years- In 1832, as a captain of the Militia Company, he went off to the Black Hawk War. Soon after the War he ran for the Illinois legislature and lost. Afterward with a partner, he opened his own general stash away but went broke. In 1834, as a Whig, he was elect ed to the legislature and served four terms. But in the meantime, he read enough law to in the long run become a lawyer and in 1837 he moved to Springfield. Here he attended legislative sessions, practiced law, and met his future wife.Family life- Abrahams wife was Mary Todd she was a Kentucky born girl. They were soon married on November 4, 1842. They had together four kids, Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas. But Edward died shortly before his fourth birthday, William died in the White House of typhoid at only age eleven, and also son Thomas died in 1871 at age eighteen right before adulthood. Being the President- In 1846, Lincoln win election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served up until 1849, then returned to Springfield. In the 1850s he returned to politics. He spoke out against slavery extension. In 1856 he became a Republican. ii years later he ran for U.S. Senate, but lost however. He won the President nomination on the third ballot and won. He was elected Pre sident on November 6, 1861. In November 1863, Lincoln dedicated the Gettysburg battlefield, in a short speech known as the Gettysburg Address. It summed up the Civil War and its meaning to the Americans.

Use of Montage in the Movie, Night of the Hunter :: Movie Film Essays

Use of Montage in the Movie, Night of the HunterEbert said it best when he describes the characters of Night of the Hunter as Norman Rockwell archetypes. Taking place in an unassuming river town presumably during the Great Depression, the plot unravels around $10,000, stolen during a indisposed planned bank robbery. No thought need be heeded on the heist, however, seeing as it was not important enough to waste film on. The gold serves only to set up the dominoes that will be knocked down rather linearly in this predictable storyline. But to criticize this movie as predictable would be missing the entire premises the movies authentic purpose is seeking to illustrate a kind of righteousness vs. corruptive through key use of montage.The central character to the storyline, Reverend Harry Powell, is what today would be considered the archetypal psychopath. His mask of a righteous, God-fearing saver of souls makes his true self that much creepier. In a truly twisted scene, Rev. Powell perverts the embraced idea of a hero riding in on a white supply by using such a steed to stalk John and Pearl, the two children of the robber who have been entrusted with the money, accurately portraying the helplessness of innocence when a greater evil looms. Such Biblical conflict can be seen throughout the movie, culminating with Rachel, a true follower of her Lord, warding off the evil Rev. Powell.In regard to montage, it would be easy to write off its use as the most effective instrument for illustrating an idea with the technology at hand in those days. Upon closer inspection, however, montage allows a concept to be portrayed much more effectively than might otherwise be possible using standard filming techniques. The childrens journey down the river is a great example of this. The collision of scenes of them slowly drifting in a boat, sometimes sleeping, sometimes talking, both day and night, with the man of the cloth on his horse somehow keeping up explodes in the rather nebulous concept of a nightmare in which no matter how solid or far one runs, the pursuer always keeps up (Eisenstein, The Dramaturgy of Film Form).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay: Love and Marriage -- Midsummer Night

Love and Marriage in A summer solstice Nights stargaze There is something to be verbalise for the passionate love of young people, and Shakespeare said it in Romeo and Juliet. The belief that any action earth-closet be excused if unitary follows ones feelings is a sentimental nonion that is not endorsed by Shakespeare. Thus, Theseus suggestion in 1.1 of A Midsummer Nights Dream, that Hermia marry a man she does not love rather than live a barren sister on the whole her life would seem perfectly sensible to Shakespeares contemporaries. Shakespeare writes for a public who views spousal unsentimentally. At all levels of society, from king to commoner, marriage is entered into for commercial and dynastic reasons. stack marry to increase their property and to secure its inheritance. Wise parents, who may dispose of their children in marriage, will of course try to avoid matches which the contracting parties find intolerable, alone there are limits to this. On the other hand, children have a duty of obedience. And the maintain Egeus proposes for Hermia is by no means unattractive his chief defect is that he is not Lysander, whom Hermia loves, perhaps intemperately. The play shows how the ideal relationship is that in which the affections and the reasonable headway are both in harmony. At the start of the play, both Demetrius and capital of Montana are clearly at fault. Demetrius has allowed his love for Helena to abate she, by cower on him, is guilty of doting, which exacerbates his dislike. An honourable man would stand by his forebode and try to re-discover his love for Helena, and it is this which draws Lysanders taunt that Demetrius is spotted and inconstant. In time, perhaps, Demetrius might reckon Helenas merits, but in the brief ti... ...up with mud, for example we learn of the utmost(a) steep of India, of Oberons various favorites. Against the beautiful lyric and exotic account of the changelings pregnant arrest we have the homely joll ity of Pucks pranks on the fat and bean-fed horse or wisest aunt. Oberon gives us many set-piece descriptions of the bank whereon the wild thyme blows, of the fair vestal whom Cupids flair failed to hit, and of Titanias seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool (Bottom), among others. Here Shakespeare shows us what can be done in this kind, lest the failure of Pyramus and Thisbe lead us to the close that the theatre can only depict what can literally be brought on stage. In watching a play filled with references to moonlight, darkness, day-break we do easy to recall that it was first performed in open-air theatres in daylight A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay Love and Marriage -- Midsummer NightLove and Marriage in A Midsummer Nights Dream There is something to be said for the passionate love of young people, and Shakespeare said it in Romeo and Juliet. The belief that any action can be excused if one follows ones feelings is a sentimental notion that is not end orsed by Shakespeare. Thus, Theseus suggestion in 1.1 of A Midsummer Nights Dream, that Hermia marry a man she does not love rather than live a barren sister all her life would seem perfectly sensible to Shakespeares contemporaries. Shakespeare writes for a public who views marriage unsentimentally. At all levels of society, from king to commoner, marriage is entered into for commercial and dynastic reasons. People marry to increase their property and to secure its inheritance. Wise parents, who may dispose of their children in marriage, will of course try to avoid matches which the contracting parties find intolerable, but there are limits to this. On the other hand, children have a duty of obedience. And the husband Egeus proposes for Hermia is by no means unattractive his chief defect is that he is not Lysander, whom Hermia loves, perhaps intemperately. The play shows how the ideal relationship is that in which the affections and the reasonable mind are both in harmony. At the start of the play, both Demetrius and Helena are clearly at fault. Demetrius has allowed his love for Helena to abate she, by fawning on him, is guilty of doting, which exacerbates his dislike. An honourable man would stand by his promise and try to re-discover his love for Helena, and it is this which draws Lysanders taunt that Demetrius is spotted and inconstant. In time, perhaps, Demetrius might reconsider Helenas merits, but in the brief ti... ...up with mud, for example we learn of the farthest steep of India, of Oberons various favorites. Against the beautiful lyric and exotic account of the changelings pregnant mother we have the homely jollity of Pucks pranks on the fat and bean-fed horse or wisest aunt. Oberon gives us many set-piece descriptions of the bank whereon the wild thyme blows, of the fair vestal whom Cupids bolt failed to hit, and of Titanias seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool (Bottom), among others. Here Shakespeare shows us what can be done in this kind, lest the failure of Pyramus and Thisbe lead us to the conclusion that the theatre can only depict what can literally be brought on stage. In watching a play filled with references to moonlight, darkness, day-break we do well to recall that it was first performed in open-air theatres in daylight

Essay on Double Standards in The Taming of the Shrew :: Taming Shrew Essays

Double Standards in The Taming of the Shrew A very prominent theme in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew is societys double standards of workforce and women. In the play, Katherina is a very free-willed, independent wo patch who wishes to follow her own path in life and is not dependent on a man for her happiness. Petruchio is also free-willed, independent and speaks his mind freely. However, where Petruchio is praised for these characteristics, Katherina is scorned and called names. Petruchio is manly and Katherina is bitchy for the same traits. This is seen in popular cultural too often than is comfortable for such an ripe modern culture as ours. Women who are ambitious are seen as bitchy and conniving while men are seen as ambitious. Examples move be prove in politics and entertainment. Prominent figures such as Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton and former Attorney General Janet Reno, were forced to take a more masculine persona, because concourse were so threatened by the ir power. Senator Clinton was always seen as a woman to be watched, just because she wanted her own life while her husband governed the country. She was so far criticized for keeping her maiden name instead of dropping it in lieu of the traditional husbands name. In the entertainment industry stereotypes of what women should be. Women of power like Oprah Winfrey are found threatening to this. Rosie ODonnell was chastised for proclaiming her political views on her television show. When she stated her opinion about gun control to prominent NRA advocate Tom Selleck she was considered bitchy for stating her opinion, even though he did the same thing. On the television show, ER, Kerry Wheeler is considered a bitch for being a strong character and boss, while her co-worker, Mark Green can be equally headstrong and difficult but is considered determined. Comedian Roseanne has always been ridiculed for being brash with her opinions, where male comedians like Chris Rock are hailed. When a woman may celebrate her sexuality and be open with it, she will be called a slut, but if a man sleeps around he can chill out be a hero - President John F. Kennedy and Wilt Chamberlain, a few examples. When you use the word feminine you naturally think of demure, quiet, pretty, pastel, and motherly. Strong, ambitious, athletic, powerful and authoritative never come to mind. And, it seems, because the woman is not to speak up for herself it is okay to say hurtful things in front of them.

Essay on Double Standards in The Taming of the Shrew :: Taming Shrew Essays

Double Standards in The Taming of the Shrew A very prominent theme in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew is societys double standards of men and women. In the play, Katherina is a very free-willed, independent woman who wishes to follow her own path in life and is not dependent on a man for her happiness. Petruchio is withal free-willed, independent and speaks his mind freely. However, where Petruchio is praised for these characteristics, Katherina is scorned and called names. Petruchio is manly and Katherina is bitchy for the same traits. This is seen in popular cultural too often than is comfortable for such an advanced ultramodern culture as ours. Women who are ambitious are seen as bitchy and conniving while men are seen as ambitious. Examples can be plant in politics and entertainment. Prominent figures such as Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton and former Attorney General Janet Reno, were forced to take a more masculine persona, because people were so threatened by their p ower. Senator Clinton was always seen as a woman to be watched, just because she wanted her own life while her husband governed the country. She was even criticized for retentiveness her maiden name instead of dropping it in lieu of the traditional husbands name. In the entertainment industry stereotypes of what women should be. Women of power like Oprah Winfrey are found baleful to this. Rosie ODonnell was chastised for proclaiming her political views on her television show. When she stated her opinion about gun control to prominent NRA advocate Tom Selleck she was considered bitchy for stating her opinion, even though he did the same thing. On the television show, ER, Kerry Wheeler is considered a bitch for being a strong character and boss, while her co-worker, Mark Green can be equally headstrong and difficult but is considered determined. Comedian Roseanne has always been ridiculed for being brash with her opinions, where male comedians like Chris Rock are hailed. When a wom an whitethorn celebrate her sexuality and be open with it, she will be called a slut, but if a man sleeps around he can still be a hero - President John F. Kennedy and Wilt Chamberlain, a few examples. When you use the word feminine you naturally think of demure, quiet, pretty, pastel, and motherly. Strong, ambitious, athletic, powerful and opinionated never come to mind. And, it seems, because the woman is not to speak up for herself it is okay to say hurtful things in front of them.

Sex Education Taught to 8 Year Olds

Eight-year-old nestlingren are being targeted for more detailed provoke commandment in schools. In Christchurch today, Family Planning is plungeing a new resource for teachers of late-primary and intermediate-age children. The launch has upset the conservative lobby group Family First, which is urging Family Planning to butt out and leave hinge on education to parents. The resource, called The Sexuality Road, is aimed at younger children beca intent question shows that they are now entering puberty earlier. Young people incur a right to understand what is happening to their bodies and their emotions, Family Planning director of health packaging Frances Bird tell. Sexuality education that works starts early on, before young people reach puberty, and before they have developed established patterns of behavior. The Sexuality Road provides teachers with a programme of 10 lessons and evaluations per year. Each year comes with lesson plans, activity worksheets, and resources. Year 5 and 6 (nine and 10-year-old) pupils look at pubertal change, friendships, gender, families, menstruation, fertility, conception and personal support.Year 7 and 8 pupils focus more on changing feelings and emotions and their effects on relationships, intimate attraction, decision-making around sexual attraction, conception and birth, contraception and support agencies. Bird said international evidence showed children were entering puberty earlier than had been seen in decades. The average age of puberty for girls in New Zealand had fallen to between nine and 14 and for boys, it was between 11 and 16, Bird said. Some people are concerned that providing information well-nigh sex and sexuality arouses curiosity and can lead to sexual experimentation.There is no evidence that this happens, she said. New Zealand teenagers rate second-highest in the developed world for teen pregnancies. The Press last month revealed research showing more than a third of 16-year-olds have already had sex and half say they have been in love. An Education Review Office report, commissioned by the ministries of Womens Affairs, wellness and Education, found at least half of all sex education in schools was presented by teachers with no qualifications in the subject.Liggins Institute director, and newly appointed headland science adviser, Professor Peter Gluckman has earlier called for action to address the emerging national crisis, in sex education for younger children. Sex and health education has to become mainstream and away from the idea that its only for the physed teacher who is least equipped to deal with it, Gluckman said. Family First national director Bob McCoskrie said children should be taught sex education by their parents when they were ready. The simple message to Family Planning is butt out and leave it to parents, McCoskrie said. Parents know their kids the best. They know their emotional and moral development best and have their own values. Family Planning should not be interacting with kids of that age. McCoskrie said schools had become one-stop shops for dealing with social problems in the community. Some parents felt overawed by the sex blather with their children, so resources should be put in to helping them better understand what was required, McCoskrie said. It needs to be values-based and we think parents are the ones who determine the values. Bird said children should be exposed to a range of values, attitudes and opinions. According to a survey run on the Netmums parenting website, the majority of parents believe children should start learning about sex and relationships when they are eight age old. I can hear them already. The shocked and outraged tones of the other moral majority reacting to yet another progressive plot to stretch children. Well have no sex education here Or if we must, let them wait until theyre actually doing it.That is sad, because such views are themselves transformative, turning sex from a inwrought a nd evolving topic to a dangerous threshold, making childhood sexualisation more, not less, likely. Talking about sex starts much earlier transforms the likelihoods that children will be better informed. Children use sexual terms long before they reach the age of eight (year 3). Listening recently to year 1 conversations, I overheard boys talking about having sex (they mean cuddling). They insult each other victimization terms such as gay.Discussion of sex runs through the playground confabulation like Blackpool through a stick of rock its just very badly formed. Talking about sex needs to start earlier so that children will not be confused at a leter time when it is learned thru their peer group. A straw poll of local school kids suggests trivial useful sex education is received before the age of 13. Thats two years after the average age at which girls begin their periods five years after some. If youre not told about such stuff at home, how terrifying to be eight and suddenly bl eeding.A range of studies report puberty outset earlier in western societies and while the reality of sexual experimentation may not be as graphic or extreme as the tabloids would have us believe, that, too, can begin long before 13. Sexual orientation and identity, too, can be obvious at a very early age (from six onward) once more, how scary to grow in an atmosphere that makes queers always the butt of jokes with no balancing official information. Sex doesnt have to be sexual in nature. Many of the dirtiest, smuttiest most adult things about sex are just that adult.There is a depressing read-across from adult values to child many people assume that a child doing something sexy understands their behavior and intends the result. Children learn through play. Girls dress, use makeup and dance in ways that would be erotic if their mums did them but absolutely arent when they do. Children can be educated about sex without focusing on the erotic. Its never too young to learn observe f or the beliefs of sexually actions. The most misleading thing about this debate is that opponents caricature sex education as being about just one thing.In fact, broad and structured sex education will provide grounding in relationships, biology, safety, health, respect for others and consent. These will be introduced at the appropriate point using language appropriate to the age discovering them. In a world in which many adult relationships continue to be conducted through the emotions of childhood and one in four women (and one in five men) are still suffering domestic violence early sex ed is as much about learning the most basic of lessons the right to say no as anything else.

William and Ziner Comparson

Caleb Marshall Patricia Bjorklund English 111 February, 25 2013 Zinsser and Bird Comp be and business Paper William Zinsser is the author of College Pressures, and Caroline Bird is the author of College is a Waste of Time and Money. William Zinsser and Caroline Bird both introduce essays that tell the liveness of allday college students and the problems they face while being a student in todays College University. No matter what we view the hardest problem to deal with college. College Pressures, By William Zinsser Is an essay about the everyday life, troubles and problems of a College student.William dialog about the challenges of college and how students react to the new environment that they must deal with when applying and going to college. The pressures of just applying to College preserve be enough to dishearten the potential student to apply to college. When Colleges only taka certain number of students a year, it makes the odds of getting in to schools like Yale and Harv ard near impossible. The actual odds are some 34%, for the Schools such as Harvard. Students get into college and sometimes fined that they are not prepared for college by any means.Students steadily fall behind on their school work and recall themselves in a hole they cant get out of. With people demented about getting into a better college to find a good job in the world, its making getting into college that much harder to do. Students that make it into college find that after they get out of college they are in debt before they have started to make any money for themselves. The Pressures of college can be great, although students seem to strive every day and push through the hardships that they receive. College is a waste of time and money, by Caroline Bird is an essay about how college is something that everyone doesnt need. Bird talks about how some students are forced to attend college when its not really what the student wants to do by any means. Students have had the sa me phrase pose into their head over and over again while growing up go to College and get a degree, so you can get a good job. Bird says throughout her essay that college seems like a great idea, but in fact its the opposite of that.In Both essays college is something that not all students are ready for, that all students are not able to do. The Problems that college students face in both essays are not always just felt in college they can also be felt all the way through school. Although both authors hit on the topic that college has its own problems, they also differ in their suasion on the problems. Zinsser says that there are problems that can be dealt with were as Bird has a more opinionated stance on the problems with todays colleges.

Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism

Religion is the basic belief which single practices. It determines the life of an individual. Religions evolve from dissimilar customs, traditions, practices and values. Among these trusts, Buddhism and Hinduism are one of the cardinal nigh influential religions with a philosophic element in them. both(prenominal) of the religions are closely related to totally(prenominal) other and hence originated from South Asia. Since they were generated from different parts of India, the basic beliefs and practices are same, though they differ on major grounds.Commenting upon the type of philosophy they practice, one would easily discern the difference of Hinduism being much stable and Buddhism relying more on humanitarian philosophy. However, Buddhism is fenceed to be a more universally accepted religion as compared to Hinduism. Both the religions spread from India reaching the corners of the World.HINDUISMHinduism is religion which generated and expanded by dint of different group s in India from 1500 BC. Hinduism dates back to the time of Indus civilization. There is no one person who found this religion, unlike Buddhism, whose origin is accredited to Gautama Buddha, a Hindu himself.that is why, Hinduism is in general take ined to be a collection of different caprices of groups sharing a familiar background, culture, traditions and beliefs. Hinduism is divided into different categories such as Brahmanic Hindus, Vedic Hindus, Reformed Hindus, Devotional Hindus and more. Hinduism has many fire features. This includes the captivating culture, the myths and the stories from the past which is present in their Holy Scriptures. Important Hindu books include the Bhagwad Gita, Ramayan and more which are essential for the guidance of Hindus. Hindus worship several Gods each accredited to a veritable value.However, its the Brahman who is considered to be the Supreme Authority. Hinduism, a theistic religion, often regarded to be a polytheistic religion, generally prevails end-to-end India. Hinduism is often regarded as the eternal religion. it is the third largest religion in the world with 837 million followers. Hindus practice the caste system, value meditation and entertain spanking occasions such as Diwali, Holi and more. Other beliefs universally in force(p) by Hindus include the faith in Vedas which is the ancient sacred text, the priests, reincarnation and the law of Karma which determines the destiny of birth and death.The basic purpose of life is to attain liberation from reincarnation where as they live a life according to the rules of Dharma.BUDDHISMBuddhism, as compared to Hinduism, is a non-theistic religion which is divided into deuce major schools- Mahayana and Theravada which differ on certain religious grounds hitherto practice certain same beliefs. Buddhism focuses on the individual spectral development. However, Buddhism is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha who was born in Nepal in 563 BC. His birth proved to b e a milestone in history which amused people non with his origin but his character.They used to ask questions such as are you God or an angel and Buddha used to give a simple yet intriguing reply that I am awake. (Huston Smith). 1 Buddha generally means The Enlightened One or The Awakened One. With his birth, a sense of serenity developed over the country and everybody rejoiced except the ugly Mara. He was an epitome of perfection who was blessed with everything from family to wealth, from knowledge to understanding, yet there was a feeling of discontent which outlasted during his twenties. He belonged to a wealthy family and led a luxurious life.His father was worried about his future and to end this fret he consulted the fortune tellers. They told him the domain of Buddhas oncoming life. If he remained with the world he would end as the Universal King of India, it conqueror but if he forsook the world, he would eventually dumbfound a world re obligateer. Keeping this scenario in view, his father put all his efforts to provide Gautama with every existing pleasures of life inorder to keep him intact with the world. He was provided with a number of palaces and around 40,000 dancing girls.All efforts were put forward to keep him away from the ugliness of life but despite these efforts he came in contact with the honor of old age, poverty and death which eventually ended the glitters of the worldly pleasures. Finally, he bid a silent goodbye to the worldly pleasures and led a staring(a) life thereby keeping away from the luxuries of the world. Buddhists do not worship any deity. As per the teachings of Buddha, they believe that one should concentrate on issues which could be practiced or be divulged. However, he never denied the belief in God.Buddhist scriptures comprise different myths and stories which circulated throughout the world . Buddhism follow certain practices and beliefs such as the idea of Karma, rebirth, Dharma, the path of enlightenment and more. The important concepts are The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths include Dukkha which tells us that all existent happenings are associated with suffering, Trsna is all about the origin of suffering, Nirvana enfolds the concept of bringing a possible end to the sufferings and the EightFold Path which is a way of ending these sufferings through a possible solution.However, other customs related to Buddhisim include meditation, Buddhist worship and more.SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HINDUISM AND BUDDHISMSince both of the religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, originated from the same piece of the world, they constitute a wide honk of similar teachings, beliefs and practices. It is even said that Buddhism originated through Hinduism therefore, its obvious that both of the religions would have a number of similarities. 1. Smith Huston, The Worlds Religions Our Great Wisdom Traditions, chapter 2, 3, Harper collins Publisher.Critically evaluating, one would easily sa y that the basic doctrines are same for the two religions but still they differ a lot when it comes to practicing those beliefs. Both of the religions have a faith on the deceptive power of the nature. The religions are ruled by the laws of Karma which is applicable to every being. According to this law, every living thing is rewarded or penalise according to his deeds and intentions. Along with this, the religions even belief in the cycle of birth and death. They even place their faith in the fact of the presence of a number of hells and heavens.According to Buddha, personal desires result in severe suffering. This concept is entertained by Hindus as well, as found in some Hindu texts. Both of the religions do believe in the concept of worshipping a God but on different planes. The idea of compassion and non-violence is entertained by the two religions. Moreover, the two religions deal with the benefits of the community giving it a higher priority then an individual. However, Budd hism focuses more on the individual development then the society. Both the religions reject the evil of selfishness.The two religions follow certain common spiritual practices such as meditation, cultivation and other states of mind related to the purity of mind and soul.DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUDDHISM AND HINDUISMHinduism and Buddhism generally follow the same concepts yet differ on many circumstances. Some doctrines which are help important for the Hindus are not valued much by the Buddhists and vice versa. Buddhism has a more practical approach as compared to Hinduism. The major difference between the two religions is its origin and its founder. Buddhism was founded by a single leader, Buddha, where as Hinduism has no one leader.There are many groups behind the generation and expansion of Hinduism. The Vedas, which is the sacred text of Hindus, is of wide importance for Hindus whereas Buddhist do not consider the Hindu scriptures essential. The idea of individuality and belief in Go d is different for both the religions. There is a conspicuous variance in such philosophical pursuits among the two religions. Buddhism does not belief in the existence of souls and on the Supreme Authority- God. Whereas, believe in Atman which is the inner self. it is the ingredient of every individual which experiences the philosophical, spiritual and physical realm of life.The Hindus place their belief and worship the Brahman who is considered as the omnipotent, omnipresent and the eternal self. The three Gods of Hindus are Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. For Buddhists, Buddha is the Supreme Authority and they do not consider any other being equal to him in any aspect. on the other hand, since Buddha was a Hindu who resorted to the Hindus for knowledge and guidance, he is believed to be the incarnation of one of the Gods of Hindus, Mahavishnu. According to the Buddhists, the chief purpose of life is to end the suffering since the world is filled with sorrow and grief.However, Hindus c onsider four major tasks to be fulfilled when in the world, the religious duty, issues related to wealth, fulfillment of desires and salvation. Hindus inculcate this idea in the human mind, that the passions are not supposed to be suppressed but intelligently fulfilled. Moreover, Hindus deem the four stages of life i. e. the stage of studentship, householder, forest dweller and the stage of renunciation, whereas the Buddhists deny these concepts. Buddha encourages his believers to reach to the end of suffering whereas Hindus lay greater emphasis upon the enjoyment and delight of life.The religions even differ on social aspects. Hinduism is practiced individually whereas the Buddhists are divided into a monastic Order. Another major difference between the two religions is that the Hinduism is divided into 4 castes such as Brahmins, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. On the other hand, there is no distinction in Buddhisim on the basis of color, caste and creed. Buddha obtained enlightenm ent through meditation whereas the general concept prevalent among Hindus is that an individual can attain God through meditation. Hinduism and Buddhism are widely practiced and one of the two most influential religions of the world.Since both of them arose from the same part of the globe, they do have a number of similar beliefs but they differ on other practices and doctrines. Buddhism starts from where Hinduism ends. Buddhism is based upon the teachings of Gautama Buddha who left over(p) no successor but spread the message of love and peace, or in short enlightenment, through a group of monks and nuns. Technically speaking, Buddhism is a more developed, organized and established religion which is based upon the belief of Dhamma in association with concepts of The Four Noble Truths and the eightfold Path.On contrary, Hinduism has been originated through a number of groups sharing common interest, traditions, history and beliefs. Moreover, it can be evaluated from the fact that Bu ddhism is a more positive religion since it was generated as result of Hindu uprisings. The two religions are similar as well as different on the major beliefs such as Karma, Dharma, Mantra, Meditation and Reincarnation. In association with these concepts, certain features are entertained by Buddhism and certain by Hinduism. Thus the two are no doubt closely linked to each other.

Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-one

I DIDNT GET TO DRIVE.General Sydney didnt either, much to her outrage, though Dimitri did some fast- talking to explain why.It e very(prenominal)(prenominal) started when original discoered his car was having engine trouble. He wasnt very happy about that. He made no accusitions, scarcely I think every unity thither nonetheless Sonya and Robertcould guess the malfunction wasnt coincidental. This basalt we all had to pile in the CR-V, which hadnt been designed to seat so m all peoplewhich was why Dimitri had come up with a imaginative seating plan. Of course, one of those seats turned out to be the cargo space in the binding. It was estimable-sized, further when Sydney learned it was her seat, she accused Dimitri of adding insult to the injury of taking her keys.I wouldnt tell her so, but putting her back there was a sound choice. Dimitris seating chart was configured to minimize threats interior the car. Dimitri drove, with Robert red ink s sulphurousgun, and me between or iginal and Sonya in the backseat. This put a guardian in each(prenominal) row, separated the cronys, and kept the spirit users apart overly. When I argued that he and I could switch sight and still maintain the same security, Dimitri pointed out that having me at the wheel wouldnt be safe if I had to suddenly flip to Lissas question. It was a fair point. As for Sydney well, she was uncomplete a threat nor a fighting force, so she got off nasty to the back. And speaking of dead weight We pick up got to get rid of Victor and Robert now, I murmured to Dimitri, as we loaded the CR-V with groceries and our meager luggage (further reducing Sydneys space, much to her outrage). Theyve done what we needinessed. Keeping them is dangerous. Its clock time to turn them over to the guardians. The brothers privationed to continue on with us in rank to find Lissas sibling. We were letting thembut not out of generosity. We simply couldnt let them out of our sights yet.Agreed, Dimitri ut ter, frowning slightly. scarcely theres no beloved way to do it. non yet. We cant leave them tied up beside the road I wouldnt put it past them to escape and hitchhike. We also cant turn them in ourselves, for obvious reasons.I circumstances a bag inside the car and leaned against the bumper. Sydney could turn them in.Dimitri nodded. Thats probably our best betbut I dont fate to part with her until we get to well, wherever were going. We might need her help.I sighed. And so, we drag them along. Afraid so, he said. He gave me wary look. You know, when they are in custody, theres a very good chance theyll know quite a story to tell the authorities about us.Yeah. Id been thinking about that too. I guess thats a problem for later. Gotta deal with the immediate problems initial.To my surprise, Dimitri smiled at me. I would have expected some prudent, wise remark. Well, thats evermore been our strategy, hasnt it? he asked.I smiled in return, but it was short-lived, at a time we hit the road. Mercifully, Victor wasnt his usual annoying chatty egowhich I suspected was because he was growing weak from lack of blood. Sonya and Robert had to be feeling the same way. This was going to be a problem if we didnt get a feeder soon, but I didnt know how we were going to pull that off. I had the impression Sydney hadnt realise whatsoever of this yet, which was however as well. Being a merciful among a group of hungry vampires would certainly make me nervous. She was truly probably safer sequestered in the back from everyone else.Sonyas directions were vague and very need-to-know. She only gave us short-term information and often wouldnt warn about a turn until we were right on top of it. We had no idea where we were going or how long it would take. She scanned a map and then t out of date Dimitri to go north on I-75. When we asked how long our trip would take, her response was Not long. A some hours. Maybe more.And with that mysterious explanation, she colonize d back in her seat and said no more. There was a haunted, pensive expression on her face, and I assay to imagine how she matt-up. Only a day ago shed been Strigoi. Was she still processing what had happened? Was she seeing the faces of her victims as Dimitri had? Was she tormenting herself with guilt? Did she want to become Strigoi again?I left her alone. Now wasnt the time for therapy. I settled back, preparing myself to be patient. A tingle of consciousness suddenly sparked in the bond, shifting my attention inward. Lissa was awake. I blinked and looked at the dashboard clock. Afternoon for humans. The Moroi at Court should have been long asleep by now. But no, something had awakened her.Two guardians stood at her door, faces impassive. You have to come with us, one of them said. Its time for the next adjudicate.Astonishment filled Lissa. Shed cognize the next test was coming soon but hadnt heard any further details since returning from the terminalurance test. That trip had t aken place during the Moroi night too, but shed at least had fair warning. Eddie stood nearby in her room, having replaced my mother as Lissas protection a few hours ago. Christian sit down up in Lissas bed, yawning. They hadnt gotten hot and heavy, but Lissa the liked having him close to. Snuggling with her boyfriend while Eddie was in the room didnt seem as weird to her as it did when my mom was there. I didnt blame her. give notice I change? Lissa asked.Be quick, said the guardian.She grabbed the first outfit she could and hurried to the bathroom, feeling confused and nervous. When she came out, Christian had pulled on his jeans already and was reaching for his T-shirt. Eddie meanwhile was coat up the guardians, and I could guess his thoughts because I would have shared the same ones. This wakeup call seemed official, but he didnt know these guardians and didnt totally trust them.Can I escort her? he asked. Only as far as the examen area, said the second guardian.What about me? asked Christian.Only as far as the testing area.The guardians answers surprised me, but then, I realized it was probably common for monarch candidates to go to their tests with entourageseven unexpected tests in the middle of the night. Or maybe not so unexpected. The Courts grounds were virtually deserted, but when her group reached their destinationa small, out of the way slit of an old brick buildingshe had to pass several groups of Moroi lie the halls. Apparently, word had gotten out.Those gathered stepped aside respectfully. Someprobably advocates of other familiesgave her scowls. But lots of other people smiled at her and called out about the dragons return. A few even brushed their dies against her arms, as though taking luck or power from her. The crowd was much smaller than the one whod greeted her after the first test. This eased her anxiety but didnt shake her earlier resolve to take the tests seriously. The faces of the onlookers shone with awe and curiosity, wond ering if she might be the next to rule them.A room access at the end of the hall marked the conclusion of her journey. Neither Christian nor Eddie needed to be told that this was as far as they could go. Lissa glanced at the two of them over her shoulder before following one of the guardians inside, taking comfort from her loved ones supportive faces.After the epic adventure of the first test, Lissa expected something equally intimidating. What she raise instead was an old Moroi charr sitting comfortably in a chair in a mostly empty room. Her hands were folded in her lap, retention something wrapped in cloth. The cleaning woman hummed, seeming very content. And when I say old, I mean she was old. Moroi could live until their early 100s, and this woman had clearly crossed that mark. Her blanch skin was a maze of wrinkles, and her gray hair was wispy and thin. She smiled when she saw Lissa and nodded toward an empty chair. A small table sat beside it with a glass hillock of wat er. The guardians left the women alone.Lissa glanced around her surroundings. There were no other furnishings, though there was a plain door opposite the one she had come by. She sat dispirited and then turned toward the old woman. Hello, said Lissa, trying to keep her voice strong. Im Vasilisa Dragomir.The womans small smile grew, showing her yellowed teeth. One of her fangs was missing. Always such address in your family, she croaked. Most people come in here and demand we get low-spirited to business. But I remember your grandfather. He was polite during his test as well.You knew my grandfather? exclaimed Lissa. He had died when she was very, very young. Then, she picked up another meaning in the womans words. He ran for king?The woman nodded. Passed all his tests. I think he would have won the election, if he hadnt withdrawn at the pass moment. After that, it was a coins toss between Tatiana Ivashkov and Jacob Tarus. Very close, that one. The Taruses still hold a grudge.Liss a had neer heard any of this. whyd my grandfather withdraw?Because your brother had just been born. Frederick decided he needed to devote his energy to his fledgling family, instead of a nation. Lissa could view this. How many Dragomirs were there back then? Her grandfather, her father, and Andreand her mother, but only by marriage. Eric Dragomir hadnt had any brothers or sisters. Lissa knew little about her grandfather, but in his place, she decided that she too would have rather spent time with her son and grandson, instead of listening to the endless speeches Tatiana had had to deal with.Lissas mind had wandered, and the old woman was observance her carefully. Is this the test? asked Lissa, once the silence had gone on too long. Is it, like, an interview?The old woman shook her head. No. Its this. She unwrapped the object in her lap. It was a cupa chalice or a goblet. Im not sure which. But it was beautiful, made of silver that seemed to glow with its own light. Blood-red rub ies were scattered along the sides, glittering with each turn of the cup. The woman regarded it fondly.Over a thousand years old, and it still gleams. She took the pitcher and filled the chalice with water while Lissa and I processed the words. A thousand years? I was no metal expert, but even I knew silver should have tarnished in that time. The woman held out the cup to Lissa. make whoopie from it. And when you want to stop, saystop.Lissa reached for the cup, more confused than ever by the odd instructions. What was she supposed to stop? Drinking? As soon as her fingers touched the metal, she still. Well, kind of. A tingle ran through her, one she knew well.This is charmed, she said.The old woman nodded. Infused with all four elements and a spell long since forgotten.Charmed with spirit too, thought Lissa. That too must(prenominal) have been forgotten, and it put her on edge. Elemental charms had different effects. Earth charmslike the tattoo shed been givenwere often tied with minor compulsion spells. The combination of all four in a stake or ward provided a unified blast of life that blocked the undead. But spirit well, she was quickly encyclopedism that spirit charms covered a wide range of unpredictable effects. The water no doubt activated the spell, but Lissa had a feeling that spirit was going to be the key player. level(p) though it was the power that burned in her blood, it still scared her. The spell woven into this cup was complex, far beyond her skills, and she feared what it would do. The old woman stared unblinkingly.Lissa hesitated only a moment more. She drank.The military man faded away, then rematerialized into something completely different. She and I both recognized what this was a spirit dream.She no bimestrial stood in the plain room. She was outdoors, wind whipping her long hair in front of her face. She brushed it aside as best she could. Other people stood around her, all of them in black, and she soon recognized the Courts c hurch and graveyard. Lissa herself wore black, along with a long wool coat to protect against the chill. They were gathered around a grave, and a non-Christian priest stood near it, his robes of office offering the only color on that gray day.Lissa took a few steps over, trying to see whose physical body was on the tombstone. What she discovered shocked me more than her ROSEMARIE HATHAWAY.My name was carved into the granite in regal, elaborate font. Below my name was the star of battle, signifying that Id killed more Strigoi than could be counted. Go me. Beneath that were collar lines of text in Russian, Romanian, and English. I didnt need the English translation to know what each line said because it was standard for a guardians grave Eternal Service.The priest talk customary funeral words, giving me the blessings of a religion I wasnt sure I believed in. That was the least weird thing here, however, seeing as I was watching my own funeral. When he finished, Alberta took his pla ce. Lauding the deceaseds achievements was also normal at a guardians funeraland Alberta had plenty to say about mine. Had I been there, I would have been moved to tears. She concluded by describing my last battle, how Id died defending Lissa.That actually didnt weird me out so much. I mean, dont get me wrong. Everything going on here was completely in in her right mind(predicate). But, reasonably speaking, if I was actually watching my own funeral, it made sense that I would have died protecting her.Lissa didnt share my feelings. The news was a slap in the face to her. She suddenly became mindful of a unworthy empty feeling in her chest, like part of her was gone. The bond only worked one way, yet Robert had sworn losing his bondmate had left him in agony. Lissa understood it now, that terrible, lonely ache. She was missing something shed never even known shed had. Tears brimmed in her eyes.This is a dream, she told herself. Thats all. But shed never had a spirit dream like this. Her experiences had always been with Adrian, and the dreams had felt like telephone calls.When the mourners dispersed from the graveyard, Lissa felt a hand touch her shoulder. Christian. She threw herself gratefully into his arms, trying hard to hold back sobs. He felt real and solid. Safe. How did this happen? she asked. How could it have happened?Christian released her, his crystal-blue eyes more serious and sorrowful than Id ever seen. You know how. Those Strigoi were trying to kill you. She sacrificed herself to lay aside you.Lissa had no stock of this, but it didnt matter. I cant I cant believe this is happening. That agonizing emptiness grew within her.I have more bad news, said Christian.She stared in astonishment. How could this get any worse?Im leaving.Leaving what? Court?Yes. Leaving everything. The sadness on his face grew. Leaving you.Her jaw nearly dropped. What whats wrong? What did I do?Nothing. He squeezed her hand and let it go. I love you. Ill always love you . But you are who you are. Youre the last Dragomir. Therell always be something taking you away Id just get in your way. You need to rebuild your family. Im not the one you need.Of course you are You are the only one The only one I want to build my proximo with.You say that now, but just wait. There are better choices. You heard Adrians joke. Little Dragomirs? When youre ready for kids in a few years, youre going to need a bunch. The Dragomirs need to be solid again. And me? Im not responsible enough to handle that.Youd be a great father, she argued. Yeah, he scoffed, and Id be a big plus to you toothe princess married to the guy from the Strigoi family.I dont care about any of that, and you know it She clutched at his shirt, forcing him to look at her. I love you. I want you to be part of my life. None of this makes sense. Are you scared? Is that it? Are you scared of the weight of my family name?He averted his eyes. Lets just say its not an easy name to carry.She shook him. I d ont believe you Youre not afraid of anything You never back down.Im backing down now. He gently removed himself from her. I really do love you. Thats why Im doing this. Its for the best.But you cant Lissa gestured toward my grave, but he was already walking away. You cant Shes gone. If youre gone too, therell be no one But Christian was gone, disappearing into veil that hadnt been there minutes ago. Lissa was left with only my tombstone for company. And for the first time in her life, she was really and truly alone. She had felt alone when her family died, but Id been her anchor, always at her back, protecting her. When Christian had come along, he too had kept the loneliness away, filling her heart with love.But now now we were both gone. Her family was gone. That hole inside threatened to consume her, and it was more than just the loss of the bond. Being alone is a terrible, terrible thing. Theres no one to run to, no one to desire in, no one who cares what happens to you. She d been alone in the woods, but that was nothing like this. Nothing like it at all.Staring around, she wished she could go sink into my grave and end her torment. No wait. She really could end it. reckon stop, the old woman had said. That was all it took to stop this pain. This was a spirit dream, right? True, it was more realistic and all- consuming than any shed ever faced, but in the end, all dreamers woke up. One word, and this would become a fading nightmare.Staring around at the empty Court, she almost said the word. But did she want to end things? Shed vowed to fight through these trials. Would she give up over a dream? A dream about being alone? It seemed like such a minor thing, but that cold truth hit her again Ive never been alone. She didnt know if she could carry on by herself, but then, she realized that if this wasnt a dreamand dear God, did it feel realthere was no magic stop in real life. If she couldnt deal with loneliness in a dream, she never would be able to w hile waking. And as much as it scared her, she decided she would not back down from this. Something urged her toward the fog, and she walked toward italone.The fog should have led her into the churchs garden. Instead, the world rematerialized and she found herself in a Council session. It was an open one, with a Moroi audience watching. Unlike usual, Lissa didnt sit with the audience. She was at the Councils table, with its thirteen chairs. She sat in the Dragomir seat. The middle chair, the monarchs chair, was occupied by Ariana Szelsky. Definitely a dream, some wry part of her thought. She had a Council spot and Ariana was queen. Too good to be true.Like always, the Council was in a heated debate, and the outlet was familiar the age decree. Some Council members argued that it was immoral. Others argued that the Strigoi threat was too great. Desperate times called for desperate actions, those people said.Ariana peered down the table at Lissa. What does the Dragomir family think? A riana was neither as kind as shed been in the van nor as hostile as Tatiana had been. Ariana was neutral, a queen running a Council and gathering the information she needed. Every set of eyes in the room turned toward Lissa.For some reason, every coherent idea had fled out of her head. Her tongue felt thick in her mouth. What did she think? What was her creed of the age decree? She desperately tried to dredge up an answer.I I think its bad.Lee Szelsky, who must have taken the family spot when Ariana became queen, snorted in disgust. Can you elaborate, princess?Lissa swallowed. Lowering the guardian age isnt the way to protect us. We need we need to learn to protect ourselves too.Her words were met with more contempt and shock. And pray tell, said Howard Zeklos, how do you plan to do that? Whats your proposal? Mandatory training for all ages? Start a program in the schools?Again Lissa groped for words. What was the plan? She and Tasha had discussed it lots of times, strategizing t his very issue of how to implement training. Tasha had practically pounded those details into her head in the hopes Lissa could make her voice heard. Here she was now, representing her family on the Council, with the chance to change things and improve Moroi life. All she had to do was explain herself. So many were counting on her, so many waiting to hear the words she felt so passionately about. But what were they? Why couldnt Lissa remember? She must have taken too long to answer because Howard threw his hands up in disgust.I knew it. We were idiots to let a little missy on this Council. She has nothing useful to offer. The Dragomirs are gone. Theyve died with her, and we need to accept that.Theyve died with her. The pressure of being the last of her line had weighed on Lissa since the moment a doctor had told her that her parents and brother had died. The last of a line that had empowered the Moroi and produced some of the greatest kings and queens. Shed vowed to herself over an d over that she wouldnt disappoint that lineage, that she would see her familys pride restored. And now it was all falling apart.Even Ariana, whom Lissa had considered a supporter, looked disappointed. The audience began to jeer, echoing the call of removing this tongue-tied child from the Council. They yelled for her to leave. Then, worse still The dragon is dead The dragon is deadLissa almost tried again to make her speech, but then something made her look behind her. There, the twelve family seals hung on the wall. A man had appeared out of nowhere and was taking down the Dragomirs crest, with its dragon and Romanian inscription. Lissas heart sank as the shouts in the room became louder and her humiliation grew. She rose, wanting to run out of there and hide from the disgrace. Instead, her feet took her to the wall with its seals. With more power than she thought herself capable of possessing, she jerked the dragon seal away from the man. No she yelled. She turned her gaze to th e audience and held up the seal, challenging any of them to come take it from her or deny her her rightful place on the Council. This. Is. Mine. Do you hear me? This is mineShe would never know if they heard because they disappeared, just like the graveyard. Silence brutish. She now sat in one of the medical examining rooms back at St. Vladimirs. The familiar details were oddly comforting the sink with its orange hand soap, the neatly designate cupboards and drawers, and even the informative health posters on the walls. STUDENTS PRACTICE SAFE SEXEqually welcome was the schools resident physician Dr. Olendzki. The doctor wasnt alone. Standing around Lissawho sat on top of an examination bedwere a therapist named Deirdre and me. Seeing myself there was pretty wacky, but after the funeral, I was just starting to spiral with all of this.A surprising mix of feelings raced through Lissa, feelings out of her control. Happiness to see us. Despair at life. Confusion. Suspicion. She could nt seem to get a hold of one emotion or thought. It was a very different feeling from the Council, when she just hadnt been able to explain herself. Her mind had been orderlyshed just lost track of her point. Here, there was nothing to keep track of. She was a mental mess.Do you understand? asked Dr. Olendzki. Lissa suspected the doctor had already asked this question. Its beyond what we can control. Medication no lifelong works.Believe me, we dont want you stick outing yourself. But now that others are at risk well, you understand why we have to take action. This was Deirdre. Id always thought of her as smug, particularly since her therapeutic method involved answering questions with questions. There was no sly humor now. Deirdre was deadly earnest.None of their words made sense to Lissa, but the hurting yourself part triggered something in her. She looked down at her arms. They were bare and marred with cuts. The cuts she used to make when the pressure of spirit grew too great . Theyd been her only outlet, a horrible type of release. Studying them now, Lissa saw the cuts were bigger and deeper than before. The kinds of cuts that danced with suicide. She looked back up.Who who did I hurt?You dont remember? asked Dr. Olendzki.Lissa shook her head, looking desperately from face to face, seeking answers. Her gaze fell on me, and my face was as dark and somber as Deirdres. Its okay, Liss, I said. Its all going to be okay.I wasnt surprised at that. Naturally, it was what I would say. I would always reassure Lissa. I would always take care of her.Its not important, said Deirdre, voice soft and soothing. Whats important is no one else ever gets hurt. You dont want to hurt anyone, do you?Of course Lissa didnt, but her troubled mind shifted elsewhere. Dont talk to me like a child The loudness of her voice filled the room.I didnt mean to, said Deirdre, the paragon of patience. We just want to help you. We want you to be safe.Paranoia rose to the forefront of Lissas emotions. Nowhere was safe. She was certain about that but nothing else. move out maybe something about a dream. A dream, a dream Theyll be able to take care of you in Tarasov, explained Dr. Olendzki. Theyll make sure youre comfortable.Tarasov? Lissa and I spoke in unison. This other Rose clenched her fists and glared. Again, a typical reaction for me.She is not going to that place, growled Rose.Do you think we want to do this? asked Deirdre. It was the first time Id really seen her cool facade crumble. We dont. But the spirit what its doing we have no choice Images of our trip to Tarasov flashed through Lissas mind. The cold, cold corridors. The moans. The tiny cells. She remembered seeing the psychiatric ward, the section other spirit users were locked up in. Locked up indefinitely.No she cried, jumping up from the table. Dont send me to Tarasov She looked around for escape. The women stood between her and the door. Lissa couldnt run. What magic could she use? Surely there w as something. Her mind touched spirit, as she rifled for a spell.Other-Rose grabbed a hold of her hand, likely because shed felt the stirrings of spirit and wanted to stop Lissa. Theres another way, my alter ego told Deirdre and Dr. Olendzki. I can pull it from her. I can pull it all from her, like Anna did for St. Vladimir. I can take away the darkness and instability. Lissa will be sane again.Everyone stared at me. Well, the other me.But then itll be in you, right? asked Dr. Olendzki. It wont disappear.I dont care, I told them stubbornly. Ill go to Tarasov. Dont send her. I can do it as long as she needs me to.Lissa watched me, scarcely believing what she heard. Her helter-skelter thoughts turned joyous. Yes Escape. She wouldnt go crazy. She wouldnt go to Tarasov. Then, somewhere in the jumble of her memories Anna committed suicide, murmured Lissa. Her grasp on reality was still tenuous, but that sobering thought was enough to momentarily calm her racing mind. She went crazy from helping St. Vladimir.My other self refused to look at Lissa. Its just a story. Ill take the darkness. Send me.Lissa didnt know what to do or think. She didnt want to go to Tarasov. That prison gave her nightmares. And here I was, offering her escape, offering to save her like I always did. Lissa wanted that. She wanted to be saved. She didnt want to go insane like all the other spirit users. If she accepted my offer, she would be free.Yet on the edge or not, she cared about me too much. I had made too many sacrifices for her. How could she let me do this? What kind of friend would she be, to fate me to that life? Tarasov scared Lissa. A life in a cage scared Lissa. But me facing that scared her even more.There was no good outcome here. She wished it would all just go away. Maybe if she just closed her eyes wait. She remembered again. The dream. She was in a spirit dream. All she had to do was wake up.Say stop.It was easier this time. Saying that word was the simple way out, the perfect solution. No Tarasov for either of us, right? Then, she felt a lightening of the pressure on her mind, a stilling of those chaotic feelings. Her eyes widened as she realized I had already started pulling away the darkness. Stop was forgotten.No Spirit burned through her, and she threw up a wall in the bond, blocking me from her.What are you doing? my other self asked.Saving you, said Lissa. Saving myself. She turned to Dr. Olendzki and Deirdre. I understand what you have to do. Its okay. Take me to Tarasov. Take me where I wont hurt anyone else. Tarasov. A place where real nightmares walked the halls. She braced herself as the office faded away, ready for the next part of the dream a cold stone cell, with custody on the walls and people wailing down the halls.But when the world put itself back together, there was no Tarasov. There was an empty room with an old woman and a silver chalice. Lissa looked around. Her heart was racing, and her sense of time was off. The things sh ed seen had lasted an eternity. Yet, simultaneously, it felt like only a couple seconds had passed since she and the old woman had conversed.What what was that? asked Lissa. Her mouth was dry, and the water sounded good now but the chalice was empty.Your fear, said the old woman, eyes twinkling. All your fears, laid out neatly in a row.Lissa placed the chalice on the table with shaking hands. It was awful. It was spirit, but it it wasnt anything Ive seen before. It invaded my mind, rifling through it. It was so real. There were times I believed it was real.But you didnt stop it.Lissa frowned, thinking of how close she had come. No.The old woman smiled and said nothing.Am I am I done? asked Lissa, confused. Can I go?The old woman nodded. Lissa stood and glanced between the two doors, the one shed entered through and the plain one in the back. Still in shock, Lissa automatically turned toward the door shed come through. She didnt really want to see those people lined up in the hal l again but swore shed put on a good princess face. Besides, thered only been a fraction here compared to the group whod greeted her after the last test. Her steps were halted when the old woman spoke again and pointed toward the back of the room.No. Thats for those who fail. You go out this door.Lissa turned and approached the plain door. It looked like it led outdoors, which was probably just as well. Peace and quiet. She felt like she should say something to her companion but didnt know what. So, she simply turned the knob and stepped outside Into a crowd embolden for the dragon.