Slavery Essays (550 words) - Slavery In The United States, Slavery

Slavery In America Slavery in America thrived and continued to grow because there was a scarcity of labor. Cultivation of crops on plantations could be supervised while slaves used simple routines to harvest them, the low price at which slaves could be bought, and earning profits as a bonus for not having to pay hired work. But in the beginning half of the 19th century a strong push for slavery's final straw was coming. The people of the South tended to be more genteel, and seemed not quite adjusted to hard work, but more to giving orders. The idea of telling people how to do their work just seemed to fit all too well into this scenario. Slaves lived under virtually unsuitable conditions. Douglass' account of a slave's life told of the trying times on the plantation. An allowance was given to the workers. A monthly allowance consisted of mostly of pork and corn meal but also some money. Yearly slaves were given clothes, a couple shirts, and two pairs of pants-one pair of pants for winter and one pair for the other times of the year. They were not given beds to sleep on but rather a blanket for the floor. On top of lack of basic necessities slaves were forced to work around the clock. If they were not at their total output for the minute their owners they would be forced by the whip and "encouraged" to work harder, as an owner might feel. They were always subject to profanity from their masters and treated more like horses. Just like horses they were bred to be strong, in the mindset of outputSlave owners would also sexually take advantage of women slaves. Slaves turned to freedom for more than this reason though. Some were obsessed with being free and living a life where they were not told how to live-and who wouldn't be? Then there were some that were treated so cruelly, that it forced them to run just to stay alive. Since coming to America as slaves even back as far back as when the first colonies began, slaves wanted to escape. They wanted to get away from the situation they were forced into. The North was angry about the treatment of the slaves and was not happy about owners being allowed to come into their states to take the slaves back. It is amazing there were not more slave uprisings. But finally, the North decided to do something about it. They would help the slaves escape to freedom. The slaves were now angry, scared, and confused. Hearing of the Underground Railroad, they slowly began to run more and more. But in the North there was still a very strong double standard. Prejudice and discrimination ran freely against blacks, they were not given all rights of the white man or women for that matter. Professions for blacks were very limited. So leaving the plantation for the North wasn't as appealing as one might think for a slave. Plantation owners went to great lengths to keep their slaves from leaving. They had trained dogs that would attack at an instant if called upon. If slave would manage to get far enough away from the dogs, bounty hunters would be sent after them still. The North was not as bad as the South but at least the Southerners were not hypocrites. Although plantations were reaping the profits more than ever, this constant pressure was setting the stage for change and change was going to have enormous expenses.

Shizue Ishimoto essays

Shizue Ishimoto essays One can hardly imagine the reaction of the young bride Shidzue Ishimoto (later Kato) when she first arrived at the small mining town in Western Japan soon after her marriage to Baron Ishimoto, an engineer with ideals of social reform. Descended from the Samurai origins, Shidzue was born into rank and privilege and raised in the mores of pre-modern Japan. The environment she encountered here was so much different. Sweet home' Isn't he teasing me' How could one live in a place like this among dust and the noise of engines'' At this my long dream was broken and I had to realize that it was indeed Kattachi where my husband and I were to live from now on. A poor and shabby village it was. (148) In her autobiography Facing Two Ways: The Story of My Life, Shidzue Ishimoto covered in detail the terrible lives of the mining families in the mid- to late 1800s. Men, women and children all worked in dark, unhealthy and dangerous tunnels for least 12 hours a day. Because of the low heights, most of the workers could barely stand up during working periods. Women had to creep into these passages like wiggling worms to pull baskets of coal out to the place where the wagons stood. A huge contrast existed between this mining experience and Shidzue Ishimoto's first two decades as described in the beginning chapters of Facing Two Ways. Because of her family's prestigious background, she lived in a two-story house, was cared for by maidservants and spent weekends in a country farm. At school, however, she met many "illegitimate little girls (51)," and noticed their life a tragedy. This part of her autobiography foreshadowed her later concerns for unwanted children. At 17, Shidzue Ishimoto was betrothed to Baron Ishimoto from "a family of wealth and honor" (105). Her "mountainous" trousseau consisted of jewelry and furniture. Wit...

Data Envelopment Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Data Envelopment Analysis - Essay Example This paper would use the DEA method to measure the technical allocative efficiency. IT start-ups in China in particular and the rest of the world in general are faced with the same problem of initiating DEA methods to measure effectiveness of resource allocation processes and related outcomes. For instance according to Xu and Zhang (2008) the optimum resource input-output ratios are regarded as the best indicators of efficient resource allocation processes in the IT start-up firms that depend on strategic resource utilization and mobility between sectors to achieve positive organizational outcomes. Gomes, de Mello and Meza (2008) use a hybrid approach based on DEA efficiency measurement thus highlighting the importance of large discreet resource allocation processes. This is a paradigm shift from the non-discreet statistical processes that were previously adopted by researchers to measure the optimum resource input-output ratios. In addition to these DEA methods there are other more advanced DEA models. Among them the most popular two models are known as the CCR model and the BCC model. CCR has been named after its three discoverers Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (1978) while BCC has been named after its discoverers Banker, Charnes and Cooper (1984). ... The significance of each Decision Making Unit (DMU) in the resource allocation process is emphasized by the two models.However CCR makes the assumption that each DMU is capable of operating only at constant returns to scale while BCC assumes that there are variable returns to scale. This paper would use these two models for the analysis of the resource allocation efficiency in IT start-up firms (Graaf & Washida, 2006). Though the paper would basically focus attention on Chinese IT firms there would be some analytical perspectives on other IT firms in the rest of the world as well. Actually this dichotomy between the two models has led to internal conflicts within firms as to which model has more merits than the other (Kaynak & Karakaya, 1994).The DMU consists of personnel who are Human Resource Management (HRM) specialists and production engineers and therefore are expected to work out the best or most efficient resource allocation process so that output would be maximized and cost m inimized (Davenport, 1999). The current literature on the subject actually generalizes the impact of this conflict on the DMU's own efficiency and impartiality. This outcome is further worsened by the fact that individual decision makers are much less inclined to coordinate efforts at each level of decision making though such decisions weigh heavily on the final organizational outcomes (Phillips, 2005).The negotiation process between and among the members of the DMU of each organization such as the new IT firm in China can be more specifically referred to as a culture-specific ritual in which rules are openly flouted in order to preserve one's own interests (Pour, 2006). In fact IT industry analysts and experts agree that attitudes and

Family Divorce ( You Must use research it from a feminist perspective) Paper

Family Divorce ( You Must use it from a feminist perspective) - Research Paper Example The same case is replicated in Europe where the rates of divorce have been on the increase in the recent decades and is expected to escalate even further in the coming years. It is such disturbing trends that have prompted studies into understanding the effects and possible interventions of divorce. The feminist perspective on divorce revolves around the ways in which women’s positions at divorce systematically differ from men’s positions. Although the current labour force trends indicate an increase in women participation, Carbone (1994) says there is no corresponding rise in the fathers’ domestic contributions. In fact, women still endure the burden of child rearing. In a nutshell, therefore, a feminist perspective is concerned about the implications of divorce not only on the lives of women but also on the lives of children. Divorce has a huge impact on the family for the simple reason that it breaks the bonds that were once responsible for bringing the family together. On the part of children, Carbone (1994) says divorce brings the feelings of being unwanted and loss of trust to the parents. On the part of the fathers, divorce leads to loss of finances, emotional stress following loss of family and having to start again and loss of parental responsibility. With regards to the mothers, divorce leads to financial stress and emotional stress just to mention a few. Sometimes these effects deteriorate even to the extended families. Divorce shams serious concerns on the family, in particular, the well-being of the children. Although the adults are also affected by divorce, the children bear the brunt of it all. The divorce causes psychological, physical and socio-economic problems onto the affected families. This is in contrast to families that do not experience divorce. Wallerstein (1991) identifies persistent loneliness as a major consequence of divorce on children. He cited a study in

Services Marketing. Case of Paul Smith Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Services Marketing. Case of Paul Smith - Essay Example Services as the core products represent a wide series of intangible elements for which the consumers render considerable value within the marketplace (Fashion United Group, 2009). From this perspective, the paper intends to relate the concept of services marketing with Paul Smith, one of the leading fashion retails based in the United Kingdom. The fashion retail unit was started by Paul Smith, a UK based fashion designer. In the year 1970, in Nottingham, Paul Smith started a boutique with small portion of his savings. By the year 1976, in Paris, Paul Smith brought in his inaugural menswear collection, which was rendered within the label of Paul Smith. Since then, in a long-standing successful tradition the company along with Paul Smith have placed themselves as among the eminent British retailers and fashion designers. Global collection of the company is presently wholesaled to around 66 nations. In the UK, there are 17 shops rendering Paul Smith collection (Paul Smith, 2012). In rel ation to Paul Smith, the identified strategic service marketing issues comprise ensuring effective customer relationship and loyalty, insecurity of the potential customers and uncertainties emerging due to the trend of fast fashion among others. The discussion will encompass an assessment of the fashion retail sector in terms of its size and competitive structure. The assessment will also encompass the opportunities and threats which can severely impact on the activities of Paul Smith. Moreover, the discussion will further involve summarising the commonalities and differences between the present services marketing strategies of the major players in the fashion retail sector. Identification of the organisation’s key strategic services marketing issues for the next five years will be portrayed within the analysis of the paper. In addition, the paper will also demonstrate the relationship among the issues affecting services marketing strategies. Fashion Retail Sector of the Unit ed Kingdom The fashion retail sector in the UK can be regarded as one of the major industrial sectors, which has encompassed rapid and continuous growth by a considerable extent. It can be observed from the assessment of past few years that the global retail sector is considerably shaping an independent and successful position through well build business strategies including sales and marketing, innovation and effective business policies. According to the present performance of the fashion retail sector in the UK market, it can be observed to have acquired a large amount of consumer preferences and expenditures through delivering exceptionally manufactured of textiles, clothing along with footwear and leather items. The steady growth in the fashion retail sector can be identified to have taken place due to cutting-edge innovation of products along with effective and convenient supply chain management of the service rendering companies which considerable play major roles within the i ndustry. Moreover, the fashion retai

Examining Islam In Malaysia Religion Essay

Examining Islam In Malaysia Religion Essay Malaysia is modern Muslim country where more than half of its 26 million people have embrace Islam as their religion. Halal is an Islamic religious guide to how Muslims should live their lives from the way their food is prepared to how their personal and social relationships are conducted. In Malaysia Halal is a concept accepted by all, by both Muslims and non- Muslims. The majority of businesses in Malaysia sells products or offer services that are Halal endorsed. The Malaysia Halal Certification is globally respected. In our ever progressive world, it has become increasingly challenging for Muslims to determine whether the food or drinks they consume are religiously acceptable or Halal. This Halal and non-Halal problem is not only limited to food and beverage but also to other products and services. For Muslims living in a totally Islamic country like Saudi Arabia, the Halal question is not an issue at all. For those living in a multiracial Muslim country like Malaysia, although Halal food or services are readily available and easy to obtain, there is a need for the authority to monitor and enforce standards to ensure Halalness particularly when the products or services are made, sold, prepared or provided by non-Muslims. However, the real challenge is for Muslims living in a country whose population is predominantly non-Muslims. Extra diligence is needed for these Muslims to enjoy everything Halal. Most striking is that there are approximately 1.9 billion Muslims in the world who are consumers of Halal foods. As such the Halal food market is the largest food market in the world. Among the Halal importing countries are those which have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, have the fastest growing middle classes in the world, import a significant proportion of their food needs and have the highest rates of population growth in the world. Malaysia will be developed International Halal Food Hub for monitoring and standardization the Halal food product. The Halal certification will be gives if the food ingredients are Halal. This certification of Malaysia Halal standard are also will be strengthened and aggressively promoted internationally. HALAL BEEF PRODUCT Halal products are fast gaining worldwide recognition as a new benchmark for safety and quality assurance. Products that are produced with Halal certification are readily acceptable by Muslim consumers as well as consumers from other religions. This acceptance is due to the wholesomeness concept of Halal, which covers not only the Shariah requirement, but also the hygiene, sanitation and safety aspects. Halal certification is a powerful marketing tool for both the Muslim and non-Muslim producers, as there are an increasing awareness on the part of Muslim consumers all over the world on their obligation to consume Halal food. The Arabic word(Halal) means lawful or permitted. In the Holy Quran, Allah commands Muslims and all of mankind to eat of the Halal things. Basically, Allah Al Mighty knows what is best for us to eat. And normally all the Halal food are very clean and safe from any disease. But for non-Halal food, you always can find some interesting facts relating to sickness. This following products are definitely Halal such as milk (from cows, sheep, camels, and goats), honey, fish, plants which are not intoxicant, fresh or dried fruits, legumes nuts like peanut, cashew nuts, hazel nuts, walnut, grain such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, and oat. Basically, all food is Halal except meat from swine such as pork, ham, pork-based products and by-products such as sausages and gelatin. Animals improperly slaughtered or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place. Animals killed in the name of anyone other than Allah (for example, by anyone other than a Jew, Christian or Muslim, or as part of a pagan sacrifice), intoxicants, blood and blood by-products, foods contaminated with any of the above products. Most of the desserts use non-Halal Gelatin that comes from pigs. Focus about the beef, they are only Halal if they are slaughtered according to Islamic Law. The procedures that we must do at the beef are the animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim. The animal also should be put down on the ground or held it if it is small. The throat of the animal must be sliced with a very sharp knife to make sure that the 3 main blood vessels are cut. While cutting the throat of the animal (without severing it), the person must pronounce the name of Allah or recite a blessing which contains the name of Allah, such as Bismillahirahmannirrahim, Allah-u-Akbar. Islam prohibits the meat of animals that are slaughtered without reciting the name of Allah and those that are slaughtered whilst pronouncing a name other than Allah. Mentioning the name of Allah during slaughter is actually a way of seeking permission from God for taking the life of the animal for the sole purpose of sustenance. The prohibition to recite a name other than Allah during slaughter acts as a safe guard to a Muslims faith. Islam is a religion which promotes monotheism and rejects any form of polytheism. Mentioning a name other than Allah is regarded as a polytheistic act, thus such act is not permissible during slaughter. For more information, they lead the cow into an area, line its head up with where the piston comes out, and BAM! The cow is unconscious, hung by its ankles, and sent to where the slaughter takes place. Regarding poultry, a common practice is to render them unconscious by electrocuting them before slaughter. Slaughtering is to be done from the front of the neck, between the throat and the head of the breast bone (Libba). The throat/oesophagus (Mirree), windpipe/trachea (Halkoom) and the two jugular veins (Wadijan) are cut in the neck without severing the spinal cord. This cut severed the arteries to the brain of the animal, thus depriving the brain of blood supply. As a result, the brain loses consciousness due to insufficient oxygen. This renders the animal unconscious, causing the animal the least amount of pain.   By contrast, the Islamic method of slaughtering does not allow for animals to be killed in front of other animals. It requires an extremely sharp blade and the swift incision of the major veins in the neck to facilitate in a painless, quick blood loss and death. Before the slaughter takes place, the animal is examined for overall health. If the animal is deemed unhealthy, it cannot be slaughtered for food. The animal is slaughtered in such a way that most of the blood exits the body. The goal is to slaughter the animal, limiting the amount of pain the animal will endure. DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT MALAYSIA (JAKIM) HISTORY In 1968, the Conference of Rulers Pakistan has decided that the need for a body to mobilize efforts for development and advancement of the Muslims in Malaysia, in line with Malaysias status as an Islamic country that has strong international and world attention. Recognizing this, a secretariat to the National Council of Religious Affairs was established, to maintain the purity of faith and the teachings of Islam. Secretariat was subsequently developed as the Religious Department of the Prime Minister who was later promoted again to the Islamic Affairs Department (BAHEIS). On January 1, 1997, in line with the development and progress of Islam in the country has stabilized, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is established by the Malaysian government took power and the role (BAHEIS). FUNCTION OF JAKIM Formulation and standardization of Islamic law Formulate, review and amend laws for the standardization of Islamic states. Streamline and standardize the Islamic law throughout Pakistan. Act enacts Islamic law and the federal territories. Enforcement of Islamic law states Coordinating the implementation and compliance ruling. Coordination in the administration of Islam Streamline the administration of Islamic affairs and the states. Build a strong Islamic thought among Muslims based on the holding of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Produce cadres Islamic preachers and scholars through training in training institutions of Islam. Establishing benchmarks and practices of Islam through the formulation of service standards Hadhari Referral centers and advisory services relating to Islam government and private agencies. Increasing collaboration with the missionary network non-governmental bodies at national and international Strengthening survival of Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak in educational, missionary and social-economic Strengthening unity among Muslims to the Ummah. To empower the non-Muslim, indigenous peoples and minority groups. Expand the program and plans Islamic through radio and television stations. Expanding the program elements of Islamic values and personality to deal with social ills. Coordination and development of Islamic education Developing a team of experts in various fields of Islamic knowledge. Make Malaysia a hub for higher education and research al-Quran and al-hadith in regional and international levels. Develop and coordinate the management of the state religious school of Islamic education and Islamic schools. Develop and coordinate programs and classes al-Quran mass Ain (Kafa) in the current national education policy. Strengthening the role of institutions and programs prosperity mosque as a center of science and civilization of the community development that involves all walks of life. WHY ISLAM FORBIDS PORK Pork is the most commonly eaten forms of meat around the world, there are over 100 million metric tons of pork is consumed throughout the world. And pork can be served in different forms such as cooked or form of sausages. However, we know that Islam not eating pork but what is the reason they forbids pork. So now, we go to discuss about it. We know that food and drink have a direct effect on our health. That is why Islam prevents to unhealthy food. Because they believe both physical and moral health are equally important for a healthy society. Therefore, the abstention from eating pork is one of the steps taken by Islam to practice hygiene and to attain purity of soul. To cultivate our inner faculties, Islam insists upon the cleanliness of body and the purification of soul through Salaat (prayers), Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and other devotional duties. Islam teaches us how to attain the virtues and how to give up bad habits because both good and bad grow in the man according to his upbringing, education and environment. A human being has natural desires: food, sleep and sex being the three primary ones. He has also natural emotions: sorrow, happiness, love, fear, disgust and avarice etc. Islam doesnt recommend the complete abrogation of these impulses but offers a method of controlling them through religious education and discipline. The prohibition of eating pork in Islam is relevant in this context. There is a saying in English that a man becomes what he eats. According to physicians and medical experts, pork is a harmful diet. Consumption of swine-flesh creates lowliness in character and destroys moral and spiritual faculties in a man. Despite Islam allows Muslims to eat clean thing. However, in the consumption of meat, Muslims are required to be selective and distinguish the Halal foods. Dr. E. Kazim. M.D, in his article Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal) has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of swine. He writes: The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart, brain etc. a process called atherosclerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke. Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952): One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people who are infected show no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters. He continued: No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer. After reading the statement of Dr. Shepherd, one can realize that there is no real guarantee of safety when eating pork that one would not be affected by trichina worm. That is why modern doctors advise three prohibitions during illness: no liquor, no pork and no smoking. At the end we know that Muslim forbids pork because they respect their religion. They believe their GOD will care for them. But if they are under famine, they still can eat pork to survive, its no sin. CONCLUSION At the end, we found that Halal food have many benefits and thats why many people either Muslim or non Muslims, would like to choose Halal food. Halal meat is beneficial for nutrition and health. Only healthy animals can be slaughtered. It is done by Muslims who are trusted and experienced. The meat itself will have no blood clots within the veins-giving it a longer shelf life. Animals will be treated with mercy and respect and will be blessed with the name of God (Allah) prior to slaughter. Ethnic and religious considerations are not the only reasons why consumers are choosing kosher- and Halal-certified foods. Many perceive the extra supervision implicit in the certified foods assures higher quality and safer food products. According to Packaged Facts report, Market Trend: Kosher- and Halal-Certified Foods in the US, resonates with a similar report from Mintel released earlier this year, which concluded that the majority of US consumers who buy kosher foods do so for perceived quality and safety reasons, rather than for religious ones, and there is no reason to assume things are any different in Australia and New Zealand. They study found that three in five people who buy kosher food do so because they perceive it to be better quality, Halal food also have a lot of nutrition and they feel safe to eat it, and it free from any disease other that, availability to get Halal food is easier. The two most popular markets for Halal food are South-East Asia and the Middle East. By going through the Halal certification process, food processors will open up the possibility of additional clientele and often they will not even have to make changes to their product to get such certification. There are four steps in processing of Halal food that is: application, submission, processing certification and post certification. And whats the important in the steps of processing is certification attests that a product/service is suitable for Muslims and finished products which adhere to Halal manufacturing procedures carry a Halal symbol on the label. We know that all equipment used in the production of Halal foods must be free from contamination with non-Halal items and comply with the necessary hygiene and sanitation requirements. All ingredients must all be Halal as well. Favorable perceptions Many consumers believe that Halal and kosher food is produced under stricter supervision than is provided by government inspection and for many consumers the Halal and kosher symbols guarantee that the food is free of contaminants or disease and no preservatives added. The research indicated that more than half of consumers who purchased kosher products did so because they considered them to be safer than products not certified as kosher. Mintels research has shown that kosher was the most frequently used claim on food and drink products launched in the US in 2008 which, as the Jewish population is not increasing, suggests that the growing interest may be more to do with food safety than religion. Aside from religious requirements, kosher and Halal supervision adds another level of quality control in responding to the needs of the discerning consumer. Simply by adhering to the kosher and Halal requirements and having foods certified, processors will broaden their market.

A Marxist Reading of Native Son Essays -- Native Son Essays

A Marxist Reading of Native Son In the Communist Manifesto Karl Marx states clearly that history is a series of class struggles over the means of production. Whoever controls the means of production also controls society and is able to force their set of ideas and beliefs onto the lower class. The present dominant class ideology is, as it has been since the writing of the United States Constitution, the ideology of the upper-class, Anglo-Saxon male. Obviously, when the framers spoke of equality for all, they meant for all land-owning white men. The words of the Declaration of Independence, also written by upper-class, Anglo-American males, are clear: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are rights necessary to each human being and should never be taken away. Governments are established to protect these rights, yet these rights do not apply to everyone, particularly to the Bigger Thomases of the world. Although the framers of the Constitution and the authors of the Declaration of Independence could not look into the future to see the arrival of Richard Wright, his 1940 novel, Native Son, with its main character, Bigger Thomas, or the frustrated urban youths whom Bigger was patterned after, they did know their own needs. They also understood the importance of being free to attain those needs. Years later, Abraham Maslow agreed with the forefathers and gave the theory of needs a name. In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a theory of basic human needs: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. His theory suggests that embedded in the very nature of each human being are certain needs that must be attained in order for a person to be whole physically, psychologically, and emotionally. First, there are phys... ... is what society does to Bigger: it puts him in a cage, backs him into a corner, and when he lashes out, it kill him, just as Bigger killed the rat. Works Cited Boeree, Dr. George. "Personality Theories: Abraham Maslow." 1998. 7 November 2001. , Booker, Keith M. A Practical Introduction to Literary Theory and Criticism. White Plains: Longman 1996. Butler, Robert James. "The Function of Violence in Richard Wright's Native Son." Black American Literature Forum. Vol. 20, Issue 1/2, 1986. DeCoste, Damon Marcell. "To Blot It All Out: The Politics of Realism in Richard Wright's Native Son." Style. Vol. 32. 127-148. Grigano, Russel C. Richard Wright: An Introduction to the Man and His Works. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1970. Inge, M. Thomas ed., Fadiman, Clifton. New Yorker. 2 March 1940 53-53.

“Penelope” by Dorothy Parker Essay

After embarking on the literary journey that is â€Å"The Odyssey†, I decided to tackle this poem by Dorothy Parker. Although short in length, the poem was deceptively challenging due to the unraveling of symbolism within the words. Embedded within the short sentences were insightful references to seemingly ordinary objects, such as the sea, the sun, and even the breeze. These descriptions also added to the simple beauty of the poem. I also had a chance to see from Penelope’s point of view and what she thought about Odysseus and his travels, something that does not commonly occur in â€Å"The Odyssey†. The poem was filled with references to a journey even from the first few lines. There were many words that immediately made me think about a voyage one may take. For example, â€Å"pathway of the sun† (line 1) and â€Å"footsteps of the breeze† (line 2) made me think as though the sun and breeze were guides for an adventure, leading the way and showing where to go. Odysseus traveled â€Å"where the world and sky [were] one† (line 3). This shows unity between the Greek gods in the heavens and the god of water, Poseidon. The seas were also shown as â€Å"glittering† (line 5) and â€Å"silver† (line 4) displaying the beauty of the sea. I liked how Parker connected the Earth’s natural beauty to the treacherous yet exciting journey taken by Odysseus. It added another level to his trek that related him to the world he was exploring. The next section showed Penelope’s ability to wait patiently for her true love – her husband Odysseus. Penelope is portrayed as a calm yet cunning woman within a few lines. She waits â€Å"at home, and [rocks]† (line 6) in her rocking chair, thus showing her patience. However, Penelope is also very wily as she uses her loom trick to deceive the suitors with an ambition of taking her hand in marriage. She says she will â€Å"snip [her] thread† (line 8), connecting to the loom trick. She is also shown as being more independent as she plans to â€Å"bleach the linen for [her] bed† (line 9), a chore usually done by maids. The last line ends the poem very strongly. Penelope sounds a bit jealous as she states, â€Å"They will call him brave†Ã‚  (line 10). Is she jealous that she has had to do a lot of hard work while he has been gone, yet she receives no praise for it? I believe Parker put this in to show how Penelope just wants to be noticed and applauded for her handiwork. These actions shown by Penelope were extremely detailed and I loved being able to read the poem and visualize every part in my head.

buy custom The Wife of Bath’s essay

buy custom The Wife of Bath’s essay The story gives an in-depth picture of a womans rebellion against the anti-feminist attack of the medieval age in England. The prologue gives a good and realistic representation of a woman who fights and exerts her own independence during the medieval times. Her rights to progress in the business are pinned on her marital status and as a result, this raises questions on the clearness of the feminine roles during the middle ages (Smith, 2011, para. 2). Proto-feminism is a term that refers to the ancient movement among women that advocated for feminism concepts. This philosophical point of view existed before the 20th century, a period when feminism was still not yet accepted into the society. According to the Wife of Baths Tale, feminist ideas could not hold in the medieval times. There is quite a lot that can be inferred from the prologue and the tale itself. This paper will discuss the proto-feminist stand portrayed in the story and analyze whether this theme is well depicted in the tale or not. Alison, who is playing as the wife of bath is presented as one of the best developed and discussed women in the literature during the middle Ages. She is presented as a strong willed and vigorous lady who declines to give way for men to control her moves (Ames, 2007, p. 88). She therefore stands on her feet to fight for her destiny. Although she is seen as a forerunner of the feminist ideas, her prologue depicts her as anti-feminist orator. The prologue is actually a dramatic monologue in which the actor is expressed in her own words. Although she tries to sermonize, she turns out destructive to some extent. The wife of Bath attacks medieval system of belief thereby using aggression as her defense. The dominance of authority over experience is somehow twisted. It is found that experience gives forth tolerance and focuses on other views. Concerning genital, she says experience requires the genitals not to be used just for urination, but instead for sex. She further points out that Jesus did not give a decree on virginity (Ames, 2007, p. 88). She quotes the bible and argues that even if the bible talks about virginity as perfection, it does not required such perfection from everyone. She speaks about the intricate politics of sex in marriage life, mostly employing economic language. The concept superiority of the husband is found to be turned upside down. Additionally, the dominance of the spirit over the body is still twisted. According to her, she finds the aspect of experience as she calls it, the right one for her. She is very keen to justify herself referring to the authority from the bible. She argues that Christ did not prevent people from marrying more than once according to the story of the woman who had five husbands (Ames, 2007, p. 88). She already had five husbands and was still looking for the sixth. She further claims that the scripture can be interpreted from either point of view, both up and down. She uses this claim to illustrate how genitals can serve for urination purposes and as reproductive organs for differentiating males from females (Smith, 2011, para. 4). It is at this juncture that the pardoner interrupts, asserting that he was intending to marry a wife and that she put him off. She therefore advises him to put into consideration the advice that she was to offer to him. The conversation that follows thereafter depicts the status of a feminine dominated society (Chaucer, 2011, para. 3). Feminine sex roles are seen to have dominance over masculine ones. It is quite surprising to have this kind of experience bearing in mind the time of the incident was experienced. It was way beyond the invention of feminism movements and affirmative action for female gender. The wife continues to claim that women who wanted to have dominance over men did it very smartly as illustrated in the bible. The women could easily manipulate these men in order to get what they wanted from them. She claims that three out of the five husbands were good while two were bad. They were also rich but impotent mainly due to their old age (Ames, 2007, p. 88). As a result, these husbands gave the wife all the wealth that she needed. She claims that a wife uses great tactics that allow her husbands become victims of manipulation. She might even initiate an argument; make various justifications just to attain what she wants. She managed to cover up her own adultery by accusing her husband of infidelity. The wife was able to siphon money from her husbands by alleging that if she were to sell her sexual flavors, she would make more money than what they offered her (Delahoyde, 2010, para. 10). This was normally how the wife treated her first three husbands. The wifes fourth husband was a reveler, and had a mistress in addition to having his wife. The fourth husband was a good match for the wife of bath as they mutually had similar traits. However, he soon died. Although the fifth husband was good in bed, he was very violent towards the wife. He used to beat her brutally. She loved him because of how he used to play hard to have her. After he died, she married the fifth husband, was half her age. A female domineering character is portrayed through the interaction of Jankin, the fifth husband with the wife (Ames, 2007, p. 91). When he reads a book containing information on anti-feminism, the wife punched Jankinon the face making him fall onto the fire. He wakes up and hits her sending her on sprawling on the floor. After Jankin asks for forgiveness, she makes him burn the book. This portrays her as a courageous woman who is not ready to be intimidated, not even by her husband. The wife of Baths Tale is a story given when King Arthur ruled the earth. During this time, elves used to go round impregnating women. Nevertheless, the wife deviates spontaneously and the friars have replaced the elves. They have become copulating evil spirits. The king had a knight who found a maiden alone and raped her. This type of crime was normally punishable by death in the court (Ames, 2007, p. 87). However, the queen begged the king to spare the young mans life on condition that, within a span of one year, he was to find out what women desire most. After searching for the answer for a long period of time, he finally met an old lady who promised to help him with the answer provided he agreed to marry him. She gave him the answer and after presenting it to the queen, he was pardoned his mistakes. Although Knight was happy after winning the favor of the queen, he still felt miserable since he was supposed to honor his promise of marrying the old lady. They had a private wedding. The old lady realized his unhappiness after they went home and was lying on the bed. She gave him two alternatives to choose from. He could either have her as an old lady who would never both her or she could be a young and fair wife who could most likely bother him. The lady transformed into a young woman and the couple lived happily thereafter (Smith, 2011, para. 4). She concludes by claiming that Christ should kill all the men who are not ready to be governed by women. The wife of Bath has her voice highly typical, self promoting and aggressive. Through her prologue, she silences the Pardoner and the Friar. One of the major issues for interrupting the prologue is to show its relationship with the rest of the story. Some scholars have argued that the story ends wistfully with a sorrowful wish of an elderly lady whose hope for a sixth husband might turn futile. On the other hand, there are those who argue that the whole story revolves around the issue of mastery and control. As the story opens, we are told about the lady who was raped by Knight (Smith, 2011, para. 2). This is an indication of a man who is physically dominating a female. Furthermore, as the story closes, an illustration is given of a woman whose desire is being satisfied. However, a question arises on the premise under which a woman receives dominion over a man is all she does with it is to make her husband happy. The text and how it is interpreted is paramount to the wife of Baths Tale. She is presented in the prologue as being enveloped in textile spinning. Besides being excellent in giving a tale, she is also good at spinning a cloth. At the end of the tale, the lady requests her husband to cast up the curtain and see her as she really is (Delahoyde, 2010, para. 12). As a matter of fact, it becomes hard for one to differentiate where fiction and reality commences. The wife asserts that she stands for the female voices. Her story comprises of various women who represent each other. For instance, the raped maiden is signified by the queen, who is then represented by the elderly lady. She in turn transforms herself into the beautiful young lady. The image that precedes her manifestation is fittingly twenty four women who vanish into one. The wife is portrayed as the spokeswoman, on behalf of other women. She is opposed to male writers who have written articles on antifeminism like the one Jankin reads besides the fire. It is particularly ridiculous how the wife asserts to advocate for experience yet she spends most of her time in the prologue in dealing with the written authority. Although she is opposed to text, she is an expert in it. Also, even if against clerks, she turns out very clerical. Furthermore, she is very much bitter about the anti-feminist writing but on the other hand, she makes up the same anti-feminist texts (Delahoyde, 2010, para. 14). It can be plainly said that the voice of the wife is evident throughout the story. Her interrupted monologue in both the tale and prologue shows how the wifes voice dominates most parts of the tale. As a matter of fact, there are other uninterrupted monologues by Jankin, while reading from the book of wives. Also, the lothly lady is involved in another monologue on poverty and gentilesse. The wife is depicted as a more intricate figure than just a proto-feminist. She refers to an old myth, where a lion asked a rhetoric question after seeing an image of a man triumphing over a lion. The lion enquired whether the painting had been done by a man or a lion. Therefore, the story portrayed the same message and one could be ask whether the case could be similarly dismissed. In one way, it could serve (Smith, 2011, para. 4). This is because; the wife is portrayed as a lying and scheming woman. She thus fits into the anti-feminist habit that she represents. All these complex and fascinating questions show how the tale is remarkable to interpret. One of the key factors not to forget is that there is no wife without a husband. It is therefore, impportant to comprehend the proto-feminist wife of Bath from the perspective which understands her tough links to the men in her social circle. If the wife of Bath was meant to smash the long accepted stereotype of women, it could be seen that she would perhaps involve herself in a smart and well-versed conversation with some of those people supporting her (Smith, 2011, para. 3). Nevertheless, the closer she comes to this is through offering her bent understanding and interpretation of the bible. It is written in the bible that people should procreate; however, the wife prefaces this statement with claims of how men just do all the interpretation of the bible. She therefore asserts that she is also in a position to interpret the bible also and that the text is not even beyond her reach. The worst idea that is depicted from this illustration is that it does not portray her as having intelligence but instead, she was authenticating her lose conduct with the word of God. More importantly, her prologue shows that the wife was not trying to show herself as a woman who was able to have autonomy of thought, as she merely uses the bible. She uses an approach that is mainly linked with male dominion to support her claims. As a matter of fact, she is working well within the patriarchy rather than outside of it (Smith, 2011, para. 4). She only therefore substantiates the negative stereotypes about women due to the fact that the ideas that she gives are twisted or misunderstood. This is mainly portrayed when she tries to justify bad conduct with the bible. Additionally, her misinterpretations of the bible make her look foolish instead of an informed and educated lady. This is a clear indication and representation of the women in the medieval ages (Delahoyde, 2010, para. 12). It demonstrates that women did not have the capacity to comprehend the deep meaning and mysteries found in the bible. It also shows that if they were provided with a little information ab out it, they would utilize it to justify their sinful behaviors. Many scholars debate concerning the Wife of Baths Prologue and Tale. They try to find out if the use of Alison in the tale is meant to reinforce or cancel misogynist ideas. Throughout her prologue, the wife authenticates the bad stereotypes about women. She portrays herself to be a little more than a prostitute (Smith, 2011, para. 3). Instead f being a revolutionary figure representing feminist views, she simply concerns herself with search for husbands who will offer material things in exchange for her sexual favors. According to her, money, sex and marriage are all interconnected and are inseparable. In addition, to support the issue of how the wife propagates the negative stereotypes of women, she withholds sexual favors from the husbands who do not give her enough money that she demands. This can be seen as a representation of a woman in the middle ages who is trying to exercise her independence. However, the only power that she uses is that of her sexuality (Smith, 2011, para. 2). The only thing that differentiates her from a prostitute is the fact that there is a legal obligatory contract that joins them. Nevertheless, this is totally opposite and far from the feminist view of a solid marriage as it is greatly aligned with the old and bad stereotypes of women. It is worth noting that when the wife says she would no longer abide in bed, there is a message that she is trying to put across. She is illustrating and confirming how women who are obsessed with money lower their self esteem to exchange their own sexual favors to earn a living. Furthermore, she is trying to prove that an informed and empowered woman should not be held by the york of love and marriage (Smith, 2011, para. 1). Instead, she ought to be free to do as she wishes. However, this great feeling is reverted as she portrays herself as a contradiction when speaking about the last husband. She said the fifth husband used to beat her and she loved him for that. It is quite surprising how events later turn out to be such that the former domineering wife is finally happy with a man who is battering her. The idea that audience gets from the last episodes is that the wife has a complicated understanding of marriage such that at the end, she accepts to be beaten by the husband. Even if she had fought back to get her autonomy, at the end of the tale, she is seen to give in to male dominion (Smith, 2011, para. 4). As a result, she ends up not being the revolutionary female figure she portrayed in the beginning. She is no longer the proto-feminist but rather, the same kind of a female who occurs frequently through the Middle Ages and other literature. Although she tries to portray herself as strong-willed and an autonomous female, in the end, she becomes part of the negative stereotype than an ordinary woman. Although it can be suggested that the Wife of Bath could have demonstrated an early and proto-feminist character, there are too many features that show how she is part of the patriarchy system rather than being outside it. For a female figure to be truly feminist and revolutionary, she has to find a way of presenting herself partly with men and also independent of them (Smith, 2011, para. 5). The wife of Bath decides to use the patriarchal systems of religion and marriage for her own benefit instead of looking for more meaningful transformations. Buy custom The Wife of Bath’s essay

Nokia Pricing Strategy

Nokia Pricing Strategy Background of the company Nokia is an electronics company, founded in 1865 by Fredrik Idestam; the company started as a paper manufacturing company but in the 1970s, it changed its line of business to electronics (Nokia Official website ,2010). It has a strong brand; some of its products include phones and laptops.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Pricing Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In 2009, it was the second largest company in electronics industry from Apple Inc; the company’s positioning statement is technology connecting people. To remain competitive, the company uses an integrated pricing strategy. This paper discusses how the company determines prices of its products. Product attributes Nokia phones are in different shapes, technology level and have different features; each category of phone has the target market it aims. The following are the common products attributes of Nokia Phones: They have a target market; the section of the market is in need of phones Has high value products that can be up of phones for this class is Nokia 1200 and Nokia 1210.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Middle class They are people who need a higher tech phone than the lower earning class; to target the population, the company has develops phones with more features, for example it may include internet services to the gargets of cheap technologies like GPRS. Well-to-do Well-to-do people need a number of applications in their phones, when the company is developing products for this target market; it uses high technology and includes a number of features and technologies for example they use Edge technology for internet. To sell in this market, the company uses price-skimming strategy Niche markets The company’s research and development department has the role o f recognizing a need that current phones in the markets are not meeting, then develop product that meet the market. Some of the phones in the market include touch screens ( Kotabe and Helsen, 2004). Distribution Depending with the target market, the products are distributed differently; the company has established Nokia collection centers in different countries where traders can get the product for distribution; alternatively, if a trade is willing to buy in bulk, the company offers the option; it has both online and desk selling. Who carries the products? In different countries, the company has established collection centers called authorized dealers who are given the responsibility of distributing the products in their countries. When the dealers have received the products, they are supposed to ensure they get to the target market in the best form. The approach to selling increases the cost of the product to the final consumer since all people in the chain will have to benefit fro m the transaction. Where can it be found? Nokia phones can be found in the following places:Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Pricing Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Authorized dealers and sub-dealers premises Shopping malls Supermarkets Stalls Electronic shops among other electronic garget selling points (Nokia Official website ,2010). What type of promotions does this company use and how does that influence price? The company uses â€Å"pull† promotion strategy, under this approach, massive advertisements and persuasion mechanisms are adopted to ensure that an organization’s products knowledge of existence has been created. The end user and the promoters are at close links and interact in the course of advertising. The cost incurred is passed to the final consumer increasing the price of the phones. What are some suggestions on how this product or service could be improved and how mi ght that influence pricing? Nokia management team should think of improving operating technology adopted in phones, so as it can accommodate modern applications. Currently, the highest technology used for internet applications is EDGE technology; however, some of its competitors like Apple Inc have switched to 2G and 3G technology. When the technology adopted has been improved, then, the company is likely to enjoy a higher share of the market. The second improvement that the company should make is to incorporate low earning and middle class market segments in its twin-Sims products; the approach is likely to increase the company’s sales. References Hooley, G. and Saunders, J.(1993). Competitive Strategy: The Key to Marketing Strategy. New York: Prentice Hall. Kotabe, M. and Helsen, K. (2004). Global Marketing Management.New York: John Wiley Sons. Nokia Official website.(2010). Nokia.

Japan's Soft Power in Australia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Japan's Soft Power in Australia - Research Paper Example Significant points will be highlighted all through the research proposal. Several research questions will further help in enlightening the concept of Soft Power and how useful it can be for a country. The concept of Soft Power has been recently coined and it can change the fortune of a country within literally no time, Japan has benefitted a lot from their Soft Power in Australia. The healthy cooperation between the two countries is a very healthy and mutually dependent partnership. Japan is also competing with the likes of Korea and China for Asian supremacy and it is high time for them to grow by leaps and bounds in order to beat the competition presented by their rivals. This research is very significant because outlines the fact that hard power no longer works effectively and in order to maximize the gain this concept of Soft Power has been introduced. This proposal will mainly deal with intriguing questions that will throw light upon this delicate concept and how this is being made use of by several countries in order to establish themselves globally. The bonding between Japan and Australia is very evident and the two countries share a great relationship be it in business or for that matter any other field. These two nations have brought in a real revolution and the chemistry that they share has been named as a "Core" relationship by people who have taken a conspicuous notice of the relationship between the two countries. This core relationship is very enticing because it guarantees safety; the level of safety is much higher when compared to any other Asian nation. This paper will expansively present Japan's soft power in Australia; in addition to this the paper will also throw light upon Japanese cultural, economic and political influence to Australia and ideology especially after World War Two. There is a very healthy interdependence between Australia and Japan, Australia plays a pivotal role in equipping Japan with necessary resources and energy security. 22 % of Japan's energy needs are taken care of by Australia. This interdependence is extremely important for both countries in order to maintain a healthy relationship with all the other countries located in and around the vicinity. "Former Western Australian premier Geoff Gallop, now an academic at Murdoch University, made exactly this point: "Our growing links to China and India [should be] put into the context of our long-term and still developing partnerships with Japan. In all of our thinking about Asian engagement we cannot ignore the strength of our links to Japan. We share democratic values, face similar demographic and social challenges, and have many interests in common in respect of regional and international issues." (Beyond the Mainstream) Methodology This research will employ the methodology of research; main focus will be on the statistics and facts. How Japan and Australia have benefitted out of this relationship will be proved by the help of several examples and most importantly focus will also be on what it takes to establish Soft Power in another country and what problems the same is capable of creating. Japan's economic political and other important aspects are pivotal and they will be taken into account in this research. The resurgence of Japan

Germany's Weltpolitik Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Germany's Weltpolitik - Essay Example directed against socialists! Caprivi's successor, Prince Hohenlohe (Chancellor 1894 -1900), was an elderly Bavarian aristocrat with a reputation for indecision and procrastination. Thus Hohenlohe became a figure-head and Blow, his foreign minister, exerted a powerful influence under him. In time Blow became Chancellor between 1900 - 1909. He was a manipulator and self-seeker who pandered to the emperor. He became unpopular with the Kaiser following the Daily Telegraph affair, and was replaced by Bethmann-Hollweg, who was Chancellor between 1909 - 17. He was a hard-working and well-meaning bureaucrat lacking experience in foreign affairs, and ignorant of military issues. Caprivi's adopted a more conciliatory attitude to previously hostile forces within Germany, such as the Centre Party and the Social Democrats. In 1891 with the backing of the Reichstag, he introduced the prohibition on Sunday working and limitations on child labour. He also reformed Germany's tariff policy - in a series a bilateral agreements with Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia and others he negotiated a reduction of German tariffs on agricultural goods in return for reductions in foreign tariffs on German goods. However, this initiated a reaction. In 1893 the Agrarian League was formed; it grew to a million members and acted as powerful pressure group for the Conservatives. earning the resentment of the army... eries a bilateral agreements with Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia and others he negotiated a reduction of German tariffs on agricultural goods in return for reductions in foreign tariffs on German goods. However, this initiated a reaction. In 1893 the Agrarian League was formed; it grew to a million members and acted as powerful pressure group for the Conservatives. In 1892 - 3 Caprivi also reduced conscription from 3 to 2 years in the Army Bill; thus earning the resentment of the army. In 1894 Wilhelm II pressed Caprivi to draw up an anti-socialist Subversion Bill; Caprivi refused. Although he did dissuade Wilhelm II from adopting an even more authoritarian approach, he resigned. Weltpolitik The aged Hohenlohe held the Chancellorship until 1900, but he was no match for court and government intrigue. Policy was directed more by Blow, Tirpitz and Posadowsky-Wehner. In 1897 Admiral von Tirpitz was appointed navy secretary; Count Posadowsky-Wehner as interior minister; Blow as foreign secretary. A period of Weltpolitik was introduced - colonnial annexations, creation of economic spheres of influence, and expansion of the navy. The Kaiser wanted Germany to become a world power. There was a belief in social Darwinism and the unending struggle between nations. The peasantry and Mittlestand had become radicalised; and many pressure groups formed - especially, the Pan-German League, which was anti-Socialist, racist, anti-Semitic and expansionist. In 1898 Tripitz initiated the creation of the Navy League, with financial backing from key industrialists. Membership rose to 1 million. The Navy Bills of 1898 and 1900 were passed with substantial majorities. There was renewed political struggle within Germany over the renewal of Caprivi's commercial treaties - the compromise Tariff