Uncle Tom’s Cabin Persuasive Essay Example For Students

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Persuasive Essay Uncle Toms CabinHow AccurateFew books can truly be said to have altered the course of history, and even fewer can be said to have started an entire war. Uncle Toms Cabin, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe was one novel to do both. Abraham Lincoln said to Harriet Beecher Stowe upon meeting her, So this is the little lady who made this big war. Uncle Toms Cabin had a tremendous effect on early 19th century thoughts of slavery, stirring abolitionist support in the North. The novel is a realistic, although fictional, view of slavery with the images of brutal beatings and unfair slave practices. After reading Uncle Toms Cabin thousand of Northerners became impassioned for the anti-slavery cause. Uncle Toms Cabin helped eventually, to turn the tide of public opinion against slavery in the 19th century. We will write a custom essay on Uncle Tom’s Cabin Persuasive specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now This controversial novel was initially written to question slavery, convince people of its immorality and to promote the abolitionist cause. The novels rendering of the slave holding South is not entirely an accurate interpretation of what it was like though. Beecher overexaggerated and overlooked several facts in novel, especially pertaining to the practice of slave trading. To have her readers empathize more with the slaves, Beecher put the worst stories in and the cruelest practices of the slave trade. Although most of Uncle Toms Cabin is very close to the reality of slavery, many aspects of the slave trade were portrayed inaccurately (Taylor). One of the first miscalculated aspects of the slave trade is the reason for Southern states involvement in the interstate slave trade. Stowe depicted Kentuckys involvement in the slave trade due to the poor soil of the region and economic ties with the practice. She implied in the beginning half of the novel that many Kentuckians resorted t o being bondmen in the slave trade due to the infertile land of the Bluegrass Region. On the contrary, Kentucky where the bulk of the slave trade was supposedly concentrated has long been blessed with great fertility. The high phosphorus content and the goodly depth of soil results in land favorable for cultivation (Levy). Stowes explanation for why Kentucky became involved in the slave trade was misguided. She also inaccurately displays the importance of the slave trade in the Southern economy. She makes it out to be a big business and in common place among many traders. In the novel Stowe starts chapter ten with Tom about to be sold off to the slave trader Haley. His whole family knows that Tom has been traded and is devastated about the situation. Stowe comments on the hardships of slave life and the fear of being sold at a moments notice when she states in her narrative voice that many of the fugitives confessed themselves to have escaped from comparatively kind masters, and tha t they were induced to brave the perils of escape, in almost every case, by the desperate horror with which they regarded being sold South,a doom which was hanging either over themselves or their husbands, their wives or children.She goes on to say that there is a lot of money to be made by the industry. In a later section she depicts a slave warehouse where she reiterates the fact that the slaves are horrified to be sold. She goes on to further saying that many slaves are sold many times in their lives for whatever reason. Briskness, alertness, and cheerfulness of appearance, especially before observers, are constantly enforced upon them, both by the hope of thereby getting a good master, and the fear of all that the driver may bring upon them if they prove unsalable. True, many Southerners relied on slaves for their livelihood and at the time the biggest business in the South was agriculture. But the actual amount of people that made money of slaves was less than Stowe depicts. Ou t of the $61 million invested on slave property in 1840s Virginia, the state brought in less than 3% profit on the investment capital (Levy). The truth of the matter was that slaves were not a good investment. An estimated 75% of the slave trade in the upper South was superannuated, sick, women in unfit condition for labor, and infants unable to work ( Taylor ). Bondmen werent that important, and in fact their numbers were seeing decrease at the time Stowe published Uncle Toms Cabin. The total percentage of bondmen in Kentucky population had stood at 24 percent of white males in 1830, but by 160 it saw its decrease to 19.5 percent. The South didnt rely on slavery for profit and the few that did didnt make that much money at it. One of the incorrect stereotypes in Uncle Toms Cabin was the depiction of what the public thought of slave traders. One description of a trader in chapter 12 was O, but nobody thinks anything of these traders! They are universally despised, never received int o any decent society.. Stowes generalization of them is mostly true. The general public did not approve the slave trading business or, for that matter a majority of the prominent slave holders. One slave owner in Kentucky stated that, to be called such a lowly creature as a negro trader was the last word of opprobrium to be slung at a man. Stowe makes the readers think that Slave traders are the scum of the earth and that everyone hates them. One of the inaccuracies that Stowe uses in Uncle Toms Cabin is why exactly a slave was sold. First of all she has Tom having three different owners throughout the course of the book. In one statistic it was shown that the average slave had one owner in their life, with less than 40% of the slave population having three or more masters in the course of their life (Taylor). One or more of the following factors dictated the sale of a servant: When such a sale was necessary to settle an estate. Much like that of St. Clares after he died, he didnt p ut anything in his will about them so Marie sold them to the warehouse. When a slaves delinquent behavior necessitated his or her disposal, they were also sold. When the owner was in dire need of money for the payment of debt, they were also sold. This is seen with Mr. Shelby at the beginning of the book. He owes a large sum of money to Haley so he is forced to sell Henry and Tom. Also when a captured fugitive slave is unclaimed for one year, or simple desire of material gain. Stowe had depicted two in one lifetime of a slave, this is an over exaggeration of the circumstances of trade (Levy). It wasnt a delicate issue, and owners didnt trade their slaves unless absolutely necessary. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a stunning portrayal of slavery at the time she wrote the story, and in doing so included the worst stories she could find. Although she conveys many truths about certain aspects of the industry, she also overexaggerates what slave trading was like. She made traders out to be far crueler then many were. She also wrote about the importance of traders in the economy, although they had very little. Even though exaggerated the grim portrayals of slavery helped to fan support across the nation for abolitionism. So although she exaggerated her facts, Stowes rendition of slavery accomplished exactly what she had planned for it to do and thankfully too. Without this book we might not have awakened to the evils that the system promoted. Words/ Pages : 1,270 / 24

Adhd as a Social Construct Essays

Adhd as a Social Construct Essays Adhd as a Social Construct Essay Adhd as a Social Construct Essay This research paper will discuss what ADHD is and why it is that there are those who think it was invented instead of discovered. It will also investigate the reasons why social construct theorists believe that the diagnosis of ADHD does more harm than good and actually diverts from the real issues that children face in their development in this day and age. Also explored will be the case against the social construct theory and why some who argue that the social construct theory is viable are ignoring a very real and possibly debilitating mental disorder. Despite the fact that ADHD is constantly in the news for one reason or another, there is no consensus on what it actually is and as more time goes by and more information is collected the more confusing the topic. Since ADHD has no definitive way of being diagnosed then the question remains what it is that is being treated and why medication is being prescribed, sometimes for life, for something that cannot be proven to fundamentally exist? Is this diagnosis simply as a result of the changing times or the fact that as a society will are all expected to conform to a standard set of behavior or else deemed lacking in some way? Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a common psychiatric condition that affects both children and adults. It is more likely to be diagnosed in childhood and in more boys than girls are said to have this disorder. There is debate as to whether children can outgrow their symptoms or whether it continues into adulthood or whether it is just a behavioral problem that will just go away as more adults than every are being diagnosed. Symptoms of ADHD include but are not limited to: hyperactivity, lack of concentration, day dreaming, impulsiveness and restlessness. In ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) the individual is usually described as a daydreamer and in AHD (attention Hyperactive Disorder) the individual is deemed restless or high spirited. Treatment for this disorder range from increased exercise and a diet that does not include carbohydrates and sugar to medicinal intervention in the form of methylphenidates and amphetamines such as Ritalin or Adderall. There is no one test for ADHD – a diagnosis is reached upon by the doctor after having had parent and teacher reports and from interaction with the child or adult. One of the main reasons that the diagnosis of ADHD remains so controversial in many medical circles is the fact that there is no one definitive way in which to test for it. Most of the time the conclusion that an individual (usually a child) has ADHD is as a result of parent reporting and/or teacher intervention. Some would argue that this makes the whole process subjective instead of objective and therefore does more harm than good especially since once a child is put on medication it is recommended by many doctors that he/she continues to take it into adulthood as the symptoms will not decrease or stop over time. Considering the fact that the pharmaceutical industry has a lot to gain from recommending the prolonged usage of drugs for ADHD and there are no studies showing the effects of the long term use of the methylphenidates and amphetamines commonly used, it is only natural that there should be queries into whether the disease actually exists or if it is possible that it could be something else all together. Although there are many who say that the conclusion that hyperactivity is relative and opinion may thus vary from one medical practitioner to another there are those that say there is evidence that it is present in some who have ADHD and the proof is in the brain structure and function and in the DNA composition. This combined with environment leads to what is known as ADHD because it is a multi faceted disease and to try and pin it down to just one cause would be futile and would result in tunnel vision as far as treatment goes. There is evidence to show that severe hyperactivity in children leads to serious developmental stagnation and misdiagnosis or non diagnosis of behavioral disorders such as ADHD leads to educational and occupational failure, inability to have nurturing relationships and stagnation in adulthood. In fact, is estimated that most addicts like gambling, alcohol and drug have some form of ADHD. Experts who agree with this school of thought are adamant that to claim that ADD is a social construct would only hurt those who suffer from it and delay or deny them the treatment that they so desperately need. It must be noted however, that the proponents of ADHD as a social construct are not opposed to getting to the bottom of the reason why an individual might be hyperactive, distracted and unable to concentrate. What they are against is the label itself which they believe will lead individuals into a mentality that they are somehow defective and need to be on medication for most of their lives. What they do advocate for is a strengthening of the family unit and a more child centered way of life. Social construct theorists conclude that in modern western culture factors uch as loss of extended family support, family life being increasingly busy, a cultural system that emphasizes individuality and competition and increased stress from the school systems all contribute to what can otherwise be termed as ADHD symptoms. They conclude that it is for this reason that ADHD was not prevalent until the Industrial Age when people’s lifestyles drastically changed – there was no longer enough play space and increased schooling pressures became increasingly problematic for children who were boredom intolerant. Children put in this unnatural environment coped by either tuning out (ADD) or becoming restless (ADHD). Social construct theorists believe therefore that it is not a medical intervention that is needed but a cultural one. An example of where a cultural intervention is needed is in some western school systems whereby there is intolerance for what can be termed as â€Å"active children†. Though social construct theorists do agree that on some level there could be biological factors what may be the reason that a child or adult is inattentive what they argue is that the school system and society has failed to integrate them and has chosen instead to set them aside and label them as disordered. Different methods of learning instead of the rote memorizing of facts where all individuals are supposed to learn the same thing at the same time and at the same pace will result in an environment where those with different learning styles are made to feel welcome instead of feeling like failures because they do not fit in. In this way, social construct theorists and their opponents are in agreement when they say that a multi pronged approach should be used in tackling and handling behavioral problems. Those against the social construct theory have long been advocates of more open classrooms and more flexibility as pertains to school settings and educational purposes in order to help those who have been diagnosed with ADHD cope with their symptoms. Along with medication, they also stress the importance of getting exercise and having a balanced diet so as not to exacerbate the effects of the disorder. Medication is only part of the solution, not all of it. one point of contention between those who support the social construct theory and those who oppose it is the over and under diagnosis of the disease. Social construct theorists claim that this is because there is no proven way that one can test for the disease and therefore the diagnosis will tend to fluctuate depending on race, social standing, gender, cultural differences and geographical location the theorists claim that if ADHD were are real mental disease the discrepancies would not be so high and so varied. In studies done all around the world, what is known to western countries, especially the United States as ADHD behavior is seen everywhere. What differs is the interpretation of an individual’s action. In some countries and cultures active children are considered the norm or even encouraged. Even in societies where obedience is expected of all youngsters, there are less likely to attribute it to a mental disorder and more likely to claim it is growing pains, simply a stage that will pass. Even the methods used to diagnose ADHD are different – in America the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition) while in Europe the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision). This results in 3-4 times fewer diagnoses in Europe than in the United States. Part of the conflict between those who say that ADHD is a real mental condition and those who say that it is a social construct is that there is really no general consensus on what ADHD really is or how to diagnose it. What both sides do agree on is that behavioral problems left untreated will often end up hurting not only the individual affected but all those around him/her and later on, society in general. Social construct theorists in general tend to be against the label of ADHD with the claim that it is one that is stuck with an individual for life and may thus hinder his/her development with pills serving as crutches. They also say that the diagnosis tends to be prevalent in cultures where passivity and order are highly valued. Those who disagree saying that leaving the problem untreated will put those suffering from the disorder at unnecessary risk and stagnate their development. Part of the conflict seems to be what one group thinks the cause should be and/or the treatment required if any. It is important to note that social construct theorists are usually not the same as those who say that behavioral problems are just a result of bad parenting and one should not spare the rod in rectifying the problem. They are not saying that behavioral problems do not exist, just that the cause, treatment and effect should be different.. Whether or not ADHD is a social construct is a debate that is not likely to end any time soon and a resolution is not anywhere in sight. Social construct theorists will always argue that until ADHD is shown to be a true disorder instead of collection of traits then the label should not be used as it hinders more than it helps. On the other hand, those who say that ADHD is a true disorder are more likely to claim that not giving the disorder a label is very detrimental to the individual concerned. There are those who say that ADHD being a real psychiatric disorder being a social construct are not mutually exclusive. This means that thought they do be lieve that ADHD exists they do not think it is as prevalent as the pharmaceutical companies and the media make it out to be. Any behavioral problem that cannot be pinned down and diagnosed is bound to have its opponents and ADHD is one of them. Even those who do claim that it is a valid medical diagnosis and not just a label used to describe behaviors that fall outside the prescribed societal norm do admit that it is multi faceted and multi layered and no two individuals have the exact same symptoms. Social construct theorists on the other hand cannot dismiss the fact that behavioral disorders must be identified and dealt with even though they may not agree with the treatment prescribed or the reasons given for the behavior. With research still being done and studies being carried out it will be a while before any reasonable and scientifically viable conclusion can be reached that will validate either side. As with any mental condition that is difficult to diagnose, it is impossible to have all interested parties come to the same conclusion as it is highly individual and a form of treatment that works for one may not work for another. The very fact that the discussion is taking place and that the debate goes on could be of benefit to all interested and concerned parties. References Barkley, R. A. , Cook, E. H. Jr, Diamond, A. , et al. (2002) International Consensus Statement on ADHD. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 5, 89 –111. [CrossRef][Medline] Breggin, P. (2002) The Ritalin Fact Book. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing. Meltzer, H. , Gatward, R. , Goodman, R. , et al (2000) Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in Great Britain. London: Stationery Office. Moll, G. , Hause, S. , Ruther, E. et al (2001) Early methylphenidate administration to young rats causes a persistent reduction in the density of striatal dopamine transporters. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 11, 15 –24. [CrossRef][Medline] Prout, A. James, A. (1997) Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood: Contemporary Issues in the Sociological Study of Childhood. London: Falmer Press. Sayal, K. , Taylor, E. , Beecham, J. , et al (2002) Pathways to care in children at risk of attention-deficit deficit hyperactivity disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry, 181, 43 –48. [Abstract/Free Full Text] Schachar, R. Tannock, R. (2002) Syndromes of hyperactivity and attention deficit. In Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (4th edn) (eds M. Rutter E. Taylor), pp. 399 –418. Oxford: Blackwell. Sproson, E. J. , Chantrey, J. , Hollis, C. , et al (2001) Effect of repeated methylphenidate administration on presynaptic dopamine and behavior in young adult rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 15, 67 –75. [Abstract/Free Full Text] Taylor, E. Sandberg, S. , Thorley, G. , et al (1991) The Epidemiology of Childhood Hyperactivity. Maudsley Monograph No. 33. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Taylor, E. , Chadwick, O. , Heptinstall, E. , et al (1996) Hyperactivity and conduct problems as risk factors for adolescent development. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 1213 –1226. [CrossRef][Medline] Timimi, S. (2002) Pathological Child Psychiatry and the Medicalization of Childhood. Hove: Brunner-Routledge.

Georgetown Cupcake Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Georgetown Cupcake - Essay Example Introduction The paper intends to provide an overview of an American bakery company, i.e. Georgetown Cupcake’s current status in the market, their history, along with the products and services they offer to satisfy the needs of the customers. The study also analyses the marketing strategies of Georgetown Cupcake. The study further concentrates on the weaknesses and threats of this organization with the intention to develop an effective market plan. History of Georgetown Cupcake Georgetown Cupcake was established by the two sisters, named Katherine Kallins and Sophie LaMontagne in Georgetown, Washington DC. These sisters are very passionate about preparing the cupcakes and designing them beautifully to turn them as artful and delicious as well. Both the sisters were encouraged and inspired by their grandmother to commence Georgetown Cupcake and hence they established it on February 2008 as decade’s first and the single cupcakery (Georgetown Cupcake, â€Å"The Cupcake Sisters†). Georgetown Cupcake maintains a healthy relationship with their community participating in most of the events in their neighborhood. Georgetown Cupcake also supports the national charitable organizations and the local charitable organizations too. They have already earned sustainable goodwill in the US market as their products are also loved and praised by their consumers. Thus, the organization has also earned substantial customer satisfaction within its short-term performance (Georgetown Cupcake, â€Å"The Cupcake Sisters†). They have donated more than 10,000 pieces of cupcakes to charitable organizations and other charitable causes. Georgetown Cupcake assists the government in reducing the unemployment rate to an extent. They offer various facilities and benefits to the employees serving them with health insurance amenities, paid vacations and sick leaves, along with invitations to special occasions and events. Georgetown Cupcake also praises and gives awards to the employee s on the basis of their performance and tends to encourage and motivates them for their better contribution to the productivity of the organization (Georgetown Cupcake, â€Å"The Cupcake Sisters†). The Market Scenario of Georgetown In Georgetown, Georgetown Cupcake faces competition from other well known bakery organizations. Some of the major competitors in its target market are Baker and Wired, Georgetown Scoops and Sprinkles. The community of Georgetown is observed to be enthusiastic cake lovers. At times, experts have also observed that the bakery market dominates other junk food markets. Moreover, the product seems to be cost effective to the consumers as well as easily available as stated by the residents of the Georgetown. Besides, another reason behind the growth of the market is that a standard cake consumes thirty five to forty minutes to be baked, whereas the cupcakes consume hardly ten to fifteen minutes to be baked. On the similar context, according to the bakers , the standard cakes requires a certain span of time, i.e. at least one hour to be decorated for final presentation, whereas cupcakes take only 20 minutes to be made consumable (Key, â€Å"Cupcake-Mania Sweeping the Streets of Georgetown†). Georgetown Cupcake has already acquired a large market share than the other competitors. For instance, in US, a huge amount of customers await in the queues in front of the shop to purchase the cupcakes. Georgetown Cupcake is well reputed as DC cupcakes among tourists visiting the city. However, Georgetown Cupcakes can also be observed to possess certain advantages along with few disadvantages in relation to its organizational operations. For instance, one of the competitors of the organization, i.e. Georgetown Scoops claims that they bake the best cupcakes in town. They have also applied a

Contemporary International Trade is no longer explained by Factor Essay

Contemporary International Trade is no longer explained by Factor Proportions Theory - Essay Example While some countries were naturally rich in capital resources, other had a huge population which gave rise to an abundance of labor. The nations were said to possess competitive advantage in the factors of production which was readily available in their economies. It followed from common logic that countries having natural endowments of a specific factor would always engage in a production technology intensive in that particular factor. Therefore, a capital rich economy was always considered to engage in a capital-intensive technology for the production of commodities. The same case would apply for the labor abundant economy as well. However, in that case the countries ended up producing goods produced by only one factor-intensive type of production method. Therefore, they needed to engage in mutually beneficial exchange of goods to gain access to other types of products as well. However, the contemporary trends in international trade sometimes violate the tenets of the Factor Propor tions Theory. Homogenous countries being naturally endowed with the same pattern of factor endowments have been increasingly observed to have engaged in trading with each other. In such cases, only Factor Proportions Theory cannot explain the current trends in global trade. Consequently, specialists in trade have sought to explain the contemporary trading practices with the help of a number of alternative theories. This paper has attempted to evaluate these alternative theories and investigate their explanations about modern international trade. The Classical Theory of International Trade was the first acceptable explanation of international trading practices. About 150 years after this,the Swedish economists Eli Heckscher and Bertail Ohlin had proposed the factor proportions theory or the factor endowment theory of international trade. This theory is based on the concept of the comparative advantage (or disadvantage) of a country based on its relative abundance (or scarcity) of the factors of productionavailable within its economy.The factor proportions theory advocates that a country should be engaged in the production and export of commodities that is primarily based on a factor of production which is abundantly present in its economy.Considering the framework of a two-country, two-factor and two-commodity framework of international trade, the theory states that the different nations are endowed with different proportions of the factors of production like capital and labor. Some nations have an abundance of capital resources but are short on available labor. Such a country would be capable of producing commodities using a capital intensive mode of production at acomparatively low cost. Similarly, countries having an abundance of labor resources would produce labor intensive goods at a low cost. The first country would then be inclined to export its capital intensive goods to the second nation and import labor intensive commodities from the latter. Through i nternational trade, both countries would gain access to both the types of commodities at the least cost. However, the present international scenario presents a different picture of international trade. Current world trade is dominated by the exchange of goods between homogenous countries which are found to have an advantage in the same factor (factors) of production. In such cases, trading involves commodities which are generated by a similar

Pricing strategies of Apple Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pricing strategies of Apple - Essay Example The price strategy for Apple majorly lies in the fact that they endeavour to sell great phones and products at a lower cost. It therefore offers a small number of products with a focus on the high-end market while giving priority to profits over the share of the market and creating a halo effect that makes people continuously attracted to its products. Apple ensures that when it is pricing its products, it adopts strategies that in relation to the market forces unlike the usual minimal pricing of products in the market place. Therefore, the prices are made in such a way that at times it is two times what its competitor’s charge, which it gets away with through strategies in how the product is implemented. The justification for the higher price of the products y Apple is the fact that it builds beautiful products that are attractive to the consumers and have features and benefits that the competing companies cannot match. Apple strives to create a demand for its products through differentiation, which entails having attractive and unique products to the consumers, and this enables it to have total control over the prices. Apple maintains a higher price for its products which keeps away its competitors in check helps it maintain its margins in terms of profitability (Spencer, 2013). Through the focus on customers that are likely to buy at the premium prices and maintaining it at that level, the company sets a level at which its competitors must also set its prices in the market. Apple therefore offers its products at premium prices by creating a premium product which is of high quality as indicated by the features in the products which translate to a lot of value for the price which helps shore up the profits. For instance, Apple raised the price of the latest iPad Mini by sticking on its high-end pricing strategy with the sole aim of maintaining the profit margins. The new

Pakistani Community In Britain Sociology Essay

Pakistani Community In Britain Sociology Essay Ali (1982) Pakistanis main concentration is in U.K. where they began in the early 20th century as sailors in the Merchant Navy and soldiers in the British army. They had an opportunity to migrate in large numbers following the economic expansion and shortage of labour resulting from the two world wars. However, their migration did not have a set pattern up until the last half of the 1950s. (p. 5-7) Post world war two migration to Britain from the Asian subcontinent was based on imperial ties and largely driven by economic imperatives. Rebuilding post war economy entailed a demand for labour that could not be satisfied by the British population itself. After 1945, virtually all countries in Western Europe began to attract significant numbers of workers from abroad and by the late 1960s they mostly came from developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East (Massey, D. et.al , 1993, p. 431). Islam in the UK has a South Asian character. The largest number of Muslims originates from Pakistan (Samad Sen, p.43). Further to this, the largest group of Muslims from the Indian subcontinent have come from Pakistan, both West and East (Ibid.) In Pakistan, major impetuses to emigrate came from the poorer agricultural areas of the Mirpuri district in southern Kashmir and the Cambellpur district of the north-eastern Punjab. Smaller numbers left from the North-west Fron tier Province next to the Afghani border. In the case of Mirpur, a further factor was the disruption caused by the Mangla Dam project which started in 1960, and was ultimately to flood about 250 villages. In East Pakistan, which was later to become Bangladesh, the two main sources of immigration were in the Sylhet district in the north-east and the maritime region around Chittagong. Due to the struggles of a newly developed state and poverty, many Pakistanis took the opportunity to come and work in Britain. (Neilsen, 2004, p. 41) Before 1962, Pakistanis were British subjects (under the 1948 British Nationality Act) and could enter Britain without restriction. There was a dramatic increase in the rate of immigration just before the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962  [1]  was passed. Before the act of 1962 was passed about fifty thousand people entered Britain within 18 months, in comparison the 17,000 who entered between 1955 and 1960 (Shaw, 1998: 25). The threat of Britains immigration controls also coincided with a change in the Pakistani Governments policy on immigration. In 1961, when the 1962 Common wealth Act was imminent, Pakistani government withdrew restrictions on immigration and promoted the migration of 5,000 people in a move to compensate Mirpuri villagers who had been dispossessed of land by the construction of the dam (Shaw, 1998: 25). Until the beginning of the 1960s, entry into the UK by the citizens of British colonies and member countries of the Commonwealth Immigration Act of 1962, introduced restrictions on immigration to the UK. Although it was intended to discourage Pakistanis and people from Commonwealth countries from migrating to the country, it turned out to have the opposite effect. The unintended effect of the 1971 Immigration Act  [2]  was that a significant number of Pakistanis and from the other countries entered the UK to beat the ban (Shaw, 1994, as quoted in Samad Sen, 2007, p. 28). 1970s family reunification marked a turning point for the establishment of Islam in Europe. Along with emergence of community through family reunification, some of the conventional norms rooted in social relations, through the practice of Islam began to emerge (Ibid., p.38) These labour migrants despite their social origins and qualification levels were largely confined to low-paid manual work and faces racial discrimination when being recruited for jobs (Modood, 2005, p. 60). In the 1970s Ethnic minorities were branded as scroungers and the threat of overcrowding was becoming a grave concern. Enoch Powell, in 1967, openly advocated a policy of repatriation where he argued not for migrants; families to be reunited in Britain but rather that migrants should be returned home and reunited with families over there (Jones and Wellhengama, 2000: 16). Further to this, by emphasising that Britishness comprises common biological roots, a common language and an allegiance to the Crown; parliamentarians easily excluded certain migrants (Ibid, p. 31). With the consequences of state led policies of migration, and arrival and settlement of a growing Pakistani community, emerged socio-economic problems that this new community had to face. The next part of the essay will discuss the various ways in which the British Pakistanis are disadvantaged and ways in which they responded to the underlying and changing political, social and economic conditions in Britain. While the disadvantage of Pakistanis actually predates the rise of anti-Muslim prejudice, the latter threatens to exacerbate the former and to prevent the formation of goodwill required to act against the chronic disadvantage of Pakistanis in Britain. (Modood, 2005, p. 80) As the Labour force survey (Spring, 2000 as quoted in Saman Sen, p. 45) illustrates, Pakistanis are two and a half times more likely than the white population to be unemployed and nearly three times more likely to be in low-paid jobs. According to Cessari (p. 58) the socio-economic marginality of Pakistanis is most often accompanied by residential segregation. She argues that the data from the British census show that Pakistani immigrants tend to live in the most dilapidated or unhealthy housing conditions. Chain migration processes have a strong influence on locating minorities in clusters. Hostility from the society within which the settlement takes place can reduce the ability of the group to disperse and defence may be an important element in clustering. There are both positive and negative reasons for clustering in most ethnic clustering patterns and, given their simultaneous presence in many situations, it is difficult to disentangle dominant from recessive factors. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that not all segregation results from negative factors such as white racism (Peach, 1996, p. 228) Rex and Moore (1967) demonstrated high levels of discrimination against immigrants, particularly against Pakistanis, in their field area of Sparkbrook in Birmingham. They showed high concentrations of Pakistans in their lowest housing class, the rooming house. Work by Dahya (1974), on the other hand, argued that Pakistani concentration in multi-occupied accommodation was a preferred, not an enforced, strategy. He argued that chain migration by village and family, the desire to maximize savings, shared language and religion, culinary needs and so forth all argued in favour of sharing accommodation. Thus, although discrimination existed, it was not material to the patterns of concentration that arose. Many of the early Pakistani migrants to Britain have been the most reluctant to attach a British identity to themselves. With the effects of globalisation, Pakistanis are also worried about losing their traditions, customs and values and hence hold onto the security of their close knit society with a hesitance in accepting anything British; (Jacobson, 1997, 185). Pakistani British Muslims have been vastly influenced by cultures and customs emanating from the subcontinent, and this will continue to happen for another generation or two. The context within which they practice their religion is after all, Pakistani one: not only because they younger generation learned about Islam from their Pakistani parents but also because Pakistanis are the dominant group within the local Muslim community. They are used to hearing Urdu spoken in mosque, eating Pakistani food and wearing Pakistani clothes at religious festivals, follow Pakistani customs at weddings and other religiousceremonies and abide by and rail against definitions of moral behaviour which have more to do with the norms of Pakistani village life. For them the interconnections between ethnic culture and religion are dense and intricate (Jacobson, J. 2003, p. 147) V.S. Khan (1979), writing on Mirpuris in Bradford, discusses the effect of migration on those arriving in Britain and ways in which this shapes their socio-cultural behavior. He maintains that the very means of coping with migration could lead to inherent stresses, in that the knowledge of traditional culture in the homeland, constant evaluation through the process of migration to Britain and prior expectations have a direct affect on the migrants life-style and values. The stressful experience of migration is alsoa crucial determinant of a migrants perception of his situation, and the actual options open to him. While many of the supportive institutions of village life buffer confrontation with the new and alien world in Britain, in the long term they not only restrict access to it, but also hinder the attainment of things valued (Ibid. p. 55) Werbner discusses similar factors: the social stresses experienced by Pakistani migrants in Britain derive from three main `arenas; the traditional culture and emigration area; the migration process; and settlement in the new environment and society (1990: 37). Her analysis however, presents a more positive view of the adaptability of Pakistanis to new circumstances, in particular to those concerning women, and regarding the expansion of kinship networks to inculcate friends and members of other sub-castes. (Imtiaz, 1997, p. 36) Significance of Bradford: The Bradford Metropolitan District is situated west of Leeds; north of the trans- Pennine highway. To the north and east lies North Yorkshire, with its manor houses, farms and cathedral cities, while to the west and north lies the Lake District. The city has been the centre of the wool trade since the 18th century and, until recently, wool dominated the local economy. Even the engineering and chemical industries were associated with the wool trade by supplying the needs of the textile industry. Throughout the 19th century it was mainly a working class city structured around a low wage economy. The global networks, stretching out to the colonies, in particular, were constructed around importing wool and reprocessing it for export. These networks persisted into the mid-twentieth century (Samad Eade, Community Laison Unit) Although Pakistani Muslims settled in various parts of the United Kingdom, Bradford still has one of the highest concentrations of Pakistani Muslims in the country (and more than any other Yorkshire and Humber region) (Din, 2006). Bradford is one of many towns and cities that have ethnically diverse populations in terms of religion as well such places as Tower Hamlets, Birmingham and Slough (National Census, 2001). The Bradford area also has one of the highest numbers of individuals who were born outside the European Union (National Census, 2001). The majority of Muslims in Bradford have roots in rural areas, with a large majority of Pakistanis from Mirpur in Azad Kashmir, a mountainous region and one of the least northern areas of Pakistan. This Pakistani community has a growing underclass with a significant section of young men under achieving in schools. They are generally characterised by low educational qualifications and occupational concentrations in restaurants and taxi driving. Along with low participation of women in the formal labour market and marriage at an early age, fewer years of education, lower educational skills and large average family and household size contributes to multiple deprivations (Lewis, 2007). Bradford has a rich religious, ethnic and cultural diversity. With a range of ethnic communities, it is predominantly Muslim (16.1 per cent) and largely of Pakistani origin with 14.5 percent of the total population of the city (National Statistics, 2003 as quoted in Gilligan, 2005). The Pakistani communities are very much concentrated in the inner wards of the city, where they tend to live amidst a relatively self-contained world of businesses and institutions, religious and cultural, which they have created to service, their specific needs (Lewis, 2002, p. 203.) Compared to other majority white communities, Bradfords Asian population is relatively young (National Statistics, 2003). They also tend to be located in areas facing relatively high levels of deprivation and disadvantage (DETR, 2000; Cantle, 2001; Denham, 2001 as quoted in Gilligan Akhtar, 2005). According to the Change Institutes report on the Pakistani Muslim Community in England, (2009) currently Bradford has the largest proportion of its total population (15%) identifying itself as of Pakistani origin in England. The report suggests that the latest estimates (from Bradford Metropolitan District Council) have indicated that the South Asian population has grown considerably over the last decade to 94,250, and that the people of Pakistani/Kashmiri origin number about 73,900. It further states that the South Asian population now represents about 19 per cent of the total population of Bradford and 16 per cent of Bradfords residents are Muslims, compared to the national average of 3 per cent. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of Pakistanis (young and old) have an attachment to Bradford. For many older Pakistanis, who arrived in the late 1950s and early 60s, Bradford is Mirpur is their home from home. For the young generations of Pakistanis it is their home (Din, 2006) Studies on Mirpuris: Much of the literature on Pakistanis in Britain, particularly from the late 1970s up to the late 1980s, tends to be based on studies of communities in particular towns, such as Anwar (1979) on Rochdale, Currer (1983) on Bradford, Jeffrey (1979) on Bristol, Shaw (1988) on Oxford, and Werbner (1985 1990) on Manchester. A number of studies have explored the extent of Asian (or Pakistani) migration and settlement across various geographical towns and cities (see Khan, 1974, 1979; Anwar, 1979; Shaw, 1988, 1994; Werbner, 1990). Some have had a particular focus on employment and housing issues (in particular Dahya, 1974; Werbner and Anwar, 1991; Anwar, 1991). Measuring the economic position of communities is easier to determine; what is more difficult is to examine the experiences and attitudes of young people towards their parents/elders; their community and the wider British society. There is an enormous amount of published work on the early immigrants (Rose et al, 1969; Dahya, 1974; Khan 1979). Rose et al (1969) is a good starting point for cultural studies relating to the Pakistani community. Rose explored issues such as the need to recruit labour immigrants to meet the needs of the British economy and the settlement process of the early immigrants in textile cities like Bradford. In addition he explored the problems encountered, such as obtaining suitable accommodation, access to public services, integration and the problems of adapting to a very different way of life. The experiences of families of early settlers joining their husbands in the United Kingdom have also, to an extent, been explored. This shows close-knit family ties which exist in Pakistani families, arranged marriages, biraderi and gender inequalities in Pakistani households (Khan, 1979). One of the earliest writers on Pakistanis in England is Dahya (1973 1974), who began his research in Birmingham and Bradford in 1956 and continued to publish into the 1980s. He remains amongst a hand full of researchers who have endeavoured to describe daily life amongst the single, male migrants and the control exercised over them by heads of families back in Pakistan. He clearly explained the nature of the links between the migrants in England and the social structures operating in Pakistan, based on the need for the migrant, whose family has sent him abroad in order for him to send back remittances and thus benefit not only immediate relatives but also the whole of the biraderi or kinship group. He concludes that: the Pakistani migrant community is in a very real sense a transitional society going through the phase of development from a rural to an urban industrial society (1973: p, 275). Today, with the constant movement between the villages of origin of Pakistani migrants and their places of inhabitancy in Britain, paving way for a constant, rapid social and economic change in both societies, his conclusion tends to be within a situational context of a time, when both were much more separate than they are today. Jamal (1998) carried out a research to explore food consumption experiences the British-Pakistanis in Bradford, UK and the ways the British Pakistanis perceive their food, and their perception of English food in the UK. He identified that the first generation of British-Pakistanis perceive their own food to be traditional, tasty but oily and problematic. Various English foods are perceived by them as foreign, bland, but nonetheless, healthy. The young generation of British-Pakistanis are increasingly consuming mainstream English foods while also consuming traditional Pakistani food. Rex and Moore (1967) demonstrated high levels of discrimination against immigrants, particularly against Pakistanis, in their field area of Sparkbrook in Birmingham. They showed high concentrations of Pakistans in their lowest housing class, the rooming house. Work by Dahya (1974), on the other hand, argued that Pakistani concentration in multi-occupied accommodation was a preferred, not an enforced, strategy. He argued that chain migration by village and family, the desire to maximize savings, shared language and religion, culinary needs and so forth all argued in favour of sharing accommodation. Thus, although discrimination existed, it was not material to the patterns of concentration that arose. According to the Labour force survey (Spring, 2000 as quoted in Saman Sen, p. 45), Pakistanis are two and a half times more likely than the white population to be unemployed and nearly three times more likely to be in low-paid jobs. According to Cessari (p. 58) the socio-economic marginality of Pakistanis is most often accompanied by residential segregation. She argues that the data from the British census show that Pakistani immigrants tend to live in the most dilapidated or unhealthy housing conditions. Another study of south Asian Muslims in Bradford by Khan (2009) refutes the commonly held belief that British Muslim alienation is an entirely Islamist narrative. In fact, the subjects of the study are alienated not only from British society but also from the cultural traditions and values of their own families. The author of the study was struck by their disconnected individualism and described them as libertines. This clearly contradicts the stereotype of Islamists radicalised by a hatred of Western society. Recent study by Bolgnani (2007) highlights forms of homeland attachment and analyses their significance among second- and third-generation British Pakistanis by comparison with the myth of return that characterised the early pioneer phase of Pakistani migration to Britain. He highlights that Homeland attachment for young British Pakistanis is constituted through school holidays spent in Pakistan, participation there in life-cycle rituals involving the wider kinship network, and the older generations promotion of the idea of Pakistan as a spiritual and cultural homeland. It further suggests that, for the pioneer generation, the myth of return justified a socio-economically motivated migration. He further argues that for the second and third generations, the homeland attachments and the idea of a possible return to Pakistan is a response to contemporary political tensions and Islamophobia. Therefore, he concludes that while myth of return still remains, for the majority, that myth has been revitalised and has a new political significance in the contemporary political context of British Pakistanis. However, another study of south Asian Muslims in Bradford by Khan (2009) refutes the commonly held belief that British Muslim alienation is an entirely Islamist narrative. In fact, the subjects of the study are alienated not only from British society but also from the cultural traditions and values of their own families. The author of the study was struck by their disconnected individualism and described them as libertines. This clearly contradicts the stereotype of Islamists radicalised by a hatred of Western society. Marriages: The governing principle of marital choice in any community is homogamy the selection of a partner from a similar social background shaped, for example, by race, class, ethnicity, religion, age and education, thus those who do not conform to these norms, in some circumstances, suffer sanctions, ranging from disapproval to ostracism (Bradford Commission Report 1996). For Pakistanis, the life-cycle with weddings, births and funerals is particularly lived in a shared way by the family extended and split over two continents, Europe and Asia. Adults make return trips for various reasons, but most centrally to arrange or perform a childs marriage (Ballard 1987, p. 21; Shaw 2001, p. 319-325). Among British Pakistanis marriage is not only within the same ethnic group, but consanguineous-arranged with relatives-according to clan as well as caste systems. In a complex context of ethnicity and caste, marriage is often seen as the chosen mechanism to consolidate biradari  [3]  loyalties. Furthermore, due to chain migration, stronger village and kin networks were created, that were later reinforced by transnational arranged marriages, often with cousins from the same area or village. Pakistanis, like many other groups, consider it an important parental responsibility to find spouses for their children. They prefer to select someone they know well, to be sure that he or she has the qualities they appreciate and will make a caring partner. However, Khan (1977) argues in his research that ethnic minorities such as Pakistanis, face two problems namely the limited availability of suitable persons in the restricted local community, and another the fact that their circle of acquaintance in the country of origin tends to shrink within the limits of the extended family. Therefore, for groups with a tradition of consanguineous marriage, it is only natural for the choice of partner to fall progressively closer within the family circle. This argument is supported by Rao Inbaraj (1979) who give evidence to support this view from South India, arguing that for South Asians monogamous, close consanguineous marriage has been practised for thousands of years. Moreover, Bano (1991) discussed the upward social mobility through the institution of marriage amongst British Pakistanis, which she sees as being marked in the Netherlands in comparison to Pakistan. She described the practice of cousin marriages explaining their common prevalence amongst relatively wealthy, rural, as well as landowning families. She then discusses the extension of cousin marriage (Ibid. p.15), proposing that it could include partners being chosen from distant family, or from the same religious tendency, or from the parents close business contacts. According to a research conducted by Overall and Nichols (2001), the U.K. Asian population, particularly within the Pakistani communities, tends to have high levels of consanguineous unions which are correlated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (Darr and Modell 1988; Terry et al. 1985; Bundey et al. 1991 as quoted in Overall Nickols, 2001). It is not unusual to observe a proportion of first-cousin marriages of around 50% (Darr and Modell 1988). Modood et al. argue that the Asian older generation prefers marriages to be arranged by families within the clan or extended family and that love marriages were not the most appropriate way of finding a life-partner. The most frequent argument supporting this view was that love marriages are equated with high levels of divorce. Arranged marriages are seen as diminishing the likelihood of divorce because the partners are chosen for their compatibility and suitable family backgrounds (Modood et al. 1997). According to most researchers there is a continuing prevalence for high rates of intercontinental and intra-caste marriages (over 50%) between British Pakistani spouses and brides or grooms in Pakistan (Charsley, 2003; Shaw, 2001). It is suggested that the pressure for such marriages is apparently exerted by close relatives in Pakistan who use marriage as a route for their children to migrate legally to Britain. According to recent research, however, the spouses marrying into Britain often suffer isolation, and have poor employment prospects (Charsley, 2003). Furthermore, most Pakistani children are compliant and agree, however reluctantly, to cousin and intercontinental marriages (Jacobson, 1998). The Home Office statistics show an influx of 15,000 prospective marriage partners (male and female) from the Indian sub-continent arriving in Britain in 2001 alone, the vast majority arranged by parents for their British-born children (Werbner, 2005). Charsley (2003) reports that, in 2000, there were 10,000 people both men and women, who married into Braitian. Werbner (2005) explains this phenomenon by arguing that Islam permits marriage with a wide range of close kin and affines, and according to recent researches, the majority of Pakistani marriages continue to take place within the biradari; a local agnatic lineage and, more widely, an ego-focused kindred of traceable affines and consanguineous kin. She argues that this notion of biradari helps mediate between kinship, locality and zat (caste), and that such biradaris are ranked and reflect class and caste status in the Pakistani society (Werbner, 2005). Darr and Modell (1988) conducted a research that carried inculcated an enquiry answered by 100 randomly selected British Pakistani mothers in the postnatal wards of two hospitals in West Yorkshire, Bradford, showed that 55 were married to their first cousins, while only 33 cases had individuals whether their mother had been married to her first cousin. Darr and Modell argued that there results indicated an increasing rate of consanguineous marriage in the relatively small group studied, contrasting with the decreasing rate which was observed in some other countries. They had enquired 900 women in hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1983 showing 36% first cousin marriages, 4% first cousin once removed, 8% second cousin, and 53% unrelated (of which 25% were in the Biraderi (same kinship). These figures are almost identical with those reported in Britain for the grand parental generation (who were married while they were in Pakistan), and supported their conclusion that the frequency of c lose consanguineous marriage was increasing among British Pakistanis (p. 189). According to another research by Modell (1991) both in Pakistan and the UK about 75% of marriages are between relatives, but the frequency of closely consanguineous marriage has increased with migration, about 55% of couples of reproductive age in England being married to a first cousin. In many cases the relationship is closer than first cousins because of previous consanguineous marriages in the family. The proportion of cousin marriages is likely to fall but the absolute number will increase, at least for the next generation, because the population is growing. According to the results of a study by Alam Husband (2006), Muslims comprise the UKs largest religious minority, and are the object of analysis and concern within various policy arenas and popular debates, including immigration, marriage and partner selection, social cohesion and integration. Their research analysed experiences and narratives from 25 men aged 16 to 38, their accounts shedding light on what it means to be a Bradfordian of Pakistani and Muslim heritage. It also highlighted the policy context surrounding the mens attitudes toward various facets of their lives, including marriage, family, work, the city in general, and the neighbourhood in which they lived. Alam Husband concluded that although there were some generational continuity of cultural values and norms, several significant changes were also simultaneously taking place. Shaw (2001) began his study by supposing that in the 1990s, forty years after Pakistani migration to Britain began, the rate of consanguineous marriage among British Pakistanis would show signs of decline, as the urbanized and British-educated descendants of pioneer immigrants adopt the values of many contemporary Westerners and reject arranged marriages. However, on the contrary based on the statistical data he gathered, he saw that Pakistani marriage patterns showed no such clear trend, and instead there was some evidence that, within certain groups of British Pakistanis, the rate of first-cousin marriage had increased rather than declined. The study offered an analysis and interpretation of a high rate of marriage to relatives, especially first cousins, in a sample of second-generation British Pakistanis. It argued that the high rate of such marriage is not a simple reflection of a cultural preference. The research also underlines the inadequacy of a blanket category Pakistani in relation to marriage patterns and choices. Shaw suggested that certain variations in region of origin, caste, socio-economic status, and upbringing must be considered in analysis in order to reveal the processes that have generated this pattern and allowed it to persist. Simpson (1997) claims that in Bradford 50 per cent of marriages are trans-continental, i.e. the partner sare from Pakistan. He has proposed two reasons that help explain the reasons for choosing partners from outside Britain, and has analysed the ways these reasons operate independently or may reinforce each other. Firstly, there is a cultural preference for consanguinity, usually marriage to a cousin, which is prevalent among the Pakistani community. As Sarah Bundey et al. (1990) showed in her research that 69 per cent of Birmingham Pakistani marriages are consanguineous and it is expected that if current researchers were carried out they will show similar levels in Bradford, considerably higher than in Pakistan itself. Simpson (1997) further argues that since emigration from Pakistan to Britain is usually seen as a positive achievement, marriage also functions specifically to fulfil a commitment to improve the family fortunes. He gives the second reason that many Muslim young peopl e in Bradford express a cultural preference for partners with traditional values and that sentiment is echoed by their parents who then arrange or help to arrange their marriage partners from Pakistan. Simpson nevertheless points out that, this trend should not be seen as simply a preference for subservient wives albeit this may be true for some. He further points out that there is qualitative evidence that some young Muslim women see men with traditional values from Pakistan as providing a more secure family future than the more liberal friends with whom they have grown up in Bradford. This Simpson points out may coincide both with the strong Muslim and the strong Pakistani identities that are noted among Bradford young women, based on researchers by Kim Knott and Sajda Khokher (1993) and by Kauser Mirza (1989). Modood and Berthoud (1997) carried out a research to show that among ethnic minority groups 20 per cent of African-Caribbeans

Essay on the Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie -- Glass Menage

The Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie       In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, the characters exhibit a state of delusion that originates from their dissatisfaction with their lives. Tom seeks adventure in the movies. Amanda reminisces often about her days as a Southern Belle. Laura sits in a dream world with her glass collection, and Jim basks in the praises of his high school glory. In their respective ways, they demonstrate their restlessness. The quotation from Thoreau, "The mass of men lead lives of the quiet desperation," applies to the characters in that they are all unhappy, but take no action to improve their situation in any significant way.    Tom, as the narrator, explains to the audience the progression of the play and allots this with "the pleasant guise of illusion." When he speaks to the audience, the events he relates are in the past, and he has realized how distanced his family had been from real life. Through the play, he is angry and bitter because of his duty to his sister and mother. His father absconded, leaving Tom as the sole provider, a title neither wanted. Tom is not prepared to settle down and feels as though he "makes a slave of himself." Whether or not he had the ability to create a separate life for himself, Tom feels placed in a "nailed up coffin." He is tortured by boredom in the warehouse and aches for his own vision of life. He remarked to Laura that he did not know how anyone could "[get] himself out of a coffin without removing one nail." A primary source of his desperation is the fact that he know that if he leaves he will destroy Laura, and he does not want that. He is inactive on his own behal f for a long time, feeling enclosed by a life he cannot stand. He is... ... They scurry around trying to end their suffering, but they impede each other's efforts through their individual ones. These people seem doomed to their fates: to run away, to live in the past, or to exist continually in a intangible world.    Works Cited and Consulted Bloom, Harold. Introduction. Tennessee Williams. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. 1-8. King, Thomas L. "Irony and Distance in The Glass Menagerie." In Tennessee Williams. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. 85-94. Levy, Eric P. "'Through Soundproof Glass': The Prison of Self Consciousness in The Glass Menagerie." Modern Drama, 36. December 1993. 529-537. Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie. In Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 4th ed. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995. 1519-1568. Essay on the Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie -- Glass Menage The Illusion of Escape in The Glass Menagerie       In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, the characters exhibit a state of delusion that originates from their dissatisfaction with their lives. Tom seeks adventure in the movies. Amanda reminisces often about her days as a Southern Belle. Laura sits in a dream world with her glass collection, and Jim basks in the praises of his high school glory. In their respective ways, they demonstrate their restlessness. The quotation from Thoreau, "The mass of men lead lives of the quiet desperation," applies to the characters in that they are all unhappy, but take no action to improve their situation in any significant way.    Tom, as the narrator, explains to the audience the progression of the play and allots this with "the pleasant guise of illusion." When he speaks to the audience, the events he relates are in the past, and he has realized how distanced his family had been from real life. Through the play, he is angry and bitter because of his duty to his sister and mother. His father absconded, leaving Tom as the sole provider, a title neither wanted. Tom is not prepared to settle down and feels as though he "makes a slave of himself." Whether or not he had the ability to create a separate life for himself, Tom feels placed in a "nailed up coffin." He is tortured by boredom in the warehouse and aches for his own vision of life. He remarked to Laura that he did not know how anyone could "[get] himself out of a coffin without removing one nail." A primary source of his desperation is the fact that he know that if he leaves he will destroy Laura, and he does not want that. He is inactive on his own behal f for a long time, feeling enclosed by a life he cannot stand. He is... ... They scurry around trying to end their suffering, but they impede each other's efforts through their individual ones. These people seem doomed to their fates: to run away, to live in the past, or to exist continually in a intangible world.    Works Cited and Consulted Bloom, Harold. Introduction. Tennessee Williams. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. 1-8. King, Thomas L. "Irony and Distance in The Glass Menagerie." In Tennessee Williams. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. 85-94. Levy, Eric P. "'Through Soundproof Glass': The Prison of Self Consciousness in The Glass Menagerie." Modern Drama, 36. December 1993. 529-537. Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie. In Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 4th ed. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995. 1519-1568.

Job Satisfaction in Organizational Psychology

Job Satisfaction in Organizational Psychology Job satisfaction can be known to some people as an important element in their lives. If an individual is unhappy with their occupation it may affect other parts of their life. Job satisfaction can be seen in what one wants in a job as to what one has in their current job. Definition of Job Satisfaction Job satisfaction can be defined as an attitude or feeling one can have toward ones job. Job satisfaction is â€Å"the extent to which people like (satisfaction) or dislike (dissatisfaction) in their jobs. Spector 1997) One of the biggest studies in job satisfaction was the Hawthorne studies which were credited to Elton Mayo in the year's nineteen twenty-four to nineteen fifty-three. Elton Mayo was from Harvard Business School who sought to find the effects of various conditions focusing on workers' productivity. His study showed that changes in work conditions temporarily increased productivity which is also known as the Hawthorne Effect. Some individuals may form an attitude towards their jobs by taking into account their feelings, beliefs and behavior.All these different factors can affect ones job satisfaction Example of Organizational Socialization and Job Satisfaction A great example of how organizational socialization goes a long way in ensuring job satisfaction is in the United States military. When a person decides to join any branch of the military there is a process in becoming a soldier. The organizational socialization that the military subjects the future soldiers to may be different than what goes on in the civilian world or any standard organization. Boot camp is the training that all soldiers must partake in and pass in order to become a soldier.Boot camp is where the United States will teach the individual civilians the behaviors, skills, functions, values, culture, and roles that must be learned before one can be considered a soldier (McKittrick, 1984). Once boot camp has been completed and the sold ier has passed both the physical and mental requirements, then this will have a major influence on the performance of the soldier (McKittrick, 1984). Completion of the formal socialization or boot camp will increase productivity, increases self assurance, self worth, self esteem, oyalty, and job satisfaction (McKittrick, 1984). The better and faster that a soldier or any new hire is socialized then in turn will have a trickledown effect and the higher level of organizational socialization will lead to higher levels of job satisfaction. Higher job satisfaction will then lead to higher retention by the company, thus saving the company or in this case the government money by decreasing turnover (McKittrick, 1984). For this reason the government normally offers cash bonuses to soldiers who wish to re-enlist in the military for.Explain the impact that organizational socialization has on job satisfaction? The impact of organizational socialization has on job satisfaction is factored on jo b performance. If an individual is not satisfied with the organizations core role, the individual will rebel when not given the proper answers to the demand. Organizations base performance results on individual workload. Workload is commonly known as the work given to an individual at a certain time frame. Workload can also be defined as a stress carrier and if the quantitative workload is not distribute properly.Organizational socialization is in charge of complying properly with the individuals needs to avoid issues as occupational stress (Jex, 2008). Motivation is the key to understanding and fulfilling the individual’s necessitations. Job satisfaction is impacted personal issues when in time can accumulate and develop stress. The individual's performance includes well being, motivation, and encouragement. Each organization hires different ethnicities, different cultures, and unique individuals. The organizational socializations goal is to find the key to each individual a nd promote job satisfaction.A goal setting atmosphere is preserved to the gravity of job satisfaction. When the individual has no motivation for success and looses interest in the commitment to the organization; results of failure in organization socialization (Jex, 2008). Job satisfaction comes from understanding the importance in commitment of the organization. Organizational socialization impacts the satisfaction and well being of the individual. The impact the individual leaves on the company’s success is the result of the job satisfaction of the organizations member. Commitment is the key of the organization.Motivation is what drives the individual to keep the company growing. The job satisfaction of the individual is the result of organizational socialization. Relationship between Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction The relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction is significant. Job satisfaction can be defined as the extent to which pe ople like or dislike their jobs and organization commitment is a psychological state that determines the employees relationship with the organization and can determine how long an employee will stay with an organization.Researchers have determined there are three types of focuses that determine types of organizational commitment; affective, continuous, and normative. Affective commitment is the employee’s perception of how they feel about their organization and how they identify with their organization. Continuous commitment is the cost that employee feels that will be made is they stay or leave an organization. Normative commitment is the level of commitment an employee feels towards their organization. Job satisfaction is one of the most frequently measured organization variables.Organizations use these measurements to determine how satisfied their employees are and researchers use this information to determine if the job satisfaction or the lack of job satisfaction is a si tuational perspective or interactional perspective. Organizational commitment is critical to organizations due to the desire to retain a strong workforce. Organizations want to know why employees stay or leave their organizations so if correction is needed they have some tools to proceed with the correction. High turnover of employees in an organization can determine if an organization is successful or not.While turnover is related to all three areas of commitment researchers have determined that Affective commitment is one most associated with absenteeism and organizational citizenship (Williams J. 2004). Example on Organizational Commitment to Positively Impact Job Satisfaction At times employees go to work each day knowing they have to complete the daily task of doing so. Some individuals may not like their current job or what occupation they currently hold for one reason or another. At times, it may not be the fact they may not like their job, but the working conditions, policie s or even the people they make work with.Job satisfaction and organizational commitment are two of the most important roles people live with each and every day. Both may and can impact and individual's relationship whether it may be at work and dealing with family issues and may affect them with work depending the outcome of work situations and/or issues. In order for an employee to be able to be content and provide and excel in excellence in their daily job duties, some employers may suggest incentives. They may provide bonuses or time off for some employees doing well. This may help the employee keep doing better by working hard so they may receive the incentive.Some employers may offer alternate work schedules. This can help employees complete daily task and balance work with personal life so one may not interfere with the other. â€Å"Organizational commitment is a psychological state that (a) characterizes the employee's relationships with the organization and (b) has implicat ions for the decisions to continue membership in the organizations. † (Meyer and Allen 1994) This basically states if employees are happy working with the organization they will do well and if the employee is not happy with the organization it can affect the way they perform their daily duties for the organization.Some employers provided assistance with counseling in case an employee is having trouble or personal issues they may be dealing with that maybe affecting their job duties. This may help the employee resolve or take care of personal issues so they may feel up to par to continue with their work. The way on organization deals with policies and or rules and enforces them may also affect the way there employees are working. Employers may also have frequent meetings or mediation gatherings to ask employees opinions on what may be working or what may need to change to better employee's production.They may also provide different types of training to ensure all employees are taught the same and may be on the same page as everyone else and upper management. Job satisfaction is an important factor to think about since work is one of the main functions people all around the world experience each and every day. If one is satisfied performing their job duties each and every day they will work well and even improve some regular job functions.References Williams J. 2004), Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment, Sloan Work and Family, Research Network, Boston College, ttp://wfnetwork. bc. edu/encyclopedia_entry. php? id=244 Source: Jex, S. M, & Britt, T. W. (2008) Organizational Psychology. A Scientist-Practitioner Approach. Second Edition. Retrieved from uop McKittrick, R. B. (1984). An Analysis of Organizational Socialization in the Marine Corps. Retrieved from http://www. globalsecurity. org/military/library/report/1984/MRB. htm Herzberg, F. (1968). One more time: How do you motivate employees? Harvard Busines

How Social Media Helped Me Land an Agent

How Social Media Helped Me Land an Agent Like most writers these days, I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Yes, it can be one giant time vacuum. Were talking the granddaddy of vacuums- were talking Dyson. But writers need a life. Right? So the hours spent on Facebook are in the best interest of my career, right? They can be. With all the moaning about the downside of social media (mainly the time aspect), we writers tend to overlook the sheer beauty of what the various platforms provide: accessibility. Never before have we had the opportunity to be â€Å"friends† with so many publishers, agents, and other writers. Conferences are expensive and not everyone can afford to attend the more popular ones, the ones where big-name editors and agents are most likely to show up. Years ago, the only way to meet agents and editors was to attend conferences and hope you make the cut for a pitch session. Or hopefully grab a seat in their standing-room-only panel discussion. Or you could follow them into the bar, or restroom, or hotel elevator. In which case, if youre like most writers, youre a bit introverted so that elevator ride is probably going to be rather quiet. And the restroom thing- not cool. At all. Thats where social media comes in. Its much more pleasant, for all parties involved, to find an agent and follow them on Twitter than to follow them into a bathroom! If you prefer Facebook, send them a friend request. Follow their RSS feed. Comment on their posts. And comment again. And again. You know youre getting somewhere when the agent starts to comment on your comments. Im â€Å"friends† with and follow several agents. Ive had these cyber relationships for a year or more with various agents, and like any good relationship, it takes time to build. Ive been in the business long enough to say Ive sent my share of query letters to agents, without much success. But social media opened up not only a whole new door, but a golden door for me. Through Facebook, I was able to establish a friendly relationship with different agents before seeking a business relationship with just one. And even then, when I did approach the agent through a private message, it wasnt intended to be a query. I simply had a question, between friends, about the industry. That cyber conversation turned into a phone chat, which turned into longer talk which turned into an offer of representation. Social media not only helped me find my agent, it allowed me the opportunity to get to know her as a person before ever signing a contract. To me, thats just as important as how many deals theyve made. If I dont respect and like you as a person, how am I ever going to feel comfortable trusting you with my career? So go ahead and follow a couple of agents. You might be surprised where it can lead.

Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simons 1963 Romantic Comedy

Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simon's 1963 Romantic Comedy Barefoot in the Park is a romantic comedy written by Neil Simon. It premiered on Broadway in 1963, featuring leading man Robert Redford. The play was a smash hit, running for over 1,500 performances.​​​ The Basic Plot Corie and Paul are newlyweds, fresh from their honeymoon. Corie is still enthralled by her recent sexual awakening and the adventure that comes with youth and marriage. She wants their passionate romantic life to continue at full speed. Paul, however, feels it is time to focus on his burgeoning career as an up-and-coming lawyer. When they dont see eye-to-eye about their apartment, their neighbors, and their sex drive, the new marriage experiences its first patch of rough weather. The Setting Choose a good location for your play, and the rest will write itself. Thats what seems to happen in Barefoot in the Park. The entire play takes place on the fifth floor of a New York apartment building, one without an elevator. In Act One, the walls are bare, the floor is vacant of furniture, and the skylight is broken, allowing it to snow in the middle of their apartment at the most inopportune of moments. Walking up the stairs completely exhausts the characters, granting hilarious, out-of-breath entrances for telephone repairmen, delivery men, and mother-in-laws alike. Corie loves everything about their new, dysfunctional home, even if one must turn the heat off to warm up the place and flush down in order to make the toilet work. Paul, however, does not feel at home, and with the mounting demands of his career, the apartment becomes a catalyst for stress and anxiety. The setting initially creates the conflict between the two lovebirds, but it is the neighbor character who furthers the tension. The Crazy Neighbor Victor Velasco wins the award for the most colorful character in the play, even outdoing the bright, adventuresome Corie. Mr. Velasco prides himself on his eccentricity. He shamelessly sneaks through his neighbors apartments in order to break into his own. He climbs out  five-story windows and travels daringly across the buildings ledges. He loves exotic food and even more exotic conversation. When he meets Corie for the first time, he happily admits to being a dirty old man. Although, he does note that he is only in his fifties and therefore still in that awkward phase. Corie is charmed by him, even going as far as covertly arranging a date between Victor Velasco and her prudish mother. Paul distrusts the neighbor. Velasco represents everything Paul does not want to become: spontaneous, provocative, silly. Of course, those are all traits which Corie values. Neil Simons Women If Neil Simons late wife was anything like Corie, he was a lucky man. Corie embraces life as a series of exciting quests, one more exciting than the next. She is passionate, funny, and optimistic. However, if life becomes dull or tedious, then she shuts down and loses her temper. For the most part, she is the complete opposite of her husband. (Until he learns to compromise and actually walk barefoot in the park... while intoxicated.) In some ways, she is comparable to Julie the deceased wife featured in Simons 1992 Jakes Women. In both comedies, the women are vibrant, youthful, naà ¯ve, and adored by the male leads. Neil Simons first wife, Joan Baim, may have exhibited some of those traits seen in Corie. At the very least, Simon seemed to have been head-over-heels in love with Baim, as indicated in this excellent New York Times article, The Last of the Red Hot Playwrights written by David Richards: The first time I saw Joan she was pitching softball, Simon remembers. I couldnt get a hit off her because I couldnt stop looking at her. By September, writer and counselor were married. In retrospect, it strikes Simon as a period of great innocence, green and summery and gone forever. I noticed one thing almost as soon as Joan and Neil were married, says Joans mother, Helen Baim. It was almost like he drew an invisible circle around the two of them. And nobody went inside that circle. Nobody! A Happy Ending, Of Course What ensues is a light-hearted, predictable final act, in which tensions mount between the newlyweds, culminating with a brief decision to separate (Paul sleeps on the couch for a spell), followed by the realization that both husband and wife should compromise. Its yet another simple (but useful) lesson on moderation. Is Barefoot Funny to Todays Audience? In the sixties and seventies, Neil Simon was the hitmaker of Broadway. Even throughout the eighties and nineties, he was creating plays that were vibrant crowd-pleasers. Plays such as Lost in Yonkers and his autobiographic trilogy pleased the critics as well. Although by todays media-frenzied standards, plays such as Barefoot in the Park may feel like the pilot episode of a slow-paced sitcom; yet there is still a lot to love about his work. When it was written, the play was a comedic look at a modern young couple who learn to live together. Now, enough time has gone by, enough changes in our culture and relationships have occurred, that Barefoot feels like a time capsule, a glimpse into a nostalgic past when the worst thing couples could argue about is a broken skylight, and all conflicts could be resolved simply by making a fool of oneself.

Women and Human rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Women and Human rights - Essay Example There are different types of veils that are worn by various people, which entail scuffs covering the hair, those covering the face and those covering the face and the entire body. In most of the Muslim countries, wearing of veils by women is mandatory, while in others, it is mandatory (White 46-55). Since America is represented by people from different cultural backgrounds, wearing of veils is mostly observed among the Muslims. Therefore, mandatory wearing of veils among women is discriminatory in nature. This is because the way of association and dressing of these women is structured and failure to follow the stipulated doctrines leads to various consequences among the offenders. For example, In Afghanistan, women who do not wear veils are stoned, as a way of punishing them and warning anyone who may fail to follow the law. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of how American view people who wears veils, and women’s human rights. In the United States of America, there hav e been numerous conflicts between government organs and women wearing veils. For example, in the application of a driving license, the face of the applicants should be visible. As such, women wearing veils are required to get rid of the veils in order to have their photos taken. This does not trick very well to them and makes them feel oppressed. In the American education system, photographs are necessary for verification purposes especially during examination. As such, Women wearing the veils are required to unveil to be photographed. During normal school routine, the students gain no special attention from the fellow students and instructors until the examination period arrives. The unveiling of students has brought forth hot debates with some professionals advocating for the use of fingerprints, rather than forcing students in veils to unveil. Due to the numerous terrorist attacks being executed mainly in Middle East by veiled persons, a negative perception has been made to vario us persons across the globe. As such, veiled persons are not fully accepted by the public, while travelling or doing shopping. This has brought forth numerous debates on the wearing of body covering dressing, which hinders facial recognition. Despite medical personnel wearing masks, they do receive appreciation from the public. As such, request for unveiling women is observed as discrimination against them. Additionally, in the case of an outbreak of flu, patients are allowed to enter business premises without any restriction, which brings in the question as to who should be allowed to wear veils, and under what circumstances. The wearing of veils in the American society receives different recognition. For example, in areas where veiled women have participated in terrorist activities, veiled women usually find themselves discriminated. This is argued to be a defense strategy because; it is argued that they can partake terrorist activities, which would have adverse effects on the soc iety at large. In regions beyond the American borders, for example, in  Afghanistan, veiled women were used to bomb the American soldiers deployed to restore peace and political stability. The wearing of veils is recognized as a means of oppression mostly among female Muslims. Therefore, the women are observed to be voiceless and are controlled by the doctrines of Islam. Although this applies to a significant percentage of women in Muslim world, it is not applicable to all Muslim women in America. Oppression is usually linked with low levels of education; the less educated persons usually lack knowledge on their rights, as well as what they should do when their rights are violated. Therefore, since a significant per

The History of Maize from the New World to Africa Essay

The History of Maize from the New World to Africa - Essay Example At present efforts are being made in order to increase Africa’s annual local production and at the same time reduce their importation rates since corn is considered to be one of the most important food sources for the people. The History of Maize from the New World to Africa Maize (Zea mays, L.) or more popularly known around the world as corn, is a cereal crop that originated from the New World, now known as the Americas. It is a tall, annual grass, from the family Gramineae, where other important monocot cereal crops such as wheat and rice also belong (Warman, 2003). It is considered to be one of the earliest grains that were borne out of human genetic manipulation, and its high yield was one of the factors that strengthened the early agricultural societies harvesting this crop (McCann, 2005). All of the numerous uses for corn owe it to its high starch content, which can range from being cooked and served as a major carbohydrate source in every meal, to being ground into flo ur for making chips and bread, to sweets such as desserts or as sources of sweetening agents, and even alcoholic drinks like beer, thus corn shows the flexibility of its products (Warman, 2003). Also, corn is known to have small amounts of minerals such as calcium and iron, even higher than in other cultivated cereals, which adds to the crop’s high carbohydrate content and subsequently, its nutritional value (Mboya, et al., 2011). It is through the wide variety of products that can be made out of corn and rather high nutritional value that made it acceptable in many countries, and its worldwide distribution a success. Among the many areas that have come to learn about planting and harvesting corn, as well as creating a culture that highly utilizes it is Africa, where it was introduced during the time when the Portuguese were still in the process of exploring the New World, as well as beginning to enter into the slave trading business (Maddison, 2007). Starting from a few seed s, the local farmers were able to grow various varieties as well as developing the crops to contain some characteristics that were deemed important, such as having attributes that were similar with locally-grown sorghum (La Fleur, 2012). This initiated a wide acceptance of Africans to a corn corn-cultivating culture and makes it one of their most important staple crops as of date. Thus, the introduction of maize, a New World crop into the African continent and culture was brought upon by the colonial rule of the Portuguese in Southern Africa around the 1500’s, and the successful propagation of the crop in the continent created an economic boost that brought up the culture of planting and consuming maize across Africa, which remains very much alive even today. Origins of the Maize Unlike other grains and cereals which were originally bred from wild ancestors and have undergone minimal changes, the appearance of the maize or corn plant and its cob has been the product of the de liberate intervention of man in its evolution. It is hypothesized that the corn has no wild ancestor, and it has been extinct long before its cultivation began.