Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Writing - Essay Example However, Hou Hsai-hsien has used the concept of the red balloon in the context of modern day Paris. Hou Hsai-hsien’s film seems to underline the change in the perception of childhood since the 1950s. The little boy Pascal (The Red Balloon) and Simon (Flight of the Red Balloon) live two different types of life set apart by the time to which they belong. Their childhood too seems to be suffering from the whims of the adult world. The red balloon that connects both the films and gives the feel of continuity is the only representation of a child’s free spirit and imagination. Albert Lamorisse in his film The Red Balloon portrays childhood as a fairytale world where a child’s dream comes true. The big and bright red balloon brings variation in the otherwise monotonous life of Pascal. Lamorisse seems to stress upon the fact that childhood often gets lost in the attempt of making children live under strict routine. Pascal breaks free from the mechanical life with getting the balloon. He tries to shield it and protect it from the violence of nature and the human world. It seems as though he is trying to keep his imagination away from the clutches of harsh reality and live in his own imaginative world. The red balloon which stands for a child’s fantasy and boundless imagination follows Pascal everywhere. This sense of dependence and attachment that they bear for each other indicates the child’s love for his own imaginative world. But finally reality takes over as the older boys out of jealousy and the pleasure of bullying him steal his re d balloon and pelt stones at it. The conclusion of the film is made unique and full of optimism as Lamorisse does not project the death of a child’s imagination but by setting Pascal on a flight with the colorful balloons triggers childhood fancy. Hou Hsai-hsien’s Flight of the Red Balloon treats the red balloon as the icon of childhood

Marijuana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marijuana - Essay Example This paper discusses legalization of marijuana, as a contemporary issue, with an opinion that the drug should be legalized for its potential benefits to the society and the nation. The paper reviews existing opinions on whether the drug should be legalized or not. One of the major concerns that have led to calls for legalization of marijuana is its diverse potential benefits to the society. Most significant benefit of the drug is its application as medicine following identified adverse effects of chemical based medicines. With increasing rate of depression and diseases such as cancer, and with emergent of adverse effects of the applied drugs for their prevention and treatment, scientists and doctors have appreciated the need for treatment approaches to which patients’ bodies do not adversely react. Natural medicines have as a result become a focus, owing to their less significant side effects as compared to industrial medicines. Chemotherapy and anti-depression pills, as contr ol and treatment methods, have for example exhibited extreme side effects that could even cause people to resort to suicide as a means of getting away from pain and suffering that they live in. However, with better research and newly developed technology, scientists have found that a majority of natural supplements are healthier for treatment of certain illnesses. Medicinal application marijuana, for instance, has many benefits and is currently prescribed to patients with diseases ranging from Alzheimer to HIV, to help with treatments. The drug is also effective in managing stress and depression and therefore makes life a little simpler. Even though marijuana portrays many medicinal benefits, its advantages should not be used as a way to promoting abuse. This means that its use should be regulated like in cases of alcohol and tobacco, whose consumption effects are in some cases worse than marijuana’s. Debates are currently ongoing, both in Congress and all over the world, on whether to legalize marijuana or not. Even though it is still illegal, marijuana’s consumption is widespread and most Americans have at least tried it, or are using it to help them overcome stress. The drug is also an ‘all-natural’ plant that grows anywhere in the world has high demand and supply. The root cause of its contention, however, is the fact that drug lords and marijuana growers started adding chemicals to the commodity. This causes users to become addicted to the modified product and after a while of use, start consuming stronger drugs. That is why marijuana is called a gateway drug. Should Congress pass the bill to legalize marijuana, Food and Drug Administration agency will supervise the product’s sale and consumption. It will be legally available to the public from pharmacies and sold on prescription. Gangs and drug dealers will not sell it on the streets, due to the vast drop in prices from the legalization, and its consequential easy access to the public. Right now, however, if there were no marijuana in the streets, people would be forced to use worse drugs, like cocaine, or crystal meth; those types of drugs that can affect a person’s health physically, mentally, and are highly addictive. Social responsibility, rather than legal restrictions, can better resolve the opposing opinions over legalization of marijuana. In Saudi Arabia for instance, people do not accept drugs socially or