Climax and Anticlimax Free Essays

1. The significance of peak and disappointment The Greek word peak implies â€Å"ladder†; the Latin gradatio implies â€Å"ascent, ascending up†. In peak we manage series of equivalents or possibly semantically related words having a place with the equivalent topical gathering. We will compose a custom paper test on Peak and Anticlimax or on the other hand any comparable subject just for you Request Now [4, p. 155] According to Efimov L. P. , peak (or Gradation) †is the figure of unequality, which comprises in organizing the articulation with the goal that each ensuing part of it builds essentialness, significance or enthusiastic pressure of portrayal. [1, p. 69] Galperin I. R. iews peak as a course of action of sentences (or of the homogeneous pieces of one sentence) which makes sure about a slow increment in criticalness, significance, or enthusiastic strain in the articulation, as in: â€Å"It was a dazzling city, a lovely city, a reasonable city, an authentic diamond of a city. † or in: â€Å"Ne boundary divider, ne stream profound and wide, Ne frightful ridges, nor mountains dim and tall Rise like the stones that part Hispania’s land from Gaul. † (Byron) Gradual increment in passionate assessment in the main representation and in noteworthiness in the second is acknowledged by the circulation of the comparing lexical things. Each progressive unit is seen as more grounded than the previous one. Obviously, there are no target semantic measures to assess the level of significance or noteworthiness of every constituent. It is just the conventional homogeneity of these segment parts and the trial of synonymy in the words ‘lovely’, ‘beautiful’, ‘fair,’ ‘veritable jewel, in the principal model and the general detachment of the hindrances ‘wall’, ‘river’, ‘crags’, ‘mountains’ along with the sobriquets ‘deep and wide† ‘horrid’, ‘dark and tall’ that cause us to feel the expansion in significance of each. 1, p. 220] 2. Various sorts of peak A steady increment in importance might be kept up in three different ways: intelligent, enthusiastic and quantitative. Sensible peak depends on the general significance of the segment parts took a gander at from the perspective of the ideas encap sulated in them. This relative significance might be assessed both dispassionately and emotionally, the author’s mentality towards the articles or marvels being referred to being unveiled. In this manner, the accompanying passage from Dickens’s â€Å"Christmas Carol† shows the relative significance in the uthor’s psyche of the things and marvels portrayed: â€Å"Nobody at any point halted him in the road to state, with gladsome looks, ‘My dear Scrooge, how right? When will you come to see me? ‘ No poor people imgjored him to give a play, no kids asked Jiim what it - was o’clock, no man or lady ever once in for his entire life asked the best approach to such and such a spot, of Scrooge. Indeed, even the visually impaired men’s hounds seemed to know him, and when they saw him going ahead, would pull their proprietors into entryways and up courts; and afterward would sway their tails, just as they stated, ‘No eye at all is su perior to a hostile stare, dim ace! † The request for the announcements shows what the creator thinks about the zenith of the peak. The section by Dickens ought to be considered â€Å"subjective†, on the grounds that there is no broad acknowledgment of the general importance of the announcements in the passage. The peak in the lines from Byron’s â€Å"Ne barrier†¦ † might be considered â€Å"objective† in light of the fact that such things as ‘wall’, ‘river’, ‘crags’, ‘mountains’ are unbiasedly positioned by their openness. Passionate peak depends on the relative enthusiastic strain delivered by words with emotive importance, as in the primary model with the words ‘lovely’, ‘beautiful’, ‘fair’. Obviously, passionate peak dependent on equal series of words with emotive significance will definitely cause certain semantic contrasts in these words †such is the phonetic idea of complex synonymsâ€, however emotive importance will be the overarching one. Enthusiastic peak is for the most part found in sentences, all the more once in a while in longer linguistic units. This is normal. Enthusiastic charge can't hold long. As gets clear from the examination of the above instances of climatic request, the plan of the segment parts calls for equal development which, being a sort of grammatical reiteration, is as often as possible joined by lexical redundancy. Here is another case of enthusiastic peak based on this example: â€Å"He was satisfied when the youngster started to experience over the floors close by and knees; he was delighted, when she dealt with the stunt of adjusting herself on two legs; he was enchanted when she previously said ‘ta-ta’; and he was celebrated when she remembered him and grinned at him. † (Alan Paton) Finally, we come to quantitative peak. This is a clear increment in the volume of the comparing ideas, as in: â€Å"They took a gander at several houses; they climbed a huge number of steps; they investigated multitudinous kitchens. (Maugham) Here the peak is accomplished by basic numerical increment. [1, p. 220] 3. The key constituents of peak What at that point are the essential constituents of peak? They are: a)the distributional constituent: closeness of the segment parts masterminded in expanding request of significance or essentialness; b)the linguistic example: equal developments with conceivable lexical reiteration; c)the suggestive constituent: the illustrative setting which encourages the peruser to get a handle on the degree, as no. .. ver once in for his entire life, no one ever, no one, No poor people (Dickens); profound and wide, appalling, dull and tall (Byron); genuine (pearl of a city). Peak, in the same way as other complex gadgets, is a methods by which the creator reveals his reality viewpoint, his assessment of target realities and wonders. The solid elaborate capacity of this gadget is to show the overall significance of things as observed by the writer (particularly in passionate peak), or to put forth for the peruser the centrality of the things portrayed by recommended correlation, or to delineate marvels powerfully. 3. What is Anticlimax? As indicated by Efimov, let-down (or Bathos) †is an elaborate gadget which comprises in orchestrating the articulation so each resulting segment of it diminishes essentialness, significance or passionate strain of portrayal: If John’s eyes load up with tears, you may have no uncertainty: he has been eating crude onions. [2, p. 70] Kukharenko V. A. sees let-down as an unforeseen turn of the idea which routs desires for the peruser (audience) and finishes in complete semantic inversion of the accentuated thought. [3, p. 93] The gadget in this manner called is portrayed by certain creators as â€Å"back gradation†. As its very name appears, it is the inverse to peak, yet this supposition that isn't exactly right. It would fill no need whatever making the second component more vulnerable than the primary, the third still more fragile, etc. A genuine let-down is an abrupt double dealing of the recepient: it comprises in adding one more fragile component to one or a few in number ones, referenced previously. The recepient is disaappointed in his desires: he anticipated a more grounded component to follow; rather, some inconsequential thought follows the noteworthy one (ones). Obviously, disappointment is utilized with an amusing point. For instance, in It’s abloody lie and not exactly evident, we see the foolishness of stirring up a hostile articulation with a respectful comment. [4, p. 156] The thoughts communicated might be orchestrated in rising request of criticalness, or they might be poetical or raised, however the last one, which the peruser hopes to be the coming full circle one, as in peak, is frivolous or absurd. There is an abrupt drop from the grandiose or genuine to the crazy. A normal model is Aesop’s tale â€Å"The Mountain in Labour†. â€Å"In a long time ago, a compelling thundering was heard in a Mountain. It was supposed to be in the process of giving birth, and hoards rushed together, from far and close, to perceive what it would deliver. After long desire and numerous shrewd guesses from the observers †out popped, a Mouse! † Here we have conscious let-down, which is a perceived type of amusingness. Let-down is much of the time utilized by humorists like Mark Twain and Jerome K. Jerome. In â€Å"Three Men in a Boat†, for instance, a poetical entry is constantly trailed by silly scene. For instance, the creator develops the delights of the dusk on the waterway and finishes up: But we didn’t sail into the universe of brilliant nightfall: we went slap into that old punt where the courteous fellows were angling. † Another model is: â€Å"This war-like discourse, got with numerous a cheer, Had filled them with want of distinction, and brew! ‘ (Byron) [1, p. 221] 4. Ends There are a few kinds of semantically convoluted parallelism. They are presente by peak and disappointment. Peak, in the same way as other expressive gadgets, is a methods by which the creator unveils his reality, standpoint, his assessment of target realities and marvels. The solid complex capacity of this gadget is to show the overall significance of things as observed by the writer (particularly in passionate peak), or to put forth for the peruser the centrality of the things portrayed by proposed correlation, or to delineate marvels powerfully. Peak which increments passionate pressure of the expression might be called enthusiastic. Passionate degree is made by synonymic words with emotive implications: decent †attractive †delightful †radiant †stunning; Climax uncovering the amount of items might be called quantitative: There were many planets, several shooting stars, multitudinous number of

Yann Martel Free Essays

Canongate uncovers Martel’s Holocaust story Listen Select: : BOOK NEWS Canongate has solely uncovered subtleties of the pending novel by Yann Martel, his first since the 2002 Man Booker-victor Life of Pi was distributed eight years back. Entitled Beatrice and Virgil, the book is expected for distribution next June. It is being discharged all the while by Knopf Canada, Random House engrave Spiegel Grau in New York, Text Publishing in Australia and Penguin India. We will compose a custom paper test on Yann Martel or on the other hand any comparative theme just for you Request Now The story follows Henry, who on being presented â€Å"a puzzle that he can't resist† is maneuvered into the universe of taxidermy, and the lives of the eponymous charactersâ€a jackass named Beatrice and a monkey called Virgil. Canongate said the book, which handles the subject of the Holocaust, â€Å"takes us some place really unforeseen and shocking†, asking â€Å"profound good and philosophical inquiries about the idea of adoration and evil†. Jamie Byng, overseeing chief and distributer of Canongate, stated: â€Å"Life of Pi was continually going to be a very precarious book to development, not least on account of the desires for Yann’s numerous fans. â€Å"Thankfully, Yann has adapted to the situation by composing another outstanding novel, an uncontrollably innovative and multilayered story that engages from the main page and leaves you posing inquiries long after you have turned the last. I was paralyzed by Beatrice and Virgil and we all at Canongate are gigantically amped up for taking this book to the same number of perusers as we can. The distribution will be bolstered by â€Å"an amazing PR and showcasing campaign†, which will incorporate shopper and web based life promoting, broad media inclusion, creator meets, a broad online crusade and occasions and celebration appearances over the UK. Retailers are presently being welcome to pitch for signings. Canongate has â€Å"high hopes† for the boo k, as Life of Pi remains the best Booker victor ever. The distributer repackaged the title this July, which Canongate said trebled deals when contrasted and the earlier year. ~~~~~~~~ Step by step instructions to refer to Yann Martel, Essay models

Functions of the Somatic Nervous System

Functions of the Somatic Nervous System Theories Psychosocial Psychology Print Functions of the Somatic Nervous System By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 13, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 17, 2019 Science Photo Library - PASIEKA/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images More in Theories Psychosocial Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology The somatic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for carrying motor and sensory information both to and from the central nervous system (CNS). This system is made up of nerves that connect to the skin, sensory organs, and all skeletal muscles. The system is responsible for nearly all voluntary muscle movements as well as for processing sensory information that arrives via external stimuli including hearing, touch, and sight. Whether you want to learn ballet, throw a ball, or go for a jog, the somatic nervous system plays a vital role in initiating and controlling the movements of your body. How exactly does this complex system work? Let’s start by taking a closer look at the key parts of the somatic nervous system. Parts of the Somatic Nervous System The term somatic nervous system is drawn from the Greek word soma, which means body, which is appropriate considering it is this system that transmits the information to and from the CNS to the rest of the body. The somatic nervous system contains two major types of neurons: Sensory neurons, also known as  afferent neurons, are responsible for carrying information from the nerves to the CNS.Motor neurons, also known as efferent neurons, are responsible for carrying information from the brain and spinal cord to muscle fibers throughout the body. The neurons that make up the somatic nervous system project outwards from the CNS and connect directly to the muscles of the body, and carry signals from muscles and sensory organs back to the central nervous system. The body of the neuron is located in the CNS, and the axon then projects and terminates in the skin, sense organs, or muscles.?? How Neurons Transmit Information Throughout the Body Reflex Arcs and the Somatic Nervous System In addition to controlling voluntary muscles movements, the somatic nervous system is also associated with involuntary movements known as reflex arcs. During a reflex arc, muscles move involuntarily without input from the brain. This occurs when a nerve pathway connects directly to the spinal cord. Some examples of reflex arcs include jerking your hand back after accidentally touching a hot pan or an involuntary knee jerk when your doctor taps on your knee. You don’t have to think about doing these things. Sensory nerves carry signals to the spinal cord, often connect with interneurons in the spine, and then immediately transmit signals down the motor neurons to the muscles that triggered the reflex.??     Reflex arcs that impact the organs are called autonomic reflex arcs while those that affect the muscles are referred to as somatic reflex arcs. An Example of the Somatic System in Action The primary function of the somatic nervous system is to connect the central nervous system to the bodys muscles and control voluntary movements and reflex arcs.  Information taken in by sensory systems is transmitted to the central nervous system. The CNS then sends signals via the nerve networks of the somatic system to the muscles and organs. For example, imagine that you are out for a jog in the park one brisk winter morning. As you run, you spot a patch of slick ice on the path ahead. Your visual system perceives the icy patch and relays this information to your brain. Your brain then sends signals to engage your muscles to take action. Thanks to your somatic system, you are able to turn your body and move to a different part of the path, successfully avoiding the icy patch and preventing a possibly dangerous fall on the hard pavement.??

The Death Of Death After The End Of Every Life - 998 Words

Often times, we forget the inescapable end to our lives, the inevitable death. Although some of us understand how precious and delicate life is, we must also ascertain that death awaits us at the end of every life. Identically, we understand death which is due to old age which can be predicted and even expected. In spite of this, we rarely take into consideration that death can even be sudden leaving certain areas of our lives unresolved. Consequently, if death is expected, we are allotted time to say goodbye to our loved ones, resolve conflicts and even seek forgiveness for our sins or those we have wronged. Nonetheless, most do not physically or emotionally prepare for death, which leaves little understanding for us to cope with it. Uniformly important, there are several religious aspects to death in regards to the religious who have faith in various types of religions. That being said, the afterlife is unknown to many and equally hard to explain or portray. It goes without saying that some do not fear death because of their instilment of faith in their individual religion. Others ultimately fear death if there is an absence of religion in their lives. A majority feels that death is the awaited transition into the afterlife in which your life is taken into account to determine if you will pass through heaven or hell. It is for these reasons why dying is an event that is beyond our understanding and there are certain spiritual needs required by the dying to be at peace whenShow MoreRelatedDeath : How The Perspective Of People Changes When They Are On The Edge Of Life1173 Words   |  5 PagesDeath: How the perspective of people changes when they are on the edge of life. Death is the point that marks the end of a human’s life. When confronting the death, passively or actively, people usually have a different viewpoint from before and that assertion is proved in Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, Wit by Margaret Edson and the last pages of The Stitches by David Small. On Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, the author tellsRead MoreThe Masque of the Red Death914 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† by Edgar Allen Poe is an eerie short story about the â€Å"Red Death†, Poe’s twist on the Black Plague. This plague swept across an unknown kingdom killing many people as it went. There were sharp pain, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. Poe had two main themes for readers to think about. These themes were proven through five main symbols: The ebony clock in the black room, Prince Prospero in the abbey with his friends, the colorsRead MoreThe Problem Of Moral And Ethical Issue986 Words   |  4 Pagesmove from California to Oregon to access that state’s Death with Dignity Act. The law authorized her to a take life-ending medication, so she can pass away gently and peacefully at home with family. Also she said she is not suicidal, she doesn’t want to die. But there’s no treatments that save her life. And she wants to die on her own terms. She posted her video on â€Å"Youtube† that she’s planning to end her life on November 1, 2014. She had life ending medication that prescribed by her doctor on NovemberRead MoreThe Uncertainity of Death1169 Words   |  5 PagesWhen you think of the word â€Å"death† what exactly comes to mind? For most people you may think of pitch black darkness for death is the opposite, the recipical of life just like darkness is the opposite of light it remains a mysterious phenomenon that we all must experience. Just like darkness we don’t know what’s inside it, we have no idea what happens after death therefore we fear it. In fact in Eckhart Tolle’s article â€Å"The Origin of Fear† he brings to us a thesis of â€Å"but ultimately all fear is theRead MoreEveryman Is An English Morality Play By An Unknown Author1493 Words   |  6 Pagestoo attached and obsessed with materialistic things when Death summons and tells him about his end. The author used symbolic names for characters to show us the moral of the play. â€Å"The characters in an allegory often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions† (Allegory, 2010) The author of the play â€Å"Everyman† has the main character Everyman to only symbolize the typical human being. Death, also known as the antagonist, is a messenger sent by GodRead MoreDeath Is The End Of Death1688 Words   |  7 PagesThere Is Nothing To Fear In Death. Everybody will die at some point. I know death is coming and there is nothing to fear about it because I believe that there is nothing about it on the other side to be afraid of. I was content, perfectly, to be precise before I was born and I believe it will be the same state even with death. In this essay, I will talk try to talk about why there is nothing to be afraid of in death. It is evident that death cannot be experienced, in the physical form. This is becauseRead More Death and Suicide in Hamlet by William Shakespeare1100 Words   |  5 Pages is one of the top leading causes of death worldwide. Every year, more than a million people commit suicide, successfully ending whatever feelings of despair, pressure, or suffering they felt when alive. Yet statistics show that the number of nonfatal suicide attempts exceeds that of actual completed suicides. Failed attempts of taking one’s own life reveal the deep, undermining uncertainties humans have about death. Such inquiries as to whether life or death is better stream into human perceptionRead MoreThe Loss And The Inevitability Of Death1018 Words   |  5 Pagesand the inevitability of death ia a prevalent issues that many characters face throughout their lifetime. Whether it be a search for immortality, or a sin that loses one’s ability to be immortal, every character in these texts is formed around the central idea of the various issues involving death. Mortality is essential to being human as all humans face many challenges in their life, and death is the ultimate end to their tribulations. In Gilgamesh, the inevitability of death is a dominant theme throughoutRead MoreAn Analysis of the Perception and Treatment of Death in Everyman1444 Words   |  6 PagesThe author of the play Everyman views death from the Catholic point of view. The moral message to live each day with the goal of eternal life in Heaven in mind sets the tone of the play. Everyman illustrates that every man’s soul needs to be saved before death or he will not have eternal life with God. The author views death as the foundation of man’s spiritual journey with God in Heaven or as the initiation of the soul’s damnation. The author portrays death as God’s messenger. The play underscoresRead MoreThe Death With Dignity And Physician Assisted Suicide1742 Words   |  7 Pagesadopted legislation supporting â€Å"Death with Dignity†, also known as physician-assisted suicide. Oregon, Washington, and Vermont have each enacted laws that enable a terminally ill, mentally compet ent, adult to decide and dictate end of life decisions up to and including the time of their death. Oregon was the first United States (U.S.) to enact legislation and other states in the union have followed suit. Literature Review There are numerous articles regarding Death with Dignity and Physician-Assisted

Evolution Of Human Resource Management - 2625 Words

Abstract This case study covers the evolution of human resource management and discusses current issues and trends in the field. Changes in orientation, such as changes from personnel to human resources, administration to management, and human relations to organizational effectiveness, are covered. Utilizing the concepts and technology described can greatly improve the effectiveness of any human resources department. Ideas for future research and practice are also suggested. Evolution of Human Resource Management Key principles and practices associated with Human Resource Management date back as early as 1000and 2000 B.C. Employee screening tests have been traced back to 1115 B.C. in China and the earliest form of industrial†¦show more content†¦Early human resource management techniques included social welfare elements aimed at helping immigrants adjust to their jobs and to life in the United States. These elements included learning English and obtaining housing and medical care. Such interventions also promoted supervisory training in order to increase company productivity. During this era, managers began to view workers more as individual human beings rather than non-human resources. Administrative functions of Human Resource Management include hiring and firing of employees, compensation, payroll, and management of employee benefits, policy formulation and implementation, records maintenance, Employee Assistance administration, Drug-Free Workplace, legal compliance and Union r elationship maintenance. These tasks are often seen by administrators as tedious busy-work performed by skill-specific clerical managers with limited connection to the mission and goals of the company. This area of company functions is the quantitative component that administrators access to calculate total workforce costs, compensation, and employee turnover. Strategic elements of Human Resource Management include recognizing that people are a key organizational resource. Over the last two decades there has been a significant shift in thinking regarding the role that people play in the success of businesses. In

Julius Caesar Editorial Free Essays

On the day of March 15th, Rome lost an important civilian whose name was Julius Caesar. A group of conspirators lead by Cassius and Brutus planned Caesar’s killing for the good of Rome. They lead him into the capitol while Caesar was completely oblivious to what was going on. We will write a custom essay sample on Julius Caesar Editorial or any similar topic only for you Order Now The men were discussing if Caesar would bring back Publius Cimber when Caesar became king. Caesar refused since his decisions weren’t easy to sway. This and all the hate they had build before drew the men to stab Caesar to death. The first being Casca and lastly Brutus while Caesar said the famous word â€Å"Et tu, Brute?† before dying. The conspirators then bathed their arms in Caesar’s blood and ran through the streets of Rome celebrating their victory. But was this act victorious? Some people would disagree with the conspirators; they believe Caesar was a good and loyal man to Rome and that they failed him by killing him. They believe someone who was that great could not be forgotten easily or could have become the person the conspirators said he would. Which is why after his death there was a scandal in the streets. We can see this when plebeian said after Antony spoke greatly of Caesar â€Å"Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown. Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious. † Others believed that this ambition was dangerous; it would drive Caesar into a bad ruler, which was not in the interest of Rome. Therefore Brutus was better for the crown since he saved them from Caesar. Brutus said â€Å"not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. † Which people truly believed and hail Brutus for doing such honorable thing â€Å"Caesar’s better parts. Shall be crowned in Brutus! † What do I think? I believe Caesar’s death was unjust! No men should be penalized for something he will do. No one really this if these assumptions would have come true. So why pay the price when you have done something wrong? Caesar possessed more good things about himself than bad, and Rome should focus on the facts of the good things he has done instead of the possibility of â€Å"too much ambition†. I believe Brutus and the conspirators say that what they did was honorable and for the good of everyone when really it was to satisfy themselves. Caesar never offended one of them personally; they kept feeding themselves on negatives ideas of Caesar that drove them to his assassination. Caesar was a good man and even if he had many flaws he is human, and all humans have a right to live! Especially, all humans have a chance to live if they have not done anything wrong. Antony shared these ideas when he said â€Å"Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man†¦I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Caesar should not have died like that and should have had a chance to prove them wrong. How to cite Julius Caesar Editorial, Papers

Over And Underfamiliarity With Matthew Essays - Prophets Of Islam

Over And Underfamiliarity With Matthew Over and Underfamiliarity with Matthew 6:11 Hearing something repeatedly can diminish its significance. I suspect that this is particularly true of Scripture. Overfamiliarity with a biblical passage can contribute to its misunderstanding. Sometimes it can reduce a profound saying to nothing more than a clich?. The Lord's Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) ranks among the most popular passages in the New Testament. Most people who regularly attend a church can recite it from memory. It is a prayer that we have heard and said many times. One of the more memorable lines of the prayer is Give us this day our daily bread (Mt. 6:11). Let us pause for a moment and consider this entreaty phrase by phrase. The line begins with the blunt imperative, Give us! This is a curious manner in which to address God. I have heard parents scold a spoiled child for using similar language.* The middle phrase is this day. I suppose that Jesus intended for his disciples to say this prayer each morning, as they looked forward to God's provision throughout the day.** The third and final phrase is our daily bread, which seems simply to mean the necessary portion of food that a disciple needed to sustain him or herself. Apparently, Jesus taught his disciples to expect that God would meet their fundamental needs day by day. For the majority of Christians who live in Western Europe, North America, and other prosperous areas, Give us this day our daily bread has little relevance. As audacious as this assertion may be, it can be easily verified: simply go to the nearest refrigerator and take inventory of its contents. This line of the prayer is largely irrelevant for me, too. My kitchen contains ample food for at least a week. Unfamiliarity with Jesus' social and religious environment can also muffle the significance of his words. Give us this day our daily bread makes excellent sense within the rich conceptual world of late Second Temple-period Judaism. More specifically, this imperative aimed at God belongs to the culture of what would be called at a later time _talmud Torah_ (the joining of oneself to a sage in order to learn Torah from him). Jesus gathered disciples around himself like the tannaic rabbis would continue to do in the second century A.D. Jesus' agenda, however, was distinctive in that it centered on the Kingdom of Heaven. His agenda was firmly rooted in Israel's Torah. He never dishonored nor violated it,*** but in focusing upon God's Kingdom he stretched its parameters. Jesus' demands for entering the Kingdom of Heaven were high. Among them was a readiness to leave family, property and careers (cf. Lk. 5:11, 28; 14:25-33; 18:22). After a person joined Jesus' band of disciples, the demands for remaining at the center of God's Kingdom remained high. Give us this day our daily bread resonates with the values and priorities of this cultural context. Jesus expected his followers to make moving with God's redemptive activity their priority. Once committed to this program, they had no reason to worry about their basic necessities -- food, clothing and shelter. God would take care of these. Jesus reiterated similar ideas on other occasions. Just before sending out his disciples two by two, he said: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are fewGo your wayCarry no purse, no bag, no sandalsWhenever you enter a town and they receive youheal the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God has come near to you' (Lk. 10:2-9). As the conclusion for a short homily on anxiety, he exhorted his audience, Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So, do not worry about tomorrowThe day's troubles will take care of themselves (Mt. 6:33-34). (These things refers to food, drink and clothing.) These sayings of Jesus were apparently not intended as hyperbole or metaphor. Jesus said what he meant. Our hectic lifestyles and the prosperity and materialism of modern, Western society make them, however, difficult to accept. When a sprawling food market is just minutes away by foot, and fewer by car, Give us our daily bread resists a literal interpretation. Nevertheless, despite the difficult choices of re-ordering priorities and re-building the marco-structure of a lifestyle -- which are often necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven -- tremendous liberty and privilege accrue to those who make them. They may confidently pursue a life full of assisting those in need: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, educating the unlearned, visiting those in prison and hospital, caring for the forgotten, and praying for