Before The Law: A Psychological Approach Essay

There aren’t many descriptions of the setting discussed in the story, while in the process of reading it, the reader seems to only know that there is a gate, a doorkeeper, and a man trying to get in. It is not until the end of the story that it is realized that there may in fact not be a setting at all. Kafka wrote this parable with the intentions of that when the reader was beginning to read, they would assume that the gate the man is trying to get access into is guarding a building or some other place that humans could physically go to. While instead he was telling a story about the human mind. That last few sentences in the story being, â€Å"The doorkeeper recognizes that the man has reached his end, and to let his failing senses catch the words, roars in his ear: ‘No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you. I am now going to shut it. ’ â€Å" giving away Kafkas hidden message. The way that you look at the story, or possibly even the way you have lived your life thus far, can persuade how you take the message that Kafka is trying to give to the readers. The story is written in a third person narrative form, Kafka doesn’t give much detail as to the surroundings in the story but he does let you get into the mans head. He writes, â€Å"Yet in his darkness, he is now aware of a radiance that streams inextinguishably from the gateway of the Law. † Kafka is letting you in on how the man feels and how he views the gate. The way Kafka ends this story makes the reader have to think about their life almost involuntarily. The only difference in how each person thinks is: Where do you think the gate has access to? What do you think the law is? And why do you think the man wants to get in it? My answers to those previously stated questions may be different than many but I feel as if Kafka was trying to get the readers to understand that the law is every human beings own and personalized sanctuary. Society says that finding the job of your dreams, the lover of your dreams, and the house of your dreams is what makes you happy. I feel as if finding ones own inner peace is what truly makes you happy. The armed guards in this story represent the pathway and the battles that one has to take to get the their inner sanctuary. Each time you get past one guard, the next is harder to get through. The guards represent each level of growing into your own person and figuring out yourself and who you are. The story writes, â€Å" ‘Everyone strives to reach the Law,’ says the man, ‘so how does it happen that for all these many years no one but myself has ever begged for admittance? ’ â€Å" The man is doing what he thinks everyone else wants to do, he is not doing it out of pure satisfaction for himself, that is why he is not strong enough to even get past the first guard. At the end of the story it is then revealed that the gate was only meant for the man, but he didn’t try hard enough to get in before the light took him over. If only the man would have went to attempt to beat the guard would he have then realised that the path through the law would lead to his inner peace and serenity. He would have to fight harder and harder battles each time but he choose to not even try to get past the first guard. This story shows how the man has to fight to get what he wants and if he does not try to do so, he will die with nothing but an unanswered question and an unpeaceful mind. The setting could just possibly be within ones own mind, but it could also be everything in the physical world. Or both at the same time.

Neanderthals/Modern Human Interbreeding

In the advent of modern technology, it was found out that the now-extinct species of the Neanderthals do share a common ancestry with the modern human beings. This was through the analysis of the Neanderthal bone DNA from discovered Neanderthal fossil specimens. These Neanderthals were proven to be similar in the genetic makeup as compared to the modern human beings. This is despite the fact that Neanderthals and the modern human lineage have separated ways for some 370,000 years (Mozes; Gianaro). But then, the query lies whether or not the Neanderthals and the early human beings have interbred, which could have led to what the humans are now in the present. The Neanderthals, discovered way back in the 1850’s, are seen to be greatly related to the early human beings. This is because they were able to practice certain behaviors that are seen to be similar with that of the human beings, like burying their dead, skinning animals, building fires and being able to utilize tools made out of wood and stone. The difference they exhibit lie on their physical structure, wherein these Neanderthals are stockier than human beings, have comparably larger noses, muscle definitions, brows, and relatively larger brains. In relation to the coexistence of the Neanderthals and the early human beings, there are fossil evidences that these Neanderthals have existed in around 230,000 years ago in the European and western Asian regions. Dating back around 40,000 years ago, the early human beings, Homo sapiens, started moving northward, their migration patterns away from Africa, towards the European and Asian lands. And in a span of 10,000 years, the existence of Neanderthals have started to cease, vanishing from the old places they were situated, then had been isolated into smaller populations. After a few thousand years, they have totally disappeared from the face of the earth. The Neanderthal man was considered as the subspecies of the Homo sapiens, the species where the human beings are classified with. They got their name from the place where the remnants of the first Neanderthal were discovered, in Neanderthal, Germany. It was a valley where the fossils of the Neanderthal were unearthed. It was either classified as Homo sapiens neandertalensis or Homo neandertalensis depending on how scientists view them. Some scientists classify the Neanderthal as its own species, apart from Homo sapiens because of the large number of differences in the anatomy between Neanderthals and human beings (Gianaro). The anatomical structure of the Neanderthal has somewhat explained that they were the primary hominids to have survived and thrived in the harsh conditions of an extremely cold environment. They existed at the time of the glaciations in Europe, wherein they were forced to live and survive in the icy areas of the continent. Their bodies were built for adapting in these cold conditions, like their squat, stocky build which is efficient for maintaining the body temperature under the extremes of the cold environment. They have also developed large powerful muscles in their bodies which have proven to be useful in hunting animals in the cold. This is because there was no abundance of plants that could bear fruits that they can eat, leaving them with meat as their only choice. There bodies showed a lot of difference from that of the Homo sapiens. The H. sapiens contemporary of these Neanderthals which are from Africa and Asia have a relatively smaller skull and brow ridge thickness. With their differences laid, it is clear to see that humans and Neanderthals have a clear distinction, which may or may not have lead in what was speculated by other researchers as the result of interbreeding of the species. Some of these scientists say that even though they were different, they have interbred, which leads us to what the human beings are today. The present human beings have probably been the products or the cross between Neanderthals and the early Homo sapiens. Some say that these answer why the Neanderthals have disappeared, because they have blended in with the early human ancestors (Hsu). One of the studies that lead to the opening of doors for the idea of the Neanderthal interbreeding with early humans was when Neanderthal bones have been analyzed and underwent DNA sequencing. This study was done under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Berkeley National Laboratory and the Joint Genome Institute has yielded astonishing results regarding the similarities of the human and Neanderthal genes. The study arrived at a 99.5% similarity or identity between the two. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that there are evidences of crossbreeding between early human beings and the Neanderthals. The study has opened the door to the understanding that the early Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis shared a common ancestor around 700,000 years back time (Yarris and Rubin). This group of researchers, led by Edward Rubin, the director of the Joint Genome Institute and the Genomics Division of the Berkeley Lab, has achieved to establish the development of the Neanderthal metagenomic library, which was used for analyzing and characterizing more than 65,000 DNA groups which is rooted to Neanderthal ancestry. This is gives a new look at studying the Neanderthals, not only providing new information to the science world, but of further understanding these early hominids. This is essential in finding more about the roots of man, shedding new light to human origin. Erik Trinkaus, a resident anthropologist of the Washington University in St. Louis has published a set of new data analysis regarding the early modern human fossils. This was done along with his Romanian colleagues in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, wherein they have speculated a proof of the transition between Neanderthals and humans. The 30,000 year old bones that were unearthed in Pestera Muierii, a Romanian cave, was said to have resemblances in both Neanderthals and humans (Billings). What these similarities suggest was the possibility that early human beings and Neanderthals may have mated with each other and have successfully produced an offspring. According to Trinkaus, these Muierii fossils were the remnants of the early modern human beings plus some three or four characteristics which resembles that of the Neanderthals. This includes the bulge which is located at the back of the cranium. He said that these could either be a sign of re-evolving from the African ancestors or has acquired them as descendants of those who mated with the Neanderthals. This finding by Trinkaus has been disputed by two other top anthropologists, which are Jeff Scwartz from University of Pittsburgh and Ian Tattersall of the American Museum of Natural History (Billings). According to these anthropologists, the diiference that Trinkaus see as the product of the crossbreeding of the Neanderthals and early modern human beings, were actually the result of normal variation of species. Variations like being chunky or slender, tall or short are most probably the results of species variation rather than interbreeding. These are the things that make them distinct from other species, since no two species are exactly similar with each other. The bulge on the head that Trinkaus claims were actually is the wedge-shaped snouts of the Neanderthal fossils and a depression in the back of their heads, instead of a bulge. These differences in their findings were actually the result of their different attacks on the topic. Trinkaus point of view was more on the aspect of the physical differences that species has undergone. He attributed the size and built of the unearthed specimen as a character of the Neanderthals, while having features the same of that of the early modern human beings. He didn’t consider the possibility of a species variation, like when there are tall and short human beings. Schwartz and Tatersall considered the aspect of this species variation, and have dismissed the findings of Trinkaus. But they have agreed with the similarity which was brought about by the genetic makeup of the Neanderthals and the human beings. Furthermore, their idea dismisses the possibility of interbreeding happening on early modern human beings and the Neanderthals. Though they have almost the same genetic makeup, it doesn’t mean that they are able to interbreed with each other, though they are different species. What the genetic similarity would establish is that they are both coming from the same lineage, the same ancestry, that have branched out hundred of thousand years ago. In the advent of technology, researchers are able to find that Neanderthals are similar to that of the early modern human beings. Because of these they were able to establish that we came from the same ancestry as that of the Neanderthals. There were researches that points out that the present day human beings might have been the result of the interbreeding between the early modern humans and the Neanderthals, but there are also researches that dismisses this findings. We share the same lineage as that of the early hominid Homo neanderthalensis but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are the result of them interbreeding with early modern human beings. The idea is nonetheless probable, but is close to being implausible. References: Billings, Lee. â€Å"Genetic and Fossil Evidence Comes Together to Reveal a Hidden Chapter of Human History.†Ã‚   2006. Neanderthals in Our Midst.   Seed Magazine. May 7 2007. . Gianaro, Catherine. â€Å"Humans, Neanderthals Share Common Ancestry, yet Have Nothing in Common after Evolutionary Split of Two Species†.   2006.   University of Chicago Chronicle. May 7 2007. . Hsu, Steve. â€Å"Neanderthal-Human Interbreeding â€Å".   2006.   Information Processing. May 7 2007. . Mozes, Alan. â€Å"Neanderthal DNA Shows No Interbreeding with Humans, the Two Groups Do Share 99.5 Percent of Their Genes, However†.   2006.   Health On the Net Foundation. May 7 2007. . Yarris, Lynn, and Edward Rubin. â€Å"Neanderthal Genome Sequencing Yields Surprising Results and Opens a New Door to Future Studies†.   2006.   Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. May 7 2007. .      

Birth Defects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Birth Defects - Essay Example The paper aims at exploring some of the potent birth defects that are plaguing the mankind; probable causes behind these birth defects and the measures that can be applied to prevent the birth defects in newborns. Current Scenario in the UK Smith (2011) argues that one in 80 babies suffers some kind of a birth defect in the UK such as Down's syndrome or neural tube defects such as spina bifida or congenital heart disease. The surprising part is that the proportion of birth defects in the newborns has almost doubled from the previous estimate. The rise in numbers is purely attributed to a better data collection system and nothing else. In 2009, there were, as per the researchers’ estimate, 14,500 babies with some sort of birth defects in England and Wales. By the way, London had the highest cases of Down's syndrome (34 per 10,000 children) then among major towns. Heart disorder is found to be the most common birth defect among the newborns in the UK needing surgery. At least si x percent of newborns with heart disease are not likely to survive. Spina bifida or neural tube defects are found in at least one in 1,000 babies and doctors say that the birth defects could have been simply prevented if mothers were given folic acid in adequate quantity during pregnancy. Similarly, cleft lip or palate is found to be in 15.2 babies per 10,000; Edwards’ syndrome in seven per 10,000 and Patau’s syndrome in two per 10,000 babies of England and Wales. At least, 50 percent of the defects were detected during pregnancy itself. It is noteworthy that numbers of birth defects due to Down's syndrome are increasing perhaps due to pregnancy incidents at higher age (Smith, 2011). Birth Defects due to External Agents Chiras (2012) emphasises that most birth defects are caused due to some sort of chemical, physical or biological agents. Dietary deficiency of folic acid also plays a pivotal role in birth defects. The time of exposure to any of these agents play a cruc ial role in causing a birth-defect. Organ systems are the most affected parts due to the exposure to any of harmful agent. The central nervous system is more at risk because it starts developing during the third week of pregnancy – a time when woman is not even aware that she is pregnant. Women in the habit of consuming alcohol or drugs are most likely to harm central nervous system, heart, limbs and eyes of the baby as these organs start developing as early as third week of pregnancy. Birth Defect Classifications Broadly, birth defects can be classified into two kinds: Functional and Structural. Functional birth defect relates with the abnormal functioning of some body part. Mental retardation, learning disabilities, speech difficulties are the brain defects that indicate about the functional impairment. Examples of birth defects pertaining to nervous system include Down’s syndrome, autism, and Fragile X syndrome. Metabolic disorders such as phynylketonuria (PKU) or h ypothyroidism are examples of functional disorder. Cleft lip or palate, spina bifida are the examples of Structural birth defects. Missing heart valve, abnormal limbs such as a club foot also fall in this category. Some of the birth defects that follow will explain how they impair body’s normal functioning and learning abilities. Down’s syndrome Down's syndrome is a congenital disorder impacting physical and mental growth of the child. The children with Down's syndrome are also found to be impacted with high incidence of heart disease, hearing or vision issues, Alzheimer's disease. Down's syndrome is found more in boys (by 15%) than girls. More incidences of Down' syndrome is noticed at the places where mothers give births at higher age. Mother with age 45 or above carries the

My leadership philosophy Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

My leadership philosophy - Personal Statement Example Just like what President Harry Truman affirmed in his speech entitled "A Public Man Must Live in the Present†, he believed that â€Å"the fundamental basis for a happy life with family and friends is to treat others as you would like to be treated, speak truthfully, act honorably and keep commitments to the letter† (Truman par. 2). This principle likewise applies to subordinates and colleagues, alike. In carrying out one’s responsibilities, one must be aware that leaders must have the ability to understand, not only the scope of one’s duties. Thus, leaders do not only have the obligation to carry out the responsibilities explicitly defined in their professional portfolio; more so, leaders should have the innate skills and genuine commitment to ensure that the responsibilities that must be carried out by his or her followers, must be duly accomplished, with proper motivation, guidance, direction, coaching, and mentoring strategies, which would facilitate and encourage them, wholeheartedly, to achieve. My priorities are also my commitment to undertake my responsibilities in the organization which I serve; and also to act and behave according to ethical, moral, and legal standards. I was influenced and strongly affected by the words from John McCain, in his speech on "The Virtues of the Quiet Hero" as he emphasized that he believes in life encompass service, honor, and faith – where faith was expressly disclosed to be a unifying force: "a faith that bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity.

Overcoming Barriers to Credit Availability for SMEs Dissertation

Overcoming Barriers to Credit Availability for SMEs - Dissertation Example Introduction and Relation to Previous Research Availability of finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been a topic of research among academicians since it impacts the economy of a nation (Beck and Demirguc-Kunt,2006; OECD,2004). One of the perennial problems faced by SMEs is the access to capital (Scholz,2007).There has been extensive research on why SMEs find it difficult to obtain funding, why transparent SMEs stand better chance of finance availability than opaque SMEs, how financing differs from traditional SMEs to innovative SMEs and what SMEs can do to improve their chances of obtaining finances, given that they function in a regulated environment. This topic is of interest since access to financing has been identified in many business surveys as one of the most significant obstacles to the survival and growth of SMEs (OECD,2004).It will be of value to understand what are the barriers that exist in financing of SMEs and what can be done both by financial Institutions and SMEs to overcome the same. Barriers to SME Financing According to OECD (2006) reasons identified for SMEs inability to procure finances especially in comparison with larger firms usually include: ï‚ § Incomplete range of financial products and services ï‚ § Regulatory rigidities or gaps in the legal framework ï‚ § Lack of information on both the bank’s and the SME’s side. Banks may avoid providing financing to certain types of SMEs, in particular, start ups and very young firms that typically lack sufficient collateral.

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 2

Business Ethics - Essay Example This made it imperative that he contemplate first the possible consequences of his actions on others. There is no shortage of philosophical principles on the subject of ethics and their complexity has made it a key topic of discussion or debates among students, academicians, politicians and businessmen. The main purpose of the study of ethics is to enable people to be guided by their principles and to see to it that their actions are not only legal and moral but also ethical. This may seem like a superfluous argument but there are decidedly many fine distinctions between the various lines of ethical thought over the centuries, as propounded by the great minds of bygone eras. There are so many situations in real life where people are confronted with ethical challenges and a knowledge of some of the more prominent ethical principles can be of great help in looking for answers. Discussion Ethics has been applied in a number of areas such as politics (cheating and lying), medicine (abort ion, organ donations, surrogate motherhood, euthanasia), legal or justice system (juvenile delinquency, retribution, incarceration, capital punishment), economics (distribution of equity and benefits), environment (exploitation of resources, pollution, tragedy of the commons), society (race, ethnicity, minority rights), the military (gay rights, DADT, torture, assassination) and in business (corruption, bribery, industrial espionage, human resources management) and the list could go on to extend to practically all aspects of human life. Businesses today have to grapple with ethical issues as well, and this paper looks at how Yahoo, Inc. dealt with China. The moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher and thinker, has cast a very long shadow on the study of ethics. His thoughts have influenced several succeeding lines of philosophers even up to this modern day and age, because most of his arguments are cogent. A careful re-reading of his philosophy shows how these are st ill very applicable today, even with many situations not even contemplated yet during his time. An example is the rapid advances in medical technologies, in which man can play and act like God, in determining issues of life and death. Questions such as abortion, euthanasia, organ transplants and surrogate motherhood are just some of the issues that have to be settled by moral ethics in which Kantian philosophy can be put to good use in having relevant discussions and hopefully arrive at good decisions. Legal systems have not kept up with these advances in medical knowledge and technologies such that the laws currently in place are grossly inadequate and cannot provide helpful answers. Ethical issues and moral considerations have likewise presented new challenges for the business entities, especially with the advent of the globalization in trade and commerce. There are many situations in which firms operate in other countries, often with laws at variance or even contrary with the dom estic laws in their country of domicile. This situation can present a tricky business environment because higher management has to contend with conflicting demands from contradictory standards of what constitutes good governance and best practices. Oftentimes, it is left to the best discretion of senior management on the best course of action, navigating a sea of laws which can work well in one country but not in another country. Ethics has seeped into the world of business in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) which provide guidelines on what to do in adverse or ambiguous situations without sacrificing profits. In the final analysis, there can be no clear-cut answers and it is better left to the best

Three Important Lessons by Kurlansky Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Three Important Lessons by Kurlansky - Assignment Example It is hard to understand what Kurlansky was driving to when he stated: â€Å"the state imagines it is impotent without a military because it cannot conceive of power without power† (Kurlansky 2006). This is evidenced by the fact that one can come up with many questions about this lesson. For instance, is it possible that Kurlansky implied that absence of power results to no state? Or is it possible that he thought that the state was the structural significance of power? Answering these questions enables one to understand the current power tussles in many states. Some Presidents of states have been overthrown because of lack of amicable cohesion between the government and their respective military. A good support of this claim is what took place in Egypt two years ago. The Egyptian army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi and held him together with his entire presidential term under house arrest. If President Morsi could have had a military, I mean him having a close relationship with the military; he could have secured his power as a president. In connection with the happenings in Egypt, many states are justified to consider themselves impotent if their relationship with their military is poor. As argued by Kurlansky, it is true â€Å"violence does not resolve. It always leads to more violence† (Kurlansky 2006). In relation to this claim, I came across a paper narrating what took place in Kenya as a result of election violence in 2007. The loss of the presidential results to one of the aspirants who was believed to have won through rigging the elections triggered violence between his supporters and those of his opponent. The majority of the people who participated in that election violence thought violence was the only way to solve their problem. Some politicians also fueled the hatred between people through financing their violence against each other. Unfortunately, the violence escalated beyond the control of the state leading to the loss of many innocent lives.

Should Sex Education be Mandatory in High Schools Research Paper

Should Sex Education be Mandatory in High Schools - Research Paper Example From the paper it is clear that  draws mixed reactions whenever it is brought up for discussion. Many are the tikes that emotions flare up between the conservatives and those who are of the same. It is, however, necessary to state the facts about sex education in high schools and specifically, teenage sex as it is so that at the end of the day people makes an informed opinion on this matter. Sex education in high schools is something, which should be embraced because of the value that this topic creates among those children who undergo such trainings. It is necessary that the correct information be available for the young minds so that they do not lose track as they try to experiment things on their own. It is common knowledge that the media nowadays have a lot of influence on the mindset of the teenagers.  As the discussion stresses  most high school children are teenagers and they have access to the media, programs which portray sex as the best way out. There is a high level of influence also from the internet with sites that have pornographic materials and contents yet with no restrictions, meaning that these young children can access the same with a lot of ease. Denying the vulnerability of our children and refuting sex education a chance in high schools is like turning a blind eye to the young minds and leaving them in a state of confusion. The high school children are still young and with the correct information about sex, these children are likely to grow up into responsible individuals with good sexual behavior.

Controversy Analysis, fracking, air pollution, gasland Essay

Controversy Analysis, fracking, air pollution, gasland - Essay Example Because of its potential to harm the environment, especially through the pollution of air, making it difficult for both humans and wildlife to survive, is an issues which has been widely discussed (McKenzie et al 80). The potential effects of fracking on the quality of air has led to the decision by the United States government to set up rules whose aim is to ensure that there is a reduction of the pollution of air by those companies which are involved in fracking. Among the first activities which led to the development of public awareness concerning the detrimental effects of fracking was the creation of the documentary film, Gasland. This documentary was an attempt to create awareness, within the American public, of the effects of that attempts made by gas companies to extract natural gas in rural America have on the environment. Fracking means of gas mining done through the injection of chemicals and massive quantities of water at high pressures with the intention of cracking open the rocks deep beneath the surface and as a result releasing the natural gas (Byrne). As is evidenced in the film, while fracking has led to the emergence of the natural gas boom across the United States, there is also proof that this method of gas extraction has led to the contamination of the environment, especially air, which is an essential want for all Americans (Porter). The fact that this film came into prominence is one of the reasons why the American government chose to take steps to ensure that the natural environment is protected against destruction through companies which use fracking in the extraction of natural gas. Gasland has created a new awareness in the public concerning the devastating environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing, which is the main means through which natural gas is extracted in the mainland United States. The film works towards the establishment of means through which these issues concerning the conservation of the American environment can be discussed and viable solutions for the environmental problems caused by these activities by oil and gas companies can be found (â€Å"Gasland†). It can further be said that Gasland deals with the preservation, the development, and the return of the American natural environment to the state in which it was previously. Because of the influence of Gasland, the EPA was pressured to issue final air pollution standards whose main purpose is to ensure that all fracking operations conducted in the country use emission capture technology (â€Å"The Future of Fracking†). While this was the case, however, the EPA gave the gas companies required to implement these new rules what was termed a phase-in period before having to comply. The new regulations that were put in place, were the first of their kind that were aimed at limiting air pollution due to the fracking process (â€Å"Clean Air and Natural Gas†). These regulations have created the requirement that all the operato rs who use this method have to capture natural gas and volatile organic compounds that are produced while the wells are being prepared for the production of gas (â€Å"Senate committee examines EPA rule on air pollution from fracking†). The fracking method, while creating vast potential for natural

The Jew Store Essay Example for Free

The Jew Store Essay The Jew Store is a story written by a lady whose family moved to America from Russia in the early 1900s. The first moved to New York and then found their way down to the South. They finally ended up in Nashville as their first permanent residence. They would not last there very long though, as they ended up taking a chance moving to the northwest part of Tennessee in a city called Concordia. The family was of the Jewish decent. They first moved to New York because it was so heavily concentrated with Jews. At this time and period in America, I think Jews were looked down on heavily; maybe not as much as the African Americans, but definitely in that way. They were treated this way because they were not ‘Protestants’ or Gentiles. Especially when they moved down south, everyone knew that the new family coming through would be called the Jewish or the Jew family; it’s just how it was. The Bronson’s came to Nashville mainly to pursue their father’s dreams of becoming a businessman or store owner. But after arriving in Nashville, the Bronson’s were facing the realization that they would never have an opportunity to own a store in Nashville. And I would like to point out, in order to run these stores; the whole family must be involved. So, Mr. Bronson took a risk he had to take if he wanted to reach his dreams, and the family set out for Concordia, Tennessee. The first thing Mr. Bronson did when he got to Concordia was change his name to an American one. He changed his name to Avram(? ) to Aaron. He thought this would be a good idea because it would make him more acceptable within the community. Aaron was led a little bit into the adrift in my opinion. I think when he left Nashville, he thought he had an automatic store that was going to be given to him, but yet when he got there, he didn’t even have a place to call his own. When they first arrived in town, they had to stay at Miss Brookie’s house, and she was nice enough to let them stay free of pay. Miss Brookie might have been one of the only early people to step up and help out the Bronsons. Miss Brookie also had connections within the town. Her uncle, Tom Dillon, was a wealthy man who rented out stores or something of that nature. This was Mr. Bronson’s first contact within the city that could help him acquire a place for a store. Dillon wasn’t necessarily the most welcoming to Mr. Bronson. He knew that coming in, Bronson could give him problems and take customers away from him, so in the beginning; Mr. Bronson was already fighting an uphill battle. The Bronson’s finally came up with enough to buy a house of their own after staying with Miss Brookie for a while. When they made this move, the neighbors were very welcoming. They would participate in activities together such as gardening and painting. As partial as the community was to the Bronson’s when they first came into town, as time went along they became more accepted. People in the community were allowed to associate with them without being looked down upon. With that being said, there was still a bridge and gap between the Bronson’s and the community. People knew they were Jewish and were not Protestants, so this created a gap between them, especially on Sunday’s. Miriam, Stella’s(the author) older sister, always complained about how boring Sunday’s were. The Bronson’s were pretty much on their own on these days because the rest of the community spent their time at the church. When the Bronson’s first came into town, they knew they would have to compete with other stores for customers. With that being said, they decided to target an audience they knew would side with them. At this time, blacks and Jews were oft looked down upon, so Mr. Bronson thought that if he could attract the African American demographic that his business could thrive. So, this was definitely a way to separate themselves from the Protestants of this time. Many of the religious people only associated with blacks if they had one as a maid or something. The Bronson’s did not homeschool their kids or anything of that nature, so this exposed them to the Protestants in Concordia. I think it was important for them to send their kids to school in public, because this is where they got some of their customers. Their kids’ friends’ parents ended up coming to their store. Even though at first the Bronson’s faced an uphill battle at the beginning, by the time they were about to leave Concordia, they were well accepted throughout the community. Mr. Bronson helped out this community more than it could have ever imagined. Before they left, Mr. Bronson was the lead guy in heading up the fundraiser to help keep the local shoe factory open. He agreed to match anybody’s money offer penny for penny. And just a reminder, this was a guy who was looked down upon after he moved into this city. I think this helped started bridging the gap between Jews and Protestants. This family was a nice family that worked that just wanted to succeed. And they were willing to do a lot of things to do that. I am going to go out on a limb and say that if a Protestant family had entered a community with these types of circumstances they might never have prevailed. So, by giving this generous gift of money to the town, I think the Protestants realized that maybe these people were ‘Jewish,’ but that they just wanted well for everyone. An incident involving Miriam occurred around the time she was five years old. She might have been in the school systems, but I know she was with people of her age. They were at a Presbyterian church and the leader asked her where she went to church. She ended up trying to pronounce Presbyterian properly, but the point is she had no idea what they were asking. I think this community was very insecure about this Jewish family coming to their town. They did not know how to react to them. I don’t know if they thought they may or may not try to come in and convert them, but I do know one lady from the town said â€Å"Once a Jew, always a Jew. † To me this means they(the community) were trying to set an example that no matter what they did, they would not fully be a member of the community since they weren’t Protestants. The Bronson’s put up a good fight, but I still think people looked down on them just because they were Jewish. There was also another time when Myriam or Stella went to church with one of her friends. It was to a Methodist institution to witness the baptism of a newborn baby. I do not think Mrs. Bronson was aware that Stella was going to an actual church service. She told Stella to only go to Sunday school. This was sort of confusing to me, because I figured Mrs. Bronson would be all out one way or the other. But by letting one of her daughters go to church, it could have exposed her. The final straw for Mrs. Bronson in Concordia was Myriam about marrying a Gentile. One of the first friends they met when they moved to Concordia was T, who also had a brother. But as Myriam was becoming more and more serious with T, Mrs. Bronson started sweating more and more. She did not want her daughter to marry a non-Jew. With the threat of this rising, she immediately recommended the Bronson’s move back to New York so Myriam would not be able to marry a non-Jew. And that they did, the Bronson’s packed up and left. Their time in Tennessee was well made and they made a lot of progressions, but in the end their religion made them move back. The fear of one of Mrs. Bronson’s daughters marrying out of religion was too much for her. So, this was the biggest step they took to separate themselves from Protestantism. I think the Bronson’s had it the toughest of all out of the three books I read. In the other two books, Muslims in America and The Madonna of 115th Street, these people came over together as a mass and usually lived in communities together. These were tight knit communities that bonded together and wanted to see one another succeed. The Bronson’s on the other hand, went into a new community by themselves and came out a pretty successful and well respected family. They had nobody to lean with the exception of very few people such as Miss Brookie. The Muslims and Catholics on the other hand had a whole community to fall back on. They also faced adversity of a whole city, but I would take that route any day of the week. Also, what I have perceived from reading these three books. Americans like doing it their way. They don’t like having other people come in and do things contradictory to them. Americans like surrounding themselves with people who agree with them and like them. That is their comfort zone, and I think at a time like now in America, tensions are higher than ever because of all the surrounding circumstances that go against what we believe in.

An analysis of sex tourism: Issues and critique

An analysis of sex tourism: Issues and critique Introduction Leisure and tourism is considered as one way of getting away daily routines. Numerous tourists feel bored and tired of their everyday life so they travel to escape those environments. Their jobs and duties have become a hindrance to joyful feelings in life. Tourism is not merely an economic activity, but it is not all of the host culture, elements of culture and cultural guest that comes and accepts that culture. ÃŽâ„¢n the Tourism Industry, a dark sector raises called Sex Tourism. Martin (1998) state that, look back to the history the first signs of sex tourism began to appear on first and second World Wars through of the soldiers who needs a place to relax and recreate after a long walk and trajectories in camps. When the military started developing into seas, such as trade trips, the cities changed into busy roads with places of entertainment for sailors and dealers. Sex tourism is a constantly developing phenomenon which defined as â€Å"trips organized from within the tourism sector, or from outside this sector but using its structures and networks, with the primary purpose of effecting a commercial sexual relationship by the tourist with residents at the destination (World Tourism Organization). Sex tourism also furthers gender inequalities and promotes violence towards women. There are two forms of sex tourism: 1) Sex tourism â€Å"promoted† by those countries in which prostitution is legally recognized and considered as a professional activity; 2) Sex tourism taking place in states that are often considered as developing countries, where prostitution is not regulated by a specific law, but by an illegal system. This particular type of tourism has both social and cultural effects on the countries of origin and destination, particularly in those situations in which differences related to sex, age, social and economic status of the populations living in such countries are exploited. The diversity of modern activities is causing impacts on the cultural environment: a common example is the use of cultural as a trade good for the tourism industry. The host community is generally the weak part of the relationship host-guest: taking any influence from the guest side in order to fulfill is requirements (unep 2015). The impacts arise when changes in the cultural v Globalization in the field of economic, cultural, social and political, have a positive relationship and in the field of the environment but a negative relationship with the development of tourism. Tourism can cause change or loss of local identity and values, as well as can convert local cultures into commodities. Tourism can cause change / loss of local identity and values by: COMMODIFICATION STANDARDISATION LOSS OF AUTHENTICITY / STAGED AUTHENTICITY Commodification Tourism can turn local cultures into commodities when religious rituals, traditional ethnic rites and festivals are reduced and sanitized to conform to tourist expectations, resulting in what has been called reconstructed ethnicity (unep 2015). Once a destination is sold as a tourism product, and the tourism demand for souvenirs, arts, entertainment and other commodities begins to exert influence, basic changes in human values may occur. Standardization Destinations risk standardization in the process of satisfying tourists desires for familiar facilities. While landscape, accommodation, food and drinks, etc., must meet the tourists desire for the new and unfamiliar, they must at the same time not be too new or strange because few tourists are actually looking for completely new things. Furthermore, tourists often look for recognizable facilities in an unfamiliar environment, like well-known fast-food restaurants and hotel chains. Loss of authenticity and staged authenticity Adapting cultural expressions to the tastes of tourists or even performing shows as if they were real life constitutes staged authenticity. As long as tourists just want a glimpse of the local atmosphere, a quick glance at local life, without any knowledge or even interest, staging will be inevitable. Cultural clashes: Cultural clashes, promoted through of convergence of cultural, and can arise from economic inequality which based on consumption patterns and local community. The result can be an overexploitation of the social carrying capacity (limits of acceptable change in the social system inside or around the destination) and cultural carrying capacity (limits of acceptable change in the culture of the host population) of the local community (unep 2015). Economic inequality Like all transactions, sex-tourism is both an economic and political phenomenon, this because it must have a market and the transactions must be considered indirectly or directly socially and politically legitimate (Outshoorn 2004 p 267). Many tourists come from societies with different consumption patterns and lifestyles than what is current at the destination, seeking pleasure, spending large amounts of money. Especially in less developed countries, there is likely to be a growing distinction between the haves and have-nots, which may increase social and sometimes ethnic, tensions (unep 2015). Ethical issues Finally, ethical issues are also the aspects as crime generation, the practice of child labour and prostitution. With the growth, urbanization of an area, and growth of mass tourism is often the main reason that crime rates typically increase. Furthermore The presence of a large number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and often carrying valuables such as cameras and jewelry, increases the attraction for criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing. Job level friction In developing countries especially, many jobs occupied by local people in the tourist industry are at a lower level, such as housemaids, waiters, gardeners and other practical work, while higher-paying and more prestigious managerial jobs go to foreigners or urbanized nationals. Due to a lack of professional training, as well as to the influence of hotel or restaurant chains at the destination, people with the know-how needed to perform higher level jobs are often attracted from other countries. This may cause friction and irritation and increases the gap between the cultures. Child labour The United Nations has defined child sex tourism as tourism organized with the primary purpose of facilitating the effecting of a commercial sexual relationship with a child. For children from families too poor to send them to school, tourism can present opportunities to earn an income. In many destinations, this is a stark example of how the supposed wealth generated by tourism is not being equally shared across society. It can also leave children open to one the most abhorrent forms of exploitation such as child sex tourism. Every year, countless numbers of children are sexually abused by tourists. Child sex tourism is the commercial sexual exploitation of children in tourism. Despite concerted international efforts to combat child sex tourism, it is an increasing phenomenon. Factors such as internet, low cost travel, border relaxations and visa free travel are making it more challenging to monitor and prevent. Prostitution and sex tourism Though tourism is not the cause of sexual exploitation, it provides easy access to it. The lure of this easy money has caused many young people, including children, to trade their bodies in exchange for some money and many times for some material goods such as clothes and food. In other situations children are trafficked into the brothels on the margins of the tourist areas and sold into sex slavery, very rarely earning enough money to escape. Certain tourism destinations have become centers for this illegal trade, frequented by pedophiles and supported by networks of pimps, taxi drivers, hotel staff, brothel owners, entertainment establishments, and tour operators who organize package sex tours. Philippines Philippines has become one of the most popular destination with 40 percent of the visitors are sex tourists. The last years while the Philippines economy has made a big progress, a quarter of the population still lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day. Today Philippines has over 300 bars clubs that offer sexual liaisons. An alarmingly problem to the country is that the fathers often don’t take responsibility of the child with result the mothers to can’t take care of the child because of economic issues. This kind of social circumstance usual force the children too in prostitution, with many of them facing such ordeals at an incredibly young age with result to trap the young generation in the sex industry. Moreover, must to be note that $400m spent on prostitution each year in Philippines. There are 500k workers which almost a fifth of whom are minors. Owners of sex bars in the Philippines often use fake identification documents in order to employ minors. Some former child victims have reported being offered jobs as waitresses in â€Å"red light† districts and then being coerced into providing sexual services to customers. Prostitution of children in the Philippines is in some cases associated with domestic work. It has been estimated that in Manila alone there are 1.5 million street children with result to increase the vulnerability of children to all forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children, in particular, child prostitution, pornography and trafficking for sexual purposes. John Hopkins University state that the number of minors exploited in the commercial sex industry in the Philippines is between 60,000 and 75,000. Trafficking of children According to the US Department of State, the Philippines are mostly a source country, and to a lesser extent a transit and destination country for children subjected to sex trafficking. Domestic child trafficking in the Philippines presents more challenges than cross border trafficking. Internally, women and children are trafficked from poor farming communities and rural areas to urban areas such as Manila, Angeles City and Cebu City. Men are subjected to forced labor and debt bondage in agriculture, including on sugar cane plantations, and in the fishing industry. Women and children were trafficked within the country for forced labor as domestic workers and small-scale factory workers, for forced begging, and for exploitation in the commercial sex trade. Hundreds of victims are subjected to sex trafficking each day in well-known and highly visible business establishments that cater to Filipinos’ and foreign tourists’ demand for commercial sex acts. Filipino migrant workers, both domestically and abroad, who became trafficking victims are often subjected to violence, threats, inhumane living conditions, nonpayment of salaries, confinement, and withholding of travel and identity documents. Traffickers, at times in partnership with organized crime syndicates and corrupt government officials, recruit family and friends from villages and urban neighborhoods, sometimes masquerading as representatives of government-registered employment agencies. Apart from poverty, the main causes of child trafficking in the Philippines are low economic development in communities of origin, gender inequalities, limited employment opportunities, large family sizes, inadequate awareness among families, and sex tourism. Also persistent law enforcement officials’ complicity in human trafficking and corruption at all levels of government enables traffickers to prosper and exploit children in the sex industry Trends The last years in Philippines has emerged a new form of online child exploitation which seems to have devastating effects. The people who promote child sex tourism in Philippines usually offer money or other rewards to the victims in order to promote direct live streaming videos of children. Since there is no direct sexual contact, often parents see it not as a problem but the damage which webcam sex make to the children in fact is large. Legislation and mechanisms to protect children from sexual exploitation In 2004, the Interà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (ACT), in collaboration with other government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders, created a six year (2004-2010) Strategic National Plan of Action against Trafficking. This specific plan is split into three components: Prevention protection, including law enforcement and prosecution repatriation, recovery and reintegration In relation to the prevention of trafficking, relevant objectives of the plan include: 1) Increasing public awareness of trafficking 2) Undertaking research on the root causes of trafficking in women and children 3) Instituting programs at the local level to prevent women and children from being procured by traffickers. Conclusion and recommendation Many question the Filipino Government’s lack of involvement in reducing the accessibility of the sex trafficking and sex tourism industry. Currently, the punishment stands at a  £12 fine for the bar or club where the girl is taken from to have sex. Furthermore, being a deeply religious country, access to contraception isn’t widely available and therefore increases the chances of pregnancy among the women. In conclusion, we have seen that the existence of child sex tourism in the Philippines is directly related to the inequalities in wealth that are present between the developing and developed world. Additional factors include the historical context of foreigners in the islands and the images and stereotypes of Orient sexuality. The way forward must include all actors shows as local people, governments and the tourism industry. However these do not necessarily have the opportunity or motivation to act. Therefore there is a crucial campaigning role to be played by civil society and, in particular, the media. Philippines must to realize that their image such as tourism destination has been damaged by the negative publicity for child sex tourism in order to take drastic measures. the UN refer that Decriminalization enables sex workers to organize within their communities and register their organizations, obtain identification documents so that they can fully access services and entitlements, engage in advocacy and respond to the health and safety needs of their peers. By legalizing prostitution, a government can help bring sex workers under labor protections offered to other workers. Some claim that prostitution in inherently unsafe and so should not be sanctioned by labor laws, but many other industries are unsafe such as the mining industry, and this was precisely the reason why government labor laws and unions were created to protect them. Moreover, a legalized form of prostitution will help lessen the incidence of human trafficking through of the rules which will be applied with result to reduce sex trafficking and take out prostitution of the black market. Legalization won’t cure all of the buses involved in the sex industry. But, if it will make the environment marginally safer, which is an appropriate step in the right direction. In other words, legitimizing prostitution in the Philippines will pave way to equal treatment to sex workers. Reference: Martin Oppermann (1998). Sex Tourism and Prostitution: Aspects of Leisure, Recreation, and Work (Tourism Dynamics). Edition. Cognizant Communication Corp Outshoorn, Joyce (e.d), 2004. Politics of Prostitution: Womens movment, Democratic states and the Globalisation of sex commerce, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. UNEP, (2015). United Nations Environment Programme: environment for development. [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Business/SectoralActivities/Tourism/FactsandFiguresaboutTourism/ImpactsofTourism/Socio-CulturalImpacts/NegativeSocio-CulturalImpactsFromTourism/tabid/78781/Default.aspx. The Lost Generation Sex Tourism in the Philippines. The Global Panorama. 2015. [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://theglobalpanorama.com/the-philippines-generation-of-sex-tourism-children/. ECPAT Website http://www.ecpat.net/ Trinidad, A.C., University of the Philippines, and UNICEF Manilla. (2005). Child pornography in the Philippines. Psychosocial Trauma and Human Rights Program, UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies and UNICEF Manila. USA department of state, DIPLOMACY IN ACTION case Philippines, (2015). [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2013/215544.htm. TRAVEL Health Clinic: sex tourism. WLV Article Linker Results (2015). [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://wk6kg9sd8m.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.comrft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journalrft.genre=articlerft.atitle=Sex+tourismrft.jtitle=Practice+Nursingrft.au=Willcox%2C+Adriennerft.date=2009-05-01rft.issn=0964-9271rft.volume=20rft.issue=5rft.spage=251rft.epage=255rft.externalDBID=n%2Farft.externalDocID=10_12968_pnur_2009_20_5_41986paramdict=en-US Exploitation of children (2015). [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://tourismconcern.org.uk/exploitation-of-children/. SEX TOURISM AS ONE FACTOR OF TOURISM INDUSTRY (2015) [ONLINE], Available at: http://www.academia.edu/4067691/SEX_TOURISM_AS_ONE_FACTOR_OF_TOURISM_INDUSTRY Sex tourism, (2015). [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://www.osservatoriopedofilia.gov.it/dpo/en/turismo_sessuale.wp;jsessionid=1E5E9596040D117D8397640725FC2AEF.dpo1. Schuster Institute Investigative Journalism (2015). [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://www.schusterinstituteinvestigations.org/#!human-trafficking-boston-to-bangkok-3/c4jy. Who is to blame for sex tourism. Al Jazeera English, (2015). Who is to blame for sex tourism? Al Jazeera English. [ONLINE] [Accessed 29 April 2015]. Available at: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2011/10/201110992858495767.html. Michael, S. Elsa, J. Eike, A. (2004). Implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment (Environmental Protection in the European Union). 2 end vol 2 . Springer.

SR :: essays research papers

Executive Bulletin COMPUTERWORLD INTRODUCTION All Roads Lead to IP .................................2 TRENDS &STRATEGIES Wading Into IP Telephony ..........................4 Getting ROI From VoIP ..............................7 VoIP Monitoring Tools ............................10 VoIP Security .......................................13 Call Centers and IP ................................15 Voice Over Wireless LANs .......................18 RESOURCES QuickStudy:Session Initiation Protocol ......21 Emerging Technology:..........................23 IP Videoconferencing IPCommunications Voice-over-IP is changing the way we think of,and manage,communications. Compliments of Computerworld Executive Bulletin IP Communications 2 Converged IP networks allow for a wide variety of new applications to ride on the network and interact, including IP telephony,audioconfer- encing,videoconferencing,unified messaging and presence technolo- gies (like chat). Getting Started Corporate America is just starting down the road to voice-over-IP (VoIP)communications,though every analyst says it ¡Ã‚ ¯s just a matter of time before it becomes main- stream. ¡Ã‚ °By 2009,the installed base of IP [communications]equipment will dominate the enterprise land- scape,but that ¡Ã‚ ¯s still a few years away, ¡Ã‚ ±says Robert Rosenberg,presi- dent of Insight Research Corp.in Boonton,N.J. There are several reasons why VoIP hasn ¡Ã‚ ¯t been an overnight suc- cess.Companies started testing the waters of VoIP in 2001,but there were serious concerns about voice sound quality that slowed the mo- mentum (those concerns have been largely resolved).Moreover,one of the key reasons for implementing VoIP was to reduce the long-distance charges associated with the tradi- tional phone networks,yet those charges have dropped so low that those cost savings are less dramatic. The cost of IP phones is another reason for the slow pace. ¡Ã‚ °The cost of going VoIP is certainly a factor here,since the price of newer IP phones will continue to be about 25%higher than the [traditional]al- ternative, ¡Ã‚ ±Rosenberg says.  ¡Ã‚ °VoIP never was and never will be the least expensive way to deliver voice to the enterprise,but the al- lure of VoIP ¡Ã‚ ¯s rich applications like video telephony will slowly convert legacy customers, ¡Ã‚ ±he adds. Indeed,there are a variety of rea- sons for moving to a converged IP network.Users report benefits such as the following:  ¡Ãƒ ¶Much lower costs for audiocon- ferencing.  ¡Ãƒ ¶The ease of moving,adding and changing phones.  ¡Ãƒ ¶The fact that the IT staff can manage a single network infrastruc- ture out of the data center,instead of two or more very different networks. Thumbs Up Early users are giving a thumbs up to converged networks,saying their technology choices have saved mon- ey and made their voice communi- cations setups more flexible.Some implement pure VoIP systems,while others rely on a hybrid of IP and cir- cuit-switched technologies.Either way,the users say they ¡Ã‚ ¯re realizing greater efficiencies just by starting to merge their voice and data net- works. IBM,for example,is rolling out a global VoIP network over the next five years that ¡Ã‚ ¯s expected to cut voice/data communications costs by 25%,according to Fred Spuleck,di- rector of global voice infrastructure at IBM.One efficiency will come from lowering the number of IBM ¡Ã‚ ¯s private branch exchange (PBX) switches from the current count of about 900 to just 11 IP-based PBXs, Spuleck says. Pure VoIP supporters say their systems are more resilient and can more easily support video or voice conferencing as well as new data ap- plications.For example,IBM ¡Ã‚ ¯s new VoIP network will allow easy cre- ation of an audioconferencing sys- SR :: essays research papers Executive Bulletin COMPUTERWORLD INTRODUCTION All Roads Lead to IP .................................2 TRENDS &STRATEGIES Wading Into IP Telephony ..........................4 Getting ROI From VoIP ..............................7 VoIP Monitoring Tools ............................10 VoIP Security .......................................13 Call Centers and IP ................................15 Voice Over Wireless LANs .......................18 RESOURCES QuickStudy:Session Initiation Protocol ......21 Emerging Technology:..........................23 IP Videoconferencing IPCommunications Voice-over-IP is changing the way we think of,and manage,communications. Compliments of Computerworld Executive Bulletin IP Communications 2 Converged IP networks allow for a wide variety of new applications to ride on the network and interact, including IP telephony,audioconfer- encing,videoconferencing,unified messaging and presence technolo- gies (like chat). Getting Started Corporate America is just starting down the road to voice-over-IP (VoIP)communications,though every analyst says it ¡Ã‚ ¯s just a matter of time before it becomes main- stream. ¡Ã‚ °By 2009,the installed base of IP [communications]equipment will dominate the enterprise land- scape,but that ¡Ã‚ ¯s still a few years away, ¡Ã‚ ±says Robert Rosenberg,presi- dent of Insight Research Corp.in Boonton,N.J. There are several reasons why VoIP hasn ¡Ã‚ ¯t been an overnight suc- cess.Companies started testing the waters of VoIP in 2001,but there were serious concerns about voice sound quality that slowed the mo- mentum (those concerns have been largely resolved).Moreover,one of the key reasons for implementing VoIP was to reduce the long-distance charges associated with the tradi- tional phone networks,yet those charges have dropped so low that those cost savings are less dramatic. The cost of IP phones is another reason for the slow pace. ¡Ã‚ °The cost of going VoIP is certainly a factor here,since the price of newer IP phones will continue to be about 25%higher than the [traditional]al- ternative, ¡Ã‚ ±Rosenberg says.  ¡Ã‚ °VoIP never was and never will be the least expensive way to deliver voice to the enterprise,but the al- lure of VoIP ¡Ã‚ ¯s rich applications like video telephony will slowly convert legacy customers, ¡Ã‚ ±he adds. Indeed,there are a variety of rea- sons for moving to a converged IP network.Users report benefits such as the following:  ¡Ãƒ ¶Much lower costs for audiocon- ferencing.  ¡Ãƒ ¶The ease of moving,adding and changing phones.  ¡Ãƒ ¶The fact that the IT staff can manage a single network infrastruc- ture out of the data center,instead of two or more very different networks. Thumbs Up Early users are giving a thumbs up to converged networks,saying their technology choices have saved mon- ey and made their voice communi- cations setups more flexible.Some implement pure VoIP systems,while others rely on a hybrid of IP and cir- cuit-switched technologies.Either way,the users say they ¡Ã‚ ¯re realizing greater efficiencies just by starting to merge their voice and data net- works. IBM,for example,is rolling out a global VoIP network over the next five years that ¡Ã‚ ¯s expected to cut voice/data communications costs by 25%,according to Fred Spuleck,di- rector of global voice infrastructure at IBM.One efficiency will come from lowering the number of IBM ¡Ã‚ ¯s private branch exchange (PBX) switches from the current count of about 900 to just 11 IP-based PBXs, Spuleck says. Pure VoIP supporters say their systems are more resilient and can more easily support video or voice conferencing as well as new data ap- plications.For example,IBM ¡Ã‚ ¯s new VoIP network will allow easy cre- ation of an audioconferencing sys-

Inflation and Its Effects on Investment Essay -- Finance Financial Eco

Inflation and Its Effects on Investment For world economic markets, inflation is a fairly new experience as for much of the pre-twentieth century there had been little upward pressure on prices due to gold and other metallic standards. These backed currencies limited governments’ abilities to create new money. So at the end of the gold standard strong political pressures often caused governments to issue more money increasing the money supply and therefor the price level. Inflation reflects a situation where the demand for goods and services exceeds their supply in the economy(Hall, 1982). Its causes could be triggered by the private sector and the government spending more than their revenues, or by shortfalls in output. Price increases could also be triggered by increases in costs of production. For instance increases in prices of imported raw materials will cause inflation if not managed. Whatever the initial cause, inflation will not persist unless accompanied by sustained increase in money supply. In this sense, inflation is a monetary phenomenon. But what effect does inflation have on the economy and on investment in particular? Inflation causes many distortions in the economy. It hurts people who are retired and living on a fixed income. When prices rise these consumers cannot buy as much as they could previously. This discourages savings due to the fact that the money is worth more presently than in the future. This expectation reduces economic growth because the economy needs a certain level of savings to finance investments which boosts economic growth. Also, inflation makes it harder for businesses to plan for the future. It is very difficult to decide how much to produce, because businesses can... ...hem to make financial decisions. If people cannot trust money then they are less likely to engage in business relationships. This results in lower investment, production and less socially positive interactions. Among other effects, people may start to attempt to trade by other, less efficient, means in order to avoid the unpredictable price levels due to inflation. Bibliography Blume, Marshall. Inflation and Capital Markets. Ballinger, Cambridge, 1978. Hall, Robert ed. Inflation, Causes and Effects. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1982. Hellerstein, Rebecca. â€Å"The Impact of Inflation,† Regional Review, Winter 1997, Vol. 7, No. 1. Massimo, Caruso. â€Å"Investment and the Persistence of Price Uncertainty,† Research in economics, Vol. 55, June 2001. Morley, Samuel. The economics of Inflation. Dryden Press, Hinsdale, Ill., 1971.

We Must Educate the Children of Illegal Immigrants Essay example -- Cr

Immigration laws have been a subject of debate throughout American history, especially in states such as California and Texas, where immigrant populations are high. Recently, some citizens have been questioning whether we should continue to educate the children of illegal immigrants. While this issue is steeped in emotional controversy, we must not allow divisive "us against them" rhetoric to cloud our thinking. Yes, educating undocumented immigrants costs us, but not educating them would cost us much more. Those who propose barring the children of illegal immigrants from our schools have understandable worries. They worry that their state taxes will rise as undocumented children crowd their school systems. They worry about the crowding itself, given the loss of quality education that comes with large class sizes. They worry that school resources will be deflected from their children because of the linguistic and social problems that many of the newcomers face. And finally, they worry that even more illegal immigrants will cross our borders because of the lure of free education. This last worry is probably unfounded. It is unlikely that many parents are crossing the borders solely to educate their children. More likely, they are in desperate need of work, economic opportunity, and possibly political asylum. As Charles Wheeler of the National Immigration Law Center asserts, "There is no evidence that access to federal programs acts as a magnet to foreigners or that further restrictions would discourage illegal immigrants" (qtd. in "Exploiting"). The other concerns are more legitimate, but they can be addressed by less drastic measures than barring children from schools. Currently the responsibility o... ...re in school, we can make sure they are inoculated properly, and we can teach them the facts about health and disease. Do we really want thousands of uneducated children growing up on the streets, where we have little control over them? Surely not. The lure of the streets is powerful enough already. Only by inviting all children into safe and nurturing and intellectually engaging schools can we combat that power. Our efforts will be well worth the cost. Works Cited Edmondson, Brad. "Life without Illegal Immigrants." American Demographics May 1996: 1. "Exploiting Fears." Admissions Decisions: Should Immigration Be Restricted? 7 Oct. 1996. Public Agenda. 10 Feb. 1999. http://www.vote-smart.org/issues/Immigration/chap2/imm2itx.html. McCarthy, Martha M. "Immigrants in Public Schools: Legal Issues." Educational Horizons 71 (1993): 128-30.

Criticism of the government Essay

In naming people, the girls were probably projecting their own guilt onto others. In this assignment, â€Å"The Crucible† by Arthur Miller I am going to explore the whole situation to discover from where I think the evil came from. In order to do this, I am going to need to analyse some of the characters and state how much I think they contributed to the real evil in Salem. Firstly there is Samuel Parris. He is a very memorable character. Throughout the play, his character comes across as nasty, cold and cunning but underneath that bold exterior we see that he is an insecure and cowardly man who is easily intimidated by those of higher power in order to achieve what he believes to be a high status. Because of this, and the fact that he is widowed and has never been able to care for children, anyone who has read the play will find Parris unfit to be a father to his only daughter Betty, let alone be a minister of Salem. Due to his insecurity, Parris is paranoid that whatever he does, or wherever he goes he is being judged, as Arthur Miller states in his introduction, â€Å"He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side. † As he thinks of himself as a man of importance to the ordinary people of Salem, because he is a minister of Salem, he is over-sensitive and easily offended, even if â€Å"someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission. † Between the very start of the play and the very end, there is quite a change in Samuel Parris’ character so our feelings towards him change also. As a member of an audience first watching the play, I would have no idea of the characteristics of Parris, which are described above, so when Parris first appears I am not biased towards him, and, in fact pity him as he kneels helplessly at the bedside of his daughter, although this feeling does not last long. We can see through Parris’ actions throughout the play that he is actually quite a foolish man. Although it is obvious that there are many others who can be blamed for the start of the witch-hunts in Salem, Samuel Parris is to blame on many occasions. For instance, his inability to handle the situation, the dancing in the woods, where he found his daughter, niece and other young girls in the wood, doing what he thought to be conjuring spirits, and Betty’s state of unconsciousness. Parris could have handled the situation with humour, realising that such young girls were most probably unable to conjure spirits, and that Betty may have reacted like she did out of fear and hysteria. In this scene we find that Parris is very selfish as he cares more for his reputation than for the well being of his only daughter. He says that he does not wish to leap to withcraft for the cause of Betty’s state when he says, â€Å"Let him look to medicine and put out all thought of unnatural causes here. There be none. † We believe that he is worried about his daughter and does not wish to let himself believe that there might be some evil presence with a hold on Betty, but it soon becomes apparent that he is only worried about his reputation and how his enemies will try and use Betty’s condition against him, â€Å"Now look you child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. † Parris can also be quite cruel. Instead of bringing up his niece Abigail as a cherished member of his family, he sends her out to work as a maid to the families of the village. Because of this, and all the previous discoveries made about Parris, it is easy for the audience to start to see his character differ from how it was at the very start of the play. We start to resent Parris, and start to see the cunning and selfish character of Parris, as described in Arthur Miller’s introduction to the play. One action that proves just how prone to act before thinking Parris is, is when he calls for Reverend Hale of Beverly, an expert in seeking out unnatural presences, although he has already stated that he does not want to look to unnatural causes to find the source of Betty’s condition. He then progresses to tell Mr Hale that he caught the girls in the woods conjuring spirits, â€Å"Why, sir-I discovered her and my niece and ten or twelve of the other girls, dancing in the forest last night. † There was absolutely no need for Parris to have told Hale that. If he had not told him then Hale would have eventually have had to come to some conclusion about what was wrong with Betty and even if he did say it was to do with the unnatural world, Samuel Parris, nor any of the girls could be held responsible. It is doubtful that any of the girls would have confessed it themselves as the other girls threatened those who came close to telling. Later on in the play, Parris realises this early mistake he has made even though by now it is too late to save himself. After Hale eventually manages to get the girls to confess to have conjured spirits, we see a great change in Parris’ views towards witchcraft. He no longer wishes to stay away from the possibility of unnatural causes; in fact he does all he can to put all the blame on it when he finds that he can use it to his advantage. Parris seems to find it his responsibility to make matters worse for anyone accused of witchcraft, as with anyone who’s testament may stand in the way of him achieving what he wants. As the girls make wild accusations about the poor innocent members of the Salem community, Parris makes senseless claims that make it seem like the girls are telling the truth. He does the same with anyone who tries to defend someone he has accused. He does this solely for his own benefit. Take for example when, in Act three, Judge Danforth asks John Proctor, â€Å"Now, what deposition do you have for us, Mr Proctor? † to which Proctor replies â€Å"It’s a sort of testament. The people signing it declare their good opinion or Rebecca, and my wife, and Martha Corey. † Parris tries to enforce doubt into the minds of those present by questioning the validity of his argument, â€Å"Their good opinion! † though thankfully, he does this to no avail. Parris’ character stays pretty much the same throughout the duration of the play. He continues to ruin people’s lives. He is quite wise as he is able to manipulate people’s words to make it sound as if they are confessing to have trafficked with the devil. Nearing the end of the play, when John Proctor has been accused of witchcraft and is to be hanged, Parris’ character changes somewhat. Prior to the accusation against Proctor, Parris has slandered John Proctor and Giles to judge Danforth so that they will not be believed because he knows that if they are, it will look bad on his part. Soon after Proctor is accused, the people of Salem, who had always applauded the execution of ‘witches’, realised that the innocent were being killed. They chose to take out their anger on Parris and he received death wishes, one being a dagger in his door. This is what brings on the peculiar difference in his character. With his vain attempts, he tries to get Proctor to admit to witchcraft although he knows he’s not guilty of it. Parris’ reason for doing this is clear to the audience, and our beliefs that he is a selfish man are confirmed. There are also many others who can be blamed for the Salem witch-trials. One other is Abigail Williams. I think that Abigail is the main, and close to being the only cause of the witch hunts in Salem. In comparison to all the other characters that I will describe, she is relatively young, yet she seems to be the wisest in the art of corruption and deceit. As with every character in the play, as a member of the audience I know nothing about Abigail’s character other done what she shows through how she portrays herself on stage. Because of this, when we first meet Abigail’s character, we have no previously existing feelings towards her. We first see Abigail when she has just entered the bedroom of her cousin Betty, who lies inert on her bed after the shock of being caught dancing in the woods. Her character seems to be gentle and caring. We soon learn that she is not so innocent because of two things she does, or has done. The first is the news of the cruel deed that she is supposed to have committed against Elizabeth Proctor, as Parris says â€Å"Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for your being discharged from Goody Proctor’s service†¦ she comes so rarely to church this year for she will not sit so close to something soiled. What signified that remark? † By the way that she responds to this, it is simple to see that she is very aware of how she feels about people, and cares nothing about the respect she should show them, through what she says, â€Å"She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling, woman, and I will not work for such a woman! † The second is the change in attitude she has towards Betty. She claims that she will never do anything to harm Betty, â€Å"I would never hurt Betty. I love her dearly. † But as soon as Parris has left the room, we see that she is conniving and all that she said whilst Parris was in the room was an act. Immediately we grow to resent Abigail as we have seen her for just a short while, yet she has already been deceitful to someone that she should have great respect for. Abigail, in fact, has no real care for Betty. Her only care is that Betty does not land her in trouble. Once Parris has left the room, Abigail becomes more aggressive in her attempts to get Betty out of her unconscious state, â€Å"Betty? Now stop this! Betty! Sit up now! † Abigail is a person who easily intimidates her peers. I personally think that the other girls allow her to be so dominant over them as they think that she has no fear of anyone because of what happened to her parents, â€Å"†¦ I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down! † There is much that can be said about Abigail, and her contribution to the evil in Salem. As Mary Warren tells her early on in the play, all Abigail has to do, to save her own, and many others lives, is admit to having had danced in the woods. If she had been straight with Parris and told him everything that went on in the woods – instead of blaming it on Tituba – then she, along with the other girls who participated, would have only been whipped for their dancing. When Abigail and Proctor are first seen together in Betty’s room, we see once more the lack of Abigail’s innocence as we find out about the pairs brief encounter, â€Å"Give me a soft word, John. A soft word. † The manner in which Abigail talks to Proctor is not of that of a child, so any beliefs that we assumed about the innocence of her character are dashed. When Reverend Hale first arrives and begins to question Abigail, she is frightened of the thought of being caught, and then when Hale simply asks if she was forced into it by Tituba, she finds a useful way of shifting the blame away from her, and onto someone that she herself knows is entirely innocent. Because of this our feelings towards Abigail change dramatically. Not only has her character lost its innocence, but it has also gained a streak of deceit, cruelty, and cowardice. Out of pure fear for her life, Tituba confesses to having had conjured spirits, but when Abigail joins her in confessing, it is done purely to alleviate her from the guilt of letting Tituba take all the blame. The fact that the other girls soon join in after Abigail either symbolises the same thing it did with Abigail or just shows how much power Abigail expresses other them. Because of the fact that Tituba is supposed to be a cherished friend of all the girls, how easily the girls can blame her comes as a shock, and just shows how far from kind the girls are. Unknowingly the adults actually fuel the start of the witch-hunts as they feed the girls with names of people that can be held liable of committing the ‘crime’. However, Abigail is fully aware of what the adults are doing and uses it to her advantage. The other girls follow Abigail, but only out of the hysteria. This event helps to inspire Abigail. Throughout the rest of the play, Abigail uses this technique to claim that she saw people with the devil. She is believed by the court officials because, as judge Danforth says, â€Å"†¦ witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. † As I have already stated, Abigail is clever and it does not take her long to realise that she can blame people that she wishes to take revenge on, whatever the reason may be. For example, Abigail accuses Elizabeth Proctor because she wants her out of the way so that John Proctor will return to her. Abigail seems heartless as she jeers when she sees people that she knows are innocent being hanged. For this reason, and many others that I have described, including her infatuation with John Proctor, I blame Abigail for the Salem witch-trials. She contributed more than most of the others. Although it is not his fault, John Hale can be blamed for the conviction of people accused of witchcraft. However, John Hale did not contribute much to the evil. Through all of his actions, John Hale acts honestly and is genuinely convinced that the people are possessed. Hale is a minister who specialises in ascertaining witchcraft. He is convinced that he can tell if a person is possessed, and does not mean to cause any harm when he uses his ‘gift’ to convince people to confess to trafficking. The accused know that confession is the only way of staying alive, but, at this moment, Hale is oblivious to it. Fortunately, Hale realises what is going on, after he is confronted by Proctor when he speaks of how many have confessed to witchcraft, â€Å"†¦ why not, if they must die for denyin’ it? There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang: have you never thought of that? † Hale is truly remorseful and from that point on, does everything in his power to resolve the situation. But, with Hales case, although he does nothing to promote it, it shows how much image overpowers common sense. Hale brings with him weird books and he is thought of as a great healer, whereas Giles Corey’s wife is hanged for reading books that could have been just like Hales. Compared to most of the other characters, the Putnams played a relatively small part in their contribution. In these times, it was thought that if a child died young it was the mother’s failure as a woman. Ann has had seven of her eight children die at a young age and is ashamed of what the townspeople must think of her. Because of this we pity her. When Goody Osburn is blamed, Ann is relieved and is quick to find that she can now use Goody Osburn as the reason her children died, as she states, just after Goody Osburn is charged, â€Å"I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times. I begged you, Thomas, did I not? I begged him not call Osburn because I feared her. My babies always shrivelled in her hands! † Unlike Ann, Thomas Putnam does not act out of grief, but out of greed. For this reason, we don’t pity Thomas, and, in fact, feel resentment towards him, as he is heartless. He feels absolutely no guilt or remorse in falsely testifying in court about someone that he wants something from. For instance, Thomas Putnam convinces his daughter Ruth to cry witchery on George Jacobs so that he will be arrested, as it is obvious that such a man will not admit to working with unnatural spirits. This was because the law on witchcraft was, if someone was executed after being accused of witchery, but does not admit to it, then their land becomes state property, which means that anyone can buy it. Giles Corey realises that Putnam is acting out of greed and heads straight to court, in an attempt to overthrow the court, as Danforth questions Putnam â€Å"I have here an accusation by Mr Corey against you. He states that you coldly prompted your daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs that is now in jail. † John Proctor can also be blamed because from the start, he could have brought the situation to a halt if he had not been such a coward. From the start, Elizabeth tries to tell John Proctor of the dangers of Abigail but he does not seem to grasp just how dangerous the situation might become, until it is too late.

Environmental Impacts from over Population Essay

Introduction The population of human beings on this planet has been gaining exponentially, since the dawn of Man. A basic feature of an exponential increase is that the numbers increase faster and faster as the population doubles and redoubles, with each doubling occurring in the same amount of time (Wright, 2008), As the population continues to multiply, so do the impacts upon our environment and surrounding ecosystems. As human populations increase, the demands for food, supplies, and housing also increase. With these increased demands, there is now a greater strain upon our resources more than ever before. The question then becomes, what are the impacts upon our environment by our population situation, and is there anything that can be done to deal with the problems from this dilemma? Population Impacts As civilization has continued to grow and develop, so has the impact upon our environment by our exploding population. As mankind began to â€Å"modernize†, the Earth began to feel impacts by the choices made from its inhabitants. Beginning with the agricultural revolution, humankind became able to manipulate his environment (Sharp, 2000). During the agricultural revolution, man was able to plant and grow food. As societies were still nomadic in their nature, mankind would use the resources of the Earth to their fullest extent, and then move on to the next area. This started with slash and burn techniques, and for the first time, CO2 levels were modified (Sharp, 2000) As the population of the planet continued to surge, the next great impact upon the environment would be the industrial revolution of the 1800’s. With the boom of the industrial revolution across the world, the demand for natural resources and the impacts upon the environment would soar. More people and natural resources were needed to sustain the new industrial system and the needs of growing societies (Sharp, 2000). The impacts of the industrial revolution were great and vast. For the first time in our world’s history, we could see the potential impacts of using our natural resources and dealing with an ever-growing worldwide population. The effects of population growth upon the environment are becoming revealed at an alarming rate. Between 1960 and 1999, Earth’s population doubled from three billion to six billion people (Rand, 2000). The world has changed dramatically over the last several years. The landscapes and ecosystems that were present hundreds of years of ago are no longer in existence. We are consuming our natural resources at an alarming rate. In fact, many environmental experts believe that human beings have reached their carrying capacity of sustainable life. How do we meet the challenges of population growth and managing our natural resources without exploiting the environment? First, we must begin to invest in technology that does not degrade the environment (Sharp, 2000). This is very critical to the retention of a sustainable environment for our future. In the past, countries developed around their economic strength. This factor often meant that most nations did not consider long-term environmental impacts by their decisions. These â€Å"slash and burn† techniques by many nations have resulted in devastating consequences to our ecosystems. There are entire species that have become extinct, all in the name of economic progress. This short-term economic gain for many of these nations has resulted in effects that will be felt from generations to come. The eye of man can see the effects of population growth. It also can now project the effects of population demand in the future. One of the growing problems facing mankind today is global climate change. From glaciers melting, to rising oceanic temperatures, and even climactic weather events, the effects of population upon the earth, have impacted our future for many years. Research suggests that temperatures have been influenced by growing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which absorb solar radiation and warm the atmosphere (Rand, 2000). There is still a great deal that we can do to preserve the environment and place a halt to the devastating environment impacts of our population growth. Our sustainability not only depends on us meeting this challenge, but also presents an opportunity to provide for the future of our civilization. An encouraging note is the simple fact that many companies are now becoming â€Å"green† companies, meaning that they are attempting to be environmentally conscious and pursue policies that offer to protect and not neglect our environment. The answers to this problem are two fold. First, we must address the growing populations in the developing world. The populations in these areas are growing at an alarming rate. Many of these areas are already facing critical famines and food shortages of historic proportions. Unfortunately, efforts to implement policies that stress birth control have not been effective. We must address the growing populations in these areas, if we are to tackle the problems that population growth has created upon the Earth. The next problem we must address, if we are to maintain adequate sustainability upon the Earth, is our own consumption issues. As a nation, we are consuming natural resources at an alarming rate. We consume more energy per capita than any nation on this planet. Moreover, we must develop better land-use policies in the developed world. The â€Å"slash and burn† tactics of the past must be stopped and we must acknowledge the fact that we cannot destroy entire ecosystems that have taken hundreds of years to develop, and believe we can replace them by simply planting hundreds of trees that will take years to grow. The impacts of our decisions are great. The choice is clearly impacted by economic factors. As a nation, our demand for consumer goods is at a high level. While our population is growing at a slow rate, our consumption levels have never been higher. Many Americans do not focus on the environmental impacts of their decisions today. We must implement sound environmental policies that embrace this factor. The choices are clear for society. As the population of the world continues to soar, so will the stresses upon our environment. There will be a greater need for usable water, natural resources, and even greater energy demands. While these demands pose a potential calamity for the environment, they also create opportunity for new industries. As mankind begins to recognize the negative effects upon the environment by poor decisions and usage in the past, we as a society can create and environment that fosters the development of â€Å"green† industries and elect government officials that encourage policies that promote the well being of our environment. Conclusion The effects on our environment from our population are visible everyday. One need only look to the smog filled sky, or read the newspapers decrying the shortages of drinking water, and the battles that are ensuing to lay claim to that drinking water to realize the impact of the decisions that face us as a society today. We can change the way we live and stop the poor use of the environment, and we can control the growth of the population in third world countries, or continue the status quo. If we choose poorly, we will face an environmental impact that will test the sustainability, not only of our civilization, but also of our planet.

Jane Eyre: a Critical Analysis of Gender Relations in Victorian Literature

Jane Eyre: A Critical Analysis of Gender Relations in Victorian Literature Modern society tends to view the Victorian era as one of oppression and constraint, despite the social and cultural upheaval of the time. This contradiction refers, in large, to the constraints imposed on the female gender. Women in Victorian England were viewed as inferior to their male counterparts, and were allocated clearly defined roles within society. Their treatment is a subject that is explored and critiqued throughout the literature of the time, and subsequent analysis by literary commentators.As Maynard comments (1984); ‘Few observers of the Victorian Scene have failed to point out the unusual degree of sexual restraint imposed upon social life and published literature’. However, it is in the work of the Bronte sisters that one witnesses the most comprehensive, and sometimes startling account of the social and gender restraints of the time. This paper will concentrate on the novel Jane E yre, written by Charlotte Bronte, and published in 1847 under the pseudonym Currer Bell.The adoption of a male pseudonym in itself reflects an underlying social prejudice towards female novelists, as outlined by the author; ‘Averse to personal publicity, we veiled our own names under those of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell†¦ while we did not like to declare ourselves women†¦ we had a vague impression that authoresses are liable to be looked on with prejudice’ (Smith, 2000). This somewhat disturbing observation by the author sets the tone of the novel itself, and implies what it is exactly that set the Bronte sisters apart from their contemporaries; their ‘unfeminine’ style of writing.Jane Eyre is, in effect, a love story, and concentrates on the main character’s quest to find true love. It cannot be classed, however, as a solely romantic novel as the character’s quest for love involves a struggle for equal treatment, social acceptance , and value. In doing so, she questions and refuses to conform to an array of social norms associated with the era. Jane’s desire to be loved is evident in the opening stages of the story, in her conversation with Helen Burn’s; ‘if others don't love me I would rather die than live†¦I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest’ (Bronte, 1847). This somewhat distressing insight into the young Eyre’s mindset captures her quest for ‘true love’, as opposed to the loveless relationships and marriages associated with the time. This association is witnessed by Jane’s eventual husband, Mr Rochester, in his first marriage;   Ã¢â‚¬ËœBertha Antoinette Mason, she was wanted by my father for her fortune. I hardly spoke with her before the wedding. I lived with her for 4 years.Her temper ripened, her vices sprang up, violent and unchaste’ (Bronte, 1847). Rochester’s summary of the ‘marriage’ is a disturbing insight into the arranged, and socially acceptable, marriages of the time. Bronte sets her protagonist apart from her peers in her views of love, but further cements this difference in her continued criticism of the attitudes of the Victorian class. This is apparent in chapter 17 in particular, when she questions her growing feelings for Mr Rochester; ‘You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further than to receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protege†¦. o don't make him the object of your fine feelings’. (Bronte, 1847) It becomes clear, however, that despite Jane’s attempts to restrain her emotions, she is fighting a losing battle and is becoming increasingly enraptured with Mr Rochester, reacting in a heated manner upon receipt of a letter from him; ‘And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went on t aking my coffee†¦ Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider’ (Bronte, 1847).Jane’s employment as a governess by Mr Rochester further complicates her situation and her increasing love for her employer. Hedgecock summarises the role of the governess in Victorian society (2008): ‘in ordinary Victorian life, the governess is the genteel spinster, self-effacing, having no ambitions outside the home in which she is subjected to a life of dependency’. Eyre, however, was not willing to conform to ‘ordinary Victorian life’, nor was she willing to fit the mould of the unassuming governess.Eyre’s constant struggle with her feelings for Rochester is impacted throughout by the norms of society at the time, and her resilience to them. She is unwilling to marry Rochester while Bertha is still in the picture, as it would equate her to a mistress, a position that she wh olly disapproves of and one which Rochester wishes her to take: ‘As a married man you will shun me, keep out of my way: just now you have refused to kiss me’. (Bronte, 1847). Despite Eyre eventually marrying Rochester, when his wife has passed away, she refuses throughout to conform to and comply with the social etiquette of the time.Just like her creator, she is almost masculine throughout the novel, thus portrayed through her personal values and strength of character. It can be understood that Charlotte Bronte depicted herself through the life of Jane Eyre, and used her fictional character as one whom modelled and almost mimicked Bronte as a person. Eyre possessed the same strong drive in seeking equality and independence as a woman. Her refusal in accepting the conformities of the time mirrors Bronte.Bernstein (1997) sets the scene for those non-familiar with the Victorian era: ‘in the larger cultural context of Victorian England in which women are not accorded by law or by custom much opportunity to act on their own behalf’. This supports the motive behind Bronte and her actions. It portrays the gender roles, which strongly influenced people’s behaviour and identities. This ‘social rule’ fuelled women’s endurance of the condescending attitudes about a woman’s place, intelligence, and voice. Thus, in turn, Jane became subjected to an uphill battle to become independent and recognized for her personal qualities.Bronte attempts to illustrate how personal virtues are better indicators of character than class. The red-room mentioned in the novel is a metaphorical image for Jane’s entrapment in the life she is expected to lead. A life of entrapment from society, limiting her freedom due to her independent streak, race and foremost – gender. Eyre’s struggles in attempting to overcome the oppression are all of a display through the feminine movement, in which the Bronte sisters each p layed a significant role in setting off. Eyre displays characteristics of masculinity, such of which in Victorian era would only be confined to that of male prominence.The strong connection made between both author and character is evident to the reader. In conclusion, Jane Eyre captures the struggle and oppression faced by the women of Victorian Britain. Despite the eventual happy-ending to the novel, the lead character is forced to overcome strict social and gender restrictions in order to be with her true love. We see throughout the novel, however, that Eyre is an exceptional character at the time and represents only a small number of women who were quietly moving against society’s expectations of them.Charlotte, the eldest of the Bronte sisters, received reputably the most critical recognition with her creation, Jane Eyre. Overall, the three Bronte sisters are highly known in English literature for their historical prominence that made them significant to the era of the V ictorians. Their livelihood painted the path in which their work followed and their upbringing greatly influenced their beliefs and outlooks. The three sister’s strong and willing characteristics aided them in delivering what can be perceived as staples in literature, and for centuries become only stronger with growth and eminence.As Winnifrith (1988) stated; ‘the Brontes had the courage to break away from the almost universal belief that sinners merited eternal punishment’. This reflects upon their independence and strength in striving for their own beliefs and expressing their opinions. These opinions were of such strong stature, resulting in the power to in script their everlasting effect on the literature of the Victorian era and even on English literature as a whole. Bibliography Bernstein, Susan David. Confessional Subjects: Revelations of Gender and Power in Victorian Literature & Culture. USA: The University of North Carolina Press, 1997.Bronte, Charlotte . Jane Eyre. United Kingdom: Smith, Elder and Co, 1847. Hedgecock, Jennifer. The Femme Fatale in Victorian Literature: The Danger and the Sexual Threat. New York: Cambria Press, 2008. Maynard, John. Charlotte Bronte and Sexuality. Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1984. Smith, Margaret. The Letters of Charlotte Bronte: Volume II: 1848-1851, with a selection of letters by family and friends. United Kingdom: Clarendon Press, 2000. Winnifrith, Tom. The Brontes and their Background: Romance and Reality, Second Edition. London: The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1988.