English Creative Choice Antigone Assignment Essay

Law. What is it but a set of rules created by man? It is nothing. Insignificant to life. Amoebas do not have laws. Neither do Animals. Yet, we live by them every day, throughout anything we do. You don’t drive to work on the left side of the road; neither do you steal food from your neighbors in retaliation for their horribly kept lawns. No matter for ridiculous, unnecessary, or primitive these laws; they are there for a reason. Yet, despite all that, Antigone thinks she is above all laws, and that she can prance around the city as she wishes, acting on any whim she desires. This, my friends, is most certainly not the case. Nobody is above these laws, not even the king himself. She went knowingly and willingly against the law, burying a traitor to our fair city, as if he was an ally. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, whose side will you take? That of an honorable king? Or that of filthy lawbreaker? I urge you to make the correct decision today. Antigone’s Lawyer Today is the day that you can make the decision to let an innocent woman live. My client is not a criminal in any sense. She is of royal decent, and decent in every way possible. Her brothers killed each other, in a ruthless battle for power, and one was left to rot. Against the will of the gods, not allowing him to pass into the afterlife. This is not the way to treat even the most cruel individual, and certain not the way to treat royal blood. However, our â€Å"great, powerful ruler†, Creon thinks he is above the gods. No matter how unjust, Creon will not change his will, not even in the case of his royal own family. My client did the right thing, what any decent person would do to send their loved ones into the afterlife, even when a childish law forbids you from doing so. Do you think that eternal limbo is the correct punishment for a man who was trying to fight for his right to share the throne? Neither did Antigone. I beg you to choose wisely, as the wrong decision will send an innocent woman to death. Rationale Using the format of a closing statement, I created arguments from the side of both Antigone and Creon. On Creon’s side, I argued about the importance of laws. I said how people normally follow laws, even if they are ridiculous. I then went to mock Antigone, and how she â€Å"thought she was above the law†. How she thought that she could do whatever she wanted, and laws had no significance. I also accused her of being a â€Å"filthy lawbreaker†. Basically, I tried to persuade the jury that Antigone had not cared for laws, breaking them at her own will. On the other hand, on Antigone’s side, I argued that Antigone was not at all a criminal, just a caring sister. I went to show how Polyneices was just fighting for what was rightfully his, and this did not make him a traitor. I also argued how Creon thinks he is more important that the holy laws.

Ethics and Moral reasoning Essay

Facing Life While Fighting For an End Every one of us will stare down the face of death at some point in our lives; however, some will face it in much more unpleasant circumstances then others. We all have a right to choose what we want to do with our bodies. We even have the right to decide that we no longer wish to endure the pain and suffering of a terminal illness. Terminal illness is when someone is suffering from something that will eventually take their life regardless of any medical interventions. In this paper I will discuss the point in which a person has a right to decide if they want to die and what processes are ethically moral in aiding them in seeing their wishes come to fruition. Medicine has created more ways to cure or to minimize a person’s suffering from diseases that were once fatal or painful. Medical technology has given us the power to sustain the lives of patients whose physical and mental capabilities cannot be restored, whose degenerating conditions cannot be reversed, and whose pain can not be eliminated. As medicine struggles to pull more and more people away from the edge of death, there are pleas for relief outpouring from the tortured, deteriorated lives that all of us be merciful and give them the relief they need. (C Andre, and M Velazquez, KND). When a person is faced with the end of their life, it is said that we should agree that the absence of pain and the pride of the person should be taken into great consideration. When a terminally ill person is no longer capable of intellectual pursuits, is in constant pain and must rely on others for all of their needs, Mill feels that it is a more dignified choice to end the suffering, therefor fulfilling the â€Å"absence of pain† principle (pain including one’s inability to seek higher pleasure through intellectual pursuit) (J Conley, April 2010). Doctors are at the epicenter of  controversies regarding end of life issues and face so much scrutiny from both sides of opposing groups. Some doctors believe that it is oka y to assist the patient in their wish to end their suffering by simply discontinuing any and all lifesaving interventions. Other doctors believe that every effort must be made to save the person’s life until there is nothing else left to do. Once the doctor has reached this point they will place patients under hospice care and the patients are given medications to treat their pain such as morphine. The doses are in such high amounts that the patient is no longer coherent and able to make decisions on their own. They will usually expire within days following their first does due to how the medication slows down the heart and breathing. Supporters of the utilitarian ethic believe that the benefits of assisted suicide outweigh the costs. They argue that assisted suicide allows terminally ill patients to avoid needless pain and misery in their final days. They believe that it will allow a patient to maintain control over the timing and manner of their death verses having to face an unsure timeline and suffer for what could be far longer and harder than a physician may give. The utilitarian believes th at this would ensure that they would die with a sense of dignity. Post importantly it would insure that an individual’s right to self-autonomy would be honored at the end of life (M. Levin, KND). If you look at the views of a deontologist they would oppose this method because deontologists are all about duty. While both deontologists and utilitarian’s would typically do the same thing, Deontologists act out of duty, and would make their decision only once they see that the patient is on their last leg and is unable to respond for themselves, while the utilitarian acts out of a means to provide a sense of peace. When you are a utilitarian people may view you as irrational and emotional and not take you serious, while a deontologist may come across as a bit crude or even heartless. The downside to being in such a place to make these tough decisions can bring about certain issues such as: individuals feeling pressured to terminate their life because of a misperception of their diagnosis or prognosis; because of depression; or because of a concern for the burden they place on others and the depletion of their assets. Some individuals may feel pressured to end life by selfish family members or caregivers. This is why it is so important for the professionals to handle each case as though it is so sensitive. Each  patient must be thoroughly analyzed to make sure that they meet the proper criteria for end of life intervention. Life is about growing and learning, however, sometimes we are very limited to what we are able to do. This has no bearing on the quality of life and in no way should be used in ones decision to end their life nor should doctors look at limitations as a good reason to end life. The only times someone should be allowed to choose death over life is if they are unable to live a life that is rich and full of opportunity in spite of their illness. Meaning, that the illness is causing too much pain or that the illness in not allowing them to enjoy certain activities that they normally love doing. Then and only then the person should be able to choose what they want to do. Let me clarify this a little further. As we get older we will all eventually not be able to enjoy certain activities that we were once were able to, this alone would not be a reason to want to take your life, because your quality of life has not been interrupted. What would be a good reason is a person confined to a bed, being taken care of twenty-four-seven by a loved one or care giver and doctors have said that the chances of healing are not there. We will all stare down death in the face at some point. However, life is not about dying, but about living. If a person cannot live a life rich and full of meaning due to a terminal illness, they have the right to choose to live or die. If those rights are infringed upon the person withholding one’s personal rights should face dire consequences. Life is hard as it is, but then to be dyeing and living it in pain and suffering would be unimaginable and more inhumane then having it ended with the assistance of a medical professional on an at will basis. REFERENCES Ituriguy, July 5, 2008. The Decision To End One’s Own Life Is A Fundamental Human Right. Retrieved March 10, 2014 from www.opposingviews.com Wikipedia, KND. Utilitarianism. Retrieved: March 24, 2014 from www.wikipedia.com C. Andrea and M. Valdez, KND. Assisted Suicide: A Right or A Wrong? Retrieved: March 24, 2014 from www.scu.edu J. Conley, April 2010. Kantian vs. Utilitarian Ethics of Euthanasia. Retrieved: March 24, 2014 from www.wp4dying.blogspot.com M. Levine, KND. PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE: LEGALITY AND MORALITY. Retrieved: March 24, 2014, from: www.levinlaw.com

Term paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Term Paper Example These customs may contradict with the common truth in a multicultural society. Some customs belonging to a particular community may appear to be evil or good in a different community. Therefore, a particular customary practice may have different consequences depending on the society judging the practice. The act of believing ones custom is the best or king over all customs is referred to as relativism (4). Customs define the morally accepted and morally rejected practices for a given society. Among the Japanese, bowing when greeting someone is considered to be a moral practice. This forces foreigners to forego their practices and adopt those of the locals. In Muslim countries, women have to veil their faces before appearing in public, and their hair should be covered always. Several societies consider keeping long hair and beard to be immoral. Customs upheld by communities define the right and wrong practices, which at times can be oppressive. In such cases, customs are considered to be the baseline of moral beliefs in the society. In Germany, the Nazis were against the Jewish religion and the leaders decided to execute them (6). According to Nazis, this was the accepted way of eliminating the Jews, but was considered to be evil by the Americans due to different customs. Individual values are gotten from parents, teachers, religious leaders, and historical books. Children internalize values learnt from different sources and form a sense of good or bad. This leads to the differences in moral values between different cultures. Ancient customs or cultures have different moral values, which are learnt by the children and subsequent generations. The conscience of a human being is also a product of the moral life. Conscience helps individuals identify wrong acts depending on personal and society values contributed to by culture. An individual picks up several values during childhood and along his or her lifetime that give the definition of a good human being (7). Cer tain individuals may adapt different values from other people within the same community due to external influence. In Germany, some Nazis rebelled, held out, and fled from the mass execution of Jews by Hitler. According to them, execution was immoral though it was being practiced by their fellow Nazis. Moral values can be influenced by external cultures and one’s own values cease to be superior to that of others. The society defines the morally acceptable values, but individuals may change their values depending on the influence. However, every individual or society believes to hold the highest values irrespective of their nature. Holding certain values does not mean they are the overall good, but they influence a person’s view of the right and wrong practices. This makes moral values to be relative to the society and the upbringing of an individual (9). The religion also determines the values regarded by an individual as good or bad. Some people believe that God revea ls the truth to human beings, which also defines the good and the bad. This forces them to line up their values according to the religious revelations and form a point of judging others. This makes them believe their values to be absolutely right and can act as the standard goodness. Some individuals do not believe in Godly revelations, therefore, their values are based on culture (11). Different objective points provide different justifications of moral assessments.

Global Forces, Local Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Global Forces, Local Diversity - Essay Example According toâ€Å"Peakbagger.com† The Appalachian Mountains act as recreational site with numerous parks and the Appalachian Trail used by stout hikers globally (Web). The mountain ranges remain one of the most significant geographical and historical features in the world especially due to its uniqueness and bigger size. Possibly, if the Appalachians could have been located in a different place it could still maintain its geographical influence but different cultural and economic influence. The mountains could not affect the natives or the first settlers equally because there must have been different cultural background of the settlers. Suppose the Appalachians could have been located in Africa or Asia, initially the name and the culture of people around it would have been traced back to the original African or Asian culture. Some of the features of the mountains especially the ice cover and vegetation cover may have also been altered depending on the climate and activities taking place in that particular region. â€Å"The Moonlit Road† asserts that the culture of the people living around the Appalachian Mountains was a mixture of different cultures from England, Scotland, and Germany settlers who were seeking land, freedom, and new opportunities thus making the region multi-cultural region especially at the modern age when most people around the world have gone to seek for employment. Some Americans also think that the Appalachians are not well educated and all these could be attributed to the fact that the regions’ topography could not favor infrastructural development. The Appalachians are not as civilized as other parts of America and are sometimes referred to as hicks, rednecks, and hillbillies (â€Å"Peakbagger.com† Web). â€Å"The Moonlit Road† posits that European settlers greatly influenced the social disruption, which resulted into environmental disruption especially due to introduction of plants and animals from Europe. The indigenous however initially d epended on the valuable resources provided by the Appalachia region such as wildlife to be hunted, fish from the sparkling rivers as well as logs that helped them in building houses. There were also some unique cultures such as casual mountain dances practiced by the Appalachians (â€Å"Peakbagger.com† Web). It is also worth noting that most of the Appalachians could not fully dwell on farming because the mountains were rocky and hilly thus hindering their ability to make a living out of farming. This led to some disheartening conditions such as widespread of poverty that eventually led to widespread disease infections and malnutrition amongst the population specifically the children. According to â€Å"Peakbagger.com† economic activities within the Appalachian regions vary from fishing, farming, manufacturing, and commerce. There are also notable coals as well as natural gas in the Appalachian plateau as well as valuable iron ore deposits. Nonetheless, there are eleme nts of chronic poverty experienced in Appalachian region particularly in the southern regions. This is really appalling because the region is endowed with extensive natural resources. It is indeed devastating to experience extreme poverty and severe economic hardship and even the effect of globalization which seems to do more harm than good. Chief export for

How I robbed myself Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

How I robbed myself - Essay Example I had been exposed to drugs and my addiction grew to such an extent that it forced me into rehabilitation, which destroyed my life and self-respect and has forced me to start my life all over again.. When I look back upon those years when I had taken to drugs, it makes me wonder with utmost surprise and despair in the way in which I prefer to go along a wrong path in spite of having knowledge that these substances are harmful for the body and are addictive. Given these premises, I have quite often been trying to discover the root causes that have encouraged me to take to drugs. One of the most primary aspects that determine whether a person is vulnerable to drug abuse is his/her friends’ circle. This is because the nature of his/her friends explains the degree to which they are closest to witness people using drugs and see the aftermath. Secondly, it also depends on the person’s inner strength and resolve to stay away from these ill effects of life. A person takes to drugs either when he finds the sensation under drugs to be calming and enjoyable and in many cases people are pushed into it whenever they are encouraged by their friends to do so. This has always proved to have an adverse effect not only on the person, bit also on their families and friends. At a personal level, drugs have destroyed me mentally, emotionally and financially as well. They have turned me into something that I wasn’t before and it makes me very sad when some of the people around me keep referring to those times even though I have come out of it. It makes me realize the seriousness of my mistake and I now understand the degree to which drugs tarnish one’s image. Drugs provide an illusory sense of well being, where the person is reduced merely to an object, but destroy them internally by silently attacking their metabolism. Apart from this, drugs also create such an effect within the person’s body that

Behavior of Activities of Thymidine Metabolizing Enzymes in Human Article

Behavior of Activities of Thymidine Metabolizing Enzymes in Human Leukemia-Lymphoma Cells - Article Example The studies were conducted with cell cultures obtained from 13 human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines consisting of T- and B-cell lines as well as Non-T- and Non-B- cell lines. The various enzymes were assayed in extracts obtained from cells subjected to rapid freezing and thawing in liquid nitrogen. Activities of the catabolic enzymes were higher by several orders of magnitude compared to the synthetic enzymes in normal cells. However, in all leukemia-lymphoma cells examined, the thymidine degrading enzyme activities were decreased for example, by 5-42% in the case of dihydro thymine dehydrogenase (with the complete absence of DHT DH activity noted in chronic myelogenous leukemia K-562 cells) and up to 38% in the case of TP relative to normal cells. In contrast, the activities of the synthetic enzymes namely, thymidylate synthase and TK were increased significantly by up to 407 times and up to 79 times, respectively of the normal human lymphocytes. Thymidine is utilized by cells both for DNA synthesis and energy production through oxidation to CO2 and water. Therefore, the reduction in the activity of the thymidine degrading enzymes is also important since it would lead to the enhanced availability of the compound for DNA synthesis. Furthermore, the enhanced activities of the thymidine synthesizing enzymes would also contribute to DNA synthesis which is  essential for rapid cell growth and proliferation. A comparison of kinetic properties of the catabolic enzymes, DHT DH and TP in the normal lymphocytes showed that the specific activity of DHT DH was considerably less than that of phosphorylase thereby indicating that DHT DH is the rate-limiting enzyme and, therefore, a better enzyme to evaluate the capacity of human leukemia-lymphoma cells to degrade thymidine. Thymidine kinase (TK) converts thymidine, or deoxythymidine (dT) to the respective monophosphate.  

Case study memo on Business Ethics in USA Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Memo on Business Ethics in USA - Case Study Example We have received possible food poisoning reports from two counties in Seattle and south California about our unpasteurized products. Health officials through our company managers reported these cases to us and we dispatched them to these counties to collect batches of our nutritional products. As the most successful nutritional foods suppliers, it is our duty to figure out this problem before any more causalities arise from consumption of our nutritional products. When whether to pull all our products from the market or not. Because of lack of evidence that the products that caused the acute food poisoning are ours or not, we have to determine when to inform the retailers that we are pulling all our products. The ethical dilemma that the company is facing is whether or not to notify the customers about the food poisoning by its nutritional products and should it consider pulling all the products from the market. In this case, I find it difficult to agree with the decision that Fred James made but at the same time, I do not have a better solution. James and Healy acted after hearing of seven cases of nutritional food poisoning and after the newspapers had already informed the public. They should have recalled all the products from the market as soon as they learnt about the third or the fourth case of poisoning. Trying to minimize or cover up the damages would only cause more harm than good (Allott, 2001). To analyze the ethical issues in this case using the utilitarian approach, we should first identify the available courses of action. Then we should look at the stakeholders that shall be affected, the benefits and harms that shall be derived from these actions. Lastly, we should choose the action that will yield the least harm while producing the greatest benefits (Allott, 2001). Using the utilitarian approach, James and Healy should have apologized publically about the food poisoning and probably declared a deduction in the

Formation of Business Idea Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Formation of Business Idea - Assignment Example One of the strengths generally includes the effective utilization of cost leadership strategy, wherein the company would import products from either India or China due to which the company can tag a lesser price for its backpacks and luggage’s as compared to its customers. Most vitally, the competency level of Pack-a-Stack would be quite high, as it would recruit skilled and experienced employees that will certainly help the company in marketing and sell its broad assortment of product offerings. The initial start-up capital for Pack-a-Stack will be quite high, due to which the company might be exposed to various investments related risk. Likewise, another weakness for the company would be that the customers’ bargaining power would be quite high as the customers might opt for other brands. Pack-a-Stack can expand its market share by entering into a new business market. The company will also have a future scope of diversification by entering into the tourism industry through its brand recognition. Pack-a-Stack while entering the business market of the UK will face a huge threat relating to entry of its competitors. Likewise, change in the economic condition of the UK might result in a reduction of demand for backpacks and luggage’s, which would make quite difficult for the company to sustain in the UK business market. It is expected that the fund for the business will be collected from two sources namely bank loan and owners capital. In order to finance the launching activities such as the creation of infrastructure, purchase of stocks and assets and hire employees among others, a loan amount of  £76, 000 would be required. On the other hand, personal capital of about  £53, 000 will be used in order to spend for the purpose of marketing and other administrative aspects.

Assignment Rough Draft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment Rough Draft - Essay Example As this concept is quite important and complex at the same time due to the fact that it acts as a basis of any type of relationships, it gives birth to number of issues, the key of which are gender inequality and the fight against it. The concept of gender is best explained from the point of view of symbolic interaction theory, which states that every person plays a particular role in the society (Turner, 2012). In accordance with Turner (2012), a person is a social actor who performs an assigned role, which includes patterns of behavior and feelings. Even in the twenty-first century, the issue of gender discrimination still takes place. In order to fight the problem, there exists a range of federal laws, among which are Civil Right Act, the Equal Opportunity Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Law and others (â€Å"Gender Discrimination,† 2013). At the same time, these and other laws and programs appear to be not very effective for women. However, the Affordable Care Act is believed to change the situation for the better: due to the act, about 13 million women will gain coverage by 2016 (National Womens Law Center, 2013). These days, triple jeopardy of African American Women with disabilities occurs in the United States. Because of the existing stereotypes, this group of women experiences the following difficulties. First of all, they are expected to have traditionally female occupations. Secondly, African American women have difficulties which result from group-specific factors, such as likelihood of being a single parent. Finally, the disabled have decreased work opportunities because of lack of compliance on behalf of the employee (Smith & Alston, 2008). A human service professional should be culturally competent to meet the requirements of the sphere as well as to be able to work in it. For every person, it is natural to have

Social media marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social media marketing - Essay Example In the context of this view, Web 2.0 does not serve only as a communication tool but also, mainly, as a marketing tool, promoting products or ideas. From this point of view, Web 2.0 has introduced an important change on Internet. Apart from improving the terms of communication between Internet users, Web 2.0 has increased the potentials of Internet to be used as a marketing tool, not necessarily in regard to products/ services but also in regard to specific ideas and social trends. At this point the following issue should be highlighted: Web 2.0 did not reveal the advanced technological potentials of World Wide Web; in fact, the technology required for the development of social networking sites, of virtual world platforms and other features of Web 2.0 has been available earlier, before the appearance of Web 2.0. Through Web 2.0 this technology was used for attracting the interest of Internet users in regard to the benefits and the potentials of online communication, a target that was achieved (Brown, Rob 2). Moreover, it seems that Web 2.0 has responded effectively to the needs of Internet users for interactive communication, but the time required for the achievement of such benefit is often significant (Brown Eileen 7). In this context, Web 2.0 has effectively promoted social media requiring by its users to spend a significant amount of time for becoming familiar with the relevant applications. In regard to the social media and their potential role in the development of a brand the following issues should be highlighted: social media are based on communication among an extended network of users. In fact, popular social networking sites, such as Facebook or Myspace, have millions of... The appearance of World Wide Web, in 1990s, has changed the standards of communication worldwide. In its initial form, World Wide Web offered to its users the potential to enter websites, with ‘static or infrequently changed content’. New features of World Wide Web emerged, that resulted to the establishment of a new form of World Wide Web.In the context of Web 2.0 users were offered’ advanced interactive applications in which users can participate through organizing, distributing and creating their content’ (Cashman and Frydenberg 1). In practice, Web 2.0 includes blogs, wikis and social networking tools’ (Wankel 61). The term Web 2.0 has been often considered as similar to the term ‘social media’ (Wankel 61), reflecting the advanced potentials for social interaction and participation in the creation of web content (Wankel 61). The introduction of Web 2.0 has caused radical changes on Internet and social media. Before the appearance of Web 2.0 the potentials of Internet users in terms of communication were limited; e-mail messages were massively used as the key tool for communicating with other Internet users. Web 2.0 offered to Internet users the chance to communicate through a series of interactive platforms, such as the networking and the microblogging sites, as Facebook and Twitter accordingly (Campesato and Nilson 7). Users can share their views on a particular brand highlighting the benefits or disadvantages of the specific brand.

My Future Essay Example for Free

My Future Essay In the future I see myself studying The Natural Science Program, hopefully with a friend through my years in High School. After school I want to study into becoming a doctor, probably in another country than Sweden, hopefully France, which will be interesting. It will probably take up a lot of my free time but it will be worth it in the end. I will probably study alongside a friend, having him as my roommate which hopefully will make my studies enjoyable. Hopefully I’ll have a beautiful girlfriend while I’m studying to encourage me alongside my mother. I wouldn’t like to get married until I’m like 25 years old, any younger I would consider it kind of weird and I would want to enjoy the bachelor life a while before getting married On my spare time I would go out and meet some French girls and hang out with some friends. I’d like my life to be adventurous and fun, but that would be kind of hard to achieve due to the fact that studying to a doctor would take up a lot of my time. After I have achieved the job as a doctor or if I achieve it I will buy a nice house and a nice car that hopefully will attract girls. ï Å  When or if I become a father I do not want to become the over protective type just because of the fact that I don’t like when my parents behave that way for me, but I will set some boundaries. But of course I also know that it is for my own best, they do it because they love me.

Witchcraft And Demonology In Early Modern Europe

Witchcraft And Demonology In Early Modern Europe The witch-hunts were one of the most important events in the history of early modern Europe, taking place from the mid-15th century and ending in the mid-18th century. The view of witchcraft evolved throughout the period, with the Canon Episcopi calling the belief in witches a heresy, to Pope Innocent VIII issuing a bull in 1484 to denounce the practice of witchcraft as a heresy – all in a span of about 500 years. On the topic of witchcraft, it is unavoidable that the issue of gender would be discussed. The central question of this report would be how historians account for the persecution of more women than men in the witch-hunts in early modern Europe. The report will first outline the stereotype of a witch and discuss how this stereotype was promulgated. It will be concerned with two possible explanations that attempt to account for the persecution of more women than men – firstly, how the persecutions may be a results of a misogynistic and patriarchal culture, and s econdly, how the hunts may be been a result of the lack of tolerance for social deviance of women. The stereotype of a witch A collection of statistics indicate that a majority of accused witches were women, with most estimates pointing to about 80% of all victims being women (Ross, 1995: 334). Levack (1987: 142) provides a list of statistics indicating that in most regions in Europe, about three-quarters of the accused were women, with the figures being 90% in regions in Poland and England. Very evidently, the predominant notion of a witch is that it is foremost a woman. In discussing the stereotype of a witch it is difficult not to make reference to the cumulative concept of witchcraft (Levack, 1987: 32-51), which points to certain factors that would help in the identification of a witch. These include a witch’s association with the Devil, the pact with the Devil, the Sabbath, nightflying and metamorphosis. Reginald Scot in 1584 described witches as women who were â€Å"commonly old, lame, blearie-eied, pale, fowle, and full of wrinkles, poore, sullen, and superstitious†. This stereotype was promulgated by both genders. Women in early modern Europe were viewed as the weaker gender that was dependent on men in many ways, including for livelihood (Larner, 1984:86). Since the society was heavily patriarchal, women who did not fit in to the mould of a normal woman threatened the idea of females behaving in a particular manner. These women were nonconformists, and therefore put the livelihoods of other women at risk. Hence, they were ostrac ised by normal women. In behaving in a manner that was different, these women also threatened male domination and therefore had to be condemned by men. Both genders fed the idea that a woman who looked and behaved in a certain manner was a witch, hence allowing the stereotype to persist and spread. In addition, the stereotype of a domestic witch could have been said to be reinforced by a vicious cycle. This is evident in some cases, such as in that of Anna Schwayhofer, who confessed to stealing the Consecrated Host but still bothered to sweep up the crumbs after she had done so (Barry, Hester and Roberts, 1996: 230). The association of witches and broomsticks or distaffs used for spinning also fed the stereotype. Women were mostly restricted to the confines of their allotted spaces, and those practicing harmful magic would most likely be found in those spaces (Blà ©court, 2000: 303). Hence, it was not surprising that witchcraft was associated with the women and their domestic activities. Gendered witchcraft and misogyny The elite perception of women pointed to how they tended to be intellectually weaker than men, yet have more insatiable sexual appetites and a higher tendency to pursue the occult, a view propounded by 16th-century friar Martin de Castaà ±ega and in the Malleus itself by Kramer and Sprenger. Hence, historical literature tended to point towards how women were the more inferior of the two genders and therefore had the larger propensity to be driven towards becoming a witch. Without a doubt, the society in Europe at that point of time was one that was highly patriarchal in nature (Hufton, 1983, 125-141). While the society was essentially patriarchal in nature, there are arguments as to whether this can be extended to be characterised as being misogynistic. Anderson and Gordon (1978) point to the innate inferiority that women possessed in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, the dominant religious authority in that time, saying that the Church saw women as more â€Å"amenable to the allures of Satan† (Anderson and Gordon, 1978: 174). The paper also highlights the role of the Malleus Maleficarum (1486), that was anti-feminist and very popular, reprinting fourteen editions. The Malleus essentially highlights women as creatures possessing insatiable lust, yet not having the strength of mind to counter the temptations of the Devil. However, statistics also show that women were not the only ones who were victims of the witch-hunts. In several regions, men were the ones who were heavily persecuted instead. Regions such as Finland show a relatively even number of male and female persecutions, while in areas such as Normandy and Iceland, the number of accused male witches far exceeded the number of female ones. This clearly shows that if there had been a culture of misogyny, it was not uniformed throughout Europe. Monter (1964: 563) points out that the stereotypical witch in the French province of Normandy was not a poor, old woman, but a shepherd who may be a youth or an old man. Similarly, in Iceland, only 8% of all the accused witches were women (Levack, 1987: 142). The analysis and discussion of these statistics seem to point to the fact that there were differences in societal perspectives towards women and the differences in questioning techniques (Monter, 1964: 588). Monter (1964: 589) suggests that women wer e treated with leniency during the trial, and some were kept in prison alive for interrogation, even while the men were being executed. The reasons behind why men were more persecuted in some societies and women in others are unclear, but most historians point to the fact that it was impossible to pinpoint a particular reason in every society why this was so. Much of the reasons behind the gender imbalances must be attributed to the culture and views of the society itself, but what can be certain is that the witch-hunt was not strictly gender-specific. Without a doubt, a society that places emphasis on patriarchal values cannot be dismissed as misogynistic simply based on statistics alone. At this point it is relevant to note that there were differences between the elite and peasant conceptions of witchcraft, and this extended to the persecution of women. For the peasantry, the persecution of witches was less of the pact with the Devil and more of practical concerns such as the failure of crops or the death of livestock (Laurence, 1995: 216-218). Similarly, with the persecution of women, the concerns circled around the fact that babies and young children were being â€Å"victims† of maleficia, rather than the witch being a Devil-worshipper per se. Unsurprisingly, therefore, a large number of women who were accused of being witches were the lying-in maids for more privileged families, who looked after the newborns and had direct contact with them, as in the case of Anna Ebeler of Augsburg (Roper, 1991: 19). Roper (1991: 23) also points to how this may be a result of the association of femineity and maternity. Normal women were able to have children, yet witches w ere unable to, leading to a sense of envy that bred the feeling of hatred towards mothers and their babies. Strands of deviance One of the central themes occurring in the witch-hunts would have to be the fact that the society in early modern Europe had very little tolerance for those who were different from them. Jews and homosexuals were persecuted, and the society was predominantly peasant, poor and part of the Roman Catholic Church. Those who were different were frowned upon. Women generally married and had children at a young age, were uneducated and viewed as weak. Their primary purpose was to be subservient to their husbands and serve their families, keeping the household. This view of women can be contrasted to the stereotype of a witch, as mentioned above. Being old and unmarried, as well as being socially isolated, these alleged witches were evidently different from the general conception of a woman in society. Larner (1981:92) puts forward the idea that witches were persecuted not because they were women, but because they were â€Å"non-women† who did not fit into the societal view of a woman. While a typical woman was maternal, witches were unable to have children; where typical women stayed home at nights, witches flew to remote locations to join Sabbaths. This fit in with the elite conceptions that the reality in which witches lived in was essentially one that was an anti-society. Blà ©court (2000: 300) explains that God was a â€Å"guardian of social norms†, while the Devil was just the very opposite. These â€Å"non-women† were persecuted for disobeying the social norms, and some historians even argue that women accused other women of being witches because they felt threatened by an individual who did not conform to the male image of them (Larner, 1981: 102). The role of the Roman Church was also not to be ignored in the reinforcement of this stereotype. Women ha d an increased likelihood to practice love magic as compared to men (Blà ©court, 2000: 303), and since only priests of the Church could legally practice magic, they were more likely to be persecuted as a result. Remote possibilities While the possible presence of a repressive patriarchy or a societal aversion to deviant behaviour have often been cited as the reasons behind the gender imbalance during the witch-hunts, there are a few other remote possibilities that will be mentioned in the passing. Scully (1995: 857-858) points to how Venetian witches could choose witchcraft as a career option as opposed to being married or forced into prostitution, and this could be an escape from a possibly malevolent life, thereby proving to be a popular alternative for women in the region at that time. In his paper, Goodare (1991: 291-292) argues that economic factors could have been one of the reasons for the witch-hunts. Since the people had fallen upon hard times, those dependent upon charity handouts were hostile to others who were their competition – and these were mainly women. Another article by Ross (Ross, 1995: 333-337) draws an interesting correlation between the outbreak of syphilis in the 16th century and t he persecution of more women than men. He posits that women, being the symbols of fertility, could be shunned due to syphilis as they would be spreading the venereal disease. Further, much of the witch’s behaviour, he says, could be attributed to the madness that is a symptom of the disease. While fascinating, these observations by historians seem to be unique suggestions that do not appear in the literature as main causes for the increased persecution of women. Conclusion To conclude, this report has outlined the stereotype of a witch and what perpetrated this stereotype throughout early modern Europe. It seems persuasive to argue that although there was a strong patriarchal society in those days, this culture did not amount to being misogynistic in nature. The stereotype of the witch that emerge during this period and that was adopted by most modern historians emphasise a few features of witches that generally seem to be a result of the lack of tolerance for social deviant behaviour, and simply reinforced time and again in a vicious cycle. The trend points to the fact that there are a variety of factors that resulted in more women being persecuted than men. Often, this phenomenon can only be attributed to the differences in the various societies in Europe, and the culture of the region or country. Ultimately, it can be concluded that a combination of factors led to more women being persecuted than men. References Anderson, Alan and Gordan, Raymond. 1978. ‘Witchcraft and the Status of Women The Case of England’. The British Journal of Sociology, Vol. 29, No. 2: 171-184. Barry, Jonathan, Hester, Marianne and Roberts, Gareth. 1999. Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe: Studies in Culture and Belief (Past and Present Publications). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. de Blà ©court, Willem. 2000. ‘The Making of a Female Witch’. Gender and History, Vol. 12, No. 2: 125-141. Goodare, Julian. 1998. ‘Women and the Witch-Hunt in Scotland’. Social History, Vol. 23, No. 3: 288-308. Hufton, Olwen. 1983. ‘Women in History. Early Modern Europe’. Past Present, No. 101: 125-141. Larner Christina. 1981. Enemies of God: The Witch-Hunt in Scotland. London: Chatto Windus. Larner, Christina. 1984. Witchcraft and Religion: The Politics of Popular Belief. New York: Basil Blackwell. Laurence, Anne. 1995. Women in Engliand, 1500-1760, A Social History. London: Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated. Levack, Brian. 1987. The Witch-hunt in Early Modern Europe. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Monter, Williams. 1997. ‘Toads and Eucharists: The Male Witches of Normandy, 1564-1660’. French Historical Studies, Vol. 20, No. 4: 563-595. Ross, Eric B. 1995. ‘Syphilis, Misogyny, and Witchcraft in 16th-Century Europe’. Current Anthropology, Vol. 36, No. 2: 333-337. Sawyer, Ronald C. 1989. ‘Strangely Handled in All Her Lyms: Witchcraft and Healing in Jacobean England’. Journal of Social History, Vol. 22, No. 3: 461-485. Scully, Sally. 1995. ‘Marriage or a Career?: Witchcraft as an Alternative in Seventeenth-Century Venice’. Journal of Social History, Vol. 28, No. 4: 857-876. Primary sources: Darst, David H. 1979. ‘Witchcraft in Spain: the Testimony of Martin de Castaà ±ega’s Treatise on Superstition and Witchcraft (1529)’. Kramer, Heinrich and Sprenger James. 1484. Malleus Maleficarum. Accessed 6 October 2009. Available at http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/. Scot, Reginald. 1584. The Discoverie of Witchcraft. Retrieved from Early English Books Online. The practice of harmful magic

The first sin and its punishment

The first sin and its punishment The First Sin and Its Punishment Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God say, You shall not eat from any tree in the garden? 2 The woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die. 4 But the serpent said to the woman, You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. [1] The book of Genesis is one part in an anthology of materials that have been put together over a considerable period of time. Pertaining to be part of a diverse oral tradition, it does not, according to Burnette-Bletsch, have any singular authorship.[2] The book of Genesis is known as the primeval history, as it is believed to be expressive of a time before, there were any recorded histories. As a result, these histories were often recorded at much later stages[3] However, there are some parallels with Ancient near Eastern literature which contradict this statement. As a result, this debate will, in all probability remain sterile. Regardless of the debate, Genesis is deemed to be an historical book. However, not in the modern sense, it is history with a purpose. It is a collection of instructional, educational, and religious material. The very fact that this tradition had been passed down through the generations, may even have led to omissions of material, however, this should not be viewed by the modern academic as a setback.[4] One must also take into account the fact that many people will not all share the same viewpoint. In this respect Biblical narratives are often a complex mix of sources, genres and interpretation, both in their written and oral formats.[5] Known as mosaic authorship the traditional Jewish and Christian belief denotes that the first five books of the Old Testament were Gods inspirational words which were written down by Moses. P J Wiseman somewhat supports this theory, however, he cites Moses as the redactor rather than its author. He also states that there are several clues within Genesis which reveal how it was written. He refers to the toledots or genealogies in Genesis and draws attention to the colophons, believing them to be a specific symbol of authorship. Thus, concluding that the people that are actually named, (Adam, Noah, Shem et al), were the ones who wrote on the clay tablets in cuneiform, therefore, making them the true authors. Moses, subsequently, as a result of his Egyptian influences, just brought together and edited this work from the tablets.[6] However, more liberal theologians generally accept the Wellhausen theory, or documentary hypothesis which asserts that Genesis and the remaining Pentateuch was written by a group of authors, from diverse locations throughout Palestine, over a substantial period of time. The theory is that these books were redacted or compiled from the texts of pre-existing documents. Within this theory there is also the belief that each author wrote with their own particular style. This effectively meant that the mosaic element contained many layers of material which overlapped in some places. These writers are also believed to have had both their own styles and narratives. For example the J writer, wrote with affection for the Hebrew name for God (YAHWH). The E writer alternatively favoured the divine name Elohim. Whilst the D and P documents were names for the Deuteronomic and Priestly writers.[7] The J, E and P authors are believed to overlap in the book of Genesis, which consequently gives both c omplementary and contrasting elements to the understanding of some of Genesiss abstract concepts. However, it is with critical consensus that the J writer is believed to have edited Genesis 3:1-7.[8] In contrast Wenham cites Rendtorff, in that he has challenged the mosaic theory by stating the heterogeneous nature of material in Genesis cannot be ascribed to J.[9] Indeed, who and to what writer, wrote which parts, still remains a contentious issue within theological debates today Some scholars, such as Freidman and Bloom, have also gone so far as to suggest and imply that the J writer was also a female. Bloom especially exploits the fact that she may have been someone who had access to royalty, perhaps the daughter of Solomon, Rehoboams sister. This would fit with the general consensus that J had royal connections and wrote during the tenth century BCE. However, Bloom argues that Rehoboam (922-915) was the king at that time, not David (1000-961), or Solomon. (961-922).[10] The importance of this is that the kingdom under Rehoboam was experiencing internal unrest and rebellion. This was a stark contrast to the kingdom under the reign of David and Solomon.[11] Similarly another interesting point is made by Alicia Ostriker on Blooms feminist perspective. She compares the male characters in The Iliad, The Odyssey, and the Gilgamesh with the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. In comparison she asserts that the biblical ancestors were family men who initiated negotiation and deflected potentially dangerous situations. Whereas, the characters in the above texts were warriors and fighters, this alone may make a case for the survival of a female perspective within the overwhelmingly male dominated traits contained within the Hebrew bible.[12] The book of Genesis covers the largest time period than any of the other books. It covers the periods from creation, up to the time when the Israelites arrived in Egypt and grew into a nation. The literary structure of Genesis is built around eleven separate units. Beginning with the creation and the origins of the universe, through to the early history of the Israelites.[13] This proprietary text also gives and puts the biblical patriarchs into a creation framework. Originally written in Hebrew the title bereshit translates to in the beginning and is a translation of the Hebrew word toledot. [14] As a result Genesis is a history of origins, births, genealogies, and generations. The primary intent of Genesis one to eleven is focused around the parables. These cover the two creation stories, the Fall, Cain and Abel, The Flood and the Tower of Babel.[15] These myths centre upon deep philosophical meaning as opposed to fable or mere legend. They are also far removed from scientific theory. Indeed, the parables of Genesis with its poetic imagery and symbolism must be read, according to Richardson, as poetry and not as prose. In this context, Adam, Eve and the serpent should be viewed as poetical, religious figures, and not as real individuals.[16] Genesis 3: 1-7 has been the subject of many theories and interpretations between scholars alike. It is taken by many as an explanation of original sin. However, the word sin never occurs. Disobedience and its consequences, however, do occur. Phyllis Trible sees Genesis chapter two and three as A love story gone awry. She identifies that the plot is simple and uncomplicated. However, she also believes it to be full of uncertainty and plurality. She identifies that some may interpret Adam as superior to Eve and be both dependant and worthy, of the description troublemaker. However, Trible also notes that Adam remained silent in this text, a sign of his passive weakness perhaps.[17] Schungel-Strauman believes that no gender can claim dominance over the other, as the author of Genesis clearly provided a male and a female, evident in Genesis 1:.26-28.[18] Richardson expresses the view that the serpent within the text is a personification of temptation and should not be thought of as external to that of human nature. However, the J writer does not attempt to answer the philosophical question of where and how evil came into the world, he just tries to portray humanity. For example, the serpent may appeal to ones vanity and may suggest that Gods goodness can be emulated.[19] The serpent appears to be impersonal towards God as he refers to him as God and not Lord God. This bold rhetoric may be a direct challenge on his divinity.[20]As a result this challenge introduces a sense of unease into the text and is possibly a preamble of manipulation and trickery, is thus, imposed upon the reader. However, in contrast the serpent asked Eve an inquisitive, innocent question. Did God say, You shall not eat from any tree in the garden? This could imply that it was God himself speaking.[21] There is also the question of how did the serpent know firstly that God had spoken and secondly, what God had instructed. This could again imply that that the serpent was indeed manipulative and had an ultimate objective. A common interpretation is that the serpent is identifiable as either Satan or the devil. However, the serpent in ancient times was a symbolic figure, prominent and adored around ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Palestine. There was also an opinion that the serpent was intrinsically wise. Indeed, they often guarded the doorways of Egyptian Tombs, which symbolically, represented the mansions of heaven. They were also kept in temples and in the tombs of Kings.[22] To some, the serpent was also seen as a religious emblem, phallic in nature, it was connected to life, especially everlasting, or continuing. This would fit with the theme of both lineage and fertility of beginnings, evident within the book of Genesis. Next the focus appears to be on Eve the woman. Eve begins a dialogue with the serpent and explains both the instruction and consequence of disobeying Gods word. Eve uses the word God just as the serpent had, which possibly could indicate that she felt it was a somewhat harsh command.[23] The fact that the fruit could not be touched or eaten denotes that the action of disobedience would result in death. This could be taken literally, given the fact that both Adam and Eve had not previously touched these items. However, when the serpent answers you will not die and God knows what will happen, implies that God knew that they were going to both disobey and become enlightened in some way. Death therefore, may not have meant physical death but an ending of another sort. Your eyes will be opened, could be where crafty, the description of the serpent fits, or it could be where a bilateral view of good and evil in the world becomes evident to man. In so much as God had decreed a death sentenc e and the serpent had predicted increased knowledge.[24] However, Eve choose to ignore Gods instruction and take those of a crafty serpent, lured by his promise of liberation, freedom and knowledge, rather than the consequences of death. Yet in her ignorance, disobedience and doubt become parallel processes in so much as, when we obey God we fail to assert ourselves. This failure can then cause doubt and consequently, disobedience. Thus, when the serpent suggests that God did not forbid the eating of the fruit, it may have signified Gods divinity or his concern for humanity. Comparatively, human assertion may have highlighted the need for them to be the central figures, and not God. As a result, this rebellion may have signified human pride, which in turn led to sin, and equated to them wanting a parallel and equality with God.[25] Eve again is the central figure in Genesis 3: 6 and rather than be under the guidance of God, she possibly tries to assert her independence. One interpretation comes from Clare Amos, who believes that this verse is a metaphor for the maturity of both society and human beings. She suggests that Paul in (Rom7.7-12) also supports this theory. She further highlights the idea by explaining that the use of the adjectives, pleasing and desirable draw upon the idea of sexual maturity .Indeed, under the guidance of the serpent, a phallic symbol, the bodys senses became more obvious. When the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. Amos, attributes this as a representation of them leaving an immature state of mind and thus, conforming to the constraints of society.[26] As in non biblical primeval narratives, clothing was a mark of civilisation.[27] In conclusion, Genesis 3 is the prologue to mans salvation, resulting from man disobedience towards God, However, it should not be read literally, but in context to ones own understanding. It serves as a theoretical text for the universal question of disobedience. However, it culminates in God not destroying man, but preserving his life. This redemption consequently sets him on a path towards salvation.[28] The book of Genesis is that path as it portrays a concept of human conduct, which both illustrates and illuminates our choices. It offers both subtle guidance and regulations and deals effectively and metaphorically with the possible consequences of noncompliance. Regulation is the backbone of any society, it cannot exist effectively without some controls. As a result the book of Genesis served as an interactive narrative that highlighted these issues and that in turn united the ancient societies. [1] Coogan, Michael, D, (ed), The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha 3rd Edition NRSV, (Oxford, 2007).pp.14-15 [2] Burnette- Bletsch, Rhonda, Studying The Old Testament, (Abingdon Press, U.S, 2007).p.8 [3] Ibid, p.125 [4] Vawter, Bruce, A Path Through Genesis, (London, 1957).p.21 [5] Edward L. Greenstein, The Formation of the Biblical Narrative Corpus AJS Review, Vol. 15, No. 2 (Autumn, 1990), p.162 [6] http://www.british-israel.ca/Genesis.htm [7] Vawter, Bruce, A Path Through Genesis, (London, 1957).p.23 [8] Speiser,E,A, The Anchor Bible Series, Genesis, (New York, 1964). p. XXVII [9] Wenham, Gordon, J, World Biblical Commentary, Genesis 1-15, (Nelson word Pub Group, 1987). p.xxix [10] Phyllis Trible The Bible in Bloom The Iowa Review, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Fall, 1991), pp.21-22 [11]Hill, A, Walton J, H, A Survey Of The Old Testament 2nd Ed, (Grand Rapids Zondervan, 2000). p.157 [12] Alicia Ostriker, The Book of J The Iowa Review, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Fall, 1991), p.16 [13] Speiser, The Anchor Bible Series, Genesis, p. LV [14] Burnette- Bletsch, Studying The Old Testament, p.25 [15] Richardson, Genesis 1-11, p.27 [16] Ibid, p.30 [17] Trible, Phyllis, God And The Rhetoric Of Sexuality, (Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1978). p 72 [18] Brenner, Athalya, (ed), A Feminist Companion To Genesis, (Sheffield, Sheffield Academic Press, 1993).p.75 [19] Richardson, Alan, Genesis 1-11, (Torch Bible series, London, 1953).p.71 [20] Burnette- Bletsch, Studying The Old Testament, p.30 [21] Wenham, World Biblical Commentary, Genesis 1-15, p.88 [22] W. G. Moorehead, Universality of Serpent-Worship, The Old Testament Student, Vol. 4, No. 5 (Jan., 1885), p.207 [23] Wenham, World Biblical Commentary, Genesis 1-15, p.88 [24] Burnette- Bletsch, Studying The Old Testament, p.30 [25] Richardson, Genesis 1-11, p72 [26] Amos, Clare, The Book Of Genesis, (Peterborough, Epworth Press, 2004).p.23 [27] Coogan, Michael, D, The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, p15 [28] Richardson, Alan, Genesis 1-11, p.79

Entangled and Entraped in Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot :: Waiting for Godot Essays

Entangled and Entraped in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot       Set against the barren dramatic landscape of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", humanity seems to exist with an interconnected, interdependent, and interchangeable set of relations. Early in the play Beckett introduces the tether as a central metaphor in order to explore the moral, social, and existential implications of this complex web of relations. Pozzo and Lucky are literally tied to one another. Though less tangible, Vladimir and Estragon are joined by an equally powerful emotional bond. Ultimately, even the relationship which defines the motion (or lack thereof) of the entire play, the connection between Godot and Vladimir and Estragon, is described as a form of bondage. Vladimir and Estragon admit that their fate is ultimately tied to the will of Godot.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     At first glance, the rope looped around Lucky's neck and held by Pozzo delineates a fairly clear relationship of power: Pozzo is dominant and Lucky is submissive. While Pozzo does seem to revel in his position of authority, it becomes apparent that the relationship is more involved than it seems. Pozzo tries to explain that Lucky "wants to mollify me so that I'll give up the idea of parting with him" (I, 21). By enslaving himself to Pozzo's wishes, Lucky hopes to ensure the continuation of their relationship. While Pozzo is aware that he is being manipulated, he also states, "You can't drive such creatures away. The best thing to do would be to kill them" (I, 21). Yet all Pozzo's efforts to sever their tie are unsuccessful. In fact, when they reappear in Act II, the rope between the two has shortened and Pozzo is now blind. In a very real, very substantial manner Pozzo has become more dependent on Lucky. Their bond is thus simultaneous ly strengthened and convoluted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Though their connection might lack a tangible symbol, the link between Vladimir and Estragon is no less real or complex. Beckett is able to place both pairs under the common roof of humanity. Pozzo acknowledges that Vladimir and Estragon "are human beings none the less... of the same species as myself" (I, 15). Vladimir and Estragon seem to depend on one another at a more visceral and emotional level, however. There is both love and revulsion between them. Both realize that their relationship is an obstacle to individual happiness, and yet both become desperate at the thought of a solitary existence.

jazz concert review Essay -- essays research papers

The first question I asked myself at the beginning of the quarter was how much do I actually know about jazz? I have always characterized jazz music as a rhythmic and instrumental form of music. My impression on the basis of the jazz has always been portrayed with the African-American race. I think this was build up from the rhythm ‘n’ blues era and meaning according to the dictionary (â€Å"style of music that was invented by African American musicians in the early part of the twentieth century and has very strong rhythms and often involves improvisation†). But Louis Armstrong’s famous reply was â€Å"if you had to ask, you’ll never know†. Whatever else he meant, he was at least saying that jazz is noticeable, but not necessarily understandable by words. (do not really know exact cite where I have got this quote) For my concert review, I went to see the performance of Maynard Ferguson and his big band at Jazz Alley on Jan. 12th 2015. I asked some of my friends to join and they gladly agreed. Since two of my friends were a musician themselves and loved seeing live music whenever possible. They even went ahead and made a reservation. First time in Jazz Alley, the place was filled with various groups of people eating, drinking, and chatting. Our table was in good position, plus I was able to see the stage very well. We ordered some cocktails and everyone looked relaxed and enjoying their evening†¦ except me, as I was worrying about writing a paper. I started to write the names of the ...

Book Report on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott :: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

In 1868, Louisa May Alcott wrote the book Little Women in "response to a publisher's request for a 'girl's book'". Louisa wrote this book by calling upon her own memories of her childhood and putting them down on paper. This is the story of four young girls, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, and how they endure all the trouble and hardships that come along during their lives. They are raised by their mother and by their father, and many interesting characters pop up along the way, such as Laurie, their good-natured next-door neighbor; Laurie later falls in love with Jo but ends up marrying Amy. In the beginning of the story they are all fairly young, the youngest being twelve years old, and their mother, whom they call Marmee, is left to guide them while their father is away fighting in the war. As they grow and mature, they learn many hard lessons about life. For instance, there was the time when Amy, the youngest, suffered her first punishment in school. She carries that anger, humility, and embarrassment with her for the rest of her life. There were also more serious lessons to be learned, like when one of the sisters, Beth, dies. By the end of the book, they really have turned from little women into real women. Jo was the second oldest of the four sisters. Her birth name was Josephine, but she always thought that it sounded too feminine, so she shortened it to Jo. Clearly, Jo was one of the main characters of the story because many of the events centered on her and the audience learned more about who she was. She was a tomboy at heart and hated all the prim and proper ways of the ladies in those days. Jo was very blunt in her speaking and always said exactly what was on her mind. However, most people felt right at ease speaking with her because she had a way of making them feel comfortable, despite her frankness. Jo was the one who first had enough courage to go over to the frightening house next door and talk with the Laurence Boy, whom they knew as Laurie after that, and became the best of friends with him. Despite that one good trait, Jo has an uncontrollable temper that can erupt at any time. This is quite evident one day when Amy burns one of Jo's most precious items-a book that she wrote stories in and had for years.

Managing Workplace Performance (Verizon Communication INC)

The balanced score card was a measure taken by the Human Resource department, towards assessing the quality of their own operations. The head of marketing J. Randall McDonald thought of referring to the framework for the Balanced Score Card (Datar & Epstein, 2001), as set by Kaplan and Nortan in their book, to assess the performance of the HR and both in term of quantitative and qualitative measures. Implementation: The implementation of the balanced score card approach, for the performance measurement, was strategically implied by GTE. The HR department outlined five factors to categorize the measure to be included in the score card. They were (Datar & Epstein, 2001); Talent: To invest and advocate in a diverse and talented workforce. Leadership: Groom the prospective leaders, assess their contributions and attributes. Holding them responsible and giving them incentives for tasks accomplished. Customer service and support: Train the customers with the complete knowledge of the company’s products and services. Foster a customer-oriented approach. Organizational integration: Establishing healthy relations with the internal customers/employees and supporting the free flow of information. HR capability: Investing in the necessary technologies to improve the productivity of the employees (Cascio, 2002) and assess the performances of individuals for job rotation and enrichment. To develop certain performance measures, for the balanced score card, the HR department formed a team named ‘PMA’. This team was responsible for assessing the overall situation and categorizing different developed as well as suggested performance measures under the five categories defined above. The feedback from the presidents of the different divisions of the company had a huge amount of questions gathered to be answered. These questions involved issues regarding (Datar & Epstein, 2001); The competencies of the workers Placement of workers at the correct job GTE’s concerns towards encouraging g a participative environment Productivity and efficiency of the Human resource of the organization Cost effectiveness of providing services to customers Cost of employees’ turnover Employees’ reward and compensation scheme Justification and Cost-Benefit analysis of the investment in the HR by the company Some of the questions posed in ‘Exhibit 2’ (Datar & Epstein, 2001) which seem superfluous are; Are we investing in growing our HR? Of course they are, in fact that is the reason why they initiated to develop such a scorecard. Are we using technology to improve HR efficiency? Yes, the company is already investing and employing technology in improving the work performance of its employees. Some of the questions that should have been included are; How can the company ensure that employees really get the advantage of the investments done on them? How to make the employees realize that the company really cares for their development? Are we recruiting the right people for the company? What makes the employees, existing as well as prospective, to fit in the company? The number of existing as well as prospective employees should always be balanced against the revenues. However, the non-financial measures also play a vital role in the assessment of the performance of the employees. As per the works of the authors Christopher D. Ittner and David F. Larcker, the activities performed should be directly linked to the operations, productivity, costs (reductions) and revenues of the company; when linking the non-financial measures with productivity and performance of the employee(s) special care should be taken (Christopher & Larcker, 2003). Making inefficient use of controls to measure employees’ performance might instead lead to employees and customers’ dissatisfaction. As identified by the two authors, Ittner and Larcker, out of the four mistakes GTE was making the ‘First’ and the ‘Third’ one. First Mistake: Not linking measures to strategy. By developing the scorecard, the HR only attempted to justify these investments against the short tem incentives such as increase in sales and/or productivity. However they did not analyzed, at any stage, whether there move was consistent with the overall corporate strategic objectives (Gareth & Charles, 2005). This can be proved by the forecasted increase, by the managers, in the revenues from 1997 through out till 2006 at 10% per annum. This seemed ridiculous when the figures of high employees’ turnover and low customer retentions were revealed. Third Mistake: Not setting the right performance targets. Mr. MacDonald needed to have set the right targets to be achieved by each individual that he hired, trained and placed within the organization. When defining their roles and responsibilities, Mr. Randall should have taught the workforce to better understand their targets in correspondence with their positions. Conclusion: Thus in the end we can say that GTE, despite being the largest local landline telephone provider in the U.S., had the difficulties with its employees, which are an asset to any company. The company should exercise a more participative approach, to be successful. It was estimated, as per the article, that 1% increase in the Employee Engagement Index (EEI) reflected a direct increase of 0.48% in the level of customer satisfaction, which is a positive result. References Datar Srikant & J. Epstein Marc (2001) Verizon Communication INC, Implementing a Balanced Scorecard: Harvard Business Review. D. Ittner Christopher & F. Larcker David (2003) Coming Up Short on Nonfinancial Performance Measurement: Harvard Business Review. Gareth R. Jones, Jennifer M. George & Charles W. L. Hill (2005) Principles of Management.: McGraw-Hill Cascio Wayne (2002) Managing Human Resources: Productivity, Quality of Work Life, Profits: McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Whales vs Dolphins

The oceans are inhabited by various kinds of animals and plants, such as fish, cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises), cephalopods (octopus and squid), crustaceans (lobsters, clams, shrimp and krill), planktons, starfish, Jelly fish etc. The largest In bulk Is the cetacean order. Although whales and dolphins have different outer appearance they belong to the same order and share many similarities. First of all, they are both mammals and share similar characteristics of the anatomy.They have similar vital organs and skeleton, and they breathe and eproduce in the same way. If we scrutinize (take under scrutiny) their way of breathing, we can see that both of them breathe through blow holes which are nasal openings on top of their head. Both breathe with lungs which make them different from the class of fish. Moreover, they reproduce in the same way – by giving birth to a live young which is nourished with milk by its mothers. 80th have one calf at a time and their gestation p eriod ranges from 9 to 18 months.The calves are born tall first to minimize the risk of drowning. Then the calf Is lifted by Its mother to the surface so that It takes Its first breath. Nursing continues for more than a year. Secondly, we can spot many similarltles regarding their social behavior, vocalization and sleeping methods. Whales and dolphins live In plods which are groups of either whales or dolphins respectively. Members of the pod protect each other, feed and migrate together. The number of pods members may vary from 2 to 50. Additionally, they communicate between each other by emitting sounds i. . by vocalization. There use dfferent sounds for different purposes. Generally, these sounds are used for communication, attracting mates and localizing pray i. e. echolocation. What is more, they display similar behavior when it comes down to their sleeping methods. They are both conscious breathers and thus they cannot afford to be unconscious while sleeping because that may l ead to drowning. Hence only one hemisphere of their brain sleeps at a time, so they rest but are never completely asleep. Thirdly, they are considered to have high Intelligence and emotional empathy.Both are highly social beings and they have a complex form of communication with each other which can be defined as language. They cooperate with each other, teach, learn and even grieve. They are very protective of each other and will defend their family and pod from any potential threats. Moreover, they are able to sympathies not only with their relatives but also with other animals in need. Their possession of spindle cells indicates a possibility of high intelligence. Spindle cells are also found in humans, apes and elephants.Scientists find them to have an important role in any cognitive abilities and disabilities ranging from great perceptiveness and perfect pitch to autism and dyslexia. What Is more, in self-awareness experiments they can Identify their reflections in a mirror. To sum up, despite their different physical appearance they are strikingly slmllar. They belong to the same cetacean order and thus share many traits regarding their are compassionate, sociable animals which treat their families in a similar way we do. They are fascinating creatures and I believe that there is even more to surprise us if we explore them further.

Human Resources Policies Essay

Armstrong, (2006) defined Human Resource policies as continuing guidelines on the approach the organization intends to adopt in managing its people. In addition, it can also be defined as the philosophies and values of the organization on how people should be treated, and from these are derived the principles upon which managers are expected to act when dealing with Human Resource matters. Human Resource policies therefore serve as reference points when employment practices are being developed, and when decisions are being made about people. Mullins, (2005) highlighted that Human Resource Management must be committed to creating a working environment free from discrimination and where all employees are treated equally with dignity, courtesy and respect. This can be done by putting into place Human Resource policies that shows how people should be treated, and from these are derived the principles upon which managers are expected to act when dealing with Human Resource matters. The most common areas in which specific Human Resource policies exist are HIV and AIDS, discipline, employee development, employee relations, recruitment and selection, equal opportunity, grievances, health and safety, managing diversity, promotion, redundancy, reward, sexual harassment, substance abuse and work life balance and e-mails and the internet. Cole (1997) argued that this employment equity policy helps in preventing discrimination and promoting equality in the workplace. The equal opportunity policy should spell out the organization’s determination to give equal opportunities to all, irrespective of sex, race, creed, disability, age or marital status. The policy should also deal with the extent to which the organization wants to take affirmative action to redress imbalances between numbers employed according to sex or race, or to differences in the levels of qualifications and skills they have achieved. According to the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01),Section 5 states that no employer shall discriminate any employee or prospective employee on grounds of race, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, gender, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS status or subject to the Disabled Persons Act (Chapter 17:01). Every manager must take steps to promote equal opportunity in the workplace by eliminating unfair discrimination in any employment policy or practice within their sphere of authority. All forms of unfair discrimination, whether direct or indirect, are prohibited and it is the responsibility of all employees to inform themselves about and refrain from perpetrating unfair discrimination. The sexual harassment policy is another policy which aims at preventing and managing sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; or is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such an individual. The company must prohibit inappropriate conduct that is sexual in nature at work, on company business, or at company sponsored events. This can be done by prohibiting comments, jokes, or degrading language or behavior that is sexual in nature, sexually suggestive objects, books, magazines, photographs, cartoons, pictures, calendars, posters or electronic communications and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or any sexual touching this is according to Armstrong (2006). Sexual harassment is prohibited whether it’s between members of the opposite sex or members of the same sex. All managers have a key responsibility in establishing and maintaining a workplace free from personal harassment and they are directly responsible for the conduct of their staff. Sexual harassment is regarded as gross industrial misconduct and if proved makes the individual liable for instant dismissal. Less severe penalties may be reserved for minor cases but there will always be a warning that repetition will result in dismissal. Therefore all employees are expected to comply with this policy and that it is the pers onal responsibility of each employee to ensure that inappropriate conduct does not occur, as stated by Armstrong (2010). Safety policies should reflect the employers commitment to safety and health at work and should indicate what standards of behavior are to be aimed for in safety and health welfare matters. The policy statement should be drawn to the attention of all employees. In practice this is achieved by issuing a safety policy document to all employees via their pay packets, or by issuing company handbooks which include details of the policy. The important point is that the employer should be able to show that he has done more than just pin up a notice in various parts of his premises, this is postulated by Mullins (2005). The HIV/Aids policy is also used and its purpose is to provide guidance on managing departmental responses to HIV/AIDS in a manner that complies with the National Aids Policy and applicable laws, eliminates unfair discrimination and enables the harnessing of each person’s full potential. Employees who know that they are infected with HIV will not be obliged to disclose the fact to the company, but if they do, the fact will remain completely confidential. There must be no discrimination against anyone with or at risk of acquiring AIDS. In addition, employees infected by HIV or suffering from AIDS must be treated no differently from anyone else suffering a severe illness. All human resources processes and practices should promote an affirming non-discriminatory environment that fosters respect for the dignity of all while ensuring the maximum productivity of each employee regardless of HIV/AIDS status. This will be done through a regular review of all human resources practices and processes to eliminate existing or potential direct and indirect discrimination on the ground of HIV/AIDS. A prospective employee will not be required to disclose his or her HIV/AIDS status, there shall be no pre-employment HIV/AIDS testing in respect of a prospective employee and both permanent and contract employees are not obliged to disclose their HIV/AIDS status, as subject to Labour Relations Act (chapter 28:01). Recruitment and selection policies are also used to ensure a work environment that is anti discriminatory, democratic, respectful of rights, mindful of dignity and legally sound or legitimate. The Human resource department must be committed to utilise recruitment and selection practices that are based on merit, equity, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past so as to achieve a department that is broadly representative. According to Storey (1995), the recruitment process should reflect the department’s employment equity values and goals. Moreover, all phases of the recruitment process must support the recruitment of suitably qualified men and women from diverse racial and other backgrounds with a view to giving them an opportunity to serve all the people with excellence and responsiveness. Considerations of affirmative action will inform the entire recruitment process. The policy on age and employment should take into account that age is a poor predictor of job performance. It is misleading to equate physical and mental ability with age. More of the population are living active, healthy lives as they get older. Therefore the policy should define the approach the organization adopts to engaging, promoting and training older employees. It should emphasize that the only criterion for selection or promotion should be ability to do the job; and for training, the belief that the employee will benefit, irrespective of age. The policy should also state that age requirements should not be set out in external or internal job advertisements. Armstrong (2006). Diversity management policy is a concept that recognizes the benefits to be gained from differences. A policy on managing diversity recognizes that there are differences among employees and that these differences, if properly managed, will enable work to be done more efficiently and effectively. This concept does not focus exclusively on issues of discrimination but instead concentrates on recognizing the differences between people. Maund (2001) express it, the concept of managing diversity is founded on the premise that harnessing these differences will create a productive environment in which everyone will feel valued, where their talents are fully utilized and in which organizational goals are met. The diversity management policy must acknowledge cultural and individual differences in the workplace, state that the organization values the different qualities that people bring to their jobs, emphasize the need to eliminate bias in such areas as selection, promotion, performance asse ssment, pay and learning opportunities and focus attention on individual differences rather than group differences. Mathis, (2003) is of the view that the disciplinary policy should state that employees have the right to know what is expected of them and what could happen if they infringe the organization’s rules. It would also make the point that, in handling disciplinary cases, the organization will treat employees in accordance with the principles of natural justice. It must be the policy of the company that employees should be given a fair hearing by their immediate supervisor or manager concerning any grievances they may wish to raise, have the right to appeal to a more senior manager against a decision made by their immediate supervisor or manager and have the right to be accompanied by a representative of their own choice when raising a grievance or appealing against a decision. Cole, (1997) highlighted that the reward policy must cover matters as providing an equitable pay system, equal pay for work of equal value, paying for performance, competence, skill or contribution, sharing in the success of the organization and the relationship between levels of pay in the organization and market rates. There must not be discrimination of employees in pay levels. This will encourage the optimum productivity from employees and ensures high level of quality output. A performance management system must be put in place so as to pay employees according to their performance and efforts. Armstrong (2006) is of the opinion that job evaluation must also be done in a fairly and equitable manner so as to have a free work environment. In conclusion, companies must be committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Human Resource policies must prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace, whether committed by or against managers, co-workers, customers, vendors, or visitors. Employees must work and develop in an environment that is anti-discriminatory, democratic, respectful of rights, mindful of dignity, legally sound and productive. Workplace discrimination or harassment based on an employee’s race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age status, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law, must not be tolerated. REFERENCES Armstrong, M. (2006) Strategic Human Resource Management, (3rd Ed), London: Kogan. Armstrong, M. (2006) A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, (10th Ed), London: Kogan. Cole G.A. (1997), Personnel Management, Theory and Practice, London: Continuum. Labour Relations Act Regulations (1998), HIV and AIDS, Government Printers: Zimbabwe. Maund, L. (2001), An Introduction to Human Resource Management Theory And Practice, New York: Palgrave. Mullins, L. J. (2005), Management and Organizational Behavior, England: Prentice Hall. Storey, J.(1995), Human Resource Management: A critical text, London: Routledge.

Van Gough Poet Garden vs. Monet Water Lilies

Art has been part of human lives for thousands of years. From the cave paintings to metal framework, people have gazed at arts while comparing and criticizing it. It is said that an art is representation of an artist’s lifestyle and events. Basically Artists paint on the events based on their lives. Such as Cloude Monet and Vincent Van Gough, their artwork was based on movements of Impressionism and Post Impressionism. Their interest shows outdoor environment to show effect of natural sun light or atmospheric light on day to day life scene.Claude Monet’s â€Å"Water Lilies† is the great example of outdoor paintings and Vincent Van Gogh’s â€Å"The garden of the poets† is based on two poets combining with the garden that he is referring to. Impressionist Monet was born in France while Vincent Van Gough was born in Germany. Both paintings are two dimensional and same medium Oil on Canvas is used. Water Lilies was painted in 1906 with size of 34 ? by 3 6 ? inches. Van Gough’s The Garden of Poets was painted in 1888 with size of 28 ? by 36 ? inches. Van Gough’s painting the garden of poets is based on two dimensions.The subject matter is landscape by using sunlight reflects from the leaves of the trees. Vincent Van Gough describes in his painting The Garden of poets, â€Å"a corner of garden with a weeping tree, grass, round clipped cedar shrubs and an oleander bush†¦.. There is a citron sky over everything, and also the colors have the richness and intensity of autumn†¦. † by writing a letter to his brother Theo after arriving in Arles, France. When Van Gogh took a refuge in the Yellow House and he continued to paint with quality and style.The garden of poets include a weeping tree and oleander, cypress, shrubs and bushes are colored lime green while the sky is colored citron yellow indicating at autumn season. In Monet’s water lilies, he uses alike colors green and blue. Water is colored blue while lilies are painted green. Although it does not seem real, he uses colors laid on top of each other to clarify refraction of the light and changing shades of the colors to show depth of the pond. What really separates both paintings from each other is the hidden meaning behind them.For example, when Van Gough painted the poets garden, he included the oleander to represent Boccaccio. Boccaccio was Van Gough’s younger friend and protage, the bush and the shrubs in the painting were for his other friends Donte and Petrarch. Weeping tree is the symbol for mourning or loss while the cypress symbolizes death or mortality. Even though Van Gogh included feelings for his friends and the poets he admired, the reason why he painted Garden of Poet’s was all because of Gauguin. In August of 1888, Van Gogh wrote a letter to Gauguin to come and work with him at Arles.His hopes were turned into a disappointment when Gauguin wrote back replying: â€Å"with his debts mounting by the day, his south seemed less and less probable† (Thames & Hundson, p 140, 2001). Van Gogh began to think that Gauguin would never want to come to Arles thus he became more frustrated with his life. While residing at Yellow House at Arles, Van Gogh said â€Å"If what one is doing gives a glimpse into infinity, and if one sees that one’s work has its own raison d’etre and continues beyond, then one works more serenely† ( Thames & Hudson, p 142, 2001).Van Gogh had a suspicion that Gauguin had postponed his trip to Arles was because of debt or the fact the he hated Arles but rather he had another goal in mind. With this suspicion, Van Gogh began painting the Garden of Poets. He represented his disappointment regarding Gauguin letter by weeping tree along with cypress. Van Gough painted based on his feelings while Monet painted random series of Water Lilies. Basically Monet did not have any hidden meanings behind Water Lilies.After acquiring ownership in Give rny, Monet decided to build Japanease Style Bridge over a pond and had the idea of painting water lilies where it is a random series of artwork unlike Van Gough. Another contrast between Water Lilies and The Poet’s Garden is the use of the colors. In Monet’s Water Lilies, he uses cool colors to paint water and the shadow of the skies in the water with source of sunlight and atmospheric light reflections. In Poets of Garden, green and yellow are the major colors used and the source of light is also sunlight and he uses warm colors for the skies to show the autumn season.Autumn season represents Van Gogh’s feeling towards the painting, Sadness and loss. Monet is only interested on Impressionist movement showing the effect of sunlight on outdoor objects. He does not show any feelings or hidden meanings behind his series of Water Lilies except for wealth and ownership. He paints to represent impression of objects similar to photography. â€Å"In 1893, a few years a fter acquiring ownership of the property at Giverny, Monet purchased a small pond fed by the river Ru, which he embellished as a water garden.Branches of weeping willow and silver birch hang over the water, grasses grew along undulating banks and the pond itself was planted with varieties of water lily†¦.. ’something for amusement and for the pleasure of the eyes’, Monet said. ‘It took me some time to understand my water lilies. I planted them for pleasure, I cultivated them without thinking of painting them. †(Judith Bumpus, p 37, 1991). Monet uses arc of the Japanease bridge as a frame to show different perspective of the pond as he observes it by changing light and weather. The water surface he draws has a reflective quality on the sea and rivers that had always intrigued him.He paints water as a still surface, mirror-like transparent. By viewing this painting it seems like we are standing on the edge of the water, where reflection of the atmospheri c light and trees are seen. The most visible difference between Water Lilies and The Poet’s Garden is that Monet uses impressionist mechanism to make his painting look like photography. Van Gogh on the other side uses more artistic formal style to finish his artwork. Both impressionist and post impressionist have similar point of view to describe their art work. By comparing two paintings the elements of arts are almost same.Both artists are using sun light as a light source. Van Gogh uses landscape as a subject matter and warm colors to show skies of autumn which he compares with his yellow house and long linear green grass. Monet uses cool colors to show water and light colors to show reflection. The mass of the water lilies are light, the trees in Van Gogh’s painting are heavy. The weight on the water lilies is not equally balanced; more water lilies are shown on the upper right corner than lower left corner. Lines are organic, curved, thin and soft edged in water l ilies. In the Garden of Poets, lines are organic curved, soft edged and light.The shapes are organic, actual, simple and regular in both paintings. The tones of colors are subtle, colors of paintings are realistic and both secondary and tertiary colors are used. The values of lightness are mid-range, high contrast value in Garden of Poets and chiaroscuro in water lilies are seen by viewing in atmospheric light. Monet uses colors in impressionist perspective to show shadow of the clouds. â€Å"his easel and canvases at the water’s edge he could study the play of natural colours and textures among the floating plants and among the fall and forth of overhanging trees†¦.Monet’s continuing concern with colour harmonies prompted as strongly emotive response. Foliage and flowers, seen in magical, silvery light, are transformed in glittering greens, blues, pinks and yellows. † (Bumpus, p 37, 1991) In water lilies, Monet plays with colors to show the effect of light , shadows and to show depth of the pond. He uses cool colors such as blue and pink Mass of the objects seem real, actual and light weight in water lilies, both paintings are two dimensional.The space is shallow in both paintings, Monet and Van Gogh are not interested in showing illusion in these paintings but they are painted in atmospheric and aerial perspective. Both artists use colors to show the effect of the seasons. Monet uses day light in high contrasting values. â€Å"he paints before the shadows disappear† according to A day in the country that Monet paints by using timing and he actually uses different day times to show the difference between lightness and darkness. Both painters are not interested in showing illusions. Monet shows the realistic point of view, Van Gogh on the other side uses artistic point of view. It becomes clear that the garden was really dedicated to Paul Gaugin, whose arrival he awaited and whom he expected to be ‘the new local poetâ€⠄¢. In his imagination this perfectly ordinary garden has been endowed with intensely personal and symbolic meaning. † (Bupmpus, p 39, 1991) Van Gogh shows personal intensity for Gauguin’s arrival. Monet on the other side uses his techniques to show impressionism, he uses paintings in circles and squares to try out different shadings of colors to show dusk and dawn timings in light to dark lights in his water lilies.Water Lilies is Monet’s experimental paintings â€Å"the subsequent twenty are much more experimental.. Only three continue the horizontal format. The others are square, circular, or vertical, suggesting monet was testing all of his options(Pls. 221-224). The vertical panels are more venturesome†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ these vertical scenes are sliced down the middle by a meandering trail of sky. † (Tucker, p 194, 1995) An art is representation of an artist’s lifestyle and events. Van Gogh painted The Garden of Poet’s with very deep passion and emotions.This painting was all about mourning, sorrow, sadness, hopes and dreams. Van Gogh dreamed of working with Gauguin for a while and had hoped that one day he would show up to his Yellow House and work with him. Monet on the other hand was intrigued with impression with outside world and how he viewed them. Even though these two famous artists lived very different life style, they both loved art and wanted to express and share their thought with outside world. They both conveyed their message through color, shades, brushstroke and transformed a mere art into a priceless piece.