Iranian Revolution and Persepolis Booklet Conventions Essay

High and Low cultures are terms given to value the quality of the text. Low culture text is usually the text written for entertainment and pleasure and does not encourage complex reflection and thoughts . Comics are considered as a Low culture and comics and graphic novel are similar to each other but graphic novel are not considered to be Low culture. High culture text is written to encourage complex reflection and thought. High culture are usually full of literary features while low culture has low literary features. Text with high culture also called privileged text and text with low culture is called marginalized . 2- Everyone has his own way of thinking, if three people read a book they will think differently and will have different opinions about it that’s why we respond to the text is shaped by our ideology because everyone understand it from a different perspective. The same thing happens when different people read a graphic novel , they all have different opinions and ideas and they discuss it some people may change their opinions after they heard someone’s else opinion ,that’s how it changes our beliefs, attitudes and values toward literature 3- Symbols in a Graphic novel are easy to understand cause most of the are colours , body language , objects and clothing etc.. .In Persepolis Satrapi has made it different than any other graphic novels , she made no colours only black and white and this is a symbol of something that happened in the past . 4- Satrapi choose to write Persepolis in form of a graphic novel to tell her story ,because she want us to understand what she understands .She is writing her story so she wants us to feel how it feels to grow up during a revolution and a war , and how it feels to move from your country to a different one having a new life she wants us to feel what she felt and she actually succeeded at it Style and Literary Traditions: Persepolis is more bildungsroman than a memoir, because Satrapi didn’t only want to tell the story of her childhood but she wanted to show the way she lived in Iran at the time of the Islamic revolution, also she wanted to show how she grew morally, socially and spiritually making herself an example of how a young girls grew up at this time and bildungsroman is when protagonist must progress from childhood to adulthood, leave home to undergo a journey, and develop a more mature understanding of his or her self. Satrapi also shows how is feels for a young girl to grow up during a Revolution and live in Iran while it was at war with Iraq, those young girls saw communists getting shot and killed by the shah army and hearing stories about political prisoners being tortured during the revolution and saw planes blowing up buildings and other events too. Although it was horrible but Satrapi use a satirical tone sometimes when talking to the revolution guardians Literary Features: Satrapi has been able to manipulate the literary features well though it is a graphic novel which sometimes authors find it hard to use the literary features. Satrapi has used alot of symbols and one of the most important symbol was â€Å" the veil â€Å" which shows the rebellious side of Satrapi and that she was against wearing it but the Islamic government said it is obligatory for women and girls to wear veil. She has also been hyperbole about it Satrapi has used many allusions; most of them are people some are rebellious figures like : Che Guevara, Fidel Castro , they symbolize how a young generation is forced to become revolutionary even though they know little about the turmoil they fight , most of the allusion are about being rebellion and the war. Unlike other writers, Marjane Satrapi has it a little easier because she is able to literally show us what she wants us to see , and the Major thing about persepolis is that it has no colours it’s all black and white to give the story a more ancient feel, she wants us to see that all of this has already occurred. Moreover, the simplicity of her images allows her to demonstrate that this time in her life was not a great one, and that most of it is blurry. Perhaps the lack of color also signifies how somber that time was. Furthermore, she usually draws herself in the background, this shows how inferior she unworthy of being at the same level of men. As she gets older in the novel, she starts to show herself more, it is almost as if she is starting to believe that she is finally getting to the level of men. She begins to talk more to people, and not only speaks her thoughts to herself. Themes: Any young woman growing up is going to face struggles especially during her adolescence. However, to grow up in the midst of the Iranian revolution is undoubtedly a life changing experience. In a society where one certain religion is forced upon you, and where you go, what you wear, who you see, and all that you do is restricted, it is clearly difficult to accept. Especially to a determined and independent young lady such as Marjane Satrapi. In Persepolis one of the most important themes of the novel is government and society and its role in determining the sequence of events that Satrapi’s life takes on such as in the first chapter veils are forced on the women of Iran. In Persepolis Satrapi has used many themes and as mentioned one of the most important themes is government and society. The Iranian society after the revolution was forced to do what their government tells them like wearing the veil and this is also connected to the theocracy and dictatorship theme that the Islamic government turned into a dictatorship , dictatorship was not only with the government but also in Satrapi’s house she calls her mother a â€Å" the dictator †¦ guardian of the revolution of the house The government played a big role in 1980’s Iran by implementing new laws and restricting old freedoms, whoever does obey is either sent to jail and tortured or being executed and a lot of people where being executed for doing things forbidden by Islam ,the government used Islam as a cover to do whatever they want without people questioning them. Even though the Islamic government prevented partying and drinking, people went to illegal parties and drank wine this is considered as an act of rebellion which is also a theme. Rebellion is also a major theme in Persepolis, rebellion is not only against a government it can also be rebellion to what people say. Satrapi uses cigarettes as a symbol of rebellion, she want to show that she can do whatever men can do because at this time in Iran there were feminism. Moreover , Satrapi uses more rebellion figures to support her rebellion theme like Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Trotsky they are a symbol for freedom Iran was in an outer war with Iraq and internal war against Iranians. Those are the best words that could describe what is happening inside Iran in that time, the army was fight the Iraq’s and was also killing communists and people that have a secular thoughts. Although, the kids of the lower class are sent to war to fight for their country, but before they are sent, they are given this golden key which sybolizes the riches and wealth they will have if they go into war for their country. Not having much, these kids end up joining the army being promised these dreams that never happen. While on the other hand the higher classes are partying and enjoying themselves, not doing anything to protect their country, but only themselves. Isn’t that sad. Also in the case of Marjane her maid doesn’t sit with her and her parents had a cadillac showing that they were wealthy, but Marjane didn’ like the idea of that. If you are a powerful person that has a lot of money, or if you were a king, you were part of the high class people. If you are poor or a peasant, you are considered to be in the lower class. What also exists is a middle class who refers to those who can make enough money to dress properly and own certain things that peasants can’t. Being a part of the middle class doesn’t make you a high class person because you don’t have power and don’t have a fortune, but it’s enough for good living Martyrdom was also a major theme in Persepolis since the war started and Satrapi describes it â€Å"To die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society.† Marjane reflects that the regime depends on the war to retain its political control of the country. A million people lose their lives in the war. The regime becomes more repressive and seeks to stop â€Å"the enemy within† by arresting and executing those that defy its rule. Heroism is also a theme which is connected to Persepolis where Satrapi symbolizes the political prisoners that were tortured and executed as heroes and when she found out that her uncle Anoosh was tortured too ,she thought of him as a hero At this time in Iran the social classes was also a major theme in the novel mostly all social classes were unequal and this wasn’t fair to Marjane at some points. She comes to learn that if you are not in the same social class as someone else, you are not able to marry them. Also, higher social classes were treated better and were paid more attention to, other than the lower class people. There was a specific part of the book where some kids asked Marjane if she had any â€Å"star wars† toys, and she didn’t. All little Marjane had were some boring books to offer them. Persepolis is very powerful and informative. It showed the history of Iran’s civil war and revolution and the fall of the Shah. When someone would say the word â€Å"Iran† people would think of oil, criminals, and communist. they never knew that they would be able to relate Iran to family, love, peace, hope, Michael Jackson. It has definitely given a new meaning behind the word â€Å"Iran.† It has also given a new outlook of the people of Iran.

Active Involvement

Active involvement is being involved and with on camps events like clubs sports teams and drama productions like acting in a play singing or playing an instrument. I have been involved in all these fields. For example I worked with the drama production class setting up the play â€Å"I hate hamlet† that went on this semester. I was in charge of the light and sound cues that were in the play. I really enjoyed my time working on this play. I learned a lot from the different people that were working with us.Actor’s backstage managers and the props people. Working together to put a play was a very hard job; we had to work as a team helping each other with different chores. We faced a lot of conflicts, which was very normal for a drama class to suffer from but in the end we put up the play and everybody enjoyed it. I am also on the volleyball team of auk. I am learning a lot. It is a must to work as whole not as single individuals when you’re on a team. Communication is key.Without communication we would have chaos on our team, and we wouldn’t be able to play properly. This impacted my college experience by teaching me important qualities that I will use later in life. For example, thinking before speaking, Communication, respect and patience. I got into a fight with my drama professor because I used to have a very bad way of communicating with my peers. I am a vey low tempered person, and that caused me to have problems with the team I was working with.But with time I learned that not everything has to work my way even if it was the right way, but I must listen to others views and opinions and take them into consideration before taking action on my own thoughts. This experience will help me a lot in the future by making me a better person with dealing with matters that involve dissension taking and organizing events. I am very thankful to this opportunity that showed me a better quality in me that I’m still working on, making it b etter everyday.I recommend freshman’s to get involved in sports and drama classes because to me success can be measured by how well a persons social intelligence is, a person that knows how to deal with certain situations and solves the conflict without making a big scan is a successful person and will see him or her self in the future as a leader. Sports will get you involved with a healthy lifestyle and gets you engaged with different people with different backgrounds and lets you create contacts around the collage campus.

Bunraku Theatre

Our B Bunkum Theatre performance was a very difficult project to undertake. We were put under a great deal of stress to complete and make our performance great. It was all put together In Just a few short weeks and there was a great deal of tension during rehearsals. Bunkum Is a Japanese puppet production and we made It our own. Our story was about an autistic teenage boy killing his best friend In a moment of rage and confusion. It was quite a deep story.The audience seemed very in to it and really seemed to enjoy it. At points when the narrators were yelling, the audience to a bit frightened, which was the tension we wanted the room to feel. Considering they were eighth graders, I think we did well. My role in our Bunkum performance was co-director with Varian. A director takes on a variety of jobs. We worked with the producer, actors and designers (set, costume, make-up and lighting). If something goes wrong, it is your job to fix it.For our story to take place, we had to assign m any various roles- Director, puppeteers, musicians, chanter/narrator, lighting, set design, puppet makers, props, script writer, producer and someone to cast people. All tasks were difficult and taken with great responsibility. The greatest challenge of being a director was getting people to focus and getting the right amount of effort out of them. Since we spent long hours rehearsing, people were tired and frustrated a lot, so having to yell and tell them what to do.Lots of notes were taken because actors, narrators and musicians forgot cues, tempo and the effort they had to put in so we had to tell them how to improve. It was a lot of stress because Varian and I had to find music, have a vision of what the stage should look like, tell the puppeteers how to move the puppets and the emotion they had to portray. As the director, it is your responsibility that people are on track and know what they are doing. You must be aware of what everyone Is doing and make sure they do It right.Y ou have to understand what consequences it brings if you are not able to cope with the struggle of being a director and manage all the different people Involved in the production. We were put under a great amount of pressure because we only had three weeks to prepare and somehow make everything come together. I think the fact of us being under pressure like this made us work more efficiently and benefited us in the end. We worked extremely hard for many hours a day trying our best to put together a great performance. This was a big part of our B Theatre grade and we were determined to do the best we could.We all had important roles in this and despite there being a great deal of stress, yelling and panicking, we worked well together and had fun. Being co-director, I enjoyed being in charge and in control of what should happen for the production. Having your vision of the production seen on stage is an enjoyable thing because you feel what you have suggested and contributed made the production worth watching and being a part of. It is fun to work with everyone and seeing the production played out and It makes you happy to see everyone working so hard and putting In a lot of effort, even If they are tired.I was quite satisfied with how the performance went and what I contributed to It. Seeing the performance at Its best and knowing it is finally over and you do not have to stress or work so hard at I was scared it would be a disaster, but it turned out much better than I could have hoped, all because of the amount of hard work we all did. It was difficult being a director and I think I did a good Job considering how little time we had. We all took his project very seriously and really wanted it to be great. I have definitely leaned a lot from this project.I was not aware of this great amount of stress and responsibility it was putting together a performance. Giving that this was a small performance I can only imagine what it is like to put together a high-end sh ow. I now understand the hard effort and long hours you have to put in. However, it was not Just hard work, it was also a lot of fun and Joking around. We had fun during rehearsals and you really get to know people after spending hours with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and would love to do it again.

Competitive advantage Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Competitive advantage - Research Proposal Example Cross-out skirt development might be fruitful when retail logistics arrangements utilize the right restricted manifestation of last mile dispersion, or motivating forces and interest administration systems to address this diverse neighborhood inclination. Cross chain retails logistics. Online and logged off retail are more incorporated on an operational level, strategic level (stock area and grouping arranging) and key level. Models for effective online extension, inside outskirt and cross-fringe, ought to subsequently be adjusted to incorporate the right part for disconnected from the net outlets on every one of the three levels. Not just web shops are included keeping in mind the end goal to conveyance administration, however different gatherings also. Logistics administration suppliers may deal with the conveyance and accumulation yet there may additionally be a part (e.g. For stocking parts) for suppliers/producers of items sold. In addition, buyers can be eagerly included, for instance, in the coordination of the conveyance (e.g. Through online networking) and discretionarily comes back to diminish crests and no-shows (Accenture 2012), The essential objective of this exploration task is to empower Dutch retailers with online channels to expand the piece of the overall industry through best-in-class logistics and satisfaction. Specifically, one will watch a noteworthy business sector potential for e-trade organizations to stretch the business by means of cross-out skirt deals to Belgium and Germany. Developments that come about because of the CATELOG task bring open doors for new business for organizations. Case in point, better purchaser learning and better information on the impacts of requesting conduct on logistics gives new business chances to a 4c in e-trade logistics. Moreover, developments in ICT instruments and architectures bring open doors for ICT organizations (Agatz, et al.

Social Media & Public Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Social Media & Public Relations - Essay Example As the Internet has transformed into a sophisticated hub for ‘netizens’ so as to the nature of online communication and exchanges of propaganda, campaigns, and information drive (Duhe, 2007).These changes are obviously referring to the significant changes in the way Facebook, Twitter, and blogs provide means of communication outlets that are not available in the early 20th century. For this research, we will focus largely on the use of Facebook in revolutionizing the conduct of public relations in recent times. The Value of Social Media to Public Relations In the past, press releases were an integral component of public relations until online news releases agencies began to appear in the 1990s, creating a halt from too much reliance on fax machines and e-mails. As the years passed, press releases continued to exist but were also modified to fit the changes in the medium used. Press releases are now exchanged at a fast pace and in the most convenient way: using embedded m ultimedia. Green (2010) calls this as a creativity aspect of public relations that is driven by the swift breakthroughs in Internet programming and online software available as open source. Being creative is part of the trend in public relations, and according to Green (2010), this is an important component in being successful in public relations. According to Grunig (2009), the age of digitalization prompts a turnaround of events in the way public relations is conducted. However, with the greatest help that social media partake to the field of public relations, it is high time to shift the way things are conducted in this kind of specialization. Grunig (2009) mentioned that there is a need to â€Å"reinstitutionalize public relations as a behavioral, strategic† field rather than being an obsolete â€Å"symbolic, interpretive† field. Social media is regarded by many public relations professionals as an effective tool in â€Å"communicating with strategic publics† (Lewis, 2010, p. 1). Lewis (2010) further stated that the use of social media in public relations is also needed in teaching even college students to contribute to the growing success of the renewed public relations in the 21st century. With the latest applications and social media sites available for product branding and advertising, it is also a must to get acquainted with the wise use of social media, which is popularly known as â€Å"media literacy† (Lewis, 2010, p. 1). Even Facebook, for instance, has been widely suggested by PR instructors for their students to utilize in order to create an online community (Sutherland, 2011). Furthermore, the study conducted by Wright and Hinson (2008, p. 1) regarding the use of social media in public relations revealed that Facebook is considered the most important social media followed by â€Å"microblogging sites Twitter, search engine marketing, YouTube, electronic forums, and podcasts.† The study that started in 2005 was conducted to measure the impact of social media and other communication technologies in public relations. The results of the study show that social media â€Å"have brought dramatic changes† to the many aspects of public relations (Wright & Hinson, 2008, p. 2). The developments in terms of the

Demilitarization of Police during War Period Essay

Demilitarization of Police during War Period - Essay Example Having followed keenly the events that occurred in Ferguson after the brutal shooting of the innocent Michael Brown, it dawned on me that the concept of the militarization of the police should be rethought. Therefore, I fully concur with Senator Paul Rand for advocating for the demilitarization in his article dubbed ‘We Must Demilitarize the Police.’ I would like to begin by strongly condemning the tendency of heavily armed police officers across the country. It is a high time the American nation become a peaceful and orderly place to live in. As Senator Rand exclaims, it is not justified to arm the police officers with crude weapons like M14, Kevlar Vests, shotguns, Helmets, M16a, pistols, armored trucks, camouflage, rifle assemblies, automatic rifles, rifle conversion kits, magazine cartridges, mine-resistant vehicles, tear gas and military shirts (Kraska, 2000). To anyone who knows the peace process, these are not weapons to be used for the protection of the citizens. By availing them to the police force, it means that the government is having ill intentions that it is hiding. Therefore, I support the senator for fiercely condemning such acts and advocating for the demilitarization process. The action of the police officers in Ferguson demonstrated how harmful and destructive the militarized police force can be. Even if people were demonstrating to protest the death of Brown, it was not fair for them to be mishandled by the militarized police officers who were obviously not interested in protecting, but terrorizing them. By carrying such crude weapons and cordoning off the remote areas of Ferguson, it is arguable that the police were not considering these people should be offered any protection. Instead, it seems that they had declared them as people to be occupied. Thus, their plea for surrender and retreat could not yield many fruits. So, as the senator puts it, the attack on harmless citizens who were merely expressing their  fury over the death of one of their own was a sign of bad police force.

Impact of a water Jet laboratory Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Impact of a water Jet laboratory - Lab Report Example The term molar mass of a given substance is often used to refer to the mass of one mol of a substance (Computer-Based Laboratory, 2007). In mathematical terms, it is often expressed as an average molecular mass of molecules in the given substance when multiplied by Avogadro’s constant often approximated as 6.022Ãâ€"1023. It can be shown molar mass = (1/6.022) Ãâ€"10-23g/u) Ãâ€" (6.022Ãâ€"1023/mol) Ãâ€" average molecular mass (Lide, 2005).This experiment was set up to use the freezing point depression to determine the molecular mass of benzoic acid. This was possible by first determining the freezing point of pure lauric acid and lauric- benzoic mixture, then calculating the molality of solution and the moles of benzoic acid as shown below. In this lab Experiment the apparatus and materials used included Lab Quest , Lab Quest App Temperature Probe, two 18 Ãâ€" 150 mm test tubes 400 mL beaker, ring stand, paper towel or tissue 4 – 1, Lab Quest 4, lauric acid, CH3(CH2)10COOH lauric acid-benzoic acid mixture hot water bath and the utility clamp. In this experiment the procedure was as follow. The initial step involved obtaining and wearing goggles. This was followed by connecting the Temperature Probe to Lab Quest and choosing New from the File menu. For the case where one had an older sensor that does not auto-ID, manually, he/she had to set up the sensor. The next step involved tapping the rate on the Meter screen, then changing the data-collection rate to 1 sample/second and the data-collection length to 600 seconds. This was part one of the experiment in which one had to determine the Freezing Temperature of Pure Lauric Acid. After this part, the next procedure was to add about 300 mL of tap water with a temperature of 20–25 °C to a 400 mL beaker and then placing the beaker on the base of the ring stand. The utility clamp was then used to obtain a test tube containing hot, melted lauric acid from the instructor while making sure

Julias Food Booth case problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Julias Food Booth case problem - Essay Example obsession with figures and data has led to the development of these methods and they are applied in multiple fields from applied physics to management sciences (Chen & Wang, 1997). Julia Robertson faces a challenge of knowing the probable number of units she should sell before making a profit of $1000. She is planning to sell one piece of hot dog and pizza for $1.50 while, she is looking to vend barbecue sandwich for $2.25 and her total budget is $1500. The pizza, hotdog and sandwich will cost her $0.75, $0.45 and $0.90 respectively. Following is the tentative linear model that will be applied in order to determine the number of units of each merchandise type that should be sold to make 1000 bucks in each game. According to the results obtained by running a solver â€Å"Add in† in Excel, it was found that Julia is required to sell 100,000 units of all merchandise before she can think about earning 1000 bucks. The goal of Julia is just too large for a business of vending edible products during a football match. The audience is going to be just more than the target number of customers and therefore, the opening of a booth will be a risky endeavor to say the least. The competition which Julia’s booth will be facing is also going to be immense in nature because Tech Athletic Department will also be selling drinks and food items in the stadium. The customers shall prefer to purchase items from the same install rather than wandering around seeking stalls of different natures (Baron & Tang, 2011). The Tech manages matches as events and it can be understandable that they must have obtained substantial sponsorships. The provision of food items is not a proper business but it is provid ed out of sponsors’ money. So opening a booth in order to sell food items is not a feasible business venture and Julia will be better off if she decides to knock the idea off from the table and search other options of financing for her studies. Julia’s consideration for taking loan from

Environmental Protection Agency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Environmental Protection Agency - Essay Example With the wide scope and scale of EPA’s thrusts and issues spanning practically all facets of the environment, evaluation of specific policies to determine whether some identified programs promote business investment or discourages it need to focus on a specific focus. To achieve the aim of the essay, the cleanup activities promoted by the Superfund, would be used to evaluate policies that either promote or undermine business investment. Superfund Background The Superfund is specifically designed to address the cleanup activities needed for hazardous wastes. The scope of the policies and guiding procedures to govern operations and activities under the Superfund are likewise vast encompassing areas such as the cleanup process and the site activities. Under the cleanup process, there are 10 major classifications with 44 indicated enforcement policies and guidance for implementation and direction. The site activities include 10 areas such as contacts and agreements, enforcements, worker health and safety, institutional controls, among others, that each have respective regulations and policies for due evaluation and implementation. Assessment of Policies As revealed by Gale Encyclopedia of Espionage and Intelligence, â€Å"EPA provides outreach and educational activities for communities surrounding the toxic waste sites to raise awareness of risks, prevention and avoidance strategies, and to promote direct involvement in cleanup activities† (The Gale Group, Inc., 2004). The EPA, through the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), as one of the policy enforcement agencies, â€Å"aggressively goes after pollution problems that make a difference in communities through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that targets the most serious water, air and chemical hazards. OECA also advances environmental justice by protecting vulnerable communities† (EPA: OECA 2011, par. 1). The agency’s success in policy design and in enforcemen t relies on the joint collaboration and participation of other agencies, particularly with the Office of Administration and Policy (OAP) that â€Å"recommends national policy on issues pertaining to enforcement and compliance. OAP provides a wide range of administrative support services which includes: human resources, labor relations, budget, finances, contracts, grants, records management and management of the compliance and enforcement information on the Agency’s Web site† (EPA: OECA 2011, par. 13). The govening office in charge of policy design works in coordination with other offices to ensure that their policies are appropriately implemented and other appointed agencies monitor compliance to these regulations. The other crucial agencies that participate in enforcement of policies include the Office of Civil Enforcement, Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training (OCEFT), Office of Compliance (OC), Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), Office of Feder al Activities (OFA), Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO), and Office of Site Remediation Enforcement (OSRE). With the clarity of explicitly stated policies, regulations and governing compendium, as well as the specific regulating offices tasked with enforcement and monitoring of compliance to

Management (individual influence on the organization) Essay

Management (individual influence on the organization) - Essay Example For instance, while developing plans, the roles of individuals along with their leadership styles also their decisions, will deeply control how they plan their tactics for the future. In specific the behavioral and the cognitive styles of leadership have deeply affected the organizations of today. With reference to some of the experts in the field, an independent leadership style gives in positive energy to the triumph of a corporation whilst a dramatic imagination, the tendency to believe in provisions of metaphors rather than expressions, as a rule generates a better level of leadership decisions. There are a lot of instances of where the disparity amid triumph and collapse of a business entity has been unswervingly accredited to the leadership style of its higher management. Complete organizational tasks bring about a limitless level of patience for dissatisfaction mainly as leaders set a soaring accent on the outcomes. Nevertheless, the efficient leader recognizes that realizing these outcomes impose joint efforts for which the leader ought to be people orientated. So, the value of leadership styles towards the success of a corporation cannot be modest. Thriving leaders have to be efficient altering agents. They have to be able to come to terms with the varying outlook of their elements.

Three Protagonist Characters Essay Example for Free

Three Protagonist Characters Essay This essay mainly concentrates on differences between teenage boys, problems they deal with and boys’ relationship with adults. Most experts of young adults’ literature agreed upon characteristics that have historically defined the genre that a protagonist is a teenager and events revolve around the protagonist and his struggle to resolve conflict (Pam, p. 49). In short stories discussed the three main characters are teenage boys. They differ from each other in their age, appearance and behaviour. All boys in stories are of different age, Charles is from eight to thirteen years old, Peter age is not directly sad, but he is at age that his father ‘’wants me [he] to learn to drive’’ (Tuohy, p. 124) and finally, the third boy, whom name is not mentioned, is 18 years old: ‘’they had been studying for ‘A’ levels together’’ (‘A’ levels – a British exam taken in particular subject, usually in the final year of school at age of 18) (MacLaverty, p. 110, 121). The narrator tells the story from his childhood flashbacks when he was a very young boy. Age differences show distinct perspective on these boys’ behaviours. The appearance of the boys’ are also described dissimilar. Peter’s look is represented as it is not important, the narrator just comments on his voice: ‘’Peter’s voice thrum like a slack guitar string’’ (Tuohy, p. 124). This simile allows the reader to create a visual portrait of adolescent boy. In Bernard MacLaverty’s short story the boy’s appearance is also not explained. However, Penelope Lively in her story describes Charles appearance in detail: ‘’The child had black hair, slicked down smooth to his head. His ears, too large, jutted out†¦laced with tiny, delicate veins. His clothes had the shine and crease of newness’’ (Lively, p. 102). It is evident that it was taken grate care of his look to show the importance of Charles’s appearance in the story. Moreover, the behaviours of the boys separate them from one another. Charles through the entire story says no word, he blocks with a wall of silence. Only from his facial expressions the author allows the reader to understand the boy: ‘’His face is haggard with anticipation’’ (Lively, p. 105). It shows that Charles is unhappy and miserable. Another character Peter in the story is acts like a typical adolescent boy who is not very friendly with adults: ‘’Please don’t always try to shut me out, Peter’’ (Touhy, p 124). This passage shows that Peter is rude and he disagrees with adults. The third character is a boy in his flashbacks of his childhood, he is interested in everything that it is not familiar with him, he wants to know everything: ‘’What is this? / Who is that in uniform? / Was your friend killed in the war? ’’ (MacLaverty, p. 114). All these questions create the image of the young boy who is nosey and importunate. ‘’Young adult authors and publishers know that adolescents can be impatient‘‘ (Pam, p. 64) for that reason authors have to create different characters and the differences they all have are making their personalities more understandable to young adults‘ literature readers. According to Pam (p. 63) the issues discussed in teenage literature are morality and religion and the modern-day novel, however, can browbeat the reader with a social issue. Teenagers deal with all types of problems in their adolescence period. In these short stories protagonists deal with different problems more frequently related with social issues. For instance, in ‘’Secrets’’ the young boy confront the problem of betrayal and deception, he is the one who is betraying others. Nosey boy reads his aunt’s letters that he is not allowed to: ‘’You are a dirt, and always will be dirt. I shall remember this till the day I die’’ (MacLaverty, p. 119). He offends his aunt by disobeying her will. The boy betrays his aunt and by this action he shows that he is too young to be reliable. In the short story ‘’Next Term, We’LL Mash You’’ Charles faces the problems more related to teenagers, it is bulling. Charles is threatened by boys of new school: ‘’Next term, we’ll mash you, we always mash new boys’’ (Lively, p. 105). This phrase shows that Charles is no exception, he will be bullied like other children and they just warn Charles what he could expect. In the third story ‘’The Licence’’ the main problem Peter deals with is adolescence. It is a difficult period in boy’s life as he is no longer a child and not quite an adult. Peter has a lot to cope with in his life because of the recent death of his mother: ‘’He hid under his handkerchiefs the photograph of his mother, and the letter she had written to him before shie died’’ (Tuohy, p. 127). Peter hides the letter because he does not want everyone to know what pain he is feeling, for teenagers it is common to hide their feelings in order not to get everyone’s attention. To conclude, problems discussed in the texts are often used in young adults’ literature, they are as follows: bulling, betrayal and adolescence. The teenagers’ stages in life when they are feeling the most misunderstood are depicted. Relationship between adults and teenagers are the most difficult because they do not understand each other. In addition, all three boys in the three different stories disagree and misapprehend with grown-ups. Firstly, in the story ‘’Next Term, We’LL Mash You’’ the relationship between Charles and his parents do not exist, his mother is asks him all kinds of questions but never hears the answer. Parents do not care about Charles willing, they decide to send him to school before listening to his opinion, and just after agreement the mother ask politely: ‘’Would you like to go there, Charles? ’’ (Liveli, p. 105) even they have already decided to send him. Treating child as he is not worth an opinion, makes parents heedless and careless. Furthermore, in ‘’The Licence’’ Peter is not understand by adults, his aunt claims that he is ‘’[†¦] just a child’’ (Tuohy, p. 125) although his father is telling him ‘’[†¦] to learn to drive’’ (Tuohy, p. 124). This shows how two adult characters are treating Peter differently and seeing him in different points of view, as a child and a grown up. Finally, in ‘’Secrets’’ the boy is treated by his aunt with care: ‘’She would sit with him on her knee, her arms around him and holding the page flat with her hand’’ (MacLaverty, p. 111), she covers the boy with love and solicitude. The aunt’s behaviour changes after the boy reads her letters without her permission: ‘’Get out, get out of my room’’ (MacLaverty, p. 118). She is mad on the boy because he defy to her. Aunt changes immediately and shouts on the boy, because he is just a young boy not an adult and she does not count him as an equal. To conclude, adults’ relationships with teenagers are complicated, the adults consider teenagers as not equal to them, as they do not understand them and do not stand well with each other. To sum up, young adults’ literature analyse problems that teenagers’ frequently deal with. The authors of three short stories discuss issues of teenager characters and reveal how every protagonist character deal with problems they have to face in their adolescence life.

Time in the Great Gatsby Essay Example for Free

Time in the Great Gatsby Essay People of the Old Money are a tight-knit group; their connections with other rich and powerful families have been created in the past and maintained for a long time, so they possess a certain amount of grace, taste and social subtlety that other classes lack. These connections, and other factors, are what make this social class powerful, and therefore they are able to stay safe and comfortable behind their money and status. In the final chapters, Daisy commits an unpardonable crime by running Myrtle down while driving Gatsbys car. Myrtle dies, but Daisy, because of her money and status, escapes without accepting any responsibility. Gatsby represents New Money. Such nouveau-riche has gained wealth in the post-war economic boom of the 20s, and in Gatsbys case, through illegal activities. However, even with the acquisition of immense wealth, Fitzgerald shows it is impossible for a person born into a lower class to move up the hierarchy. Many of these people are ostentatious and lack the social graces and taste of the Old Money class. This factor is obvious in Gatsbys monstrous mansion, his yellow Rolls Royce and his weekly parties. In fact, the whole of West Egg is described as vulgar (Daisy), if seen through the eyes of the more dignified and reserved residents of East Egg. When the Buchannans attend one of Gatsbys parties, Daisy is appalled by West Egg, stating that it had raw vigour that chafed under the old euphemisms. (pg. 103) Despite his wealth, it is apparent that Gatsby will never fully belong to the Old Money class. This is explained when Tom, Mr Sloane and a lady visit Gatsbys house. When the lady includes Gatsby in the invitation to her house for supper, he completely misses the subtle reluctance in her offer and accepts. The fact that the offer was just out of politeness can be seen when Tom states, Doesnt he know she doesn’t want him? (pg. 100) Furthermore, Gatsby does not have any social connections with other aristocratic people, and this is shown best when he distances himself from his guests. Gatsby can never really escape his humble origins. He was essentially herded†¦ along a short cut from nothing to nothing (pg. 03) Nothing symbolises his poverty-stricken boyhood, but also foreshadows that eventually, he will end up with nothing. He has played host to a multitude of people at his extravagant parties, but dies friendless and almost alone. In the America of the 1920s, many people acquired wealth, but that did not guarantee acceptance into the ranks of those who were considered Old Money. As a novel about wealth, Fitzgerald makes a distinct s tatement that Gatsby, a representative of the New Money group, does not have the innate qualities of people such as Tom and Daisy. Thus, it is impossible for these classes to integrate completely.

Kantian Approach To Morality Philosophy Essay

Kantian Approach To Morality Philosophy Essay Philosophers across the divide around the have argued that human morality is determined by rationality in making decisions and acting upon them. Immanuel Kants approach to moral psychology and his rational agency concept were developed around a number of issues; first moral sensibility concept. Secondly is heteronomy, hedonism and the happiness principle which according to Kant determines human motivation and decisiveness or choice. Lastly is the categorical imperative which Kant conceptualized around practical rationality and its role in the formation of universal laws (Reath, 2006, p.1). Kants theory of human morality is conceptualized around human decision and action. This concept has not been well understood (McCarthy, 2009, p. xiii). This paper therefore, seeks to examine Kants approach to human morality his theories and principles with regard to their relevance to human life today. Kantians theories of human morality Moral philosophy is a concept that seeks to give answers to issue surrounding human morality. It gives basis to fundamental principles of human morality and to achieve this, ethical and moral obligations must be recognized and adopted by human agents. Kant in his approach to human morality, puts emphasis on basic human moral and ethical responsibilities based on the results of his famous work dubbed Groundwork in the metaphysics of moral. From this platform, therefore, it is clear that moral psychology gives answers on the fact that morality dictates human agents decisiveness and actions and also influences human socialization. As such Kants approach to human morality tries to account of these concepts (Johnson, 2008). In his human moral theories, Kant argues that the ultimate end of human decisions and actions ought to be good for ones own self and also to others. This is practical and gives meaning to moral life. He goes ahead to emphasize that good for morality is in itself a moral virtue in line with human agents happiness. Kant strongly emphasizes that moral virtue is a condition to deserving happiness in life by human agents. However Immanuel Kant also noted that in certain occasions, moral virtue may not at all time constitute to human agents happiness and may at times conflict with it (Johnson, 2008). Today, many philosophers have coined various action theories. Many of these theories have been formulated with reference to Kants principles of human morality (McCarthy, 2009, p. xiii). Kants emphasis on human actions is broadly linked to his works on metaphysics of human morality. Metaphysics of human morality was coined around various principles like; moral sensibility, human happiness, categorical imperatives, autonomy of human will, principle of humanity, human virtue and vice, principle of duty, principle of humanity and the philosophy of religion (McCarthy, 2009, p. xiii). Kants theory of moral sensibility revolves around respect for morality. He describes this respect as an important determinant of self motivation in pure practical reasoning by human agents. According to Reath, Kant broadly views this respect for morality as a major influencing factor in self motivation and decisiveness or human action and making of choices (Reath, 2006, p.1). Therefore, in this context, respect for morality can be viewed as recognition of the authority associated with moral law and also as an independent human moral feeling. In Kants theory of happiness in relation to hedonism and heteronomy, he argues that non moral motivation was unacceptable and termed them as crude hedonistic. Reath asserts that according to Kant, non moral decisions and actions are influenced by the desire for pleasure at the end. That non moral decisions and actions are inclination-based in nature. However, those opposed to Kants principle of happiness in relation to hedonism and hedonistic non moral decisions and actions, have argued that his perception of non moral decisions and actions undermine his theory of morality as they convey a misjudged opinion and mistaken conception of non moral decisions and motivation (Reath, 2006, p. 2). In his theory of happiness, Kant explains his view that the expected satisfaction and the strength of the desire are taken as sufficient reason for humans non moral decisions and actions. In his theory of categorical imperative, Immanuel Kant asserts that morality is based on human practical reasoning or rationality. He termed this rationality categorical imperative. He argued that categorical imperative was based on certain standards of morality which were either desired instrumental principles or were based on rational human intuitions. The Kantian approach to morality is based on the perception that the analysis of categorical imperative will reveal the determinants of rational human agents in morality based on instrumental principles of morality. According to Kant therefore, categorical imperative is the fundamental principle of morality. Kant regards rationality as practical reasoning that is independent and free and as such goes beyond human control and interference. Kant argues that it is this categorical imperative in every human being that gives them the power to make realistic decisions and a feeling of self worth and respect (Johnson, 2008). At the centre of Kantian approach to human morality is the principle of autonomy of human wills. He argues that human rational reasoning cannot exist without a sense of autonomy. According to Kant, laws should be humans own making and that freedom does not exist if there are no laws bound to it. Freedom in relation to laws defines human responsiveness to practical reasoning. Thus autonomy arises when there is will free from negativity and when decisions and actions are done independently. Perfectly rational decisions and actions are those that conform to those laws that are validly formulated for rational reasoning. However, imperfectly rational decisions and actions go against Kantian perception and as such have to undergo scrutiny of some other laws (Johnson, 2008). Kant also formulated another theory dubbed, the principle of humanity. The meaning of humanity in Kants approach to human moral psychology is good will (Dean, 2006 p. 8). In his works metaphysics of morals, Kant argues that every human being has the responsibility of raising himself more and more towards humanity, which he earlier described as good will. By so doing, humans have to set themselves ends which it is them alone who are capable of achieving. According to Kant, the capacity of human agents to set and adopt whichever end is characterized by humanity. However, he argues further that the capability of setting ends here is not the only way to realize humanity. The role of attaining humanity also includes accepting moral principles as sufficient need for making moral decisions, actions and choices (Dean, 2006, p. 9). According to Kant, good will is the only thing in the world that is naturally good and without conditions regardless of what it achieves or what it is attributed to. He argues that decisions or actions reached at out of good will have or out of duty have moral worth and as such represent the value of good will and human morality. Kant argues that decisions made out of duty or actions performed out of responsibility bear formal principle are as such are reason-based. They are not inclination-based as such do not bear material principle as its basis. However good will only favor inclination-based decision if they are in line with the requirements of morality (Denis, 2005, p. 18) Kantian theory of morality asserts that agents bear special status and because of that they deserve respect that must not be interfered. This principle of respect to humanity, Kant asserts is a key determinant to human practical and rational reasoning. In view of this, respect for humanity, human rights and human responsibility are the basis for human moral reasoning (Furrow, 2005, p. 49). Kantian principles of morality recognize that human agents have intrinsic value due the fact that they have the power to make rational decisions and independent judgments regarding their lives. Human beings have value regardless of whether they are cared for or not and no matter what their moral decision, actions and general behaviors are. According to Kant they posses objective worth which must be treated with respect (Furrow, 2005, p. 50). It is important to recognize that human agents poses objective worth which influences their conduct within the society from where they relate with each other. As such they must not be taken as mere objects or instruments. Kant, in his approach to morality argues that morality through practical reasoning must proceed from categorical imperative and not from hypothetical imperatives. Categorical imperatives commands that decisions and actions must be taken without conditions attached to them and independently. He recognizes that all human agents have interests, projects, goals and desires and are capable of rationally reasoning about them and acting on them (Furrow, 2005, p. 50). In his theory on human moral virtue and vices, Kant emphasizes that human beings have duties to fulfill, goals, ambitions and desires to realize. Kant describes the moral strength to achieve these as human moral virtue. He also describes moral vice as immorality in principle. In Kants view, humans set principles of moral conduct depending on basis of categorical imperative or simply rational agency. Therefore on this platform, Kant describes human trait of acting in accordance with these principles as human virtue. Kant further argues that human virtue can not be acquired through training or even through instilling second human character but rather comes from deep within humans. As such human virtue is oriented on human moral principles and human moral vice is then viewed by Kant as going against moral law in principle (Johnson, 2008). Kants approach to human morality has been the foundation for many philosophers. Whereas many have accepted his principles on human morality, others have often differed with some of these principles based on a number of contentious issues. However, according to McCarthy, Kants description of human virtue as moral strength of will is a psychological condition which is the most important in human agents. He argues that Kant conceptualized human virtue as a psychological condition of human moral appraisal and promotion. Human moral virtue is a determinant in evaluating human moral worth (McCarthy, 2006, p. 191). Human moral virtue therefore contributes to other important and related virtues like human happiness, goodwill, moral sensibility, the capability to make independent decisions and the ability to act for the good of humanity. The rationale for setting ends according to Kants principles on morality is what constitutes the ends set and adopted by human agents. Respecting the rational nature of the set ends will mean respecting human moral laws in all its functionality and not only its function or the mere obeying of human moral laws. According to Kant, the rational nature of the ends-setting has various roles in achieving humanity including the end setting itself that is influenced by human moral principles (Dean, 2006, p. 83). Webb, in his works dubbed Kants philosophy of religion, argues that there is profound connectivity between human morality and religion. Webb argues that this religion is in terms of moral faith and as such a very important connection between moral autonomy and nature. Webb asserts that it is this moral faith that Kant in his approach to human morality held to the notion that practical reasoning must prevail at all times. According to Webb, moral faith was a major determinant in his assertion that categorical imperatives were the basis on which human agents decided and acted (Firestone Palmquist, 2006, p. 7). What is attractive in Kantian approach to morality? Kant argues that agents are at all times rational in their being, decisiveness and action. They can express their desires, give their opinions and decide rationally on what they want to do. Kant sees human agents as beings that are able to act on principles. He goes ahead to categorize agents into two groups; perfect agents and imperfect agents. From his categorization of agents, it can be deduced that human beings are not the same in setting, adopting and acting on human moral principles, and may differ based on same principles. Perfectly rational agents act strictly on principle of practical or rational rather reasoning. They decide and act only on what they deem to be good. Imperfect agents may at time to act or decide contrary to their principle. They follow human morality principles out of duty while perfectly rational agents follow principles of human morality without much constraint (Denis, 2005, p.21). Kants principle of categorical imperative is an attractive approach to human morality. Categorical imperative requires that human agents realize or rather achieve the ends they have set in regard to morality. It encourages human beings or rather commands them to achieve targets they set in life. According to Kant, categorical imperatives are naturally contingent. They bind human agents to moral principles which in turn enable them to pursue and achieve the ends they have adopted (Johnson, 2008). This principle encourages hard work in human agents in order to realize self satisfaction and achieve human sense of accomplishment in life. According to Kants approach to human morality, human agents happiness lies on their own moral principles. According to Kant in his principle of happiness, agents happiness is critical and a basic need that cannot be rationally withdrawn. However, categorical imperative pertaining to the achievement of human agents happiness remains to be hypothetical. This therefore means that, for human beings to be happy they have no choice, but to make morally rational decisions and act in the same way as well. It is therefore, important to recognize that happiness in itself is a Meta end comprising all inclination-based ends human agents decide and act on (Denis, 2005, p. 21). What is unattractive in Kantian approach to morality? According to Stratton-Lake, various philosophers have found Kants approach to human morality based on a few of his principles. First, is his view that rational and good-willed human agent would decide and act only due to responsibility or out of duty. Secondly is that for any human duty to be realized, there must be categorical imperatives. Thirdly is his symmetry theory. Unfortunately all the Kantian moral principles are related and tend to borrow from each other. This makes it extremely impossible to reject a single principle while adopting the others. This has been the bond of contention between Kantian approach to human morality and other philosophers who appreciate his theories but do not totally agree with these theories (Stratton-Lake, 2004, p. 57). Kantian approach to ethical morality provides that human agents actions must be based on responsibility or duty alone. This presents challenge in distinguishing between what elements constitutes human agents moral worth and virtue. This situation ideally poses a serious confusion in trying to internalize these two principles by human agents. For instance, if human agents are expected to be virtuous in their decisiveness and action, then duties and responsibilities calling for virtuous decisions and actions should also be adopted. According to McCarthy, the principle of duty is the basis from which Kantian approach describe human moral expectations (McCarthy, 2006, p. 190). According to Denis, Kant argues in his early work Groundwork that good will decisions and actions are determined by a sense of responsibility or duty rather than due to impulse or inclination and that such decisions and actions gives them moral worth. Some philosophers have objected to this arguing that this reason-based principle perception of Kant is misguided. Objections arise from the fact that this principle gives human decisions and actions a more narrow account of morality in decisions and actions. Other scholars also object on the basis that Kants moral worth of reason-based decision and actions that it is okay not to love or sympathize with others in order to achieve moral worth helping others out of duty and responsibility (Denis, 2005, p. 19). Even though principles of morality require agents set ends to adopt and achieve, Kant argues that they are not bound to them and as such can free themselves from most categorical imperatives by withdrawing the ends or rather the targets to be realized or achieved. For instance if an agents goal or desire is to become family doctor and the means required to achieve this desire is to attend a medical school, rationally the agent will be required to attend medical school. However, the agent is free to withdraw this ambition then he or she will be relieved from the requirement of attending law school. In such a case the categorical imperative will no longer be binding on the individual (Denis, 2005, p. 21). According to Furrow, Kants approach to human morality jeopardizes freedom which to him is crucial to the wellbeing of human agents. In his approach, Kant argues that human agents are free only when their actions and decisions are not inclination-based but reason-based. Kant asserts that human agents are free only when their decisions and actions are free from external influences whereas these influences constitute attachments and commitments that result into human agents happiness. It is therefore; practically impossible to conceptualize autonomy and freedom without reference to human desires, targets goals or even purposes. Freedom is a paramount determinant of happiness in human agents. Therefore essential freedom is that which permits humans to decide and act in accordance with their personal needs, desires and values and not that which sets these values, desire and needs aside in order to make impartial judgments (Furrow, 2005, p. 89). Conclusion The Kantian theory of morality describes how human beings ought to relate to each other in the society. Kant, in his approach to human morality gives reason to human interaction and relationship. Although it has its limitations, Kantian approach to human morality describes a plausible lifestyle devoid of human immorality. The Kantian approach to human morality enables human agents to reflect and deliberate on their moral principles on elements that are meaningful and important in life like human relationships, virtues, principles and morals among others. Moral principles, theories and laws present human agents with not only better account of morally acceptable decisions and actions but also more plausible account of the role of moral law to human agents. Moral law therefore act as checks and balances on our morality as human agents. These theories and principles are based on practical cases in human lives in the views of Kant and should therefore, form the basis of human interaction and relationships today.

Racial themes in the film To Kill A Mockingbird :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

Racial themes in the film To Kill A Mockingbird Racial categories are created in the film To Kill A Mockingbird through a complex societal hierarchy founded in difference. Although all of Macon county lives in poverty, the town does not unite on the basis of this shared experience, but instead focuses on their differences, both real and imagined, to segregate themselves. The town operates under a general assumption that wealthier whites hold the most power and prestige, followed by poorer whites, while all blacks, regardless of financial station, are considered to be the lowest citizens. General depictions of black men and women in the film are of household servants and ignorant, docile farm workers. The only slight indication that there were any educated blacks in Macon comes from the appearance of the preacher at Tom Robinson’s trial. Held on charges of raping and beating a poor, white woman, Mr. Robinson is portrayed as a meek and nearly helpless man. The fact that he can barely speak in his own defense, relays both the idea that black men were uneducated, as well as the idea that blacks were afraid to step over the boundaries of their society. Attics Finch, a kind and fair white lawyer, is the only person to speak up for Mr. Robinson. This demonstrates the idea that the lowly black man needs a benevolent white man to â€Å"save† him and direct his life along the right path. Black men and women in the film are unable to make their own decisions. Clearly, there were obvious lines drawn in Macon, delegating specific roles to the various groups of citi zens. The dark pigment of Mr. Robinson’s skin placed him on the bottom rung of society, forcing him into a subservient position. It is difficult to discern whether the film is attempting to garner sympathy for the oppressed black community, or reinforce stereotypes of ignorant and complacent black men and women. While the initial depictions of the black community center around the Finch’s maid, Calpurnia, the respect with which the family treats her is far from the norm. Ranging from the callous indifference of several of the white law-enforcement officers, to the blatant racism of the group of country farmers, much meaning is assumed from difference. The racism of Macon seems to stem from the Southern history of slavery.

Drew Barrymore :: essays research papers

Drew Barrymore is a 23 year old actress, born on February 22,1975. She was born in Los Angeles into a family known for both its thespian talent and personal life difficulties. When Drew was an infant, her parents were told numerous times, she should â€Å"get into commercials.†Drew was a very talented little girl. The movie she first appeared in was a minor role in the movie â€Å"The Protagonist’s Daughter.† Her main acting career began in 1982 when she was cast as â€Å"Gertie† in Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction movie â€Å"E.T.: The Extraterrestrial.† This movie was one of the most popular films of all time. This great achievement pushed Barrymore to stardom and was now known as a â€Å"Child Star†. Throughout the 80’s she worked steadily, appearing in more films and T.V movies. This young star grew up in a very tough Hollywood lifestyle. She attended many late night parties, publicity events, and clubs. She also was known as â€Å"E.T.’s pal, Gertie, parties ‘till 3.† Soon Drew started smoking, sneaking sips of her older friends’ drinks, and experimenting with drugs. As her drug use and drinking grew more addicting, she could hardly hide it from the outside world. Drew first started using cocaine when she was 13 years old, at the time she didn’t think she would become addicted to the drug. But she was mistaken, before long she found herself using increasingly large quantities of the drug. Drew’s mother became concerned and dragged Drew to a Family Treatment Center, in Van Nuys, California. Drew attended many therapy sessions with other patients her own age. She spent only 12 days in the hospital and proved she was satisfied with the program. She left the hospital early, due to a prior commitment for a shoot in Nevada.This shoot had to travel to New York City, where, after more than 2 months of sobriety; Drew craved for cocaine and immediately fell back into her terrible habits. Her mother hired two private agents to track down Drew, they found her and a friend and returned them in handcuffs to the hospital. Drew finally thought to make her recovery her top priority, and she was forced to admit she had hit rock bottom. After 3 months stay she had made much progress and was discharged. Barrymore was threatened to tell her story world wide by doing this it influenced her to want to help other troubled young adults. Drew Barrymore :: essays research papers Drew Barrymore is a 23 year old actress, born on February 22,1975. She was born in Los Angeles into a family known for both its thespian talent and personal life difficulties. When Drew was an infant, her parents were told numerous times, she should â€Å"get into commercials.†Drew was a very talented little girl. The movie she first appeared in was a minor role in the movie â€Å"The Protagonist’s Daughter.† Her main acting career began in 1982 when she was cast as â€Å"Gertie† in Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction movie â€Å"E.T.: The Extraterrestrial.† This movie was one of the most popular films of all time. This great achievement pushed Barrymore to stardom and was now known as a â€Å"Child Star†. Throughout the 80’s she worked steadily, appearing in more films and T.V movies. This young star grew up in a very tough Hollywood lifestyle. She attended many late night parties, publicity events, and clubs. She also was known as â€Å"E.T.’s pal, Gertie, parties ‘till 3.† Soon Drew started smoking, sneaking sips of her older friends’ drinks, and experimenting with drugs. As her drug use and drinking grew more addicting, she could hardly hide it from the outside world. Drew first started using cocaine when she was 13 years old, at the time she didn’t think she would become addicted to the drug. But she was mistaken, before long she found herself using increasingly large quantities of the drug. Drew’s mother became concerned and dragged Drew to a Family Treatment Center, in Van Nuys, California. Drew attended many therapy sessions with other patients her own age. She spent only 12 days in the hospital and proved she was satisfied with the program. She left the hospital early, due to a prior commitment for a shoot in Nevada.This shoot had to travel to New York City, where, after more than 2 months of sobriety; Drew craved for cocaine and immediately fell back into her terrible habits. Her mother hired two private agents to track down Drew, they found her and a friend and returned them in handcuffs to the hospital. Drew finally thought to make her recovery her top priority, and she was forced to admit she had hit rock bottom. After 3 months stay she had made much progress and was discharged. Barrymore was threatened to tell her story world wide by doing this it influenced her to want to help other troubled young adults.

Stellar Evolution Essay -- Astronomy Space Cosmos Papers

Stellar Evolution A star begins as nothing more than a very light distribution of interstellar gases and dust particles over a distance of a few dozen lightyears. Although there is extremely low pressure existing between stars, this distribution of gas exists instead of a true vacuum. If the density of gas becomes larger than .1 particles per cubic centimeter, the interstellar gas grows unstable. Any small deviation in density, and because it is impossible to have a perfectly even distribution in these clouds this is something that will naturally occur, and the area begins to contract. This happens because between about .1 and 1 particles per cubic centimeter, pressure gains an inverse relationship with density. This causes internal pressure to decrease with increasing density, which because of the higher external pressure, causes the density to continue to increase. This causes the gas in the interstellar medium to spontaneously collect into denser clouds. The denser clouds will contain molecu lar hydrogen (H2) and interstellar dust particles including carbon compounds, silicates, and small impure ice crystals. Also, within these clouds, there are 2 types of zones. There are H I zones, which contain neutral hydrogen and often have a temperature around 100 Kelvin (K), and there are H II zones, which contain ionized hydrogen and have a temperature around 10,000 K. The ionized hydrogen absorbs ultraviolet light from it’s environment and retransmits it as visible and infrared light. These clouds, visible to the human eye, have been named nebulae. The density in these nebulae is usually about 10 atoms per cubic centimeter. In brighter nebulae, there exists densities of up to several thousand atoms per cubic centimete... ...J. Stellar Evolution. London: Pergamon Press, 1967. Shklovskii, Iosif S. Stars: Their Birth, Life, and Death. Moscow: Central Press for Literature in Physics and Mathematics, 1975. Livio, Mario. Unsolved Problems in Stellar Evolution. Cambridge: The Cambridge University Press, 2000. Websites: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy_and_astrophysics Encyclopedia of Astronomy Terms http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/how_l1/spectral_what.html NASA’s Introduction to Spectral Analysis http://zebu.uoregon.edu/textbook/se.html Hypertext Book on Stellar Evolution @ The University of Oregon http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/starlog/staspe.html#c1 Star Spectral Classifications @ Georgia State University http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/96/22/pulsars.html How Pulsars Are Formed @ The Space Telescope Science Institute

Returning to School Essay

Pregnant at seventeen and no foundation of stability, I dropped out of school to prepare to raise my child. I then began to struggle and had a hard time making ends meet, so at that time I got on track to seek help and guidance. I started the process to get enrolled in school but backed out due to finding out at nineteen I was expecting my second child. I finally went back to school and got my GED and graduated my program in summer of 2010. I walked across the stage to receive my diploma carrying my son Joziah Jah’Von (5 months) and holding my daughter Ajiona Amory’s hand (2 years). I was very proud and felt extremely accomplished. The importance returning to school will have on my life is that I will be able to provide a stable life for my children, become successful and self-fulfilled through a career in business, and rise above the negative expectations some people have of me. Being a young mother of two children, I had a rough time finding childcare and being comfortable with strangers caring for my babies. I tried to find work but wasn’t able to find flexible hours. I was at a hard spot in my life. I didn’t know what step to make. I enrolled in cosmetology school and did the best at my classwork and tests but my attendance was poor due to unreliable sitters. I ended up withdrawing from the program to be a mother to my children. Two years later I am now a mother to three intelligent, beautiful, amazing children. I want nothing but the best for them so I’ve decided to make the best move to better our futures and got back on the wagon and got my head back in the books. Returning to school is the best decision I could’ve made for my family. We now have a chance at success and stability. Not having much stability present in my childhood is why I want more for my children. Growing up in a broken home, constantly moving, my mother struggling to make ends meet, and not having happy memories; was miserable. As a child, I always promised myself I’d do whatever it took to make sure my children never had to experience what I did. But I feel I failed my babies, because it has taken me so long to get on track and we have been in a struggle. I am upset that I allowed them to experience not having stability in their lives. But things will now be different. Ajiona Amory, Joziah Jah’Von and Marcella Pamela are my life, my reason for living, my everything and I will give them the best of the best. I am dedicated and devoted to my family; I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they have the greatest lives I can possibly give them. I want my daughters and my son to be happy and have what they need. I never want to see them wanting or needing anything. My children and I have struggled enough throughout the years, it’s our time to rise above and live the lives we deserve. School will help me to do so and I want stop until they have it all. Education is one of the keys that will open many doors for us. By furthering my education it will help me to get a good job so that I won’t struggle to make ends meet and it will help to keep stability in our lives. With the struggles and lack stability I now am ready to be successful and do what needs to be done for my family. I, Angelique, have always wanted and dreamt of being the successful business type. I’ve always wanted to wear the fancy suits and the sexy heels, while carrying a leather brief case. It’s something I just never stopped wanting, no matter what other careers came my way. Desiring to be successful and have power, respect and money; I knew a good career was the only way. There is no room for trial and error. I got 100 percent devotion and motivation to fulfill my dream get the job I’ve always wanted and I deserve to have. Nothing will stand in my way; I’m on the rise to the top. Majoring in business and management is the start to our new life, new beginnings, new ways and new accomplishments. Finally with striving to have a good professional career and stability, I am ready to prove everyone wrong. I have always had family, friends, and others downing and doubting me, telling me I’ll never amount to nothing nor be a somebody. Not having the support and extra push from the ones that you think love and care for you really take a toll on you in every aspect of life and emotion. But dwelling will hold you back. Yes I have failed myself by not following through with things I have started but I had my reasoning-‘s. I taught myself to take the positive and negative criticism and shift what you can use out and just toss the unnecessary shit aside and keep moving forward. If you sit and ponder on why no wants to see you succeed and why they strive to see you fail, it will eat you alive and stop you from doing what it is that you want to do. It will disable you to be motivated and crush your dreams and dedication. Never let someone reserve space in your mind to the point it stops your life. If they hate they hate. Stand up, smile and strive for the top and don’t stop until you’ve reached it. Prove that you can be who you want to be and that they can’t stop your shine. I as a single mother will keep moving forward and never again let a negative empower me and my life. Indeed, while I have made mistakes, and they pierced my will power to stay motivated these failures also made me work harder to succeed. Being a young mother is very hard and has its ups and downs. But just because I now have major responsibilities on my hands doesn’t mean I won’t be able to travel smooth roads throughout life. I will cross the bumps and dips in life but its normal; everyone goes through it here and there. It now has showed me that it’s okay to fall off the horse a few times but it is most important for me to get up and keep trying until I get it right and succeed. Returning to school was the best choice I could make for not only myself but for my children. Wanting nothing but the best for my family I decided to make the best move to better our futures and got up, got back on the wagon and got my head back in the books. Now having a chance at success and stability, we are happy and anxiously waiting to rise above the negative and evil.

Business Environment Essay

Introduction Analyze the relevant factors in the business environment of this company. If you don’t find information in the article on some of the facets of the business environment, feel free to speculate or to use other sources. For each trend, explain if it represents an opportunity or a threat. Business environment comprises of external and internal factors that influence the performance of the company. The case of Ahava reveals that its performance, successes and challenges faced by the company can be traced to the nature of environment, both internal and external, where the company operates. To start with the internal environment, it is apparent that the company’s success is mainly because of the internal forces or factors. The first internal factor is the good organizational or corporate culture as evidenced by high entrepreneurial spirit of the founders. It is because of this spirit that the company was founded. The case shows that Ahava was founded when Ziva Gilad and other partners noticed female tourists bottling mud to take home and opted to start a business of selling the same mud but in processed form to tourists (Lev-Ram, 2009). Organizational or corporate factor is a source of opportunity to the business. Other internal factors include proper management, and innovation and invention. All these factors offer opportunity to the company. Apart from the internal environment, there are many external factors that influence the performance of the company. The first external factor is the political factors. The case reveals that the company is under the threat of political forces such as Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The case reveals that most of the countries in Europe have even started sanctioning the products from the Israel. Another external factor that influences the performance of the Ahava is the ready market. The case reveals that the cosmetic products produced by the company have huge ready market, both locally and internationally. This is evidence by the assertion made by Iva Litovsky that â€Å"Thousands of tourists come to the Dead Sea for the spas and the treatments† (Lev-Ram, 2009). This is an opportunity to the company. Another external factor constituting the external environment that influences the performance of the Ahava Company is the minimal competition. The case reveals that Ahava has competitive advantage over its competitors in many respects such as acquisition of raw materials, advertising and even the sales stalls. Explain the strategy of the firm, in terms of targeting and positioning. The case reveals that the company has good targeting and positioning strategy. Right from the time it was founded, the case reveals that the company has been having good targeting strategy. In fact what compel the founders to venture into the business is the ready market provided by thousands of tourists who come to the Dead Sea for the spas and the treatments (Lev-Ram, 2009).   The case also reveals that the company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the area’s natural resources and translate them into an export product. Explain how the targeting and positioning for this firm’s products are reflected in the marketing mix. Marketing mix is summarized by 4 ps. The 4Ps are represented by product, place, price and promotion. The targeting and positioning are reflected by two Ps of the marketing mix, the place and promotion. Concerning the place, the case reveals that the company was positioned in a place where the market is high. Dead Sea is the most suitable place through which the company could sell its products because thousands of tourists could come for the spas and the treatments (Lev-Ram, 2009). In addition, the company is expanding its place to international level. The case shows that the company has expanded its market to America and Europe. As far as promotion is concerned, the case reveals that the company has put in place many measures to market its products both locally and internationally. This is evidenced by the fact that since 2000s, the Ahava started to pour the necessary resources into marketing, advertising and branding abroad (Lev-Ram, 2009). References Lev-Ram, M. (2009). Turning Dead Sea mud into money; Transcending politics and ecology, an Israeli cosmetics firm goes global.   CNN. Last Updated: December 10, 2009: 9:51 AM ET

Black People Essay

Tar Baby Toni Morrison’s novel might for some be a novel of cultural awakening. One also might at their first reading and perhaps also by reading the different studies made on Tar Baby, restricted to an interpretation that sees Jadine, Morrison’s protagonist, as woman who has, consciously or unconsciously, lost her â€Å"ancient properties† (305) and internalized the values of a white culture. Jadine has totally disconnected herself from her racial identity and cultural heritage. This reading is supported by the fact that Jadine has got her education in Europe with the financial assistance of Valerian Street (her aunt’s and uncle’s employer). Paraphrasing Marylyn sanders Mobley – the characterization of the protagonist, Jadine, draws attention to a fundamental problem as one that Morrison wants to affirm the self-reliance and freedom of a black woman who makes choices for her own life on her own terms. She also seeks to point out the dangers that can happen to the totally self-reliant if there is no historical connection. While the conflict in Tar Baby is undoubtedly â€Å"between assimilation and cultural nationalism represented by the sealskin coat Ryk has given her and the pie table† (Rayson, 94), the limiting categories which Jadine is continually forced into do not come from the white characters but primarily from the black community in which she finds herself because she (Jadine) has embraced white stereotypes along with white culture. While Valerian is portrayed as the traditional master-figure in the novel, it is actually Son, Sydney and Ondine, and the folk past represented by the different women in different places that try to conquer and dominate Jadine, who retain and represent their culture in the very colour of their skin. On the other hand, one could argue that it is as a result of Jadine’s university education in Europe and her career that further draws her away from her culture and identity and therefore (paraphrasing Mobley in Toni Morrison critical perspectives past and present) contributes significantly to the emotional and spiritual uncertainty that plague her as well as the many different roles that are imposed upon her by her aunt and uncle as well as the ‘society’ that caused her to seek upward social mobility. Sydney and Ondine, Jadine’s uncle and aunt in the novel can be seen as representative of one of the tar pits for Jadine. They do not accept all black people equal in the community in which they live because they employ racial hierarchies. Ondine sees herself as the only woman in the house (209), while Sydney notes more than twice that he is a Philadelphia Negro, â€Å"the proudest people in the race† (61). They seem to have a clear vision of what they want for Jadine their niece. As the story progresses, though, it becomes clearer that it is not actually a question of what they want for Jadine but what they want of her or expect her to do. In addition to them wanting Jadine to provide them safety and credit for their race, Ondine admits by the end of the novel, â€Å"maybe I just wanted her to feel sorry for us [†¦ ] and that’s a lowdown wish if I ever had one† (282). Jadine understands that Sydney and Ondine â€Å"had gotten Valerian to pay her tuition while they sent her the rest† (49) and Ondine keeps reminding that she â€Å"would have stood on her feet all day all night to put Jadine through that school† (193). Ondine sees Jadine as her â€Å"crown† (282), and she and Sydney are continually â€Å"boasting† (49) about Jadine’s success to the point that Margaret calls Ondine â€Å"Mother Superior† (84). In return, they seem to want Jadine to offer them safety for the rest of their lives as Ondine claims that â€Å"Nothing can happen to us as long as she’s here† (102). They are not comfortable with the idea of Jadine marrying Ryk, who is â€Å"white but European which was not as bad as white and American† (48), but they are terrified of her running off with a â€Å"no-count Negro† (193) like Son. Although their views on racial hierarchies seem to alter from time to time, on the outside they seem to want what is best for Jadine. Jadine refute Ondine’s views of black womanhood when she tells her some of the things that are expected of her from society Jadine tells Ondine that: â€Å"I don’t want to learn how to be the kind of woman you’re talking about because I don’t want to be that kind of woman† (282). This, according to Rayson (1998), might be interpreted as Jadine’s â€Å"rejecting the roles of mother, daughter, and woman to stay the tar baby† (Rayson, 95), however it marks her becoming aware of what kind of woman she is by the end of the novel. Jadine‘s inclination toward upward social mobility leads to her separation from the Afro-American roots and the tar quality that Morrison advocates. This kind of flaw in Jadine effectively disqualifies her as a black woman capable of nurturing a family and by large the community. Jadine‘s perception of an ancestral relationship from which she is estranged occurs when she sees an African woman in a Parisian bakery. When she is celebrating her success as model evidenced in her appearance on the cover of Elle, Jadine becomes nervous or perhaps uncomfortable by the African woman in yellow attire. She triggers an identity crisis in Jadine at the moment when she should have felt more secure with her professional achievement assured by beauty and education. In his African woman, Jadine catches a glimpse of beauty, a womanliness, an innate elegance, a nurturer, an authenticity that she had never known before: ? That woman‘s woman – that mother/sister/she/; that unphotographable beauty? (p. 43). By calling the African woman ? that mother/sister/she,? J. Deswal (online source â€Å"Tar Baby- Shodhganga) claims that â€Å"Morrison presents a threefold definition of womanhood which can thrive within the confines of family and community only. The three eggs she balances effortlessly in her ? tar-black fingers? (p. 44) appear to Jadine as if the woman were boasting of her own easy acceptance of womanhood†. Wendy Harding and Jacky Martin in A World of Difference: An Inter-cultural Study of Toni Morrison explain the importance of the African woman‘s presence as such: â€Å"Whereas Jadine has just been rewarded for her conformity to Western ideals of feminity, the African woman suggests a more powerful version of black womanhood. Like some fertility goddess, she holds in her hand the secret of life. She is the mother of the world in whose black hands whiteness appears as something as easily crushed as cared for (71). When Jadine measures herself by the idea of black womanhood that she sees in the African woman the insecurities of her rootless condition surface in her mind. The women in yellow makes Jadine confront her female role and her sexuality†. Jadine sees ? something in her eyes so powerful? (p. 42) that she follows the woman out of the store. The writers also claim that â€Å"As a symbol of repudiation of Jadine‘s westernized lifestyle, the African woman ?looks right at Jadine? (p. 43) and spits on the pavement†. Jadine hates the woman for her spitting, but what she cannot do is escape feeling ? lonely in a way; lonely and inauthentic? as she tells the readers on page 45. When the sense of self is based on the denial of one‘s ethnic roots, one is certain to experience mental chaos and alienation. So, the woman‘s insult to Jadine had the powerful effect of challenging Jadine‘s choices: her white boyfriend, her girlfriends in New York, her parties, her picture on the cover of Elle and the way she lived her life. One can say that it is as a result of the African woman that Jadine desided to visit her aunt and uncle on the island. Jadine is confused and even questions her plans to marry Ryk, her white boyfriend: I wonder if the person he wants to marry is me or a black girl? And if it isn‘t me he wants, but any black girl who looks like me, talks and acts like me, what will happen when he finds out that I hate ear hoops, that I don‘t have to straighten my hair, that Mingus puts me to sleep, that sometimes I want to get out of my skin and be only the person inside – not American – not black – just me? (p. 45) It is through Son, however, that Morrison offers Jadine the ultimate opportunity to ‘redeem’ herself to her heritage, adapt it and revive her womanhood. Son picks up from where the African woman left off in a sense by making Jadine confront her inauthenticity. Jadine and Son enjoys their stay in New York because it is the place where Jadine feels at ease. She feels loved and safe: ? He ‘unorphaned’ her completely and gave her a brand-new childhood? (p. 231). In turn, Son is encouraged by her need and by his apparent ability to redefine Jadine culturally and emotionally. Son insists that he and Jadine goes to Eloe his hometown where Jadine will see how Son is rooted in family and cultural heritage. He attempts to rescue Jadine from her ignorance and disdain for her cultural heritage, trying in a sense to mould Jadine into the image of his black female ancestors. Son assumes that a relationship with Jadine will mean that they will have children together. He presses claims for family and community: ? He smiled at the vigour of his own heartbeat at the thought of her having his baby? (p. 220). Thus, he wants Jadine to love the nurturing aspects of home and fraternity. He is fed on dreams of his community women. The dreams of ? yellow houses with white doors? and ? fat black ladies in white dresses minding the pie table? (p. 119) are nourishment to Son. Sandra Pouchet Paquet (The ancestors as foundation in their eyes were watching god and tar baby) observes: ? In Son‘s dreams of Eloe, the African-American male ego is restored in a community of black man at the center of a black community. But however appreciative Son is of the beauty, the strength, and the toughness of black women; his vision is of male dominance; of the black women as handmaiden? (511). The image feminity that Son cherishes – of the black woman taking passive role as a nurturer of the hearth – is flagrantly opposite to Jadine‘s perception of the modern black woman. This terrifies Jadine and narrows the possibility of their forming a family. The modern, educated black woman seems to snivel at the aspects of traditional female- specific role as the nurturer of hearth and home. Decadent white values and life style thwart the black woman’s vital roles of building families and raising children. The modern black woman cannot be a complete human being, for she allows her education to keep her career separate from her nurturing role. The black woman is increasingly becoming able to define her own status and to be economically independent. She tries to seek equality in her relationship with men. Robert Staples gives an insight into the faltering dynamics of modern couples: ? What was once a viable institution because women were a subservient group has lost its value for some people in these days of women‘s liberation. The stability of marriage was contingent on the woman accepting her place in the home and not creating dissension by challenging the male‘s prerogatives? (125). The black woman‘s intrinsic quality of ? accepting her place in the home? is Morrison‘s tar quality. However, in advocating the tar quality Morrison does not admonish the educational and professional accomplishments of the black woman. In fact, the black woman is expected to achieve a balance between her roles in the domestic and professional fields. â€Å"It is the historical ability of black women to keep their families and careers together. In an era where both the black male and female seek to fulfill individual desires, relationships falter and, consequently, the prospects of the propagation of a family are not too bright. Jadine‘s tar quality is submerged by the white-like urge for freedom and self-actualization. As a result, she finds the conventions of black womanhood antithetical to her own value system†. At Eloe, Jadine is determined to resist rigid male-female role categorization. Jadine cannot ?understand (or accept) her being shunted off with Ellen and the children while the men grouped on the porch and after a greeting, ignored her? (p. 248). While at Eloe, Jadine is provided with yet another chance to attain certain qualities that is for black women. She is accustomed to living an upper-class white lifestyle so she finds the people of Eloe limited and backward. Their stifling little shacks are more foreign to her than the hotel-like splendor of Valerian‘s mansion. She stays in Aunt Rosa‘s house where she feels claustrophobically enclosed in a dark, windowless room. She feels ? she might as well have been in a cave, a grave, the dark womb of the earth, suffocating with the sound of plant life moving, but deprived of its sight? (p. 254). It is in this very room where Jadine and Son were having sex that she had a second awakening vision, which is more frightening than the one she had in Paris about the African Woman. Here, Older, black, fruitful and nurturing women – her own dead mother, her Aunt Ondine, Son‘s dead wife, the African woman in yellow and other black women of her past – become a threatening part of Jadine‘s dreams: I have breasts too,‘ she said or thought or willed, I have breasts too. ‘ But they didn‘t believe her. They just held their own higher and pushed their own farther out and looked at her,? (p. 261) and ? the night women were not merely against her†¦ not merely looking superior over their sagging breasts and folded stomachs, they seemed somehow in agreement with each other about her, and were all determined to punish her for having neglected her cultural heritage. They wanted to bind the person she had become and choke it with their breasts. The night women?accuse Jadine for trading the ? ancient properties? (p. 308) of being a daughter, mother, and a woman for her upward mobility and self-enhancement. All these women are punishing Jadine for her refusal to define herself in relation to family, historical tradition and culture. As they ‘brandish’ their breasts before her eyes, they mock and insult her with their feminity. Jadine finds these women backward and sees no self-fulfilling value in the roles that they serve. However, she is constantly haunted by dreams of the black female image that she seems to have lost throughout life. Ondine express shame and disappointment over her lack of concern for her family, the African woman, at the Parisian bakery, spits at her in disgust and the night women, in the vision at Eloe taunt her with their nurturing breasts. Having refuted her own black culture and heritage, Jadine face the consequence of a divided consciousness and a mental death. Her decision to end the love affair with Son— ? I can‘t let you hurt me again? (p. 274) is an evidence of her shunning womanhood and losing her Afro- American roots as she chooses Ryk her white boyfriend over Son who refused to become the person or image that Jadine wants him to be . Jadine is compelled to make her choice and she decides that it is in Paris, away from Son, where there are prospects of financial success and personal independence. She doesn‘t want what Son and Eloe have to offer: To settle for wifely competence when she could be a beauty queen or to settle for fertility rather than originality and nurturing instead of building? (p. 271). Jadine makes it clear to the reader that she is self-sufficient and independent of men, family and community.