The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe A Personal Reflection Essay Example

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe: A Personal Reflection Paper The poem The Raven is one of the classics of the American literary canon. Its author Edgar Allan Poe, the quintessential American poet and short story writer, brings rhythm, style and high metaphor to bear on this work. Published in the era preceding the American Civil War, the poem captures sentiments common during the time. But in terms of its central theme – one of longing and loss – is universal in its appeal and relevance. The rest of this essay will lay out my personal interpretation and evaluation of this piece of literature. The narrator of the poem – who is young and whose name is not given – starts on a verse soliloquy on a cold December night. As the young male narrator languishes in a mood of melancholy, a surprise visitor calls upon his abode. It is not a friend or a relative, but a Raven that has the magical power to speak! Carrying a serious disposition, the young narrator uses the services of the Raven to alleviate his forlornness. The opening lies of the poem showcase Poe at his lyrical best. The musicality of these lines is maintained throughout the long narrative: â€Å"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore – While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.† It is thus the young man acquaints himself to the arrival of the mysterious visitor. Gifted though the bird is, its articulation is quite limited, with ‘Nevermore’ being a standard response to most the narrator’s queries. Piqued by curiosity and also to distract himself briefly from the loss of his lover Lenore, the young man engages the Raven into more questions. But the deadpan answer of â€Å"nevermore† for his questions about his lover, their future, etc, only aggravates his grief. Within a short while, the neurotic repetition of â€Å"nevermore† from the bird wrecks the nerves of the young man, leading him to admit that his soul that is trapped in the Raven’s shadow shall â€Å"Nevermore† be released: We will write a custom essay sample on The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe: A Personal Reflection specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe: A Personal Reflection specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe: A Personal Reflection specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer â€Å"On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted – nevermore!† The poem is fascinating at several levels. The imposed anthropomorphic characteristic on the Raven, whereby it serves the role of a counsellor to the aggrieved youth, is conceptually brilliant on part of the author. The author does not make it clear if the Raven can make sense of what it is uttering or that if it is contextually responding to the question posed by the young man. Hence the repeated uttering of ‘Nevermore’ can be interpreted as the self-defeating neurosis transpiring within the narrator’s mind or as factual assessment of reality objectively seen from the outside. It is this ambiguity to the authorial intent that gives so much scope for reading between the lines. This aspect of the poem lends it intellectual beauty too. Although the poem resonates with tragic verse forms in ancient Greek and Roman literature, the device of a predatory bird as fortune teller is original and brilliant. An equally impressive quality of the poem is its cool and pragmatic acceptance of separation, longing and loss, without resort to tragic melodramatic overtures. There is virtue and strength even in the gradual descent into madness, Poe seems to suggest. Moreover, the relative lack of didacticism in the poem is a merit. The references to Greek and Roman mythology, as well as to several classical texts, lend color and richness to the poem. For example, the device of the bust of Pallas (upon which the Raven sits), the reading of books by the narrator (â€Å"reading many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore†), and the reference to the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena add layers of interpretation and historical context. The extension of the gloomy state of the narrator’s mind is suitably reflected in the choice of the bird and the climatic setting. For example, the predatory bird Raven as well as the harsh winter associated with the month of December, both represent the state of gloom and conflict engulfing the young man’s psyche. It is for all these poetic merits that The Raven will continue to remain central to not just American literature but to Western intellectual tradition. Reference: Edgar Allan Poe, â€Å"The Raven [Text-02], American Review, February 1845, 1:143:145, retrieved from

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Research Paper Example

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Research Paper Example Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Paper Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Paper Essay Topic: Great Expectations Literature The novel Great Expectations was written by Charles Dickens and is about a young boy, Pip who falls in love with a young girl, Estella and inherits money in order for him to go to London to learn how to become a gentleman. Pip has many various reasons for wanting to go to London and Dickens uses powerful imagery to show how Pip is easily disappointed upon his arrival to London. Great Expectations is about Pip looking back on his life which means that this is a 1st Person novel. In Great Expectations Pip wants to go to London because of a number of reasons dating back to his childhood. He felt threatened by the convicts that he had met at the graveyard. You get me a file and you get me wittles or Ill have your heart and liver out. He is being terrorised by one of the convicts and forced to steal from his own family which makes him into a thief and a liar. Because he his made to feel a thief and a liar this is one of the reasons Pip wants to go to London to become a gentleman. This is also a threat of cannibalism towards Pip which is another reason he wants to go to London, which is because he feels threatened and is terrified by the convicts. : Another reason why Pip wants to go to London is because by going to Miss Havishams he has been shown a different lifestyle which is one that he would want. This makes Pip want to go to London so he can lead a lifestyle similar to the ones of Miss Havisham and Estella. Miss Havisham is another cause of Pip wanting to go to London because Pip describes Miss Havisham as waxwork which show that he believes she is perfect. This makes him determined to go to London so he can become a gentleman and become waxwork-like as Miss Havisham is. Pip wants to go to London because he loves Estella and by becoming a gentleman he believes that Estella may start to like him. He calls the knaves, jacks, this boy and what coarse hands he has makes Pip feel poor and like a commoner. By going to London Pip believes this will help him win Estella. Throughout Pips early life he was brought up by hand from his sister, Mrs Joe. This makes Pip want to go to London so he can live a life without being abused and violently mistreated. By becoming a gentleman he will not have to be brought up by hand any more so this gives Pip a reason to go to London. The threats of cannibalism by the convict links to Estella ripping Pips heart out in a different way and because she can do this it gives the impression that she is more powerful, wealthy and a better class than Pip which makes him want to become a gentleman so that he can be a better class person than he believes he is. Pip wants to go London so that he can gain respect from Estella and be referred to as a gentleman rather than boy and he is often referred to. Uncle Pumblechook aims a threat of cannibalism towards Pip when he says that If youd have been born a pig you would have been butchered and had you heart torn out links to the convicts threats which makes Pip want to go to London as he feels threatened by Uncle Pumblechooks comments. This also makes Pip want to go to London as he does not want to be likened to a pig because they are common creatures with a sense of dirtiness around them. This makes Pip feel like a filthy person and makes him want to go London so that he can change this. Another reason for Pip wanting to go to London is the fact that he wants to impress Estella and by being well educated and having better clothes he believes that he can do that. Pip becomes ashamed of living with Joe and his profession and lies to Joe and Mrs Joe after the first visit to Miss Havishams house. She was sitting in a black velvet coach and we all had cake and wine on gold plates shows that Pip is exaggerating and making this up because he is ashamed to tell Joe and Mrs Joe of how he was offended and made to feel ashamed of all the things around him. Pip inherits some money which directs him to London. Because of the money Pip has inherited he becomes snobbish and classes himself a better quality than the poor people living in his area. As I passed the church, I felt a sublime compassion for the poor creatures. This shows that Pip is being snobbish and seeing himself better than the people he has grown up all his life with. This makes him want to go to London so he can get away from the people he sees as poor. When Pip finally arrives in London we see that his expectations are easily disappointed. Upon arrival he goes to visit Mr Jaggers, a lawyer in London and his lawyer, and Dickens describes Jaggers room using negative imagery. By doing this the reader can see how Pips expectations are instantly disappointed and that London is a corrupt and vile place to be in. Mr Jaggers room was lighted by a skylight only is a good use of imagery by Dickens because it gives the impression of a lack of light which could lead to corruption in the legal system or corruption in London in general. Dickens uses a simile in Chapter 20 which shows how the characters all are in Great Expectations. Like a broken head links to various characters such as Mrs Joe who has a broken head because she is paralysed and to other characters such as Estella who is being controlled by Miss Havisham and Pip who doesnt know what to do in his life. Old rusty pistol, a sword in a scabbard shows the death of Pips expectations and how they are instantly disappointed because swords and pistols are pieces of equipment linked to death so could be the sign of the death of Pips expectations. Another piece of imagery used to show the death of Pips expectations is deadly black horsehair ike a coffin which could show the death of Pips expectations because coffins are associated with funerals and this is a ceremony of death. The deadly black creates the impression of darkness in London which shows how Pips expectations are disappointed straight away. In Chapter 21 Dickens uses sarcasm by using the word haven to describe a part of London. This is ironic because it is not a haven at all so creates the impression that Pip is disappointed of London. Dickens uses many words and phrases to create the impression that Pip is easily disappointed and his expectations have been killed off. Disgorged is an unpleasant word and links to the unpleasantness of London in general and how Pip has become disappointed with London. A repetition of the word dismal shows the reader how dull a place London is and how Pips expectations have faded away. The repetition adds the effect that shows how terrible London really is. Dilapidated means broken down and represents Pips expectations and how they are broken down and the idea that London is a mess and is broken down also. Pips expectations have been killed off and to show this Dickens uses a harsh alliteration of C by using the words crippled and cracked. The harsh alliteration suggests to the reader that Pips expectations have crashed down and are over. Dusty decay is used by Dickens in Chapter 21 to create the alliterative effect of the D portraying the dirtiness of London and this dirt has caused Pip to be instantly disappointed with London. In Chapter 21 there is a link to the graveyard. Unholy interment in the gravel links to the graveyard and graveyards are associated with death. Because of this link London could now be a link to the death of Pips expectations. Dickens shows the death of Pips expectations once more in Chapter 21 with the words ashes, soot and smoke. These are images linked to cremation and give the idea that Pips expectations have been burnt away. Dry-rot, wet-rot, silent rots that rot. This is a repetition of rot and is a good use of imagery by Dickens because it leaves the reader with the impression that Pips expectations are rotting away. The stench of London is ironically compared to a medicine by Pip in Chapter 21. Try Barnards Mixture links to the idea that what Pip thought would be so good turned out to so grim. This shows how Pip is easily disappointed with London. Oppressed and exhausted are words used by Dickens to show the reader how London is not what it is expressed as and that Pip has had enough of London and his expectations are dead. Pip has been corrupted by money and has turned into a snob. Dust and grit are a symbol of the dirt in London and that has stuck to Pip and made him a snob and now a bad person. Even when in London Pip is still thinking about Estella because he is in love with her. Could not bear the two casts on the shelf represents Pip and Estella and show their potential together has been killed. Shameful is a descriptive word used to show how Pip feels about London and how his expectations are dead and also his impression of London has been instantly disappointed. An alliteration of Fs by Dickens makes London sound dirty and a bad, corrupt place. Filth and fat and foam is alliteration and gives the reader the sense of dirtiness. Bulging is an unpleasant word used to describe London and links to the convict jumping out on Pip at the graveyard which by being reminded of the convict makes him still feel like a thief and liar. London is also shows to have a lack of morality by Dickens. Smelling strongly of spirits and beer shows a lack of morality and the death of Pips expectations because spirits and beer are seen as bad items. Stone building could be a tombstone which shows a death of Pips expectations. In conclusion I can tell that the Pips expectations were dead from the start of the story because the scene was set in a graveyard, which is an image and place linked with death, so it shows that Pip never had any expectation to begin with and if so they were killed right at the start of the story. Also I can see that the only gentleman in the story is Joe because he never looks down on anybody and is always grateful for what he has in life whereas Pip becomes a snob as soon as he gets money and Mr Jaggers is a corrupt character. Mr Jaggers is part of the corrupt society in London that will do anything fort money such as getting people to escape a prison sentence when they have committed murder, which is not gentleman-like. Uncle Pumblechook is not a true gentleman because he looks down on Pip which Joe doesnt. Old Orlick paralysed Mrs Joe which is not what a gentleman would do. Because of this Joe is the only real gentleman in the story. I can see that Joe is the only true gentleman in the novel because he shows compassion to the convict which many other people wouldnt do. We wouldnt want you to starve to death shows that he is a gentleman because he could have judged the convict straight away but because he didnt know him he didnt feel he was in the position to judge which proves he is a gentleman because he gets along with everybody. Another incident which shows that Joe is the only true gentleman is when he offers Pip gravy at the dinner table. This shows tenderness towards other people and he did this because of Pip being mistreated. This makes him gentleman because it shows he cares for people no matter what happens. In conclusion I can see that the Dickens use the title for irony because Pip never had any expectations. Also by starting the novel in a graveyard this shows that Pips expectations were killed off straight away as graveyards are images of death.

Needs Assessment on Walmart and thier Wal-Mart Biases against Women Essay

Needs Assessment on Walmart and thier Wal-Mart Biases against Women - Essay Example The products offered in the stores of Wal-Mart includes frozen foods, meat, dairy products, bakery products, baby products, beverages, grocery items, electronic goods, household items and so on. At present the business operations of Wal-Mart is divided into three broad segments. They are: a) the Wal-Mart International segment, b) the Wal-Mart US segment, and c) the Sams Club segment. Of these three the US segment is the largest of all. Retail stores of various formats are operated by Wal-Mart in all the 50 states of US. Along with this it also operates its retail operations online through Wal-Mart.com. The international segment of Wal-Mart has its presence in 26 countries of the world and is also in the business of operating its retail operations in all those countries outside US. However, after being one of the world’s leading retail chain, Wal-Mart has faced criticism around the world for its ill treatment to employees, gender biasness, and disorganized human resource practices. In the e 21st century when the world is progressing and moving towards such advancement in every fields, countries and companies are still not capable of removing gender biasness or discrimination from the society or even from workplaces. Another form of discrimination that is often practiced in the corporate hierarchy is known as Glass Ceiling. This means creating invisible barriers for women to prevent them from rising to the top level of the company. These are the intangible barriers such as psychological factors or socio-cultural factors. The tangible barriers include education or career advancements, etc (Thye 89-90) The theory of not only glass ceiling but also glass cliff has come into existence. It is often seen that when females makes mistakes, it is blown out of proportion to push them from the position they are standing. It acts as an invisible cliff for them, from where they are pushed to degrade from

Apple and Phinnaeus or Julie and David Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Apple and Phinnaeus or Julie and David - Essay Example Her basic belief was that names have the characteristics of changing personalities and life styles. This change in name had a great impact upon individual’s living pattern, the great example that she witnessed was that people with the name of David were more studious as compared to other students. Although, this nameology concept of her was not demanded by customers, it brought great business for her as a nameologist. Maryana Korwitts’s main target market was parents who wanted to name their new born babies on the basis of Nameology Individuals wanting their babies to lead a successful life in future were enticed to buy a $399 package of Naming Manual which included many different things such as a copy of Book Name Power, five online BABYtalk profiles of top name choices, a 30 minute advice on telephone and a Personalised owner’s Manual for the baby. Besides the Babies, the other target markets for Maryana Korwitts were companies and individuals that had faced a downfall. All those individuals and companies were the targeted who believed in Nameology and lead a difficult and a less successful time period. Maryana Korwitts has been really competitive in providing names and logos for businesses and organisation The main competitors for Korwitts’s business were its competitors in the same business field such as Kannan M. Mr. Kannan M runs a business in the same area of Nameology but he has pointed out that Nameology can not successful until and unless it is well coordinated with other issues such as Astrology and Bioenergetics. The competitor for namestructure.com (Maryana Korwitts’s website for Nameology business) is lucky-name-numerology.com which is being run by Mr. Kannan M. Besides these competitors in the same field of Nameology, other competitive threats for Maryana Korwitts have been the Astrologers other Numerologist who suggest that Nameology is not in itself a complete area to suggest names that can

Catholic Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Catholic Religion - Essay Example The old man holds up his hand and gestures to the audience to stop. The audience is completely stunned. Waiting for the old man to react. The old man smiles, looks up at the young man and then says, â€Å"Jesus turned the other cheek, so did I. After that, I have no example to follow and therefore, I can use my own better judgment†. With that, the old man slaps the young man once, twice, thrice and a fourth time until the youth drops to the floor. Towering over him, the old man says, â€Å"I turned the other cheek but after that cheek was slapped, the remaining slaps and the punishment for the first till the last remains with me†. Not at all, there are several instances in the activities of Jesus which make little sense to me and in many cases; I do not understand the deeper meaning behind what Jesus did. However, that does not mean that I think of him as being any less or his activities without reason but in essence, I realize that it is my own failing for not fully understanding the activities of Jesus. I hope to continue to improve my understanding with time and to come to a closer and better understanding of the real meaning in the activities done by

The Influence Of Political Environment Of Business Politics Essay

The Influence Of Political Environment Of Business Politics Essay Two basic philosophies are in existence all over the world viz democracy and totalitarianism. In its pure sense,democracy refers to a poltical arrangement in which the supreme poer is vested in the people. Democracy may manifest itself in any of two fundamental manners. If each individual is given the right to rule and vote on every matter,the result is pure democracy which is not,however,workable in a complex society with a large constituency. Hence,the republican form of organization follows wherby the public in a democratic manner,elect their representatives who do the ruling. In totalitarianism also called authoritarianism,individual freedom is completely subordinated to the power of authority of the state and concentrated in the hands of one person or in small groups which is not constitutionally accountable to the people. Societies ruled by pressure clique-political,economic,military or by dicataor plus most oligarchies and monarchies belong to this category. The doctrine of fascism and erstwhile Russian communism are examples of this. The political environment includes factors such as the characteristics and policies of the poltical party,the nature of the Constitution and government system and government encompassing the economic and business policies and regulations. these factors may vary considerably between different nations,provinces of the same nation and also over the time. Example Despite his pragmatic views, dynamism and the dream of 21st century India, Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi could not introduce any far reaching changes even with the candid mandate that overwhelmed him in the election of 1984. But the Congress government under narsimha Rao did it in 1991 and the successive non congress government have carried further the economic liberalization. Why? The changing global scenario,particularly the developments in the communist countries provide the answer. There was considerable differences between the Rajiv era and 1991. Rajiv Gandhi who assumed office in 1984 had given great hopes to the teeming millions of India. No wonder,the congress party led by the young prime minister who promised to mould India for the 21st century was given a thumping victory by the grief stricken electorate. Rajiv who was well aware of the damages done by the unpragmatic regulations was eager to radically reform the economic regime. Hence,many in India and abroad naturally expected that he would introduce far reaching reforms. But alas,the great expectations were belied soon as he succumbed to what he thought or was made to believe was political prudence. The word socialism was still dominant on the political surface. The leftists were severly opposed to even minor economic liberalization and deregulations. To speak against socialism or public sector was regarded as sin. Many in the congress party who thought that socialism and public sector still had a magic spell thought it was still necessary to swear by these ideas which were in favour of deregulation and privatization could be more than those who opposed it,the latter was very vociferous and therefore a determinant force. In short what was thought to be political expediency prevented even Rajiv from making any major departure from the old regime and therefore dogmatism continued to dominate pragmatism. And what started with the big bang ended with a whimper. Of course, Rajiv carried further forward with a little more vigour,the policy of piece meal economic liberalization started since the early 1980s. These have had favourable effects. These measures were however quite insufficient to rejuvenate the economy. The political system under democratic dispensation like ours comprises of legislatures,executive out government or judiciary. Legislature Out of the three, legislatures is the most powerful political institution vested with such powers as policy making,law making,budget approving,executive control and acting as a mirror of public opinion. The influence of legislature on business is considerable.it decides such vital aspects as the type of business activities the country should have, who should owe them, what should be their size of operations, what should happen to their earnings and other related factors. Executive or government Also caleed the state,the term government refers to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the centre of political authority having the power to govern those it serves. More or less a similar meaning is given by E.V.Schneider when he described government as that institution by which men everwhere seek to order society,that is, to control the structure and functioning of society. The founder of our constitution proved for the federal set up with powers being divided between the national and the state government. The powers and functions of the central and state government are described in the constitution. Judiciary Judiciary determines the manner in which the work of the executive has been fulfilled. It sees to it that the exercise of executive authority conforms to the government rules laid down the legislature,it may declare that particular order issues as ultra vires. It also settles the relationship between private citizens and on other hand between citizens and the government. The power of judiciary is of dual type:- The authority of courts to settle legal disputes and, Judicial review-the authority of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of legislation. It is the power of judiciary to settle down the legal disputes that affects business considerably. Disputes between employer and employee, employee and employee and public and employer and government are often referred to courts for settlement and their verdicts are sought. As far as second one is concerned the judiciary gets activated when the legislature passes laws which are repugnant to the constitution and when the executive implements the enactment approved by the legislature in a manner opposed to the requirements of the legislation. In other words courts of justice protects the citizens from unlawful acts passed by the legislature and arbitrary acts done by the executive. Forms of government http://stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/typesofgovt.html capitalist government Capitalism  is an  economic system  which is based on  private ownership. It produces goods with and services for profit motive.  Other items central to capitalism includes  competitive markets,  wage labor  and  capital accumulation.There are numerous variants of capitalism, including laissez-faire,  welfare capitalism  and  state capitalism. Capitalism is considered to have been applied in a variety of historical cases, varying in time, geography, politics, and culture.  There is general agreement that capitalism became dominant in the  Western world  following the  demise of feudalism.Competitive markets may also be found in market-based alternatives to capitalism such as  market socialism  and  co-operative economics. Economists,  political economists  and  historians  have taken different perspectives on the analysis of capitalism. Economists usually emphasize the degree to which  government  does not have control over markets (laissez faire), as well as the importance of  property rights. Most political economists emphasize private property as well, in addition to  power  relations, wage labor,  class, and the uniqueness of capitalism as a historical formation. The extent to which different markets are free, as well as the rules defining private property, is a matter of politics and  policy. Many states have what are termed mixed economies, referring to the varying degree of  planned  and  market-driven  elements in a states economic system. A number of political ideologies have emerged in support of various types of capitalism, the most prominent being  economic liberalism. Types of economies There are many variants of capitalism in existence. They vary by country and region in their institutional makeup and by their economic policies. The common feature of all these forms of capitalism is that they are based on production for profit, market-based or mixed-market allocation of resources, and that they are structured upon capital accumulation. The dominant forms of capitalism are listed below: Mercantilism Mercantilism is a nationalist form of early capitalism that came into existence approximately in the late 16th century. It is characterized by the intertwining of national business interests to state-interest and imperialism, and consequently, the state apparatus is utilized to advance national business interests abroad. An example of this is colonists living in America who were only allowed to trade with and purchase goods from their respective mother countries (Britain, France, etc.). Mercantilism holds that the wealth of a nation is increased through a positive balance of trade with other nations, and corresponds to the phase of capitalist development called the  Primitive accumulation of capital. Free-market capitalism Free-market capitalism refers to an economic system where prices for goods and services are set freely by the forces of supply and demand and are allowed to reach their point of equilibrium without intervention by government policy. It typically entails support for highly-competitive markets, private ownership of productive enterprises.  Laissez-faire  is a more extensive form of free-market capitalism where the role of the state is limited to protecting  property rights. Social-market economy A social-market economy is a nominally free-market system where government intervention in price formation is kept to a minimum but the state provides significant services in the area of social security, unemployment benefits and recognition of  labor rights  through national  collective bargaining  arrangements. This model is prominent in Western and Northern European countries, albeit in slightly different configurations. The vast majority of enterprises are privately-owned in this economic model. State capitalism State capitalism  consists of state ownership of the means of production within a state. The debate between proponents of private versus state capitalism is centered around questions of managerial efficacy, productive efficiency, and fair distribution of wealth. According to Aldo Musacchio, a professor at Harvard Business School, it is a system in which governments, whether democratic or autocratic, exercise a widespread influence on the economy, through either direct ownership or various subsidies. Musacchio also emphasises the difference between todays state capitalism and its predecessors. Gone are the days when governments appointed bureaucrats to run companies. The worlds largest state-owned enterprises are traded on the public markets and kept in good health by large institutional investors. Corporate capitalism Corporate capitalism is a free or mixed-market economy characterized by the dominance of hierarchical, bureaucratic corporations, which are legally required to pursue profit. State-monopoly capitalism was originally a  Marxist  concept referring to a form of corporate capitalism in which state policy is utilized to benefit and promote the interests of dominant or established corporations by shielding them from competitive pressures or by providing them with subsidies. Mixed economy A mixed economy is a largely market-based economy consisting of both private and public ownership of the means of production and  economic interventionism  through macroeconomic policies intended to correct  market failures, reduce unemployment and keep inflation low. The degree of intervention in markets varies among different countries. Some mixed economies, such as France under  dirigisme, also featured a degree of  indirect economic planning  over a largely capitalist-based economy. Most capitalist economies are defined as mixed economies to some degree.

Fast Food Nation- Why the Fries Taste Good Essay -- Nutrition

â€Å"The basic science behind the scent of your shaving cream is the same as that governing the flavor of your TV dinner,† (Schlosser 122). Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal was a Princeton graduate with a degree in American History. He’s written for the Atlantic Monthly since 1996 where he was given a prompt about America and its fast food industry. His simple magazine article transformed into an international bestseller. His book was on the New York Times bestsellers list for nearly two years. Schlosser has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, FOX News, and many others. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone and The New Yorker (Drury University). In Schlosser’s book, Chapter 5: â€Å"Why the Fries Taste Good† helps to explain what we are actually eating when it comes to America’s fast food industry. The beginning of this chapter focuses on the J.R. Simplot Plant which is located in Arberdeen, Idaho and processes around a million pounds of potatoes per day (Schlosser 111). John Richard Simplot was born in 1909 and spent much of his childhood working on his family’s farm. Simplot went against his father and dropped out of high school at the early age of fifteen and began working at a potato warehouse in Declo, Idaho. When J.R. turned sixteen, he became a potato farmer (Schlosser 112). It only took about ten short years for J.R. Simplot to become the largest shipper of potatoes in the West. World War II brought a lot of wealth to Simplot. He sold dehydrated onions to the U.S. Army and he eventually became one of the main suppliers of food to the U.S. American military during World War II (Schlosser 113). By the time Simplot was 36 years old, he was able to grow, fertilize, proces... ...amb Water Gun Knife,† (Schlosser 130). The potatoes became fries and they are blanched, dried, fried, and then frozen. Inside the freezer is about 20 million pounds of frozen french fries ready to be shipped and sold (Schlosser 131). This chapter focuses solely on why fast food, fries in particular, taste so good. Schlosser informs his audience of exactly what they are eating when they order a large french fry at McDonalds. The fries may start out as fresh potatoes, but what many don’t know is how fresh potatoes factually turn into the famous french fry. Works Cited "Eric Schlosser Biography." Drury University. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. . Schlosser, Eric. "Chapter 5: Why the Fries Taste Good." Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. New York, NY: Harper Perennial, 2005. Print.

Jazz: Urban and Rural Reactions In the 1920s Essay

Subject Area: Music and American CultureTopic: Jazz: Urban and Rural Reactions in the 1920sIn parallel with the uproar of jazz during the 1920s came the commotion of different critics from various geographical settings. Many of the white people living in rural areas disliked and rejected jazz as a musical genre. However, the urban city-dwellers were more fond of it; therefore, it was more generally accepted and frequently found in city nightclubs and radio stations. Several characteristics of cities also allowed jazz to survive in urban areas over the rural ones, such as: diversity, tolerance, a more progressive attitude, technology (media, radio), more entertainment locations, and a more educated populace. Cities were known for the more relaxed and less-religious atmosphere; in contrast with cities, the rural setting was dominated by a more religious and conservative mood with a homogenous population that was more opposed to the cultural liberalism found in the cities, jazz, and the black society in general. Unlike the rural areas of the time, the socio-cultural dynamic of urban areas, with respect to tolerance, diversity, education, nightlife, and the media, allowed jazz to thrive and become a huge part of American culture. The formation of jazz occurred between the years 1897 and 1917. When jazz bands started playing, they had no way of recording their music until 1917; and even then, the quality of these recordings were atrocious. Another aspect of early jazz was that anything that was played was ever written. Jazz evolved from the blues, ragtime, brass band music, and other musical works that were all around the United States. â€Å"One important factor that existed only in New Orleans, namely, the black Creole subculture† allowed jazz to emanate from the mentioned city (Weinstock). Another aspect of New Orleans that allowed jazz to thrive in this city was the medley of â€Å"ethnic, cultural, and musical conditions [†¦] [and] the necessary philosophical impetus for [j]azz i.e., [†¦] freedom of individual expression supported by group interaction† (Weinstock). This implies that New Orleans was one of the cities, and most likely one of the first, that hosted the new counter-culture that would soon spread throughout the United States. â€Å"The preeminence of New Orleans as a Jazz center came to an end in 1917 during World War I as a result of still another ordinance when Storyville [(an area of New Orleans that was full of dance halls and bordellos where Jazz was the  dominant music)] was closed by the Navy Department† (Weinstock). As a whole, the United States embraced jazz, but there were still many groups of people who disliked jazz and all that it represented. These close minded people, especially those in small-town America, were afraid of the fast changes that were occurring in society and that jazz was the â€Å"cause of [the] loosening [of] morals and frightening dislocations† (Roaring 1). The New York American published an article expressing the views of many conservative, white Americans who thought that â€Å"moral disaster [was] coming to hundreds of young American girls through the pathological, nerve-irritating, sex-exciting music of jazz†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Roaring 2). White audiences in the southern part of the States were ruthless towards black people and their music. The north appeared to be more tolerant, but there were still many confrontations between blacks and whites. Jazz was a part of modernism which helped pave the way for liberals who felt pinned down by the older conservative generations. It also served as a medium for white musicians searching to liberate themselves from the conservative constraints of their time. One can see that the northern part of the states, where cities were mostly located, accepted jazz more easily and quicker. The predominance of racism and general intolerance towards the black culture was another aspect of rural areas that did not allow jazz to thrive. Since jazz was also rejected because of its African American origins, and not only because of the supposed moral decay that it provoked in the youth of America, racism also tied into the calumniation of jazz. This also affected the conservative populace of the suburbs who were afraid their young girls were mesmerized by the â€Å"black music.† Jazz was so closely tied with to African American culture that it was often referred to as being â€Å"the accompaniment of the voodoo dancer† (Roaring 2). By referring to jazz in this manner, critics were trying to degrade and undermine everything that it meant to the black community. They were also trying to lure white Americans into their train of thought and trying to get them agree with their mind mapping accusations. â€Å"Many [†¦] Americans were appalled to see their children dancing to music that was believed to have emerged from [†¦] [the] Negro brothels of the south†(Roaring 2). In addition, a plethora of jazz critics  became famous for voicing their dislike of jazz. But in fact, they hid behind their critiques of jazz in order to express, not the dislike of the music, â€Å"but the social and political dislike of the black population† (Anderson 135). The problem that worried white conservatives the most was interbreeding between black and white young people who were really into jazz mainly because it belonged to the new counter-culture. Jazz served as the highway that joined blacks and whites. Whites were not only racists towards blacks emotionally, but their prejudice expanded to influencing their physical behavior as well. Many times did the racist, anti-jazz white population try to sully jazz to something much dirtier than it truly was. Since jazz came from the black population, who were once slaves, jazz was not socially accepted as a real musical genre. It often occurred that jazz musicians were characterized as viruses that tried to infect the general population through their music. Jazz was labeled Mumbo-Jumbo (meaning non-sense) by many critics, and by this discounting jazz as any kind of music where talent is needed. It seemed like the white trend was being against jazz and it’s black producer. According to an article in the September 1918 issue of the Current Opinion: â€Å"One touch of [j]azz makes savages of us all† (Anderson 138). The goal of white critics was to undermine black music and culture. Hate towards jazz and jazz musicians in general came to such extremes as to where they were threatened through magazine articles. These articles suggested lynching, kidnappings, and murders, among others, to scare the black population. Even though that by the 1920s and early 1930s jazz had gained an international reputation and was already part of the American culture, the â€Å"racial innuendoes in articles on jazz continued† (Anderson 141). The white population continuously tried to limit jazz’s growth, by letting the jazz musicians know that their music was not welcome through critical and controversial magazine and newspaper articles. The main goal of the critics who published articles dehumanizing blacks and bashing jazz was to disenfranchise the jazz industry and to label blacks as savages who wanted to recruit more and more people to their music. â€Å"[M]usic soothes the savage beast, but we never stopped to consider that an entirely  different type of music might invoke savage instincts†(Anderson 141-42). With this, Anderson is trying to imply that blacks are savages and those who listen to jazz will turn into savages as well. By the latter part of 1924, jazz had gained many white musicians and had also grown in popularity among the white crowd. The white population came to believe that notion that â€Å"[†¦] when white people play jazz, it is jazz music, but when black people play jazz, it is jungle noise† (Anderson 144). So, in order to accept this, many critics came to the conclusion that white and black jazz were different and that white jazz was pleasing while black jazz tried to make music but only succeeded in producing noise. Critics played a huge role in dehumanizing jazz and the black population. During the late 1920s to early 1930s, Jazz became so big that it came to shape and represent the new American culture of the cities and the people of this time. â€Å"Jazz music [†¦] became a symbol for all the modern innovations that traditionalists despised[:] the new leisure, city life, Freud, and other elements of the 1920s cultural modernism†(Peretti 2). Peretti is implying that jazz became a huge part of America in a way that it helped shape the culture to what it is today. In fact, it became such a big influence, that during the 1930s white jazz musicians tried to get all the credit for jazz and succeeded in many places. Audiences would consider many white performers (i.e. Benny Goodman) symbolic to jazz. However, in big cities like Chicago, blacks were credited with the invention of jazz and their seemed to be more cooperation between black and white musicians. Chicago was one of the main destinations for black musicians who moved from rural to urban areas of the country in order to play and promote their music. It is speculated that white musicians only exploited jazz because of the commercial gain and the huge public attention that it had. It is also believed by some that they played the music in parody: in order to mock the black musicians and jazz. In many places, whites tried to take all the spotlight for inventing jazz while whites in other locations stepped out and let the black culture shine. The big cities of America were famous for their animated and wide ranging nightlife that allowed jazz to be heard by a manifold of people. Many clubs  around the states opened their doors to jazz and jazz musicians from various ethnicities, though mainly white and black. Jazz nightlife reached its peak in Harlem, New York during the 1920s. This era was also known as the Harlem Renaissance. During this time one of the most eminent clubs in that area was the Cotton Club. The elite would frequently congregate at this location which was famous for having alcohol, during the age of prohibition, and because of its jazz. Although jazz and black jazz musicians were welcomed and most of the time the protagonists on the stage, they were not allowed to be part of the regular crowd or mingle with the white throng; admission to the Cotton Club was strictly limited to whites. This was an example of how the white population discriminated the black people but embraced their music and part of their culture. American cities, like New Orleans, New York, and Chicago, were the birthplaces of jazz and allowed jazz to spread throughout the other states. Another northern city that was also affected by the ‘big bang’ of jazz music and its culture was Chicago. This was also a scene where prohibition loomed and nightclubs defied it. Big jazz bands were many times features in lavish shows put on in cabarets. Many Chicago residents turned to these destinations in search of a fun night. For many city-dwellers, joining the jazz scene was a way of protesting against prohibition. â€Å"Biting and incisive, jazz personified this protest, this direct, raw approach to life, which offended the â€Å"solid† citizen and was looked upon as sinful by puppeteers and preachers and as cheap and tawdry by small-minded classicists†(Dexter 34). Chicago was not only the scene of protest against prohibition, but also the place where many young musicians moved to with a goal to start and succeed at their own musical careers. Many prospered, but many more did not; Chicago became such a hotbed for jazz, that there were too many musicians trying to spread their sounds. One of the places where musicians could go to listen and talk to other musicians was the Three Deuces (later known as the Off-Beat Club). It was a â€Å"convenient and cheap place to meet and jam between jobs†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Dexter 38). When jazz was on the verge of expansion, numerous small clubs appeared in many cities were jazz musicians could congregate and listen to different songs and interpretations. The invention of the â€Å"talkie†, an early form of the jukebox, had a great impact on the spread of jazz. At first, many musicians had no idea how the talkie could revolutionize the music scene. At this time, the only way to listen to music was to presence it live. The talkie allowed for a raunchy reproduction of several tunes, which became the perfect tool for the spread of the popularity of jazz. These talkies were soon spotted and nightclubs, diners, bars, and other locations, for their customers to listen to jazz (or any form of music) freely. The talkie sparked a new interest for jazz, which later led to the dispersion of many musicians from Chicago who moved on to accept jobs in other cities (especially New York). The invention of the talkie gave people from all around the country access to jazz anytime they pleased. Jazz owes all its fame, glory, and expansion to the great cities of the 1920’s America. Full of diverse people, vast places for entertainment, the radio and a more educated populace that yielded more tolerance to new ideas and forms of expression, cities opened their doors to jazz and all that this new music represented. They were responsible in allowing for the formation of jazz to what it is today; embedded in the American culture, jazz has become the only true American form of music. Though often challenged by close-mindedness, jazz managed to prosper. Jazz has not only maintained its original form through the interpretation of some talented musicians but it has also evolved to influence the popular music of today. Works Cited Anderson, Maureen. â€Å"White Reception of Jazz in America.† African American Review. 8.1 135-145 (Spring 2004). Dexter Jr., Dave. The Jazz Story: from the ’90s to the ’60s. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964. Peretti, Burton W. Jazz in American Culture. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1997. Peretti, Burton W. The Creation of Jazz: Music, Race, and Culture in Urban America. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1992. â€Å"Roaring Twenties – History in the Key of Jazz.† PBS – Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns. 7 September 2004. Weinstock, Len. â€Å"The Origins of Jazz.† The Red Hot Jazz Archive. 29 January 2005.

Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view in your answer Essays

Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view in your answer Essays Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view in your answer Essay Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view in your answer Essay Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view in your answer.This is a very difficult question to answer, as it is a very complex subject. The law in Britain disallows for euthanasia however it is legal for abortion to take place. Killing has always been seen as immoral. (Genesis 27) Thou shalt not kill.In the story of creation God built up the world in seven days. He made plants and animals to serve us. Its whole point is to show to us that we get life from God and that we must respect and be thankful for the gift we have been given.Despite this there are many occasions were people feel that euthanasia and abortion are necessary. Euthanasia is a gentle or easy death and is used to show compassion to those who are in incredible pain. E.g. Diane Pretty is a sufferer or motor neurone disease. She is currently fighting for the right for her husband to kill her without him getting imprisoned after wards. Since she caug ht the disease the condition of her life has deteriorated immensely. She is now in a wheelchair, her limbs do not work and she has to be fed through a tube. She is in a lot of pain however her intellectual abilities and he capacity to make decisions is unimpaired. This woman is an adult that should be allowed to make decisions for herself. It must be causing her much physical and mental distress the pain she is going through, waiting for the time when her lungs will collapse and she will suffocate to death.Euthanasia is an easier way out for her. She will be able to die with dignity and her family will no longer have to watch her suffer any longer. But if she was to use euthanasia legally it would path the way for others to do so as well, and could even lead on to involuntary euthanasia. It has occurred in the past that patients that have been written off by doctors have recovered fully. People when they are in a lot of pain make decision that they dont really mean because they are not thinking straight. Many patients who would have decided to opt for euthanasia are relieved now that it wasnt made legal because they are now living a better quality of life than they ever were. Some feel that the pain they went through made them stronger and a better person, as it was a time for them to reflect on the way that were living their life.For abortion- having a baby can be stressful, especially if it is an unwanted one. If there is a chance that having the baby would physically harm the mother then some believe that it is justifiable to terminate the babys life. However God does everything for a reason. It could be time for the mother to die and the baby to go and live a fruitful life. It can also be justified to have an abortion if the baby is going to be born seriously disabled, however Stephen Hawkin is an example of a man who has still managed to achieve great success despite his serious disability.If a woman was rapped and left pregnant it would be a very hard de cision to keep the child. It wasnt her fault for having an unwanted child, and it would be understandable for her to have an abortion. If the baby was spared its life then it could be left with living a life of resentment, but we also have to remember that it is not the babys fault as well.I have a very open minded opinion when it comes to euthanasia however I do not endorse it. I understand that being left in the situation were euthanasia is an option is very difficult and I would hate to be the one to make a decision concerning it. If someone who was close to me was ill, and dying was the only way of alleviating their pain and it was their definite choice then I would probably fight to help his or her cause. However I do believe that involuntary euthanasia is wrong and that it is the same as committing a murder no matter how much the person who has done it believes it to be an act of mercy.My opinion on abortion is much stronger. I believe abortion on demand is very wrong. Contrac eptives are not hard to get and if those involved are thought responsible enough to have sex then they are also responsible enough to look after the child. Unfortunately this is not always the case. However there is another option of adoption. Many young parents who cannot have children would love an opportunity to raise a child and call it their own. This I believe is a much better decision. I do have more sympathy for girls who have been rapped and left pregnant but I believe that it would be better for the baby to be given up for adoption, as it was not the babys fault to begin with. I have reservations about babies who are endangering the life of the mother. I think a course of action should be taken up with doctors to decide what is best. If there was no chance of the baby living without the mother then abortion is ok as it is better to save one live than lose two.So to summarise my opinion I think that Euthanasia is more acceptable than abortion. As euthanasia is the taking of your own life, if the person is really so determined to die then I say let them and end their suffering. Abortion however is the taking of someone elses life and is not acceptable but I do have reservations about it.

A Guide to Using the TClientDataSet in Delphi Applications

A Guide to Using the TClientDataSet in Delphi Applications Looking for a single-file, single-user database for your next Delphi application? Need to store some application specific data but dont want to use  the Registry / INI / or something else? Delphi offers a native solution: The TClientDataSet component located on the Data Access tab of the component palette represents an in-memory database-independent dataset. Whether you use client datasets for file-based data, caching updates, data from an external provider (such as working with an XML document or in a multi-tiered application), or a combination of these approaches in a briefcase model application, take advantage of the  broad range of features that client datasets support. Delphi Datasets A ClientDataSet in Every Database ApplicationLearn the basic behavior of the ClientDataSet, and encounter an argument for the extensive use of ClientDataSets in most database applications. Defining a ClientDataSets Structure Using FieldDefsWhen creating a ClientDataSets memory store on-the-fly, you must explicitly define the structure of your table. This article shows you how to do it at both runtime and design-time using FieldDefs. Defining a ClientDataSets Structure Using TFieldsThis article demonstrates how to define a ClientDataSets structure at both design-time and runtime using TFields. Methods to create virtual and nested dataset fields are also demonstrated. Understanding ClientDataSet IndexesA ClientDataSet does not obtain its indexes from the data it loads. Indexes, if you want them, must be explicitly defined. This article shows you how to do this at design-time or runtime. Navigating and Editing a ClientDataSetYou navigate and edit a ClientDataSet in a manner similar to how you navigate and edit almost any  other dataset. This article provides an introductory look at basic ClientDataSet navigation and editing. Searching a ClientDataSetClientDataSets provide several different mechanisms for searching for data in its columns. These techniques are covered in this continuation of the discussion of basic ClientDataSet manipulation. Filtering ClientDataSetsWhen applied to a dataset, a filter limits the records that are accessible. This article explores the ins-and-outs of filtering ClientDataSets. ClientDataSet Aggregates and GroupStateThis article describes how to use aggregates to calculate simple statistics, as well as how to use group state to improve your user interfaces. Nesting DataSets in ClientDataSetsA nested dataset is a dataset within a dataset. By nesting one dataset inside another, you can reduce your overall storage needs, increase the efficiency of network communications and simplify data operations. Cloning ClientDatSet CursorsWhen you clone a ClientDataSets cursor, you create not only an additional pointer to a shared memory store but also an independent view of the data. This article shows you how to use this important capability Deploying Applications that use ClientDataSetsIf you use one or more ClientDataSets you may need to deploy one or more libraries, in addition to your applications executable. This article describes when and how to deploy them. Creative Solutions Using ClientDataSetsClientDataSets can be used for much more than displaying rows and columns from a database. See how they solve application problems including selecting options to process, displaying progress messages and creating audit trails for data changes.

Elevator speech Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Elevator speech - Research Paper Example According to Allred and David (2007), it is clear that sex education is one of the ways that is used to address teenage pregnancy in the UK. This is through making sex education a necessary aspect of the national curriculum. In this way children get to learn about matters pertaining to sex at an early age and therefore can practice behaviour that enables them avoid risky behaviour. The Department of Health (2010), states that one of the strategies which can minimize teenage pregnancy is providing various methods of contraception to the teenagers. In a report conducted by the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) (n. d.) it is clear that early intervention and contraception are the best ways to curb this problem. The other strategies that have worked include family outreach initiatives as youth development programs as expressed by Imamura et al. (2007, p. 633). Nation et al. (2007, p. 449) expressed that school-based programs have shown effectiveness in reducing the number of teenage pregnancies in the UK. This initiative was effective owing to the fact that teenagers were warned against behaviour which results to teenage pregnancies at an early. Secondly, community intervention programs were effective as expressed by CDC (n. d.). This is because the members of the community including fellow teens, parents and guardians as well as health care providers are involved in tackling these issues. The final strategy that has been successful in dealing with this issue is the Teen Pregnancy Strategy as stated by the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) (n. d.). This strategy is successful as it addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy based on the poverty perspective. Use of contraception is one of the approaches that failed to address the issue of reduced teenage pregnancies as explained by Furrow (2011). The approach cannot work on its own unless when couple with other programs such as the school-based approach and the

Success in Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Success in Marketing - Essay Example A brochure consists of basic information of something, which has quick summary about the subject. It is the fastest way people find information about the subject hence due to the busy lifestyle, there is less research, attention, and interest of readers is grabbed. If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his or her angle as well as from your own (Kevin 23). Persuasion is the aptitude to encourage beliefs and principles in other people by influencing their mode of thoughts and dealings through precise strategies. Marketing taken as course, there will be excellent advantages to a person due to the outcome in the world of market. A wide variety of activities are involved which make sure that one is continuing to meet needs of consumers and get appropriate value in return. Marketing is the unique, the distinctive function of business. In this sense, marketing has a major function to play in setting a firm’s strategic trend. For marketing to be successful, deep comprehension of customers, collaborators, and competitors and great proficiency are deployed for an organization’s capability to improve so as to serve clientele profitably (Kevin 67). Marketing thus defined, is broad-spectrum management accountability, not just a function delegated to specialists. Marketing skills and insight are significant to anyone with career interests hence lead to the setting and implementation of the approach of an organization, regardless of its type or size. Persuasion of someone to study marketing, brings forth best outcome hence there is no regret whatsoever in the study. The entire concept of persuasion leads to motivation towards pleasure and/ or away from pain. Almost all of our behavior comes down to choosing or responding to various forms of stimulus that take us toward our goals or move us away from our fears (Kevin 20). Marketing is an enjoyable exercise that enables one to integrate information into ones subconscious. Knowledge is only authority when it is applied. The ability to influence the behavior of another person or group of people has been a necessary element in human culture since the beginning of time. This article provides the foundation on which to embark on developing insights and skills appropriate in a wide variety of circumstances. These situations include business-to-consumer and business-to-business settings, the old financial system as well as in the latest and in both manufacturing and services sectors. An analyses of marketing shows that a focus on gaining insights into customers’ needs and behaviors, which should direct a company’s breakdown of its marketing opportunities and outline the basis of any possible marketing strategy (Bob 45). Marketing has grown past its roots in conventional mail order to embrace a multitude of new technologies, consumer relationship-building techniques, and routine measures that set the bar for the outlook of marketing communications. Therefore, marketing being a course of study has more of advantages than disadvantages. One does not need to have ability but to make an impact in ones field and understand the skills of great communicators. Surprisingly, with practice, it is easy to learn them. To conclude, there is certainly a very great significance to the power of persuasion. The sword of