Compare and Contrast role model: Richard Dawkins Essay

When choosing a role model according to my Christian worldview there are several positions taken into account. Their position and belief on Sexuality, Social Issues, and the Nature of God are areas in which our agreeing or disagreeing is a major contributing factor throughout the decision making process. Because of our foundational beliefs, Richard Dawkins does not meet the most lenient of qualifications according to my Christian worldview in order to serve as a role model. According to my Christian worldview a role model can be defined as a person whose belief system being based upon their acceptance that God is the creator of the universe, has sent his only begotten Son as the sacrifice for sin, and trusting the Holy scriptures are the inerrant and infallible word of God. Richard Dawkins once stated, Genetic engineering is important for the future of the human species and that our emerging technology of altering certain human cells will affect individual gene pool in order to dictate human behavior and gender (Harris, 1984). This statement implies humankind posses the knowledge of what it takes to create a person and to determine their sexual behavior outside of the Christian worldview. In believing human behavior has a genetic basis whereby altering specific genes we can create individual as we see fit is the very premises that Adolf Hitler used when attempting to create a master race. Professor Dawkins believes the possibility of engineering human being exist where my Christian worldview says, biblical scriptures provide the necessary truth on God not only creating humankind but also that Gods Holy Spirit will affect human behavior without gene manipulation. The Christian worldview beliefs on sexual behavior differ from Professor Dawkins suggesting it is genetically based. Christianity teaches, humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), God determines the gender of a child, and God has the ability to change the deviant behavior of people. As I continued efforts towards invalidating Richard Dawkins as a possible role model his questionable stance on abortion came to mind as I read an article entitled â€Å"Abortion and Dawkins’ Fallacious Account of the So-called ‘Great Beethoven Fallacy’. The article discussed Professor Dawkins ethical and moral understanding on abortion as it relates to the Great Beethoven Fallacy and religion. Though he bible does not speak about aborting a child directly, scripture does make a distinction between killing as a result of an act of God and killing as a result of premeditation (Exodus 21:12). Christianity foundational belief in Jesus and the teachings of Jesus stands against all forms and efforts to stop procreation among humankind. God while speaking words of encouragement to Jeremiah says, â€Å"Before you were in the belly I formed you and before you came out I gave you purpose or a reason for living† (Jeremiah 1:5). In other words, the Christian worldview stands against supporting abortion or any form of human population control efforts that cause the death of Gods children. Professor Dawkins opinion differs from a person sharing in the Christian worldview by claiming, â€Å"The measuring stick for abortion is the suffering of the fetus (McLachlan, 2009). Professor Dawkins proposing questions such as â€Å"Does the pregnant woman or the family suffer† is immaterial when God identifies with the fetus before the birthing process begins. In addition to the fetus or the family suffering in respect to aborting the child, consideration was also placed on the mental aspects of the family. For instance, terminating pregnancy due to psychological issues, health of parents or number of children could also be a deciding factor in aborting the child. The final area used to rule out the possibility of Professor Dawkins serving as a role model for me or anyone with a Christian worldview was his foundational belief concerning the existence and nature of God. Professor Dawkins book entitled The God Delusion, characterization of God in saying, â€Å"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak, a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogymstic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, fihcidal, pestilential, megalomamacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully (Baker, 2009, p. 75). † During his childlike rant Dawkins proved, he was incapable of serving as a role model to anyone whose foundational belief was Christianity. By questioning Gods absolute authority, Dawkins implied God was unable to judge humankind righteously. A person with a limited understanding of scripture yet posses the Christian worldview may feel challenged as they read Dawkins statement of God as being jealous. In all actuality the Biblical scriptures contained in the book of Exodus speaks of God being jealous but not in the context of Professor Dawkins statement. By definition, Dawkins reasoning meant someone that is envious of another because of his or her achievements and advantages. The difference in Dawkins definition of jealousy and the Holy Scripture is in the interpretation of Exodus 20:5, which does not pertain to the sin of jealously but rather the act of giving someone else something (Worship) that only belongs to God. In closing, Professor Richard Dawkins is not a person I would choose to be a role model based on the following facts, his belief that gene manipulation will determine the outcome of human behavior as compared to my believing God created us individually without gene manipulation. Professor Dawkins stance for supporting abortion says the measuring stick should be the suffering of the fetus, mother and father, as compared to my believing God identifies with us before we are formed in the mother’s womb. Finally, the argument that nullifies any chance that Professor Dawkins meet the qualification of serving as my role model was his characterizing God as having the same sinful nature of humanity.

My last farewell Essay

My Last Farewell (Mi Ultimo Adios) Farewell, dear fatherland, clime the sun caress’d, Peal of the Orient seas, our Eden lost! Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life’s best, And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest, Still would I give three, not count the cost. On the field of battle, ‘mid the frenzy of fight, Others have given their lives, without doubt or beed; The place not matters—cypress or laurel or lily white, Scafold or open plain, combat or martyrdom’s plight, ‘Tis ever the same, to serve our home and country’s need. I die just when I see the dawn break Though the gloom of night, to herald the day; And if color is lacking my blood thy shalt take, Pour’d out at need for they dear sake, To dye with its crimson the waking ray. My dreams, when life first opened to me, My dreams when the hopes of youth beat high, Were to see thy lov’d face, O gem of the Orient sea, From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free; No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eyes. Dream of my life, my living and burning desire, All hail! Crisis the soul that is now to take fight; All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire; To die for thy sake, that thou may’st aspire; And sleep in thy blossom eternity’s long night. If over my grave some day thou seest grow, In the grassy sod, a humble flower, Draw to thy lips and kiss my soul so, While I feel in my brow in the cold tomb below The tough of thy tenderness, thy breath’s warm power. Let the moon beam over me soft and serene, Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes, Let the wind sad lament over me keen; And if on my cross a bird should be seen, Let it thrill there is hymn of peace to my aches. Let the sun draw vapos up to the sky, And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest; Let some kind soul o’er my untimely fate sigh, And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high From there, O my country, that in God I may rest. Pray for all those that hapless have died, For all who have suffered the unmeasr’d pain; For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried; For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried; And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain. And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around, With only the dead in their vigil to see; Break not my repose of thy mystery profound, And perchance thou mayst bear a sad hymn resound; ‘Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee. When even my grace is remembered no more, Unmark’d by never a cross not a stone; Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o’er, That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor, Before into nothingness at last they are blown. Then will oblivion bring me no care, As over thy wales and plains I sweep; Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air, With color and light, with song and lament I fare, Ever repeating the faith I keep. My fatherland ador’d, that sadness to my sorrow lends, Beloved Filipino, hear now my last goodbye! I give thee all; parents and kindred friends; For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends, Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e’er on high! Farewell to all, from my soul torn away, Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed! Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day! Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way; Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest!

Educational Tour Essay

Educational Tour gives us ideas likewise opportunities to visit prestigious agencies that may help us visualize what we are learning at school. This activity helps us develop our personality since social graces and etiquette are learned too by experience. Moreover, important to every student since it is a part of our learning process to acquire more knowledge through actual exposure to the different agencies. Narrative Report: On July 4,2013 ,the faculty of World Citi Colleges held an educational tour for the Bachelor of Science and Tourism Management students. The locations are the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Resort World Manila and Island Cove. July 4, 2013, the day when I have to wake up early because it should be a big No for rush and the call time is 6:00 to 6:30. I have to commute to go to our school. It is around 5:00 in the morning when I left my house and started to wait a jeep in waiting area going to Cubao. Sadly, I wait for 15 minutes just to ride in a jeep. When I rode a jeep, I paid going to Anonas and dropped to our school. When I got there, I saw my classmates and we went to Bus no. 3. While waiting for others, I and my classmates sit in the vacant sit . We started to travel around 7:00 but of course we pray first for a safe trip. After the pray, here it goes! We already started talking, laughing, picture taking and of course we cooperate in our tour guide to answer some questions and he gives some rules. We arrived at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Our tour guide in CCP gives us knowledge about the history of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and about some Arts that in the place who made it and why he/she made it. I recognized some of my classmates didn’t listening to our tour guide while some of us listening. He showed us the theater. He said, â€Å"I didn’t showed this to some groups but because you’re listening I will show you the theater. † We were in at a dark place and I saw the theater. It’s so big! It’s my first time to see a big theater. After that, we continued the tour again and of course we take pictures. After the CCP, we went again to our bus. We arrived at the Resort World but before we go out on a bus, a tour guide in Resort World showed and gave us some of the rules. We gave our member information to get a member card. He said that only 29 students will get the member card on a day of our tour. Luckily, I got it. After that, we toured in the resort world. Actually, that’s my first time to go to a luxury mall. We entered to a theater and then they showed us the rooms in hotel. We played games in Game zoo. They gave us a Game zoo Card for free play. After we played, we bought our lunch in Mc Donald. Then, we went back to our bus and ate the lunch while moving the bus going to Island Cove. We arrived at Island Cove which was our last destination. We walked in a bridge. There, we have a seminar with other branch of World Citi Colleges – Caloocan, Antipolo and Cubao. The seminar started. I learned many things about Tourism and of course being a tourist guide. After the seminar, we toured around the island cove. We saw a swimming pool and some slides. Too bad, we didn’t know that we can bring some clothes so we can swim. Because of that, we just took some pictures and toured the place. When we got tired, we went back to our bus. I and my classmates were talking, laughing, and taking pictures. Then all my classmates were got in the bus so we were going back to school. We left the Island Cove around 5:00 pm and arrived at the school at 8:00 pm because of the traffic. I got home safely around 9:00. The tour for me is great! I learn many things that I will I hope we have a tour again in a great place and an educational.

Sugar Industry Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sugar Industry - Research Paper Example The U.S. sugar industry saved the domestic players from the changing world prices of sugars. For importing sugar, the U.S. has to pay an import price which also includes import duties. However, it has been found that there occurs a significant gap between the import prices and the market prices. The reasons of the volatility of the market prices could be the unbalanced supply which may result from high costs of production, implying that small changes in the supply may have significant price effects. (Agricultural trade policies in the new millennium) (Kennedy & Koo 156) The U.S. followed a sugar system which was meant to protect the domestic sugar producers from the volatile and high global market prices. This system led to almost double prices for sugar than the market prices. However, in the year 1989, the traditional quotas were changed and a new tariff quota was being followed which led to paying an extra duty, thereby allowing imports to respond to greater demands. From the 1990 s, there was demand for change in policies, when the World Trade Organization, came into being (Vaughan, & France 25-29).The sugar program in the U.S. helps the domestic producers through a loan program which guarantees the producers a minimum market price for the sugar they produce. However, this has to operate without any cost to the government. In order to prevent losses, the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has to keep the prices up, and the import quota plays a crucial role in this. The tariff rate quota allows a lower level of imports at a low tariff level, that is, restrictions are made to the foreign supply of sugars. (The U.S. Sugar Program, 18-19). As per researches, the U.S. sugar program increases costs to the U.S. sweetener users. The government, not paying directly to the producers, lists the costs to the users of sweeteners. As a result there is a gap between the import prices and the prevailing market prices. Thus the users pay more which benefits the producers. Keeping the prices high, protection is obtained against forfeiture or loss in terms of loans or other factors, and helps the producers to recover loan rates, and other costs like transportation. (The U.S. Sugar Program, 24-25). Manufacturers who produce substitutes for sugar also benefit from the sugar program. However, the benefits from the sugar program are not always profits. Profits are dependent on production and efficiency of the producer. (The U.S. Sugar Program, 33-35). Consumers and taxpayers enjoy several benefits from the U.S. sugar program. The American economy benefits from the policies by

Ethical Dilemma Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ethical Dilemma Assignment - Essay Example Ethical decisions may present themselves that can run the risk of ruining a career or creating a poor patient outcome. These decisions must be made carefully and thoughtfully, and with introspection and deliberation. Making the ethical decision is a process of self-reflection and personal integrity. This paper will define an ethical dilemma and explore the decision making process used to arrive at a decision where all the options have significant consequences. As a health care worker, friends occasionally confront me that need medical care and require a prescription drug. They will occasionally request that I write the prescription without seeing the patient, which is in violation of common medical ethics and sound medical practice. They may additionally ask me to write the prescription for a third party that has insurance in an effort to eliminate the cost of the drug. In addition to violating medical ethics, this also has the legal liability of being against the law. Adding to the ethical dilemma is the reality that they often do not have the money for their expensive medications, and using someone else's insurance may be the only option they have to acquire them. I am also familiar with their case and know the patients, and they perceive the demand to see them in the office as simply 'medical over-kill'. These factors impact my decision making process, as I am empathetic to their financial needs and sympathize with their feelings regar ding the office visit. I need to make a decision that will consider my friends and our relationship, their physical and emotional health, as well as my career and personal integrity. There are myriad sides to this dilemma and numerous aspects that need to be evaluated. I need to weigh the importance, and definition, of our friendship and how that might be impacted by my refusal to comply with their requests. I also need to examine the fact that I might be able to significantly help these people by doing a minimum amount of harm. The professional ethical guidelines that I uphold have a high value to me, and violating them reduces my own sense of self-worth. In addition, I could risk losing my license, my practice, my career, and my livelihood. I need to be sure that these risks are real, and not simply defense mechanisms that I am using to deny my friends' requests. These are the factors that need to be weighed into a reasonable and balanced decision that I can live with. The decision making process begins by defining the dilemma and ends with taking action. The process also includes consulting professional guidelines, considering all the options that are available, consulting colleagues, and evaluating the potential outcome of each alternative (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008, pp. 22-23). Every decision we make has consequences and when making a decision we need to be able to accept and endure the cost of that decision. I believe in the theory of virtue in regards to ethics and believe that our actions should adhere to the principle that "what is ethical is what develops moral virtues in ourselves and our communities" (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, Meyer & Meyer, 2008). Unlike the utilitarian, I don't compare the potential good against the possible harm and see which outweighs the other. I simply must see if my actions develop my sense of moral virtue. I

Annotated Bibliography-Sheila Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Annotated Bibliography-Sheila - Coursework Example Previous studies offered archivists as to the benefits of the cycle by the use of computers. Literature review consisted of other studies and archival theories that provide in-depth analysis to the study. Principal methods of research included case studies and observations that were common to other researchers. It is important to realize how advanced technology has changed the world of archives making records accurate. Duranti, L. (2010). Concepts and principles for the management of electronic records, or records management theory is archival diplomatics. Records Management Journal, 20(1), 78-95. doi:10.1108/09565691011039852 The article is published by Emerald Publishing group limited. It tries to examine the problems that are posed by electronic records as their authenticity is not guaranteed. The data recorded might not be consistent to provide analysis hence promoting further learning. The literature is not in consensus to the study since research proves otherwise given that electronic records cannot be trusted. However, it provides a complete analysis of the topic that provides good understanding of the reading. The methods of research was by use of studies from different fields to establish the reliability of electronic records which has been used by previous studies. It is significant though that technology is developed to be efficient which, in this case, proves otherwise. This is a book by Frank that was published by Chicago. It provides for the holistically cycles of the health records such as networks, emails and whatever technology that suits data records. The provisions contained does not recommend for other studies. The reviews nonetheless did not exist on the paper; hence no in-depth analysis could be established. The gaps conversely existed as to what records could be applied to the health facilities. The methods of research were samples of various data tools and their relevance to the health systems. It also used case studies

Aspirations for Future-Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Aspirations for Future-Social Work - Essay Example The purpose of life may also change continuously for some individuals as they gain more experiences in life .I have also wondered about how my life should take shape , in order to figure out my career options I made a not of how my personality is and what career options will best suit me .I have always been troubled by my desire to help people. I have noted since my early childhood days that I become worried when people around me are facing any trouble. I simply cannot ignore their situation and move on in life. The desire to help anyone in trouble sometimes becomes an obsession for me. I am not talking about helping only the poor people or things like that; I even want to help people who face any family or personal problems. I have learnt to live with this attitude of mine and have even decided to move ahead my career path in this direction. Work Environment Social work; although a very satisfying career option but is also a very challenging one. The work environment is not the one which is provided by corporate world. Understaffing and large caseloads is the norm in the industry. Social workers also have to work under a lot of budgetary constraints as unlimited amount of money is never available to a social worker. The work also involves a lot of field visits and leaving your desk to visit the client. The working hours are normally 40 hours a week but may even increase in emergency situations. Educational Qualifications and Trainings Required A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the basic requirement that most organization demand for entry level positions in social work .These programs deal with social work values and ethics, promotion of social and economic justice human behaviour and social research methods. Most of the programs also provide you with minimum of 400 hours of field work. (British Association Of Social Workers, 2011) As a thumb rule in England I need 5 GCSE’s grade A to Cincluding English and Mathsand 2 A-levels.These aret hegrades that Ineed to obtain in order to enter a BSW program. (Prospects, 2011) However if I want to move into heath and school work or even clinical work ; then a masters degree in social work will be required(MSW).At this stage I really do not know if I would like to go for the Masters degree but would decide as time progresses. A doctorate degree will be my preferred option if I want to teach in a university. I am currently not keeping this as an option as I would like to work on the field and leave the research work to others. Apart from these necessary degrees a social worker also needs to undergo various certifications and programs in order to advance in his career forward. Most states also require social workers to fulfil licensing, certification or registration requirements-these will be studies by me when I actually work on the field. Some of the colleges which I will be targeting for my BSW programme have been listed by me in the table below- (Social Work Training, 2011) Bristol University Middlesex University Birmingham University Bradford University Cardiff University Lancaster University Leeds Metropolitan University Liverpool University Employment Opportunities According to department of labour statistics, 67% of jobs in 2008 were in the healthcare and social assistance industries and 23% were employed by the government. (British Association Of Social Workers, 2011) Most of the social workers have been working in the cities but some do get a chance to work in the rural areas as well .The BASW predicts tough competition in urban

Volunteering in community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Volunteering in community - Essay Example I could meet the challenges of this volunteer activitiy and learn a great deal about myself, my calling in the medical field, patient care, and how Hamad General has evolved to become the leading medical institution in Qatar. Stepping into the halls of Hamad General on that first day gripped me with a sense of awe and wonder at the state of the art facility. At par, if not far advanced, of its western counterparts, I knew that the challenging world I had chosen to become a part of was not just going to challenge me as a person, but help me to become a better version of myself. I knew that this was the place I had to be. I was in the right place, at the right time. Hamad General Hospital is one of the health care facilities that resulted from the Emiri decree issued in 1979. The 603 bed facility has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings are a general hospital. These days, the facility has evolved into offering both general and complex medical assistance covering the areas of trauma, emergency medicine, pediatrics, critical care, specialized surgery, specialized medicine, laboratory medicine, and radiology services. The hospital is certainly expanding its services and access to the most modern health diagnostic tools in response to the ever growing population of the city. Most notable of its objectives at the moment is the development of a Diabetes Center in order to address the large diabetic population of Qatar. I spent my time as a volunteer at the hospital acclimatizing and familiarizing myself with the various trauma departments and patients. I have a certain specific interest in this field of medical science and my exposure to that area of the hospital was quite beneficial towards increasing my knowledge in trauma care. It was in this department where I learned that being a volunteer is not as simple as it sounds. With the main purpose of the trauma department being to help patients become productive members of society again, I found that

Museum Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Museum Paper - Essay Example There are various writings on the coffin that indicate of the mummy’s social identity as a fertility god. The major aspect of the writing is the prayer that ensures that Irethorrou is supposed to receive meals that entail of â€Å"good and pure things† to achieve its eternity. The lineage of Irethorrou is outlined on the coffin, and tis includes of the Akhimim city. Based on the information written on the coffin, we note that Irethorrou was a wardrobe-priest, responsible for caring for the god’s statue. This means that the Egyptians purified the statue, cleaned it adnd clothed it on a daily schedule. The major aim of Irethorrou was to specialize in fumeal rituals, since he was a servant of the funerary duty Osiris-Sokar. The mummy boy is wrapped in linen and it has amulets made of stones. They are positioned strategically at crucial points on the swaddling linen. It is important to note that the positioning of the amulets in the linen layer close to the body is described to posses’ magical effects that are connected to the Egyptian belief in resurrection. The amulets are placed on the Mummy in a manner that enables individuals to realize the traditions associated with the treatment of the head. These aim at reawakening and reanimating the body. We note that there are amulets placed on the right eye of Irethorrou, and they have direct associations with the atef god. The deities are situated together with a belief that they will work in a speeded and secure manner to ensure that Irethorrou resurrects. However, we note that the life and death of Irethorrou is not indicated however, it is estimated that the mummy lived to be around forty to fifty years. The cause of his death is not identified although various bumps on its back skin characterize the infection of a deadly disease. The Cantor Arts Center is an art collection center that entails of different works from the entire globe. The collections usually

Life & Wessex King Essay Example for Free

Life Wessex King Essay Life in the past was characterized with lots of battles between rival territories. This resulted to the rise of powerful empires and the measure of power during those days was through the number of wars fought. Warriors of those days were called Vikings. A Viking also denotes a pirate, merchant or explorer. These Norsemen normally used long ships to travel in the sea to all the places of their interest and used the same vessels to fight their enemies. The Vikings are traced to have originated in the early 17th century in the German territory. The initiator of Vikings in the Iceland is Erik the red. He lived all his life ruling his people after which his son picked the mantle from him (Gwyn, J. 2000). SCANDINAVIA The term Scandinavia is both a historical a major geographical part in the world. There exist also a people who are identified as the Scandinavians. According to the geographical setting, Scandinavia is located in the Northern Europe, a place called Scandinavian Peninsula. The kingdoms that existed in the Scandinavian region include: Finland, Norway and partly Denmark. A lot of research done also reveal that Sweden and Iceland also form part of this robust history. All these regions put together are further referred to as Nordic region. The geographical orientation of Scandinavia is rather ambiguous. The region spreads from the Norwegian Fjords all the way to the low areas in Denmark through the Scandinavian Mountains and to the archipelagos of Sweden and Norway. This region has diverse group of people and for this reason, there exist more that one dialect. The languages that were spoken in these regions included Norway, Sweden and Denmark dialects. These people usually understood each other and thus had mutual understanding. DO THE VIKINGS RIGHTFULLY DESERVE THE REPUTATION THAT THEY WERE CRUEL, MURDEROUS BARBARIANS? WHY? WHY NOT? The Vikings performed most of their ventures through wars. It is evident that a normal way of dressing was to be attire that is characteristic of a warrior. The males had war uniforms all the time. From the first time that the Vikings entered a territory, war had to be fought. It is mandatory that people must die in the event of war. The death of people was so common to these northern tribes that any one could talk of them to be cruel and murderous. Other ventures like sea piracy and looting were associated with brutality and blood shed. The victims of such encounters were left counting their losses if they were not dead. Erik who is one of the founders of the Vikings movement was actually observed to murder many people in his native land until he was expelled to go to exile, the result which led to the discovery of Ice land. EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF WESSEX, IN REGARD TO THE VIKINGS IN ENGLAND. The Wessex territory was known for its great power during the year 878. This territory had great potential that any attacker could admire. Te Wessex King of that time planed for a very efficient army that was to fight and defeat the Viking warriors. This king managed to resist the Vikings and with time became pronounced as Alfred the great. His territory was a centre for trade, commerce and administration. The Vikings however invaded this land and took loots from it as usual. The Wessex region acted as a real opposition to the advances of the Vikings. Every one feared the Vikings. The sight of these raiders approaching a region would send cold shivers down the guts of every king. King Alfred however managed to escape them, even though he was later cornered. The Wessex region became a home of habitation to some Vikings although others separated from the settling camp and continued with invasion. Wessex became a point mark towards bringing an end to the Viking advances in war. HOW DID THE VIKINGS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BREAK-UP OF THE CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE? The Vikings were a major threat to the kings during the Viking age. The Vikings attached Carolingian empire in the year 885 and 886 leading to the defeat of their kings. In 845, the Viking warriors sailed to seine in France and attacked it. The end result of this was a defeat to the Carolingian empire and the kings that followed were just puppet rulers who were initiated by the Vikings. This led to the fall of this empire and it took along time to come up again. EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS PHASES INVOLVED IN VIKING RAIDS. Vikings mainly had 3 phases of raids. The very first phase said to have lasted from 790-840. The Vikings used very shallow draught long ships. They always used these ships because they were suitable majorly for surprise attacks in the coastal towns. The size of these vessels was so small so that the Vikings could rush and attack very fast. With this they attacked Frisia and Aquitane. The second level of attacks occurred between 841 and 875 and the number of raids increased. The Vikings attacked by killing or enslaving their victims. With this, the attacks proceeded to the Mediterranean Sea. 876 to 911 saw the introduction of the third phase. With this, the Vikings started to invade frnce and other parts of Europe. They also developed their own fleets that were used to attack distance empires.

Monetarism Emerged In The 1950s Economics Essay

Monetarism Emerged In The 1950s Economics Essay Keynes, who theorized economic panic to stem from an insufficient national money supply leading the nation toward an alternate currency followed by eventual economic collapse, his theories focus on the value of currency stability to maintain national economic health. Milton Friedman, in contrast, focused on price stability to ensure economic health and looking for stable equilibrium between the supply of and the demand for money to bring about such well-being. Friedman argued that inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenonà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  and advocated a central bank policy aimed at keeping the supply and demand for money at an economic equilibrium, as measured by a balanced growth in productivity and demand. Friedman originally proposed a fixed monetary rule, where the money supply would be calculated by known macroeconomic and financial factors and would target a specific level or range of inflation. There will be no flexibility for central bank reserves, and businesses can expect all monetary policy decisions. Friedman restated the quantity theory of money, and argued that the demand for money depended predictably on several major economic variables. He claimed that if the money supply were to be expanded, consumers would not seek to hold the extra money in idle money balances. This argument follows that consumers, assumed to be in equilibrium before the money supply increase, already held money balances that suited their requirements. With the increase, consumers would have a surplus of money balances that exceeded their requirements. These excess money balances would therefore be spent and cause an increase in aggregate demand levels. Similarly, if the money supply experienced a reduction, consumers would aim to replenish their holdings of money by reducing their spending levels. In this argument, Friedman challenged the claim that Keynesian money supply is not effective in analyzing the level of aggregate consumption. Instead, Friedman argued that indeed the money supply affect total sp ending in the economy, in doing so the term monetarist was coined. The popularity of monetarism increased as Keynesian economics seemed unable to explain or cure the problems that seem to contradict rising unemployment and price inflation which erupted after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system gold standard in 1972 and the 1973 oil crisis shock. Although higher levels of unemployment seemed to call for Keynesian policies on inflation, the rising level of inflation seemed to call for Keynesian deflation. The result is a significant disappointment with Keynesian demand management. In response, the Volcker sought as main objective to reduce inflation, and consequently restricted the money supply to tame inflation the economy. The result was the worst recession of the post-war period, but also the accomplishment of the desired price stability. Milton Friedman and Anna Schwartz argued that the Great Depression of the 1930 was caused by the large contraction of the money supply and not by a lack of investment as argued by Keynes. They also maintained that post-war inflation caused by an over-expansion of the money supply. For many the perception that the economy has been shaped by the ideas of Keynes, it seemed that the Keynesian-Monetarism debate was merely about whether fiscal or monetary policy was the more effective tool of demand management. By the mid-1970s, however, the debate had moved on to things more deeply, as monetarists presented a more fundamental challenged to Keynesian orthodoxy in looking to recover the pre-Keynesian idea that the economy was of an inherently self-regulating nature. Many Monetarists raised former view that the market economies prove stable in the absence of major not expected fluctuations in the money supply. This belief in the stability of free market economies also asserted that active demand management, especially fiscal policy, it is not necessary and in fact tend to be dangerous economy. The basis of this argument centered around an equilibrium was established between stimulus fiscal spending and future interest rates. In fact, Friedman argues that the model of fiscal spending creats as much of a drag on the economy by raising interest rates as it does to create consumption. According to monetarists, fiscal policy was shown to have no real effect on total demand, but merely shifted demand from the investment sector to the consumer sector. Monetarism became less credible when once-stable velocity of money defied monetarist prediction and began to move erratically in the United States the early 1980s. Monetarist methods of a single-equation model and non-statistical analysis of plotted data also lost out to the simultaneous-equation modeling favored by Keynesian. Policies and analysis of monetarism lost influence among academics and central bankers, but its core tenets of long-run neutrality of money (increase in money supply can not have long-term effects on real variables, such as output) and use of monetary policy for stabilization to be part of the macroeconomic mainstream even among Keynes.

Greek Mythology Impact on Greece

Greek Mythology Impact on Greece Greek Mythology played a huge role in the development of Ancient Greece. Not only did it surround the basic structures of their buildings, it also surrounded the structure of their everyday lives. The way they would pray, the way they would complete everyday tasks, and the way they lived all centered around the gods and goddesses of Greek Mythology. People prayed to these gods for the same reasons we pray today: for health and safety, for prosperity, for a good harvest, for safety at sea. Mostly they prayed as communities, and through offerings and sacrifice they sought to please the inscrutable deities who they believed controlled their lives (National Geographics). The Greeks looked to Hades (God of the Underworld) whenever it came to death. The places where Hades ruled (The Unseen) was described as moldering horror where heroes and ordinary people went after they died (National Geographics). The Greeks began making afterlife kind of like a personal quest rather than a joyless fate. They wanted to complete whatever it was that was holding them there so that they could move on. Rather it be to a worse or a far better place. They had mystery cults that would provide guidance to the path each individual person needed to follow after their death. With the belief the Greeks had, multiple cults emerged claiming to help cleanse the s oul and lead them on the right path. And when Christianity swept the ancient world, it carried with it, along with guidance from a single deity, remnants of the old beliefs: the washing away of human corruption through mystic rites, the different fates awaiting the initiated and uninitiated, and the reverence for sacred texts (National Geographics). Believing that death could be good or bad for the Greeks, they sought out the ancestors favor with honors and offerings. Along with the help of their ancestors, they also believed that initiation into the right cult also played a part in their ultimate destination for afterlife. Greek Mythology does not have an actual Bible, like Christianity, instead their religion is an oral tradition that started in the Bronze age and their plots and themes unfolded gradually in the written literature of the archaic and classical periods (History). The Greeks worshipped multiple different gods each with different personalities and domain. There were twelve principal deities in the Greek pantheon. The two most important, and best known, are Zeus (god of the sky and father of all other gods) and Hades (god of the underworld). The relationship between human beings and deities was based on the concept of exchange: gods and goddesses were expected to give gifts. Votive offerings, which have been excavated from sanctuaries by the thousands, were a physical expression of thanks on the part of individual worshippers (metmuseum). They worshipped in sanctuaries located within the countryside or the city. A sanctuary was a well-defined sacred space set apart usually by an enclosure wall. This sacred precinct, also known as a temenos, contained the temple with a monumental cult image of the deity, an outdoor altar, statues and votive offerings to the gods, and often features of landscape such as sacred trees or springs. Many temples benefited from their natural surroundings, which helped to express the character of the divinities (metmuseum). The ritual act that many Greeks preformed was animal sacrifice. They mostly sacrificed oxen, goats, and sheep. They would sacrifice the animals at alters in front of the temples. They had groups of people that would consume the remains of the animals after the sacrifices. Religious festivals, literally feast days, filled the year. The four most famous festivals, each with its own procession, athletic competitions (14.130.12), and sacrifices, were held every four years at Olympia, Delphi, Nemea, and Isthmia. (metmuseum). Not only did religion play a huge role in Greek Mythology, so did the structures of their society. As mentioned above, they had temples set for the gods and goddesses for sacrifice purposes. Greek Architecture has influenced many cities and states to this day. One very obvious area of influence is architecture: Just look at the downtown of nearly any major city in the U.S., or many of the great cities of Europe. Ancient Greek influence is lurking within the facades of buildings as varied as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Prado Museum in Madrid, and Downing College, Cambridge University, in Cambridge, England. When we think of ancient Greek architecture, we are generally referring to temple architecture (or other public buildings, rather than residential). Ancient Greek temples featured proportional design, columns, friezes, and pediments, usually decorated with sculpture in relief. These elements give ancient Greek architecture its distinctive character (owlation). The Greeks gave their buildings all kind of similar design. They had kind of a godly look to them. Usually to appeal to the gods and goddesses that they will be praising. They used their buildings usually for religious purposes. They had sacrifices, praises, meetings, and everything else being held in their buildings. The buildings were built to perfection, as a way to provide comfort and solitude to the gods. The people only wanted to please them, because they felt the gods and goddesses saw everything and judged everything. They did not want to disappoint them. To the people, the buildings were the gods houses. They did no bad, no wrong, or even go against the gods in the buildings. Much like how Christians are in church. The church is Gods home and we give him the upmost respect in there. The Greeks did the same thing. That is why their buildings were built the way they were. To the people, the gods and goddesses controlled everything. Ultimately you were sent to the underworld after death, not hell or heaven, but the underworld. It was the place where you stayed until you finished your unfinished business. The people began viewing it as a personal quest for them. Almost like, who will stay here the longest? And who will be going to Heaven? Who will be going to hell? The Greeks involved their everyday life to the gods and goddesses. They would not do anything that did not in some shape or form involve them. They did sacrifices to please them, they lived by their codes, they built buildings that were fit for them. Greece was surrounded by Greek Mythology. Their gods were much different than the God that Christians praise. They each had their own way of life, their own power, their own thing that they ruled. There are a total of twelve of them. One was Zeus, the god of the sky and the father of all gods. Then there is Hades, the god of the underworld. Posei don, god of the sea. Hera, Zeuss wife and sister, queen of all gods. Athena, patron goddess of Athens. Apollo, god of music and prophecy. Artemis, Apollos twin sister, patroness of hunting. Hermes, messenger god. Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Dionysos, god of wine and theater. Ares, god of war. Hephaistos, god of metalworking. The people all believed that Mount Olympus, which was the highest mountain in Greece, was where the gods and goddesses all resided. Their buildings looked to the mountain, tall enough to be seen. The people worshipped that mountain along with all the deities that they believed resided it. Essentially, the Greeks worshipped numerous gods, making their religion polytheistic. They believed that exercising the opportunity to choose between a wide array of gods to worship offered them a great sense of freedom that they treasured. After all, the Greeks were known for their intellectual distinction of which their means of worship played a huge part. Each cit y-state, or polis, thus had an affiliated god who protected and guided its residents (Histoty). The Greeks believed in all twelve gods, because not one god or goddess was equal or was god of the same thing. Allowing the Greeks to believe in multiple different people for multiple different reasons. Greeks believed in so many different gods so that they could have an array of people to praise. Giving them the sense of freedom that they loved. They were not contained to one god, and they did not have to follow the words of one religious figure. They could follow the words of multiple religious figures, and if they did not believe or agree with one there were eleven more to turn to. Greeks were a very freedom loving society. They felt that people should have a choice in what and whom they believe in. Thus, starting Greek Mythology so they could have multiple people to look up to. Sources Used http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Architecture/ https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Influence-of-Ancient-Greek-Architecture http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grlg/hd_grlg.htm http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/greek-mythology http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/07/greek-gods-ancient-greece-afterlife/ Books: hhttp://www.greekmythology.com/Books/1000_mythological_characters_briefly_describedttp://www.greekmythology.com/Books/an_introduction_to_mythology/2 http://www.greekmythology.com/Books/hero_tales http://www.greekmythology.com/Books/myths_and_legends_of_ancient_greece_and_rome http://www.greekmythology.com/Books/myths_of_greece_and_rome_narrated_with_special_reference_to_literature_and_art http://www.greekmythology.com/Books/the_odyssey

Analysis of Sonnet 73 Essays -- Sonnet essays

[Line 1]* - 'that time of year' being late autumn or early winter. [Line 2]* - Compare the line to Macbeth (5.3.23) "my way of life/is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf". [Line 4]* - 'Bare ruin'd choirs' is a reference to the remains of a church or, more specifically, a chancel, stripped of its roof and exposed to the elements. The choirs formerly rang with the sounds of 'sweet birds'. Some argue that lines 3 and 4 should be read without pause -- the 'yellow leaves' shake against the 'cold/Bare ruin'd choirs' . If we assume the adjective 'cold' modifies 'Bare ruin'd choirs', then the image becomes more concrete -- those boughs are sweeping against the ruins of the church. Some editors, however, choose to insert 'like' into the opening of line 4, thus changing the passage to mean 'the boughs of the yellow leaves shake against the cold like the jagged arches of the choir stand exposed to the cold'. Noted 18th-century scholar George Steevens commented that this image "was probably suggested to Shakespeare by our desolated monasteries. The resemblance between the vaulting of a Gothic isle [sic] and an avenue of trees whose upper branches meet and form an arch overhead, is too striking not to be acknowledged. When the roof of the one is shattered, and the boughs of the other leafless, the comparison becomes more solemn and picturesque" (Smith 148). [Line 7]* - 'black night' is a metaphor for death itself. As 'black night' closes in around the remaining light of the day, so too does death close in around the poet. [Line 8]* - 'Death's second self' i.e. 'black night' or 'sleep'. Macbeth refers to sleep as 'The death of each day's life' (2.2.49). [Line 12]* - 'that' i.e. the poet's desires. [Line 13]* -... ...the west, After the sun sets in the west, Which by and by black night doth take away, Which is soon extinguished by black night, Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. The image of death that envelops all in rest. In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire In me you can see the glowing embers That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, That lie upon the ashes remaining from the flame of my youth, As the death-bed whereon it must expire As on a death bed where it (youth) must finally die Consumed with that which it was nourish'd by. Consumed by that which once fed it. This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, This you sense, and it makes your love more determined To love that well which thou must leave ere long. Causing you to love that which you must give up before long.

Metaphilosophical Pluralism and Paraconsistency: From Orientative To Mu

Philosophical Methodology Metaphilosophical Pluralism and Paraconsistency: From Orientative To Multi-level Pluralism M.E. Orellana Benado, Andrà ©s Bobenrieth, Carlos Verdugo Universidad de Valparaà ­so ABSTRACT: In a famous passage, Kant claimed that controversy and the lack of agreement in metaphysics — here understood as philosophy as a whole — was a ‘scandal.’ Attempting to motivate his critique of pure reason, a project aimed at both ending the scandal and setting philosophy on the ‘secure path of science,’ Kant endorsed the view that for as long as disagreement reigned sovereign in philosophy, there would be little to be learned from it as a science. The success of philosophy begins when controversy ends and culminates when the discipline itself as it has been known disappears. On the other hand, particularly in the second half of the twentieth century, many have despaired of the very possibility of philosophy constituting the search for truth, that is to say, a cognitive human activity, and constituting thus a source of knowledge. This paper seeks to sketch a research program that is motivated by an intuition that opposes both of these views. Section 0.0 Introduction In the West, human beings have been doing philosophy for roughly 2,500 years. Eastern traditions are, perhaps, even older. What can we learn about philosophy itself through this experience and practice? This is the initial question of metaphilosophy, the body of discourse that collects and articulates our observations and reflections about philosophy as a human activity. Answers to it are essential in order to address the further issue of what contribution, if any, philosophy has made, or can be hoped to make, toward the education of humanity. For, to be sure... ...its set of well-formed formulas. (15) Wang, Hao: Beyond Analytic Philosophy (Cambridge M.A., London: MIT Press, 1988) p. 10. (16) For another view that, together with those of Rescher and Wang, restricts the scope of metaphilosophy to philosophy see Double, Richard: Metaphilosophy and Free Will (Oxford : Oxford University Press 1995). For an example of a discussion that falls within the institutions of philosophy component see Mandt, A.J.: "The inevitability of pluralism: philosophical practice and philosophical excellence" in Cohen, A./ Dascal, M. (eds): The institution of philosophy (La Salle: Open Court, 1991), pp 77-101. (17) The authors acknowledge with gratitude the generous support provided by Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cientà ­fico y Tecnolà ³gico (Chile) to the research project here outlined as well as the confidence and comments of two anonymous referees.

Okonkwo Character Essay

In his novel, Chinua Achebe takes the reader to the world of the Igbo tribe during the pre-imperialism Victorian era. Okonkwo, the main character, was a highly respected member of the Igbo tribe. He is the caretaker of a child, but with a stroke of irony, ends up killing him. After an accident, he and his family are forced into exile. By the time he returns, the Igbo tribe has undergone many changes. He finds these changes to his life and culture to be overwhelming, and thus takes his own life. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo’s words demonstrate his inner conflicts, his troubled past with his family, and his superiority complex. Okonkwo is a very conflicted individual because, throughout the novel he demonstrates severe internal discord. Achebe comments,†Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness† (13). Despite all of his showy manliness, deep down inside Okonkwo is ruled by fea r. He is afraid of coming off feminine and weak, like his father before him. He feels the need to surpass his father in every way, and does whatever he can to ensure his dominance. Okonkwo did not have a very warm upbringing. His harsh childhood is arguably the main reason Okonkwo is the way he is. â€Å"Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father. There was no barn to inherit.† (Page 16) His father proves unable to provide for his family, and in Igbo society, is looked upon as a bad father. This compels Okonkwo to be a better man than his father, but in some senses he takes it too far, and becomes a tyrant in his own home. â€Å"Okonkwoà ¢Ã‚€Â™s first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness. At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and he sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth† (Pages 13-14) As the head of the household, he is free to do whatever he pleases and drives his wives and children to work too hard. Okonkwo hated his own father, and though he is trying to do right by his children, is only driving them down the same path he has been. Okonkwo feels the need to be dominant. He does whatever he can to establish his superiority, to make up for his fathers failures. â€Å"Okonkwo  was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat. Amalinze was the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mbaino.† (Page 1) He establishes his dominance early on, by proving to be a superior wrestler than everyone else. He makes a name for himself, and proves that he doesn’t need anyone else’s help. à ¢Ã‚€ÂÅ"’I think it is good that our clan holds the ozo title in high esteem,’ said Okonkwo. ‘In those other clans you speak of, ozo is so low that every beggar takes it.’à ¢Ã‚€Â  (Page 69-70) Since he is very proud of his reputation, Okonkwo is pleased to know that positions of respect are publicly known and difficult to achieve. This means that his status in the community is an elite and meaningful accomplishment. As you have seen through the evidence I have given, Okonkwo’s personality is very dark. It’s been shown that he was very conflicted, had issues with his family, and felt the need to be superior. In conclusion, these many issues lead to the man’s downfall, and eventual suicide.

In what ways have various forms of visual entertainment media shaped American culture and its values Essay

Media has evolved constantly in the last century. There is a new source or outlet of media being invented. Our nation has moved from newspapers and radio broadcasts to internet and cell phones to receive the news of the day. Radio and newspapers are losing popularity as quick as it gained popularity in the beginning. People can now be updated with news stories and global news on the go. There is no longer the need to flip through a paper or wait through commercials, the news is as easy as a click away. There are some disadvantages to this new form of media delivery, however. Traditional media outlets like newspapers, radios, and television are widely available to everyone, where as internet access has a smaller audience due to expense rates/plans. Although, the media is changing daily news is either broadcasted or by word of mouth in America. I believe that there have been many television shows and movies that have displayed the culture of times in them. People have been influenced by these movies and television shows because some individuals can really relate to the lifestyles or actions of the people in these movies or shows. Especially with videos out there for learning things, I think that can really help with teaching people rather than just trying to get them to read materials to learn. It gives a different view of the materials and what is supposed to be learned. Visual learning become global and many people are taking advantage of it while its here. The internet provides visual entertainment to all that have access to it. The media is all around us and what surrounds us will have an effect on any and everyone in the world. For example: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and made an impact on media in the past couple of years. However, I think that these different forms of visual entertainment media have shaped American culture and its values by influencing people to act differently because of what they see on television or in movies. I believe that celebrities can have a large impact on how people say and do things. I am a male R&B artist and the message in my songs inspire others to change the way they act and think.

Ha Jin †The Bridegroom Essay

Described as utopian in nature, the Chinese culture is often in pursuit for the perfect individual, a harmonious and structured society where the citizens as a whole create the ideal culture. In a collection of short stories entitled The Bridegroom, author Ha Jin documents this aspect of reality in homeland China. Primarily for the purposes of instruction and satirical verse, Ha Jin, shows how people are trying to find themselves in a society that focuses on the ‘whole’ of the country rather than the individual. He is able to interconnect this theme of individualism through four major stories in the book while presenting ‘Chineseness’ or satire of fictional verse as a way to focus on the changes throughout China and the political discourse that its citizens face. In the short story Alive, Ha Jin depicts individualism, or the loss thereof and its impact on a Chinese family. Headed to Taifu City to collect money at a coalmine, main character Tong Guhan develops amnesia after an earthquake devastated the community and impaired the memory of its citizens. Since the government felt that all people must work together for the betterment of the community, people like Guhan were forced to re-marry, adopt an orphan, and start a new life. For the Chinese government, this was a unique opportunity to create a new movement and â€Å"since this was an emergency [measure], love wasn’t taken into account; so long as the couple didn’t dislike each other, a marriage certificate was issued to them (29). Although as time progresses, Guhan happens to pass by the smell of dumplings and in a flash, instantly remembers his past life. At that point, he decides to return to Muji City where he encounters his original family. What can only be considered as satire, Ha Jin structures this story around wit in his literary style of writing. Who would conceive that the smell of dumplings could suddenly force an individual to remember the past? The amnesia and the government’s reaction to the aftermath of the earthquake show the loss of individualism. Furthermore, the dumpling’s echo Ha Jin’s desire to structure the story around unconventional circumstances and assert a sence of identity to Guhan’s character. The Chinese government was organized and wanted to do what they thought was right for the state as a whole. Unfortunately for Guhan, he was loosing his identity and individualism for the greater good of China. Abnormal behavior is never more apparent than in the story titled In the Kindergarten. When Shaona becomes the second child of her household, she is forced to live outside the city limits in a rural foster home. It is my assumption that Ha Jin is referring to the second child as a male since they are heavily praised in the Chinese Culture. The story depicts how children at a young age do whatever they want to do, inherit bad language and often misbehave. Social conformity and propaganda have yet to be ingrained, as quoted when Weilan, another student in the kindergarten is caught saying â€Å"Big asshole† (47) to another student, who in reply says, â€Å"Say that again, bitch! He went up to her, grabbed her shoulders, pushed her to the ground, and kicked her buttocks† (47). Compared to Alive, this story focuses on the Chinese attempt to secure conformity for all of its citizens. In my opinion, the Kindergarten story is what Chinese life is like prior to the events in the short story Alive. It shows the purity of children at an early age and how social norms are not necessarily inherited; they are learned. Main characters Beina and Haung Baowen join hands in matrimony as a marriage of convenience in the story, Bridegroom. Ha Jin uncovers the truth behind homosexuality in China and the need for Baowen to become protected under the guise of marriage to Beina. To the Chinese society, â€Å"Homosexuality originated in western capitalism and Bourgeois lifestyle. According to [our] law, it’s dealt with as a kind of hooliganism† (96). In this story, Baowen was caught in a club called â€Å"Men’s World† that was a type of salon that only admitted men. He was subsequently arrested and sent to a mental hospital to cure his supposed illness instead of serving a jail sentence. While in the mental hospital, Ha Jin structures the story around Baowen’s accounts of electro-shock therapy as a way to stop homosexual acts and maintain harmony and uniformity amongst the Chinese citizens. Ha Jin is specific about the torture when he mentions how â€Å"Baowen was noiseless in the electrified water, with his eyes shut and his head resting on a black rubber pad at the end of the tub. He looked fine, rather relaxed †¦ Then the nurse gave him more electricity† (106). Unfortunately, Haung repeated the crime of homosexual acts and was subsequently sent to prison. Ha Jin uses this brutal story to show how the government intends to mold its citizens into a ‘family unit’ or community. For the government, there is an image, or structure in which an individual is to conform to so that the community as a whole is structured. The irony is that there is no real mention or word for individualism although it is apparent that the oppressive social values that Ha Jin illustrates through the story of Baowen, shows how a government can undermine a person’s happiness and individualistic nature. In the story, Women from New York, Chin Jinli goes to America to seek a better life for her family. Unfortunately, her trip back to China is faced with the harsh realities of life under Communist China and their perception of American culture; believing that â€Å"Wall Street was paved with gold bricks† (173). Jinli’s family does not take well to her New York trip since she obtained money and wanted to get her teaching job back. To them, â€Å"She looked like a different woman, wearing a gold necklace, her lips rouged, her eyelashes blackened with ink, and even her toenails dyed red †¦ In a way, her makeup and manners verified the hearsay that she had become the fifteenth concubine of a wealthy Chinese man in New York City† (172). Fearing that she had disrupted the delicate balance of harmony, the Chinese government refused her job. Her family shunned her and at every attempt to be become re-acclimated, Jinli’s family looked at her as an outsider. Ultimately, Jinli found herself as an individual, counter to the Chinese, who were so encapsulated in a one-person, one-idea state. It is without notice that Ha Jin interconnects the four stories with fictional accounts of individualism and the struggle the Chinese people have gone through to maintain it, or even imagine it. Form the stores of Guhan’s dumplings, to the accounts of Baowen’s troubled battle of homosexuality, Ha Jin identifies the characters, shares their life story and defines a commonality all through the use of satire.

Macbeth: a Timeless Tale

Shakespearean Macbeth tells a timeless tale of ambition, greed and treachery. Its themes are universal in nature, as Is the construction of a tragic hero and for these reasons It continues to be relevant to audiences today. The litany of Interpretations and adoptions such as Polonaise's 1 971 classic, give credence to the argument that Macbeth remains relevant. Macbeth, In a fashion similar to modern teens (or so the media would have us believe) has a great deal of trouble deciding the difference between moral and moral during his rise to power. Consequently, Shakespearean message is as relevant today as it was during the Elizabethan era.Macbeth is introduced as a kinsman to the Scottish King and a brave and successful military general (l,ii, 15-23), thus earning the praise and esteem of the unfortunately though, he (perhaps Like many In my audience) allows himself to be Influenced by those â€Å"whose horrid image, doth unfix† his hair and â€Å"make his seated heart knock a t his ribs†, who prophesy both further titles and kingship, immediately arousing Machete's ambition (l, Ill, 127-129). This conflict between good and evil is not only confined to Shakespearean play. It is a theme that we see repeated over and over again in contemporary literature and film.As a character, Macbeth is magnificent. He represents the Internal battle that forms the plot for the ma]orally of highly regarded modern films and texts such as Pollack's Macbeth. Initially Macbeth is ambitious, but lacks the evil qualities that often see ambition fulfilled. He also, as his wife points out, is not unscrupulous enough (l, v, 4-24) nor ready to give up the honor and ‘golden opinions' he has won. He has hysterical courage but not the moral courage needed to stand against his more determined, strong willed wife who questions his love for her and his manhood (l, vii, 39-50).In committing regicide he violates the better part of his nature; he is so bent on putting evil on ev il he becomes â€Å"steeped â€Å"so far in blood that â€Å"returning were as tedious as go lb, 136-138). The troubling question of gender representation is one that continues to be debated. 1 OFF audiences. Initially, characters in Macbeth dwell on issues of gender. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband by questioning his manhood, wishes that she herself could e â€Å"unsexes,† and does not contradict Macbeth when he says that a woman like her should give birth only to boys.Similarly, Macbeth provokes the murderers he hires to kill Banquet by questioning their manhood. Such acts show that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth equate masculinity with violence and aggression. Their understanding of manhood allows the political order depicted in the play to descend into chaos. As in the multitude of controversial texts today, female characters are the source of violence and evil. The witches' prophecies arouse Machete's ambitions and then encourage his violent behavior; Lady Macbeth provides the brains and the will behind her husband's plotting.Macbeth traces the root of chaos and evil to women. While the male characters are Just as violent and prone to evil as the women, the aggression of the female characters is more striking because it goes against prevailing expectations of how women ought to behave. Ultimately, however, the play ends with a revised and less destructive definition of manhood. Malcolm consoles Macadam on the news of his family murder by encouraging him to take the news in â€Å"manly' fashion, by seeking revenge upon Macbeth. Macadam indicates however, that Malcolm has a mistaken understanding of masculinity.To Malcolm suggestion, â€Å"Dispute it like a man,† Macadam replies, â€Å"l shall do so. But I must also feel it as a man† (IV. Iii. 221-223). Also, at the end of the play, Seward reacts to his son's death complacently. Malcolm responds: â€Å"He's worth more sorrow [than you have expressed] / And that I'll spend for h im† (V. 1 1 . 16-17). Malcolm comment shows that he has learned the lesson Macadam gave him on the sentient nature of true masculinity. It also suggests that, with Malcolm coronation, order will be stored to the Kingdom of Scotland.Macbeth with its frightening paranormal undertones will pique the interest of a generation already obsessed with the supernatural. No remake can match Shakespearean representation of the witches. Polonaise's opening scene for example, , was rather poorly done. He made the witches look so grotesquely ugly that they distracted the audience from the important plot element of the scene: what they were saying. Unfortunately, this too was clouded: their screeching voices and constant giggling made them difficult to understand.A witness to the film unfamiliar tit the play or Shakespearean dialogue would have been left without any idea as to the importance of the scene. Undoubtedly the underlining of the plot of Macbeth is highlighted with events that have paranormal roots. The witches, both the bloody dagger that entices Macbeth towards Dunce's chamber and the ghost of Banquet are mystical in origin. â€Å"Art thou not a fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight†¦? Or false creation† (II, l, 41 , 42). Shortly after Dunce's death, his horses eat each other in frenzy, symbolizing the murder of the king, which leads to this imbalance in nature.Another relevant lesson on life, we can learn from Shakespeare, is that appearances are often deceptive. In Macbeth, things are seldom what they seem; â€Å"Fair is foul and foul is fair†. From the beginning, the play is full of ambiguity and double meanings. The play opens on a day that is extremely foul in weather and extremely fair (the battle has Just been won). The subsequent prophecies â€Å"cannot be ill, cannot be good†. In order to disguise their real motives, Lady Macbeth advises her husband to ‘look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under i t†. One of Dunce's sons ladled out â€Å"Murder! In his sleep, but the other one laughed! Does Lady Macbeth really faint? Or does she simply pretend to faint to divert attention from her husband's overacting? Does Lady Macbeth commit suicide? What is Lady Macbeth writing in her sleepwalking scene? A confession? A suicide note? A last love letter to a neglectful husband? There is also much discussion about clothing clothes provide both an identity but also conceal who you are. Point being? Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing! In conclusion, Shakespearean deeper purpose is to show us our own lives and make s think.The key question that Shakespeare seems to ask is this: is human society fundamentally amoral? This is a question that continues to challenge audiences. Consequently, Shakespeare movies are so numerous; they form their own sub genre. With over 250 Shakespeare movies produced, Shakespeare film adaptations such as Bag Loran's â€Å"Romeo and Juliet†, prove that S hakespearean plays have an enduring appeal. Macbeth is the Dearth Evader of Star Wars, or if you like, Lord Voltmeter of Harry Potter; ignore his lessons at you own peril. Thank You

HP Finanical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HP Finanical Analysis - Essay Example Hewlett Packard is the United States’ 8th largest corporation. The company s is within the top 20 corporations in the world (House, 2009). In 2013, the company was able to improve its global business operations. The 2013 accounting period generated an estimated $12 billion cash inflow. The year also reduced it net debt amount to the favorably lower zero debt amount. The company allocated and estimated $3 billion for research and development of new company products. The 2013 period included the giving of $ 2.6 billion dividends and capital returns to the company’s stockholders. Further, the HP leadership entered into new market segments to boost it global revenues and profits. The company’s 2013 operations included introducing new innovative products to the current and future global market segments. The segments include the Moonshot Server market, global data and security segment. Initially, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard created the garage-based company with $538 investment during 1938. Using United States as base, the company is one of the top manufacturers and sellers of personal computers. In the computing business, the company delivers the global customers’ needs, which includes data storage, personal computing, hardware networking, software creation, servers, scanners, digital cameras, notebooks, printers, and several related services (Pham, 2013). The three year financial report clearly shows the company performed financially better in 2013, compared to the prior 2012 year, as shown in Exhibit A in the appendix of this paper (Hewlett Packard, 2014). HP generated high earnings from operations during 2013, $7,752 million. This is definitely higher than the prior 2012 loss, -$10,181. Consequently, the company’s net earnings for 2013 is $9,149. This is higher than the prior 2012 year’s dismal $10,181 million net loss (Noreen, 2008). The three year financial analysis shows the company fared financially

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS IN ADVERTISING Research Paper

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS IN ADVERTISING - Research Paper Example Therefore, the researcher found that a mix of Spanish and English is most effective in these populations, as it mixes accommodation and respect (the Spanish part of the ad) with a positive feeling of linguistic security (the English part of the ad). Meanwhile, in all countries, there is a negative side to advertising. This negative side is that advertising encourages a feeling of inadequacy, and advertising also denigrates traditional social norms. The question that needs to be answered is what are the specific connotations that English convey in the different countries that are covered by the research, and why is advertising considered to be negative in some instances? I. Sociolinguistic Aspects of English Advertising A. In Japan The use of English in the country of Japan is becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon. The attribution of the high number of loan words in Japan dates back to the Meiji Restoration in 1868, in which Japan was transformed from feudal to a modern state by adopting Western civilization (Takashi, 1990, p. 327). There are a high number of English loan words in the Japanese language, much more so than loan words from European nations. English loan words represent 80.8% of Western loan words in Japan, with the other western loan words coming from France, Germany, Italian and Dutch (Takashi, 1990, p. 327). This is because the Japanese study English more than any other foreign language. There is some thought that the Japanese people regard English as representative of something cosmopolitan and international, and modern English words are seen as conveying sophistication and modernity, especially in they are used in advertising. (Takashi, 1990, p. 327). Part of the reason for this is because, before, 1931, English words were used in Japan for new concepts and things (Takashi, 1990, p. 327). Previous studies indicate that Japanese males use English loan words more when talking about academic subjects, as opposed to every day life, while Japa nese females use English when speaking on every day topics, as opposed to academic topics. (Takashi, 1990, p. 328). Other studies indicated that commercials that were aired in European languages, such as English, German, French and Italian, and used Western imagery, such as background music, scenery, and a Western person, conveyed the social values and stereotypes attached to these languages. (Takashi, 1990, p. 328). Still other studies showed that young Japanese girls use English loanwords when they want to appear fashionable. (Takashi, 1990 328). Takashi's (1990) study focused upon the language of contemporary advertising, particularly the usage of English in the Japanese contemporary advertising. The focus was on the use of English loan words in Japanese advertising, with 506 Japanese commercials with English loan words and 413 print advertisements with these loan words. For the purpose of this study, the term â€Å"loan word† denoted any English word that had been morphol ogically, phonologically and syntactically integrated into the Japanese language. The study also delineated advertisements that were aimed at specific populations, such as female, young and old, and sought to discover how loan words were used in these specifically targeted advertisements. The study found a total of 5,556 English loan words

Media Relations of McDonald's Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Media Relations of McDonald's - Term Paper Example For several years, McDonald's has been extremely successful for a few distinguished, highly standard conditions. The company with the Golden Arches served a simple menu- hamburgers, French fries, and milkshakes or soft drinks. The food was priced low, its quality was consistent, and it was served speedily from establishments that all looked alike and were extremely clean. However, in recent years, McDonald's has seen its growth rate slow down and its dominant market position slip. There are various reasons for this. The main reason is the numerous accusations made against them by environmentalist and health experts. In 1986 all of this information looked enormously pertinent to the London Green-peace who issued a booklet with the title "What's Wrong With McDonald's" The defamatory pamphlet charged McDonald's for maltreating their employees; alluring their customers with food too high in fat, sugar, and salt, which could lead to cancer and heart disease; causing hunger in the Third World; ruining the rainforest; intentionally revealing their customers to food poisoning; exploiting children through company advertisements; and maltreating animals. Eventually, McDonald's filed a suit against five members of the London Green-peace. The five either had to make an apology or face a long hard trial where they would have to prove every statement in the leaflet to be correct. Three of the five chose to publicly ask for forgiveness. McDonald's collaborated with the EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) to devise a joint waste reduction plan. The result was a highly touted deal that gave McDonald's a reputation as a "socially responsible" business. However, Helen Steel and Dave Morris did not apologize. On one part of the libel case were a $32 billion-a-year corporation and a group of London's most expensive lawyers. On the other side was a pair of activists with a total income of $12,000 a year.  Ã‚  

Choose one topic from the ten topics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Choose one topic from the ten topics - Essay Example Neo-Confucianism The East Asian conception of human nature is primarily informed by Confucianism. Confucianism is described as a â€Å"humanistic religion† since Confucianism understands and perceives that the â€Å"Ultimate†, of the â€Å"imminent power, of the transcendent, of the world, life and death† are linked to and founded on exploring human nature together with human destiny (Yao, 2000, p. 46). In following Mencius, Neo-Confucian ideology adopted the notion that human nature is good as opposed to evil. However, Neo-Confucian philosophers modified this conception of human nature by distinguishing moral nature from physical nature (de Barry & Bloom, 1999). In this regard, the Neo-Confucian philosophy conceptualized the human moral nature as inherently good. This was because, the moral nature of mankind consisted of â€Å"li† and the physical nature of mankind consisted of â€Å"ch’i† indicating that physical nature could be good and/or bad (Lecture Notes). In this regard, the Confucian concept of li refers to that which is real. In terms of human nature, li refers to that which is passed onto man from Heaven and in this regard it is good. However, li had to be cultivated to ensure that man followed his moral nature (Yao, 2000). Therefore the concept of li provides the justification for law and order which is intended to cultivate man’s moral nature for maintaining order. The concept of ch’i provided even further justification for law and order in regulating the lives of the individual. Ch’i refers to material and vital forces which operate either in cohesion with li or inconsistently with li (Yao, 2000). In other words, man was naturally good, but physical forces could have a negative impact on man’s moral nature if the moral nature was no cultivated. Buddhists on the other hand, do not recognize that which they cannot â€Å"see, hear, speak, think, and move† and only those thin gs they can see, hear, think, speak, and move are regarded as nature (de Barry & Bloom, 1999, p. 714). From the Buddhist perspective, that which is heard, seen, spoken, though or moved, does not have to be clear in order to be qualified as nature. In this regard, nature may be confusing and this explains why Buddhists do not generally perceive â€Å"the many moral principles inherent in them† (de Barry & Bloom, 1999, p. 714). Classical Confucianism As for classical Confucianism, the original traditions of Confucianism were founded by Confucius and Mengzi and Mengzi’s theory of human nature served as the background for the classic Confucian concept of moral nature. Mengzi’s theory of human nature were among the most influential and provides the foundations for what is widely accepted as human nature. Mengzi’s theory of human nature provides a profound understanding of how law and order is maintained (de Barry & Bloom, 1999). Mengzi’s contributions w ere converted into the Four Books by Confucian scholars in the Song Dynasty. At the same time, Xunzi developed a theory that was different from Mengzi’s. According to Xunzi, â€Å"human nature was evil and Heaven† was an â€Å"impersonal power or natural principle† (Yao, 2000, p. 71). Xunzi stressed â€Å"law (fa) and ritual/propriety (li)† as opposed to â€Å"

Kant's Response to Hume's Skepticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kant's Response to Hume's Skepticism - Essay Example Hence, even though reasoning and experience designate that objects function in a predictable way, this somehow fails to necessarily provide evidence how objects will behave in the near future depending on their former interactions. To ascertain his claims, Hume puts forth the concept that causal affairs belong to two types of knowledge: matters of fact and relations of ideas. In order for anything to bring out idea relations, its divergent must be ludicrous. Hume argues that since relations of thoughts are known via rationale alone, they are vacuous in the sense that they do not declare anything about the planet. On the other hand, every effect is different from its origin; every origin is different from its result. For that reason, an effect cannot be revealed in a casual event or object purely by prior reasoning. It is evidential that Hume was so skeptical in such a way that it is very difficult to understand how objects conduct themselves. You cannot be able to predict a future be havior based on the former. Minds are not like software where you can install a program and run it in a predefined way. Consequently, the strength of this theory is based upon the fact that experience cannot take hold of the casual bond between two objects. It is not a guarantee that one can establish events that will take place in the future. The weakness is in the issue that one cannot dwell in skepticism, as most claims lies on experience, inductive reasoning and probabilistic claims. Moreover, Hume becomes dogmatic in this approach by claiming that we cannot tell casual relationships, and so we should adopt a skeptical stance. Kant responds to Hume's skepticism using various theories, some of which include the moral and ethical theory. In hunt for the essential â€Å"good†, Kant did not accept as a true fact that anything that was inherently happiness, good or pleasure could result out of evil deeds. He did not believe that good character traits as courage, intelligence, ingenuity among others, could all be a medium through which bad deeds were implemented. Thus, he used the word â€Å"good† to mean a resolution to act purely according to one’s duty. Alternatively, Kant argues that if we have pre-determined actions, they cannot be described as gratis and morality doesn’t concern us. According to Kant, it is not possible to determine an objects behavior based on their looks or former behavior. There is a very big difference between appearance and reality. What appears to be good could actually be a result of an evil thought. It is at this point where Kant differs a bit with Hume’s skeptics in the sense that not every idea would result in a bad outcome. On the other hand, living a predetermined way of life would make life lose its moral value. It is evidential that objects behave solely in agreement with their duty. Thus, using an explanation, Kant believed that a person could concentrate only upon his/her duties. Divine pr e-formation theory According to this theory, objects came into being in a very divine manner. Initially, there was nothing in the universe, but eventually, there came to be. Kant's argument that evil mind could as well as bear good results is the statement that needs to be contrasted with this theory. Heaven and earth were made without witnesses; we cannot necessary conclude that the maker had another motive which was not positive. Whoever created the world might have had good reason of utilizing the empty space that was initially in place. Kant argues that good character doesn’t automatically mean that one is good. Further, bad actions in the past do not proof that the

Tort review Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Tort review - Case Study Example Koz negligence, the prevailing comparative negligence guidelines and concept of swimmers’ legally supported to claim damages since their proportion of contribution was less than 50% 1. Under The New York modified comparative negligence rule, an injured party may recover damages only if he/she is less than 50% at fault for the injury or damages. However, the recovered amount may be reduced in proportion to the degree that the injured party was at fault. For instance, if the Peter Koz is determined to be 80% at fault and the group of swimmers is determined to be 20% at fault, the swimmers can collect for the damages because they were less than 50% at fault. However, Peter Koz insurance company might only offer to pay for 80% of your damages2. The injured party had upper hand in negotiating with the insurance company and a settlement was reached to compensate them. If the settlement could not be reached, the courts could make the final determination of comparative negligence4. The swimmers were entitled to damages as evidence indicated that there contribution to the case was 25% which is less than the 50% bar rule. Peter Koz will not prevail because his contribution is above 50% and will compensate the swimmers the damages as estimated at

The Epitome of the 21st Century American Family Essay

The Epitome of the 21st Century American Family - Essay Example The visit to the lake is an annual family ritual and in White’s comparison of his visit as a child as compared to visiting it with his son, he illustrates how the family tradition continues, with many of the same elements recurring. For instance, as a child, he used to â€Å"dress softly as not to wake the others and sneak out into the sweet outdoors and start out in the Canoe† (White 198) and he finds his son doing the same thing, hearing â€Å"the boy sneak quietly out and go off along the shore in a boat.† (White 198). The lake culture is a representation of the family culture, especially when a thunderstorm occurs and the campers run out to swim in the rain, their â€Å"bright cries perpetuating the deathless joke about how they were getting simply drenched †¦..and the joke about getting drenched linking the generations in a strong, indestructible chain.† (White, 202). White thus views the family as a continuing unit, he views himself repeatedly in his own father’s role as he walks and goes fishing with his son, and he reflects upon his son will one day take over his own role at the lake, becoming the father who bring his son for a visit to the lake. White represents the family and its bonds through the symbol of the annual visit to the lake. There are common practices that occur through the years, for instance the camper with the soap at the lake side, or the fly that settles on the fishing rod, or the practice of getting drenched in the rain. These symbolize the enduring nature of the family, some things will never change. The author also uses the lake as the background against which he examines the changes that are being brought about by technology. For instance, families drive up to the lake in their cars rather than in their wagons and the unpacking is completed in a matter of minutes without the fuss that would

Market Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Market - Research Paper Example Other characteristics of free market economy are free trade fairs without subsidies or tariffs from the government. One of the most outstanding free market economies is that the government has very limited powers in a free market economy because marker powers regarding price control are set by buyers and sellers. Since the government lacks direct control of business operations regarding prices, sellers are likely to exhaust buyers through high prices (Chai 24). The government powers are restricted to providing law and order in the market operations and ensuring that only fair competition is charged. The government does not have control over participants’ entry to the market. This means that the government does not stipulate any rules regarding tariffs and subsides. Therefore, it is an economic system whereby only the fittest survive. In such economy, the government does not play any role that may favour or discourage business partners as only the involved parties regulate the transactions and prices. The government is restricted to making possible flow and functioning of the business environment through implementing policies and laws that guarantee people rights and freedoms to property. Therefore, the government is not a competitor or a market player but enhances business operations by creating a suitable business environment (Friedman 19). China is a mixed economy since the government and the private sector have an influence in the economy thus having both characteristics of both free market economies and controlled economy. Majority of mixed economies have strong government regulations as the government provides public goods and government run enterprises. In mixed economies like china, production of goods and services are mainly conducted by the private sector whereby markets are the major controllers and coordinators of economy. The driving forces within mixed markets are profit seeking enterprises and capital accumulation. Unlike pure free market e conomy in china, the government has larger indirect control over the economy by implementing monetary and fiscal policies and regulations. These policies counteract economic challenges and capitalisms’ influence towards financial crisis and challenges towards unemployment. The government has a central place in providing social welfare and making sure that public goods are available to the public (Chai 52). In general, the degree of freedom in a mixed economy against government regulations varies. The government is often responsible for providing environmental protection, maintaining unemployment standards, and controlling competition. China may not fit to be a free market economy since the government has strong control over inflation and rural spending (Friedman 35). China has been successful since its government is vibrant ion deficit funding programs since 1998 as well as endorsement of exports by tax rebates. When public demand is low due to anti-inflation, export promotio ns and monetary policies chip in to create a difference. When public demand is strong, the promotion of external export by government relaxes. Statistics show that the stock market activities are high because households and other enterprises prefer their funds in more liquid forms. Due to inflation surge, the government sets policies and regulations to correct the economic situation. Government policies in

Training Day Film Critique Essay Example for Free

Training Day Film Critique Essay Have you ever wondered what it was like behind the scenes while watching one of your favorite movies of all time? Well, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that some individuals never even think to think about. In the film Training Day, there are many fascinating aspects that all went into use to make such a terrific film. Everything from great storytelling, acting, characters, cinematography, and editing techniques to the sound, genres and how the directing and styles personally told the story of the cop thriller drama. Below is a list of what goes on before the movie becomes â€Å"the movie†. Storytelling Training Day was a film that was centered on two Los Angeles Narcotics Police Officers over the curse of a full day in the roughest neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Ethan Hawke played a rookie Los Angeles Police Officer who is sent to become Denzel Washington’s partner upon a 24 hour evaluation by Washington to see if the rookie detective is fit enough to join Washington in the Narcotics division. The storytelling was very great in that the film was extremely unpredictable from scene to scene. That is the goal of every writer and anyone else associated with the movie industry when making a film is to make the movie as less predictable as possible. A lot of critics in the film industry gave this film a decorated review and Washington went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for the film. Denzel had a plan in place to frame Hawke by having him take drugs (which were later known to Hawke as PCP), shooting and killing his old partner and colleague (which Denzel was going to pin on Hawke in which Denzel would say that Hawke did not kill them in the same house at the same scene, which means he was rogue), and with Hawke throughout a lot of questionable incidents never consulting or alerting the Internal Affairs Bureau of the Department, which s an obvious no go in the field of law enforcement. The storytelling was also coincidental in many phases as well. During the sexual assault scene with the gang member’s female cousin, Hawke fights off the attackers and before he got around to arresting them, Washington comes on the scene and dismisses the men and let’s them get away freely to the dismay of Hawke, who then picks up the girl’s photo identification to keep as evidence of an incident. Now, the coincidental aspect of all of this is when Hawke and Washington later went to the home of the girl’s drug dealing cousins (which Washington had already planned to have Hawke killed as he went to the bathroom and escaping out of the window). Before the guys were about to kill Hawke, they cleaned his pockets out and found a photo identification of the drug dealer’s cousin and ultimately, that saved Hawke’s life. Acting The acting was stellar in the film as well in that it garnered an Academy Award for Denzel Washington and garnered Ethan Hawke a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Denzel played a role that was very different than the roles he had previously taken in his career and his acting in this movie is generally looked upon by a lot of critics as his best acting role outside of Malcolm X, while being completely new to the kinds of roles he had taken prior to this film. Denzel played a rogue narcotics officer for the Los Angeles Police Department who is evaluating Hawke and pushing him to become rogue throughout the film as Washington was. Washington’s acting was phenomenal in that he was a terrific villain and very easy to root against, while Hawke was the polar opposite. Hawke was a rookie detective who was squeaky clean and wanted to make a real difference in the bad neighborhoods of the city of Los Angeles. Hawke’s acting was more of a serious character to Washington’s cut throat, dirty, and ruthless nature and Hawke was often the butt of Washington’s slick comments and jokes (mostly challenging and pointing to Hawke’s â€Å"manhood† to get him to do dirty things or to â€Å"look the other way†). Hawke mainly played the role with a serious and upset demeanor by having to be subjected to such a corrupt system and culture of the LAPD. The acting was probably the strong suit of the film along with the Cinematography. Cinematography The Cinematography of the film was also very strong in this field and this was one of the biggest reasons why this film worked so well. The cinematography of movies is often one of the most underrated aspects of them. Training Day’s cinematography worked so well because it is a movie about cops and the setting was in really bad neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and due to the â€Å"street drug culture† concept of things, the cinematography had a sort of â€Å"grimy† look to it which made this work so well. Part of what made that work so well is that the streets can be a grimy place and a dark place for many and the film resembled that throughout most of it, which is always a plus when you are telling a story about what goes on in the real world. What also made this work so well was that the cinematography adjusted to the characters and depending on the situation or circumstance, gave you an inside look into how they felt at that moment in time. A great example of the film’s cinematography is when Washington and Hawke both are driving around in the neighborhood and Washington pressures Hawke to take a drug known as PCP and soon after for the next couple of scenes in the film, the cinematography is switched to Hawke’s point of view and has him looking in a very blurred way as far as vision and having slurry speech mixed with the blurriness of the eyes due to the drug’s side effects. That scene pretty much opened the floodgates for a terrific adjustment of the cinematography to the character as it also did when Washington was on the ground dying after being shot many times. Editing There were quite a bit of editing work done with this film. Most of the editing was done to scenes with Washington and Hawke driving around in the squad car talking and there is over 12 minutes worth of scene editing that was not included in the film, at least as far as cuts and deleted scenes are concerned. Also, the film has an alternate ending to it as well, yet separate from the film (it is on the DVD version though). The editor of the film was Conrad Buff. Sound The sound throughout the movie was also one of the bright spots and hinged on a lot of hip hop (which was perfect for a film in that setting). The individual in charge of the sound was Russell Williams II and he was also the sound mixer of various other films such as Dancing with the Wolves and Rules of Engagement, which according to a lot of critics also had soundtracks that were very impressive. The sound in the movie is presented in Dolby Digital 5. 1. The sound from this film could have been â€Å"too much† easily, but the mixer was very productive in keeping it near perfect and not so â€Å"too much† with the sound. Besides, the sound was very easy to understand. Style and Directing The style of Training Day was unlike a lot of other crime action films. The style was more â€Å"in your face† and had a â€Å"gloomy† kind of vibe to it with the angles of the cameras and most importantly, the lighting as well in which Antoine Fuqua (the director of the film) had a great habit of in his films. The style of the movie resonated with the viewers in particular that know how dark and gloomy the streets can be at certain points in time. The style bordered between those aspects and how individuals were portrayed, dressed and etc. , which worked so well for the movie. The â€Å"in your face and getting dirty† style of this movie is what made it what it was in that it did not divert from a lot of reality and never over the top (just solid acting across the board). Impact of society on the film and vice versa The impact of society on the film stemmed from police corruption and brutality of not just citizens, but innocent bystanders as well. This was filmed in relation to the allegations and facts over the years about the system of the LAPD and how corrupt and violent they can be at times. This movie reinforces that stigma attached to the LAPD and attempts to show the world how some in the department can be at times, especially dealing with constant criminals on a daily basis. On the other hand, the impact of the film on society was that it opened up a lot of eye into how corrupt many departments all over the country can be at times when it comes to drugs and criminals. It shows that sometimes even the bad guys get a break in order to catch a bigger fish and how there are many pawns in the game (crossfire in this case). This film also let the people in on what a cop’s normal routine on the job is like and how stressful and sometimes erratic it can make an individual turn into. Genre The genre of Training Day is divided up into five distinct categories. For one, the movie is a thriller, drama, crime fiction, crime thriller, and adventure film. It varied between all of those genres throughout the course of the film. The film easily is a thriller in that it had you on the edge of your seat as it was so unpredictable from scene to scene. Of course, drama played a huge role and that is what drove the characters and story throughout the duration of the film. Last, but not least, was the crime involved in it all which made this a crime film (as with anything usually with cops). Application of at least one approach to analysis and interpretation The realist approach definitely defines this movie and it takes multiple viewings of this film and real world experience to really get to the root of this film. The director grew up in neighborhoods such as which is portrayed in the film and has a lot of experience writing these kinds of roles. This movie attempts to explain that corruption in the past has been rampant in cities like Los Angeles and how corruption is really easy to be caught up in when dealing with the people of the neighborhoods and city higher ups. The film maker is essentially trying to say that corruption happens and it happens in a lot of other places in the country and sometimes, there are good guys willing to bring down the bad guys (or cops in this case). Overall textual themes There were quite a bit of textual themes in this film. Most of the textual themes were corruption, power, and greed. A decorated, veteran police officer with everything to lose succumbs to power (which was his favorite), greed (which was unfortunate because he had a good career already) and corruption (the entire department up top was full of dirt). The central textual theme in this movie however was the seriousness and effectiveness in a lot of cases of peer pressure and how easily one could be reeled in to various things, even when they have everything to lose. Washington and Hawke both had great careers, children, family, and a lot going for them on the job, but due to the lust for power, peer pressure and greed, it eventually tackles both men to the point that recovery can be long and hard for Hawke, while too late for Washington.