Existentialist Curriculum on the Humanities

â€Å"I should seek not the way, but my way. † Rather than follow a strict set of rules about what school should or should not be like, the existentialist chooses his or her own vision of education. There is truly no one right way for students to learn or one method of teaching that is universally applicable. Existentialism classrooms therefore offer freedom for both educator and student. The existentialist model also encourages growth and creativity through limitless freedom. As Blaise Pascal said, â€Å"Live today as if you were to die tomorrow. According to this philosophy, the students and teachers would do whatever they felt inspired to do at that moment, and curriculum would be loose. The existentialist teacher eschews structure. The existentialist does not attempt to become a specialist because to do so is too restricting. I agree with the quote, â€Å"Specialization diminishes a man-He is a creature of knowledge, not the master of it. † I also appreciate the existentialist vision of education as a â€Å"conversation between persons in which each person remains a subject for the other, a conversation. With this viewpoint, the teacher is not authoritarian, and does not stand up in front of the class and lecture all day. Finally, the existentialist teacher helps students achieve self-realization. I agree that the purpose of education is more than just to memorize multiplication tables or vocabulary words. There is a reason why students don't like school, and if more teachers incorporated the fundamental philosophies of existentialism in their classrooms, more students would enjoy school. Learning would be more fun. I had an existentialist teacher in high school. The class was social studies, but we did not have a textbook. Rather, the teacher taught to us from Buddhist teachings and encouraged each student in the class to discuss the meaning of life. Instead of memorizing historical data, we learned how to think creatively about our world and about our own selves. The existentialist classroom can focus on any subject. In fact, the true existentialist classroom focuses on as many subjects as possible, and is not restricted to math, English, science, or history. However, when teaching restrictive subjects like math, the teacher uses highly creative methods rather than rote learning. The existentialist teacher brings in various multimedia materials, and welcomes technology as a tool for teaching. The teacher teaches whatever the students appear interested in on that day rather than force them to focus on one specific thing. The students and teacher might sit together in a circle, rather than in typical classroom format. Students are encouraged to tell stories and share jokes. They might perform some creative projects with art or music. Games are also encouraged. The existentialist class is frequently held outside on the lawn on sunny days, or alternatively, goes on a field trip to a park or wherever seems fun that day. If it's raining, the teacher might bring in a movie to teach a unit on cinematography or on a specific theme. The existentialist classroom also incorporates current events as a means to expand the students' awareness of their universe. Furthermore, the teacher imparts knowledge regarding psychological and social coping skills; the existentialist class is not about rote memorization of specific materials but rather on the big picture: the meaning of life and the life purpose behind education. The existentialist views humanity as integral in the perception of reality. Rather than see a physical universe â€Å"out there† that exists independently of the person as a realist would, the existentialist knows that human consciousness alters reality. Human beings are therefore active creators and participants in the universe. In order to better understand the metaphysical underpinnings of the universe we first need to better understand ourselves. The quote â€Å"Man is nothing other than what he makes himself† refers to the power of human consciousness in shaping personal as well as collective reality: we are what we think. Human beings are born with free will; free will is neither good nor an ideal; often free will is a source of our pain and suffering, for when we make mistakes we suffer the consequences. Therefore, free will enables human beings to make painful mistakes in order that we may learn and grow. Because of the absolute nature of free will, each person is ultimately responsible for his or her own actions. Knowledge is highly variable, and not as absolute as some may believe. An individual's knowledge depends on his or her interpretation of the world, and is also highly dependent on his or her personal value systems. Beliefs inform reality. While some knowledge has been codified, the codification of knowledge is not absolute. Human beings are continuously shifting our view of the universe, as our understanding expands and grows. Moreover, people in different cultures and from different backgrounds have different worldviews and therefore have different knowledge. No one form of knowledge is any more or less valuable than another, just different. Specialization is an attempt to own knowledge, to master something completely. However, specialization â€Å"diminishes the man† because specialization is by definition limiting. The existentialist teacher seeks as many different opinions as possible to enrich the conversation. Teaching is a process of conversation and collaboration, a back-and-forth sharing of ideas. All teachers must be aware of their limitations and not attempt to falsely represent themselves as â€Å"experts. † An existentialist curriculum will focus on the humanities because of the openness and creativity inherent in the humanities. Students actively participate; they don't simply sit back and try to absorb material from the teacher.

India Independence Day

India's Independence Day â€Å"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new†¦ India discovers herself again. † – Jawaharlal Nehru After more than two hundred years of British rule, India finally won back its freedom on 15th August, 1947. All the patriotic hearts rejoiced at seeing India becoming a sovereign nation and the triumph of hundreds and thousands of martyred souls. It was a birth of a new nation and a new beginning. The only fact that marred the happiness of the fruits by the blood of martyrs was the fact that the country was divided into India and Pakistan and the violent communal riots took away a number of lives. It was on the eve of 15th of August, 1947 that India tricolor flag was unfurled by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on the ramparts the Red Fort, Delhi. History In 1947, after the World War II, Britain could see that it no longer could hold its power over India. It was becoming increasingly difficult and Indian freedom fighters were in no mood to give up. With the international support also coming to an end, Britain decided to relive India from their power but not before June 1948. However, the impending independence more so enhanced the violence between Hindus and Muslims in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. The communal violence grew so large that it became impossible for new viceroy Lord Mountbatten to control it and as such, he advanced the date for the transfer of power, allowing less than six months for a mutually agreed plan for independence. Thus, India gained its independence on August 15, 1947 but not without paying a heavy price. Partition was done and a separate state for the Muslims was formed, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah being sworn in as Pakistan's first Governor General in Karachi. On the midnight of August 15, 1947 India was sworn in as an independent country with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the prime minister and viceroy then as Lord Mountbatten. The official ceremony took place in Delhi. Great leaders and freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Abul Kalam Azad Jinnah, B. R. Ambedkar and Master Tara Singh are few of the many to whom India owes its freedom. Celebrations The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the world's biggest democracy as a national holiday. All the schools and colleges across nation hoist the national flag on the rooftops and the buildings to symbolize the stature of the national flag as nation's pride. Not only the educational institutions but also offices and business areas celebrate this day. Since it is declared a national holiday by the government of India, all the institutions, government or otherwise, have holiday. People only go to offices to attend the flag hoisting ceremony. The Prime Minister addresses the Nation after the flag has been unfurled recounting the country's achievements of the year, discussing current major issues and future plans for the progress of the country. Kite-flying has also become a tradition on this day and people can be seen flying numerous kites of all colors, sizes and shapes symbolizing the freedom. Independence Day is celebrated throughout India and every corner of the country on 15th August every year. Independence Day is celebrated by every citizen of India irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is amazing to see how apart from the normal government offices and educational institutions the day is celebrated even in small colonies and associations. There are costume parties and people, old or young, men or women, dress up in a nationalistic way. There are many documentaries aired and grave of martyrs are paid respect. Every citizen does something or the other to mark this day of freedom. Media is not far behind as most of the channels telecast latest or classic films based on the independence theme. Also, there are patriotic programs that are organized and broadcasted. In short, every person in the country revels in the nationalistic pride. August 15, 1947, a red-letter day for the Indians, is celebrated with great fanfare and show, across the length and breadth of India. The day, which is a national holiday, is dedicated to all those brave freedom fighters who fetched India her due respect and the much desired independence from the British rule. People in the country honor them, for sacrificing their lives for the freedom of their motherland. The day is celebrated by hoisting national flag, flying kites and organizing cultural activities in educational institutions. If you want to know all about the history of Independence Day, then go through the following lines. History of Independence Day Before the 18th century, India's relationship with the West had been predominantly trade-related. All this changed, when the forces of the East India Company defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Calcutta. That signaled the arrival of the British as rulers. Until the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the East India Company, with the Governor General as its head, ruled the subcontinent. After that, the Crown took over the administration, with the Viceroy served as its representative. In the 20th century, the country witnessed the rise of many leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Banded under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and his doctrine of non-violence, the freedom struggle moved ahead with new vigor. Milestones like the Quit India Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Khilafat Movement and Gandhi's Dandi March brought the inevitable freedom closer. At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, read out the decisive speech, proclaiming India's independence from the British Empire. The moment ended three centuries of British rule over India. The land was no longer the summer retreat of British sahibs, who sneaked into the nation to fancy spices, shikar, elephants and snake-charmers, and ultimately ended up getting a stranglehold over the nation and torturing the natives in every possible way. Independence Day remained the sole national festival until India declared itself a republic in 1950. Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation, where we were responsible for ourselves. However, it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For many people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition between India and Pakistan was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it. That was six decades ago. Much has changed over the years – today the freedom struggle finds its place in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs. Politics has undergone a personality change from fiery idealism to a pragmatic cynicism. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark. Nonetheless, come August 15 and you will find the people forgetting the drudgery of everyday life for a while, and coming together to pay homage to the brave heroes of the freedom struggle and standing up for the National Anthem. Along with the soaring cadences of the anthem, the hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow are renewed in political speeches and replays of the deeds of those, who earned us our freedom. Independence Day is an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people, who sacrificed their lives to the cause. The day also marks the coming together of the states into one nation – India. This was probably our biggest diplomatic success.

Jake – creative writing

I pushed off onto the ice; whoosh! I felt alive. I looked around at children laughing and falling, young lovers skating round and round, hand in hand. I turned to see Jake gliding toward me, a look of boyish glee on his face. I smiled and took his out-stretched, gloved hand in mine. We lapped the frozen lake together in synchrony, talking, laughing and generally showing off, when Jake decided to show me, and everyone else on the opaque ice, what he was made of. He sped off, jumping and twisting like half of Torville and Dean, receiving many admiring glances as he landed, sure-footed, back on the ice. â€Å"Bet you can't beat that!† he laughed across to me, his heavy breathe coming out cloudy in front of him. I couldn't ignore a challenge like that. I flew across the ice as though I had sprouted wings, oblivious to the cheers and shouts around me. I jumped, twisted, pirouetted and twirled elegantly, breathing in the sweet, pine-scented air. Torville was always the better half of the skating partnership. I skated back toward Jake, a triumphant smile flitting across my face. All at once the ice gave way beneath me; I didn't even have time to scream before a chasm opened up, swallowed me whole and the freezing water surrounded me. A memory flashed; this had happened before. I was only six then but the same fear I had then burned through my mind and numbed my body. I pushed upward, but my sodden clothes pulled me under; down, down. I tried to kick the heavy boots off my numb feet and pushed one last time. My outstretched fingers hit solid ice. I clawed and desperately clutched at the ice trying to find the hole. As my mouth filled with water I knew that this was the end, but I didn't care anymore because I was so cold. I just wanted to be warm. Suddenly a strong hand grabbed me from behind, wrenching me from the water and bringing me back to my senses. I looked up into Jake's hazel eyes; they were clouded with fear and worry. He planted a warm kiss on my cheek and wrapped his dry coat around me. â€Å"I love you,† he whispered in my ear. I was too cold to talk but my eyes radiated all the love I had for him. â€Å"An ambulance has been called, dear,† â€Å"it won't be long now,† a kindly old man murmured, smiling. â€Å"Thank you,† Jake replied, being my voice. I was completely numb to everything. I remember everyone coming forward and piling coats on top of me as Jake held me on the frozen ground. Jake whispered in my ear the whole time to try and keep me awake. Hazily, I tried to concentrate on the softness of his voice and the pain of my body eased. I don't know how long I lay there until the ambulance arrived and the young paramedics lifted me onto a stretcher and carried me into the ambulance. Jake was pushed aside when he explained he was my boyfriend. â€Å"I'm sorry,† the young man said, â€Å"but it's hospital policy; only family are allowed on board.† â€Å"Ok† Jake, said, pain in his voice. â€Å"I'll go and get her mum.† He nodded. â€Å"Be strong, beautiful† he called to me as he ran to get his car. I woke up a few hours later in a hospital bed, with my mother's face, shiny with tears and mascara stains, looming over me. â€Å"Hi sweetheart, its ok, I'm here now.† She said, her voice cracked and strained with worry. I tried to move my arms and legs before realising I was wrapped up in tinfoil. My mother, noticing my confused face, smiled and said â€Å"Its fine love, it just to keep you warm. The doctors want to keep you in over night to check that everything's ok, and then you and me can go home.† â€Å"Where's Jake, Mum?† † Didn't he come with you to the hospital?† Mum's body stiffened and she quickly turned her face away from mine. â€Å"What's the matter?† â€Å"Where is Jake?† I asked again, a hint of despair creeping into my voice. Just then the door inched open and Chloe's head popped round the door. † Lily?† â€Å"Lily, are you in there, I think they said room 2b.† â€Å"LILY!† Jessie squealed, as she pushed passed Chloe and embraced me in a hug as best she could, considering the way in which I was wrapped up. â€Å"Oh my god you look like a chicken drumstick!† joked Nia as she, Chloe and Jessie surrounded the bed. Mum quietly slipped out of the room and I smiled back at my friends soaking up the attention. Everyone that I cared about was around this bed. Except Jake. I felt a pang of sadness and rejection as it sank in that he had not yet come to visit. â€Å"You have missed so much!† Chloe stressed as she sat down on the comfy chair beside my bed. â€Å"Have I?† â€Å"I've only been here for half a day.† Chloe grimaced, â€Å"Yeah, well a lot happens in half a day you know!† she said. â€Å"Especially if someone's after your man!† added Jesse with a nod at Nia. â€Å"You know how Amy's been trying to steal Drey for ages, yeah?† â€Å"Well Nia caught Amy at a party, all over him like a rash!† she said raising her voice shrilly at the end of her sentence, causing the other two to glare and stare pointedly at the ‘please be quiet' sign. â€Å"Oops,† she giggled. â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"What did you do Nia? I hope it wasn't anything stupid!† I said trying to sound mature. â€Å"Of course I wasn't stupid. She just needed teaching a lesson.† â€Å"She smacked her one!† Chloe whispered stifling a giggle. â€Å"And broke her nose.† â€Å"You broke Amy's nose?† I questioned disbelievingly as Nia turned the colour of an over-ripe tomato. â€Å"No! You didn't?† I looked at Nia and the smug, satisfied look on her face said it all. â€Å"I chucked Drey of course. He wasn't exactly beating her off with a barge pole.† â€Å"Men! Who needs 'em?† cried Jessie loudly, only to be kicked and elbowed into silence. Jesse looked surprised but then, as though remembering herself, she quietened and sank back into the other chair looking upset. What the hell was going on? â€Å"Err†¦ What's wrong, guys?† I asked suspiciously. â€Å"Nothing†¦nothing† they all assured me. I was too tired to persist and suddenly felt overwhelmed by their noise. As though sensing this Nia announced, â€Å"Well we best be off† and nodding to the group they stood up and busied themselves putting the chairs and bedclothes straight, unnecessarily. One by one they all said goodbye bending over me for hugs. As they did so, I noticed that Jessie had glistening, held back tears in her eyes and she turned her head away as they left together. I slept for the rest of the day slipping in and out of dreams as my mum vigilantly sat beside my bed. The next morning I was allowed to go home. â€Å"You feeling ok, love?† asked my mum as she leaned across the car for a hug but I shrugged her off. â€Å"I'm fine thanks, mum; let's just get home, eh?† As we reached the main road mum questioned my sullen behaviour. â€Å"Are you sure you all right, love? You've hardly said a word.† â€Å"I'm fine, it's just that Jake hasn't called or come to see me in hospital. Doesn't he care?† Mum's eyes welled up and silent tears started to run down her face. She slowed down as her vision was blurred. I am no longer a child but when a parent starts crying you begin to worry. â€Å"Mum?† She just shook her head and continued driving in silence, along the slippery winter roads. When we pulled up to the house I got out of the car, stumbling toward the house in my eagerness to ring Jake. As mum followed me in she asked, â€Å"What do you want to do now, love?† with a tight, hollow smile on her face. â€Å"I'm just going to ring Jake for a chat. Don't worry I won't be on too long.† â€Å"Lily† mum said, catching hold of my arm; â€Å"We need to talk.† â€Å"Why? What's wrong?† â€Å"Sit down, love.† Mum said placing herself beside me and taking my red, chapped hands in hers. â€Å"I'm sorry to tell you this but†¦ Jake has passed away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she trailed off. â€Å"No!† I cried jumping up from the settee â€Å"NO!† â€Å"Calm down sweetheart!† Mum said pulling me back down beside her. I flopped down and searched her dark brown eyes trying to see some sense but as our eyes connected I knew it was true. Jake was gone. After what seemed a lifetime, I found my voice. â€Å"How?† I croaked as my throat began to close and bright spots invaded my vision as I broke down, but I had to know. † Car crash† came the strangled reply. â€Å"He was on his way to the hospital, and a lorry skidded on the roads†¦.they're so icy this time of year†¦.anyway, I'm sorry love, they hit Jake's car straight on.† â€Å"The doctors said he felt no pain.† My mum put her arms round me pulling me toward her as she did when I was a child. It had worked so well then, a mother's love could beat off all the evil in the world, but not now, not this time. I couldn't see how anything could be true anymore. I pulled away from her warm bond, chilled to the bone, and ran upstairs to my room, my sanctuary. I looked at the pictures on the wall, Jake. Jake. JAKE I wanted to scream but no words came out. I began tearing them all down, the pain inside me forcing itself into a ball, which welled up in my gut and rose to my throat but which I refused to set free. Staring at the defaced walls, something inside me snapped and I collapsed sobbing on my freshly-made bed and drifted into coma-like sleep. I awoke later wondering where I was and what had happened. Looking around and seeing the floor littered with torn pictures, the anguish and pain returned, tearing at my mind, body and soul. I rolled onto the floor and looked under the bed pulling out the pink and silver box Jake had given me for our first anniversary. I carefully withdrew the letters he had written to me and inhaled the deep, musky scent he always sprayed on the paper, as he knew I loved the aroma so much. I looked down to see his loopy handwriting on the very first letter he had sent to me and began to read words that I knew would never be spoken by him again. ‘My darling Lily, I love you with all my heart and I wish you were here, with me now. I wish I could be near you always, you are my heart and soul and I would give my life to you†¦' I crumpled the paper tightly in my fist and held it to my heart which was shattered in pieces inside my chest. Mum found me still clutching his letter hours later. â€Å"Come on, Lily.† â€Å"Jake's mum has just been on the phone. It's the funeral tomorrow, are you up to it?† Unable to find my tongue, I nodded. At the funeral I stood with Jake's mother, Cheryl. As a widow, Jake was her only son and now he was gone too. I was all she had left to cling to; ‘the daughter she never had'. Speeches were made about Jake by his best friend James and his uncle Peter, who had been like a father to Jake since his own had died when he was only a small boy. Sermons over, the black, shiny coffin was carried down the aisle by Jake's friends and relatives. I held Cheryl's hand tightly, holding on to let her know I was there for her. Cheryl had arranged the whole thing, right down to what he was wearing inside the silk-lined coffin-his last resting place. As â€Å"I'll be missing you† echoed around the full church, all my emotions flooded in and I began to weep for this was â€Å"our song†; Jake's and mine. My chest tightened as I gasped for breath, yet taking no air. It was just like drowning again, except this time there were no strong arms to pull me up. I was alone. Jake was gone. After the funeral, things didn't get better. Each day I sank deeper and deeper into depression, as I didn't see the point of going on without Jake by my side. Now he was no longer there to share my life I couldn't give a toss about anything; he used to be my backbone; my strength. Soon my friends tired of my depressive moods and each one wavered before eventually wilting away under the constant sorrow I was wallowing in. Mum tried of course but day by day our relationship became more strained as she tried to cheer me up and get me to take an interest in what was going on around me again. But the self-pity was all consuming and all efforts to encourage me to move forward were pushed away and rejected. After a couple of months, or maybe longer, something snapped. Black, black everything was black. But everything was clear to me, I would go and join Jake. The tablets that the doctor had left to help me to overcome my depression suddenly had a new purpose. They were my means of escape and one-way ticket to wherever Jake, my love, my life, was. It was so simply, quick and easy really. Why did I not think of it before? Why had I waited all this time and put all my friends through hell? Two packets of tablets later, nice, small pink ones each one bringing me closer to Jake I slipped into unconsciousness waiting to see the light I'd read about in magazines. But there was no light, only pain as the paramedics pumped the drugs out of my stomach. Mum crying again and angry at me for so selfishly wanting to waste my life in this way. Not that I cared then, but that was then and this is now. Waking up in the hospital once again, I felt the weight of depression that had pulled me down, like my clothes and boots under the ice, had lifted from me. I knew nothing would ever replace Jake and that my life would never truly be whole without him in it but somehow, some way after two close encounters with death I had seen a light and realised that life was a precious gift not to be wasted. It was different leaving the hospital with mum this time, knowing I was going home to start afresh. This time, instead of calling Jake, I went to say goodbye carefully putting all the things he had given to me in the box before sliding it under my bed.

Analysis Paper Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis Paper - Article Example In addition, the author also touches on other issues such as neoliberalism and globalization, which will help her to build up her article effectively. In addition, in the introduction she briefs the reader on the entire alignment of the article and the issues that will be discussed thereafter. This is a way of giving the reader morale to read the whole article. In addition, it also is a way of making a person have an idea of the whole article even before reading it wholly. The author also brings to the reader’s attention the different ideas about the topic that will be compared and analyzed in the article. This way, she avoids unnecessary mix up of the reader. Argument The author mainly gives her own opinions about the whole topic by analyzing the whole issue from different readings. This can also be seen from the fact that she uses the first person since she is mainly giving her own view about the whole issue. For instance, she states that â€Å"In this paper, I argue that r acial inequalities †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The use of the first person in this case is majorly to show that the author is trying to give her own idea about the whole issue alongside other ideas that have been given previously. In addition, she challenges the views given by other different works written about closely related issues. For instance, when she says, â€Å"In contrast to epiphenomenal approaches, I suggest†¦Ã¢â‚¬  it is to show that in the article, she challenges other works while building up on hers (Merrill, 1543). The author has also clearly stated that to date, there has been no other author engaging with the same issue as her in the whole of Italy. Therefore, in her opinion the topic has not been studied enough to enlighten the Italian society. Structure of the Paper In giving her argument, the author begins by introducing the reader to the overall issue of immigration in Italy. This gives the reader an overview of the issue that she will be tackling. The next section i n the article is the conceptual approach of racial discrimination of immigrants from Africa. At this point, she brings in the issue neoliberalism globalization (Merrill, 1544). She then explains how this affected the subject of immigration and how it changed it. It is also in this section that she examines how individuals have not noticed that neoliberalism affects immigration. In the next section, the author discusses about the overall issue of demographic patterns in Italy. She then outlines the characteristics of migration in the country and gives the way in which the two issues (demographic patters and migration) affect each other. She then examines how Italian workers have been racially discriminated in their own country. Further, on the same subject, she studies the production and output of outsiders in relation to the migration controls that have been set up (Merrill, 1545). The structure of the author’s work has been arranged in such a way that she clearly addresses a ll the issues independently without confounding the reader. Therefore, slowly, by connecting the different sections of the document, she comes up with her final article. Finally, she analyzes the overall problem of race in conjunction with trade unions in Italy. She clearly examines the way in which trade unions have failed to realize that workers are getting intimidated by the issue of racial discrim

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Week 6 Discussion - Assignment Example â€Å"A primary goal of any website or blog should be to provide its visitors with a pleasant and fulfilling experience† (Dailyblogstips). I believe that Wal-Mart should expand into any area of business that will increase its sales activity. The firm has grown so much internationally that it should be willing to provide personalized services such as ship to site services. Wal-Mart is a multinational corporation and the firm should be open to obtaining new clients in new markets by capitalizing on the brand value of the company. My general impression of Wal-Mart’s website is that the company is doing a good job of expanding its business using an e-commerce strategy. In 2010 ecommerce sales generated $152.1 billion in the United States (Plunkett Research). The company has to invest in developing its website to compete with other online retailers in the U.S. and abroad. As the biggest retailer in the world Wal-Mart has to capitalize on its brand value to generate more business from its online

The Concept of Segmentation & Marketing Environment in Porsche Term Paper

The Concept of Segmentation & Marketing Environment in Porsche Automobile - Term Paper Example Porsche is one of the companies that have increased its number of customers over the years (Kumar 2004). Competition from other companies with similar market base has made Porsche come up with new and innovative designs for their automobiles. In order to maximize their profit, Porsche has different kinds of models that include; consumer models market. Porsche meets the needs of the customers, from the average income one to the wealthy. If one of the models or series does not do well in the market, it will not have a large effect on the organization since the other series will not be affected (Ighoteguonor 2013). The price of the automobile has a range from $50,000 to $845,000 depending on the kind of model being purchased. The interesting fact is that 70% of the cars ever manufactured by Porsche are still on the road today. The organization has a plan of increasing the sale of the vehicles to 200,000 per annum by the year 2018. The attribution is from the excellent relationship betwe en employees and the partners as well as the customers (Wedel 2000). It results in increasing the customers’ enthusiasm towards Porsche products. Porsche used the four marketing mix to market and increase their sales all over the world; product, promotion, place and price (Kotler & Armstrong 2014). Their sports cars are high-end automobiles of high quality and high performance. Customers of Elite status purchase the products. High-quality products equal high prices from the company. The organization has resulted in consumer focused advertising in televisions, print media and direct for promotion of their products to the customers. The slogan is â€Å"Engineered for Magic Every day.† The products are different in each location sold to fit the customers’ needs (Zoeller 2014). For example, North America market embraces the American expectations and their values. The same

Inccident Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Inccident - Essay Example My mind had drifted off to recall the conversation at the kitchen table in the morning where I heard momma telling my dad of the intended visit of our grand parents for the summer. Having my grand parents for holidays made my days shine. Grand pa with his erect frame and ruddy sun tanned skin from countless hours in the outdoors brought me memories of great cowboys. Grand ma always reminded of softness with her twinkling blue eyes and beautiful soft skin. Her voice was so gentle and soothing that I loved to fall a sleep in her lap, listening to the stories and songs she read or sang to me at bedtime. I came out of the reverie of my grandma’s soft cocoon of love when I heard Tim, our implicitly appointed group leader chanted in a high pitch tone â€Å" Here comes a Wadley Sack..he he he he† and I looked up to see the woman of an extra bulky frame walking pass the lot. Tim was right in one sense in that she was hardly walking but waddling along with a difficult gait. She looked in our direction as the chanting got more boisterous with the rest of the boys, Sean, Steave, Mat and Harry joining in the ridiculing of the plus sized lady. I watched her, expecting to see anger and distaste in her expressions but was surprised at the kind and conciliatory look in her eyes. â€Å" Wow†¦ she must be eating like a giant!† said Tim, and everyone laughed aloud. I looked at her once again and thought that though she was rather big, she looked kind and pleasant with her redeeming smile. In the silence that followed, my â€Å"tag & hoop† buddies turned questioning ly at me. I have not uttered a single word up to now, nor had I joined in the laughter, which rankled the humid summer air. â€Å"Alan? You don’t think she looks like a big sack of potatoes?† Questioned Tim and I waited as if the cat got my tongue. â€Å"Oooohh†¦ Alan likes her! He doesn’t think she looks that bad!† Exclaimed Tim, the gang master in mock exaggeration and the others

2 seperate reaction papers on 2 to a multi-cultural education articles Essay

2 seperate reaction papers on 2 to a multi-cultural education articles - Essay Example The essay explains the highly contrasted difference between the history of the African nations and the literacy taught in the schools that were dominated by the Portuguese colonists since their rise as a sea and trading power. The authors point out the African backlash against an education system that had been established by the colonists and the resulting negative impact on literacy. Literacy carries with it much more than just the language. It provides the historical color and national identity of the population. The struggles of a people against oppression, invaders, or a colonizing force cannot be placed in the language of the colonizers. In the African colonies, all remnants of Portuguese history, geography, culture, and colonial ideology were purged from the literacy in an effort to create a school system with an African mentality (p.194). Still, once a language has reached dominance it can be destructive to eliminate all traces of it when there is no alternative for replacemen t. This is equivalent to an African-American that rebels against the dominance of the white culture, but is left with no adequate language, and little literacy, for self-expression. The problem of developing literacy pedagogy, measuring literacy, and developing a school curriculum, is based on the contentious and interpretive definition of literacy. The English speaking developed countries have held a traditional view that a student must be well read to be successful in academics. This often meant reading standardized texts based on English classics or the writings of Greek and Roman philosophers. These texts have little relevance to a multicultural classroom setting where history, social class, and culture play an integral part of education. In the lower grades, the educational system will set a goal of literacy and use a standard that requires the basic ability to read and write in the

(economics) assignment has two parts and both two parts have to be Essay

(economics) assignment has two parts and both two parts have to be explained in assignment - Essay Example Mars is challenged by biggies like Nestle, Ferrero, Cadbury etc. in the bars market. Sugar happens to be the one of the key ingredient as far as production of Mars Bars is concerned. In these competitive times profit margins have shown a shrinking trend. Now if the sugar supply falls short as a result of unfavorable weather conditions, the obvious fallout will be severe constraint in the procurement chain to maintain the levels of production. Sugar prices are bound to increase, resulting in an increase in production costs. Had there been no competition, Mars Inc would have resorted to a hike in prices of its bars. But the moment the company increases prices, competitors will grab the opportunity to further widen their market base, even if that meant subsidizing the product. Rival companies would resort to such a step, hoping that once the weather conditions improve, the supply will normalize and then they can fill the revenue gap by using the increased market base. As the adverse con dition is a temporary occurrence, therefore, even under these conditions, Mars bars will continue to be made available with the same price tag. There could be somewhat less number of products in the market. Some amount of cost could be recovered by way of cutting advertisement and market communication costs, as the company would be content with effectively serving its existing market only. The shortage is worldwide therefore almost all companies in the business will be equally affected. If the shortage stays for longer then only the company will start thinking about a step like price increase. The direct fallout of increased wages will of course be on the cost of production, which is bound to go up. As a result the profit margins will be under pressure and the company will have to try really hard to maintain the previous levels. But at the same time, increased wages will act as a motivational force for the workers who will now work with more zeal

Economic environment effect on Build-a-Bear Essay

Economic environment effect on Build-a-Bear - Essay Example When consumers’ income decrease, then it is expected that their purchasing power will fall thus impacting on the brand negatively. For example, after the financial crisis of 2007/2007, consumers’ income fell remarkably in the United States as a result of closure of companies, laying down of workers and reduction of salaries of wages (Nanto Dick). As a result consumers were unable to spend money buying items in the manner they did before the financial crisis. This is what resulted in the decline in sales of the Build-a- bear company thus negatively affecting its brand. According to the company’s press release the company increased its sales remarkably in the first quarter of 2013 (yahoo finance). Other external factors that affected the company’s brand are savings, debts, employment and credit. All these factors were also greatly influenced by the financial crisis of 2007/2008 thus negatively affecting the company’s brand. This is due to the fact thi s industry dependent highly on consumers’ disposable income (Accuval). How Recent Stock Market Movements have Affected the Company Despite the economic crisis of 2007/2008, the United States of America economy has been recovering gradually. This has been as a result of the austerity and stimulus policies that have been adopted by the United States of America government (Weaver, 189). ... At the same time the company’s sales increased by1.4 dollars more than the previous quarter. This is a remarkable improvement considering the company was performing poorly after the financial crisis of 2007/2008. This is because consumers in the united Sates of America opted for imported toys and other commodities in the industry from countries such as china since they were at a cheaper price. Thus it can be concluded that the recent stock market movements have favored the company. Actions Has the Company been Taking in Response to these Developments and Trends In order to cope with the developments and trends in the economy, the company came up with a number of strategies. Firstly, the company introduced a store design that is new where the company introduced 11 stores which were newly imagined. These stores increased sales to 20 percent in the second quarter. The company expects that by 2013 it will have established the new store design in at least 30 locations and 25 more i n 2014. The company decided to reduce on operational costs by closing up 38 stores in 2012 and transferring the sales of these stores to other stores in the market. The company also remodeled it stores in order to save on cost by reducing the square footage occupied by the stores. It also moved to smaller premises in small malls. Build-a Bear also changed its approach to marketing and advertising in order to increase shopping frequency. The company did this by building their brand through television advertising in its markets in the United States of America 2012 mid October. It also rebalanced its marketing mix in Europe in order to retain existing customers and attract more consumers to their products. This has resulted in the company realizing

Clerk & Squire Contrast The Canterbury Tales Essay Example for Free

Clerk Squire Contrast The Canterbury Tales Essay In Chaucers The Canterbury Tales, two young men of the Middle Ages, stand in sharp contrast to each other. The clerk and the squire are of similar ages but are very different. The clerk is a member of the middle class, has attended Oxford and studied Aristotle, while the squire, a member of the upper class, has been educated in the arts of chivalry. In appearance wise the clerk is a grave or somber individual. He is thin hollow-cheeked and dresses poorly (outer cloak threadbare). On the other hand the squire is a bright, cheerful person. He is lusty, strong and nimble and dresses extravagantly red and white embroidery; short coat with long wide sleeves. His facial appearance is similar to his dress habits, his hair is curled and he is very handsome. The two differ in personality as well. The clerk is formal and modest when he speaks and he only speaks (gives his input) if it is needed. He is also considerate of others, pray diligently for the souls of them that gave him wherewith to stay at the schools and his speech is of moral virtue. The royalty of the squire was apparent in his personality. He is courteous, modest and helpful to others. His royal roots show that he is a respectable man and in his youthful state, he is full of energy. Finally, we can see that the two have very different interests. The clerk is interested in lectures on logic, reading Aristotle and studying Philosophy. He also loves to learn and teach and convey his knowledge to others. The squire is engulfed with the many campaigns/battles of the country and loves jousting in his spare time. He also enjoys singing, playing the flute, riding horses, making songs, dancing drawing and writing. The squires royalty shows through his interests because the middle class would not have the time or resources to commit to these interests. The portrait of the clerk and the squire in The Canterbury Tales shows two men of similar age; in the same time frame, The Middle Ages. We learn that the two are very different in appearance, personality and interests. This can be attributed to the fact that they grew up in different classes. The clerk in the Middle Class and the squire in the High Class, in this time  frame classes molded how an individual grew and learned. Chaucer shows in his novel how two individuals can be the same in some ways but very different in others.

Our aim is to investigate how much quicker Essay Example for Free

Our aim is to investigate how much quicker Essay Aim:- Our aim is to investigate how much quicker a reaction happens if the acid we uses strength goes up, and also to see if there is a pattern which could be carried on to higher strength acids. Background Science:- Chemical reactions play a very important part in our life, some even keep us alive (the process of our digestion system is a series of chemical reactions which convert food into chemicals which can be more easily used by our bodies), other circumstances where chemical reactions are used in our bodies that cut down the amount of acid in your stomach, there are also chemicals in washing powder for removing stains by using chemicals called enzymes which speed up the breakdown of the chemicals in stains. All chemical reactions happen at various speeds, such as chemicals in fireworks which react very fast, within seconds of the firework being lit the reaction is over. Slow chemical reactions could be such things as the ripening of cheese so it can mature over time. Some adhesives we use require two chemicals to be mixed depending on the amounts used it could make the glue harden quickly or slowly. Some reactions happen slowly whereas some happen very fast. The name in which we measure a speed of a reaction is called a Rate Of Reaction. It can be measured in two ways, either the rate in which one of the products is produced, one of the products that is produced is gas, you can measure gas in a syringe or in a upturned burette. Another method that can be used is recording mass of the reactant, (how much the mass has added to its weight of lost). The mass could be recorded every minute and could be written like this, 1. 0g/60secs. Variables:- We had four variables to choose from, Temperature, Concentration, Surface area/Pressure and Catalyst. If we were to use temperature we would measure how much quicker the reaction would go if the acid and calcium were heated together, but we would have to keep the temperature at a constant heat as it wouldnt be a fair test if the reactants were getting hotter and colder. If we were to use a catalyst it would be used to speed up the reaction, but this would be unfair because we wouldnt be able to measure how much extra speed is being put in by the catalyst. Or we could change the surface area of the reactant, this would give the acid more of a area to act on, to measure this we would have to weigh the calcium first then expose it to the acid for a certain time and then take it out and weigh it, making sure we use the same concentration of acid each time to make it a fair test. We decided to use Concentration, for this we would change the strength of concentration each time and take a volume of gas that is given off every ten seconds. From choosing the variable Concentration we can measure the rate of gas that is being given of, this could be useful because we could work out how much gas per minute is being given off, from that we can then predict how much gas is being given off for any time you need to find. Prediction:- I think that as the strength of the acid goes up the rate of reaction will go up. Collision Theory:- I think this will happen because the higher the strength of the solution the more particles there are in the solution, which means more collisions more frequently. The acid will hit the calcium carbonate, if there is enough energy in the acid the calcium and acid will react together to give off Carbon Dioxide. The more the particles collide the faster they react. I have made a predicted graph, showing what I think the graph will look like. I have drawn in the lines of best fit showing the steepness of the line. This diagram shows how the acid particles collide with the marble chip to give off a gas. Method:- Set up apparatus as shown above. 1. Measure out desired amount of marble chips. 2. Measure out desired amount of hydrochloric acid 0. 25 mole first, then when all experiments with 1 mole have been completed go onto 0. 5 mole then 1 mole then 1. 5 and finally 2 mole. 3. Fill up the water bowl. 4. Fill measuring cylinder with water up to 100 ml. 5. Holding hand over the top of the measuring cylinder quickly turn it upside down and place it under the water (as shown above). If the water comes out refill the cylinder and try again. 6. Place tube so one end is coming up in the cylinder under water. 7. Put the marbles in the chronicle flask. 8. Pour in the hydrochloric acid and quickly affix the top with the tube coming out of it into the chronicle flask. 9. Decide at what time you will measure how much gas is given off. We decided to take a reading every 10 seconds, we also decided to start taking the readings at 30 seconds. You measure how much gas is given off by the water dropping in the measuring cylinder. E. g. 10 mls given off in the first 30 seconds. 10. Take these readings for 100 seconds using a stop watch to be precise. I am going to take 3 repeats, I am doing 3 because I can get a fair average from these 3 results. From the averages I will plot a graph to compare the different strength acids. Analysis:- (Graphs). From my graphs I clearly show the variable of different strengths of acids. As I used higher strength acids, the time in which the gas was produced got much faster. As the acids get stronger the lines become more inline. Whereas the 0. 5 points were all over the place. From my results I can see that my prediction was correct I think that as the strength of the acid goes up the rate of reaction will go up. I could see that from my results the strength of acid went up and the speed it took to make the gas went down. This links to the collision theory, that is that as the strength of the acid went up there were more particles to collide on the marble, which meant that more gas was given of due to more particles in the small mixture. The higher the strength of acid the more accurate the results became, we can see this because the range bars get smaller as the strength of the acid gets stronger. From the predicted graph I can see a difference in the results graph. The 1 mole strength acid has taken longer than the 0. 5 mole acid to produce the gas. I will explain the possible reasons for this more in my evaluation. Evaluation:- The main difficulty we faced was with the 2 mole strength acid because it reacted so fast we barely had time to read the times precisely. This may have meant we had unfair results. The main anomalous results were the 1 mole results, because from the information we have (collision theory) it tells us that it is stronger than the 0. 5 mole which means it should be lower than on the graph than 0. 5. But it isnt. This may have been because the results were read wrong, the acid we used may have been slightly too strong or the marble chips we used may have been smaller which means it is easier for the acids to break down. To improve the accuracy we could use a burette, which are far more accurate than a measuring cylinder or a gas cylinder. Gas Syringe Burette Computer data collectors are a very accurate way of registering the time, also if you were to use a camera recorder so you could look back at it and pause it when it got to the times when you needed to record a time. The results would never be the same because sometimes the measurement of marble chips maybe slightly more or less, or the accuracy of reading the time would be slightly out etc. As I said earlier in my investigation the results seemed to become more reliable as the strength of acid went up. Although it should be less accurate to measure the time as the acid strength went up it seemed to be more accurate. James Lane 11N Rates Of Reaction Investigation.

The Weak Animal Rights Position

The Weak Animal Rights Position Mary Anne Warren proposes an animal rights argument known as the weak animal rights position. First, I will be describing Warrens description of the positions and the arguments in support of it. Next, I will propose the objection to Warrens position that using sentience as the distinguishing characteristic promotes detrimental environmental policy. Then, I will argue that sentient animals act as an umbrella species that protect the environment. Finally, I will describe why my objection to Warrens argument is the stronger argument. In this paper, I will argue that Warrens weak animal rights position is incorrect and that bad environmental policy can result from her argument. In the paper Difficulties with the Strong Animal Rights Position, Mary Anne Warren argues for an animal rights position called the weak animal rights position. This animal rights position states that all sentient animals have rights; however, the rights of those nonhuman animals are not as strong as those of humans. First, I will describe what Warren means by sentient. Sentient animals means all animals who are capable of have experiences, including experiences of pleasure or satisfaction and pain, suffering, or frustration (Warren, p. 164). This can be simplified to all animals that feel pain. Warrens animal rights position includes a wide range of animals. The position also gives people a method to deal with differences between nonhuman animals rights strength. For example, should mice be given the same rights as an elephant? The weak animal rights position says that the rights of animals from different species can have levels of strength. To justify this claim Warren states that t he strength of animals right is based off of the animals mental sophistication. The more mentally sophisticated an animal is the greater their ability to suffer is, thus the stronger its rights are. It would still be wrong to kill mice without a justifiable reason, but it would not be a wrong as killing an elephant without a justifiable reason (Warren, p166). I will now explain what Warren means by nonhuman animal rights not being a strong as human rights. The weak animal rights position says that the rights given to sentient nonhuman animals can be violated at times when it would not be acceptable to violate human rights. Warren argues that the morally relevant feature that separates humans from nonhuman is that humans are capable of listening to reason. Through reasoned arguments humans chose between actions (Warren, p. 169). Therefore, the rights of animals can be overridden in situations where human rights could not be. The example that is used by Warren is killing rodent to protect our food or to prevent the spread of disease. If humans were spreading disease or stealing from our food supply society would not find it morally acceptable to kill the humans like they would with mice. The weak animal rights position says that killing the mice, in the most humane way possible, is a morally acceptable action if they are causing harm to hum ans (Warren, p. 167). Another example used by Warren is culling deer in over populated areas where there are no longer natural predators due to human interference. Through Warrens animal rights position it is morally acceptable to kill individuals in a way that causes the least amount of suffering if the environment needs protecting so that the animals can live a natural lives. With Warrens example reintroduction of natural predators is necessary, but hunting can be substituted in the beginning to decrease the population size. The weak animal rights position says that we have an obligation not only to the animals lives, but also to protect the environment so that the animals can live a natural life. Therefore, if predators are a natural part of an animals life, the individual rights of that animal can be overridden and predation can be reintroduced in areas where it has been removed from (Warren, p. 168). These strategies would not be acceptable with humans, but because nonhuman animals cannot reason, the ir rights can be overridden in each situation. My objection to Warrants argument is that by only give rights to sentient animals it does not produce good environmental policies. My objection to Warrens argument is that only including sentient animals, as having rights, does not guarantee good environmental policies. I argue that by only finding it morally wrong to harm animals that feel pain other important organism such as plants are downgraded and dismissed. By only giving rights to sentient animals a wide range of animals are left without rights. Imagine that there is an ecosystem where there are only non-sentient organisms like spiders, plants, and microorganisms. According to the weak animal rights position it would morally acceptable to build a hospital here that would completely abolish the entire ecosystem. There are no sentient animals in the ecosystem, so there would not be any suffering. However, eliminating an entire ecosystem is not a good environmental policy. Other organisms that do not feel pain according to Warrens view of sentient do not need to be taken into account. Non-sentient animals or organism still can have important value to the wo rld as a whole. The weak animal rights position does not guarantee good environmental policy. Another example would be if there was some toxin in an environment that only affected non-sentient organisms and animals but caused sentient animals in the area to stop reproducing. The sentient animals do not suffer because of the toxin but the species will eventually go extinct from not reproducing (Katie McShane, 11-15-10). The weak animal rights position does not find this morally unacceptable. Because the sentient animals are not suffering from the toxin their rights are not being violated. However, this is a terrible environmental policy. In my objection to Warrens argument I argue that the weak animal rights position does not guarantee good environment policy. However, by giving sentient animals rights and thus protection they are an umbrella species and the entire ecosystem is protected. The degradation of an ecosystem that contains sentient animals affects the lives, health, pleasure, and pain. If the effects are negative to sentient animals then it is likely that whatever the cause of the environmental degradation would be ratified. For example, if sentient animals will suffer greatly because of a building be built then it would not be morally justifiable to eliminate or degrade an entire ecosystem. The sentient animals act as a protector of the environment in which they are located. The likeliness that there is an environment that does not have sentient animals is unlikely, so ecosystems would be protected because of the sentient animals involved. The conclusion drawn from this paper is that Warrens argument is that using sentient as a distinguishing characteristic to determine what animals have rights creates bad environmental policy. Ecosystems should have value even if they do not include sentient animals as defined by Warren. Ecosystems as a whole should not be discarded. Although there are very few ecosystems that do not include sentient animals, a situation could arise where sentient animals rights are not a factor in an environmental situation. By only allowing sentient animals to have rights ecosystems can be harmed when sentient animals are not involved. As seen with the examples in my objection, entire ecosystems could be destroyed and it would be morally acceptable. Non-sentient organism can have value even though they do not feel pain. Animal rights arguments should not yield poor environmental policies. Animals and ecosystems need to be supported through animal rights, which are not accomplished by Warrens weak an imal rights position. Warren argues for an animal rights position that only sentient animals have rights and that nonhuman animal rights are not as strong a human rights. My objection to Warrens argument shows that only including sentient animals as having rights results in bad environmental policy. My reply to my objection claimed that sentient animals act an umbrella species that protects the environment. The strongest argument was found in my objection. Warrens sentient characteristic does not guarantee good environmental policy decisions.

Technology Is The Seed Of Our Destruction :: essays research papers

I agree and disagree with this statement. Technology has become very important in our society recently, and more people are getting involved with it, discovering new technology, and introducing it into society. The big question is whether or not society is ready for all the new techonological advancements. In some cases, the answer is yes. I am quite certain that people can handle TV, computers and radios fairly well. However, some technology would be way too advanced for us, such as a mind-reading room, perhaps? I think with the right knowledge and experience, individual people can handle any new technology that is introduced to them. People in large numbers tend to panic, and not deal with new things very well. It is my opinion that as a crowd of people grows larger, the collective intelligence of the crowd grows smaller. If advanced technology is introduced suddenly to a large number of people, then it will not work. If you introduce it slowly, it might work better. Some tehnology has helped us in many ways, such as: microscopes, electricity, and computers. Other technology has both helped and hindered us, such as the television and the car. Some technology has not helped at all, such as an electric fork or the electric car, the latter being too expensive for any normal person to run. Television is a big thing nowadays, and it has rotted the minds of children and adults alike. However, it has also improved communication, and if viewed in small time slots, it has enhanced some people’s intelligence. Some parents may sit their children in front of the television for hours while they go off somewhere to drink, etc. I don’t think this helps their children’s intelligence, and it eventually distances the children from the parents. For example, if you have children, and a television, what do you think would happen if you removed the TV from the house? The answer is simple: your kids would hate you for it. This is because they have grown accustomed to having the TV there as a distraction, or as entertainment. However, if you had never owned a TV, would your kids miss it? I think that, to a certain extent, technological advancement is a very good thing, because it can enhance and enrich our lives, but when it starts to take over the simple things in life and makes everything instant and electronic, technology can be bad.

Bad Choices, Bad Outcome :: essays research papers

Throughout Hamlet’s ordeal, he must interact with many people. Each interaction poses several possible ways to act, because of his obsessive nature, he often chose to sacrifice relationships in order to accomplish other goals and feel better about his situation. Many times, Hamlet could have tried to confront people concerning the way they were acting, but instead chose to ignore their existence, or in more extreme cases, end their existence. I can’t stress enough how different the situation could have been had Hamlet not letting his emotions get the best of him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the major themes within the play is people putting on acts. Hamlet was no exception; he pretended to have gone mad after his father died, even when this faux-madness led to losing people he loved. For example, Hamlet acted completely out of his mind when he was with the woman he truly loved, Ophelia, because of this act, he lost her. Had Hamlet confided in his love, and let her know what was going on as far as his emotions, she may have stayed sane and stuck by Hamlet. This action would also leave the possibility of Ophelia living, rather than drowning in depression. The possibility of not seeing Ophelia anymore could have been explored as well. While it would have been hard for Hamlet to ignore Ophelia, she may have lived her life much longer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another major theme in Hamlet is procrastination. Throughout the play, Hamlet wants to avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius, but every chance that arises is pushed aside by Hamlet. Claudius was praying all alone, and rather than kill him at that moment, Hamlet thought about the situation and decided that he didn’t want Claudius to have a chance to go to heaven. Had Hamlet simply went ahead and done what he wanted to do, deaths that occurred later in the play could have been prevented. It’s this obsessive nature that led Hamlet to his tragic ending. Hamlet never thought about whether or not killing Claudius would hurt his mother; he never even thought to ask her what she thought about his theory that Claudius killed his father. This is yet another example of Hamlet throwing away relationships to deal with things on his own.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another folly of Hamlet’s obsessive nature is how he ended up killing Polonius. While talking to his mother, Hamlet was suspicious of being spied on, and when he noticed someone under a curtain, he immediately killed the person without even bothering to check who it was.

Shakespeare Moot Court Project Essays -- William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in My Canada Desmond Manderson and Paul Yachnin created the Shakespeare Moot Court Project in 2002, aimed at exploring the interpretative nature of law and literature in relation to Shakespeare. In this court, Shakespeare is law; his plays and sonnets form a body of law used to argue cases of various topics. In 2003-2004, the project took on the issue of same-sex marriage in â€Å"Love on Trial: Same Sex Marriage and the Law of Shakespeare.† Halpern v. Attorney General of Canada, a case from 2002 that challenged the heterosexual definition of marriage in Ontario, was the starting point of the project. The legality of same-sex marriage according to Shakespeare was considered in relation to the meaning of the institution and the necessity of heterosexuality within it (Manderson 479). The case was initially decided in favor of same-sex marriage, and later was appealed and heard for a final time on 27 September 2004 at McGill University to a packed audience, an event which is the subject of this paper. While â€Å"Love on Trial† is an exercise in the connections between law, literature, and the social function of Shakespeare, it also performs a cultural function in its connection to a contemporary Canadian social issue. The blending of Canadian concerns regarding same-sex marriage and the authority of Shakespeare are joined in this project to create a forum to discuss the national issue in a literary context. The arguments for both sides of the appeal were previously published in the McGill Law Journal and are thus referred to here. Desmond Manderson’s first argument for the legality of same-sex marriage is the â€Å"Armenian argument†: both same-sex marriages and marriages between Armenians do not occur in Shakespe... ... issue that was nonexistent in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Though the trial is interested in looking at law, literature, and the interpretations of both through Shakespeare, in this case it becomes a forum to discuss a particularly Canadian issue. Thus Manderson’s and Yachnin’s adaptations of Shakespeare are related to issues of the nation. This tie between Shakespeare and Canada has been present throughout the history of the country, and â€Å"Love on Trial† suggests the continuing importance of Shakespeare in Canada. 6 Works Cited: Fischlin, Daniel and Mark Fortier. â€Å"General Introduction.† Adaptations of Shakespeare. Fischlin, Daniel and Mark Fortier, eds. London: Routledge, 2000: 1-22. Manderson, Desmond and Paul Yachnin. â€Å"Love on Trial: Nature, Law, and Same-Sex Marriage in the Court of Shakespeare.† McGill Law Journal. 49.3 (2004): 475-514.

Invictus Explication Essay

Written in the form of a sonnet, William Ernest Henleys poem â€Å"Invictus† describes the continuos battle against darkness and sin that every human being experiences in his or her life. â€Å"Invictus† is formatted in four stanzas with four lines each and every stanza serves a separate purpose then the stanzas before. Henley reveals one of the major themes of this poem through the words â€Å"My head is bloody, but unbowed† (8). This line at the end of stanza two displays that everybody will endure struggles at some point in their life, but they cannot let those struggles complete destroy hemselves. Each stanza not only introduces realistic struggles and hardships that human beings face, but they also illustrate how humans can triumph over those hardships. For example, the very beginning of the poem starts off with â€Å"Out of the night that covers me/ Black as the pit from pole to pole† implying that darkness and wickedness surround someone’s life (1-2). Later on in the beginning of stanzas two and three words such as â€Å"fell clutch/†¦ horror of the shade’†¦ [and] menace of the years† also introduce a dark and gloomy tone to the poem (4,9-10). Once the gloomy tone has een presented, Henley quickly switches gears and flips the tone to one of strength and encouragement; The transition of tones is exhibited in strong language such as â€Å"l have not winced, nor cried aloud† (6). Henley formats each stanza in a way where the reader leaves with positive thoughts as he or she continues reading. All throughout the poem, every line contains either a positive or negative tone; however, the order in which the lines are written change with each stanza. Rather than simply alternating between positive and negative tones with each line, Henley hanges not only the orders but also the amount of the positive and negative lines within each stanza. For example, the first stanza contains two negatively toned lines that are followed by two positive lines, but the second stanza alternates from negative to positive. By altering the order of the lines, Henley hints at the fact that life can throw good or bad things at you in any order. Different from all other stanza’s, the third stanza contains three negatively toned lines and only one positively toned line. The stanza begins â€Å"Beyond this place of wrath and tears/ Looms but the Horror of the shade/ and yet the menace of the years† creating an extremely dark and malicious feel to the stanza (9-11). However, the maliciousness is shown to be ineffective to this person as the â€Å"menace of the years/ finds and shall find [him/her] unafraid† (11-12). Since stanza three contains three negatively toned lines in a row, it indicates that life can become absolutely overwhelming with darkness and evil, but no matter how hopeless life may seem people always have the choice to fight and â€Å"be unafraid†. The themes of self-reliance and survival present themselves strongly in the last stanza. Essentially, Henleys â€Å"Invictus† can be summed up with one simple statement: humans control their own lives, they have been given the authority to do whatever they desire. The use of the words â€Å"Master† and â€Å"Captain† in lines 15-16 prove this statement because both masters and captains are leaders who are inclined to make their own decisions. These lasts lines ultimately prove that people are in control of in their own hands. Whether a person ends up down the road of triumph or defeat falls complete upon his or herself because â€Å"[they] are the Masters of [their] fate/ [they] are the Captains of [their] soul† (15-16).

Photo Manipulation and Our Society Essay

Almost everything we see today from the billboard ads to magazine covers, we see several photographs that are purposefully manipulated to either sell a product or an idea. By seeing these photos we somehow ingrain in our memory the concept being conveyed through them. From perfect cookie cutter models and artists to the overly manipulated advertisements, these things are part of how the society defines their view of the world. The question now is; should photos be manipulated to effectively convey an idea to the society? Photo manipulation is defined as â€Å"the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means. † With this, we can say that photo manipulation is a form of art wherein you would drastically change and/or combine several images to create a new one to effectively show your concept as an artist. We could also say that photo manipulation is a technique where you can drastically alter an image to deceive people by creating illusions to promote a product or an idea. There are other definitions of photo manipulation and it mainly covers how much of the original photo was changed to create a new one. When we see smartly conceptualized advertisements we somehow get that image stuck in our memory banks for their beauty and good use of technique. These advertisements work both as a great work of art making it a medium to sell something to the public. It really shows the creativity of the artist/photographer by transforming his pictures into something more powerful and thought evoking. Photo manipulation as a work of art is one of the better sides of photo manipulation for it promotes both your creativity as an artist. These new images have a major effect on society for it may supplement your advocacy and a call for change. Several issues with photo manipulation have risen since it became popular in the 1920s. It has been extensively used for photojournalism. A picture is worth more than a thousand words. What you see affects your perception on what’s real or not, it can mislead from the truth and even make you misinterpret the facts. Because of this the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) in the USA has set a Code of Ethics which promotes accuracy of published images and over manipulation. We also see extensive photo manipulation in advertisements nowadays. In this current time people usually see advertisements having models with bodies which look like they’ve gone through a cookie cutter because of their perfection. Perfect skin, perfect smile, perfect teeth, perfect eyes. We rarely see the real view where average people can relate themselves to and in turn feel good about it. It is completely understandable that advertising firms are after aesthetics and product imaging but they should do it completely in the bounds of what is natural and normal. In conclusion, photo manipulation is really a helpful technique in expressing one’s thoughts, emotions and ideas. When you manipulate an image you usually add or remove some parts to help make the composition of the photo better and more interesting. Since we all have easy access to photo manipulating software we get to enjoy it by transforming pictures into colorful stories then it turns into a work of art. However, there are times that you get deceived by what you see and you wouldn’t know if what you’re seeing is real or not. This is sometimes the case with some photos being published in the news and advertisements. They do a great job with editing their photos that the public gets swayed with a wrong idea or perception of the truth. Photo manipulating is a skill to learn but use it ethically and responsibly.

Invent Your Own Religion

Skylar Mabe Religious Experiences Coffee Cult The Coffee cult was created as a unifying religion. Drinkers of the bitter liquid accept all kinds of drinkers: milk and sugar, honey, no sugar, no milk, black and even decaf. Members of the Coffee Cult, the drinkers, battled the likes of the tea, hot chocolate and soda drinkers for land and power since the beginning of time. In fact, the coffee cult was the most victorious among beverage worshipers. Because all pure beans have a bit of caffeine, the crusaders were able to stay awake longer than all the other thirsty ones.The coffee crusades took place over 100 years to conquer the holy lands of South America, where the sacred bean first flourished. Since then, the crusades continue over much land in Africa and some parts of Europe. The cult began in the 1400s when the bean was first discovered. The wealthy first had rights to the indulgent drink until a group of around the clock laborers caught wind of the side effects of The Bean. The l aborers worked from sun-up until sun-down but could never produce enough of anything to make a product. They stole The Bean and began experimenting. They cooked with it and crushed it into powder.They chewed it and put it on their skin but nothing could come close to The Bean and water. The ingredients were so simple, anyone could do it- and that’s exactly what they loved. The laborers didn’t have to be rich to experience the caffeine high, they just had to boil water and mix it with their stolen goods. â€Å"Coffee† as it would soon be known as was brewed at 6am, before nobility woke up and after the laborers had been awake for hours. They would brew it quickly and drink it slowly. Although it helped production by 200%, there was only a small amount of people who would go the lengths to steal it from the wealthy and bring it back.They were known as the Coffee Cult. One day the cult stole enough to brew and to plant so they traveled to the rainforests of South A merica, far away from the wealthy and began cultivation of what became one of the most sacred beverages in the world. The morning time is sacred to all Drinkers. All devout drinkers rise at 6am to enjoy at least 2 cups of coffee before starting their day; however, the only way to be looked down upon as a Drinker is to NOT have had a cup of coffee by 1400 hours. There are many different levels of the Coffee Cult; the highest and most respected are the coffee crusaders.They must learn all there is to learn about coffee in order to fight for it. In order to be a coffee crusader, you must first go through all stages of The Bean. The beginning stage is the first step in all coffee rituals and all rituals take place at 1400 hours. Stage One: Thirsty one becomes a Drinker The thirsty one must drink a cup of pure (black) coffee, and savor a bean- taking care of it all day until the dawn of a new day where the bean must be consumed. If there are any imperfections due to lack of care for the Bean, the thirsty one must wait 14 days to try the ceremony again.Once the bean in consumed the thirsty one is then considered a Drinker. Although there are many stages one can excel to, the common name for all cult members is â€Å"a Drinker. † Stage Two: Drinker becomes a Brewer In the second stage to becoming a crusader you must first learn how to reproduce the black gold. A ceremonial iron coffee maker is given to the drinker. The drinker carries the iron machine to his/her kitchen where he makes his first cup of coffee for his family and closest friends; they serve as the witnesses for this stage. On rare occasions, this stage is also used to convert a thirsty one to a drinker.It is considered a sacred and once in a lifetime experience when the new Brewer can brew coffee for a thirsty one to convert them to a drinker. Stage Three: Brewer becomes a Grinder Anyone can brew a cup of coffee but it takes an expert and lover of The Bean to be able to posses the knowledge to gr ind The Bean. To become a Grinder, there are 2 parts: Self-grinding and machine-grinding. The first part is learning the texture of The Bean. To learn the texture and smell the aroma one must grind The Bean with a mortar and pestle. A ceremonial 14 beans are self-grinded and kept beside the coffee maker for the life of the Drinker.The second part of becoming a Grinder takes place the next day at 1400 hours. A ceremonial iron grinder is again taken to the kitchen where close family and friends witness the brewer count out the number of beans it takes to make 12 cups of coffee and insert them into the grinder where they are used to brew the pot of coffee for the transformation cup. Not until the Brewer finishes his pure cup of coffee is he a Grinder. Stage Four: Public Dedication In order to become a Barista, one must first show their love and dedication, not only to their family and closest friends but also to all believers.The Grinder will wake up for 14 days (these days do not have to be in a row) at 5am to go to his or her local â€Å"coffeehouse† (an optional place with multiple brewers and grinders where all drinkers can meet and have coffee before they start their day) to brew and grind coffee for the other drinkers. Because those 14 days do not have to be completed consecutively, the public dedication could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. Once this stage is finished, the Drinker is judged on his coffee by the members of his coffeehouse.Depending on his score, he may be able to attend Barista School. If the Drinker does not make a high enough score this step must be repeated until he is able to move on; however, many drinkers end their journey here. To be able to make coffee for a group of people outside of friends is a high honor. If the Drinker does make a high score, he is ready for schooling and could possibly get paid for public coffee making. Stage Five: Becoming a Barista School for the drinker lasts 14 weeks. It’s a rigorous course in which The Drinker goes home to home to learn of different types of coffee.After that The Drinker studies The Bean through science, religion, its artistic appearance and its aroma. The most important step in becoming a Barista is the reproduction of The Bean. Once the Drinker masters growing The Bean on his own, he is ready for the final stage: The Perfect Pairings. Some perfect pairing for the bean consist of warmed milk, water, caramel, chocolate and whipped cream. Once they graduate from their schooling and training, they become a Barista and are eligible for pay in the coffeehouse, if they chose that as a career.Stage Six: The Crusader arises The gap between a Barista and a Crusader is small but meaningful. If there is a need, any and all Baristas will be called into battle and immediately become a Crusader. If there is no need for battle, a Barista can chose to study under 2 past crusaders and begin a coffee farm. The act of growing a large amount of coffee beans for t he cult’s use can also make a Barista a Crusader. Only a Crusader can grow the bean, otherwise it will wilt and taste sour. Without coffee growing education, no Bean will grow properly.The Coffee Cult depends on the crusader to further their Coffee kingdom and keep The Bean in stock. Although not everyone can become a crusader, it takes almost ten years, everyone can learn a little about coffee through their family and the stages they wish to go through. Since the beginning of the coffee cult, the wealthy and the laborers have dissolved their problems and have learned to be connoisseurs of caffeine together. Recently there has been a great rift in the Coffee Cult. The Caffeinated drinkers and the Decaffeinated drinkers have differed in what they believe is the root of their religion.Some think it is the feeling of being stimulated, rather it be in the morning or afternoon, even at night. Some think it is simply the aroma and the taste that keep the religion alive. There has a lways been some disagreement between The Drinkers but never anything like this. Some Coffeehouses have split because of the separating beliefs; families have even been torn apart due to this widespread disagreement but one thing is certain, every Drinker, be it caffeine, or Decaff will fight for The Bean in its pure state and surrender their taste buds to the so bitter its sweet, black gold.

Bag of Bones CHAPTER NINETEEN

The telephone was ringing. I climbed toward it from a drowning dream where I couldn't catch my breath, rising into early sunlight, wincing at the pain in the back of my head as I swung my feet out of bed. The phone would quit before I got to it, they almost always do in such situations, and then I'd lie back down and spend a fruitless ten minutes wondering who it had been before getting up for good. Ringgg . . . ringgg . . . ringgg . . . Was that ten? A dozen? I'd lost count. Someone was really dedicated. I hoped it wasn't trouble, but in my experience people don't try that hard when the news is good. I touched my fingers gingerly to the back of my head. It hurt plenty, but that deep, sick ache seemed to be gone. And there was no blood on my fingers when I looked at them. I padded down the hall and picked up the phone. ‘Hello?' ‘Well, you won't have to worry about testifyin at the kid's custody hearin anymore, at least.' ‘Bill?' ‘Ayuh.' ‘How did you know . . . ‘ I leaned around the corner and peered at the waggy, annoying cat-clock. Twenty minutes past seven and already sweltering. Hotter'n a bugger, as us TR Martians like to say. ‘How do you know he decided ‘ ‘I don't know nothing about his business one way or t'other.' Bill sounded touchy. ‘He never called to ask my advice, and I never called to give him any.' ‘What's happened? What's going on?' ‘You haven't had the TV on yet?' ‘I don't even have the coffee on yet.' No apology from Bill; he was a fellow who believed that people who didn't get up until after six A.M. deserved whatever they got. I was awake now, though. And had a pretty good idea of what was coming. ‘Devore killed himself last night, Mike. Got into a tub of warm water and pulled a plastic bag over his head. Mustn't have taken long, with his lungs the way they were.' No, I thought, probably not long. In spite of the humid summer heat that already lay on the house, I shivered. ‘Who found him? The woman?' ‘Ayuh, sure.' ‘What time?' †'Shortly before midnight,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ they said on the Channel 6 news.' Right around the time I had awakened on the couch and taken myself stiffly off to bed, in other words. ‘Is she implicated?' ‘Did she play Kevorkian, you mean? The news report I saw didn't say nothin about that. The gossip-mill down to the Lakeview General will be turnin brisk by now, but I ain't been down yet for my share of the grain. If she helped him, I don't think she'll ever see trouble for it, do you? He was eighty-five and not well.' ‘Do you know if he'll be buried on the TR?' ‘California. She said there'd be services in Palm Springs on Tuesday.' A sense of surpassing oddness swept over me as I realized the source of Mattie's problems might be lying in a chapel filled with flowers at the same time The Friends of Kyra Devore were digesting their lunches and getting ready to start throwing the Frisbee around. It's going to be a celebration, I thought wonderingly. I don't know how they're going to handle it in The Little Chapel of the Microchips in Palm Springs, but on Wasp Hill Road they're going to be dancing and throwing their arms in the sky and hollering Yes, lawd. I'd never been glad to hear of anyone's death before in my life, but I was glad to hear of Devore's. I was sorry to feel that way, but I did. The old bastard had dumped me in the lake . . . but before the night was over, he was the one who had drowned. Inside a plastic bag he had drowned, sitting in a tub of tepid water. ‘Any idea how the TV guys got onto it so fast?' It wasn't superfast, not with seven hours between the discovery of the body and the seven o'clock news, but TV news people have a tendency to be lazy. ‘Whitmore called em. Had a press conference right there in Warrington's parlor at two o'clock this morning. Took questions settin on that big maroon plush sofa, the one Jo always used to say should be in a saloon oil paintin with a naked woman lyin on it. Remember?' ‘Yeah.' ‘I saw a coupla County deputies walkin around in the background, plus a fella I reckonized from Jaquard's Funeral Home in Motton.' ‘That's bizarre,' I said. ‘Ayuh, body still upstairs, most likely, while Whitmore was runnin her gums . . . but she claimed she was just followin the boss's orders. Said he left a tape sayin he'd done it on Friday night so as not to affect the cump'ny stock price and wanted Rogette to call in the press right off and assure folks that the cump'ny was solid, that between his son and the Board of Directors, everythin was going to be just acey-deucey. Then she told about the services in Palm Springs.' ‘He commits suicide, then holds a two A.M. press conference by proxy to soothe the stockholders.' ‘Ayuh. And it sounds just like him.' A silence fell between us on the line. I tried to think and couldn't. All I knew was that I wanted to go upstairs and work, aching head or no aching head. I wanted to rejoin Andy Drake, John Shackleford, and Shackleford's childhood friend, the awful Ray Garraty. There was madness in my story, but it was a madness I understood. ‘Bill,' I said at last, ‘are we still friends?' ‘Christ, yes,' he said promptly. ‘But if there's people around who seem a little stand-offy to you, you'll know why, won't you?' Sure I'd know. Many would blame the old man's death on me. It was crazy, given his physical condition, and it would by no means be a majority opinion, but the idea would gain a certain amount of credence, at least in the short run I knew that as well as I knew the truth about John Shackleford's childhood friend. Kiddies, once upon a time there was a goose that flew back to the little unincorporated township where it had lived as a downy gosling. It began laying lovely golden eggs, and the townsfolk all gathered around to marvel and receive their share. Now, however, that goose was cooked and someone had to take the heat. I'd get some, but Mattie's kitchen might get a few degrees toastier than mine; she'd had the temerity to fight for her child instead of silently handing Ki over. ‘Keep your head down the next few weeks,' Bill said. ‘That'd be my idea. In fact, if you had business that took you right out of the TR until all this settles down, that might be for the best.' ‘I appreciate the sense of what you're saying, but I can't. I'm writing a book. If I pick up my shit and move, it's apt to die on me. It's happened before, and I don't want it to happen this time.' ‘Pretty good yarn, is it?' ‘Not bad, but that's not the important thing. It's . . . well, let's just say this one's important to me for other reasons.' ‘Wouldn't it travel as far as Derry?' ‘Are you trying to get rid of me, William?' ‘I'm tryin to keep an eye out, that's all caretakin's my job, y'know. And don't say you weren't warned: the hive's gonna buzz. There's two stories going around about you, Mike. One is that you're shacking with Mattie Devore. The other is that you came back to write a hatchet-job on the TR. Pull out all the old skeletons you can find.' ‘Finish what Jo started, in other words. Who's been spreading that story, Bill?' Silence from Bill. We were back on earthquake ground again, and this time that ground felt shakier than ever. ‘The book I'm working on is a novel,' I said. ‘Set in Florida.' ‘Oh, ayuh?' You wouldn't think three little syllables could have so much relief in them. ‘Think you could kind of pass that around?' ‘I think I could,' he said. ‘If you tell Brenda Meserve, it'd get around even faster and go even farther.' ‘Okay, I will. As far as Mattie goes ‘ ‘Mike, you don't have to' ‘I'm not shacking with her. That was never the deal. The deal was like walking down the street, turning the corner, and seeing a big guy beating up a little guy.' I paused. ‘She and her lawyer are planning a barbecue at her place Tuesday noon. I'm planning to join them. Are people from town going to think we're dancing on Devore's grave?' ‘Some will. Royce Merrill will. Dickie Brooks will. Old ladies in pants, Yvette calls em.' ‘Well fuck them,' I said. ‘Every last one.' ‘I understand how you feel, but tell her not to shove it in folks' faces,' he almost pleaded. ‘Do that much, Mike. It wouldn't kill her to drag her grill around back of her trailer, would it? At least with it there, folks lookin out from the store or the garage wouldn't see nothing but the smoke.' ‘I'll pass on the message. And if I make the party, I'll put the barbecue around back myself.' ‘You'd do well to stay away from that girl and her child,' Bill said. ‘You can tell me it's none of my business, but I'm talkin to you like a Dutch uncle, tellin you for your own good.' I had a flash of my dream then. The slick, exquisite tightness as I slipped inside her. The little breasts with their hard nipples. Her voice in the darkness, telling me to do what I wanted. My body responded almost instantly. ‘I know you are,' I said. ‘All right.' He sounded relieved that I wasn't going to scold him take him to school, he would have said. ‘I'll let you go n have your breakfast.' ‘I appreciate you calling.' ‘Almost didn't. Yvette talked me into it. She said, â€Å"You always liked Mike and Jo Noonan best of all the ones you did for. Don't you get in bad with him now that he's back home.† ‘Tell her I appreciate it,' I said. I hung up the phone and looked at it thoughtfully. We seemed to be on good terms again . . . but I didn't think we were exactly friends. Certainly not the way we had been. That had changed when I realized Bill was lying to me about some things and holding back about others; it had also changed when I realized what he had almost called Sara and the Red-Tops. You can't condemn a manor what may only be a figment of your own imagination. True, and I'd try not to do it . . . but I knew what I knew. I went into the living room, snapped on the TV, then snapped it off again. My satellite dish got fifty or sixty different channels, and not a one of them local. There was a portable TV in the kitchen, however, and if I dipped its rabbit-ears toward the lake I'd be able to get WMTW, the ABC affiliate in western Maine. I snatched up Rogette's note, went into the kitchen, and turned on the little Sony tucked under the cabinets with the coffee-maker. Good Morning America was on, but they would be breaking for the local news soon. In the meantime I scanned the note, this time concentrating on the mode of expression rather than the message, which had taken all of my attention the night before. Hopes to return to California by private jet very soon, she had written. Has business which can be put off no longer, she had written. If you promise to let him rest in peace, she had written. It was a goddam suicide note. ‘You knew,' I said, rubbing my thumb over the raised letters of her name. ‘You knew when you wrote this, and probably when you were chucking rocks at me. But why?' Custody has its responsibilities, she had written. Don't forget he said so. But the custody business was over, right? Not even a judge that was bought and paid for could award custody to a dead man. GMA finally gave way to the local report, where Max Devore's suicide was the leader. The TV picture was snowy, but I could see the maroon sofa Bill had mentioned, and Rogette Whitmore sitting on it with her hands folded composedly in her lap. I thought one of the deputies in the background was George Footman, although the snow was too heavy for me to be completely sure. Mr. Devore had spoken frequently over the last eight months of ending his life, Whitmore said. He had been very unwell. He had asked her to come out with him the previous evening, and she realized now that he had wanted to look at one final sunset. It had been a glorious one, too, she added. I could have corroborated that; I remembered the sunset very well, having almost drowned by its light. Rogette was reading Devore's statement when my phone rang again. It was Mattie, and she was crying in hard gusts. ‘The news,' she said, ‘Mike, did you see . . . do you know . . . ‘ At first that was all she could manage that was coherent. I told her I did know, Bill Dean had called me and then I'd caught some of it on the local news. She tried to reply and couldn't speak. Guilt, relief, horror, even hilarity I heard all those things in her crying. I asked where Ki was. I could sympathize with how Mattie felt until turning on the news this morning she'd believed old Max Devore was her bitterest enemy but I didn't like the idea of a three-year-old girl watching her mom fall apart. ‘Out back,' she managed. ‘She's had her breakfast. Now she's having a d-doll p-p-p . . . doll pi-p-pic ‘ ‘Doll picnic. Yes. Good. Let it go, then. All of it. Let it out.' She cried for two minutes at least, maybe longer. I stood with the telephone pressed to my ear, sweating in the July heat, trying to be patient. I'm going to give you one chance to save your soul, Devore had told me, but this morning he was dead and his soul was wherever it was. He was dead, Mattie was free, I was writing. Life should have felt wonderful, but it didn't. At last she began to get her control back. ‘I'm sorry. I haven't cried like that really, really cried since Lance died.' ‘It's understandable and you're allowed.' ‘Come to lunch,' she said. ‘Come to lunch please, Mike. Ki's going to spend the afternoon with a friend she met at Vacation Bible School, and we can talk. I need to talk to someone . . . God, my head is spinning. Please say you'll come.' ‘I'd love to, but it's a bad idea. Especially with Ki gone.' I gave her an edited version of my conversation with Bill Dean. She listened carefully. I thought there might be an angry outburst when I finished, but I'd forgotten one simple fact: Mattie Stanchfield Devore had lived around here all her life. She knew how things worked. ‘I understand that things will heal quicker if I keep my eyes down, my mouth shut, and my knees together,' she said, ‘and I'll do my best to go along, but diplomacy only stretches so far. That old man was trying to take my daughter away, don't they realize that down at the goddam general store?' ‘I realize it.' ‘I know. That's why I wanted to talk to you.' ‘What if we had an early supper on the Castle Rock common? Same place as Friday? Say five-ish?' ‘I'd have to bring Ki ‘ ‘Fine,' I said. ‘Bring her. Tell her I know â€Å"Hansel and Gretel† by heart and am willing to share. Will you call John in Philly? Give him the details?' ‘Yes. I'll wait another hour or so. God, I'm so happy. I know that's wrong, but I'm so happy I could burst!' ‘That makes two of us.' There was a pause on the other end. I heard a long, watery intake of breath. ‘Mattie? All right?' ‘Yes, but how do you tell a three-year-old her grandfather died?' Tell her the old fuck slipped and fell headfirst into a Glad Bag, I thought, then pressed the back of my hand against my mouth to stifle a spate of lunatic cackles. ‘I don't know, but you'll have to do it as soon as she comes in.' ‘I will? Why?' ‘Because she's going to see you. She's going to see your face.' I lasted exactly two hours in the upstairs study, and then the heat drove me out the thermometer on the stoop read ninety-five degrees at ten o'clock. I guessed it might be five degrees warmer on the second floor. Hoping I wasn't making a mistake, I unplugged the IBM and carried it downstairs. I was working without a shirt, and as I crossed the living room, the back of the typewriter slipped in the sweat coating my midriff and I almost dropped the outdated sonofabitch on my toes. That made me think of my ankle, the one I'd hurt when I fell into the lake, and I set the typewriter aside to look at it. It was colorful, black and purple and reddish at the edges, but not terribly inflated. I guessed my immersion in the cool water had helped keep the swelling down. I put the typewriter on the deck table, rummaged out an extension cord, plugged in beneath Bunter's watchful eye, and sat down facing the hazy blue-gray surface of the lake. I waited for one of my old anxiety attacks to hit the clenched stomach, the throbbing eyes, and, worst of all, that sensation of invisible steel bands clamped around my chest, making it impossible to breathe. Nothing like that happened. The words flowed as easily down here as they had upstairs, and my naked upper body was loving the little breeze that puffed in off the lake every now and again. I forgot about Max Devore, Mattie Devore, Kyra Devore. I forgot about Jo Noonan and Sara Tidwell. I forgot about myself. For two hours I was back in Florida. John Shackleford's execution was nearing. Andy Drake was racing the clock. It was the telephone that brought me back, and for once I didn't resent interruption. If undisturbed, I might have gone on writing until I simply melted into a sweaty pile of goo on the deck. It was my brother. We talked about Mom in Siddy's opinion she was now short an entire roof instead of just a few shingles and her sister, Francine, who had broken her hip in June. Sid wanted to know how I was doing, and I told him I was doing all right, I'd had some problems getting going on a new book but now seemed to be back on track (in my family, the only permissible time to discuss trouble is when it's over). And how was the Sidster? Kickin, he said, which I assumed meant just fine Siddy has a twelve-year-old, and consequently his slang is always up-to-date. The new accounting business was starting to take hold, although he'd been scared for awhile (first I knew of it, of course). He could never thank me enough for the bridge loan I'd made him last November. I replied that it was the least I could do, which was the absolute truth, especially when I considered how much more time both in person and on the phone he spent with our mother than I did. ‘Well, I'll let you go,' Siddy told me after a few more pleasantries he never says goodbye or so long when he's on the phone, it's always well, I'll let you go, as if he's been holding you hostage. ‘You want to keep cool up there, Mike Weather Channel says it's going to be hotter than hell in New England all weekend.' ‘There's always the lake if things get too bad. Hey Sid?' ‘Hey what?' Like I'll let you go, Hey what went back to childhood. It was sort of comforting; it was also sort of spooky. ‘Our folks all came from Prout's Neck, right? I mean on Daddy's side.' Mom came from another world entirely one where the men wear Lacoste polo shirts, the women always wear full slips under their dresses, and everyone knows the second verse of ‘Dixie' by heart. She had met my dad in Portland while competing in a college cheerleading event. Materfamilias came from Memphis quality, darling, and didn't let you forget it. ‘I guess so,' he said. ‘Yeah. But don't go asking me a lot of family-tree questions, Mike I'm still not sure what the difference is between a nephew and a cousin, and I told Jo the same thing.' ‘Did you?' Everything inside me had gone very still . . . but I can't say I was surprised. Not by then. ‘Uh-huh, you bet.' ‘What did she want to know?' ‘Everything I knew. Which isn't much. I could have told her all about Ma's great-great-grandfather, the one who got killed by the Indians, but Jo didn't seem to care about any of Ma's folks.' ‘When would this have been?' ‘Does it matter?' ‘It might.' ‘Okay, let's see. I think it was around the time Patrick had his appendectomy. Yeah, I'm sure it was. February of '94. It might have been March, but I'm pretty sure it was February.' Six months from the Rite Aid parking lot. Jo moving into the shadow of her own death like a woman stepping beneath the shade of an awning. Not pregnant, though, not yet. Jo making day-trips to the TR. Jo asking questions, some of the sort that made people feel bad, according to Bill Dean . . . but she'd gone on asking just the same. Yeah. Because once she got onto something, Jo was like a terrier with a rag in its jaws. Had she been asking questions of the man in the brown sportcoat? Who was the man in the brown sportcoat? ‘Pat was in the hospital, sure. Dr. Alpert said he was doing fine, but when the phone rang I jumped for it I half-expected it to be him, Alpert, saying Pat had had a relapse or something.' ‘Where in God's name did you get this sense of impending doom, Sid?' ‘I dunno, buddy, but it's there. Anyway, it's not Alpert, it's Johanna. She wants to know if we had any ancestors three, maybe even four generations back who lived there where you are, or in one of the surrounding towns. I told her I didn't know, but you might. Know, I mean. She said she didn't want to ask you because it was a surprise. Was it a surprise?' ‘A big one,' I said. ‘Daddy was a lobsterman ‘ ‘Bite your tongue, he was an artist ‘a seacoast primitive.' Ma still calls him that.' Siddy wasn't quite laughing. ‘Shit, he sold lobster-pot coffee-tables and lawn-puffins to the tourists when he got too rheumatic to go out on the bay and haul traps.' ‘I know that, but Ma's got her marriage edited like a movie for television.' How true. Our own version of Blanche Du Bois. ‘Dad was a lobster-man in Prout's Neck. He ‘ Siddy interrupted, singing the first verse of ‘Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' in a horrible off key tenor. ‘Come on, this is serious. He had his first boat from his father, right?' ‘That's the story,' Sid agreed. ‘Jack Noonan's Lazy Betty, original owner Paul Noonan. Also of Prout's. Boat took a hell of a pasting in Hurricane Donna, back in 1960. I think it was Donna.' Two years after I was born. ‘And Daddy put it up for sale in '63.' ‘Yep. I don't know whatever became of it, but it was Grampy Paul's to begin with, all right. Do you remember all the lobster stew we ate when we were kids, Mikey?' ‘Seacoast meatloaf,' I said, hardly thinking about it. Like most kids raised on the coast of Maine, I can't imagine ordering lobster in a restaurant that's for flatlanders. I was thinking about Grampy Paul, who had been born in the 1890s. Paul Noonan begat Jack Noonan, Jack Noonan begat Mike and Sid Noonan, and that was really all I knew, except the Noonans had all grown up a long way from where I now stood sweating my brains out. They shit in the same pit. Devore had gotten it wrong, that was all when we Noonans weren't wearing polo shirts and being Memphis quality, we were Prout's Neckers. It was unlikely that Devore's great-grandfather and my own would have had anything to do with each other in any case; the old rip had been twice my age, and that meant the generations didn't match up. But if he had been totally wrong, what had Jo been on about? ‘Mike?' Sid asked. ‘Are you there?' ‘Yeah.' ‘Are you okay? You don't sound so great, I have to tell you.' ‘It's the heat,' I said. ‘Not to mention your sense of impending doom. Thanks for calling, Siddy.' ‘Thanks for being there, brother.' ‘Kickin,' I said. I went out to the kitchen to get a glass of cold water. As I was filling it, I heard the magnets on the fridge begin sliding around. I whirled, spilling some of the water on my bare feet and hardly noticing. I was as excited as a kid who thinks he may glimpse Santa Claus before he shoots back up the chimney. I was barely in time to see nine plastic letters drawn into the circle from all points of the compass. CARLADEAN, they spelled . . . but only for a second. Some presence, tremendous but unseen, shot past me. Not a hair on my head stirred, but there was still a strong sense of being buffeted, the way you're buffeted by the air of a passing express train if you're standing near the platform yellow-line when the train bolts through. I cried out in surprise and groped my glass of water back onto the counter, spilling it. I no longer felt in need of cold water, because the temperature in the kitchen of Sara Laughs had dropped off the table. I blew out my breath and saw vapor, as you do on a cold day in January. One puff, maybe two, and it was gone but it had been there, all right, and for perhaps five seconds the film of sweat on my body turned to what felt like a slime of ice. CARLADEAN exploded outward in all directions it was like watching an atom being smashed in a cartoon. Magnetized letters, fruits, and vegetables flew off the front of the refrigerator and scattered across the kitchen. For a moment the fury which fuelled that scattering was something I could almost taste, like gunpowder. And something gave way before it, going with a sighing, rueful whisper I had heard before: ‘Oh Mike. Oh Mike.' It was the voice I'd caught on the Memo-Scriber tape, and although I hadn't been sure then, I was now it was Jo's voice. But who was the other one? Why had it scattered the letters? Carla Dean. Not Bill's wife; that was Yvette. His mother? His grandmother? I walked slowly through the kitchen, collecting fridge-magnets like prizes in a scavenger hunt and sticking them back on the Kenmore by the handful. Nothing snatched them out of my hands; nothing froze the sweat on the back of my neck; Bunter's bell didn't ring. Still, I wasn't alone, and I knew it. CARLADEAN: Jo had wanted me to know. Something else hadn't. Something else had shot past me like the Wabash Cannonball, trying to scatter the letters before I could read them. Jo was here; a boy who wept in the night was here, too. And what else? What else was sharing my house with me?