The Effects Of Pollution On Human Health - 2210 Words

Around the world, 780 million people do not have access to clean water; an abundant percentage of this comes from pollution by humans (Facts and Figures). Water pollution is a significant problem for the environment, the wildlife, and human health. Furthermore, air pollution destroys the ozone layer which may continue to allow ultraviolet (UV) lights to touch the Earth’s surface destroying the world even more. Acid rain, being a harmful substance to not only humans but the environment as well, releases harmful chemicals that affect human health and forests. Forest pollution is a enormous issue in today s society; 31% percent of the Earth is covered by forests, yet humans continue to destroy forests everyday (Deforestation). Forests are a vital source of oxygen for the world and the percentage of forests continue to decrease. The actions of humans continuously put out pollutants that are harmful to humans, wildlife, and inclusively, the world and if the processes of pollution are not controlled, the whole world will come crumbling down. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), dirty water is one of the world’s biggest health issues; this is due to the runoff of rain into a clean water source. Drinking dirty water kills approximately 50 people worldwide every year (Water Pollution). There are two sources of pollution: Point Sources are natural causes, like runoff or acid rain. When it rains, the water is carried down onto roofs, sidewalks, and multipleShow MoreRelatedPollution And Its Effect On Human Health1776 Words   |  8 PagesPollution is a widespread issue, affecting every part of the world mercilessly. Pollution’s main target is human health. It can impact human health in many ways as the forms of pollution are nearly endless and ever-present. Pollution is versatile and has many categories and subcategories as well as impacting everything around us. The air we breathe, the soil where our food is grown, and the wate r we drink are all possible and current candidates of pollution. These types of pollution all fall underRead MoreEffects Of Air Pollution On Human Health1319 Words   |  6 PagesCareful What You Breathe In: Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health The idea that we, as a global community, are destroying the very earth we commonly share is something that takes time for people to fully understand. It takes research and a open mind to be knowledgeable about the environmental issues the human race is causing to planet earth, as well as the issues that it is causes to our personal health. Air pollution is a large problem that exists in the United States. However, the challengeRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health850 Words   |  4 Pagesincreasing, so does pollution. The debate associated with this contamination on the environment has to do with how much should be done to stop pollution, and whether or not this is a serious enough issue to be concerned with. Well, this issue should disturb people. The most frightening point about it is that these poisonous impurities infect the Earth in multiple forms, including air pollution and water pollution. The value of Earth is incomparable, and the presence of pollution dev aluing it needsRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health1874 Words   |  8 PagesAIR POLLUTION Do you know 3.3 million people die each year due to air pollution? According to Borenstein, â€Å"Air pollution kills more than HIV and malaria combined.† Both of these diseases have caused worry from many people. How come people do not seem as worried about air pollution? In a study conducted by Harvard University, they found that â€Å"the yearly death total will double to about 6.6 million a year by 2050† because of air pollution. Something needs to be done in order to control air pollutionRead MoreThe Effects Of Oil Pollution On Human Health Essay2230 Words   |  9 PagesEvery year, about one million tons of oil are lost at sea (Blumer 2). Oil pollution is a frequent occurrence, haunting the Earth, due to society’s high usage of oil-based technology (Blumer 3). It can occur after ship accidents or because of leaking pipes. The pollution can be determined by simply seeing it or by using satellites or radars to locate it (Brekke and Solberg 2). Research done on oil pollution is diverse as oil effects various things in multiple ways. While most of the research presentedRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health Essay1381 Words   |  6 PagesObjectives 1. To establish the definition of air pollution and pollutants and determine their chemical nature. 2. To identify the causes of Air pollution 3. To define air pollution in India with respect to law as stated in the Indian Constitution. 4. To describe the Supreme Court interjection due to Delhi’s pollution and its results. 5. To assess the air pollution level in Delhi and compare the levels before and after Diwali 6. To find the level of pollution caused by different sources and the data supportingRead MoreEffects Of Outdoor Air Pollution And Its Effects On Human Health1405 Words   |  6 Pagesquality due to outdoor air pollution and its’ effects on human health. I have examined numerous documents, learning about the anthropogenic causes of the air pollution in addition to studying the hazards the contaminated air presents to the public, particularly in urban areas. I have created a policy that I believe directly addresses the current needs of the atmosphere in order to continue to reduce the amount of pollution in the air we breathe, in turn improving our overall health. Looking back on theRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health And / Or The Environment Essay1780 Words   |  8 PagesAir pollution refers to a â€Å"broad range of contaminates† (Brimblecombe Atkins, 2013, p.20) found in the atmosphere that are harmful to human health and/or the environment. While air pollution can, at its most simplistic, be defined as â€Å"any input of chemical, aerosol, or particulate† (Blauvelt Gates, 2011, p. 17) found to be deleterious and airborne, the term can be subdivided in many ways by source, components, and mode of formation. (Blauvelt Gates, 2011, p. 17) Typically, an essential distinctionRead MoreThe Effect Of Pollution Of Waterways On Human Health1501 Words   |  7 Pagesphase†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦17 Figure 5:-Completed phase†¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.20 â€Æ' ABSTRACT Water sources are susceptible to bacterial contamination from animal and human pollution sources. Pollution of waterways has significant implications on human health, especially from a pathogen perspective. Strategies are used to minimize pollution and the impact on human health. However, these methods can be limited by sensitivity, quantification, geographical differences and issues of cost which can limit how many markersRead MoreThe Effects Of Light Pollution On Human And Wildlife Health Essay2085 Words   |  9 Pagesresearchers, and naturalists agree that light pollution is one of the most rapidly growing and widespread forms of environmental pollution. More scientific research are suggesting that light pollution can have lasting adverse effects on both human and wildlife health [2]. Light pollution is a problem when it comes to simply seeing stars in the sky. We would light to focus on street lights for our task because street lights are a large contributor to light pollution and it can be argued that they are needed

What Everybody Dislikes About Toefl Essay Topics 2018 and Why

What Everybody Dislikes About Toefl Essay Topics 2018 and Why The New Angle On Toefl Essay Topics 2018 Just Released Questions are a standard method of getting interest, together with evocative language or a strong statistic Don't assume your audience is already knowledgeable about your topic. Make sure you realize the subject, the procedure, or the difference for each eplanations. Giving an explanation may also be called Making an Argument in some instances. Prior knowledge of the subject under discussion isn't necessary to come to the proper answer. You don't have to have much specific knowledge on any topic to be successful. You have to write just on the topic that's assigned to you. The topic is going to be a comprehensive surprise. In our website the topics are grouped in accordance with their type. Sentences 2-3 describe the very first cause. To state your principal point, your very last sentence in the very first paragraph is important. Folks take part in plenty of distinct actions to preserve their wellness. People dwelling in the 21st century are enjoying better quality of life in comparison to folks who lived in the past centuries. They should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. It's important the top choice doesn't hamper the capability of the student to make an intriguing piece. Other men and women firmly think that being taught by a teacher is always the best thing. Therefore, among the lowest scores students may receive is for missing the topic. All parents ought to be asked to volunteer t ime to their sons' and daughters' schools. Ok, I Think I Understand Toefl Essay Topics 2018, Now Tell Me About Toefl Essay Topics 2018! Some individuals would like to have the government to spend more cash for looking life on other planets, however others think that it is waste of public money whenever there are a lot of problems on earth that the government ought to be solving. With the aid of technology, life is easier today than previously. Some individuals feel your community would be a very good place to track down the university. The best method to fix environmental problems due to consumer-generated waste is for towns and cities to impose strict limits on the total amount of trash they'll accept from every household. As you pay for homework, we provide those options at no cost. Just like the Reading section, the lectures will concentrate on something to do with academia, but the test-taker doesn't need a prior understanding of the material in order to obtain the ideal a nswer. It is possible to also practice brainstorming or planning reasons even if it's the case that you don't compose a comprehensive reaction. Other people think that such competition seriously limits the standard of authentic learning. You may be asked to compose an essay about technology, education, media, family members, or another subject. Honest, dedicated practice is considerably more useful and potent. GST regime that was planned to raise the pace of financial growth is at present roadblocks to different stakeholders. One of the most difficult sections to prep for on the TOEFL may be the essay. TOEFL is among both major English-language tests in the Earth, the other being the IELTS. Eventually, you will want to have a comprehensive TOEFL practice examit's the only means to be fully ready for the TOEFL. The TOEFL Test is currently predominately an iBT, although the paper-based may continue to be available in some places. You shouldn't utilize statistics since you won't be in a position to research during the exam. Fortunately, you don't will need to come in the TOEFL with a prior comprehension of the topic at hand as a way to find the most suitable answer. This list of questions appears right on the TOEFL practice website and might show up on your true TOEFL writing test. These topics may show up on your actual TOEFL. Then take a look at a list of argumentative essay advice to help you begin. As tempting as it might appear to skip past the extra info and go right to the list of persuasive essay topics, don't do it. Take a look at this list of SAT essay prompts that will help you kickstart your studying! This guide to writing a college essay is a huge method to begin on your essay organizing journey! The conventional five-paragraph essay is normal in writing argumentative essays, but it's only one approach to write one. PaperCoach will be able to help you with all your papers, so take a look at this time! Don't immediately begin writing.

Critical Evaluation Report on Effect of Skin Glue †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Critical Evaluation Report on Effect of Skin Glue. Answer: Structuring the Study Their mention about the study by Limm (2013) stating 80% of hospitalized patients requiring PIVC insertion among which 33% to 69% of them fails due to infections, phlebitis, occlusions and dislodgment is adequate (Marsh, 2015). Their mention about the effect of skin glue in securing central-venous, peripheral-arterial and epidural catheters as compared to the standard dressings; clearly support this study (Edwards, 2014). The authors have clearly shown their motive for this research study by quoting that there is no quality evidence in skin securement as well as there is uncertainty in practicing best methods to secure peripheral intravenous catheters and hence they have proposed this study. They have mentioned most current, relevant, comprehensive and recent citations (except few). There are no evidences to describe about the effect of skin glue as compared to other securing methods. Moreover, they have only mentioned about the effect of skin glue in minimizing infection (Simonova, 2012) but not about its effect in reducing occlusions, infections and dislodgment. The researchers have used one-site, two-arm and Randomized-Controlled trail to randomize 360 adult patients with 380 PIVC through randomizer clinical-trial software to allot them to both the groups in a ratio of 1:1 (without blocking or masking). In this study, the standard (control) group was given with standard catheter care (PIVC securement with poly-urethane material) whereas the skin glue (experimental) group was kept with one drop of (cyanoacrylate) skin glue both at the PIVC insertion site and catheters hub to adhere the catheter in patients skin along with PIVC tape and dressing as per standard-care guidelines of Queensland (2015) an was analyzed both primary and secondary outcomes. They have given a logical scientific hypothesis that follows the original problem of the study as the application of skin glue in the PIVC inserted site in ED would decrease its failure at 48 hours. They have demon strated their interest in examining the relationships between skin glue and PIVC failure rate. Sample Their description of sample is clear. Trained ED research nurses (1 of 3) have determined 360 samples having 380 PIVCs for 16 hours/day for one week through randomization by software and determined 195 samples in standard-care group and 185 in skin-glue group. They have included the samples with age (18) having patent PIVC in upper extremities- inserted by physicians/nurses (ED) in intact skin. They have selected patients who have signed written informed-consent (Richard, 2012). The research nurses have selected the participants with patent PIVC line by infusing 10 ml of 0.9% normal saline solution. They have excluded the patients with known allergies to securement materials, presence of infection, phlebitis (upper extremities), venous-thrombosis and patients prone for PIVCs removal (semi-conscious/agitated patients) and people who doesnt know English; without interpreters. Data collection They have collected data by using a questionnaire for primary and secondary outcomes by 1 of 3 research nurses. They have collected basic-demographic and possible-confounder data from the samples at enrollment with characteristics as age, sex, intake of medications (immuno-suppressant, antibiotics, and anticoagulants), no. of PIVC insertions, limb of insertion, physicians/nurse inserted PIVC, gauge-size of PIVC and time between PIVC insertion and interventional and follow-up time. They have selected few patients with multiple-devices yet has analysed their first inserted PIVC. They have assessed the primary-outcomes through directly visualizing (in-patients) or assessing through telephoning (discharged patients) at 48/more hours with characteristics as site-infection with cellulitis and/or pus, phlebitis with pain, tenderness, swelling/redness, occlusions, accidental removal/dislodgement of PIVC with extravasations (OGrady, 2011). They have assessed the secondary outcomes with indivi dual aspects of PIVC failure through direct-visualization, chart-reviewable with standardized-questionnaire. They have appropriately discussed about data collection. They have not given about the origin of study-instruments but mentioned about their reference in study by Rickard (2012). They have collected data through self-framed questionnaire. They have concisely discussed about the study-instruments but the method by which they graded the secondary outcomes was not given. There is no evidence for their validity and reliability assessment for the measurement instruments in the research text. They have not discussed about the ethical issues but only given about the financial issues. Data Analysis The follow-up was adequate to make the results credible as they have excluded the outcome data of patients those who have loosed during follow- up. There was minimal follow- up loss with only 5 lost in standard-care and 6 in skin-glue group with 2.8%/PIVC and 0.83%/ patient loss that is equal in both groups. In addition to that, their data analyses with differences in outcomes at 95%-CI with the statistical significance at a level of p0.05 was appropriate. Blinding is the process by which the study samples, researchers or interventional agents should be prevented from having information that may cause bias (Polit, 2016). They could not blind or mask the samples as well as research nurses after allocation due to the nature of this intervention with same glue colour and appearance both at the experimental and follow-up time (Richard, 2012). The data analysis of primary outcomes with failure rate of PIVC at 48 or more hours shows that the difference between the standard securement as we ll as the skin glue groups was found to be statistically significant at 95%-CI18 to 2%; p=0.02. The data analysis of secondary outcomes shows that the difference in catheter-dislodgement between standard and skin glue groups was statistically significant at 95% CI13 to 0%; p=0.04. The rate of phlebitis was noted to be reduced in skin glue as compared to standard group at 95%-CI 5% to 3% indicating that there is no statistical significance between these groups. The rate of occlusion was identified to be lowered in skin glue patients at 95% CI8 to 4% than standard securement group depicting lack of statistical significance whereas infection rate is nil both groups. In this study, inferential statistics was adopted which suggests the applicability of study results in larger population (Polit, 2016). They have employed both types of inferential statistics with p- as well as point estimation in this study. The primary data analysis shows that the PIVC failure rate was statistically lower ed in the skin glue group than standard securement group suggesting that the difference between both groups were statistically significant at p0.05 level and hence statistical hypothesis was accepted. The secondary data analysis shows that the PIVC failure rate due to dislodgement was low in skin glue as compared to standard group suggesting that the difference is statistically significant (p0.05) indicating that the hypothesis is accepted. Phlebitis and occlusion percentage was found to be lowered in skin glue group but not statistically significant while the infection rate was nil in both groups. Findings The study findings were expected with adequate informations in judging the results. They have clearly and completely stated their findings with percentages and dialogues in the text.The findings suggests that the failure rate of PIVC at 48 or more hours was statistically (10%) reduced in skin glue patients (17%) than that of standard securement patients (27%) at 95% CI 18% to 2%; p=.02. and the incidence of dislodgement was lowered (7%) in skin glue (7.0%) than standard securement group (14%) at 95% CI 13% to 0 (HospiMedica, 2016). Phlebitis and PIVC occlusions were found to be lowered in skin glue than standard group but not statistically significant and the infection rate was nil (0%) in both skin glue and standard securement group (Bausone-Gazda, 2010). The per-patient analysis of skin glue (n=170) and standard (n=179) groups indicates that the PIVC failure rate at 48 hours or more was noted to be 31 and 52 respectively. The PIVC failure rate of secondary outcomes by infection was 0 Vs 0, phlebitis was 9 Vs 5, occlusion was 20 Vs 14 and dislodgement was 25 Vs 12. These findings ensure that the application of skin glue with standard securement could minimize PIVC failure rate. The study findings could not be generalized to other settings as it was conducted only in ED and local-cultured patients. Its limitations include lack of description about the usage of 50% dextrose, potassium chloride, sclerotics, number of accesses of PIVC, lack of dwell time, etc which could be an important determinant in analyzing the failure rate. More than half of the patients in both the groups were discharged before 48 hours and hence they have collected informations about features of failure through telephone callings at home which may modify the results from that of in-patient through direct-visualization. They have mentioned that a cost-benefit analyses will done in the future to analyze the skin glue cost (Chico-Padron, 2011). They summarized that the skin glue could be appli ed to the insertion site of PIVC in ED so as to avoid its failure rate. They didnt mention about allowing others to conduct similar study. Conclusion They concluded that mostly, this is the first Randomized- controlled trial study that has been proposed to investigate the usage of skin glue with standard securement methods that helps to adhere PIVC in the skin of emergency patients. The failure rate of PIVC in the standard securement group with 28% was supported by the study conducted by Marsh in 2015. The researchers suggest that the skin glue securement could be used along with standard catheter care guidelines (2015) to reduce failure rate. Further the application of skin glue is simple and easy. This reduction in failure rare will minimize cost, money and effort of the patients and staffs and also avoids sepsis, which occurs in almost 0.1% of PIVC failure cases that costs their life (Stuart, 2013). Relevance to nursing practice Nurses have to constantly work to get solutions, choices as well as outcomes for clients care. They have to develop best evidence based knowledge in the worldwide to continuously promote and enhance nursing care. The Nurses with Midwives councils of most of the countries incorporates promoting nursing as well as research based on the contemporary practices with and educational developments in their objective. Moreover, as the nurses are the primary care takers of all the patients in the clinical and community settings of all age groups, they have to be well-versed in the contemporary practices of nursing care. The nurses have to analyze the best evidences available in the research studies so as to utilize in their clinical practice (ANA, 2010). As the science and technology advances, the nurses have to adopt the newer styles of nursing care to the patients so as to provide a quality of care to the patients. The nurses have to provide a quality care in accordance to ethical principles by inculcating some benefit to the patients rather than harm (Polit, 2016). The nurses should play a great role in preventing diseases and promoting health of the people which illustrates that the nursing practice should not inculcate harm to the people (ICN, 2010). The above study describes the clear and adequate finding about the application of skin glue along with a standard catheter care in the insertion site of PIVC to avoid failure of PIVC. As the nurses have prime responsibility in inserting PIVC (80%) in hospitalized patients and most of the insertions are made in the ED, they should also be efficient in securing PIVCs from failure (Limm, 2013, Marsh, 2015). The nurses have to develop the professional knowledge with competence by rendering nursing care based on the recent evidence and provide best practice that is applicable as well as available with validated research. As these study findings are also supported by other studies and is also published in Annals, the nurses can use skin glue to secure PIVCs with standard care by Queensland (2015). The nurses should be expertise in protecting clients from PIVC failure (phelibitis, infections, dislodgement and/or occlusions) (Rebelem, 2016). PIVC failure often disrupts the administration of therapies as hydration therapy, antibiotic and analgesia. It also increases health-care cost, anxiety, depressiveness and discomfort to the patient (reinsertion) affecting the patients value adversely (Stuart, 2013). Moreover, it increases the health-care system costs including increased staffing time, consumables, prolonged length of hospital stay with adverse- event management, PIVC complications, PIVC complication funding- penalties and clients complaint and satisfaction-based costs. Therefore, the nurses should secure PIVCs with skin glue based on this evidence to protect patents values and promote their comfort. References ACEP. (2016). Annals of Emergency Medicine: American college of Emergency- Physicians. Retrieved from https://www.acep.org/annals ANA. (2010). What is nursing?. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/Especially ForYou/StudentNurses/ What is nursingaspx Aveyard, H. (2010).Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide (second edition). Open University Press: Berkshire, England. Baker, K. (2014). How to make critiquing easy: The Royal College of Midwives. Retrieved from https://www.rcm.org.uk/news-views-and-analysis/analysis/how-to%E2%80%A6-make-critiquing-easy Bausone-Gazda, D et al. (2010). A randomized controlled trial to compare the complications of 2 peripheral intravenous catheter-stabilization systems: J Infus Nurs. 33: 37184. Chico-Padron, R.M et al. (2011). Comparative safety and costs of transparent versus gauze wound dressings in intravenous catheterization: J Nurs Care Qual. 26: 37176. Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). (2010).The CONSORT statement.Retrieved from www.consort-statement.org/consort-statement/overview0/ Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). (2010). Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Retrieved fromwww.casp-uk.net/ Edwards, M et al. (2014). A pilot trial of bordered polyurethane dressings, tissue adhesive and sutureless devices compared with standard polyurethane dressings for securing short term arterial catheters: Critical Care Resusc. 16:175-183. Greenhalgh, T. (2010).How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine. (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell/BMJ Books: Oxford. HospiMedica. (2016). IV Drip Failure Reduced by Skin Glue Application. Retrieved from https://www.hospimedica.com/critical-care/articles/294767305/iv-drip-failure-reduced-by-skin-glue-application.html ICN (2010). The ICN definition of Nursing. Retrieved fromvhttps://www.ich.in/definition.htm Limm, E.I et al. (2013). Half of all peripheral intravenous lines in an Australian tertiary emergency department are unused: pain with no gain?: Ann Emerg Med. 62:521-525. Marsh, N. (2015). Devices and dressings to secure peripheral venous catheters to prevent complications [review]: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6:CD011070. OGrady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52: e16293. Polit, D.F Beck, C.T. (2016). Nursing Research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Lippincott Williams Wilkins: New Delhi. Queensland Government Department of Health. (2015). Centre for Healthcare Related Infection Surveillance and Prevention, Queensland Government Department of Health, Australia: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) guideline. Retrieved from https://www.health.qld.gov.au/publications/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/governance/icare-pivc-guideline.pdf. Rebelem. (2016). Should We Use Skin Glue to Secure Peripheral IVs: R.E.B.E.L. E.M. Retrieved from https://rebelem.com/should-we-use-skin-glue-to-secure-peripheral-ivs/ Simonova, G et al. (2012). Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesiveseffective securement technique for intravascular catheters: in vitro testing of safety and feasibility: Anaesth Intensive Care. 40:460-466. Stuart, R.L et al. (2013). Peripheral intravenous catheterassociated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: more than 5 years of prospective data from two tertiary health services: Med J Aust. 198:551-553.

Book Report/Character Analysis on the Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck Essay Example

Book Report/Character Analysis on the Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck Paper - The Acts of King Arthur and His - Noble Knights - - By John Steinbeck - Part One: Plot The first section of the book is entitled Merlin. The story begins by telling how Arthur came to be born and then flows into the life of Arthur. When Arthur is in his earlier years, God brings about a sword driven into an anvil set in stone. The gold writing on the stone claims that only the person meant to be King of England by right of birth shall be able to pull it out of the stone’s death grip. Many knights try to pull the sword from the stone, but all end up with nothing but tired hands. One day Arthur rides over to the divine sword with the intention of delivering it to his brother. Arthur walks up, grasps the sword by the handle, and easily and fiercely draws it from the anvil and the stone. Shortly after that Arthur is declared the King of England. Many people are jealous and doubt his right to rule, but there are also many who are happy for the young fellow. We will write a custom essay sample on Book Report/Character Analysis on the Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Book Report/Character Analysis on the Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Book Report/Character Analysis on the Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer With the help of Merlin, Arthur grows up to be a magnificent king, righting wrongs and restoring peace to his kingdom. Some form of war is always occurring, and through Merlin’s guidance and prophesy Arthur is able to win many battles and become a highly respected king throughout the land. It is also in this first section that the ideas and rules of chivalry and knighthood are established; honor is very important to every knight, along with showing mercy when it is asked for and fighting for the rights of all ladies. It is clear that there is no central form of law enforcement during the time of King Arthur. Each knight can kill another knight with no fear of punishment as long as the death is the result of an agreed joust or sword fight. Later in the story Arthur realizes that a central government will eventually be necessary, but he does not think twice upon the matter. Towards the earlier period of Arthur’s rule, Merlin takes Arthur to the Lady of the Lake. She gives Arthur a sword, Excalibur, along with a magical scabbard that protects the wearer from any loss of blood. In return, Arthur must agree to grant her a favor which she will ask of him at a future date. Arthur agrees and takes his new possessions back to Camelot. Shortly after, Merlin prophesizes that Arthur’s son, Mordred, will grow up to destroy Arthur. Upon hearing of this, Arthur ships baby Mordred out to sea, unaware that the boat would wash back to shore and that Mordred would be cared for and raised by a man and his wife. The second section is entitled The Knight With Two Swords. A damsel comes into King Arthur’s court bearing a noble sword, claiming only the most brave and honorable of a man can take it from her grasp. She also requires that the man be of noble blood and of good repute. Arthur, along with many other great and honorable knights, attempt but fail to take it from her hold. Sir Balin, who had been held prisoner for six months, asked for a try at the sword. He is poorly dressed, and she is reluctant to let him try. Sir Balin draws the sword effortlessly and all around him are astonished. The damsel asks for the sword back, but Balin refuses, saying he will not give it up until someone takes it from him by force. She says that if he keeps it, Balin will use it to kill his best friend and the man he loves most in the world. Balin asks permission of the King to leave, and although Arthur does not approve of Balin’s choice, he grants him his request, only asking that he not be gone for too long. The Lady of the Lake shows up to Arthur’s court just before Balin leaves. She reminds Arthur of the favor he promised her in the past. Arthur hasn’t forgotten and tells her to go ahead and ask her favor. The Lady of the Lake asks for the heads of Balin and the damsel who brought the sword. Arthur refuses the request, thinking it atrocious. At this point Balin remembers that the Lady of the Lake killed his mother three years prior. Balin then makes his way over to the Lady of the Lake and cuts her head off with his sword. Arthur is disgusted with Balin’s rash act and banishes him from the court. Determined to prove himself, Balin sets off to kill Arthur’s enemy at the time, Lord Royns. Along the journey, Balin meets up with his brother, Balan. Together they are able to capture Lord Royns and send him back to Camelot as a prisoner. Along their journey Balin unintentionally causes the death of many, just as the damsel had foretold. The brothers eventually end up going separate ways and later reunite in a most unfortunate fashion. The two are forced to fight one another, although until they have both fatally wounded one another, neither one knew that they were brothers. They are considered two of the best knights in history. The third section of the book is entitled The Wedding of King Arthur. At this point in the story, Arthur gets married to a fine lady by the name of Guinevere. Merlin predicts Guinevere will be unfaithful to him with his dearest and most trusted friend. Arthur brushes off Merlin’s predictions, thinking them to surely be a mistake. Around the time of the wedding, Arthur comes to possess the Round Table, around which 150 of the world’s greatest knights shall someday sit. One hundred superb knights are given as a gift along with the Round Table, and Arthur knows he must fill the remaining fifty spots with his own choice of knights. While the festivities are taking place, a white stag bounds in and causes a great disruption. One knight also comes and takes a dog away from the court, and another man comes and takes away an unwilling lady. Arthur sends Sir Gawain after the stag, Sir Torre to retrieve the dog, and Sir Pellinore to seek out the lady and bring her back. Sir Gawain sets out on the chase for the stag, fighting numerous knights along the way, and eventually kills the stag. During one of his battles with another knight, Gawain slays an innocent lady. Upon returning to Camelot and telling of his quest, Guinevere commands Gawain to serve and defend ladies for all his life as a punishment for his crime. Sir Torre sets out on his quest and is immediately confronted by a dwarf, who demands that Sir Torre to fight a certain two knights before proceeding. Sir Torre defeats them both and sends them back to be Arthur’s prisoners. After a bit of questioning, Sir Torre learns that the dwarf can lead him to the whereabouts of the missing dog. Stealing the dog from a sleeping lady, Sir Torre ventures back towards Camelot. Before he can make it home, however, a knight appears claiming to be of service of the lady whose dog was stolen in her sleep. Sir Torre kills him and returns to Camelot. Arthur is pleased with Sir Torre and rewards him with an earldom of lands and a place of honor in the court. Sir Pellinore sets out after the lady, and shortly after arrives at a damsel holding a wounded knight in her arms. He considers helping them, but then decides against it, for it is not on the mission agenda. Shortly after he passes them, the damsel slays herself in despair of the death of her knight. Within a short while Pellinore comes across two knights fighting for the lady. He kills one of them and leaves the other alive, for mercy was asked of Pellinore. Sir Pellinore picks up the lady and together they ride back towards Camelot. Eventually they come to the place where the damsel and the wounded knight once sat, only to discover that their bodies—save their heads—had been torn to pieces by wild beasts. Pellinore is deeply hurt by what he sees and immediately rides back to tell Arthur and Guinevere of the awful doings. Upon hearing Pellinore’s story, the King and Queen are not happy in the least. Merlin reveals that the girl left to die was Pellinore’s own daughter, and the knight was a good man. Merlin also prophesizes that Pellinore’s best friend will fail him in time of greatest need. And so ends the wedding of King Arthur. The fourth section of the book is entitled The Death of Merlin. Merlin foresees how his death will be and realizes it to be a foolish way to die— a death caused by the lady Sir Pellinore brought back from his quest, Nyneve. King Arthur does not understand why Merlin does not choose to evade this certain death. Merlin explains by saying that between wisdom and feeling, wisdom never wins. Day after day Merlin follows Nyneve around, trading her company for knowledge of his magic. The only thing Nyneve asked of Merlin was that he not use magic to make her love him; Merlin agrees, thus sealing his fate. Over time Merlin teaches Nyneve much of his magic and she becomes quite powerful. It comes to a point where Nyneve tires of Merlin panting after her, begging to lie with her. In a valiant last effort to win her affection, Merlin creates a room of unbelievable wonders under a great rock cliff. Upon its completion, Merlin beckons Nyneve to come inside and look around, but instead she casts an unbreakable spell, locking him in the room forevermore. The fifth section of the book is entitled Morgan le Fay. Morgan le Fay is King Arthur’s half-sister. She is gorgeous, cruel, loves no one, and takes pleasure in destroying others’ lives. Because she hates Arthur and is jealous of his crown, she intricately plans his murder. Her plan begins by her making a sword and scabbard exactly like Arthur’s own and then replacing his real sword and scabbard with the fake ones. She plans to use Accolon, one of Arthur’s knights enchanted by Morgan’s dark magic, to kill Arthur. One day Arthur and a few of his knights chase a stag for many miles, eventually losing sight of it. Only Arthur, Accolon, and Morgan’s husband, Uryens, have been able to stay close behind the stag. The three seek shelter for rest. Looking out upon the river, they see a ship and decide to board it. Upon doing so, a ring of torches ignite around them and twelve lovely damsels appear. Feasting for hours, the three eventually fall into a deep sleep. Uryens wakes up back in Camelot next to his wife, Morgan le Fay. Arthur wakes in a dungeon with twenty other captive knights. Accolon wakes up on the edge of a well, realizing he’s been under an enchantment of Arthur’s half-sister. Right then a dwarf loyal to Morgan appears and puts Accolon back under the enchantment. Accolon receives the real Excalibur and magic scabbard from the dwarf and is told that he must fight Arthur tomorrow and bring his head back to Morgan le Fay. Arthur is told that in order to escape prison he must on behalf of the lord holding him captive. The next day Accolon and Arthur fight. During the battle Arthur becomes aware that his sword is faulty and his scabbard not working. He also sees that the knight he is fighting possesses the real Excalibur and scabbard. Eventually getting the real Excalibur and scabbard back in his possession and defeats his opponent. He learns shortly after that his opponent is actually from his own court, and Sir Accolon begs Arthur’s forgiveness explaining that he was under the enchantment of Morgan le Fay. Arthur forgives Accolon, but is furious with his half-sister. Shortly after the battle, Accolon dies of a head wound and Arthur orders him shipped back to Morgan as a present for her kindness. Meanwhile, thinking Arthur to be dead, Morgan attempts to kill her husband in his sleep, but her son Elwain stops her before she can do so. When she is caught in the act, she pretends that she was under a spell and asks Ewain’s forgiveness. In the morning she leaves Camelot in search of Arthur; and when she finds him sleeping, she steals his magic scabbard and takes off on her horse. Arthur wakes, learns what has happened, and sets off in pursuit of her. When Arthur is about to catch her, she turns herself and her followers in stones so that Arthur cannot find them. Morgan later orders a message delivered to Arthur saying that he should live in fear of her, but truthfully Morgan le Fay feared Arthur. The sixth section of the book is entitled Gawain, Ewain, and Marhalt. Arthur is now very cautious of those associated with Morgan le Fay, and thus asks Uryens to prove his loyalty by banshing his son, Ewain, from Camelot. Until Ewain has proved himself on a quest, Arthur will not allow him back in his presence. Meanwhile, Morgan sends Arthur a cloak, though not like any typical cloak. This one was luxurious beyond measure, incorporating many fine jewels and vibrant colors. It is delivered to Arthur by a damsel, and upon hearing who the cloak is from, Arthur asks the damsel to put it on herself. When she does so, her skin turns black and she falls to the ground heaving in convulsions while the corrosive eats through her flesh and shrivels her. Gawain, Ewain’s friend and cousin, accompanies Ewain on his quest and the two soon after meet up with a knight named Marhalt. As a trio they continue on their questing. One day, he three come across three ladies waiting in the woods. The ladies explain that each knight shall have one of them as company on their quests to come, and in a year’s time the knights will return to this very point in the forest to tell of their adventures. Gawain selects the youngest damsel who is in her teenage years, Marhalt selects the middle age lady who is of thirty years, and Ewain selects the oldest lady who is of sixty years. While questing, the young damsel becomes rather sick of Gawain. Gawain constantly brags about himself, and the young damsel can think of nothing other than how much he annoys her. She eventually leaves him for a frog-faced dwarf and Gawain claims he is happy of her departure, for she was a chatterbox. Gawain soon after learns of knight named Sir Pelleas, who desires a lady he cannot have—much like the case of Merlin. Gawain offers to help him out by going and talking to Ettarde, the lady whom Pelleas most desires. Pelleas waits for two days while Gawain is away conversing with Ettarde, and then decides to go see what is taking so long. Pelleas ventures over to the castle in the middle of the night and discovers Gawain and Ettarde in bed together. He nearly kills them both in their sleep, but cannot bring himself to complete the act, for he has never done a horrid thing like that all his life. Nyneve, Merlin’s previous paramour, finds Pelleas emotionally distraught. She helps him by casting a spell on Ettarde so that she may feel the longing for Pelleas that he felt for her. The spell also ensures that Pelleas will despise Ettarde just has s he despised him. Nyneve agrees to stay with Pelleas until he finds his true love, and in doing so the two live happily together all their lives. Marhalt has a much different questing experience. His lady thinks him to be very charming, for Marhalt is very talented and aware of his fighting prowess, but does not boast about it. Along his quest Marhalt defeats many knights and wins a tournament. Towards the end of his quest, his lady takes him to the young Earl Fergus who is in need of help killing a giant. Marhalt reluctantly kills the giant, for he knows the giant is but an oversized man with a child’s mind. The treasure Marhalt receives as a prize prompts him to stay at Earl Fergus’ castle for a long while with his lady. Eventually Marhalt and his lady grow apart, each not liking the changes they see in one another. She leaves Marhalt for a young knight, and Marhalt returns to the place where the three knights were scheduled to meet at the end of the year. Ewain experiences the best quest of the three knights. He explain to his lady, by the name of Lyne, that he picked her because he was young and inexperienced and that her wisdom would do him good. Lyne reveals that she had hoped he would pick her, for she wanted to mold him into a true knight. Lyne also reveals that she knows more about the art of being a knight than any other person in the land. It was her life dream to be the greatest knight that ever lived, but her gender prohibited her from doing so. Instead, she fulfills her dream by training other knights to be the best knights in the land. For ten months she trains Ewain to become a true knight. Although he began very weak and unskilled, at the end of the ten months Ewain is strong, fit, and ready to fight the fiercest competitor. Lyne then takes him to a tournament where Ewain defeats all knights who challenge him. Soon after she informs him that a lady called the Lady of the Rock is fearing that her castle will be taken over by her two corrupt brothers. Ewain battles the two brothers, defeating them, and restoring peace to the castle and land of the Lady of the Rock. In return, the Lady of the Rock offers Ewain the chance to live with her and rule over the castle and her land for all time. Ewain knows it to be a great offer, but declines for he wishes to tell of his quest back at Camelot. At the end of the year, Gawain, Ewain, and Marhalt meet up and ride back to Camelot together to tell of their magnificent adventures. The seventh and final part of the story is entitled The Noble Tale of Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Lancelot is the best known knight in the world, for no one can defeat him. He loves his queen, Guinevere, more than anyone, although not in a way to disrespect his king. Lancelot’s only love is his queen, along with the art of fighting. In Lancelot’s eyes, no other damsel can compare to Guinevere. Lancelot claims that one cannot be a great knight along with being a husband and father without being half qualified at each. Peace has finally come to Camelot, all wars have come to an end, and no new war even peeks over the horizon. As much joy as Arthur thought peace would bring, he finds it actually destroys his kingdom more so than war itself does. His knights grow weary from lack of fighting, and the spirit of everyone seems to fall with every moment there is not a quest or battle to take part in. Arthur does not like this strange phenomenaa, so he sends Lancelot and Lancelot’s nephew, Lyonel, out on a quest to solve all the little problems of the land. Figuring that if he can eventually encourage more of his knights to uptake these seemingly unimportant tasks, Arthur hopes they might feel like they are contributing something larger than themselves, and then the spirit of knighthood and merry making could return to all of Camelot. Along their quest, Lyonel and Lancelot stop to rest under an apple tree. While they are sleeping, a knight by the name of Sir Tarquin rides towards them. Lyonel wakes up at the sound of Sir Tarqin’s approaching, but Lancelot remains fast asleep. Seizing this opportunity to prove his talent to Lancelot, Lyonel hurries off to prepare to fight Sir Tarquin while Lancelot remains sleeping. Sir Tarquin is a great and powerful knight and not one to be fooled with. Upon Lyonel’s request to joust he is amused that such a young boy should even attempt to dismount such a knight as himself. Sir Lyonel and Sir Tarquin ride hard and fast toward one another, and the blow Lyonel delivers upon Sir Tarquin spins him all the way around, nearly knocking him off his horse. Impressed by the boys skill and luck, Sir Tarquin offers to make peace with the boy to avoid truly hurting him. Lyonel refuses, demanding that Sir Tarquin yield or fight. At this the two men joust again, but this time Lyonel ends up badly wounded. Sir Tarquin takes Lyonel back to his home as prisoner along with many other knights. Learning that Sir Tarquin’s main goal is to kill Lancelot, Lyonel now wishes he had not left Lancelot sleeping and undefended under the apple tree. Lancelot slept and slept until Morgan le Fay and three other women of dark magic stumbled upon him lying under the apple. When Morgan arrived at his side, she put him under a deep sleeping enchantment, and when Arthur woke up he was in a dark, dank dungeon. The four witches soon after appeared and explained to him that they have everything in the world but the world’s greatest knight. Each takes her turn offering to fulfill Lancelot’s deepest desires in many different ways. Lancelot says he will have nothing to do with any one of them, and the four leave the dungeon in rage. Later that night, the damsel who brings him food helps him to escape the dungeon and together they find freedom from the witches’ lair. Upon hearing of Lyonel’s poor fortune, Lancelot rushes back to the house of Sir Tarquin to rescue his nephew. A great battle between Lancelot and Sir Tarquin then ensues, resulting in the death of Lancelot’s foe. Freeing all the knights previously held captive, Lancelot meets up with Sir Kay, King Arthur’s right hand man all his life. Sir Kay claims he is falling apart as a man and a knight due to the stressful job of being the accountant for all of Camelot’s goods and belongings. In an effort to bring back the reputation of Sir Kay, Lancelot takes Sir Kay’s armor and rides back to Camelot, jousting all who dare cross his path. Surely enough, Sir Kay’s reputation begins to build as a fierce knight. When the real Sir Kay rides to Camelot wearing Arthur’s armor, no one dares challenge him. Eventually the people of the land start to figure out what is going on. Finally, both men arrive at the castle and go their separate ways. King Arthur requests to meet with Lancelot up in his quarters, accompanied by Guinevere. Guinevere leaves the room upon Arthur’s request, and Lancelot wishes the king a good night. As Guinevere is walking out of the room, Lancelot feels a part of him leave with her. When Arthur finally dismisses Lancelot, Lancelot walks down the stairs, is beckoned by Guinevere into her room: â€Å"Their bodies locked together as though a trap had sprung. Their mouths met and each devoured the other. Each frantic heartbeat at the walls of ribs trying to get to the other until their breaths burst out and Lancelot, dizzied, found the door and blundered down the stairs. And he was weeping bitterly† (Steinbeck 293). And so concludes The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights. Part Two: Character Analysis Lancelot is a great yet torn man. He lives and breathes to be the greatest knight in the world, yet he does not truly know of love. The love he has for Guinevere is all he knows, but he obviously cannot have her as his own for she is married to King Arthur: â€Å"’It is well known, and so secret,’ said Lancelot. ‘I love the queen. And I will serve her all my days, and I have permanently challenged any qualified knights who may say she is not the fairest and most virtuous lady in all the world. And may she have only honor and joy from my love, as I have sworn’† (Steinbeck 219). When Lancelot was a child, Merlin prophesized Lancelot’s future greatness. Although it has come true, Lancelot does not wish others to think he did not have to work for such a title as the greatest knight in the world. Lancelot wants others to be aware that greatness must be earned, and is not something merely stumbled upon. One thing Lancelot does not understand is treachery, for he has none within himself. Treachery was the thing that could cause Lancelot to be blindly cruel, for cruelty is caused—in Lancelot’s mind—by fear of the unknown. In one case Lancelot stumbles across a man ready to slay his wife. The lady asks for the help and protection of Lancelot, to hich he agrees. The husband claims he is sorry and will not hurt his wife, but as Lancelot is riding away the husband cuts his wife’s head from her body: â€Å"Then, because this was foreign and frightening to him, rage overcame Lancelot, who was ordinarily a cool, calm man. He drew his sword and his face was black with ferocity and his eyes vindictive as the eyes of a snake†¦Then Lancelot, sick with disgust and sickened by his own rage, broke free and leaned against a tree, trembling and feverish. The lady’s head, dirty and blood-splashed, grinned at him from the road where it had fallen† (Steinbeck 279). Part Three: Author Biography John Ernst Steinbeck was an American author who lived from 1902 to 1968 (Infotrac 1). He was born in Salinas, California and died of heart disease in New York, New York (Infotrac 1). Stanford University was where Steinbeck worked toward his degree, from 1919 to 1925 (Infotrac 1). John Steinbeck had a few more marriages than most, getting married three times throughout the course of his life (Infotrac 1). During his life Steinbeck had many different jobs, from a fruit-picker, an apprentice painter, laboratory assistant, reporter, and writer to name a few (Infotrac 1). While World War II was taking place Steinbeck served as a special writer for the U. S. Army Air Forces (Infotrac 1). He wrote a large number of plays, novels, short stories, and screen plays, many of which were later heralded as classics throughout the country (Infotrac 2-6). As a young child, a version of the Caxton Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory captivated Steinbeck (Steinbeck xi-xii). He loved the old spellings of words, and to see words written in the story that were no longer used in his time (Steinbeck xi-xii). This story was his place of escape from the outside world as well as a place of solace (Steinbeck xi-xii). Steinbeck found many resemblances between his own life and the life of the characters in the story, which was one of the many reasons he felt drawn to the book all his life (Steinbeck xii-xiii). It was a part of him, and his love for it spawned him to write his own version of the great story: â€Å"For a long time I have wanted to bring to present-day usage the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. These stories are alive even in those of us who have not read them. And, in our day, we are perhaps impatient with old words and the stately rhythms of Malory. My own first and continuing enchantment with these things is not generally shared. I wanted to set them down in plain present-day speech for my own young sons, and for other sons not so young—to set the stories down in meaning as they were written, leaving out nothing and adding nothing—perhaps to compete with the moving pictures, the comic-strip travesties which are the only available source for those children and others of today who are impatient with the difficulties of Malory’s spelling and use of archaic words. If I can do this and keep the wonder the magic, I shall be pleased and gratified† (Steinbeck xiii). Part Four: Critique Throughout The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, there are paragraphs taken from the writings of Malory. Like Steinbeck, I found the style of writing quite captivating. There were words that I had never heard of before, along with many strange spellings of words commonly used today. For example, â€Å"Now leve we thes knyghtes presoners, and speke we of sir Lancelot de Lake that lyeth undir the appil-tre slepynge† (Steinbeck 226). I find that as humans, we have an undeniable attraction to the things of times before us. This old form of the English language, when compared to the standards of today, has a unique refreshing and charming flow to it that we don’t typically associate with the language of today. I was not able to find any professional critique on this particular story, at least in the form of a book. Many of the critiques of his works I’ve seen are of his more famous stories like Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men. On the back cover of The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, John Gardner of The New York Times Book Review acclaims, â€Å"[Steinbeck] embellishes Malory’s spare legend with a richness of detail that transforms the vision, makes it no one but Steinbeck’s. † Although I have not read Malory’s writings, I can understand why Gardner notes the great detail Steinbeck incorporated into the story. Steinbeck’s words work together to help the reader form a vivid picture of the story: â€Å"The morning was kind to battle. The first blackbirds of spring responded to the sun and warmed their song in the bushes that edged the moat, and the meadow grass was golden green†¦Young Ewain was early awake, edging his sword, grinding the head of his black spear to an immaculate point, and last, he anointed his armor with clarified fat and rubbed it gently into every moving piece with his fingertips† (Steinbeck 198). Although the customs of knighthood are beaten into the reader throughout the entire book, I didn’t tire of it all that much. With every new section of the story came a new adventure. I very much enjoyed how the book was written such that one understands the inner thoughts of many different characters. Learning how the evil Morgan le Fay thought while scheming against King Arthur, or seeing into the noble yet troubled mind of Sir Lancelot proved a great way to bring the reader into the story. This story helps the reader get a glimpse into what life was like back in the times of knights, perhaps minus the dragons and magic. By the end of the book, I had learned a great deal about chivalry and the importance of it to knights. Also, I learned many of the customs that knights and common people partook in during the time, from feasting to tournaments, or striving hard to maintain one’s honor in the world. Steinbeck’s choice to rewrite Malory’s and others’ works into a more reader-friendly version was a smart and magnificent decision indeed. This book read just like any other book one might find on the list of most popular novels today. Also, the characters in this story experience near the same type of feelings of trouble, heartache, success, honor, and despise that every person experiences in the world of today. Overall, I would recommend the book to anyone interested in reading an intricate story, or just wanting to cast their imagination into the magical and adventure-filled times of King Arthur and his knights. Part Five: Bibliography John Ernst Steinbeck. 2004. Contemporary Authors Online, Gale. Infotrac. March 6, 2009. http://infotrac. galegroup. com/itw/infomark/726/80/59379379w16/purl=rcl_CA_0_H1000094705dyn=4! ar_fmtbkm_4_1? sw_aep=boon19847 Steinbeck, John. The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights. U. S. A: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1976: 364 pages. Boone High School Library, Boone, IA. Feb. 9, 2009.