The Afterlife

My life ended just as hers was beginning. At the exact second my car hit a patch of black ice, spun, and collided with a tree, she was emerging from the sanctuary of her mother's womb. My soul was knocked from my body, just as hers breathed its first breath. I never thought death would be like this. From birth I had been raised as a Christian, believing in all that Christians do: Heaven, Hell, and all the rest. These were, to my way of thinking, the only destinations in the afterlife. Whether I was saved or condemned, I believed that death would signal the end of my earthly responsibilities. Now, I know better. At first, I didn't understand what had happened. I remembered the car spinning uncontrollably, the view out the window blurry until the tree loomed in the night. There had been a horrible crunching noise, like walking on packed snow, except much louder. My life did not flash before my eyes in what I now know were the last few seconds of my life. There was the spinning, the blur, the crunch — and then black. Not the kind of blackness that appears when you close your eyes — no, even then little speckles, little neon clouds appear. This darkness was consuming. It was absolute. For a second I felt absolute terror. I remember wondering if this was what it was like to be in a coma, or if the glass from my shattered windscreen had blinded me. In my finitely human mind, I didn't consider that I might be dead. Then I heard a voice. It seemed the voice came out of nowhere, or at least from some unidentifiable place in the blackness. It evoked in me the strangest sensation: in all my earthly life, I knew I'd never heard that voice before. Yet, a part of me responded to it in a way I didn't understand. The first thing the voice — the being — told me was that I had just died. That, to put it mildly, was a shock. A moment passed as the being gave me time to register this fact. Too stunned to even feel disbelief, I couldn't seem to reply. In truth, what could I have said? There is nothing on earth to prepare someone for that knowledge. The next thing the voice told me was that I owed a debt to God. It did not say this cruelly, or even judgementally; rather, it spoke objectively, with no trace of human emotion clouding its delivery. It was difficult — indeed, impossible — to discern anything about the being. I couldn't see it, couldn't touch it — I had no idea where it was. All I could do was listen as it explained what would become of me. Throughout my somewhat short life, the being said, I had offended and even hurt God on many occasions. I was not unique in this aspect; in fact, such was the case for most who had ever dwelt on the earth. A lucky, selfless few spent their lives pleasing God, and at death they were free. They owed nothing. I, however, did, and the debt for my sometimes sinful life had to be repaid. The only question was how. The second I had that thought, I felt an enormous shift come over my body — or soul, whatever I was made of. There was a brief falling sensation, like descending the first big dip of a roller coaster. The scene in front of me flicked from the void of blackness to an unfamiliar scene. I was watching events in suspended animation, in what seemed to be a hospital delivery room. My confusion mounted. ‘Why am I here?' I asked, directing my question to the being's presence somewhere beside me. I looked at the doctors in their green garb, their bodies inclined towards a woman on a bed, frozen in a picture of agony. The baby the doctors were lifting from her body had just been about to take its first breath. I tried to see what the scene had to do with me, but I could make no connection with any of the room's occupants. The last time I'd been in a place like this was during my own birth. ‘Do I know these people?' ‘No,' the being replied, tonelessly. ‘You've never met any of them. But. some will become very familiar to you.' ‘How can they?' I asked. ‘You've just told me – I'm dead.' Somehow, with the mental equivalent of a hand gesture, the being drew my attention towards the newborn, framed by the circle of doctors. It was then that I learned how my debt was to be repaid. ‘This,' it said, ‘is your charge.' ‘My . . . charge?' I didn't understand. ‘You know you have a debt to repay to God,' I was told. ‘This is how. This child has just been born, as you have just died. On birth, every child is appointed a guardian, one of those who owe God.' Something changed in the voice then, a shift so small I only just noticed. Its tone changed, softened; disembodied and ethereal as it was, it somehow became more human. I looked at the child – a girl – as I felt the being do the same. ‘You must look after this child every moment of her life. Before her birth, the child was tied to her mother: she found all the protection she needed in her womb. Now, that is your responsibility. You will not always be able to protect her, but you must never stop offering her your guidance, your comfort, all the days of her life. Your eternal presence alone is usually enough.' Looking back, I wonder if the option was there to refuse. That's not to say I wanted to, but perhaps some have. Regardless, the only feeling I distinctly remember was of great surprise. Never in my life had I thought this was what happened after death. The question that had plagued mankind had been answered for me – but there was no one to tell. The only thing left to do was accept. I looked at the child, frozen under the gaze of assorted doctors, the being, and me. I directed my thought towards the being. For some reason, I needed no deliberation. ‘Yes.' At that, the scene in front of me unfroze. The baby breathed, and with her breath came her first cries. Her mother simultaneously groaned and sighed in relief, a sigh echoed around her by the doctors. The baby's life had begun. In retrospect, I wonder why, at that moment, I didn't feel a surge of panic. What did I know about being a guardian? I'd never looked after a child while I was alive, yet here I was, ready to protect this tiny being for the rest of her natural life — however long that might be. Yet I found an odd acceptance of my new duty — perhaps because I didn't have anything else. My own life had ended. Coming out of my reverie, I realized the being was still beside me. I felt it watch with me as the little girl was wrapped in a blanket and given to her smiling mother. Strangely, there seemed to be a sense of sadness emanating from the being's presence, something barely tangible but at the same time undeniably present. It was odd given its earlier detachment. ‘Is it hard?' I asked as the mother cuddled her child for the first time. ‘Is it hard to be a guardian?' ‘Harder than anything you've ever done,' the being replied. ‘No matter how long she lives, it is always hard. But it must be done.' The being's voice changed again, swelling suddenly with emotion. ‘You will come to care very much for that child. No one will ever know her in the way that you will, because you will always be with her.' I was almost sure I felt the being sigh inwardly. ‘Always, until the end of her life. Then you will show her what to do. as I have shown you.' It was only then that I realized who the being was, why I had instinctively known its voice. Elated, I felt my mind reel with a thousand questions. But it was too late. As soon as the revelation had came, the being had gone. For a moment I felt a crushing sadness that I would never know him or her — someone who'd been there for me through every second of my life. But there wasn't time to dwell. Looking at the yawning baby a few feet away from me, I felt the first stirrings of affection. It had been a long time since I'd felt such a clear sense of purpose. Inwardly, I promised I would do for her what the being, the presence who'd just left, had done for me.

The Sow

In Sylvia Plath’s poem the Sow, the fascinated narrator describes his encounter with his neighbors pig for the first time. Sylvia Plath uses diction and allusions to describe the sow from the narrator’s perspective. The poem also features an attitude shift towards the pig from this mysterious prize to this disappointing pig. The poem starts off with an aura of mystery. She describes the neighbor’s behavior using words and phrases like â€Å"shrewd secret† and â€Å"impounded from public stare. You can tell that the neighbor is trying to hide his ribbon winning pig from the public and that he is very proud of his pig. The narrator is very curious as to what this ribbon winning pig looks like. He is so curious to the point that he is commended to find his way through the â€Å"lantern-lit maze of barns† to see this pig. When he sees the pig for the first time the mood of the poem shifts. When he sees the pig for the first time he, it’s not wha t he had expected.He says â€Å"this was no rose-and-larkspurred china† which implies the imperfections he finds with the pig. As he begins to describe the pig, his tone changes from wonder to pity for the pig. He describes the pig as a â€Å"Brobdingnag bulk† to describe how big this pig is by comparing it to the giants that live in Jonathan Swifts book Gulliver’s Travels. He sees this pig as this fat pig that can barely move, and is slowly rotting away, â€Å"on that black compost, fat-rutted eyes dream filled†.He also compares the pig to an â€Å"our marvel blazoned a knight, helmed, in cuirass, unhorsed and shredded in the grove of combat by a grisly-bristled boar†. He sees the fat of the pig as armor and its scars as to those of battle wounds. Sylvia Plath was able to show the different thoughts the narrator has of his neighbors pig. She is able to show us how the narrator thinks that this pig is this magnificent creature even though itâ€℠¢s not. Through diction, comparisons, and allusions Sylvia Plath is able to show us what the narrator is seeing and feeling though out the poem.

Analysis On Bharati Mukherjee English Literature Essay

Analysis On Bharati Mukherjee English Literature Essay In turn, Mukherjee lays claim to an America that is both constantly transforming, and transformed by, the new immigrant. As the title of her short stories collection â€Å"The Middle Man† and Other Stories (1988) suggests, each protagonist from a different part of the world functions as a mediator of cultures, negotiating the â€Å"two-way transformation† (Mukherjee, â€Å"AUP† 141) of either an expatriate or immigrant experience in America. That the collection won the National Book Critics Circle Award undeniably affirms the appeal of such a Maximalist narrative strategy professing to give an equal voice to each immigrant group. On further analysis, however, it is clear that Mukherjee’s representation of a fluid American (trans)national identity influenced by diversity is ultimately predicated on the foregrounding of differences. Despite Mukherjee’s call for America to go beyond multiculturalism in its treatment of new immigrants, her own postcolo nial immigrant subjectivity-inevitably shaped by her elite British and American educational background-remains aligned with white hegemony, which continues to hierarchize its immigrants on the bases of ethnicity, class and gender. After all, Mukherjee specifically reveals in Jasmine that â€Å"[e]ducated people are interested in difference† (33). Keeping Mukherjee’s explicitly stated literary agendas in mind, this chapter will attempt to examine the ironies in Mukherjee’s postcolonial subjectivity in the novel Jasmine and the two short stories â€Å"A Wife’s Story† and â€Å"The Tenant,† both from â€Å"‘The Middleman’ and Other Stories† collection. Radical alterity of India From the vantage point of a successful female intellectual in America, Mukherjee disavows India precisely because its repressive patriarchy severely limits women’s opportunities in life, insofar as the sanctity of women’s lives is largel y disregarded and constantly endangered. However, â€Å"feudal compliance was [precisely] what still kept India an unhealthy and backward nation† (Mukherjee, Jasmine 77). This necessitates that Mukherjee’s heroines break the vicious cycle of being locked into arranged marriages that technically seal their fates with violent subjugation. In Mukherjee’s short story â€Å"The Tenant,† Maya’s claim that â€Å"[a]ll Indian men are wife beaters† (99) may be an exaggeration, but the more disturbing revelation is that â€Å"the groom’s mother was absolute tyrant of the household† (Mukherjee, Jasmine 147) in India. Indeed, generations of Indian women have also been physically abusing female subordinates deemed to have transgressed patriarchal norms. Yet, when meted out to any woman who defends or is interested in the pursuit of an education, such domestic violence is clearly a violation of basic human rights, unjustified to an America t hat champions the inalienable rights of every individual to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In Jasmine, Jyoti’s mother suffers strikes from her husband because she supports Jyoti’s aspiration to continue her studies and become a doctor. In the short story â€Å"A Wife’s Story,† Panna’s mother is beaten by her illiterate mother-in-law because she enrolled in French class at the Alliance Franà §aise. The fact that even these Brahmin wives are not spared the rod underscores that physical violence against women cuts across the entire caste system, denying all women personal and professional progress. These scenarios emphatically portray the radical alterity of India, insofar as it becomes utterly incomprehensible to Americans who privilege individualism and gender egalitarianism. Aligned with these values, Mukherjee attempts to consolidate her status approval from the American market by positioning herself â€Å"not as [an] advantaged in side[r] of Asian culture but as similarly disadvantaged as [her] Anglo readers in finding that Asian component bizarre, distasteful, and difficult to comprehend† (Shirley Lim, â€Å"AG† 161) as well. As Mukherjee reveals, it is necessary to give Jasmine â€Å"a society that was so regressive, traditional, so caste-bound, genderist, that she could discard it† (â€Å"IMC† 19) in exchange for a rebirth in America. In exposing the oppression inherent in India’s patriarchal structure, Mukherjee situates her decolonizing impulse as one that embraces emancipation in America, a land that seemingly affords women endless opportunities to attain self-actualization.

Introduction to Communication-Improve Your Listening Essay

Introduction to Communication-Improve Your Listening - Essay Example my personal concerns is however a strategy to overcoming the barrier because shifting focus from self is likely to reduce effects of my concerns on my concentration through establishing psychological stability. An effort to concentrating on a message in a communication is another strategy to overcoming the barrier and is likely increase amount of information that I capture (Beebe, Steven & Beebe Susan, 2011). Poor attitude is another barrier to my listening. I am often critical during communication and am quick to identify possible mistakes in a speaker’s presentations. I am equally judgmental over a speaker’s physical appearance and negative attitude shifts my attention from a speaker and associated message. Focusing on message content, rather than its structure and the speaker, is the possible strategy to overcoming the barrier because it can reduce my criticism and improve my ability capture information in communication through focusing on message details (Beebe, Steven & Beebe Susan,

Racial discrimination in the United States Essay

Racial discrimination in the United States - Essay Example Redlining is more common in discrimination and it has been practiced over long period of time from historical perspective and in the modern world, it has been practiced on various grounds such as employment and opportunity to various individuals and groups in the society (Leonard, 2007).Affirmative actions are the policies that undertake race, ethnicity and gender into consideration in the endeavor of ensuring equal opportunity is promoted in a society. It is mainly concerned with such aspects as education, employment and also such public contracting as the health programs. Affirmative action can be in two categories whereby one category addresses equality and eliminate any form of discrimination that is concerned with such issues institutional, overt and involuntary while the other category is focused on maximizing societal benefits and diversity on all levels in the society (Ward, 2006).In the United States, there is gross discrimination on racial grounds and the most discriminated against are the Non-White residents in the country. There have been debates that an affirmative action would be very instrumental in eliminating discrimination based on institutional, employment, educational and business opportunity in the country. Thesis Statement In the modern world, people are still discriminated against in such aspects as employments, education, institutional and business opportunities. Affirmative action is an important project to counter this discrimination. This is because the policy give well qualified people equal opportunities to other people and in a country like the United States of America where there is gross discrimination based on race, this policy will give a strong foundation for improvement in regards to racial discrimination in the United States. Racial Discrimination in the United States Since the colonial era in the United States one of the most prevalent issues in the country is racism. The whites who are considered to be the settler society are the dominating race in the country and this means that the other races which include the Blacks, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, Irish Americans and others are highly discriminated against. This discrimination is extended to such fields as employment, education, institutional and business opportunity in the country. The whites have enjoyed dominancy in these fields while the other races have been left in the periphery of the system. Although there was some improvements in the twentieth century when the government enacted laws which prohibited entities against racialism, race identities are still held very highly in the country and by prominent members of the society who control various mechanisms in the country (Hurst, 2000). Educational discrimination There is widespread education discrimination in the Untied States with the highest numbers of graduates from high school, college and university coming from the Whites. This shows that the educational opportunities in the country are favored towards the Whites while the other races are discriminated against. This is also furthered in that when the Whites get better education opportunities they also get better opportunities in life especially in this era of education opportunities. This means that the Whites have better opportunities to develop their lives while the other races are left to struggle with life (Williams, 1999). The table below shows the percentage of White

Climate change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Climate change - Essay Example This includes storms and heavy rains that may further be associated with floods. The country also experiences high temperatures that increase incidences of illnesses, some of which may arise from moderated air conditions such as air pollution that arise from dust. Increased significance of air bone illnesses is an example of such effects of high temperatures in Oman. Extreme case, if not monitored, leads to death. High temperatures, especially if accompanied by water shortage because of drought, also leads to dehydration with reported death cases in extreme cases. Heavy rain that sometime occurs with storms and sometimes leads to floods is another extreme weather event in Oman and causes death and destruction of property. The heavy rains destroy shelter and expose people to risk of cold and physical contact with drops of rain that can be life threatening in extreme downpour conditions. Floods from heavy rains also submerge people and property to identify threats of suffocation to dea th. Cases of floods sweeping away people in their vehicles and causing deaths are also notable in the country. In addition to direct effects of high temperatures and heavy rains on people’s lives, Oman suffers from indirect effects through burden on food supply (McMichael, Woodruff and Hales 2006, p. 860). High temperatures and drought reduces plants and animals growth potentials and may kill them or reduce their production. This implies low level of food supply, has led to famine in some areas and increased food prices, conditions that reduces people’s quality of life based on affordability of food (Charabi 2010, p. 223, 224). The adverse weather conditions also moderate potentials of vectors and pathogens. This effect increases incidences of some diseases during high temperatures or heavy rain falls in Oman. Malaria is an example of diseases whose incidence rates rise in flooded areas in Oman because of the breeding ground that mosquitoes find in flooded areas. Cases of tick bone and schistosomiasis, which McMichael, Woodruff and Hales identify with adverse weather conditions, have also been reported in Oman as a result of high temperatures and heavy rains that result from global warming. Changes in ecosystems, together with rising sea levels from global warming have also had negative effects on plants and animals’ yields and reduced levels of harvest from fishing. These have further led to food shortages in Oman with consequences of nutritional concerns. These effects of global warming on the environment have also led to mass deaths of domestic animals, displacement of people from their residences, and increased levels of poverty and malnutrition, especially in rural areas and among poor communities (McMichael, Woodruff and Hales 2006, p. 860). Empirical studies, from a global perspective, support the observed effects of global warming in Oman. Death cases that arise from increased temperatures occur in countries that lie in similar lat itudes as Oman and the United States is an example. The studies have further reported cases of allergies such as asthma as consequences of increased temperatures and this is likely to have occurred in Oman. Effects of global warming on agriculture, however, remains the most significant, with quantifiable monetary value of incurred losses that translate to quality of human lives.

Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Argument - Essay Example In return, there has been high agricultural production. Opponents of organic food argue that organic farming methods wastes land since they use less land. Further, they argue that there is no prove that organically produced foods are more nutritious than genetically produced foods. Therefore, there is the need to change some assumptions about genetically engineered crops (Dena and Stave 348). Majority of people who use organic food argue that they do so because they aim to avoid health hazards associated with it. Further, they argue that it is good to practice natural methods of food production since it is perceived that food produced using natural methods is healthy and contain less chemicals such as pesticides. For instance, drawing from an experiment conducted on children in US, the urine of those children who consumed foods grown conventionally had more pesticides residues than the urine sample of those children who consumed food grown naturally. Production of food organically does not destroy soil quality but instead keeps the quality of the soil because it does not involve the use of synthetic fertilizers that makes the soil lose its nitrogen and other important nutrients (Dena and Stave 349-352). In addition, organic food encourages biodiversity in the sense that it does not foster the use of intensive herbicides and pesticides that endanger crop species but instead they use no herbicides and apply less pesticide thus increasing the soil organic matter. Conventional farming use synthetic fertilizers made from nitrogen, which in turn finds its way into lakes, rivers, and other ecosystems thus affecting water surroundings. Contrary, organic farming does not pollute the ecosystem because farmers use fewer fertilizers and in some cases, they do not use any fertilizers. It is significant to note that organic method of farming

Cochlear implants are a promising intervention for children who have Essay

Cochlear implants are a promising intervention for children who have hearing impairments. However, a fractious debate prevails c - Essay Example They believe that clinical trials have gray areas, which should be addressed before the implants are used on children. The varying viewpoints create a tug-of-war. Cochlear implants change the life of the deaf people in the mainstream society, but its gray areas in scientific research and clinical trials raise skepticism and arouse feelings the implants can destroy the deaf culture. The Cochlear Implant Debate Cochlear implants are the best solution for deafness in the current times. They are small electrical devices which in the inner ear. Cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerves in the inner ear sending signals directly to the brain. According to James and colleagues (2005) and Papsin and Gordon (2007), cochlear implants can help children develop good language skills. They believe that implants at a young age stimulate the cochlear subsequently regaining its functions partially. In fact, cochlear implants preserve function of some ear cells. Gantz and colleagues point out ear preservation improves from 10% to 30% after cochlear implants. The deaf can live a normal life with cochlear implants. They can watch television, make calls and interact with other people freely. The self-esteem of the deaf improves remarkably allowing them to perform better in their school work and jobs. This has changed the lives of many people. Some who have made it to the university point out, they would not have made it that far without the implants (Blume, 2009). A study in an Australian school confirms children with cochlear implants improved in their school exams. They also interacted well with the other children improving their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Punch and Hyde (2011) also found out there was general acceptance of the children who got cochlear implants by other children. People who have experienced what it is to be deaf in a mainstream society appreciate Cochlear implants. Wilson and Dorman (2008) point out the deaf have major challenges communicating t o other people. They use the sign language which few people understand the meaning creating large communication barriers. Although cochlear implants improve the lives of many people, some deaf people detest them. The major school of though here is cochlear implant surgery pose major health risks. According to them, the surgery is done around sensitive body organs. Balkany and Gantz confirm cochlear implant surgery is done around major nerves, including those responsible for facial movements. Doctors performing the surgery may tough the nerves inappropriately by accident compromising their function. The face of the person would be inclined towards the side the surgery was done. In addition, the remaining good cells in the ears could be damaged leading to worse deafness or diseases (U.S Food and Drug Administration, 2013). Researchers and surgeons agree cochlear implants surgery risks infectious diseases like pneumococcal meningitis. Risks are high if the patient is not immunized agai nst the pneumococcal bacteria. Children are at higher risks of getting the condition compared to adults. Surgeons are cautioned to know the history of the patient well before starting the surgery. However, surgery cannot be delayed because a patient is not immunized against the pneumococcal bacteria (Medical and Healthcare Products regulatory Agency, 2013). It is worth noting cochlear implant beneficiaries have to live a cautious life. The implants are made of metals, which can set off alarm systems, metal

Comprehensive Australian Programme of Law Reform Essay

Comprehensive Australian Programme of Law Reform - Essay Example This move has been geared towards ensuring that the scope of potential liability is narrowed, for example through the limiting of personal liability borne by medical practitioners who give assistance to those people at a higher risk of injury or who need emergency medical help; and reducing the damages that may be awarded in such cases so as to confine the exposure of underwriters so that they could be able to give better and more affordable cover to those who need it. One important element to point out at this stage is the fact that most of these reforms actually did contrast with the recommendations put forward by the IPP Committee Report, which was in favour of national and uniform law response to the jurisdiction crisis on cases of liability, negligence and award of damages (Ellison, 2005). Indeed various governments that have come up since 2002 have tried to enact and implement law reforms that addressed liability, negligence, and damages. ... 2.0 The law reforms 2.1 Establishing liability The liability laws take into consideration the common law and statutes of federal and states governments. In these provisions, a person who is injured or has suffered a loss or otherwise incurred damage may institute an action aimed at compensation on the basis of the tort of common law of negligence that is based on fault; breach of contract; and breach of the provisions stipulated in the Australian Consumer Law that was effected in 2011 that replaced provisions of the Federal Trade Practices Act 1974 relating to product liability and safety of produce. In establishing the liability of a person in tort, the issue of foreseeability comes into play. A person has a duty of care to another person as per the law of tort. The defendant had a case to answer if he was in a position to see in advance reasonably, that the injured person would suffer loss or was at risk of doing so but the defendant failed to take necessary preventive action (Aust ralian Government Treasury; 2002; 2004; Harlow, 2005). This component of contributory negligence is comprised of two components namely the foreseeability of risk relating to harm and a calculation of the level of negligence also called the ‘negligence calculus’. Based on the above provisions, a person is free from liability for failing to take precautions if the risk in question is unforeseeable and can be established as being so. To know whether a risk is foreseeable or not, it is provided that such a risk should not be so probable to an extent that any reasonable person or someone in his or her common senses would ignore it (Trowbridge & Deloitte, 2002). Having already established the aspect of

The Role of Women in Arthurian Romances Essay Example for Free

The Role of Women in Arthurian Romances Essay It is a popular format that a woman is the lead character in contemporary romances. But not in stories form the middle ages. They are typically dominated by men and women are but damsels in distress. Kings and knights are more likely the words that come to mind when discussing about stories from the middle ages. Also, the middle ages is an era known for gender bias against women. They were usually depicted as helpless damsels in distress in need of help from a knight. Even the women of high status such as queens are portrayed with weakness in character and dependency on men. A kingdom is a male dominated-social setting, that’s why they are aptly called king-dom. Women have been mistreated as man’s property during this time. They were treated as rewards for battles and can be used for payment of a man’s debt. Of course, it is a usual observation that women are obviously not more glorified than men in these stories. Some were portrayed unfaithful and impure. It is easy to conclude that the women were mere companions and damsels-in-distress. In many cases, these women were subjected to violence and exploitation. In some occasions, some women were even treated as property by men that can be used as payment for a man’s debt (Gravdal 141). In â€Å"The Knight with the Lion†, thirty of the fairest maidens, each year, were used as payment for a young king’s freedom (Troyes 270). In Arthurian romances, women are given roles that differ from typical middle age stories. The roles maybe different, but all are crucial in Arthurian romances (Fester 59-61). Women are more empowered and are given much important roles in the stories. They are more evenly distributed within the plot. In Chretien de Troyes’ â€Å"The Knight of the Cart†, a woman is always present and interacting with the hero, Lancelot, in every scene. In â€Å"The Knight and the Lion†, of the same author, all of Yvain’s knightly deeds were requests from maidens. A very logical speculation why Chretien de Troyes depicted women in such an empowered manner is because he dedicated these stories to a woman, to Marie, countess of Champagne. The countess was a patron of his works at that time. She supplied him some sources for the stories. (Troyes 170) The presence of women in Arthurian romances highlighted the knight’s admirable courtesy to women. There is an instance in â€Å"The Knight in the Cart† that Lancelot was seduced by a woman to sleep with her. He refused the offer because he was focused on his quest to rescue Guinevere (Troyes 87). A knight seems to always help a maiden without question. In this sense, women have some sort of authority over men. In the first part of â€Å"The Knights of the Cart†, Kay announced that he wanted to leave court. King Arthur begged him to him not to go, but failed. King Arthur asked Queen Guinevere for help. We can see that the king feels powerless in this particular situation. He has no person in mind that can help him in this dilemma other than Queen Guinevere (Troyes 171). With this, Chretien de Troyes had already incorporated empowerment to Queen Guinevere’s character right from the very start of the story. The significance of women is probably most expressed in â€Å"The Knights of the Cart. † Queen Guinevere is probably the most popular among the women in the realm of Arthurian romances. Guinevere could be easily accused of being weak in character because she is very susceptible to being kidnapped. She was entangled in a love triangle with King Arthur and Lancelot and had easily fallen for Kay request of taking her with him that resulted to her abduction (Troyes 172). But being weak in character is very far from what is Guinevere’s role in this story. She has a certain power over the king that he asks her opinion about issues. She has also unexplainably, if not for the word â€Å"love†, inspired the knight Lancelot into a quest wherein no ordinary man can accomplish. Lancelot was finding it hard to defeat Meleagant in a swordfight. But when he took sight of Guinevere, he fought with renewed energy and defeated his opponent. There are some instances that Lancelot was on the brink of giving up his quest. But when he thinks of Guinevere, he is renewed with strength and determination (Fenster 229-34). I a certain angle, we can view Guinevere’s affair with Lancelot as a form of woman empowerment. King Arthur, like most kings, had taken other women after Guinevere. What she did was only giving justice to what his husband did. She didn’t choose to be passive of what is happening.

Criteria to Evaluate a Website of a Holiday Booking Site

Criteria to Evaluate a Website of a Holiday Booking Site Develop a Set of Criteria to Evaluate a Website of a Holiday Booking Site 4.1 Research Methodology Need for a good methodology A good research methodology is a general plan of how the researcher will go about answering the research questions considering the sources to collect data and the constraints that one might have (access to data, time, location and money, ethical issues etc). It should reflect the fact that the researcher has thought carefully about why a particular strategy has been employed. A collection of methodologies were used to carry out this research. Both primary and secondary data was collected for this purpose. The secondary data comprised of data from literature reviewed from books, journals, Internet and the annual reports of the companies while the primary data took the form of information/results collected from questionnaires and surveys. The first stage of the research comprised of collecting secondary data from the literature review. According to Sharp and Howard (1996), two major reasons exist for reviewing the literature. First, the preliminary search helps to generate and refine the research ideas. And secondly, a critical review is a part of the research process. Like most research projects, literature review was an early activity in this research. After the initial literature search, the researcher was able to redefine the parameters more precisely and undertake further searches, keeping in mind the research objective and goal. The literature review helped developing a good understanding and insight into the previous research done on this topic and the trends that have emerged. According to Gall et al. (1996), there are a number of other purposes of a literature review. To help one to refine further the research questions and objectives To highlight research possibilities that have been overlooked in research to date To discover explicit recommendations for further research To help one to simple avoid repeating work that has been done before To sample current opinions in newspapers, journals and magazines To discover and provide an insight into research approaches and strategies. This stage of critical literature review was followed by surveys to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. There are different research strategies that one might employ. They are: experiment, survey; case study, grounded theory, ethnography, action research, cross sectional and longitudinal studies, exploratory, descriptive and explanatory studies. Out of all these, the researcher has chosen the Survey strategy for the research. It is a common and popular strategy in business and management research. Through this a large amount of data can be collected in an economical way. Step by Step Methodology Undertaken 1. Secondary Data The first stage of the research comprised of collecting secondary data from the literature review. The literature review provided many useful points to consider before commencing the dissertation. It highlighted what research had already been conducted and what new areas could be investigated. 2. Questionnaire– At the next stage of the research project questionnaires was distributed to 15 people of varying ages, sex, economic status and race. 3. Analysis – The qualitative and quantitative data was thoroughly analyzed using the approach explained in the next chapter. Questionnaire is the most popular method of collecting data. It is less expensive and less time consuming than conducting interviews and very large samples can be covered. A set of questionnaire were prepared to collect primary data (interviews survey questionnaire). The different distribution techniques as described by Hussey and Hussey (1997) were followed. The questionnaires were circulated to the employees, Human Resource Managers, students, job seekers etc through Post, Telephone, face-to-face, Group distribution and individual distribution. Hussey and Hussey (1997) identify some important factors to be considered while using questionnaire. These are Sample size, Types of questions, Wordings, Design, including instruction, Wording of any accompanying letter, Method of distribution and return, Method of collecting and analyzing, Actions to be taken if questionnaire is not returned. All of these factors were considered while preparing the final set of questionnaire. Designing and Administering the Questionnaire The design of a questionnaire differs according to how it is going to be administered i.e. the amount of contact the researcher will have with the respondents. In this respect, the design of a questionnaire can be divided into categories: 1. Self-administered: These questionnaires are completed by the respondents without the intervention of the researcher. Such questionnaires are delivered to the respondents through email, Internet or by post and are returned accordingly. 2. Interviewed administered: These questionnaires are recorded by the interviewer on the basis of the respondents’ answers. For example : Telephone questionnaires in which telephonic interview is taken and structured interviews in which the researcher meets the respondent face to face and ask questions. In this research, the choice of questionnaire was determined by a number of factors like the time available to complete the data collection, financial implications of data collection and entry, availability of interviewers and ease of automating data entry. Keeping all these factors in mind, self-administered questionnaire was chosen to be distributed to the sample through post, email, Internet and telephone. The questionnaire (see appendix) was used to give a thorough understanding of what consumers used when booking a holiday online and what they felt was missing. It consisted of 9 questions each supplied with a number of possible answers. The questionnaire was designed in an ‘easy to use’ tick format so most consumers would be able to answer the questions quickly and be more willing to participate in the process. Few important questions from the questionnaire are mentioned below. The detailed questionnaire is given at the end as Appendix I. Have you used the internet for holiday or travel booking before? Yes b. No Do you feel safe using your credit card on the internet? Yes b. No c. I do not use a credit card on the internet What holiday booking website(s) have you used in the past 0-6 months? (choose all that apply) Expedia.co.uk Easy Jet Ryan air British Airways Bmibaby lastminute.com teletextholidays.co.uk uk.mytravel.com cheapflights.co.uk thomson-holidays.co.uk Other Did you find the information on the sites clear and concise? Clear Concise Expedia.co.uk Easy Jet Ryan air British Airways Bmibaby lastminute.com teletextholidays.co.uk uk.mytravel.com cheapflights.co.uk thomson-holidays How do you choose which websites you go to? Word of mouth/referral Search engine and keywords Links from other sites Other Sample Selections If for a particular research, the data is collected from every possible case or group member, it is termed as census. Sampling techniques provide a range of methods that enables one to reduce the amount of data to be collected by considering only data from a specific group rather than all possible cases. The full set of cases from which the sample is taken is called the population. Sampling provides a valid alternative to a census when it is impractical to survey the entire population or the time constraints prevent from surveying the entire population or if the budget constraints prevent from surveying the entire population. (In sampling, the term ‘population’ is not used in its normal sense, as the full set of cases may not be necessarily being people.) Sampling saves a lot of time. Sometimes the researchers collect data from the entire population but analyse only a sample of the data to save time. For this research, sampling was done in order to get more detailed information form the sample selected. Once the data was collected more time could be spent in checking for any errors before analysing the data while this would not be possible if the data would have been collected from the entire population. According to Henry (1990) smaller number of cases means that more time could be spent designing and piloting the means of collecting these data. The internet business can really only succeed if the public accepts new technologies. Despite the hype surrounding the dotcom boom (and bust), research conducted by ICM for Computer Weekly has found a relatively low level of understanding of the Internet in the UK, particularly among older members of the population, and people on lower incomes. Kate Turner, director at ICM research said, â€Å"While younger people are buying technology as fast as they can, the 55-plus group is the one to watch. They are catching up†. The highest proportions of online shoppers are among 25 to 34 year olds (Saran, 2002). Therefore, the sample was chosen such that it covers all the age groups particularly those between 25-35 years old. The choice of sample size is determined by a number of factors like the confidence one need to have in the data, the margin of errors that one can tolerate and the size of the total population from which the sample is being drawn. Given all these influences, the final sample size selected for the purpose of this study comprised of 15 different people of varying ages, sex, economic status and race. 4.2 Rationales behind the questions Already done by the Client 4.3 Actual Results Already done by the Client 4.4 Expected Results Already done by the Client 4.5 Impact or effect on the set of criteria Already done by the Client 4.6 Summary The aim of the questionnaire (see appendix) was to highlight any trends within the online industry and to identify some of the useful website evaluation criteria’s. The responses were used to indicate what appealed to consumers and what deterred them from booking a holiday online. Once all the responses had been received, the answers were collaborated together and analysed. A good response rate was obtained which helped to draw conclusions. Data gathered from this methodology was used to draw specific conclusions. This type of data provides suppliers with key information to modify their offers or features to gain a competitive edge. Referring to the e-Book by Lynch and Horton (1997), the researcher identified 14 evaluation items to check when evaluating website content: first impression, speed, compatibility with all browsers, accessibility, absence of HTML errors, readily accessible to search engines, visibility, usability, trustworthiness, security, currency and authority, objectivity, accuracy, and coverage. Grandinetti (2000) proposed a simple evaluation standard. The information provided on a website was considered to be trustworthy if it explicitly described the author’s name, affiliation, source, ownership and date of posting on the website. Cravener (2000) indicated that the frequency of updates, accuracy and credentials should be evaluated in order to determine the quality of the website. The questionnai re results as well as the literature review helped in formulating a set of criteria to evaluate a website and those criteria’s were tested accordingly. Expedia and British Airways proved to be the 2 most popular sites to use due to their reputation while thomson-holidays.co.uk scored poorly (50% agreeing to the fact that the site is not attractive and 60% believing that it is not that reputable). In line with most people having a few holidays a year, most people use the internet a few times a month to view travel websites. On either side a significant number use the internet for booking personal holidays though 80% of the participants were afraid of using the credit card online. As expected most people use travel sites to book flights. This is their main purpose and hence where sites are going to gain most exposure and revenue. Most people use a particular site due to prices. However, with the other features also scoring highly, it indicates that most people still require the site to be of a decent standard. Most consumers will initially go to a site for price, but expect it to be a secure, easy to use and efficient site as well. When suppliers are deciding what to focus on for the future better offers and real time confirmation seems to be what consumers want. Price of tickets and ease of use were the two most important issues identified by the participants while using a web site for holiday and activity booking while other useful links, website’s reputation and lots of photos on the website scored low. Search capability and download speed were again identified as factors which are a MUST for a holiday and activity booking web site. The extras such as personalised features, feedback provision, good search engine, links to other company websites and minimal mouse travel and keystrokes scored quite lowly. A significant number of people wanted greater flexibility and more information when booking their travel. With such a large majority of people still believing that a travel agent is still needed and using credit card online is risky, travel sites have a long way to go to gain market share. They need to provide more than just better prices to attract and retain customers. 5.1 Introduction Already done by the Client 5.2 Summary Research carried out by Carlson Digital revealed that word-of mouth is the main reason why sites were visited for the first time, and very few of respondents believed online brands ‘knew what made them tick’(Brand strategy, 2002). Without the benefit of human contact, internet companies have to work harder at understanding customer needs, delivering against these and finding ways to engage with the customer. Research found that customer expectations are high, and they are completely unforgiving of organisations who fail to respond quickly (Brand strategy, 2002). Technical factors such as site navigation, design and downloading speed can determine whether customers will revisit a site or not. To keep customers loyal, the sites must provide fresh content, relevant emails, competitions and offers. Bisignani, CEO of Opodo declares, ’The trend for booking travel online is set to explode’. On the other hand, Sally Johansson, e-commerce manager of Buzz, a low-cost airline says, â€Å"We will never be 100% booking online†. She believes the key to success on the internet is to keep things as simple and clear as possible and avoid adding features that add to the costs (Wheelwright, 2002). Many sites are reluctant to pull the plug on their call centres and some have even placed added emphasis on this facility. It seems that there are still too many people not being drawn to book online. Convenience of accessibility to information is probably as equally crucial as price. The ability to gather information on destinations, hotels, tourist sites and culture enables any traveller to pinpoint their exact requirements and then build a trip ideally suited to them. The main advantage is that this can be done in the comfort of one’s own home. One doesn’t have to physically go and queue to see someone who may only open during working hours or only be able to show some limited offers. However, one does have search through various sites to get the most appropriate package. Most well established sites offer a help line which is ideal for customers who want to use the internet for gathering information and then use a personalised service to ensure they get the right deal. It also inhibits fear in travellers who may need to make changes later on. Most web sites offer an abundance of options for travel. They can hold information about local and far destinations in equal depth and detail, whereas the travel agent will only have expertise in some areas and will be limited in options he can suggest. The best of both worlds, that more consumers are now doing, is using the internet to gather information and then telling the travel agent exactly what they want. This eliminates the fear of booking online and makes the customer more informed and demanding. Travel agents are also catching up with competitors by using their own websites to advertise their offers. Some have also started to focus on niche marketing, such as becoming cruise specialists, honeymoons or offering advice on complicated itineraries or where expertise for one particular country is needed and especially for people not comfortable with using a computer (Maxa, 2002). Some factors consumers should consider when booking online are: †¢ Does the site operate in ‘real time’? This means the airline seat, hotel room etc presented are available the moment you’re viewing it. This prevents problems of being sold out when you come to the booking stage. †¢ Does it provide a free help line number that allows you to talk to a representative to iron out any queries? †¢ Are extra charges, such as trip cancellation insurance automatically added to your package or hidden amongst the terms and conditions? †¢ How often are the special offers updated? †¢ Does the web site levy a fee on the airline tickets it sells? Some sites are already charging consumers and more are expected to follow this trend (Morrison, 2002) †¢ Will the site be trading when you want to travel? Many travellers are unaware that if they book a flight or hotel and that company ceases trading, they are not protected by legislation or insurance schemes (Macefield, 2002). When deciding to book online the consumer needs to realize how flexible their requirements are. The more consumers are willing to compromise on times, dates and holiday sites the more likely they are to finding a cheap deal. Consumers also need to be ready to book as soon as they see what they are looking for. Even in a slow economy most offers get booked very early on. 5.3 Limitations There are few noted limitations for this piece of research. First of all it cannot be ignored that research is dependent on the data collected using a questionnaire. The objective features of websites and not dealt in detail (e.g. background theme or hierarchy information) which makes it difficult to elaborate the suitable design factors equalled with the subjective measures. Secondly, this research is based on the survey research method which has some limitations of its own in the form sample selection bias. The sample of the survey is selected by the researcher and there is always a chance that the acquaintance of the researcher with the sample may alter the results as per the researcher’s way of thinking. The researcher tried to gather demographic information like age, gender etc but could not capture information like income levels etc. The participants were not ready to divulge such information. The validity of the results may be challenged in the absence of demographic in formation, because literature suggests the relative importance of evaluation criteria might vary with income and education level. Lastly the study lacks a section in the questionnaire that could be used to measure the level of user satisfaction for each website. A recent study found that user satisfaction for e-commerce customers consists of multiple dimensions (McKinney et al. 2002). There was a possibility to add more inter-dependent variables in the research model. For example, trust has been identified as an important issue in web site design and e-commerce (Jarvenpaa, Tracinsky and Vitale 2000, McKnigh et al. 2002). It would have been significant if the level of trust the participants had in each website could be measured along with the reasons (Kim and Moon 1998). 5.4 Recommendations for future work Already done by the Client 6.1 Discussion Travel is seen as an ‘escape’ motivation – a wish to escape routines of family, home and work. It might be a ‘pull’ motive a want to see things, places, and people and to engage in actions and behaviours (Ryan, 2002). Travel is ultimately thought of as entertainment (Miller, 2001). For these reasons booking travel should also be fun and hassle free. Consumers want to feel inspired, excited and motivated to book travel. Online sites have recognised the lacking of a one-to-one experience and have turned to using customer service help lines. This move, although against the promotion of booking entirely online, portrays the current competitive market. Online travel sites have needed to work a lot harder to stay competitive and profitable. Having looked at the past and present situation, one can start to predict what the future will be for the online holiday booking industry. A recent report from industry analysts Jupiter MMXI (Johnson, 2002) noted considerable growth in Europe’s online travel market and predictions suggest it could be worth more than  £12bn by 2006. Even with events such as September 11 terrorist attacks, consumers are keen to start travelling again. Dermot Halpin of Expedia states, ‘People want to travel. September 11 was a tragedy, but people bounce back. Individual travel is becoming more and more popular. People don’t want to be told what to do. We allow them to do what they want.’ With such great competition in the travel market, online travel providers need to distinguish themselves from the others. From consumer surveys, customers perceive the service of the airlines’ websites as significantly better than that of travel agencies (Romita, 2001). This is where travel agencies need to focus on to draw consumers to their site. From the questionnaire results we can see that consumers are drawn to sites on cost and reputation. An image of providing excellent customer service will attract visitors to that site and keep them loyal for future bookings. High street travel agents are able to do this much better due to their face to face interaction with customers. Online travel providers need to realign their focus with the ever demanding public and dedicate their sites to providing excellent customer service. From the literature search it was found out that the extent to which websites follow the architectural principles and are optimized on the evaluation criteria has an impact on the level of user satisfaction and, in turn, on the level of user loyalty. In other words, a website with a high architectural quality may produce a higher level of user satisfaction, which then leads to increased motivation for users to revisit the site. User satisfaction is one of the most frequently used measures of system success because the performance of a system is usually related to users’ satisfaction ratings (DeLone and McLean 1992). Customers are looking at the future for sites with better offers and technology to provide real time confirmation. They want greater flexibility and more information when booking travel. Online travel has now become a fundamental part of booking travel, whether to search for the best offers or just gather information on some Holiday package. Customers are becoming more demanding as they can now pick and choose who they wish to give their business to. The future looks bright for the online Holiday booking industry. As more people accept changes in technology and become computer literate, a new generation is developing that use the internet for most their day to day needs. 6.2 Final Summary Already done by the Client Brand Strategy, (2002). How to get close to customers online, Brand Strategy, January 9, 2002, p13. Delone, W. H. And Mclean, E. R. (1992), Information systems success: the quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research, 3(1), 60 – 95. Gall, M.D., Borg, W.R. and Gall, J.P. (1996) Educational Research: An introduction. New York, Longman. Henry, G.T. (1990). Practical Sampling. Newbury Park, CA, Sage. Hussey, J. and Hussey, R. (1997). Business Research – A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Macmillan Business Wiltshire. Johnson, B. (2002) Travel beats the dotcom gloom, The Guardian, August 19, 2002. Macefield, S. Warning to go-it-alone tourists, The Daily Telegraph, March 16, 2002, p4. Maxa, R. (2002). Rising European Air Fares, Savvy Traveller, March 23. Miller, G.(2001). Corporate responsibility in the UK tourism industry, Tourism Management, Volume 23, Issue 6, December 2001, p589-598. Morrison, M. Orbitz first to charge service fees, Airline Business, Jan 1, 2002, pg15. Romita, T. http://www.eyefortravel.com/index.asp?news=10158src=nwsltr, Eye for travel, January 23, 2001. Ryan, C. (2002). Equity, management, power sharing and sustainability – issues of the ‘new tourism’, Tourism Management, Volume 23, Issue 1, February 2002, p17-26. Saran, C. (2002). Consumers are not inspired by the Internet, Computer Weekly, Feb 28, pg16. Sharp, J.A. and Howard, K. (1996) The Management of a Student Research Project. Aldershot, Gower. Wheelwright, G. Wednesday Surveys ITD1, The Financial Times(London), March 13, 2002, p10. Mckinney, V., Yoon, K. And Zahedi, F. (2002), Web-customer satisfaction: an expectation and disconfirmation approach. Information Systems Research, 13(3), 296 – 315. Jarvenpaa, S. L., Tractinsky, N. And Vitale, M. (2000), Consumer trust in an Internet store. Information Technology and Management, 1(1 –2 ), 45 – 71. Lynch P.J. Horton S. (1997) Web style guide. Available at: http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/intro/purpose.html Grandinetti D.A. (2000) Help patients surf the Net safely. Register Nurse 63(8), 51–54. Cravener P.A. (2000) The world wide nursing web. American Journal of Nursing 100(11), 75–76.

Anasazi Culture Essay -- Native American Indians

Long before the coming of the so-called "civilized" Europeans, North America was inhabited by traveling bands of ancient people. Nomadic tribes, these early ancestors of Southwest Native Americans traveled the land in search of food from the thriving herds of large animals. But possibly as early as A.D. 900, as the wandering herds began to diminish, these people began to settle down and developed societies and cultures around what is called the Four Corners area of the southwest, in southern Utah and Colorado, and northern Arizona and New Mexico. Referred to as "Hisatsinom" by their Hopi descendants, the people are probably better known as "Anasazi," the Navajo name said to mean "ancient enemies." Other, more traditional, Native Americans may simply refer to these ancient people as the "old ones." Whatever the name, it is evident that these people not only settled in, but were also a thriving population and cultural center for the southwest. The Anasazi, ancestors of present-day Pueblos, Zunis, and Hopis of New Mexico and Arizona, fished, hunted small game and birds, and gathered wild foods in their newly developing home. A desert culture, these ancient people learned to live off the land, and even to make the land work for their good. Eventually building elaborate structures in the cliff walls, the Anasazi moved from their early "subterranean pit houses, sunken homes with stonework walls," into elaborately carved mansions high atop cliff walls and stone structures. As they developed aboveground storage facilities, the Anasazis began to build grand houses into the stones, acquiring new living quarters and using their former underground dwellings as "spiritual centers" called "kivas." The kiva, used for religious tea... ...ur-corners regions of the Southwest. Skeletons, village archeological finds, and cliff and rock art are all that remain to tell us about the heritage and culture of the Southwest. Other evidences abound in the stories of the "old ones," still told around council fires and pow wows. The stories of these earlier people are still told by the elders of different tribes, to teach their young ones their rich cultural heritage. Whatever the reasons for the Anasazi civilization's decline, they were a proud and thriving people, filled with culture, arts, trading and civilization. It is a shame that their once proud homes are but ruins for those of us in this new century to view. Perhaps, one day in the not too distant future, some of our own most spectacular structures and civilizations may lie wasted in the dust, another ancient ruin for some future people to explore.

Exploring Rest Cure Therapy in The Yellow Wallpaper -- Yellow Wallpape

Exploring Rest Cure Therapy in The Yellow Wallpaper Rest was used as a cure for neurasthenia, but did it really work? "The Yellow Wallpaper" explores the concept of rest cure therapy and its effectiveness on a woman patient. The best-known doctor for treating neurasthenia was a highly regarded neurologist named Silas Weir Mitchell (Kivo 8). Women from all over the world traveled to the United States to be treated by Silas Weir Mitchell (5). Rest cure therapy included secluding the patient from family and friends and complete physical and intellectual rest (5). Many women who followed Mitchell's treatment plan returned to their families cured, but there were some women whose symptoms became worse after being treated by Mitchell or after being restricted to bed rest. Many women did not benefit from rest. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," Jane, the protagonist, is put on bed rest after giving birth to her baby. She is prescribed bed rest from her doctor and husband, John (6). John secludes her from family and friends by renting a rundown country home for the summer (6). She is to have total bed rest while at the country home. John said that Jane "was to have perfect rest" (Gilman, 14). As the summer progresses, Jane's condition becomes increasingly worse, and she begins to hallucinate. She thinks that she sees things moving on the yellow wallpaper in the room that she is staying in. Jane says, "The pattern does move-and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it!" (23). The therapy causes Jane to retreat into madness (Kivo 6). Jane's madness becomes apparent when the woman behind the wall and Jane start to tear all the yellow wallpaper from the walls of the room (25). Jane's condition deteriorate... ...herapy. Rest cures did not always work on all women. There were some patients like Jane who became worse while others like Addams and Gilman had to find their own ways of suppressing or curing their depression. Depression, or neurasthenia, was not always curable and has affected many people all over the world. While rest cures were the most common cure for depression, sometimes this procedure was not effective. Works Cited Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. "The Yellow Wallpaper." The Harcourt Brace Casebook Series in Literature. Ed. Carol Kivo.Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace, 1998. 13-27. Kivo, Carol, ed. "The Yellow Wallpaper:" The Harcourt Brace Casebook Series in Literature. Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace, 1998. 2-12. Poirier, Suzanne. "The Weir Mitchell rest cure: doctor and patients." Women's Studies. 1983 10(1): 15-40. <Galileo online>

Love, Hate, and Marriage in Much Ado About Nothing :: Much Ado About Nothing Essays

Love, Hate, and Marriage in Much Ado About Nothing      Ã‚   In William Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing", the characters Beatrice and Benedick are involved in what could only be called a "love/hate" relationship.  Ã‚   The play is a classic example of this type of relationship, and allows us to view one from the outside looking in.        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Both Beatrice and Benedick are strong-willed, intelligent characters, who fear that falling in love will lead to a loss of freedom and eventually heartbreak.   This causes them to deny their love for each other and it is only through the machinations of other characters in the play that their true feelings emerge.   When these feelings are finally acknowledged, both characters are changed, but the changes are subtle.   They are neither drastic nor monumental.   Both remain who they were before, but now they the two are one. They gain everything and lose nothing.   Whether or not their love would have bloomed without the help of their friends, we will never know.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the beginning of the play, Beatrice and Benedick do not seem to like each other very much, if at all.   This can be seen in Act I; Scene I, (line 121- 131):      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some   gentleman   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   or other shall 'scape a predestinate  Ã‚  Ã‚   scratched face.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such   a face as   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   yours were.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and   so good a   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   continuer. But keep your way, I' God's name; I have done.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old.    Were the reader to judge the relationship between the characters solely by the above lines, they would come to the conclusion that these characters much disliked, if not hated each other.   This is most likely not the case.   In today's world, with its knowledge of psychology, we are aware that this behaviour is   most likely a cover-up for other feelings.   In fact, many relationships begin with the parties involved denying attraction to each other Love, Hate, and Marriage in Much Ado About Nothing :: Much Ado About Nothing Essays Love, Hate, and Marriage in Much Ado About Nothing      Ã‚   In William Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing", the characters Beatrice and Benedick are involved in what could only be called a "love/hate" relationship.  Ã‚   The play is a classic example of this type of relationship, and allows us to view one from the outside looking in.        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Both Beatrice and Benedick are strong-willed, intelligent characters, who fear that falling in love will lead to a loss of freedom and eventually heartbreak.   This causes them to deny their love for each other and it is only through the machinations of other characters in the play that their true feelings emerge.   When these feelings are finally acknowledged, both characters are changed, but the changes are subtle.   They are neither drastic nor monumental.   Both remain who they were before, but now they the two are one. They gain everything and lose nothing.   Whether or not their love would have bloomed without the help of their friends, we will never know.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the beginning of the play, Beatrice and Benedick do not seem to like each other very much, if at all.   This can be seen in Act I; Scene I, (line 121- 131):      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some   gentleman   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   or other shall 'scape a predestinate  Ã‚  Ã‚   scratched face.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such   a face as   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   yours were.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BENEDICK:  Ã‚  Ã‚   I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and   so good a   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   continuer. But keep your way, I' God's name; I have done.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   BEATRICE:  Ã‚  Ã‚   You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old.    Were the reader to judge the relationship between the characters solely by the above lines, they would come to the conclusion that these characters much disliked, if not hated each other.   This is most likely not the case.   In today's world, with its knowledge of psychology, we are aware that this behaviour is   most likely a cover-up for other feelings.   In fact, many relationships begin with the parties involved denying attraction to each other

Business coursework; Fish and Chip shop (Burnham high street) Essay

Introduction I am doing an investigation on a small local business to identify ways that it could be improved and what the business is doing wrong at the moment that is preventing it from making the progress that it could make. The local shop that I chose was the fish and chip in Burnham high street, SeaWorld. I chose this shop because I am a fan of seafood and when I go into a seafood place I expect to find many items that are actually seafood but normally they have different varieties of food but rarely any seafood. They normally have kebabs, chips, burgers, but chips are a necessity with fish. Preparation We started off making our individual surveys for both customers and workers and chose the best survey to be printed out. We also were planning on tasting the food in SeaWorld as well to see how good the product was. We thought of the types of shop that would be competitors. What we did For our research we had about an hour to go to the fish and chip shop in Burnham high street, but unfortunately SeaWorld was closed so we decided that some of us would take out the surveys on the public while the other group would see how the point of sale looked and find anything wrong with it. There were quite a few surveys done, and we managed to figure out some problems with the point of sale. Luckily there was a worker inside SeaWorld who did not mind us asking questions about his workplace. I think that we had taken a few surveys of people who go there regularly, but would have liked to see how the business was when it was open. Things like how many people go there, what there menu was, how well priced the food was, what majority of the regular customers thought of the seafood shop. We also looked out for competitors and how accessible their shops are, how their shops looked and how close they are to SeaWorld. Place SeaWorld is in Burnham high street and because it is quite a small high street even a small number of competitors would be a problem. There aren’t any seafood restaurants or seafood take-away as such in Burnham high street but there are cafes and fast food shops and there is a seafood shop in Burnham. These are also competitors because if people go into these shops it can pose a threat to the business of SeaWorld by reducing its market share. The other issue with the place is how easy it is for the customers to access the shop in terms of parking, distance and is there a contact number so they can order over the phone? The restaurant has a telephone number next to the restaurant’s name which is convenient for the customers and the business because it won’t be crowded so they will have enough seats but they will still be getting the sales and revenue. The first take- away or restaurant that you see when you enter the high street from hog fair lane is SeaWorld which means that for ease of access and to save time people will go here. Therefore I think that the place that the seafood shop is not bad, but the look of the point of sale from the inside and outside needs to change. It needs to be re-painted and the inside needs to be looking more spacious to attract more customers. Product I did not have the opportunity to get a good look at their menu because at the time they were not open, but from what I saw there was a range of fried and battered fish food, chips and drinks which is what their customers would expect and this makes them look good. There was a problem though which was that on the outside of the shop there was a label that said ‘kebabs’ that is something that you wouldn’t expect in a fish and chip shop and I don’t know if they do sell kebabs but if they didn’t then that would be misleading the customers which would be irritating for them and they could potentially lose customers. If they did have kebabs then it would be inappropriate. Price I was not able to ask or look at the prices that they had for their food but the price needs to be below five pounds for each product and above a pound. If the products are priced too highly customers would not buy from that shop and if it was too low then they will be at a loss and will not be able to run efficiently. Theoretically the lower the price the more demand there is for that product, but you also need to balance between charging high enough to cover costs but low enough to keep the customers buying. Sometimes even if the prices are high the demand still remains the same, this is because things like customer service is good and the product also should be better than others. For the seafood shop it means that they need to be friendly to customers, deliver orders on time and put the customer’s needs and requests first. Promotion Walking along Burnham high street I did not see any form of promotion for the seafood shop. This is one of the crucial factors of getting a small business to succeed. If people do not know where you are or even if you exist then how will you get more customers? The seafood shop does not even have a website which means that it makes it harder for people find out about such a shop. The locals around Burnham high street might know about the shop but not many other people will. Therefore they need to find a form of promotion that will allow them to be known but not too expensive either. Picking the promotion The ways of promotion best for SeaWorld is through leaflets through letter boxes, this is a form of promotion suited to this business because it will be spread throughout the local area, because people from other areas are not going to travel a long way just to get to SeaWorld and it is not that expensive. The down side to leaflets is that it is often seen as junk and discarded, so it has a low success rate and you would need to find someone to hand them out or put them in letterboxes this means they need to pay that person as well. Another way that is cheap and affordable is advertising in the local newspaper, this would reach a wide local audience and there is only the cost of publishing it in the newspaper. The size of the advert can be adjusted so that it fits the budget of the seafood shop, but to get a large sized advert that is well designed it may be expensive. Another promotion that is totally free, very reliable and trustworthy is customer word-of-mouth recommendation; this is when customers recommend the shop to family and friends. When it is recommended by family and friend’s people trust that it is a good shop and go there, but it is the customer’s choice to do it and you cannot control it. You can aid this by providing excellent customer service, good value for money and good standard of food. A good thing to advertise is offers like buy one get one half price or tokens on newspaper or leaflets that have good offers which they can claim. Offers for a meal are actually cheaper than buying them all individually so it encourages customers to buy more and they would chose a place that has offers on food to one that does not. Loyalty cards are also a good incentive to get new customers and keep existing customers to come back for more and this would increase sales because a certain number of purchases would get them a reward, which is normally more food. Frequent customers would feel angry that they do not get discounts or complimentary food. Survey of worker We did a questionnaire on the worker about the Seafood shop, and working conditions and he seems to be very positive about working there, but from how he spoke we realised that he was being bias so we cannot really trust everything that he said. He said that it was a good environment to work in and that the working conditions were good. The environment would be good because it would be busy. The workers seem happy and motivated therefore I would expect the customer service to be good as well and the food to be of a good standard. I asked what kinds of fringe benefits or monetary benefits they get but it seemed that he did not get any. The staff cannot be kept well motivated for long without any benefits. The owners can make the staff more motivated by giving monetary benefits at first and then fringe benefits. At first they would find that money is what they need and will be motivated when money is at the other end and it will be cheaper to give small monetary benefits than fringe benefits. When the business grows it can afford fringe benefits and the workers need benefits other than money to motivate them. The easiest fringe benefit could be a discount on the food in the fish and chip shop, or free lunch for the workers. To keep them well motivated there needs to be a better fringe benefit that they will get for working well or achieving a target number of sales.

Cholesterol: A Patient Conversation Essay

Hello Mr. Brown, My name is Jane and I am your PA today otherwise known as a Physician’s Assistant. The doctor had ordered some test for you and I am going to go over your results and explain to you what each of them mean. If you have any questions please feel free to stop me at any time. First we will start off with your Triglyceride level and it was 145 mg/dl. Your Triglycerides is fat in the blood and they are used to provide energy to your body and they are the main form of fat in your body (WebMD, 2014). Your levels are considered desirable meaning they are not very high, however we would like to see them a little lower. The second test that was given was to check your cholesterol and your levels were 210 mg/dl and that is considered borderline high. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and other cells. Mr. Brown if your Cholesterol is too high and it is it can cause heart problems (WebMD, 2014). The last set of test was to check your LDL and HDL le vels. LDL or Low density lipoproteins is known as bad cholesterol because it can cause plaque buildup on the walls of arteries and the more LDL you have in your blood then the great the risk of heart disease. Your LDL levels were 160 mg/dl and that is considered high, a more normal range should be below 130 mg/dl. HDL or High density lipoproteins are known as good cholesterol and it helps the body get rid of LDL. Your HDL levels were 33 mg/dl and that is considered to be poor. If your HDL levels are low then your risk for heart disease goes up (WebMD, 2014). Mr. Brown there are many factors that play a role for having high cholesterol and some of those you can control and others you can’t. For example, the ones you can’t control are your genetics or family history. The ones that are within your control are inactivity, obesity, and an un-healthy diet. There are many treatments for reducing your high cholesterol like changing your diet or medication. I would like to suggest that you change your lifestyle before you are put on regular medication to control your cholesterol. I know this is something that is of no interest to you because you stated you didn’t want to chang e your lifestyle, however, even if you  are prescribed medications you will still have to make a change to the way you are currently living. Let me tell you the side effects of the medication used to treat high cholesterol. I just want to let you know that tolerance of medications vary from person to person. â€Å"The common side effects are muscle pains, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea† (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Mr. Brown I am sure you are wondering if the benefits of lowering your cholesterol outweighs the risk of taking medication and yes they do. Statins are known as a group of drugs that inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol and promotes the production of LDL and decreases the levels of HDL. These pills may cause a small increase in weight gain and blood sugar which can also increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, however, they will also prevent you from having a heart attack and stroke so in the long run you would be better off to make simple lifestyle changes and take medication. If you choose not to take medication to help control your cholesterol then there are some other options we can look at. To start off you could change your diet because many foods such as eggs, beef, pork, and cheese will raise your cholesterol. You could try to maintain your weight by exercising more, don’t miss annual physicals with your physician, and quit smoking (Health Media Ventures, 2014). Mr. Brown I can reassure you that we can help you get your cholesterol under control. There are many things as I have said that can be done to help lower your cholesterol and help keep it lowered. I know this is a lot to take in at once but I’m not only here as your PA but also as a friend. If you would like additional information then I can send papers home with you so you can get a better understanding of what is going on and how you can control it. There are many options out there for you but you have to take the first step towards making this change. All I can do is be here for you and share my knowledge with you. I don’t want you to think that I am trying to drastically change your life style or make you do so. There are simple things that can be done to help lower your cholesterol and prevent you from someday having a heart attack. So here are some things I recommend you to do in order to lower your cholesterol eat more soluble fiber and that is found in foods lik e beans, fruits, oatmeal, and vegetables. Eat less fat and fewer foods like meats and dairy products, exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week, and lose weight. Mr. Brown if I were you I would try these simple changes  to begin with and if doesn’t seem like those changes are working then we can try medications to help lower your cholesterol, but like I said before you will still have to interpret exercise and eating healthy into your daily diet. I know it will be hard at first but with the help of family, friends, and health care providers I know you can do this. I want to be honest with you Mr. Brown, it is important that you make these necessary lifestyle changes in order to live a longer healthier life. I’m not sure if you have a wife, children, or grandchildren but wouldn’t they be worth it to make these few changes in your life? The fact is if you don’t make these necessary changes then you don’t have any other options and you are putting yourself at risk for a heart attack or possibly a stroke, then your wife will be left without a husband, your children without a father, and grandchildren without a papaw. So Mr. Brown you need to ask your self is it worth it? References WebMD. (2014). Cholesterol Basics: Types, Risk Factors, Levels, and Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/cholesterol-basicsWebMD. (2014). Triglycerides and Lowering Triglyceride Levels. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/lowering-triglyceride-levelsMayo Clinic. (2014). High cholesterol Treatments and drugs – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/basics/treatment/con-20020865 Health Media Ventures. (2014). Causes of High Cholesterol – Health.com. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306953,00.html

Comparing Where the Scattering Began and Wherever I Hang

After analysing â€Å"Where the scattering began† by merle Collins and â€Å"Wherever I hang† by Grace Nichols, I found that both poets displayed the subject of adjusting to another culture effectively but, in very different ways. Grace Nichols used a very light hearted and simple style which I think reflected her relaxed attitude to life. This poem opens the reader’s eyes to her relaxed culture through the simple language. All though the poem is clear in its context, for some of the readers it can be quite hard to understand if the accent is not known. The dialect gives the readers an insight to the dialect of the poet herself and the Caribbean culture is also displayed in the warm inviting tone; this suggests that the culture is friendly and welcoming. I noticed that the poet included repetition of nouns to add emphasis at the beginning of the poem. Grace Nichols quotes: â€Å"I leave me people, me land, me home. † Perhaps the poet is generally conveying that she has come from a completely different world, and reveals to the readers that she regrets leaving her country because she includes specific happy memories of her home. The humming-bird could possibly be a metaphor of the beauty she sees within her country; this colourful, small, modest bird could essentially represent the country through the eyes of Grace Nichols. She Quotes: â€Å"I forsake the sun and the humming-bird splendour† But she sees England as a land of hope and possibility. Gradually as the poem progresses she â€Å"becomes accustomed to the English life† and â€Å"changes her calypso ways†. Cleverly as she becomes adjusted to the different culture, the poet’s language changes also, this is to emphasise the fact that her habits have changed. This poem illustrates the confusion of adjusting to another culture, even after many years, when she begins to become more accustomed to an English life, she still feels divided between her home and England. The confusion is displayed before the readers in one line: â€Å"To tell you the truth, I don’t really know where I belaang†

Daniele Mariani

Europass Curriculum Vitae Personal information First name(s) / Surname(s) Address(es) Telephone(s) E-mail Nationality Date of birth Daniele MARIANI Via Augusto Sindici, 5 – 00155 Roma +39 062288549 [email  protected] it Italian 20 SETTEMBRE 1985 Mobile: +39 3426467377 Work experience Dates Occupation or position held Name and address of employer Type of business or sector 2005 leaflets Gruppo Interclub – Via Plinio 44 – ROMA SRL Education and trainingDates Title of qualification awarded Principal subjects/occupational skills covered December 2009 – February 26, 2013 Degree in Electronic Engineering (Vote 99/110) Course of study lasting two years, with in-depth professional training in specific fields Electronics Engineering with specialization in Optoelectronics, with main subjects Electronics for Photovoltaics, Optoelectronics, Nano-electronics, Organic Organic Electronics, Electronic high-frequency electronics space , electronic devices and sensors Tit le of the thesis (field of nanoelectronics): â€Å"Electron-phonon interaction in nanoelectronic devices† Supervisor: prof.Alessandro Pecchia Should you wish to check my references, please contact the following people Prof. Alessandro Pecchia – University of Rome Tor Vergata Email: [email  protected] uniroma2. it University of Rome Tor Vergata – Course in Electronic Engineering Degree Level 2 Name and type of organisation providing education and training Level in national or international classification Dates Title of qualification awardedOctober 2004 – November 26, 2009 Degree in Electronic Engineering (Vote 89/110) Page 1/2 – Curriculum vitae of MARIANI Daniele For more information on Europass go to http://europass. cedefop. europa. eu  © European Communities, 2003 20060628 Principal subjects/occupational skills covered Three year course in Electronic Engineering. Thesis title: â€Å"Verification and validation of a control system of railway vehicles nosing† Supervisor: prof. Giuseppe Fazio.Supervisor: Ing. Danilo Longo. Collaboration with the company RFI (Italian Railway Network SpA) for the provision of data for the development of the thesis University of Rome Tor Vergata – Course in Electronic Engineering Degree Level 1 September 1999 – July 2004 Scientific maturity (Vote 92/100) – High School Diploma Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, English, Computer During the school years I have represented my school at the Olympics in MathematicsName and type of organisation providing education and training Level in national or international classification Dates Title of qualification awarded Principal subjects/occupational skills covered Name and type of organisation providing ITIS Giovanni Giorgi – High School for Science and Technology – ROME education and training During secondary school characterized, compared to traditional high school science, lack of education Latin re placed by ‘computer. Other language(s) Mother tongue Self-assessment European level (*) Italian UnderstandingListening A2 Elementary level B1 Reading Intermediate Speaking Spoken interaction Spoken production A2 Elementary level A2 Elementary level B1 Writing Intermediate English (*) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Social skills and competences Ability to work in a team gained during my college career: the relationship with other graduates has always been of profound respect and full co-operation with maximum availability and to give than to receive explanations, in a perspective of teamwork. From my thesis supervisor was profound for my work.Good ability to communicate effectively, by formulating judgments independently, contributing innovative design may Full cooperation in the management of activities and projects, according to the deadlines and targets. The main goal is customer satisfaction. WORD, POWER POINT, EXCEL (MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE). Software: PARAVIEW, TIBERCAD (for the simulation of modern nanotechnology and optoelectronics) and basics of MATLAB (in the context of the thesis) Browser: IE, FIREFOX, CHROME Programming languages: C + + (basics) FORTRAN 95 (basics) Programs for data manipulation and plotting graphs: XMGRACE, VEUSZOrganisational skills and competences Technical skills ,Computer skills and competences Driving licence License category â€Å"B† secondary schools Additional information During the degree course, in his spare time I have given tuition in mathematics for students of I authorize the processing of personal data pursuant to Legislative lgs. 196/03 Page 2/2 – Curriculum vitae of MARIANI Daniele For more information on Europass go to http://europass. cedefop. europa. eu  © European Communities, 2003 20060628

Political Economy of Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Political Economy of Media - Essay Example He also looks at the economic and cultural globalization and their relation with the global commercial market (2001, p.1). The global commercial media do promote cultural globalization. McChesney looks at the technological revolution that is defined mainly by the radical development in computing and digital communication. He concludes that the cultural globalization and economic globalization would be impossible without global commercial media. Technological revolution has made the media empire lucrative and realistic; this new image of the media company is one that was unimaginable in the past. The emerging technologies in the media economics play a role in encouraging competition among the media companies. In pursuit for profits and economy improvement media, companies embrace the new technology in the market to ensure that they provide satisfactory service to their consumers (McChesney, 2001, p.3). The relation between media economy, technological revolution can be better understo od if we consider the role of advertising. Advertising is a business expense that large firms invest in to commercialize their business. The concept of globalization was made possible through advertising, the media benefits from advertising in the sense that three quarters of the earning from advertising is for the media company. The internet for instance is one of the technological advancement that has been embraced by the media company. McChesney observes that companies like the AT&T, Microsoft, telefonica, and AOL have become media players. The integration of the media system, telecommunications and the computer industries forms a global communication system. It is true that the global media plays a crucial role in the promotion of expansion of global and regional sale of goods and services; the global media functions to promote cultural industry. Patrick looks at the cultural industry in the age of globalization and concludes that culture is increasingly being shared. Many natio ns concentrate on transitioning cultural industries and national interests. Grant states that the cultural industry exists to enforce the capitalist ethos. He describes that culture is a tool for the capitalists to exercise control of an individual’s consciousness. Let us consider television as a part of the culture industry. The television has changed the society these days. However, Grant does not view the change as revolutionary but rather as a progression. It is, however, through the television, that advertising has been made a vital part of marketing by many industries. The media achieve the success of advertising when cultural expectations are aligned with the investors’ expectations, the purpose of technological innovators and the goals of entrepreneur ism. Technology has seen the penetration of various cultures into the mainstream. It is necessary to note that culture forms the spirit and soul of the every nation. It is also crucial to note that culture also fo rms the foundation of national development. Yan lei suggest that there is a relationship between culture and economic growth. This he concluded after carrying out various studies that explained the impact of culture on economic development, and technology (2008.p.23). Lin yei observes the cultural industry contribution to the Guangdong province, and he compares it to the contribution by the other industries such as agriculture, and the industrial industry. Lin yei states

Democracy and development-xz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Democracy and development-xz - Essay Example The analysis of law by the Supreme Court can be understood as destructive or proactive depending on an individual’s beliefs and opinion. However, individual beliefs and opinion are not the primary focus of the judicial system. In this perspective, political struggles emerge with opposing and proposing sentiments (Stone  78). Some citizens and scholars understand the importance of judicial activism while others argue against it. Judicial activism inclines to contradict the essence of democracy. Many judges oppose various clauses in the constitution and consider it wise to alter those clauses to make them conform to their personal or group beliefs. However, constitution demonstrates democracy, which all individuals should apprehend for the best interest of the public (Jordan  56). The constitution is a living representative of the opinion and beliefs of the majority in the United State. People elect senators and representatives who alter and add to the constitution to make it speak for people. To this end, if the constitution is not apprehend as a structure of justice, then the structure of justice will be left in the hands of individuals, therefore contradicting the fundamental nature of democracy-rule of citizens (Reitz  67). Individuals that advocate for judicial restraint argue that judicial activism may increase the likelihood of the United State been coerced into a state of anarchy. The concept invalidates the purpose of the rule of law, which is to eradicate the sense of injustice and reality of injustice. Judicial activism slows the process of trials and increases the uncertainty and victims may not understand it as objectively just. It reduces the chances of a peaceful process of settlement of disputes and temptation to violent on individuals in attempting to obtain justice emerges. Violent self-help brings about vigilantism and finally anarchy. Supreme Court judges not only interpret the constitution to suit their personal interest but also make