Piggys role as a confidant essays

Piggy's role as a confidant essays In every novel, the author selects a certain character to embody the essence of a hero. This character may posses certain admirable qualities such as communication, strength, or the unconquerable will to overcome adversity. William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, is no different in choosing Ralph to represent a reliable boy who could save the other children from their undeniable deaths. However compelling the hero may be, he often times encounters turmoil within himself seeking a companion to help him. Piggy, the most rational and intelligent of the boys, is willing to aid Ralph by not only helping him uphold their community, but also by helping him cope with the agonizing levels of hatred and carnage present on the island. Ralphs relatively tall stature and confident character allow the other boys to naturally elect him as their leader. Piggy, on the other hand, lacks the appearance, charisma and confidence that Ralph subliminally displays. His knees were plump...he was shorter than the fair boy...and very fat (7). Ralph proudly accepts the role of the leader, oblivious to the pressures that would later follow. Since Piggy has a low self-esteem, he quickly associates himself with Ralph in order to secure his position as Ralphs companion. This is a decision that Ralph would later come to appreciate. Little did Ralph know that the duties of his position would later lead him to console in Piggy. Piggy willingly listens to Ralph and together they try to protect the island from Jacks menacing ways. Piggy is comfortable with being seen as a right hand man in order to acquire a friend and provide assistance to the survival of the community. In the beginning of the novel, Piggy does not act as Ralphs therapist, but he does provide him with some words of wisdom. Ralph often returns the favor by reprimanding and ridiculing Piggy for hi ...

Learn Why Onions Make You Cry

Learn Why Onions Make You Cry Unless youve managed to avoid cooking entirely, youve probably experienced the burning and tearing from vapors that cutting up an onion produces. Cutting an onion bursts its cells, producing a chemical process which releases the contents of those cells into the immediate atmosphere, causing you to tear up as you slice and dice. Acid Effect Amino acid sulfoxides form sulfenic acids as you slice into an onion. These enzymes which were isolated are now free to mix with the sulfenic acids to produce ​propanethial S-oxide, a volatile sulfur compound gas which wafts upward and into your eyes. This gas reacts with the water in your tears to form sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid burns, stimulating your eyes to release more tears to wash the irritant away. Stop Crying There are a few ways to curb the chemical process which causes you to cry when cutting an onion, including: Cook the onion. Cooking inactivates the enzyme, so while the smell of cooked onion may be strong, it doesnt burn your eyes.Wear  safety goggles or run a fan. This actually prevents the vapors from the compound  entering your  eyes or blows the compound vapors safely away.Refrigerate the onion before cutting. Cooling slows reactions and changes the chemistry inside the onion. The same effect can be accomplished by cutting the onion under water.Use stainless steel. The sulfur-containing compounds also leave a characteristic odor on your fingers. You may be able to remove or reduce some of the smell- and tears- by wiping your fingers on a stainless steel odor absorber. Other Methods A few more proven methods for avoiding the waterworks while cutting into or preparing an onion involve  cooking prep methods such as locating the root, removing the bulb and even slicing lengthwise before dicing. So, take heart: With a little preparation and an understanding of basic chemistry, you can slice, dice and cook an onion without ever shedding a tear.