Marco Polo and Ponce de Leon

My two explorers are Marco Polo and Ponce De Leon. Marco Polo was one of the most famous westerner travelers. He traveled across Asia. He sailed south from Venice, Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. He also explored an area south of Beijing and the coast of china which is now Vietnam. Ponce de Leon sailed for Florida in the Americas. The reason why Marco Polo did his exploration was to find all kinds of different goods to trade.He did this because he was learning about trading goods. He was able to find perfumes, jewels, porcelain, and silk garments. He made lots of money while he stayed in Khan’s court. Pone de Leon’s reason for his expedition was because he was hurt by the king’s action for making Columbus’ son governor so he sailed off. Also he reason was to find new lands and treasures. Another thing was the Fountain of Youth, which was a mythical spring that the Indians spoke of.The Fountain of Youth was believed to make older people young again. Some of Marco’s hardships came when he was traveling to the Gobi Desert. It was hard without camels and was very hot. It was also hard not having food or water. Some times Marco felt like he was in a dream because he would hear frightening sounds, he would see ghost figures of his friends, and was having weird illusions. Some of Ponce de Leon’s hardships that he faced where he was ambushed by the Calusa Tribe.He was ambushed by them on his way back to Florida to start a farming colony. He was shot in the thigh by an arrow and was seriously wounded, so they decided to sail back to Cuba. The result of Marco’s expedition was that he ended up in prison because he was in war against the Genous and was captured. The result of Ponce de Leon’s expedition was that he never found the gold or the mythical fountain. Also he died at 61 because of he serious wound.

Philippines Essay

I. Expected Argument – The academic progress of the students will increase because English is the medium used in international textbooks and schools. II. Rebuttal – The students’ academic progress may be hindered due to unfamiliarity with the language, especially more so with the less fortunate people in the country. III. Explanation For many in the Philippines, the fluent use of the English language has always indicated a level of superiority or better upbringing among its people. This and the fact that the English language is most commonly used in an international basis has lead people to believe that English is more valuable than the Filipino or any other indigenous language. This idea, I believe, is false. The English language is not a gauge of one’s intelligence, as subjects such as Science and Math do not need to revolve around the language. Recent studies have shown that students who study in their own native tongue have obtained the highest scores, for example students from Japan and Korea. Eduardo Gullas, an old lawmaker from Cebu, says that Filipino children failed in the recent math and science tests given by DepEd because they have poor English. He also added: â€Å"To begin with, math and science manuals and most other books for that matter are in English, so learning becomes extremely difficult if the student has deficient English.† Also, using English puts poorer student at a disadvantage. Not everyone speaks English at home so children from Tagalog speaking home are less likely to understand the lessons. Also, the students would also be more concerned whether their use of English was correct and be more hesitant to recite and speak in class, thus hindering their educational development. IV. Examples 1. Malaysia said it will drop English as the language of instruction for math and science in schools, in a highly sensitive decision that has split opinion in the multiethnic country. The government cited a 2008 survey which found that students’ performance in math and science had fallen since it had been taught in English, and that rural children were hit particularly hard. 2. An article by Saffir Rammah states that; â€Å"We (Academy of the Punjab in North America) believe that the native language is the only genuine and true medium of expression for any nationality, in particular for communicating their emotions and feelings to each other. Millions of Punjabi sons and daughters who even today write letters to their Punjabi speaking parents, friends and other loved ones in Urdu or English are missing the most basic and vital mode of communications available to human beings – their own mother tongue. If we sit down for a few moments and ponder on this phenomena, we will soon come to the conclusion that it is a crime against a whole nation to deprive them the proper training in written expression in their own language† and that, â€Å"that the use of Urdu as the medium of instructions in schools is the main cause of low literacy rate in West Punjab and is one of the main impediments of economic growth and development of civil society. We take note of the fact that all developed nations, including the â€Å"Asian Tigers† that have recently made major strides in economic development, use their native languages as medium of instructions in schools. We are convinced that education in Punjabi is a must for the educational, economic and civil development of West Punjab.† 3. In a study done in 2006, 52% of Filipino students prefer bilingual classes with both English and Filipino rather than pure and straight English in subjects like Math and Science because it’s too hard to understand and because some words have no direct Filipino-English meanings.

SUMMARY OF 2 ARTICLES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SUMMARY OF 2 ARTICLES - Essay Example Examples of situations given are the 2008 economic recession and the European debt crisis of 2010. The article begins by describing the financial crisis that had recently engulfed the global economy and the role played by the Bretton woods institutions in restricting financial activities along with the potential for monetary panic. It additionally states that the breakdown of these institutions brought forth great expansions in the scales, scope along with the speculative nature of monetary activities. The global monetary crisis that took place in the year 2008 is described and related to the complex, uncontrolled and interlinked environment of the financial systems found across the globe. It also describes the sovereign debt crisis happening within the European continent as a continuation of this crisis which according to the author has however been utilized by the monetary markets in attempting to reassert their influence. Reforms that are being initiated and implemented within the international monetary system have also been described by the author in the article. The main arg ument presented by the article is that the concepts behind the world wide monetary architecture have been misconceived among the different economies around the globe. The article stipulates that the system required should use national monetary regulation that is coordinated using international organizations. It describes the role of monetary regulation as constraining the power along with the size of the monetary systems to the appropriate levels. Finally, it suggests that member countries should adopt the reforms put forward by organizations like the International Monetary Fund to place the burdens of making adjustments on a country’s population for the purpose of ensuring that all foreign creditors are paid their dues. It is further suggested that after the international creditors have all been paid up, the

Measuring Public Sector Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Measuring Public Sector Performance - Essay Example Then, common models of performance measurement and how they were developed are investigated. Third, the public and private sectors are compared and contrasted to highlight similarities and differences in their functions, goals, and outputs. Fourth, key developments in private and public sector performance measures are reviewed and discussed to highlight the convergence in the efforts of each sector to address stakeholder expectations. The paper concludes with a set of observations that disprove the hypothesis by showing that performance measurement as a basis for financial accountability and management in both the private and public sectors has become more complex and difficult and provide challenges for everyone. Â  Any discussion of organizational performance begins with an understanding of the nature of human organizations and why they exist. Like the human beings who establish them, every organization exists for a purpose, a set of goals or objectives that has to be achieved. By custom and for analytical convenience, organizations are classified based on their main purpose; thus, there are private-sector, public-sector, not-for-profit, institutional, voluntary, and mixed organizations. Table 1 summarises each of these organizational types, their specific purposes, and some basic examples of each. Â  Regardless of the type, an organization can be said to be successful if it meets the purpose(s) for which it is established, and with success comes its continued growth and existence. Otherwise, it would be better for an organization that does not meet its purpose for existing to close down. This is where accounting as a management tool proves its usefulness because it helps provide public sector organizations with the means to measure performance (Jones et al., 2002).

Cause essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cause - Essay Example ’s lives, and these include physical health [as Maslow rightly observed in his second level of â€Å"Hierarchy of Needs†], mental fitness, athletics, and for aesthetic value (Maslow 373-4). As the old saying goes, â€Å"the most valuable possession one has is Good Health,† well, this is true for both our physical as well as psychological well-being. And one of the secrets to good and perfect health is regular exercise. As for physical fitness, exercise proves very essential to people who desire beautiful but slender bodies. People who seldom take exercise are likely to have soft, flabby muscles, which are not only unattractive but are unhealthy. Getting rid of shapeless figures requires regular exercises to better manage being over weight and more importantly to shape body structure. Besides, routine exercise is also beneficial in strengthening people’s muscles (Barton and Pretty 3947). Jogging, dancing, bicycle rides, swimming among other activities really help to develop strong leg muscles for people who desire such. In addition, exercises provide people with more daily energy. A morning exercise for instance, can help in elevating daily work/job spirit by simply retaining the excitement acquired during the exercise. One will therefore be capable to respond instantaneously to the environmental changes. Regular exercises also prevent the occurrence of a range of diseases by helping the body to develop mechanisms for fighting infections and certain other diseases (Barton and Pretty, 3947-8). Many of the major cardiovascular diseases can be kept at bay by simply using thes stairs instead of a lift (for those working in offices). Sweats that usually follow the exercises remove toxins that would hitherto cause heart failure, for example, from people’s bodies. Exercises thus have many benefits, which go along way in helping people to live longer, healthier, and generally happier lives. In fact, the more one has excess body fats the greater he or she risks

Politics and Policy Reform In The US Research Paper

Politics and Policy Reform In The US - Research Paper Example During the Golden age, America was faced with the difficulties caused by increased industrialization and urbanization. The challenges prompted the government and political leader to advocate policies to control the emerging big businesses and the welfare of the general public. The federal income tax policy was passed during this time. Moreover, the outcry of the populist reform agenda ensured that senators were directly elected by the people to represent the government of the state in legislation and other national policies. These policies were driven by a progressive movement who late formed a political party in 1912 (Rutgers, 2014). However, the policies have the support from both the Republicans and the Democrats. President Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, as well as William Howard, argued that they were Progressives. Policy issues have been emanating from the public and unto the politics. The group of writer’s journalist referred to as the muckrakers were responsible for noticing the failure of the American society in early 1900. They build public awareness of the need for change to avert the emergence of a crisis. For example, The Shame of the Cities written by Steffens’ attached the corruption in the municipal councils. Moreover, History of the Standard Oil Company exposed the malpractices of John Rockefeller’s (Rutgers, 2014). These issues raised by public entities formed the basis of a major political appointee to the office of the President (Rutgers, 2014). The history of health care reform date back to late 1800 until the passage of the recent health Acts by the Senate. It has been over a century for the establishment of a government universal health care (Palmer, 1999). An earlier political leader had argued that they were on the roadmap to success, but they ended up failing during a vote in Congress.  

Prewriting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Prewriting - Assignment Example 2. Is this essay aimed at a particular audience (a sympathetic, neutral, or hostile audience)? Where was it published? This essay is aimed at college students belonging to millennial generation, studying stress tolerance strategies deployed by them and analyzing their effectiveness. The article was published by Project Innovation, Inc. in Spring Hill Station, Virginia (Southeast America). 3. What is the author’s purpose for writing the essay and his or her thesis (main claim)? The authors intend to study lifestyles exhibited by college students of recent generations and stress-handling strategies adopted by them. Through an assessment survey of 246 students, the authors were able to conclude on their thesis that these undergraduates are not managing stress effectively, thereby exposing themselves to high risks of low stress tolerance. The authors mainly claim through this essay that people should create such circumstances for their millennial generation kids going to college t hat they can learn to be independent and handle stress on their own. 4. What assumptions does the author make about the topic of general/liberal arts education (i.e. it is necessary or outdated, or should be modified, or is successful under certain circumstances)? The authors assume that college life is a stressful journey for masses and believe it to be necessary to focus on the millennial generations pertaining to last 30 years since they lack the mature abilities of coping with stress. Current circumstances have led them to adopt methods to combat stress which are highly ineffective and produce adverse effects. The authors have carefully selected and targeted subject-matter for this dissertation that constitutes to issues of modern era. The authors however claim that their research shall not be projected on or taken to be representative of the entire population since they selected a limited sample size for their study. Additionally, due to nature of research methodology adopted, cause and effect relationship cannot be accurately established and needs further verification. 5. What appeals does the author make? See below. Does the author appeal to reason (for example, with use of statistics, expert testimony, or personal experience)? Where and how (might want to write paragraph numbers)? Does the author appeal to emotion (for example, with loaded adjectives)? Where and how (might want to write paragraph numbers)? Does the author appeal to our sense of ethics (what’s right or wrong) by showing he or she is trustworthy? Where and how (might want to write paragraph numbers)? The authors appeal to reason that young generations find it very difficult to cope with stress and use undesirable means to struggle against it, resulting in drastic repercussions. At various places in the article, the articles defend their viewpoint with logical and quantitative reasoning including segments in ‘Millennials and Stress’ paragraph (pp. 364), ‘Stress T olerance’ paragraph (pp. 365), ‘Results’ paragraph (pp. 368-71) and ‘Discussion’ paragraph (pp. 372-73). Additionally, they also appeal to emotion by suggesting how the immature and innocent generations need more attention and parental support in handling stress and social pressures of achieving good grades to survive in the highly competitive society. This has been emphasized in sections of ‘

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 12

Leadership - Essay Example These situational theories are highly dependent upon factors like the particular situation, task, people, environmental variables and organization. Fiedler had proposed a situational theory, which proposed that there is no singular way of handling particular situation (Davidson and Omar 1352-1706).The different leadership approaches adopted by the managers at varied situations have different impact on the employee morale and performance (Dong and Liu 1352-1706). When a leader adopts autocratic approach, there is negative impact on the employees’ performance and outcome. When a leader adopts transformational and goal setting leadership, there is an increase in the employee performance and morale. Although, there is no singular leadership theory, which would help to increase the organizational outcome, moral and performance of the employees, yet the management of the organization needs to focus on application of several leadership theories. A distinction should be made between the task and relationship oriented managers. Task oriented managers lay emphasis on the tasks in hand, than on the enhancement of the leader member relationship (Fish 1352-1760). These kind of managers focus on the organizational structure, task delegated to the members and the position and power of the employees. It has been observed that the employee performance and morale increased with the motivation received from the managers. The employee morale and performance is also dependent on the way the manager conducts themselves and motivate the employees of the organization. The organizational outcome is also directly related and proportional to the motivation and the guidance of the leaders (Fontaine 125-135). The development plan would be to implement leadership program, which would highlight the basic leadership approaches like transformational, goal setting theories, which Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 37 Leadership - Essay Example The chosen leaders need to have enough knowledge on the forms of leadership that will foster student learning and teachers’ cooperation. This paper seeks to discuss key characteristics reflected in teacher leadership that positive impact on teachers. Theory of leadership is a fundamental characteristic of teacher leaders. The concept of leadership is a vital organ when it comes to development of effective leadership. The fundamental distinctions of leadership models are providing direction and exercising influence. The different ways employed in carrying out or executing these functions is what makes a leadership theory (Wilmore, 2007). Capturing the attention of school personnel is an important aspect in leadership. The above is a significant characteristic factor that contributes greatly to positive teacher leadership. In most institutions, students and teachers are found to posses low attention to initiatives from the leaders. In effecting leadership, such leaders should be able to capture the attention of these teachers and students in a variety of ways. The leaders can engage in using formative and summative student assessments aligned along the new standards (Wilmore, 2007). The leaders should develop capacity building. As much as assessment captures teachers and students attention, must a robust response to the dilemmas and conflicts created in order to generate productive change. Effective response is brought through development of a strong, in-house, systematically aligned, professional development strategies (Wilmore, 2007). The leaders should create and develop a sustained competitive edge in their jurisdictions. When the leaders create competitive but interactive forums among the teachers and the students, they will be able to sensitize on the positive impacts of their leaderships. Positive creation of competition facilitates empowerment of the teachers towards performing their tasks. Empowerment fosters accountability

Situational Analysis of International or Global Marketing Environment Essay - 1

Situational Analysis of International or Global Marketing Environment - Essay Example Evergreen Natural Grocers deal with natural and inorganic products, and offers competitive prices while ensuring high quality services to customers. Evergreen Natural Markets is characterised by rapid growth, which can be confirmed by its twenty-three stores in nineteen locations in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Evergreen Natural Grocers achieved total annual revenues amounting to $175 million and net income from investment of $4.3 million during the financial ending December 2012 (Doyle, 2012). Evergreen Natural Grocers has adopted an expansive strategy for growth. The company has identified a potential market in Canada for selling its products. Five Porter’s Analysis of the Canadian Market Threat of New Entrants The supernormal profits earned by the Evergreen Natural Grocers will attract the entry of new firms. Retail outlets such as Wal-Mart and Humana Inc. have began supplying natural foods and supplements in the Canadian market parallel to Evergreen Grocers. The prof its earned by Evergreen Grocers will trend towards normal and finally fall to break-even in the long-run (Hemmings, 2011). Sources of threat of new entrants include economies of scale, product differentiation, easy access to distribution channels and lenient government policy. Threat of Substitute commodities Most of the Canadians prefer consuming fresh-from-the farm products to the processed natural products. Businesses have engaged in extensive supply of substitutes for natural products supplied by Evergreen Grocers. The Canadian buyers have high propensity to substitute because of low switching costs for consumer foods. The markets, therefore, are characterised by cutthroat competition where new substitutes are brought to market every day. Substitutes are also supplied in forms of direct medications meant to heal illnesses associated with the defects of malnutrition (Fisanick, 2010). Bargaining Power of Buyers The Canadian market comprises of enlightened buyers who are sensitive to price and quality changes. The buyers have the ability to put Evergreen Groceries under pressure, which has an effect in the buyers’ sensitivity to price changes (Raff & Schmitt, 2009). The Canadians have access to all market information and can force the reduction of prices in the event of failing to reflect the true value of the commodity. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers comprise the market for inputs such as raw materials, components, expertise, labour and energy. Manual labour exhibits features of scarcity in Canada due to low population growth rates, hence, labour is expensive to afford. The Canadian believe in the principles of total quality management; their supplies in terms of raw materials and components are costly because they are prepared based on excellent quality standards. Employee solidarity through labour unions is very strong in Canada, implying the bargaining power of suppliers is effective and all regulations related to labour supply must be adh ered to all costs. Intensity of Competitive Rivalry Natural foods manufacturing units in Canada have embraced sustainable competitive advantage through intensive innovations. Most companies have gone online, and have online supply units to aid in marketing and supplying of their merchandise. The level of advertising expenses is high because of increased competition for advertisement airtime and strategic

Drug Use at Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Drug Use at Workplace - Essay Example Additionally, the "meth" epidemic really was not properly categorized at all. Actually, the issue is the use of stimulants, not so much crystal meth. Meth use takes a terrible toll on the mind and body of the user. The devastating physical effects of using this extremely addicting drug range from mildly debilitating to severely incapacitating and potentially lethal. Common side effects for using meth include facial disfigurement, rotting teeth (meth mouth), anorexia, body tremors, convulsions, high blood pressure, and seizures. But it is the destructive psychological and neurological effects on the addict that make meth an issue for the entire workplace. Even short-term meth use can cause severe mood swings, depression, paranoia, and emotional instability in the user, increasing the potential for violence in the workplace. Americans are working harder and longer, and now some people are turning to drugs for a quick boost--with dire consequences. Drugs in the workplace may not be a new phenomenon, but there's a new poison taking precedence: Workplace methamphetamine abuse rose 68 percent in 2003. Meth use and stimulus amphetamine injestion can cause serious damage to employees and the overall work environment. While high on meth, employees may think they're in control, but it's a false sense of security. Employees are not completely aware of their environment and are apt to have more on-the-job accidents. Signs of meth addiction include dizziness, irritability, sudden weight loss, inability to get along with co-workers or supervisors, and a possible tendency toward violence. b) What are the tangible benefits of resolving the problem Sadly, the article does not speak to solving the problem. Rather it readily admits that researchers haven't a clue as to how to treat meth addiction. My own independent research indicates the rampant effects of methamphetamine addiction at work. Clearly there are no tangible benefits to the employer. Tragically, it appears that the main benefit is to protect the workplace from the addict. 4) Describe and evaluate any solutions provided in the article. The article did not offer any solutions at all. It readily admits that there is a paucity of information available on how to treat this latest epidemic in the world of drug

Male culture disadvantages boys in education Essay Example for Free

Male culture disadvantages boys in education Essay Until the late 1980s, most sociological literature focused on the underachievement of girls. Girls were less likely to pursue A levels and consequently to enter higher education. However, in the early 1990s, it was argued that girls had begun to outperform boys at most levels of the education system. The main sociological focus today therefore is on the underachievement of boys. Epstein et al.(1999) state that boys underachievement is not something new, but in the past was not a worrying trend for two reasons: working-class boys used to move easily into jobs without good qualifications in the days when sons followed fathers into mines, factories, etc. And the structural and cultural barriers preventing females access to high-status jobs and the pressure on women to become wives and mothers, etc. meant that males always achieved better paid jobs in the long run. However, today Epstein notes that governments are anxious about large numbers of unemployed young men because they are a potential threat to social order. There are many reasons why boys are under-achieving in education. In some schools, the extent of boys underachievement has become so serious that twice as many girls are getting five GCSEs grades A-C. It is estimated that by the age of 16, nearly 40% of boys are lost to education. Some sociologists have suggested that the fault lies with teachers. Studies of classroom interaction and the relationship between pupils and teachers suggest that teachers are not as strict with boys as with girls. It is claimed that teachers tend to have lower expectations of boys, e. g.they expect work to be late, to be untidy and boys to be disruptive. Emphasis in the past has been on excluding such boys rather than looking for ways to motivate them. Consequently a culture of low achievement evolved among boys and was not acted upon because the emphasis in schools for many years was to make education more relevant and interesting for girls. Boys performance in schools is a complex issue. This policy issue of boys underachievement can be understood in many different ways. The issue can be framed in terms of human capital, class inequality, equal opportunities or social justice. Links can be drawn between the low educational attainment of some boys and the low employment rates of some young men. There is also for some boys an antagonism between educational attainment, even attentiveness, and the performance and achievement of particular and valued masculinities. Mac An Ghaill (1996) argues that working-class boys are experiencing a crisis of masculinity. Their socialisation into traditional masculine identity has been undermined by the decline of traditional mens jobs in manufacturing and primary industries such as mining. Mass unemployment found in working-class areas means that boys are no longer sure about their future role as men. This confusion about their future role may lead working-class boys to conclude that qualifications are a waste of time because there are only limited opportunities in the job market. The future looks bleak and without purpose so they dont see the point in working hard. They may temporarily resolve this crisis by constructing delinquent or anti-school subcultures, which tend to be anti-learning. Research evidence indicates that boys appear to gain street credibility and status in such cultures for not working. In 1994 Panoramas The Future is Female by Hannon suggested that with more opportunities for women in the work place, a change in the female ideology and with a fairer education system women simply passed the boys. Boys are not actually doing worse than they have done in the past, they are improving, but girls improvement outstrips boys Hannon, The Future is Female, 1994. With father opportunities of women it is easy to realise the origins of the current masculinity crisis, as there is no set role. Boys are no longer thought of as maturing later and comfortably walking into sustainable education. Instead men are expected to work hard throughout education to reap the rewards later but this is against the gender stereotype portrayed through the agents of socialisation. With this problem the new man was created producing a crisis for men on which to evolve into. Both published in socialisation agents boys have the problem of evolving into fulfilling the laddish stereotype or one in which they draw away from the idea that it is not male to work hard in education. Other sociologists have pointed to the feminine culture, which surrounds younger children as a possible influence on male under- achievement. Children, both male and female, may equate learning and therefore schooling with femininity. As boys grow up, they identify with more masculine role models and may reject academic learning and skills such as presentation and reading as feminine. Boys and reading and boys and literature are frequently mentioned by teachers as trouble spots in educating boys. Many young boys belong to anti-learning sub-cultures and they would therefore be deemed as un-cool if they achieved well in school especially in a girly subject such as English. Many boys dont try to achieve at school simply to conform to their groups norms and values. If their group doesnt value education then they wont. They believe it is more valuable to be popular and in with the right crowd as opposed to achieving in school and education.

Themes in Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Themes in Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks GERALDINE BROOKS USES A FULL RANGE OF NARRATIVE DEVICES TO PRESENT A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE ON A NUMBER OF THEMES. EXPLAIN HOW THE NOVELIST DEVELOPS ONE MAJOR THEME. INCORPORATE DIRECT EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT TO SUPPORT YOUR DISCUSSION Year of Wonders, written by Geraldine Brooks, follows the inspirational tale of the poor widow Anne Frith, and the Plague that ravaged Eyam in 1665, bringing catastrophe and chaos into the fragile society. In times of calamity, Brooks explores what is true about adversity and how it brings out the best and worst of human nature. She does so by providing readers with a unique narrative structure, various symbolic icons, and a young, perceptive protagonist. According to Brooks, the distressing rapidity at which the Plague is decimating the citizens of Eyam proves how adversity induces the worst of human behaviour. Within the carefully established sociocultural setting, the novelist presents us with a wide array of characters to reveal how, in the face of explicable loss, grief and fear, society resorts to appalling behaviour, especially scapegoating. The enraged Lib Hancock, Mary Hadfield and John Gordon, are seen brutally attacking Mem Gowdie and murdering Anys. Their false accusations, claiming that these women were witches, goes on to prove that Eyams midwife healers are the symbols of the human tendency to blame. As the devastation of the Plague progresses, the author observes how people become opportunistic, and acquisitively prey on others and manipulate them in their state of misery and suffering. This is undoubtedly evident through the actions of Josiah Bont, who consumed by greed and selfishness, exploits those around him by di gging graves and burying the dead for an extremely exorbitant price. By capitalising from loss of others and extorting materials, Josiah is an emblematic character. Furthermore, the narratives climax provides exposure of how some people become delusional and begin to claim their own authority, whilst taking advantage of the crisis. Reverend Mompellion appears to confront the Plague with immense courage and an overwhelming sense of responsibility, convincing the villagers to quarantine themselves and see it as God invitation for them to improve. Yet, a proleptic re-reading of his ways and actions illustrate his increasing sense of Christ-likeness, with the power to command God himself: Omnipotent God . . . bow down Thine ear to our request, and let Thine eye look upon the miseries of Thy people (pg. 86). Against this backdrop, Brooks asserts that there are those who, in the face of extreme adversity, refuse to let negativity to take hold of them, and instead opt to rise to the situation. With the death of the village midwives, Mem and Anys Gowdie, Anna is called to assist with the delivery of Mary Daniels baby. Through this situation, the author provocativelyhighlights the contrast of life and death, as Anna successfully delivers a healthy baby albeit being reluctant at first: In that season of death, they celebrated a life. Soon after, struck by the despair of her empty house, Anna takes the stolen phial of poppy and consumes it, as she held her only chance of exit from the village and its agonies (pg. 158). However, upon unexpectedly meeting Elinor at the Gowdies cottage, guilt-ridden Anna admits her sin, and throws the remaining poppy into the fire. The writer eloquently uses the symbol of the poppy, to exemplify the rejection of slumber, in favour of a life devoted to tending to the suffering, and seeking to develop a cure for the Plague. In doing so, Anna is also defying the social norms of the time, wherein she learns how to read by studying with Elinor things women of her status would never achieve. Overall, Brooks astoundingly exposes the tremendous sense of strength, resilience and altruism demonstrated by Anna and Elinor, all whilst empowering the reader and endorsing the strength of women. In the end, adversity, as portrayed by Brooks is a predictable and inevitable part of life. After overcoming the numerous hardships and suffering, Anna comes to accept the Plague as a natures way. The natural cycles of birth, growth and death, can be associated with the cyclical narrative structure, which generates tension within the reader. The novel commences in autumn an important symbol, signifying a period of harvest and fruition. Contrastingly, it is also a season of death and leaf fall, and a pivotal time wherein the reader comprehends the stories structure. Furthermore, as the Plague begins to subside in Eyam, Anna experiences a major transformation. By the means of her relationship with the Mompellions and her exposure to the extremities brought by the Plague, readers are able to witness the intellectual and emotional growth she undergoes. Through Anna, the author substantiates that humanity can triumph over adversity through self-sacrifice, love, friendship and optimism, b y making the best of her deplorable circumstance and looking beyond the preconceptions and misapprehensions of the time. Moreover, Anna escapes the confines of Eyam and begins a new life in Oran stating that it seemed good to me to sever every tie that bound me to my old life. Consequently, under the protection, attained through her marriage with the renowned doctor, Ahmed Bey, and the haven of her hijab, Anna is able to continue her crusade.She becomes a doctor, scholar and mother whose profound compassion and abilities denote her as a woman of independence and strength. Year of wonders, examines the diverse responses adversity invokes in people, and the positive and negative responses they exhibit as a result. As the trajectories of the horrendous Plague, afflicts the entire village of Eyam, Anna Frith transpires as an unforeseen healer and heroine, proving that her year of tragedy and catastrophe evolved to become a year of wonders.

Types of Employment Contracts and UK Employment Legislation

Types of Employment Contracts and UK Employment Legislation William Hayden Describe the different types of employment contract and how theyre formed. Employment law is highly complex area. There are five forms of employment contracts, these being: Part-time contract: Part time contracts are employment opportunities that offer fewer hours per week. These employees work rotational shifts, however, can be called when free and during annual leave. To be deemed part-time, workers generally must work under 30 hours per week. An example of which is a sales assistant at Lloyds Pharmacy; working three hours every week day. The advantages for the employer and employee is the simplicity of the contract; the employee works shorter hours and therefore cannot over extend themselves at work and the employer spends less of their wage budget on them. The disadvantages of this arrangement is that the employee receives less money and if they are effective in their role, the employer cannot use them permanently and can only use their abilities in correlation with their contract. Fixed-term contract: Fixed-term contracts are provided by employers agreeing that the contract will expire upon the end of a specified period or the completion of a job. An example of this could be a Christmas temporary contract in a retail store such as Ralph Lauren, keeping the employee in work over December. Fixed term contracts are advantageous as they provide the employer with extra staff in times where they are required, without over exercising their budget permanently upon the time of expiry. It aids the employees in the sense that it is temporary, therefore would be used to supplement an existing income. It is disadvantageous because it temporary and will eventually expire, like the disadvantages of part-time contracts. Agency staff: Agency staff belong to a business that is paying them to find workers for other companies for example, there can be IT agencies that actively look out for employing young potential workers and provide them with employment for the benefit of their patron. This aids the employee employers as it promoted bringing in young talent, however, the agency will not be able to benefit from the crop of youngsters being approached. Freelancers: A freelance worker is self-employed however hired externally by another company to complete a job. For example, freelance plumbers may be hired by other businesses to provide services without being a part of that business. This aids freelancers as they can work as they wish without the complications of being legally bound to the company they are providing services for. It is also helpful for the employers as they are signing off a single fee for the freelancer and do not need to concern themselves with wages. The negative side of this is the large sum of money that could potentially be paid up front. Consultants: A consultant is a person who provides other businesses or freelancers professional advice in exchange for payment. Most larger businesses hire their own consultants, an example of which are the Mercedes Benz legal consultants. An advantage of using a consultant is that they provide the firm with a greater scope of knowledge regarding a certain business venture however, it is risky as it relies placing trust in one individual in a decision that could prove imperative regarding the progression of a business. Contractors: Contractors are usually organisation that work similarly to freelancers, seeking contracts from other businesses. An example of which could be a construction firm who are hired by the council to redevelop state schools. An advantage of the use of contractors is the fact a firm can bring in specialists who can carry out a specific job they themselves are unable to. A negative aspect of this is the lump-sum feed needed to facilitate the task. Zero hour contracts: Zero hour contracts are contracts that do not have specified hours or shifts. They are simply the agreement to be available when needed at short notice by their employers in the event any other member of staff cannot attend or more staff are required in a busy period. An example of a zero-hour contract is also seen in Lloyds Pharmacy; individuals who are called when another is either late or cannot attend. Zero hour contracts are good for an individual to quickly work without the restrictions of routine shifts, the negative aspect of this is the fact it is not a reliable source of income for an employee as they lack consistency with their hours. Separating legally binding contracts from other agreements requires an identified offer. The must be identified via the means of advertisement being classed as invitations to treat. Additionally, the employer making the contract offer to potential employees must have necessary authority to do so. Conditions within offers of employment must be met once documented for the contract to become valid; an example of which could be x amount of GCSEs needed for acceptance. Any promises made by the employer towards the employee in interview conditions are legally binding. Both parties MUST gain from the contract; the employer acquiring the work of the employee and the employee guaranteeing an income. This is known as consideration. If the parties intentionally decide that the contract is not legally binding when it is drafted, it will not be able to be later enforced in court. Mistakes and misrepresentation from the parties mean that a valid contract can be brought to court. All terms of a legally binding contract must be documented in writing with signature proof; this is known as written terms. P2 Describe the impact of current legislation and regulations on two contracts; for example minimum wage, flexible working provisions and disability provisions. Impact of current legislation and regulations on zero-hour contracts The utilisation of zero-hour contracts provide flexibility in both the employer employees situations, although cannot be viewed as a permanent arrangement unless there is a justifiable excuse for doing do. By law, they are not appropriate if the job requires the employee to work regularly for a continuous amount of time on a permanent basis; this has an adverse effect on the employer as it means that if they like the employee want to see them work more frequently then they must first offer them a new contract which is problematic. An example of this is if an individual is required to work from 8-1 on a Monday to Wednesday over the course of a working year. In this instance, the Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment regulations would decide that the employee is entitled to a full-time role. Zero-hour contracts additionally do not grant employers with the right to evade all responsibility. Staff, despite their contracts, must be entitled to full employment rights and need to be lawfully treated. An example of which means that employers cannot deny those who work under zero-hour conditions perks such as sick-leave and equal pay. This impacts employers closely as it means that they must ensure the employees operating on zero-hour contracts are treated with the same degree of fairness all others are, else they are breaching the Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment regulations and face harsh fines negative publicity. Zero-hour contracts are inappropriate to be used as the backbone of a business. They are only useful for spontaneous or unexpected events that occur; for example emergency leave from over staff. By this logic, zero-hour workers can only be used irregularly limiting the progression the employee can have in that business as regulation limitations impede the c ompany from excessively using them.

John Steinbeck: A Common Mans Man :: essays research papers fc

John Steinbeck: A Common Man's Man "I never wrote two books alike", once said John Steinbeck (Shaw, 10). That may be true, but I think that he wrote many of his novels and short stories based on many of the same views. He often focused on social problems, like the â€Å" haves† verses the "have nots", and made the reader want to encourage the underdog. Steinbeck's back ground and concern for the common man made him one of the best writers for human rights. John Steinbeck was born in Salians, California and spent most of his life there or around Salians, because of that he often modeled his stories and the characters around the land he loved and the experiences he encountered. He lived in Salians until 1919, when he left for Stanford University, he only enrolled in the courses that pleased him - literature, creative writing and majoring in Marine Biology. He left in 1925, without a degree. Even though he didn't graduate his books showed the results of his five years spent there. His books display a considerable reading of the Greek and Roman historians, and the medieval and Renaissance fabalists and the biological sciences (Shaw 11). He then moved to New York and tried his hand as a construction worker and as a reporter for the American. (Covici , xxxv). Steinbeck then moved back to California and lived with his wife at Pacific Grove. In 1934, he wrote for the San Franciso News, he was assigned to write several articles about the 3,000 migrants flooded in at Kings County. The plight of the migrant workers motivated him to help and document their struggle. The money he earned from the newspaper allowed him to travel to their home and see why their reason for leaving and traveled to California with them, sharing in with their hardships (Steinbeck, 127). Because John Steinbeck was able to travel with the Okies, he was able to accurately portray them and their struggles. Each book that he wrote had settings in the places where he has either lived or wanted to live. He presented the land as it was. The characters in his stories experienced floods, drought, and other natural disasters, while in the Salians Valley (Shaw, 5). What Steinbeck wrote was very factual and in depth. He exhibited his awareness of man and his surroundings, in his early books, before people ate, a pig had to be slaughtered, and often that and before they ate, it had to be cooked. Also when a car broke down, the characters had to find parts, and fixed

Sonnet 43 Essay -- essays research papers

Sonnet 43, A Touching Love Poem If one were to ever receive a love poem, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 43 would be and excellent poem to receive. The sonnet is addressed to the beloved of the speaker. The speaker talks about how the best thing he sees is upon the closing of his eyes, when he then pictures the beloved. The speaker talks about how the rest of the world is unworthy to look upon compared to the beloved. The speaker talks about how sleep is the best time, because that is when he can see the beloved in his dreams. Day is like night, dreary with waiting for the night to come, in order to see the beloved again. This sonnet is pretty much straight forward with what it says, but there are some examples of some literary techniques incorporated within the poem. First off, this sonnet follows the typical form of most Shakespearean sonnets. It has 14 lines, which the typical rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg. The sonnet is also written in Iambic Pentameter. This sonnet deals with the traditional sonnet topic of love. Many sonnets throughout time have dealt with the topic of love. In this sonnet there are several examples of repetition of words within the same line. The first two lines of Sonnet 43 start with the speaker declaring that he sees best when he closes his eyes, for all day he views things that go by unheeded, or are unworthy to look upon, when compared to the looks of the beloved. There are not many literary mechanisms in the first two line...

Comparing two pre 1914 ghost stories to show how the writing creates :: Free Essay Writer

Comparing two pre 1914 ghost stories to show how the writing creates and sustains tension. The two ghost stories that I have chosen are, The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Old Nurses Story by Elizabeth Gasbell. â€Å"Compare and Contrast two pre 1914 ghost stories and show how the writers create and sustain tension.† In this essay I will be discussing and comparing two pre 1914 ghost stories to show how the writing creates and sustains tension. The two ghost stories that I have chosen are, â€Å"The Signalman† by Charles Dickens and â€Å"The Old Nurses Story† by Elizabeth Gasbell. The two writers have very different writing approaches â€Å"The old Nurses Story† has a slow pace which means that the tension builds over time. This story is also more hyper-bowl by this I mean everything is much more unrealistic. However â€Å"The Signalman† has a more realistic storyline, because they realize the ghost in the story ends up being a normal person. The pace in this story is almost the opposite of â€Å"The Old Nurses Story† because it goes in a slow then fast motion. So this story does not have one big climax like the other story, but it has small outbursts made by tension. The narrator in â€Å"The Old Nurses Story† is the Nurse. The Nurse is telling the story to Miss Rosamond’s Daughter â€Å"Miss Rosamond (that was the baby, who us now your mother)†. It makes you feel as though you are the little girl, which makes you feel as though you are involved which means that the tension not only builds in the story but it builds on you. The narrator in â€Å"The Signalman† is a visitor who visits the signalman. It feels as though he is telling the story a lot after the events have happened. This makes you feel as though you need to be ready for a dramatic story. The setting of â€Å"The Old Nurses Story† is in a hunted mansion which is one of the most popular settings for a ghost story. The Mansion is set in an old area, â€Å"old oaks. all white and peeled with aged†, this makes you feel that the place is hunted as soon as they arrive. The term â€Å"all white† in a ghost story gives you images of death and ghosts. In the Victorian times many houses were old and big because only the rich could afford houses so they made them as big as they wanted, due to no laws and masses of land. The setting of â€Å"The Signalman† is set on a train station. A train station is a very mood changing place.

Bracero Program

The Bracero Program The Bracero Program was a temporary contract labor program initiated in 1942 by the United States and Mexico. Designed originally to bring a experienced Mexican agricultural laborers to harvest sugar beets in Stockton, California, but soon spread to most of the United States and to the railroad industry. Although the railroad program ended in 1945, after World War II the agricultural program continued until 1964. Originally, the program was designed to protect the illegal migrant workers against the exploitation by American farmers. However, it was criticized and was viewed as a failure from the humanitarian point of view. Workers in the Bracero Program continued to face struggles with the United States and Mexican governments. Many workers did not receive the mandatory savings accounts that were legally guaranteed to them upon conclusion of their contracts to work in the United States. In many states, specifically Texas, the local governments and authorities also took advantage of the workers. Graft and corruption on both sides of the border enriched many Mexican officials as well as unethical â€Å"coyote† freelancers in the United States who promised contracts in Texas for the unsuspecting Bracero. † reported by The Handbook of Texas Online (Handbook of Texas Online, s. v. , 2001. ) Because of the abuse of authoritative power, such as perfunctory arrest for petty causes, and obvious discrimination, Mexico excluded Texas was excluded from the labor-exchange program. Wages paid to legal contracted braceros were low. As well, these workers often encountered poor substandard living conditions. Many braceros left contracted work to return to home or to find better paying jobs. These braceros became known as â€Å"wetbacks. Farmers and ranchers became dependent on a low-cost, docile, illegal labor force. The search for jobs began to move the illegal immigrants farther north into Texas and California. However, there were still many braceros that continued to work under contract and work as law-abiding members of the community. The program became a political issue for the Americans. The United States wielded the power of negotiations with both the Mexican government and the Mexican people. Mexico lost all real bargaining power in the 1950’s. Along with opposition from Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the United States determined that the program was no longer vital to the American’s; it discontinued the program in 1964. Chavez and Huerta fought the program because it undermined American workers and exploited the migrant workers. Nothing says it more obvious than the account from Walt Edwards (as cited in Dillin, 2006), When we caught illegal aliens on farms and ranches, the farmer or rancher would often call and complain [to officials in El Paso]. And depending on how politically connected they were, there would be political intervention. That is how we got into this mess we are in now. (Dillin, John, 2006) By the end of the program, farm labor unions began to form which eventually led to the abolishment of laws stating it was illegal to organize farm labor. This lead the way to the grape strikes in California and the boycotts in stores, lead by Filipino farm workers. After the first strike several various organizations began to form and led similar movements around the country. Through the 1960s to the 1980s, Cesar Chavez was a major inspiration to such movements and organizations. One of the most notable protests was when Chavez and the UFW marched from the Coachella Valley to the Mexican border to protest grower’s use of illegal aliens as strikebreakers and replacement workers. References Bracero Program. Bracero Program in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved on July 29, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Bracero_program. Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved on July 29, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Ch%C3%A1vez. Dillin, John. (2006, July 06). How Eisenhower solved illegal border crossing from Mexico. [Electronic version. ] Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved on July 29, 2007, from http://www. csmonitor. com/2006/0706/p09s01-coop. html. Handbook of Texas Online, s. v.. (2001, June 6). Operation Wetback. Retrieved on July 29, 2007, from http://www. tsha. utexas. edu/handbood/online/articles/OO/pqo1_print. html

Social Interaction

‘Social Interaction’ Social Interaction: Social Interaction is the foundation of society. Studying social interaction in everyday life sheds light on larger social systems & institutions. It is the building block of the entire Social Order and Social Relations. Definition: Social interaction is the process by which two or more individuals act and react to the people around us. It is the way people talk to each other and how they interact with various structures in society. It also includes the mutual influence of two or more people on each other’s behavior.Example: Interaction between the members of a family with each other, such as eating, sleeping and even family get-togethers. You will read more examples later in this assignment. Importance of social interaction: The opportunity for social interactions with others is very important for the development of all children. Through social interactions, children begin to establish a sense of â€Å"self† and to learn what others expect of them. Although social interactions for very young children primarily occur within the family, as children grow and develop, they become more and more interested in playing and interacting with other children.While playing with others, children learn appropriate social behaviors, such as sharing, cooperating and respecting the property of others. In addition, while interacting with their peers, young children learn communication, cognitive, and motor skills. Children with disabilities and nondisabled children to play together is an extremely important part of instruction in integrated preschools. The children must have the opportunity to play together if they are to become friends. These friendships will help the nondisabled child form positive, accepting attitudes toward persons who are disabled.In addition, the child who is disabled will have the opportunity to learn age-appropriate social skills. Children who learn appropriate social skills often have a higher self-esteem and show a greater willingness to interact with their environment as they grow. Opportunities for social interaction not only enhance development in the early years, but also may be important for the future of the young child who is disabled. The ability to interact competently with is a skill that is required throughout life and may affect future educational and vocational opportunities.Assisting young children who are disabled to learn through positive social interaction with nondisabled children may help them acquire skills from which they will benefit throughout their life. Interacting and playing with peers provides many learning opportunities for young children. In integrated preschool settings, nondisabled children and children with disabilities may need to be encouraged to play together. Social interaction between the two groups of children can be encouraged in a number of different ways.Suggestions for ways to use teacher attention and to structure the c lassroom to promote socially interactive play are discussed below. Teachers and adults can be very effective in promoting social interaction by encouraging children to play together and by praising them when they do. Teachers and other adults also can promote interactions by teaching children specific ways to ask other children to play, to share toys, to take turns, to express affection and to help other children. Assisting children to control their aggressive behavior encourages the formation of friendships.Planning small group activities that require cooperation and sharing motivates socially interactive behavior. For example, painting a mural or making soup as a group encourages children to learn to work together. Being certain that children with disabilities are seated next to nondisabled children makes it easy for the children to interact with and learn from each other. Allowing the child who is disabled to lead activities, pass out materials, and be praised in front of his or her classmates helps the nondisabled child view the child who is disabled as a competent friend.Toys such as blocks, dolls, dress-up clothes, trains, and cars promote social interactions much more than do toys such as beads, clay, puzzles and paints. Providing toys with which the child who is disabled can play competently encourages the children to play together. Limiting the number of toys available and requesting that children play in a small area requires the children to share and engage in the same activity, thereby encouraging social interaction. As you get older and retire or move to a new community, you may not have quite as many opportunities to socialize as you did when you were younger.People who continue to maintain close friendships and find other ways to interact socially live longer than those who become isolated. Relationships and social interactions even help protect against illness by boosting your immune system. The benefits of being social: Specific health benefit s of social interaction in older adults include: * Potentially reduced risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis * Potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease * Lower blood pressure Reduced risk for mental health issues such as depression Conversely, social isolation carries real risks. Some of these risks are: * Feeling lonely and depressed * Being less physically active * Having a greater risk of death * Having high blood pressure Social interaction helps keep your brain from getting rusty, but it's most effective when coupled with an overall healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and physical activity. Keeping your connections strong: Start by staying in touch with friends and family, and try to visit with them regularly.Here are other ways you can maintain a high level of social interaction: * Volunteer in your community. * Visit a senior center and participate in offered activities with other seniors—this is a gre at way to make new friends. * Join a group focused on activities you enjoy, such as playing cards or a book club. * Try taking a class—learn a new language or a new style of cooking or experiment with a new hobby. * Join a gym or fitness center to stay physically fit and engage with others. Find ways to stay young at heart, stimulated, busy and out of the house.Schedule regular visits with grandkids or volunteer at a school or children's organization to enjoy time with little ones and absorb some of their youthful energy. Although staying in touch in person is important, phone calls, snail mail, and e-mail can keep you connected, too—if you're not yet comfortable with computers, ask a young relative to help you. Staying socially active and maintaining your relationships are an important part of healthy aging. Reach out to your loved ones—neighbors, friends, family members—and stay as vibrant, active, and social as you've always been. Kinds of social inter action:There are six kinds of social interaction: 1) Cooperation 2) Conflict 3) Competition 4) Accommodation 5) Acculturation 6) Assimilation 1) Cooperation: Green: According to Green, cooperation can be defined as â€Å"The continuous and common endeavor of two or more persons to perform a task or to realize a goal that is commonly cherished. † Cooperation is one of the fundamental processes of social life. Cooperation is that basic form of human interaction in which men strive jointly with each other for a good goal or value. At the same time, cooperation is the most pervasive and continuous of the social processes.It is an integrating activity. It is an associative process which means working together in the pursuit of common interests or common goal. Modes of Cooperation: There are two modes of cooperation in a social life: * Direct cooperation: includes â€Å"those activities in which men do like things together† –like play together, worship together, etc. * Indirect cooperation: is found wherever people perform unlike tasks towards a single end – like where there is a division of labor or mass production. Importance: Cooperation is a universal phenomenon.All the progress that mankind has made in various fields is to be attributed to the cooperating spirit of the people. It is so important in the life of an individual that it is difficult to survive without it. Cooperation for human beings is both a psychological and a social necessity. Collective goals in our social life cannot be achieved without cooperation. 2) Conflict: Mac Iver and Page: â€Å"Form of struggle in which â€Å"men contend against one other for any object. † Conflict is as ever-present process in human relations. Conflict is universal and occurs in all places and at all time.There has never been a time or a society in which some individuals or groups did not come into conflict. Social conflict is a struggle between opponents over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources. Conflict therefore, expresses itself in thousands of ways and degrees and over every range of human contact. It is a dissociative process. In conflict, the person or group thwarts injuries or destroys the opponent in order to secure a goal or reward. Darwin states that – â€Å"the principles of struggle for existence and survival of the fittest are the main causes of conflict. † Types of Conflict:There are four basic types of conflict: * Man vs. Man: It occurs when a character (some other person) has an argument or disagreement with the other character. * Man vs. Society: It occurs when a man disagrees with a societal values, laws or beliefs. * Man vs. Nature: It occurs when a man has problem with outside forces; weather, animals (like in a TV show ‘Man vs. Wild'), and land. Etc * Man vs. Self: It occurs when a person develops an internal struggle between his ideas and thoughts. This can be a cause of other conflicts mentioned. Modes of Conflict: There are two modes of conflict: Direct Conflict: The direct conflict is in which people seek to attain some objective by restraining, injuring or destroying one another. Revolution was and street fights are example of direct conflict. * Indirect Conflict: The indirect conflict is in which the people do not restrain or injure other in seeking there ends but manage to attain their own goals which the opponent cannot approach to his goal in any way. It means obstruction in rivals is created. Group opinion is colored against the rival about his aims. Talking ill of others and backbiting are also indirect conflicts.These are the frequently occurring instances in the social life of people. Importance: Conflict generally occurs due to individual differences, cultural differences, clash of interests and social changes. Conflict in its extreme form brings war and destruction of lives and property. Those conflicts which cause wars or may take hostile form may destroy live s and property of the people – may cause great negative psychological and moral change. Conflict serves as constructive and positive ends. In corporate conflicts – that is, between groups and societies, solidarity and fellow-feelings are increased.Thus we may conclude that all types of conflicts are not harmful to the society because it performs certain positive functions also. Mac Iver therefore, rightly observes that – Society is cooperation crossed by conflict. 3) Competition: Competition is the most fundamental form of opposition or social struggle. It is a struggle of two or more persons for the same object which is so limited that all cannot share it. Anderson and Parker: â€Å"Competition is that form of social action in which we strive against each other for the possession of or use of some limited material and non-material good.   In our society, for instance, there is competition for jobs, for goods, power, social position, fame and all other things one cannot get by mere asking. Thus competition goes on an impersonal manner. The eye is on the goal or reward rather than the competitors. Importance: Competition therefore, exists everywhere, but appears in many ways. It varies as to scope, intensity and type from one system to another. It performs many useful functions in our society. Competition tends to stimulate economy, efficiency, and inventiveness.It tends to increase one’s ego and to give one satisfaction. Since competition rests upon a set of rules, it creates respect for the ruling of the game. 4) Accommodation: If conflict goes on for an indefinite period, our social life becomes unbearable. Hence, attempts are always made for the resolution of conflicts. Accommodation means resolution of conflict by adjusting oneself to the new environment. Mac Iver and Page: â€Å"The term accommodation refers particularly to the process on which man attains a sense of harmony with his environment. † Ogburn and Nimkoff: Accommodation is a term used by sociologists to describe the adjustment of hostile individuals or groups†. Accommodation is the term used by the sociologists to describe the process by those once in conflicts who can work together in common enterprises. It brings arrangements which permit groups to work together. A structure of interdependent roles arises and organizes people in ways which permit them to live and Act in spite of differences in latent hostility. Thus, the social order arises through the process of accommodation. Accommodation is thus, the basis of all social organizations. Importance:The term ‘accommodation' refers to several sorts of working agreements between rival groups that permit at least limited cooperation between them even though the issues dividing them remain unsettled. It does not technically end the conflict, but holds it in abeyance. The accommodation may last for only a short time and may be for the purpose of allowing the conflicting part ies to consolidate their positions and to prepare for further conflict. Or, as is more often the case, the initial accommodation agreed upon by the parties may be part of the process of seeking solutions to the issues that divide them.If those solutions are not found, the accommodation itself may become permanent. 5) Acculturation: Acculturation is defined as, â€Å"Acculturation is a process in which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. † Although acculturation is usually in the direction of a minority group adopting habits and language patterns of the dominant group, acculturation can be reciprocal–that is, the dominant group also adopts patterns typical of the minority group. Importance:This term is used to describe both the process of contacts between different cultures and also the customs of such contacts. As the process of contact between cultures, acculturation may involve either direct social interaction or exposure t o other cultures by means of the mass media of communication. As the outcome of such contact, acculturation refers to the assimilation by one group of the culture of another which modifies the existing culture and so changes group identity. There may be a tension between old and new cultures which leads to the adapting of the new as well as the old. ) Assimilation: Assimilation is the process whereby persons and groups acquire the culture of the other persons and groups in which they come to live  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ by adopting its attitudes and values and its way of life. Assimilation is the blending or fusing of minority groups into the dominant society. Young and Mack: â€Å"Assimilation is a slow and a gradual process†. It takes time. For example, immigrants take time to get assimilated with majority group. Assimilation is concerned with the absorption and incorporation of the culture by another.Assimilation is therefore, another form of interaction which cannot be neglected in t he social process. But the same time, the extreme differences in cultural background, prejudice and physical differences usually Act as barriers to assimilation. Importance: The term ‘assimilation' again is in general use, being applied most often to the process whereby large numbers of migrants from Europe were absorbed into the American population during the 19th and the early part of the 20th century. The assimilation of immigrants was a dramatic and highly visible set of events and illustrates the process well.There are other types of assimilation, however, and there are aspects of the assimilation of European migrants that might be put in propositional form. First, assimilation is a two-way process. Second, assimilation of groups as well as individuals takes place. Third some assimilation probably occurs in all lasting interpersonal situations. Fourth, assimilation is often incomplete and creates adjustment problems for individuals. And, fifth, assimilation does not proce ed equally rapidly and equally effectively in all inter-group situations fusion or blending of two previously distinct groups into one. Social Interaction ‘Social Interaction’ Social Interaction: Social Interaction is the foundation of society. Studying social interaction in everyday life sheds light on larger social systems & institutions. It is the building block of the entire Social Order and Social Relations. Definition: Social interaction is the process by which two or more individuals act and react to the people around us. It is the way people talk to each other and how they interact with various structures in society. It also includes the mutual influence of two or more people on each other’s behavior.Example: Interaction between the members of a family with each other, such as eating, sleeping and even family get-togethers. You will read more examples later in this assignment. Importance of social interaction: The opportunity for social interactions with others is very important for the development of all children. Through social interactions, children begin to establish a sense of â€Å"self† and to learn what others expect of them. Although social interactions for very young children primarily occur within the family, as children grow and develop, they become more and more interested in playing and interacting with other children.While playing with others, children learn appropriate social behaviors, such as sharing, cooperating and respecting the property of others. In addition, while interacting with their peers, young children learn communication, cognitive, and motor skills. Children with disabilities and nondisabled children to play together is an extremely important part of instruction in integrated preschools. The children must have the opportunity to play together if they are to become friends. These friendships will help the nondisabled child form positive, accepting attitudes toward persons who are disabled.In addition, the child who is disabled will have the opportunity to learn age-appropriate social skills. Children who learn appropriate social skills often have a higher self-esteem and show a greater willingness to interact with their environment as they grow. Opportunities for social interaction not only enhance development in the early years, but also may be important for the future of the young child who is disabled. The ability to interact competently with is a skill that is required throughout life and may affect future educational and vocational opportunities.Assisting young children who are disabled to learn through positive social interaction with nondisabled children may help them acquire skills from which they will benefit throughout their life. Interacting and playing with peers provides many learning opportunities for young children. In integrated preschool settings, nondisabled children and children with disabilities may need to be encouraged to play together. Social interaction between the two groups of children can be encouraged in a number of different ways.Suggestions for ways to use teacher attention and to structure the c lassroom to promote socially interactive play are discussed below. Teachers and adults can be very effective in promoting social interaction by encouraging children to play together and by praising them when they do. Teachers and other adults also can promote interactions by teaching children specific ways to ask other children to play, to share toys, to take turns, to express affection and to help other children. Assisting children to control their aggressive behavior encourages the formation of friendships.Planning small group activities that require cooperation and sharing motivates socially interactive behavior. For example, painting a mural or making soup as a group encourages children to learn to work together. Being certain that children with disabilities are seated next to nondisabled children makes it easy for the children to interact with and learn from each other. Allowing the child who is disabled to lead activities, pass out materials, and be praised in front of his or her classmates helps the nondisabled child view the child who is disabled as a competent friend.Toys such as blocks, dolls, dress-up clothes, trains, and cars promote social interactions much more than do toys such as beads, clay, puzzles and paints. Providing toys with which the child who is disabled can play competently encourages the children to play together. Limiting the number of toys available and requesting that children play in a small area requires the children to share and engage in the same activity, thereby encouraging social interaction. As you get older and retire or move to a new community, you may not have quite as many opportunities to socialize as you did when you were younger.People who continue to maintain close friendships and find other ways to interact socially live longer than those who become isolated. Relationships and social interactions even help protect against illness by boosting your immune system. The benefits of being social: Specific health benefit s of social interaction in older adults include: * Potentially reduced risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis * Potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease * Lower blood pressure Reduced risk for mental health issues such as depression Conversely, social isolation carries real risks. Some of these risks are: * Feeling lonely and depressed * Being less physically active * Having a greater risk of death * Having high blood pressure Social interaction helps keep your brain from getting rusty, but it's most effective when coupled with an overall healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and physical activity. Keeping your connections strong: Start by staying in touch with friends and family, and try to visit with them regularly.Here are other ways you can maintain a high level of social interaction: * Volunteer in your community. * Visit a senior center and participate in offered activities with other seniors—this is a gre at way to make new friends. * Join a group focused on activities you enjoy, such as playing cards or a book club. * Try taking a class—learn a new language or a new style of cooking or experiment with a new hobby. * Join a gym or fitness center to stay physically fit and engage with others. Find ways to stay young at heart, stimulated, busy and out of the house.Schedule regular visits with grandkids or volunteer at a school or children's organization to enjoy time with little ones and absorb some of their youthful energy. Although staying in touch in person is important, phone calls, snail mail, and e-mail can keep you connected, too—if you're not yet comfortable with computers, ask a young relative to help you. Staying socially active and maintaining your relationships are an important part of healthy aging. Reach out to your loved ones—neighbors, friends, family members—and stay as vibrant, active, and social as you've always been. Kinds of social inter action:There are six kinds of social interaction: 1) Cooperation 2) Conflict 3) Competition 4) Accommodation 5) Acculturation 6) Assimilation 1) Cooperation: Green: According to Green, cooperation can be defined as â€Å"The continuous and common endeavor of two or more persons to perform a task or to realize a goal that is commonly cherished. † Cooperation is one of the fundamental processes of social life. Cooperation is that basic form of human interaction in which men strive jointly with each other for a good goal or value. At the same time, cooperation is the most pervasive and continuous of the social processes.It is an integrating activity. It is an associative process which means working together in the pursuit of common interests or common goal. Modes of Cooperation: There are two modes of cooperation in a social life: * Direct cooperation: includes â€Å"those activities in which men do like things together† –like play together, worship together, etc. * Indirect cooperation: is found wherever people perform unlike tasks towards a single end – like where there is a division of labor or mass production. Importance: Cooperation is a universal phenomenon.All the progress that mankind has made in various fields is to be attributed to the cooperating spirit of the people. It is so important in the life of an individual that it is difficult to survive without it. Cooperation for human beings is both a psychological and a social necessity. Collective goals in our social life cannot be achieved without cooperation. 2) Conflict: Mac Iver and Page: â€Å"Form of struggle in which â€Å"men contend against one other for any object. † Conflict is as ever-present process in human relations. Conflict is universal and occurs in all places and at all time.There has never been a time or a society in which some individuals or groups did not come into conflict. Social conflict is a struggle between opponents over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources. Conflict therefore, expresses itself in thousands of ways and degrees and over every range of human contact. It is a dissociative process. In conflict, the person or group thwarts injuries or destroys the opponent in order to secure a goal or reward. Darwin states that – â€Å"the principles of struggle for existence and survival of the fittest are the main causes of conflict. † Types of Conflict:There are four basic types of conflict: * Man vs. Man: It occurs when a character (some other person) has an argument or disagreement with the other character. * Man vs. Society: It occurs when a man disagrees with a societal values, laws or beliefs. * Man vs. Nature: It occurs when a man has problem with outside forces; weather, animals (like in a TV show ‘Man vs. Wild'), and land. Etc * Man vs. Self: It occurs when a person develops an internal struggle between his ideas and thoughts. This can be a cause of other conflicts mentioned. Modes of Conflict: There are two modes of conflict: Direct Conflict: The direct conflict is in which people seek to attain some objective by restraining, injuring or destroying one another. Revolution was and street fights are example of direct conflict. * Indirect Conflict: The indirect conflict is in which the people do not restrain or injure other in seeking there ends but manage to attain their own goals which the opponent cannot approach to his goal in any way. It means obstruction in rivals is created. Group opinion is colored against the rival about his aims. Talking ill of others and backbiting are also indirect conflicts.These are the frequently occurring instances in the social life of people. Importance: Conflict generally occurs due to individual differences, cultural differences, clash of interests and social changes. Conflict in its extreme form brings war and destruction of lives and property. Those conflicts which cause wars or may take hostile form may destroy live s and property of the people – may cause great negative psychological and moral change. Conflict serves as constructive and positive ends. In corporate conflicts – that is, between groups and societies, solidarity and fellow-feelings are increased.Thus we may conclude that all types of conflicts are not harmful to the society because it performs certain positive functions also. Mac Iver therefore, rightly observes that – Society is cooperation crossed by conflict. 3) Competition: Competition is the most fundamental form of opposition or social struggle. It is a struggle of two or more persons for the same object which is so limited that all cannot share it. Anderson and Parker: â€Å"Competition is that form of social action in which we strive against each other for the possession of or use of some limited material and non-material good.   In our society, for instance, there is competition for jobs, for goods, power, social position, fame and all other things one cannot get by mere asking. Thus competition goes on an impersonal manner. The eye is on the goal or reward rather than the competitors. Importance: Competition therefore, exists everywhere, but appears in many ways. It varies as to scope, intensity and type from one system to another. It performs many useful functions in our society. Competition tends to stimulate economy, efficiency, and inventiveness.It tends to increase one’s ego and to give one satisfaction. Since competition rests upon a set of rules, it creates respect for the ruling of the game. 4) Accommodation: If conflict goes on for an indefinite period, our social life becomes unbearable. Hence, attempts are always made for the resolution of conflicts. Accommodation means resolution of conflict by adjusting oneself to the new environment. Mac Iver and Page: â€Å"The term accommodation refers particularly to the process on which man attains a sense of harmony with his environment. † Ogburn and Nimkoff: Accommodation is a term used by sociologists to describe the adjustment of hostile individuals or groups†. Accommodation is the term used by the sociologists to describe the process by those once in conflicts who can work together in common enterprises. It brings arrangements which permit groups to work together. A structure of interdependent roles arises and organizes people in ways which permit them to live and Act in spite of differences in latent hostility. Thus, the social order arises through the process of accommodation. Accommodation is thus, the basis of all social organizations. Importance:The term ‘accommodation' refers to several sorts of working agreements between rival groups that permit at least limited cooperation between them even though the issues dividing them remain unsettled. It does not technically end the conflict, but holds it in abeyance. The accommodation may last for only a short time and may be for the purpose of allowing the conflicting part ies to consolidate their positions and to prepare for further conflict. Or, as is more often the case, the initial accommodation agreed upon by the parties may be part of the process of seeking solutions to the issues that divide them.If those solutions are not found, the accommodation itself may become permanent. 5) Acculturation: Acculturation is defined as, â€Å"Acculturation is a process in which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. † Although acculturation is usually in the direction of a minority group adopting habits and language patterns of the dominant group, acculturation can be reciprocal–that is, the dominant group also adopts patterns typical of the minority group. Importance:This term is used to describe both the process of contacts between different cultures and also the customs of such contacts. As the process of contact between cultures, acculturation may involve either direct social interaction or exposure t o other cultures by means of the mass media of communication. As the outcome of such contact, acculturation refers to the assimilation by one group of the culture of another which modifies the existing culture and so changes group identity. There may be a tension between old and new cultures which leads to the adapting of the new as well as the old. ) Assimilation: Assimilation is the process whereby persons and groups acquire the culture of the other persons and groups in which they come to live  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ by adopting its attitudes and values and its way of life. Assimilation is the blending or fusing of minority groups into the dominant society. Young and Mack: â€Å"Assimilation is a slow and a gradual process†. It takes time. For example, immigrants take time to get assimilated with majority group. Assimilation is concerned with the absorption and incorporation of the culture by another.Assimilation is therefore, another form of interaction which cannot be neglected in t he social process. But the same time, the extreme differences in cultural background, prejudice and physical differences usually Act as barriers to assimilation. Importance: The term ‘assimilation' again is in general use, being applied most often to the process whereby large numbers of migrants from Europe were absorbed into the American population during the 19th and the early part of the 20th century. The assimilation of immigrants was a dramatic and highly visible set of events and illustrates the process well.There are other types of assimilation, however, and there are aspects of the assimilation of European migrants that might be put in propositional form. First, assimilation is a two-way process. Second, assimilation of groups as well as individuals takes place. Third some assimilation probably occurs in all lasting interpersonal situations. Fourth, assimilation is often incomplete and creates adjustment problems for individuals. And, fifth, assimilation does not proce ed equally rapidly and equally effectively in all inter-group situations fusion or blending of two previously distinct groups into one.

Othello & Racism Essay

In Shakespeare’s play Othello the main character is Iago, although the play’s protagonist, at least during some points of the play is Othello. This paper will seek to examine the roles of Victorian stereotypes in the destruction of Othello’s character especially in the hoodwinking qualities of Iago in splitting up Desdemona and Othello The first scene of the play is set in the streets of Venice where Roderigo and Iago are in deep disagreement with what is later revealed to be a plot to destroy Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. Othello is the object of hatred of both Roderigo and Iago, as Iago states, â€Å"Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is topping your white ewe. † (Shakespeare I, I 97-9) Roderigo is especially racist toward Othello in the company of Iago, as Orkin states, â€Å"Roderigo too is proficient at racist insult†¦and falling upon the racist stereotype of lust-ridden black man when he calls to Brabantino that his daughter has given himself to the ‘gross clasps of a lascivious Moor’ (Shakespeare I. i. 126, Orkin 168). The evil scheme is two-fold; one, to break up the marriage of Othello and Desdemona so that Roderigo can woo Desdemona and eventually make her fall in love with him, two, that Iago can finally have his revenge on Othello. Iago suspects that Othello has slept with his wife Emilia and he detests Othello for passing him over for a promotion that he felt he deserved more than the less experienced soldier Michael Cassio. In the first few scenes of the play, Othello’s name is never mentioned, emphasizing the secrecy in Roderigo and Iago’s dealings. Instead, Othello is referred to as â€Å" the Moor† and descriptive phrases such as â€Å" thick lips†, â€Å" a Barbary horse† are used to refer to Othello’s person, which emphasizes Victorian stereotypes of the African race. While alone with Othello, Iago implies the possibility that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago manages to persuade Othello to doubt Desdemona’s loyalty and love for him. He tells Othello to closely examine his wife’s actions when she is with Cassio, as Othello states, â€Å"She loved me for the dangers I had pass’d, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used: Here comes the lady; let her witness it.. (Shakespeare I, iii193-6). Othello’s first gift to Desdemona was a handkerchief, which is a very Victorian gift to give to a lady. This supposedly trivial object later becomes the piece of evidence that Iago uses to destroy Othello’s marriage, and as Othello laments at the close of the play, â€Å"I had been happy, if the general camp, Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known. O, now, for ever Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars, That make ambition virtue! O, farewell! Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war! And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats The immortal Jove’s dead clamours counterfeit, Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone!. (Shakespeare III, iii, 397-409). One evening, as Desdemona and Emilia inform Othello that dinner is ready, Othello complains of a headache. Desdemona promptly offers her handkerchief to bind his head to relieve the pain. Othello comments that the handkerchief is too small and pushes it away. Desdemona unknowingly loses grip of the handkerchief as she and Othello walk out of the room. Emilia picks up the handkerchief, remembering that Iago had asked her a number of times to steal it, she is delighted at the prospect of surprising her husband. At the same time as Iago was to plant Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s room, Othello who discovers his plot is infuriated and exclaims that he’d rather witness deception first hand than assume infidelity without conclusive evidence. At this point, Iago, ever the manipulator, manages to get his way again by fabricating another story that Cassio once called out Desdemona’s name in his sleep and that Cassio acted as if he were kissing Desdemona. Iago reinforced his claim by claiming to have seen Cassio wipe his beard with the handkerchief. This enrages Othello and he vows to seek revenge on Cassio and Desdemona for the alleged infidelity. Once again, Iago succeeds and even manages to get promoted to lieutenant. In the play, Desdemona’s handkerchief is the symbol of faithfulness and later in the play the symbol of truth. It is the handkerchief which symbolizes Othello’s internalization of Victorian mores into his character which allow him to believe Iago’s tripe about Desdemona’s infedelity, and which ultimately leads to his downfall, his loss of love, and his shame. Work Cited Greenblatt, Stephen, et al. , eds. The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W. W. Norton, 1997. Orkin, Martin. Othello and the ‘Plain Face’ of Racism. Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol. 38, No. 2. (Summer 1987). Pp. 166-188.

Psychology of Homer Simpsons Essay

The Simpsons have been America’s phenomenal cartoon TV series that has a chilling resemblance to the typical family, if it would be viewed in a different angle removing the humour and exaggerations. The melodious opening song, Bart’s writing on the board, to the sofa antic just gives that tinge of spice to the expecting viewers. However, what usually catches the interest of the people is Homer. His credulous and sometimes sordid character ironically gives justice to the struggle of middle class families and perfectly depicts the role and challenges of a father who is facing the ordeals in the midst of a family crisis and his obligation as a citizen in the society.   A saying goes that the father is the home’s foundation. If that foundation would be weak, the family will collapse and disperse on the ground. He is the one that stands firm amongst difficult adversities a family faces and would be the source of their hope. Homer Simpsons heavy stature and obsession with Duff beer seems to exclude him from this description of this sturdy foundation. In Season 1, episode 3, Homer lost his job in front of his son in the Nuclear Plant. He became the common bum. He would lie on the sofa all day long, doing nothing and with a blank stare at the TV set, while Marge is working at a fast food chain on roller skates. He came to thirst for beer, since he was sober for a while due to lack of finances. With humour he searched for any kind of source for income including Bart’s piggy bank and going that low ,which wasn’t even worth it because it wasn’t even enough for one beer, he then came to a realization of what he has become. He decided on taking his own life by throwing himself in a watery grave. With a boulder around his neck he walked slowly towards the river. This action exhibited man’s reaction in time of weakness and lost of sight for ones purpose in life. However, he still managed to oil the fence upon going out, showing his compulsiveness of taking care of his own home. At the river, on the last minute he was about to throw away his life, his family came to the rescue. However, it turned out that it was Homer who would rescue them in the middle of the intersection from a speeding vehicle, and that is with a boulder hanging around his neck. The instinct of a father protecting his family came in stronger than his human weakness. Then, it dawned on him that the town needs someone to uphold safety around the place. He found his silver lining among the dark clouds. He went against even with his boss, Mr. Burns, just to be able to completely eradicate the town of danger. Mr. Burns even blackmailed Homer of giving his job back if he would just turn back on his own words about the plant’s safety. Homer almost gave in but his principles were as sturdy as his love for his family and community. Although, like water looking for its way back to the sea, Homer still got his job back and was still able to uphold his principle. He became the plant’s safety man. The seemingly ignorant and weakling personality of Homer turned out to be actually a shallow shroud that clothes his inner strength that brought hope and respect not only from his family but from his community as well. He secretly became a beacon to their hearts. He just needed that chance to bring it out of him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fathers have always been the icon of providing for his family. Since ancient times, these men are the ones that bring home the slaughtered meal after a dangerous and tedious hunt. Nothing has changed ever since except for the barbarism. Nowadays, the head of the families would still need to â€Å"hunt† for their income in order to provide for their pecuniary needs. Homer Simpsons is the kind of employee that slack-off during work, taking unscheduled doughnut breaks and seemingly doing his job but not actually serious about it. A provider, yes that he could be, but a good one is a dubious fact. In the first episode for season 1, a Christmas special of The Simpsons, Homer established the answer to this question. Mr. Burns joyously announced to the intercom that there is an increase in the safety of the plant but unfortunately no Holiday bonus for the mid-level workers. It saddened everyone, Homer on the other hand was still thankful because they had a â€Å"Christmas jar† that Marge has been keeping. But, little did he know that it was all spent on Bart’s surgery to remove the tattoo he just got. Upon entering the Simpsons home, he knew of the ordeal they are in. Marge had high hopes knowing that he had a Christmas bonus and Homer didn’t have the heart to break the news to his family, not with all those looks that are on tenterhooks. Homer, like our forefathers, hunted for a way to earn some extra income for his family, so that they won’t have to miss Christmas. He found one as a mall’s Santa Claus. He kept it a secret from his family in order to keep his family from worrying and his dignity as well. In a particular scene, it showed Homer going home from his Santa training exhausted and bad enough his sisters-in-law made a visit. Homer never did like them but because of his love for Marge, he still tried to be cou rteous and said his hellos. The gentleness, like any beast or man has, had been placed above the brute that he was. However, Bart discovered his clandestine accidentally but they made a bond not to speak of it. When pay day came Homer only got a measly $13. He got really disappointed but Barney asked him to try his luck on a dog race and take the chance of doubling his earnings. Homer refused for he didn’t want Bart to grow-up with that kind of values. It was Bart who encouraged his dad to take the risk because he believed that miracles happen to unfortunate kids especially in Christmastime. Thus, father and son embarked on the journey to try their luck. But fate made a twist on Bart’s little hope for miracle. The dog they made a bet on lost and so did their measly hope for their Christmas gifts. Broken hearted they went home. However , with a twist of event, the dog ironically named Santa’s little helper, was booted out by its owner and as fate smiled on both unfortunate souls, they found refuge in the arms of one another. Homer brought home the dog and it turned out to be the best Christmas they ever had. Homer indeed provided but not with mere money but with the gift of love for his family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A father is also a source of wisdom and guidance. He is not just the role model in a family but considered as his children’s hero. A father’s advice is treasured like nothing else and he is remembered with it even until his next life.   Homer’s clumsiness and ignorant responses are attitudes wherein a person won’t dare to ask or even take an advice from. He would even sometimes strangle Bart whenever he catches him with his smart alecks. However, that is just a part of his comic act for humour sake. On episode 2 and 5, Homer exhibited the support, love and guidance an ideal father gives in spite of his once-in-a while shallowness. He gave his children a strong arm they can run to and a shoulder they can cry on. Homer handed down his advice as carefully as our forefathers handed down their gift of wisdom to the generations next to them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Homer Simpsons is a comical proof of what human beings are in an ironic sense. Behind the humour and funny antics is the true father figure we have all known. He merely shows that there is always two sides of the coin, it could either be our bad or our good side. Homer Simpsons simply teaches us that we should never pass judgement to people by a mere look or by the way they talk, because their works and most of all their family might attest to their greatness above all.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      References Groening, M et.al Burkes,J. , Simon,S. (Producers). Copyright 1990. Gracie Films. Twentieth  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Century Fox Film Corp.(Distributor).