SYMPTOMS Signs and Symbolism in Medical Discourse :: Essays Papers

SYMPTOMS Signs and Symbolism in Medical Discourse Whether it is regarded as disease or illness, whether it occurs in a society practicing biomedicine or a culture practicing indigenous medicine, sickness is universal. Diseases and illnesses of all types plague each and every society throughout the world. Central to the idea of sickness is the diagnostic element of the symptom. Although many cultures have unique ideologies regarding sickness, healing, and efficacy, these cultures use the symptom as the primary instrument to maintain their culturally constructed idea of health. Regardless of the healing system or society, globally, people tend to use the symptom as a tool to communicate illness to the appropriate medical practitioner. In seeking the healing action of practitioners and the advice of friends and family, the sick communicate their symptoms as a way of receiving social legitimization for their illness. Thus, symptoms are also used by the sick to gain legitimization of the sick role from society. Just as culture is integrated in the beliefs and behaviors of every society, symptoms are deeply embedded in the concept of sickness and healing. Symptoms add clarity to the complex ideas of sickness and healing in such a way that it is difficult to discuss either process without touching on these symbols. The symptom is regarded as a vital part of the illness experience because it offers insight into the physiological and psychological aspects of the patient’s body. In this way, the symptom symbolizes the roots of a tree, anchoring a societal understanding of medical knowledge and healing etiologies. Therefore, it is the purpose of this paper to explore the significance of symptoms and determine their centrality to a culture’s ideas of sickness and healing. Related topics such as the symptom’s significance in the process of social legitimization of illness and its symbolic nature will serve to supplement and support the argument that symptoms ar e, in fact, central in the process of healing. Definition and Importance of the Symptom Due to the intricacy of the symptom, it is difficult to construct a simple definition. Illness symptoms are â€Å"differently labeled by individuals in dissimilar social situations† (Browner 1983: 494).

Comparative Essay on Mid Term Break and Death of a Naturalist Essay

Read the poem Mid Term Break in which Heaney writes about life and loss. Choose one other poem written by Heaney which also deals with these themes. Compare how the two poems deal with Heaney’s thoughts and feelings. In the poem â€Å"Mid Term Break† Heaney deals with his thoughts and feelings on life and loss. These ideas are also addressed in â€Å"Death of a Naturalist†. The poet utilises a range of poetic techniques to convey the demise of his childhood and the disruption of natural order. The portrayal of death in the poems connote the poet’s feeling that life is futile; these themes combine to present Heaney’s feelings on life and loss. Primarily, Heaney portrays the demise of his childhood in â€Å"Mid Term Break†, clearly presenting his dejected, sullen and resigned feelings towards life in the event of loss. The image of time and death in stanza one, â€Å"I sat all morning†¦counting bells knelling†¦at two o’clock† clearly show his sense of logical reminiscence during a particularly morbid time in his life. The juxtaposition of the morning and the symbolic death bells represent the premature end to his brother’s life and the destruction of his own childhood. This shows sullen resignation towards the event of loss in his life. This childhood demise is also presented in DOAN. However, Heaney presents this in a more dramatic manner. Stanza one is longer than the second stanza, presenting how the poet revelled in his days of innocence. It also contains a tone of mystery and natural wealth, â€Å"bubbles gargled delicately, bluebottles/wove a strong gauze of sound†¦Ã¢â‚¬  through the use of synesthetic verbs to personify nature, Heaney portrays his nostalgic feelings towards this period of childhood innocence. This is emphasised through enjambment, which creates a sense of freedom. The demise of this is seen through the tonal shift, â€Å"then one hot day† in stanza two, moving the reader into the harshness of his adulthood. The contrast in language is also evidence of this, it becoming grotesque and fearful, â€Å"gross bellied†¦ obscene threats†¦farting heads†¦mud grenades.† Connotations of war, vengeance and threat are apparent, depicting his childhood demise through his negative perceptions of nature. Thus, it is clear from both pieces that Heaney has varied views on life and loss. In MTB the reader learns of his confusion and resignation as a result of his experience of death. However, DOAN presents a metaphorical depiction of how childhood is lost as a result of the harsh and oppressive adult world.

Islam A Powerful Religion - 1437 Words

Islam emerged as a powerful religion in the seventh century. Prior to this, Christianity and Judaism dominated life throughout the Middle East and Europe. In order to develop as a system of faith, Islam borrowed ideas such as monotheism, an afterlife and many other concepts from the two prominent religions. Hence, Islam was revolutionary for the introduction of controversial values such as the rejection of Jesus Christ and its distinct differences in beliefs. Ever since its rise to popularity, Islam has progressed to become renowned as one of the world’s greatest religions. Yet, Islam’s vast achievements would not have been possible without borrowing fundamental ideas from Christianity and Judaism such as monotheism. In all three of these religions, followers have a basic understanding that there is only one single and dominant God. The belief in monotheism is known to have risen during the time of Abraham. â€Å"Muslims, Christians, and Jews believe that a man named A braham was the first person to worship a single God†¦Unlike other people of his time, the scriptures say that Abraham focused on the commands of a single deity, rather than on trying to appease many different gods.† Monotheism was a controversial idea amongst many societies and beliefs however, this concept was a commonality that acted as a uniting force between all three religions. Monotheism has become a rather essential aspect of these religions as it promotes a special bond between the believer and their God.Show MoreRelatedEssay on Islam: A Religion and Culture1630 Words   |  7 PagesIslam: A Religion and Culture Islam is one of the oldest religions in history dating back to about 600 AD. It began when a man named Muhammad heard a voice from the heavens instructing him to proclaim the word of god. 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