Richard Wagner :: essays research papers

Richard Wilhelm WagnerRichard Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany, on May 22, 1813. His work was done end-to-end the romantic period. His father died soon after his birth, and in 1814 the family moved to Dresden. In 1822 Wagner entered Dresdens Kreuzschule. In 1828 he enrolled at the Nicolaischule in Leipzig, where he began lessons in harmony with the music director named Christian Gottlieb Mller. Over the next three years he composed several piano sonatas, overtures, and seven songs. Inspired by the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and weber and Shakespeare, Goethe, and Schiller, he taught himself piano and composition. He entered the University of Leipzig. There he lived wildly but he seriously paid attention to composition. His Symphony in C was performed in Prague in 1832 and the undermentioned year it was played in Leipzig. The next six years he spent as a conductor at low class local anaesthetic theaters. In 1836 he married the actress Minna Planer, and in 1839, they left for Pa ris. Living with poor German artists, Wagner wrote musical journalism and did cut work. But in 1840 he terminate Rienzi, his first major opera. It was successfully produced at Dresden in 1842 and resulted in his slot as musical director of the Saxon court. Here The Flying Dutchman was produced in 1843, and Tannh drug user was completed in 1845. These operas were much criticized, because they lacked the melodies of the popular operas. Wagner took part in the German political revolt of 1848-1849 and was forced to leave the country. For about ten years he lived in Zrich, Switzerland. In 1864 King Ludwig II of Bavaria invited him to continue his musical work in Munich. During the years in Munich, he completed The Ring of the Nibelung which was a series of operas based on old German myths that he had begun in Zrich. The opera house in Munich was too small for these great operas. Wagner suggested that a theater be built from his own designs. The king approved the project, and the outcome was the famous Wagnerian Festival Theater in Bayreuth, Bavaria.

Business and Morals in Literature Essays -- Literary Analysis

History is nothing more than a record of people committing or overcoming injustices. As former United States attorney general, Robert Francis Kennedy, explains It is from unnumerable diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes egress against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Stein beck illustrates the consequences that arise when people forget their obligation to one another.The Grapes of Wrath is a novel that tells of a families struggling to survive during the 1930 dust bowl in America. The novel focuses on the Joad familys journey to California in search of work. On their search, they encounter fellow migrant workers who have fallen victim to big business and an uncontrollable capitalist agenda. Steinbeck explains the banks breathe profits they eat the interest on money. If they dont get it, they die the way you die without air , without side-meat. (Steinbeck 5) Bank owners, businessmen, and landowners monopolized industry, abandoning majority of America homeless, hungry for food and opportunity. Famine and a weak market tore base families apart while a handful of men ruthlessly profited from their misery. As the Joads journey continues, Steinbeck clarifies the fatal flaw the owners possess For the quality of owning freezes you forever into I, and cuts off forever from the we.(Steinbeck 206) Capitalism itself is not morally wrong. The competitive spirit is an innate quality found in everyone. Without it, our will to survive would be nonexistent. However, there is a clear distinction between ambition and greed. The time when people disregard their moral responsi... ...they begin to perceive the terrible justice of reality, and to accept it.(LeGuin) new day societies, like Omelas, avoid taking action because it is reality. The migrant worker settled for pennies because it was their reality, replacing hum ans with technology was reality the principles of business knock over morals because that was reality.Works CitedKing, Martin Luther. A Letter From Birmingham Jail. Cohen, Samuel S. 50 Essays a Portable Anthology. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. Print. LeGuin, Ursula K. The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas. Harels Corner. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. . Plato. The Allegory of the Cave. Cohen, Samuel S. 50 Essays a Portable Anthology. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. Print. Steinbeck, John, and Robert J. DeMott. The Grapes of Wrath. New York Penguin, 1992. Print.

The Role of Mass-Media in the Contemporary World Essay -- essays resea

The Role of Mass-Media in the Contemporary WorldThe power of the slew media has once become so sizeable that its undoubtedly significant role in the world today stays beyond any questions. It is so strong that even politics uses it as a means of governing in any country around the world. The mass media has not only political meaning but also it conveys wide familiarity concerning all possible aspects of human beings lives and, what is utterly true, influences on peoples points of view and their attitude to the surrounding environment. It is completely agreeable about what kind of virtues the mass media is supposed to accent. Nevertheless, it is not frequent at all that the media provides societies with such a content, which is doubtful in terms of the role consigned to it. Presenting violence and intolerance as substantially as shaping and manipulating public are only a few examples of how the role of mass media is misunderstood by those who define themselves as leading media mak ers.As long as violent programmes are shown on TV, the role of the mass media becomes completely different from how it was originally treated. Violence is socially harmful and especially the offspring are very prone to such scenes that may strongly affect their psyches. It is true that programmes featuring cruel pictures are marked as only for adults but the conviction when they are emitted is relatively early and the access to them seems to be rather unlimited to young people.Another matter that is very fre...

Heroes in Wonderful Fool and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Se

Expectations of Heroes in Wonderful Fool and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the ocean In a human beings search for spiritual peace throughout life, he constantly turns to outside sources for the answers to his questions. Some people quench their curiosity in a god or religion some find release through the use of foreign chemicals. Many people, however, turn to another person in their time of personal questioning, soliciting answers from their own pseudo-hero. This character is one who, by virtue of his exotic origin, is chosen by the person to fill a void or extend to a goal. The hero is expected to meet certain qualifications based on his devotees heroic ideal. However, no one can successfully accomplish the objectives learn for them by another person, especially when they are personally unaware of these goals. In many instances, this leads to disillusionment and bitterness in the person who has determined these goals. This is the case with the primary(prenominal) charac ters in the novels Wonderful Fool and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea. The heroes in these books, Gaston Bonaparte and Ryuji Tsukazaki, are constantly expected to fulfill the fancies of those who venerate them. The inability of twain Gaston and Ryuji to automatically satisfy these expectations ultimately leads to a sense of indignation and betrayal in their respective devotees, Tomoe and Noboru. This disappointment is fueled not by the failure of Gaston and Ryuji to achieve the goals set for them, but rather by the arrogance assumed by Tomoe and Noboru in expecting their preset qualifications to be fulfilled. Shusaku Endos novel Wonderful Fool is a manoeuver filled with characters who receive something contrary to their expectations. The... ...ed leveling of charges. However, there is one major difference. Tomoe, unlike Noboru, realizes her own hubris near the end of Wonderful Fool and feels as if it has been somehow defeated by having lost out to a fool This feelin g of having been beaten was to Tomoe, who prided herself on being a very knowledgeable young lady, in particular disagreeable (Endo 185). Noboru, on the other hand, takes his egotism to the extreme, using the crimes he has accused Ryuji of committing as sufficient reason to condemn him to death, in order to make him a hero again (Mishima 163). In each case, the arrogance assumed by Tomoe and Noboru is not realized in time to redeem their heroes, who in turn go forth from the lives of their devotees, never to return. Works CitedMishima, Yukio. The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea. Trans. John Nathan. New York Vintage, 1994.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I rediscovered something while trying to think of my speech for tonight. History repeats itself. Everything I felt compelled to say I knew has been said before and will be said in times to come. I grew dismayed at the thought that the adult male race has progressed so little that the same advice has as much merit now as it did when it was first given, millenniums ago. Yet there is a simple knockout in this. It reassures us that humans will always be human that everyone is experiencing life for the first time, no matter how many ancestors lie before them. Since we be each seeing life anew, the same truths will occur again and again. These truths have brought us to this point in history they will carry us for the rest of our lives.Inner motivation is the force that drives us upward and onward. We all know how to rely on that force. It does not matter what degree of success or achievement we reach, so long as what we do reach is comfortable for us. Whether our motivation compels us s imply to make it to school each day, or to becharm multiple outside interests with difficult class loa...

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I rediscovered something while trying to think of my speech for tonight. History repeats itself. Everything I felt compelled to say I knew has been said ahead and ordain be said in times to come. I grew dismayed at the thought that the human race has progressed so little that the same advice has as much merit now as it did when it was first given, millenniums ago. Yet there is a simple beauty in this. It reassures us that humans will perpetually be human that everyone is experiencing life for the first time, no matter how many ancestors lie before them. Since we are each seeing life anew, the same truths will occur again and again. These truths have brought us to this point in history they will carry us for the rest of our lives.Inner motivation is the force that drives us upward and onward. We all know how to rely on that force. It does not matter what degree of success or achievement we reach, so long as what we do reach is comfortable for us. Whether our motivation compels us s imply to make it to school each day, or to juggle multiple outside interests with difficult class loa...

Computer: Wildlife and People

1. Tourism is becoming easily source of revenue for many an(prenominal) countries. dissertate the advantage and disadvantage of exploiting this resource. 2. What is your conviction about the advantages and disadvantages of fast food? (2002,102003,12004,4) 3. In 1995,an Englishman killed a burglar who broke into his ho mathematical function. He was sentenced. Do you hold he should be sentenced ? How stomach we protect our billet? 4. With the suppuration of a market economy. Advertisements make up capture a dominant feature in television industry, despite the rich in influenceation brought by television.There steady exists strong criticism against television advertisement. Write an impostureicle analyzing the positive and negative cause of television advertisement. 5. version000121(2005? G ) few multitude mean that inspectors to different countries imitate local rule and behaviors. Some tidy sum resist. They animadvert the host country should welcome elaborati on different. Discuss the two views and entrust your knowledge opinion. 1. Some pile think that tidy sum at the age of 55 and over should be encouraged to retire in order to give opportunities to a take to the woodser generation. Do you look into or resist? 2.A report indicates that without delayadays children atomic number 18 becoming more than than and more lazy, fat and unsociable. Give the reasons for this and a proposal for a solution. (2003) 3. Computers argon widely used for education and rough people think that t each(prenominal)ers leave al unmatchable non play cardinal role in the classroom. Dis hold back or agree? 4. plenty use estimators when they work, go banking and so on, scarcely some argue that it provide light up people isolated and decrease their neighborly skills. To what finish do you agree or disagree? 5. Some people think that traditional techniques and modern technology are incompatible. To what intent do you agree or disagree? . Oriental session 7. Some people think that strong tradition lav civilize a country and the regimen should subsidize musicians, artists, actors and manoeuvre companies. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? what should government do? 8. Is it possible for a woman to be a good m different and a successful career woman at the same while? some people agree that government should pay some gold to women so that they seat stay at home to look after their children. Do you agree or disagree? 9. Modern technology, such(prenominal) as fertilizer and machinery has diverged our man so much. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Discuss 10.There have been many technological maturations in the 20th century. For example, calculator and electric power. Choose either of them, describe the change it has brought about and con prevail whether all the changes are positive. 11. What are the purposes of bums, such as museums and how should they be funded? 1. A. Television is the most touristy form of entertainment in the modern house give suck. ( )people of all ages use this medium to entertain themselves for an average of four hours a day. ( )thus, television has had a tremendous influence on its viewers, especially children. )scientists now say that children muckle be negatively effected by constantly watching television. ( )? I take their side. B. We hear a lot about negative effects of television on the viewers. Obviously, televisions throne be harmful if it is watched constantly. However, when television is watched in moderation, it is extremely valuable,( )as/for it provides relaxation entertainment and education. 2. Some people think that the government should non put m unitaryy in building theaters and sports stadium, they should spend more m stary on education and medical care. a.Theaters and sports stadium are the most popular places in the modern society. People of all ages love to entertain themselves and sleep together the relaxation. Pl us, as the desire for music and sports is increase, the government ought to spend more money on that. b. Most people hold the point that theaters and sports are losing their immenseness as time passes by. It is no denying that modern people are leading an increasingly busy life. Neverthe slight, not a virtuoso place can replace the status in helping people develop their physical body and mental condition like theaters and stadium. 1. We are now living in eminent maturation creative activity. Great changes have taken place. The computer was born in 1946 in America and was named ENTAC by researchers. Its development is very quick. It had made greater progress recently and plays a more important role in our society. ( ) It is of great value to master necessary computer be intimateledge In world at once. ( )? That is to say, one can never live without sufficient familiarity of computer. As what happens in Britain, a college graduate even from Cambridge University may face a difficulty in finding a job if he or she does not know how to manage computers.It is true in other countries. Therefore, it bequeath be very hard to live free from contact with computers. From the above, in end point, in short, all in all, on the whole, in one phrase some people title of respect that disadvantages of cars are more than advantages, do you agree or disagree? 22005 version00110 more of the worlds languages and cultures are dying out. Give possible reasons and your recommendations. 1. 2. Dear Mr. Wang I am awfully sorry about what my dog did to your garden the day before yesterday, I want you know how badly I feel about it. I assure you that it will not happen again. , , , , , , , , ) Being sorry is not enough. But we honestly thank you for macrocosm so generous with us and our dog. Yours sincerely Lynn 3. thank you from the bottom of my heart thanks a million I sincerely appreciate umpteen thanks for your kindness Write a letter to thank your fri ends for caring for you when you were in hospital after an accident. 4. Write a letter to Mr. Wang who works in administration office to ask for an increase in financial aid. Dear Mr. Wang I am writing to you to see whether or not I can get an increase in financial aid.As the administration office had done a lot in helping people with financial need. I tend to ask another help from you. 5. you have come back to your hometown after the first term in Canada. Write a letter to your good friend, Mike, inviting him to visit your hometown in brotherhoodmer vacation. One of your friends invites you to visit his hometown. But you have made your plans. Write a letter to refuse his invitation. Version 00113 Some people think that university should not provide theoretical familiarity, but to give hard-nosed training beneficial to the society.Do you agree or disagree? Use your own experience and knowledge to fend you idea. 5 Most universities and colleges spend rather long period in funda mental theories and elementary telephone circuit. But students regard these kinds of knowledge useless, and pay less attention to it. Some people think that university should not provide theoretical knowledge, but to give practical training beneficial to the society. As for me, I think this view is reasonable in some aspects. First of all, the theoretical knowledge just handles problem is an abstract concept. It must combine with real job.For instance, as everyone know, with the development of society, work position more and more need experienced and technical talent, especially in Shanghai of China, one of the biggest city throughout the world. So, more fling practice training to university students can help them to adapt to the society better. Therefore, the theoretical knowledge losing contact with reality is nonsensical. Secondly, the theoretical knowledge comes from practice. Any theoretical knowledge is obtained form the work of practicing. The universities provide practical training to students, making them chthonianstand the theoretical knowledge deeply.Just because of this, our universities believe that students should participate in social work at least one year in the four years in order to get practical training. However, the theoretical knowledge is the essence of practice, and it is the important course that we cant ignore likewise. So, theoretical knowledge and practice have the equal status in our study. In a word, theoretical knowledge and practical training is all our require courses. We should study theory knowledge, and then apply it to practice. , , , , version 00121(2005? G )Some people think visitors to other countries should imitate local tailored and behaviors. Some people disagree. they think the host country should welcome culture different. Discuss the tow views, and give your own opinion. 4 Recent years, because traffic is handy day-by-day, people have more chances to travel around the world. The plane can make us reach any corner of the earth in a short time. Some people think visitors to other countries should imitate local custom and behaviors, but some people disagree. As far as I am concerned, necessary imitation is, in contrast, a wiser choice.As a famous saying goes, do as they do when in Room. The knowledge of local custom can help outside people adapt to the new environment quickly. For instance, a Chinese student came to Britain, he can imitate British life style. In this way, he can understand British habit more thoroughly, thus, make himself live a more comfortable life in Britain. In addition, the ethnic uniqueness that should be maintained need more attention. If people did not adhere to their national symbol especially in foreign country, these treasures would disappear. polish off American hug for instance.Opposed to it, Chinese people greet each other with a formal handshake instead of warm hug. Because of this, different countries know each other to a greater extent. On the other h and, it is generally believed that outside cultures take a prodigious role in shaping the new world. Without taking back foreign customs home, a traveler can do nothing to help promote his or her countrys civil variety, In conclusion, according to the above reasons, the transformation to total reference to foreign customs gain an upper hand over the persistence in cultural individuation abroad. Version 00110many world languages and cultures are dying out. Give possible reasons and your recommendations. Nowadays, international communicating has become more and more important. But many world languages ad cultures are dying out. In this essay, we will examine the problem of languages and culture dying and the solutions. Firstly, as the technology improves, people around the world are relying more and more on electronic devices to communicate with each other. Take internet for example. In order to make international conversations, people attempt to talk and escape e-mail with the co mmonly-spoken language, say, English.As a result, cultural uniqueness will fade away gradually. Secondly, some of the world languages and cultures are not being learned widely by children. As what happens in China, Chinese youngsters tend to avoid speaking as their elders do. Because of their contact with foreign cultures, they privilege imitating some odd sayings and behaviors. That is also the way capital of Red China opera is dying out. In order to solve the problems illustrated above, I offer two solutions in this special occasion. For one solution, people efficiency record the culture and languages on books or tapes, making sure our descendants can learn or use them in the future.The consequence solution is to increase the awareness of the importance of national cultural identity among young people. From the above analyses, the important thing is to learn the elders tongue and culture before it is too late. Otherwise, we will lose them. V120 What are the purposes of places s uch as museums and how should they be funded? As we all know, museums are unreplaceable places for tender beings. However, more and more museums have to face the serous economic problem nowadays. Therefore, many people disbelieve museums significance. On the contrary, I am a firm believer that museums is still of great importance.Firstly, museum is considered the diachronic symbol that it exhibits traditional culture of a nation. Nations of inequality have different culture and history. Taking the history and revolution museum for example. The museum is the best way to let the Chinese youngsters enjoy their ancestors history and let visitors and foreigners know what china was like century ago. Secondly, museum could help improve peoples love for art and beauty. As a result, museums aiming to exhibit artist paintings, photos and the like can never be replaced. For instance, the greatest art museum in Paris represents things alike every year.Without it, we would not have a so ke en taste for beauty. For one solution, the government ought to buy all museums. If museums belong to government, it means main economic problem of museums is solved. The second solution is that society ought to donate lots of money to maintain development of museum. The museum protects out history and culture, so we have obligation to support progress of museums. each in all, it is museums, along with other institutes, that enrich our dull lives. solely by permanently funding them can we share the magnificence. V105Some people claim that the disadvantages of cars are more than the advantages, do you agree or disagree? With the development of science and technology, the cars have already become the important component in our daily life gradually. Cars make our life convenient and swift. However, too many cars have caused very serious social problems. Some people claim that the disadvantages of cars are more than the advantages. I doubt it. Since one century ago, the auto industry ha s been positive at full speed worldwide, and has brought the enormous progresses to our life. For example, the car is the most convenient tool of transportation.We can be on and off duty by car every day we can go to travel by car on the vacation we can utilize the cars to deal with some emergency too. The car is contend an important role in our daily life. They make our rhythm of life windy and faster and make our business become more and more efficient. On the other hand, the development gives people countless employment opportunities too, such as manufacturing industry, repairing industry and maintaining industry. We are enjoying the convenience that the cars bring to us at the same time we can utilize the auto industry to support ourselves.However, we ca not ignore that too many cars cause enormous social problems, for example, traffic jam, air pollution, traffic accident, to which we have to find a solution. In a word, the cars have brought enormous change to our life. The a dvantages are far more than the disadvantages. The graphical record below shows the percentage of people unable to find work in three major countries from 1983 to 1992. pic The line graph shows a comparison of unemployment rates in Japan, the linked Kingdom and Canada between 1989 and 1992. In Japan, the percentage of unemployment from 2. 3%to 3%between 1983 and 1986.After that, the percentage started decreasing with pocket-sized fluctuation and returned to the passkey value in 1992. ( , , ) In 1983, the percentage of umemployed people was 12% in Canada and 13% in the UK. ( )These values decreased dramatically and at a constant rate over the next few years. ( )and unemployment reached the final percentage in Canada with about 7. 7% in 1988-1989,and in the UK with 7% in 1989-1990. ( )( )The unemployment rates of the two countries reaches the same point between 1988 and 1989. And then the figures( ))started increasing in both countries . n 1992,Canada reached its original valu e. Meanwhile, UK reached 10%, three points below the original percentage in 1983. ( ) From the above analysis, the unemployment rate was more stable than those of UK and Canada. ( ) The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1950, 1970, and 1990. pic The bar chart represents a contrast in terms of bus, car, hertz, foot in years of 1950, 1970 and 1990. From 1950 to 1990,the percentage of people who travel( )by bike and on foot decreased from 27%to 7% and 33%to 10% respectively.Similarly, the percentage of people taking bus dropped after 1970 but increased before that. However, cars percentage use sharply boomed year after year. ( ) Traveling by bike or on foot were most popular in 1950. but percentage of car users was far more smaller. After two decades, with the decrease of bike users and travelers on foot, bus and car gain a lot of popularity. Bus reached its peak at 27%. in 1970,over one out of three( )people drive to and from work. ( , ) All in all, as the economy increases gradually, people select to go to work and come home by driving rather than taking bus or walking. The table below shows information on income, taxes and prices in five cities around the world. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. City Average hourly rent Tax as % of wage Monthly rent for 4-bedroom flat Athens ? 4 18. 9% ? 700 Geneva ? 13 26. 6% ? 1, 300 Hong Kong ? 15% ? 2, 400 London ? 7 31. 3% ? 1, 200 capital of Japan ? 12 19. 3% ? 5, 300 This table graph demonstrates a comparison of wages, taxes and rents in five important cities, Athens, Geneva, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo. Geneva and Tokyo offer the highest average hourly wage,13 and 12 pounds respectively.Within expectation, the tax as percentage of wage is also high. However, the rent in Tokyo is much more than that in Geneva. On the contrary, the lowest wages are offered by Hong Kong and Athens,3 and 4 p ounds respectively. It is not surprising that the taxes are correspondingly lower than the rest. The difference between the two cities is the rent, with the lowest 700 pounds in Athens and more higher 2400 pounds in Hong Kong. ( , ) With the average rent and wage, London has the highest tax ( ) In conclusion, in terms of living cost, living in London might harder than the others. ( ) The two pie charts below show the types of communion used in 1962 and 1982. pic pic The two pie charts demonstrate a comparison in different patterns of communication which were used in 1962 and 1982. As what has been shown in the two charts, the percentage of letters drastically decreased from 50% in 1962 to 10% in 1982 respectively. The figures of phone and computer usage, on the contrary, increased correspondingly at a high rate. The percentage of computer communication in 1982 was exactly twice that in 1962. Similarly,the popularity of phone in 1982 can also be suggested by its rise-25% from the original value,35%.In conclusion, communication devices, as economy and technology are being enhanced, have changes greatly. High-tech ways will gradually take the place of private and traditional ones. 1. 21 discuss? With our entrance to 21st century, there rises the controversy of whether our future would turn to the bright one. Many people claim that 21st century would be taken into a positive way through scientific and technological advance while a great number of pessimists argue that our future is threat123d by lots of ongoing disasters. As for me, I prefer a balanced view that there will be crisis and opportunities.On one hand, we have reasons to be optimistic. For one thing, the development of information technology will make it possible to for all the people in the world to communicate with each other easily. Take the internet as an example. A simple click on the mouse could lead you to every place and mortal all over the world. For another, as the medical treatment deve lops, it could be expected that there will be cure for such deadly diseases as crabby person and AIDS and that human beings would be able to enjoy a long life expectancy. Moreover, with the ongoing mechanization, an increasing amount f dangerous and heavy-labor work would tend to be taken by the robot. In this case, man can work in more safe and comfortable conditions, as well as enjoy more leisure time. On the other hand, it can be foreseen that there may be crises in the future. First, people will run high jeopardize of psychological problems for dealing with computers in long-term is likely to cause the loneliness and infantile autism. Consequently the rate of suicide would experience a sharp rise. Besides, there is possibility that the robot would take over the earth, enslaving our mankind who is originally its creator.Furthermore, it is not impossible that a global nuclear war would break out. As a result, none of all creatures on the earth can escape this disaster so that fr om then on the civil history comes to an end. From the discussion above, it can be concluded that we would confront both opportunities and crises. The advanced science and technology could obtain merit and drawback. So what I hope to see in the future is that we can enjoy healthier and longer life and that more and more science and technology will be employed in the peaceful way. 2.Some people claim that the increasingly frequent business and cultural communications are positive whereas others hold a different opinion. Discuss. Although a slight mention of the past idyll life arouses a nostalgia and reminiscent beauty, which is unexceptionally characterized by isolation and somewhat disconsolation, various and frequent communications in business, education, scientific research, and even the daily life are flooding the existent values, ideas, and ideals. Inevitably, this social phenomenon provokes a storm of commendation and criticism as well.Frequent communications in various field s among cultures and people undoubtedly realise individuals life. Almost every citizen becomes the beneficiary of the communications. People around the world today are able to enjoy otherwise unavailable products and services. For instance, it is due to the international communication in business that people in China can enjoy such high quality products as Mercedes Benz from Germany, Titoni watch from Switzerland, and IBM computers. All these cases demonstrate one thing communications contribute to human beings.Not only are diverse array of communications in the international spectrum positive to individuals, they also have been exerting significant favorable influences on family life. It was virtually incredible to imagine an international family five decades ago, but today on account of the rapid development of communications and transportations, ghostlike and racial discriminations have almost entirely gone with the wind. It is no longer an abnormal thing that a Chinese husband gets married with a Japanese wife.Such international family, as scientific research warrants, is a welcome development in terms of both biological and political elements. In fact, the advantages of communications are also shaping and reflecting the general human civilization development. If God, as Bible says, created different languages among men, then men all over the world today are able to work together, pray together, and struggle for freedom together. The communications are actually a process of globalization. This is the trend of sustainable development. With communications, people become brothers and sisters rather than enemies.With communications, there will be peace rather than war. With communications, the mundane mortals will eventually retrieve the paradise that our forefathers lost and get renascence. Admittedly, the communications might have some negative influences. But the advantages far surpass the disadvantages. Therefore, the communications should be advocated and encouraged with the utmost enthusiasm A,B Wild animals have no place in the 21st contrary, and the protection for them is a neutralise of resource. To what extent, do you agree or disagree with the above statement?Humans share the planet with the trigger-happy animas who have contributed a lot to our society and economy. But today, the world is poised on the brink of the largest wave of extinctions. So we have to do something to protect maddened animals. Firstly, faming to feed the growing human population is one of the chief cause of extinction. From this millions of hectares of forests and natural vegetation have been cleared for agricultural use. Secondly, excess mining has undo the habitat of wild animals. Then came the threat of illegal logging, poaching and smuggling.Wild animals are now facing severe problems, but fortunately more and more people begin to realize the value of wild animals to our human-beings environment. As we know, wild animals together with wild pl ants consist of a complex ecosystem, which is significant to our natural environment, providing mop water, clean air and various resources. They are so connected and interacted that even extinction of several species will lead to a disaster to the whole ecosystem. Furthermore, the variety of species and genes excogitation wild animals are critical resources that could be utilized in each countrys development, especially in science and medical.In history, many ideas of famous inventions originated form animals such as ultrasonic fro bat. Moreover, there are still so many undiscovered fields of science, maybe we can get use of one kind of wild animals one day. Before this, we had better keep them protected, particular to some rare species. Someone said safeguard of wild animals is a mess up of resource, but I do not agree. It seems that we would spend some time, wealth and manpower on this meaningless thing. Actually we also do this for human being ourselves.Wild animals have no pl ace in the 21st contrary, and the protection for them is a waste of resource. To what extent, do you agree or disagree with the above statement? With the rapid progress of society, peoples living standard is dramatically improved, with more convenience and resource coming to us. However, our living environment at the same time is getting more polluted. One effect of this phenomenon is that there is not enough s stair for wild animals to survive, and many people hold an opinion that it would be a waste of resource to protect wild animals.Nevertheless, I think exactly the opposite way. The environment is a comprehensively biological life cycle, with human beings, animals and plants playing affecting each other accordingly. Wild animals occupy an essential position in the life cycle. Lets look at a very simple example. Although snakes are very dangerous and frightening, they can catch mice, and mice can destroy the crop as well as sanitary surroundings. Here it is low-cal to understan d that if there are not enough snakes, the number of mice would grow rapidly, doing more harm to us. Then , should not we protect the snake?Actually, we are providence resource by doing this because trying to save something that is already destroyed seriously costs more. Secondly, in present, quite a number of problems such as desertification and rivers alter up, caused by excessive exploitation of natural resource, have arisen an increasing number of people aware of environment protection. More and more places, I think, should be mean for wild animals in 21st contrary. Thus, it is obviously noticed that more trees are planted and more wildlife conservation areas are planned, ensuring that wild animals will be under protection.As we can see from the improvement, in the 21st contrary, wild animals would be leading a happy life. To sum up, we cannot live without wild animals due to their profound effects on us. For this reason, we should try our best to protect them. Lets remember one thingprotecting wild animals is equivalent to protecting ourselves. Wild animals have no place in the 21st contrary, and the protection for them is a waste of resource. To what extent, do you agree or disagree with the above statement? Biological conversion has never been as threatened as it is today as a result of the process of human civilization.The various forms of pressure created by human operation have destroyed natural balance, led to the deterioration of natural habitats, genetic erosion and the rarity, even disappearance, of a number of plant and animal species. As the pace of civilization accelerates, more people, taking more space, needing to use more natural resources, engaging in ever-growing consumption, impose sever deterioration on the habitat of animals. An increasing number of people come to realize that the disappearance of animals will result in serious threat to the equilibrium of ecosystem.Simply put, the extinction of hawks, rat-eating bird seen in many regions, will result in the rapid propagation of rats. And rats, further, will destroy the prairies and threaten the other animals like gazelles, zebras, and others, who live on grass and green lands. The coexistence of animals and human beings creates perfect harmony and brings about vividness to our planet. It is hard to imagine what our world would be like without animals. Sociologists also point our that the disappearance of animals can cause social and economic problems. Animals trade, as a supporting sector to the world economy, was very active before.However, the situation is beyond control since animals trade is very profitable and alluring. Many species cannot escape the adversity of being killed. Certainly, our diet cannot be without meat. There are living stocks, which can provide us with sufficient and nutritious produce. Therefore, we need not to resort to wild animals, especially the endangered ones. To protect animals is to protect our living environment. Every indiv idual should join efforts to keep the diversity of animals. The gap of living in cities and the countryside is larger and larger. What are the reasons in your country and how to reduce the differences?As the step of economic development accelerates, the gap between the city and the countryside becomes more and more apparent , which arouses colossal concerns. Take a further look at the phenomenon, there are three major causes. Firstly, the insufficiency of investment in the agrarian areas accounts chiefly for the issue. China, for example, covers a very large area. Due to the emphasis on the development in the coastal areas, the government devotes more investment in the large cities, such as shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. The investment, undoubtedly, is repaid by the threefold increase of economy and commerce in these cities.However, this is not the case in the rural area and the western regions. The leave out of investment barriers the productivity and economic development a nd sharpens the gap between the city and the countryside. Secondly, the low education level in the rural areas contributes partly to the gap of living. information is the prime force of productivity. Keeping this in mind, many countries and governments give priority to the development of education. Chinas education witnessed a rapid growth in the past decade. However, the education level in the countryside still keeps very low.The enrollment of primary schools and secondary schools is much lower compared with the advanced regions, not to mention the developed countries in the world. Without good education, the development of economy and technology would be dream difficult to be realized. Finally, the influx of migrant workers to the cities form the countryside deteriorates the undeveloped conditions in the rural areas. The life style in the urban areas is very winive to the people in the countryside. To seek more working opportunities, many people abandon the full-bodied lands an d leave them uncultivated.If the situation continues, it will lead to serious unbalance of economic and regional development. To sum up, only when the government renders more concerns over the issue can the gap between the cities and the countryside be bridged. The gap of living in cities and the countryside is larger and larger. What are the reasons in your country and how to reduce the differences? When you look back to the last contrary, surprisingly you will find that not only had all worlds largest populated cities experienced different population growth rates, but also the difference between the city and the ountryside had grown accordingly. Two reasons of mine can examine the tendency as following. The glamorous city life allures lots of human resources to hunt to the city, taking major contribution to the gap. In the city, there are many advantages to attract those talented people to settle downmore job opportunities, cultural activities, sporting events, if you name them. Therefore, even those well-educated people who are originated from the country intend to lead a dynamic city life instead of move to face the static country view.If the rural government can work out some favorable policies such as low prices of land intermeshed for industrial uses, with the combination of low cost of workforce, investors are willing to establish factories in the countryside. The improvement of employment situation will enormously help powderpuff back some intellectuals and lessen the gap. (104words) In the second part, I would mention the factor of transportation. Supporting sentences the vital resistance of economic development in the countryside is the awkward transportation. It has been witnessed in China that almost all leading cities are scattered along the coastline.They take advantages of sea, air and other sophisticated transport facilities to enjoy high economic growth rates. I suggest that the central government should fund on infrastructure for the wh ole nation, including rural areas, to build up a nationwide transport network. Consequently, tourism as well as housing in the countryside will be boosted, and the difference between the city and the country would be minimized. (94words) To sum up, intelligent resources would determine who is the winner or loser of the intense competition moreover, transit system also play an important role in developing economy.If both issues were tackled properly in the countryside, gap between the city and the country would never be overwhelming. 2007 3? 10? TASK 1bar , , 7 TASK2 With the increase in use of mobile phones and computers, less people tend to write letters. The skill of writing letters will disappear completely. To what extend do you agree of disagree? How important do you think is letter writing ? 3? 3? task 1 ,overseas and UK visitors in London from 1996 to 2001. task 2 , , 2? 10? task1 how waste recycled to garden fertilizer task2 maintaining public libraries is a waste of mone y because computer technology services the function. do you agree or disagree? 2? 3 TASK1TABLE. TASK2Who will be responsible for the environment, individual? or government? you opinion? 1? 20 table, 8? ( 8? ) motor vehicle? 1990 2000 It is believed that government should pay for health care and education instead of the public. However, some people debate that it would be a large cost and it is not necessary. Whats your opinion? 1? 13? 1? TABLES 1? 6 ,TABLE 1900 ? 2000 , , , 2006 1? 7? People believe that they should be able to keep all the money they earn and should not pay tax to the state. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 1? 14? There are social, medical, and technical problems associated with the use of mobile phones. What forms do they take? Do you agree that the problems preponderate the benefits of the mobile phone? 1? 21? At present, science has been developing at a high speed, but people still have a high opinion of artists.What can the arts tell us of the l ife that science cannot? 2006? 2? 11? In many countries, the proportion of older people is steadily increasing. Does this trend have more positive or negative effects on the society? 2? 18? Some people believe that air travel should be restricted because it causes serious pollution and uses up the worlds fuel resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 2? 25? More and more measures to improve the security in the urban area have been introduced because of the increased crime. Do the benefits of the measures preponderate the drawbacks? 3? 11? In many countries, more and more young people are leaving school and unable to find jobs after graduation. What problems do you think youth unemployment will cause to the individual and the society? Give reasons and make some suggestions. 3? 18? VS Some people think that teachers should be responsible for teaching students how to judge right and wrong and how to behave well. Some say that teachers should only teach students about a cademic subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 3? 25? Long distance flight uses more fuel than car and brings pollution to the environment.We should discourage non-essential flight rather than limit the use of car. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06/ 04 / 08 Space travel to the moon, cited as a big step for the mankind. Some people think it made small difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06/ 04 / 22 VS History is little or nothing to tell people. Others believe people must study history to understand the present. Please discuss. 06/ 04 / 29 Some people believe that national sports teams and individual men and women who represent their country should be financially supported by the government.Others think they should be funded by non-government organizations (business, scholarship). 06/ 05 / 13 Housing shortage in big cities can cause severe consequences. Only government action can solve this problem. To what extent do y ou agree or disagree? 06/ 05 / 20 Do the problems brought by international travel outweigh the advantages? 06/ 05 / 27 Some people think that the use of animal for experimentation is cruel. Other think it is good for the development of science. Discuss the two sides and give your opinion. 06/ 06 / 10 Nowadays some people like to give help to the local community or provide people with direct help. Other people prefer to give money to national and international organizations. Discuss both of the two ways and present your own opinion. 06/ 06 / 17 The best way to solve the worlds environmental problems is to increase the price of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use your own experience and give an example to support your idea. 06/ 06 / 24 Some people think that it is beneficial for students to go to private secondary schools, but other people think that it can have a negative effect.Discuss the two points and give your own opinion. 06 / 07 / 08 In a modern society, it has been observed in some countries that the elderly are not duly respected. Discuss the reasons why this has occurred and the effects it might have on our society. 06 / 07 /22 Is it better for students to live at home with their parents or in school accommodations? Give your own opinion on the issue. Use your own experience or an example to support your idea. 06 / 07/ 29 Earlier technological development brought more benefits changes to the life of quotidian people than the recent technological development will.To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06 / 08/ 05 Some people think museums should be enjoyable places to attract and entertain young people. Other think the purpose of museums is educate, not entertain. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. 06 / 08/ 12 In order to learn a language well, we should also learn about the country as well as the cultures and lifestyles of the people who speak it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06 / 08/ 26 Multi-cultura l societies, which are a mixture of different ethnic groups, bring more benefits than drawbacks for a country.To what extend do you agree or disagree with this conclusion? 06 / 09/ 02 In some countries, advertisers increase the amount of advertising which try to persuade children to buy snacks, toys,and other goods. Parents object such pressure on children. But some advertisers claim that there is useful information in these advertisements. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 06 / 09/ 16 Some people think the students should take the subjects which are dogged by the government in the university. Others think that students can apply for the subjects they prefer.Discuss the two situations and give your opinion. 06 / 09/ 23 Young adults should undertake unpaid work to help people in the community. Do you think it brings more drawbacks to the community and the young adults than benefits? 06 / 10 / 14 Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn the children into g ood citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? 06 / 10 / 22 The speeding up of life in many areas such as travel and communication has negative effects on society at all levelsindividual, national and global.To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06 / 10 / 29 Some people think that increasing business and cultural contacts have positive influences on development others think that it has negative effects on national identities. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 06 / 11/ 04 Some people think that good health is very important to every person, so medical services should not be run by profit-making companies. Do the disadvantages of private health care outweigh the advantage? 06 / 11/ 18 Some people think secondary students should study international news as a school subject, but others argue that it is a waste of their valuable school time. Whats your opinion? 06 / 11/ 25 Exposure to interna tional media, e. g. films, TV and magazines, has an impact on the local culture. Please discuss whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. 06 / 12/ 02 Throughout the history, male leaders often made the society more violent and conflicting. If women governed the world, it would be a more peaceful world. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give an example to support your idea. 6 / 12/ 09 Modern buildings are appearing in large numbers, some people believe that we should build our buildings in traditional styles. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 06 / 12/ 16 Some people believe that in the flesh(predicate) happiness is directly related to economic success. Others believe there are other factors. Discuss the two sides and give your opinion 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 % of people unable to work (UNEMPLOYMENT RATES) United Kingdom Canada Japan 1962 P 35% C 15% L 50%

Remember The Titans Essay

The film Remember the Titans directed by Boaz Yakin, is based on genuine events set in Virginia in 1971. The T.C Williams high schools football team became the unifying symbol for the community as the boys and the coaches learn to depend on and trust each other no matter what their colour of their skinIn the scene of the football team leaving for camp in campaign of the buses, the long fit of Gerry, Ray and Coach Boone shows that Coach Boone is eager to establish his dominance by humiliating Gerry Bertier in look of all the blacks and whites family members and the team. The long shot helps us to see clearly about the two races taking their own sides. The shot includes the two buses one for the blacks and one for the whites, all their families gathered in front of them and the coaches Boone and Yoast. The camera angle technique is used to highlight the segregation and to manipulate the perspective of the camera angle above the white and black crowd. This shot signifies how solely Coach Boone is against the boys and how he is struggling to unite their two races to become a team and work together.At the time of Gerrys funeral Mrs Bertier and Gerrys best promoter Julius argon seen holding hands which shows a mutual respect for one another and a common loss between them. The close up in this scene shows us as the audience the interactions between the two races now and how far they have come along from what they were at the start of the film. This is a actually important technique because it shows us how respect and friendship nates overcome prejudice and hatred. By the coming together of the hands Julius and Mrs Bertier have shown us that state who are different can be united by our mutual acceptance of others.The poem accepting the Differences by Audrey Heller displays many different despotic examples to encourage you as an audience, to accept the differences between people that are not like you. In Accepting the Differences, Audrey Heller describes that you can attempt to get others to speak up like you but they get out never properly follow through in understanding your differences.Heller uses a illustration to emphasise the interactions that lead to acceptance. The metaphor accepting the differences in people is what make the word go round is helping to say when people accept the differences in in you and everybody else, the world will be peaceful and stress-free. As a result of this our community will overall be easier to feel comfortable in your own skin, to accept others that are different and for them to accept you.In my opinion the poem and the film portray a similar message. As a result they both show us the destruction caused by racism and also that race doesnt matter and can be set aside for the betterment of humanity. We are all people, we are all the same. By appealing to our emotions, we are convinced by the strong message that human life is one unique whole that can set aside differences to succeed.

Positive Case for Compatibilism and the Free Will Problem

The concept of shift leave behind has been a point of quarrel for philosophers for several(prenominal) decades. One of the reasons for these diverging viewpoints is the debate on how exactly to define the word free. It would be misleading to attribute any one exclusive base to the concept.However it is agreed neutrally that it is an exercise of an single(a)s behavior in order for him to take moral accountability for his actions. A person who takes on his moral responsibility is one who mint chose to make decisions that atomic number 18 morally right or wrong. Thus, the blame or reward for the outcome of the decision falls squarely on his shoulders. It is understood that free will is an essential component of these decisions.Conceptually it can be understood how the pre-set spirit of the universe can casually affect our decisions to such a point where free will is no longer applicable. However the theory of compatibilism states that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive. That they can dwell in concert without conflict, that an individual can exercise free will when faced with pre-determined factors. This topic will analyze, synthesize and evaluate arguments related to the problems associated with the concept of free will and how compatibilism offers a solution to these problems (McKenna, 2004).In order to understand how compatibilism acts as a solution to the free will problem it is first important to understand that there are several concepts used attributed to free will. When these concepts are conjoined to others they invariably create several contradictions. In order to avoid these problems it is important to consider the classic formulation of free will which informs us of then several key factors associated with it. The first is that the individual has a choice to act in more than one way in a location.However any action taken by an individual qualifies as an event with various causes that effect the individuals decision. Thus, th e cause is casually determined and the individual cannot act in any way other than what is pre-determined by these factors. It should be noted that the existence of free will is tantamount upon the fact that the individual has no extraneous source compelling him to act. Rather all his decisions making is contingent upon his own compulsion to follow his decisions in the face of alternate possibilities. It is scarcely in such a case that freedom to assume moral responsibility exists (McKenna, 2004).John Martin Fincher is a philosopher who is trustworthy for refining the viewpoint that suggested that decisions which constitute the free will of an individual can be affected by a number of reasons. This proves why certain people can have different reactions to the same situation and rules out those individuals who have compulsive or neurotic behavior.The refined viewpoint by Martin Fincher is known as the reasons-responsiveness theory which states that even though there are considerati ons which may affect the decisions of an individual. The decision made it can still be considered to be an individual free will since the choice made is rationally base according to the factors affecting the individual (McKenna, 2004).Another concept attributed to Compatibilism is P.F Strawsons concept of moral responsibility. This is similar to Humes concept and says that the practice of holding an individual morally responsible for his or her own actions is formed on the basis of both emotional and societal structures. He said that the existence of these critical responses is part of human nature defined by our basic emotional natures and cannot be abandoned, thus the fact that determinism affects our moral responsibility does not hold ground.However in certain cases an individual can choose to give up their moral judgments in favor of rationalizing the individuals actions can exist as well but only in the cases where the actions gains favors or losings to human life (Kane, 2002 p. 516-521).There are of course objections to the theories of compatibilism. One of the principle arguments for incompatibilism comes from Carl Ginet. The argument given by him states that the power of an individual to affect channelise does not take place to factors such as those of nature that are by their very nature unchangeable.And if a certain fact affects a person directly and the consequences of that fact exist than the person will be affected by the consequences of that fact as well. Thus in the face of these facts determinism becomes true and since no one can change the facts that cause the situation, no one can affect the future (McKenna, 2004).

Divine intervention dealing with Greek myths Essay

Divine intervention is a feature of ancient Greek literature. One is amazed and even stupefied by the magical myths so frequently referred to. In Greek literature, the gods play an immense role in the lives and fates of the mortal dwellers of the earth. As one examines the gods throughout the myths and epos poems of the Greeks, one recieves a strong impression that the gods play with and manipulate mortals and each new(prenominal). One goddess who exemplifies this is the great goddess genus Athene. This daughter of genus Zeus impacted everyone that she came across. The character genus Athene is spattered over Greek works. However, there are specific pieces of Greek literature that tell a great deal about this fiery goddess. This is not a passive goddess. This is an active, involved goddess who, in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, assumes divine leadership and challenges even Zeus himself. In The Odyssey and other Greek myths, Athena is an essential character and contributes many an other(prenominal) elements of her complex mythological personality to Greek writing.Athena is one of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology. In Roman mythology she became identified with the goddess Minerva. Also cognise as genus Athene Athena. Athena sprang full-grown and armored from the forehead of the god Zeus and was his favorite child. He entrusted her with his shield, adorned with the hideous head of Medusa the Gorgon, his buckler, and his principal sum weapon, the thunderbolt. A virgin goddess, she was called Parthenos (the maiden). Her major temple, the Parthenon, was in Athens, which, according to legend, became hers as a result of her gift of the olive tree to the Athenian people. Athena was in the main the goddess of the Greek cities, of industry and the humanities, and, in later mythology, of wisdom she was also goddess of war. Athena was the strongest supporter, among the gods, of the Greek side in the Trojan War.After the fall of Troy, however, the Greeks failed to respect the sanctity of an altar to Athena at which the Trojan prophet Cassandra sought shelter. As punishment, storms sent by the god of the sea, Poseidon, at Athenas request destroy most of the Greek ships returning from Troy. Athena was also a patron of the agricultural arts and of the crafts of women, especially spinning and weaving. Among her gifts to man were the inventions of the plow and the flute and the arts of taming animals, building ships, and making shoes. She was often associated with birds, especially the owl. Through an explanation of Athenas distinctpersonality, her relationships are more easily understoodThe names and titles associated with this unreal goddess reflect her role as a person of action and leadership. Athena, also spelled Athene, is said to be the goddess of wisdom, battle and war, and certian crafts. Athena is frequently known as Pallas or Pallas Athena. According to Sawyer, Athena took on the extra name to commemorate the death of her f riend, Pallas. She had accidentally killed Pallas while they were practicing spears. To show her deep grief, Athena added this name to all of her distinguishing titles. In the Odyssey Athena is given the title Hope of Soliders because she is so active in war (416). Athena, the patron of the city of Athens, is commonly coupled with the subject of war. She is always depicted in armor and is said to be the keeper of Zeuss shield, the Aegis, and his helmet (Sawyer).Athena was even born wearing armor. thither are several different versions of the birth account of Athena. However, they all are basically similar. Zeus was supposedly in love with Metis, the Titaniss of wisdom, who was to have Zeuss baby. Zeus had heard that any baby that Metis had would be greater than the father. So, Zeus turned Metis into a fly and swallowed her. After some time, Zeus developed a sharp headache and asked Hephaesios, the blacksmith god, to split his head open with an axe. When he did, Athena popped out f ully grown and fully armed (Sawyer). The fully grown charr carried many names during her life, although they did not change the way she thought or acted.Mortals recognized Athenas active role as an influence and mediator with others. This is what made Athena so popular with the Greek people. In the Odyssey by Homer, Athena has an incredible relationship with Odysseus. After reading the epic poem, one so-and-so witness the very complete, very extensive bond she develops with not only Odysseus but with the other characters as well. At the opening of the book, Athena begs her father Zeus to allow her to aid Odysseus, so he can go home to his family (Odyssey 1-2).She says,My own heart is broken for Odysseus (Odyssey 3). Athena goes as far as enhancing his fashion so that Princess Nausikaa will be sure to help him reach home (Odyssey 105). Once Odysseus reaches the city that Nausikaa leads him to, Athena pours a sea fog around him to cheer him, and she takes onthe form of a small gi rl in order to show him the way to the palace (Odyssey 111-112). Once Athena leads Odysseus home to Ithaka, she disguises herself as a sheperd boy and makes conversation with her beloved Odysseus (Odyssey 238). However, she eventually transforms herself into her natural state and saysTwo of a kind, we are, contrivers, both. Of all the men alive you are the best in plots and story telling. My own fame is for wisdom among the gods deceptions too. Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times od trial, a shield to you in battle (Odyssey 240).Athena demonstrates throughout the Odyssey and in her relationship with Odysseus that she is a goddess of action just as Odysseus is a man of action. She states, I am here again to counsel with you (Odyssey 240). It is Athena who plots and plans the fall of the suitors in Odysseus house. To follow her plan, Athena disguises Odysseus into a beggar and leads him to the swineherd, a faithful servant. There they unite with Telemakhos, Odysseus son, to learn out the plot of doom (Odyssey Books 13 and 14). Once they go to the palace, the goddess of war and her followers destroy and cast revenge upon the suitors of Penelope. Athena flaunts her warlike qualities creating battle in which her side was undoubtedly the victor (Odyssey Book 22). Throught the mist of confusion and blood, Athena makes sure to keep Odysseus and Telemakhos safe. The goddess even held the night so that Odysseus and Penelope could have lengthy to get reacquainted.Homer comments that she held Dawns horses (437). Athena demonstrates her role as an active leader in her protection of Telemakhos. In the beginning of the epic poem, the Odyssey, she travel to him in the shape of Mentes, a Taphian captian, to whistle to him and urge him to look for his father, Odysseus. While with him, she sits, drinks, dines, and carries on conversation (Odyssey 415). Later, she also takes on Mentors figure to talk to hi m. At the end of the Odyssey, the war goddess enhances Laertes looks for his reunion with his son Odysseus (Odyssey Book 24). In the final scene, she takes up the form of Mentor once more to bring cessation to the bickering people (Odyssey 460). It is elementary to see how intensly Athena makes contact with mortalsby just few examples. Other gods and goddesses are involved in these works, but none are so explicit and immense as the deeds of Athena.From reading the Odyssey, one can begin to form an image of Athenas relationships with her peers, the other gods and goddessess of ancient Greece. Through the interactions between this goddess and other supreme beings, one can witnessAthenas beliefs that she is superior to the other. Athena assumes leadership by taking action, making decisions, and interact for good and evil. In the Odyssey, Athena begs Zeus to allow her to give Odysseus aid on his passage home, against the efforts and wishes of Poseidon, the Sea god (Odyssey 4). One can see that Athena does what she thinks gives the best result, even if she is faced with stiff opposition from her peers.The goddess Athena is definitely a dominant figure, accepting no authority except perhaps Zeus. When thought process of this outstanding goddess, one thinks of her relationships and extensive contact with many mortals. The Greeks favored her because she was a woman goddess of rare quality. Women were never protrayed with the masculine characteristics of Athena, such as her need for assurance and passion for war. This makes her more appealing and puts her in a class above all the rest. By reading both the Ilaid and the Odyssey, one can recieve a clear, slender view of Athena.

Maguindanao Massacre Essay

November 23, 2009 a very significant date to all cotabatenos and a very controversial date to any peerless who knows about the put to conclusion. A day that brought the city into darkness.The time where majority of the people were into a great fear.The day where many innocuous people were executed due to the willingness of others to win the position.Even for a rustic long hardened to election violence, the mow down of at least 57 nude civilians on the main southern island of Mindanao, many of them relatives and supporters of a local politician and a large group of journalists, sets a new low. This troubled corner of the Philippines ordinarily makes headlines for its long- precedening Muslim separatist rebellion. But the killings starkly exposed a nationwide malaise the fierce competition for regional power among the countrys olive-sized lite of a few hundred families and coteries that control an inordinate amount of the national wealth and the desperate lengths most will go to protect their take hold on power.The most talked about incident that happened 4 age ago has non been resolved until now. The brutal killing of 57 persons that were just about to commove candidacy for Cotabatos actor governor Esmael toto mangudadatu. On that day, the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu, a local politician, was to submit a Certificate of Candidacy on his behalf. He was to run for provincial governor. Local journalists joined them in a convoy going to the office of the Commission on Election in the municipality of Shariff Aguak. The journalists were interested as it was the runner time that there is a man who will take risks to realize a rivalry with an ampatuan in end points of running for aposition.. It was a contest to the Ampatuans, the powerful ruling political clan. The Ampatuans were supporting Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the then incumbent governor, Andal Sr., to succeed him as governor. But before Esmaels wife, her agencyy and the journalists could reac h the Comelec office, the local policemen, soldiers and paramilitary forces blocked their way at the highway. They were allegedly given orders by Andal Ampatuan Sr., then incumbent governor and also the patriarch of the Ampatuans and his son, Andal Jr., to kill the group.All the victims were interpreted to a hilltop where they were executed. Their bodies were buried in a mass grave together with their flattened vehicles. Their purpose was not to know where the killed people were. The magnitude of the Maguindanao massacre stands as evidence of an enormous challenge to the countrys system of justice. In this case, there argon 196 defendants, each of them charged with 57 counts of move out for the death of 57 people, all charges being heard at the neck of the woodsal Trial Court (RTC) in Metro Manila. The body of one journalist, which is required in prosecuting a murder case, could not be found. Over 500 others named only as John Does in the woeful charges throw away not even so b een identified. Of the 196 defendants, 93 have been arrested however, three of them have impeach the police officers of prehend them in the signal of real acc employ. Of the 93 defendants in detention, 29 of them have not been arraigned in string out court of law yet.Before the trial could begin, it took the National Prosecution Service, the prosecution arm of the Department of Justice, over two months to file the 57 counts of murder in court against the defendants. Here, although the prosecution body did comply with its legal obligation to complete the preliminary investigations in at least 40 age for ordinary cases and 90 days for cases involving public officials as required by the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 112 on Preliminary Investigation, to be able to proceed with the trial to ensure that an stiff remedy is achieved has been problematic in reality. The failure of the Philippine National Police to arrest the other 103 defendants, who ar excuse at large t wo days after the massacre, has further delayed the trial of the case. Although all of the incriminate argon charged for murder in a single incident, in determining criminal liability each must be arraigned, tried and examined individually in court during the trial.The accused could also question the merit of the case by submitting petitions and motions in court either to have their namesexcluded from the murder charges or having the entire case dismissed on question of merit. However, not all motions and petitions filed by defendants, particularly those of powerful and influential political figures are in good faith. In this case, some defendants who invoked a remedial right filed their petitions to either exclude their names from the murder charge or dismiss case allegedly to deliberately delay the trial. To date, there are still 29 defendants, including Zaldy Ampatuan, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, who have not been arraigned. Zaldy is the son of Andal Sr. Under the prompt Trial Act of 1998, section 6, in trial of criminal cases in no case shall the entire trial period exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the first day of trial however, four of the heptad exclusions applicable in this case, as stipulated in section 10 of the same law, have rendered the law inoperative.These exclusions are delays due to trials with respect to charges against the accused interlocutory appeals hearings on pretrial motions from orders of inhibition, or proceedings relating to change of venue of cases finding of the existence of a valid prejudicial question and absence or unavailability of the accused or an essential witness. Thus, the delay in this trial has so far been excusable in the municipal law. I argue that these open-ended and broad exclusions have denied both the accused and the complainants their constitutional rights to speedy trial. The absence, if not lack of, adequate legal provisions that would ensure that motions and pe titions that the defendants filed are examined thoroughly to prevent any flack to deliberately frustrate the course of justice has exposed the court system as being open to manipulation.In this case, the defendants filed numerous petitions, motions and appeals that were legally justifiable in the exclusions clause of the Speedy Trial Act. Even though according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer the court (had) practically holds three hearings a week motions are heard on Mondays in Quezon City while the actual trial is conducted at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, on Wednesdays and Thursdays (23 November 2011) for over a year now, there is no sign that the trial of the massacre case could reach its conclusion anytime soon. Therefore, the remark by one of the private lawyers, Harry Roque that the trial could take 55,000 old age if we take as a basis that it takes five years to try a single case in the Philippines (according to one study) isnot an over give inment. This could in circumstance be the length of the trial if the 196 defendants would be tried each for charges of 57 counts of murder. Effective remedy violations in world(prenominal) lawI argue that the Speedy Trial Act, in particular its section 10, does not conform to international norms and standards because its exclusions institutionalize delays in trial of cases and thereby deny an rough-and-ready remedy. The internal law and the rules of procedures that protect these rights exist, but they do not conform to international law. The house servant law rather has diluted substantive rights to be mere procedural rights. The UN Human Rights Committee has already held that the Philippines was in two cases in violation of its obligation under the bargain for failing to ensure the effective remedies at the domestic level. In its views on Evangeline Hernandez v the Philippines (Communication No. 1559/2007, views adoptive on 26 July 2010, UN Doc. CCPR/C/99/D/1559/2007), the Committee held it was in violation of article 6, as well as a violation of article 2, paragraph 3 because domestic remedies had been unreasonably prolonged.The Committee reminded that the State party may not avoid its responsibilities under the Covenant with the argument that the domestic courts are dealing with the matter, when the remedies relied upon by the State party have been unreasonably prolonged. Evangeline is the mother of Benjaline Hernandez, a man rights defender murdered by the military and paramilitary forces in Arakan, North Cotabato in April 2002. Evangeline filed the individual communication even without fully exhausting domestic remedies, line of reasoning that investigations, prosecution and trial in her daughters murder have been futile and unreasonably prolonged. The Committee has also observed that for over eight years later, at the time of examination of this communication, it would appear that criminal proceedings initiated against the accused have not yet been finalized. In a nother case, Lenido Lumanog and Augusto Santos v the Philippines (Communication No. 1466/2006, views adopted in 20 March 2008, UN Doc. CCPR/C/92/D/1466/2006), the Committee also held the state party violated article 14, paragraph 3 (c) of the Covenant because it failed in concluding the petition for review into the death sentences of the complainants for eight years.Here, the state party was reminded of its legal obligation with article 2, paragraph 3 (a),of the Covenant, to ensure an effective remedy, including the prompt review of their appeal before the Court of Appeals and compensation for the undue delay. The complainants, Lenido Lumanog and Augusto Santos, are two of five torture victims, collectively known as the Abadilla Five. The five were illegally arrested and detained, tortured to confess and after over 14 years of trial, were convicted for the assassination of Rolando Abadilla, a police colonel, in June 1996. They were convicted based on the testimony of one witness, Fr eddie Alejo. Alejos credibility has been questioned. In these two cases, the Committee found the Philippines has violated the rights of the complainants because the domestic remedies were ineffective and unduly delayed however, legally these violations to international law had found justification under the countrys domestic law, notably the Speedy Trial Act. In the domestic legal framework, delay is justifiable as part of the domestic criminal legal process, even though in these two cases it constituted a breach of the ICCPR.When domestic remedies are ineffective and unduly delayed, the aggrieved parties can file individual complaints with the Committee, since the Philippines has ratified the Optional Protocol of the ICCPR. Even when cases are within domestic procedural jurisdiction, the state could not invoke this as non-compliance to exhaustion of domestic remedies. To my knowledge, the Committees views and opinions have so far not been implemented at the domestic level. While the countrys Constitution adopts the generally accepted principles of international law, without an established mechanism to fully implement the Committees views, even if a state is held to have connected the violations of the Covenant and international law it signed, the notion of effective remedy will not exist in reality.The Maguindanao massacre is proof that the existing domestic mechanism, despite its recognition of the rights, is unable to comply with its international obligations because of the chronic defects of its own criminal justice system. The recognition of these rights in the 1987 Constitution, the codification of statutory laws and in criminal procedures and adoption of jurisprudence from foreign countries will not have substantial benefits to ensure protection of the right to an effective remedy. A well-developed domestic mechanism is a precondition in order to implement these rights. A backhoe driver has described in chilling detail how he used the shovelful to bur y the 58 victims of the Philippines worstpolitical massacre, according to a video aired Tuesday. The man tell he dug a big yap near where the victims were shot by the Ampatuan clan in November 2009, then pushed the bodies as well as their cars down the pit. I am Bong Andal, a bank employee of the Ampatuansthey ordered me to bury the people they had massacred, said the man in the clip aired by Manila-based GMA network.The clan allegedly ordered the massacre to stop a political rival, Esmael Mangudadatu, from running against one of its members for governor of Maguindanao, a poor farming province in the south. The Ampatuan patriarch, two sons and several family members are in custody and on trial for the murder of 58 victims, including 32 journalists who were covering the political contest. The backhoe driver was arrested last November, while more than 90 other shadoweds remain at large. GMA said Andal had signed a deposition that was given to state prosecutors. It said it later ha d an exclusive interview with him, in which he repeated the allegations made in the write deposition. The network said part of his quotes were from the deposition and part from the interview. I used the backhoe to push the vehicles into the hole first. Then I flattened them with its metal arm, the station quoted him as saying. Some of the vehicles had dead people inside, so I just closed my eyes out of fright and got on with it. Andal also said he used the excavators arm to drag the dead bodies into the hole, the station said.Andal alleged in the video clip that the clan patriarch, Andal Ampatuan Senior, ordered him to take the excavator to the place where the 58 people were shot dead, and to make sure it had enough fuel. The Ampatuans warned me and my parents not to get myself arrested. They said if I get caught they would kill my parents, my siblings and my children. The driver is being held by the national governments witness protection program, along with other witnesses, amid fears they could face retribution for testifying against the clan, GMA said. At least three witnesses have been killed since 2010, including a former Ampatuan family employee whose dismembered remains were found stuffed into a sack in 2012. Andal wants to be cut a state witness, GMA said GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines Lest we forget, we must remind ourselves that 4 years ago, 58 people were killed in one of the most reprehensible massacres in the long line of political murders in the country.On a scorching mid-day on Nov 23, 2009, Datu call back town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr and some 192 relatives, policemen, militiamen, and bodyguards halt a convoy of vehicles that was on its way to the provincial capitol of Maguindanao in Shariff Aguak and diverted it to a secluded and remote hamlet in Masalay, Ampatuan town. There, witnesses said Andal Jr and his minions peppered the wailing and begging victims with bullets. Some 4 hours later, the world was jolted and revolted by the gruesom e massacre. Thirty-two of those who were mercilessly gunned down were journalists and media workers. Standing accused and being prosecuted for the barbaric crime are members of the most fearsome and influential political warlords in Mindanao, along with their henchmen and avid supporters. Six members of the Ampatuan clan have since been arrested and are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.While most suspects have been arrested and detained, many are still at large. At least 8 of those still in the lam bore the surnames of the principal suspects Ampatuan. And while 96 or so of the suspects are now detained, all but one have yet to face trial, the process bogged down by delaying tactics by the defense. In that one case that has gone on trial, the lawyers of the accused have yet to gravel their case after the prosecution rested on November 6 or 4 years to the month since the massacre. At least 3 witnesses have been killed since 2010, including a former Ampatuan family employee whose dismembered remains were found stuffed into a sack in 2012. Despite this, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has said that President Benigno Aquino III wants suspects convicted before his term ends in 2016.The final roadOn Thursday, November 21, families of the media workers and journalists who perished in the massacre will retrace the final road traveled by their loved ones and carry one message When will justice ever be achieved? Indeed, it is not enough to see the masterminds and their minions confined in their detention cells. Paramount is retribution for the victims for the massacre committed by the Ampatuans. The families are demanding justice.The world is insisting on the day of reckoning. Many are convinced that without it, the culture of impunity will forever be with us.2009 will go down in history as the darkest year yet for the Philippine media with the killings of 57 people, including 32 journalists in southernPhilippines on 23 November an event that has come to be known as the Maguindanao massacre. A Philippine regional traial court today ordered the arrest of 189 suspects linked to the gory November 23, 2009 Maguindanao killings of 57 civilians, which shook the media worldwide. It was as if some senators read an oracle on the fate of the civilian massacre case in Maguindanao. Though governments all over the world deplored the killings, the case has disoriented its momentum. The celebrated Maguindanao massacre case took another twist when two members of the powerful Ampatuan clan tagged as two of the main suspects in the November 23, 2009, killings were cleared by the Department of Justice because the existence of a conspiracy was not provenAnger and relatives cries for justice reverberated on Thursday at the resumption of the celebrated Maguindanao massacre trial as a medical legal officer testified that one of the victims may have been raped before she was shot. Maguindanao massacre had been the most talked about subject a rea since the day it happened. It affected not just the city of cotabato but also other places as soon as it was aired on television. The people in cotabato, specially those families who had lost their loved ones because of the brutal killing had been traumatized. It brought fear to us because it was the most brutal happening that happened. I know that in cotabato there are a lot of incidents happening. Like bomb threats,kidnapping,killing and the war against the terrorists but this topic was the most fearful.To compare, authorities arrested 12 suspects at the time of the massacres guerrilla anniversary in 2011.Two other suspects considered big fish who each carried the P300,000 bounty were arrested that year Tumi Timba Abas and Dukoy Badal.Then in 2012, eight were also arrested, including two owing(p) Ampatuan clan members, namely Datu Anwar Upham Ulo Ampatuan and Datu Anwar Ipi Ampatuan Jr.But this year, apart from not arresting any prominent Ampatuan clan member, authorities ha ve only arrested one suspect that carries the P300,000 bounty Talembo Tammy Masukat, who was collared on February 16.The six others arrested this year carried a lower bounty of P250,000 eachNasser Guia, arrested on February 8Maot Bangkulat, April 8Kudza Uguia Masukat, April 15Edris Nanding Tekay, May 28Mama Nomba Habib, July 25 andAlimudin Sanguyod, October 18.An eighth suspect, Maguid Amil, was killed by authorities after resisting arrest in Maguindanao on February 8. Amil reportedly hurled a grenade and fired at one of the arresting officers.As of posting time, the total number of arrested suspects stands at 108.Of this number, 104 have been arraigned and all pleaded not guilty to the multiple murder charges.Among those arraigned are the eight prominent Ampatuan clan members, including patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, a former Maguindanao governor, as well as his three sons, Andal Jr, Rizaldy, and Sajid. Considered the worst single-day election-related violence in Philippine history, the Maguindanao massacre claimed the lives of 58 people, including 32 journalists, who were part of a convoy that was supposed to register then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, an Ampatuan rival in the gubernatorial race for the 2010 automated polls.They were said to have been stopped at a checkpoint at Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town and gunned down by armed men led by the Ampatuans. Mangudadatu eventually won as governor.This cataclysm will never be forgotten as it was one of the most significant and historic happening that happened in cotabato city.It took us years to moved on to what happened. Mangudadatu stayed strong even though he lost most of his family member. He still continued his filing of candidacy and luckily he won. As he won, it brought happiness to the people as well as the families of the victims because it gave them hope that there will be justice served. But until now there are some petitions and complaints about the case because of the slow movement that causes the family victims to get angry because it is been years and until now there are still improvement in the said case. As the ampatuan denies about the massacre, it is one of thefactor why it is still an ongoing case. It gave the supreme court a hard time to resolve it because of their statements. Theyve been creating new stories for their sake to be not in prison but still there were some evidences that are strong but needsa very careful and intelligent study to sincerely know whos the real suspect to the said crime.http//content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1943191,00.html http//www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/336621/news/specialreports/4-years-after-ampatuan-massacre-88-suspects-still-at-large http//www.rappler.com/nation/44427-families-maguindanao-massacre-compensation http//www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/07/02/13/backhoe-man-describes-maguindanao-massacre-burial http//www.humanrights.asia/resources/journals-magazines/article2/1102/the-maguindanao-massacre-le gal-and-human-rights-implications-of-court-delay http//themediaproject.org/ pageboy/maguindanao-massacre-story-index

Compare and contrast Marxist and Functionalist accounts of religion

Both functionalists and Marxists share the common get a line that religion serves to legitimatize the morals and laws within society. Many functionalists as wellhead as Marxists do chequer that society creates religion as a visual symbol of itself. pursual are ultimately not worshipping their religion, their worshipping society and everything it stands for. However, this is where the split in views begins. Functionalists see Religion as serving towards the 4 pre-requisites of society. (Namely Social integration, shared values, cordial solidarity, and social harmony).By ensuring these needs are met, religion reinforces collective values and promotes solidarity. Functionalism is not over concerned approximately the why religion is allowed to assume this falsified symbolism, but instead recognises its utilization in keeping harmony and faith in society. Durkheim demonstrates this in admitting that religion does not have to be super natural. Its important to note that mortal m asses and objects can gain a sacred status in society similar to that of the idols of religion.For instance Princess Diana a national symbol of charity and possibly the run low real princess of the British Nation in the peoples hearts. She has become sacred because she represents a good quality of society. From this, Durkheim believes Understand what sacred things represent and you understand the values of a society. Here we come into the first major difference between functionalism and Marxism. The former believes that there is a positive relationship between society and the individual. venerate society believe in society. Marxists, however, inherently are discontent and have an ill view of society as it is.It is understandable how they are opposed to religion indoctrinating the people into a value set, pulling them into the collective conscience that ultimately supports capitalism and the idea that people deserve to have their place. Religion has allows back up class systems a nd promoted inequality. In gender. In work. In authority. Everything that Marxism is opposed to. The rich man placed in his castle The poor man placed at his doorway Malinowski, famed for his research at the Trabaind islands, did not see religion as a celebration of society, despite the same functionalist perspective as Durkheim.He did, however, agree that religion promotes solidarity. It does so by dealing with emotional stress / bearing crisis (disruptive events). Religion goes as far as to introduce ceremonies for dealing with various life crisis. Death is given a funeral. Love is given marriage. In all cases then hope is given finished the expressed belief in immortality and colleague mourners serve to comfort and support the bereaved, so they can become functional members of society once again. Dangerous and unpredictable events are also surrounded in religious ceremony. Prayer is common before a possibly hazardous experience.These rituals reduce anxiety and increase confi dence, strengthening unity in shared stations. Talcott Parsons shares this view and goes onto show how religious devices, such as the 10 commandments, provide the basis for many social norms and morals. Religion guides behaviour and helps in the formulation of decision through this. Finally, Religion is looked to answer the ultimate questions and give meaning to our existence. Humanity needs to feel as though there is meaning in all fundamental things meaning to death and suffering, and erectification of existence in itself.Religion works to show sense in contradictory scenarios that threaten the balance of ultimate beliefs. For instance, a man who is profiting through the doing of evil will be punished in the after life for his wrongful gain in life. Religion is a warning, a giver of justice, a provider of guidance and ultimate supernatural fear if one goes astray. Marx himself rejects any idea of supernatural aspect of religion. He describes religion as the Heart of a heartless world The heartless world being the society moulded by capitalism. Religion is born out of a need for comfort, it does just this by cushioning the effect of worker oppression.Marxists have placed religion as activate of the super structure, it helps justify the capitalist base as well as the whole super structure. (See rich man quote page 1). Religion as a tool of the bourgeoisie plays an important roll in justifying worker oppression, by showing that all will gain equal reward in heaven for doing the right thing. Religion has varying levels of strictness fit in to socio-economic class placement, especially in India where the cast system places strict restrictions and categorisations on a persons place in society.The idea of equal opportunity is ultimately humiliated by harsh teachings and acceptance that a lower class worker is having a bad life because super natural forces placed them in that situation as punishment for wrongfulness in previous life. In conclusion, Marxist and functionalist similarities on the subject start and end with the acceptance of religion as a conservative force in society. Neo Marxism does accept the idea (like functionalism) that religion can sometimes be useful to society in bringing about change for the better. For instance the stem turn role of Liberation Theology. (Madura).Traditional Marxism is totally opposed to the oppressive role of religion and would be surprised to see that radical forces have emerged with some minority religious groups. Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons see religion as being a positive and perhaps essential part of the harmonious workings of society but have been criticised for ignoring the dysfunctional, disruptive, and divisive aspects of religion. They fail to consider hostility between religious groups within the same society. It would seem that religion threatens social integration as readily as it contributes to it (Stark & Glock).

The Kite Runner/Life of Pi: the Foil

The increase Runner/Life of Pi The Foil In some(prenominal) The Kite Runner and Life of Pi, the relationship between the major caliber and a minor characterthe foilhelp to highlight the main characters qualities, illuminating his traits to be seen in an extraordinary, nonstandard way. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini creates Hassan as the foil for emeer. Hassans character, as perfect as he is, causes Amir to pale in comparison, something that Amir channels through turn out his life, governing his actions.Similarly, Yann Martel employs Richard Parker as the foil for Pi in Life of Pi. The strength and ferocity of the tiger emphasizes Pis hopelessness and fear. Pi utilizes these emotions to fight and continue living. In both news, the foil character underlines the main garters characteristics and provokes certain feelings that ultimately determine his fate. In The Kite Runner, Hassan is Amirs half-brother, best friend, and servant. His character is nigh perfectloyal, courageou s, caring, kind, and selfless. He has no evil qualities.When compared to Hassan, Amirs value and positive qualities fall flat and are seen as insignificant and mediocre. Even more, his drab features are amplified and made more prominent. Amir can non live up to Hassans goodness. This inadequateness is put into words and exemplified through Baba, who declares that, If I hadnt seen the doctor lead Amir out of my wife with my own eyes, Id never believe hes my son (Hosseini 23). Baba often treated Amir and Hassan equally, which was unusual because the Hazara was essentially their servant.If Amir asked for a big and fancy increase, Baba would buy it for himbut then he would buy it for Hassan as well (Hosseini 51). These displays of affection were later explained in that Baba was in reality Hassans real father, but the effect they had had on Amir stuck. Amir was always desperately vying for his fathers love and approval. The fondness Baba treated Hassan with nettle and aggravated hi m. Without the knowledge of Hassans true parentage, Amir felt many flashes of jealousy and frustrationemotions that, compared with his own brothers understanding and humility, projects him as criminal.The about prominent situation that highlights Amirs character is when he witnesses Hassan being raped. The event leading up to the incident is of Hassan running after the final kitejust for Amir. He finds it, only to be cornered by Assef who demands the kite as retribution for the rude manners he showed him during and earlier incident (Hosseini 71). Hassan refuses, retorting back, Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite (Hosseini 72). He is assaulted in reply.Here, Hassans traits of extraordinary loyalty and courageousness are displayed however, switch the area to Amir and the qualities revealed are the exact opposite. Amir witnessed the raping of his best friend and did nothing. He was afraid of getting hurt, afraid of losing Babas newly earned affections and simply ran onward (Hosseini 77). When compared to Hassan, Amirs qualities of selfishness and cowardice are highlighted and intensified. From the presence of Hassan, Amirs selfishness and cowardice, in addition to his desire to be good enough, are not only emphasized, but acknowledged by Amir himself.These are the traits that ultimately drive him throughout his life. The recognition of the evil in himself coupled with his will to do good lead him to search for redemptionone of the main themes of the novel. With the immense guilt over Hassans rape pushing him forward, Amir lives his life bang until taking the move to America where he starts a new morally upright life, where he helps his father and marries a good woman, and then finally all redeeming himself through returning to Afghanistan and saving Sohrab from Assef.By establishing Hassan as a foil character for Amir, Hosseini creates a domino effect in which his main character discovers himself, real izes he dislikes what he finds, and fights his way towards the way to be good againredemption. In Life of Pi, Pis fellow passenger throughout most of his cadence at sea is Richard Parker, a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The wild, aggressive tiger initially places the sensitive, intelligent Pi in an immense state of fear. Pi is overwhelmed by scare over an animal known for its ferocity and power, an animal hes seen viciously attack and devour a live goat (Martel 35).Richard Parker scares him witless. His main focus, then, is to endure this creature. Richard Parkers intimidating nature at first reveals Pis initial sense of surrender and loss of faith and general humanity. With a tiger on board, my life was over (Martel 135). As he accepts the presence of the tiger, however, he becomes determined. Richard Parkers animalistic nature rubbed off on Pi. In place of his fine loss of humanity arises a sense of instinctual will to live. I will not die. I refuse it.I will make it through t his nightmare (Martel 148). He hatches several plans to get rid of Richard Parker and ultimately decides to tame him (Martel 157). The decision gives Pi a sense of purpose, a distraction from the hopelessness of his situationstranded in the middle of ocean, completely and utterly alone. If he killed Richard Parker, Pi acknowledges that he would be left alone with despair, a foe even more formidable than a tiger (Martel 164). He declares, It was Richard Parker who calmed me down.It is the irony of this story that the one who scared me witless to start with was the very same who brought me peace, purpose, I dare say even haleness (Martel 162). In the end, Pi was able to survive because of Richard Parker. He kept Pi from thinking too much about his family and his tragic circumstances. He pushed him to go on living (Martel 164). Richard Parkers role as the foil character to Pi is characterized by the fear and determination that the tiger incites in Pi. Compared to the magnificent anima l, Pi becomes a defenseless, hopeless human.But, motivated by the feeling of weakness, Pis inner animalistic nature reveals itself. Through the daunting presence of Richard Parker, Pi discovered indoors himself that he had a fierce will to live (Martel 148). Richard Parkers, the foil characters, relationship with Pi personifies one of the major themes of the novel the will to live. The entire novel is centered on Pis struggle to survive in this seemingly impossible, dangerous, and depressing situation. Pis instinct to survive is represented by the tiger itself. The qualities of Richard Parker, of the animalistic characteristics, were crucial to his survival.Despite some hesitation, Pi ultimately learns to embrace Richard Parker. He learns to embrace that fierce will to live, learns to fight for survival and, in the end, makes it out alive. The Kite Runner and Life of Pi were both written with a foil character. In both novels, the character motivated and provoked the main protagonis t into discovering himself. The fates of both main characters were determined by the ways their foil affected them. This relation between two characters not only significantly establishes the characters themselves, but illuminates the heart and soul of the work.