Physical exercise Essay Example

Physical exercise Essay Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health or wellness. It is performed for various reasons. These include strengthening muscles and cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the â€Å"diseases of affluence† such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual sex appeal or body  image, which again is also linked with higher levels of self-esteem. Childhood obesity is growing global concern and physical exercise may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity in developed countries. Physical exercise is important for maintaining physical fitness and can contribute positively to maintaining a health weight, building and maintaining healthy bone density, muscle strength, and joint mobility, promoting physiological well being, reducing surgical risks, and strengthening the immune system. However exercise is a form of discipline. It means self-control and sincerity. We need to neglect  our idleness. Physical exercise helps in character building. It makes our mind sharp and active. It improves mental strength and capability. It adds to our capability and improves our performance. Physical exercise done in morning keeps us healthy. Exercise also reduces levels of cortisol. Cortisol is as stress hormone that builds fat in the abdominal region, making weight loss difficult. Also Cortisol causes many health problems, both physical and mental. We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to help shown to help prevent or treat serious and life- threatening chronic conditions such as: Burns calories   Improves endurance Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes Decreased blood triglycerides Improve weight control There is evidence that vigorous exercise is more beneficial than moderate exercise. Some studies have shown that vigorous exercise executed by healthy individuals can increase testosterone and growth hormone, effects that are not as us fully realized with moderate exercise. However, at this intensity for long periods of time, or without proper warm up beforehand and cool down afterwards, can lead to an increased risk of injury and overtraining. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise also work to increase the mechanical efficiency of the heart by increasing cardiac volume (aerobic exercise), or myocardial thickness (strength training). Such changes are generally beneficial and healthy if they occur in response to exercise. Not everyone benefits equally from exercise. There is a lot of variation in individual response to training: where most people will see a moderate increase in endurance from aerobic exercise, some individuals will as much as double their oxygen uptake, while others can never enhance endurance. Also, muscle hypertrophy from resistance training is primarily determined by diet and testosterone. This genetic variation in improvement from training is one of the key physiological differences between professional athletes and usually people. I can say that exercising in middle age leads to better physical ability later in life. Beneficial effect of exercise on the Cardiovascular System Improved Heart Health: The first one is an improved condition of your heart is a muscle just like any other and in order for it to become strong it must be worked. If you fail to work it, it will weaken over time and this can cause a  variety of negative health effects. By getting the heart pumping at a faster rate on regular basis you will keep it in shape and healthy. Too many people are getting tired just performing simple exercises such as walking up the stairs and the primary reason for this is because they are neglect to work their heart muscle. -Improved Hormonal Profile Performing cardiovascular exercise also changes the hormonal profile in your body considerably. It releases feel good hormones that will help ease symptoms of depression and fatigue as well as releasing hormones that decrease the appetite. -Management of Diabetes Lastly, for those who have diabetes, cardiovascular exercise helps them manage this condition. By performing the exercise you will increase your muscle’s ability to utilize glucose. Those who exercise regularly tend to have better control of their blood sugars and do not see as many blood sugar swings as those who don’t. For diabetes this is increasingly important as they are extremely sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels. Effect on the immune system Although there have been hundreds of studies on exercise and immune system, there is little direct  evidence on its connection to disease. Epidemiological evidence suggest that moderate exercise has a beneficial effect on the human immune system while extreme exercise impairs, weakens it. Moderate exercise has been associated with 30 % decreased incidence of upper respiration tract infections, but studies of marathon runners found that their long high-intensity exercise was associated with an increased risk of an infection, although another study did not find effect. The immune system of athletes and non-athletes are generally similar. Effects on brain function  There are several possibilities for why exercise is beneficial for the brain: Increasing the blood and oxygen flow to the brain. -Increasing growth factors that help create new nerve cells and promote synaptic plasticity -Increasing chemicals in the brain that help create new nerve cells and promote synaptic plasticity -Increasing chemicals in the brain that help cognition, such as dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Effect on depression Depression can be helped by regular exercise. Physical activity causes brain pleasure centres to be  stimulated and leads to feelings of wellbeing. Exercise can also be effective in the treatment for anxiety and depression. Some research studies indicate that regular exercise may be as effective as other treatments like medication to relieve milder depression. Generally, exercise has a place in treatment as part of a comprehensive approach to the illness. Effect on sleep Some research studies suggested that exercise generally improves sleep disorders such as insomnia. The optimum time to exercise may be 4 to 10 hours before bedtime, though exercise at any time of day  is beneficial, with the possible exception of heavy exercise taken shortly before bedtime, which may disturb sleep. While however there is insufficient evidence to draw detailed conclusions about the relationship between exercise and sleep. Public health measures Signs that encourage the use of stairs, as well as community campaigns, have been shown to be effective in increasing exercise in a population. The city of Bogota, Columbia, for example, blocks off 113 kilometers of roads on Sundays and holidays to make it easier for its citizens to get exercise. These pedestrian zones are part of an effort to combat chronic diseases, including obesity. Common misconceptions Many myths have become surrounding exercise, some of which have a basis in reality, and some are completely false. I will give some examples of myths below: Myth: Someone who’s thin is fit Being fit means you have strong and healthy heart, lungs, muscles, bones and joints. Just because is thin or of normal weight doesn’t mean he or she can run a long distance or open a heavy door. Regular physical activity and balanced eating can help you stay at heathy weight and prevent disease. Myth: There’s one best way to be physically active. There are many types of physical activity that are enjoyable and beneficial for our health. The 3 types of activities that promote overall health are: Activities for strong, healthy muscles and bones, like lifting weights (strengthening ) Activities for safe, healthy joints and muscles, like yoga and stretching( flexibility) Activities for a stronger heart and lungs, like walking or biking (aerobic) Myth: Jogging is a better activity than walking. Walking is an excellent way to get a stronger heart and lungs, and reduce your risk of disease. The important thing is to do an activity you enjoy, whether it’s jogging, walking or something else. To be active for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. If it’s easier or more convenient, do several 10 minutes sessions throughout day. Physical activity for children (under 5 years old) Being physically active every day is important for the health growth and development of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. For this age group, activity of any intensity should be encouraged,  including light activity and more energetic physical activity. The amount of physical activity you need to do each week is determined by your age. Babies Babies should be encouraged to be active from birth. Before your baby to crawl, encourage them to be physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling and pushing, moving their head, body and limbs during daily routines, and during supervised floor play, including tummy time. Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as active as possible in a safe, supervised and nurturing play environment. All children under 5 years old  Children under 5 should not be inactive for long periods, except when they’re asleep. Watching TV, travelling by car, bus or train or being strapped into a buggy for long periods are not good for child’s health and development. There’s growing evidence that such behavior can increase their risk of poor health. All children under 5 who are overweight can improve their health by meeting the activity guidelines, even if their weight doesn’t change. To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, they may need to do additional activity and make changes to their diet.

Essay Topics - Emily Dickinson

Essay Topics - Emily DickinsonIn the past, Emily Dickinson essay topics have centered around poetry, life and her husband, Horace. The inspiration behind her works have inspired many artists to write their own original verses on topics such as love, life and friendship. Her life has been chronicled in many books, movies and even entire television series based on her life.Today, essay topics are becoming more wide ranging in their themes. Some of the best subject matter of this type is personal and relates to the person writing the essay. Others are based on literary topics, while others may be a commentary on current events. Still others may be inspired by how one's life has affected other people and even the world in general.There are also several distinct areas within these essay topics. These are as follows: Character; Education; Essay Topics; Lyrics; Lyrical subjects; Manner of speaking; People; Sensuality; Spirituality; and, Writing or Poetry Styles. Of course, each of these cat egories has many subcategories as well.One of the areas of the essay known as 'Character' is when the essay topics are connected to particular characters in the writer's life. Many of these topics include the character's reaction to a situation. Examples of this topic type would be the character's reaction to a certain event or situation, or the character's reaction to the death of a loved one. The focus of this category relates to the character's reactions and response to an event.The second area of this area is where the topics are related to education. In this area, essay topics are connected to specific periods in time when the writer was educated. Most often, it is the life of an individual during the period of his or her education that is being examined. Essays on education would include details about the circumstances surrounding an individual's education such as when he or she learned how to read or write.Another subject that relates to education is that of poetry. This is t he area where the topic is related to a person's life or poetry written in any manner, including essays. This also includes poetry written about poetry written in connection to life. Examples of this include writing about poetry written about life.The topic of Essay Topics is the broadest category of all. The focus of this topic is on the written word. There are numerous types of essays in this category including medical writings, creative writings, family writing, and even literary writings.Each of these categories has different styles that vary in size and length. One area where the size of the essay topic varies greatly is that of the verse. Poetry has different varieties in length from the most simple and brief to the longest and most elaborate. In addition, the style of poetry differs from work to work, as some poets express themselves in poems in ways that are not usual to others.

Useful English Phrases for Running a Business Meeting

Useful English Phrases for Running a Business Meeting This reference sheet provides short phrases to help you run a business meeting from start to finish. Generally speaking, you should use formal English to run a business meeting. As you participate, its a good idea to paraphrase others ideas to make sure you understand. Opening the Meeting Welcome participants with quick phrases and get down to business. Good morning/afternoon, everyone.If we are all here, lets. . . get started (OR)start the meeting. (OR). . . start. Good morning everyone. If were all here, lets get started. Welcoming and Introducing Participants If you have a meeting with new participants, make sure to introduce them before as you start the meeting. Please join me in welcoming (name of participant)Were pleased to welcome (name of participant)Its a pleasure to welcome (name of participant)Id like to introduce (name of participant)I dont think youve met (name of participant) Before I get started, Id like to please join me in welcoming Anna Dinger from our office in New York. Stating the Principal Objectives of a Meeting Its important to begin the meeting by clearly stating the main objectives for the meeting. Were here today toOur aim is to ...Ive called this meeting in order to ...By the end of this meeting, Id like to have ... Were here today to discuss the upcoming merger, as well as go over last quarters sales figures.   Giving Apologies for Someone Who is Absent If someone important is missing, its a good idea to let others know that they will be missing from the meeting. Im afraid.., (name of participant) cant be with us today. She is in...I have received apologies for the absence of (name of participant), who is in (place). Im afraid Peter cant be with us today. Hes in London meeting with clients but will be back next week. Reading the Minutes (Notes) of the Last Meeting If you have a meeting that repeats regularly, make sure to read the minutes from the last meeting to make sure that everyone is on the same page. First, lets go over the report from the last meeting which was held on (date)Here are the minutes from our last meeting, which was on (date) First, lets go over the minutes from our last meeting which was held last Tuesday. Jeff, could you please read the notes? Dealing with Recent Developments Checking in with others will help you keep everyone up to date on progress on  various projects.   Jack, can you tell us how the XYZ project is progressing?Jack, how is the XYZ project coming along?John, have you completed the report on the new accounting package?Has everyone received a copy of the Tate Foundation report on current marketing trends? Alan, please tell us how the final arrangements for the merger are coming along.   Moving Forward Use these phrases to transition to the main focus of your meeting. So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, lets move on to todays agenda.Shall we get down to business?Is there any other business?If there are no further developments, Id like to move on to todays topic. Once again, Id like to thank you all for coming. Now, shall we get down to business? Introducing the Agenda Before you launch into the main points of the meeting, double check that everyone has a copy of the agenda for the meeting. Have you all received a copy of the agenda?There are three items on the agenda. First,Shall we take the points in this order?If you dont mind, Id like to ... go in order (OR)skip item 1 and move on to item 3I suggest we take item 2 last. Have you all received a copy of the agenda? Good. Shall we take the points in order? Allocating Roles (secretary, participants) As you move through the meeting, its important that people keep track of whats going on. Make sure to allocate note taking. (name of participant) has agreed to take the minutes.(name of participant) has kindly agreed to give us a report on this matter.(name of participant) will lead point 1, (name of participant) point 2, and (name of participant) point 3.(name of participant), would you mind taking notes today? Alice, would you mind taking notes today? Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the Meeting (contributions, timing, decision-making, etc.) If there is no regular routine to your meeting, point out the basic rules for discussion throughout the meeting. We will hear a short report on each point first, followed by a discussion around the table.I suggest we go round the table first.The meeting is due to finish at...Well have to keep each item to ten minutes. Otherwise well never get through.We may need to vote on item 5, if we cant get a unanimous decision. I suggest we go round the table first to get everyones feedback. After that, well take a vote. Introducing the First Item on the Agenda Use these phrases to begin with the first item on the agenda. Make sure to use sequencing language to connect your ideas throughout the meeting. So, lets start withShall we start with. .So, the first item on the agenda isPete, would you like to kick off?Martin, would you like to introduce this item? Shall we start with the first item? Good. Peter will introduce our plans for the merger and then will discuss the implications.   Closing an Item As you move from item to item, quickly state that you have finished with the previous discussion. I think that covers the first item.Shall we leave that item?If nobody has anything else to add, I think that covers the important points of the merger. Next Item These phrases will help you transition to the next item on the agenda. Lets move onto the next itemThe next item on the agenda isNow we come to the question of. Now, lets move onto the next item. Weve been having a bit of a personnel crunch lately. Giving Control to the Next Participant If someone takes over your role, give control to them with one of the following phrases. Id like to hand over to Mark, who is going to lead the next point.Right, Dorothy, over to you. Id like to hand over to Jeff, who is going to discuss the personnel issues. Summarizing As you finish the meeting, quickly sum up the main points of the meeting. Before we close, let me just summarize the main points.To sum up, ...In brief,Shall I go over the main points? To sum up, weve moved forward with the merger and expect to start work on the project in May. Also, the personnel department has decided to hire additional staff to help us with the increased demand. Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place for the Next Meeting As you end the meeting, make sure to arrange for the next meeting if necessary. Can we fix the next meeting, please?So, the next meeting will be on... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at...What about the following Wednesday? How is that?So, see you all then.   Before we leave, Id like to fix the next meeting. What about next Thursday? Thanking Participants for Attending Its always a good idea to thank everyone for attending the meeting. Id like to thank Marianne and Jeremy for coming over from London.Thank you all for attending.Thanks for your participation. Thank you all for your participation and Ill see you next Thursday. Closing the Meeting Close the meeting with a simple statement. The meeting is closed.I declare the meeting closed. Explore useful phrases and proper language use in these business English articles: Introduction and Example Meeting Dialogue Phrase Reference Sheet for Participating in a Meeting Formal or Informal? Appropriate Language in Business Situations

Ecosystems in South West Australia Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ecosystems in South West Australia - Assignment Example Climate change directly influences the rate of NPP and carbon storage. Drier and warmer climate results in undesirable parameters such as UV radiation, tropospheric and biotic factors that result in reduction in carbon storage in plant parts. Shifts in precipitation and temperature result in the conversion of soil carbon to CO2; therefore, carbon storage is decreased. Shifts in the disturbance regime also influence carbon availability in the ecosystem. Disturbances from wildfires, back beetles, and wind reduce carbon availability and t6he net primary production of other nutrients (Bernard, Leadley and Hungate, 2005). Question Two Mineralization is an important process in the long-term manufacture of nutrients required by plants for growth. Elevated levels of CO2 in the atmosphere stimulate biomass production, increased litter fall, and rhizodeposition. The delivery of labile organic matter increases and in turn, influences the deposition of soil microorganisms that enhance nutrient availability and carbon storage. An increase in the net carbon input in the soil causes decreased nitrogen mineralization, and subsequently increases temporarily immobilized nitrogen as well as carbon sequestration. The result of mineralization is the long-term immobilization of atmospheric nitrogen (Bernard, Leadley, and Hungate, 2005). Nutrient cycling is a highly localized process that involves exchanges between plants and soil in ecosystems.

Gospel Parables Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gospel Parables - Research Paper Example There are several links in this particular webpage titled â€Å"The Gospel Parables† and access to all links is convenient. However, the website has a very old outlook and people might fight it very unappealing and outdated. Navigation process of the website is clear to the users and the links are highlighted efficiently to get quick access. All the windows open smoothly and the description of each link is given appropriately.. However the website doest not include any images or pictures and is all about written parables and information related to Jesus’ teachings. There are several parables included in the website, so as to give a wide variety of information to the readers. When a reader views the parables, it definitely gives them a realistic experience of hearing the teaching from Jesus Christ himself. The aim of the website is to alert the common men and non -believers who are ignorant about the divine law of God. The parables are here explained briefly, but the int roduction of Jesus Christ is not given, if it had been present , the writing would have been much beneficial to the readers. It is also visible here that, introductions to the parables are not done in an appropriate manner .If each parable is not introduced properly , the value of the subject get deducted. As the compilation of the writing originated from a Bishop, the credibility of the website soar, and visitors can get more intrigued in reading the parables. Moreover, the message being directly from Jesus, religious and spiritual people would not think twice about reading the information. However, the English language is used in a very simple form, so that lay men and children can understand it without much difficulty. The meaning of parable and its aim for creation is briefly understood by the author of the website. Here around 25 parables are put forward by the author, and all are explained moderately to make the understanding less complicated for the reader. At times, it can b e noted that explanation is too much in biblical terms which can confuse the non believers and readers of first time. The website is very informative but it looks too pale and simple to keep the interest of reader. In current times people look in for more multimedia and special effects in the website, and this website is too normal and unattractive. Moreover the writing has not used any catchy phrases or sentences to touch the reader emotionally or spiritually. It is highly important that an author relates the article more to the social interaction of the people in a society .The aim of this spiritual article is to induce a spiritual advancement in people and bring about changes in their immediate life. Hence a religious article should be spiritually enforcing and has to be very carefully compiled in order to impart knowledge and to sustain the interest of people engaged in web browsing or web hunting. In this writing ,some parables get initiated abruptly and is obviously less struc tured. A writing should always have a proper introduction ,other wise the reader is left to confusion and ambiguity as to the purpose of the writing. It is seen that some parables does not give a wholesome message to people. Just quoting a verse from bible does not make a literature religious or spiritual, but there should be a worthy substance to the whole writing . A consistent writing only can keep

Right to Die for Terminal Illness Essay Example for Free

Right to Die for Terminal Illness Essay Historically, the Greeks and Romans were tolerant of assisted suicide. If no relief could be provided to ease the suffering of a dying person, it was acceptable for that person to request help to end their suffering (Voluntary, 1). If you look throughout the world today, there are only three countries whose governments have initiated policies legalizing the right for their terminally ill citizens to request voluntary euthanasia, those countries being Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands (Euthanasia, 1). In the United States, there are only three states that have successfully passed similar legislation giving a person this right. Oregon in 1997 and Washington and Montana in 2009 passed into law an assisted suicide law for the terminally ill (Frequently†¦). As supreme ruler for the month, I would adopt Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act on a federal level and take it a step further by legalizing euthanasia under extreme circumstance for the terminally ill. We live in a country where abortion, whether you like it or not, is legal. If we as a society allow pregnancies to be aborted, then why wouldn’t it be acceptable to legalize a person’s choice to request assisted suicide from a terminally ill disease? Just for clarification, I do not believe in or condone suicide. It is in the extreme circumstances of a terminally ill disease where all other resources have been exhausted that I find this as a vial alternative. I am not an advocate for abortion either. The unborn are not given a choice but it is legally practiced for the time being. With assisted suicide for the terminally ill, they at least can be given the choice to end their personal suffering on their own terms. I therefore, under these circumstances, find assisted suicide (euthanasia) more humane and legally acceptable due to the precedence set by abortion. The program that I would pass into law would be very similar to the Death with Dignity Act currently used by the State of Oregon. In this Act, a competent patient, 18 and older, diagnosed with a terminally ill disease with less than six months to live with no life-saving alternative available may request their physician to provide them with a lethal dosage of narcotics for self-administration (Frequently†¦). The patient will be evaluated by a second physician and a psychological exam is performed if necessary to legitimize the request (Frequently†¦). If the person is found to be of sound mind and it is determined all medical avenues ave been exhausted, the patient will be granted access to the life ending medication. The patient at any time retains to the right to withdraw the request (Frequently†¦). If the patient’s physician finds this morally objective, they retain the right to remove themselves from the case but cannot inhibit the request if all criteria have been met (Voluntary, 3). In this case, a new physician will be assigned to the case to oversee the life ending treatment. As a second part of this Act, a Medical Power of Attorney (MPA) euthanasia clause will be exercised to expedite the death process at the request of the patient. In the advanced stages of death, one who has accepted their fate but is no longer competent, if granted through the MPA by the patient and absence of personal gain by the MPA, this clause will be included in the Act to administer life ending medication or euthanize the patient by the physician at the request of the MPA. In lieu of further hospice treatment or as part of, such as morphine, the MPA may exercise their right to request life-ending drugs be administered to the patient. I see this as an extension of the DNR. In cases where a patient has been removed from any medical treatment and death is imminent, hours or days, per multiple physicians prognosis, and the patient is more or less unresponsive, the MPA may exercise the euthanasia clause in lieu of further pain treatment or medical induced coma. Again, in the case where the physician finds this act immoral, they have no obligation to comply but if all the criteria have been met at the patients documented request, the physician will be required to remove themselves from the case and an alternate physician be assigned to see out the request. A patient’s request for assisted suicide or MPA euthanasia must be documented and recorded through the hospital system and with the local authorities (Frequently†¦). This request can be included in the patient’s living will, DNR request, or on a separate legal document. The documentation process of the requestor must be witnessed by two or more persons with only one witness being of blood relation (Frequently†¦). A full psychological evaluation of the patient may be performed by the hospital or legal authority to ensure the requestor is of sound mind when the documents are executed (Frequently†¦). The legal authorities must also be notified when a requestor will be exercising their right to assisted suicide before any life ending medication can be administered or released to the patient. According to ELDR Magazine, a study released in May 2008 reports these â€Å"death with dignity† laws are gaining national momentum (Elder, 1). This study goes on to explain many of the respondents would choose to be placed in medical coma even if it were to quicken the death process and even more would choose to be taken off life support measure if they were in a vegetative state (Elder,1). It also states that over 80% of respondents felt the right to die is a personal decision and not one to be controlled by the government or religion (Elder, 1). This being the case, by implementing a federal Die with Dignity Act, it would grant people the freedom to die in a manner that reflects their personal choice, and the physicians who administer these requests would not be subject to legal ramifications. On a personal note, in the last two years, I have lost my father to cancer and my grandfather to a fatal stroke, both of whom I was very close with. I was the main caretaker for my father over his last six months and watched over him through a lot of painful times, especially towards the end. I often wonder if there were laws that allowed the freedom of choice towards expediting the death process, would my father have exercised this right? It’s hard to lose a loved one but it’s also hard to watch them experience such great suffering. You emotionally suffer right along with them. When my time comes, will I want my children to feel helpless? To suffer along with me to the last breath? Or will I be able to grant them the power to ease my suffering and theirs?

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskel Essay -- Papers

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskel Elizabeth Gaskell's Nineteenth Century novel, Mary Barton, is an example of social realism in its depiction of the inhumanities suffered by the impoverished weavers of Manchester, England. The main story in Mary Barton is that of the honest, proud and intelligent workingman so embittered by circumstances and lack of sympathy that he finally murders a mill owner's son as an act of representative vengeance. In growing embittered, he becomes as a natural consequence, more isolated in his community; both humanity and faith lose their power to guide him. Mary Barton, his daughter, really loves Jem Wilson, who is arrested after having threatened the murdered man for trying to seduce Mary, and it is her efforts that produce the melodramatic last minute evidence that saves him. Against the novelistic background of this murder and the central love stories, Mrs. Gaskell outlines her main themes of life in Manchester during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution and of the conditions that initiated the Chartist Movement. Thus, the historical background of Mary Barton is as much, if not more important than its strictly novelistic aspects. Manchester becomes a symbol of the outrageous conditions endured by the laborers, instead of a real city in itself. It is always grimy, oppressive, and ugly, just like the lives of its inhabitants. The only detail the author gives us is with the individual homes, not with the city itself. It is almost as if she were afraid of impairing the city's inherent symbolism by describing any actual streets or shops. Even when wealth is shown, as with the Carsons, the setting is still ugly and drab; the only difference is that the drabness has been made comfor... ... led up to the Chartist Movement. Despite the author's concentration on the social aspects of the situation, she has nonetheless succeeded in providing us with the main points of the new economy and its laws. Mary Barton tells the story from the laborer's point of view, but we are not without knowledge of the mill owner's side of it either, especially through the philosophical wisdom of Job Legh. In her attempts to present the plight of the laborer in Manchester, Elizabeth Gaskell has not neglected to make us understand the importance and significance of the industrial movement, as well as the great possibilities it possessed. It is, perhaps, a dated novel. However, it is important in its delineation of the social, political, and economic forces that were at work in England from 1835 -- 1850, and it is an attempt to bring them all into harmonious focus.