Representation of Apartheid in A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season

The historic period from 1948 to 1994 in South Africa witnessed rigid segregation legislature that was adopted by the National Party. Superiority of white population in the country prevented the African population from establishing fair treatment, which led to the division of the inhabitants in racial groups and residential areas in which various ethnicities lived. Non-white citizens were limited in freedom and rights.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Representation of Apartheid in A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The preconditions and consequences of apartheid are brightly illustrated in A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season. Specifically, A Walk in the Night represents slight changes in racial power dynamics through representing a single story of Mikey Adonis whose life changes completely in a night when one event makes the hero grow angry and decide on a terrible and brutal action. A Dry White Season also recounts a story of racial intolerance and deterrence on the part of the white-dominating government. The story focuses on a white English teacher who becomes the witness of unjust and cruel treatment of his black gardener’s son. Both movies focus on various representations of apartheid and segregation through exploring the restrictions imposed on human rights, education, and employment opportunities. In A Dry White Season, the main heroes struggle for equality in education and employment opportunities, but the movie explicitly represents the inferior position of native African population in contrast to social dominance of White population in South Africa. Hence, Mr. Ben du Toit is a schoolteacher; he is a highly respected person who believes that he lives in a fair, open, and equal society. However, there are no native Africans who could take such honorable positions. They all work for white people, such Mr. Gordon, Mr. Toit’ s gardener. When Mr. Gordon learns about his son’s death, he is not allowed to see the place where he was buried. In the movie, Mr. Toit expresses his confidence’ in transparency and objectivity of the government’s policy toward African people. When the teacher informs Gordon about his son’s death, the gardener angrily replies, â€Å"And I’ll find out. God is my witness, I’ll find out what had really happened and where he lies† (Palcy, 2000). However, further events prove the cruel and unequal attitude toward black citizens and, therefore most of the police’s actions are premised on prejudices and ignorance. The official administration did not inform Mr. Gordon about his son’s death and arrested him aftermath for the unknown crime.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mr. Adonis in the A Walk in the Night is also f ired for the unknown reasons. His employer prejudices his actions and accuses him of being lazy and doing nothing just because he asked him to go out to the bathroom. By calling him â€Å"kaffir†, Mickey becomes angry and frustrated by looking at the open intolerance on the part of his white colleagues. The film, therefore, demonstrates how social and political impact can negatively influence the individual’s psychological state. Indeed, political context of violence is represented through insult of ethnic minorities by inappropriate and offensive words. Therefore, when his Uncle Doughty explains that â€Å"it’s just a manner of speech†, Mikey becomes outraged and kills him (Dube, 1998). The feeling of justice, as well as inability to come up with his anger and rage makes Mikey come out of control. The psychological and social pressure imposed on him leads to devastating consequences. Despite the explicit hostility expressed by the white society, the prot agonists search for the truth and strive to find any hints of mercy and understanding. Even Mr. Toit in the movie does not fully realizes the extent to which the government is corrupted because he blindly believes that the attitude to all members of society is equitable and unbiased, but further investigation revealed that the demonstration organized by the black community for equal education resulted in a great number of deaths and ungrounded arrests. So, when Mr. Toit addressed Mr. McKenzie who pervaded him in the rightfulness of actions against the rebellious demonstration. By demonstrating the brutality and horrors of the police regime, the film appeals to anti-apartheid struggle. Similar reasons for inappropriate and prejudiced treatment are highlighted in A Walk in the Night, in which the main protagonists strive for affirmation of his rights. After he kills his uncle, he decides to confess to save his girlfriend’s brother, which points to his moral awareness and reconc iliation. However, the police overtly ignore his confessions and apply to violent yet legitimate actions to solve the problem. Desperate attempts of the hero to improve the situation and rescue his friend’s life fail of Mikey’s inability to stand the corrupted authority. Similar attempts have been made by Mr. Toit’s gardener who decides to find any information his dead son. However, the police strives to conceal the truth and, therefore, Gordon is charged and taken to the police office for the unknown reason. When Ben finds out about Gordon’s suicide, he becomes more concerned with the case, although his family does not understand his despair and frustration with the social system. Like the Native Americans, he also feels isolation and misunderstanding on the part of the surrounding people. Melanie Bruwer seems to be the only person who understands Ben’s disappointment and suppression by telling: â€Å"This country doesn’t allow me to indul ge myself. It isn’t possible to live a private life if you want to live with your conscience† (Palcy, 2000).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Representation of Apartheid in A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Becoming more conscious about the inequality and horrors surrounding Soveto’s people, Ben faces rigid opposition from the rest of his close relatives and friends. Nevertheless, he calls Soweto people to fight for their integrity and prove their dignity. The harmony within Ben’s family and his happily life contrasts with cruel and inhuman treatment of African population, which is another representation of racial segregation existed in twentieth century. The violence of police, depiction of dead, bloody victims of the demonstration, and horrible tortures are so vividly illustrated that it is difficult for the audience to watch the scenes. Howev er, they are necessary for understanding the emotional and psychological stance of the movie. The highlighted contrast allows the viewers to understand the premises of apartheid and the hardships that colored people had to endure. Both movies provide various interpretation of apartheid to prove that justice and law are represented in opposition. Pledging for justice, Mr. Ben du Toit and Mikey Adonis faced a serious confrontation on the part of the horrible political regime. Both movies also prove that justice in South Africa is overtly disregarded as soon as it comes to race and ethnicity. Intolerance, unequal treatment, and restricted freedom separated the black community from education, job opportunities, and impartial attitude. In general, both pictures appeal to the African and White audience to understand the living conditions under which the racial groups of South Africa existed. Works Cited Dube, M. M. (1998). A Walk in the Night. South Africa: South African Broadcasting Corp oration. DVD Palcy, E. (1989). A Dry White Season. England, UK: Pinewood Studies. DVD.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on Representation of Apartheid in A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season was written and submitted by user Kale1gh to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

BROCHURE RUBRIC Essays - Typography, Punctuation, Free Essays

BROCHURE RUBRIC Essays - Typography, Punctuation, Free Essays BROCHURE RUBRIC CATEGORY(4) Excellent(3) Good(2) Almost(1) Not Yet Attractiveness & Organization (Organization)The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information.The brochure has well-organized information.The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader. Content - Accuracy (Ideas)The brochure has all of the required information (see checklist) and some additional informationThe brochure has all of the required information (see checklist).The brochure has most of the required information (see checklist).The brochure has little of the required information (see checklist). Writing - Mechanics (Conventions)/ (Grammar)All of the writing is done in complete sentences. Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the brochure.Most of the writing is done in complete sentences. Most of the capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the brochure.Some of the writing is done in complete sentences. Some of the capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the brochure.Most of the writing is not done in complete sentences. Most of the capitalization and punctuation are not correct throughout the brochure. Graphics/PicturesThe graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics.The graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text.The graphics go well with the text, but there are too few.The graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen. SourcesThere are many citations from a variety of sources accurately listed on the brochure.There are some citations from a variety of sources accurately listed on the brochure.There are a few citations accurately listed on the brochure.Incomplete citations are listed on the brochure. Comment : ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ /20 = / 5%

Migrations During the Dark Age of Ancient Greece

Migrations During the Dark Age of Ancient Greece Well never know exactly how Greece came to create colonies in Asia Minor and in southern areas of Italy, Megale Hellas, known better by the Latin name of Magna Graecia. Here is the modern theory followed by what the ancient Greeks thought had happened. The essence of what we think happened is that a Dark Age invasion of a people known as Dorians swept down from the North, settling first in the Corinthian Gulf and the northwest Peloponnese, then the south and east, and the islands of Crete, Rhodes, and Kos. These Dorians pushed the native Greeks out of their homelands. Eventually some mainland Greeks migrated to Ionia. The ancient Greeks had their own explanation of the Dorian Invasion.... Ancient Version of the Dorian Invasion Archaic Age Hesiod Perseus Theseus Heraclides Hercules Who Were the Dorians? Thucydides on the Greek Colonies Sixty years after the capture of Ilium, the modern Boeotians were driven out of Arne by the Thessalians, and settled in the present Boeotia, the former Cadmeis.... Twenty years later, the Dorians and the Heraclids became masters of Peloponnese; so that much had to be done and many years had to elapse before Hellas could attain to a durable tranquillity undisturbed by removals, and could begin to send out colonies, as Athens did to Ionia and most of the islands, and the Peloponnesians to most of Italy and Sicily and some places in the rest of Hellas.- Thucydides Greeks in Asia Minor During the Trojan War Bronze Age Sallie Goetsch Ionian Settlements Sources: [URL vislab-www.nps.navy.mil/~fapapoul/history/dorians.html ]Carlos Parada Heraclides[www.perseus.tufts.edu/GreekScience/Students/Ellen/EarlyGkAstronomy.html] Early Greek AstronomersIonians mingled with Lydians and Persians and sea-faring people. The Question of a Dorian InvasionThomas Martin Overview of Greek History in this section addresses both the question of the invasion and Greek chronology. Homeric Geography

Econometrcs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Econometrcs - Essay Example Accordingly the log-log model was found consistent with the economic theory. For example, the coefficient of own price was not significant while the coefficient of output price was negatively correlated in the linear-linear model. Cost minimizing farmers’ input demand however, should be positively correlated to the output price i.e. with increasing output price which in turn increase farmer’s profit the demand for inputs also should increase. Therefore, in the urea fertilizer demand model the paddy price should be positively correlated with the fertilizer demand. And also the price of urea should be negatively and significantly correlated to the demand for urea. Hence the log-log model is consistent with the economics theory. Therefore, it was used for interpretation as follows. Table2: Test for Autocorrelation Breusch-Godfrey LM test for autocorrelation lags(p) chi2 df Prob > chi2 1 0.520 1 0.4709 H0: no serial correlation N*R2 = 23*0.516 = 11.868 N*R2 > chi2 Therefore reject H0. There is auto correlation in the model. Thus the robust estimates were taken. Table3: Test for Multicolinarity Variable VIF 1/VIF Log-Urea Price (Rs/Kg) 2.67 0.37453 Log- Open Market Price of Paddy (Rs/Mt) 2.42 0.41322 Log- Wages (Rs/Day) 2.08 0.48072 Log- Lag dependent 1.58 0.63344 Mean VIF 2.19 ii) In log-log equations the coefficients reflects the price elasticity of the respective variables. For example in the above model the own price elasticity of urea demand is -0.0561 i.e. with 1 percentage proportion decrease in urea price the increase the demand for urea by 5.6 percentage proportion. Similarly, the elasticity of urea demand for paddy price is 0.459 i.e. 1 percentage proportion increase in open market price of paddy can increase the demand for urea fertilizer by 45.9 percentage proportion. In the model the largest, significant coefficient was associated with the open market price of paddy. This shows that paddy farmers production decisions are influenced highly by the output price compared to the price of other factors of production such as fertilizer, labor and crude oil. However both own price elasticity and output price elasticitys are less than one and hence are inelastic. The demand for fertilizer is negatively correlated to the wage rates and crude oil prices. With increasing wage rates and oil prices the cost of production increase and hence these variables are negatively correlated in the demand model. The elasticity of demand with respect to wage rates is -0.261 while the elasticity of demand with respect to crude oil price is -0.145. therefore the demand for urea fertilizer decrease by 26.1 and 14.5 percentage proportions with respect to 1 percentage proportion increase in wage rates and crude oil prices respectively. Crude oil price represent the transport cost and also paddy processing costs. The goodness of fit as denoted by the adjusted R2 value of the above model is 51.6 percentage proportion and the probability value of the f statistic was 0.00. Therefore the model is statistically significant

Daffodils by William Wordsworth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Daffodils by William Wordsworth - Essay Example â€Å"Daffodils† takes one on the journey of the Romantic age, where one can find all the elements of love, passion, excitement, and praise for the blossoming fields occupied with waving daffodils. In Daffodils the poet narrates the story of his encounter with the God’s most beautiful creation, the daffodils. The first stanza describes the gloominess on the poets face when he is wandering pointlessly beside the lake surrounded by loneliness he notices a floating cloud in the sky, sweeping above the valleys and the hills. And then his eyes meet a large number of daffodils gathered by the side of the lake. Sheltered by a growing tree the daffodils were glowing and gleaming like gold. The constant push of the airy breeze was making them dance in joy and delight. The yellow sheet of daffodils made the entire atmosphere vibrant and full of life. The line: â€Å"A host, of golden daffodils† describes the richness to the color of the flower. Gold is a highly treasured piece of metal, very rare on earth. The poet gives the same status to daffodils which beauty has captured the attention of the poet. According to the poet, the aligned daffodils resemble the shining stars up in the night sky in the form of Milky Way, enlightening the entire space with their glow and imperfection. The use of night sky to describe the imperfection of daffodils can be explained by the example of darkness in a closed room; darkness is associated with loneliness and despair, but as the moonlight enters the room it suddenly lights up and the feeling of isolation is gone. As the poet glance at the dancing daffodils, he also lights up from within and is unable to escape the feeling of joy. The power of daffodils accentuates the entire atmosphere and the waves of the lake also start to dance with them.  

George Orwell, 1984 Essay Example for Free

George Orwell, 1984 Essay George Orwell wrote the book 1984 as a warning to the people in the future. Orwell opened the people’s eyes to the way the government controls the people by torture and control of information and language. Also, the government controls by war and fear, brainwashing, propaganda, and several other evils. One of the major ways the government controlled the people in the book was by propaganda. Propaganda is the information, ideas, or rumors intentionally spread widely to help or harm a person, group, nation, etc. In 1984, George Orwell warns us about the use of propaganda by government to control people. The propaganda used by the government in 1984, during the time period of the book, and today is used to keep the government in control, to force people to think in one way and to make the citizens think what the government wants them to. Propaganda is selective information that is given for many different reasons. Governments tend to use this method to stay in control. In 1984, the Party uses fake messages to stay in control and make the people of Oceania think they are doing well for their nation. A message given by the government was Attention! See more: Ethnic groups and racism essay Your attention, please! A newsflash has arrived from the Malabar front at this moment. Our forces in South India have won a glorious victory. I am authorized to say that the action we are now reporting may well bring the war within measurable distance of its end. Here is the newsflash- (Orwell 25-26). In this situation, the Party told the citizens the war is over and they have won. Little do the citizens know, there was never a war happening. The government told the people this lie so that the people would gain hope and believe they are safe. All throughout the war the people of Oceania were sending food to who they thought were the soldiers fighting for their country but all the food really went to the Party. Just like the Party in 1984, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis told their people dishonest information to stay in control. Hitler and his soldiers forced prisoners to send false material back to their loved ones. Concentration camp and killing center officials compelled prisoners, many of whom would soon die in gas chambers, to send postcards home stating that they were being treated well and living in good conditions, (â€Å"Holocaust History† OL). Hitler uses propaganda to cover up mass murders and to make the people back home believe that the ones they love are safe. While the family and friends of these innocent people had no worries, the unfortunate prisoners at the concentration camps were suffering and were being tortured to death. Due to the threat of being killed on the spot, the prisoners were forced to write only good things in their letters that were sent to their families. Today, governments still use propaganda to stay in control. Recently, President Barack Obama used propaganda to defend himself and assure his people would not go against him. When there was a United States ambassador stationed at an embassy in Libya, Obama knew that his people were in danger but did not send troops to Libya to protect the United States citizens. â€Å"Romney went on to say that he wanted to ‘get that for the record, because it took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror’† (â€Å"Due Diligence: Did Obama Initially Deem Libya Attacks a Terrorist Act? † OL). The president knew that the attack at the embassy in Libya was an act of terror for fourteen days and did not announce it to the people of the United States. Obama was guilty because he did not send troops to protect his staff members in the embassy and the members were being attacked by the terrorist group, al-Qaeda. Obama wanted to cover up his mistake so he pretended he did not know that the attack was a terrorist attack. Barack Obama lied to his people and told them that what happened was not an act of terror. Propaganda has been used by governments for many years and a purpose for using it is for the government to keep their power. Governments also use propaganda to get their people to think in certain ways. George Orwell demonstrates the use of propaganda this way in 1984 by showing how the Party forced the people of Oceania into believing what they told them because the citizens had no choice whether to listen to the Party or not. The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but, on the contrary, that it was impossible to avoid joining in, (Orwell 14). The citizens of Oceania are forced to go to the Two Minutes Hate where they are taught about the war and they listen to speeches by Goldstein that are fabricated. The people are not told that these speeches are false but are told to listen to everything Goldstein has to say. In the time period when 1984 was written, Hitler and the Nazis did whatever it took to brainwash the people with propaganda. â€Å"If they didnt follow the propaganda they were punished and were brainwashed to believe that Hitler and the Nazis were right,† (â€Å"Holocaust History† OL). Hitler did not care what kind of information he was sending out as long as the people believed what he was saying. If they did not follow it, the punishment given to them was strict and made them obedient to Hitler in order to avoid the harsh punishments. US President Barack Obama has promised to do whatever is necessary to protect US citizens abroad and said he was urging foreign governments to guarantee their security, (Bowen OL). Obama knew that the lives of his people were in danger. He knew that he should have sent troops over to Libya to protect the people of the United States. Although, Obama had said he would do whatever was necessary to protect his citizens, he did not. When Obama didnt send troops to Libya for protection, four embassy staff members from the United States were killed including ambassador Chris Stevens. Governments tend to lie to their citizens without them knowing, which forces to them to believe what they are being told. Propaganda is used by governments to make their citizens believe only what they want them to believe. In 1984 the Party used different slogans to make the people think what they wanted the people to think. The party is trying to convince the people of Oceania that what they want is what they already have. They do not want freedom because it is slavery. If they were free they would not be happy and would not live the way they do. The citizens are forced to believe that war is peace and that being unaware of what is going on is strength. The government in 1984 assures people will believe the government so there is no way they will rebel against them. During the Holocaust, Hitler used media that all the German citizens saw to persuade them with his opinion. â€Å"Newspapers in Germany, above all Der Sturmer (The Attacker), printed cartoons that used anti-Semitic caricatures to depict Jews,† (â€Å"Holocaust History† OL). All German citizens and soldiers were told such harsh things about the Jews who in reality did nothing wrong. Hitler used everything he could in order to voice his opinion. Once the people started seeing this horrible media, they actually began to believe it. The Jews were tortured for the longest time for someones opinion that people began to believe for no reason. Still today, governments try and control their people’s minds by giving false information. The government’s lies are what get the citizens to believe what they tell the people of their country. Propaganda has been used all around the world for several years. George Orwell used his novel, 1984, as a warning to show the future how propaganda is utilized by the government. The administrations use methods like propaganda in order to keep their control, get their citizens to think in one way, and to make their people believe in the government. In 1984 the Party feeds the people information in the form of propaganda which they want their citizens to believe. They do this in order to stay in control and so that the people have no reason to rebel against them. Just as the Party does in 1984, Hitler tells Germany and people all over the world false information so that they think what he is doing is morally right. He advertises his opinion everywhere and eventually people catch on and start believing it also. President Obama also gave his United States citizens false information so they would think he was doing the correct thing and so his people would not go against him. George Orwell portrayed the use of propaganda in his novel, 1984, very accurately as we can see the propaganda that is still used by governments today.

Iago and Honesty in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Othello essays Shak

Iago and Honesty in Othello    Iago uses the word "honest" in act three of Othello in three primary ways.   The first way he uses it is to mean honourable, about Cassio.   He uses this meaning of the word to force Othello to doubt Cassio's honesty, and question his hounorablility.   The second way is to mean faithful, both about Desdemona and Cassio.   Iago uses it in the context that the two may be "truthful," again to make Othello doubt.   The third way is Iago's most effective use, which is to use honest in the context to mean truthful, as in, he has told Othello the truth.   However, Shakespeare has created tremendous dramatic irony, for we know that Iago is being anything except truthful.   The three uses of the word honest are used largely in the subtext of the act, they are used by Iago to force Othello to question his wife's integrity, and honesty.   Shakespeare uses the word by Iago to plant tremendous doubt in Othello's mind.   The word is also used by Iago in the action line.   His objective is constantly to make Othello think things without actually being told them, and Iago's parroting of the word and constant useage do this quite nicely.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago initially uses the word honest to mean honourable, in reference to Cassio.   Othello has asked him if "he [Cassio] is not honest?"   To which Iago parrots back "Honest my lord?"   This usage is constant with what Othello means, whether Cassio is honourable or not.   However, Iago uses the word to cast doubt on Othello.   By parroting it back, he is making it seem to Othello that he does not want to answer the question, that he doesn't want to tell Othello something.   This is seen in the subtext that Iago wishes to create.   This use of it also contributes to Iago's objective, to... ...o uses the word almost laughingly behind Othello's back, telling him that he has been driven to honesty, when he know that Iago is only telling Othello half truths.   Shakespeare uses the word effectively to create dramatic irony.    Works Cited Barthelemy, Anthony G. "Introduction" Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. (page 1-19) Jones, Eldred. "Othello- An Interpretation" Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Snyder, Susan. "Beyond the Comedy: Othello" Modern Critical Interpretations, Othello Ed. Harold Bloom, Pub. Chelsea House New Haven CT 1987.   

Immanuel Kant and Thomas Aquinas Essay

Immanuel Kant and Thomas Aquinas were two great philosophers who developed arguments for the existence of God and taught ways of critically assessing the natural world. They both believed that we all are born the same and learn through experience. You must first experience something in order to gain knowledge by experiencing it first. This meant that people could not be certain about something until they â€Å"saw† it first. They both believed in â€Å"free will† and that everyone could make their own choices but god had a plan that was ultimately the best. Another similarity between Kant and Aquinas was their schooling and their profession after school. They both went through extensive schooling and ultimately became teachers. The biggest difference in the two was their belief in god. Kant believed in god but did not believe there was a way to prove his existence. Aquinas spent his life trying to prove there was a way to prove his existence.. Aquinas would make logical examples that make you understand where he was coming from. â€Å"One of Thomas Aquinas’ examples begins with the idea that someone decides to build a house with deep foundations and solid supports. Obviously, that person would begin by digging the foundation, but at some point, he or she would have to stop the digging process in order to actually erect the house. This implies that the hole for the supports would have to end somewhere in the earth. Likewise, creation must be traced back to a specific point that governs and explains existence. † The most simple principle of Mills idea on utilitarianism is the greatest happiness principle, an action is right as long as it is maximizing utility. Everybody’s happiness is equal in a sense and counts as much as anyone else’s. There are some things that we are forbidden to do to other people regardless of whether the loss of that individual’s utility would be made up by increases in other people’s utility. Utility is defines as happiness, but we all have our own perception on utility. For instance, I may find happiness in fishing, or sitting around and viewing nature, but someone else may find utility in doing sadistic acts like killing puppies. The Female genital mutilation video represents utilitarianism. It was not pleasurable or beneficial to the women getting â€Å"mutilated† but they were in a sense shunned if they were not mutilated. A modern-day Robin Hood might increase society’s total utility, but theft is both legally and morally wrong. From a nature standpoint humans are the deciding factor in what has value. Where I may gain pleasure in hunting ducks, I’m sure that they are not gaining any type of value from me. Mill believed that utility â€Å"gave unity to my conception of things. I now had opinions: a creed, a doctrine, a philosophy; in one among the best senses of the word, a religion; the inculcation and diffusion of what could be made the principle outward purpose of a life. â€Å"

Compare “Secret Life of Walter Mitty and ” The poor relation” Essay

In this assignment I am going to write about the differences and similarities of two shot stories. The first story I am writing about is called â€Å"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty† it was written in the late1930’s by the author James Thurber. The second story is called † The Poor Relation’s Story† it was written around 1850 by Charles Dickens. The connections between the two stories are that they are both short but also they have the same topic. They are both about escapists, people who dream. The first story called â€Å"The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty† is about a man called Mitty, and it follows him through a normal day. I get the impression that he is in his mid-fifties because his wife has to tell him to get a check up and that he is no longer a young man. He does not work and as no real skills, actually he is quite a pathetic man that spends his days running around after his dominant wife. Mitty has a special difficulty in mechanical maintenance and in most of his dreams he fantasises about being an expert in complicated machinery i.e. operating theatre machinery and jet planes. Even when his wife asked him to put snow chains on the car he got it wrong and she now makes him take it to the garage. I think Mitty is a very light headed man and never really got anywhere in life because other people just pushed him aside. For example when his wife tells him to put his gloves on he does not argue or answer back but puts them straight on although he does not want to. In the space of a couple of hours in which the story is set Mitty slips in and out of reality and fantasy and the dreams always seem to have a connection with something he passes in the street or remembers. Like when he passes the hospital he goes into a dream about being a specialist’s doctor that saves the life of an important millionaire banker. That shows how easily he can just forget where he is or what he is doing. Walter Mitty’s wife is a very domineering person and seems to have a lot of control over Mitty † I have been looking all over this hotel for you, why do you have to hide in this old chair, how do you expect me to find you†. I think Mitty is a very privet person, as he does not talk much, only a few lines to his wife are said. His wife treats him like a little child that is totally dependant on other people, she has to tell him to put on his gloves, buy overshoes and get a check up. She doesn’t trust him anymore to do the simplest procedure as to put snow chains on the tyres that she tells him to go to the garage. This is a humiliating experience for Mitty because when he drops the car off the other men at the garage laugh at him, he says that † I’ll wear my right arm in a sling next time; they won’t grin at me then. He obviously knows that people are laughing and mocking him but can’t do much about it. Just walking down the street can be ill fated for Mitty as he slips in to a daydream and starts talking to him self. † Puppy biscuits† â€Å"That man said Puppy biscuits†. I think you could call Mitty unlucky and accident-prone by all the minor incidents that take place in this short story. They are mainly to do with his day dreaming which keep him very interested and away from reality. They seem to make up for the lack of excitement or human attention that he gets. In all of his fantasise he is the hero of the situation and praise is all around him. The first dream is about him being a pilot of a naval hydroplane, he is in control and he seems to save the day some how. That is the opening of the story and we do not know it is a dream until he is interrupted by his wife telling him to slow down. The second dream is about him being an expert doctor and d saving the day by fixing the operating machine simply with his fountain pen and then saving the life of some important millionaire. The third dream is in a courtroom and Mitty is on trial for shooting somebody, apparently he can shoot any gun from a distance with both hands and still be on target. The forth dream is set in the heart of a vigorous war and Mitty offers to fly a two-manned plane alone, people are trying to stop him but his wants to save the day. The fifth dream is at the end of the story and its Mitty getting executed by a firing squad. He takes a long pull of his cigar and dies with honour. I Everything in Mitty’s dreams seem to be what he wants to be like but never will. In four of the dreams it describes how he is good at machines which in real life is far from the truth. He comes across as being healthy and macho but in real life he needs a doctor’s check up and can’t even put on snow chains. As a hero he is obviously respected and looked up to by fellow companions but also women. In one fantasy a lovely dark haired girl comes running into his arms which of course in the real world would never happen. The only woman that would look at Mitty in such a way is his wife, and she is restricting, bossy and annoying. In Mitty’s dreams though he can do what he wants and there is no one to restricted him. Sometimes when Mitty dreams he starts believing in them and acts them out in real life. Like at the beginning of the story when he dreams of being a naval pilot he starts speeding in his car and his wife has to tell him to slow down. And at the end of the story when he waiting for his wife to come out of the drug store he believes that he is standing in front of the firing squad. â€Å"He stood up against the wall of the drugstore, smoking†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Mitty acts like a little child playing make believe games and a I think that is what other people treat him. Especially with the name Mitty you can’t take him too seriously. Write more about how much he believes in them The second short story called â€Å"The Poor Relation† it is similar to the Walter Mitty story in such a way that they are both about escapists but it is still very different story. The Poor Relation is set at a Family Christmas Party where the poor relation (Michael) tells the other guest two very different stories about his way of living. The first story that Michael portrays to the family members is a description of what he thinks the rest of the family thinks of him. â€Å"Perhaps before I go any further, I had better glance at what I am supposed to be†. This first story is very negative about Michael’s way of life and he tells the other guests at how pathetic and useless he is. † That I failed in in business because I was unbusiness like†¦That I failed in love, because†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . He goes on to relate a normal day for him and describes where he lives, both of which have not much happiness in them. The only shred of contentment or worth while belonging for Michael is his little second cousin Frank. â€Å"Little Frank and I go and look at the outside of the monument -he is very fond of the monument- and the bridges†. When he dies, he says that the only item worth anything to him is a picture of him as a small boy. This he wants given to Frank along with a small message of which he tells how sorry he is for leaving him. He finishes that description of his life on a sour note by saying â€Å"I failed to find a place in this great assembly, I am better of out of it†. Quickly after finishing that story he clears his throat and starts to speak louder. â€Å"Such is the general impression about me. Now, it is a remarkable circumstance which forms aim and purpose to my story, that this is all wrong†. He starts to tell the probably slightly shocked guests, of how this first explanation of his life was a fad, totally unreal. This second story has much more life to it and tells how he once lived with his cold mean but rich uncle in a castle. He used to come down each morning in the freezing cold to be greeted with the same breakfast in the long stone room. When his uncle Chill died Michael automatically inherited his wealth and castle, but Michael fell in love with someone who his uncle disagreed of. His uncle tells him that no longer is he initialled to his money if he marries Christina, so Michael leaves his uncle with his new wife and they start a happy life together. He describes of how where he lives now he does not know what loneliness is, as all his children or grand children are always about, and Little Frank regularly visits. As it turns out this second story is a total lie and the first story that we were told is the truth. Michael is the kind of person that could be lead in the wrong direction easily because all his misfortunes are the result of other people letting him down, so he is easily taken advantage of. â€Å"That I failed in love, because I was ridiculously trustful- in thinking it impossible that Christina could deceive me. What makes Michael a loser or inadequate in some ways is the loss in his life. At the moment he is fifty-nine years old and is living in a small room that he must evacuate during the day. He survives on a small allowance that John the party host generously gives him. The three main things that turned his life was the loss of his inheritance from his uncle, which was due to him falling in love with Christina who only wanted him for his money. And the loss of his business. That shows how most people treat him, no one seems to have much time for him â€Å"Sometimes one of my relations or acquaintance is so obliging as t ask me to dinner. Those are on holiday occasions†. Out of the whole year he is only invited to dinner about twice or three times. His family know that he is poor, and at holiday time they probably feel that they have to ask him, it is not about wanting him to come. Unlike Mitty I think that Michael’s misfortune is mainly his own fault, he can’t see deeper than appearance and doesn’t know what people think of him, that’s how Christina took advantage of him and he cannot see that his relations don’t really want him about. Michael dream life is a description of how he would like his real life to be because everything that has gone wrong for him is perfect in his dream. . I think he now realises why so many things went wrong for him but realises that it is a bit late in is life for much to go write in the way that he talks about dying.

Identification, Placement, or Provision of Appropriate Instruction to Low Income Gifted Students

Identification, Placement, or Provision of Appropriate Instruction to Low Income Gifted Students Introduction  ­ Demographics of Florida have recorded overwhelming changes in the recent years due to the increased population as well as enrichment of human race diversity. The city is identified with a large population of students in the available schools, who are inclusive of all human races.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Identification, Placement, or Provision of Appropriate Instruction to Low Income Gifted Students specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The students’ achievements of set goals are widely determined by the extent of recognition by the Bureau of education, the low income gifted students not being an exception. Gifted children entail those individuals that have high potentials of achievements, though disadvantaged by the fact that they come from low income earning families. The 2000 demographics table of recognition has been constructed in a way that makes rampant challenges identifiable (Brody , 2004). The discussion in this paper is aimed at investigating challenges associated with the identification, placement, or provision of appropriate instruction to low income gifted students. Challenges to low income gifted students A countless number of challenges are identified in regards to the identification, placement as well as provision of the essential instruction to those students that are gifted and coming from low income families in Florida. Inequality in representation is very evident from the recent 2000 demographics. The fact that the city holds all types of races in the general population and the fact that the same rate should be viewed in school populations, there needs be equal treatment for all students. However, the largest numbers that are catered for in the placements to special programs are whites while very few numbers of other races are catered for. The inequality challenge goes beyond the national level for it is rampantly extended to the district level (Br ody, 2004). Additionally, there exists a disproportional representation of the students in regard to linguistic, cultural as well as the ethnic diversity. The consideration is based on the racial lines and hence giving room to the aspect of tribalism to take preeminence in the operations of gifted students programs. In the process, the low-income gifted students who should be considered for special education are not catered for.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The issue of ethnicity is identified with persistence over the years and also the failure for the educational curriculum to offer ample instructions to those students that are talented in one way or the other. The long standing challenge has been that of the high percentage of minority students with special needs as compared to their enrolment to the gifted and talented students programs. The immigrant’s student s into Florida have very small numbers of those considered as compared to those of the white’s students. This problem is identified with a disproportionate representation in the schools. In response to this, the current research reports indicate that the future of Florida is bound to encompass large numbers of diverse racial lines, thus becoming a multiracial area. This also accounts for a rise of the numbers of students of immigrants to higher levels that those of whites, making it a problem if this tribalism challenge continues thriving (Karnes and Johnsen, 2005).  Moreover, there is the prevalence of favoritism challenge, which entails offering special consideration to some individuals more than the others are considered. The demographic representation of the year 2000 indicate some parts of those that are white gifted students being given a priority over the rest, though they are racially similar. The counties, though in the same city do not use an identical criteria fo r the consideration of gifted low income students, and those in some areas benefit. The major long-standing problem is even that having ghost students being in the special school programs, who take up the positions of the genuinely needy. This form of favoritism diverts the funds that are to help the gifted low income students into no noble utilization. The extension of this challenge is also extended along racial lines in regard to the identification and placement of the gifted low income students into the appropriate programs. Furthermore, the fact that the challenges are long standing is an implication that no policies have been put into place to safeguard the gifted low income students to help them achieve their dreams by the prevailing government (Karnes and Johnsen, 2005). The usefulness of the information in identifying this subgroup in a school The information herein provided is crucial in the identification of such a sub-group in my school. The fact that no school in the wo rld will comprise of students of a similar race helps release the importance regarding every person as a human creature regardless of their origin.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Identification, Placement, or Provision of Appropriate Instruction to Low Income Gifted Students specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More My school though does not emphasize on such programs will need to come up with the best strategies to identify such groups. The gifted students are quite innovative since are those people with an extra knowledge in regard to innovation but sometimes never get a chance to achieve their dreams. The information is also valuable in the evaluation of how best a government, an institution or an education has been able to assist needy students. It is also important in addressing the issue of inequality in learning institutions as well as governmental realms. The change of placement and identification policies is only p ossible when appropriate environmental scanning has been performed to identify such challenges (Cline and Schwartz, 1999). Conclusion The placement, identification and meeting of instructional needs of gifted low income students in Florida have been overwhelmed by some rampant challenges in the recent years. The rampancy of inequality, favoritism as well as tribalism is known to have been long-standing over the years. However, the identification of these challenges has a rationale of identifying such groups in my school as well as addressing them. However, more research should be conducted to come up with the sources of these rampant challenges associated with the identification, placement, or provision of appropriate instruction to low income gifted students References Brody, L. (2004). Grouping and acceleration practices in gifted education. NY: Corwin Press, 2004. Cline, S. and Schwartz, D. (1999). Diverse populations of gifted children: meeting their needs in the regular classro om and beyond. NY: Merrill Prentice Hall. Karnes, F. and Johnsen, S. (2005). Identifying gifted students: a step-by-step guide. Texas: Prufrock Press Inc.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Attitude change Essay Example for Free

Attitude change Essay Technology also brought about a change in attitude to many employees because of its personal approach where despite the fact that it allows teams to work together it is also an ideal partner for individual tasks to get done. Craiger JP (2006) claims that technology resulted to a generation of employees who are self starters and problem solvers. By using technology employees learned to work independently, even if they are also dealing with their work teams and welcoming team initiatives on the side. For instance, an employee who does not have a desktop computer or does not know how to use one will have to depend on an encoder or a secretary for files to be encoded, taking two people to finish one document. When errors occur, it will be an accountability of two people. Often, when the margin of error was crossed is impossible to determine. On the other hand, an employee who has a desktop computer and knows how to operate it can type documents himself and be accountable for the whole task. It will also take just one person for the task to be completed. Computer users and the technologically inclined employees are not the only ones who had an attitude change. Those who do not have access to technological innovations in their respective departments were also encouraged to learn how to operate the new gadgets to be able to contribute to the growth of the company and, of course, to avoid being left behind. For fear of being retrenched or laid off by the company for the benefit of accommodating people who can work with the innovations that the organization is adapting, employees are more open than ever to learn new skills specially those that are technological. The same attitude change affects job applicants, who are otherwise not yet members but intending to become members of an organization. Job applicants are now putting more effort in getting at least the simplest technological skills and know-how to get an edge in their job-hunting process, especially with the fact that the younger graduates are more competitive in this area of knowledge. Issues Most of the changes brought about by technology to businesses were positive. The claims cannot be far from the truth. Technology was created to bring in convenience and efficiency, which is what it delivered right from the very start. However, there are also notions as to how technology has largely affected the way in which employees and organizations function, albeit on a negative light. Communication? Contrary to above claims that technology helped the culture of teams to flourish, and that communication became easier through new innovations that companies were investing on, computers and other technological equipment is also blamed for the downgrade in organizational communication. Craiger JP (2006) stressed that computers did not allow employees to communicate until networks were created. There was a great divide between employees who are operating the new facilities, and those who are not. There is also a sub-divide between employees operating the new equipment. The great divide between employees occurs from the very start, when not all employees have access to technology. People who have the know-how are roomed in with the computers, and those who are still on manual work stay in regular cubicles where other employees are present, allowing for interpersonal communication. After much development, majority of employees in many organizations gained access to computers. The problem which turned out later on concerned the transferring, sharing, and merging of files and information within the organization. Born is the network, and things went well. Employees can drag and drop information from and to a colleague, and even share pleasantries with each other on the side. This is where the communication problem began. The problem with technology is that it allows people to be convenient. In fact, employees felt too much convenience that the simplest things are often put on the hands of technology. For instance, instead of dropping by to the nearby cubicle of a co-employee, one just has to click on some icons and send her message through the computer. The technologically-driven workplace also slowly transformed into an impersonal workplace where every bit of thing was coursed through technology. This posed miscommunication problems—messages and files which were not received, lost files, misinterpretation of messages, errors in routing messages, and so on. The list is boundless, but the solution is not far from reach as well. To aid this problem, companies must orient new employees and train existing employees on the art of effective communication, as well as the proper use of company technology. With proper information and education, it is possible for companies to be technologically inclined but still effective in their communication. Re-trainings and new hiring A necessity for many companies who are just starting their technological stance is the re-training of employees. Companies cannot expect all of their employees to be familiar with the jargons and processes of technology once it is initiated in the company. There is also the need for people to maintain the equipment and to troubleshoot them in case something wrong happens. Thus, even if majority of the existing employees know how to operate technological equipment, the company still needs to hire additional people or get an outsourced service for these. This, however, does not sacrifice the cost-effectiveness of business technology. Even if a company spends for additional people or service, the costs that it will incur will still be offset by the multiplicity of role that business technology can undertake. A good way to minimize the costs in this area is to train employees, including those knowledgeable, on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment and by developing guidelines for reporting any problem or damage so that proper and timely intervention can be made. Telecommuting woes A point of debate in the technological workplace is the telecommuting option for employees. This has long been a trend, which proved to be convenient for both telecommuters and their companies. With off-site jobs, telecommuters need not travel to their workplace and be stuck with an office routine. They can also perform personal tasks while working, and avoid the pressure of being confined in an office cubicle. For companies, it saves them the office space the employee needs, and the costs of electricity and other provisional expenses of keeping an employee on the job site. However, human resources managers have one problem with keeping and working with telecommuters and off-site employees in the organization: performance appraisal and monitoring. When an employee works off the job site, he holds his time and place. He may be calling a client for a presentation while waiting for the kids for a drive to the school, and meet the client for a lunch meeting just before going to the grocery for some things needed for dinner. While this requires incredible discipline for tasks to get done, there is no guarantee that all telecommuters have the required character it takes. This brings about the importance of monitoring and performance appraisal, which is an equally grueling task for human resource persons to do with telecommuters. But for many companies, the solution is easy. Monitoring and performance appraisal can be largely dependent on one thing: end product. Telecommuters should be given deadlines and work expectations, and they should in turn give back results. This can prove when an off-site employee has the discipline it takes to work away from work, of he needs to work with the boss around. Privacy issues The ease of organizing work teams is undoubtedly one of the better benefits of modern technology to organizations, but it is not also ideal at all. With the convenient dragging and dropping of information throughout the network of technologically driven companies, it is easy for information to leak and for privacy seals to be broken. On a smaller scale, it can be as simple as one employee stealing the proposal of another employee; or one team member taking full credits to the collaborative work of a work team. On a larger scale it can be the theft of significant company information, or the leak of personal information of employees. This is a possibility to which all companies are susceptible. The exposure of an organization to modern technology, especially that which binds the company to networking, also puts many of its information and exchanges out in the open. Companies, however, need not fret. As privacy has been an utmost concern for many developers of technology, many solutions are now available for companies to protect themselves and their systems. A wide range of products are available to suit many companies’ generic needs, and many developers have come up with security measures that can be customized according to the needs and preferences of an organization. It should be noted, though, that security software and technology does not erase the possibility of privacy issues from taking place. While it can secure much of a company’s information, proper care and understanding of privacy clauses and measures by employees are equally important. Too fast and too furious Another issue concerning companies is the fast turnover of technological trends. New computers and gadgets are introduced everyday, and what is trendy today can be obsolete in a matter of months. While there are companies who are true to their subscription of technology, and strive to invest in newer, better models to improve their standing and service, not all companies can keep up. It can be disheartening for an organization to invest thousands of dollars in innovations, only to find themselves looking for an upgrade months after. Technology’s game is simple: the newer, the better. However, this game should not work for companies as well as they have financial books to consider. For business technology, the key is that whichever fits the company best is the better alternative. Unless very necessary, companies should not feel pressured in constantly buying new equipment every so often to keep up with competition. Delivery of good products and service is what matters most. Attitude change. (2017, Apr 14).

Zara Research Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Zara Research Study - Essay Example Research has been made on customer service facilities offered by Zara and customers’ perceptions regarding this subject. Both primary and secondary data have been used for the study. Secondary data have been collected from different databases and existing literature published on past studies. Primary data have been collected by employing quantitative method of study. A sample population of 100 customers having shopping experience with Zara have been interviewed by distributing a structured questionnaire containing 5 close ended questions. The questions have been framed with the objective of understanding customer perceptions about customer service facilities provided by Zara. The secondary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between age of customers and their perceptions. Responses of the participants have been measured in a five point Likert scale. The alternative hypothesis is that Zara provides satisfactory level of customer service. The responses are analysed using the t-statistic and the estimated value of t statistic is found to be sufficiently greater than the tabulated value. Therefore the alternative hypothesis is accepted. This establishes that customers have strong positive perception about customer service facility provided by Zara. It has also been found that compared to the youths, the middle aged population hold better perceptions about the company’s customer service. Zara is a famous international fashion brand. It is one of the eight store set ups of the Inditex Group, which is one amongst the largest retailers in the fashion industry in the world. The Inditex Group is an assimilation of approximately one hundred textile companies that conceptualize designs, manufactures fabrics and distributes them. The first shop of Zara was opened in the city of Coruà ±a in 1975 (Inditex, n.d.). Presently, the company has expanded its network to four hundred cities in eighty seven