Saturday, August 31, 2019
Comparison of Points of View on the War in Afghanistan
Compare and Contrast The war in Afghanistan is a constant focus for debate. There are those who believe that the United States is still doing a worthy effort in Afghanistan and that it is essential for the U. S. to keep a military presence there. On the other hand, there are the people that believe the United States can no longer achieve its goals if it continues to use military force. Authors Melanie Barton Zoltan and C. Ames Cushman argue both for and against the war in Afghanistan and the benefits each scenario can produce.Both authors focus on the structure of Afghanistanââ¬â¢s government, the involvement of Taliban and Al Qaeda on Afghanistan soil, and the effects the United States involvement would have on the women of Afghanistan. Both Zoltan and Cushman point out in their papers that controlling Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, does not really effect the government of the country. Zoltan argues that even with the Taliban removed from power in Kabul, they still hold consi derable power in Afghanistan.With Afghanistanââ¬â¢s lack of centralized government, the Taliban easily entrenched in the southern part of the country and began to rebuild their forces. As the United States attention moved to Iraq after the Taliban were removed from Kabul, they were easily able to form a foothold in other parts of Afghanistan. Zoltan points out that if the Unites States does not stay involved militarily, the Taliban will be able to regroup not only in Afghanistan but also in Afghanistanââ¬â¢s neighbor, Pakistan.Given enough time, Zoltan believes that the Taliban and any Al Qaeda associated with it will gain access to Pakistanââ¬â¢s nuclear weapons. Cushman argues that since the original objective of removing the Taliban from power has been achieved, the use of military force is no longer needed. He sees the mission now to be more of an educational mission if the United States really wants to create a new system of government. In Cushmanââ¬â¢s paper, he de scribes the war as a war on the sharia law instead of a war on terrorism and that is not a commendable war to fight in a military way.If the United States keeps using military force as a way to achieve reconstruction of the government, than the Afghan people are going to keep turning to someone who thinks like they do, which would be the Taliban. Again, both authors admit that the Taliban are still a threat living in the Afghanistan outer borders. Zoltan believes that with the Taliban still established in Afghanistan, the United States cannot withdraw militarily. The risk is too great that the Taliban will regain control of all of Afghanistan and that once the US and NATO leave, Afghanistan will once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups.Zoltan also says that if the Taliban are able to regain Afghanistan, the Taliban in Pakistan will become bolder and even unite to create an even larger terrorist threat in the region. This will give the terrorists a great place to build str ength and launch attacks at the US and its allies. Cushman argues that the form of government in Afghanistan needs to be decided by the people of that country and it cannot be something decided by the United States. Even if the Taliban regain control of Afghanistan, it should be at the choice of the people.If the Taliban do make a comeback and take control without the support of the people, Cushman believes that it will not last because the Taliban has been weakened enough that they will not be able to sustain themselves. In both papers, womenââ¬â¢s rights are addressed. Zoltan uses a section of a report by Physicians for Human Rights to show just how badly the women are treated in Afghanistan. She also gives statistics and other facts about how the women in Afghanistan used to be treated prior to the Taliban.She uses these to show that the United States really is doing well in Afghanistan for womenââ¬â¢s rights and if the US were to pull out now, all that would be undone. Cus hman agrees that Sharia law is a harsh system of justice and that it discriminates against women. However, he says that is the way that Afghanistan is ruled and that the United States has no right to go and try to change this. He claims ââ¬ËIt is important to step back and realize, however, that what we see as just and fair is just that ââ¬â a ââ¬Å"Westernâ⬠notion, colored by our history, faith, and values. even the United States has not made an official statement saying that they are in Afghanistan to bring back womenââ¬â¢s rights, and Cushman believes that until they do, this is no excuse for the US to stay in Afghanistan. In each authorââ¬â¢s paper, the same topics were discussed but two points of view were shown. Zoltan showed in her paper that she was in favor of the United States military staying in Afghanistan because it provided the security from future terrorist organizations from using it as training ground.She also believed that it is provides a bette r situation for the people living in Afghanistan. Cushman shows that he does not support the involvement of the United States military in Afghanistan. He argues that it is a waste of time, money, and lives to keep fighting for something that will not last. The US cannot establish a sound government there and even if they did, the people of Afghanistan should have a right to select their own government.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Tsar Nicholas Ii
Nicholas II abdicated the throne in 1917 up until then, the Russian Royal family had ruled for over three hundred years. Throughout this period, they faced many problems and uneasy predicaments, a lot of these centering on Nicholas II as Tsar. A combination of long and short-term problems led to the decline and eventual fall of the Romanov dynasty. Tsar Nicholas II ignored these issues, staying true to his coronation vow to uphold Autocracy, and therefore played a critical role in the plummet of the Empire. A flaw in Tsar Nicholas II Autocratic style of ruling was his conflicting personality.He was a family orientated man, and they often took priority over ruling and looking after his country especially his son, Alexei who suffered severely from Hemophilia which consumed most of him, and his wife, Tsarina Alexandraââ¬â¢s time caring for him. Another flaw in his personality was that he required absolute power and that all decisions were to be made by The Tsar himself. He was blind to the political and social realities of his expansive and diverse empire. These aspects were key components in Nicholas II role in the fall of The Romanov Dynasty.Due to Tsar Nicholas II failure to address economic and social grievances, Russia was in a state of unease, regularly holding strikes to express their grievances. One of their main concerns was the effect of industrialization. Even though Russia ranked fifth among the industrial nations of the world in terms of industrial productions, the conditions of the workers were bad. Their wages were low, their working hours were long and their living conditions were intolerable ââ¬â crowded together in barrack with no healthy and sanitary facilities.As well as enduring poor living conditions at home, the conditions in the factories were not of higher quality. Due to the many years of oppression, the workers demanded change from the Tsar and became crucial elements in the downfall of the Empire. Many critical events occurred in 1905 including the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) caused by territorial disputes, due to this war, Russia suffered a series of humiliating defeats and a large number of casualties. In addition to this things on the home front werenââ¬â¢t too pleasant either, trade with ther countries slowed, food prices climbed, and many people were at the point of starvation. Russia was forced to surrender to Japan. Another turning event in 1905 was intentionally peaceful rally led by George Gapon in order to settle disputes, which turned into the massacre of over 100 workers and wounded over 300. In August of 1905 Nicholas II pledged to introduce basic civil liberties, which provided the State Duma with Legislative powers, however this did not last long as Nicholas II was determined to retain his autocratic rule, and so he issued ââ¬Å"Fundamental Lawsâ⬠denying the Duma Responsible Government.These incidents signaled the start of the 1905 revolution and thus, the fall of the Romanov Dynas ty. On August 1st 1914 Germany declared war on Russia. On this announcement Russia swiftly advanced into Germany through East Prussia. Early military disasters such as the defeats at Masurian Lakes and Tannebugurg weakened the Russian Army considerably in these initial stages of War. These losses were large in military and money, putting great strain in its already crumbling system.In September 1915, Tsar Nicholas II assumed the foremost role in the military ââ¬â The commander-in-chief, this was an ill-judged decision on Nicholas II part, as he had no military training whatsoever and his departure from St Petersburg leaving his wife, Tsarina Alexandra essentially in control of Russia. And increasingly unpopular decision, on account of Alexandra being of German heritage, and as a result of the war, the Russian people detested everything German, and believed Alexandra was a spy for Germany.The Russian people also resented the influence Gregory Rasputin had over Alexandra, The peop le viewed him as immoral and he brought huge disrepute on the Romanov family. The impacts of The War placed an unbearable on Russiaââ¬â¢s weak government and economy, the improper handling of these affairs turned the people against the Tsar and the growth of political opposition to the Tsar ââ¬â a direct link in the downfall of the empire. The effects of World War One on Russia were profound.Russiaââ¬â¢s once remarkable financial stability was demolished by the War, the disruption of their transport system, the shortage in food supplies and the rapidly rising price in supplies created a foundation for a revolution, and also, a considerable loss in confidence of the Tsar. On the 23rd February, International Womenââ¬â¢s Day, the women of Petrograd led a riot through the workers districts. They were fed up with waiting for bread, often waiting outside bakeries overnight to be first in line.This chaotic riot turned into a revolution when chief of the military district, Gene ral Khabalov when he ordered his troops to fire on the unarmed crowds ââ¬Å"The chief of the military district, General Khabalov, could not cope with the situation. â⬠The turning point of this situation was after the General issued his orders, his army refused to fire upon the thousands of protestors. Nicholas the II knew he had no choice but to abdicate the throne ââ¬â and he did.On the 15th March 1917 Tsar Nicholas II abdicated his throne. In conclusion, the decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty was a culmination of numerous events, flaws and disputed opinions, Tsar Nicholas II being the focal point in the vast majority of these problems. Nicholas Romanov was the last Tsar of Russia, his inability to attend to his countryââ¬â¢s need and fully carryout his obligations, lead to political and unrest and the growth of revolutionary ideas resulting in the fall of the Romanov family.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Cocoanut Grove Fire Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Cocoanut Grove Fire - Research Paper Example According to Cochran (2003), the five deadliest fires that happened in nightclubs in the US are: Historically, the most grave fire accident that killed 492 people happened in Cocoanut Grove nightclub. Based from the event that happened last November 28, 1942, revisions in the NFPA codes were updated. The events on that day are recorded and can be accessed through archived newspapers and journals, and through the internet for anyone who wants to know about the incident. Cocoanut Grove was a nightclub and restaurant standing gallantly along the Piedmont Street of Boston. The place become colorful, lively and crowded with many party goers during the nights. During the 1940ââ¬â¢s, the Grove was considered as the place to be. The place is only open during night time where food and liquor are served accompanied by various forms of entertainment. They are permitted by the Boston Licensing Board to sell food and alcoholic beverages (Reilly, 1943). Cocoanut Grove was erected around 1916 composed of first class single story building made up of reinforced concrete covering about 10,250 square feet. According to Boston Fire Historical Society (n.d), the first floor of the building contained the restaurant with a large dining room, a ballroom with a bandstand, and several bars. The roof overhead the dining area is retractable with automatic rolling device overhead which can be opened during warm season and summertime for direct and clear view of the sky at night. The center of the room was the dance floor. The Melody Lounge which was located at the basement was designed with an octagonal shape. The main entrance to the building was through a revolving door. The building allowed the public to have access only on the first floor. But there were other floors on the building that were intended for the business. The second floor was used to contain motors and a third floor was used for the
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
A literature review of the applications in reducing green house gas in Essay
A literature review of the applications in reducing green house gas in the agricultural system - Essay Example Industrial agriculture causes global warming because it is intensive in fossil fuel, operations from confined animal feeds lead to emission of methane, application of nitrogenous fertilizer causes emission of nitrous oxide, and finally, large scales of land within the tropics are being converted into intensive monoculture plantations. The large livestock populations in the world produce high amounts of greenhouse gases that consequently influence climate change. Changes in the soilsââ¬â¢ carbon flux can be very significant, even though it is small, because of the volume of soil (Smil, 1999, P127). Despite favor of livestock production by market forces, Smil (1999, p. 130) examines that application of alternative methods may help in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while providing good livestock returns, sustainability and health where deforestation, land degradation, and feed-crop dependence are avoided. Mitigation efforts in agricultural systems include keeping fewer livestock, conservation tillage, intensification of livestock without crowded confinement, and organic farming (Casey and Holden, 2006). Reduction of feed grains that are chemically fertilized is however the most effective way of reducing pollution by greenhouse gases (Casey and Holden, 2006, p. 234). Maize, wheat, and soybean production emits about 17 million tones of carbon dioxide per year (IPCC, 2007, P.241). Together with the fast increasing number of livestock, the possibility of changing the balance between sequestering nitrogen and nitrous emissions in the soil is big. \ Another important strategy of reducing greenhouse gases by agricultural system is the application of policy mechanisms stipulated by Kyoto Protocolââ¬â¢s mechanisms of clean development to provide support and stimulus small scale farmers who are willing to practice sustainable agriculture. Potentially, about 1 tonne of carbon is
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL dispute resolution Essay
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL dispute resolution - Essay Example The International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) has been set up to meet the expectations of all global parties that enter into negotiations with other entities outside their country of origin or where territorial boundary of countries was merged. In light of international conflict resolution, this paper will try to discuss the arbitratorââ¬â¢s duty of impartiality and independence under the English arbitration Act and compare with at least another system using resolved cases as basis. Arbitration Arbitration is one of the more popular forms of alternative dispute resolution of which two opposing parties agree to use a third person or more to settle the case in question. Although conducted outside the court, this system is acceptable and legal with the decision called the award1. The third party reviews the dispute and provides a decision that the parties have agreed to be bound. In many countries, the arbitration may either be mandatory or voluntary and it is often use d in commercial transactions even between varying nationals or countries. The third party of the arbitration process is called the arbitrator and the arbitrator is independent and impartial23. The International Commercial Congress of Arbitration clarified that arbitration follows the contractualist theory of arbitration that the parties have the right to control the process and maintain that right during the process; and that the partiesââ¬â¢ agreement to settle their disputes entails to allow the arbitrator or arbitrators to control the process4. However, in reality, the ICCA stated that it is the State which has sole control of the arbitral process because it provides the power to the parties as well as the arbitrators. The role of the State is apparent in the principle of independence as well as impartiality of the arbitrators together with the principle of immunity bestowed on the arbitrator by the State5. An Arbitratorââ¬â¢s Duty of Impartiality The impartiality of the ar bitrator is a traditional expectation of which ââ¬Å"business managers, investors, and nations entrust their treasure and their welfare,â⬠6. The ethical principles must be guarded by the arbitrators themselves. There are continuing trends and changes that may affect attitudes and will temp arbitrators such as conflict-of-interest cases but Park endorsed an implementation with ââ¬Å"sensitivity to new trouble spots,â⬠7. Such caution of impartiality can be attributed to a lawyer who may serve as an advocate for one case but where there is shift of role to an arbitrator, will remain open about propositions so that regular adjustment becomes necessary on the part of the arbitrator8. The expectation on the arbitrator as impartial was further explored by Bishop and Reed as ââ¬Å"An arbitrator who is impartial but not wholly independent may be qualified, while an independent arbitrator who is not impartial must be disqualified. In selecting party-appointed arbitrators in inter national arbitration, the absolutely inalienable and predominant standard should be impartiality,â⬠9. These conflicts were observed in the cases mentioned in the LCIAM AMINZ Arbitration Seminar involving a partner layer in one locality who served as an arbitrator for an overseas dispute10. Arbitration in England and the United States It was observed that court cases in England and the United States have raised the standards for arbitrators as they were accused of possible bias. They were enabled to refuse as part of their rights although
Monday, August 26, 2019
Equity and trust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Equity and trust - Essay Example A discretionary trust is a kind of trust, and it can prevail only if a trustee has the core Trust obligation1. For instance , if a settlor creates a trust for the benefit of John Smith with a trust fund of say ? 10,00,000 by appointing Abraham Lincoln as its trustee and to pay any unspent money in that trust to John Smith after 20 years . He also stipulates that within the 20 year, Abraham Lincoln can spend all or any of the trust fund and its income to all or any of the Settlorââ¬â¢s kids or grand kids. The above fall under discretionary trust as John Smith has the authority to decide how to distribute the trust funds for the advantage of the Settlorââ¬â¢s kids or to Abraham Lincoln himself. A fixed trust is one where the trustee may not have any power to select how to divide the trust funds other than the specified beneficiaries2. ... of beneficiaries for whom the trust is meant for and is also known as ââ¬Å" given postulant ââ¬Å" check.4 In IRC v Broadway Cottage Trust5, it was held that so as to fulfil the test of certainty of objects, a whole record of the donees should be recognised failing which the trust would be declared as void or the test is continued to be applicable, particularly for a fixed trust6. In McPhail v Doulton7 , Bertram Baden, as a settlor vested some assets to trustees to divide the income in their complete authority, to employees both present and past of Mathew Hall & Co Ltd or their dependants or relatives. The main issue was whether trust fulfilled the litmus test for certainty of objects and whether it is just a power or a trust8. McPhail case is relating to a discretionary trust where trustees have a crucial obligation to use their discretion to offer benefits to beneficiaries which has been assigned by the settlor to the trustees, and it is not ââ¬Å"just powerâ⬠given to the trustees by a settlor. Further, the main objective of the discretionary trust is to safeguard both the income and the capital of the fund and as a result, the beneficiaries derive benefits from the outcome of the Settlorââ¬â¢s profligacy. Moreover, discretionary trust is being mainly planned as a tax-avoidance method by making the rights of the beneficiaries under the discretionary trust as vague as those rights are designed more arduous to tax9. In Re Gestetner Settlement10 case, a trust was established for the members of a ââ¬Å"specific class ââ¬Å"as the trustees may choose the beneficiaries as they deem fit from that specified class. IRS argued that the trust was void due to uncertainty, and it was held that under discretionary trust, the trustees have such authority to decide or identify the
Sunday, August 25, 2019
MBA Admission essays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
MBA Admission essays - Essay Example Many students plagiarize and are caught. The truth is that in order to provide depth of research, a writer will need to combine primary and secondary sources. In the sciences, for example, raw data is important, but how that data has been interpreted by others, over the years, is also very significant. You need to cite that work and not merely present it as your own. It is important to use academic libraries, online databases such as ProQuest, and Google Books and Scholar, in order to find these sources and put them into action. Beware collecting or holding on to irrelevant information, which is sometimes a temptation. It is easy to get sidetracked and create a ââ¬Å"bulgeâ⬠ââ¬âa part or paragraph of the essay that has no real connection with the thesis. It is also easy to forget where your work starts and where someone else s begins. That is how a lot of plagiarism begins. You copy a lot of quotes into your paper hoping to use them and cite them properly, but over the week s you begin to forget what work is yours and what work is not. There are many examples of this happening to students (Richardson). An article by Sue McGowan and Margaret Lightbody provides a lot of useful information about plagiarism and its consequences. The authors of this paper are deeply concerned about it. They suggest that instead of threatening to punish students who plagiarize work, a more effective approach is to educate them about the affects and consequences of plagiarism. The authors describe an experiment to help educate accounting students. The study asked students a number of important questions relating to plagiarism. For example, when is it necessary to cite references. What does it mean to paraphrase? What are the potential punishments or disciplinary actions for performing an act of plagiarism? The authors concluded that providing students with an incentive to put references in their work is a good way to avoid acts of
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee - Essay Example The essay "Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee" talks about the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, one of the major organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement. In April of 1960 Ella Baker, an expert civil rights organizer, invited black college students who had taken part in the 1960 sit-ins to meet at Shaw University.Alongside specific activities targeted at gaining civil rights for Blacks, SNCC also addressed major political issues of the sixties, namely feminism and the Vietnam War. SNCC officially came out against the Vietnam War in the beginning of 1966. SNCC linked the brutal bombing of Vietnamese citizens to the U.S. government's recurrent failure to bring the murderers of black people to justice. The destruction of Vietnamese rural life in the name of "pacification" was held akin to the destruction of African culture during the period of slavery. Hence, SNCC disputed the U.S. government's "benevolent intentions." The group did not believe that the gover nment would build a truly democratic society with free elections in a foreign country when such rights were not provided for a large percentage of the Black people at home. Several people feel that SNCC opened the door for the feminist movement. It united the oppressed and it viewed discrimination, in the form of racism or sexism, as a core social dilemma. In 1964, SNCC published a position paper that described the situation that women faced within the organization itself, indicating an awareness of the problem before it was fashionable.
Does Quantitative Easing Policy in US Affect Market Liquidity Research Proposal - 1
Does Quantitative Easing Policy in US Affect Market Liquidity - Research Proposal Example The effect is due to the contrast it has in increased awareness of potential risk and the cost that are associated to quantitative easing as expressed by policy makers as purchases continued (Krishnamurthy & Vising-Jorgensen, 2011). In the initial program of quantitative easing, officials of Federal Reserves suggested potential risk but the focus they had was mainly on implementation of the program without taking into consideration the costs that were associated with the ongoing purchases. They were mainly concerned with using the policy to support stronger economic recovery (Krishnamurthy & Vissing-Jorgensen, 2011). The effect that quantitative easing had to the economy is on the stimulation. Through the policy, the federal government is able to auction large quantities of treasuries so that they pay for expansionary fiscal policy. As the treasuries are bought, demand increases keeping yields of the treasury low. This leads to keeping the consumer debts affordable since treasuries are the basis of long term interest rates. This is also similar to corporate bonds as they allow business to expand more cheaply. To show liquidity channel, analysis can be made on the second program of Fed which was from November 2010 and was concluded in 2011. In the period, there was effect on priced frictions to trading in the market for treasury inflation protected securities and the markets that they were related for inflation swap contracts. To quantify the effects of TIPS purchases on the functions the market and the related market for inflation swaps, there is use of sum of TIPS and inflation swap liquidity premiums (Lessambo, 2013). The measure is only reliant on the law of one price and provides a good proxy for the priced frictions to trading. The hypothesis formulated for the study is that there are several ways through which quantitative easing has affected
Friday, August 23, 2019
Analyze adequately the extent to which the author of the Gospel of Essay
Analyze adequately the extent to which the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles was successful in presentin - Essay Example The Gospel of Luke's success in presenting the Truth about Jesus divinity first begun with the anunciation of Jesus birth. In particular, Luke foretold the coming of Jesus as a Messiah and His Immaculate Concepcion through the Angel Gabriel which can be found in Luke 1:30-31à that says the angel said to her, ââ¬Å"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.à And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.â⬠Also in the same gospel, Jesus lineage was revealed that traces back to the first man Adam, to the Kings David to Abraham attesting that He came directly from the line of David through this passage in the Bible And the angel said to them, ââ¬Å"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.à For unto you is born this day inà the city of Davidà a Savior, who isà Christà the Lord.à And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babyà wrapped in s waddling cloths and lying in a mangerâ⬠(Luke 2:10-13). ... Jesus acts as Son of God and His Truths were also manifested in the Gospel of Luke whereby He performed many miracles that includes healing paralyzed men (5:18-25, 6:6-10) to raising the dead (7:11-15; 8:41-42, 49-56) which contributed to the Gospel of Luke's success in presenting of Jesus Christ's Truths. Finally, the Truth that Jesus was indeed the Son of God was evidenced with His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension "The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name. Luke 24:46-. Without Jesus resurrection and ascension, Jesus would not have been elevated as a God but rather a man who may be godly but nevertheless mortal. There are also passages in the Gospel of Luke that directly ascribed Jesus Christ as the Son of God particularly in Luke 3:22à where it unequivocally addressed Jesus as Son of God saying "and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from h eaven,à ââ¬Å"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.â⬠Jesus Christ purpose was also stated in the Gospel of Luke For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). To validate this further, Jesus Christ addressed God as Father in Luke 23:46 when he was crucified and His mortal soul about to die only to resurrect and ascend into Heaven. This account made itt unmistakable that indeed Jesus Christ is a Son of God with the words "then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ââ¬Å"Father, into your hands Ià commit my spirit!â⬠. And as if this is not enough to substantiate that Jesus Christ is indeed the Truth, Luke 24:46à further narrated "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Subhash Chandra Bose Essay Example for Free
Subhash Chandra Bose Essay Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897 at Cuttack, in Orissa. He was the sixth son of Janakinath and Prabhavati Bose. Subhash was an excellent student and after school joined the Presidency College, Calcutta, where he studied philosophy, a subject he was interest in. As a young boy Subhash felt neglected among his 8 siblings. At his English school he suffered under the discrimination faced by Indians which made him even sadder. He wanted to work for the poor but his father, had other ideas. He sent Subhash to England to appear for the Indian Civil Service. In July 1920, barely eight months later Subhash Chandra Bose appeared in the Civil Service Examination and passed it with distinction. But he didnt want to be a member of the bureaucracy and resigned from the service and returned to India. Back home, he participated in the freedom movement along with Deshbandhu C. R. Das. He was thrown into jail but that only made him more determined. Subhash joined the congress and rose to its Presidentship in 1938 a post he held for 2 years. In 1939, when the Second World War started Gandhiji and other leaders were against doing anything anti-Britain. But Subhash thought differently. He knew, for instance, that the fall of the Roman Empire had led to the freedom of its colonies. He decided to seek foreign help for his cause of freeing India. He was arrested and kept in his house under detention. On January 17, 1941, while everyone was asleep, Bose slipped out of his house into a waiting car. Disguised as a Muslim religious teacher, Bose managed to reach Peshawar two days later. Bose went to Italy, Germany and even Russia to seek help but without much use. Subash decided to organize Indians on his own. He landed in Singapore and grouped Indians there into the Indian National Army or the Azad Hind Fauj and declared himself the temporary leader of the free Indian government. Japan, Germany and Italy recognizied Subhashs government and the whole of India rejoiced. The INA marched to Andaman and Nicobar islands, liberating and renaming them as Shaheed and Swaraj islands. On March 18, 1944, it crossed the Burmese border and reached Manipur where free Indias banner was raised with the shouts of Jai Hind and Netaji Zindabad. But heavy rain prevented any further movement and the units had to fall back. Even then Netaji was determined. On August 17, 1945, he issued a Special Order to the INA which said that Delhi is still our goal. He then wanted to go to Russia to seek Soviet help to fight the British. But the ill-fated plane in which he was flying, crashed in Taipei on August 18, 1945, resulting in his death. Some people believe that Subhash Chandra Bose didnt die, that he faked his own crash to escape the British who wanted to arrest him. There were even reports of Bose living in Russia and other foreign countries, even some claims of having seen him as a sadhu, but none were ever proved and today his death in the plane crash is the accepted version.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
The Global Fast Food Industry Marketing Essay
The Global Fast Food Industry Marketing Essay McDonalds Incorporated recognized as a premier franchising business around the world, leading global food service retailer having over estimately about 32,000 local restaurants which serve its favourite foods The World Famous -: Fries, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets and Egg McMuffin to more than Sixty four (64) million people in 117 countries each day. Primarily , McDonalds , french fries, breakfast items, sells hamburgers, nuggets cheeseburgers, chicken ,ice -cream soft drinks, milkshakes and desserts. In response to changing consumer tastes, the company has expanded its menu to include salads, sundae , fish, wraps, and smoothies . McDonalds has made convenience a key factor in its success as below :- Convenience Restaurant locations are so prevalent in suburban towns and cities that you are never more then a few minutes away by car or by foot. McDonalds restaurants located inside for customer availability Shopping centers and strip malls generally have a McDonalds included or within walking distance ,willingness to innovate, even while striving to achieve consistency in the operation of its many outlets and also McDonalds to operate 24-hour drive-thru https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaDWH9X4IAsCkYCWZgWNc_q4LxAEkVxQlEBJMHhRmORRuzjvBRZA https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScMysGdHJbfJD_0k8b95FTtL_PYzGxvfNnh950cxLGQc4xZwby7g Affordability McDonalds considered as Fast food, fast-moving life Fast food has its own place in todays fast-paced life as time is limited. A recent report reveals that up to 70% of the respondents surveyed eat out every day, and among them, 77% head for fast food restaurants between one and three times a week mostly for lunch. The worlds largest restaurant chain posted 10 percent growth in its third-quarter profit that topped market estimates, McDonalds has economic downturns because of the affordability of its menu give customers the option to eat a full meal at a small cost Because of the fast-food restaurants ability to appeal to low-income and middle class families, the company continues to see profit gain. https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSq5soyD0JnZJWlswY1-RPEVWxZlIsip8aezyhd-2JoriH0oX7hhttps://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6x5kVSJXctzLYo3ymxeo2hTCGcKkhkbsbst3J2PLvV86C2_HgeA https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSU9kbCjmlumQPiVI7YFqaps5W-Stg9zsLGJVyo17tcZOK1dAFetA Nutrition McDonalds also pledged to provide customer-friendly nutrition information on menu items. Customers have access to the caloric and fat content to make better choices. This acknowledgement of customer health has helped keep McDonalds successful. On the organizations website, McDonalds states that part of its success is due to its commitment to the well-being of customers. McDonalds established a global advisory council to provide expert guidance on nutrition and well-being. To satisfy health-conscious customers, the fast-food company began to include high-quality choices on the menu. Customers are able to choose from hamburgers or salads as their main entrà ©e. Apples may also take the place of French fries in childrens Happy Meals. French fries are considered to be one of the most sellable items. The very main reason for this is that no matter what other product the consumer is still willing to buy, but in every set French fries are included automatically https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREJNJ9dZIHZuem2xdZmHZnlEy28McSgaiYZROEwfXui7YunpWUjwhttps://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmfq5H6VzUZLw9DPxQ_StveJlWCVxU1QprfH_5zfIp77uFNmBk The global fast-food industry is dynamic with variety of competitors. This report identify the current factors influencing the industry specifically focusing on McDonalds Corporation, which considered as the current global leader. Based on the analysis, the report identify several areas for improvement and makes strategic recommendations for McDonalds to enhance its position. . McDonald s corporations revenues come from the rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants Proactive strategies, interesting promotions and a constant update of menus while retaining the best-selling signature items will boost the frequency of customers visits. McDonalds, for example, has chalked up impressive sales by offering seasonally-based toys with its Happy Meals. It also scored points as a frontrunner in offering free internet connectivity at its outlets when WiFi was not freely available at many public places. A McDonalds restaurant is operated by either a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself As a result, taglines such as Subways Eat fresh, McDonalds Im lOving it! and the oft-repeated story of Colonel Sanders secret recipe in Kentucky Fried Chicken can influence dining decisions https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxCB6gIIu_lggbJZTL9_HKwadqOb6DzIEmi0uw8pjdus9Q3tLUqA The earlier stages of McDonalds attracted more families than it did other categories, nowadays, McDonalds has made it clear that it positions itself to target and cater people of all backgrounds. Suitable for people of various needs and wants; from families to young children, to people who love to enjoy life to people who are on the go, and meat lovers to vegetarians, virtually anybody and everybody can find something on the menu for themselves. https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRZib45RcWFIr_BAO1s3J7mkUlJLfDrpYyCokKM_9BfT14jNJQNg https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQD0Du3jvRQNteJNUTBOXDufWNtPkgI10_GndFYvVPqgtXgtEkYlQ . Other products such as salads are relatively new in this restaurant. The first salads were added to its menu in 1985. Nowadays more and more people are concerned about their health so, McDonalds puts its all efforts to achieve more and not lose any of the potential customers. The biggest soft drink supplier is the Coca-Cola Company. Hot and iced tea is delivered by SD Coffee in the US), hot chocolate, various juice and other regional beverages such as milkshakes are available in various markets all around the globe. Desserts are considered to be the last big group of products in McDonalds restaurants. It includes such items as ice-cream (McFlurry), McDonaldland cookies, Freshly Baked cookies, Pies, Cinnamon melts, the fruit and yougurt parfait, smoothies and other items which depending on the region and country. McDonalds Business Strategy McDonalds has pursued 2 strategies since 2003. To be in the run with the fast changing customer preferences, demographics and spending patterns, McDonalds has introduced novel items in their menu including angus beef burger and premium chicken sandwiches and does campaigns to create more healthy foods including salads on the side. This strategy basically reflects the beliefs that innovation as opposed to reliability to traditional products is the key determinant towards success in the fast food industry. They have also focused more on increasing their sales at their current restaurants instead of opening new ones. To do so, McDonalds has redesigned many of their restaurants, kept their stores open till late and increased menu options. Nonetheless, new restaurants are still getting opened around the world at a rapid pace the company plans to open nearly 1,000 units in 2010, and continues to produce its new restaurants at a 1%-2% rate each year. Size Matters Size of McDonalds has three main advantages: * McDonalds has a strategy of uniform menu offerings that can be accumulation produced, lowering production costs. * Bargaining power with their suppliers reduces input costs with improved margins. * Large advertising costs mean lots of exposure towards domestic and international market. Mission. Vision. Values McDonalds brand mission statement is to Be our customers favorite place and way to eat .McDonalds are committed to improving operations and enhancing customers experience. .. world-wide operations have been aligned around a global strategy called the Plan to win cantering on the five basics of an exceptional customer experience such as :- Place, Promotion, People Products and Price Providing the excellent service to all customers and achieve the growth with a profit through strengths as McDonalds system innovation and technology This mission includes becoming of the best employer for people in each local community independently in location. The Mission: Be the best employer for our people in each community around the world Deliver operational excellence to our customers in each of our restaurants; Achieve enduring profitable growth by expanding the brand and also leveraging The vision of McDonalds is to be the best quick service restaurant in the whole world . McDonalds company states that their values in practice are the corporate responsibility of the company. . It refers to outstanding Quality, Cleanliness, High Quality Service and High Value Food in order to make every customer satisfied and made sure customer smile. McDonalds values is customer satisfaction which is very important . McDonalds show the appreciation by serving a high quality food and superior service. It is said. Their strong values helped them to become who they are and that the reason for McDonalds existence are customers. The work together with suppliers and independent franchisees to achieve a sustainable future not only for the company but for the communities in which they operate as well . They also strive to achieve a welcoming environment by greeting all customers nicely and perfectly . They are individually accountable and collectively responsible. They are achieving some goals and most importantly open lines of communication is the main value between customer and also to the other stakeholders. Another value is to be committed to people who are working to them. They do believe that working in a well-trained team with intercultural experiences and backgrounds are the core of success. The other value is that they believe in the McDonalds System. . McDonalds obliged to grow business profitably as long as it is publicly traded company. This requires not only focus on gaining more money but also on customers and the health of the whole system. Ethic in business is also one of the important values . The changing environment, customer, employee and systems need lead to the McDonalds evolution and innovation as well. PESTLE Analysis is an analytical tool for strategic business planning. PESTLE is a strategic framework for understanding external influences on a business. There are many macro-environment factors that effect strategic planning such as: New laws, tax changes, trade barriers, demographic change. Macro-environment factors includes all the factors that influence an organization, but are out of its direct control. Macro-environment factors tend to have a very long term impact. By understanding these external environments, organizations can maximize the opportunities and minimize the threats to the organization PESTLE stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental and is used for business and strategic planning, marketing planning, organizational change, business and product development and research reports. . PESTLE analysis answers 6 key questions: Political What are the political factors that are likely to affect the business? Economic What are the economic factors that will affect the business? Sociological What cultural aspects likely to affect the business? Technological What technological changes that may affect the business? Legal What current and impending legislation that will affect the business? Environmental- What are the environmental considerations that may affect the business? Political Factors Political factors relates to the pressures and opportunities brought by political institutions and to what degree the government policies impact the business. Government policies Government term and change Trading policies Funding, grants and initiatives Lobbying and pressure groups Wars, terrorism and conflicts Elections and political trends Internal political issues Inter-country relationships Local commissioning processes Corruption Bureaucracy Political Global fast-food firms must comply with country-specific political requirements, such as national minimum wage regulations, affecting costs. Hygiene and quality regulations vary significantly between nations and may influence the quality of products provided by fast-food outlets . Different countries set varying regulations regarding labelling and packaging. Economic Factors Economic factors relates to economic policies, economic structures and to what degree the economy impacts the business. Local economy Taxation Inflation Interest Economy trends Seasonality issues Industry growth Import/export ratios International trade International exchange rates Economic Despite the 2008 recession and the resulting decrease in consumer confidence across the globe, average consumer fast-food spending has increased its due to convenience and low-cost. Consumers are still looking for the convenience of eating out, but are drawn to the low prices of fast-food over table-service restaurants (Financial Times, 2009). Many fast-food chains have capitalised upon the recession by introducing new deals in addition to their already low-priced menus. Social Factors Social factors relates to the cultural aspects, attitudes, beliefs, that will affect the demand for a companys products and how the business operates. Demographics Media views of the industry Work ethic Brand, company, technology image Lifestyle trends Cultural Taboos Consumer attitudes and opinions Consumer buying patterns Ethical issues Consumer role models Major events and influences Buying access and trends Advertising and publicity Increasing consumer awareness about healthy lifestyles has pressured many fast-food players to offer healthier selections within their menus (BBC, 2011). This includes offering low-calorie options and salads alongside burgers, and prominently displaying nutritional content. The fast-food industry has also been heavily criticised for targeting young children by including toys within childrens meals Technological Factors Technological factors relates to the technological aspects, innovations, barriers and incentives, and to what degree these impact the business. Emerging technologies Maturity of technology Technology legislation Research and Innovation Information and communications Competitor technology development Intellectual property issues As consumer familiarity with new technology increases, fast-food firms are using channels such as social media websites to engage with their customers. For example, McDonalds is the 9th most liked brand on Facebook . Additionally, digital displays allow outlets to change their menus efficiently, to suit the time of day and self-service ordering points have increased service speed and reduced labour costs. Legal Factors Legal factors relates to the laws, regulation and legislation that will affect the way the business operates. Current legislation Future legislation International legislation Regulatory bodies and processes Employment law Consumer protection Health and safety regulations Money laundering regulations Tax regulations Competitive regulations Industry-specific regulations Global operators must comply with country-specific regulations and legislation. This includes opening hours, taxation and employment regulations such as the National Minimum Wage Regulations in year of 1999 in the UK. Firms are often required to meet national food standards such as the requirements set out by the US Food and Drug Administration (as known as FDA). Furthermore, authorities are becoming increasingly worried about childhood obesity associated with the industry and have tightened regulations regarding targeting children Environmental Factors Environmental factors relates to the ecological and environmental aspects that will affect the demand for a companys products and how that business operates. Environmental regulations Ecological regulations Reduction of carbon footprint Sustainability Impact of adverse weather Environmental lobbyists and governments are pressuring the fast-food firms to become more green. Rainforests are being destroyed to increase the area of land for beef production to meet the demand for beef-burgers . Recycling is a prominent global issue and in response, McDonalds adopted recyclable packaging. Increased environmental awareness among consumers provides firms with a significant opportunity to position themselves as green to garner customer loyalty Strengths of McDonalds Identification of strengths weaknesses McDonalds provides the best employees-business relationship such as providing an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer McDonalds ensures that employees and job applicants are selected, trained, its promoted without discrimination to race, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. McDonalds brand strengths keep customer come back again For quick-service restaurant patrons the most important factors that drive loyalty to a brand are good value and convenience, with low prices and quick-service being very important as well McDonalds has a clear image lead on all of these factors, with Subway consistently being the 2nd-best performing brand and Burger King and Wendys also performing well The resource strength, behavior, weakness, synergy and distinctive competences are major components of the internal environment of an organization. . McDonalds high repeat-purchase intention scores despite their lower satisfaction scores illustrates the strength of their brand on the attributes that matter most to quick-service customers. Taking into consideration that McDonalds is a global company, working its capital in many countries worldwide and known for almost all people in the world, we can point out such strengths of this franchise:It is all about how the company manages to use its resources and put into what outcome it brings. McDonalds is the market leader in both the domestic and international markets The size of McDonalds, as it was mentioned before, its enormous and it has an advantage of economies of scale, which is very crucial for every business. McDonalds is a strong competitor for all sit-down restaurants because of its size, worldwide extent and famousness. Smaller brands need to find ways to differentiate among themselves to gain share of wallet in this ultra-competitive segment. Diversifying business worldwide in various countries let to reduce or at least to verify the risk of business and find best advantages of different countries economies. McDonalds also takes an advantage of a long-term economic growth as an international company. It is also known that McDonalds has a strong real estate portfolio, which is also considered as strength of a company. The companys outlets are located in areas that are highly known for visibility, traffic volume and ease of access. It can adapt to the needs of the societies and undergo an innovative product line. McDonalds promotes and sustains a working environment, which is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and bullying The brand of McDonalds is easy recognised among competitors and is very strong. Through aggressive market planning, MacDonalds has been able to recapture its youth market once again. Viewing the strengths of McDonalds form consumer eyes, the strengths can be more focused on brand, famousness, quick supply of a food, good taste of food, which often lead even to an addiction of McDonalds foods, also mostly well perceived personnel polite and performing their job well. Weaknesses of McDonalds Weaknesses: Saturated Nature of Business: The company has a presence in nearly every nook and cranny the world has to offer, so there is not much more room to run McDonalds has a very huge extent in the world, has a strong strategy, feels comfortable in a market and well known brand , however, as all business it faces some difficulties or some threats and as all business has some internal weaknesses but can be identified only by professional economists, which actually cannot be always visual by individual eyes, The summary of McDonalds weaknesses might be: Looming market saturation which it can lead to difficulties in advertising new products. Recent Disappointment: Recently the company has reported declining revenues and a great strain on their same-store growth rate; however in the long-term view of things these short- term issues should not prove significant McDonalds also a low innovative company Fast growing and competitive market. That makes company to face income problems Income problems and huge competition do not let the range of production rise into value ones but makes to diversify a range of cheap and quickly made ones. Nevertheless, fast food industry is not a respected industry in most of nowadays point of view because of rising number of various diseases caused by fast, unhealthy food. Moreover, McDonalds food might seem more unhealthy and fatty food, rather then delicious. And there the price seemed as low doesnt help in case of quality of food Low Barrier to Entry: All a person has to possess to compete with McDonalds is food, and it is an under-exaggeration to say that there is fierce completion in the industry McDonalds operates in In more simple view the McDonalds might have weaknesses because of huge competition in fast food industry. Vulnerability to Rising Input Costs: The historic drought this year has already caused food prices to soar, and this will cause McDonalds to face a situation in which they raise prices for their customers or allow their margins to be squeezed, a lose-lose situation Charity McDonald House charity offers thousands of sick children in estimate about 48 countries hope and it inspires courage. They say laughter is the best medicine and nothing makes people smile more than a Happy Meal. world-policy-hero At McDonalds we recognize our responsibilities to protect and preserve the environment for future generations to come Internal and External environment analysis for Mcdonalds This McDonald business is ranked as number 1 in the Fortune Magazines 2008 list of most admired food service companies. McDonalds has been a thriving business since year 1955 and 20 of the top 50 corporate staff employees started as a restaurant level employee. Fortune Magazine 2005 listed McDonalds as the Best Place to Work for Minorities. They have an efficient, assembly line style of food preparation. In addition they have a systemization and duplication of all their food prep processes in every restaurant. McDonalds is a community oriented, socially responsible company. They run McDonald House facilities, which provide room and food ,board and sibling support at a cost of only $10 a day for families with children needing extensive hospital care. McDonald Houses are located in more than 259 local communities worldwide, and McDonald Care Mobile programs offers cost effective medical, dental and education services to children. They also sponsor Olympic athletes. They successfully and easily adapt their global restaurants to appeal to the cultural differences. Example, they serve lamb burgers in India they provide separate entrances for families and single women. McDonalds uses only 100% pure USDA inspected beef, no fillers or additives. Additionally the produce is farm fresh. McDonalds serves 100% farm raised chicken no fillers or additives and only grade-A eggs. McDonalds foods are purchased from only certified and inspected suppliers. McDonalds works closely with ranchers, growers and suppliers to ensure food quality and freshness. McDonalds only serves name brand processed items such as Dannon Yogurt, Kraft Cheese, Nestle Chocolate, Dasani Water, Newmans Own Salad Dressings, Heinz Ketchup, Minute Maid Juice. McDonalds takes food safety very seriously. More than 2000 inspections checks are performed at every stage of the food process. McDonalds are required to run through 72 safety protocols every day to ensure the food is maintained in a clean contaminate free environment. McDonalds was the first restaurant of its type to provide consumers with nutrition information. Nutrition information is printed on all packaging and more recently added to the McDonalds Internet site. McDonalds offers salads, fruit, roasted chicken, bottled water and other low fat and calorie conscious alternatives. It has branded menu items e.g. Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, which further promote McDonalds. McDonalds Egypt: Has the second largest market share in Egypt with branches exceeding 60. Fastest delivery service provided in Egypt. Nutrition information is printed on all packaging Safety protocols and quality assurance to serve best quality food. More than 92% of suppliers are Egyptian (Halal) Efficient assembly line to serve food as fast as possible with maintaining high quality. McDonalds is the first restaurant in Egypt to provide drive through in 7 branches. Has a joint venture with shell petroleum. Sponsors many events and football teams. Cares about the environment by recycling the oil used in cooking for delivery motorcycles.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
The cinema of shane meadows
The cinema of shane meadows Over the last ten years Shane Meadows has helped to create a realistic portrayal of Working classed Britain. Director of films such as; Twenty four seven, A Room for Romeo Brass, Dead mans Shoes and This is England, Shane Meadows has helped to bring and to create social realist films for a new generation. His films stand side by side with more mainstream titles such as Brassed off, The Full Monty and Billy Elliot, each helping to bring the working classes and the social issues which they have faced to the forefront of National British cinema. What this essay intends to do is to explore Shane Meadows work as a director of British films, looking directly at how the past reflects the aesthetics and conventions within his films, how his cinema embodies the spirit of working classed identity and the social issues that are touched upon within his work and also why Meadows has become a popular film maker in contemporary Britain. The essay will look at three of Meadows films in particular; TwentyFourSeven, A Room for Romeo Brass and This is England, and will analyse the relationship that each film has with one another and why he has constructed an autobiographical take upon each of these films. Shane Meadows born in 1972 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, grew up within a working classed community. Meadows teenaged years were in a time which saw great political change for many people in the 1980s, with the working classes seeing only negative outcome to a new British government. Industrial areas, most notably within the North of England, saw the threat of unemployment around every corner and the very essence of working classed life was destroyed by Thatchers government, in her quest for a post industrial, classless society. Meadows experiences as a youth and the political and social changes that took place within the 1980s have been established throughout Meadows works. I think my 1980s is a richer time to draw on than any other.â⬠Meadows has said when questioned on the reasons why his own childhood experiences are prominently featured in many of his films. As a British Realist film maker, Shane Meadows has distinctly borrowed from recognisable techniques and traditions from movements of the past. His notable influences are in the New wave cinema of film makers such as Karl Reisz, Lindsay Anderson and Tony Richardson from the 1960s and Mike Leigh and Ken Loach who have contributed to socio-realist cinema throughout the 1980s up until present day. What this has meant for Meadows is that his films are able to create a recognisable identity for a nation that people can be able to associate with. By creating a bond to the cinema of New wave and Realist cinema, Meadows is able to critique our nation through the use of a popular and recognisable aesthetic which is associated with many British dramas. The British New Wave cinema was the first step into creating a realist aesthetic in British narrative films. Through the inspiration of Documentary and the Italian neo-realist films that had come before, its film makers such as Karl Reisz and Lindsay Anderson were able to create a cinema which focused upon the intent of bringing social issues to the screen through realistic interpretations. Before they contributed to narrative cinema, Anderson and Reisz focused their talents upon Documentary, in which they created a movement, known at the time as the Free Cinema movement. Their approach was opposed to the traditional expository mode which British documentary film maker John Grierson produced within his production company; GPO pictures. Griersons documentaries sought to tackle the social problems of the working class misrepresented in British cinema, by siding with them. The voice of god narration and selective viewpoint was avoided within the Free Cinema movement, providing a poetic approach that stripped their documentaries of voice-overs and the right wing political stand point of the Grierson styled documentary, became left wing, criticising the British political system by focusing on the real working class, although, from a distance. I want to make people ordinary people, not just top people feel their dignity and their importance.â⬠Lindsay Anderson said of his commitment to presenting the working class within his works. Although Griersons approach was highly criticised by the filmmakers of the free cinema movement, it was from Grierson himself who said that documentary was The Creative treatment of actuality.â⬠This broadly used term could simply be interpreted as the way the film maker is able to create a display of artistic elements, from the construction of real people with real problems in real settings. Implicit in the Free cinema formulation were two related conceptions of freedom: on the one hand, a freedom from commercial constraint and, on the other, a freedom to give vent to a personal or unusual, point of view of vision.â⬠The importance of the realist aesthetic within the Free cinema documentaries and the New wave narrative film was to make it clear that the artist was at the centre of the work. This did not necessarily mean that he was involved within the film itself, but the style of the film, ideologies and messages were that the film maker was trying to get across. The other importance was the ability to create the feeling of something new, to transform the real from Meer observation but to create a poetry which was able to work upon more than one level, and it was through the representation of a group of outsiders (the working class) that the film makers were able to do this. Films such as The Loneliness of the Long distance runner, A taste of Honey, A Sporting Life and Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, shifted the emphasis from middle class idealistic families, to a focus upon the youth living and working within industrial cities, situated in the Northern areas of England. The late 1950s/early 1960s became the first time since the Second World War that workers started to benefit from decent salaries and some, an almost disposable income. The youth in particular were able to separate themselves from their work lives and the authority figures that held a grasp over them, enabling them to spend their wages on the consummation of the latest in fashionable products. This is also true of New Wave films, which focused less on the importance of work within the lives of the characters but on their leisurely activities. The decline in the working class traditions and the rise of the working classed youth became notable. They were becoming defined not by what they produce but of what they consume and this was an indicator of the times. When looking at Saturday night Sunday morning by Karl Reisz, the main protagonist, Arthur Seaton (Albert Finney) may work within the confines of a factory, but when his working is shown, it is briefly and only to underline the important images or to support the leisurely aspect of his life. E.G. when he is finishing work. By wasting his money upon a sex, drugs and almost rock and roll lifestyle he is separating himself from the authority figures that keep him in his place during his working hours. Its not a unity of a working class that can be seen within this film or many of the New wave films of the 1960s, it is very much about issues of one person in particular, in the case of Saturday night, Sunday Morning, it is Arthur. Writer John Hill stated that Despite the ostensive commitment to represent the working class, the British New Wave, through their adoption of conventional narrativity and realism, tend to have the opposing effect, that is, the creation of an accentuated individualism.â⬠The emphasis on the individual in this working class aesthetic of the New wave films may come down to the absence of work as a dominant presence. Instead it seems that the importance of working class life, as a youth, is separating themselves from the authority figures and dominant forces of work and instead making leisure and the way in which the characters separate themselves from work in their free time. In Meadows work, there is a felt presence of the New wave films throughout his work The focus upon just one main protagonist and their personal struggle rather than the united struggle of the working class is that it is extremely difficult to represent political problems within narrative film, without a need to create a bond to the personal effects that the political has upon the working class within realist cinema. But what exactly did the filmmakers do to try and create a believable and purposeful reality, and at once avoid the idealistic and theatrical approach that the Traditional Hollywood films employed? The main focus of reality in these New Wave films is by Meadows first feature film TwentyFourSeven was released in 1997. A resurgence in British Realism lead to a shift in focus for many of the films released within the 1990s. Whereas the films of the New Wave in the 60s, focused upon the employed youths personal struggle with working classed life and the hedonistic, anti-establishment attitude they portrayed in their leisurely pursuits and the 80s saw reactions against the Thatchers governments destruction of traditional working classed values and perceptions, the 90s took upon a different perspective, with Britain very much a post industrial nation, class now determined not what they made and who they were as a unified work force, but instead was now determined by what they consumed. This perspective now shifted upon the youth of today, from pre pubescent Children to teenagers growing up on rough, poverty stricken council estates. Unemployment has left the youth in the same position and status. Samantha Lay stated that Dramas focus more tightly on family relationships and partnerships. Poverty, unemployment and social exclusion are not the driving forces of their narratives, but are merely signalled as contributory factors to family strife, so that it is the working class family that has failed, not the state or capitalist society.â⬠British Realist films focus upon the effect that politics have had upon the class system, specifically the working class whos inevitable decline since the 1950s has lead to an alienation of masculine identity and the emphasis as class as a unification. Meadows films are about the alienation of family life and the journey of finding a place to really belong. The perspective of a child or in the case of Twenty Four Seven; Young Adults, gives Meadow a chance to see the Working Class from a different perspective. What Meadows films do which many mainstream British films do not do is to question the stereotypical view of the average British person, by keeping to a low budget, Meadows keeps the focus upon the identities within his own regional upbringing. Unemployment plays a big role within the films of the British realist aesthetic that were made within the 1980s up until our contemporary time. Children and the youth are not affected in the same in which the adults are but their perspective is of the upmost importance. The period aspect to this is England, Twenty Four Seven and A Room for Romeo Brass gives you an aspect of political change. Within the 90s and the 2000s working class focused films created a way of escaping from the reality of the situation. Characters were able to find success from the economic situations that have dragged them down, most notably through entertainment. This can be seen within films such as Billy Elliot, Brassed off, The Full Monty and to an extent Trainspotting. Each of these films proved popular to the British movie going audience and tried showing how the working class could develop and escape from the working class life that had been dragging them down. Meadows approach, although not entirely pessimistic is about the positive which comes out of the negative situations, or the defeat of people. Unstable protagonists at the start of each three films, struggle with the uneven situations that their parents are entangled within, often dragging the children down with them. It is this alienation from family life which causes distress and change from these characters. Their questionable actions often ending in violence leads to the chance meetings in which potential father figures, genuinely interested in the emotional and physical state of the these characters help the characters from emotional unrest. In This is England, Shauns violent playground fight is caused from the mention of his Dads death. His walk home from school leads to the meeting of a Skinhead gang, most notably Woody who notes Shauns unhappy presence. His happy go lucky attitude and genuine care for Shaun makes him feel wanted in a place where hes alienated not only from family life but from being part of a sub culture which will accept him for who he is, which is evident from the mocking attitude of some of Woodys friends who are not as caring as Woodys father attitude to the situation is. In A Room for Romeo Brass, the fight between Romeo and the two boys leads to the rescue from Morell who is alerted from nearby. Again, the importance of chance turns a violent hateful act, into one with positive outcomes, in which children/teenagers are brought into the world of the adult. The Subculture is what draws the children into an adults world. Leisure drives them from the woes of family life and from the authority figures which are bringing them down. The masculine father figures within Meadows films help to refocus the output of the violence of the youth that they have taken under their wing. The troubled teenagers caught in violent episodes, find new ways in which to focus their negative energies. This frustration for life in post industrial estates, in which domestic problems of parents causes great angst often leads to violence. By refocusing these ill thoughts and actions through healthy attitudes, the Father figure is able to guide the youth away from everything that is holding them back. Woodys optimistic and peaceful father figure for fatherless tearaway Shaun in This is England, enables his alienation from a social perspective to be reinstated into a group in which he belongs. The anger and frustration of these Skinhead youths does not lead to the targeting of people, but of decrepit, rundown buildings on council estates.
Monday, August 19, 2019
An Analysis Of Tibets Governmental System and the Dalai Lama as Head o
An Analysis Of Tibet's Governmental System and the Dalai Lama as Head of State Throughout history, society has created many different governmental systems in order to organize society in terms of law and authority. Many have failed in their purpose but others have remained steadfast in their goals and have prospered. To fundamentally understand why this pattern occurs, we must understand the true function and purpose of government. Government serves two functions. Internally, government should serve the function as the ultimate enforcer of norms, the final arbitration of conflicting interests, and control the overall planning and direction of society. Externally, government should serve the function as the handler of war and the agent for diplomacy. Therefore, government acts as the agent of the entire people and enjoys a monopoly of force.[1] If a government fails, it fails in its function. An example of a governmental system that has held these functions in high regard and has remained steadfast is Tibet before the Chinese occupation in 19 50, with the integration Buddhism into a political system where the head of state is a religious figure, the position of Dalai Lama. Many have debated and criticized the mixture of religion and government but Tibet is an exception to the rule and these sentiments. There are many different factors that led to the stabilization and prosperity of the Tibetan state before the Chinese communist occupation in 1950. Most fundamentally, the integration of religion in a political system is maintained only in a society where the priesthood is seen as the highest general position and where membership in the profession is rigidly controlled by the priestly guild itself. This aw... ..., 1979. 3.Davis, Kingsley and Wilbert E. Moore. ââ¬Å"Some Principals of Stratificationâ⬠. American Sociological Review. 10: 242-249, 1945. 4. Diamond, Larry. ââ¬Å"Three Paradoxes of Democracy.â⬠The Global Resurgence of Democracy. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 1996. 5. Harrer, Heinrich. Seven Years in Tibet. Putnam: New York, 1997. 6. Harris, Ian. ed. Buddhism and Politics: in 20th century Asia. Pinter: New York, 1999 7. Rahul, Ram. The Government & Politics of Tibet. Vikas: New Delhi, 1969. 8. Samuel, Geoffrey. ââ¬Å"Tibet as a Stateless Society and some Islamic Parallels.â⬠The Journal of Asian Studies. Vol. 41, No. 2 (Feb. 1982), 215-229. 9. Shakabpa, Tsepon. Tibet: A Political History. Potala Publications: New York, 1984. 10. Verhaegan, Ardy. The Dalai Lamas: The Institution and Its History. D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd.: New Delhi, 2002.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Classification Essay - Friends :: Classification Essays
Classification of Friends On a conscious level, we rarely spend much time actually thinking about and classifying our friends. However, since I was a small child, my mother taught me to recognize and appreciate various types of friends. I have discovered that there are three different types of friends. I group them according to how well I know them and how well they know me. We encounter each type of friend everyday, whether in school, home, or at the gym. First, there are the "pest friends"- general acquaintances. Next, there are "guest friends"- social partners. Lastly, we have "best friends"- our true friends. The first type of friend is simply an acquaintance. This means that you basically only know their name. You might not even remember what they look like if you go away for a short vacation. Usually, you meet these type of friends in school, at work, on the bus, in the gym, or anywhere else you might be. You normally would not mind having a cup of coffee with them, but if anything else came up, you usually would have no problem parting company. You normally donââ¬â¢t miss them when they are elsewhere. It is also this type of friends who give you the most amount of aggravation. Since most of the time you are placed in a position where you have to act friendly, such as school or work, you would not normally tell an acquaintance when he or she is doing something aggravating, such as tapping the fingers an a table or chewing gum loudly. This is why I call them "pest friends." The second category of friends I call "social partners." This is because they are closer than acquaintances, but no where near as close as a true friend. Social partners are usually acquaintances who evolve into "guest friends" through increased extracurricular activities. You know their name, a little of what they like or dislike, a little of their family history, and usually have several things in common. As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together," so too the social partners have to have several things in common with you. No one is going to want to spend any more time than necessary with somebody completely opposite and aggravating to him. Keep in mind, though, that the biggest thing that distinguishes a "best friend" from a "guest friend" is the fact that "guess friends" usually donââ¬â¢t converse about anything substantial or deep, such as their innermost desires and fears.
Swift Achilles :: Essays Papers
Swift Achilles There was once a time of great warriors, heroes that fought for their honor and the honor of their people. This was the time of Homerââ¬â¢s Iliad when the great armies of the Achaeans charged Ilium, the Trojan Citadel. Although this ten-year epic battle, called the Trojan War, was supposedly fought over Helen, ââ¬Å"the face that launched a thousand ships1,â⬠the true heart of the Iliad is the characterization of the Homeric hero. These men possessed seemingly superhuman strength and courage, they fought and risked their lives for their people and their comrades in arms, and many of them were descendants of the gods themselves. Among the Achaeans, there emerged one man above all others in greatness. The son of the goddess Thetis, it was swift Achilles who defeated Hector, the mighty Trojan prince. When trying to classify a man as a ââ¬Å"Homeric heroâ⬠or to decide which from a group is the greatest hero, there are certain characteristics that must be evaluated. In this process, it is also imperative to remove from consideration the ideals and characteristics that are used to judge people in the present. It is important to remember ââ¬Å"what Homer counts as goodness is not the sort of thing that we might most readily think of as such.â⬠(T. Irwin, Classical Thought, pp. 7-8)2. For example, the fact that Agamemnon, Achilles, and just about every other male character from the Iliad treat women like property should not come into play when deciding the level of their greatness. Although such an attitude towards women is despicable today, it was accepted in their time and therefore must be overlooked. So, the characteristics that must be examined are, in no particular order, defending and honoring your comrades, respecting the unwritten rules of Homeri c battle, and pure strength on the battlefield. Achilles earns the title ââ¬Å"greatest of the Achaeansâ⬠by gathering points in all of these categories. When Patroclus, Achillesââ¬â¢ best friend and comrade, is slain by Hector in Book XVI, Achilles vows, ââ¬Å"I shall not bury you [Patroclus], no, not till I drag back here / the gear and head of Hector, who slaughtered youâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Homer, The Iliad, 18.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Italian Hours Essay
Italian Hours, Henry Jamesââ¬â¢s most acclaimed collection of travel stories written between 1882 and 1909, is a very interesting piece of travel literature. However, it does much more than a typical work in the genre would do, that is describing authorââ¬â¢s experiences in a foreign, usually exotic, country. Instead, Italian Hours can be seen as an important document from a historical and anthropological perspective, since it catalogues living conditions, attitudes, customs and traditions of Italian people at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. There are other prominent examples of travel literature, such as Tocquevilleââ¬â¢s Journey to America, which provide in-depth explorations of cultural idiosyncrasies and social organization of different societies; Italian Hours should be seen as one of the works in the latter category. Jamesââ¬â¢s opinions on various matters are all more interesting for the reason that his perspective, as of an American writer and tourist, is ââ¬Å"an embodiment of modernity by definitionâ⬠(Manolescu-Oancea 2010, para. 1), while Italy is conventionally regarded to be a country that has entered the period of modernity later than other major European powers. In the subsequent paragraphs, a number of examples of the aforementioned will be presented. It is necessary to keep in mind that Jamesââ¬â¢s work touches upon a wide variety of philosophical topics, which are all very intriguing yet unfortunately cannot be covered in this essay due to space constraints. This essay will focus primarily at Jamesââ¬â¢s interpretation of social conditions, developments, and debates in Italy of the aforementioned period. The concluding section will briefly discuss the place of Italian Hours among other works of travel literature set in Italy. Along with describing natural beauties and historical sites of Italy, James devotes significant attention to analyzing peopleââ¬â¢s daily lives, which allows for a deduction about social structures that existed in Italy of those times. For instance, when describing Sienna, James (2008) talks of it as of a city that is still in the 14th century, with numerous and rich nobility that is ââ¬Å"perfectly feudal and uplifted and separateâ⬠(p. 242). There is no middle class, or bourgeoisie; instead ââ¬Å"immediately after the aristocracy come the poor people, who are very poor indeedâ⬠(James 2008, p. 42). A great divide between rich and poor has been very characteristic of Italy of the late 19th and early 20th century. The miserable situation of poorer Italians is exacerbated by the government that wields unreasonably high taxes. Upward social mobility is a rare phenomenon, and most Italians born outside of the upper classes were expecting a life of struggle and destitution . When recollecting his time in Venice, James writes that Italiansââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"habitations are decayed; their taxes heavy; their pockets light; their opportunities fewâ⬠(James 2008, p. 13). It is necessary to keep in mind that the unification of Italy occurred quite late in the 19th century. A lot of problems remained unresolved following the unification, ranging from economic deprivation to epidemics of fatal disease. Most researchers name ââ¬Å"the huge material gulf between north and southâ⬠(p. 168) as one of the most pressing problems of the time: previously Austrian provinces of Lombardy and Venetia were more developed then southern provinces like Sicily. The following statistics give a fairly comprehensive picture of the level of economic development in the immediate aftermath of the unification: In 1870s the primary sector [agriculture, mining and forestry] accounted for 62 percent of total employment against less than 50 percent for France, Germany and the USA. For the UK the figure was only 22. 7 percent. Most of the industrial development was concentrated in very few areas, namely Lombardy, Piedmont and a few firms in the region of Naplesâ⬠(Faini & Venturini 1994, p. 74). Yet the disparities in life quality between different provinces of Italy are not salient in Jamesââ¬â¢s writings. Keen on noticing regional differences, the author of Italian Hours speaks of Italian people as generally poor, although income gap becomes more and more extreme as one moves southwards. Poor economic conditions have resulted in mass emigration of Italians to other country, mostly to the United States, which seems particularly ironic in the context of Jamesââ¬â¢s observations about Italy and America. James (2008) describes Italians as simple and unpretentious; he writes of them as of people that ââ¬Å"have at once the good and the evil fortune to be conscious of few wantsâ⬠(p. 3). However, early modernity has already associated sophistication with having a variety of needs that are hard to satisfy. In accordance with these criteria, Italians might come across as being less civilized than other peoples, although such view is definitely misguided. Enjoying simple pleasures can be a sign of wisdom and contemplative approach to life; although many of the pleasures Italian cities offer might seem to be ââ¬Å"superficial pastimesâ⬠(James 2008, p. 14), they are no less pleasurable from it. Enjoying works by great masters of the past or magnificent nature are some of the activities Italians often indulge in. One of the issues that have been heatedly debated at the times of Jamesââ¬â¢s travels was the question of whether to restore or preserve ancient ruins, and how to do it. In Italian Hours, the author presents his negative ââ¬Å"assessment of the results of renovation in Italian cities and in his criticism of the intrusions of modernity in the cityscapeâ⬠(Manolescu-Oancea 2010, para. 1). In his opinion, buildings should be seen as humans, having their own lifecycles and histories, and therefore mortal. Moreover, buildings have a unique ability to tell stories of people who have once inhabited them and sometimes even have to atone for their sins: ââ¬Å"Houses not only look like ageing bodies, they also seem to be permeated with the life of their former inhabitants, which lends them a dark human aura, a psycheâ⬠(Manolescu-Oancea 2010, para. 6). As with cityspaces, natural landscapes for James are not ââ¬Å"merely a picturesque backdrop for romantic adventureâ⬠¦[but are]â⬠¦endowed with some of the richness of symbolic values inherited from great historical eventsâ⬠(Mariani 1964, p. 42). Since the richness of Italian history and nature are so impressive, James notes with regret that so many Italians live in poverty. On the other hand, he believes that being constantly surrounded by breathtaking beauty is a fair compensation; moreover, the peculiarly lighthearted approach to life Italians have helps them cope with daily problems. Although a lot of criticism of social reality of the late 19th century and early 20th century is present in Jamesââ¬â¢s text, a comparison with his own country, America, is usually to the disadvantage of the latter. In Monte Mario outside Rome, James (2008) observes ââ¬Å"the idle elegance and grace of Italy alone, the natural stamp of the land which has the singular privilege of making one love her unsanctified beauty all but as well as those features of oneââ¬â¢s own country toward which natureââ¬â¢s small allowance doubles that of oneââ¬â¢s own affectionâ⬠(p. 166). In comparing American and Italian cuisine, the author recollects Grotta Ferrata, a rather insignificant and unkempt village, yet al fresco food for its fair ââ¬Å"couldnââ¬â¢t fail to suggest romantic analogies to a pilgrim from the land of no cooksâ⬠(James 1995; cited in Collister 2004, p. 95). When James expresses dissatisfaction with new developments in the centre of Florence, he thinks of America again, fearful of the ancient city being disfigured ââ¬Å"under the treatment of enterprising syndics, into an ungirdled organism of the type, as they viciously say, of Chicagoâ⬠(James 2008, p. 257). Ev en in term of attitudes, James (2008) appreciates the fact that Italians are more down-to-earth and relaxed than his fellow men when he fears that a day may come when people ââ¬Å"rush about Venice as furiously as people rush about New Yorkâ⬠(p. 57). Thus, while modernity and speed become synonymous with the New World, Jamesââ¬â¢s observations unmistakably point to ââ¬Å"cultural wrong-headedness and impoverishment of the Americaâ⬠(Collister 2004, p. 196). At the same time, Italy is to James ââ¬Å"literally picturesque ââ¬â real life composes itself into art at every turnâ⬠(Collister 2002, p. 340). Constant reminiscences of the New World serve several particular functions in Jamesââ¬â¢s writing. First of all, it appears to be symbolic of his attempts to establish an emotional connection with his readers and ââ¬â through his personal perspective ââ¬â to help establish a connection between his readers and Italy. This device is frequently employed in travel literature: the reader can feel overwhelmed with descriptions of faraway places and strange cultures that bear no resemblance to their own; it is therefore the role of a writer to create a minimum level of comfort by recalling familiar places and phenomena. In such a way, readers can comprehend the mode of life in distant lands building on their own experience in their home countries. On the other hand, such reminiscences serve another purpose, as Manolescu-Oancea (2010) argues: Jamesââ¬â¢s constant references to America and to his Americanness introduce a special kind of alienated perspective, both geographical and temporal, which is decidedly American in outlookâ⬠(para. 20). Jamesââ¬â¢s fascination with Italy has been enduring, yet there were moments in his life when the writer has expressed a significant degree of dissatisfaction with living conditions there. Rome is the city that has come is for the most criticism in his private letters; in one of them he even writes the following: ââ¬Å"I feel that I shouldnââ¬â¢t care if I never saw the perverted place againâ⬠(James 1907; cited in Lubbock 2008, p. 2). This perhaps can be attributed to the fact that his brother, William, has contracted malaria while in Rome and had to move southwards to Florence to improve his health (Gale 1959). It is indeed interesting to observe how both Jamesââ¬â¢s life and writings create a rather accurate account of what it was like to live in Italy at the end of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century. Jamesââ¬â¢s Italian Hours is one among many other literary travelogues of Italy; Sterneââ¬â¢s Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768) and Dickensââ¬â¢ Pictures from Italy (1845) are perhaps the most known of them. What distinguishes Italian Hours, however, is that it ââ¬Å"follows no chronology and even the geographical ordering ââ¬â much dwelling upon Venice and a movement southwards as far as Naples with a return to Tuscany ââ¬â is (unlike Goetheââ¬â¢s Italienische Reise) arbitraryâ⬠(Collister 2004, p. 194). At the same time, the peculiarity of the narratorââ¬â¢s style gives a powerful and overarching sense of organization to this seemingly odd collection of stories.
Friday, August 16, 2019
Graphic Novels in education Essay
Graphic novels and comic books have been some of the most debated topics recently in many different areas. Many people think that they could be helpful in education, while some others completely disagree. Some people think they are childish, and some think they require just as much comprehension as long, fictional novels. However, despite all the criticism graphic novels often get, the genre is growing recently. Many things have led to this rise in interest, from easier access on the Internet to the many superhero movies sparking interest in a younger audience. Due to this recent rise in popularity for graphic novels, several people believe that this genre can be helpful in all levels of education. There are positives and negatives to this possibility, like everything else, but the positives seem to outweigh the negatives. One thing that weighs in favor of adding more graphic novels into education is that they are easier to read and can be more encouraging for students who may not like to read. There are several things that one must be able to do to read and understand graphic novels, including comprehending visual imagery and making inferences. The biggest factors that are helping push graphic novels into education are what was just mentioned; the way students now learn, the need to make inferences, and the need for students to learn visually. Every teacher can admit to having a few students in class that were not particularly good readers or that did not enjoy reading. If graphic novels were read more widely in classrooms, that would help with these certain students learning. The vocabulary and diction used in this genre is much simpler than in most word-based novels that would be read in class. Often, students who are given a very long book, they simply do not even read for their assignments. However, if one of these same students was given a longer graphic novel, like Watchmen for example, it is very likely that they would be more willing to read. Another method that makes these works easier for some students is that the words are more spread out, which makes the student only comprehend small parts at a time. This makes students who are less confident with their reading skills able to better manage comprehending the purpose in a novel. Although the speech in graphic novels is simpler, students are still ââ¬Å"challenged by the need to infer and decipher a variety of literary devicesâ⬠(Constantino). Another positive factor in graphic novels is how visual it is. Children today are becoming much more visual learners. This is probably due to the prevalence of television and computers in todayââ¬â¢s society. While, television and computers have often been looked at as negative impacts in childrenââ¬â¢s learning, many students have figured out that there are good things on television and the internet. Also, these students have found out that there are books that are not particularly good, despite what they have been taught. While there is still going to be those people out there who will have their doubts about allowing this genre in education, students would benefit from having more visual learning and less long narratives in class, which is just what graphic novels would bring. One of the most important abilities for a student when reading is learning how to make inferences. Many times in comics and graphic novels, the author will give a ââ¬Å"bare outlineâ⬠of what is going on, and leave the reader to ââ¬Å"fill in the blanksâ⬠with the scenery or facial expressions of the characters (Walter). This ability is key to not only reading, but also in daily life. Inferences often need to be made in conversation to know exactly what situation that person is going through. If graphic novels were added to more schoolââ¬â¢s curriculum, then not only would studentsââ¬â¢ reading abilities improve, but their conversational skills would also improve. The reader of comics must also be able to decode the messages that the writer displays in his work. No matter how discrete of a message the author may insert into a work, the reader must be able to put together the pieces of the puzzle to create a continuous story. The reader must perform closure in between the ââ¬Å"encapsulated moments in order to create a completed whole out of fragmentsâ⬠(Duncan and Smith 12). This closure that the reader must make is very similar to making inferences. To do both, one must apply background knowledge and relate events that may be described indirectly to blend these sequences into a constant story. Because of the important skill of making inferences that is necessary to read and understand graphic novels, they can be used as a gateway to reading more challenging works by developing this skill in children. As was mentioned previously, children are relying more and more on learning through visual techniques. Because of that, comics can be much more helpful than long narratives in teaching students to understand imagery, tone, symbolism, and many others. One example of how visual aids can help students learn is by using facial expression or body language of the drawn characters in graphic novels. Students will be able to gain many details of the story by simply looking at these two things. By looking at a characterââ¬â¢s facial expression, one can learn the current mood of the story, along with what tone the character may be using. Teaching students to look at these things will not just help them when reading a graphic novel, it can also help them figure out certain situations that may occur during their lives. While some people argue that graphic novels are much simpler or not as mentally stimulating, they do share some characteristics with text-based narratives. One characteristic in particular is that they both use onomatopoeia. While these text-based narratives will insert these words into a sentence, graphic novels will make an entire panel out of one of these words. Although both of these genres do use onomatopoeia equally as much, the usage in graphic novels is more imaginative. In graphic novels, the word is usually brought to the center of the page, and made colorful and exciting. Because of the way that graphic novels display this literary technique, students can easier realize when that literary device is being used. Students can get a better understanding of when this literary device is applicable, and that will make them more confident as they continue reading. Despite the fact that graphic novels can often maintain a simpler vocabulary, they can still teach students simple literary devices like onomatopoeia. While the vocabulary is usually simpler, the material is more complex. As Linda Starr states in her article, an advantage of using graphic novels in the classroom is that these books ââ¬Å"present complex material in readable textâ⬠. This gives graphic novels an advantage over other, harder to read, novels because more often than not, these students have a greater understanding of issues that are dealt with in books, but not all the time can they decipher what the issues are because of the more difficult vocabulary. One way to simplify things for these students, while still challenging them mentally is to provide more graphic novels in the curriculum. There is always going to be crowds of people who will deny graphic novels ever being relevant in education, but the different ways students are learning, the way students must make inferences, and the visual techniques that are displayed in graphic novels all provide reasons why these texts should be included in the classroom today. Graphic novels can serve as a spring into a lifelong love of reading or it can simply keep the student interested enough to get through an assignment. Whatever a studentââ¬â¢s level of reading skill, there is no doubt that they will be able to read a graphic novel, while still maintaining a certain complexity in the ideas presented. Graphic novels can also teach students how to make inferences, as well as recognize and understand common literary techniques. Above all, studentsââ¬â¢ imaginations, and possibly interests will rise because of this genre being implemented into a curriculum. As Jesse Karp notes about graphic novels, ââ¬Å"the form reaches young people in a way no other canâ⬠, and that is what is most important to future studentsââ¬â¢ learning. Works Cited Constantino, Correne. ââ¬Å"Teaching English and Reading with Graphic Novelsâ⬠. Education. cu-portland. edu. Concordia University, n. d. Web. 3 May 2013. Randy Duncan and Matthew J. Smith. The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group, 2009. Print. Karp, Jesse. ââ¬Å"The Case for Graphic Novels in Educationâ⬠. Americanlibrariesmagazine. org. Chicago: American Library Associarion, 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 3 May 2013. Starr, Linda. ââ¬Å"Eek! Comics in the Classroom! â⬠. Educationworld. com. Education World, 11 Jan. 2008. Web. 3 May 2013. Walter, Carlene. ââ¬Å"Graphic Novelsâ⬠. Eclection. wikispaces. com. Tangient LLC, n. d. Web. 3 May 2013.
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