Science - Radioisotopes

Radioisotopes are used in medicine, industry and for producing energy. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages to society.

A radioisotope is an isotope that is unstable and breaks down. They are used in medicine, industry and for producing energy.

An example of a radioisotope in medicine is Technetium 99. Technetium 99 is used in medical tests, bone scans and for imaging parts of the body. It is used for about 85% of medical procedures that use radioisotopes for treatment of disease and research.

A radioisotope used in industry is Americium 241. This radioisotope is used in most smoke alarms, nuclear batteries and used to determine where to drill for oil. Americium 241 is very useful to humans as it is not harmful when used in, for example, smoke detectors, which save people’s lives.

Uranium 238 is mostly used for producing nuclear energy. It is a good energy source as it doesn’t produce CO₂ and produces minimal waste. Although it is highly dangerous, it is starting to become one of the main energy sources in some countries for example France.

Radioisotopes have many benefits for us in society as we can use them in medicine; for treatment and research, industry; for home products and obtaining oil, and energy; to produce energy in more environmentally friendly ways. Although radioisotopes have many benefits, they also have disadvantages. For example, if radioactive material is exposed to an organism many times, it will have an effect depending on the organism’s resistant strength and the kind of radioisotope released.

Overall radioisotopes are very useful and helpful to us in every way in society.

Science - Nitrogen Cycle

Discuss the effect of human activity on the nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen is a major component of the earth’s atmosphere and is essential for all living organisms. It enters the food chain through bacteria and algae in the soil. The bacteria then forms nitrates out of atmospheric nitrogen which is dissolved in soil water by the roots of plants.  Nitrates are then incorporated by the plants to form proteins, which can then be spread through the food chain.  Nitrogen is also released into the environment when organisms omit waste or die.  Decomposers break down the corpses and wastes into nitrogen in the form of ammonia.  This nitrogen can then be used again by nitrifying bacteria to fix nitrogen for the plants.

Many human activities affect the nitrogen cycle including dumping of raw sewage, burning of fossil fuels, use of inorganic fertilizers, over mining nitrogen and overharvesting legumes. Dumping of raw sewage contains nitrogenous wastes therefore when large amounts of nitrogen collect in a water body, eutrophication can result, which is the accumulation of excess nutrients which causes an algae bloom.  The algae quickly deplete all of the oxygen in the water, making it uninhabitable for fish and other aquatic organisms.  Eutrophication can also result in plant communities saturated with nitrogen making the soil acidified and uninhabitable. Burning fossil fuels and wood contributes a large amount of nitric oxide in the atmosphere.  Nitric oxide can combine with oxygen gas to form nitrogen dioxide, which reacts with water vapour to form nitric acid. This can precipitate out of the atmosphere in the form of acid rain. The acid can damage trees and kill fish and other organisms. Overall many human activities are depleting our source of nitrogen and corrupting the nitrogen cycle. 

Everyday Stimulants

Everyday Stimulants

A stimulant is a substance that causes an increase in the activity of an organ of the body. The term usually refers to chemicals that excite or increase certain activities of the central nervous system.

Common Ingredients in Energy Drinks

·         Caffeine

·         B Vitamins

·         Sugars

·         Artificial sweeteners

Caffeine

The most common stimulant found in coffee, Coke and Mountain Dew but usually is found in much higher quantities in energy drinks. Most energy drinks contain between 70 and 200mg. For example, a can of Coke has 34mg of Caffeine.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system giving the body a sense of alertness. It can raise heart rate and blood pressure while dehydrating the body. A lot of people experience side effects above 200mg, which include sleeplessness, heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, and most commonly jitters.

Effect of Caffeine on Nervous System

Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant and there are some common symptoms that indicate too much caffeine consumption. In moderate doses it can:

•          Increase alertness
•          Reduce fine motor coordination
•          Headaches
•          Increased heartbeat
•          Nausea
•          Anxiety
•          Insomnia
•          Sweating
•          Dizziness
•          Vomiting
•          Cardiac arrest

These symptoms should be recognized and further caffeine intake should be stopped to avoid more serious and even life-threatening symptoms.

 Caffeine Disadvantages

Birth Control - women who regularly consume coffee and/or energy drinks reduce their chances of getting pregnant.

Caffeine may cause Gout.

Did you know that if you are under the influence of caffeine, you are easier to persuade than you are when you’ve had no caffeine?

Caffeine can cause incontinence in women - in other words; too much caffeine can cause women to pee their pants.

Caffeine Advantages

Prevent Strokes - Some caffeine addicts may well be on their way to prevent a stroke later in life.

Caffeine helps women more than men - It appears that women in stressful situations are benefited by caffeine while men under the same amounts of stress are actually hindered by the caffeine.

Weight loss booster - Caffeine has been used in diet pills and supplements for decades as a weight loss aid.

Prevents Brain Cancer - Yet another benefit of caffeine has potentially been discovered by researchers in the UK.

Interesting Facts

Top 3 Caffeinated Cities in America

1.       Seattle, Washington

2.       Portland, Oregon

3.       San Jose, California

Red Bull

A test done by 30 university students showed that one hour after a can of Red Bull is consumed, the body showed the cardiovascular profile of someone with heart disease. They believe that a chemical in the Red Bull causes the blood to become sticky which could cause blood clots.

Healthy Eating Habits

Healthy Eating Habits          

Healthy eating consists of consuming the types and quantities of foods that offer an ideal balance between nutrition and energy to support childhood growth as well as adult metabolism. This involves choosing foods with more of the health-promoting vitamins and minerals and less of the detrimental fats, cholesterol, sugar and sodium.

Healthy Eating

Nutrition has a considerable impact on our health and physical activity performance. Specific groups of people have varying nutritional requirements dependant on factors including age, gender, physical activity, pregnancy and weight management needs.

What is a Balanced diet?

A balanced diet is a diet that contains adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients required for healthy growth and activity. Some of the dietary guidelines provided and recommended by the Government for young people in Australia include:

·         Enjoying a wide variety of nutritious foods

·         Eating plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits                                           

                                   

Food Pyramid

A common way of breaking down the food groups is the food pyramid, which shows what foods to eat most, moderately and least. There are five groups which need to be balanced, foods at the bottom of the pyramid are the ones to eat the most – Breads and Cereals, and then as they continue up the pyramid to the foods at the top, those are the foods to eat least of – fats, oils and sweets.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally.

Regular moderate intensity physical activity – such as walking or cycling– has significant benefits for health.

Exercise

Along with healthy eating and good sleep patterns, exercise is a vital part of keeping our bodies fit and strong. It keeps our energy levels up, helps reduce stress levels and keeps us feeling good.

Make use of whatever is around you to fit physical activity into everyday life. An example is:

·         Using the stairs instead of lifts or escalators

Benefits of Physical Activity

Physical Activity can impact you mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. You feel fit, energetic, strong and healthy. If you've ever suffered from a lack of energy, say after an illness such as glandular fever, you'll know how good it is to have a healthy body and think more positively as physical activity:

• releases endorphins - these are the body's natural "feel good" chemicals

• It reduces stress and tension, making you more relaxed
• It can improve mental health and reduce depression. Studies have shown that outdoor physical activity is best if you can do it
• The Social enjoyment - make new friends, enjoy the fun of a social team
• It Means a strong heart and lungs - they'll last longer - and so will you!

How much Exercise

Experts agree that your exercise, at the very least, has to be moderately intense and has to be regular. The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians recommends at a minimum 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. (14)

Balancing exercise with what you eat

To have a balanced diet is when what you eat is equal to what you are burning off. The intake equals the expenditure. This means you are of healthy weight and are healthy.

An Unbalanced diet is when you are eating more than what you are burning off. The intake is greater than the expenditure. This is when your body can become overweight or more health problems can start to occur.

Eating Habits

Some of the many common eating patterns in adolescents include:
- skipping meals  especially breakfast
- inadequate consumption of nutrients and vegetables
- dieting
-eating outside the home

-soft drinks

Media Influences

As technology rapidly advances, we find ourselves more submersed in various forms of entertainment and communication. As shown in the previous video, the media is creating ‘false facades’ in which girls and boys think they are expected to look like. This is causing many health issues, as they try to fit with what they are shown.

Media and Culture

Society has always been expected to change their shape to maintain and keep up with the current fashion. The expectation of women and girls today is that they are to be thin. Men and boys are expected to be toned and fit.

Young people in today’s society are constantly exposed to pictures of teenage models and celebrities on television, billboards and magazines which are having their negative effects.

Australian Sport in 1900's

Sport

Sport in the 1900’s included Aussie Rules and Test cricket. Aussie Rules highly competitive between Victoria and New South Wales and Cricket was between England.

Aussie Rules Football, officially known as Australian Football, is a sport played between 2 teams of 18 players on a field, either an Australian Rules football field of modified cricket ground. The game was first played in 1859 in Melbourne, Victoria.

The Ashes, test cricket, is one of the oldest international cricket series. They involve 4 innings played between 2 teams of 11 over a period of a maximum of 5 days. The game is generally considered the ultimate test of playing ability and endurance in the sport. The first officially recognised test match was between Australia and England commenced on 15 March 1877, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Women on the Australian Home Front

Women on the Australian Home Front                                                                                          

August 23, 1914

It’s been 3 months since dad left to fight in the war. He sends letters but they are always half cut out which mum is worried about. Yesterday we sought to be more involved in the war by signing up to help as weapons workers but the government refused our participation. Ever since dad left we’ve nearly had no income as all we can do is volunteer work with the Red Cross. We spend each day sewing clothes for the soldiers and putting together first aid packs for the nurses. It is not much but it’s something we know will help our soldiers fighting for us.

Today I will try to join the printing company as that is where dad worked. I won’t be paid as much as he was for the job, but hopefully there will be enough to support my family.

Sarah.

October 4, 1918

The printing industry has been good experience and I always know what is happening in the war through all the papers. Mum also joined the printing, along with many other women, but the income is still too low for this to be our only job. We have been sewing clothes for the soldiers every day, sending them through the Australian Comforts Fund. Ever since we found out that dad had died from a foot infection we have been sewing more socks as we hope the other soldiers will not experience the same infection as he did.

Everyone expects an end to the war soon. We hope this will be as we have already lost many men. We need the rest to come home.

Sarah.

Bibliography

Websites

Betty Archdale library Guides (2012). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://abbotsleigh.libguides.com/content.php?pid=370310&sid=3033422

Women’s Role and Place (2009). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/homefront/women.html

Women in Wartime (2009). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/women-in-wartime 

Vera Deakin (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from  http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/redcross/vera_deakin/

Women (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww2/homefront/women.html

First World War 1914-1918 (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1.asp

About Us (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.redcross.org.au/aboutus_history_australia_default.htm

Australian Women’s Nationals League (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0269b.htm

Australian Comforts Fund (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0988b.htm

Australian Women’s Land Army (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0393b.htm

Women’s Peace Army (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0542b.htm

Newspaper Articles

Morgan, J. (2009, April 20) At the going down of the sun. The Southern Times.  Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=2737b7a3-28d0-4366-928c-08d3738a2144%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=anh&AN=SLT0904200016115611954-DH

Bartley, K. Women sitting in a Sydney park, waiting. Dubbo Daily Liberal. (2011, February 10) Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=e3412324-141c-41db-88fe-291cdfac88e4%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=anh&AN=SYD-5YAQXBFN0U8FFG57KIT

Online Encyclopaedias

World War I (2012). Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648646/World-War-I/53114/Forces-and-resources-of-the-combatant-nations-in-1914

World War I (2012). Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar610440&st=world+war+1+australian+home+front 

Australia to 1914

Australia to 1914

History of Australia

1770 – Captain Cook visits the east coast of Australia

1788 – Governor Phillip arrives in Botany Bay

1850s – The time of the gold rushes

1901 – Federation is achieved

1915 – Australia soldiers fight at Gallipoli

1930s – The time of the Great Depression

1939 – World War Two begins

1942 – Japanese submarines enter Sydney Harbour

1960s – The time of the women’s liberation movement

1970s – The time of the Vietnam War

1992 – Aboriginal people in Australia gain some land rights through the legal system

1999 – Australians vote on whether to become a republic

2000 – The most recent year Australia hosted the Olympics

Why was Australia a working man’s paradise?

-          Climate was generally better in Australia

-          Workers enjoyed a better diet as meat and tea were part of the daily diet of most Australians but were considered luxuries by many English workers

-          A higher proportion of workers in Australia owned their own homes compared to English workers, however, this was only a small portion

-          Rents were generally higher in England than in Australia

-          Australia had trade unions

The catch was…

o   Australian rural workers experienced hardships during droughts, floods and bushfires

o   The 8 hour working day was achieved, however, it only applied to certain skilled tradespeople and not the majority of workers who were unskilled. It certainly did not apply to women and child workers nor Aboriginal, Pacific Islander or Chinese workers.

o   Trade Unions did not represent all workers and as such many were not protected by them.

Trade Union - A group that represents workers and gives them rights.

Why were Trade Unions appealing to workers?

Workers conditions could be improved as well as pay and hours. If anything bad happened they had insurance.

What was the difference between a skilled and unskilled worker?

A skilled worker had a trade (eg. Plumber) and had more rights whereas an unskilled worker had no trade.

Federation For and Against

For	Against
Nationalism	Travel and Communication
Unity	Inequality
Transport	Taxes
Taxes	Defence
Defence	Trade
Trade	Convicts
Immigration	Foreign Labour
Foreign Labour	Worker’s rights
	Costs

Federation Achieved

Federation was a long process. There were two conventions, the first one took place in Sydney and it was voted no. The second took place in Melbourne and it was voted that Australia would become a federation. It took 12 years, from 1889 to 1901.

The Immigration Restriction Act

Most of Australia as well as the government wanted a White Australia. The Australians (mostly British and Irish) at the time also had a general fear of other nations. There was rivalry between other nations for employment, as economic alleys could be paid less. For these reasons the Immigration Restriction Act was implemented.

Federal/Commonwealth – National

Referendum – nationwide vote to alter the constitution

Governor-General – Australian Head of State

                Queen à Governor-General à Prime Minister

Constitution – a set of rules by which a country is run

The Houses of Parliament

The House of Representatives (Green/Lower House) represents the people. They pass bills to the Senate who decide if they pass them on. The Senate (Red/Upper House) protects the rights of each state equally. All of Australian states are equal under the Constitution and the Senate has representatives from the six states and two territories.

Social Legislation

Invalid and Old Age Pension Act

Those who benefited	Those who did not
-          Men aged 65 +	-          Aboriginal, Asian and Pacific Islanders
-          Women aged 60 +	-          Those who died before 65/60

Maternity Allowances Act

Those who benefited	Those who did not
-          Mothers with a new born baby	-          If mother was Asian, Aboriginal or Pacific Islander

Classes in Australian Society – Upper Class, Middle Class and Lower Class

Why was suffrage a prevalent idea in Australia at the beginning of the Twentieth Century?

Fighting for women’s rights to vote.

Federation achieved – January 1^st , 1901

Name of the Pacific Islanders brought to Australia to work on the Queensland sugar fields – The Kanakas

Father of Federation – Henry Parkes

The Australian Women’s Sphere – bad men like boxers, opium dealers, wife bashes and prisoners can vote but intellectual and educated women can’t.

Tropical Cyclones

Tropical Cyclones

What are they?
Tropical Cyclones are a particular type of low pressure system. They are areas of warm, moist air rising rapidly. The upward flow of air is deflected by the Carioles Effect, creating a rotation around the central core, known as the ‘eye.’

Where are they found?

They are found on the coast.

Where do they form?
Tropical Cyclones form on warm water (sea water at least 27° Celsius). They need the energy provided form the warm water vapour and usually die out if they move inland away from the water vapour.

What do they result in?
If a tropical cyclone occurs near large population centres, they can cause extensive damage to property and the loss of life. There are also strong winds, heavy rain and high seas. They can be both deadly and costly.

Which direction does the wind blow around them?
In the northern hemisphere, the winds blow counter clockwise around the eye of the cyclone. In the southern hemisphere, the winds blow clockwise around the eye of the cyclone.

What is the ‘eye’ of a cyclone?
The eye of the cyclone is the centre of the cyclone.

What happened in Cyclone Tracey?
In Cyclone Tracey, it started with the Bureau of Meteorology detecting a low pressure system several hundred kilometres north of Darwin. However by late the next day it could be detected as a cyclone. Cyclone Tracey intensified as it moved towards the coast of Darwin, and on Christmas Day it hit Darwin with gusts ranging from 217-240 kilometres per hour. As it moved further inland, it degenerated into rain. Cyclone Tracey was a small cyclone in area but very intense. Its destructive effect was total, because it passed directly over Darwin and hit just as the residents were preparing to enjoy themselves for Christmas. It was Australia’s most destructive cyclone with 65 deaths- 16 of which were reported missing at sea. 80% of Australia’s banana crops and 20% of Australia’s sugar cane crops were ruined, and destroying $800 million worth of property.

Biophysical Environment of Antarctica

Biophysical Environment of Antarctica

Temperature:

-          -50°C

Water/Ice:

-          More than 80% of water the world’s fresh water is found in Antarctica

-          Low levels of precipitation

-          Glaciers – solid ice flowing like a river/moving

-          Where glacier meets the sea = ice shelf. Biggest shelf as big as France

-          When ice shelves break apart floating pieces of ice are formed (ice bergs)

Plants:

-          Gain warmth from snow layers (sub-nivean layer)

-          Adapted to cold temperatures

Ocean:

-          +2 to -2 degrees Celsius

Animals:

-          Penguin’s round bodies conserve heat

-          Thick blubber to keep warm (seals), penguins having feathers

-          Only parts not covered by feathers being feet

-          Feathers keep body temp the same as humans even when swimming in sea

-          Huddle together also to keep warm in high winds (Emperor penguins)

-          Fish have antifreeze in their blood to stop them from freezing in the water.

The Civil Rights - Timeline

The Civil Rights

1954 -- U.S. Supreme Court declares school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling.

1955 -- Federal Interstate Commerce Commission bans segregation on interstate trains and buses.

1962 -- President Kennedy sends federal troops to the University of Mississippi to quell riots so that James Meredith, the school's first black student, can attend.

1963 -- Civil rights leader Medgar Evers is killed by a sniper's bullet.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers "I Have a Dream" speech to hundreds of thousands at the March on Washington.

Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, leaves four young black girls dead.

1965 -- March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to demand protection for voting rights; two civil rights workers slain earlier in the year in Selma.

New voting rights act signed.

1968 -- Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee; James Earl Ray later convicted and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Poor People's March on Washington -- planned by King before his death -- goes on.

1973 -- Maynard Jackson (Atlanta), first black elected mayor of a major Southern U.S. city.

1983 -- Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday established.

1989 -- L. Douglas Wilder (Virginia) becomes first black elected governor.

1990 -- President Bush vetoes a civil rights bill he says would impose quotas for employers; weaker bill passes muster in 1991.

1996 -- Supreme Court rules consideration of race in creating congressional districts is unconstitutional.

To Kill A Mockingbird - report

Report for Jeremy Atticus Finch

By Arthur Radley (“Boo”)

Over the years I have watched young Jem grow up to become much like his father Atticus. As more time passes, his understanding increases but he still has a lot to learn before he understands the truth. Recently he has been playing this new “game” with Dill and Scout which is imitating my family. Sometimes the game is a little disturbing but otherwise it is quite humorous at seeing their views of my family. I must say they have some strange interpretations of my family including that I am dead which I have no idea where they heard that from. Although Jem is becoming more responsible, he needs to think more about his actions, especially towards Scout. Scout follows Jem in most games and adventures but most of the time I’m sure that she doesn’t agree with some of the things Jem wants to do. It definitely wasn’t smart pushing Scout into my yard on a tire since she was only a small girl and is easily scared. Overall Jem should take more responsibility in his actions. He also has a very short temper and quick at making decisions which I have discovered over many years of watching. After Jem, Dill and Scout came into my yard, and nearly got shot by my dad, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Jem came back to retrieve his pants as I’m sure he wouldn’t want to be yelled at by Atticus. I tried to mend his pants for him but did a pretty clumsy job, just to help him out. I certainly didn’t want him to be shot by my dad as that would cause a lot of trouble for the rest of my life and the Finch’s. Jem would have guessed it was me as it couldn’t have been anyone else that I know of. Overall, Jem is learning more every day, increasing his understanding and knowledge of the events occurring in Maycomb. He should improve on taking responsibility for his actions and taking into account Scout’s views and opinions.

To Autumn Essay

How does Keats' 'To Autumn' engage with the concerns of the Romantic Period?

Keats’ ‘To Autumn’ engages with concerns of the Romantic Period through imagination, emotions and nature. These aspects of Romanticism give an insightful context to the poem. Keats’ main focus is the personification of autumn and the highly structured but irregular rhyme scheme to give a stronger emphasis to the words and expressions he wants the reader to feel.

Imagery is widely used throughout ‘To Autumn’ to help the reader imagine exactly what Keats is explaining and describing in the poem. Imagery is mainly used to emphasise the abundance of autumn for example "With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run". This shows the plentiful amount of fruit and vines due to the goodness of autumn. Keats also uses onomatopoeia, for example “oozings”, to picture imagery. Abundance is again shown in his strange example, “poppies” which is a drug known as opium, which states that autumn is intoxicated by the richness of the season. Finally, imagery of abundance is built up throughout the poem using verbs, "bend", "fill", "swell", "plump", "budding", "more" and "still more", which also show the power of nature.

‘To Autumn’ shows the love and power of nature through the human nature in the natural world. Keats personifies “autumn” by calling it the enabler of harvest time and harvest worker. The relationship between natures is also shown; “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun". This shows the relationship between the sun and autumn. Nature is shown as very abundant and plentiful throughout the poem but as each stanza ends, the ghost of death, winter, is anticipated to come eventually, changing the entire mood of the poem in one line.

The mood is being changed dramatically throughout ‘To Autumn’ giving a more sophisticated understanding to the poem. The abundance of nature is also shown through emotion throughout the poem for example, “mourn” is used to show how Keats is mourning or crying for the beautiful weather of autumn. Anticipation is also frequent in this poem as Keats is always accepting the inevitable at the end of each stanza which is that the ghost that haunts him and that which will end autumn and all abundance, will come and that is death. This is shown at the end of each stanza for example; "For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells" and "Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours”. These clearly show the dreading feeling Keats creates.

In Conclusion, Keats clearly shows imagination, nature and emotion throughout poem. He also shows the abundance of nature around the human nature in this natural world. Keats love for nature is shown throughout each stanza but also his acceptance of the inevitable ghost of death and winter. Overall, Keats is watching the final days of autumn and enjoying and celebrating the beauty of it. 

Homer, the Odyssey - The Song of the Sirens

How is imagery used to emphasise the dangerous nature of the sirens?

Imagery is used in many ways to emphasise the nature of the sirens and many examples of this is shown in Homer, the Odyssey-The Song of the Sirens. In the first line the sirens are describes as ‘crying beauty to bewitch’. This shows us the sirens are extremely beautiful but also crying which puts a shiver through our body. Their beautiful woman/bird features is what bewitches the men into coming to them and falling under their spell. In this poem the sirens are singing, supposedly a melody that could steal your heart away, on a sweet meadow, lolling, in the middle of an ocean. When you think of a meadow you would think of grass then the sirens ‘lolling’ around on it. It’s a strange scene to imagine but this is what the sirens did to get the men’s attention and desire. Near the end of the poem you see the gruesome and dangerousness of the sirens. On the meadows are rotting men who had previously fallen under the spell of the sirens so ships passing by would try do all they can to avoid the meadow. ‘The Song of the Sirens’ is a great poem which describes the sirens well that you can imagine what the story would be like in real life. The use of oxymoron’s in the poem also helps us imagine the sirens. Overall imagery is shown in using words that describe the sirens in many ways giving a dangerous and uneasy nature to them.