These Shining Lives A Play by Melanie Marnich

These Shining Lives revolves around  the real-life circumstances of women in the 1920s who worked in a watch factory painting watch faces  with glowing radium-rich paint. While the characters and company in These Shining Lives are fictitious, the story of the Radium Girls and the toxic and deadly levels of radium poisoning of over 4,000 factory workers is true. The real-life Radium Girls took their company to court and achieved a long-lasting victory over corporations with poor workplace conditions and worker’s compensation that is still in effect today. The Plot The women in These Shining Lives are delighted to find high-paying work in the early part of the century. They earn 8 ¢ for each watch face they paint and if they are fast enough and neat enough, they can earn over $8 a day. That kind of money could change the entire circumstances of a woman and her family in the 1920s. Catherine, also called Katie, is leaving home for her first day of work. She has twins and a loving and supportive husband. They are barely making ends meet and she sees the opportunity to work and bring home money as a huge boon to her family. At the factory, she meets her tablemates, Frances, Charlotte, and Pearl and learns how to paint the watches: Take the brush and twirl it between your lips to make a sharp point, dip it in the paint, and paint the numbers. â€Å"It’s a lip, dip, and paint routine,† Frances instructs her. When Catherine comments on how the paint glows and tastes, she is told that radium is medicinal and cures all kinds of maladies. She quickly becomes adept at the work and loves her new identity as a working woman. Six years later, however, she and every girl working on the watches have health problems. Many are fired for needing too many sick days. Some die. Catherine is afflicted with severe pains in her legs, arms, and jaw. Eventually, Catherine finds a doctor willing to tell her the truth. She and all the others have toxic levels of radium poisoning. Their condition is fatal. Instead of fading into the background, Catherine and her friends decide to risk their names, images, and reputations and take the watch company to court. Production Details Setting: Chicago and Ottowa, Illinois Time: 1920s and 1930s Cast Size: This play is written to accommodate 6 actors, but there are as many as 18 roles if the doubling recommended in the script is ignored. Male Characters: 2 (who also double as 7 other minor characters) Female Characters: 4 (who also double as 5 other minor characters) Characters That Can Be Played by Any Gender: 4 Content Issues: Negligible Production rights for These Shining Lives are held by Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Roles Catherine Donohue is a proud working woman. She is vibrant and competitive. Although she insists that her job is a temporary one, she enjoys working outside of the home and she is unapologetic about it. Frances has a keen eye for scandal. She loves the time and attention she gets from her work companions. The actress playing Frances also plays Reporter 2 and an Official. Charlotte is a tough taskmaster and a determined woman. She works hard at her job, doesn’t make friends easily and she doesn’t let go of the friends she has made or let them give up. The actress playing Charlotte also plays Reporter 1. Pearl is a shameless gossip who sees her work as an opportunity to know everything about everyone. Not a single symptom of scandal or sickness escapes her notice. The actress playing Pearl also plays the Daughter and Judge 2. Tom Donohue is Catherine’s husband. He is head-over-heels for his wife and family even though he is somewhat troubled by having a working wife. The actor playing Tom also plays Dr. Rowantree and Dr. Dalitsch. Mr. Reed is the boss at the factory. It is clear that he has information about the effects of radium poisoning but he abides by company policy and does not inform his workers. He wants to make the factory profitable. Although he is invested in his workers and their lives and even considers them friends, he knowingly allows them to continue to be poisoned and sicken and die. The actor playing Mr. Reed also plays the Radio Announcer, the Company Doctor, the Son, Judge, and Leonard Grossman.

A Deeper Look On The Alcoholic Environment - 1350 Words

A Deeper Look On The Alcoholic Environment Nowadays the exposition to alcohol consumption is becoming very common among adults and teenagers. Alcoholic addiction is developed in social environment such as living around heavy drinkers, people often are tempted to the taste of alcohol which then becomes an addiction. Either it is a party or a celebration, alcohol is most of the times available; however, there are concerns in society, since the consumption of this drug can bring dangerous consequences. An individual’s health is extremely exposed by alcoholic beverages, since they affect several areas of our brain, liver, heart and several other parts of our bodies. Along with health problems, the cognitive control is potentially affected;†¦show more content†¦As a result of these and other changes, brain mass shrinks and the brain’s inner cavity grows bigger.† This means that if a person creates an addiction for alcoholic beverages it will have a major impac t on the brain cells, as it slows down neurotransmitters. Also, the continuation of consumption of this drug makes the brain not to work in an adequate way, which will later bring changes in attitude such as depression and anxiety. There can be permanent damages in the brain if the consumption is not moderate, since it affects directly parts of the brain that are essential for reasoning. Comparatively to the effect that alcohol can have on the brain, it also develops liver problems that in several cases end up bringing lethal effects. The liver is another organ that is extremely exposed to be damaged by consuming excessive alcohol and is one of the major causes for death in alcoholic people. Since the liver is one of the largest organs of the body, it is crucial to maintain a constant care by taking precautions on things that could affect our liver. In addition, the main job of the liver is to maintain people’s body as healthy as possible by disregarding substances and breaking them down; however, according to NIH, as the liver breaks these substances it also liberates toxins that can be even more harmful. â€Å"Your liver works hard to keep your body productive and healthy. It stores energy and nutrients. ItShow MoreRelatedPersonal Statement : My Parlor1571 Words   |  7 Pagesvery quiet rich and affluent neighborhood of the city of Southlake. The main purpose of the store is to serve non-alcoholic beverages like coffee and yogurts to the people in my neighborhood who will have travel almost a mile to get to the nearest beverage store. 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Hundreds Years War Essay Example For Students

Hundreds Years War Essay Hundred Years War The definition of the Golden Rule is that those with the gold make the rules. In other words, those with the gold have the power as well as those with the power have the gold. History books will discuss the general reasons for war such as freedom from adversity or freedom from religion. But the real issue for any war is the thirst for power and control; and the means to finance them are the economic issues. Nations will endure years of fighting for power and control. France and England fought each other for more than a hundred years to have control of the Channel trade routes. 1 This century of warring was known as The Hundred Years War and is the longest war in record history. It began in 1337 when King Edward III invaded Normandy and ended in 1453 when France won the Battle of Bordeaux. However, it was not a hundred years of constant battle; there were periods of truces in between. 2 One cause for the Hundred Years War was the claim to the French throne. The confl ict began when the direct line of succession died without a male heir and the nobles decided to pass the crown to a cousin, Philip of Valois. But this left two other male cousins equally deserving of the crown; Charles, King of Navarre and Edward III, King of England. 3 Edward III claimed that he himself was deserving of the throne because his mother was the sister of the late French king, while Philip VI was only a cousin. But according to French law, no women could inherit the throne, nor could the crown be inherited through a woman. 4 Philip of Valois chances of becoming King of France had been remote and he had not been brought up as the future lieutenant of God on Earth. Philip VI spent much of his resources on entertainment and finery with gay abandon. 5 This caused conflict with the kings subjects. Since the king was considered to be sacred and inviolable, neither cousin would challenge Philip VI. However, they would exploit the situation and King Edward III lost no time and invaded Normandy with an army of 10,000 men. 6 This leads to another cause for The Hundred Years War. The land along the Channel and Atlantic coasts was Englands first line of defense against an invasion. England held claim to this territory from the twelth century through the marriage of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. King Edward III was determined to gain control of the French coastline while providing himself with a bridgehead for future expeditions into France. 7 But the major cause of The Hundred Years War was the economic interest the revenues to be gotten from this rich territory. Wine was Gasgonys largest export product and major source of income to the vassal. Wool was Englands largest export product and the source of its wealth. English pastures produced fleeces that were the envy of Europe which Flanders depended on for its wool and linen market. 8 English sheep growers sold their long fine wool to weavers in Flanders, across the English Channel. Flemish weavers as well as English sheep growers depended on this trade for their business. In 1336, Philip VI arrested all the English merchants in Flanders and took away all the privileges of the Flemish towns and the craft guilds. Resulting in the Flemings revolting against the French control and making an alliance with England. 9 Consequently, the flourishing market of the industrial cities of Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp and Ypres were naturally coveted by the Kings of France and England. Moreover, the Bordeaux harbor was within the borders of English Gascony and was the center of the shipping and trading industry. Commodities such as grains, dairy products, dyes and salt would be shipped into Bordeaux via the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers and the merchants were charged a customs fee for these products. Also, Bordeaux would receive duties on wine, whether shipped-in or grown on Gascon soil. Consequently, the profits from the tolls and customs made Bordeaux the economic capital of Gascony. Furthermore , control of neighboring areas such as Guyenne .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .postImageUrl , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:hover , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:visited , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:active { border:0!important; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:active , .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9013dcc11248449531eb39da4160e9cb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Advertising Education or Condemnation Essay

The Ataris - So Long Astoria free essay sample

With So Long Astoria, many changes by The Ataris are duly marked. Expectations among a large fan base are high, but perhaps higher than usual because this is their major label debut. This album could launch them into mainstream popularity, or cast them from their traditional roots, or a combination. Over the past few years, this quartet from Southern California has swept the country gaining fans at a greater rate than the typical punk band. With their tales of young love and heartbreak, and catchy riffs wrapped in a slightly pop punk sound, The Ataris have a sound that is truly their own. The zenith of their career thus far, Blue Skies, Broken Hearts Next 12 Exits, is the standard by which I measure most of their music. This album is in my top five of all time; it never loses its effect on me. But to compare So Long Astoria to Blue Skies somehow just isnt right. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ataris So Long Astoria or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I can definitely see growth in this album, but not as much in the music as in the presentation. This album gives me a sense of The Ataris as adults rather than their traditional adolescent quality. They have toned down their sound a little (Chris Knapp mellowed out his normally frantic drumming considerably) while still staying true to it, a key accomplishment in a good band. There is deeper content in these new songs, too. In My Reply, frontman Kris Roe tells of an overseas fan who is dying and writes his response to her final letter. And in The Saddest Song, he explains to his young daughter why he is barely around. There is also a great cover of Don Henleys The Boys of Summer and a new version of their I Wont Spend Another Night Alone. No review is complete without some criticism, and I think there are too many slow, mellow songs. Halfway through I tend to get bored and anxious; I wish there was at least one up-tempo song to break my sedated mood. This album lacks the well-rounded quality the band normally has. When most bands turn major label, their sound, and sometimes image, is butchered in the process, but I can thankfully say that this is not the case with So Long Astoria. Although it is not the best The Ataris have to offer, it is the logical next step, and still holds onto what makes them a great band. They get you to realize youre only young once, and should enjoy all the things most of us worry about. As a fan for many years now, I wish them the best of luck. They truly deserve it because they play their music with passion. Try seeing one of their shows or picking up an album, you wont regret it.