Saturday, November 30, 2019
King Leopolds Ghost
King Leopold’s Ghost is a history book authored by Adam Hochschild where he explores how King Leopold II of Belgium exploited Congo Free State in 1885-1908. The main reason why Hochschild wrote the book was to make people aware of the European power’s crimes in Congo. King Leopold’s Ghost gives an account of a cruel, heartless and cunning king who raided Congo and took away the lives of the people and economic resources in the nation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on King Leopold’s Ghost specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also describes those brave men who rebelled against the king such as the missionaries, young idealists and travelers. Many European powers wanted to own up Africa and Asia in 19th century. King Leopold II of Belgium decided to make attempts to join imperial leaders in their quest to obtain Africa and Asia. He managed to seize Congo River and its surrounding. He then c onducted genocidal raid of Congo whereby he looted rubber, maltreat Congolese people and reduced the population by elimination ten million citizens. King Leopold however considered himself as a great humanitarian for all these evil actions. Archbishop of Canterbury, Mark Twain and many other people joined forces to expose King Leopold’s bad deeds in Congo. This eventually led to the formation of Human Rights Movement. This paper mainly reflects on how colonization undermined Congolese society and why this was a natural result of late 19th century imperialism. Many countries which were colonized by European powers were greatly undermined. The European powers used excessive force to obtain what they wanted from the nations they had conquered and the people. They subjected their colonies to forced labor, brutal killed them, destroyed their properties and sold them out to slavery. Congo Free State is just an example of those African and Asian countries that were undermined by col onization. This therefore means that what happened to Congolese society was a typical and natural result of late 19th century imperialism which was practiced in many nations such as Assyrian Empire, Roman Empire, Japan, Chinese Empire, Persian Empire, Greece, Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Empire. King Leopold II was just like other imperialist who glorified in evil actions. King Leopold II of Belgium considered himself as a great humanitarian for genocidal raid of Congo whereby he looted rubber, maltreat Congolese people and reduced the population by elimination ten million citizens. Imperialism was a controversial aspect whereby imperialists justified their actions.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They believed that they acted on a rational ground by doing their work best since they considered themselves to be highest in social efficiency. Imperial powers believed that the world and the people in it should be developed and governed by those who had the highest social efficiency and they saw themselves to possess that power to govern the world based on the best way they knew. King Leopold of Belgium is among the most powerful imperialists to have lived. In his book, King Leopold’s Ghost, Hochschild described King Leopard as a greedy monster and huffy person who was determined at a tender age to own African colony and make them his subject to be able to acquire the wealth in the country. After taking over Congo Free State, Leopold decided to make profits out of ivory in Congo by destroying the lives of many elephants in the nation. Leopold actually exploited all the ivory in Congo Free State. The expansion of international gold and rubber market forced Leopold change his plans of extracting ivory since it was no longer valuable as gold and rubber. Leopold began to force Congolese people into the forest to collect rubber. When he felt unsatisfied by the work t hat the villagers were doing in the forest, Leopold ordered his soldiers to whip the people which left a large number of people dead. The soldiers used humans to test whether their bullets were working. The native people were the main victims of King Leopold II. They lost their own land and freedom to Leopold. Leopold used force and harsh methods to accumulate rubber. He cheated the native people that he was going to bring them Christian charity, European civilization and ethics in work. Leopold took away children and women hostage while men were forced to make quotas. The women were held in chains while waiting for their husbands to bring back the right amount of rubber as demanded by Leopold. Those who faltered were either killed or tortured by the soldiers. The hands of slaves were severed to put in a basket to act as a proof of murder which Leopold glorified in. Imperialized mainly glorified in causing others pain and forcing them to obey him. King Leopold liked the fact that he was terrorizing and controlling a huge population. This was however stranger since the imperialists claimed that they were civilized yet they treated human beings in a different way.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on King Leopold’s Ghost specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Leopold considered faster way of murdering the natives in Congo since he was sure that the wild rubber in the nation will ultimately be taken by those who worked in the rubber plantations to gain profit. Leopold joined together with other people to stem forces in Congo and eventually managed to destroy the nation. Leopold had mastered traditional African ways of oppression and brigandage that he used to achieve what he wanted from the natives. He also had vicious experience with different techniques used to inflict pain on people which will eventually make them surrender to his requests. Leopold also used machine guns, steamboats and railwa ys in his quest for Africa. The slaves were used to transport the rubber to the railhead or to the river. Leopold was a wild man both outside and inside his palace. His unmatched political strategy and his cunning tactics enabled him to keep United States away from Congo such that they were not able investigate what was taking place in the country. Leopold continued to enjoy the protection he got from United States in spite of the fact that they were against slavery, colonial and opposed republican principals. The European nations did not involve much in Congo which was astonishing given that imperialism and prejudice was much widespread in the country. Leopold however continued to slaughter Congolese people and exploit those in the West. There were however some brave men who decided to object Leopold way of ruling in Congo. They include George Washington Williams, Roger Casement, E.D. Morel and William Sheppard. They helped in bringing factual occurrences in Congo that was hidden t o the public especially to United States. They spoke about the human abuse that was taking place in Congo under the rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. In conclusion, the book King Leopold’s Ghost is an account of a cruel, heartless and cunning King Leopold II of Belgium who raided Congo and took away the lives of the people and economic resources in the nation. It also describes those brave men who rebelled against the king such as the missionaries, young idealists and travelers. This paper has reflected on how colonization undermined Congolese society. This essay on King Leopold’s Ghost was written and submitted by user Anderson Everett to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
7 Tactical Fixes for Syntactical Impact
7 Tactical Fixes for Syntactical Impact 7 Tactical Fixes for Syntactical Impact 7 Tactical Fixes for Syntactical Impact By Mark Nichol Writers often miss opportunities to push home a point or spotlight an interesting observation by ignoring or not attending to the effect of cadence and syntax on written communication. Such incidents are like a standup comedian placing a punch line in the middle of a joke. Here are some examples of slight adjustments of sentence construction for maximum impact: 1. â€Å"He argued that the court is hardly a legal entity, for a variety of reasons.†The point of the sentence is buried in its midsection, after which a modifier is tacked on, causing the sentence to stagger to a weak ending. Revise as follows: â€Å"He argued that the court, for a variety of reasons, is hardly a legal entity.†2. â€Å"The Chinese were growing lettuce by the fifth century BC, where it represented good luck.†Because â€Å"the fifth century BC†could be treated grammatically as a location, the second clause could be misunderstood to refer to the time, not the place, which is furthermore only weakly implied by â€Å"the Chinese.†Strongly link the superstition to the people, rather than the country: â€Å"The Chinese, who considered lettuce a symbol of good luck, were growing it by the fifth century BC.†3. â€Å"More than 600 schools or school districts nationwide have blocked the Web site, according to cofounder John Doe. Doe, who started the site . . .†â€Å"According to†attributions are often stronger at the head of a sentence. This revision also avoids the clumsy repetition of Doe’s name at the end of one sentence and the beginning of the next: â€Å"According to cofounder John Doe, more than 600 schools or school districts nationwide have blocked the Web site. Doe, who started the site . . .†4. â€Å"Asquith recognized that the majority of his party wanted to steer clear of the approaching conflict- and, more to the point, a majority of his Cabinet.†Wait the majority of his party wanted to steer clear of a majority of his Cabinet? Huh? Well, that’s what it says. But that’s not what it means. Here’s what it means: â€Å"Asquith recognized that the majority of his party- and, more to the point, a majority of his Cabinet- wanted to steer clear of the approaching conflict.†So write it that way. 5. â€Å"Yo-yos were first used as deadly weapons, not as toys.†The mildly startling fact about the toy’s origins is best held back until the end of the sentence: â€Å"Yo-yos were first used not as toys, but as deadly weapons.†6. â€Å"The model takes the social systems surrounding the alcoholic as crucial, most often the family.†The specification of the primary social system should immediately follow â€Å"the alcoholic,†the focus of the sentence, rather than being buffered and weakened by the additional phrase â€Å"as crucial†: â€Å"The model takes the social systems surrounding the alcoholic, most often the family, as crucial.†7. â€Å"There, it’s become fashionable to hate Jews, as they are the proxies for Americans in the Middle East, some say puppets.†As the sentence is written, the last phrase seems a muttered aside, rather than a key component of the statement. Inserting it, enclosed in em dashes, in the middle of the sentence gives it the prominence it needs: â€Å"There, it’s become fashionable to hate Jews, as they are the proxies some say puppets for Americans in the Middle East.†Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:English Grammar 101: All You Need to KnowComma Before ButForming the Comparative of One-syllable Adjectives
Friday, November 22, 2019
Finding Old ACT Test Scores
Finding Old ACT Test Scores Lets say you graduated from high school, had a great job lined up, and jumped right into the workforce. After a few years without raises, though, a bachelors degree began to sound good. As part of the college admissions process, youll probably need your old ACT scores. Here are the steps to retrieving your old ACT scores. Remember Which College Admissions Test You Took If it’s been a while since you took your college admissions exam, you may not recall whether you took the ACT or SAT in high school. Here’s a hint: Your composite ACT score will be a two-digit number between 1 and 36. Your SAT score will be a three- or four-digit score. Remember that the ACT test has changed quite a bit in over the years, so the questions have changed and the score you received would be scaled a bit differently now. If you took the ACT, keep reading. If it was the SAT, you will need to contact the College Board to obtain your old scores. Request Your Scores There are three ways you can request your ACT scores. Online: If you have your ACT online account information handy, you can log in to access your scores. Your account will include a list of all the times you took the ACT and youll be able to select which old scores youd like to see or have sent to a college or university. You can find old ACT test scores from October 1966 until the present. If you don’t know your password or other online account details, you can email the ACT help desk, use the online chat feature, or call 319-337-1270 for assistance. By phone: Order scores by phone by calling 319-337-1270. Note that only priority reports (which require an additional fee) may be ordered by phone. Phone orders also include an additional $15.00 fee per report.By mail: Download the request form and send it to ACT Student Services: Score Reports, P.O. Box 451, Iowa City, IA 52243-0451. Youll need to include your personal information at the time of testing, including street address, and will also choose recipient s to receive your ACT scores. Pay the Fee Regular report: The regular ACT score report fee for a test date after September 1, 2016, is $13 per test date per report. For ACT scores for testing prior to September 1, 2016, the price is $38 per test date per report. A regular report will be delivered in about two weeks. Check the ACT website or call to confirm the current fees.Priority report: A priority report will be delivered in three to four days. The price is $16.50 per test date per report for tests after September 1, 2016, and $41.50 per test date per report for tests taken before September 1, 2016. Additional Tips for Finding Your Old ACT Scores Gather as much information as you can before you contact ACT for your scores. If youre completing the form and mailing your request, be sure to type or write legibly. If ACT can’t read your request, it will be delayed. Remember that since your scores are older, the test may have changed, The ACT score reporting service will include a letter providing that information to the institutions in which youre interested.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Envisioning America & What Caused the Pueblo Revolt Essay - 8
Envisioning America & What Caused the Pueblo Revolt - Essay Example I myself have been witness to some of those distressing racial atrocities and have seen murderous intent of few white who had applied Jim Crow Rules against the blacks. I still feel ashamed of the stunted mentality of those people who reveled in the killings of another human being! America was discovered by Spanish explorer, Columbus in the 16th century, who had developed good relations with the native Indian population. But the early 17th century saw the process of colonization by the British settlers who had brought shipload of African slaves as bonded labors to work on plantation and elsewhere. Jamestown in Virginia became the first place for British settlement followed by colonies in Massachusetts and eastern seaboard in the later part of the century. They also tried to exploit the Native Americans with respect to labor and sea faring activities. The indentured labor consisting of European workers, worked as bonded laborers who were freed after several years so as to pay-off their passage to a new country. The slaves worked in labor intensive tobacco plantations along with Native Americans who later refused to work because they were afflicted with diseased like tuberculosis etc. which were brought by the settlers. Turn of the century saw the raced based slavery becoming a full fledged tradition with Africans and non whites becoming slaves for life. Control over the blacks became the main concern of the white because of the rebellion from the natives. The British Crown delegated the power to the companies who administered in their behalf with rules and regulations. The natives, on the other hand, did not believe in subjugation and rebelled against any revenue imposed by the settlers. I had a fat black lady as my governess who was not only very loving and funny but she was also ferociously protective of me. I remember that once when my parents had to leave in emergency, my Joan, my governess took me to her place for
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Tank Leak Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Tank Leak - Personal Statement Example The issues of soil contamination will need to be addressed and the abandoned tank removed for reasons of safety and structural stability. The local agency responsible for the environment may have to be consulted to determine the magnitude and extent of risk of environmental contamination the leakage poses. That agency may also require to be consulted before an appropriate remediation programme is adopted and the soil contamination cleaned up. Following are a few remediation techniques published in the Oil Remediation Index that we could choose from: 1. Dig and dump - As the name suggests this method involves removing all the contaminated soil and disposing it off to the nearest landfill site. While excavation and dumping is becoming increasingly expensive, this is the most effective of the methods for removal of contamination and possibly most appropriate for your site as we are already in the process of excavation. 2. Soil Vapour Extraction - This is an in-situ process that involves inducing an air flow through the soil to remove the volatile components of the contaminant. Since oil is not as volatile as say petrol, this technique might not be very appropriate here. 4. Bio-remediation - This method involves using micro-organisms such as fungi, bacteria etc to degrade organic contaminants.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Alexander Pope’s poem The Rape of the Lock Essay Example for Free
Alexander Pope’s poem The Rape of the Lock Essay There are several aspects to Alexander Pope’s poem, The Rape of the Lock which cement it as a unique and important work. Not only do Pope’s use of imagery and other literary tools create a landscape of the world which is represented here, but Pope also creates the feeling of total emersion into the story for the reader.            There are also many individual issues, within the work itself, which utilize their social standing to create emotion for the reader, such as the consumption of drugs throughout The Rape of the Lock. This creates an emotional bond with between the reader and the character within the poem by forcing the reader to make judgments on the characters. This judgment, then, becomes part of the reader’s vision of the world Pope created within the poem.            While the poem itself was called to be written by Pope’s close friend, to end the feud between two families, what Pope succeeds in creating was an epic of lust, debauchery and social posturing. This tale, spun by Alexander Pope, seems just as much a condemnation of the social stratification of his era, as it is a plea for well-born families to put aside their petty squabbles. The events leading up to the writing of the poem, as explained by Pope were:            The stealing of Miss Belle Fermors hair, was taken too seriously, and caused an             estrangement between the two families, though they had lived so long in great friendship      before. A common acquaintance and well    wisher to both desired me to write a poem to              make a jest of it, and laugh them together again. It was with   this view that I wrote the Rape of the Lock. (Pope) This partly explains the use of the term â€Å"Rape†in the title. The use of such a strong word to describe such an inane event illustrates Alexander Pope’s fondness of parody – as well as his ability to illustrate the strange and often humorous idiosyncrasies of the wealthy elite.            As Pope begins his five act poem, his first line both questions and accuses the parties involved in the rivalry by asking what â€Å"trivial things†could have been seen as such a â€Å"dire Offence†. The assault which is spoken of by Pope in this first canto is described as being committed by a â€Å"well-bred Lord†upon a â€Å"gentle Belle†. This assault is also questioned, in that Pope asked how a â€Å"Belle†could refuse the advances of such a well-born man. It is the assumption, from this early exchange, that it was socially expected that these two individuals, most certainly due to their social standing, would have no choice but to form a physical union – completely ignoring any personal choice in the matter.            Throughout the first canto, there are several examples of instances where Pope created a strange sense of reality through his use of word choice and order. Calling to attention the vision of a â€Å"birth-night beau†, a very festive and happy image, Pope juxtaposes the idea of non-consensual relations and enters into a dream-state. The allusions that Pope creates here are a very white and pure scene. The use of imagery such as the slippers, â€Å"silver sound†, and Belinda laying her head against her â€Å"downy pillow†creates a setting of safety and warmth.            In line twenty four of the first canto, the poem begins to take on a decidedly fantastic feel. This is used to create the sense that Belinda is truly a slothful person. As she arises at noon, the reader is told that she returns to sleep – creating a sense of an unpressured and possibly spoiled girl with no responsibilities.            The dreams of Belinda are also illustrated here. Pope mentions several types of fantastic characters in this section which illustrate the unrealistic world Belinda inhabits. The angels and elves which Pope mentions number in the thousands – and through them, illustrate the mental age of Belinda – that of a child. These creatures also set up the meaning of the first canto, the warning of Belinda.            In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star I saw, alas! some dread Event impend, Ere to the Main this Morning Sun descend. But Heavn reveals not what, or how, or where: Warnd by thy Sylph, oh Pious Maid beware! This to disclose is all thy Guardian can. Beware of all, but most beware of Man! (Pope 1.108-114) This warning shows the reader, in Pope’s mock-epic style, that some sort of tragedy is about to unfold for Belinda.            This fantastical illustration continues through the end of the first canto. Pope uses the personification of the items in Belinda’s room to create the creatures which she sees through her dreams. Line 135 is a perfect example of this as Pope writes: â€Å"The Tortoise here and Elephant unite, / Transform’d to Combs†. It is obvious to the reader that Pope is describing a tortoise shell and ivory comb. However, in the dream world of Belinda, this object is represented by its literal components before losing this personification and becoming a tool to create Belinda’s physical beauty.            The second canto is used to by Pope to illustrate the importance of hair to the physical beauty of Belinda. Her majestic persona is described by Pope in order to place a heavy weight on the locks of hair she will eventually lose to the impetuous Lord.            Pope exaggerates Belinda’s physical attractiveness and the attractiveness of her jewelry as well. Though she is surrounded by many well presented youths, all adorned in splendor, â€Å"evry Eye was fixd on her alone†(Pope 2.6) Her physical beauty, as Pope describes it, is accentuated by the cross around her neck – which was so spectacular that â€Å"Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore†. (2.8) The power of a piece of jewelry to overcome religious conviction is very unlikely, however, for Pope, this is a perfect way to illustrate the perceived power of high social standing of the wealthy elite. For the members of the elite families of England, the importance of visual presentation cannot be over-stated, not even when compared to religion. Though the symbol she wears is a Christian icon, its beauty – both from its construction and the fact that it is being worn by a young girl of such attractiveness as Belinda, it could seemingly convert Jews and heathens from their chosen dogmas.            It is also in canto two that the Baron, who will perpetrate the rape of the lock, is introduced. Lines twenty nine and thirty of the second canto reads: â€Å"Th Adventrous Baron the bright Locks admird, / He saw, he wishd, and to the Prize aspird†. This introduction of the Lord creates an interesting situation for the reader. Despite the several dozen lines of text which describe the beauty of Belinda’s clothing, jewelry as well as her physical features, it is the locks of hair that hang against her neck which the Baron first sets eyes upon, and subsequently longs for.            The first feelings of the Baron are shown to be violent in nature.            Resolvd to win, he meditates the way,                By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray;                For when Success a Lovers Toil attends,                Few ask, if Fraud or Force attaind his Ends.                (2.31-34) This illustration of the man’s intent shows the reader that the Baron does not visualize the hair on Belinda as a part of Belinda – if he recognizes Belinda at all. The hair that hangs on her neck, however, is instantly revered as a stately prize.            It is also through this section that the locks of hair are given a sexual persona. At no time does the Baron speak, or think of Belinda as a source of joy, but rather her hair as an all encompassing quest. The immediacy of the Baron’s passion for the locks of Belinda’s hair illustrates a very important aspect of his personality – the trophy is more important than the conquest. It is the intent of the Baron to display the locks of hair, as one would display a commendation. The locks of would signify the physical conquest of the beauty of Belinda – whether or not that conquest ever actually occurred.            The signification given to the locks of hair on Belinda’s head is that of her chastity. By removing them, the Baron, in so much as it was seen in the times, had given Belinda the equivalent of a badge of promiscuity. The path through which the Baron achieves his goal, is illustrated through a card game. though this game is seemingly innocuous, it symbolizes to very distinct and overt actions – the first being war, with the direct imagery within the poem, and the other being sex, by the eventual winning of the locks of chastity by the Baron.            The victory of the card game enables the Baron to cut the locks of hair from Belinda’s head. This action, keeping with the tone of the title of the poem, is illustrated violently – though the reality of the action was certainly far less extraordinary.            The Peer now spreads the glittring Forfex wide,                Tinclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide.                Evn then, before the fatal Engine closd,                A wretched Sylph too fondly interposd;                Fate urgd the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain,                (But Airy Substance soon unites again)                The meeting Points that sacred Hair dissever                From the fair Head, for ever and for ever!                (3.147-154) The words used by Pope in this stanza are undoubtedly violent. Though the Baron is removing the hair with the pressured permission of Belinda, Pope chooses to paint this scene as though the Baron was attacking her, killing her, and/or ravaging her body. Pope also uses strange images to create the picture in the reader’s mind. Line 148 states that the scissors were closed around the hair, cutting it; however, the language chosen by Pope creates the image of both conjunction and disjunction.            This stanza is followed by:            Then flashd the living Lightnings from her Eyes,                And Screams of Horror rend th affrighted Skies.                Not louder Shrieks to pitying Heavn are cast,                When Husbands or when Lap-dogs breath their last,                Or when rich China Vessels, faln from high,                In glittring Dust and painted Fragments lie!                (3.155-160) This violence that is being spoken of here, as intended by Pope, creates the feeling of murder, and military conquest. The emotions that Pope takes advantage of here, are for the express purpose of illustrating the over-exaggerated weight placed in the locks of hair. This scene is intentionally written so violently, as to show the reader that the members of this social stratum have little understanding of the true importance of things – such as locks of hair.            Throughout canto four, Pope makes several allusions to the act of torture. It is the intent of these lines to show the reader that the taking of the locks of hair, for Belinda, however insignificant as they may truly be, was a painful and violating event. Meanwhile, the Baron, himself, calls into question the validity of the social significance of the hair: â€Å"While the Fops envy, and the Ladies stare! / Honour forbid! at whose unrivald Shrine / Ease, Pleasure, Virtue, All, our Sex resign†. (4.104-107)            The remainder of the poem, for Pope, further illustrates the illogical amount of importance placed on the loss of Belinda’s hair. The insistence that â€Å"Fate and Jove†where in the audience of this event, illustrates for the reader that the society which Pope is lampooning here feels that the Christian God and the pagan gods would be affronted by witnessing such a horrible action. Pope also suggests that the loss of Belinda’s locks would be of such great importance to the surrounding women in her life that their own lives would come to a halt – â€Å"For who cam move when fair Belinda fails?†(5.4)            Pope offers no redemption for the couple, or the society they inhabit. By line ninety-four of the fifth canto, Belinda and the Baron engage in actual combat. Pope uses this fight to further illustrate the complexity of this society’s skewed priorities.             Now meet thy Fate, incensd Belinda cryd,                And drew a deadly Bodkin from her Side.                (The same, his ancient Personage to deck,                Her great great Grandsire wore about his Neck                In three Seal-Rings which after, melted down,                Formd a vast Buckle for his Widows Gown:                Her infant Grandames Whistle next it grew,                The Bells she gingled, and the Whistle blew;                Then in a Bodkin gracd her Mothers Hairs,                Which long she wore, and now Belinda wears.)                (5.86-96) The fact that the petite and beautiful Belinda pulls a blade from her side, and attacks the Baron with it, is against the idea of the age – where men are the fighters and women are weak in and in need of protection.            This attack by the young maiden is followed by the powerful Baron’s begging for his life â€Å"ah, let me survive†. (5.101) This, again, goes against the expectations of the reader, creating a setting of irrationality. These actions by Pope to create this skewed reality, are effective in forcing the reader to see the entire world of The Rape of the Lock as improbable.            Throughout the poem, Pope utilizes the tools of the ancient epic poems to create a sense of importance and truth to the work. Just as Homer had with his Iliad, Pope creates a tale of heroic and historical importance. However, this is simply a ploy to expose the utter lack of importance of the issue at hand. The entirety of the poem is an exaggeration of the expectations of the reader, and their knowledge of history and poetic license.            The complexity of Pope’s couplet rhyming as well as the loose iambic lines, suggest that the work is meant to be seen just as the historical epics had been. However, the use of exaggerated metaphors and unlikely situations confront that sense of importance – and overpower it. The voice that Pope uses throughout the poem allows the reader to feel at ease with the untrustworthiness of the narrator.            It was the intent of Alexander Pope to illustrate a situation in which a ludicrous amount of importance was placed on a fairly insignificant object – hair. Though the fact is never revealed within the poem, hair regrows naturally. This means that regardless of the taking of the hair by the Baron, given ample time, the hair would be replaced and the event completely forgotten. However, as with the strain between the two families for which Pope was inspired to write about, the event was seen as somewhat of a major catastrophe. WORKS CITED Pope, Alexander. The Rape of the Lock. University of Massachusetts. Date of access: April 27, 2007. URL: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sconstan/index.html
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Terrorism - Using Social Security to Fight Bush’s War :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics
Using Social Security to Fight Bush’s War I have a rational fear: a fear that the September 11th attack has given the Bush administration a free hand in pursuing a conservative domestic agenda. This has so far been unspeakable in the media. But it must be said, lest it happen for sure. Where is the $40 billion for the war on terror coming from? Not from a rise in taxes and not from sacrifices to be made by the rich. Where then? The only available source I can think of is the Social Security "lockbox," which is now wide open. The conservatives have been trying to raid the Social Security fund for some time, and the Democrats had fought them off until now. Before September 11, the suggestion to take $40 billion from the Social Security "surplus" would have been indefensible. Has it now been done-with every Democratic senator voting for it and all but one of the Democrats in Congress? Think of it: Are your retirement contributions-and mine-are going to fight Bush's "war." No one dares to talk about it that way. It's just $40 billion, as if it came out of nowhere. No one says that $40 billion dollars comes from your retirement contributions. No one talks about increasing taxes. We should at least ask just where the money is coming from. If the money is coming from social security, then Bush has achieved a major goal of his partisan conservative agenda-without fanfare, without notice, and with the support of virtually all Democrats. Calling for war, instead of mere justice, has given the conservatives free rein. I fear it will only be a matter of time before they claim that we need to drill for oil in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for national security reasons. If that most "pristine" place falls, they will use the national security excuse to drill and mine coal all over the country. The energy program will be pushed through as a matter of "national security." All social programs will be dismissed for lack of funds, which will be diverted to "national security." Cheney has said that this war may never be completed. Newt Gingrich estimates at least four or five years, certainly past the 2004 election. With no definition of victory and no exit strategy, we may be entering a state of perpetual war.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Pro Hunting
The calls to ban the practice of hunting if enacted will sound a death knell to a sport that since the 16th century has become an integral part of our culture. It is a culture that has over time elicited interest in thousand of participants all over Britain. I believe this practice should be upheld not just for its cultural values but also for its economic and sporting importance.Taking a look at the history of foxhunting I become more convinced that this event should be upheld due to the satisfaction that it has been according to the participants. The history of fox hunting dates back to the 16th century, originally as a form of pest control and was carried out by English farmers. This was done by the farmers to protect their livestock, as foxes had become a real threat to their goats and chickens.In some places in England, fox hunting remains largely a form of pest control. Should this practice be allowed I would not fathom how the opponents of fox hunting expect these farmers to s afeguard their source of livelihood. I would not want to see the efforts of these farmers go into waste to satisfy the whims of some few animal rights crusaders. These foxes pose a threat not only to the humans but also to domesticated animals that are more productive and have received months of tending and feeding. I don’t see any other way that these foxes can be eliminated and the threat they pose to humans be reduced significantly. A look at their eating habits leaves me with a lot of disdain for foxes. Foxes can kill a whole pack of chickens while in the real sense it has an appetite of only one. This leads to wastage and should not be condoned; hunting them down remains the most effective way of reducing these incidences( Dagmar Orendi, February 2004.I support fox hunting in the belief that in the long run it plays a great role in ecological balancing. A cross analysis of the foxes in their natural habitats indicate that they have no real predators in the wilderness. Th eir population if unchecked can rapidly increase to an unmanageable level. Man is their only real threat and is the only entity that ensures that only the best survives. I agree with the argument that has been passed on over time that fox hunting apart form controlling the population ensures the culling of the least desirable ones. In hunting only the weak succumb to the human’s fury.The strong and the fast get to survive and see another down. Hence the hunting and killing of foxes should not be demonized or be viewed as an activity that seeks to fulfill the human’s sadistic tendencies. I am convinced that this activity plays a great role in the ecology more than we can fathom. In the wilderness it is survival for the fittest and hunting isolates the weak from the strong ensuring only the strong breed survives.I am a great lover of sports, not only for the role that it plays in bringing individuals of varied and diversified social upbringing together but for the ph ysical fitness that it instills in those that engage in it. Disregarding its original role and intentions, fox hunting is a sport that continues to create an effective forum for interactions and give individuals a chance to excise their limbs and minds. This is a sport that has evolved from far but still tends to maintain some of the traditional trends. In hunting the foxes, the hunters may opt to do so on foot, on horsebacks, on bicycles or using four wheels drive vehicles.Regardless of the means used, it is a perfect opportunity for the hunters to engage in outdoor activities and enjoy their fun in the rough terrain. I would feel sad to see this sort of an activity banned and the joy of spectating and engaging in the sport diminished. Watching people foxhunt on the screen or hearing the tales of these expeditions gives me thrills and a yearning to participate in them too. By banning these practices, the authority seeks to deny us the excitement and adventure that comes with these sports either when you hear from third parties or when you have physically participated in the fete.Fox hunting is an economic venture in that it not only seeks to reduce livestock losses but also increase the number of jobs created. It is an economic activity that is relied upon by significant number of people. I shudder at the thought of these individuals losing their jobs over what the opponents call ‘cruelty’ to animals.I don’t understand their argument when they purport to advocate for animals, while at the same time failing to put into consideration the number of households and livelihoods that rely on fox hunting, either as a direct source of employment or due to reduced loss of their livestock. I have looked at a recent study that was seeking to establish the number of individuals that depend on fox hunting as a source of employment in the United Kingdom. The findings were interesting. Over 7,000 people fully rely on fox hunting for their living. I see no reason why we should legislate against fox hunting and put into jeopardy the lives of several thousands over arguments that do not hold any water.Although I have an unshakeable believe that fox hunting should not be outlawed, I cannot fail to look at some of the arguments brought forth by the opponents of fox hunting. Animal rights activists are convinced that fox hunting should be outlawed fully and perpetrators thrown behind bars or fined. They cite a few reasons that also may be put into consideration but do not warrant outlawing the event. They claim that fox hunting is cruel considering the fact that the foxes end up being shredded into parts by the hunting dog. It is a very distressing affair to the foxes as they undergo a lot of suffering. They argue that fox hunting is cruel as the foxes do not die instantly but have to undergo a lot of pain.I don’t find this argument strong in any way and deserving any form of attention. In the first place, foxes are hunted not prim arily for sport and excitement but to reduce the threat facing the livestock. To the animal rights activists, it looks that the quality of human life and their source of livelihood is not important, what is important is that the foxes should not undergo suffering even when the strike at the livestock.A cost benefit analysis of fox hunting reveals that it has more social and economic benefits than losses. In my opinion, I find that fox hunting is a venture that seeks to kill more than two birds with a single stone. Economically, the practice is beneficial to the society as it is a natural way for pest control. Socially, it provides us with an important forum whereby people in the society can interact and get to share out their experiences. The interaction play a great role in ensuring unity and cohesion and in one more way than one ensures stability in the community. As a sport, it is a practice that gives people an opportunity to engage in physical outdoor sporting A sport that not only puts their physique in to test but also their minds. I strongly believe that these and more are strong reasons why fox hunting should not be outlawed.BibliographyDagmar Orendi, February 2004. The debate about fox hunting. A social and political analysis. Retrieved on 13/10/07 from http://.www.hu-berlin.de/gbz/downloads/pdf/pagmarorendi-masterthesisPolitics.co.uk 2007.Hunting with dogs. Politics unspun. Retrieved in 13/10/07 from http://www.politics.co.uk/issue-briefs/domestic-policy/animal-welfare/huntingBadger, R.J Fox Hunting in Scotland. Research Note RN99-17, Scottish parliament Information Centre, EdinburghMacmillan, D.C 1999. The Economic Impact of a Ban on Fox Hunting in Scotland. Research Paper 99/3, Environmental and Rural Resource Economics Group, University of Aberdeen.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Hallowed Ground – Creative Writing
One damp morning in the spring of 1951, an elderly woman sat in her drawing room, and stared out of the Edwardian window, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. The velvet green curtains fluttered slightly against a draft. This is her place of rest, were she chose to lead the rest of her life peacefully. She gazed into her garden. Her drawing room was vacant when compared with the beauty of nature. The walls were lined with great masterpieces, her tables decorated with beautiful and rare Ming vases. She sat upright against the silk tapestry cushions of the chair. She loved the outdoors, and always felt uncomfortable with the four walls enclosing her, no matter how beautifully they were decorated. She always adored her garden, the white and pink roses in her numerous and perfectly arranged, symmetrical beds. The garden had limestone stairs, and she peered out of the window, down the grey-white steps, to a garden that stretched to the horizon. The grass was a pure deep green. And in the centre, a pond, stretching horizontally from one end of the garden to the other, the only means of crossing was an old bridge of pale wood with small engravings of dragons lining its railings. She watched the golden red carp glitter in the soft morning sun under the water's surface. Her garden shone with pink and white blossoms. The flowers, at this time of year were mainly spring pansies, daffodils and bluebells, dripping with morning dew. The rose bushes stretched all the way across the left side of the brick wall, ruining its foundations. She remembered old age, spreading through her body like the flower, ruining her strength. Her once able body was frail. Time was running out: the hourglass had tipped. She leant forward to the man across the table, sipping his tea and waiting patiently for a reply. She felt his harsh gaze in her eyes. â€Å"So, Miss Amanda Daley†, he began, â€Å"are you considering ever using our services again, perhaps writing another book or novel? I hope you know, and of course you do, being a lady of worth, that our services are at the best of prices and of the highest quality.†His words remained unanswered, and she carried on staring out of the window. His pinstripe suit and unmarked suede shoes were intimidating, and clearly he was a wealthy man, ignorant to suffering. She was uncomfortable in his company, and like a small child, looked at the floor. And yet, she hated silence, the social void, representing her lack of communal knowledge, and gossip could spread about her past. She sat with her back erect, causing her pain. And yet, she felt that etiquette overcame physical pain, as her father had always taught her. Her back throbbed. She was indifferent to her publication anyhow, since she grew increasingly ill, relief succumbed to etiquette. Her back relaxed. And, as she suspected, she felt a kind of paternal betrayal. Finally, she brought herself to mutter a few words, â€Å"Yes, thank you, I know. I shall send a telegram when necessary. My book will be finished in about three weeks. Come to collect the papers when I call.†She led him to the front door, where he stepped into his automobile. ‘Being a lady of worth'- these words irritated her, span around in her head, but she kept calm and showed no discontent. His car vanished through the drive, and she saw no point in waving him off. She had work to do. She was to begin her story. She sat in the drawing room, asked the maid to fetch her a blanket and hot tea, and sat at the oak table near another window. She stared at her aged hands and wrinkled face in the reflection of her silver teapot, each line representing a time in her life, and she also noticed her hollow eyes. The blue veins emerged on her fingers, as if her condition had just appeared overnight. But alas, this was not so. They did not just emerge, but the veins remained; no medicine could possibly cure it. She had simply not cared before. There were more important things to handle previously; age was a meagre aspect amongst her losses. She sat back, and allowed the painful memories to enter her mind. (2) Her mother, whom she adored with all her heart, would tell her stories when she sat up in bed, and listened with the same intent, even though the stories were often alike. Once her mother had left, and she had said her prayer, she looked out of her window to the star-studded sky, against the black sheet of infinity, and rested against it, was the chalky moon. She shut her eyes. At sunrise, she saw her father leaving the house, as usual. He shut the door with the same pessimism. His job was tedious, though he was too arrogant with false masculinity to ever admit it. He was well educated, well dressed, well paid and an owner of a leading company. He paid for servants to look after her family, even though her mother saw it as an intrusion of privacy. The house was situated on the edge of the sea cliffs, and the path following down to the ocean was lined with jagged rocks, sharp enough to cut. An hour later she tore her shoe on the steep path when walking down to the bay. As she stared deep into the horizon, she wondered what was beyond it. The sea lapped at her bare feet and she felt a slight spiritual familiarity with her surroundings, an eternal bonding of the vast and treacherous sea with her small, trusting heart. The sea sang into her ears, the wind caressed her skin and the sea appeared to be studded with thousands of diamonds against a turquoise backdrop. The sun blazed and her skin shone pink. She returned to a silent house. â€Å"Mother†, she called, looking uncertain, bracing herself. A splutter came from upstairs, and the servants were nowhere to be seen. She saw her mother coming down the stairs. The reply was not as dire as she had expected or it was and she simply did not understand. â€Å"Annabella†, her mother said. She spoke in a quiet tone, one that would have been soothing if it were not for the overwhelming fear that she could sense in her mother's eyes and expression. â€Å"Your father has been injured at his factory. Now, I don't expect you to understand this but we are treading on thin ice. We may be in slight financial trouble, but there is no reason to worry.†But there was. Annabella could sense it. What was a pretty Victorian house was now wrought with depression. Annabella stopped walking down the beach, and fell asleep in tears. The month later, she was roused by Victoria, her maid, and was told to dress. She met her mother at the breakfast table. Her beautiful green eyes were now veiled with tears, her curled blonde hair was now matted and greasy. She managed to force out the words, but Annabella knew exactly what she was about to hear. The house was silent again, no coughing, no cries and no shouts. She whimpered and tensed herself. All she heard was, â€Å"He's gone.†No sounds from her father, no reminders of the infected wound. She did not cry. She was grieving ever since he was hurt, and she knew it. Her father had died after a wild fever and her family suffered in horrible grief, his death believed to have been caused by the infected wound. Once she understood the cruel consequences of her father's death; a growing anger came over her, like a flame on oil. â€Å"Why has he left us?†she asked herself. â€Å"He had not taken any care; no money was ever left except for the pittance that remained after debts and taxes. There was no longer any financial help. He left my mother in hysterical tears, a sorry and disconcerting spectacle to their children.†(3) Even though it was many years since her father's funeral, she remembered the light oak coffin in which her father's body rested comfortably against a white silk tapestry. She remembered the echoing aisle sounds of shoes against the limestone floor, her silent mother and wailing brother, still young and too small to understand. During the final stages of his life, he had grown incredibly weak and thin. Two dark pits surrounded his eyes and the red and brown liquid seeping from his mouth. Her mother was always kneeling at his bedside with a damp cloth in order to calm the fever. The injury in his chest had become infected, and his whole chest was swollen, and his temperature soared. He often vomited. He cried during the night and woke up the house. Her mother never allowed servants to look after him, and she stayed by him, feeling that it was her responsibility. The memories of her father stayed with Annabella for the rest of her life, traumatising her, and yet provided her with an inner strength and understanding of the temporality of life. Unable to hold her pen any longer Annabella sat back, shut her eyes and waited till she had the enthusiasm to start the next chapter. The book, rather than being a release of the emotional torments, became a burden of pain.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
America New England Colonies essays
America New England Colonies essays Curiosity and bravery led the English to discover the nations of America. These strong willed Europeans, determined to find to a new world, set out with high hopes and ambitions. Settling a variety of colonies along the coast of North America, the English were among the first true pioneers. After several expeditions and ships loads of emigrants, the English had a divergence of reasons for departing Europe for America. The settlers of the Chesapeake and New England colonies, were foreigners to the land, established two exceptional but contrary societies due to the diversity of English citizens. Chesapeake and New England colonies, although from the same English background, developed distinctions from the very start of the sixteenth century; their reasons for fleeing Europe, political standards, family life, religions and use of land. With King James I offering a charter for the Virginia Company of London, a joint stock company, to prompt a settlement in the New World, profit filled E nglish men couldnt refuse this gracious proposal. A promise of golden lands and a new passage route through America to the West Indies, the hearty men embarked on a journey which to their eyes seemed to be through the vast unknown. Arriving on the shores of Chesapeake Bay in 1606, soon they were attacked by Indians. Finally having to settle on the James River (named in honor of their King) the Virginia Company was forced to make their home within a mosquito infested and unhealthily region. Beginning their arduous search from the onset, the stubborn men searched for gold day and night through starvation, malnutrition, and disease. According to Captain John Smith these gold seekers were all men in hope of repayment for commencing on the journey. He described the scene as diligent men digging, washing, refining, and loading gold all in silence. Living from hand to mouth induced the gold miners to only be able to provided selves with supplies ...
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Anaylsis of a Sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards told congregation of Enfield, Connecticut in 1741, who wanted to turn people who thought they were too much to Christianity. Edwards creates scores using different metaphorical language strategies to capture the emotional aspects of the audience. By using various styles to scare his audience, Edwards' sermon, powerful words bring good results. Obviously, people rely on God to keep them away from hell. Your evil makes you heavy like a collar, and makes you go to hell with great weight and pressure. In his sermon Sinner in the wrath of God, Jonathan Edwards wrote to his audience and those who read the sermon in the form of a booklet - later they are sinners, sentenced to hell It was convinced that it would be done. As long as they rely on Christ and believe that his grace will be saved. Amazingly, most of the sermons of Edwards are not eternal condemnation, but about the love of God. Nevertheless, this sermon has become an integral part of his religious heritage in the United States. In American early history and literary research, college students often encounter sinners in angry god 's hands. This is usually a quick work between Salem Magic Trial and American Revolution. The sermon of Calvinist theology is drawn with an angry god hanging people in the holes of hell, so you can feel the strangeness of modern American emotions. This article reexamined the sermon of Jonathan Edwards' sinners in the hands of angry gods. There are two main goals. First, studying this sermon should give a clearer understanding of the nature of the god of Edward. That preaching states that God is angry, and that his anger is specifically directed to sinners, but you can not ignore the sacred attributes of another wonderful class that Edwards emphasizes. His grace, compassion, compassion, patience, and love. Edwards believes that this is because of the grace of God that calls pure happiness, and the sinner has not been destroyed yet, but appeals to respond to the audie nce, not the god who prefers to destroy sinners. God's grace for faith and repentance. The God of Edwards is an angry god who exactly hates sin and sinners
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Big Data Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Big Data - Assignment Example es, coupled with consumer loyalty data, gave the retailers unique overviews on product sales, customer buying patterns and overall market trends previously were available to any player in the consumer package goods to retail value chain. According to Liebowitz (2013), all these would have been fine except that in the late 1990s, the development of WWW, on top of the internet was making huge amounts of information readily available and these data sources literally changes the business models of many companies. Today, we are yet in another revolutionized experience of data driven businesses as new sources of data from avenues such as social media, mobile, sensor or machine generated data hold the potential to rewire an organization’s value creation process. Social media data provide insights into customer interests, passions, affiliations and associations and as well is being used for the advertising purposes due to the large audience it attracts. Such data can be used to optimize the customer engagement processes such as customer acquisition, activation, maturation, up-sell/cross-sell, retention through advocacy and development; other data sources provide real time data feeds at the most granular level of detail that enable predictive maintenance, product performance recommendations, and network optimization. Mobile devices on the other hand enable reallocation-based insights and drive real time consumer engagement that allow brick-and-mortar retailers to compete directly with onli ne retailers in providing an improved ,more engaging customer shopping experience, (Simon, & John Wiley & Sons, 2013). The massive volumes that amount up to terabytes and petabytes of data that include diversity and complexity of the data are straining the capabilities of existing technology stacks can be attributed to the less evolution of information technology adoption in businesses. Traditional data warehouse and business intelligence architectures were not designed to handle
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