Growing-Up Explored in Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen Essay -- Yoshimoto K

Growing-Up Explored in Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen The first time I read Kitchen, I knew I was experiencing something very special. Not since my initial reading of Catcher in the Rye have I witnessed such a perceptive look at the joys and pains of growing up. These coming-of-age novels capture our attention with plots that, while twisting and turning in creative, off-beat ways, remain believable. The writers of these novels tell us their stories with a subtle style more exciting than that of textbooks and assigned reading, a style not unlike a good one-sided conversation. Finally, within this great style of writing, the authors infuse honest insights, often humorous and sometimes poignant, which do not carry a lecturing or authoritative tone. Banana Yoshimoto, as translated by Megan Backus, incorporates these three elements of a successful coming-of-age novel into Kitchen skillfully. The result is magnificent. To keep a young person interested, an author must weave an interesting story. Kitchen is fascinating because the premise of the story is original: A Japanese twenty-something's grandmother dies and is taken in by an employee of her grandmother's favorite flower shop and his transvestite mother. Along the course of the story, the heroine discovers a passion for cooking, the young man dreams a dream with the heroine, and a crazy admirer kills the transvestite mother. In the end, the heroine and the young man realize their love for each other, without even having shared a passionate kiss. Such a plot is interesting to the average teenager who craves the out-of-the-ordinary; she wants escape. Kitchen certainly provides something different, but it does so in a familiar way. When the heroine Mikage finds out that Yuichi's m... ...xperiencing life. When I read Kitchen, I sympathized with Mikage's loss of her grandmother. Until now, I still do not truly know how such a loss feels. So, in some ways, to read a coming-of-age novel is an identification with what you have experienced and a preparation for that which has yet to come. Some may argue that Kitchen is interesting simply because it is written by a foreigner. Without speaking Japanese and reading the original material, we may not know how close the translation is. I argue that it doesn't matter. No matter from where you have come or how far in life you have gotten, after spending a little time in the Kitchen, you will have learned without feeling you have been taught. In the world of those who are still growing up, that is the best way to learn. Work Cited Yoshimoto, Banana. Kitchen. Trans. Megan Backus. NY: Washington Square, 1988.

Underground Hiphop

Michelle Godinho Anthropology 3 MW May 21, 2012 Underground Hip-Hop Introduction: After participating in an event known as â€Å"Paid Dues† (a music festival where artists whose music genre which is underground hip-hop), I will study through an Anthropological perspective, the subculture of underground hip-hop in the USA. Underground Hip-hop is a broad term for rappers and artists who avoid the mainstream. Hip-Hop as a music arose in the late 1970's, exclusively from black culture, which came from block parties in New York, specifically the Bronx, but underground hip-hop originated in the late 80s; in the midst of the golden age of hip-hop.Through an anthropological view, by using a holistic approach, I will explain the major components of the underground hip-hop culture. The major components entail everything people in a society have, think, and do. Also I will talk about their ideology which can fall in the category of the way they think and the symbolism in their lyrics. Ju st some more facts about the underground hip-hop culture; Underground hip-hop encompasses several different styles of music, though it is often politically themed and socially conscious.Numerous acts are described as being both underground and politically or socially aware, these include – A Tribe Called Quest, Brother Ali, Murs, Immortal Technique, Binary Star, and People under the Stairs. Definitions of terms that will be used in my paper: Mainstream – Music that's usually on the radio, that is commercialized and is extremely popular among people. Culture – everything that people have, think and do as members of a society. Ideology – ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or cultureSymbolism – The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Have: One of the three major components of culture is â€Å"have†. Have refers to the material possessions and tangible objects within a society. In underg round hip-hop we can call this part of their culture the â€Å"have not’s†. As underground artists they do not like the fortune and fame as the mainstream artists. To further explain this I will use social stratification between underground hip-hop and mainstream hip-hop rappers.

Micro And Macro Benefits Of Raising Cuny Community College...

Micro and Macro Benefits of Raising CUNY Community College Graduation Rates There are many micro and macro benefits associated with raising graduation rates. The following an overview of these benefits: Micro Benefits An individual who completes an AA degree has the potential to gain considerable benefits, including: †¢ The employment participation rate for individuals with an AA degree (68 percent) is higher than individuals with only a high school diploma (50 percent) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). †¢ The average New Yorker aged 25 to 29 with only a high school diploma ($17,000) makes significantly less than individuals with â€Å"some college† coursework ($ 22,000), an AA ($ 29,000) degree and BA degree ($ 42,000) (Center for an Urban Future, 2013). †¢ A worker with an AA will earn almost $ 500,00 more than someone who only a high school diploma, and no further education (Ibid). †¢ College educated adults also enjoy â€Å"non-monetary† benefits, such as decreasing the likelihood of smoking and obesity (Ibid). †¢ The benefits of higher educational attainment does not simply benefit the individual who completes their degree, but their children are more likely to attain the same educational credentials, if not more (NYC Public Advocate, 2015). Macro Benefits There are several micro benefits with raising community college graduation rates. New York State and New York State would enjoy substantial benefits if graduation rates were raised. Raising the graduation