Song for my mother Essay Example

Song for my mother Paper The title of the poem makes its subject clear, a praise song or a eulogy, is a traditional form from many African cultures and is often sung instead of being written down. This poem was written to honour the attributes of the poet’s mother; it is a metaphoric poem written from the child’s perspective, using imagery to describe the powerful emotional relationship she shared with her mother. The poet is grateful and rejoices her mothers presence using the term praise in her poem title whilst referring to her homeland simultaneously. With structure, â€Å"Praise Song for My Mother† is based around the first three stanzas, each of three lines. All of which are very similar in format, although, the rhythm is not carried all the way through. The fourth begins in the same way as the first three but is extended, emphasising the poem’s final line about the daughter’s â€Å"wide futures† and expanding horizons, as if reflecting the way her mother’s care allowed her to develop and move on. â€Å"Praise Song for My Mother† is a free verse, meaning it does not adhere to regular rhyme or rhythm, writing in this way augments the fluidity and the reading of the poem. We will write a custom essay sample on Song for my mother specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Song for my mother specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Song for my mother specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The lack of punctuation means that there is no pause, adding to the flowing pace and has a softer effect and tone on the reader. By not using rhyme and following an unconventional order, the poet creates a sincere and honest atmosphere within the piece. The consistent use of past tense and repetition, for example â€Å"You were† – secures and anchors this poem. It illustrates the certainty and unfailing trust that the poet places in her mother. The repetition is effective in reinforcing the idea of security and sanctuary created by the mother. It also signals to the reader that the poet’s mother has in fact passed away and elucidates the point of view from which it is written – as if the speaker is reminiscing and remembering her childhood, along with the influence of her mother. The first three stanzas end with a line that lists repeatedly three qualities of her mother. The first four stanzas all end with a verb (â€Å"fathoming†//â€Å"mantling†// â€Å"streaming†//â€Å"replenishing†), indicating on going action, that this adoration is constant. Nichols uses plosives, fricatives and dentals (sounds of the words) they are harsh and assertive at times, if linking this to the final line of the poem, it is possible that it hints at the writer harbouring a certain degree of bitterness towards her mother for pushing her to independence; it is clear that she enjoyed being sheltered and protected. â€Å"Water†//â€Å"Moon’s eye†//â€Å"Sunrise† are all examples of the natural references that the poem includes. This could signify a mother’s love being natural, endless and essential to her. By comparing her to various natural and beautiful things, Nichols really captures the sense of awe and admiration she holds for her mother. She describes her as â€Å"water†. Traditionally water symbolizes life, healing and cleansing. She continues to describe her mother as â€Å"deep and bold and fathoming† this only accentuates the emotions and feelings within their relationship, the confidence, courage and bravery (all features of the sea if you perceive it metaphorically), and the quality of understanding that her mother has. Her mother is also said to be the â€Å"moon’s eye† to her, this conveys how she was a guidance to Nichols during her dark moments like the moon only appearing at night. In relation to the previous stanza’s theme of water, the moon is also known to control the tide. If seen in a metaphorical sense, her mother is the moon and Nichols is the tide, being pulled towards her mother for safety and protection as suggests in the line â€Å"pull and grained and mantling†. Her mother became her strength and foundation when she needed her to be. â€Å"Sunrise† could be a metaphor demonstrating the joy and happiness that her mother brought into her life. Sunrise meaning she never set, that she never ended; she was always fresh and new. â€Å"Rise and warm and streaming†, warmth indicates a sense of comfort, rise embodies a subtle power that her mother has and streaming displays a ceaseless love. Evocative words are used to give more strength towards Nichols’ opinion on her mother and expresses how much of a important character she was in her life. And in a way, causes us, as the readers to be able to relate and in turn think of our own relationships with our parents. The fourth stanza is concentrated on food, drawing on Nichols’ Caribbean roots thus giving a more personal insight into the poem. She uses the double verb; â€Å"replenishing replenishing†, because like her natural references; the tide, water or sunrise, her mother is always there. The use of the plural form of â€Å"future† in the final line is significant. What these â€Å"futures† will contain is undefined by the mother; she has faith in her daughter hence the addition of â€Å"wide† showing that the mother knew her daughter would take advantage of all the different opportunities offered to her. And as if her parenting has been about creating possibilities, rather than deciding or controlling her daughter’s future. The main idea of â€Å"Praise Song for My Mother† is that parents – specifically mothers – are a source of nourishment and sustenance for their children, consistently providing them with the necessities in order to flourish and advance. Water, the moon and the sun are all elements that add to the timeless quality created in the relationship between mother and daughter. The keyword within the piece is â€Å"replenishing†, repeated in order to strengthen the reliability of the mother when giving everything her daughter needs to overcome obstacles and life’s numerous challenges. The celebratory and commemorative nature of the poem can be seen in the active and positive language the poet displays. She is praised over and over again for the qualities that she presents to her daughter, when helping her to adulthood. The mother is seen as an inspiration. It is not just a command to â€Å"go to your wide futures† that directs and leads the daughter into maturity but the example that her mother has set. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Other Poets section.

Life of Pi Essays

Life of Pi Essays Life of Pi Essay Life of Pi Essay Essay Topic: Life Of Pi Here in Life of Pi the protagonist’s battle for endurance in the center of an unheedful ocean is done in a tone that echoes the sound of a well-written work of fiction being read out aloud. Life of Pi is a narrative about fighting to last through apparently unsurmountable odds. The shipwrecked dwellers of the small lifeboat don’t merely profess to their destiny: they actively fight against it. The human head is an astonishing instrument. In the face of the horrors of life. it creates a charming narrative that allows it to go on populating with truths otherwise might non be able to accept. The battle for being. the battle for endurance. and the interior strength we have to happen and chasten before we can go maestro of our being. are all worlds which we have trouble acknowledging. The battle is with a immature male that is vegetarian and Richard Parker is the capitalist within himself that he must fight to get the better of so he can be free to populate the manner he wants to. as a wholly tolerant of all things vegetarian in Canada. While Pi has been hungering. and the fish offer a sudden copiousness of nutrient. Pi–being a vegetarian–won’t eat the fish because it violates his beliefs. but his battle to dominate Richard Parker is the dominating of his appetencies. The nutrient Pi has been eating from the lifeboat supply is destroyed by the tail of the giant. showing the importance of nutrient in the movie. and how Pi learns he can’t survive on merely earthly nutrient. or merely heavenly nutrient. but that he needs both. Pi abandons his womb-to-tomb vegetarianism and eats the fish to prolong himself. Summarizing up the emotion behind the battle Pi encountered. while he was on the boat. Pi provinces. My face set to a inexorable and determined look. I speak in all modestness as I say this. but I discovered at that minute that I have a fierce will to populate. It’s non something apparent. in my experience. Some of us give up on life with merely a resigned suspiration. Others fight a small. so lose hope. Still others–and I am one of those–never give up. We fight and battle and battle. We fight no affair the cost of conflict. the losingss we take the improbableness of success. We fight to the really terminal. It’s non a inquiry of bravery. It’s something constitutional. an inability to allow travel. ( Martel 164 ) This quotation mark is inspirational and relates to Pi’s personality. Despite the fact that he faced many battles throughout the novel ( majorly portion 2 ) . he managed to stay optimistic and determined to happen a manner to get away. In most instances. a individual would hold merely given up under the fortunes he fell under. but Pi had faith in acquiring off the ship and determination land. He neer gave up despite the fact that he knew that he’d neer see his household once more. and he had to last for 227 yearss with a fierce tiger. and small nutrient. The odds against his endurance were conspicuously against his favour. but that didn’t stop him. He had to get the better of his fright of killing animate beings in his battle for endurance. Pi went from wavering to kill a fish. to going comparable to a professional fisherman. Although there were many ideas traveling through his caput to merely leap off the boat and put an terminal to everything. his doggedness overcame his uncertainty and he did anything possible to last. Personally I can see myself stating what Pi stated. I’m a determined person. and if I truly want something. I will travel to great lengths to acquire what I want. Life of Pi Essays Life of Pi Essay Life of Pi Essay Essay Topic: Life Of Pi The Life of Pi is an adventure Drama film directed and produced by Ang Lee, the movie is based on the Novel Life of Pi in 2001 by Yann Martel. The film was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and it won at least The Golden Globe Award for the best original Score. The release was in September 2012 and the worldwide earning is already over 600 million Dollar. The principal actor is Pi acted mainly by Suraj Sharma, and from other actors in different Situations. The movie starts that an Author ask Pi about his Life story for his book, the Author has the Name Yann Martel ( the same as the Author from the Novell the Life of Pi).Pi Patel tells him his story, in a flashback it begins with Pi as a child in India. His family owns a Zoo, also with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The main plot begins when they have to move, because the Zoo is too expensive. They move by ship. Pi watches helplessly as the ship with his family and the crew sinks in front of him, but he survives the shipwr eck in the Lifeboat. He is the only Person in the Boat just with a Bengal tiger, a zebra, a monkey and a hyena in the middle of the Ocean. At the end Pi survives unexpected 227 days with a Bengal tiger and finally stranded on the coast of Mexico.The Life of Pi is a computer animated film, it is also available in 3D. It won many awards for example best special effects or best camera. The critics are mainly positive, good dramatically movie with realistic effects and an exciting story, a negative critic says that the german name for the movie â€Å"Life of Pi: Shipwreck with a tiger† is a perfect description, because the whole film only seems to act about a shipwreck with a tiger and is therefore rather boring. In my opinion it’s a good dramatically movie, mixed with a sad touch and animated special effects. Computer animated movies are perfect to watch in 3D.

Smoking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Smoking - Research Paper Example To understand and minimize the number of smokers, it is relevant to reduce the number of new smokers (Lindson et al., 2011). Studies show that people who smoke acquire the habit from close friends or parents. Generally, having a close person who is a smoker significantly increases the chances of a person ending up smoking. Mohammed, a cigarette addict confesses, â€Å"I got this bad habit from old brother.† He also got the urge to start smoking from his father and his best friends (Mohammed, 2013). The continued exposure to smokers was the main reason why Mohammed was compelled to start smoking. For this reason, the focus group in prevention measures has to be the closest people (Lindson et al., 2011). According to Mohammed, most people who smoke regret ever starting to smoke because they are unable to stop. Their biggest problem is that due to addiction, they are imprisoned by the vice and are unable to pull out. Mohammed claims â€Å"Smoking almost two packs a day has caused different heal problems to me.† In his statement, it is clear that he attributes deteriorating health to his habit of smoking. He enjoys swimming, but due to the effect of smoking on his lungs, he easily gets tired and his attempts are labored (Mohammed, 2013). Khalid is another smoking addict. He started smoking when he was 14 years old. The main reason that compelled him to start smoking was his older cousin. He attributed his ‘coolness’ to smoke and therefore tried it to be cool (Khalid, 2013). This demonstrates that peer pressure plays a big role in introducing people to smoke. The pressure originates from the people around them. Like Mohamed, Khalid had health issues; he is unable to engage in physical exercises. He easily tires and the effects affect his social life because his family has to deal with medical issues that result from his smoking Khalid says, â€Å"I regret every

Terms & Conditions May Apply Movie Critique Review

Terms & Conditions May Apply Critique - Movie Review Example Notably, many citizens, especially from America have expressed concerns about the increasing spying, which have led to an increased loss of privacy. The director uses recent examples to illustrate that the terms and conditions that internet users accept when signing into sites such as Facebook, Amazon and Google may be an avenue for the government to spy on citizens. After watching the documentary a few days ago, the issues exposed by the director proved very timely because of the increased spying by the governments. The desires of many governments such as the American government to increase security in a bid to avoid terrorist attacks, governments were compelled to take stringent measures. One of the measures adopted by the Central Intellectual Agency (CIA) as revealed in this documentary is the introduction of surveillance systems that ensure a close monitoring of data from internet users and mobile phone users. According to this movie, Facebook, Google and Amazon agreed to let the CIA have access to data from their users. Therefore, the movie makes it evident that many citizens feel that they have lost their privacy to the increase spying by the intelligence unit. Using the example of Snowden, who had previously worked with the National Security Agency (NSA) in America, made a serious revelation of the extent to which spying done by the intelligence unit, the director develops his arguments. The director’s purpose of creating this documentary was to enlighten the citizens that they sho uld exercise their power and not agree to terms and conditions that promote spying. Throughout the film, the director makes it evident that people have a choice and they should voice their concerns regarding the spying issue (Abrams n.p). One of the outstanding aspects of the documentary is the character named Mark Zuckerberg. The fact that the director was able to reach the founder of Facebook and make him one of the starring characters in

The Impact of Fast Food Marketing on obesity Research Proposal

The Impact of Fast Food Marketing on obesity - Research Proposal Example From this point it could then be agreed upon by many that television fondness among the present generation towards the next generations is here to stay. In fact, 70% of the viewers of these particular themes are young children from the ages two towards the ages six, who are known to believe whatever they see in the television. They are not that much capable of setting apart the truth from make-believe. Hence, upon seeing the programs that were mentioned above, they are disposed of to beliefs that they are able to become like that of the characters that they see on television. Children as young as they are have no limitations as to what they are supposed to or not believe in (French, 2003, 14). This particular vulnerability among young viewers have been used as an advantage on the part of the advertisers [particularly that of fast food establishments]. According to Business Week magazine, the typical American is exposed to about 3,000 commercial messages each day. How do people react They tune out, either literally or mentally. At best, most people give advertisements only partial attention. (Greenwood, 1990, 43) To overcome viewer apathy, advertisements must grab our attention. Television commercials feature stunning visual effects. They strive to be entertaining, dramatic, funny, puzzling, or emotional. They feature celebrities and lovable cartoon characters. Many use sentiment to hold our attention, perhaps by focusing on cats, puppies, or babies. In this case, food presentations and "kiddie" values are used by advertisers to present the products that they are luring the young ones with. The truth between the relationship of television advertising and... This essay "The Impact of Fast Food Marketing on obesity" outlines how strong television impact could be upon the viewer and how it affects the level of obesity. Most people think that advertising does not really affect their decisions. They think they ignore it and make up their own minds. Money-wise business executives know better. Throughout the world, these men hang their fortunes on tremendous advertising budgets. They build wants and sway our thinking in ways that we may not even realize. Advertising messages strike our eyes and ears from all directions—from newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards, buses, subways, taxicabs, river barges, T-shirts, and from other sources too numerous to mention. It has been estimated that Americans encounter as many as 1,600 advertising messages a day. A growing number of nutritionists are accusing fast-food companies of conducting â€Å"a blitzkrieg that perverts children’s eating habits and sets them on a path to obesity,† states an article published in Tokyo’s IHT Asahi Shimbun newspaper. â€Å"Television remains the most powerful medium for selling to children,† says the report, but in addition, food companies are â€Å"finding every imaginable way to put their names in front of children.† Movies, games, Internet sites, arithmetic books, and a wide array of dolls and toys all bear food-company advertising. Why advertise to children? â€Å"It’s the largest market there is,† states Texas A&M marketing professor James McNeal (Greenwood, 1990, 16).

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE ASSOCIATED WITH SILDENAFIL Â  Erectile dysfunction is an important problem among men aged 40 years and older. More than half of all men in this broad age group experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Thus, the provision of an orally administrated efficacious treatment in the form of sildenafil represents a major therapeutic advantage.(1) Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina.(2) Ocular side effects are not uncommon when sildenafil is used. Minor side effects include pupillary dilation, conjunctival injection (redness), sensitivity to light (photophobia), and dryness. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity. Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels.(3-7) The purpose of the present case report is to describe a patient who developed CNV after ingestion of Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. CASE REPORT The patient was a 53-year old male who presented with a blurred and loss of vision in the right eye. His physical examination did not reveal any significant signs. The patient was fit and healthy otherwise and had no history of glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, or other systemic vascular disease. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye and 10/10 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination was normal. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area (Figure 1A), the left eye revealed an atrophic area outside the macula. The FA of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase (Figure 1B). A diagnosis of CNV was made. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied on the right eye. The patient did not suffer until 6 months after the laser application and the visual acuity in the right eye had increased up to 9/10. However, 6 months after the las er application, the patient noted loss of vision in the right eye. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied again. The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye (Figure 2). The visual acuity of the patient was 10/10 bilaterally and he didn’t reveal any complaints. After 3 years, the patient was referred to our clinic with blurred and loss of vision in the left eye and when the patient underwent rigorous historical questioning, he noted that all his complaints were revealed with the use of 50 mg sildenafil. He said that he had taken 50 mg sildenafil before his complaints were revealed. His visual acuity was 10/10 in the right eye and 4/10 in the left eye. The FA revealed CNV and photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection were applied to his left eye (Figure 3). DISCUSSION In this study we present a patient with CNV associated with sildenafil use. CNV is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina .2 These vessels may then leak fluid or blood, initially distorting or blurring vision, and may eventually lead to scarring in the macula and severe loss of central vision. CNV is associated with many diseases. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presumed inflammatory and infectious conditions, myopic macular degeneration, trauma, angioid streaks and laser therapy, however many cases are idiopathic.(2) Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme expressed throughout the smooth muscle of the vasculature.3 Through this mechanism, sildenafil potentiates the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway that mediates corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and thereby significantly improves penile blood flow. Basic science and clinical research have effectively documented the effects of sildenafil on the retinal and choroidal vasculature. Sildenafil also has a weaker inhibitory action on PDE6, located in the rod and cone photoreceptors. Modest, transient visual symptoms, typically blue tinge to vision, increased brightness of lights, and blurry vision, have been reported with sildenafil use and occur more frequently at higher doses. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity.(5,6) Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels. However, we were not able to find any case of CNV associated with sildenafil use in the literature. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial growth factor (VEGF).(7) The same mechanism may be available on the retina and sildenafil may increase the levels of VEGF. This issue requires further studies and patients with CNV should be questioned about the use of sildenafil. Patients should consult with an ophthalmologist if there is any question about the health of their eyes prior to using sildenafil. REFERENCES Irwin Goldstei, Tom F. Lue, Harin Padma-Nathan et al. Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction N Engl J Med 1998; 338:1397-1404 Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Fine SL. Age related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol 1988;32:375-413. Michael F. Marmor, Robert Kesler. Sildenafil and Ophthalmology. Survey of Ophthalmology 1999;44:153-162. Alan M. Laties, Eberhart Zrenner. Viagra and Ophthalmology. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2002;21:485-506 DÃ ¼ndar SO. Visual loss associated with erectile dysfunction drugs. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007;42(1):10-12 Zrenner E, Koppiker NP, Smith MD, Constable I, Littlewood R, Stuckey B. The effects of long-term sildenafil treatment on ocular safety in patients with erectile dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S592. Vidavalur R, Penumathsa SV, Zhal L. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial cells through the expression of thioredoxin, hemeoxygenase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Vascul Pharmacol. 2006;45:91-95. FIGURE FOR LEGENDS FIGURE 1A: Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area FIGURE 1B: The FA on the right eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase FIGURE 2: The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye after laser photocoagulation was applied. FIGURE 3: The FA on the left eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE ASSOCIATED WITH SILDENAFIL Â  Erectile dysfunction is an important problem among men aged 40 years and older. More than half of all men in this broad age group experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Thus, the provision of an orally administrated efficacious treatment in the form of sildenafil represents a major therapeutic advantage.(1) Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina.(2) Ocular side effects are not uncommon when sildenafil is used. Minor side effects include pupillary dilation, conjunctival injection (redness), sensitivity to light (photophobia), and dryness. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity. Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels.(3-7) The purpose of the present case report is to describe a patient who developed CNV after ingestion of Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. CASE REPORT The patient was a 53-year old male who presented with a blurred and loss of vision in the right eye. His physical examination did not reveal any significant signs. The patient was fit and healthy otherwise and had no history of glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, or other systemic vascular disease. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye and 10/10 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination was normal. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area (Figure 1A), the left eye revealed an atrophic area outside the macula. The FA of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase (Figure 1B). A diagnosis of CNV was made. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied on the right eye. The patient did not suffer until 6 months after the laser application and the visual acuity in the right eye had increased up to 9/10. However, 6 months after the las er application, the patient noted loss of vision in the right eye. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied again. The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye (Figure 2). The visual acuity of the patient was 10/10 bilaterally and he didn’t reveal any complaints. After 3 years, the patient was referred to our clinic with blurred and loss of vision in the left eye and when the patient underwent rigorous historical questioning, he noted that all his complaints were revealed with the use of 50 mg sildenafil. He said that he had taken 50 mg sildenafil before his complaints were revealed. His visual acuity was 10/10 in the right eye and 4/10 in the left eye. The FA revealed CNV and photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection were applied to his left eye (Figure 3). DISCUSSION In this study we present a patient with CNV associated with sildenafil use. CNV is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina .2 These vessels may then leak fluid or blood, initially distorting or blurring vision, and may eventually lead to scarring in the macula and severe loss of central vision. CNV is associated with many diseases. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presumed inflammatory and infectious conditions, myopic macular degeneration, trauma, angioid streaks and laser therapy, however many cases are idiopathic.(2) Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme expressed throughout the smooth muscle of the vasculature.3 Through this mechanism, sildenafil potentiates the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway that mediates corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and thereby significantly improves penile blood flow. Basic science and clinical research have effectively documented the effects of sildenafil on the retinal and choroidal vasculature. Sildenafil also has a weaker inhibitory action on PDE6, located in the rod and cone photoreceptors. Modest, transient visual symptoms, typically blue tinge to vision, increased brightness of lights, and blurry vision, have been reported with sildenafil use and occur more frequently at higher doses. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity.(5,6) Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels. However, we were not able to find any case of CNV associated with sildenafil use in the literature. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial growth factor (VEGF).(7) The same mechanism may be available on the retina and sildenafil may increase the levels of VEGF. This issue requires further studies and patients with CNV should be questioned about the use of sildenafil. Patients should consult with an ophthalmologist if there is any question about the health of their eyes prior to using sildenafil. REFERENCES Irwin Goldstei, Tom F. Lue, Harin Padma-Nathan et al. Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction N Engl J Med 1998; 338:1397-1404 Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Fine SL. Age related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol 1988;32:375-413. Michael F. Marmor, Robert Kesler. Sildenafil and Ophthalmology. Survey of Ophthalmology 1999;44:153-162. Alan M. Laties, Eberhart Zrenner. Viagra and Ophthalmology. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2002;21:485-506 DÃ ¼ndar SO. Visual loss associated with erectile dysfunction drugs. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007;42(1):10-12 Zrenner E, Koppiker NP, Smith MD, Constable I, Littlewood R, Stuckey B. The effects of long-term sildenafil treatment on ocular safety in patients with erectile dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S592. Vidavalur R, Penumathsa SV, Zhal L. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial cells through the expression of thioredoxin, hemeoxygenase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Vascul Pharmacol. 2006;45:91-95. FIGURE FOR LEGENDS FIGURE 1A: Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area FIGURE 1B: The FA on the right eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase FIGURE 2: The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye after laser photocoagulation was applied. FIGURE 3: The FA on the left eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase

Hulot in Mon Oncle :: Jacques Tati Charlie Chaplin

Jacques Tati’s irrepressible Mr. Hulot, along with Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp character, is one of the greatest examples of the everyman. He walks through life with a whimsy that becomes his trademark. Although dialogue is sparse, he exposes the curious intricacies of life from behind his trenchcoat and pipe. In Mon Oncle, Hulot goes on outings with his nephew while Tati elucidates the rather arduous issues of modernity. Hulot goes back and forth between the bourgeois neighborhood and what can only be described as the â€Å"modern sector† with a carelessness shared only by the mischievous children and lackadaisical canines that roam the streets. Hulot has no job, but his days remain filled with admiring children, the talkative street-folk and vendors, and his meddling sister in the modern sector. Altogether, the film has one of the most meager, yet clever uses of sound. Tati can do more with periodic buzzers and whistles than the average film could achieve with all of its modern technology, which is concomitant with the issues within the film. The only two exceptions to the slight soundtrack are the clamorous and deafening sounds of construction during the opening sequence and the technological mishaps at the plastic factory, both being examples of the entropy of modern life. While Hulot’s sister and her husband stammer around figuring out whether their awkward fountain is spouting or the phone is ringing, the altruistic Hulot contorts his window so the reflection prompts a caged bird to sing with delight. Tati parodies the sterile efficiency of the modern sector. First there is a montage of cars, each traveling at a uniform distance from the next, never an arrow unfollowed. In comparison, the Arpels (the sister’s family) step clumsily along the circuitous stone paths in their garden. The ineffable Hulot chooses either to walk freely, incongruous with the paths that have been laid out, or to navigate them deftly as if he were engaged in a game of hopscotch like the little children outside of his house. At times, Hulot can maneuver the cobblestones with obliviousness shared only by the family’s dachshund. The people’s movements in deference to the courtyard’s gravel squares are reminiscent of the characters moving around the checkerboard floors of a country estate in Renoir’s Rules of the Game (1939). The silly characters of Mon Oncle play around in a modern world that makes little sense to Hulot. He finds himself uncomfortable with the strange angles of the art-deco chair and grimaces humorously. His bout with the futuristic kitchen brings to memory a similar scene in Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times (1936) in which an unsuspecting