Joanne Greenbergs I Never Promised You A Rose Garden free essay sample

A discussion of the novel depicting the pain and suffering of schizophrenia. This paper discusses Joanne Greenbergs semi-autobiographical novel which tackles issues surrounding mental illness. The authors intentions in writing the novel are outlined, including the importance of the patients relationship to the therapist, the relationship with family and the humanization of mental illness. `Deborah Blau, the protagonist in I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, creates a world called Yr as one of the symptoms of her disease. Yr is a tranquil haven from the real world until Deborah undergoes treatment for her illness. While she tackles her issues in the hospital under the kind and skilled guidance of her therapist Dr. Clara Fried, Deborah is forced to confront the painful emotions that have haunted her throughout her life. These issues and her family background are offered by Greenberg not as an excuse or cause for Deborahs illness, but to provide context and garner empathy. We will write a custom essay sample on Joanne Greenbergs I Never Promised You A Rose Garden or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Throughout the novel, the points of view of Deborahs parents and her sister are examined, also to provide a greater understanding of schizophrenia as it affects not only the patient but also all who care for her. The novel ends on an uplifting but realistic note: Deborah has begun to trust the healing process even as she recognizes that the process will be no `rose garden.

Free Essays on Book Of Job V. Aristotles Poetics

Book of Job vs Aristotle’s Poetics Aristotle was, arguably, the greatest single thinker that has ever walked the earth. His thoughts and writings covered all aspects of life. So important were his works that to not know them was, until not too long ago, considered uncivilized. He composed a set of standards which have been applied throughout the ages to determine, in a scholarly fashion, what indeed is and what is not true drama. Although Job was written many years before Aristotle laid his ideas to paper, it is an example of what drama should be, according to the regulations established in Poetics. One of the first standards that Aristotle set up was the idea of extremes. This idea, established in section II of Poetics, calls for the â€Å"good† characters to be overly good and â€Å"bad† characters exceedingly bad. Job is without peer in the land of men, being â€Å"perfect and upright.† (Job 93). Additionally, he is even given credit with being the â€Å"greatest of all men in the east.† (Job 93). Job is forced to deal with troubles created by Satan himself, the epitome of evil. The factions of absolute good and unqualified evil square off in this early drama. Aristotle was extremely adamant that the â€Å"change of fortune† must be from good to bad. However, the reduction in stature must not be caused by some debauchery of the character’s but rather by some â€Å"error or frailty† in order to elicit more of an emotional response. This allows the audience to empathize with the character rather than being shocked by the action. (Poetics 973). Job fits this prerequisite quite well. Events cannot get much worse than when a person loses all ten of his children, over ten thousand of his animals, his entire household, and his wealth to boot. Job is the archetype of the innocent victim. His fortune changes from the ultimate measure of wealth to the lowest measure of despair. Again, this action is not caused by any o... Free Essays on Book Of Job V. Aristotle's Poetics Free Essays on Book Of Job V. Aristotle's Poetics Book of Job vs Aristotle’s Poetics Aristotle was, arguably, the greatest single thinker that has ever walked the earth. His thoughts and writings covered all aspects of life. So important were his works that to not know them was, until not too long ago, considered uncivilized. He composed a set of standards which have been applied throughout the ages to determine, in a scholarly fashion, what indeed is and what is not true drama. Although Job was written many years before Aristotle laid his ideas to paper, it is an example of what drama should be, according to the regulations established in Poetics. One of the first standards that Aristotle set up was the idea of extremes. This idea, established in section II of Poetics, calls for the â€Å"good† characters to be overly good and â€Å"bad† characters exceedingly bad. Job is without peer in the land of men, being â€Å"perfect and upright.† (Job 93). Additionally, he is even given credit with being the â€Å"greatest of all men in the east.† (Job 93). Job is forced to deal with troubles created by Satan himself, the epitome of evil. The factions of absolute good and unqualified evil square off in this early drama. Aristotle was extremely adamant that the â€Å"change of fortune† must be from good to bad. However, the reduction in stature must not be caused by some debauchery of the character’s but rather by some â€Å"error or frailty† in order to elicit more of an emotional response. This allows the audience to empathize with the character rather than being shocked by the action. (Poetics 973). Job fits this prerequisite quite well. Events cannot get much worse than when a person loses all ten of his children, over ten thousand of his animals, his entire household, and his wealth to boot. Job is the archetype of the innocent victim. His fortune changes from the ultimate measure of wealth to the lowest measure of despair. Again, this action is not caused by any o...

Eiffel Tower Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Eiffel Tower - Essay Example This building has an amazing history of origin: in 1889 in Paris in order to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution the World Exhibition was held, so the city government instructed to erect a temporary structure, which had to serve as an entrance arch. The Common French Competition of architectural and engineering projects was launched on May the 1st, 1886. The competition attracted 107 applicants, and most of them just repeated the tower project proposed by Eiffel. Thus Eiffel project became one of the four winners, and after that the engineer made final changes to the project and found a compromise between the original purely engineering scheme design and decorative option. As a result, committee insisted on the Eiffel Tower plan, although the idea was not his, but his two employees. Such a complex structure was collected within two years, and it became possible because Eiffel applied to special construction methods. In order to match the tower to the sophisticated tastes of the Parisian public, architect Stephen Sauvestre was instructed to contribute the design and to work on tower’s artistic appearance. He proposed to add decorative arches to the base, to make a glass pavilion on the first level, to give a rounded shape to the top of the tower and use a variety of elements for its decoration. 300 workers performed construction works during two years, two months and five days. High speed of construction was provided by precision drawings and exact dimensions. And on March the 31st, 1889, in less than 26 months after the start of digging pits, Eiffel invited several more or less physically hardy officials to make the first rise on 1710 level. Construction was stunning and got immediate success. During first six months more than 2 million visitors came to see the "iron lady†. Despite its common success, from the very beginning of the construction there were also enough opponents to the building of the

Learner's profile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Learner's profile - Essay Example to Min for improving his language proficiency shall include verb and subject agreement, verb tenses, correct pronunciation of words, and a wider vocabulary. This can be done by reading activities which will enable him to learn new words, correct his pronunciation and intonation, and check his comprehension. I believe that Min’s English skills can be further improved by exposing him to other English native speakers. Thus, activities should be complemented with daily interaction with other Australians. On the basis of the tests carried out on him covering various aspects of his language learning efficiency it could safely be ascertained that the learner possesses satisfactory skills of elementary level which includes reading, writing, speaking as well as listening skills. Some words still required to be repeated over and over again. Often times, choosing simpler and more familiar words aid him to understand and respond more quickly during interviews. However he does understand the overall meaning of the conversation. (I do not have any source to find out how Min fared in the other tests. I only have his reading and writing test samples, but writing on something that I do not know is apparently difficult. I haven’t even heard how he speaks nor have any idea about his listening skills. However I have tried to incorporate some of the findings in the task.) For non English speakers, listening is a relatively tough job, which is mainly because of the variation in intonations and word stress which is quite different compared to other languages. Also the individual skill levels count, like a good vocabulary, and frequent contacts with the native English speakers. Such factors help in adapting to the sounds, intonations, stress and pronunciations of the English language. Some English words are pronounced differently in Korean language which sometimes makes it difficult for the non native speakers, like Min, to grasp specific information from conversations, often

Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 24

Ethics - Essay Example However, the exact grounds that justify connection between the mind and the body along with the energy associated by which the mental impact upon such physical entity, lies beyond the prevailing reach of human knowledge. Despite this such problem with causation that has hardly found resolution in his philosophy, Hume recognizes that the ultimate basis of all value is desire and emotion while the presence of rational judgment is only assumes the role of determining what makes a person satisfy basic desires toward happiness. On the contrary, the ethics proposed by Kant perceives good will as the sole absolute good wherein moral act does not constitute the will to gratify self-interests and that one’s act can only be considered to possess moral worth if it is done out of duty. Kant further supposes that purity of thoughts are a basis of moral obligation which is generally attached to a universal principle every human deed ought to abide by in order to be labeled moral in nature. Through his metaphysical critique of pure reason, nevertheless, Kant admits that the highest sensibility to knowledge is yet unreachable for even as mind is susceptible to dynamism, its capacity for operating within conf ines of reason and morality is limited by the empirical realm of space and time. While Plato, on the other hand, metaphysically holds the theory of ‘dualism’ in consideration of reality on different levels being composed of ‘forms’ and ‘physical world’ where the latter contains images that are less real than physical objects, he establishes an amply similar argument with Kant’s ethical position. Based on virtue, Plato presents ‘well-being’ as the ultimate end of human’s rational thinking and conduct with which applied virtues form the character traits and pertinent skills that complete an individual. Being a student of Plato, Aristotle

Merits and Demerits of Devaluation

Merits and Demerits of Devaluation Background and History Pakistan has unusual history of successive devaluation. The rupee was first devalued in 1950 in response to a similar move by India. Later in 1972, Z.A. Bhuttos government massively devalued the rupee by 133%. The rupee was further devalued in early 1980s during General Zia regime. Moeen Qureshis caretaker government in 1993 also devalued the rupee by 7%. After that it was Benazir Bhuttos government that further devalued the rupee and finally same measure are being taken by the present government of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan has been on a system of managed float since January 8, 1982. For most of the past decade the rupee had been fixed in relation to the US dollar at the rate of Rs 9.9= US$1. The new exchange regime commenced with an official nominal depreciation of 5 percent in the month of January, and a cumulative 30 % for the year 1982. This was accompanied by the abandonment of the fixed peg to the US dollar and its replacement by a flexible basket peg whereby the authorities manage the nominal exchange rate actively. The exchange rate system has remained unlettered up to the present and the Government has periodically re-affirmed its commitment to this flexible management in stabilization and adjustment programs negotiated with the IMF. Since the introduction of the new system there has been a continuous downward slide in our exchange rate. At present the rate of Pak RS in 2010. This represents a depreciation of 260 percent since Devaluation and its function Depreciation or devaluation refers to the downward movement of the rate at which the home currency exchanges against the foreign currency or an increase in the domestic price of one unit of the foreign currency. Depreciation is the name given to this drop when it occurs in a free market; devaluation is the same thing resulting from government actions in a market that is not free. Since 1973 most of the currencies are on the floating currency system, through the system of dirty floating still allows government/ central banks to interfere to some extent. The question of devaluing the external value of the currency is one of the hotly debated issues in public policy discussions. On the one hand, the IMF and the World Bank supports devaluation as an important component of their recommended policy package for less developed countries (LDCs). On the other hand many economist and economic policy makers are strongly opposed to devaluing currencies has become a dirty word in many countries. Technically, devaluation of a currency is the last resort when other fiscal and monetary measures like demand management , financial incentive, trade restrictions have proved to be less effective in solving problem of balance of payment, by boosting the countrys exports and decreasing imports. In countries like Pakistan where major economic problem is lack of growth, exports are low because of poor quality of goods rather than the value of the currency. The mechanism of the open market keeps on adjusting exchange rate automatically and has made devaluation obsolete. Balancing Mechanism Basically devaluation is a measure to correct a fundamental disequilibrium in countrys balance of payments. Equilibrium in a countrys balance is a result of restraint on imports and foreign payments of all sorts and an expansion of exports and foreign exchange earning of all sorts. The restraint on import cannot be achieved through appeals. It has to be done through direct restriction and/or through operation of the price mechanism, that is to say through making imports costlier by operating on import duties, and this in fact has been extensively done in many developing countries, including Pakistan. However, this is open to some objections and limitations so a simple way of making imports costlier is not adjustment of the exchange rate. The entire burden of making imports costlier is not generally placed on the exchange rate mechanism. It is shared by the device of import duties and also quantitative regulations. The import duty mechanism can also be used to make transition to the n ew exchange rate and to give a certain amount of discretionary treatment to individual items of import. The Price Factor The other major objective of devaluation is to promote export. It should be noted that what is contemplated is an increase in exports in foreign exchange; in term of domestic currency. Exports on the whole will have to increase by more than the percentage of devaluation. Expansion of exports depends upon a number of factors, the elasticity of supply in devaluing country and of demand for the products of that country abroad. Much depends on the prices at which the devaluing country is able to offer its goods. Contractionary Impact Reluctance to adjust the exchange rate in downward direction is due to its possible contractionary impact on output and employment, re-distribution of income from wages earner to property owners, cost-push inflationary pressure and the initial favourable effect on the balance of payment. All of the above will eventually reserved through a process of domestic inflation and larger imports. When quantitative controls on imports duties are reduced along with the devaluation, imports and exports are not particularly sensitive to price changes especially in the short run. This is particularly applicable in the case of UDCs whose imports are often consist of essential capital goods, intermediate inputs including fuel and fertilizer and sometimes basic consumer goods like food grains, edible oils etc. There is little scope for cutting down these imports. The exports of UDCs on the other hand mainly consist of primary commodities and processed materials whose supply elasticity are rather low in short run. If devaluation has to improve the balance of trade in short run, it should come through a reduction in the level of output and changes in the distribution of income towards high saver which would reduce the demand for imports and generate a bigger exportable surplus. Recession, unemployment and unequal distribution of income are the costs of a successful devaluation. Inflationary Pressure The ineffective of exchange rate adjustment in securing improvement in the external balance primarily comes from the fact that changes in costs arising from exchange rate movements feed through quickly and extensively into the economy and contribution to the accerlation of prevailing inflationary pressure associated with an improvement of the monetary conditions. The rigid climb in price over a long period has stimulated defensive inflationary responses amoung industrialists, agriculturalist, business mens, and wage earner and has nullified the impact of exchange rate adjustments on the international competitiveness of our exports. It should be taken into account that devaluation corrects the past inflationary and other economic development that led to adverse movement in the balance of payment. This does not protect the balance of payments against further inflationary and other adverse developments. Frequent devaluation of a currency is undesirable. It stimulates speculation and res ults in distortion in income, consumption, industrial growth and public finance. This also erodes the confidence in the currency. DEMAND Management Unfortunately, for keeping our external accounts disequilibrium within sustainable limits, we have relied rather heavily on exchange rate adjustment and not paid attention to the efficiency dimension of our economic system. Economic efficiency at the macro and micro levels requires high productivity, technological efficiency, high rates of saving and investment, and incomes policy that does not lead to cost-push inflation and fiscal-monetary policy that provides a stable environment for careful demand management. These are the simple and inflexible economic laws that were recognized and grasped. Neither negative controls nor artificial stimuli like frequent depreciation of external value of the currency with help except a little and temporarily. International trade and Devaluation Globalization is the strategy of todays world. The concept of information sharing has reinforced the process of globalization throughout the world. The consultant and analysts are, therefore, working on the integration of the entire system to run smoothly without any hindrances. Looking at the economic activity in this scenario, there is two major classifications, good and services. The globalization of goods can be seen in the prospective of international trade. By international trade we mean exchange of goods between the nations. Looking at the economies of the world we find that the states are broadening their activities by offering investors to share their share of excellence and encouraging their local manufacture to explore the possibilities of selling their goods in the foreign markets. International trade is very important in terms of increasing the foreign exchange of the country which ultimately prospers the people. The Government of Pakistan has liberalized its trade policy with devaluation of Pak rupee and encouraged the manufacturers to export their goods and invited foreign companies to compete in the local market. The key reason for international trade is provided by the theory of Comparative costs importance of relative cost saving in the production of one item over the other. Obviously it would be better to buy a product from china at the price of Rs 1/= instead of producing it at the cost of Rs. 2/- that can be ultimately be sold for Rs 2.50 in the market. There are various other reasons which strongly support the trading among the countries, few of which are: Decreasing cost Consumption of excess production Difference in taste Foreign Exchange rate From international trade, we mean buying and selling the goods among nations. The deal cannot, of-course, be taken place without availability of currency to be accepted by the seller, on the other hand an exporter/importer would definitely like to know how the exchange rate of Pakistan rupee into dollar is being fixed, and how can her benefit from it?. At present in Pakistan we have managed float of currency to determine exchange rate as an independent policy instrument. We need some criteria to fix the exchange of currency amoung the countries. It is important to note that only a favourable exchange can really benefits the nation and by favourable exchange, we mean, getting more foreign currency by paying less local currency. Theoretically there are two type of exchange rates: Stable Exchange rate Altough stable exchange rate has no pratical value now a days, yet it helps in understanding the determination of exchange theory. A stable exchange rate was set by the value of gold. However, with passage of time, the limitation and deficiencies of gold standard started emerging. Few of these were carrying inconvencies, remelting of gold, shipment of gold, different valuation of gold by different countries, and unavailability of sufficient gold to meet with the heavy demand. That is why the gold system was found inadequate ans was replaced with the flexible exchange rate. Flexible or floating exchange rate Flexible exchange rate is set by the interaction of demand and supply schedule for foreign exchange indepently. The optimum level in demand and supply teory is set at the point where supply equal to the demand. So if a person want to buy electric equipment from America worth $ 100000/- and an American in contrast wants to buy cotton and the parity between US$ and Pak rupee is 1:1, the equation will be somehow similar to as follows: Demand for US$ by Pakistan 100,000 Demand for Rs. By America 50,000 Pakistan is demanding more dollars than America wants to supply. The demand and supply are not in balance, consequently Pakistan shall have to refix the parity between $ and rupee at a level where our demand for $ will become equal to the supply of $. Now if we reduce the price of our goods by half of the existing price: Demand for US$ by Pakistan 100,000 Demand of Rs by America 25,000 This reduction price will have dual effects: Dollas will become more expensive, the American goods will become more costly. Pakistani Rupee will become more cheaper, our goods will become cheaper and as a result the demand for our goods will increase. From the above it can be included that demans for imports should be in line with supply of exports. Total value of imports and exports of a country can also help manufacturers to design their plans for future expansion. With an expensive foreign currency, export may be increased with relatively low price supply of goods and quality production within the country. At the same time with a cheap currency investment can be made in foreign countries to utilize the cheap resources and ultimately increases the value of the firm. DEVALUATION its effects on Exports As the reason for the devaluation has been to strengthen the countrys balance of payment by stimulating exports, curtailing imports and by encouraging overseas Pakistanis to remit their earning through banks by narrowing the wedge between the official exchange rate and the kerb rate in the open market. It is universally accepted concept that the exchange rate mechanism is used to create a balance between the imports and exports but what is lesser known fact is that this mechanism need to be implemented at the right time and for the right economic reasons to be fully effective in achieving the desired purpose. Advantages and Disadvantages of Devaluation Advantages of Devaluation Devaluation helps in obtaining international market demand perfection in quality and reduction in price up to a competitive level. As both developed and underdeveloped countries function in one international market therefore, it is not easy for Pakistan to sell a product which is also produced by France, Germany or Holland if the prices are high. However, we are competing with the underdeveloped countries, it is, therefore, very necessary for us to adjust our prices with the prices of our competitors to serve in the market. Every new product has four stages, out of which the first stage is introduction stage. An introduction stage demands lot of efforts to promote the product and create awareness among the buyers. At this stage it is vital to sell it at even below the cost. That is why the government provides certain duty drawbacks for a specified period, until that time when the product is self-sufficient. Each country maintains an account for its total imports exports schedule along with balance of payment chart. At times when its imports increase from its exports and the balance of payment deteriorates it becomes vital to increase its exports immediately. The reduction in prices is one of the quickest ways of increasing the exports. At times when people tend to buy imported goods and local industry start suffering, it is necessary to discourage the people so that they cut down their expenditure towards foreign buying and direct towards local goods. Devaluation is one of the techniques to decrease imports and encourage the local industry. Reduction in price through devaluation has long term effects, which can be seen over a period of time. All the above conditions are currently prevailing in Pakistan. However the question arises as to why all these conditions have comparatively more drastic affects on our economy. The answer to this question relates to our policy of income projection and receipt from foreign donors and countries. In the past, we were used to manage our budgetary gaps with the help of aids and debts. But this time the situation is different we could not did any foreign source of income. The IMF was used to extend loans for our development programs in the past. However, during the current year the IMF had stopped its $300 million trench of its ESAF credit. The result is quite obvious: devaluation and imposition of new duties/taxes Disadvantages of Devaluation Devaluation with all its disadvantages has become an irregular policy. It is rater an ad-hoc arrangement for less demand. Instead imperfect planning is essential to forecast the future when the original price level will be maintained again. Devaluation involves high risk of inflation with the country for e.g if the exports do not increase as the result of decrease of price the country will suffer losses due to increase cost of all imports as well as local imports. Loss resulted due to decrease in prices in international market. Devaluation automatically increases the value of external debts and correspondingly the amount required for debt servicing Devaluation of a currency is considered as a last step to be taken after failure of all other fiscal and monetary measures. Before devaluing currency to boost economy through increasing exports, other factors need to be evaluated, for example, lower exports may be because of poor quality of goods, trade barrier, lower value added goods, unavailability of export items e.t.c Continued depreciation of currency may result in unlawful import of goods within the country. Such unlawful import and export may creat unlawful parallel economy within the country, which will be completely out of the control of the government. Devaluation is always supported by special incentive package to reduce the internally produced items for export. By critically analyzing all the above referred factors, it is proposed that the following necessary action should be taken to improve the situation: Tax Network should be enhanced by a) levying tax on agriculture, b) improving collection procedure, c) bringing small businessmen under tax nutshell etc. Imports should be discouraged by encouraging locally produced quality goods. Export of value added items should be increased instead of increase of low value exports to compete with the other developing countries. Needless to say that government should reduce drastically its own expenditure. It is vital for government to build up its creditability through investing money in public projects very honestly. The proceed from privatization of public sectors should be utilized to pay off our external as well as internal debts. Rescheduling of the debt should also be requested from the lenders. In case of our low priced items in the international market, we should prove that the reason of our low price quality items is not government support but cost efficiency. This can be done only with the help of very competent professional people i.e management accounts, engineers and managers. With the current devaluation, it is vital that necessary incentives must be given to industry and fixed income group for their survival and to reap the benefit of devaluation. The government should build capacity to deal with economics problems on both macro and micro level. It is generally believed that the government does not possess necessary capabilities, out of elected representative and bureaucrats to deal with it. That is why most of our key position holder is either current of Ex World Bank/IMF officials. It is also suggested that major businessmen and industrialist should be taken into confidence before any major decision. Effectiveness of price control committees very necessary. In countries like Pakistan where every individual has the power to determine the price of his own product, inflation is automatically multiplied Conclusions Clearly, devaluation has not been the answer. It has rather contributed to a further increase in the trade gap. The important consequences of devaluation are the burden it is putting on the repayment of the foreign debts. The ensuing depletion of reserves has such a negative effect that the positive impact, if any, is more than wiped out by the increased foreign exchange burden. Reviewing the policy of devaluation by successive governments in the last 50 years, one finds that devaluation has miserably failed to resolve any problems or improve the macro or micro economic conditions in the country. Rather, devaluation has been counterproductive. In the existing scenario of the forces of demand and supply, the rupee is expected to continue with its downward trend. If the counter measures through cost cutting and efficiency management are not taken to check the inflation, which is already running in double digit, the advantages of devaluation will be offset as in the past, leaving adverse impacts as our economy which mainly depends on imported raw-materials, fuels and capital goods. That will certainly bring more hardships for common Pakistani people because our industry has substantial imported inputs in a wide range of locally produced goods and will also retard the process of industrialization in the country. Similarly defense budget and debt servicing will c ost more due to costlier dollar. Our main problem is still uncontrolled i.e. the rise in non-development expenditures, which has given rise to the culture of living beyond means. This can be countered by adoption of practical harsh measures by the government especially at the top level to set the example for the whole nation.

Diffusion of Technology in Society Essay -- essays research papers

Successful and Inappropriate Diffusion In Thermador The Thermadorian society had been isolated from the world for hundreds of years. The successful diffusion of farming technology failed for a number of reasons. Based on our information, there were several components missing. Components such as no research or plans to sustain a long-term solution to the problem. The United Nations presented modern farming technology not taking into consideration the educational level of the society in a modern world. Technology changes society, however it is gradual and consistent. It could be assumed that the Thermadorians had no concept of the change and had no understanding of the role of the technology provided. The United Nations provided the Thermadorians with tractors and other heavy vehicles to assist the farmers in the planting of the seeds and harvesting crops. It appears the United Nations did not research or even attempt to understand the Thermadorian culture, customs, or addressing their economy or governmental structure. There is no information on the social status and who had control of the land. Did the would-be farmers have standing in their societal structure? Were they poor/rich? Small farms as opposed to large? Nothing is noted so assuming they are simple people with little education and no experience relating to the farming technology provided. No representative living amongst the Thermadorians. Without taking into consideration thei...

Berawan death practices

Death is not only a physical process, but a social and spiritual paradigm infused by a culture's specific ‘beliefs, emotions and activities which give it its distinctive character' (Hertz 1907, p. 197). Facing another culture's beliefs around death can be confronting, often creating ethnocentric reactions and cultural misconceptions. Comparing American and Aberrant death practices highlights how these rites, and the spiritual beliefs underlying them, can appear horrifying when viewed only from the observer's own cultural paradigm.Anthropologist Peter A. Metcalf observed the practices of the Aberrant tribe, found along Borer's north-central waterways, including the tribe's four-stage funeral rites (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). The first stage lasts two to ten days and includes ‘rites performed immediately after death' (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). The second stage, eight months to several years In duration (Metcalf 1993, p. 325), sees the corpse stored on a platform or in the communal residence with the remains contained in a coffin, earthenware Jar or similar vessel (Metcalf 1993, p. 5). During this period the corpse decomposes, allowing the soul's transformation to ‘perfect spirit' (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). However during this period the soul lurks close by, restless and uneasy, spreading the risk of Illness to the living and the possibility of corpse reanimation by an evil spirit (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). During the third stage, which Hertz referred to as the great feast' (Metcalf 1993, p. 326), the remains are brought into the residence and guests celebrate the deceased for six to ten days (Metcalf 1993, p. 325).The bones ay be removed and cleaned in preparation for the fourth stage – the decease's final burial wherein the physical remains are housed in a receptacle of value, such as a glazed Jar or wooden coffin, with that receptacle accommodated in a large mausoleum; safe in the knowledge the soul had transcended (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). American f uneral practices, by contrast, alma to preserve the body appearance (Hertz 1907, p. 201); embalming fluids replace bodily fluids, Injections fatten gaunt corpses, cosmetics enhance skin color, padded coffins give Impressions of a peaceful, endless slumber (Metcalf 1 993, p. 27). The American death,'afterlife transition is perceived as immediate, with little time between death and spiritual judgment (Hertz 1907, p. 197). In contrast, the Brawn's soul must await the body decomposition – and transformation – before beginning its journey to the afterlife (Hertz 1907, p. 202). Only when dry bones remain, is the soul ready (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). American practices offer horrifying outcomes for the Aberrant exemplar.For a body not given appropriate time for full decomposition and a premature final burial, ‘death ill not be fully consummated, the soul will not leave the earth, the mourning of the living will not be ended' (Hertz 1907, p. 204). The American rites suspend the deceased In a limbo between life and death – the period the soul Is most discontent, still with great capacity to affect the living through illness. During this time potential America is a land carpeted with potential zombies', all awaiting reanimation via the evil spirits that exist in Aberrant culture (Metcalf 1993, p. 26). With such a spiritual intent it can be understood why Aberrant are horrified by their belief the American culture traps a soul at the point of greatest unhappiness, dooming them to restlessly wander eternally; the dead never finding peace and the living never progressing past grief and mourning. The Aberrant-American comparison demonstrates that to fully comprehend a culture's significant, spiritual customs one must first seek to understand the social, spiritual and cultural paradigms surrounding those customs.

The Bloody Chamber Essay Example

The Bloody Chamber Essay Example The Bloody Chamber Paper The Bloody Chamber Paper by committing whatever act he wants, in this case for her to be his love. However, it could be argued that she puts herself in the situation to become a victim of male authority, through her previous behaviour of devouring young innocent men. Stoker portrays women in the gothic genre as victims of male authority, this is similar to Carter in, The Bloody chamber, but differs in the way that they portray this image. The tale is told in sections written by different characters: Jonathan’s and Mina’s journals, Lucy’s diary, Steward’s diary, a record by van Helsing. The cumulative method would once again seem to add up to the truth revealed. The very vagueness of the significance of the vampire prevents a final, neat conclusion about the novel. ’ [xviii] Whereas The Bloody Chamber is told in short stories, the purpose of doing this is to enhance the point of Carter; the message is portrayed through different women and their different situations rather than just one long story like Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dracula expresses how it is the men who make the women within the Victorian era victims because of their behaviour and attitudes. The vampire figure has the haunting quality of nightmare and its association with sexuality is an important indication of the direction the exploration of psychological evil was taking. Mac Andrew argues that ‘The association of evil with sexuality probably reflects a gradually increasing awareness of the importance of sexuality in man’s nature. [xix] Again corresponding with the statement that, women within the Victorian era are made victims of male authority, Mina Murray is portrayed as the embodiment of the virtue of her age ‘one of God’s women, fashioned by his own hand to show us men and other women that there is a heaven where we can enter, and that it’s light can be here on earth’[xx], this differs with Mac Andrew’s argument by suggesting that it is the women within the Victorian era who make themselves victims, for example Mina is described by the men within Dracula as ‘So true, so sweet, so noble’ [xxi] Again giving the suggestion that it is not just the men who make the women victims within the gothic genre, but it’s the women who make themselves victims through their natural behaviour and attitudes for example innocence. Yet it is the male authority which takes advantage of this and therefore ultimately makes the women within the gothic genre victims. ‘Mina Mur ray is also shown as a model of domestic propriety while her sexuality remains enigmatic throughout the whole of Dracula’[xxii]. The fact that Mina never gives a voice to anything resembling a sexual desire or impulse means that she continues to retain her purity, a social aspect requires of all women in the Victorian era. Mina is portrayed as a successful wife and mother, yet all successes are always in the service of men, this is another way that she is portrayed in the gothic genre as victims of men. Lucy is opposite to Mina in many ways; she is a paragon of innocence and virtue but remains sexualised throughout the story ‘Lucy looks pale and haggard. Mina attributes this to Lucy fretting about something’[xxiii] this is portrayed as fragile women showing that she is weaker than Dracula. This method is shown continually throughout Dracula, it makes the women look more like victims, this contrasts to The Bloody Chamber where carters makes the women look strong ‘you never saw such a wild thing as my mother’[xxiv] Un-dead Lucy is expressed as a wanton creature of ravenous sexual appetite, which is against the acceptable behaviour of women within the Victorian era. Lucy stands as a dangerous threat to men and their tenuous self-control, yet when she is killed by the men, the purity on her face ensures the men that the world and its women are exactly as they should be. In Victorian England, women’s sexual behaviour was dictated by society’s extremely rigid expectations. This is shown within Dracula and My last Duchess as the women are made victims of male authority through the limitations which are placed upon them. There were only two options for women, they were both a mother and wife or they were a virgin, a model of purity and innocence. If women were not either then they were considered a whore and thus no consequence to society, the impending battle between good and evil within Dracula would hinge upon the female sexuality’[xxv]. Dracula makes the women victims of himself and other men within society, by threatening to turn the two women into their opposites, into women notes for their voluptuousness unapologetically open for sexual desire. ‘Gothic fiction is preoccupied with sexual assault. With the vampire it no longer deals only with sexual innocence in the victim and evil in this victimizer’[xxvi] this brings up the question of sexuality itself the innocent become the victims their own sexuality. In Stoker’s novel the forces of science and religion combine to destroy the innocent thus awakened- Lucy dies as Dracula drains life from her[xxvii]. ’ Whereas in The Bloody Chamber it is the mythical and supernatural beliefs, that make the women ultimately victims of male authority within the gothic genre; through fear of the unknown. In Stokers Dracula, when Lucy becomes a threat by transforming into a vampire vixen, Van Helsing and the other men see no other option but to destroy her , in order to return her to a purer, more socially acceptable state, this differs to carter’s bloody chamber as the women do not have expectations upon them but fight against these traditions. The men within the Victorian era are intensely invested in the sexual behaviour of women because they are afraid to associate with the socially scorned ‘your girls that you all love are mine already, and through them you and other shall yet be mine’[xxviii] voices of male fantasy have made women victims since Adam and Eve. The vampire figure has the haunting quality of nightmare and its association with sexuality. Both Dracula and The Bloody Chamber have significant gothic elements, they both discuss issues which could be dismissed as untrue, such as the fairytale structure in The Bloody Chamber and the superstitious beliefs of the peasants in Dracula. These elements contribute into making women victims of the male authority within the gothic genre, through male fantasies and the authority in which they control women. My last Duchess, by Robert Browning also, portrays women and victims within the gothic genre. My Last Duchess is about a portrait of the duke’s late wife, she is shown as a mere object that existed only to please him and to do his bidding ‘That piece a wonder, now’[xxix] he refers not only to the painting but also the wife as she was in life, a mere object, he now regards his wife as a wonder in the painting but was something less when she was alive. The Duke loves the portrait because it only reveals her beauty ‘ pictured countenance’ and none of the qualities that annoyed him. He now has complete control of the portrait and uses it as a pretty object that he can show the visitors. The Duchess is a victim of male fantasy, he only want her to look nice and did not want her around when he was alive. The Duchess’ general fault in the duke’s eyes was that her heart was ‘too soon made glad’[xxx]. She related easily to that which was around her such as the creatures, fruits and beauties of nature as well as to people of all ranks. Women are victim of male authority particularly here, a woman who loves everything around her and seems to complain of nothing, is a pain to her husband; the duchess is punished for simply being herself. This links to The Bloody Chamber and Dracula, as it is suggested that the women makes themselves victims because of their behaviour, and natural traits, rather than by male authority. The Duke suggests that the Duchess enjoyed the company of other men and implied that she was unfaithful but this is uncertain. The Duchess died in a suspicious death, possibly poisoned on ‘April 21st 1561 at the age of seventeen’[xxxi], although it is not clear what the duke did to his wife. The painter’s fate is also left obscure through ‘all smiles stopped together’ [xxxii] suggesting a common fate of the pair. Once again showing women in the gothic genre as victims of male fantasises. The technique of the writing of the poem means that it offers anyone reading it out-load a range of possible emphases and hence an interpretation of the Duke’s character. The poem itself is written in pentameters, arranged in couplets. One reads individual lines to oneself out loud; rhyme in couplets imposes a stately place appropriate to the duke’s dignity’[xxxiii] By writing in Pentameters it means that the rhyme of the poem is at a spread suitable for it to be read as a poem, for example ‘the curtain I have drawn for you, but I’[xxxiv] this is a grammatical error, the pronoun should be me and nor I, but I rhymes with By on the previous line, meaning It flows better. The use of alliterations also used within the poem also adds to the effect of the poem, it helps to exaggerate a particular point ‘The dropping of the daylight in the west’[xxxv] The man he addresses, in My Last Duchess, is the emissary of a certain count whose daughter to duke now wishes to marry. In return for his ‘nine-hundred-years-old name’ the duke confidently expects a large dowry. But the man he addresses is warned that the counts ‘fair daughter’[xxxvi] has better understand that she must submit completely to the duke’s will, again showing how women are victims of male authority and male fantasises to have pretty, young attractive women in their company. This would have seemed quite typical to readers in Britain c, 1850. ‘The marriage market persisted in the upper levels of society. Conventionally a suitable gentlemen- an old name was a great help’ took another gentlemen’s daughter off his hands in return for dowry in cash, kind or both. ’[xxxvii] The husband would then have full control of the wife’s income as well as her person, divorce was extremely rare and always scandalous, so that husbands might, and a lot of the time did, resorted to various cruel ways of punishing unsatisfactory partners. The Duke takes an extreme patriarchal and possessive view of women common enough in Victorian Britain, again showing the women as victims within a male society. This is similar to Dracula through the expectations of women, and how the behaviour of men towards women has not altered, but perhaps worsened within the Victorian era. Therefore, it could be argued that the women are made victims of male authority, in the gothic genre, because of the harshness endured by them due to the will of the men, such as the murder of vampire Lucy by the local men. Whereas it also could be argued that it is the women themselves who make them victims of male authority because of their natural traits such as innocence and naivety, as well as the blood of childbirth and menstruation which makes them look weak.

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