4 Kasım 2012 Pazar

Turkey and Sweden


   Turkey is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe. Turkey demarcates the boundary between East Thrace and Anatolia, which also separates Europe and Asia. Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union by area. It is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Turkey and Sweden have differences in terms of location, climate, and population.
Turkey is located on two continents, Europe and Asia. The Asian side is called Anatolia and the European side is called Eastern Thrace. However, Sweden is a northern European country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Turkey is surrounded by four seas: the Black Sea in the north, the Marmara Sea in the northwest, the Aegean Sea in the west and the Mediterranean in the south. Sweden has three major rivers: the Ume, the Torne, and the Angerman rivers. On the other hand, Turkey has the most well-known rivers the  Euphrates and Tigris. In addition, the largest lake in Western Europe, Vanern, is located in the southwestern part of Sweden. Also, the longest river is the Kızılırmak in Turkey.
The climate is typically Mediterranean with dry summers and rainy during the fall and spring. There is more rain along the Mediterranean and Black Sea shores, where mountains are parallel to the shore. In contrast, the climate of Sweden varies based on the location but it is mainly temperate in the South and subarctic in the North. In the South, summers are cool and partly cloudy, while winters are cold and usually cloudy. Because northern Sweden is within the Arctic Circle, it has long very cold winters, In addition, because of its northern latitude, much of Sweden stays dark for long periods during the winter and light Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, has a relatively mild climate because it is on the coast toward the southern part of the country.
The population of Turkey is around 65 million, but the population of Sweden is approximately 9, 5 million. Turkey has a much bigger population they cannot be compared in this respect.. The majority of the population is very young and growth is fast in Turkey while the population of, Sweden consists of old-aged people on large scale.
Turkey and Sweden are different countries. One country is surrounded by four seas while the other country is a peninsula. Turkey and Sweden can be compared geographically, climatically, and demographically. Compared in terms of population, there are different results because both countries are totally different from each other.


Seven Pounds


Seven Pounds
Seven Pounds, 2008, by Sony Pictures
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Genre: Drama, Romance
Screenwriter: Grand Nieporte
Music: Angelo Milli
Main actors: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson and Woody Harellson
Tim Thomas is an aeronautical engineer, and he lives with his fiancee in his beach house. One night, he reading a text message while driving, causes a car crash in which seven people died: six strangers and his fiancee. After, Tim sets out to save the lives seven good people.
The movie begins with Tim Thomas on the phone to 911. After, first scene he talks with Ezra Turner, who a blind meat salesman, on the phone. Tim tries to angry and insults him at work; because he checks if he is quick to anger. Ezra remains calm down and Tim decides, he is worthy man.
A year after the crash, Tim donates a lung lobe to his brother, Ben, an IRS employee. He steals his brother’s credentials, and makes himself known by his brother’s name, and he checks out his candidates. He always uses his brother’s name, Ben Thomas. Six months later, he donates part of his liver to a child services worker named Holly. After that he begins searching for more candidates to receive donations. He finds George, a junior hockey coach, and donates a kidney to him, and donates bone marrow to a young boy named Nicholas.
Tim moves out of his house and into a motel, taking with his pet jellyfish. After, he gives Connie, who lives an abusive boyfriend  with her two children, keys of  beach house, with the stipulation that she never tries to contact him, and never tells anyone how she came to own the house.
Then, he contacts Emily Posa, a self-employed greeting car printer who has heart condition and rare blood type. He spends time with her, and he begins to fall in love with her and decides that her condition has worsened; he needs to make his donation.
The last scene, one night Ben returns the motel, he fills the bathtub with ice water to preserve his vital organs, climbs in, and commits suicide by pulling his box jellyfish into the water with him. After, he calls to 911 to commit suicide, and Ezra receives his corneas and Emily receives his heart. Afterward, Emily meets Ezra at his concert at a park, and they begin to talk. Ezra cries and they hold each other.
The movie is successful. The important thing in the film, Ben donates to seven people, who deserve it, his organs. And, he tries them to deserve this favor. He draws remorse but it does not pass in time as normal humans. He always feels it and so he does not give up his decision. On the other hand, the people, who determine measure of attitudes, can make bad decisions albeit in good faith. The life is not mutual exactly; is not heart to heart, or liver to liver. At such times religion becomes more important. Maybe you can save seven people lives to give own life, but maybe God gives opportunities to change the 70 lives when you are alive. The only thing is done by Ben Thomas that add meaning to death of a person who lost his meaning of life.
My favourite quote in Seven Pounds: “In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine” (Ben Thomas).

9 Mayıs 2012 Çarşamba

Little Women


Stories of family life have been popular for years. Have you ever read a book about this subject? Do you like family stories?  There is not a main character in the book, four sisters Amy, Jo, Beth, and Meg, are all the main characters, It is a simple and true story written by Louisa May Alcott.

The oldest girl, Meg, was sixteen and very pretty, with large eyes and soft brown hair, and white hands. Meg got a job teaching four small children. It was hard for her to be poor because she could remember the time when it was beautiful with everything they wanted. Jo was fifteen and very tall and thin. Her long, dark-red hair was usually pushed up out of the way. Jo went to Aunt March, who needed someone to fetch and carry things, and read to her. She was a difficult old lady who complained a lot, but Jo did her best. Beth was thirteen, a very shy girl who seemed to have a happy life in a world of her own. Beth was much too shy go to school with other children, so she studied at home. She also spent long, quiet hours alone, talking to her dolls or playing the old piano. Beth loved music, and although the family could not afford music lessons or a good piano for her, she tried hard to make herself a better musician. Amy was the youngest, but thought herself to be the most important. She had blue eyes, and yellow hair which curled down on to her shoulders. Amy drew the most beautiful pictures and wanted to be a famous painter one day. She was favorite with everyone, except when she complained about having to wear her cousin’s old clothes because her mother could not afford to buy new ones for her.  The story published in 1868 was a huge success. The author used the experiences of her own family. Little Women has become a classic of American children’s literature. It has never been out of print, and the story has been filmed four times.

When the novel begins, the four sisters are around the fire talking about Christmas presents. They want to have pretty things but they are poor and their father is away at the war in the South. That evening Mrs. March arrives home soon; she reads the letter written by their father.  Would after the letter, the four girls decided that they would all try very hard to be good.  They would never be cross, or lazy, or selfish, and they would all help each other. They talk over their plan that evening. They do not always succeed, and sometimes there are arguments and secrets and angry tears. But there are also laughter and fun. When Christmas comes for the four girls, they give their Christmas breakfast away to a poor family. In the evening, Old Mr. Laurence who lives with his grandson, Laurie, in next house sends them food for supper. A day or two later, they receive an invitation to a New Year’s party, and Jo and Meg go to the party, and Jo meets Laurie. After that, they become friend to Laurie. The subsequent events develop in  four sisters and Old Mr. Laurence and his grandson, Laurie.

The story, Little Women, is simple and moving. When you are reading the book, you are not bored. There are similar problems in every family mentioned in the book, so the readers can identify themselves with their lives in the story.


28 Nisan 2012 Cumartesi

The Impact of Developing Technology and Visual Media

Ray Bradbury tells a society that the human do not criticize in their life and they do not think about social life and they live depend on the technology in his book Fahrenheit 451.The author wrote this book as dystopian novel fifty years ago, but there are all degeneration because of technology in the current society which the author saw fifty years ago. The developing technology and the visual media can be discussed in terms of the impacts on the individuals, society, family, book, and children-parents relations.

Considering the impact of the developing technology on the individuals, it speeds up the life. The people are not aware of those around them in the fast life and they lose their senses. Clarisse says:

I sometimes think drivers do not know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly. If you showed a driver a green blur, Oh yes! He’d say, that’s grass! A pink blur? That’s a rose-garden! White blurs are houses. Brown blurs are cows. My uncle drove slowly on a highway once. He drove forty miles an hour and they jailed him for two days. Isn’t that funny, and sad, too? (Bradbury 16)

People have a rush constantly in the fast life, and always busy; they no time to stop, think, talk, listen and ask questions. As usual they live like a programmed robot which is without feelings and emotions. Though people share the same house and bed, they are cold and strangers to each other. In the rush life people do not care another, and they live an egocentric life, which is not important all people, only is important themselves. As Paul point out, “... recent family changes appear to be signaling a likely trend toward more individualism” (Glick 128).

Considering the visual media in terms of the effects of the relationship individuals and the society, especially the television causes to be lonely individuals and they create a virtual world. Mildred says, “That’s my family” (Bradbury 65) and Beatty says to Mildred, “Shut the “relatives” up” (Bradbury 70). The people who depend on the technology want to more. Mildred says, “It’ll be even more fun when we can afford to have the fourth wall installed” (Bradbury 30). The television does not allow people to communicate with each other. People spent watching to the contest, entertainment and sport programs on the television in their time and they have little time to share something with each other. People live in the world that is offered to them. The people accept everything that is told them by the state and they live without judging and criticizing.

On the other hand, the television affects the family negatively to individuals of family, they overrate the television more from each other. For instance, when Montag is ill, he says to turn off the television to his wife, and she says, “I’ll turn it down” (Bradbury 65). But she does not turn off the television because there is his favourite programme. The partners do not speak each other in everyday life and do not listen. For instance, while they are watching television, do not allow talking with somebody. As Vincent point out, “… the more we watch, the less we talk; the less we talk, the more we need to watch” (Rue 74). There is no time to devote to each other or even they do not listen themselves.

Another effect of visual media has lost the book's importance. People used to spend their time to read a book, now spend their time to watch the television, and a book for them, just a waste of time. Beatty says, “Even though our rule-book claims it was founded earlier. The fact is we didn’t get along well until photography came into its own. Then – motion pictures in the early twentieth century. Radio. Television. Things began to have mass” (Bradbury 71). Nowadays, books draw attention how is the design and visuals but rather with the contents. Beatty says, “More cartoons in books. More pictures. The mind drinks less and less. Impatience” (Bradbury 75).

Finally, the visual media effects on the children-parents relations. They see the television as a salvation from children, when they have a work and are distressed, generally they open a TV programme that is not important contents for their children. At that time, important thing for them, the children does not disturb themselves. Mrs. Bowles says in the book, “I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it’s not bad at all. You heave them into the “parlour” and turn the switch. It’s like washing clothes; stuff laundry in and slam the lid” (Bradbury 125). For children is very important to spent time with family, and make variety activities, and talk about daily life but the families cannot find time to do that. Sandra and John say, “Family time was important to both achievement and behavior” (Hofferth & Sandberg 306).

The developing technology and visual media affect negatively to the individuals and society. As a result, changes the role of the individuals in the society and social life, weakens family-children relationship and, the child grows that took specimens of the television instead of the family. Individuals cannot find the time to devote each other or anyone else in the rush life and they do not criticize, think, imagine almost they live without feelings like a robot.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 2008

Glick, Paul C. “The Family Life Cycle and Social Change”. Family Relations 4.2(1989): 123-129

Vincent, Rue M. “Television and the Family: The Question of Control”. The Family Coordinator. 1.1(1974): 73-81

Hofferth, Sandra L. and John F. Sandberg. “How the American children spent their time”. Journal of Marriage and Family. 5.2(2001): 295-308

15 Mart 2012 Perşembe

Puslu Kıtalar Atlası, in terms of language and literary terms

Thesis Statement
     Puslu Kıtalar Atlası can be discuss two groups in terms of the style; in the context of the use of language and the literary techniques.

Outline

I. In the context of the use of language;

 A. Anar' s language is fluent, but feel bored the reader from time to time because he use old Turkish.

 B. There is a tight relationship in all structure of the novel that expression, fiction technique, and between texts.


II. Literary techiniques;

 A. Anar does not use the classical technique of plot that is a regular basis, on a single chain.

 B. The author establishes long sentences and does not say immediately what want to say; turns about the mention, explains the details and increases the reader request.
   Puslu Kıtalar Atlası was written by İhsan Oktay Anar who is a university lecturer  at the Aegean University and this book is his first novel. The book describes the struggle between Great master Efraim who tries to reach the infinity with black money that believed to be a source of eternal power, and Bünyamin who left his father' s house to get to know the world and encounters the black money coincidentally. Puslu Kıtalar Atlası can be discussed in terms of style, usage of language and the literary techniques.
               Considering the book in terms of language, Anar' s language is fluent, but make bored the reader from time to time because he used old Turkish. Author’s purpose to use language in this way is reflect well the occurrence time of the event. There is a tight relationship between expression, fiction technique, and texts in all structure of the novel. Therefore, it is not a work that is easily understandable. Anar' s book contains information about religion, history, mysticism, philosophy,and mythology.
               Considering book in terms literary terms, he does not use the classical technique of plot that is a regular basis, on a single chain. The novel might be divided into different branches after a point. The several story branches that seperated from main story, continue in their own adventures in the different events, but every story is connected to other stories through the various bridges. the author goes the way of telling a story in the story. The author establishes long sentences and does not say immediately what want to say; turns about the mention, explains the details and increases the reader request. Also, Anar has a unique style that nobody is the main character completely. All characters have different role in the book and they all of them are important.
            Despite Puslu Kıtalar Atlası is Anar' s the first book, it is quite successful in terms of language and literary terms. The author uses the words skillfully in the book and enriches the language with deep descriptions. In the book, there are many stories in the stories and the author composes the stories with the smallest details.
              

      

5 Şubat 2012 Pazar

Economic Opportunities in Turkey

Thesis Statement
The economic opportunities generally are affected by geographical location in Turkey, therefore economic opportunities can be examined in terms of its geographic parts; the economic opportunities in the eastern and western.

Outline

I. The economic opportunities in the eastern;

  A. Economy based on agriculture and livestock so the opportunities are limited.

  B. The life standard is low because of economic opportunities.

II. The economic opportunities in the western;

  A. Economy based on industry, therefore there are many opportunities .

  B. The life standard is high because of economic opportunities.

Turkey is an important trading center due to its location. Due to the functioning of certain areas of the economy is composed of regional inequalities. The economic possibilities generally are affected by geographical location in Turkey, therefore economic opportunities can be examined in terms of its geographic parts; the economic opportunities in the eastern and western.
The economic circumstances are not developed in the east. The reason for this is the inadequate functioning of the economy.  In the east, economy based on agriculture and livestock so the opportunities are limited. For example, a farmer works in the fields during the summer, but he does not work in the winter. Agriculture is not a permanent occasion, because it does specific periods in the year. Also, the life standard is low due to lack of the economic conditions so the eastern zone gives the migration to the western zone.
              The economic circumtances are more developed in the west. Turkey's economic prospects has always been the western district. Economy based on industry, therefore there are many opportunities. Economic activities that depends on industry is more in the western district than others. Also, the western has more tourism activities than eastern. The important feature of zone is that take most tourist. Tourism affect economic activities in the district. The life standard is high because of economic opportunities.
            Overall, in Turkey, there are differences about economy in the regions. The reason for this is Turkey's geographical location. The east and west of the country in terms of economic opportunities we can compare as two different groups.

20 Ocak 2012 Cuma

A comparison of Single and Married life

Thesis Statement
  There are two major differences between married life and single life which are the difference in their freedom and responsibilities.

OUTLINE
. Freedom

 A. In the single life, the individuals don't have to consult anyone but in the married life, they have to consult each other.

 B. Single people  have not the time constraint and make a program based on self, but married people do not make a program based on self.

 C. Single people they can choose who do not want to meet people, but married people can not decide it alone.

II. Responsibilities

 A. While single people are just self-responsible, married people are responsible for their partners.

 B. Single people do not take responsibility, but married people take responsibility as partner in their life.

                                       A comparison of Single and Married life
In the old times, most of the people used to get married. But today, a significant number of people prefer to stay single than to get married. This has changed the lives of the people and also their lifestyles. There are two major differences between married life and single life which are the difference in their freedom and responsibilities.
          Freedom is the first difference between married life and single life. In the single life, the individuals don't have to consult anyone but in the married life, they have to consult each other. For example, single people can go out with their friends without asking for anybody’s permission, but  married people want to go out with their friends, they have to get the permission from their partners. Single people have not the time constraint and make a program based on self, but married people they do not make a program based on self. While nobody commands single people what to do and what not to do, married people will be bothered by their partners. Single people they can choose who do not want to meet people, but married people can not decide it alone. For example, if single people do not want to go anywhere, they can do not go. But sometimes married people can go anywhere where do not want to go.
       Responsibility is the other difference married life and single life. While single people are just self-responsible, married people are responsible for their partners. While single people only think himself, married people think their partners and children. Single people want to live the life as an adventure and they want to explore new things but married people cannot do it. Single people do not take responsibility, but married people take responsibility as partner in their life. Single people only are as an indivual in the life, but married people are as a wife and a husband or a mother and a father in the life. The life is easy for single people, on the other hand the life is hard and complicated for married people.
       There are certainly challenges of single and married life in itself. In the single life difficulties affect a single person, but married life difficulties affect more people and so that harder the life for married people. It is precisely because of this in recent years, people prefer more  single life than married life such as freedom and responsibility reasons.