Short Story: City Of The Fallen

Unfortunately, little progress has been made since then, as reports from 2015 show only 72.2 percent of U.S. children are fully vaccinated (KFF, 2017). Healthy People 2020 recommends a national goal of 80 percent to maintain herd immunity (Child Trends Databank, 2015). Despite the life-saving importance of immunization, these stagnant rates show that many mothers of U.S. children do not adhere to vaccination recommendations. These critics and skeptics of vaccines are a part of the anti-vaccination movement. Originating upon the discovery of the first vaccine in 1796, this movement has progressed for hundreds of years. Currently, through media and prominent anti-vax social figures, the public can easily be relayed messages of vaccine controversies rather than scientific facts. Falsehoods include perceived low risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, “overloading” the child’s immune system, mercury in vaccines, reports of negative reactions after vaccination, and the infamously popular myth that vaccines cause autism (Mittenzwei, Morrison, & Williams,

Alden Nowlan’s story called “The Fall of a City” discusses the central theme of how life circumstances are beyond human control in most of the cases. This theme is applied to the specific idea of coming of age through the story of the main character. Teddy is an eleven-year-old boy

Secrets Uncovered Power and Status are Lost as Secrets are Uncovered in “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson and “The Fall of the City” by Alden Nowlan In “The Possibility Of Evil” by Shirley Jackson and “The Fall of the City” by Alden Nowlan, Miss Strangeworth and Teddy experience the loss of their town as a secret is discovered. The protagonist, Miss Strangeworth, in “The Possibility of Evil” portrays herself as a sweet and caring old lady, though her exterior does not mimic her interior. Miss Strangeworth 's one duty and job is to rid her town of any possible evil. She believes she has power and status in her town. However, once her secret duty is revealed, the town sees Miss Strangeworth as the possibility of evil and destroy

Despite significant progress in the fight against preventable disease, millions still die needlessly each year. According to UNICEF, originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, a vaccine preventable disease is responsible for 2 million fatal infections worldwide each year. About 75% of these deaths occur in children under five years of age. (N) In more vivid terms, UNICEF notes that vaccine-preventable diseases kill a child every 20 seconds. (D) Due to high rates of childhood vaccination, the United States has experienced a dramatic reduction in such deaths. A comparison of the years 1950 and 2010 clearly illustrates the benefits of vaccinations. During this 60-year period, deaths from diphtheria reduced from 410 to 0, tetanus from 336 to 3, pertussis from 1,118 to 26, and polio from 1,904 to 0. Measles deaths dropped from 468 in 1950 to 0 in 2008, the last year a United States death rate was recorded. It’s not surprising that vaccinations have been touted as one of the top ten health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Alden Nowlan in the story “The Fall of a City” demonstrates through imagery, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony that one should not openly judge another, as it can greatly impact the said person. Firstly, imagery is used when Teddy’s uncle makes a comment about Teddy, and Teddy compares his uncle’s face to an antagonist from his imaginary kingdom. For example, “He’s got his head in the clouds again. His uncle laughed mirthlessly. Out of the corner of his eye Teddy looked at his uncle’s round, florid face and reflected on the resemblance to Zikla, Duke of Anders” (Nowlan 32). Clearly, this quote illustrates Teddy’s reaction after hearing his uncle’s comments towards him as he did not acknowledge this in a positive way. Teddy’s uncle rudely laughs at him afterword which proves

This new vaccine would drastically change the way people battle against infections and reduce the number of people that get sick. Even in the 1950’s vaccines were already making an impact on society.

The birth of a child is a truly magical occurrence. Once a baby’s gender is determined, either through ultrasound, or from the brief examination of a doctor, this small branch of a family’s inheritance, has already been designated with countless burdensome requirements to follow within their limited world. In regards to historical stereotypes, timid, little girls wear pink skirts and hair bows. These girls grow up to become housewives, who cook, clean and babysit the children. Meanwhile, boisterous young boys have the whole world to conquer and rule. The multiple responsibilities of a man are deemed as very important since he is the person who earns the family income. In contrast, Teddy, the main character of “The Fall of a City” by Canadian author Alden Nowlan, is a very inventive and quiet child, who uses his imagination to build himself a utopian escape in his dark, gloomy attic. He uses scrap paper to create the citizens of Upalia and cardboard to fabricate the radiant city of Theodoresburg. Eventually, Teddy’s aunt worries about what Teddy is constantly doing, hidden away from his family. His uncle heads to the attic only to discover the shocking revelation that Teddy has been playing with paper dolls and a doll house. Teddy’s uncle laughs and teases Teddy mercilessly, culminating in Teddy to go against his accomplishments and lose an important part of his individuality. Furthermore, the conflict between Teddy and his uncle is a manifestation of how many adults, such as

Drowned Everyone knew that when one stayed in the water too long, one drowned. However, that was not the case. In Alden Nowlan’s, “The Fall of the City,” Teddy was a young boy who had a very vivid imagination. Although at times it went to the dark side, it was ultimately the mistreatment from his aunt and uncle which cause Teddy to destroy his city. For example, his uncle’s threats of physical abuse leaded Teddy drowned in his imagination, the only place where he can feel safer. Although Teddy hardly spoke back to his uncle, he was still threatened that he will not “be able to sit down the rest of the week.” The threat isolated Teddy from his uncle and Teddy felt as if he has no one to turn to. Without someone who truly understands his feelings,

Can you imagine life without vaccine? In the reading "Not Being Vaccinated is not Acceptable" by David Ropeik argues that we should all get vaccinated because it’s necessary. Vaccinations are designed to help us go through our daily everyday life. A vaccine is a modern type of medicine that has

According to Jake Johnson in his critically acclaimed essay, Vaccines: Made for the Vulnerable, Given to the Weak-Minded, the key to societal progress is a healthy population. In the midst of a recent trend in boycotting essential vaccinations, Mr. Johnson presents a ridiculous proposal that encapsulates the exaggerated mindset of the Americans who are skeptical of vaccines. With a satirical approach through sarcasm and irony, paired with ridiculous interpretations of facts, Mr. Johnson urges the American population to recognize the benefits of vaccinations, and receive them as responsible citizens.

The short story The Fall of a City by Alden Nowlan is a warm and emotional text. The main idea of this beautiful story is that some situations in life are just unavoidable. Life is full of both good and bad surprises, it's inevitable.

In Washington Death City it is not a happy place. Everyone living in the Quadrants has a job corresponding to their Quadrant. There is 10 Quadrants. In Quadrant 2 the is a living named Ramen. He is a 26 year old male and is a scientist. He is trying to

Now, many once-forgotten diseases are reappearing. TIME Magazine reported that “In 2014, the U.S. experienced a major outbreak of measles that totaled 383 cases and was primarily spreading among an unvaccinated Amish community in Ohio.” (Measles Outbreak) The number of cases of these diseases is going up when it can be easily prevented. Worldwide, “Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.” (World Health

Since this vaccine debate, “about 40 percent of American parents today has chosen to delay certain vaccines or outright refuse to allow their children’s physicians to vaccinate their children with one or more of the recommended or mandated vaccines” (Largent). As the rates of being vaccinated go down, it is putting not only that child in danger but also the whole community. Diseases that were once gone are on the rise.” A 2013 study published in the journal Pediatrics reports that California’s worst whooping-cough outbreak, which infected more than 9,000 people (Rothstein)”. Also “the CDC reports that from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2014, 54 people in the U.S. have reported being infected with measles” (Sifferlin).

The City on a Hill myth has been used throughout time to embed a sense of hope and power in communities. It can even be used to explain why groups of people feel they are able to transform or even colonize communities to that which best fits their ideal descriptions. Although the myth’s primary purpose may have been to unite a nation of people together and give communities a sense of purpose, it continues to isolate and even condemn those who do not fit into a community’s certain standard of what an ideal member (of that community) should be or act like.