A Brief Note On Mrs. Lawson Boice Essay - 858 Words

CC Mrs. Lawson Boice is a 69-year-old female here today for a followup. HPI The patient was last seen in the office in February. Please see that note for complete details. She has several issues she would like to discuss today. She tells me that she has really been under a lot of stress of late. She had been caring for her sister, who has uterine cancer. In addition, her husband s brother recently died, and there have been issues regarding a property they co-owned. She sold her house in New York and is now renting a house here in Portsmouth. She feels all that she has been doing is moving and cleaning. She feels that she is a little bit settled, however and is hoping that she can get back to her normal regimen. She has not been walking as much as typical, and she would like to lose a couple of pounds and plans to get back into that, as well as her physical therapy exercises that she has been doing for her neuropathy. The patient has been diagnosed with bilateral peripheral neuropathy. She has been seeing Kishori Somyreddy, MD. Dr. Somyreddy recommended physical therapy, which she is not sure it helped with the neuropathy, but she does think it helps with her chronic back pain and she is feeling better from that standpoint. She has not been able to stick with the physical therapy exercises as much of late, but does plan on getting back to that now that she is settled and feeling less stress with all that she needs to do. Since the patient has a decided to

Frankenstein, By Mary Shelley - 902 Words

Mary Shelley’s life was constantly enveloped in tragedy and scandal, so it is no surprise that a despairing work of gothic science fiction would result form an ill-fated, tortured soul like Shelley. From the very beginning of her life, Shelley experienced great misfortune with the passing of her mother. Later on, three of her four children died in their infancy, and her husband drowned off the shore of Tuscany. It would not be hard to believe that it was this series of burdensome life events that acted as inspiration for Shelley’s melancholy novel. It is also no wonder that the heavy notion of â€Å"playing God† serves as a driving force for this book, after all, bringing her loved ones back to life was something that Shelley probably spent a great deal of time contemplating about. The novel most likely served as an outlet for those thoughts, helping her put things into perspective and not get beyond herself into a state of insanity. In the book’s introduc tion, we are presented with a quote by Shelley that describes a vision that inspired Frankenstein and her first image of what would eventually become Victor and the monster. â€Å"I saw-with shut eyes, but acute mental vision-I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion. Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be theShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1650 Words   |  7 Pagesbook of Frankenstein does one just think of a mythical science fiction book that really has no meaning? Frankenstein can have numerous meanings depending on how a person perceives it. Frankenstein can be analyzed into many themes; some say religion, feminism, or scientific symbolization, it all depends on ones own perception. When one analyzes further into Mary Shelly’s life and then interprets the novel it is obvious that is a sociological theme. One can simply assume that Mary Shelley creates FrankensteinRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley1093 W ords   |  4 Pagesfaster than man can contend with. That argument is the premises, moral, and plot base for Mary Shelleys tale Frankenstein. On the other hand, J. Michael Bishops, essay Enemies of Promise   on the other hand promotes and boast sciences achievements. However, Mary Shelley presents her point of view subtly yet very dramatically, which is much more effective than that of J. Michael Bishop. The dramatic story Shelley creates becomes a part of the reader, therefore holding the readers attention. ShelleysRead MoreMary Shelley Frankenstein859 Words   |  4 Pages Mary Shelley The Creature in Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus† needs a companionship as every ordinary human. Every man needs a woman, who will able to share moments of happiness and sadness, a woman who will be able to share thoughts and of course a woman who will be able to love a man. In this case the Creature needs a bride. But the problem is that the Creature from the â€Å"Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus† is not a human. SoRead MoreFrankenstein, by Mary Shelley1138 Words   |  5 PagesIs Frankenstein a man, whose ambition led to a disaster; or a monster, which created a life with disregard for the human race? Frankenstein, in my opinion, was the monster not the life that he had created. Frankenstein never admitted to his family what he had done, never admitted responsibility for his actions. He might as well have killed Elizabeth, William, Justine, and Clerval with his own hand. The so called â€Å"Monster† only wanted companionship; he did not want to murder those people. TheRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1325 Words   |  6 PagesI have been informed that you are pushing to remove the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley from the school curriculum. I’ve decided to write to you and explain why I believe that you are misinformed, and in fact, why this is a huge importance to the students of today. Frankenstein is a classic which recounts the life and horrors of Victor Frankenstein, as told through a series of letters and narrations. His obsession with the natural world and science brings him to a state of mind which ultimatelyRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1580 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley is a sci-fi novel written during the Romantic Movement in Britain’s early nineteenth century. The movement was stimulated by the French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and in reaction against the emphasis on reason in eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophy (The Romantic Movement, 2014 ). Mary Shelley’s husband, Percy Shelley was also a romantic poet during the movement. Shelley’s novel is evidently influenced by her relationship with her husband, which is illustratedRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley739 Words   |  3 Pagesinterconnections of humanity, nature, and divinity (â€Å"Romanticism 1†). English Romanticism being trendy in Europe, people would vent their outlooks onto their personal fiction works such as Mary Shelley. Shelley uses vivid creativity and romantic elements to create one of her admired novels, Frankenstein. In Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, most of the characters prove their compassion for mankind, prove their rejection of technology and science, and prove their involvement in a romantic quest. These several characteristicsRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1040 Words   |  5 Pages In 1818, a book titled Frankenstein was published anonymously, mysteriously dedicated to William Godwin, a prominent journal ist and political philosopher of his time. The immediate reviews of the novel were mixed, most edging towards critical, although no one knew who the book was written by. However, while Frankenstein failed to gain popularity immediately, no one had any idea the lasting impact this novel would have on the world. Despite the lukewarm reception at its debut, it soon proved to beRead MoreFrankenstein, by Mary Shelley1078 Words   |  5 PagesMary Shelley’s Frankenstein has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. Frankenstein’s direct association with fundamental Gothic literature is extremely renowned. However, the novel’s originality is derived from the foundational thematic values found within the relationship (or lack there of) between Victor Frankenstein and the monster he had created, in combination with a fascinatingly captivating plot. Understandably, Frankenstein can often be associated with a multitude of concepts; however,Read MoreFrankenstein, By Mary She lley1532 Words   |  7 PagesLike any author, especially one who created a new genre, there will be criticism, and Shelley is no exception. Shelley received criticism surrounding Frankenstein not only because she was a female writer, but because of her writing style. Originally, Frankenstein was published anonymously and was thought that her husband, Percy Shelley, wrote it (â€Å"Mary Shelley Biography† 2016). Shelley may have published Frankenstein anonymously because â€Å"’women understood that they got a â€Å"better hearing† if it was thought

Mount Everest Disaster The PRINCE2 Perspective Free Essays

string(41) " in the Managing Stage Boundaries stage\." our site – FREE ESSAYS – DISSERTATION EXAMPLES Introduction The Mount Everest Disaster of 1996was one of the greatest expedition failures in the history of climbing. Young, Hailey, and Neame (2010) focused on the leadership failures of the expedition, and found that a situational analysis should have been carried out. However, there were multiple errors in planning and strategy that led to the death of eight people that could have been avoided. We will write a custom essay sample on Mount Everest Disaster: The PRINCE2 Perspective or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sullivan (2007) approaches the failures from the risk-assessment perspective, stating that judgements were not made based on the basis of risk assessment, and there were no calculations performed before the dangerous expedition started. The below review of the disaster will highlight additional issues: lack of flexibility, performance and quality monitoring, and the inability to focus on the objectives of the project. The author of the current review will argue that using PRINCE2 project management approaches would have improved the feasibility of the project, allowing the team to succeed, eliminate or minimise risks, and remain focused on the desired outcomes. 2. Situational Analysis According to Young et al. (2010: 1), â€Å"climbing teams pre-determine turnaround times to signal descent or abandon summit efforts†. However, these turnaround times were estimates, and did not take into consideration weather conditions, the training level of climbers, etc. There were no calculations made regarding to major risks, such as performance reduction due to the lower oxygen level at high altitudes, dehydration, lack of sleep, and – most importantly – reduced decision-making abilities of leaders (Young et al., 2010). Further risks were not assessed, such as the surprise snowstorm that occurred between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. There were other risk factors that could have been addressed before the trip, such as the problems with radio communication. For example, the leaders assumed that two people were dead, and abandoned them, however, they were alive. By the time they returned to rescue them, they could not be saved. Leadership errors are also noted by Sullivan (2007), who concludes that the two leading guides were unable to make decisions about turning back without Fisher, with whom they could not communicate with. If they took the clients back to camp on time, noting that the turnaround time has passed, they could have saved their lives. 3. Why and How the Expedition Failed According to Sullivan (2007), several people believe that the severe weather conditions caused the death of mountaineers on the Everest in 1996. He, however, notes that â€Å"the weather was a risk that should have been considered more carefully by both leaders† (Sullivan 2007: 38). Based on that statement, it is clear that no risk assessment was completed, and no real-time situation monitoring was implemented. The other reason why the project failed is the lack of clear role definition in the leadership team. There was already a rivalry between Hall and Fischer (Sullivan 2007), and it was not clear who was responsible for supervising the Sherpas, waiting for clients, providing medical emergency services, or even tying the ropes. This confusion about ropes resulted in a lack of action and delay. Delay – in a mountaineering world – means more oxygen used, and less time to turn around. Therefore, the lack of planning and clear roles was also responsible for the disaster. As Sullivan (2007: 42) puts it: â€Å"commercial high-altitude mountaineering must be recognized as an activity of risk, not one of risk-taking†. Analysing the bad decisions made by Hall and Fischer, Roberto (2002) introduces the idea of the â€Å"sunk cost effect†. He provides a clear definition for this effect as: â€Å"the tendency for people to escalate commitment to a course of action in which they have made substantial prior investments of time, money, or other resources†. This, translated to the world of climbers and commercial mountaineers means that they carry on, despite they know they are failing at the task, in other words: they are overcommitted, and make irrational decisions. This was the reason why they did not turn the climbers around, and let them carry on against the odds. Even though they had a â€Å"two o’ clock rule†, as a latest turnaround time, they did not communicate this clearly with the team. 4. How PRINCE2 Could Have Improved Project Management 4.1. Process Fundamentals There were several failures regarding the project fundamentals. In PRINCE2, these are described as starting up a project, directing a project, initiating the project, controlling stage, managing product delivery, managing stage boundaries, and closing a project. Each of these fundamentals can be applied to a project of climbing the Everest. In the starting up phase, the leaders should have clearly identified the objective of the project: completing the climb and getting all climbers back to the base safely. In the directing phase, they should have ensured that all infrastructure and resources were available, in good working condition, and accessible. In the project initiation stage, the leaders should have communicated the rules and objectives clearly with the climber and the Sherpas. They should have created a common understanding of the project (CIPFA 2012). The main failures, however, occurred on the controlling and product delivery stages. Resource commitments were not agreed, a nd this meant that some climbers had to attempt reaching the camp without enough oxygen. There was simply no project manager who could have controlled the activities and created a stage plan. If there were controlling stages introduced, for example times when teams would communicate and provide updates, it would have been noticed on time that there were serious problems that needed solving. In the controlling stage, tolerances are also agreed (Murray 2010). If PRINCE2 was applied to the project, the different participants could have agreed on the acceptable deviance from the turnaround time, and many of the problems and communication errors could have been prevented. Similarly, if the framework was used in the development of the project, the product (expedition quality and safety) delivery would have been more controlled and better managed in the Managing Product Delivery stage. Finally, it is important to note that in the Managing Stage Boundaries stage. You read "Mount Everest Disaster: The PRINCE2 Perspective" in category "Essay examples" According to CIPFA (2012), this is the stage where â€Å"at each stage end, the continuing viability of the project should be confirmed†. If stage boundaries were created by the leaders, â€Å"reality checks† could have been completed, and it would have been clear that there was no chance to get all the participants safely home without oxygen. Based on benchmarking and evaluation, the project could have been abandoned (turning back), or redirected, modified. In the closing stage, the leaders should have identified lessons learned. More importantly, however, they should have learned from experience before starting the project, as they had many expeditions behind them, already. Reflecting on past and potential problems could have improved the overall project’s outcome and design. 4.2. Theme Fundamentals Based on the theme fundamentals of PRINCE2, it is clear that the weakest aspect of project design was risk. Managing uncertainties, such as weather, the physical condition of participants, communication systems’ reliability could have helped avoid risks that led to the death of climbers. There was no clear understanding and consensus on quality attributes the project wanted to achieve, and the plans were clearly not matched to the needs of participants (Plans Theme Fundamental). It is also necessary to highlight the fact that there was no clearly defined plan on dealing with changes, such as weather conditions, lateness. All the conditions, such as slow pace, not meeting deadlines had a negative impact on the project’s baseline aspects (CIPFA 2012). Continuous assessment of the viability of plans should have been carried out, such as performance monitoring, and the escalation of intervention plans if the project does not go according to plans. This control is in place t o help the project manager determine whether or not the project should go on or be abandoned. 4.3. Further Considerations As the TSO (2009a) guidance states, the key features of PRINCE2 for project managers are the clear definition of roles, authorities, and processes. If this framework was applied to the Everest expedition, all participants would have known what was expected from them in order to help achieve the acceptable quality product (outcome) (TSO 2009b). Marsh (1996) further explains the benefits of PRINCE2 for complicated projects: according to the summary provided by the authors, this system allows the clear definition of the requirements related to the organization itself, users, project managers, the operation team, and other stakeholders. If Hall and Fischer determined what was the desired outcome of the expedition, and identified processes that were needed to achieve them, assigning each individual with tasks, an advanced business system could have been developed. They could have agreed on set time-scales and project boundaries. 4.4. Application of PRINCE2 Principles The Oracle (2011) White Paper further explains the main principles of PRINCE2, and they can all be applied to the case examined in this study. The first principle is continued business justification. This relates to regular reviews of the progress of the project, and decisions made whether or not it meets the needs of the organization. If this principle was applied in the Everest expedition of 1996, it would have been found that – because of the lack of oxygen, severe weather, and lack of adherence to timescales – carrying on with the trip was not serving the interest of the stakeholders, and would not result in the outcomes planned by the team. Learning from experience is another principle that would have helped the leaders prevent risks. It is evident from Sullivan’s (2007) account that the two experienced leaders have experienced problems previously. If these problems and potential risks of their recurrence were assessed before the expedition, plans could hav e been made to address the issues. For example, both Hall and Fischer have taken inexperienced climbers on the same route, and knew that the lack of planning would result in groups breaking up. Hall did know about the lack of reliable radio communication, and decided not to address the issue. There were no managed roles and responsibilities; another principle of PRINCE2. Sullivan (2007) writes that one of the guides, Anatoli Bourkeev did not act as a guide at all. He was hours ahead of clients. This clearly shows that responsibilities and roles were defined, he would have stayed with the clients and carried supplementary oxygen. Managing by stages was also not applied, as the leaders and guides were too focused on delivering the service clients paid for (Roberto, 2002). Even though another principle of the system is â€Å"Focus on Products†, it refers to fulfilling the product descriptions: in this case the product’s description would have been safe delivery of expedition, preserving the health and safety of participants, leaders, and Sherpas. However, several members fell ill, including Hall who had a previously developed chronic condition, and many people had to be rescued. Managing by exceptions was another principle that – followed – would have made the expedition safer and more successful. No alerts were made when problems occurred. As Roberto (2002: 145) writes: â€Å"The guides as well felt uncomfortable speaking up. Neil Beidleman, a guide on the Mountain Madness expedition, has indicated that he had serious reservations about people climbing well past midday. However, he did not feel comfortable telling Fischer and other team members that they should turn around†. In PRINCE2, risk registers are created (London South Bank University 2016), and they are accessed and updated by all participants. If this procedure was followed, the identified risk could have been dealt with appropriately: by management, rejection, elimination, or minimisation. Finally, PRINCE2 could have been tailored to the project environment, taking into consideration the challenges, the training level and health of participants, and the resources available. 5. Lessons Learned for Project Managers Several lessons can be learned from the Everest disaster of 1999. The main cause of the failure of leaders to keep participants, leaders, and Sherpas safe was the lack of clear quality measures, roles, and risk assessment. The project was not managed and monitored by stages, and communication was poor. The project owners did not ensure that all the resources needed for delivering a quality product (outcome) were in place (initiating a project). Based on the above assessment, it is clear that applying PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes would have created better outcomes for the Everest expedition project. Bibliography CIPFA. 2012. PRINCE2 Quick Reference Guide. Ferguson, C. 2011. PRINCE2 for Small-scale Projects. Novare Consulting. London South Bank University. 2016. PRINCE2 Presentations and Lectures. Marsh, D., 1996. Project management and PRINCE. Health Informatics, 2(1), pp.21-27. Murray, A. 2010. White-paper: PRINCE2 AND Governance. Outperform. Document Number: 1042-01-01 Version Number: 1v0 Oracle. 2011. PeopleSoft Projects (ESA) Support for PRINCE2. An Oracle White Paper June 2011 Roberto, M.A., 2002. Lessons from Everest: The interaction of cognitive bias, psychological safety, and system complexity. California Management Review, 45(1), pp.136-158. Sullivan, P., Failure of Risk Management in the 1996 Everest Disaster. Discoveries. TSO. 2009a. Managing and Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2. The Stationary Office. TSO. 2009b. The Executive Guide to Directing Projects: within a PRINCE2â„ ¢ and MSP ® Environment, TSO 2009 Young, S., Healey, K. and Neame, V., The Everest Disaster. How to cite Mount Everest Disaster: The PRINCE2 Perspective, Essay examples

Speech Sounds by Octavia Butler free essay sample

Science fiction is a genre of literature that utilizes fiction to engage the political realities of its time and as stated its visions where usually about war and conquest. However, science fiction started to change in the 1950s and 1960s with the rise of identity politics and feminism. Non-white female authors, like Butler, came into this genre and brought with them new topics and concerns with which to write about. The feminist lens would recognize these concerns having more to do with experiments in social justice than with planetary conquest directly. As more and more females started writing science fiction, a new subgenre of feminist science fiction emerged that dealt with issues that were of particular concern to equality. Feminist science fiction entails engaging questions about gender, family and the social structures, individual autonomy, and the individual’s ability to control her body and sexuality. Octavia Butler expertly encompasses each of these points in â€Å"Speech Sounds. † The loss of communication and human speech is the catalyst for the breakdown of the social structure and the resultant chaos in the world that Rye lives in. The illness was stroke swift in the way it cut people down and stroke-like in some of its effectslanguage was always lost or severely impaired† (Butler,96) In order to understand how the loss of speech could ravage a society to such an extent, it is necessary to know the importance of language to a culture. At the most basic of levels it could be argued language allows culture to exist. Human speech has become so ingrained in our world and this story questions how humans would cope without it, particularly how a woman would cope . Communication gives us a sense of camaraderie, and simultaneously develops the systems and illusion of individualism that separates us. Language has some unique effects like providing a shared past, a shared future, allowing a shared perspective, and allowing shared, goal-directed behavior or establishment of gender roles. Destruction of language in the story shifts humans from logical speech based interaction to animalistic and instinctually guided. These atavistic laws of nature are what cause the complete and utter breakdown of her culture. Rye herself despises the state of her world. She does not want to bring a child into it and believes that the children that were growing up now should be pitied, saying â€Å"they [the children] ran through the streets . . . like chimpanzees. They had no future. They were now all they would ever be† (Butler 101), the people of this ravaged society have no past or future, there is only an eternal, visceral present. Giving Rye the ability to speak is another way that Butler inserts feminism into â€Å"Speech Sounds. † As seen in most societies, language holds power. Those who are heard most often traditionally have the power. The ruling class is the group of people with the loudest voice, usually men. This can be seen all throughout history, especially in the United States. The people with the ability to vote, and to have their voice heard, were the upper class white men. African Americans and women were not given this option, this power. Rye also embodies this in the story. When she comes across the two abandoned children that have the ability to speak, she, as one of the few who can also use language, finds herself with more power than she ever thought she would have again. Rye must now become a teacher and a protector (Butler 380). Because she can speak, Rye has a responsibility to these children to teach them how to also use this skill. They now look to her as an authoritative figure. Had she been more impaired and mute, these children would have never viewed her as someone to listen to, to follow. Rye has become powerful in their eyes. Rye is aware of this power she now has when she declares that â⠂¬Å"if the illness let these children alone, she could keep them alive† (Butler 107). Rye is, in a sense, the pioneer of the coming world. She is teaching the uture leaders the language, how to speak, and the power that comes with it- and a new world can be constructed depending on the perspectives that our chosen on how language should be used, she comforts them â€Å"Rye leamed against the window, looking at them, seeing that they were less afraid nowâ€Å"I’m Valerie Rye,it’s all right for you to talk to me. †Ã¢â‚¬  (108) The speechless world she is now a part of forces Rye to become weary of her neighbors, especially the violent and brutish men who have been most impaired, and develop an assertive attitude toward her own protection. Being one of the more intelligent survivors and retaining the ability to speak, Rye must take care to not draw the contempt and jealousy of the more severely infected onto her. As a result, Rye never went anywhere unarmed, because â€Å"in a world where the only likely common language was body language, being armed was often enough† (Butler 94). protected and not in need of a savior, male or otherwise. Even with her fear, Rye refuses to take on a submissive role regarding her own life. This brings up an interesting point about how Butler uses fear in her writings as both a fact of human life and a motivation for human action† . Rye’s fear of the more disabled and what they would do to her if they found out she was different prompts her to always carry a weapon. Butler’s work recognizes that humans are primarily concerned with personal security. Rye’s personality is what motivates her into taking a proactive stance on her own protection, instead of leaving her protection in the hands of others. By always having a weapon on her, Rye can be assured that she is in charge of her own well being and does not need a savior, male or otherwise. This is the ultimate example the female dominance that Butler places in her stories. Butler’s feminism can be clearly seen in Rye’s reluctance to depend on other people for help or protection. When the illness struck there was a man with the habit â€Å"of urinating wherever he happened to be that wanted Rye to become his third woman; he already had two other women that put up with him just for the sake of his protection† (Butler, 96). Rye wanted nothing to do with this man and was disgusted by him. She uses him as an affirmation that she was making the right decision by leaving the bus behind. She was more concerned with staying independent, than relying on another, even when he could have given her a semblance of safety. Even when the bearded man beckoned her to join him Rye â€Å"Shook her head in a universally understood negative. † (94) Versus jumping at the opportunity to be â€Å"saved†. She has come to rely only on herself since the illness struck that trusting an unknown, albeit handsome man is difficult for her. A key theme in Octavia Butler’s writing is the ability to adapt to change while simultaneously living to avoid such change. This thought can be seen in Rye’s uncertainty about whether to accept Obsidian’s offer of a ride or continue on her independent way. Many believe that feminism can be equated to self reliance. Feminism is the view that biology is not destiny and that men and women should be politically, economically, and socially equal . Rye has effectively embodied feminism through her acts of independence. She sees herself as being equal in all aspects of the men in her society. Rye does not give her more dominant actions a second thought. Butler also uses a female protagonist to fight against gender stratification in the story. Gender stratification is where humans assign males and females to separate groups where they learn what is expected of them and are â€Å"given different access to property, power, prestige, and other privileges available in their society† (Woolf 232). By having a female that is self reliant, assertive, and empowered, Butler combats this notion. The stratification of gender can be seen when the male passenger on the bus believes that Rye is having sex with Obsidian in exchange for the ride and that she should also accommodate him and the rest of the males on the bus (Butler 374). This type of attitude is often seen when men think that they have a right over women. Women are commonly seen as objects or perhaps of less importance. However, this concept is undone by Rye throughout the story. There are many instances in the story where Rye completely disregards this stratification. She was willing to shoot the man on the bus if he came any closer â€Å"They would also stand and watch her shoot him, would he push things that far? † (95), she is the one that instigates sex between her and Obsidian â€Å" She turned suddenly, fumbling for his small box, then urging him to make love to her again. (101), and she point blank shoots the man that murdered Obsidian â€Å" Rye shot the wounded man as he was turning the gun on her† (104). The expected passiveness of women in this society is obviously lost on Rye. She does not care about what is expected of her, or the limited amount of power and prestige that she supposedly holds. Rye effectively destroys all conservative thoughts on what it is to be a female protagonist. The situations that Rye face and her choices that result from them exemplify her as a dominant female. Rye’s dominance shows that she is not concerned with the norms that are expected with the stratification of gender. Instead, she does what it is that needs to be done. â€Å"Speech Sounds† is a prime example of how Octavia Butler is taking the genre of science fiction and turning it on its’ head. Not only is she a non white female author, she manages to integrate feminist views into a previously male dominated domain. Rye becomes a dominate force in a society that has been ravaged by the loss of speech and the subsequent breakdown of social order, and sheds light on new pathways towards the ability of language to construct any world it wants to .