Ethics in Urban Planning Essay

What is the law on eminent domain all about? Eminent Domain is the power of the State over all the properties within its jurisdiction, both public and private. The purpose being to empower the State to appropriate property for public use – for new and road widening projects, bridges, military installations, public parks and even urban renewal (Larson, 2004). In case of private properties, how does eminent domain apply? Well, properties that the Government deems as vital for public use and welfare can be seized from private owners based on the provisions of the law on eminent domain. But the Constitution, particularly the Fifth Amendment, guaranties that â€Å"No person shall be †¦ deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation† (Hornberger, 2005). Is the law on eminent domain ethical? The answer is an absolute no. It may be legal but it does not hold any moral definition. It is still classified as large-scale theft that is backed up by legal parameters. We live based on the principles of morality that abhors theft. In fact, the customs and laws of all civilized societies prohibit any form of banditry. In the exercise of our individual freedom, we as a people have the right to use our property in ways we deemed fit – unless we infringe on the rights of other people (Tenney, 1995). In our democratic system, do we exercise our right of suffrage to make stealing legal? It sounds like people casting their votes simply because they wanted your property sequestered. Where do ethics apply then? What are the consequences? Basically, the law on eminent domain was enacted to provide a leeway for the government in the planning of its developmental projects. Projects include road improvement, probably runway extensions or perhaps public hospitals. Private lands are purchased by the government for this purpose, based on a fair market value and as guaranteed by the Constitution. This provision becomes necessary so that the government can proceed with development without the process of lengthy litigation. Lately however, the scenario has been altered with the law on eminent domain applied even on urban renewal. This is where the abuse of discretion engages a number of government officials, all in the guise of development. This scheme is morally repugnant though it does not end at that point because with the eminent domain as the carrot stick, this marginally reduces the purchase price of the property. What has government got to do with it (Tenney, 1995)? Remember that development plans rests solely on the hands of government, so a slight deviation on the zoning area reclassification would normally affect property values. Imagine if your property lies on a commercial zone and the government suddenly establishes it as part of an industrial zone, the real estate property value is likely to plummet due to rising environmental concerns. The consequence is you are likely to sell it at much reduced price. But this scheme is just the tip of the iceberg, as more devious schemes are in the offing. The most unforgiving plan of government involves the declaration of a specific area as suffering from urban blight. Blighted areas, for purposes of urban renewal, refers to areas that in the process of deterioration being a haven of uncontrolled vices (drug addicts, alcoholics and other scum of society) where the crime rate is really high or an area that is already rendered useless which may include vacant lands and air rights. Who will then determine if the property falls under the category of blighted areas? This will be up to the discretion of the government and most likely this is where abuse is glaringly documented, particularly in cases where the government is in cahoots with property developers. When this happens, government has the right to raze the property and sell it to developers with the intention of making it into an attractive urban development (Blight, 2001). In most instances areas that are declared â€Å"urban blights† normally conforms to urban redevelopment. Areas that suffer from these types of classifications are low-cost housing communities with correspondingly low revenues where homeowners who have been in domicile for years while paying regular amortization to secure rights to the property. In these instances, these homeowners are suddenly met with the prospects of relocation. With the area categorized as such, the real property value is extremely low that the proceeds of the sale are not even enough to pay for the downpayment for another unit in a new housing development site (Parlow, 2007). What about areas in commercial districts that have been subjected to the process of eminent domain? The owner may have lived or conducted business in the area for the past twenty years but the government has the temerity to invoke the provisions of eminent domain to take control of said property simply because the adjacent school needs a playground or perhaps a football field. Where do ethics come in or is this just plain common sense? If you are the owner of the property, will you be not in arms to stop the proceedings? Where is morality then? We trumpet the virtues of democracy to the outside world and yet in our own backyard we practice anarchy (Parlow, 2007). This will all redound to displacement of all families affected by the claws of eminent domain. Families will be evicted from their properties – good if there is a ready site for relocation at least people can endure the inconvenience. But in most cases no relocation areas have been secured. Families will now be subjected to the task of searching for a new place as a consequence of eviction. What about their transportation need to and from work, school for their children and perhaps the affordable medical services that were readily available in their previous area (Blight, 2001). The final consequence maybe and I hope that this will not be met by evicted homeowners or storeowners or they could be relegated as the new scum of society, being degraded to a bunch of homeless citizens that have the potential of creating troubles for the government. The government shall have increased the problems associated with the housing needs and get the ire of the population. What then has this accomplished for the government in the end? Nothing, except perhaps that it compounds the problems of the locality (Hornberger, 2005). The law really smacks moral decadence, for how can you humanly evict families from their abodes without paying them fairly. Some may have inherited the property and as an ancestral abode, no amount would suffice in return for its sentimental value in the same way that no amount could compensate for the Statue of Liberty, being the symbol of freedom that Americans deeply treasure. How can you possibly sell an heirloom – a gift from the people of France, this is no longer a question of ethics, not even morality though it borders on bad taste and greed. What are the effects? Proponents of the measure on eminent domain will always sing the sad melody of development. Be that as it may, we can never stop development from happening because it is dictated by the social status of the locality. But can we not negotiate with property owners so they can also profit from the property they have tenuously preserved and paid for? It is more of a question of fair value for their property, an issue that is often ignored. Even for this gesture alone, the government, particularly the developers will benefit from the support and approval of the property owners. Let us not bully our neighbors by invoking the right of eminent domain, because that simply will not work. Who then does not desire physical development? When it means convenience to the inhabitants, particularly interchanges, super-highways, a modern airport terminal, a dazzling sports arena, an upbeat school campus or a modern hospital. Urban development on formerly blighted areas will be a big boost to the local trade as new shopping malls, five-star hotels, office towers and condominiums will be constructed. The local labor force will benefit as well, since hundreds or maybe thousands of jobs will be made available. It will be a shot in the arm for the local economy since development will encourage a lot of investors to take a chance on the improved infrastructure facilities. The government will likewise benefit from increased revenues and create more funds to finance the needs of local inhabitants. But most of all, this would drastically alter the locality’s image and skyline for the better. With a booming economy, the government can now plan ahead. Maybe exploit some more the bonanza that the new development concurred and build additional facilities to meet the increasing population requirements. As the citizen’s quality of life improves, new facilities will be needed, housing shortage will be felt, traffic congestion is possible as more and more cars will ply the streets and entertainment will be the call of the majority. The problems associated with crime and security will quadruple, new personnel will be added, police cars and gadgets will be required by our law enforcement agencies. There will be no stopping, once the wheel of development starts to roll. Then when everything seems to have settled and everybody is accustomed to the set-up, the arms of development will try to break the already serene environment. So the government will now invoke their right of eminent domain and the result, chaos strikes once again. It will be an unending cycle. The population will simply have to bear inconvenience and unfair treatment in the name of development. It is in the outlying implementation of eminent domain that government failed because officials can be motivated only with the expected revenues from the urban renewal project to disregard their main advocacy and moral obligation to its constituents – to promote, protect, and upheld the rights of the populace. Conclusion The moral and ethical question of the law on eminent domain had been subjected to criticisms from all sectors of society. It may be an effective tool for government to spice up development, but it oftentimes falls oppressive to many property owners. Sadly, the people’s right to their property has been trampled once again with no less than the Supreme Court of the United States stamping its approval on the right of government to invoke the provisions of eminent domain. Consider this. In 1954 the Supreme Court gave a ruling in a controversial case that â€Å"effectively gave government officials unlimited power to confiscate and redistribute lands†, arguing that â€Å"the concept of public welfare is broad and inclusive. The values it represents are spiritual as well as physical, aesthetic and monetary. It is within the power of the legislature to determine that the community should be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, well-balanced as well as carefully patrolled† (Tenney, 1995). The comment of the High Court was indeed a chilling premonition since this gave government officials the legal right to evict anybody from their properties when necessary and at their convenience. In effect this erased the intentions of our forefathers and the framers of the Constitution the absolute right of individuals to hold on to their properties (Tenney, 1995). Just recently, in a new and daunting case of Kelo vs. City of New London, Connecticut, the High Court upheld the previous ruling of 1954. In fact after due proceedings, a notice was posted at the door of the petitioner’s home stating that the petitioner have four months to vacate the property or else power police power will be used to prosecute the order based on the power of eminent domain (Larson, 2004). Is the ruling even fair? Is it morally correct to inflict undue suffering to the respondents? And is it ethical? The answer is no. That is why all the States of the Union are putting up legislations to curb the damning influence and abuse on the power of the law on eminent domain. How it will affect the future, your guess will be as good as mine!

American Latinos: Cubans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans

Three of the most dominant Latinos present in the American society today are the Mexican (66. 9%), Puerto Ricans (8. 6%) and Cubans (3. 7%) (Ramirez & Cruz, 2003, 20). Aside from the fact that all three groups speak Spanish, all share common cultural backgrounds that differ from the US mainstream society. For one, the Latinos are very family oriented and keep extended families at home (Driscoll et al, 2001, 255; Andersen & Collins). In most Latino families, grandparents live with one of their married children or married children live with their parents. Sometimes relatives also live with the nuclear family.Grandmothers played a significant role in the lives of Latino families, they help in raising their grandchildren and act as advisers. Latino parents also want their children to live with them until they get married. Such culture conflicts with the US mainstream society where independence and self-reliance is largely emphasized (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 263-265). Keeping an extende d family in the home is not popular in US culture; in fact, children are expected to leave their homes when they reach eighteen. Children who still live with their parents at that age are looked upon as dependent.Unlike Latino grandparents, older women in mainstream society exercised less power over their married children and more often than not suffer from depression due to an empty nest syndrome. Moreover, the prevalent individualistic culture of mainstream society in the US do not allow for too much dependence with other people even with their own family. The Americans worked hard in their entire life to support their old age. Unlike the old Latinos that were taken cared of in the home when they are sick, aged Americans are usually cared for in foster homes or hospices.Americans viewed too much dependence on others as a sign of laziness and irresponsibility (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 265). Latinos hold double standard for men and women. The honor of Latino family rest on the sexu al behavior of their women. Women must keep their virginity at all cost until marriage and be differential to men in their sexuality. Although Hispanics in the twentieth century may not hold the same strict sexual values, the tradition of maintaining virginity until marriage continues to be a cultural imperative.However, married women are supposed to accept a double standard for sexual behavior by which their husbands may have sexual affairs with other women. This double standard supports the Latino stereotype of machismo. Many males celebrated their adolescence by visiting prostitutes and their father, uncles or older brothers pays for sexual initiation. Adolescent females on the other hand hold debuts that emphasize their virginity (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 264-266).Unlike in US mainstream society, there is an equal standard on male and female sexual behavior, males and females are expected to give up their virginity at a young age around 15 or 16. Their peers ridiculed them if t hey are still virgins at 18. This difference in sexual behavior had caused tensions especially among American adolescents and female Latinas who were taught to keep their virginity at all cost. At present however, due to American cultural influence, younger Latinas now find themselves challenging traditional sexual mores (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 256).In Latin society, female concept of goodness is connected by their being a martyr or submissive to their husbands and to their family. Male superiority had its roots also in machismo. Adult males, however, gave a higher respect and reverence for their mothers. Moreover, in Latino families, women are traditionally regarded as homemakers, as much as possible they stay in the home to care for the family while the men provide for them. American cultural influence however changed the Latino culture especially as the Latinos become exposed to the independent and liberated behaviors of the Americans (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 265-266).II. Me xicans and Mexican Americans Due to American conquest of Mexico and the granting of US citizenship in 1848 through the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexicans became a part American society. In the years 1880’s and 1940’s, many of them migrated to America as laborers. Due to the proximity of America to Mexico, many entered the country as illegal immigrants (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 249). Like most Latino cultures, Mexican families are patriarchal in nature. Patriarchal families are important instruments of community life and nuclear family units are linked together through an elaborate system of kinship and god parenting.Women are regarded as subordinates to men and are expected to take care of the family while the men work to provide for them. Machismo is also a part of their culture, with men celebrating manhood through the conquest of many women and acting as superior. Mexican families also recognize extended family network, particularly the system of compadrezo or g odparenting. In Mexican society, godparents are an important factor that links family and community. Compadrezos are expected to act as guardians, provide financial assistance in times of need and to substitute in case of death.Because of their devotion to catholic faith and machismo, Chicanos do not approve of homosexuality (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 254; Driscoll et al, 2001, 256) In spite of the influence of American culture, racism, segregation and proximity to Mexico help the Chicanos (Mexican-American) to maintain some traditional family practices although the imposition of American law and custom ignored and ultimately undermined some aspects of the extended family. Wives are now exercising power over their husbands as they entered the workforce.Unfortunately, even though both work, most men do not help in household chores so that chicanas are prone to stress. . New generation Chicanos, on the other hand, demands independence like their US counterparts and most likely engaged in intercourse at a lower age (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 230; Spence, 2003). Since many of the Mexicans entered illegally in the US, many of them were not able o move freely in American mainstream society causing so much stress on their part. Like the rest of the Latinos, Chicanos are at risk for developing asthma, diabetes, and AIDS (Center for Disease Control, 2008).Illegal immigrants however, refuse to see a doctor when they got sick as they are afraid to be deported (Figueroa & Griffin, 2006, 2). II. Puerto Ricans Puerto Ricans are the poorest group of all the Latinos and generally are the most dark-skinned. Puerto Ricans first entered the country in 1898 when the United States take possession of Puerto Rico during the Spanish- American War (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 229). The family is patriarchal in nature, with men acting as providers and protectors and women as homemakers.Men do not take part actively in domestic chores and caring for their children although they are expect ed to be affectionate to them. Machismo is also a part of thier culture, subordinating women to men and men perceived as having a higher sexual drive. Men enjoy more freedom in public than women do and it is expected that they have many female conquest. Male dominance is met with a woman’s submissiveness and in the belief that a woman’s virtue is further enhanced by being patient and forbearing toward their men although generally women mistrust their men.Puerto Rican women however, in spite of the demands of being patient and forbearing, do not see themselves as resigned females but as dynamic homemakers. Although conscious of their subordinate status to their husbands, wives are also aware of their power and the demands they can make. They can choose to live with the man or leave him when he turns out to be abusive. Furthermore, Puerto Rican women regarded motherhood as a woman’s greatest satisfaction in life based on their concept of marianismo. Virgin Mary is seen as a woman’s role model (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 255-260).Ideal family relations are based on two interrelated themes, family unity and family interdependence. Family unity refers to the desirability of close and intimate kin ties, with members getting along well and keeping in frequent contact despite dispersal and getting together during holidays or celebrations. Family unity is viewed as contributing to the strengthening of family interdependence. They believe that the greater the unity in the family, the greater the emphasis family members will place on interdependence and familial obligation.Despite the adaptation to American life, Puerto Rican families are still defined by reciprocity among family members, especially those in the immediate family kinship group. Individuals in Puerto Rican families will expect and ask for assistance from certain people in their social networks without any derogatory implications of self-esteem. The older women expect to be taken cared of during old age by their adult children (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 255-260). Although emotional and physical closeness among women is encouraged by the culture, over acknowledgment of lesbianism is even more restricted than in mainstream American society.In fact, rejection of homosexuals appears to be the dominant attitude in the Puerto Rican community forcing homosexuals to lead a double life although the American concept of equality and individual rights threatens this belief (Andersen & Collins, 1995, 260). Concerning their health, Puerto Ricans have higher risk for AIDS since they least likely get married. They also have the highest rate of developing diabetes among the Latinos (Center for Disease Control, 2008). In recent times, the culture of male dominance is being challenged in Puerto Rican families especially that women also now work.Daughters however are expected to care for the home while their brothers work. New generation Puerto Ricans also engages in sex at an earlier age as compared to their island counterparts. Children also demands more independence from parental control (Shaefer, 2006, 239; Andersen & Collins, 1995, 255). IV. Cubans The Cubans first entered America as political refugees during the Cuban revolution in 1959. They are the most successful of all the Latinos since most of them are professionals and the US government assisted them (Schaefer, 2006, 247; Andersen & Collins, 1995, 229).The Cuban family is also patriarchal in nature and the concept of machismo is very much entrenched in their nature perhaps largely because they had been the last Latin nation to be liberated from Spanish control and their lives had been dominated by military struggles. The ingrained machismo concept had caused much regression and assimilation conflict in Cuban males in America. Cubans in America are permitted to have sexual relations with American women as long as they do not forget to marry a Cuban girl.Men do not do household chores because it decreases their machismo. Women are regarded as subordinates although women are now asserting more authority in the Cuban American home as they entered the workforce. However, women still respect male superiority and ask for their approval when joining clubs or engaging in social activities. The importance of extended families also diminished; god parenting-role is lessened. Cuban Americans do not accept homosexuality and were repulsed by the fact that some men chose to discard their male power to act as women.However, unlike the Americans who regarded both persons of the same sex who engages in intercourse as homosexuals, the Cubans only regarded homosexual the person who assumes the position of a woman in intercourse (Schaefer, 2006, 250; Andersen & Collins, 1995, 229). Many Cubans however publicly proclaimed that they would like to return to Cuba someday when Castro’s government is overturned and so they desired not to be all too adaptive to American culture (Schaefer, 20 06, 250). V. ConclusionThe Latino culture of family dependence through extended families, male superiority, women chastity and homosexual repugnance is being challenged in the American mainstream society. As they live in America, Latino family structure suffer changes in gender roles wherein women now asserts some form of authority , independence and sexual freedom. Parents and extended families also exert lesser power over the new generation. With regard to health issues, the Mexican illegal immigrants are at a disadvantage in accessing health care while the Puerto Ricans are at a higher risk for contracting AIDS and diabetes.References Andersen, Margaret and Patricia Collins. (1995). Race, Class and Gender, 2nd ed. Belmont: Wadsworh Publishing Company. Center for Disease Control. (2008). Health Disparities Affecting Minorities. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/hispanicamericanhealth. html Driscoll, Anne K. , M. Antonia Biggs, Claire D. Brindis, a nd Ekua Yankah. 2001. â€Å"Adolescent Latino Reproductive Health: A Review of the Literature. † Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 23 (5): 255-326. Figueroa, Evelyn and Griffin Deborah.Understanding Cultural Influence On Health Behaviors of Latino Adolescent Parents. UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, 12(2006):pp. 1-4. Ramirez, Roberto O. and G. Patricia de la Cruz. (2003). â€Å"The Hispanic Population in the United States: March 2002. † Population Characteristics. US Census Bureau. P20-545. Schaefer, Richard T. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups, tenth ed. New York: Prentice-Hall. Spence, Naomi J. 2003. â€Å"Transition to First Sexual Intercourse: The Interaction between Immigrant Generational Status and Race/Ethnicity. † Paper presented at the Southern Sociological Society.

A Study Of The Political Culture In Japan Since Time Immemorial

A Study Of The Political Culture In Japan Since Time Immemorial Throughout most of history, Japanese political culture has centralized around the concept of imperialism. Only during the time period of 1192-1867 did the central imperialist government loose control. This was brought upon by the civil wars and the anarchy that Japan faced prior to 1192. These events set the stage for a new ruling system called Seii-Taishogun 1. Due to this type of military dictatorship the shogun ruled all of Japan. From the new administrative capital, Edo (present day Tokyo) the shogun era controlled by the Tokugawa family brought long lasting peace to Japan, increased wealth and influence of the warrior class, a distinct social status classification system, decreased power of the emperor, and created an isolationism policy for Japan. Oda Nobunga (1534-1582) and Toyomoto Hideyoshi (1537- 1598) brought their opponents to knees. The process reached its climax in 1590, when Hideyoshi carried his banners into eastern Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) rose to power in this vortex of civil war, and succeed Hideyoshi as leader of the country s military estate. With Ieyasu in control of the country he wanted to establish a controlling government body that would keep his family in power for many centuries to come. With the implementation of Tokugawa political rule, this sleepy, historic area was destined to become the capital of all of Japan. By the start of the century, roughly one century after the establishment of Tokugawa bakufu, the city of Edo already boasted a population of around one million in habitants. With the government in the hands of Ieyasu it was clear that he wanted to create a new system of government that would separate the imperial nobles from the military nobles. decreed in Article 7 of the Rules for the Palace and Court that court ranks and offices of members o0f the military are to be treated separately from those held by court nobility. The imperial court that Ieyasu created which featured the emperor had no real power over the country while the members of the military court, led by Ieyasu controlled the country. The two main members of the military court were made up of the shogun, and the daimyo. The shoguns basic responsibilities to the military court was to supervise the court, while daimyo discussed issues, ensure domestic peace among the clans, and protect Japan from hostile outside threats. The daimyo were nobles/lords that that represented various clans and controlled parts of Japan through their regiment of samurai. Each daimyo could control there own section as they saw fit as long as it was is accordance to the regulations handed down by the shogun. As a way to ensure peace, and a willingness of the daimyo to co-operate with the rulings of the court the daimyo had to put up retainers. Bannermen and household retainers were actually put to work as guards in charge of fortifying the surroundings of the castle; daimyo wives and children were required to in live in the capital; daimyo themselves were given no choice but to accept the system of alternate attendance. Also Ieyasu ensured that his family would be guaranteed the leadership of the country, and assurance that no one daimyo clan could over power the government. Imposing taxes and repercussions that would be to great of a risk to rebel against the shogun government. Ieyasu imposed strict controls on the daimyo families, in particular those which had opposed his own bid for power. They were forced to spend a large part of the revenue from their fiefs on road-building and other improvements, and also to maintain residences in Edo, the shoguns seat of government, as well as in their fiefs. This kept them too poor to mount any effective opposition to the shogunate, even if they had been willing to sacrifice their families. 5 By means of these different types of influence that the shogun had over various government councils, this left the shogun with no serious challenges towards his authority. By the final decades of the seventeenth century, when the process of state building had run its course in France and Japan, the shogun and king embraced in principle and often exercised in practice and unprecedented degree of power. Each hegemon asserted the supreme right to proclaim laws, levy taxes, and adjudicate disputes. Each ruler presided over a bureaucracy that carried out the details of governance, and each state enjoyed monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force, the better to impose its will. 6 Which is why the emperor, and the imperial court had no real power over the country and that the shogun reigned supreme it its military dictatorship. Due to this new era of constant peace in Japan the demand for warriors, such as samurai greatly decreased during the shogun era. This left many people out of jobs and mostly samurai had to find a line of work in something else. But, in Edo the shogun was the only entity that kept a massive army for protection, and a massive migration of soldiers descended upon the city. For this reason many jobs became available for merchants, and artisans that were needed to help and supply the enormous amount of supplies that were being utilized in the great building (forts/castles) expansion that was occurring in Edo. Commoners began to stream into the city during the 1590 s, as Ieyasu promised his patronage to those who would help him construct his military headquarters and provision his warriors: armorers and smiths, lumber dealers and carpenters. 7 With all of these jobs that had been created by this migration the Japanese culture began seeing the emergence of a middle-class economic system tha t was mainly made up of these commoners that had gone to work in Edo. Even though this was a major break through in terms of equality among people the same customs and community hierarchy as in the imperial era stayed mostly the same. Each rank of the feudal hierarchy was allotted clearly defined limits above or below which it was impermissible to pass. The principle of knowing one s place was of paramount importance: it was the iron law of feudal ethics. Today, knowing one s place generally implies not rising above what is deemed appropriate. But during the Edo period, falling below one s station was also prohibited. This ethic and the social order that supported it were firmly established during the century that followed the founding of Edo. 8 The definite social structure of the Edo period was similar to what was found in the imperial periods. The whole concept of knowing one s place in society was followed closely and strictly by the governing bodies. A perfect example of is the instance of the ranking of the daimyo. Principles of warrior rule gove rned the rank or status of individuals and families in the feudal hierarchy. Rules were drawn up stipulating the forms a daimyo was required to follow. Social rank determined the shape and size of the daimyo s Edo residence, the scale of his processions, and the kind of vehicles, furnishings, and clothing he was allowed to use. Distinctions of feudal rank were displayed to be immediately visible. These included the colours and designs of clothing, styles of architecture and materials used in buildings and gardens, and the methods and ingredients employed in manufacturing various goods consumed by the warrior. 9 These social classifications were closely watched and to disgrace the social conduct presented by these rules would result in a demotion of the daimyo s status in the society. This held true even in the instance of the society status of the emperor compared to shogun. During the shogun era the power of the emperor was nothing. He was more seen as a symbol of Japanese culture and religion than an authoritative figure during this era. the powers the emperor delegated to the shogun were public, meaning that authority was to be exercised not in the private interest of the shogun and warrior estate but rather in a manner that contributed to the well-being of all of the people of the realm. 10 The whole meaning of it was to look out for the people of Japan rather than just the minority that ran it. This was clearly true as the shogun era progressed the emperor s duties were relegated to just ceremonies, and the separation of the Buddhist church influence in the politics of the country became a law. Toward the sovereign emperor and the aristocracy n Kyoto, for instance Ieyasu and his successors acted with appropriate deference, granting them sustenance lands and rebuilding long neglected palaces. But the shoguns also stationed a military governor in the ancient imperial capital.. Regulations concerning the Emperor and Court, which confined the emperor and nobility to a life of ceremonial and artistic pursuits. The same blend of coercion and patronage characterized the shogun s relationship with the Buddhist religious establishment. The policy of the Tokugawa shoguns was to keep the church fiscally dependent upon government and isolated from secular affairs. Thus the shogun s officials endowed important shrines and temples with landholdings sufficient to sustain them as religious centers, but in 1615 the government also announced a code that restricted priests to purely religious and ritual activities, and twenty years later it placed religious institutions under the careful purview of the commissioners of shrines and temples. 11 The shoguns policy towards the church and the imperial court was that they had no power over any policies and decisions made by the shogun government. There only reason was to be there as cultural symbols t o the people of Japan. Also, the reason that the shogun government worked was due to its foreign policies, towards the isolationism of Japan from the rest of the world. Through all of the social reform that the shogun era established probably the greatest achievement by this government was its isolationism from the outside world. During the opening decades of the seventeenth century, the Tokugawa shoguns prohibited Christianity and restricted foreign commerce to Chinese and Dutch traders at Nagasaki, thus ushering in the Pax Tokugawa two centuries of peace under a warrior government. 12 This stance on foreign relations was a great boost to the Japanese way of life. It made the country as a whole concentrate on what was going on inside the country rather than what was going on outside of Japan during the exploration and colonization period that occurred in most of the other continents. The fact that Japan as a country was cut off from the rest of the world allowed them to keep their culture strong. The conclusion of warfare and the beginning of the great Pax Tokugawa provided the shogun (and the regional daimyo as well) with an opportunity to convert their warrior corps into civilian administrators. 13 The time of peace allowed more people in the country to serve the government in other ways such as; farming, politics, blacksmith, etc. The military government provided by the shogun era brought about many changes to imperial Japan. It established a secure government that kept the culture and unity of the country as a whole, very strong. This was because of the great achievements that were made by this type of government, such as; long lasting peace to Japan, the great city of Edo (present day Tokyo), increased wealth and influence of the warrior social class, creation of a distinct social pattern, decreased power of the emperor/religion in the policies made by the government, and the isolationism of Japan which saved its culture from outside influence.

Considering Some Cases from West's Legal Environment of Business by Assignment - 9

Considering Some Cases from West's Legal Environment of Business by Cross and Miller - Assignment Example Atlantic Golf Resort may argue that it should be absolved from blame in that the law provides that when a person takes part in an activity with the knowledge that there is an unavoidable risk of injury, that person is not protected by the inherently dangerous activity. Therefore, Ursula and Titan may not claim that the golf resort should be charged for negligence on the injury suffered by Ariel. The implication of this is that when a person is injured by the inherently dangerous activity brought by him, he is not able to recover damages due to the injuries resulting from the dangerous activity. The exculpatory clause has the effect of modifying the obligation that would otherwise arise on Atlantic Golf Resort by implication of the law or under the statute in which the contract was made. The exemption clause that released Atlantic from any form of liability will not generally not of itself serve to protect any person including Titan and Atlantic from liability whether they were the independent contractor or the owner of the company. Atlantis Golf Resort, therefore, is not capable of using the clause to escape liability while Ursula and Titan may also not rely on the clause to escape joint liability with the golf company. In the United States, it is unlawful to harass a person because of the sex of that person and this includes sexual harassment, which may include unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical harassment that are sexual in nature and includes remarks (Cross and Miller, 2004).  

Content Management Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Content Management Systems - Essay Example Rather, users act as passive beneficiaries who receive the information on the web pages just as they have been stored. This means that given a number of users receiving information from a single server, all users will at any given time receive the same information. Even though the internet has today come to be a great transformation that depends on the principles of content management system in a dynamic way, Eldridge (2001) notes that the internet used to consist solely of HTML or static web pages, that is, web pages that are not changed before being displayed in a web browser. 2. How are CMS currently being used? Today, content management system is at the centre of the internet and controls almost all web site creation processes. Present internet experts and web creating experts depend on content management system to â€Å"lower the barriers to entry and make it much easier to launch a site, keep it updated and get more out of it† (Miller, 2012). This means that content mana gement system is currently being used to do away with impediments that made the accessibility to websites more difficult in times past. It is also being used to make the ownership and maintenance of websites more free flowing and easy. What is even better is that unlike the days when the internet was dominated with static pages, web hosts are able to update their web pages more quickly and promptly. It is not for nothing that today we have websites that are dedicated to giving live score of sports activities. 3. Types of CMS (include cost and size) Content management system comes in a number of types. Commonest among these that will be treated include enterprise and open source. Each of these comes in different size and different cost management that accompany them. a. Enterprise As the name implies, Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) works for established enterprises in managing their ill-structured and haphazard documents, content, records and facts. Enterprise content ma nagement system can therefore be described as an electronic organizational process for an organization. Because of the task involved, which entails getting the disorganized organized, enterprise content management system is often cost involving. Its size however depends on the size of the enterprise in question. Once duly delivered, enterprise will ensure integrity, protected security and elimination of all forms of bottlenecks in the organization’s operations. b. Open Source Open source allows for accessibility to already existing content management systems. This is not to say that it changes static pages to dynamic pages but then it enhances the function and work of dynamic pages by creating multi-functionality such as access to motion pictures. Because this is an optional component to web pages, it is mostly not costly to the user because he decides to use by choice. Open source however makes the webpage sizes bigger. 4. CMS Functionality Content management system function ality is combination of a number of integrated activities and processes that need to be carried out to make the functioning of any webpage complete and successful. In the absence of effective content management system functionality in place, it will be impossible to amass the total benefit of a website for business returns. Functionality therefore involves processes such as updating content from

Visual arts, music, drama, and film constitute works of art Essay

Visual arts, music, drama, and film constitute works of art - Essay Example The reality is that art is about expression; not only of the artists, but also of the audience. Every person views the product in light of their own perception and preconceived notions - we still haven't decided at large what the expression on Mona Lisa's face entails. Therefore, the questions stands ever more potently: what does constitute a work of art. Technically speaking, every person using the creative means to express themselves essentially come under the cadre of 'art'. However, whether it is actually another Rembrandt in the making, is a question that only time can tell. Even when small children scribble with crayons on their drawing books, that is one form of art. Yes, it may not be the standard to be placed in a museum, but it is still the mode of expression for that child. Similarly for music - nature is encrypted with melodies and rhymes, all synchronized to give life the color it deserves. Thus even the whistling sound of a cool breeze is a form of art (again something that may not find itself in a collector's catalogue. Performing arts also form a distinctive genre in their own right. Dance and yoga both form a wholesome means of expression for the body. Two people fighting are generally termed as something uncivilized.

Contemporary management and value chain analysis at China Telecom Essay

Contemporary management and value chain analysis at China Telecom - Essay Example This is a significant accomplish for an organisation that must operate in a dynamic, competitive, and price sensitive environment whilst also managing multiple international cultures in its many divisions that operate globally in Asia, North America, and Australia. China Telecom is able to maintain a cost leadership position among competition by maximizing its supply chain and replenishment planning software, thus providing not only efficiency in service delivery but total price value in a region of the world that is willing to defect to other brands based on price sensitivity (Boone and Kurtz 2007). China is a collectivist culture, meaning that individuals in society value group membership and the establishment of group-minded goals with little emphasis on individuality common to Western consumers (Hofstede 2012). Because of this, word of mouth advertising and appealing to group-minded consciousness in the target market requires the organisation to be aware of pricing models compare d to competitors as well as pricing that will ensure long-term brand loyalty. Even though China Telecom is a fixed line service provider as the primary service and product, the business recognises trends in social culture and therefore has adopted a model of innovation and modernisation. Growth in Internet usage in the country of China exceeds the growth rates of the rest of the world and China Telecom continues to evolve its wireless Internet options therefore diversifying business practices and divisional competencies. Table 1 illustrates the growth in Chinese consumer Internet usage over a 10 year period. However, in order to effectively manage these innovations, the business must focus on cross-cultural management, engage in transformational management, continue to decentralise business divisions and leadership, as well as conduct routine quality assurance/auditing practices as part of strategic management and risk management models. Table 1 Source: www internetworldstats.com (2 010). China Telecom continues to be a leader in supply chain management allowing the firm to maximize its total brand value and price value components in its business and profitability models. The organization utilises manufacturing and distribution from ZTE, Comba Telecom, SimTech, UT Starcom, and Grentech (Meng 2009). China currently maintains an unfavourable exchange rate with the rest of the Westernised world, therefore it procures its products domestically to ensure yuan exchange and thus maximizing profit. This also avoids tariff costs for importing mobile devices and service provision information technology equipment. In order to maximize efficiencies in supply, China Telecom must be strategic-focused and work with collaborative supply chain systems to ensure partnerships and efficient distribution networks for purchasing needs. Outside of the financial and managerial aspects of total value chain considerations, China Telecom maintains many strengths in relation to corporate social responsibility and understanding how to develop cultural awareness to create a unified and loyal corporate culture. In May of 2012, China Telecom was awarded the Best Managed Company in Asia by FinanceAsia, a respected financial and management consulting company (China Telecom 2012). China Telecom received this award for its

Bonnie Raitt and the Boom Generation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Bonnie Raitt and the Boom Generation - Essay Example Some sociologists have also attributed individualism as a common trait to baby boomers (Boaz, 11). Another interesting fact is that 35% of baby boomers have been divorced (Schlesinger) Bonnie Raitt was a baby boomer and her life cycle almost followed the common life pattern of baby boomers. She has been involved with environmental movement, movement against nuclear weapons, Native American movement, women’s and human rights movements (Bonnieraitt.com). All these movements have been in some way or other anti-establishment and such political feelings have been typical for the baby boomer generation. Bonnu Raitt was born as the daughter of Broadway singer, John Raitt and she grew up in Los Angeles in an ambience of â€Å"respect for the arts, Quaker traditions, and a commitment to social activism† (Bonnieraitt.com). Towards the end of sixties, she went to study in Cambridge, was very much involved with the socio-political activities happening there, and was part of the ant i-war movement as a majority of baby boomers were (Bonnieraitt.com). In her musical career, she started with folk music and blues.

Procedures for the Release of Electronic Health Information Assignment - 1

Procedures for the Release of Electronic Health Information - Assignment Example Moreover, the burden of maintaining confidentiality lies with health care providers and staff that may have access to the medical record. The patient relies on the understanding of these laws well by the heath providers. The implementation of these laws without patients’ right violation is the main aim of the release of electronic health records. U.S. Congress enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") was enacted by the US to help in the governance of the release of health records. It is important to note that although HIPAA Privacy Regulations may impose additional requirements on Maryland disclosure law, they do not replace Maryland state law unless the patient is provided less protection under the state law. Electronic health information is a digitized version of a patient’s record book; it contains a patient’s medical history, treatment plans, immunization dates, medications, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results. It also allows access to evidence-based tools that providers can use to make decisions about a patient’s care. It also eases the service providers’ workflow since the whole system is automated. The EHR allows the sharing of information between several health care organizations in case of referrals. Such information could be very vital to a patient therefore the issuance of such information should be done carefully under regulations. It’s only fair the patient’s privacy rights be observed. This therefore has led to the need for a procedure in the release of medical records. Medical records are expected to be confidential, up to date and very accurate. These records are owned by the health care provider and are kept with the aim of benefiting the patient. Therefore, the service provider is tasked to guard this information against any illegal adjustments, loss, tamper, or unauthorized persons use. The

Enzymes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Enzymes - Essay Example Then we will utilize acquired information to examine a given experiment. type of organic molecule that contained gene makeup in biological existence (pg. 50, Barrick, Scientific American). DNA seemed to be an evolved trend later down the centuries. DNA now possesses all information concerning the constructs of the human body, including the structure of enzymes. Enzymes In comparison to DNA, RNA differs in nucleic acid component such as To understand the process of creating enzyme RNA proliferation, we have to explore how they are produced and pinpoint theirpurpose in modern cells. The process commences when RNA polymerase, an enzyme, attaches to DNA strands and copies portions of it. RNA polymerase unwinds and opens the double stranded DNA and reads the nucleotides and matched them up with composite nucleotides that fit. After transcription is done, the messenger RNA (mRNA) is released and capped on each side of the strand to prevent the enzymes outside the nucleus from disintegrating it. These mRNA are photocopies of the DNA. Now when the strand reaches outside, it is quickly read by ribosomes. Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that essentially deals with the synthesis of proteins. The ribosomes read the nucleotides assembled in sets of three called codons. Each codon sequence has a specific amino acid it pairs up with. Each amino acid is distributed tRNA or transfer RNA. After each codon is translated, the appropriated amino acid are assembled in the order of the codons on the mRNA and fused to together through the process of dehydration synthesis. Then that protein will leave the ribosome while the mRNA disintegrates for its extended exposure to the catalytic enzymes outside the nucleus. The components of the disintegrated mRNA are recycled. That protein can be an enzyme fit for meta bolic activity. For a catalytic activity, the molecules at the beginning of the process are called substrates, and the enzyme breaks them down into different molecules, the products. Almost all processes in the cell need enzymes in order to occur at significant rates. Since enzymes are extremely selective for their substrates and speed up only a few reactions from among many possibilities, the set of enzymes made in a cell determines which metabolic pathways occur in that cell. Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy for a reaction, thus dramatically increasing the

Animal Cruelty Essay Example for Free

Animal Cruelty Essay Today I am going to talk to you about innocent animals who have been uncared for, neglected and most of all subjected to cruelty. If you didn’t know already, the RSPCA stands for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This is the world’s oldest animal welfare organization; originally set up just to look after farm animals, later expanding to include all animals. A group leader founded this organisation in 1824 by the name of Richard Martin who was an MP. But in reality his name doesn’t compare to what I’m going to tell you. First of all let’s start off with the reality. Despite British people being known as animal lovers these figures will shock you. The RSPCA receive approximately one phone call every 25 seconds each year – most sharing animal cruelty stories and asking for help. Every year roughly 140,000 animal cruelty complaints are investigated and out of that number 3000 were found guilty. More statistics include, 143,000 animals are rescued and collected, 214,000 are treated and helped and 70,000 animals were found new homes. After all the RSPCA have files upon files of stories so sad that I would be surprised if anyone could remain unaffected by them. The exact details of the 200 starving dogs remain unclear but the main facts wre uncovered by the RSPCA and police. Inspectors from the RSPCA found 204 starving dogs crammed in a filthy shed after an elderly woman had died. The Yorkshire terriers were in complete darkness, dripping in urine and piled in plastic travel boxes so full excrement the dogs had to crouch 3 inches from the top of the box. Six pups had died and one had been half eaten by littermates. What am I supposed to add to this? Well, some lost eyes because of infections, others couldn’t stand up properly because they were used to such terrible conditions. The pet charity that found them said that â€Å"the stench was unbearable, dead pups had melted into the floor, some had tumours like footballs, most hadn’t seen daylight†. The windowless 60ft shed was in the back garden of an elderly woman who shockingly lived in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. Rescuers said it showed years of neglect and suffering of these poor innocent puppies. As soon as they were discovered the RSPCA spent weeks trying to re-home the dogs. This shows that the RSPCA are a well worth charity Rescuers said it showed years of neglect. But one of Mrs Stevens’s three sons, Chris, said: â€Å"She loved the animals. † Charities are trying to rehome the dogs. How on earth can this womans son say she loved animals? It makes me sick to my stomach that people can treat any animal in this way. There should be stronger punishments for people that neglect or cause harm to any animal there are no excuses! I only hope that all of the dogs find warm loving homes. Neglect and abandonment are the most common forms of companion animal abuse in the United States. Just imagine that 1 in 3 animals are uncared for, if you look around here in this room that could be you. Just recently you may have seen in the news a women was caught picking up a cat and dumping it into a council bin. Why would anyone want to do that!

The Power of Love Essay Example for Free

The Power of Love Essay â€Å"The Lady with the Pet Dog† are both stories of two unhappy pair of people who find love through unexpected extra-marital affairs. In both stories, the lovers are not seeking to have an affair, but meet randomly while on vacation without their spouses. The characters all share a sense of unhappiness in their marriages, but find in their lovers’ eyes an acceptance leading to self-discovery and fulfillment. Because of the bond formed between the lovers each comes to the realization that life must include the other, for only in the relationship are they made whole and able to find their reason to live. Chekhov and Oates’ short stories share a common theme that true love is a random, transformative event which brings about a feeling of acceptance and completion that serves to give a purpose and meaning to life. Similarly, each story’s pair of characters meet based on chance and proximity. In Chekhov’s story, Dmitri first notices â€Å"a young woman†¦ walking along the embankment; behind her ran a white spitz† (266). In Oates’ story Anna relates the first sight of her lover: â€Å"A man †¦ approaching her†¦[a] small †¦ golden dog, bound[ing] near † (981). These brief introductions lead to the characters interacting; each couple aided by the dog found in the title, allowing an entry into conversation. In Chekhov’s story, â€Å"The lady sat down at the next table, three steps away from him†¦ [he] gently called the spitz, and when the dog came over, he shook his finger at it† (267). This was the opportunity for Dmitri to meet his lover, Anna S.. In Oates’ story, Anna finds â€Å"her soul strained to fly outward, to meet with another person,† so she, â€Å"tied her hair back†¦ and went down to the beach†¦[where] the man glanced around at her †¦ [and] smiled† (981). Unlike Chekhov, Oates does not allow her male character to be called by name, allowing the female narrator, Anna, to have her emotions and uncertainty dominant. In both stories the narrative relates how the principle characters, though opposite in gender, are intrigued by their chance encounters and pursue their new acquaintances. In Chekhov’s story, â€Å"after dinner they walked off together – and a light, bantering conversation began†¦ Afterwards, in his hotel room, he [Dmitri] thought about her, that tomorrow she would probably meet him again. † In Oates’ story, Anna â€Å"spent the rest of the day reading†¦She thought again of the man on the beach. She lay the book aside and thought of him: his eyes, his aloneness, his drawings of her. They began seeing each other after that. † Both stories consummate the relationships. In Chekhov’s story, Dmitri found his chance: â€Å"he looked at her intently and suddenly embraced her and kissed her on the lips†¦ Let’s go to your place †¦Ã¢â‚¬  he said softly. In Oates’ story, Anna takes the initiative: â€Å"she heard herself asking if he would like to come in. She allowed him to lead her inside, to close the door. † After they have made love, and after a period of silence and reflection, both female characters begin to feel the weight of their actions. For Chekhov’s Anna, ten years younger at age 20 than Oates’ Anna, she had â€Å"a feeling of awkwardness, and an impression of bewilderment, as if someone had suddenly knocked at the door†¦ the ‘lady with the little dog,’ somehow took a special, very serious attitude towards what had happened, as if it were her fall. † Oates’ older Anna, impulsively questions her lover, â€Å"Do you †¦ do you love me? † And her lover answers, â€Å"You’re so beautiful† (983). Having felt so alone before, so uncertain, Oates’ Anna absorbs this adoration and â€Å"this beauty, shy and glowing and centered in her eyes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (983). Later, like Chekhov’s Anna, Oates’ Anna also â€Å"felt a strange, idle fear, a sense of the danger that would not recognize her as the lady in the drawing, the lady with the pet dog. There was nothing to say to this man, this stranger,† and, â€Å"[t]his is the end of one part of my life† (984). Chekhov’s Anna also tearfully felt: â€Å"I’m a bad, low woman, I despise myself and am not even thinking of any justification†¦ I swear to God that I couldn’t control myself any longer, something was happening to me, I couldn’t restrain myself† (269). Oates’ Anna was also scared but â€Å"it seemed to her necessary to give in; she had to leave Nantucket with that act completed, an act of adultery, an accomplishment she would take back to Ohio and to her marriage† (983). Though each pair did not look for an adulterous relationship, each pair found just that. After the initial romantic attraction and feelings of loneliness were satisfied through passion, each set of lovers still felt the relationships were temporary and meant to end. After hearing from her husband, Chekhov’s Anna declares â€Å"It’s good that I am leaving †¦ [it’s] fate itself† (270). Oates’ Anna believes: â€Å"Now something will happen. It will come to an end† (984). Even Dmitri thought â€Å"[a] month would pass and Anna †¦ [will] be covered by mist in his memory† (272). In contrast to Chekhov’s story, Oates’ lovers do not part easily. In their last drive together, Anna’s thoughts varied from believing her lover would be relieved when he left her to the thought that â€Å"this man was her savior, that he [has] come to her at a time in her life when her life demanded completion† (977). Oates’ Anna is undecided, clinging, yet pushing her lover away. She put a hand on his arm, a claim. He turned to her and smiled and she felt that she loved him,† but, â€Å"at the same time she understood †¦ she would leave him soon, safely, and within a few days he would have fallen into the past †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (977). No matter what their plans, the affairs’ end doesn’t come easily to any of the lovers. Their minds continue to be filled with memories of their love. Each male character travels to see their lovers again, going to a public theatre and concert respectively. Chekhov’s Dmitri realizes when he sees Anna S. hat she has changed him, â€Å"when [he] looked at her, his heart was wrung, and he realized more clearly that there was now no person closer, dearer, or more important for him in the whole world; this small woman†¦ now filled his whole life, was his grief, his joy, the only happiness he now wished for himself† (274). Chekhov’s Anna also confesses â€Å"I think only of you [Dmitri] all the time, I’ve lived by my thoughts of you† (275). Oates’ characters are not as verbally expressive, but their actions convey their inability to separate, â€Å"she went to him at his hotel. She wept, pressing against him, demanding of him, ‘What do you want? Why are you here? ’† (985). â€Å"I want to talk about last August,† he replied and â€Å"they became lovers again† (985). With these declarations and actions the lovers’ bonds of attraction begin to evolve into deeper, intimate unions forged by compatible needs which their respective spouses cannot understand or satisfy: the characters are finding true love for the first time. After realizing their love, the principle narrators also find within themselves a feeling of acceptance, and fulfillment with their new relationships. In â€Å"The Lady with the Little Dog,† Dmitri determined that â€Å"by some strange coincidence, perhaps an accidental one, everything that he found important, interesting, necessary, in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, which constituted the core of his life, occurred in secret† (276). His relationship with Anna fulfilled him in a way that his overt life could not. â€Å"For him it was obvious that this love of theirs would not end soon †¦ at that moment he saw himself in the mirror† (276). The mirror functions in both stories as the catalyst for the narrator’s awareness of their fulfillment in the newly forged relationship. In the mirror Dmitri sees his gray hair but â€Å"only now, when his hair was gray, had he really fallen in love as one ought to—for the first time in his life† (277). For Oates’ Anna, as she again prepared to leave her lover, â€Å"she happened to catch sight of his reflection in the bureau mirror †¦ preparing also to leave†¦ and she realized that he existed in a dimension quite apart from her †¦ she felt a miraculous calm. This man was her husband truly †¦ they [have] been married haphazardly and accidentally for a long time†¦ she [loves him] above any other person in the world, above even her own self-pitying sorrow and her own life† (987). With the principle characters’ discovery that their love affair was now their primary relationship, giving them emotional security and a fulfilling sense of completion, they also realize that their lives have changed direction. Oates’ Anna concludes that her lover is â€Å"her destiny. And she does not hate him, she [does] not hate herself any longer; she [does] not wish to die; she [is] flooded with †¦ certainty. Anna realizes, a â€Å"gratitude, [and] pure selfless energy †¦ she [knows she has] been behaving correctly; out of instinct† (987). Oates’ Anna concludes love is her â€Å"triumph,† overcoming unhappiness with a new â€Å"beginning† (987). Chekhov’s Dmitri changes his goal from one of secrecy and stolen moments to thoughts of â€Å"how they could free themselves †¦ it seem[s] that †¦ the solution [will] be found, and then a new beautiful life [will] begin† (277). The short stories â€Å"The Lady with the Little Dog† by Anton Chekhov and â€Å"The Lady with the Pet Dog† by Joyce Carol Oates both tell of true love found despite the shame of marital infidelity. Though the stories unfold with opposing gender’s center of consciousness, differing chronological development, and unique expositive style and emphasis, the stories have a common theme of the redemptive and transformative power of true love.  Through similar plots, climactic scenes, and open endings, the stories reveal the two pair of lovers’ fulfillment in their first real love and their new sense of direction and desire for a fresh start with their love in the open.

Akira Kurosawa An Auteur Film Studies Essay

Akira Kurosawa An Auteur Film Studies Essay Since the term auteur was applied to film directors by the cahiers du cinema magazine in the 1950s,there has been much debate by film-makers and critics as to what makes an auteur and how accurate the term is when applied to some directors. Federico Fellini, in a 1966 interview, said that Akira Kurosawa was the greatest living example of what an author of cinema should be'(Cardullo,2006,p.49) and in this essay I would like to explore the accuracy of this statement based on Kurosawas period films and how meaningful the term auteur is. In his article, Notes On The Auteur Theory In 1962, Andrew Sarris (interpreting the Cahiers various articles on what became known as auteurism)describes the auteur as a director who is technically proficient, whose personal style is clear in the way a film looks and moves and who creates an interior meaning from the tension between a directors personality and his material. This last statement, Sarris admits, is ambiguous. Susan Hayward in her book Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts (1996) sheds more light on what the cahiers meant by auteur by defining the interior meaning as the mise en scene and the personality of the director. She also describes the total author'(p.33), a director who writes their screenplays. Because of the sheer amount of debate surrounding what an auteur is I will base my argument on both Sarris and to a lesser extent Haywards explanation of the term auteur. A large part of being an auteur, based on what Sarris defines as an auteur, is the ability of a director t o imprint their mark onto a film in spite of the limitations brought on by studio control. This would have had great meaning in Hollywood at the time the article was written but not necessarily in the film industries of the wider world, particularly Japan. For Kurosawa in there far fewer limitations in how he made films in comparison to his Hollywood counterparts. Kurosawa was the principle writer on the majority of his films and those which were based on other stories would be adapted by him for the screen. He would often quote his mentor, Kajiro Yamamoto, in interviews saying if you want to become a film director, first write scripts (Kurosawa, 2008, p.10). In this respect Kurosawa was quite literally the author/auteur and originator of his films and so would appear to fit into the total author mould. Where the gray area exists as far as being an auteur is in Kurosawas use of collaborators in the screenwriting process such as Shinobu Hashimoto who was involved in the writing of Seven Samurai (1954), Throne Of Blood(1957) and The Hidden Fortress (1958) to name but a few. This would arguably prevent him from being considered a total author. Another area where Kurosawa has total control is editing. In the introduction to the book Akira Kurosawa: Interviews , Bert Cardullo calls Kurosawa an auteur because he edited or closely supervised the editing of all his films (p.10). I am inclined to agree with Cardullo that this would add to the degree of authorship on a film as Kurosawa will have the final decision on exactly what the cinemagoer will see. This could be seen as technical proficiency however Sarris article bases technical proficiency on directing skills, editing skills are not even considered. Overall it seems that the level of control Kurosawa had over non-directorial aspects of his films would remove the impact of his autuerism because so much of what makes an auteur is the ability to push through industrial control to have your own voice heard. With Kurosawa it was his own voice from the beginning in the writers room and it would end as his voice in the editing room with no real struggle involved. Because Kurosawa wrote the script it was all uniquely personal to him which is one of the key elements of auteurism. In Notes On The Auteur Theory In 1962 Andrew Sarris had said that a director spends most of his life on one film. For Kurosawa that one film could be the period film, something he worked on time and time again. The backdrop of medieval Japan was the preferred setting for Kurosawa and something which was very personal to him: Kurosawas intense feelings for pre-modern Japan, his perceptions of himself and his family in these terms, disclose a view of the past as a living sensuous reality (Prince,1999,p.203) His father was of samurai descent and Kurosawa himself romanticised the past in many ways, finding solace in it where there was none in the present. The early samurai films show his youthful exuberance with films such as Seven Samurai and Yojimbo(1961)showing a positive vision of the past heroism has been transformed into acts of everyday charity (Prince,1999,p.241). In stark contrast to the positive nature of these films the later samurai films are significantly more bleak in nature. These films followed years of depression, attempted suicide and struggles to find finance. For example Ran(1985) Kurosawas last samurai epic, the title of which translates as turmoil or chaos, is a downward spiral of misery from start to finish with almost all characters having distinctly negative traits. Prince describes the period of both ran and the earlier Kagemusha(1980) as defining a period of melancholy and bitterness and a questioning of youthful idealism (p.293). Further examples of Kurosawas o wn beliefs and personality lie in the themes of the films. When asked what he felt were the common themes in his films Kurosawa replied the only theme I can think of is really a question: why cant people be happier together'(Kurosawa, 2008, p.162). In many ways the real recurring theme of Kurosawas films is humanism, he regularly explores human nature whether its an individual taking up arms against the corrupt (Yojimbo), people working together for the greater good (Seven Samurai) or the hopelessness of war (Ran). All suggest that the world would be a better place if we all got along. These films show the personality, thoughts and feelings of the director during their production which I would argue is a prime example of what an auteur is, someone whos films reflect them. Kurosawa was a highly visual film-maker. In his youth he had wanted to be an artist and its clear from the composition of many of his shots that he retained the sensibilities of an artist. From the interviews conducted over the years in Kurosawa: The Interviews it is clear that Kurosawa maintains as much control over every shot as possible from composition to choice of camera. Stephen Prince describes the technical knowledge of Kurosawa and his reliance upon telephoto lens and techniques of multi-camera filming'(p.18) as well as his use of anamorphic frame in later films such as Kagemusha. Kurosawa knew how to get the best images out of every scene even if it meant using unconventional techniques and new technology. He lives up to the level of technical expertise Sarris had believed was vital for a true auteur. This did not however mean that Kurosawa was his own camera operator, indeed he couldnt be because from Seven Samurai onwards he stuck to using multi-cameras no matter what kin d of scene was being filmed. He believed this meant that actors would be less conscious of acting to a camera and instead would have to put on a good performance that could be seen at all angles. Kurosawa did his utmost to ensure that his vision was achieved and would regularly take control of his own camera however he described the process of getting others to achieve shots: I explain the desired image in detail not only to the cameraman but also every member of staff and have them do their utmost to produce the best possible likeness to it (Kurosawa,2008,p. 27) So even with his knowledge of camera lenses there was still a collaborative issue as far as using a cinematographer and indeed Kurosawa had several regular cinematographers such as Asakazu Nakai who worked on films such as Seven Samurai and Ran. Kurosawas technical proficiency is also very clear in his framing decisions. For example in Seven Samurai Kikuchiyo is clearly the outsider of the group which Kurosawa emphasizes by how the framing consistently isolates him from the rest of the samurai who are clustered together as a group'(prince,1999,p.214). The way battle scenes are shot in Kagemusha with huge amounts of troops at either end of the screen is a sight to behold, all the more so in the way Kurosawa manages to retain a sense of beauty in the battle. Francis Ford Coppola on the making of Kagemusha described the way Kurosawa presented fight scenes and violence as almost poeticstunning and dramatic and embodying the moment that was supposed to be expressed. The stylistic nature of the battle scenes became a trademark for the director from Seven Samurai onwards. His ability to use camera and edit techniques to portray violence in a thrilling, heroic way were part of the style and something that could be recognised as part of a distinctly Kurosawa film. Not only that but the introduction of colour only to improve his vision of battle with Kurasawa frequently choosing drab backgrounds'(Ebert,online) to show of the colourful costumes which effectively stand out from the background and clash together in battle. Another noticeable K urosawa technique is the use of cutting between similar shots to emphasize drama,Kurosawa loved to intercut two or three shots whose compositions were exactly aligned with the axis of view established in the initial camera position (Prince,1999,p.299). Examples of this exist in various Kurosawa films. In Seven Samurai it is used on the flame engulfed house following the initial bandit attack and the broken lock in Yojimbo which is used by Sanjuro to avoid the kidnappers. This technique focuses the viewer on the dramatic or emotional element and creates a tension. With so many more stylistic calling cards than could possibly be named in a single essay, Kurosawa has a clear style and so fits into the auteur theory. The auteur theory however clearly has many failings even when applied to someone who appears to cover all the bases (writing, directing, editing) of what makes a film-maker an auteur. Many of these failings have already been discussed but in essence they all come down to one thing, film is a collaborative work. Would Kurosawa be able to achieve the shots he did without the work of some of the worlds best cinematographers? Its highly unlikely. Did he write all of his screenplays alone? Certainly not. Would many of his films have been as enjoyable without some great acting from the cast, particularly frequent collaborator Toshiro Mifune? No. In an interview Kurosawa discusses the collaborative nature of his work with Mifune, particularly the distinct walk Mifune has in Yojimbo,Mifunes walk is his own invention. In order to stress it, I carefully selected camera framings and lenses. This seemingly insignificant example is a snapshot of all that is wrong with the auteur theory. The secon d a director claims a film is all theirs they are disrespecting the great people they have worked with. As for Kurosawa being an auteur,even ignoring the flaws in that theory, Mutsuhiro Yoshimoto in his book Kurosawa: Film Studies and Japanese Cinema says: Kurosawas films are too worldly and historical to be approached as mere aesthetic objects where his personal vision is inscribed or as a structure or textual system that reveals his unconscious desire (p.239)

Reggae As Social Change:The Spread of Rastafarianism :: essays papers

Reggae As Social Change:The Spread of Rastafarianism Throughout its existence, Jamaica has experienced numerous revolutions, riots, and various forms of social unrest. From early resistance by escaped slaves to all-out fighting to end slavery altogether, not to mention riots in past years, Jamaica has been in a constant state of resistance. All these efforts to make a change have created a Jamaican religion called Rastafarianism, and with it comes a very powerful means of transporting its message: reggae music. These two forms of expression formed in the context of oppression, and in doing so they have contributed greatly to the ideologies, attitudes, beliefs, and actions of the people on the island. Rastafarianism is a religion based on social change, and reggae is the means of spreading these beliefs. For a new movement to effectively change the system that is in place, it must realize several goals. The movement must have a clear ideology that is supported by the general populace. The ideology of the Rastafarians has been put forth by leaders, such as Marcus Garvey, Leonard Howell, and Sam Brown. The movement must then succeed in organizing people to gather together in order to support the necessary changes. At this stage, there is most likely going to be resistance from the existing forces that want to maintain the status quo. Finally it is necessary to get people from other areas to support the cause. Only then is change possible. The message of Rastafarianism has been spread worldwide by reggae artists like Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, and many others. In Jamaica, Rastafarianism emerged as a native religion which addressed issues that affected the majority of the black population."It (black religion) has been equally concerned with the yearning of a despised and subjugated people for freedom -- freedom from the religious, economic, social, and political domination that whites have exercised over blacks since the beginning of the African slave trade."(1) Early leaders, like Marcus Garvey, stressed the importance of repatriation to Africa, and along with that idea, the importance of beating the slave mentality. Garvey wanted to resocialize the black man so he believed himself to be the equal of the white man, and that he could accomplish anything he wanted."Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will."(2) Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born in the parish of St. Ann, in 1887. Garvey became a prominent leader in the fight for equality.

The :: Biology Essays Research Papers

The "Gemini" Disorder: What We Know and Are Still Discovering About Bipolar Disorder "You must understand something about Andrew... he's a Gemini." This was a simple phrase I heard very often in the company of my dear friend and his clever well-intentioned mother. It was discovered a short time later that the aforementioned statement was justification for the earliest symptoms of Bipolar disorder (or manic depressive illness.) As Andrew and I matured into our twenties, it seemed that he was going to need to understand a bit more than his astrological sign to gain control of his life and his mental and emotional well-being. Thus, we sought this information out together. It is important to consider the magnitude of people who are affected by this disease and the multitude of forms it can take. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.3 million American adults, or about 1.2 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and over in a given year. (1) Of this population, approximately 75 percent have at least one close relative with manic-depression or severe depression. (5) Men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. Children and adolescents may show signs or have symptoms of bipolar disorder, yet a person's first manic episode usually strikes in their early 20s. Bipolar disorder is also more common among those who have family members, specifically first-degree relatives, with this disorder than with those who do not. (6) Unfortunately, many people suffer for years before properly diagnosed and treated or the illness may be never recognized at all. (4) Generally, bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irr itable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of stable moods in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior follow these mood swings. (4) However, this description of bipolar disorder does not delve into the specifics of the disease which often branch into separate diagnosis and needs for treatment. Bipolar 1 Disorder is the more classic form of this illness, easy to recognize due to its frenzied and often psychotic episodes of mania. During these episodes, people may experience hallucinations (hearing, seeing or sensing a presence that isn't actually there,) or delusions of grandeur (such as believing they are the President, invincible, all-powerful, or extremely wealthy.) During depressive episodes, the person may experience feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, pessimisms toward the future, and thoughts of death and suicide or even suicide attempts.

Voice Recognition Technologies :: Essays Papers

Voice Recognition Technologies The 20th century has been a technological marvel. We have advanced more in the 20th century than we have during any other one-hundred year term in recorded history. This is due to a number of reasons. One of which is the early conflicts of the century. World War I and World War II changed the world forever. During these global conflicts, countries developed advanced weapons. They also developed advanced communications and other technologies. The Internet came as a result of the military’s efforts in World War II, and the fear of a nuclear conflict. Then, during the last decade of the 20th century, the Internet and computers exploded to take control of much of our society. Computers are now everywhere. This is evident in another rapidly advancing industry, and that is the automotive industry. Cars, trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles are rapidly becoming more and more computer driven. The most advanced safety features in a car, such as Anti-lock brakes, Traction Control, Active Stability, and even the air bags are control by shock sensors sent to a computer for analysis. If the computer determines that the impact is severe, it’ll deploy the airbag. Another advancing technology appearing in cars is voice and speech recognition. Many new cars feature a system called OnStar, which allows voice activated dialing of a cellular phone service. Most new after-market compact disc players that are installed in cars can feature voice control. Systems from Kenwood and others allow you to change tracks, adjust the volume, change the radio station, and eject the CD without having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Each of these compact disc units feature a small microprocessor in them and memory to process the driver’s voice that is input into a microphone. After the system has been sufficiently trained, which is when the computer attempts to learn and understand the person’s speech patterns, it will recognize the driver’s voice and commands, and then perform them. Other voice advancements inside the car besides the ability to control the stereo is also a computerized location system. The global positioning satellite locates vehicles, then directions and other commands are given by voice from the computer center to the driver of the automobile.

Boston Beer Company Case Essay

_Background Information_: The Boston Beer Company, which was founded in 1984, had a very diversified thriving product line which entailed about twenty different kinds of beers. Their product was available in over nineteen various countries and used a network of around four hundred distributors. Revenues grew from 21 million dollars to 210 million dollars from inception to 1997. _Problem and Opportunity Identification_: As a result of the company’s product line and its variety, the company encountered issues sustaining and upholding of their products such as Lightship – which has been withering in recent years and which doesn’t have the volume like other products to sustain distribution. Since the light beer business that Lightship belonged to was one that was rapidly growing, the Boston Beer Company felt the need to investigate its products disappointment. The research to do so took place in different forms such as competition, market, and financial analyses, customer surveys, and finally deep emotional analysis using the ZMET technique. _Alternatives_: One option the research team is considering is introducing a new light beer into their product line. It is understandable that since the high-priced light beer industry is one of the biggest and rapidly growing field in the beer industry, the Boston Beer Company wants to occupy and take advantage of this field to further enhance its name and maintain its market share and its standing. However, there are issues in terms of positioning and marketing of this product. The product needs to be communicated as a light, rich, fun beer and targeted at a different audience that entails women. In addition to the fact that this option might cause conflict in terms of the brand image being a macho rough beer brewer, using it doesn’t solve the problem for Lightship if Lightship is going to be kept in the market offerings. Another option the research team considered was repositioning Lightship and throwing in more effort and investment into the marketing of the product. It  was obvious that, compared to one of their biggest competitors Heineken, the Boston Beer Company has had trouble and sort-of failed to build a unique brand identity for this product. The product was not successfully differentiated and positioned in the market in order for it to build market share and improve standings. This failure could make it difficult for the company to reposition itself and change consumer perceptions to gain their interests and so it might be a waste of time and efforts. Finally, the last option is the dreaded one of not competing in this realm of the industry. This is a very extreme option since this realm is a huge and growing segment of the market and they would be missing out on a lot if they decide to pull out it. The failure to fit into this field, however, might have proved that the Boston Beer Company is not competent enough and ready to compete in this segment. _Critical Issues_: There are two main critical issues that the company should consider when making the decision about their situation in the light beer industry. One critical issue concerns the brand image – the company has an umbrella brand image of being a premium masculine macho craft beer brewer and shaking that could be seen to influence consumer perceptions. The second critical issue relates to the field study and the results it yielded – do they answer our questions about how to position the light beer product or on whether we should even introduce/keep products in this segment of the market. _Conclusion and Recommendation_: After reviewing the results of the various research techniques, the recommended option would be to introduce a new high-end light beer into the market (while probably retiring Lightship). Making use of the ZMET research results, this new product should be positioned in a manner that represents an active, refreshing, and healthy lifestyle. Having a new product instead of improving Lightship is best in order to avoid the difficult efforts of having to change stubborn consumer perceptions. Also, in terms of the umbrella brand image of BBC being a macho tough image, having a separate offering targeted at other audiences will probably add to the image of having two instead of eroding the existing image.

A compare and contrast Analysis of “The Metamorphosis” and “The Things They Carried” Essay

Society’s alienation and misunderstanding of humanity can transform once life, both Gregor Samsa and Norman Bowker suffered from isolation. Freedom is truly conquered when one is at full peace spiritually; one can be imprisoned in its own thoughts, desires and memories. To follow I will provide examples form both narrative texts were both characters are imprisoned in their own thoughts, desires and memories. In the process of discovering true freedom Gregor is pressured by society and his family to support them after his father lost his job. â€Å"At the time Gregor’s sole desire was to do his utmost to help the family to forget as soon as possible the catastrophe that had overwhelmed the business and thrown them all into a state of complete desire.† Trapped in a jam box where he must be exceptional, with a work mentality to support the family. Hating his job as a travelling salesman, but must continue doing it to pay off his parents’ debts all he talks about is how exhausting the job is, how irritating it is to be always travelling: making train connections, sleeping in strange beds, always dealing with new people and never getting to make new friends or even a loved one. We can see this on the text when he has the magazine cover instead of a real picture with a friend or a loved one (pg 89). â€Å" Hung the picture which he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and put into a pretty gilt frame. It showed a lady, with a fur cap on and a fur stole, sitting upright and holding out to the spectator a huge fur muff into wich the whole of her forearm had vanished!† Leaving behind his desires as a human being all he will think about was his father’s debt and how much he will have to work to help his family. Gregor had earned so much money that he was able to meet the whole family expenses. We can see evidence in the text on (pg 111). â€Å"They had simply got used to it, both the family and Gregor; the money was gratefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling.† His family has used Gregors noble hearth for their own benefit, for comfort since he was able to meet the whole family’s expenses and in returned cold hard words, and isolation were given to him, no love. No true family love disgusted by the truth cockroach he had become, an animal treated like one left in the dust, completely alone slowly becoming a curse in his sister’s eyes and the rest of the family. We can see some of the sister’s rejection toward Gregor when she brings in the food on (pg 107). â€Å" But his sister at once noticed, with surprise, that the basin was still full, except for a little milk that had been spilled all around it, she lifted it immediately, not with her bare hands, true, but with a cloth and carried it away.† Trapped inside a body that repulses his family months passed by and Gregor is physically and mentally abused by his father several times, starving for true family love. At the end of the text when Gregor finds humanity, he feels no shame about anything or anybody he moves toward the music fights towards something that he felt passion about without thinking about the others. Is when Gregor truly understand the meaning of freedom and what it is to be human. On the other hand Norman Bowker and courage soldier, a survivor from the Vietnam War who fought for our freedom. A true warrior earned 7 medals in his soldier journey and he will not see the greatest in him. Having difficulty adjusting to everyday life in the late afternoon on the Fourth of July holiday, Norman drives around the lake on his dads Chevy for hours, passing time and thinking about his life before the war, as his memories from Vietnam. He remembers driving around the lake with Sally before the war thinking about how his friends have gotten married or moved away to find jobs. Complete alone, isolated from his family and the world he imagines a conversation with his dad. We can see that Norman Bowker has no pride in him constantly putting himself down like it was no brave thing to accomplish the 7 medals on (pg 162). â€Å"Well this one time, this one night out by the river†¦ I wasn’t very brave.† â€Å" You have seven medals.† â€Å"Sure.† â€Å" Seven. Count ‘em. You weren’t a coward either.† â€Å" Well, maybe not. But I had the chance and I blew it. The stink, that’s what  go to me. I couldn’t take a goddamn awful smell.† Norman continues to drive around the lake while listening to the radio and thinks more about courage and cowardice was something small and stupid. Thinking about the incident that led up to Kiowa’s death on that rainy shit field and recalls the scene with great detail as the memories play again and again in his mind. Torturing him every second, thinking that he could have done more, and extra effort would have saved him and putting the guilt on him. His consciences was stronger them him unable to cope with his life, trapped in thoughts. The war was over and his not free, his locked in in his horrible memory punishing him every second of his life, complete alone from the world and eventually killed himself. He hanged himself. Overall both text Frank Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis and The Things They Carried contributed me to a better constructive symbol of what means to be human since we see the downfalls and rises from each character. Gregor provides the strength to fight for your beliefs for what moves you in life as a person. I realized that one has to enjoy life have friends spend time with their love ones and grow as a person, not just work because at the end you may never know what can happen and Norman Bowker taught me that we have to be at peace with our sol and mind, learning to forgive ourselves to turn the page of that horrible experience we had in life, even if sometimes can take a life time.

“Like A Rolling Stone”, analysis of Bob Dylan’s song Essay

Not very many songs compare to Bob Dylan’s timeless â€Å"Like A Rolling Stone†. He explores areas that most conventional lyricists and composers do not touch. Bob tells us many of life’s lessons in a mere six minutes and nine seconds. The divine Bob describes life before and after the fall from fame and fortune by telling the stories of multiple persons, speaking to them in conversation. The theme of this song is loss, whether is it loss of social status, money, or trust for humanity. The first stanza tells the listener or reader not to â€Å"throw the bums a dime† because it is easy to loan too many peoples money and never be repaid, leaving the possibility of losing everything. The lines of the first stanza address someone as â€Å"you†, suggesting they are speaking directly to the subject of the stanza. The lyrics of â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone,† when close read as in the past you (the mystery individual the song is addressing) were rich and flashed your money around, spending and lending your money to people who never had any intent of paying you back. Dylan uses a similar idea in â€Å"A Man of Constant Sorrow,† in lines 15 and 16, â€Å"If I had known how bad you’d treat me honey/ I never would have come.† This line implies that he came a long way to see someone and help them, and was never thanked for his efforts, in the same way the subject of this stanza was never repaid for their charity. Line three goes on that p eople told you that if you weren’t prudent with your money you’d lose everything, and you didn’t take them seriously. You used to laugh at those who had less than you, but now you don’t laugh at all. You don’t act like a big shot anymore, because you’re working hard just to be able to eat, and don’t have the money to flash around. The first stanza is teeming with literary devices. In the second line, there is an internal rhyme with the words â€Å"dime† and â€Å"prime†, along with an example of metonymy with the word â€Å"bums†. In line three there is an example of both internal rhyme and consonance. â€Å"People’d call, say, ‘Beware doll, you’re bound to fall’. † (line 3), shows an example of internal rhyming. In the same line the words â€Å"call† and â€Å"doll† are an example of consonance. â€Å"How does it feel? How does it feel? To be on your own, With no direction home? Like a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone?† The chorus is repeated between each stanza, consistently asking each subject of the stanzas how it feels to be left with nothing when they once had something. Essentially, it means what it says. How does it feel to be homeless, rootless, and friendless, having no one know your name, like a drifter who is never welcome anywhere? There is only one literary device in the chorus, and that is a simile with line 5 of the chorus itself, â€Å"Like a rolling stone.† It is suggested in the second stanza of lyrics that the well off do not always know how to take care of themselves. The narrator of this story tells the subject you went to the finest schools, but you never went to learn, you only went to party. Those schools never taught you any street smarts or how to take care of yourself. Now you are forced to learn how to, and you’re going to have to get used to it. You said you’d never deal with shady businessmen, but now you realize you don’t have any other choice. The â€Å"mystery tramp† (line20), isn’t offering to help her or give out charity, â€Å"he’s not selling any alibis† (line 21). In realizing this, you ask him if he wants to make a deal with you to get you out of your predicament. The second stanza has two very rich examples of literary devices. The first is a metaphor in line 22, which reads, â€Å"As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes†. The man whose eyes the subject is staring into is about to take her for all she’s got, and is in a sense sucking her completely of her pride and status. In line eighteen there is an example of assonance with the words â€Å"now† and â€Å"out†. Stanza three brings a new tale of woe telling an unfortunate what they did wrong in their business dealings. He or she is informed that they never saw that there was something wrong going on around you, like observers of the situation did. † You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns† (line 30). Dylan uses images of jokers, thieves, and clowns often in his lyrics, such as in â€Å"All Along the Watchtower† with the line â€Å". . . said the joker to the thief.† You never realized that it isn’t a good idea to entrust your life or money to someone else. â€Å"You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you† (line 33). You used to parade around with your most trusted advisor, who was very cunning and sly. It was hard when you found out that he wasn’t who you thought he was, and that he had stolen everything he could get his hands on. This stanza a few repeats of literary devices we’ve already seen in earlier stanzas. Line 30 has another example of assonance using the words â€Å"around† and â€Å"frowns†. Another repeat of a literary device is in line 33 with internal rhyme; â€Å"You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you†. There are two examples of metaphors with â€Å"the chrome horse† in line 34 and line 35, â€Å"who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat†. These strange, difficult to understand lyrics are very common in Dylan songs. Sometimes entire songs are made up of these vague metaphors, such as â€Å"It’s All Right Ma, I’m Only Bleeding,† and â€Å"It’s a Hard Rain That’s Gonna Fall†. A girl and all her friends are held up in society, and they spend their time partying and buying each other expensive gifts. They think that life could never get any better, or any worse. The girl is advised to pawn her diamond ring now. She used to laugh at those who she felt were below her, and the slang they used. Now she can see herself falling to the same fate, and there is nothing she can do. â€Å"You’re invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal† (line 53). Of course, if you have nothing and are nothing, you can lose nothing, because there is no one trying to tear you down. The fourth and final stanza doesn’t slack off when it comes to literary devices. In line 45 there is assonance with the words â€Å"steeple† and â€Å"people†Ã‚  Immediately following it in line 46 there is an internal rhyme with â€Å"drinkin, thinkin†. Line 48 gives â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone† its only example of alliteration. â€Å"But you’d better take your diamond ring, you’d better pawn it babe† (line 48). The phrase, â€Å"Napoleon in rags† in line 50 is an example of synecdoche for all people of power and money who have fallen from their place in society. â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone,† by Bob Dylan attempts to teach a lesson to the listener using different tales of woe. Many of Dylan’s songs are meant to be didactic, and I think this is mainly because Dylan was a folk singer, and at the time of his popularity a lot of songs were written to educate people about war, famine, and peace. â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone† is meant to teach people to be smart with their money and their trust, and to realize that they are invincible. Dylan uses a lot of internal rhyming and assonance in his songs, which make them flow so much easier to the music, and makes listening to the songs much more enjoyable. The meter of â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone† changes through the course of the stanzas. Sometimes the lines are iambic, sometimes they have no meter at all, and are free verse. For the most part they are free verse. â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone† is a classic folk song in American culture, and instills in the listener the notion of falling from grace, while incorporating many literary devices to help prove a point and make the song’s statement more powerful. Many would argue that Bob Dylan is only a songwriter, not a poet. In time however, Bob Dylan will be honored, as he rightly should be, as a robust wordsmith who helped shape America with songs such as, â€Å"Like a Rolling Stone†.