An Analysis of Hiltons Lost Horizon Essays -- Lost Horizon Essays

An Analysis of Hilton's Lost Horizon      Ã‚   "...the horizon lifted like a curtain; time expanded and space contracted" In James Hilton's Lost Horizon, the reader is promptly enticed to trek along with Hugh Conway and the three other kidnapped passengers, Charles Mallinson, Miss Brinklow, and Henry Barnard. Hilton commences his novel by utilizing the literary technique of a frame. At a dinner meeting, friends share their insights into life, and eventually, from a neurologist, and friend of Conway, evolves the story of Conway's exotic adventures. Apparently, Conway and the other three characters were on a plane that was hijacked by a member of the mystic civilization of Shangri-La. After crashing in the midst of nowhere, Conway led his group out of the plane and as they began to search for help, Chang and a group of Shangri-La men intercepted them and escorted them back to their lamasery. Eventually they realize they are not permitted to leave its boundaries, as the proviso of entering the Valley of the Blue Moon, Shangri-La, is that one cannot leave. Weeks pass, and the kidnapped crew, with the exception of Mallinson, become accustomed to the Shangri-La way of life, namely moderation, as well as spiritual and intellectual growth. Conway, able to decipher numerous languages including Chinese was able to decode their "gibberish" and get a better idea what was going on. Eventually, through the telepathy of the ethereal High Lama, also the founder of the civilization (some two hundreds years previous), calls Conway to a meeting. Hilton's "mini" climaxes, keep the reader compelled as he reveals more and more about this enigmatic place. As the novel continues, Conway is enlightened with the "inside scoop," and soon enough... ...ut it, "Things happen to you and you just let them happen." The most prominent concept of the novel and the community of the Valley of the Blue Moon (Shangri-La) was the "time stands still" enigma. To live over a hundred years is quite a feat, but in this civilization it was the norm. In Shangri-La, when you reached a hundred years of age you were "promoted" to lamahood. They figured that by the time you were a hundred all the "passions and moods of ordinary life are likely to have disappeared," and then you'd be able to search for that inner meaning of life. The paradoxes of life and death, and the question everyone ponders, Why?    Works Cited and Consulted Bellamy, Edward.   Looking Backward.   New York: New American Library, 1982. Hilton, James.   Lost Horizon.   New York: Pocket Books, 1984. Voltaire. Candide. London: Penguin Books; 1947.   

Intro to Aeronautical Science

Over the years I have been impressed at the armed services and their success In the very risky business of aviation. It Is truly amazing to imagine a high school graduate trusted with the lives of others after a very short block of instructions and what seem to be streamlined training. Recently, a very Junior mechanic was working with a few of his peers on the rotor system of a helicopter in our fleet. Sometime during the wee hours of the morning, almost to the end of a graveyard 12 hour shift, the JuniorSoldier saw something bounce off the engine inlet and straight in. The Soldiers up above acknowledge dropping some hardware from a bag and come down from the aircraft to see if they could retrieve it. The area was an unimproved hardstand but with the harsh environment we face while deployed, it Is very difficult to account for everything that hits the floor. After hours of looking, Inspecting and even an engine bore scope, no hardware could be seen in the inlet or internals of the en gine.Many doubted the junior soldiers' recollection after his long hard night. The technical Inspector, Maintenance test pilot and Production control Officer all weight in after all the precautionary Inspections were done but the Junior soldier stood his ground and was the most important safety officer that day. The engine was removed and set to the shop for teardrop and inspection. Prior to tear down, the engine was hung upright with the inlet pointed to the ground.The output shaft was spun In the hopes that the said hardware fall to the ground. No hardware was found. The teardrop begun and to the amazement of all involved, a 5/1 6 nut was discovered concealed beyond the inlet guide veins. The pressure was finally released from the shoulders of all involved and the hero of the day was the fresh out of high school soldier who understood the Implications of a simple 5/16 nut going through the compressor blades of a Jet engine.

Sex, Gender, And Communication - 1233 Words

A Response to â€Å"Sex, Gender, and Communication in Small Groups† Throughout this course, a focus of study has been the discrepancies between how men and women communicate in a group. The article â€Å"Sex, Gender, and Communication in Small Groups† by Nina M. Reich and Julia T. Wood focuses on many of these differences, while also providing similarities between how both men and women communicate. To begin, Reich and Wood start by making the important distinction between sex and gender. Sex is the biological difference between the two, which includes different reproductive organs, different hormones, and more. Gender is a cultural construct used to differentiate between masculinity and femininity. Gender’s meaning is not universal or stable, but†¦show more content†¦Reich and Wood take this analysis further by showing that even with their typical differences, both men and women are similar in that they act to achieve goals, are ambitious, value support ive relationships, seek and exercise leadership, and are assertive and deferential (Aries 1996; Burleson in Press). All of this information corroborates what was said in class, and further strengthens the idea that there are differences in masculine and feminine communication styles, which can contribute to misunderstandings between the sexes. This study, however, shows that regardless of how the communication is occurring, all humans are searching for the same foundational values, including reaching a goal. I think that this is valuable information because it furthers the research presented in class by highlighting that regardless of communication style, there is purpose and validity to all forms of communication. 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