Business Environment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Environment - Assignment Example To meet their objectives and sustain the shareholders, a business may raise the dividend amount so as to offer satisfactory returns to this category of stakeholders. However, shareholders should not always expect huge returns; there is always an extent beyond a company may not go, depending on the economical status and market forces (Daphne, 2015, p.3). The objective of the government as one of the stakeholders is to ensure the operations of a business are ethically carried out and that taxation policies are adhered to. To meet this objective, an organisation must ensure that a business license is obtained before commencing its operations. It must observe regular and timely tax payment. However, higher taxation may lead to a downfall of business (Daphne, 2015, p.5). Government must, therefore, consider market structure and make its taxation as flexible as possible. The objectives of customers are sometimes very challenging to meet due to their compounded nature. Customers have put higher expectations on the product price, quality, quantity, taste, branding, taste and other related aspects of a product. A business owes customers all these duties. Depending on the level of competition and product differentiation, an organisation may not meet the exact needs of customers; one quality will always be missing. The very quality may be found in another product from a different organisation. Market structures are several interconnected factors that bind the seller, the buyers and the products. Normally, the type of market faced by a business firm will determine its decision on pricing and level of output. It should be noted that a business is never free to set the prices of its products; the pricing is always dependant of the preexisting forces in the market. It, thus, implies that the limit of profit is always a subject of the market structures (Ciliberto, 2009, p.180). The flexibility of a

The Creole language

The Creole language The Creole language that will be considered during this essay will be Mauritian Creole. Mauritius is found of the African continent, in the south west of the Indian ocean. This island was visited by the Portuguese in the early 16th Century, and by the Dutch in the 17th Century. They were the ones whom first permanently settled there, however due to certain conditions on the island, such as the weather conditions which they could not adapt to, caused them to leave some years later. At this time, the French were ruling the island near Mauritius, which is called la Reunion, and therefore saw this as an advantage and took control of Mauritius in the 18th Century, and as a result it was under the French rule. The French started importing slaves from different areas, such as East and West Africa, India and Madagascar and grew in numbers quite rapidly. They settled on the island using a Creole as a means of communication. Due to the increase in the numbers of slaves, the European population diminished, which caused the Creole language to expand. Some time later during the Napoleon war Britain took over, which meant that English became the language of the government and also education. However, French was still the language used in other domains, but Creole was used the most. At the moment the population of Mauritius is around 1.2 million, whom all speak the Creole language, even though it has been known that English is the official language. In A.Richards book, he states that English is not the preferred language regardless of the fact that it has a colonial past on the island and that â€Å"beyond school and work it is rarely used.†He adds that, â€Å"the official language of Mauritius is English, although most Mauritians are more comfortable speaking French. The language of the people, however, is Creole.†(A.Richards, R.Ellis, D.Shuurman P21) Although Creole is spoken by the majority of its inhabitants, â€Å"people who want to climb the social ladder† are now choosing French or English. â€Å"This fact proves again the sociological content of pidgins and creoles. In most areas they are spoken by the lower classes and abandoned as soon as a person aspires to a higher position in society.†(M.K Adler P54) In actual fact, the pidgins of Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean areas all have â€Å"connections with each other through European colonisation and the slavery system.†(M.Sebba P169) Firstly the term ‘Creole will be taken into consideration, in order to get a better understanding of what will be explained. â€Å"This term has been appropriated by linguists to describe a particular group of languages spoken not only by Black populations in and around the Caribbean, but in many other locations world-wide.†(H.Nwenmely P15) When people from different origins came together, the only way they could communicate would be with simple vocabulary and grammar. Therefore, pidgin as a language was used, until it was expanding and therefore resulting in Creole which, â€Å"results fulfils all the communication needs of its speakers but, while the vocabulary is drawn from the dominant language, the structures which it uses are often very different, and, in many cases, derive from the subordinate languages.†(H.Nwenmely P16) Let us examine the connection between Creole and pidgin language. It can be said that there exists a strong link between Creole and pidgin because if the original language that is spoken by the native speakers is a pidgin, it has been nativised. In other words, it has become a creole language. â€Å"The idea that creole languages are nativised pidgins emerged during the late sixties and developed in the seventies.†(C.Lefebvre P14) Usually, a Creole becomes more complex and refined than a pidgin, which then results in â€Å"its vocabulary expands, its grammar stabilises and its pronunciation becomes more fixed†. (M.K Adler P14) According to C.Lefebvre, â€Å"Creoles can emerge rapidly, in this case in one generation†(P15) Pidgins are known to be more of a second language, in other words a language which is learnt throughout generations, whilst Creole is developed by children as a native language. Therefore, pidgins are â€Å"contact languages without native speak ers,†whilst Creoles are â€Å"contact languages with native speakers.†(M.Sebba P169) Nevertheless we need to remember that even though pidgins and creoles are different, they both ‘share structural features such as grammatical simplicity and small vocabularies when compared with their lexifiers. (M.Sebba P168) In general, Mauritian Creole is an easy language to be learnt as â€Å"there are no grammatical rules†andâ€Å"English, French and Indian words can be adapted by â€Å"Creolising† them.†(A.Richards, R.Ellis, D.Shuurman P21) Therefore, the speaker can utilise the language to communicate in a non-structured way, whereby the style of speaking, vocabulary, syntax, phonology or grammatical structures can be as good and as acceptable as any other language, as it is also â€Å"not formalized and as such does not have a dictionary.† (http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Mauritian:Creole.htm) One main linguistic feature which can be examined in the Mauritian Creole, is the lexifier. â€Å" Where a single language is identified as the source of the majority of the lexicon of a pidgin or creole, it is known as the lexifier†¦the lexifier often equates with the European colonisers language where there is one.†(M.Sebba P25) This language contains many words from the French language, but according to Sebba, she states that â€Å"Baker (1972) notes that more than 150 words are derived from English, more than 50 from Indian languages and several from Malagasy and Chinese.†(M.Sebba P144). It is possible to say that many words clearly origin from the French words but in the Creole lexicon, for example the French ‘le, la, l is usually connected with the noun it affects. Moreover in French, articles are frequently joined with the preposition ‘de. However, in Mauritian Creole, the sound which is produced can undoubtedly be reflected into a single word. E xamples of this could be ‘le pied in French, which in English means foot, becomes ‘lipye in Mauritian Creole. Furthermore, de leau meaning water in English, becomes ‘dilo in Mauritian Creole. As we can see, the articles which exist in the French language, ‘le and ‘la becomes part of the actual word itself. Nevertheless, some words that exist have completely changed their meanings. One example would be â€Å"gayh†, which means â€Å"to have something† in Mauritian, which originally comes from the French word â€Å"gagner†, meaning â€Å"to win something.† Phonology is another aspect which can be examined. This term can be described as the study of sounds, and in this case, the study of the sound system of Mauritian Creole. Phonology can be linked with the organs of speech (palates, alveolar ridge) and how it is used, and also it can mean the features of sound, for example accents and intonation. The sound system for Mauritian Creole is very similar to French, however it still has some obvious differences. This can be said as â€Å"the Creole does not have some of the more deeper and rounded consonants that the French does. For example, manger (eat) in Creole is written manzer and is spoken the same as the French, with the exception that the more rounded g sound in the French is flattened to sound like the s in the English word vision.†(http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Mauritian:Creole.htm) Another aspect which can be recognised is the rounded vowels which exist, such as â€Å"U† and â€Å"EU† that are pronounced as â€Å"I†, â€Å"U†, â€Å"E† and â€Å"O†, which in French are usually pronounced as â€Å"U† and â€Å"EU†. Another striking example would be â€Å"among the many phonological regularities in the derivation of Mauritian Creole words from French is the following tidy principle: French nasal vowels remain nasal†¦but when the French is followed by a word final voiced plosive (d, b, or g) the final plosive is dropped, the MC vowel is denasalised†and â€Å"m,n and ng becomes a sharply pronounced consonant.†(Seuren P100-101) The Mauritian orthography also generally follows French, but some silent letters are not taken into account, which cuts the number of ways in which the same word can be spelt. The vocabulary, in other words, the words or phrases used in Mauritian Creole is interesting to examine. M.Vaughan investigates the languages slave roots. According to her, the linguist and folklorist Charles Baissac reports how Creole uses â€Å"guetter† (to look for) instead of â€Å"regarder† (look). Similarly, â€Å"roder† (to prowl) means â€Å"chercher† (to search in French). Nouns are also important in Mauritian Creole as they do not change when they are pluralised. As a consequence, whether a noun is singular or plural can only be verified by the context. For example, the word â€Å"ban† is put before the noun in order to change the sentence to the plural form, â€Å"ban dimoune† meaning those people, whilst â€Å"dimoune† on its own would mean people. Even though the French â€Å"un/une† is equivalent to the Mauritian â€Å"en†, the way in which it can be used is different. In Creole the article â€Å"la† is used, however it is placed after the noun it changes. In French you would say, â€Å"un chat†, â€Å"le chat†, â€Å"les chats†, whilst in Mauritian you would say â€Å"en chat†, â€Å"chats-la†, ban-chats.† Whether or not the pronoun is the subject, object, possessive, male or female, there is only one word which is used to describe these. This word is â€Å"li†, which can be used to describe he, she, him, her, it or hers. There are also words which are used in sentences to indicate the tenses. For past tense, the word â€Å"ti† is used before the action, â€Å"fin† is used to mark the perfect tense, and â€Å"va† for future. The syntax of Mauritian Creole, especially the use of their question words is also interesting to note, which DeGraff explains in his book. The way in which Creole contrasts with both the English and French language is that it does not have a â€Å"subject-auxiliary inversion in connection with wh-movement.†(DeGraff P78) For example, if we directly translate the phrase â€Å"ki u ule fer dinmen?†, it would be â€Å"what you want make tomorrow?†, and in idiomatic English, â€Å"what do you want to do tomorrow?†(P78) Another example would be, â€Å"kan nu ti fer fet la?†, directly meaning â€Å"when we TNS make party DET?†and in idiomatic English, â€Å"when did we have the party?†(P78) DeGraff continues to comment that â€Å"most question words are created in Mauritian Creole by prefixing ‘ki to nouns of time, place, way and so on, which are drawn from the French lexicon.†(DeGraff P78) He then follows on by explaining †Å"such a bio morphemic way of forming wh-words appears to be typical for Creole languages.†(DeGraff P78) On the other hand, while it seems that some structural elements of Mauritian Creole are typical of creoles in general, it is important to note that Mauritian Creole is not entirely typical of Creole languages. We can take H.Wekkers opinion on this when he comments that typically â€Å"creolization is best described as a gradual process of language formation, involving a period of bilingualism in which substrate features will be transmitted.†(Wekker,H P140) He also discusses about â€Å"abrupt creolization†as a way for development when there is â€Å"extremely limited access†to the main language, but that this manner of development of a Creole language is â€Å"the exception rather than the rule.†(P141) However, we can consider that according to some theorists, Mauritian Creole is a perfect example of this kind of abrupt creolisation, whereby the language is a â€Å"radical creole.† (DeGraff P77). As a matter of fact in Sebbas book, she discusses how in 1773, it was stated in a newspaper advertisement how a lost slave did not understand the Creole language. This therefore indicates that twenty two years after the slaves were first imported to Mauritius, â€Å"an identifiable local language had developed,†(Sebba P142) which caused the slaves difficulty in comprehending. Without a doubt, this means that it can be said that this language is not essentially typical of the Creole languages in general as Mauritian Creole seemed to have developed very quickly and not necessarily derived from a pidgin language. Baker and Corne also suggest this in their book, as they believe that Mauritian Creole originated on the island of Mauritius between the years of 1727 and 1738, without ever having any connections with the pidgin languages. Moreover, they suggest that it was the slave children who created the Mauritian Creole, as when they were born in Mauritius, they outnumbered the white settlers. On the other hand of this suggestion, R ichard says â€Å"it evolved from the pidgin used by the French masters of the 18th Century to communicate with their slaves or their masters who invented the Creole language.†(A.Richards, R.Ellis, D.Shuurman P21) Therefore there is an argument which concerns to whether or not it was the slaves or their masters whom created and developed the Mauritian Creole. The fact that Mauritian Creole lacks the pidgin language, it makes it unusual and according to Wekker, it is therefore quite an â€Å"exceptional† language. (Wekker P141)

Essay --

Brian Daniels March 12, 2014 Heart of Darkness In Heart of Darkness, Conrad presents us with two classes of â€Å"darkness†. The savage nature of the natives and the brutality of European imperialism, asking which of the two is the greater evil. In the beginning of the novel, Conrad establishes his thoughts on imperialism through the main character Marlow. The idea of â€Å"darkness† is emphasized from the title of the novel, and continues to play an important role throughout the story. Darkness governs almost everything in the novel. The secluded and harsh attitudes Europeans held towards the native’s increases the darkness throughout the novel. Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness, is based on the historical period of imperialism in order to describe Marlow’s struggle. Marlow is asked by "the company", the organization who he works for, to travel to the Congo River and report back to them about Mr. Kurtz, a top notch officer of theirs. When he first sets sail, he doesn't know what to expect. Marlow's experience in Africa stirs hate at the brutalizing effects of colonialism, a hatred tha...

Bulgarian Identity and Folklore

The tapestry of a Bulgarian’s life is interwoven with the country’s rich and colorful folklore, songs and dances, varied festivals and witty proverbs. The folk culture which has been preserved through the centuries is an intrinsic part of a Bulgarian’s daily activities. The spirit and identity of a Bulgarian is entwined with the folk traditions and customs, as it influences and shapes his way of thinking.Also, a history of suffering under the Ottoman rule and coming through it with their identity intact, adds a special dimension to the people of Bulgaria, packing power to the motto â€Å"unity makes strength. † The courage that the peasant community displayed in clinging to their cultural identity, under the â€Å"Turkish yoke,† united them to fight for their freedom. The determination that they displayed in preserving their identity under extremely oppressive conditions, tells us why the modern Bulgarian army never lost a flag.This essay will first learn what â€Å"identity† means to a Bulgarian and then move on to study the historical facts that shaped the Bulgarian identity as it is today. It will explore how Bulgarian identity has survived over the centuries and how the folklore traditions in its entirety, bonds Bulgarians scattered all over the world to their motherland. This essay will also provide a glimpse into the Bulgarian folk culture including festivals, rituals, proverbs mythology and music, which have kept the Bulgarian identity and spirit alive round the world even today.Shaping the identity In 19th century Eastern Europe, the emerging nation-states depended on their peasant traditions, which had survived foreign invasion and dominance, to form an definite idea of what they stood for. According to Herder, every nation is an organic entity with its own native cultural institutions and pure spirit which are best reflected in the folk poetry of the peasants. If a nation is to seek political sovereignty, it m ust find its pure spirit and build its future on the cultural traditions of the past.The native peasants were thus viewed as the soul of the nation, and folklore their legitimate expression. For the people of Bulgaria, their folk culture was also a weapon, which they used as an inspiration to unite and fight for their freedom. The Haidouk folk songs – about the heroes who hid in the mountains and formed a band of guerilla fighters – influenced the people of Bulgaria to join the bands and fight against the oppression of the turks, which tells us how powerful folklore is.Today, folk culture in Bulgaria is carefully preserved and taken forward with government-sponsorship, through various organizations and festivals. The government understands that folk culture, with its vital music and traditions, is what keeps Bulgarians together, no matter where they are. For the Bulgarian community, the traditions will always remain a part of life. The beliefs, knowledge, traditions an d value system still plays a major part in social and cultural interaction.This explains why ethnic discourse is so often â€Å"objectified† in folk culture events in Bulgaria, and why folk texts of various kinds are so widely used in it. In fact everyday life is dominated by the folklore traditions because they are regarded as a system of values, norms, texts, patterns and technologies. According to William R Bascom, ethnomusicologist, folklore serves to sanction and validate religious, social, political and economic institutions and plays an important role as an educative device in its transmission from one generation to another.He therefore suggests that folklore must be examined in better detail and care, because it gives us a clearer picture of the facts that shapes the destiny of a culture. Through the oral traditions of folklore, hundreds of songs, legends, rituals and tales are handed down to the present. Traditions that go back to Slavic antiquity are still alive tod ay, for example, the ritual sharing of sweetened wheat to commemorate the death of a loved one, forty days after his decease.Another tradition, this one peculiar to the Bulgarians, is the exchange of â€Å"martenici. † According to which, the year begins on March first (mart is Bulgarian for March). As part of the tradition, a red string, is attached to children’s wrists as well as animals’ necks and tails – to combat evil. This is one of the most popular custom among Bulgarians world-wide. On this day a string is offered to each member of the family and to all of one’s friends, in order to bring them health and happiness throughout the year.Another unique aspect of Bulgaria which differentiates it from the rest of the world is its special voice. It is said that there is nothing in this world to match the Bulgarian voice, which is why a Bulgarian folk song performed by Valya Balkanska was recorded on a gold CD and sent aboard the Voyager to be the earth’s ambassador in alien worlds. Bulgarian folksongs too are singular in nature.There might be a folk song for every occasion from field work to harvest, from birth to a funeral, for any stage of life that you can think of, but they are not repetitive and Bulgarian music remains exceptional. The folk songs and the dances afford a rich background for the understanding of the spirit, that kept alive, the spark of national feeling for over five hundred years under foreign occupation.The unconscious pictures that people create of themselves are more authentic and more accurate than any other source that we can secure and the Bulgarian peasant through the medium of folklore has painted a picture of what he considers important. Folklore customs aside, in Bulgaria the official historic pillars of identity are three, chosen by the government, for their various positive and shining qualities. First of all the Protobulgarians – warriors, who defeated the superpower Byzantium and established a state on its land in the 7th century.Secondly the Slavs – industrious, egalitarian, freedom-loving people, useful in times of pro-Russian orientation and finally the Thracian ancestors – ancient, wise, peaceful. It was the Thracians who contributed the Kukeri traditions and the ever-popular day of Baba Marta. The Slavs are said to have created the traditional circular Bulgarian folk dances and the lucky number three. Without knowing it, these centuries-old civilizations worked together to create a modern culture for their descendants.Today, Bulgarians consider both the Slavs and the Thracians to be their ancestors. However, history proves that the more primitive Thracians were here first. If we look into the symbols that can be associated with the Bulgarian identity, the Balkan mountains and the Balkan lion stand out, both for obvious reasons. The Balkans appear as symbols of shelter in many folk songs for the haidouks, the venerated resistance-fighte rs, who in turn were the symbol of Bulgaria's urge for national liberty.The â€Å"Balkan lion† as the epitome of Bulgaria's victorious spirit too appeared in the first national hymn of the country, composed by Nikola Zhivkov . Despite decades of oppression or maybe because of it, the Bulgarians have an identity that is rich and vital. The concept of this identity stands on the stable foundation of a folk culture which incorporates strength, humor, wisdom, music as well as a unique and varied mythology.But, there is another school of thought which begs to differ in the matter of Balkan stability and provides a different point of view. Always traumatic and unstable, Balkan reality invites discourses of domination. Within this asymmetrical system of antagonisms and co-operation, stereotypes of Balkan character emerge as identities. It is said that the Balkan identity has been a potent channeling tool in the cultural exorcism of civilized Europe.The challenge for Balkan scholars, though they desire a modern non-ethnic identity, is to resist the lure of globalization. But, since the Balkan countries lack what it takes, the region’s best resistance to globalization is to foster an alliance of cultural critics across ethnic and professional lines. A window to the Bulgarian history History tells us that the Bulgarians are Asiatic in origin. Kinsmen of the Huns and Avars whose earlier raids had greatly disturbed the peace-loving Slavs.The Bulgarians were the first Asiatic people who established a permanent home in Balkania. They effected the conquest of the Slavs, but in the course of about two centuries were absorbed by the more numerous race, and largely lost their identity. Intermarriage and mixture of blood modified the physical type of the Bulgars. They lost their language and were converted to the same type of Greek Orthodox Christianity as the Slavs. They adopted the same Cyrillic alphabet and became thoroughly Slavicized.Nothing but the name Bulga rian remains to associate them with their Asiatic forebears. In the tenth century, Bulgaria came under the direct control of Byzantium, but recovered its independence in 1197 after a long struggle. The Bulgarian ruler at the time, Kalojan, set the seal on this victory in 1204 by having himself crowned the King of Bulgaria by a papal envoy. The second Bulgarian state thus inaugurated lasted until the Ottoman conquest, which took place in 1393. After that, the country ceasedto exist as a separate entity until the nineteenth century. Whatever Bulgarian culture survived through this period did so ‘behind the protective walls of monasteries. ’ Turkish rule lasted five centuries and is viewed by Bulgarian scholars as â€Å"the darkest period in the history of the Bulgarian people. † The Bulgarians were the last of the Balkan peninsula to attain their liberation. Perhaps because of the proximity to Constantinople, the hand of the Turk was felt more heavily in Bulgaria t han elsewhere.The only thing that continued was the village system in which the peasants were allowed to handle their own affairs. Oppressive, too, was the domination of the Phanariote clergy. This was even worse than the civil oppression of the Turks, because the clergy pursued a systematic policy of obliterating all evidences of Bulgarian culture and literature. In 1825, Illarion, the Greek Metropolitan of Tirnovo, made a bonfire of the old library of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, which till then had survived all the vicissitudes of the Turkish era.So thoroughly was this accomplished that the Bulgarians had actually passed out of the consciousness of Europe till the beginning of the nineteenth century. Bulgarian schools were closed, manuscripts were destroyed, and with the extinction of the Bulgarian archbishopric of Ochrida, the last stronghold of the old national Church, to which the Bulgarians had clung tenaciously, disappeared. It seemed that nothing could save the Bulgarians fr om complete Hellenization.Early in the nineteenth century, however, signs of a literary and cultural renaissance, the invariable prelude to a revival of nationalism, began to appear in Bulgaria. From the study of their past, the Bulgarians discovered their true identity and then went on to fight for it. Bulgaria’s chequered history, the points where it differs from the rest of the Europe and the fact that it serves to protect Europe from the imminent Islamic invasion also shapes its identity.Bulgarian historians, who also serve as national ideologists, always point out that it shields and protects Europe – a role that Europe is expected to understand and appreciate. Also the point here is to prove that Bulgaria was a cradle of European culture and that its history is intrinsically connected with Europe's development. Interestingly enough, at the same time historians take pride in matters that actually separate Bulgaria from the West European cultural tradition – the fact that it adopted the Cyrillic alphabet, and did not accept Roman Catholicism.The history of the country, which was conquered by the Turks in 1396, but managed to preserve its specific Slavic cultural and national identity throughout the five centuries, until 1878, when its European identity re-emerged, is stressed repeatedly. Folk culture In the field of culture, a long hard battle had to be waged against the Greeks, who by reason of their domination of the Church, gained a stranglehold on Bulgarian culture and even on the Bulgarian language.There was thus very little cultural advance until the end of eighteenth century, and it is small wonder that until recently Bulgaria was regarded as a very backward country. After the collapse of the Bulgarian Empire and its subsequent absorption into the Ottoman lands, the cultural level of Bulgaria reached an impasse. But soon a striking development of folk songs was noticed throughout the region. In the western part of the country th ese were largely epic, connected with the Serb epic cycles.These songs have a greater connection with the historical events that they purport to recount. The songs of the western region were less poetic, sober and realistic. In the east, however lyrical songs predominated. It was in such a condition, where traces of the popular language were slowly making their way into the written forms of Church Slavonic, that modern literature came into being and inspired national resurgence. Bulgarian folklore, mythology and festivals Bulgarian folklore exhibits a certain duality in nature.On the one hand, folklore is displayed as a spiritual expression of an agrarian type of society, where the central point is to recreate the annual farming cycle and the human life cycle in a tradition, based on folklore ritualism. On the other hand, it is permeated by the historical time of the Bulgarians. The interpretation of this time has found its most imposing expression in the Bulgarian heroic epic, simi lar to the epical sagas of other cultures.Furthermore, mythology too pops out from every nook and cranny in Bulgaria, in seemingly unlikeliest of places. Bulgarian mythology, with its in vampires and goblins, samodivi and dragons, endless tales with fantastic plots, for example in – A Lad Outruns the Sun, A Maiden Outshines the Sun – makes the Bulgarian culture such a rich and interesting one. It is amazing the way in which the Bulgarian folklore, mythology and festivals along with dance, music and assorted rituals come together in a holistic manner.They connect the spiritual growth of the Bulgarians with the cultural traditions of the other Balkan nations, irrespective of their religious identification and independent ethnic history. It could be said that when all these three elements come together, it reveals, a profound relationship with the Bulgarian daily experience and historical destiny. Somewhere the smaller events of life fall together in harmony to make the b ig picture.Among rituals and ceremonies, marriage and the continuity of the community is arguably the most important theme in the Bulgarian calendar, along with farm-related rituals. All festivals stress on these two points one way or the other. The most popular marriage-related ritual is the contrasting mid-winter and spring- time ceremonies for males and females respectively. For example, unmarried young lads, on 24 December, after midnight, visit each and every house, forming bands called ‘koledari or survakari’ and sing songs with an intricate mythical content.Similarly in the springtime, the maidens form ritual groups of girls, known as lazarki , perform a specific repertory full of tragic themes. In this context, the Bulgarian masquerade ritualism is very rich. The lazarki and koledari rituals are female and male life cycle initiations respectively. They prepare the males and females for the stage of matrimony. To elaborate on the theme, let us list a few festival s and rituals that allows us a glimpse into the two big wheels of folk life – life and farm cycle.The festivals in Bulgaria are innumerous and definitely merit a section of their own. According to ethnographers, the overall number of Bulgarian festive rites exceeds 11,000 – a plentitude of customs accompanying Bulgarian people's lives from the cradle to the grave. Here are a few popular festivals celebrated in Bulgaria. The Martenitsa Tradition – Baba Marta, Grandma Marta This is by far the most popular festival of Bulgarians and is celebrated world-wide by Bulgarians. This is a unique Bulgarian custom which originates from the ancient Thracians.The earliest martenitsas were made of white and red woolen threads to which a silver or gold coin was occasionally tied. Other rituals observed on March 1 include women dressing all over in red and in North-eastern Bulgaria, the lady of the house would toss a red cloth over a fruit tree or spread red wool onto a field to secure fertility. In stock-breeding areas, a white-and-red thread was commonly tied to the livestock. The tradition is still alive and widely respected.Every year on March 1, Bulgarians all over the world present each other with martenitsas, thus introducing and spreading this very Bulgarian custom, to a broader canvas of people. New year celebrations The most colorful set of winter calendar customs is that of New Year's celebration. From time immemorial, the fireplace and the table spread have been symbols of generosity and abundance. The richer the spread, the more fruitful the coming year is expected to be. It is a custom observed nation-wide.The koledari would go from house to house singing carols and wishing health and prosperity to the family. The koledari's dress and costume ornaments differ from region to region. This custom is characterized by extremely colorful rituality involving songs, blessings, and dances. The koledari perform on Christmas Eve as well. Having to do wi th the Julian and the Gregorian calendar, the customs have preserved their original vitality and are related to the anticipation of fertility. Ladouvane or Singing to RingsThis is another New Year's custom, expressing an young girls' eagerness to get married and enjoy a happy family life. Ladouvane or koumichene is a maidens' rite performed on the day before New Year only in the areas of Western Bulgaria, Central Balkan Range and in some regions along the Danube River. In the rest of the country, it is celebrated on Midsummer’s Day. Koukeri – the mummers tradition Koukerovden marks the beginning of the spring calendar. Everybody makes his own mask competing to show greater personal skill and craftsmanship.Therefore, no two ritual masks are alike and the men take great pride in displaying their masks. Young men in masks, visit houses and distribute gifts as part of the tradition. Todorovden – St Theodore's Day St Theodore's Day is celebrated six days after Shrove tide. It is also known as â€Å"Horses' Easter† because of the horse races commonly held on that day. According to folk tradition, newly married women would make a ritual Theodore's round loaf of bread decorated with a dough-modelled image of a horse's head.The ancient roots of this folk festival lie in Thracian mythology. The horse is a sun symbol, while the horseman is known in the Bulgarian lands through the cult of the Thracian Horseman. Trypon Zarezan – Vinegrower's Day Trypon Zarezan is celebrated during the first half of February. It is an old occupation-related custom. On this day, observed throughout the country, the vines are pruned and sprinkled with wine. In some areas, a Vine King is chosen and he is crowned with a wreath of wine twigs.Blagovets – Annunciation Day The festival of Blagovets, celebrated on March 25, symbolizes the beginning of spring – swallows returning from the southern lands. Popular Christian mythology associates the day wi th the story of Virgin Mary sitting in the garden and sewing, then leaning and smelling a sprig of basil and thus getting pregnant. Being an ancient festival, Blagovets is laden with old-time rites shrouded in popular Christianity. Easter Easter is the most revered festival in the Church calendar of Orthodox Christians.Making Easter cakes was introduced in Bulgaria as late as the 1920’s, but nowadays it has a very important place in the Bulgarian people's customs. Typical of the festival is the dying of eggs, a custom much enjoyed by all. St George’s Day St George’s Day is among the most important folk festivals. It is observed on May 6 and marks the beginning of trading activity and stock-breeding for the year. Its expressive rituality has been preserved to date.On the night before St George's Day, young boys would pick blossoming willow twigs to decorate the house, the pens, and the livestock for health. During the night, the sheep were turned out to feed beca use that night's dew on the grass is believed to have a curative powers. Bulgaria could easily be called the land of festivals, with almost every other day in the calendar being a festival of sorts. But it is the very same festivals, in all their abundance and glory, which prove to be at the core of the Bulgarian identity.Festivals are as a rule, a time when people socialize and bond, thus the plentiful festivals may explain the strong ties that Bulgarians world-wide share with their motherland. Story telling in Bulgarian culture Humor mixed with huge dollops of wit and a fine appreciation for life is what endears the native Bulgarian story-telling to the world. Bulgaria’s Nasreddin Hodja is a name everybody recognizes. This witty character is always getting the better of his rival comical character Hitar Petar.In fact Hodja can be termed the classic Bulgarian who endures hardship with loads of humor, wit and resourcefulness. As regards story-telling, the Bulgarian folk tale is characterized by its interest in the magical, its commitment with various everyday life events, confronting the rich and the poor, the clever and the fool, as well as by its abundance of candid and natural humor. The Bulgarian has a feeling for the legendary, most often associated with an old-testament imagery, and a live sense of historical narrative.Storytelling in Bulgaria is particularly enticing because the folklore memory travels into the realm of magical creatures, buried treasures, heroes who save the world, vampires, angels and healing spells†¦all fantastic and captivating. It also reminds us of the remote roots of the Bulgarian folk culture. Chase two rabbits and you catch none†¦ Classic proverbs like this one are as much a part of the everyday experience of the Bulgarian peasant as are his folk verse, song and tale.The proverb plays a more important role in the life of the Bulgarian than it does in the peasant civilizations of other European countries. As wit nessed in many other cultures of the world, the proverb is a focal point in conversation, argument or rhetoric. It is widely used to express compactly an idea or to create a mental image. It is a true mirror on the inner life of the people, of the conditions which prevail in their lives, of their morals and of their manners.Many Bulgarian proverbs are crudely expressed, internal evidence that they stem from the folk and are thus authentic. The proverbs also help in understanding the psyche of the man who uses a particular proverb. Here is a good one – An idle man makes a good prophet. Bulgarian music, folk songs and theater A Bulgarian can never be separated from his music. A character shared by the rest of the world you could say, but it is not all who share the fine appreciation for music that Bulgarians instinctively have.For a Bulgarian, life is a musical, with all its accompaniment. For him there is no plateau in life – joy, sorrow, loneliness or death that exists without music and suitable lyrics. Internationally, the Bulgarian music fascinates both the general public and the experts. At the turn of the century, the Bulgarian folklore tradition was given some new impulses, mainly in Macedonia and Thrace. Influenced by the revolutionary reality, a considerable number of songs were created.The musical expression of this cultural system has its regional and general characteristics for example, the Rhodope song, Thracian song, Shopp song, Macedonian song, among others. But the specific Bulgarian two-voice songs, and the phenomenon of irregular beats are unique. Regional variations are not strictly delineated, but certain typical characteristics have formed several musical dialects: North-Bulgarian, Dobroudjanian, Thracian, Shopp, the Pirin Mountains area, the Sredna Gora region, and Rhodopian.The distinguishing features of the Bulgarian folk song can be traced along three lines – homophonic, rhythm and vocal wealth. Today the Bulgarian f olk tradition is revived in the context of the specific new phenomena in music, where various styles and forms of genre meet as is witnessed in all parts of the world, in almost all cultures. In Bulgaria at the same time, there is a growing presence of performers coming from different ethnic groups, chiefly Gypsies, whose musical art has been exerting its influence on the Bulgarian folklore for a good while.What makes the Bulgarian folk song special is its rhythm and vocal wealth. They are of a caliber described by the experts as ranging from fantastic richness to primitive monotony. The extended time inherent in the folksongs are its distinguishing feature, as it is non-existent in the rest of the European music. Theater too is part of the Bulgarian love for expression. Once Bulgaria was free, its natural aptitude and love for music, drama, song and dance came to the fore.It is a fact that the musical theater in its informal form has always played a major role in Bulgarian culture. But after independence, classical operettas, revues, vaudeville, children's plays, and modern musical comedies flourished under the indulgent eyes of the Bulgarians. In a deliberate move to bring professionals together to explore this genre, the government established the State Musical Theater in 1948. The Bulgarian involvement with operetta, goes back to about seventy-five years.The State Musical Theater is the heir to a tradition that reached its high point during the 1930s. At that same time, private ensembles such as the Free Theater of the Renaissance, the Cooperative Theater, and the Odeon performed numerous works for enthusiastic audiences. An impressive standard was established which is appreciated all over the world today. The Bulgarian talent in the area of music, voice and opera is legendary, with people flocking to enjoy what the masters have in store for them.Bulgarians Abroad While there were no Bulgarian political institutions during the Ottoman era, the Bulgarian cu lture and language were well preserved as a result of Ottoman policy, which made no real attempt at cultural, religious, or linguistic assimilation. Gradually, both the formation of crafts guilds called esnafs, whose members underwrote the promotion of Bulgarian culture, and through the medium of education, Bulgarian cultural and ethnic consciousness spread.By the 1870s, there were thousands of Bulgarians living outside of their homeland in such places as Vienna, Bucharest, Odessa, Bessarabia and Constantinople and were to be a major influence on the Bulgarian Revival. The interest toward Bulgarian folk songs and dance has been sustained in the past two decades by a number of highly professional and amateur groups – American, Japanese, Dutch, Danish, among others and has culminated in the success of the Swiss recording of â€Å"Le mystere des voix bulgares,† followed by a worldwide tour of the Bulgarian vocal ensemble.The craving for Bulgarian folklore in the West is a basically urban phenomenon. For the foreigners, the representations of Bulgarian folklore music – the sound icon of Bulgarians is a fascinating one. During the 1970s, interest in Bulgarian female polyphony exploded in the wake of the American folk revival and the women's liberation movement.Groups began springing up all over, at colleges and community centers, often incorporating dance as well as singing. Although in the early years, instructors were mostly Americans, in the past decade, since the fall of the Bulgarian communist government in 1989, more and more Bulgarian instructors have been able to come to the United States to teach vocal and instrumental skills. Bulgarian folk songs and performers are liked and praised ar

Sumo Wrestling

Sumo wrestling is one of the oldest forms of martial arts in Japan, and it is still a major sport that is popular with both men and women there. In ancient times, sumo contests were held only in the courtyards of Shinto shrines as a religious ritual performed for the gods to encourage them to grant a good harvest. Ritual is, therefore, an important part of the sport. Before each match, contestants sprinkle salt on the ring and rinse their mouths in a ritual purification. Nowadays, sumo wrestling contests are held in gymnasiums, Convention centers and Stadiums. At first glance, sumo wrestling seems to be a strange sport with big, fat wrestlers wearing diaper-like aprons, shoving each other inside a tiny ring. Contrary to its appearance, sumo wrestling is a sport that requires not only strength, but also speed and agility, which heavy-set people usually do not possess. The wrestlers try to push each other out of the ring or down on the floor. Before actual physical contact, the wrestlers will stare at each other for minutes to break the concentration of the Opponent. The fight usually lasts for only a few seconds but sometimes it can go on for two to three minutes. The objective of a sumo bout, however, is not to injure the Opponent, but to simply eject the other man from the arena, or cause some part of the body other than his feet – or even a fingertip – to touch the floor. In fact, if some blood spots the floor of the ring during a match, the bout has to stop until every trace of blood has been meticulouslv removed. The size of the wrestler is also important. The heavier the wrestler, the lower his center of gravity, and thus the harder to toss him out of the ring. In order to put on weight and build up body mass, sumo wrestlers eat a large amount of food including a high-protein stew, and they go to bed right after eating. The heaviest sumo wrestler on record was 225 kilograms. Despite their large size and heavy weight, sumo wrestlers are well-trained athletes. They live in special sumo stables, following extremely strict rules and besides having their physical workouts, they have to complete other necessary chores. The wrestlers practise a lifestyle that is completely dedicated to the sport. To them, sumo is not only a sport; it is a whole way of life. This positive dedication has encouraged the Japanese to adopt them as role modeis. Hierarchy is a central aspect of sumo wrestling. Rankings depend on winning records. A sumo wrestler's ranking depends solely on the number of matches he wins during official tournaments. The more matches a wrestler wins, the quicker he can move up the rankings. Once a wrestler moves up to the top rank, he is not supposed to lose at all. He is expected to retire if he is unable to maintain his winning record. In fact, if a grand champion's losses outnumber his wins during the course of these tournaments, he will fall from the top ranks and will be expected to retire like the rest. Today's professional sumo wrestling has its roots in the Edo period. The wrestlers during this period were mainly samurais who needed an alternative form of income. Even the wrestling ring can be traced back to the 16th Century Edo period. In earlier times, the fighting space was simply the area given to the wrestlers by spectators. In the 16th Century, an important warlord named Oda Nobunaga introduced the ring in a tournament he organized. It is a platform 4. 5 meters in diameter and 16. 26 Square meters in area made of clay mixed with sand set on top of rice straw bales. Despite sumo wrestling's archaic rituals and traditions, the sport continues to draw new fans and growing international interest. Hundreds of sumo wrestlers of various nationalities compete to earn comfortable livelihoods, participating in ma tches not only in Japan, but in Europe, North America and Britain. Grand Champions attain celebrity Status and enjoy the intense adoration of dedicated fans. Present day sumo wrestlers consist of anybody who is interested in the sport and professional wrestlers come from all walks of life. Nevertheless, as a sport, sumo is not without controversy. It has been criticised as discriminatory since participants are limited to men only. There is a rule which prevents women from being sumo wrestlers and another which prohibits them from entering the wrestling ring altogether. These barriers exist because the Japanese believe women's presence in the ring will violate its purity. Sumo wrestling, being a religion-originated sport in which traditions are strictly observed, is unlikely to undergo drastic changes in the near future. It will probably be a long time before one can see a female sumo wrestler.

The Value of High School Sports †Argumentative Essay

The Value of High School Sports – Argumentative Essay Free Online Research Papers High school is one of the most memorable times for everyone. It is a time to make life long friendships, earn good grades, participate in activities and prepare for the future. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in some communities, many schools are choosing to sacrifice high school sports in order to appropriate that money towards academics. At first glance, this seems like a feasible solution, since academics should have priority. But the elimination of sports in public high schools would negatively impact many communities, and lessen every student’s high school experience. Eliminating high school sports would no only impact student life, it would also affect the local economy. Sports bring money into schools and the community. During the different sports seasons, fundraising and booster clubs are prevalent. These organizations are non profit and all proceeds go to the schools. Doing away with sports would mean the loss of jobs for many including, staff, builders, contractors, uniform and equipment makers, and concession stand providers. High school sports are known for attracting media attention, sometimes even at national level. Being in the local paper or playing on the local cable TV stations is very common. The attention that is drawn from high school sports not only attracts visits from graduates, but also attracts tourists to the community. Friday Night Lights and We are Marshall are movies that are based on true stories of high school football. The communities where these stories are based have without a doubt profited in more ways than one, due to the attention they have received from this sport. Sports in high school are also the perfect way to keep young adults away from drugs and other dangerous behaviors. Coaches encourage players to be well behaved. Some schools even have limits on GPA’s for athletes. If an athlete’s grades fall below a certain point, they are not allowed to play, which provides them with accountability. Students who love sports will do anything to play, including increase their studying. They will also be less likely to try drugs or break the law in other manners, which would hinder their eligibility to participate. â€Å"Personally, I think it’s critical,† said Mike Crilly, superintendent of the Jefferson Union High School District, when referring to high school sports (Simon). â€Å"It helps to build the whole student, and it’s important for the participant as well as the spectator.† The truth is high school sports are more than just fun. They are great tools to help students learn about life. They are a valuable tool in teaching ethics. Ethics can be described as the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we represent, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based. Team sports are a great way to gain hands on experience regarding ethics and other valuable traits. Teamwork, cooperation and leadership are several things students can learn from school sports. Students can apply what they learn in their everyday lives. When athletes build confidence on the field, they can use that confidence in the real world. Teens who participate in sports will be better able to work with others in all aspects of life. Sports create a positive after school activity that detours teens from using this free time to become involved in gangs or other mischievous activities. Teenager’s negative perception of school is replaced with increased school pride. This increase interest in school generally results in increased enjoyment in academics, resulting in better overall test scores and grades. High school sports enable the entire school to come together, whether playing, or observing, to cheer for their school. It boosts school morale and increases the bonding between parents and their teens when parents help with skills and come to games to cheer their teen on. Another positive aspect of school sports is that it encourages good health habits which could benefit the student for an eternity. â€Å"It’s part of the good health of the community and the student,† said Tom Mohr, superintendent of the San Mateo Union High School District (Simon). Participating in high school sports teaches students the importance of eating healthy in order to increase performance. Sports are important for motor skill development, maintaining a healthy exercise program and providing an outlet for releasing anger when the academic stressors become overwhelming. When youths participate in sports they release endorphins which help decrease depression and increase energy. Without a doubt, sports teams can teach powerful lessons about working together for the common good. Rarely is a run scored or game won without the combined efforts of all players, those on the field, as well as those who cheer a team on from the sidelines and bleachers. The importance of teamwork in the real world is that it allows us to accomplish more than we could by ourselves. It allows us to move mountains. If one doubts the importance of teamwork in corporate America, just think about where Bill Gates would be today without his team and the work they did. High school sports are beneficial in teaching self-discipline, the ability to do what is necessary without needing to be urged by somebody else. Discipline will help you succeed at work, finish personal projects and better improve your physical and mental abilities. It is not easy to develop discipline, even as adults. Teens need to develop discipline early in their lives to prepare them for everything that lies ahead. There are several ways to develop this character trait, becoming part of a sports team is one of them. These activities require discipline, and give students a chance to see positive results from their dedication and practice. When adults look back on their time in school many do not remember their teachers, classes or grades but they do remember the high school sports they participated in or observed. They often look back on these memories fondly and look forward to their children having similar experiences. As discussed, there are many benefits to high school sports which not only positively effect student life, they also contribute to a healthy community. It empowers youths and redirects them from gang involvements and deviant behavior. These voluntary programs motivate students to stay in school, earn better grades, and prepare them in cooperative skills greatly called on by employers today. There is no doubt the elimination of high school sports would be detrimental to youths and their communities. Internet Game of the Week. BCAA. 1998-2007. Broward County Athletic Association. 28 Nov 2007 . Its BackHigh School Football. Midwest Sports Publishing. 28 November 2007. 28 Nov 2007 . NFLHS.COM. Academics. 1999-2007. www.thesportsource.com. 28 Nov 2007 . Simon, Mark. Should we trim school sports too?. SFGate.com. 16 January 2003. San Francisco Chronicle. 28 Nov 2007 . Research Papers on The Value of High School Sports - Argumentative EssayStandardized TestingTrailblazing by Eric AndersonHip-Hop is ArtPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyGenetic EngineeringEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Book Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XThe Spring and Autumn

Free Essays on Interpersnal Perception

â€Å"Perception Paper† Day in and day out people tend to form an interpersonal perception of others. Whether it is consciously or unconsciously every body is guilty of this. Interpersonal perception is the process by which you decide what people are like and give meaning to their actions. An example would be making judgments about personality and drawing inferences from what you observed. There are three stages to interpersonal perception: selecting, organizing, and interpreting what we observe. The first stage, selecting, is when a person directs their attention to a specific characteristic of another person, whether it be smelling them, looking at them, touching them, or hearing them you select just one characteristic. Directing your attention to specific stimuli and consequently ignoring others is called selective perception. The second stage, organizing, is when after we selects certain stimuli, we organize them into convenient, understandable, and efficient patterns that let us make sense of what we have observed. The way people organize information usually depends on the way they punctuate it. Punctuation is the process of making sense out of stimuli by grouping, dividing, organizing, separating, and categorizing information when communicating with others. In addition to punctuating, one also superimposes, or places a familiar structure on information one selects. Another process within the organizing stage of interpersonal perception is closure, this is when one fills in missing information. The third stage of interpersonal perception is interpreting. Interpreting is when one attaches meaning to all that they observe. The group which I decided to form an interpersonal perception on was gang members. The reason for me choosing this group is because many people stereotype gang members and always assume the worst when they see someone who resembles a gang member. I wanted to try and prove that stereotype ... Free Essays on Interpersnal Perception Free Essays on Interpersnal Perception â€Å"Perception Paper† Day in and day out people tend to form an interpersonal perception of others. Whether it is consciously or unconsciously every body is guilty of this. Interpersonal perception is the process by which you decide what people are like and give meaning to their actions. An example would be making judgments about personality and drawing inferences from what you observed. There are three stages to interpersonal perception: selecting, organizing, and interpreting what we observe. The first stage, selecting, is when a person directs their attention to a specific characteristic of another person, whether it be smelling them, looking at them, touching them, or hearing them you select just one characteristic. Directing your attention to specific stimuli and consequently ignoring others is called selective perception. The second stage, organizing, is when after we selects certain stimuli, we organize them into convenient, understandable, and efficient patterns that let us make sense of what we have observed. The way people organize information usually depends on the way they punctuate it. Punctuation is the process of making sense out of stimuli by grouping, dividing, organizing, separating, and categorizing information when communicating with others. In addition to punctuating, one also superimposes, or places a familiar structure on information one selects. Another process within the organizing stage of interpersonal perception is closure, this is when one fills in missing information. The third stage of interpersonal perception is interpreting. Interpreting is when one attaches meaning to all that they observe. The group which I decided to form an interpersonal perception on was gang members. The reason for me choosing this group is because many people stereotype gang members and always assume the worst when they see someone who resembles a gang member. I wanted to try and prove that stereotype ...

Why Powerful Men Sexually Harass Women

Why Powerful Men Sexually Harass Women We know from recent studies that half the workforce in the US is female. And were also well aware that though the numbers may be equal, the power distribution isnt. Only 15 women served as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in 2009. Even at the upper and middle levels of management and leadership, men predominate. And with power comes abuse. When a woman files a sexual harassment complaint, its rarely about a co-worker harassing her. Its usually a boss, supervisor, or someone higher up the food chain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that for some men, power provides opportunities and access. Many perpetrators dangle potential jobs, pay raises, or promotions in front of women with the implication that if youre nice to me, Ill be nice to you. But is sexual harassment about sex and lust, or control and domination? Is power the catalyst that flips the off switch into an on position for some men who would otherwise not behave this way if they werent in charge? Those who study human behavior tend to agree that powerful men sexually harass women more than men on equal footing with their female co-workers, but what triggers that is up for debate. Most, however, agree that sexual harassment is not about desire but domination. Noted legal scholar Catharine A. MacKinnon specializes in sex equality issues under constitutional and international law. In her book Directions in Sexual Harassment Law co-written with Reva B. Siegel, MacKinnon states: ...[S]exual harassment is...the expression, in sexual terms, of power, privilege, or dominance....To understand sexual harassment primarily in terms of misplaced sexual desire is wrong for many of the same reasons that it is a mistake to understand rape as primarily a crime of passion or lust. acceptance of interpersonal violencethe desire to dominate womenhigh authoritarianismdifficulty seeing others’ perspectives (difficulty being empathetic)belief in sex-role stereotypesendorsement of stereotypic views of male sex-role norms While the tendency is to link the above traits to male behavior, it might be more accurate to blame hormones specifically an overabundance of testosterone. Widely recognized as a major factor in dominant behavior, testosterone also impacts men in other ways (and can similarly influence women with elevated levels in their own bodies). Writing about The Testosterone Curse for Psychology Today, Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. notes the many traits associated with high-T (high testosterone) males: ...[D]ominant individuals also tend to be extremely competitive, and are frequently endowed with whats commonly known as the killer instinct. ....[I]n cutthroat businesses, its undeniably an asset....[but] a driving need to compete with others undermines the empathy, understanding, tolerance, and compassion necessary to sustain close, caring relationships.At its worst, high-T dominance and competitiveness can involve brute force, violence, and fighting behavior of all kinds....Their more tender feelings literally blunted by elevated testosterone levels, they tend not to be particularly concerned aboutor, for that matter, interested inthe feelings of others....Sadly, theres seems to be something about high testosterone levels that contributes to an almost predatory frame of mind....Complementing this tendency to be imprudent, rash, or even reckless, are a variety of research findings indicating that high-testosterone males are more likely to be impulsive, impatient, unreliable.... According to anthropologist and historian Laura Betzig, the point of politics is sex. She cites rulers throughout history who routinely engaged in sexual harassment and sexual assault, adding: Why is every man with a big harem a despot? Because collecting women–like tribute, like labor, like homage–tends to require force. People...tend to cede favors on two accounts. One is, they get a favor back; the other is, they get beat up if they dont. There are, in short, positive and negative sanctions. because they can Powerful men have a both an overactive libido as compared to normal men, but they are also more willing to gamble that they can get away with their sexual activities....[I]n my opinion, it is the position of power itself that makes men arrogant, narcissistic, egocentric, oversexed, paranoid, despotic, and craving even more power, though there are exceptions to this rule. Powerful men generally have a keen eye for female beauty and attractiveness....Every willing woman confirms the power of the powerful man....It is not too speculative to think that powerful men live in a sexualized or eroticized world. Not only do they expect to have sex whenever they fancy, but they also expect that every woman is always willing to provide this service, and enjoy it. They are...opportunistic and just take what they want. It probably comes as a complete surprise when somebody does not comply. The forbiddenness, and the awareness of transgression, makes the sex even more attractive... Sources:Betzig, Laura. Sex in History. Michigan Today, michigantoday.umich.edu. March 1994.MacKinnon, Catharine A. and Reva B. Siegel. Directions in Sexual Harassment Law. p. 174. Yale University Press. 2004Seltzer, Leon F., Ph.D. The Testosterone Curse (Part 2). PsychologyToday.com. 6 May 2009.Sex and Power: Powerful Men Have an Overactive Libido. Spiegel Online. 27 May 2011.

What personal responsibility do Ferdinand and Isabella bear for the Essay

What personal responsibility do Ferdinand and Isabella bear for the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1942 - Essay Example In order to deal with this issue, they introduced the Inquisition, but reports from the Inquisitors only confirmed their fears that converts to Christianity could not be considered secure in the faith until they could be prevented from having any contact with Jews. Shortly after the fall of Granada, with the Muslim threat quashed, and Christian emotion running high, they decided to move for expulsion. Therefore, they bear great personal responsibility, but it should be noted that they were heavily influenced by the Inquisition, and by political developments. It has often been suggested that in the period leading up to the expulsion edict, greater intolerance and anti-Semitism had been developing in Europe generally. From the 13th century onwards, what Gavin Langmuir termed ‘chimeric antisemitism’ arguably made itself felt in Europe (Peters, 17). Evidence of popular resentment against Jews, as the perceived enemies of Christendom, is plentiful. For example, there were massacres in the Rhineland in 1096, as the First Crusade began. Spanish society, which had hitherto been characterised chiefly by its peaceful coexistence, was not exempt from this trend towards anti-Semitism. Altabà © certainly adopts this viewpoint, as he states that ‘Muslim caliphs and Christian kings often referred to themselves with pride as emperors of the three religions’ (728). Until the 14th century, as Peters notes, the public life of the Iberian states was commonly termed convivencia, or ‘peacefully living together’ (9). Ca stile and Aragon were unique cases in Western Europe, in terms of their religious and cultural diversity. They had the most substantial populations of Muslims and Jews in the region, and despite the restrictions placed on the latter, Jews were still able to rise to positions of power, wealth and prominence. Jews were to be found among the advisers of the monarchs and lords, and many of the most exalted

TOCYO's Approach Managing People Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

TOCYO's Approach Managing People - Assignment Example The report will discuss the issues that were currently being faced by the company. The company was in quite a lot of mess there were many issues in nearly all the departments of the company as well as the management alos had issues amongst themselves. The report will identify the issues, present the causes of the issues and then present a solution for the problem. The only solution for the company is to bring about a whole revamping era into his firm so as to make sure that they can grab back their marketing share and as well as start making profits. INTRODUCTION The company was founded by Harold Bennett who was an ex-marine engineer, he company was working successfully under him and there were no serious issues, but when issues started to raise their heads, he sold the company to another person and stopped his interference in the company, but later when once again the company was losing out on its market share the new owner decided to sell it. Gordon Bennett, who was a family member of the founder felt that the company should once again come back into the family decided to undergo a management buyout. ... Each departmental head was on the look out to create benefit for themselves and for her friends. The employee were not being paid properly, there was serious discrepancies in the pays that were being handed out and the employees hence felt degraded and left out. There were serious financial drains in the company in the form of part time workers and failed experiments. Also, some of the departmental heads had made many things an egotistical issue, when there was no such thing. The departmental head had also failed to account for the cultural structure of Mexico where unionism is quite strong and hence the difference in payments was treated as a huge issue. One major thing in the company was the increasing nepotism which always leads to the downfall of companies. Another major issue that he is currently facing is in relation to the relocation, if he merges the two units there will be some layoffs, but it would result in major cost savings, he has to make a decision about it as well and soon, and make sure that decision is in the favor of the employees and the company as a whole. Management Currently there are many issues in the management; in fact some of the major issues which are then leading to smaller issues are emerging from the management. The HR department at first needs a serious bit of change, although Swagg has a lot of experience in the same industry but she really lacks the honesty and the vigor that should be in her as a part of HR department. The kind of employees that you are hire are the ones that really make a difference in today’s business, employees help you create the niche that gives you a competitive advantage in the long run. She should know that

Effective team and performance management Essay - 1

Effective team and performance management - Essay Example Enhanced performance and effectiveness cannot be achieved through external pressure but through trust. Cohesiveness does not necessarily imply a harmonious group as members may be cohesive simply to abide by the team norms which become the rules. Flexibility and empowerment are essential requirements for team effectiveness. Team players may be entrusted with multiple roles but this only creates an air of hostility. The involvement of senior management is essential to achieve team effectiveness. 2.0 Introduction Electron, headquartered in the UK, manufactures components for the telecommunications sector. The company employs about 150 people out of which 90 people are in the manufacturing unit. The company has the traditional department structure comprising of manufacturing, engineering, sales/marketing, human resources, and finance. The manufacturing department at Electron is made up of eight teams in total, each are named according to a colour. Each team consists of 10 team members, with some on temporary contracts, whilst others are full-time employees. The company recognized the importance of an effective production process, of improving company culture, of improving customer service and commitment to teams. Amidst competition the company employed new workers and these workers have to be integrated into one of the teams. Thus, there are three teams at play – the longer-tenured teams, the existing teams and the new workers. However, the teams at Electron have not been demonstrating shared vision and autonomy. The aim of this report is to evaluate the barriers to team effectiveness and performance. Based on the theoretical models, this report also seeks to recommend how teams at Electron could be made more effective and performance enhanced. This report would not define ‘teams’ but would directly evaluate team dynamics. 3.0 Analysis and Discussion 3.1 Theories and concept of team dynamics The nature of teams has undergone a change and the th ree most impactful themes that are affecting teams are dynamic composition, technology and distance, and empowerment and delayering (Tannenbaum, Mathieu, Salas and Cohen, 2012). The changed business environment has also altered the team needs. Trust and cohesion have become difficult to achieve in teams and moreover, individuals may simultaneously be members of several teams. They may even change team roles frequently, all of which suggest the dynamic composition of teams. Team dynamics have enabled dyadic network of relations and exchanges between members. At Electron also, team dynamics were at play. One team member was entrusted to integrate the new workers into the team. This team member entrusted the longer-tenured members with this task. The team members were empowered but without proper guidance and training. If teams do not demonstrate interdependence, shared objectives, autonomy, reflexivity, boundedness, and specified roles, then they are â€Å"pseudo teams† (West a nd Lyubovnikova, 2012). If real and pseudo teams could be identified within an organization, it would become easier to evaluate team effectiveness and performance. Without this identification and even team empowerment could have

Multimedia Networking VoIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Multimedia Networking VoIP - Essay Example From the Stone Age till the modern era, man has practically swirling the entire world around him, (not moving himself).(Seiver,2007) Since the break of dawn on the twenty-first century, technology has been man’s new mantra. He thinks it and breathes it. Every set of goals is judged by technology. Technology is one of man’s greatest weapons. Many fear it, whereas many caress it. Some use it abominably whereas some require it as a necessity. In this day, technology zooms and buzzes around our heads, making us â€Å"King of the mountain†. Many of our lives are in luxury because technology blesses us with its presence in our homes and offices and other business fields. It all started with a pair of wool or skins of the cattle. From that it went into an inferno of light and electricity. Then the telephone was the next. And from this point our topic starts.(McKenna,2009) Telephone and its uses are common to all. This device was used for the purpose of talking to family , friends and other loved ones. This was further worked on until it was transformed into a teeny tiny device, known as â€Å"Cellular phone†.(Dodd,2010) The discovery of â€Å"Internet†- A blessing in disguise or another hidden horror- caused a whirlpool to sweep the public of its feet. Internet and phone combined to give off, God knows, millions of new deices like IP-PBX, (Internet Protocol –Private Branch Exchange). ... The joining of external phone lines helps in accommodating more users in a quicker and effective way. The IP PBX serves somewhere between the VoIP user and the more traditional user or sometimes between 2 local users similar to how a normal PBX works. The IP PBX works together with the voice signals through the IP, adding considerable advantages of the IP telephony to this particular system. The IP PBX can work both as a physical system as well as a virtual system. The physical system joins cards with FXO/FXS ports to work, while the virtual system is known as more of a software solution and it also works with soft phones and VoIP gateways,(Holden,2009) thus lowering the overall cost without compromising over the call quality. Complete functions of a traditional PBX are carried out by the IP PBX with additional special and advanced functions that are only possible via the IP system. The most notable advantage of the IP PBX is its flexibility and easy compatibility. The system is â₠¬Å"redundant†; this basically means in a way it has a backward compatibility. The latest systems use the old TDM technology which has the advanced messaging platform. This allows the system to have more advanced functions like voicemail, conferencing, call forwarding etc.(Wellingford,2005) The system proves to be very flexible as moving of the system or addition of new users can be done very easily. There are two major types of the IP PBX; the one which is hosted and the non hosted IP PBX. The hosted IP PBX implies that only basic VoIP accessories are required by the actual company and the main equipment is hosted by a separate company. The hosted system means we just have to

Critical analysis on an article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Critical analysis on an - Article Example Though this type of research is not new by any stretch of the imagination, the rigor and thorough nature of the datasets and graphs that the authors present help to engender a degree of well reasoned argument with which the reader can both understand as well as identify with. Although the weakness of the approach are not specifically enumerated upon, the authors begin the piece by discussing the ways in which the study of directional evolution risks over-simplifying the subject matter and ultimately reducing the research question to a form of â€Å"what came first the chicken or the egg†. As a means of addressing such a threat, the piece seeks to lay out a firm and rigid framework of analysis which does not allow any form of broad generalizations on the subject matter (Whittall et al 706). As far as influencing the views of this particular student and providing a bigger picture conclusions, it can be definitively stated that the results that the piece has proven leave little if any doubt in the mind with regards to the clear and inarguable nature of directional evolution and the means through which it occurs. As a function of the bigger picture, this can be understood to re-affirm Darwin’s original theory and helps to shed a further light o n the ways in which individual species evolve, grow, and develop over

The Cold war and realism in International Relations Essay

The Cold war and realism in International Relations - Essay Example Even after the fall of Soviet Union the subject continues to attract much attention of the scholars. The desire to understand the rise and fall of a great power has combined with the urge of better understanding the future course of history. Various scholars have attempted to understand the volatile nature of modern international relations. International Relation theories help a great deal in understanding the historical events and when we talk about Cold War, the theory of realism dominates the other theories towards a better understanding of the facts. The theory has its pros and cons but it hold itself true in many cases while trying to understand the cold war phenomenon. The end of World War II marked the start of the cold war. The cold war was essentially a struggle of power between the west led by United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Although both were partners during the World War II but their differences arose soon after the war on the future shape of the world. The USA led the western block whereas USSR created the eastern block comprising over eastern European countries and countries annexed by USSR. The cold war was multifaceted. It signified a bi-polar world where both US and USSR were striving for hegemony on political, military and economic fronts. Both had their ambitions but had the fears of other’s dominance resulting in efforts of balance of power as well. The cold war reached it culminating point when USSR invaded Afghanistan and tried to reach the warm waters whereas US used its diplomacy and resources to stop USSR. It ended in 1991 when the later collapsed due to economic, military and political turmoil. The cold war is named as such because through out this era no actual war took place between the two sides but the threat of such war kept looming the political world throughout. Such was the tension between the two sides that the world at large feared a World War

Critical analysis on an article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Critical analysis on an - Article Example Though this type of research is not new by any stretch of the imagination, the rigor and thorough nature of the datasets and graphs that the authors present help to engender a degree of well reasoned argument with which the reader can both understand as well as identify with. Although the weakness of the approach are not specifically enumerated upon, the authors begin the piece by discussing the ways in which the study of directional evolution risks over-simplifying the subject matter and ultimately reducing the research question to a form of â€Å"what came first the chicken or the egg†. As a means of addressing such a threat, the piece seeks to lay out a firm and rigid framework of analysis which does not allow any form of broad generalizations on the subject matter (Whittall et al 706). As far as influencing the views of this particular student and providing a bigger picture conclusions, it can be definitively stated that the results that the piece has proven leave little if any doubt in the mind with regards to the clear and inarguable nature of directional evolution and the means through which it occurs. As a function of the bigger picture, this can be understood to re-affirm Darwin’s original theory and helps to shed a further light o n the ways in which individual species evolve, grow, and develop over

Are Drug Courts a Solution to the Drug Problem Research Paper

Are Drug Courts a Solution to the Drug Problem - Research Paper Example This paper proves that drug courts help to reduce recidivism rates in various states and help to save taxpayers money by reducing costs. However, some researches show that there are negative effects such as increasing more crime and additional court monitoring costs. This paper bases its argument on the notion that is difficult to determine whether the positive effects of drug courts outweigh the negative effects. One of the most vital issues in drug courts is to know whether these courts have any effects and whether the effects are long-term effects on offenders who pass through the court processes. It is not easy to access the long-term effects of these courts because of the impeding issues that relate to the results attained after offenders pass through the processes of drug courts. For instance, it is quite challenging to find whether the observed pattern of encouraging results reflects a suppression effects on drug related crimes (Mitchell, 2011). During the processes involved i n drug court participation, the examination of numerous outcomes mainly focuses on recidivism. It is vital to note that there is a probability that drug courts can suppress drug related behaviors and crimes while the offender is active in the court program. Likewise, an actively involved offender in the treatment program can change his discharge from a drug treatment program after the removal of behavioral contingencies (Mitchell, 2011). ... Since most drug courts fail to monitor the abstinence of drug related offenders from drug usage after undergoing treatment programs, it could be difficult to determine the long-term effects of drug court participation than determining the short-term effects. For instance, it could be difficult to determine whether drug court programs help to reduce substance abuse, criminal victimization recidivism, and other factors associated with drug abuse. In addition, it is hard to estimate the effectiveness of drug courts because these courts are varied depending on their countries and constitutions of these countries (Mitchell, 2011). Effects of Three Strikes legislation on Criminal Behavior In spite of the impeding challenges to the effectiveness of drug courts, most people consider drug courts as the most effective strategy for reducing criminal activities and recidivism among offenders. There is a significant increase in the number of drug courts since the initiation of the first drug cour t in Florida, 1989 (King & Pasquarella, 2009). This is a clear indication of the importance of such courts in the society, hence their spread throughout the whole country and other states. The participation of drug courts helps to reduce criminal behaviors according to a research conducted by (Mitchell, 2011). Drug courts reduce the probability of an offender to repeat the same offense leading to a reduction in the overall number of criminal undertakings. Drug courts play a significant role in reducing drug related crimes such as illegal possession of drugs and sales offenses. One remarkable effect of the participation of drug courts is the significant reduction of the number of drivers driving under the

Central african republic causes of poverty

Central african republic causes of poverty Introduction Poverty as defined by the United Nations is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and cloth a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow ones food or a job to earn ones living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often implies living on marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation (UN Statement, 1998). The major areas of the world that are prone to the evil of poverty are the countries of Africa and Asia. There are many countries in Africa where the people are not able to meet their one ends meal. We can also see from the figure below that especially in the central part of Africa or Sub-Saharan countries most of the people struggle very hard to earn even $3-$9 per day and to make their living. Central African Republic (CAR) which is a part of Sub-Saharan African countries is one those countries where people face this problem. Central African Republic CAR, a former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. The Central African Republic ranks 171 as a poor country. The Central African Republic is classified as one of the worlds least developed countries, with an estimated annual per capita income of $310 (2000). While real incomes in Africa have risen ten-fold whereas they have been stagnated in CAR. Central African Republic has also seen no improvement on almost every indicator from health, education and governance to the ease of doing business. Causes of Poverty in CAR There are many factors that ignite the fire of poverty in CAR in which poor agriculture conditions and lack of adequate medical facilities are the main causes. Agriculture is the backbone of its unstable economy. Also the hospitals and medical institutes of CAR are unable in providing the good and necessary medical facilities. The other main problems with development are the poor transportation infrastructure, and the weak internal and international marketing system (US department, 1989). Lack of education and awareness is also one factor that hinders the development of the country by coming in the path of an individuals social life. Female are still kept apart with the bookish knowledge. Only 32% of the total female population was able to make it up to secondary school where as the adult literacy rate for men is 54% (UN, 2009). Economy Central African Republic has one of the least developed economies in the world. The GDP per capita here in 2008 is only $700 (CIA, 2008 est.). A major factor behind its bad economy is its landlocked position and misdirected macroeconomic policies of government. Income distribution is unequal throughout the nation. Although it receives grants from France and other international communities but its only enough to meet the humanitarian needs (Barro, Robert J., 1995).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  GDP growth slowed to an estimated 2.2% in 2008 from 3.7% in 2007. The economy suffered a number of shocks that depressed activity and led to the disappointing result electricity outages, a plunge in timber and diamond exports, higher international food and fuel prices, and continuing social tensionsInvalid source specified.. Agricultural Conditions The Central African Republics economy is dominated by the cultivation and sale of food crops such as yams, cassava, peanuts, maize, sorghum, millet, sesame, and plantains. The most important export of the CAR is diamond that accounts 40-55% of export revenues, but an estimated 30-50% of the diamonds produced each year leave the country clandestinely. The shares of the three agricultural value-added sectors in Sub-Saharan African countries consist of 28% for export crops, 45% for cereals, and 27% for other agriculture (Janvry and Sadoulet, 2001, pp. 1). Poor economic development hinders the export trade, and the location of this country far from the coast. Most of the rural and urban women are indulge in the work of transformation of some food crops into alcoholic drinks like sorghum beer or hard liquor and derive considerable income from the sale of these drinks. In CAR, subsistence farming prevails. Only 4% of the arable land is cultivated each year and more than one in three childr en under the age of five are chronically malnourished.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The importance of food crops over exported cash crops is illustrated by the fact that the total production of cassava, the staple food of most Central Africans, ranges between 200,000 and 300,000 tons a year, while the production of cotton, the principal exported cash crop, ranges from c. 25,000 to 45,000 tons a year. Food crops does not constitute in the principal cash crops of the country because Central Africans derive far more income from the periodic sale of surplus food crops than from exported cash crops such as cotton or coffee. The Sub-Saharan African economies are remarkable for the large share of agriculture in GDP (47%), and hence the large potential aggregate growth effects derived from technological change in agriculture. For the rural poor, income derived from agriculture is 67% of total income, with the remaining 32% derived from wage earnings. For them, an agricultural commodity makes a large share (72%) of total consumption. Children and Women Sector The conditions of children and women are very pathetic in this country. They are often deprived of their rights. Children are unable to get proper and required education. They find it very hard to get even primary education. Women also work very hard in their homes to add some income for their family. Also one of the biggest evils that are in common practice here is children and women trafficking. The CAR is an origin for trafficking in children and women. Children are trafficked to Cameroon. Children from Chad, Nigeria, and Sudan are reportedly trafficked to the Central African Republic. There is also internal trafficking in the Central African Republic. According to the recent study of the United Nations Childrens Fund trafficking in African women and children that are done for forced prostitution or labor is caused due to war, poverty, and flawed or nonexistent birth registration systems. â€Å"Poverty aggravates already desperate conditions caused by conflict, discrimination, and repression, and unregistered children are easy to move between countries because they never formally acquire a nationality.†(Fowler, 2004) The study also found that the population which is most vulnerable to trafficking in Africa consist of 3.3 million refugees and 12.7 million internally displaced persons (UNICEF)(Fowler, 2004). Education system in Central African Republic is also a major factor that encourages poverty. Also only 50% of the children in CAR are enrolled in primary school. The other 50% lacks in opportunity to receive even the most basic education because of violence, poverty, or also because there are no teachers, facilities or materials with which to operate a school. With its Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Central African government has announced several goals that are intended to focus efforts in the education sector that includes achieving universal primary education, improving the quality of education in general, developing literacy programs, developing short professional training courses and professionalizing higher education. Also this sector is so important that it is also considered as one of the eight goals in Millennium Development Goals. The obstacles are many, but the past has shown that humanitarian organizations working in tandem with the government can achieve positive results (United Nations, 2008). Health Sector Life expectancy of its meager population 4.3 million ranges from 43.46 to 43.62 years. The major threat to the people there is HIV. People are at very high degree of risk to many other fatal diseases like malaria, hepatitis-A, malaria and rabies. As estimated in 2004 there were fewer than 3 physicians and 9 nurses per 100,000 people (Whiteside, A., 2002)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to United Nations approximately 11% of the population aged between 15 and 49 is HIV positive. About 13.5% of its population is at risk of AIDS. During 2003 approximately 23000 adults and children died of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Also by the end of 2003 about 110,000 children lost one or both of their parents to AIDS. The main reason that led to the deterioration of basic health services in the country is political instability and civil conflicts, thus weakening the national response to this epidemic (WHO, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the people Central African Republic earns a very low-income it is very hard for them to meet the very high cost of drugs that is needed for their treatment. There are concerns about the adequate availability of antiretroviral drugs and financial capacity to sustain the cost of providing antiretroviral therapy free of user charges in the public sector. Additional support is required for decentralization process to ensure that services are accessible at the district level.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During 2004-2005 WHO estimated that CAR requires between US$ 31.1 million and US$ 32.3 million to scale up antiretroviral therapy to reach the WHO â€Å"3 by 5† treatment target of 19 500 people (WHO, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A successful proposal which focuses on scaling up voluntary counseling and testing services, preventing mother-to-child transmission and improving access to antiretroviral therapy was submitted to the Global Fund by the Central African Republic to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria with a total funding request of US$ 25 million. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It can be seen that Central African Republic is facing many problems these days related from agriculture to health care system. As we can see that the major problem in front of the countrys growth is the HIV AIDS. Also government needs to come up with more effective development programs. Government and the localities should think to improve the backbone of its economy. Despite having some of the most fertile land in Africa, the agricultural sector in the Central African Republic (CAR) has languished severely. A combination of insecurity, a lack in security, trade routes, of infrastructure, tools and skills has conspired against a country otherwise blessed with natural resources. Bibliography V. T. LeVine, Political Leadership in Africa (1967). P. Kalck, Central African Republic: Economy (tr. 1971). Barro, Robert J., Inflation and Economic Growth (October 1995). NBER Working Paper No. W5326. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=225390 Jonathan Fowler, â€Å"UNICEF: Human Trafficking in Africa Fueled by War, Economic Hardship, and Lack of Birth Registration,† Associated Press, 23 April 2004. UN Statement, June 1998 -signed by the heads of all UN agencies.

Why is Frankenstein such a popular text? Essay -- English Literature

Why is Frankenstein such a popular text? Frankenstein is a science fiction novel written by Mary Shelley during the time of the Romantic Movement. It has remained popular ever since it was first published and still sells well today, with many reprints of the book since the first edition. One of the main characters of the story and probably the most (in)famous, Frankenstein's monster, has become an icon of all that is monstrous and wrong. The story has been adapted and interpreted many times all in different ways, causing the monster and the stereotypical view of him to become intertextual. The most popular and well recognised representation of the monster and the one that most people would attempt to draw for you if you asked them what he looked like, is that of a huge green man with bolts coming out of the side of his neck and a flat, broad head. This was created for film by Boris Karloff as his interpretation of what the monster should look like. He would typically move very laboriously, with his arms outstretched as if chasing something. His speech is slow and primitive. This, however, is not the true Frankenstein's monster as described in the book, but one created for television and primarily the cinema, as the book centred more on the issues and moral conflicts when dealing with such a creature, whereas cinema and the media tend to concentrate more on the action and thrilling sides of the story. Various other representations of the monster, including characters in television films such as "The Adams Family" and "The Munsters", as well in comics such as "The Incredible Hulk" and "The Fantastic Four", have occurred throughout the twentieth century, causing the image of the "real" monster to becom... ...xtent of what the is doing as sees that the lengths he is willing to go to are not acceptable or justified at all. This culminates two stories, that of Frankenstein's adventure and Captain Walton's giving the reader an increased feeling of cathagy. In conclusion, the two reasons I believe to be why Frankenstein has remained such a popular text are: a. That the central theme of the story and the issues and situations the arise throughout it are becoming more and more relevant in everyday society so people can relate to the story and b. That it is the first true science fiction story ever and so has been promoted as such that it has grabbed everyone's attention. There are probably a number of stories quite similar and perhaps of even better quality than Mary Shelley's work but few people have heard of them and so they remain in Frankenstein's shadow.