Final Exam Integrative Paragraph

    [1] This semester, we read the following professional essays and/or viewed the following media as a class in the following order:

Matt Jenkins’ “Maya Gold”

“Farming Women—In Their Own Words”

“This Blessed Earth” (NPR Podcast)

Antonio Burciaga’s “Tortillas”

Bruce Mau’s “Urbanity, Revised: To Imagine the Future, We Must Rethink the Meaning of a City”

Kathianne Kowalski’s “Megacities with Mega Challenges.”

Dustin Roasa’s “Cities of the Future—Made in China”

Cynthia Gurney’s “Life with Loss,” Part I

“The United Nations Earth Charter”

Robert Draper’s “Why Photography Matters”

Chitra Divakaruni’s “Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter”

[2] While reading or viewing five of these documents, I found that they shared the common theme of adaptation.  [3] The first essay or DVD to discuss this theme is Chitra  Divakaruni’s “Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter.” [4] This short story is about Mrs. Dutta, a widow who after prolonged illness decides to join her son and his family in America. [5] Things do not turn out as she expected and is unable to adapt to the new lifestyle.  [6] Eventually, she makes up her mind to return to India. [7] The first way the theme appears is when Mrs. Dutta arrived in America and wanted to go and meet Sagar’s neighbors. [8] Mrs. Dutta wanted to meet her new neighbors and share her favorite rasogollas as she had done with Mrs. Basu back in India. Shyamoli, her daughter in-law warned her against it explaining that in California people were busy and visiting them would imply invasion of privacy. [9] In the months that followed Mrs. Dutta was on the lookout hoping to make contacts with neighbors since she was home by herself after her son and his wife left for work and the kids to school. Once she attempted to make contact with a neighbour, but received no response.[10] The second way the theme appears is in the change in the family lifestyle roles.[11]  According to Indian culture, women are responsible for household chores, however in her son’s house, Sagars wife assigns him household tasks. [12] When Shyamoli asks Sagar to fold the clothes Mrs.Dutta finds it humiliating and offers to take it upon herself to do it. This annoys her son’s wife who alleges that they are equal since they both go to work and so they should attend to household duties together

[13] The second essay or DVD to discuss this theme is “The United Nations Earth Charter.” [14] This essay or DVD is about the global human responsibility towards a sustainable community by preserving the environment and engaging in favorable economic and social activities. It provides guidelines to ensure global harmony. [15] Building a sustainable global community is a collective responsibility of all humans. [16] Nations should therefore renew commitment to developing a sustainable global community. [17] The first way the theme appears is engaging in activities that preserve the environment.  [18] The articles advocate for activities that safeguard nature which includes wild animals and their habitats, recovery of endangered species and ecosystems.[19] The earth is dependent on a sustainable environment, failure to adapt ecological integrity pose a risk to the human existence. [20] The second way the theme appears is by advocating for peaceful co-existence among people. [21] Nations can achieve peaceful co-existence by practicing social, economic and political justice. [22] A peaceful nation provides favorable environment for economic growth and stability which is vital in eradication of poverty.

[23] The third essay or DVD to discuss this theme is “For Widows, Life After Loss By Cynthia Gorney.” [24] This essay or DVD is about the vulnerability and abuse of women after the loss of their husbands.  [25] The widows of Vrindavan, India, after the death of their husband are abandoned by their families and property taken away from them.[26] However, the widows have united to fight back against abuse and a chance to lead a life free of cultures that deprive them of their livelihoods. [27] The first way the theme appears is the change in their livelihood. [28] The widows are abandoned and live a life of poverty after they are denied their inheritance. [29] They are disregarded by relatives and exposed to the culture of inheritance where any other willing member of the family can remarry them. [30] The second way the theme appears is that the widows have to adopt a different way of dressing to symbolize widowhood or mourning. [31] They stop wearing colorful Saris and are only allowed to dress in white a sari which was a signifier that her husband is dead. [32] Some widows in India have their hair cut off since their beauty appealed only to their husbands who are already dead.  

[33] The fourth essay to discuss this theme is Bruce Mau’s “Urbanity, Revised: To Imagine the Future, We Must Rethink the Meaning of a City.” [34] This essay is about Urbanization and the possible effects of environment and society. [35] It emphasizes the need for people to embrace change and take advantage of new innovations that present an opportunity to live better lives.[36] In the process of urbanization, caution should be taken not to destroy cultural and environmental reserves. [37] The first way the theme appears is embracing technological capacities. [38] It involves the development of global information technology and the Internet. [39]The system has accelerated the development of new tools like geographic information systems and global mapping. [40] The second way the theme appears is Innovations on old technology to develop more efficient and environmental friendly machines.[41] Traditional motor vehicles caused noise and air pollution as a result of excess smoke and loud engines.[42] The new cars present a combination of beauty and freedom to its users and preserve the environment.

[43] The fifth essay or DVD to discuss this theme is “Farming Women—In Their Own Words” [44] This essay or DVD is about a woman who gives up her career as a lawyer to give in to farming. [45]  The woman’s life revolves around taking care of her family and farm animals.[46] She is not pleased with the rural life and advocates for change in the lifestyle. [47] The first way the theme appears is when she gives up her career to become a stay- at-home mum. [48] Instead she devoted her time to taking care of her daughter, poultry and cats at the farm. [49] This leads her to a life of isolation with no leisure activities. [50] The second way the theme appears is when she changes her line of career from law to education. [51] When she changes her line of career from law to education. [52] Eventually she lands a part-time job for a charity and also approves foster carers for Norfolk County Council.

[53] This semester, I read five documents pertaining to the theme of adaptation.  [54] The first document deals with the theme because the character moves to a new environment that requires Mrs. Dutta to adapt to a new lifestyle. [55] The second document deals with the theme because of the need for the world to adapt recommended measures so as to achieve a sustainable global community. [56] The third document deals with the theme because the widows of India need to adapt to the dynamics of life after the death of their husbands. [57] The fourth document deals with the theme because urbanization brings new and better innovations which people need to adapt to disregarding traditional modes.[58]  The fifth document deals with the theme because the woman gives up her career to live in the rural area and adapts to farming and family life.[59] From the five essays, it’s evident that change is inevitable and occurs in all aspects of life and therefore the need to embrace. [60] With active adaptation, the society can reap the benefits of positive change.