Dubliners By James Joyce Essays (2761 words) - After The Race

Dubliners By James Joyce James Joyce's Dubliners was written in 1914 right at the onset of World War I breaking out in Europe. It is a journey through the stages of life itself: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, public life and finally death. Each one of the stories in the novel fall into one of these stages. "After the Race" falls into the adolescence aspect of the book. It does this because the characters have not yet grown up. Although they are adults they are still immature. Jimmy is easily fooled into gambling away all of his money. He never regretted it. He was actually happy that Routh won the game and took everyone's money. Because of actions like this they are very carefree about how they go about with life. The only thing that they want to do is be happy. They were very free, moving about doing whatever they wanted, but a cloud was settling over them. This cloud was entrapment. Most of the story is about how the characters struggled to keep their freedoms over the entrapments. It also touches upon other characters from other stories by paralleling Jimmy to Eveline. "After the Race" is a story in which the ideas of freedom and entrapment are tested and joined as one to prove the overall archetype in Dubliners of paralysis and death. Freedom can be seen throughout this story. Each character presents their own struggle with freedom. The aspect of freedom can also be seen in the setting that is used in "After the Race." Even the aspect of a race can be thought of as freedom. The drivers are speeding along down windy roads toward an endpoint where there is a reward. While driving the driver can become one with nature. He sees his surroundings and must make split second decisions about what to do. One can see freedom in this. It is the freedom of choice. In Dubliners as a whole many characters struggle with this freedom. It is no different in the story of "After the Race." The race that is spoken about has a long history of running. It is run once every four years. The course itself has long mountain climbs through Achill Island, Kerry, Cork and Wicklow and a fast frenetic route from Criterium to Dublin's O'Connell Street and Parnell Square. It consists of one hundred twelve kilometers through Slane, Navan, Clonee and Lucan. The roads that the race is run on are always shut down. The drivers pass through beautiful scenery and are greeted in Dublin by thousands of spectators. The finish line to the race is in front of the President's house. 1 The race car itself also brings a sense of freedom to the reader of the story. Joyce writes, "How smoothly it ran. In what style they had come careering along the country roads! The journey laid a magical finger on the genuine pulse of life and gallantly the machinery of human nerves strove to answer the bounding courses of the swift blue animal."2 This shows how they viewed the complex machinery of a race car as a sort of freedom. "Today many people still view the idea of complex machinery as freedom because of mankind's control over nature."3 The city to city races that would take place along European country side around the turn of the century were a "sport of beauty in which even spectators were free to interact with the drivers."4 The passengers of the car were even experiencing their own freedoms. Joyce writes, "In one of these trimly built cars was a party of four young men whose spirits seemed to be at present well above the level of successful Gallicism: in fact, these four young men were almost hilarious." 5 The men in the car were very carefree. "They knew that they would probably not win this race, but continued to go about their merry ways." 6 They cruised through the countryside and into the crowded streets of Dublin knowing that they had lost the race. Garrett says they were proud of their achievement of making it through the entire race. 7 There is the same sense of freedom that was involved with the race. That freedom is the freedom of being one with nature. If they were not feeling this freedom then loosing the race would have most likely come down harder on them. They were extremely happy in the event of losing this race. A different, but highly related sense of freedom comes about from the passengers themselves. An

The artist must possess the couragous soul...the brave soul. The soul that dares and defies. Quote in The Awakening that mst accurately describes Edna.

The artist must possess the couragous soul...the brave soul. The soul that dares and defies. Quote in The Awakening that mst accurately describes Edna. Madameoiselle Riesz tells Edna that in order to suceed, "the artist must possessthe couragous soul...the brave soul. The soul that dares and defies." This mostaccurately describes Edna. Edna does possess the courages soul and the soulthat dares and defies. She was inspired my Madameoiselle Riesz who is anartist herself and possesses the soul to be only herself.With the help of Madameoiselle Riesz, Edna was able to be herself and actout on her desires and urges. She no longer had to force herself to be someonewho she wasn't in order to fit in with the "mother-women." She no longer hadto fit in. Madameoiselle Riesz gave Edna the courage to search deep insideherself for what was really there, for even she had no idea, and then act onthat.At the beginning of the novel Edna is only existing, only going throughthe motions of life.English: AdeleShe is unhappy and doesn't really know why. Deep insideher is the need to escape and be free from her obligations as a wife andmother. She has alway s possessed this independent attitude and felt trappedby her family. It was only when Edna met and became friends with Adele andMadameoiselle Reisz that she was able to realize why she was unhappy andwhat was missing in her life.As Edna begins to realize more and more about herself and what she ismissing in her life, she is able to become more independent and become thefree women she has always seceretly desired to become.Edna refuses to be controlled and devote heself to her husband andchildren. She wants to be independent, able to come and go as she pleaseswithout having to worry about the rules and restrictions that come...

American Dream as Depicted in Death of a Salesman Term Paper

American Dream as Depicted in Death of a Salesman - Term Paper Example The 'American Dream,' in Willy's perspective, is the holding, enjoying and acquiring a flourishing career. Unluckily, for Willy, he delimits and restricts his goals at being a triumph in his career as a salesman. Willy charges the ostentation of the business and corporate world. This may be observed in his opinion about Bernard: "Bernard can get the best marks in school, understand, but when he gets out in the business world, understand, you're going to be five times ahead of him. That's why I thank Almighty God you're both built like agonizes. Because a man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want".Happy complains, " I mean I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store, and I have to take orders from those common, pretty sons-of-bitches till I can't stand it anymore" (Act 1). Happy thinks that just because he is stronger than those who give him orders, he should be the one to give the orders. His father taught him that that was the way to success, and it is obviously failing for Happy. The same goes for Biff. Just because he has the dashing smile, good looks and people like him - that does not mean that he will be a success in the business world. Hard work, persistence and work ethic are what he is lacking which makes him a failure as well. Willy does not see it that way though. He is seeing both of his sons from 'the clouds.' He is looking down on them like they are the successes that he has made them out to be in his head. This, unfortunately, does not help them in life. The Loman boys are not the only ones Willy's views poisons, but also his wife Linda. The love Linda holds for Willy is persistent. She sees herself as his protector. Linda allows Willy to laps into his illusions so he can have that feeling of contentment. Willy also soon finds out that his life was not the perfect life he has conjured up in his head. Willy realizes that in fact he has lived his life in vain. It is by means of Willy's disappointment as a salesman that his inborn yearning for the outdoors is uncovered. (Bhatia, 46) Towards the climax of the play, Charley mentions, "... He was a happy man with a batch of cement ... so wonderful with his hands ... he had the wrong dreams, all wrong" (Act 2). We can assume that the play emphasizes the path not taken may have been the right one. Willy holds this assumption as the inability to see who and what he is which leads to the tragic ending. To the very end he is a firm believer in the ideology that the attractive and well spoken finish first. This is the very thing that destroys him, because he now finds out, in his own mind, he is not on top. The main reason why Willy Loman's life was always miserable is because Willy Loman accounted the society's expectations and standards of what an American Dream is to them rather then what an American Dream meant to him self. He always thought that he was better then what people thought of him. He put himself down due to his sons' failure to achieve their goals; therefore he thought

Patient Safety Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Patient Safety - Research Paper Example The Incident Bishop (Baltimore Sun, 2011) reports that a Maryland woman suffered serious health difficulties as navy doctors left surgical instruments inside her abdomen. The portion of a Gyrus Forceps, a disposable surgical instrument, broke off in the belly of the victim while doctors at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia removing her uterus in February 2008. The woman, Mrs. Williams faced severe health difficulties following the surgery. Mrs. Williams said that she had frequently consulted doctors at the general surgery clinic in Portsmouth and complained of pain and pressure. However, surgeons could not find the actual cause of her abdominal issues. As per the reports at last, she went to National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda in July 2008 and described of â€Å"unbelievable abdominal pain, nausea, and near-fainting† (Baltimore Sun). From a CT scan, it was discovered that there had been a foreign object in Mrs. Williams’ pelvis. The detected foreign object in her pelvis measured 3.5 ?0.4?03 cm and it was later removed by another surgery (Baltimore Sun). The woman filed a $2 million negligence lawsuit against the United States and another negligence suit against the makers of the disposable Gyrus Forceps. In her suit, she said that she had been hospitalized several times and â€Å"had undergone painful procedures to investigate and treat her symptoms† (Baltimore Sun). Analysis of the Incident Evidently this dangerous incident is the result of the careless act of some navy doctors. Although US government argued that the quality of the forceps was poor, the surgeons cannot dispose their responsibilities easily. Doctors have undeniable responsibility on their patients’ health until the patients recover perfectly. According to Rogers (2002), the quality of doctor-patient interaction becomes the foundation for medical relationships which also greatly contributes to patient’s autonomy and interests. Although Mrs. Williams had repeatedly visited general surgery clinic in Portsmouth in order to get rid of her health issues, the doctors did not try to examine her problems in detail. The US medical sector could detect the broken part of forceps in her abdomen only seventeen months after it had been left inside her body. This incident obviously raises some ethical questions. The Modeling and Role Modeling nursing concept, which is one of the major grand theories, states that nursing is a â€Å"self-care model based on the client’s perception of the world and adaptations to stressors† (Nursing theories). Although it is a nursing concept, it broadly addresses the whole health care practitioners’ responsibility of giving great emphasis on clients’ perceptions. As stated, ‘facilitation, nurturance, and unconditional acceptance’ are the major elements that determine the quality of the care giving (Frisch, 2006, p.117). However, in this case, the medical practit ioners did nothing either to reduce the patient’s stress or to nurture her. The seriousness of this incident increases as it comes to a group of navy doctors who are appointed only after a series of recruitment procedures that verify all qualitative as well as professional potentials of the candidates. This poor performance of the navy doctors raises some further questions regarding the quality of the public health care sector. Here, the Gyrus Forceps Company has also not taken a favorable stance towards the woman. It is obvious

Ethics -Radio Shack Ceo Sacandal Essay Example for Free

Ethics -Radio Shack Ceo Sacandal Essay Ethics is the consideration of how human actions can improve or deteriorate the environments in which we work and live. In the wake of recent corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom leading to trials and imprisonment of previously powerful (Chief Executing Officer) CEO’s public trust in CEO’s has diminished. Therefore when the story about the forged academic credentials of Dave Edmondson, CEO of Radio Shack came it re-ignited the mistrust. This paper will provide a brief background of the scandal and detailed analysis of the ethical issues involved and whether the actions taken by RadioShack were ethical or not. Background: Dave Edmondson was on a fast career track and was named CEO of Radio Shack in May 2005. In February, 2006 Radio Shack announced that its CEO, David Edmonson has resigned over questions raised over his resume. The Fort Worth Star- Telegram discovered that he had not earned degrees in theology and psychology from Heartland Baptist College as claimed on his resume. Moreover Edmonson had only finished two semesters at the college and the college did not even offer a psychology major. Edmonson admitted to the errors calling them â€Å"misstatements† and resigned in the aftermath of the corporate scandal. Analysis: The main issue about this case is not just forging of the academic credentials but how Radio Shack handled the case that generated criticism from public and turned it into a media circus. The basic hypernorms of honesty and integrity were not met by RadioShack in handling the situation. Edmondson did not display fairness towards Radio Shack by trying to communicate the value of knowledge via false degrees. It was not just the disappointing fact that Edmondson lied on his resume but what was equally troubling was the individual and corporate response to the scandal. Radio Shack supported its CEO and failed to give public any substantial answers. The ethical question then becomes that what is the responsibility of board of directors? Should they oversee the personal ethics of a CEO as long as he is driving the shareholders maximum value and yielding higher profits for he firm or they should step up and take responsibility for their own short comings, take the required action and set an example of driving the company by ethical values and standards not just profits? Radio shack displayed lack of responsibility as a company when it came to take ownership of the issue and failed to address the public with compassion and was unable to provide clarification regarding the r esume issue. From philosophical approach- consequentialism view holds that whether an act is morally right depends only on the consequences of that act. Edmondson’s decision to lie on his resume turned out to bring good consequences only for him in terms of a career hike. Deontology brings up these questions: Was Edmondson’s decision legal, fair, just or right? No, it was not and transparency and information sharing regarding the falsified resume might have led to different outcomes both for Edmondson and RadioShack. Considering the virtue ethics, did Edmondson and RadioShack’s decision demonstrate expected virtues? The company had built its image and reputation over many years. This reputation entailed virtues of trustworthiness, compassion, integrity and responsibility. It did not seem that Edmondson’s decision to not come clean was based on any of these considerations. He bluntly violated the virtue ethics. The stakeholders involved were shareholders, board of directors, employees and common people. He could be cut slack for being an ambitious young individual at the start of his career but how can the ignorance be overseen that in the years of making towards a CEO he never came clean. Infact when the scandal was raised and he was confronted he did not even admit right away. This displays lack of character and credibility. A company’s leader should be transparent and trustworthy. From a modified moral standards approach I feel that there wasn’t any net benefit to the company from his falsified educational claims. It was also not fair to all the stakeholders involved as there could have been a better candidate who got rejected due to a truthful but less flashy resume. Also the distribution of benefits was enjoyed by the CEO whereas the burdens were shared by him and the company equally in terms of a bad reputation and loss of public trust. Also RadioShack was not consistent with the virtues expected by its employees as they did not bring them and other stakeholders in the loop during the media frenzy which led to a discontented employee atmosphere. This also leads to question the monitoring and compliance at RadioShack. They had a code of conduct and code of ethics in place detailing the responsibilities of the employees but how realistically this was being followed can be easily criticized based on Edmondson’s case. I believe that company’s code of ethics should be incorporated in its values and system actions. Corporate risk can be reduced and even mitigated if the organization can align values for ethical motivation and action. Edmondson did take accountability of his unethical actions later and RadioShack’s board of directors also learned the hard way that blind support of a CEO without any solid evidence is unwise and can tarnish the reputation of the company. If they had accepted and reacted to responsibility as soon as the scandal broke the company would have been able to save its reputation and maintained credibility.

Girls becoming more involved in violent gang related activities

Girls becoming more involved in violent gang related activities In the past half century academic literature and research regarding female youth crime has vastly popularised. Previous to this, society and theorist treated young women and women as homogenous and treated youth crime as a way to describe male youth offending. However over the past half a century, theorist such as Frances Hiedensohn (1968) drew attention to a largely ignored field of human behaviour namely deviance and criminal women. In this essay question several key issues are going to be addressed. Firstly this essay will explore a historical context of female youth offenders (FYOs), this will prove significant, if we seek to answer the essay question we have to make the distinction between the numbers of female youth that previously were involved in violent and gang-related activities, and compare them to recent female youth involvement within the same field. Secondly this essay will explore the media aspect on the subject to deeply seek/find out if young women are becoming more involved within violent activities or media representations are the results of the recent claims, furthermore moral panic will be examined in this section and offer an insight into how that impacts young female offenders and the public perception that accompanies them. Thirdly the double standard of morality theory will be discussed and work drawn on from the Youth Justice board (YJB) and the issue surrounding the double standard of morality will be essential in answering the essay title. Finally in the conclusion the essay will ultimately address/answer the essay title and give a clear unanimous understanding of the involvement of young women in violence and gang-related activities. Along with the above a wide range of academic sources such as official research statistics, articles, web pages, journals and academic literature will be used to portray a clear understanding and support a clear organised framework. Throughout recent history work undertaken on violent and gang-related FYOs has been few and far between. However upon entering the 21st century a new emergence of young female gangs and a new phenomena regarding young female violence has been socially displayed as a major social problem in which a new generation of teen mothers, binge drinking girls and unemployed young women are to blame. Historically criminological theory has been dominated by males. Female deviance was seen as primarily one of sexual immorality and as such, a blight on the moral fabric of society rather than direct malice against one individual. In the criminological field, females have been relatively ignored up until recent times. In recent times a fair assumption to make regarding violent and gang-related FYOs, would be to assume a massive increase in the subject however looking back as far as the early 20th century, women were involved in violent and gang-related incidents. During the early 1900s, male theorists emerged trying to explain why young women committed crimes. These women were said to be tomboys who were trying to assume a male role (Trasher, 1927:41), suffered from penis envy (Freud, 1924:12), and even that they were deceitful to overcome such things as their lack of a penis, menstruating, and their wanting to be stronger (Pollak, 1950:27). Leading on from this, starting in the 1960s rates in female violence and crime increased. Women were found to participate in more violent acts almost becoming more like men (Simon, 1975). The House of Commons 1999 research paper revealed By 1971 women numbered only 3% of the total prison population. The proportion of women prisoners has risen slightly since the 1970s; in 1998 5% of all prisoners were female (House of Commons 1999:15). As these findings show, numbers of female offenders has steadily risen within the past 30 years. It is important to note, during this 1980s crime rates peaked and almost dou bled the rates previously recorded. Another significant thing to take into account is the age in which young female offenders were committing violent crimes. The Home office (2004) reported the peak offending age for girls was 15 compared to boys at 18. On average young women were committing violent crimes at a younger age than their male counterparts. Following on from the increased crime rates of the 80s, Schramm (1998) in September 1998 found percentage rates of 88% amongst females crime which involved assault. Additionally rises have been detected in the admission of females appearing before the youth court. In 1999 women made up 21% of all cases that appeared before a justice court, in comparison to a 4% increase detected in the year 2000. However the youth offending act (1984) is arguably an excuse to why increased crime levels have been detected. The implementation of stricter charging saw an increase in police charges, but this does not necessarily mean actual crime increase d. In contrast to the use of informal techniques used by the police the youth offending act practically called for higher levels of police charging. Additionally whilst Rutter et al (1998) suggests the number of arrests of girls for violent offences more than doubled and has increased by 250% in the last quarter of the century, we have to keep in to perspective the small amount of FYOs and when statistically handling small numerical numbers the slightest numerical increase results in a large percentage increase. From the statistics above it is easily identifiable, that female involvements with violent offences are becoming more prominent. It is significant this essay examined a historical context, as this gives a fundamental inkling into the basic numbers of females involvement with violent crimes. Leading on from this historical framework, the media will be the next aspect this essay will discuss. This is equally significant as analysing the role of the media and the moral panic that accompanies it, helps us conjure up further ideas to whether females are becoming more involved with violent and gang-related crime. The media holds a substantial role in influencing the publics opinions, thoughts and actions. Girl violence has become a very newsworthy and common topic in recent British newspapers. This is purely because of the offenders gender along with the way violent girls seem to challenge the common perceptions of nicely behaved girls and how they are supposed to act. This also links in with the double standard of mortality which will be discussed later. Newspapers usually use horrifying titles such as Ladette Britain: Violence among women soars as record 250 are arrested every day (Daily Mail 29/1/10) or Violence is just a fact of life say teenage girls, (Daily Telegraph, 7/10/00) to portray research findings. However in some cases, inaccurate and biased data is manipulated into sensational newspaper headlines. Titles such as one girl she was too scared to leave the house for fear of being attacked, was manipulated from the quote one girl told she was afraid to leave the house for fear of b eing sexually attacked (Batchelor 2001:58). An important thing to note would be newspaper headlines dont capture or represent the typical British female, furthermore it could be argued, that they only write on violent female youth crime because it generates a strong supply for an interesting thus newsworthy story. Arguably the primary concern with misrepresenting the reality of young womens lives is that it can contribute to unrealistic public attitudes, which in turn can create misdirected public policy and moral panics. Work conducted by Gelsthorpe and Sharpe (2006) state current perceptions of girls apparent violent behaviour can perhaps be seen as an indication of prevailing societal concerns about morality: girls purported violence is seen as a threat to social order, just as during the last century their sexuality was the primary focus of attention (56). In basic terms, they depict how violent behaviour in young women maybe a new phenomena to society thus being susceptible to moral panics. They later discuss how old concerns about girls status on binge drinking and high teen pregnancy rates relate to the moral panic of increased female violent offences. In the case of a moral panic, frequently government policy is implemented to prevent a potential problem from escalating. Following on from this, research produced by Chesney-Lind (2001) and Steffensmeier et al (2005) proposes that girls are being prosecuted more willingly for offences that may not have been prosecutable in the past. This harsher approach is debatably due to the moral panic aspect of the spectrum and how the government want to be seen as taking action against this social threat. This ultimately leads to a negative perception on young females as it shows them in a negative setting. As briefly mentioned above, the media and the double standard of morality theory are very much linked together. The way the media use misrepresented and stereotypical views of women as a tool for creating a good taboo story, as opposed to how females should conform to the ideas of womanhood. The double standard of morality theory also looks at differences between men and women and attempts to challenge why women are interpreted differently by criminal justice professionals. Discussing this is important due to the implication the theory still subconsciously has on todays criminal justice system. Additionally analysing the theory may help to offer an insight into the treatment of young women. This also inter-links with the media portrayals of young female offenders as both approaches impose the same views on them. The double standard of morality is the morality co-existent with chivalry imposes double-standards on men and women, in terms of this essay that is relevant to note that the theory condones the same behaviour in one sex (males) while punishing it in the other (females). Key theorists such as Kennedy and Carlen believe women get treated differently due to the perception and ideas regarding womanhood. Kennedy continues to explain; ideally women should conform to the appropriate ideas of womanhood. Carlen elaborates that female offenders are seen as other than real women, other than real criminals and other than real prisoners (1988:34). A key distinction made in the double standard of morality theory is the idea that society expects men to get into trouble, and that mens criminality is normal and inherently natural. Women on the other hand, in particular girls are seen as sick, mad, disturbed or deficient and in need of treatment because the behaviour does not equate with the idea of h ow a woman is supposed to behave. These women are said to be doubly damned and doubly deviant (Bottoms, 1996: 1). They are seen as mad not bad (Lloyd, 1995: 36). These behaviours frequently lead to interpretations of being mentally abnormal and unstable. The theory is undoubtedly gender bias and doesnt seem to understand, changing social and economic conditions, environmental influences, cultural traditions and physiological factors must be taken into account when dealing with crime. It fails to acknowledge the myriad of complex interplays of cultural and biological factors that make people individuals. The way this impact on YFOs is by the treatment they receive from criminal justice professionals. In 1987 Hilary Allen argues mental health explanation (including PMS) for female criminality results in lighter punishments by the courts. However, Eileen Leonard five years previous challenges the chivalry factor pointing out how bad women are treated more harshly than some men. As we c an see the differential treatment women receive is a mixture between positive and negative, but this still has to be taken into account as it portrays the way young female offenders are viewed. Todays criminologists are looking more closely at female offenders than ever before. In concluding this essay and taking into account the argument presented throughout. We will evaluate the effects social history, the media and moral panics have on young female offenders and how this affects the way they are portrayed and treated. This essay will ultimately answer whether or not young females are becoming increasingly involved in violent and gang-related crime. Two books published in 1975 Fred Adlers sisters in crime: the rise of the new female criminal and Rita Simmons women in crime, led to a new view of gender and crime. Although both books looked an increase in violent female crimes they both reached different conclusions. Adler stressed the impact of the womens movement. She believed as the roles of women changed, their criminality will be more like that of men. She noted, When we did not permit women to swim at beaches, the female drowning rates were quite low. When women were not permitted to work as bankers the female embezzlement rate was low (Adler, 1975:31). In other words, there was an assumption that because women were confined to the private world with limited access to the public world, they lacked opportunity for crime. Additionally now that women of the current era have more freedom there is more scope for women to be categorised as criminals. In reading this essay it would be fair to assume, that moral panics play a huge role in generating public concern around young female offenders. The moral panic produced by the small increase in female offending patterns contributes to the increasing criminalisation of, and punitiveness towards, them. The small rise in violent female offending has little symbolic significance. Many academics have argued that youth is a social category which has the power to carry a deeper message about the state of society. The collective agonising about girls violence thus perhaps symbolises regrets about the changing social order in late modernity. Ultimately it can be answered according to available evidence including the Youth justice board there certainly is an increased number of convictions for girls and young women for violent offences. However it is not possible to directly attribute these to a real increase in actual offending in this area (for example, self-report data would not suggest an increase). However based on facts and statistics, it shouldnt be a huge public concern. Girls continue to commit fewer and less serious offences than boys and are less likely to reoffend. Young females are no more threatening to society than any other particular group of people but due to gender and the nature of the crime it gets reported on more frequently thus more open to public scrutiny and perception.

Characteristics for good governance in Afghanistan Essay

Good governance is perhaps the single and most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development. The terms â€Å"governance† and â€Å"good governance† are now fully part of the language of development whereas bad governance is broadly recognized as a root cause of poverty, good governance is often seen as a way to cure all social and political and economic ills. Donors and companies are increasingly basing their aid and investments on countries based on governance conditions or plans for reform. Some equate governance failure with global trends such as climate change or the youth bulge as a force are able to rapidly undo development efforts, whereas governance success has the potentiality to quickly leverage and sustain development gains. Governance is thus a central part of the development landscape. Governance is also a powerful component of integrated programming for Mercy Corps and many non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Since, at its core, gov ernance is about decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, its influence cross-cuts all sectors and locations of relief and development programming. Mercy Corps believes that each country needs to decide its own economic and social priorities with leadership from government, in partnership with and accountable to the people who live in the country. Good governance brings the informed will of the people into governments’  decision-making. In this way, good governance is not an end in itself, but rather a means to building and sustaining secure, productive and just communities Characteristics for good governance in Afghanistan Afghanistan is going through a transition period which involves the transfer of security responsibilities from international troops to Afghan authorities. At the same time it is being considered that transition of security arrangements alone would not solve the issues in Afghanistan. Rather the overall scenario has to go through a transition. The country has to seek a suitable reconciliation process and above all the Afghan political system has to go through a process of change so as to make it able to govern its people properly. There have been controversies regarding Afghan government and its capacity to deal with the challenges within the country. In fact, it has been observed that Afghan government has not been able to provide rudimentary requirements of life to majority of its people and have not been able to seek appropriate solution to various political problems that influence the system to a great extent. There has been a label of corruption and many, both in national and int ernational circles, do not believe that it has the potential to achieve ‘good governance’. Though the international community has, on various occasions, emphasized that their support is conditioned on the basis of good governance yet there has not been major steps taken by Afghan government to make achievements in this regard. A decade of support and assistance seems to have gone in vain and the country still suffers from myriads of problems. The capacity of good governance is judged by its potential to offer the basic requirements of life to the people easily and readily. Moreover, it must strive to raise the standard of living of the masses. Government stands as one of the most important actors in good governance. It is the government that decides whether good governance is achieved or not. There are certain important characteristics that must be achieved so as to establish it. Good governance has to be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. Good governance str ives that there should be participation of all the important groups of the society within the decision making process  and must involve both men and women. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediates institutions or representatives. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand. Unfortunately, in our country Afghanistan the decision making is not carried out through proper participation of the representatives of the people. In fact, the decision making process is very much centralized. An important characteristic of good governance is that it is consensus oriented. There are several actors and different opinions in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable h uman development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community. Afghan government has not been able to develop a strong consensus and the ruling class does not seem much bothered about any sort of consensus. Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Afghan government, on the other hand, has been formed in such a way that it is difficult to hold the Presidential Office accountable for its policies and actions. It can do whatever it wants without standing accountable to its people. As a matter of fact accountability can be achieved when there is transparency and the rule of law. However, both these characteristics seem to be non-existent in Afghan society. Transparency and rule of law can be maintained when there is proper separation of power and the different organs of state can function on their own independently. In fact, judiciary and law enforcement agencies must be capable to hold the law as the top priority matter. In Afghan political system the separation of powers is not clear and the judiciary is composed of what the Presidential Office decides. Moreover , the powerful and the rich are mostly considered  above the law and the poor and weak have to go through the ‘quagmire of law and order system’. Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe. It means that it should be responsive. In the same way it should also ensure equity and inclusiveness. A society’s wellbeing depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their wellbeing but what Afghan government has to offer us is the negligence of the most vulnerable. The minority groups in fact suffer from lack of proper participation in decision making and they find their existence threatened within the society. Good governance also means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of environment. It is correct that all the characteristics mentioned above cannot be a chieved by a government or a society as they portray what an ideal governance must hold, but it is also true that there are many nations in the world that, to a satisfying extent, have achieved most of them. Therefore, Afghan government has to strive to achieve these characteristics if it really wants to achieve ‘good governance’ and wants to serve its people in a better way. Conclusion Good governance is perhaps the single and most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development. Good governance is often seen as a way to cure all social and political and economic ills. Donors and companies are increasingly basing their aid and investments on countries based on governance conditions or plans for reform. The capacity of good governance is judged by its potential to offer the basic requirements of life to the people easily and readily. Moreover, it must strive to raise the standard of living of the masses. Government stands as one of the most important actors in good governance To conclude; the good characteristics for Afghanistan government are: 1. Delivery of basic services to its people 2. Defending and protecting national interest and lives of its people. 3.  Implementation of law and protecting its sovereignty. 4. Monitoring and implementing of law and the three branches of government as Judiciary, Executive, Legislature 5. Effective and adequate organizations and departments headed by right persons, decision making and implementing etc. . 6. Participation between government and public. 7. Prevention and fight against corruption and social injustice. 8. Good relations with neighboring countries like IRAN, Pakistan 9. Accountability to the public and heard the voice of vulnerable in country. 10. Government should prepare the ground for domestic and foreign investors. 11. Tasks based on meritocracy 12. Fight against discrimination which still exists and plays a vital role in our country. 13. Improve of economy and decrease unemployment, poverty level. 14. Control and monitor the monetary policy in country by central bank of Afghanistan. Reference 1. http://go.worldbank.org/M1JHE0Z280 2. David Brown is Director, Special Projects, at the Public Policy Forum, Ottawa, Canada and former President of the IIAS. David Brown 3. International Review of Administrative Sciences 2005; 71; 241 DOI: 10.1177/0020852305053883 4. http://msg-itlg.blogspot.com/2008/01/advantagesdisadvantages-of-electronic.html

Higher Education and the American Dream: Success and Its Discontents Essay

Is   College necessary? Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is true that a college may favor or not favor some victims. This means that it is not an assurance if you complete your college level you get a white collar job. This is not the case. However, it will depend on how one takes his/her time to associate with working class person and also to give voluntary service to the companies and government corporation. According to Baker it is very important for the child to attend basic education in the age of six years, he says that the child during this age is being prepared psychologically on how to move on to the next academic level. Additionally, Baker brings out another crucial sense why it is important to go to the college after graduating the high school. Baker says that colleges are preparing a student not only to get well-paying job but also, on how as a student one can business oriented person. Very important issue here is that a college graduate student can be compared with primary or hig h school student in terms of thinking capacity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   College is not worth some time for some people. Meaning that in a society some people tend to have very little education but, their way of living is luxurious. However, this will depend on one’s fortune. Another factor that might make people look down to the college is family background(Charles chpt8). Some families are very rich such that they do not push their kids to go for further studies but, rather after completing their high school education they are given capital to start their own business or even they inherit some of their family business. So, college may not be very important to such people because the aim of going for higher education is only to have good living standards. Therefore, if one gets a good amount of dollars that can sustain him/her then there is no need to go to college.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the past century, education was not highly valued in many countries. This was because many people had inherited big wealth from their forefathers. Therefore, they tend to depend on those properties for their upkeep, unlike this 21st century where is only depends on how one struggles to be able to sustain himself. In the past century, technology had not improved like the this century thus people had limited resource in education, for instance, less developed countries(Lazerson chpt12). Hence, the aim of going to colleges was not there. However, going to college to further studies is a great idea in order to increase knowledge and be conversant with the current trend on technology that is not taught in primary and high school level. In conclusion, college education is very important to the graduates. It is observed that graduates are not enrolled to colleges in order to secure themselves or to go for well-paying job, but they do so in order to be civilized. They are also equipped with knowledge that helps them to run their own business. In fact, college education has a lot of benefits. Finally, it is wise to be a college graduate rather than having basic education (primary and high school). References Lazerson, Marvin. Higher Education and the American Dream: Success and Its Discontents. Budapest: Central European University Press, edited 2014.print. McGuire, Charles, Diana Abitz, and Patrick Dobson. The Best Advice Ever for Teachers. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Pub, edited 2014. Internet resource. Source document

The Winters Tale Leontes Essays

The Winters Tale Leontes Essays The Winters Tale Leontes Essay The Winters Tale Leontes Essay From sanity to madness in 350 lines. Explore the presentation of Leontes in Act 1 focussing closely on language and imageryAs with many of Shakespeares plays, we are introduced to the protagonist through the conversation of two of the more minor characters. We are instantly made aware of Leontes and Polixenes friendship. The fact that they were trained together in their childhoods combined with the reference to them as the states of which they are head (Sicilia and Bohemia) shows their importance. More interesting is the description of their relationship. Camillo states that:there rootedbetwixt them then such an affection which cannot choose butbranch nowShakespeares use of tree-like imagery and decision to use the verb branch leaves us with two possible interpretations of this sentence. To the first time reader, it probably suggests that their relationship will thrive and proliferate. On second reading, however, this choice of language could be seen as prophe tically ironic in the sense that it predicts their divergence in opposite directions.In order for us to understand the background to Leontes downfall, Shakespeare exposes us to his relationships with the two other protagonists. Leontes refers to Polixenes, who Camillo has already told us is a childhood friend, as brother. In this circumstance, it is meant as a term of endearment. However, just 130 lines later, he asks Polixenes How ist with you, best brother?. This time brother, coupled with the sarcastic and equally plosive best, rings hollow and contains little affection.It is also essential to understand his relationship with Hermione. In the second scene, she appears very docile. She does not speak until addressed as our queen, again a term of endearment. When she does speak, she refers to her husband as sir, showing that she upholds respect for him and that he is the power figure.Almost instantly after introducing this sanity, we tumble into madness. Shakespeare interjects this paranoia quite unexpectedly, when Leontes realises that at my request he [Polixenes] would not stay with them in Sicily for longer, but at Hermiones request he will.One method Shakespeare uses to illustrate this is by Leontes picking up on seemingly innocuous words used by his wife and twisting their meaning into something far more suspect. One example is Hermiones reaction to his accusations:Hermione What is this Sport?Leontes Bear the boy hence; he shall not come about her.Away with him, and let her sport herself.Leontes takes Hermiones response, which she said in confusion as to whether or not he is being farcical, and, in his paranoia, plays on the term as if she is playing a role in an undefined game with Polixenes. This literary method can also be seen during his conversation alone with Camillo when he twists his usage of the term satisfy to a far more sexual definition.His erratic mind is perhaps best illustrated in one of his initial speeches. As with sport in the previous extract, Leontes picks up on his own use of the verb play. He switches from telling his son to innocently go, play, boy, play to a far more sinister your mother plays in one single line. This erratic mind is also illustrated through Shakepeares use of syntax. Some lines, such as the first three, a regularly punctuated and contain caesuras causing a reader to speak in a rapid and erratic manner. Equally, the seventh to fifteenth line contains one long sentence with little punctuation. The lack of pauses causes the sentence to pick up pace and sound equally as insane as the previous lines.His choice of language is equally effective on an aural level. He juxtapositions the sibilant sounds of issue and hiss with the plosive sounds of contempt and clamour. This contrast of tones aids the speechs erratic overtones.Leontes paranoia is perhaps best illustrated through his use of very exaggerated imagery, which, juxtapositioned with his term of endearment a few lines prior, show his deterior ated state. In this speech, Shakepeare uses metaphors relating to an invaded piece of property. His references to a gate opened and a barricado, show how he considers Hermione to be a possession, which has been taken from him.He also portrays Hermione using imagery relating to the lowest and least respected members of their society. He calls her a hobby-horse (whore) and as wrank as any flax-wench. These terms are shocking images for the audience to be presented with when, on stage, Hermione seems a respectable queen. This shock is shown by Camillo who, when confronted with Leontes suspicion, feels he must defend his queen referring to her as his sovereign mistress. Further imagery such as sluiced has an equally shocking and vulgar effect.His use of similes is very effective. He announces that women will say anything and that they are false as oer-dyed blacks, as wind, as waters, false as dice are to be wished by one that fixes. These extensive exaggerations show his insanity becaus e, as a member of the audience who can tell that his wifes liaisons are completely fictitious, can see the dramatic irony of how detailed he is about something false and how obsessive he is becoming. As the speech containing the aforementioned extract continues, he continues to use repetition and questions, which emphasise his confused state.Once he has become undoubtedly paranoid, it would be easy for the audience to forget his initial state, thus making his paranoia seem less of a change. In order to overcome this hurdle, Shakespeare juxtapositions his short, direct and rational commands when in company (You, my lords, look on her and mark her well) with his rambling, overstated speeches. Many of his speeches are presented as asides. This has the effect of separating his thoughts from the real world and emphasising to the audience that this entire saga is purely part of his imagination.Through his careful juxtapositions and use of exaggerated language and imagery, Shakespeare succ essfully presents the downfall of Leontes in a single scene.

The eNotes Blog Ten Cocktails for You, FromLiterature

Ten Cocktails for You, FromLiterature If youve ever hosted or been to a book club meeting, you know that you will discuss the book in question for approximately ten to fifteen minutes before the conversation turns to sex. Why not at least attempt to keep things on a literary bent (and bender) and try something besides chardonnay. Here are ten cocktails that characters were drinking in novels, links to their recipes, and some quotes to make you sound super smart, especially to that one snotty chick nobody likes but always brings good food so we keep our mouths shut. image via The Spruce Eats 1.   Gin Gimlet Philip Marlowe,  The Long Goodbye  by Raymond Chandler â€Å"You talk too damn much and too damn much of it is about you.† image via Taste 2.   Singapore Sling,   Hunter S. Thompson,  Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas  by Hunter S. Thompson â€Å"We cant stop here, this is bat country!† image via Villa Schweppes 3. White Angel, Holly Golightly,  Breakfast at Tiffanys  by Truman Capote â€Å"Would you reach in the drawer there and give me my purse. A girl doesnt read this sort of thing without her lipstick.† image via Nicole DiGiose 4. Jack Rose, Jake Barnes,  The Sun Also Rises  by Ernest Hemingway â€Å"How did you go bankrupt? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.† image via The Manuel 5.   Mint Julep, Daisy Buchanan,  The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald   Sophisticated God, I’m sophisticated. image via The Spruce Eats 6. Gin Rickey, Jay Gatsby,  The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald   Her voice is full of money. image via Genius Kitchen 7.   Sidecar,   Arthur Rushkin,  The Bonfire of the Vanities  by Tom Wolfe   â€Å"Bullshit reigns.† image via Epicurious 8.   Hot Toddy,   Brick Pollitt, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof   by Tennessee Williams   â€Å"What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?- I wish I knew Just staying on it, I guess, as long as she can† image via Food52 9. Webster F. Street Layaway Plan, Doc, Cannery Row  by John Steinbeck â€Å"If a man ordered a beer milkshake hed better do it in a town where he wasnt known.† image via Genius Kitchen 10.   Alexander Cocktail, Anthony Blanche, Brideshead Revisited  by Evelyn Waugh â€Å"I should like to bury something precious in every place where Ive been happy and then, when Im old and ugly and miserable, I could come back and dig it up and remember.† (Feature Image via Sobur)

Do Newspapers Have a Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Do Newspapers Have a Future - Essay Example Newspapers have some problems inherent within them that can possibly be the cause of their decline in popularity (Gawenda, 2008). First of all, most newspapers are in black and white which provide a drab and boring source of information. Readers prefer a more illustrious and colorful source, which can provide them with vivid pictures of the occurring events. Moreover, the print in newspapers is usually of such a small size, that it is difficult and uncomfortable for readers to easily read it. Unfortunately, newspapers do not have a zoom in option. It is also very difficult to handle newspapers because of their size and to flip through them. Often the pages and sections all fall out and get mixed up while a person skims through the newspaper. Some newspapers are also available in color, however, the quality of the paper and the photographs is still of low quality which may not be as attractive to the reader. Readers usually prefer glossy photographs printed on laser paper which gives the reader a more exciting and clearer experience of reading the news (Vivian, 2008). However, the problems are not only limited to the design and texture of newspapers. Problems may also exist in the content of newspapers. Most newspapers tell the story the way it is and provide an unbiased opinion. Hence, readers only read the facts and do not get a dose of what is called â€Å"extra spicy† news. The small articles printed in newspapers do provide essential information regarding everyday happenings in the world, yet sometimes they do not provide a vivid description or full information regarding the event and only stick to the general and most basic facts. In addition, newspapers contain many sections which include the business section, classified ads, and many others (Conboy & Steel, 2008). Some of the articles and the information may be irrelevant to the reader’s interest and the reader may only be interested in the entertainment section, front page, and classified ads. Hence, he/she finds it inconvenient to purchase the full newspaper for this purpose. Newspapers are also available for a price, which the reader may not find worth the trouble of purchasing one. Another issue regarding newspaper journalism is that many people have lost their trust with the information contained in newspapers, as sometimes it proves to be inaccurate or exaggerated. Hence, some people have stopped reading or relying on the news altogether (Tottam, 1999). Despite the many problems or shortcomings with newspapers, newspapers do hold some advantage over other sources of information.

Current Presidential Candidates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Current Presidential Candidates - Essay Example Due to the significance of the presidency as defined by the constitution and the history of the United States, presidential elections have been one of the most significant process and event in the nation. Presidential candidates have been working very hard to ascend to the office of the president. Since the country’s electoral process operates within the democratic tenets, presidential candidates are required to campaign in ways that promote constitutionalism and democracy (McClelland 44). Mainly, the campaigns revolve around the individual candidate’s own political vision for America; party affiliation; political ideology; religious affiliation, and the general personal life and history. This is an election year and currently there are five presidential candidates: Barrack Obama, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum. This paper will focus on Barrack Obama, the incumbent President and who is seeking re-election to the office of the president in this y ear’s elections. He was born on August 4, 1961 in Hawaii to a white American mother and a black Kenyan father. He attended Columbia University and later on Harvard Law School where he became the Harvard Law Review’s first African-American editor (Mendell 31). Prior to pursuing a political career, Obama was a civil rights lawyer mostly representing employment discrimination and housing victims, as well as working on rights of voting legislation. Besides, he taught at the University of Chicago Law School. He is married to Michelle and has two children. He is a Christian. In regard to his party affiliation, he is affiliated to Democratic Party and was elected to the United States Senate as a Democrat, representing Illinois. After only four years experience of national experience, he ran for presidency in 2008 and won. He was sworn in January 2009 as the United States’ 44th President. He holds liberal political ideology and articulates and pushes for policies from t he liberalist perspectives. While party affiliation and political ideology will play critical role in determining how people vote for Obama, his track record over the last four years of his presidency will also be a determining factor (McClelland 56-57). Barrack Obama has had quite a remarkable political career as evidenced by his political history. He started his political career as a state senator of Illinois from 1997 to 2004 (Dave 67). Chicago political circles knew him as using hard political tactics. During his stint as a state senator he is credited for being instrumental in passage of several bills and reforms such as reformation of campaign finance, elimination of racial profiling, and allocation of tax credits for the poor. In 2004, he was elected to the Congress as the United States Senator for Illinois. During his stint as a Senator, he served in several Senate Committees. His keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston was well-received and this enabl ed him to gain national attention and is touted as one of the springboards that propelled him to presidency in 2008 (Remnick 82). His mannerism has been useful in his leadership and as a presidential candidate. So, what are the factors behind Obama’