A Collection of Essays by George Orwell

Book Review [pic] Essays of Orwell [pic] George Orwell (1903 – 1950) [pic] Edited by : M. G. Nayar Review done by : [pic] Fahimuddin Shaikh Roll no. 44 R. H. Patel English Medium B. Ed. College Kadi Sarva VishwaVidyalaya Campus, Sector 23, Gandhinagar. Year 2007-2008 Introduction : 1) The Aims of Book review : The book-review is appreciating, analyzing and criticizing a book wherein the reviewer goes through the book comprehensively to come out with his own ideas about the book and its value in terms of its internal and external features i. e. he content, subject-matter, theme, language, target appropriateness, impact upon the readers, the ability of the writer to convey his ideas and intention behind his work as well as the composing, binding, price, size and other physical features of the book. 2) Objectives of Book review : 1. The students develop writing skill by preparing notes. 2. The students develop interest in reading. 3. The students develop the reading skill. 4. The students acquire the hobby to develop the attitude of reading. 5. The students organize their thoughts. 6. The students get to know the nature of the book. 3) Importance of Book review : It enriches the knowledge. It enriches the language. It improves the skill of reading, writing and presentation. It develops the thinking ability. (4 ) Advantages of Book review : As B. Ed. is a new field for teacher-trainees to get acquainted with various types of books, the book-review enables them to acquire necessary skills of reading, writing, appreciating, criticizing and presentation. (5) Title of the book : The title of the book selected for the book-review is ‘Essays of Orwell’ edited by M. G. Nayar. (6) The aims of selecting a particular book : Selection of a particular book depends upon the need and the interest of the reviewer. The reviewer can review the book which he liked the most regarding the content or idea of the book. Or he can review a book to appreciate a particular work of art or literature or some useful information given in the book. I have selected ‘Essays of Orwell’ which is a compilation of essays written by George Orwell (1903-1950) in a very simple and lucid language. The aim of my selecting the ‘Essays of Orwell’ for the book-review is that the author shares his real-life experiences written with great earnestness and with the purpose of exposing, ridiculing and reforming the evils that prevailed in his age. Also the essays brings out the author’s extraordinary wide range of taste and concerns – like social, cultural literary, political and autobiographical. External features of the book : 1) Name of the book : The name of the book selected for the book-review is ‘Essays of Orwell’ and is edited by M. G. Nayar. 2) Name and detail of the author : The author of the book is George Orwell, one of the most prominent essayists of the 20th century. Eric Arthur Blair, who later became famous as George Orwell, was born at Motihari in Bengal where his father Richard Blair was employed in the Customs and Excise Department of the Government of India. pic] Orwell was sent to England at a very early age and he saw very little of his father till he returned to England on his retirement. His early years were very unhappy; he was lonely and had few playmates or companions. He had two sisters, a father and a mother all of whom were no closer to him. They were poor and the family depended solely on Mr. Blair’s small pension which was barely enough to keep up appearances. They found an exclusive preparatory school in the south coast, which was prepared to take the promising boy at a concessional rate in the expectation that he would win a scholarship and bring credit to the school. The lonely and sensitive boy had a very unhappy time in this school run by a snobbish headmaster and his equally snobbish wife. They never missed any opportunity to remind him that his parents were poor and that he was there through their charity. Orwell gives a vivid description of his school (under the fictional name Crossgates) and his sufferings there in his long essay satirically titled Such, Such were the Days’. He tells us : â€Å"I had no money, I was weak, I was ugly, I was unpopular, I had a chronic cough, I was cowardly, I smelt†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. † The humiliations inflicted on the sensitive and self-conscious boy in his wretched school by his bullying classmates as well as by those in authority left a deep scar on his soul. But from his childhood he had made up his mind to become a writer. He writes in his ‘Why I Write’, â€Å"From the very early age, perhaps the age of five or six, I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer. Between the ages of about seventeen and twenty-four I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books. Writing would also enable him to answer two compelling needs of his nature, namely, to fight against injustice and oppression in all its forms, and to take upon himself the sins of the world and make atonement. Orwell essays show his deep concern with contemporary reality and its awareness of its sordid aspects. In other words we may say that it’s a fruit of his endeavour to remove various evils to reform the world around him so as to make it a better place to live in. Apart from essay Orwell is also known for his novels. Orwell shot into world-wide fame with the publication in 1945 of ‘Animal Farm’, a brilliant Swiftian satire on Russian Stalinism, authoritarian government and human fallibility and brutality. One of his most popular novels is ‘1984’ which presents a striking spectacle of totalitarianism in action. 3) Name of the Publisher and Edition : The book is published by ‘Macmillan India Limited’ and edited by M. G. Nayar. It was first published in the year 1980 and it has been reprinted in 1981, 1986 and 1994. 4) Cover page and Back page : The cover page is green-coloured thick paper with its title ‘Essays of ORWELL’ printed upon it inside a hexagonal white border. At the top is written the name of the publisher and at the bottom is the name of the editor. The back page is a plain white thick paper with the name of the publisher written on it. 5) Price of the book : The price of the book is Rs. 28. 00 6) No. of pages and no. of chapters : The book runs into 159 pages along with 11 pages of introduction at the beginning. The book consists of 12 essays on different subjects. 7) Binding of the book : The book is loosely bound with gum. The cover page is not strong enough to hold the pages of the book with the gum. 8) Fonts – shapes and size, printing size of the book : The fonts of the book are readable and have appropriate size. Proper line-spacing is given between the lines for a comfortable reading. The book is a pocket-size one and easy to carry. internal features of the book : (a)Theme of the book : The theme of the book ‘Essays of Orwell’ is promoting the moral responsibilities among people. Orwell feels disgusted with the intellectual dishonesty and moral depravity of his times and feels regret over the loss of sound values. He revolts against the various ills of his age, like injustice, inequality and loss of individual freedom. The theme of the book revolves round the idea to reform the people by inculcating the ideas of decency, integrity and intellectual liberty. b) Chapterisation : The book consists of 12 essays each of which are interesting and poised with the author’s qualitative analysis of the situations of the new world order. The central idea of some of the important essays are as follows : Essay I. Reflections on Gandhi : George Orwell showers praises on Mahatma Gandhiji referring to his autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’. The essay enables to see how the Western rationalist views the life an doctrines of the Mahatma whose life the author considers as a sort of pilgrimage in which every act was significant. Even though he fought against the mighty British Empire through the principle of non-violence the British officials who spoke of him with a mixture of amusement and disapproval also genuinely liked and admired him. Orwell stating Gandhi’s qualities says, â€Å"Nobody ever suggested that he was corrupt, or ambitious in any vulgar way, or that anything he did was actuated by fear or malice. † He further says, â€Å"His character was an extraordinarily mixed one, but there was almost nothing in it that you can put your finger on and call bad, and I believe that even Gandhi’s worst enemies would admit that he was an interesting and unusual man who enriched the world simply by being alive. † While admiring Gandhiji’s uncommon physical courage, his incorruptibility and political integrity, Orwell finds in the high moral values held scared by Gandhiji, especially in the doctrine of non-attachment, a vein of anti-humanism – a quality which made him more saintly than human. Orwell ends the essay by the remark, â€Å"†¦.. but regarded simply as a politician, and compared with the other leading political figures of our time, how clean a smell he has managed to leave behind. † Essay II. Shooting an Elephant : This essay enables us to get a glimpse of the author’s experiences in Burma where he was employed in the British Imperial Police (1922-1927). Orwell had already come to regard imperialism ‘as very largely a racket’. And he knew he was ill fitted for the role he was called upon to play. During this period of Imperial service a sense of guilt continually haunted him. While secretly he condemned imperialism as an evil, he was embittered by the anti-European sentiment among the natives who hated him as a representative of British Imperialism. The incident described here brought home to him the tyranny that imperialism imposes on the ruler as well as the ruled. It was as he marched at the head of an expectant crowd, rifle in hand, to shoot the mad elephant, that the irony of his own position struck him. He instinctively recoiled from the destructive act to which he had committed himself, but, should he fail to carry it out, he knew he would be ridiculed by the crowd that followed him. It was therefore imperative that he should impress them in order to be considered firm, fearless, imperturbable and capable of rising to the occasion in a crisis. Torn between the immediate need to play the ‘Sahib’ and his own ingrained aversion to the role thrust upon him, he set about the task of shooting the elephant, though it had never been his intention to kill the animal. Finding himself thus caught between two tyrannies – the tyranny of the ruler and the tyranny of the ruled that seemed to push him to and fro as if he were an absurd puppet – he realized the futility of Imperialism that deprives the tyrant himself of his free will. Essay III. You and the Atom Bomb : This essay was first published in the Tribune (19 October 1945). Here Orwell discusses the effect of the power that a sophisticated weapon is likely to bestow on the strong and affluent nations and the consequent threat to the freedom of the weaker ones. The more complex and expensive a weapon is, the more are the chances of its becoming the monopoly of the state and the more likely it is to keep its people under subjection. In the past, as the major weapons were accessible to the people, they could rise in revolt against despotic governments. But the atomic bomb, being expensive and difficult to manufacture, will ever remain a rare weapon under state control and any revolt of the exploited classes will be rendered more and more difficult in future. And if the number of states possessing the bomb increases, it is unlikely that they will use it against one another, but they will tend to be despotic within and aggressive without, and as a result the poorer nations which cannot afford to make it will always be in danger of losing their freedom. In these circumstances, a reimposition of slavery like that of ancient Rome and Greece is a possibility that cannot be wholly ruled out. Essay IV. How the Poor Die This is a chapter from the author’s days of penury and vagrancy in Paris. Here, Orwell tells us of his experience in a French hospital where he was treated for pneumonia in 1929. From his own bed in the dingy public ward of Hospital X in Paris, he could watch everything that went on around him with a gently critical eye. The poor died of disease and neglect, getting very little by way of real medical aid or human sympathy. The account we ger of the patients, doctors, nurses, and of the whole sordid atmosphere of the ward reads almost like the pages of a novel. The primitive conditions of the hospital – callous indifference of the doctors and nurses who regarded the patients as nothing more than ‘specimen’ – reminded him which used to be houses of torture rather than centres of healing. The entire picture is painted with a certain degree of detachment, devoid of any cynicism or sentimentality, but marked by a fine sense of humour. Essay V. New Words In this essay (1940), Orwell dwells on the need to coin new words to communicate certain feelings that are too subtle for expression. He feels that there is a considerable province of human experience that lies beyond the descriptive power of words, especially aesthetic and moral feeling, our likes and dislikes and all that concerns our inner life. Orwell here discusses the possibility of bridging these gaps in language by inventing new words. He refers to certain methods, by which words may be coined, the source of methods like analogy, onomatopoeia and slang. Orwell hopes that large numbers of people apply themselves to the task of inventing new words on the basis of common experience so that we world be able to overcome the verbal inadequacy and ‘give an objective existence’ to our thoughts. Essay VI. Propaganda and Demotic Speech : The paradox about modern propaganda is its unintelligibility and its consequent failure to impress the audience it is aimed at. According to Orwell, this is due to the fact that the language used for the purpose has nothing to do with thelanguage of the common man. There is, in every language, a lot of difference between its written and spoken forms, but in English this difference is so glaring that the bookish language of Government leaflets or party pamphlets very often fails to get across, and succeeds at best only in creating vague and sometimes, erroneous impressions on the ordinary man. Eminent writers like Harold Laski also are guilty of this sin. Orwell says that, in order to appeal to the ordinary man, neither high-sounding words nor ’the educated accent’ which is viewed suspiciously by the working classes as an upper-class affectation, will serve as a vehicle of communication. The language of propaganda, to be effective, must be brought closer to the language of the common man. A truly democratic government that needs to educate the public on matters of national interest will necessarily have to choose the right words and adopt the right tone – the vocabulary and tone of a genuinely demotic speech. Essay VII. The Writing of History : Orwell in his essay discusses the question of objectivity in the writing of history. It often happens that some of the facts of history get so mixed up with falsehood as to become indistinguishable from lies. Orwell cites certain verifiable facts of recent history which have, within a brief period of time, undergone such distortion. Truth, which is of paramount importance in the recording of events, seems to be at the mercy of ‘might’ and the modern tendency to tamper with truth is likely to make the task of the future historian complex as well as difficult. Essay VIII. Bookish Memories : After his return to England from Paris, before he could earn enough to live on his writings, in the early thirties, Orwell worked as a part-time assistant in a London bookshop, where he worked for about a year. Though it was drudgery for him, he had opportunities of observing customers of various kinds, including eccentrics, their habits and tastes. Here he records his impressions of such people with a half-humorous, half-indulgent attitude which, incidentally, enables us to get a glimpse into his own tastes and habits of reading. The essay reveals one curious face – that Orwell lost his love of books. The changing literary tastes of the reading public are also brought out. Essay IX. The English Character : In this essay Orwell perceptively analyzes the general characteristics of the English people with a remarkable degree of objectivity. The usual generalizations about the English character are vitiated by pre-conceived notions of the British aristocracy that is often drawn upon to typify the national image. Orwell draws our attention to the hitherto ignored majority – the English commoners – whose exclusion from the picture has so far tended to perpetuate misleading notions about the race as a whole. The racial characteristics described like artistic insensibility, xenophobia, snobbery and hypocrisy are common to the entire race. The picture that emerges is no idealized image but a true one, as sharp and well defined as the reflection in an undistorting mirror held up before English humanity as a whole, apt to jolt them out of their complacency rather than flatter their national pride. Essay X. The Moral Outlook of the English People : In this essay Orwell draws our attention to the moral sense of the English people. While the majority of the English people are indifferent to organized religion, some of the ethical aspects of Christianity do appeal to them still. In this age of power-politics, they cling to the belief that might is not right – a truly Christian principle, though it is not one among the Biblical doctrines. That England has always supported the cause of the weak against the strong even when it was disadvantageous to them shows that the English do not subscribe to the power cult. They are neither prudish nor lax about matters of sex, gambling and drinking. Violence of any sort is repellent to the English. They have an ingrained respect for the law and human liberty. The vaunted freedom of the press in England may largely be an illusion, but freedom of speech is a reality. The English people are never afraid to give expression to their opinions in public, but then they are never fanatic because they lack conviction, and being a phlegmatic race they are not easily roused to action. Essay XI. The English Class System : Class distinctions are a vestige of the past still clinging to English society. The aristocracy of the feudal age was replaced by the nobility of the later periods, and the titled class today commands a certain respect, probably because of its traditional integrity, though its importance has been steadily dwindling with the rise of the rich middle class. By adopting the habits and manners of the nobility, the rich middle class tends to become indistinguishable from the upper class. At the lower level, despite the antagonism in the political field, the working classes which are not entirely free from snobbishness try to imitate the middle class in speech, manners and dress. There is also a large section of classless people – the technically educated persons. Thus both at the top and the bottom, a sort of levelling process has been at work. On the whole, the general trend seems to be towards the blurring of class distinctions, though essentially English society remains what it used to be in the nineteenth century. Essay XII. Why I Write : In this essay originally written in 1946 for publication in the journal Gangrel, Orwell discusses the impulses that prompted him to take to creative writing as a profession. The motives that urged him to turn author are mainly those that urge every artist, namely, egoism and aesthetic pleasure. Like other writers, Orwell too had a passion for truth. What he calls the historical impulse is his concern for truth – the truth about things as they are. In Orwell’s case, it was chiefly a concern for finding the truth about political institutions and movements as he understood them. In fact, the political purpose was strong and it bestowed on his writings a certain verve without affecting his aesthetic and intellectual integrity. c) Presentation of Content : George Orwell in his essays has presented the issues that concerned him during the 1940s. In these essays we find considerations of the totalitarian impulse, the quality of modern intellectual life, the nature of modern art, nationalism, and the emergence of the new managerial society. All the essays are inter-connected as they are concerned with the real life and invites the readers to ponder upon certain subtle issues concerning the human life. They are all essays in thought and maintain a sequence of thought. Orwell has presented the content in his essays in the neutral style, good, limpid, contemporary, and it was always equal to its purposes. Within what seems a narrow range, he showed virtuosity in the different ‘timings’. He managed diligently the narrative, descriptive, critical, denunciatory and straight exposition from his life. Due to this he is also successful to reach to the target-groups from various cross-section of the society. d) Content Validity : The content of the essays of Orwell has direct validity to the aims of his purpose. The subject as well as the content has been aptly justified with the references and context to the situations. Orwell has presented his real life incidents with an aim to expose the hypocrisy of the powerful nations as well as the snobberies of the upper-class people. e) Language : Lucidity and clarity are the two main features of Orwell’s prose style. He disliked all vagueness and ambiguity in thought and is clear and straightforward in his thinking. Often he writes the slangy, colloquial English, mostly his prose is that of the journalist. Moreover, we also do not find unnecessary ornamentation and use of a figurative language, rather he has frequently made use of apt metaphors and images that enhances the beauty of his writing. John Atkins rightly observed, â€Å"Orwell’s campaign was therefore for a language that should be both pure and subtle, flexible and simple. † ) Justification of the Title of the Book : The title of the book ‘Essays of Orwell’ is apt and appropriate as it contains the selected essays written by George Orwell. g) Other features depending upon material selected : The book also consists of the short summary of each of the essays along with the glossary and the unfamiliar words at the end. Overall evaluat ion : In ‘Essays of Orwell’ we find a direct expression of Orwell’s ideas. Both quantitatively and qualitatively, his essays stand favourable comparision with the essays of the prominent essayists of modern times, like Gardiner, Chesterton, Stevenson, Huxley and others. The essay is the dominant literary form employed by Orwell throughout the later half of his writing career. As in his other works, so in his essays there is the frequent intrusion of the author and a direct expression of his ideas. According to B. T. Huxley, â€Å"The real backbone of his work is to be found in the essays – a form of writing mainly characterized by just such a personal intrusion on the part of the author. † Some of the best work of Orwell is to be found in his essays. They constitute a valuable comment on criticism of contemporary life. Though he was a professed socialist he did not accept a party line. He is quite sincere and honest about what he sys, and does not hesitate to criticize the terrors of fellow socialists and the short-comings of socialism. Orwell says, â€Å"To write in plain, vigorous language, one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly, one can not be politically orthodox. † John Atkins also says, â€Å"Orwell’s uniqueness lay in his having the mind of an intellectual and the feelings of a common man. † To conclude we can say that the book makes an interesting reading for all the people who think.

Starry night vs. Apse Mosaic long essay

There is a much deeper meaning to the works of art titled Apse Mosaic done in the SST. Apollonian, and The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. Both are very different forms of art and have what is known as a visionary experience. A visionary experience is known as a visual representation of culture or a meaning personal to either the creator or viewer. Apse Mosaic is a mosaic form of art done in the SST. Apollonian, and represents another representation of Christ and the many symbols affiliated with Christ, like the sheep, cross, and also the fact that the art was done on he ceiling.The art being done on the ceiling may a reference to when you die you go to heaven up above, in the direction of the ceiling. The Starry Night was an oil painting on the village of SST. R ©my. Van Sago's painting is told to represent a symbol of death, shown by the Cypress tree and the stars being an idea of death as a route to heaven. Both paintings express similar cultural meanings when analyzed more in - depth. Apse Mosaic is from the 6th century C. E. And is representative of Byzantine art ND culture.Mosaics in churches were very popular forms of art during this time as the Byzantine culture was well known for expressing their belief in Christ. The mosaic uses the lines and color very well by using contour lines and different, vibrant colors to show the distinct characters and symbols in the art. Space is very well used by leaving no â€Å"grey' area. Every detail is also in proportion to one another, except for the Cross, which is emphasized to draw the viewers attention into the center of the work.The Cross is also placed above the apostles, in the sky, to symbolize the transformation of Christ and heaven, which shows the believe that after death you rise into heaven to be with Christ. The Starry Night is from late 19th century and is an oil painting Van Gogh used to symbolize events and facts from his early life. While the painting is well known for its remarkable appearance, many believe in deeper meanings Van Gogh was trying to express in the painting.The Starry Night is an oil on canvas, which is not meant to be one to show significant detail, however it is evident that the subject was of a village which has very important to Van Gogh. The lines in the painting are more implied lines, where no true edge is shown, however Van Gogh uses brighter colors in the sky on the cool color scheme to show separation. Also, the emphasis of the Cypress tree and the smaller buildings in the background are used to show a foreground, middle- ground, and background in the painting.The reason for further meanings of this minting come from a letter Van Gogh wrote to his brother, discussing the idea of death as a route to the stars. The stars are inspiration for the title and the glowing colors of the sky, possibly meant to show Angels or Christ. To go even more in-depth, the cypress tree symbolizes death. Van Sago's death was thought to be suffered from depression and i llness, which ended his life one year after the painting. Perhaps the reason for the symbols were meant to represent his own death and a reflection of his Starry night vs.. Apse Mosaic long essay By little_doge

Homeostasis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homeostasis - Research Paper Example This paper will discuss four ways human physiology responds to athletic training from the perspective of musculoskeletal system, body composition, thermoregulatory system and cardiovascular system and explain physiological mechanisms. Exercise programs promote muscle development, which takes place in conjunction with body fat reduction resulting from the difference between the intake and output of energy. In the initial stages of weight reduction, the body fat available for the body to use as fuel is often counteracted as denser muscle tissues are gained. The adenosine triphosphate chemical (ATP) facilitates muscle contraction and after several repetitions, ATP levels are depleted. Glycogen is initially burnt to replenish the level and the longer exercise takes, the more fat is burnt, like in short and high-intensity exercises (Curtin & Woledge 583). If the exercises are longer, the muscles release more lactic acid, which could eventually lead to muscle fatigue and cramping. However, flexibility and stretching exercises create greater motion range in joints subjected to the associated stresses. The result is that when the joints gain the ability to move with more dynamism, there is a notable increase in stability , power and speed in the motions of the related structure. This greatly reduces chances of injury or being overstressed. Body composition accounts for the most visible physiological change in response to athletic training. The human body is constructed from skeletal bone, organs, lean muscle mass and body fat. Although training does not alter their dimensions, specialized exercise reduces body fat percentage while increasing the mass of lean muscle. Processed triglycerides are stored in the form of body fat in the adipose tissues for indefinite periods. When exercise is combined with the right diet, it will result in

Everything you know about the collapse of the soviet union is wrong Essay

Everything you know about the collapse of the soviet union is wrong - Essay Example Then, right before the century ends, one of the world’s nuclear superpower died a painful death – by its own hands. The USSR was a fruit of a revolution and through revolution it fell to the grounds, rotted away and disintegrated. The Collapse of USSR according to Leon Aron Successful revolutions bank on the element of surprise. Rebels and insurgents launch surprise attacks on government institutions while disillusioned or greedy government officials launch a coup d’etat in an attempt to snatch political powers by force. However, nothing beats the USSR when it surprised the whole world by its unexpected demise. Leon Aron, author of the article entitled, â€Å"Everything You Think You Know About the Collapse of the Soviet Union is Wrong,† discussed extensively that, "In the years leading up to 1991, virtually no Western expert, scholar, official, or politician foresaw the impending collapse of the Soviet Union.† He claims that even the Soviets themsel ves were not expecting the eventual demise of their country. Then he argued that observers and power players lacked the foresight to predict the demise of a big country and government despite the presence of many tell-tale signs that were available shortly after the election of Michael Gorbachev into power. Such signs which could have been used as a tool to gauge the health and viability of the country were all ignored totally by everyone include the â€Å"shortages, food rationing, long lines in stores, and acute poverty.† But then again, Peter Rutland, a distinguished professor at Wesleyan University was quoted as saying that, "Chronic ailments, after all, are not necessarily fatal." The author argued further that the arms race of the cold war as well as the war against Afghanistan took a huge toll on the Soviet Union’s coffers, draining much needed resources towards the maintenance of healthy soldiers on the battlefront as well as the strengthening of its arsenal, p articularly its nuclear capabilities. Aptly, he also acknowledged that a mere fiscal deficit will not warrant the disintegration of a country. A country can go bankrupt to the neck but still remain intact. As such, there is a need to also recognize the other â€Å"structural reasons – economic, political, social – why  the Soviet Union should have collapsed as it did.† However, Aron contends that the real culprit behind the â€Å"unexpected† demise of the nuclear superpower that also excels massively in the field of arts and the strategy game of chess is neither the people’s struggle for their basic subsistence nor the politician’s struggle for power. Rather, the former USSR imploded because of the citizen’s hunger for a moral government headed by a moral leader. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic fell on its knees at the weight of its moral â€Å"sins†. No less than Gorbachev proposed for â€Å"a reappraisal of values a nd their creative thinking.† He admitted that moral decadence is gnawing at the foundations of the Kremlin much rapidly than any other issues it was facing. Hence, Gorbachev bravely declared that "we couldn't go on like that any longer, and we had to change life radically, break away from the past malpractices.† There is a need for moral change. And change they did. Union of Soviet Socialist Russia is no more. Critique: Leon Aron opened his paper by positing that the collapse of the former archenemy of

Factions Leading To The Outbreak Of The Civil War Essay

Factions Leading To The Outbreak Of The Civil War - Essay Example They took advantage of the new lands, railroads and natural resources, and they strengthened their economic and political interest. The Civil War started on April 12, 1861, when the Confederates (Southerners) bombarded Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Initiated by the crisis between 1860 and 1861 which occurred in the autumn of 1859, John Brown and cohorts took the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia under seizure, targeting to summon slaves over to be armed safely at a fortification built on a mountain. Brown encouraged them to put an end to unwanted slavery and forced labor suffered at the hands of their slavedrivers in the South. Through the command of Gen. Robert Lee, one of the finest generals at the time, the Confederates managed to defeat the Yankees (Northerners) on a number of incidents that include the suppression of the band of raiders led by Brown who was himself tried and executed. Paranoia toward malicious intentions was claimed to have transpired betwe en the Northerners and the Southerners due primarily to inequality between the two regions, the issue of slavery, and secession by the south. The various states in the North and in the South had conflicting interests. While the North was industrial, democratic, and progressive, on the other hand, the South remained agricultural, aristocratic, and conservative. A majority of Northerners viewed the inhabitants of the South as indolent, poorly educated, and misbehaved people who would always contradict ideas and possibilities which could enable the United States to achieve its goals with capitalism. Northern Americans opposed black slavery because they did not need slave labor in their factories whereas Southern Americans needed slaves to cultivate their vast plantations of cotton, tobacco, and rice. On a rough estimate, about 80% of the population in the South toiled in agriculture and a significant mass of southern wealth was reported to have been invested slave trade and acquisition of lands to expand territories. Pieces of cotton produced via southern regulations were sold to northern and European textile mills, largely imparting a favorable equilibrium in the country’s potential in the aspect of trade as rich slaveholders obtained extensive commercial, social, and political dominion over their region. Thus, during the 1850s, several white southerners had come to adopt the principle that considers bondage to servility to be a â€Å"positive good† either for the slave or his master. Besides labor control, slavery also functioned as a means for the Southern Americans to settle with the social order in which division of class among the whites in the southern society seemed to have become abolished for having a common stake in the system of slavery. Regardless of economic status, white people of the South were justified as equal among themselves by virtue of or fact with the prevailing black slavery of that period. For this ground and the anxiety to ward dissonant consequences, once black servants were freed, the Confederates all the more agreed to necessitate slavery and defended this position against their northern counterparts. Consequently, the Yankees of the North were established with a stereotypical impression of being indifferent or partaking with negligible concern about family matters, as if all they ever cared for was to sustain personal extravagance whereby economic interests were sought to prioritize luxury in living.

Ankle strain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ankle strain - Essay Example Instability to the joint occurs whenever there is a fracture of any of the bones of the joint or when there is sprain. Sprain means damage to the ligament. It can be just stretching of the ligament or tearing or rupture of the ligament. Ankle sprains are the most common injuries to the ankle. In fact, they account for 85% of the injuries to the ankle (1). Most of the times the sprains are inversion sprains where the lateral ligaments are damaged.  Ã‚  This is because of the bony and soft tissue anatomy of the ankle and the fact that the lateral malleolus extends further inferiorly than the medial malleolus (2). Other types include syndesmotic sprains and eversion sprains. It is important to diagnose and treat ankle sprains appropriately to prevent symptoms of chronic instability like loss of motion, strength and proprioception (1). Sprains of the ankle account for 38-45% of all injuries in sports (1). It is more common in those who are less active and in the elderly (1). No sex predominance has been noted (1). In about 40% of those who have suffered ankle sprains, chronic instability is a sequel (1). 19 year old James was brought to the emergency department on a Saturday morning at 4 am following injury to the right ankle as he tumbled over the steps while he was returning from a party. He looked intoxicated. On admission to the casualty, he was found to be in intense pain. Examination of the right ankle revealed moderate swelling at the joint with no external bruises and decreased movements at the joint. Pain was mainly localized to the lateral side. He could bear weight on that joint but with pain. Palpation ruled out the possibility of any fractures. There was no evidence of neurovascular compromise either. Past medical history was unremarkable. A diagnosis of grade-II ankle lateral ligament sprain was made in this patient. Ice with the help of ice bag was applied locally. The affected

Reflection paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection - Research Paper Example The tutor and fellow colleagues have made my studies and stay at college very enjoyable. For instance, the group discussions and regular brainstorming sessions made studies practical and played an important role in developing my thinking skills. Pursuing this course has been the greatest achievement in my life. In fact, since the start of the course, things have been developing gradually to the positive side. Studying this course has changed my point of view to life in many ways. For Instance, by attending group discussions and engaging in brainstorming sessions, I developed effective socializing skills. Working in groups gave an idea about the importance of teamwork in executing assigned task. In addition, it assisted me develop the courage to face people and present my opinions without fear. Consequently, I have learned social networking skills that can be applied in daily life situations. The knowledge gained throughout the course has made me develop a positive attitude towards life. Learning challenges such as meeting deadlines for assignments and having a bulk of topics to work on taught me to be active always. Additionally, I now understand the importance of information technology to people and businesses. Essentially, I can give direction to an individual or an organization on the best information technology strategy to employ in the management of daily operations. My level of knowledge for the topics taught in the course is above average. Presently, I can handle many problems related to computer science and information technology. Actually, I can advise an organization or a company on a number of issues relating effective information technology mechanisms. Apparently, I can afford to fix some technical problems that affect communication devices such as computers and smartphones. In essence, my level of knowledge regarding technology has been elevated, thereby laying the foundation for further studies. The mode of study for the entire period

Wind Energy (Is wind energy really that cheap Is it effective Is it Research Paper

Wind Energy (Is wind energy really that cheap Is it effective Is it practical) - Research Paper Example Wind is also a form of solar energy, because winds are mainly produced because of the temperature irregularities in the atmosphere caused by the sun, the unevenness of the earth’s surface and its rotation. Then this energy is used to turn the turbines and produce electrical energy. Basically the wind turbines are used to convert this wind energy into mechanical energy, which is later on used to transform it into electrical energy via generators or alternators. If we go through a brief history of electricity generation from wind turbines, Denmark was the first one to do it, who was able to produce 5 to 25 kW by 1910. Then in around 1925, wind-electric plants ranging from around 200 W to 3 kW were commercially available in the American market, and then in that era, the largest wind turbine was made in 1941 by Palmer C. Putnam with a capacity of 1250 kW. It was a hybrid hydro-electric capacity, in which, wind was the main source of energy, but in the absence of wind, water could also be used to turn the turbines. ... y unlike conventional power plants, which usually use furnace oil, diesel and coal, emitting a lot of pollution, thus badly affecting the environment. In 1990, according to the US Energy Department, the production of electricity using wind energy reduces the production of about 2.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide and around 14.9 billion pounds of other pollutants. The cost of wind energy is reduced up to much of the extent in last 10 years, but still, it requires higher initial investment as compared to fuel generators. But the main cost is the machinery cost, which is around the 80% of the total cost. Whereas the running cost is almost free as compared to other sources of generating energy. So if we examine the total overall initial and total cost of the wind systems with other fossil fuel systems, then the cost of wind systems is quite competitive with other systems because on one hand where it saves the running cost or reduces it to the minimal, it also saves the fossil fuels, wh ich are reducing in the earth’s crust day by day. Thus the energy produced from the wind also provides a soft edge against the increase in electric power prices as the prices of fossil fuels are increasing gradually. Another major issue, that we have to face while using wind as a power source is that wind is an intermittent source, for it is sometimes available at the required rate and sometimes it is not available. So it may or may not work, whenever electricity is needed, or at places where electricity is needed at every time. Though electrical energy produced by the wind mills can be stored in batteries, but wind itself cannot be stored anywhere to be available at the timing of electricity demands. And usually wind blows at faster rate in remote locations, which are usually far away

Values of Gender Equality by the United States Government Essay - 1

Values of Gender Equality by the United States Government - Essay Example When a state commits to the conventions of CEDAW, there are certain measures which are expected to be taken by them to ensure that they will prevent any form of gender inequality. The measures include incorporation of laws that will ensure the equality of men and women in the general society. In particular, it ensures protection to women against any discriminatory acts or acts of violence, and the assurance that the state will prevent any discrimination that may be directed towards women in public, at home, or at work. The significance of this contention lies in the fact that it strives to realize gender equality. Importantly, the convention provides states with a useful framework for legislative policies that will prevent all forms of discrimination, setting clear standards of gender equality. Using that framework, states can bring in appropriate laws and legislation to ensure that women get equal opportunities in every field, including politics, health, education, employment, and t he right to vote. The states that commit to the convention will take appropriate legislative measures and make certain temporary and special amendments to make sure that women will enjoy their full freedom and equal rights in every discipline (Wrigley). CEDAW is perhaps the only treaty, which recognizes that most gender biases are an outcome of the traditional and cultural influences on society. Countries that agree to be a part of the convention require submitting reports every few years to show progress in the subject of discrimination against women.

Song of an Innocent Bystander Essay Example for Free

Song of an Innocent Bystander Essay I am a bad person is Fredas view of herself justified? From the mouths of babes comes the truth. From the time these words are spoken Freda is OGradys favourite hostage, and through this she sees a chance to secure her own safety by staying on his good side. When the siege is over however Freda finds herself represented as a bad person by what Theo wrote on some napkins. Without anyone to tell her shes not bad, she is dominated by Theos view of her as recorded on the napkins. The napkins, which implicate Freda in Theos death, create problems for Freda because, by keeping them secret she is made to feel she has something to hide. It is as a result of these factors that in Fredas view she is a bad person. The bad man. is how Freda refers to John OGrady. Though in implicating OGrady as a bad man Freda is also revealing her view of herself as a bad person. From the very beginning of the siege OGrady took a liking to Freda, calling her honey, an obvious sign of affection. Seeking safety Freda found that by befriending OGrady she could at least have some control of her fate. As she grew older Freda began to feel that being able to connect with OGrady must have meant that she too was as bad as everyone said OGrady was. OGrady was the only person Freda could connect with and the only person who showed any sign of friendliness to her during the siege. At the very beginning of the siege OGrady asks the other hostages to take care of Freda. They all refuse to do so and she is placed in Theos care on OGradys orders. Freda, having witnessed this would have felt unwanted which would make her more vulnerable to OGradys overtures of friendship and her feelings of having been an accomplice in his badness There is something potent about written words. They can be held, scrutinized, each reading taking them further into the soul of the reader, planting them deeper. Fredas mum, in an effort to protect Freda from being slaughtered by the media hid the napkins that Theo had written on and, in effect changed the impact the siege itself for Freda. To a nine-year-olds mind, the only reason to hide such information was because it was either bad  or implicated someone as bad. The napkins became a testimony to Fredas badness. Freda had no counseling after the siege and her mother was busy with lawsuits, seeking compensation for the impact of the siege on the basis of Freda being a victim. Freda let her imagination and her mind seize upon the apparent attack on her innocence that is portrayed in the napkins and fearing being persecuted by the media. She soon found her life dominated by them, to her everyone must be able to see she was bad, everyone must have noticed. In Fredas mind the napkins had been exaggerated to such an extent she could not find any good in herself and was constantly reminded by their presence that, in Theos opinion, she was a crazy little bitch, freakish and, sick in the head. With words like this running through her head it is no surprise that throughout her teens Freda thought herself a bad person. The napkins became a guilty secret and Theos views of Freda were unchallenged by Freda or anyone else, because of this Freda took Theos word for fact and believed that the napkins revealed her true character. That crazy little bitch is telling him to shoot. The napkins implicate Freda in Theos death and OGradys suicide was directly linked to Theos death. Freda, as the sole survivor of the three feels responsible. This leads to guilt and her belief she must be a bad person. During the siege Freda had known the gun was not loaded, OGrady had told her it wasnt. When Freda said Do it (shoot Theo) she wished to scare Theo while OGrady was threatening him. Freda was angry and wanted to punish Theo because Theo was trying to separate her from her way out, which was, she believed, with OGrady. As the siege draws on Freda learns that OGrady has been lying to her and so when he tells her he has loaded the gun Freda doesnt believe him. She doesnt intervene to stop him carrying out his threat to shoot Theo through the door. She probably feels guilty because had she believed him she might have been able to use some of her influence over OGrady to protect Theo. It is this guilt which Freda feels supports her belief that she is a bad person. Freda feels she is bad because of the way she is portrayed throughout Theos napkins. Theos accusatory words and negative perceptions of Freda survive  as testimony after the siege. If Freda had had counseling or been able to give her account of what happened in the siege it would have been unlikely that Theos view of her could have been so powerful in shaping her view of herself. Freda is not a bad person but she has been made to feel like one.

The Actual Cause Of The Hundred Years War

The Actual Cause Of The Hundred Years War The actual cause of the war was between France and England over who was the heir to the throne. (Which Throne?) After the death of Frances Charles lV, both France and England claimed the crown because Charles had left no direct successor. Edward lll, King of England, asserted that he in fact had a superior claim to the throne because his mother was Philip the Fairs daughter. This then, was one of the primary causes of the Hundred Years War. The economic conflict was clearly another cause of this great war. England had major financial interest in the wool industry in Flanders and France supported the Scots in their wars against England. England had much better troops, a more efficient government and thousands of English soldiers were more than willing to campaign in France, and get rich in the process. The Hundred Years War is broken up into three stages or phases. The first lasted until the signature of the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360(1337-1360). The second phase lasted from 1360-1413 when Henry V became king, and the third phase lasted from 1413-1453. The first phase was marked by English victories in France and alliances with French feudal lords. The second phase was marked by English inactivity and French raids keeping The English on the defensive. The third phase began with major and dramatic English victories but ended in defeat and Englands nearly complete withdrawal from France. The entire war is just a series of on and off warfare against France and England, from(1337-1453). The war was nothing more than sieges, raids, sea and land battles, and long periods truce. The counts of Flanders were vassals to the king of France, but the English saw Flanders as their major center for their foreign trade due to its cloth manufacture. The English also controlled southern France after Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Henry ll in the mid 12th century. Therefore the French were allies with the Scots to control a northern stronghold, called the Auld Alliance. The two countries also fought over the English channel and the north sea. In 1337, King Phillip Vl of France moved his troops to the English control of Aquitaine. In 1340, the English won a major naval victory at Sluys. King Edward lll then declared himself King of France. In 1346, the English forces defeated the French at Crecy, and then in 1347, the English captured Calais. In 1350, John ll became King of France after Philip Vl died. In 1356 when the English defeated the French at Poitiers King John ll was captured. He died in 1346. IN 1360, the Treaty of Bretigny was signed, giving the English complete control of Aquitaine and ending the first phase of the long war. As the war dragged on the English lost land and money causing the English peasants to revolt in 1381. After the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, King Henry V was recognized as heir to the French throne. Then in 1427 after both Henry V and Charles V died Henry Vl was heir to the throne despite being an infant. After the war, the English lost focus on controlling continental territory and began to strengthen its maritime supremacy. The most significant result was that the nobility and secular leaders were busy fighting each other at a time when western Europe desperately needed leadership. Each side had their advantages. Henry V was a master of siege warfare, allowing for major English victories. Towns ere encircled by protective forts. Attack methods included blockades, digging tunnels, and catapults used to hurl rocks, flaming arrows, and filth into the air. The siege cannon, used after 1400, led to the end of the castle and fort. Sea battles involved 20-50 castle like ships. Generally, the English won on the sea. French had a population around 16,000,000 far richer and populous than England. At one point, the French fielded an army of over 50,000 compared to the Britains who maybe mustered up 32,000. In almost every engagement the English were outnumbered. Britains most successful strategies were avoiding pitched battles, engaging in quick, profitable raids, steal what you can and destroy everything else. The use of the English defensive positions was the use of the longbow. The arrows could penetrate an inch of wood or the armor of a Knight at 200 yards. A longbow could also be fired more rapidly, and was affective than a crossbow. Henry landed in Normandy intending on taking Calais, having 2,000 infantry and 6,000 archers and some primitive cannon. His drive was blocked by many heavily armored French knight who obviously forgot the lessons of Crecy and Poitiers. The war brought about dissimilar results for the French and the English. Both countries saw an increase in their monarchial rule, it was due to different reasons. England couldnt hold on in France and effectively rule the burden was too great. U nlike France, over the course of the war England also experienced a strengthening of the parliament. The French on the other hand experienced a increase in monarchial authority due to the peoples recognition and complaints with the feudal systems shortcomings, including its limitations in fighting and protection of the serfs. The eventual expulsion of the English and the consolidation of the kingdom made France one of the greatest counties during this time period.

Air Pollution :: essays research papers

Air Pollution CFish Mr. Nollen Biology 2B 8 May, 1996 The Problem Contamination of the atmosphere by gaseous, liquid, or solid wastes or by-products that can endanger human health and the health and welfare of plants and animals, or can attack materials, reduce visibility, or produce undesirable odors. Among air pollutants emitted by natural sources, only the radioactive gas radon is recognized as a major health threat. A byproduct of the radioactive decay of uranium minerals in certain kinds of rock, radon seeps into the basements of homes built on these rocks. According to recent estimates by the U.S. government, 20 percent of the homes in the U.S. harbor radon concentrations that are high enough to pose a risk of lung cancer. Each year industrially developed countries generate billions of tons of pollutants. The level is usually given in terms of atmospheric concentrations or, for gases in terms of parts per million, that is, number of pollutant molecules per million air molecules. Many come from directly identifiable sources; sulfur dioxide, for example, comes from electric power plants burning coal or oil. Others are formed through the action of sunlight on previously emitted reactive materials. For example, ozone, a dangerous pollutant in smog, is produced by the interaction of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides under the influence of sunlight. Ozone has also caused serious crop damage. On the other hand, the discovery in the 1980s that air pollutants such as fluorocarbons are causing a loss of ozone from the earth's protective ozone layer has caused the phasing out of these materials. Current information about the problem The tall smokestacks used by industries an utilities do not remove pollutants but simply boost them higher into the atmosphere, thereby reducing their concentration at the site. These pollutants may then be transported over large distances and produce adverse effects in areas far from the site of the original emission. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the central and eastern U.S. are causing acid rain in New York State, New England, and eastern Canada. The pH level, or relative acidity, of many freshwater lakes in that region has been altered so dramatically by this rain that entire fish populations have been destroyed. Similar effects have been observed in Europe. Sulfur dioxide emissions and the subsequent formation of sulfuric acid can also be responsible for the attack on limestone and marble at large distances from the source. The worldwide increase in the burning of coal and oil since the late 1940s has led to ever increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide. The resulting "greenhouse effect", which allows solar energy to enter the atmosphere but reduces the remission of infrared radiation from the earth, could

Comparing and Contrasting the Novel and Movie Version of The Scarlet Le

The Novel vs. Film of The Scarlet Letter Films of this era are criticized for substituting violence and special effects for "substance". Many believe that creating a movie script is a juvenile form of writing, a shrub to the oak of a novel. Upon reading both the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and viewing the film produced by Roland Joffe, one notices the tremendous effort put into both. This essay will explore the many differences and similarities between the book and movie. The film is "freely adapted" from the novel. The word "free" describing the adaptation is well used- there are major differences in terms of time frame, characters, visual imagery and symbolism, plot, narration, and tone. Nearly an hour of information the reader received only as background was on tape. The film began when Hester arrived in the New World, not at the dreary prison door she passed through on her way to the scaffold in the novel. Many characters were added to the film, several of whom were central to the plot. Mituba, Hester's mute slave girl, Brewster, the lewd, undisciplined rule-breaker, Goody Gotwick, the mouthpiece of the community's "pious women," and Minister Cheever, the powerful church leader who attempted to serve as arbiter of the community's morals did not exist in the novel. Mistress Hibbins' relationship to Governor Bellingham was of a citizen to ruler nature. In the book, their relationship prevented her persecution, whereas in the movie, no family ties pr otected mistress Hibbins from the cruel witch trials characteristic of the 1600's. Her character progressed from minor in the book to a supporting role in the movie. She served as the only character besides Hester who behaved according to... ...and Dimmesdale move to the Carolinas to begin a new life, while in Hawthorne's novel, Pearl lives a full life, her mother working for the community and her father dying on the scaffold. There is no set answer as to which ending is "better," one may be more fulfilling, another may be more informative, another could touch a child, the other, a parent. One may favor the film over the novel or vice versa, but that person could not overlook the great care that went into the making of both. Using the novel as a base from which to work, the filmmaker created his own masterpiece, changing and adding elements as he felt necessary. Whether for increased popularity or his own personal satisfaction, the filmmaker's version also kept some themes and characters. The film and novel have their similarities and differences, but both effectively communicate their meaning to the public.

Deborah Talls From Where We Stand :: Deborah Tall Where Stand Essays

Deborah Tall's From Where We Stand In her book, From Where We Stand, Deborah Tall, tells us the story of coming to Geneva, New York, to begin teaching. It is a personal account of coming to terms with a new and foreign place. It gives us the chance of watching her learn about landscapes, people, and history. It moves through time, through her own life, and especially through motherhood. In the end, and after more than a decade, she gives us the signs of what it means to live out of and within the place where you are. Perhaps the poet is uniquely qualified to consider this issue of place. When Martin Heidegger attempted to understand "place" and "home," he turned to poets like Friedrich HÃ ¶lderlin. Similarly, we can read poems and essays by Gary Snyder --- for instance, The Practice of the Wild or A Place in Space --- or N. Scott Momaday --- for instance, The Man Made of Words. Wallace Stegner's Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs is a collection of essays about "living and writing in the West." John Brinkerhoff Jackson takes us on a tour of American landscapes in his book A Sense of Place, a Sense of Time. And Wes Jackson's Becoming Native to This Place is based on his personal experiences of settling in a little formerly abandoned Kansas farm town, to establish his Land Institute. Virtually all of these writers share a common feeling that mainstream American society has lost its roots. With our extreme mobility we have lost connectedness with the land. We tend to avoid what is unique and defining of landscapes and to look for what is common or universal. When we drive through small communities, we stop to eat at the Burger King or McDonalds instead of investigating Aunt Sue's Loggers' Cafe. In a way, we have invented "everyplace" by universalizing the common things that we expect and seem to need --- familiar motel facades, common fast food menus, universal cable TV access, etc. But what these authors question is whether "everyplace" is really a "place" at all, hence, whether it serves the needs of being grounded in a place, knowing a landscape, feeling the history of habitation, belonging. Here are some personal observations. When Mammoth Mountain was aggressively developed as a ski resort, in the early 70s, traffic began picking up on US395, running through the town of Bishop.

Family Honor

Family honor is romeo and juliet is represented by the constant attempts to preserve family pride from both houses. This defense and pride causes many deaths and deeper problems that are passed down from generation to generation. In the first scene of romeo and juliet, the montagues and capulets come across each other, and because of the deep rooted hatred they have for each other's fmilies, they taunt one another and begin to fight. This fight worsens the already tarnished relationship the two houses share. Tybalt, a capulet, holds a strong place in defending his family's honor. It is so strong that he even enjoys it. Like Tybalt, the Montegues are fueled by their hatred for one another. What they don't realize is that this hatred only challenges each other's family honor. Family honor is not always such a negative thing. This can similarly occur outside fiction as well. In my family, there has been little representation of family honor. For example, moving around at such a high rate, we have been unable to develop feuds with other families. There were bits of family honor in my life. At school I was against telling anyone details about what was going on in my home life in an attempt to protect and defend my family's honor. This often was unsuccessful. Though, the type of family honor show in my life differed from the family honor shown in Romeo and Juliet. All in all, there is a distinct representation of famly honor in Romeo and juliet. This honor can also be shown in real life. This completely depends on the family and what family honor means to them. For me, family honor is not a huge factor in my life. This does not mean I do not have family pride. I cannot relate much to romeo and juliet.

The Benetton Supply Chain

THE BENETTON SUPPLY CHAIN – CASE STUDY Retail operations – main objectives Benetton? s core business is in the manufacturing, production and sale of casual and sportswear, which accounts for 95% of total revenues (Camuffo et al, 2001: 47). The company has a market presence in over 120 countries and has consistently generated revenues exceeding $2 billion throughout this decade (Industry profile, 2007: 15). It has 5,000 retail outlets around the world, the vast majority of which are run by independent managers as part of a franchise arrangement whereby the licensee? of those outlets sell products which carry the Benetton brand name (Skjott-Larsen et al 2007: 94). A key objective of Benetton HQ (based in Treviso, Italy) has always been to retain overall control on every aspect of product sales, thereby ensuring that the Benetton â€Å"total look† is adhered to. The company is renowned for having a distinctive philosophy which is espoused through controversial adver tising techniques (Dapiran 1992:8).Its global network of sales agents each holds responsibility for their own geographic area. They work closely with franchise operators in the sale and distribution of its goods, as well as overseeing all aspects of merchandising (Camuffo et al 2001: 47). A global information system unites every link in the supply chain. Stiff competition has forced Benetton to radically change its retail strategy (Economist: 9 November 2004). To that end it has introduced over 100 „mega-stores? nd, whilst the majority remain under the franchise system, the company has decided to take direct ownership and control of a few as it seeks to form a closer relationship with its clientele; the logic being that this will facilitate a deeper understanding of customer preferences (Camuffo et al 2001:50). One expert has stated that Benetton – a former market leader – is lagging behind its competitors, not through any defects in its supply chain, but more be cause it is â€Å"less good at seeing the opportunity†, inferring that the franchise system is to blame because it creates a barrier between company and customer.Zara, on the other hand, is proving to be far more successful because of it has adopted „agile? supply chain practices (Cane 2007:1). Diversifying into new product ranges such as the sportswear market, as well as an added emphasis on its lifestyle branding is a key pillar of the new approach. Its Fabrica, Killer Loop and Playlife brands are all geared towards capturing a large slice of the youth market (FT: 9 May 2003). As the Managing Director explains, â€Å"we want the market to know that Benetton is about more than just colourful sweaters.It? s a lifestyle concept† (HargraveSilk 2003:1). The Asian markets are vital to Benetton? s future retail operations objectives, recording a 35% profit rise in Russia and 50% rise in India in 2007 (Women? s Wear Daily: 14 November 2007). Although Europe remains Ben etton? s largest market it has recently refocused its attention towards building brand awareness in the emerging markets of Asia, the Middle East and the Far East (Evans 2004:1).One insider sums up the Benetton retail philosophy, when (s)he states that â€Å"we do not want to start with high prices to attract people later on with high discounts, but we want our customers to appreciate every time of the year that there is the right ratio between quality and price† (Evans 2004:1). Physical distribution operation –main objectives The company describes itself as „vertically de-integrated? , meaning that its core functional activities such as design and global strategy are still centralized.Nonetheless it is willing to outsource those activities where it is unable to achieve in-house economies of scale. Its logistics operation has always been directly controlled, in large part owing to the integral part it plays to the companies overall success. Key to effectiveness i s the rapid flow of market intelligence between customer and factory. This is achieved through maximising the benefits of EDI technology which facilitates direct flow of communication between the agent networks representing the 5000 retail outlets.EDI information allows Benetton manufacturers to delay the dyeing process up until a clear understanding is reached on market requirements. This eliminates the build up of wasteful inventories, thereby reducing costs, slashing cycle times and maximising efficiencies. Once this information is relayed to the centre, Benetton is able to arrange bulk delivery of products from its regional distribution centres which are highly automated and thus able to cope with demand.The company describes their strong track record in distribution as being down to its „360 degree vision; in other words a recognition from the outset as to the strategic importance of logistics through integrating suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in a value chain tha t thrived on speed, efficiency and flexibility (Dapiran 1992:9-11). Factory & suppliers – main objectives Benetton? s manufacturing processes are characterised by strong upstream vertical integration which entails significant output at its own production entres (22 in Italy and 10 abroad), as well as outsourcing the more labourintensive tasks such as tailoring and ironing (Camuffo et al 2001:49). The Treviso HQ has overall control over design activities. CAD technology is fully utilised to maximise opportunities for the speedy bringing to market of mass produced garments. This is achieved through the effective usage of 500 subcontractors who work in the vicinity of the companies HQ and production base.The sub-contractor group, often themselves former Benetton managers, organise the second tier of small factories who undertake the labour-intensive processes (Skjott- Larsen et al 2007: 95-96). A pyramid analogy has been used to describe the hierarchical nature of this relations hip, with Benetton at the apex, the sub-contractors forming the second tier and the army of small workshops forming the bottom layer (Harrison 1993: 160) Benetton directly controls the supply of raw materials thereby achieving cost savings in supplier overheads.It has a very close relationship with the subcontractor base, thus ensuring that the factories under their control are able to satisfy market trends at short notice. This is a distinct advantage to their competitors who do not enjoy such flexibility and are hampered with fixedcost overheads (Skjott-Larsen et al 2007:97). Consider the following statistic: in 1990 90% of Benetton garments were produced in Italy. Now it is only 30% and within a few years it is expected to fall to only 10% (Economist: 8 February 2007).Such is the dramatic impact of globalisation. Benetton has responded by remaining true to its philosophy of tight central control by replicating its Treviso production model on a global basis. For instance Benetton Hungary has production oversight of 7 countries within the region (Camuffo et al 2001: 49). This is in keeping with the underlying company philosophy of creating global brands which transcend national boundaries. How well do these three interconnecting sets of operations fit together?For decades Benetton has consistently demonstrated that getting the right mix of the 3 supply chain functions is critical if market success is to be achieved. Its franchise network has proved to be adept at communicating critical market trend information via its EDI system to HQ who alerts the manufacturing side to the real-time needs of the market. Use of sophisticated CAD/ CAM technology has enabled Benetton to gain the upper hand on its competitors by being quick and flexible at this point in the production process (Dapiran 1992:9-10.Benetton has successfully exploited I. T. advantages from an early stage. Its Geis global integrated network has enabled agents to forward customer order details to the 500 sub-contractors based in the Veneto heartland where the company manufacturing capability has historically been located. Within days they are able to receive multiple orders from various country agents and rapidly set in motion the manufacturing work by fully exploiting the vast network of sub-contracted labour.The system is also connected to Benetton manufacturing plants worldwide (Johnston 1994: 2-3). Benetton is famous for using „postponement? tactics at the actual sequencing point of the production process, whereby dying of the garments is not completed until the agent network have provided market intelligence on what particular products are in demand in which locations. Tang points out the advantages of postponement when declaring that it has â€Å"proven to be a costeffective mass customisation tool to handle regular fluctuations under normal circumstances† (Tang 1996: 38).Camuffo has demonstrated that in recent years Benetton has successfully risen to a more c hallenging market environment by opting for a strategy that involved increasing its overall ownership and control of supply chain assets and only outsourcing those areas where the company was not in a position to achieve economies of scale. He points to the paradox of tighter centralized control over the whole supply chain, yet at the same time being able to achieve sufficient flexibility to rise to market challenges (Camuffo et al 2001: 52).There can be no doubt that Benetton prefers quite rigid control over processes, despite the tendency to opt for sub-contracting relationships with suppliers. It remains to be seen whether or not Benetton can sustain its competitive edge, particularly in the emerging markets of Asia, where much of its energy is now focused. The early signs are good, however it has been shown that competitors who are able to display more „agile? working practices can edge out established brands in a very short space of time. Zara is a case in point. SUPPLY C HAIN DIAGRAMHQ, Treviso Agent network EDI system Production hubs (32 worldwide; 22 in Italy) Outsourced factory production Global distribution system Franchise operators Mega stores 5000+ Retail outlets References Camuffo, A. , Romano, P and Vinelli, A (2001) „Back to the future: Benetton transforms its global network? , Sloan Management Review Volume 43(1) Cane, A. , „Agility: flexibility takes over from planning? Financial Times 20 November 2007. Available from http://ft. com [Accessed 15 February 2008 Dapiran, P. , (1992) „Benetton- Global logistics in action?International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Vol. 22, Issue 6 Available from: http://www. boku. ac. at [Accessed 16 February 2008] Evans, D. , „Benetton in Greater China push to build brand awareness? , Media: Asia's Media & Marketing Newspaper, 16 January 2004, Available from Business Source Premier [Accessed 15 February 2008] „Growth in India, Russia spurs Benetton profits? , Wom en’s Wear Daily, 14 November 2007, Vol 194, Issue 104. Available from: Business Source Premier [Accessed: 15 February 2008] Hargrave-Silk, A. „Benetton overhauls HK stores' strategy? , Media: Asia's Media & Marketing Newspaper,9th May 2003, Available from: Business Source Premier [Accessed: 14 February 2008] Harrison, B. , (1993) „The emergence of hierarchy within a district based production network: The United Colors of Benetton? in ‘The Italian industrial districts and the crisis of the cooperative reform: Part II’ European Planning Studies, Vol. 2, Issue 2 Infantswear industry profile: Italy, December 2007. Available from Business Source Premier [Accessed: 16 February 2008] Johnston, M. „Electronic commerce speeds Benetton business dealings Benetton Group SpA's use of General Electric Information Services' valueadded network services? Software Magazine, January 1994, Available from: http://www. //findarticles. com/ [Accessed: 15 February 2008 ] Skjott-Larsen T. , Schary P. B, Mikkola J. H & Kotzab H. , (2007) ‘Managing the Global Supply Chain’ Copenhagen Business School Press. Available online: http://www. google. com/books [Accessed 15 February 2008] Tang, C. S. (1996), „Robust strategies for mitigating supply chain disruptions?International Journal of Logistics: Research & Applications, Vol 9, Number 1 „The other colours? , Economist, 9th November 2004, Vol. 372, Issue 8392 Bibliography Benetton company website (Press release section) Available from: http://www. production. investis. com/ben_en/releases/2006-07-20/ [Accessed 15 February 2008] Kaiser, A. , „Benetton? s abrupt exists: CEO, CFO both depart, shares fall 8. 5 percent? , Women’s Wear Daily, 14 November 2006, Vol 192, Issue 102. Available from: Business Source Premier [Accessed: 15 February 2008] Kouvelis, P. Chambers C. , & Wang, H. , (2006) „Supply chain management research and productions operation management: re view, trends and opportunities? Production and Operations Management, Vol. 15, No. 3 „Material fitness? , Economist, 25 February 2006, Vol. 378, Issue 8466 Slack, N, Chambers, S. and Johnston, R. (2007) Operations Management, London, FT Prentice Hall Thomas, D. ,„Benetton takes lead on RFID? , Computer Weekly, 20th March 2003. Available from Business Source Premier [Accessed: 14 February 2008] END OF PAPER

Solventless Claisen-Schmidt Condensation of Benzaldehydes

Backgrounds and Theory (A)Introduction of aldol condensation In an aldol condensation reaction, the ? -carbon of an aldehyde or ketone molecule reacts with another carbonyl carbon to form a ? -hydroxyl aldehyde or ? -hydroxyl ketone, followed by dehydration to give a conjugated enone if an ? -H is present. It is a very useful reaction for the synthesis of ? ,? -unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The aldehyde or ketone molecule is first converted to enol or enolate by acid or base catalyst respectively. In this experiment, the base-catalyzed method is used and the ? proton of the aldehyde or ketone molecule is removed by a strong base like hydroxides and alkoxides to form an enolate ion: Although hydroxide ion is not strong enough to convert all of the aldehyde or keton molecules to the corresponding enolates for both aldehydes and ketones (i. e. the equilibrium lies well to the left), there are usually enough enolate ions for the reaction to proceed at a reasonable rate. The enolate ion will then react with the carbonyl compound to form an intermediate anion, which is quickly protonated by water. When the ? hydroxyl aldehyde or ? -hydroxyl ketone is formed, it will be sometimes spontaneously dehydrated to give an ? ,? -unsaturated carbonyl compound since a C=C bond can be formed by this process and it is very stable due to the conjugation with the carbonyl group. Therefore if the dehydration is not spontaneous, it can also be easily induced by gentle heating. However, self condensation will occur, especially if both of the reactants are ketones, and a mixture of products will be formed. This is mainly due to the similar electrophilicity of the reactants.For example, when 3-pentanone is reacted with cyclopentanone: A mixture of products will be formed as both the reactants can become enolate ion and react with itself or another reactant. Also, more kinds of products will be formed after dehydration as different kinds of ? -proton is available. If the reactants are unsymmetrical, the reaction will become more regioselective. For example, if 2-methylpentan-3-one is reacted with reacted with cyclopentanone: The upper one will be the major product since ? -proton is available for the formation of conjugated double bond by dehydration.The extra stability of the product shifts the equilibrium to its side. (B)Claisen-Schmidt Condensation – a Branch of Aldol Condensation Clasisen-Schmidt condensation is a branch of aldol condensation which eliminates most of the regioselectivity problems. In the reaction, an aromatic aldehyde is condensed with a ketone to form an ? ,? -unsaturated ketone. For example: Since an extra alkyl group (EDG) is present in ketone, it is less electrophilic than the aldehyde. Therefore only the ? -carbon of the ketone will attack the aldehyde, but not the other way round.Also, there will not be any self condensation as only aldehyde will be attacked. The dehydration process of the above reaction is also regioselective as there is only one kind of ? -proton present in the compound. Therefore only one kind of product will be formed. In this experiment, the Clasisen-Schmidt condensation of benzaldehyde and p-methylacetophenone will be studied. (C)Traditional Method vs Solventless Method (Green Chemistry) Organic reactions usually require organic solvents as to provide a medium for the interactions of reactants and to moderate the temperature and reaction rate.Nevertheless, the use of organic solvent needs a significant cost on materials required and also increases the burden to chemical waste treatment and the environment. Green Chemistry is therefore developed in order to reduce material consumption and increase the efficiency of chemical production by minimizing the use of solvents. The Claisen-Schmidt condensation of benzaldehyde and acetophenone would have a very high atom economy (> 92%) with the reaction solvent eliminated. In this experiment, the efficiencies of the traditional and solventless methods will be compared.

Hamlet and a Midsummer Night’s Dream

In one of AMND’s most enduring passages, Lysander states (Act one scene one, line 134) ‘The course of true love never did run smooth. ’ The conflict that is inevitably born out of love is a central theme at the heart of Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and Hamlet, but is extended by Shakespeare not only to romantic relationships, but to familial bonds as well. The conflict is ultimately resolved in diametrically opposing ways in each play, according to the conventions of their respective genres.Hamlet is a tragedy, and therefore can result only in death, but AMND, as a comedy, uses the traditional method of marriage to resolve its conflict. Shakespeare opens AMND with the relationship between Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian warrior Hippolyta, thereby framing the enfolding drama with the portrayal of a union in which romance and military conflict are inextricably bound: ‘Hippolyta, I woo’d thee with my sword/and won thy love doing thee injur ies. (1:1:16) Shakespeare incongruously conflates military imagery withthe language of romance, establishing the theme of love, initially at least, as being fraught with conflict. This is highlighted further as the discussion of Theseus and Hippolyta’s forthcoming nuptials is juxtaposed with the dramatic introduction of Hermia and Lysander, young lovers forbidden to marry by Egeus, Hermia’s domineering father. Lysander and Hermia decide to ‘from Athens turn away our eyes’ (1. 1. 218) and elope to the forest.Shakespeare’s use of the forest as a backdrop to the young lovers’ elopement is significant. It would have reminded members of the Jacobean audience of ‘Saturnalia’, an ancient Roman festival in honour of the deity Saturn, which took place in the forest and was famous for subverting Roman social norms. A carnival atmosphere pervaded the festival, which included features – such as masters waiting on their servant’ s tables – which defied the etiquette of the time. The allusion to Saturnalia emphasises Lysander and Hermia’s defiance of social restraints in eloping against her father’s wishes.Egeus’ attempted control of Hermia parallels Polonius’s manipulation of Ophelia in Hamlet, as in both plays Shakespeare depicts romantic relationships as complicatedbyfamilial pressures. The forest acts as a symbol for freedom from such conflict. Away from urban civilization and its social traditions, the forest exists as a primeval space where Hermia and Lysander feel their love can truly be celebrated, unhindered by the familial politics they have left behind: ‘to that place the sharp Athenian law cannot pursue us. ’ (1. 1. 62)However, social norms are not the only things overturned in the forest. By pouring a magical potion in the lovers’ eyes, Puck, a mischievous fairy, swaps the object of Demetrius and Lysander affection to Helena. This comic turn sets the enfolding drama in motion, but also demonstrates the cruelty of fickle love, that is so easily swayed to devastating effect, as Hermia laments: ‘O spite! O Hell! I see you are all bent, to set against me. ’ (3. 2. 145) Shakespeare expounds upon this theme of love in Hamlet too but with far more serious consequences; as befits a tragedy.Whereas Hermia is part of the tradition of Shakespearean women who defy their controlling fathers to marry their lovers, Ophelia proves far more susceptible to Polonius and Laertes’ bullying as they are successful in thwarting her relationship with Hamlet. Just as Shakespeare portrays affection as transient through Puck’s meddling with Demetrius and Lysander, Laertes lectures Ophelia on love’s temporary and untrustworthy nature: ‘forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting. ’ (1. 3. ) The emphatic rhythm of Laerte’s dialogue is created by the many caesuras that break up this line; each wor d drumming itself into Ophelia’s psyche. Ironically, it isn’t the ‘trifling of [Hamlet’s] favour’ (1. 3. 6) that breaks Ophelia’s heart, and ultimately her sanity, but rather her family’s interference, in particular her father’s political scheming. A. C Bradley in his book ‘Shakespearian Tragedy’ notes that ‘good conflict must be drawn out’; accordingly, both Hamlet and AMND are over five acts long and only get resolved in the final scenes, each according to their genre.The conflict inherent in Shakespeare’s portrayal of romantic relationships is given tangible form as Lysander and Demetrius prepare to fight over the woman they profess to love: ‘if thou say so withdraw and prove it to. ’ (3. 2. 255) Despite the threat of violence about to unfold on stage, Shakespeare’s audience would have been aware that as a comedy, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream would culminate in marriage rather then bloodshed.In the opening scene of the play, Lysander alludes to the May Day rituals that he had participated in: ‘And in the wood a league without the town, where I did meet†¦to do observance to a morn of May’ (1. 1. 165) The May Day rites were an ancient celebration of fertility and renewal, and the setting of the lustrous forest reinforces this atmosphere, even throughout Lysander and Demetrius’s altercation, emphasising that the conflict would, in the end, be resolved happily. In stark contrast, Hamlet and Laertes fight over Ophelia’s grave.Shakespeare uses the graveyard setting to foreshadow the men's death as a result of their growing hostility – unlike in AMND, the conflict within a tragedy cannot end in marriage; it must end in death: ‘I thought thy bride-bed to have decked, sweet maid, and not have strewed thy grave’. (5. 1. 241) Throughout the play Ophelia is referred to by language such as ‘mai d’, emphasising her youth and her innocence. This heightens the tragic impact of her decline and eventual death, but also reinforces how she is infantilised by her father, and therefore controlled.When Polonius finds out that Ophelia has been conducting a romance with Hamlet, he insists that she no longer have contact with the prince: ‘I will teach you. Think yourself a baby. ’ (1. 3. 105) Polonius convinces Ophelia that she has been naive and stupid to believe Hamlet’s professions of love: ‘Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl. ’ (1. 3. 101) In Polonius’s dialogue, Shakespeare repeatedly employs images of Ophelia as a child to portray how her father psychologically controls her, by making her dependent on his commands, as a young child would: ‘I shall obey, my lord. (1. 3. 136) In AMND Shakespeare constructs a similar conflict around a father-daughter relationship, as Egeus wants his daughter Hermia, to marry Demetrius an d not her lover, Lysander. Shakespeare draws upon ancient Greek mythology to portray his characters and their respective philosophies. Egeus displays Apollonian attributes as he paternalistically favours a strict adherence to the law above all else, even to the point of death: ‘As she is mine, I may dispose of her†¦or to her death according to our law. ’ (1. 1. 3) Egeus commoditises his relationship with his daughter, as he considers her a possession to be controlled and exploited. Like Polonius who commands Ophelia to ‘set your entreatments at a higher rate’ (1. 3. 122), Egeus’s diction is replete with the language of commerce as he tries to trade his daughter: ‘and she is mine, and all my rights of her I do estate unto Demetrius. ’ (1. 1. 97) Hermia, however, embodies the Dionysian life philosophy, as she embraces passion and resists her father’s moralistic control: ‘My soul consents not to give sovereignty’ (1 . . 82) Unlike Ophelia who submits to her father’s demands and therefore breaks off her relationship with Hamlet, Hermia prioritises romance over filial duty as she spiritedly defies Athenian law: ‘Oh hell to choose love by another’s eyes’ (1. 1. 140) The conflicts that are engendered by love are complicated even further by the disparity between reality and illusion, which is a central theme in both plays. In both Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, eyes are used as a symbol of the merging of reality and that which seems to be reality ie.Illusion: ‘seems madam? Nay it is. I know not seems†¦no, nor the fruitful river in the eye, nor the dejected ‘haviour of the visage. ’ (1. 2. 75) The juxtaposition by Hamlet of his father, Old Hamlet, and Claudius invokes similar language with reference to the eye: ‘what devil was’t that thus has cozened you at hoodman-blind? / Eyes without feeling, feeling without eyes, /ears without hands or eyes’ (3. 4. 78). Shakespeare elects to convey the inherent tragic conflict in love by using the language of eyes: ‘Ha! Have you eyes?You cannot call it love. ’ (3. 4. 68)Here the Gertrude’s love for Claudius is presented through the eyes of Hamlet as being ‘stewed in corruption’ (3. 4. 95) and the maternal bonds between her and Hamlet cause her to regret her actions and fear for her spiritual health: ‘O Hamlet speak no more. Thou turnest mine eyes into my very soul / and there I see such black and grained spots. ’(3. 4. 89) In the final scene of the play, all characters must face their spiritual destiny in their death, showing how conflict in Hamlet results only in death.Conflict of reality and illusion is also symbolised through reference to the eye in AMND, as Puck pours the poison into Lysander and Demetrius’s eyes it is then that comic drama enters the scene as love’s object is subverted: Ã¢â‚¬Ë œMethinks I see things with parted eye’ (4. 1. 188) The illusion of the lovers exchanged allegiances is representative of the conflict that can result from reality being destabilized especially where love is concerned: ‘Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn/ to follow me, praise my eyes and face? ’ (3. 2. 23) Eventually, love is restored to the couples and Theseus bids that ‘these couples shall be eternally knit’ (4. 1. 180) and here illusion is replaced with reality which results in the marriage of the couples, in accordance with the comic convention. The significance of Puck’s last speech, which is spoken to the audience, is essential. Puck tells the audience that they should ‘think this and all is mended: that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear; and this weak and idle theme no more yielding than a dream. Puck tells them to imagine that the entire play wasn’t real, so where in Hamlet reality wins out in the end, in AMND the art of illusion leaves the play on a cliff hanger and the audience must decide whether or not reality exists. This is all part of the comic convention. In conclusion, Shakespeare presents parallel conflicts in both plays, each resulting from conflicted relationships, but they are resolved in accordance with the two plays’ genres. He concludes all conflict in Hamlet with death and tragedy and all conflict in AMND with laughter and comedy.Elizabethan and modern day audiences would identify the conflict within Hamlet as the play's catalyst towards the catastrophic ending, whilst viewing the conflict within AMND with less seriousness, knowing hostility between characters will ultimately dissolve. Shakespeare appears to be using the themes within Hamlet, such as death and madness, to present conflict between people as an inevitable part of people's lives, whilst the farcical nature of the battles within AMND suggest conflict is fleeting and avoidable. ‘S o, good night unto you all. / Give me your hand if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends. ’ (AMND 5. 1. 419)

Leadership Development Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership Development Plan - Essay Example The students have an obligation to be faithful, being steadfastly loyal and adhering to duty and true to one's word. Development of self-control to enable the student and the community to grow using self-restraint and good judgment skills in thought, words, and action. Promotion of humility accurately develops good qualities free from pride and arrogance. The state should encourage the value of being kind and appreciative of others placing their priority first. The organization of military and leadership clubs, which provide the integration of faith, based living and military mindset training the students of good leadership skills in the military environment (Akers 61).Indiana State should encourage creation of recognized university student organizations to instill perfect leadership qualities among the college students preparing them for future leadership. The State’s education system considers students first by focusing on the individuals who promote real learning of student s every day. The devotion and hard work of teachers lead to the success of the students in treating them as professionals with the prospect of making great leaders in the future. The Indiana state government should improve the health care system to ensure that all the students are medically sound to access their education without much complication.The Medicare advancements would guarantee the physical health of many students in schools and college while increasing the number of intellectuals in the society.

Art management essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Art management - Essay Example On the same legal issue, during the tenure of the US president George W Bush, there was a tightening of restrictions around the Cuba embargo and it became a bit harder for US citizens especially to access artwork from Cuba freely as had been the case before. This was also as a result of lobbying by some members of families who had had their art confiscated by the Fidel Castro regime when he took power (Yulia, 2010). This is particularly true with the case of the Billionaire Fanjul family that had a vast collection confiscated and later sold by the Cuban government. They lobbied to have anyone trading in their artwork declared to be in violation of trading with the enemy laws put in place to prevent trade with Cuba but under which artwork was exempted. Another law that the Fanjuls and others are relying on in their quest to recover their lost artwork is the Helms- Burton Act which blocks people that deal in Cuban confiscated property and their immediate families from entering the United States and also opens them up to payment of potential damages. In this case there is the Argentinean art dealer Bruno Sciaoli whom they have ascertained to have in his possession one of their lost art pieces known as the Malaga Porta painted by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida. This Act was however not acceptable to the European Union which then passed a resolution which prevents its enforcement within the EU. The issue of the law not being enforceable in the EU arises from the fact that the EU recognizes Cuba as a sovereign nation as well as its decision to nationalize assets which includes the confiscated art work. In the US its embargo laws prohibit trade in the confiscated properties from Cuba. If the state department tries and finds the art dealer Bruno Sciaoli guilty, then they will have opened a whole new era in the sales of this art works. It will have complicated any sales of artwork sourced from Cuba which is going on at

Conventional Vs. True Beauty Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Conventional Vs. True Beauty - Movie Review Example This means the thin model wearing the clothes and makeup that the gatekeepers of fashion say are beautiful, displayed on TV and in other forms of mass media. On the other hand, there is the idea of true beauty, which reflects the existence of an absolute set of standards for what is beautiful, separate from what the masses say is beautiful, and separate from the social conventions of any given period in history. True beauty may or may not jive with what the conventional notions of beauty are at any given time, but one understands that there are eternal qualities associated with true beauty, that stand the test of time. This true beauty requires a different kind of vision for sure than what people ordinarily possess in the movie 'American Beauty'. The implicit message in the movie is that the perception of true beauty requires a certain kind of intelligence, and a certain kind of knowing and vision that is also more elevated and removed from the conventional. This paper asserts that a key take from the movie is that , one can say that far from refining and elevating aesthetic sensibilities, conforming with the rules of society deadens rather than sharpens that vision that allows for the glimpse of true beauty. In the end, with Lester dead, and all of the pressures of family and society removed, with Lester free, he is able to find out what beauty really is (IMDb.com; Smith). II. Discussion From Lester's life and the life of his family we see how the film portrays conformism as a dead end that leads to the deadening of life and the sapping away of that vital force that forges relationships and bonds people. Conformism saps away joy and the fun out of life. This seems to be the initial message of the movie. In it too is lost the conception of beauty that makes life at least bearable and worth living. Ricky, young and full of life, seems to be blessed in this regard, that not having to conform, he is free to pursue joy, and to see beauty. On the other end of the sp ectrum are repressed lives. Not everything is as it seems. Angela, the young girl who is outwardly beautiful, in herself is inwardly insecure and unsure of how to go about life. She herself lacks a certain vision and certainty, not having experienced any kind of direct vision of joy or beauty that would have pacified her and put her on a more solid footing. This is evident in the way she ended up wanting to have sex with Lester, even though in the end too it became clear that she did not know what she wanted. She was just a confused kid. Carolyn too had drifted from a more carefree and fun life into the life of a career woman obsessed with mantras of material success, all the while missing out on the happiness and beauty that could be had by simply being in the moment and enjoying the time with her daughter Jane. Jane in her way was also suffering from this joy-deprived and loved-deprived environment, and who wouldn't? Her parents were living dysfunctional lives devoid of the beauty and the joy that comes from being close to something more vital. Having lost that, and themselves, they had no joy nor vision of beauty to impart on their poor daughter. In Col. Fitts' lonely life too, there is that same missing element, and where people are less true to themselves, and are bound by conventions that blind them from a truer and more fulfilling life, what happens is that the people around them suffer. Col. Fitts' wife had to bear the emotional and psychological trauma