Critical Analysis: Life of Pi

By examining the novel Life of Pi, the three part novel by Yann Martel, one can observe the psyche of a man who has gone through a horrendous tragedy that has affected his life dramatically.   Martel chose the differing setting of India, Canada, the Pacific Ocean, and briefly in Mexico during the nineteen seventies.   From the conflicting cultures of the setting, the protagonist, Pi must deal with many adversities, yet he has survived all of them.   The novel is narrated in first person with Pi taking on the role of narrator. This gives an insight into the working of Pi’s mind.   A privileged glimpse of how an individual responds to the task of survival makes one wonder how he/she would respond in a similar situation.   It also shows what an individual will do to deal with the events that are just too horrible to accept. The plot is told in flashback and as a framed story.   The exposition is established early in the novel.   We learn that Pi is a man from India who now resides in Canada.   It is obvious that there has been some tragedy in his life, but it is not revealed until later.   Pi is married with a son and daughter.   The author discovers that he has a passion for cooking with lots of spices. This could be a way for him to connect with his past in India.   He uses so many layers of spices that it is just too intense for the author.   His overly spicy food is symbolic of his past.   Pi has tolerated his circumstances, but it is just too tragic for others to be able to identify.   As part one unfolds, Pi relates the history of his childhood in India.   His father had run the Pondicherry Zoo, and that is where he learns about the nature of animals as well as how human nature can parallel animals.   Pi is convinced that the animals are better off in the zoo that in the wild because some one must take care of them.   He also learns the way a human can achieve dominance over them. The conflict of the novel is established in the trip to his new home and the completely different culture he will encounter.   Pi’s family is killed in a shipwreck and he is the lone survivor.   He must now fight the forces of nature to stay alive.   Then he must learn how to deal the events that he has endured.   Another conflict in the story deals with religion. Pi was born into a Hindu family and throughout the novel he states that he considers himself primarily a Hindu.   Along the way, he discovered Christianity and a priest convinced him that he needed to become a Christian and Pi agrees.   His parents attend his baptism even though they do not accept the religion.   Finally Pi meets a Muslim and is persuaded to convert to Islam.   Again he embraces another religion.   Pi decides that he can be all of the religions. The rising action of the novel quickly becomes evident when Pi begins to relate his voyage to Canada.   His father decides that the family must move because of political unrest in their homeland.   Most of the animals are sold and the ones that couldn’t be sold are taken of the boat with the family.   After an accident, the boat sinks.   Pi, however, is the only one from his family to survive the shipwreck.   He and a zebra escape on a lifeboat, but the zebra is injured in the fall. Shortly after the life boat falls into the water, Pi spots his father’s tiger, Richard Parker.   The human name of the tiger is symbolic of the animalistic instinct of man.   The three survivors are soon joined by a hyena and an Orangutan.   At first all of the animals coexist with each other.   It is not long before the hyena chews the leg of zebra for a meal.   He then basically eats the animal alive.   The symbolism of the savagery of survival is evident in this incident. The hyena soon turns on the Orangutan and kills her as she is looking for her two sons.   Pi is amazed how human like she behaves.   Pi and Richard Parker become weary and dehydrated.   Pi learns how to fish and make drinking water out of sea water.   He uses his basic instincts for his survival.   The tiger finally kills the hyena, and even though Pi is glad that the hyena is gone, he becomes fearful of the tiger.   He realizes that he must gain dominance of the animal. He resorts back to the knowledge he gained at his father’s zoo.   Pi and Richard Parker are joined by another man and while Pi is suffering temporary blindness due to dehydration.   After battling hunger, lack of water, and the elements of nature, Pi’s lifeboat comes ashore in Mexico.   Richard Parker escapes into a wooded area and Pi is taken to the hospital. Two Japanese officials come to the hospital to interview Pi to gain information about the sinking of their ship.   He recounts the whole story of the sinking and his survival on the lifeboat.   After they listen to the story they leave to discuss the information they have just received.   They return after a short while and inform Pi that they do not believe his story. He then relates the story of his survival only substitutes humans for the animals.   They are horrified and he then asked them which story they prefer.   The men admit that the one with the animals was easier to accept.   It is then that the climax becomes evident.   The whole story of the animals was made up by Pi so that he could deal with the events that had happened to him.   The zebra had been a sailor, the hyena was an insane cook, and the orangutan was Pi’s mother.   Richard Parker is symbolic of   Pi’s animal instincts.   He finally gains dominance over them and it is his animal instincts that can alone help him survive. The falling action comes about when the two Japanese officials write their report.   They realize that Pi has no knowledge that can actually help them understand the wreck of their vessel.   They resolve that Pi’s survival with a ferocious tiger was unique story.   They, along with Pi, did what they had to do in their mind to be able to accept what had actually happened. Pi is a character that embodies the whole idea of survival.   All people go through adversity, and all have to learn to survive.   Many times it is painful.   An individual must come to grips in his/her own mind with what they must accept to continue on with daily life.   Martel takes this into consideration when writing this story.   Not only does he engage the reader by using suspense and the element of surprise, but he teaches mankind that we do what we have to do to cope. He also makes the point that even though humans have come so far with their scientific knowledge and technology yet they still have animalistic instincts when it comes to survival.   He could have set the story in the distant past, but instead he set it in the recent past.   There was an immense amount of technological and scientific knowledge in the nineteen seventies.   If our society were to lose our modern conveniences in a natural disaster, people would still revert to their instincts for continued existence. Works Cited Martel, Yann.   Life of Pi.   Canada: Random House of Canada, 2001.

Bedside table development evaluation Essay

It is important for surveyors to convey to their client whether members of the public, builder or contractors in general proper care in establishing the variables that will affect any given project. Time upon reflecting these variables and the implications that can bring to a project need to be carefully reviewed, whether from a traditional procurement route or form example a design and build method. In reviewing these factors is it feasible to determine the relevant specifics whether to demolish a particular building? As new buildings through poor workmanship can also cause snagging problems or greater issues after practical completion. Therefore a written record of what has to be done in form of a pre-condition report is to be completed to ascertain all factors whether to reinstate, through either refurbishment or to demolish. Of course other variables such as the client’s costs programme and end user use must all be taken unto account, the current climate of environmental and carbon footprint issues continue to be an ever enforcing element with construction. Only when such a report is commissioned can it determine that the building is ‘statutory defective’ can the final decision of a building to be torn down can be decided. This can also be called a dilapidation report. In evaluating the varied mechanisms by which buildings are deemed to fail refurbishments is the valid reason to unsure that such a pre-condition report is submitted to the relevant parties to see much works are required to re-instate the building whether to its original form or improvements to current building regulation standards. An example of how the government is seeking to explore refurbishments activity into existing dwellings was the introduction of the Home Condition Reports (HCR) in 2004 which formed part of the Housing Act 2004. It is intended to aid that of the general public placing their property on the market for inspectors to create a pre-condition report for those prospective buyers. This would enable those buyers to identity areas with dwelling or single portfolio item to in more than one ways to fit into the whole-life cycle of a building. Put in lay mans terms what works needs to be done (if any). The report itself was in 4 parts as identified in table 1 below. What is important is that the government is seen to work towards improving the large stock of dwellings with in the United Kingdom (UK) that need to be graded into energy ratings and of which then people can through builder and contractors alike to start upgrade or enhance their own homes whether for resale or for their own purpose i. e. to reduce bills by adding another layer on insulation within the attic. Adding a greater life span to elements within the building through whole-life cycle of a building. This is further reflected within the new European Union (EU) Directive 2002/91/EC (2002) for the energy ratings. It is important to note that these HCR where later replaced by the Home Information Packs (HIP). Refurbishment and upgrading are the alternatives to demolition when appropriate. In a recent article Existing Stocks: The Facts, www. building. co. uk (Aug 2008) in this country i 24billion a year is spent on repair and maintenance of homes – Refurbishment is defined as to renovate, restore or revamp an existing building either to enhance its current state of repair or to update to other building regulations, it may be an office building where an air tight part L building regulation has to be stipulated or a dwelling to increase it’s thermal requirements under the new guild lines from the HIP’s Refurbishment works well when the building falls into correctable obsolescence, which means it has reached obsolescence stage only because it has poor acoustic, fire, or thermal performance, construction defects such as dampness or fungal attack, inadequate or relatively inflexible layout, poor amenities or facilities. But should refurbishment actions be taken when building falls into non-correctable obsolescence: is in poor location, inadequate building morphology (very inflexible layout or restrictive floor, ceiling heights, or serious construction failures). The decision to establish the reason(s) to either demolish, refurbish a building can vary significantly from the client requirements, through to building control, and of course things can change during the construction period, i. e. it may be that during a refurbishment programme that a greater amount of work is required like dry rot, and therefore a particular building may well be need to be gutted further or even take the step of demolishing it. When works to start on a building such issues can arise which may change the programme of works or structure of the building completely. With the best will ion the world unexpected items like this to happen, but with a good project team in place, then hopefully the advantage is to continue with the best solution possible, which may even be to demolish. The variables are unique to every single project and have to be taken on merit at that given time. The life expectancies of the components of a house depend on the quality of installation, the level of maintenance, weather, and climate conditions, and the intensity of use. These can of course through a good level of planned maintenance continue the whole-life cycle of the building and have the advantage of refurbishment opposed to demolition. Investing in home refurbishing work can save money if they are invested in it sooner than later. For example, fixing a potentially leaky roof at the early stage will save money in the long run by avoiding a costly repair job, when the roof becomes much more difficult to work with. It is much cheaper to ‘patch’ a small problem than to repair a large one. Same principle is found everywhere in life. For example, cars have some similar principle, unbalanced wheels, steering wheel shake will damage further down suspension, or unchanged oil, timing belt might cause complete engine failure. In maintaining what you have through either servicing or in construction case, whole-lie cycle refurbishment can the reasons to maintain an existing building are established. Some components may remain functional, but become obsolete due to changing styles and preferences or improvements in newer products as the same applies to the building. It can be structurally sound, but over a period of time parts of any building need to be maintained. Douglas, reports that the ‘Obsolescence is the process of an asset going out of use’ However, there are couple main issues why buildings become obsolescence. In addition, Clark (2009) noted that obsolete buildings as ‘those that suffer from structural, vacancy due to expire of their former use and require intervention (market or otherwise) to achieve a subsequent useful function’. Upgrading existing buildings rather than demolishing them avoids the loss of the embodied energy, making a valuable contribution to avoiding additional carbon emissions from demolishing. It is perceived that recycling a building rather than building from scratch is a step forward in maintaining a low carbon footprint. It could be then argued then why the government do not charge any Value Added Tax (VAT) on new building construction. Often the cost of maintenance and repair is the driving force to demolish older buildings. This can be especially true when there is a major defect within the building, e. g. base build defect from a structural problem. Most older buildings are poorly insulated and thus expensive to run, problems occur for example when a building is listed and therefore is unable to change many features due to the law and English Heritage constraints. In addition the cost of financing the project and the effect of inflation on building costs is less than that of building from new as for the most part refurbishment projects have a shorter development period. To demolish a building creates a huge waste of embodied energy (as mentioned above), a report by the government funded body Empty Homes Agency found that: ‘new construction emits nearly five times as much carbon dioxide per square metre as comprehensive refurbishment of an existing building’ Ward (2009). Furthermore, saving time is a major factor when proposing a refurbishment project, the pre-contract design and official permissions phases are normally faster than for a new development. As often building control can be less involved where plans for a new build are required to obtain planning permission. Consideration of the various factors of matters from the initial report and feasibility studies are the key to ascertain the extent of what can and can not be done to any given project. Refurbishment can in itself be extensive from a ‘facelift’ to a major remodelling of the interior of a building. Although, no doubt this will still be debated, but the way forward within industry seems by those through the government and institutions such as the Royal Institutions of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and English Heritage to seek the benefits of maintaining buildings in terms of whole-life cycles through sustainability and economies

African American Retribution

As she looked outside to see what all the commotion was about, invaders were raiding her village slaughtering and kidnapping her countrymen and women in front of her eyes (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 13). By the end of the raid her father, uncle, and other relatives were dead and she and her mother became prisoners Of war. Her apprehender were people from her own country, warrior slaves who invade rival villages and seized captives to trade to European slave dealers in return for fine fabrics, wines, and weapons (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 13). Once traded she was branded with her masters logo and shipped like cargo on vessels under intolerable conditions (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 13).Such events occurred millions of times in Africa, resulting in millions of Africans being kidnapped from their homeland and relatives, and then sold and traded like cattle to foreigners. Anne Barrow, Joel Lang, and Jenifer Frank, veteran ruinations for The Hartford Currant, indicate that European ships transported nearly all the estimated 1 1. 5 million Africans sold over three centuries into New World slavery, including the approximately 645,000 sent to the American colonies (Barrow, Lang, Frank 2005, p. 5). African slaves were brought to America in 1 619 to help with the production of lucrative crops. In the article Slavery in America, it is written that In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants ( 2011 By 750, nearly a quarter million African slaves populated the mainland colonies of British North America, while 30,000 were held in the southern colonies (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 41).In the article Slavery in America, it is reported that Slavery was practiced throughout the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, and African-American slaves helped build the economic foundations of the nevus nation (Slavery in America, 2011). The African Americans who were enslaved by America deserve reparation. First they deserve reparation because America was built by slavery. African Americans were the primary force in the production of lucrative crops. Secondly, they deserve reparation because of all the horrific experiences they had to endure.Millions of Africans were kidnapped from their homes and land, tortured, brutalized and treated as less than human. Finally, they deserve reparation because other races of people who America enslaved and mistreated receive compensation. Native Americans were enslaved and mistreated to a lesser degree than African Americans and they receive reparation. Slavery played an extremely important role in the construction of the United States. James Oliver Horton, Professor of American Studies and History at George Washington university, and Lois E.Horton, Professor of History at George Mason University, indicated that The slave trade and the products created by slaves labor, particularly cotton, provided the basis for Americas wealth as a nation, underwriting the countrys industrial revolution and enabling it to project its power into the rest of the world (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 7). Once the nation started expanding westward, so did slavery increasing the cotton kingdoms of Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, andLouisiana. These states soon became the center of importance for American Slavery (Fonder, 2005). Eric Fonder, a winner of the Bancroft Prize and Francis Parka Prize, and Professor of History at Columbia University and a member of the American Academy of Arts confirmed that as a result of the increase in African American slaves Cotton production grew from fewer than three thousand bales in 1790 to nearly five million bales on the eve of the Civil War.By then, cotton Was by far the most important export Of the United States (Fonder, 2005 p. 11). Many of the African American slaves in South Carolina used the knowledge that they brought from the rice growing regions of central Africa, to grow rice in the American colonies for their own consumption. Seeing that it was another cash crop, European settlers began to adopt the process and demand the production of it on a large scale (Horton Horton, 2005).Authors James Horton and Lois Horton noted Rice became so critical to South Carolina that slaves from rice growing regions of Africa were especially prized. Some traders, realizing the marketing advantage, claimed to be able to supply Africans from what was advertised as he Rice Coast in return for premium prices. (Horton Horton, p. 33) Not only did African Americans helped build America by being the main producers of lucrative crops. They also helped in the construction of America by changing the ways Americans lived their everyday lives.Authors James Horton and Lois Horton confirm, The cultural traditions, skills, and sensibilities that Africans brought with them helped shape the lives of all Americans (2005). The Africans in South Carolina who worked in the rice fields brought the agricultural methods with them that were used in their mom land. They created the large round shallow-sided reed winnowing baskets used in the rice fields of their country. In Virginia the slaves who were ironworker forged the axes and hoes that were used on local farms (Horton Horton, 2005).African Americans also greatly influenced American cuisine Author James Horton and Lois Horton detailed that Slave cooks introduced African cooking methods and tastes to the American diet, often emphasizing corn in the form Of bread or hoecake, mush, hominy, and roasted ears, stews, fried meat, rice, yams, fruits, and groundnuts were moon in Afr ican diets, and when available were enjoyed by African Americans as well. Much of what has become identified as southern cuisine in America had its origins in kitchens presided over by African American cooks. Horton Horton, 2005, p. 42) African American slaves deserve reparation because they suffered horrendous circumstances. The way they were treated is shameful. From the time they were abducted and sold, the conditions they were forced to live under were inhumane. Authors Anne Barrow, Joel Lang, and Jenifer Frank reported the cruelty, Upon purchase in Africa, slaves routinely were branded. Their owners mark might be sketched with a hot iron ( 2005, p. 100). Additionally conditions which the captured Africans had to endure once they were sold and transported to American were horrific. In a few accounts, slaves documented or were documented telling their horrifying experience of the middle passage to America. Aloud Quinoa an educated African American slave who bought his freedom was the first American slave to write an autobiography about his experience on the middle passage to America: The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably toothsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time.The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. (Horton Horton, 2005, p. 22) Many Africans died on the voyage back to America. Captains of the ship routinely ordered the sick slaves to be thrown overboard out of fear that they may contaminate the whole cargo. In some instances, the captain would tie a slave to a chair and throw him/her overboard and be said to regret losing the chair (Barrow, Lang, Frank 2005).Veteran journalist for The Hartford Currant Barrow, Lang, Frank detailed incidences of actual cannibalism on a slave ship reported in the New-York Gazette in May 1 766: The crew and slave cargo of a sloop bound for North Carolina began to starve after the ship lost its sails and drifted for six weeks. In want of provisions, they were put to the necessity of eating one of the dead negro children, which so exasperated the Negroes on board that they fell on the crew. (Barrow, Lang, ; Frank 2005, p. 107) The environments that African slaves had to live in once they made it toAmerica were appalling. It is reported that, They were housed in unheated attics and basements, in outbuildings and barns. They often slept on the floor, wrapped in coarse blankets. They lived under a harsh system of black codes that controlled their education, and limited their social contacts. (Barrow, Lang, Frank 2005, p. 63) The natural tendency of slavery was to convert the master into tyrant, and the slave into a victim of tyranny (Bordering, 2005, p. 14). In any incident in which a slave would threaten his/her master, the punishment would be severe Versus M.Bordering, writer for New York Times, Smithsonian, American Heritage, Atlantic Monthly, and Readers Digest and author of Killing the White Mans Indian and My Mothers Ghost detailed the punishment of a slave who did such a thing: For a slave to lift his hand against the sacred temple of a white mans body/ even in in self-defense, was an act of rebellion. Slaves from surrounding plantations were ordered to witness his punishment for their moral improvement. One hundred lashes were laid on by a local blacksmith, fifty lashes at a time.Bleeding and faint, the victim was then held p against the whipping post and his right ear fastened to it with a tack. The blacksmith then sliced the ear off with a knife, to the sound of cheers from the crowd. (Bordering, 2005, p. 1 2) Slave masters had to develop different strategies to punish their slaves and in some situations the punishment did not fit the crime. Since slaves could not be fired, fined or jailed without losing the value of their work the slave owners had to turn to physical punishment as a resort (Bordering, 2005, p. 23). Versus M. Bordering detailed a few incidents in which a slave was being disobedient and needed to be punished In the late 1 sass William Dunbar, a sophisticated Mississippi settler condemned two runaways to five hundred lashes each, spaced out over time, and to carry a chain ; log fix to the ankle. In 1 736 a Methodist minister heard a South Carolina slave owner recommend that one first nail up a Negro by the ears, then ordered him to be whipped in the severest manner, and then to have scalding water thrown over him. (Bordering, 2005, p. 4) Finally African Americans deserve reparation because other ethnicity groups who were mistreated receive reparation what is done for one group should e done for the other. Native Americans were mistreated by the united States, unlike African Americans they receive reparation. Until the sasss Native Americans were a significant proportion of slave labor on southern plantations working alongside African Americans (Purdue, 2009). The Colonists, however, feared an uprising between the two groups, so they worked to divide them by employing Indians as slave catchers and terrifying African slaves with the tales of Indian savagery (Purdue, 2009).Eventually Native Americans were freed from slavery and granted their own and and other forms of reparation in America. The Cherokee Nation signed a treaty with the United States at the end of the civil war granting the ex-slaves, or Freedmen, all the rights of Native Cherokees (Hirsch, 2009, pig. 118). Mark Hirsch stated in the book Indivisible Thousands of former slaves received citizenship in the Cherokee Nation after the Civil War. These citizen Freedman enjoyed the right to farm tribal lands as well as vote in tribal elections and hold tribal office. Ender the Treaty of 1866, Freedman who resided in Cherokee territory before the war, and who remained there in 866, were to be considered citizens. Cherokee Freedmen living outside the nation were granted six months to return to claim tribal citizenship (Hirsch, 2009, pig. 118). Some Southern States began to provide schools for Native Americans. In the sasss an Indian school system was established for the Mississippi Choctaws, Alabama-Cutthroats, and the South Carolina Castaways (Purdue, 2009, pig. 26).Richard Leister a Washington Correspondent stated in his article Native Americans regain land The United States Government has promised to return more than 3,000 sq km of desert land to a Native American tribe. The government had promised in 1 882 that native people in Utah would own the area for all time (Leister, 2000). Some feel African Americans are not entitled to reparation because they are not native to American. However, African Americans were forced from their homeland, mistreated, slaughtered, and enslaved on an extremely larger scale than Native Americans. African Americans were even enslaved by Native Americans.Michael Couscous stated in his Article Native American Slavery By the 19th century, many Native American peoples, most famously the Cherokees, embraced racial slavery and began to own African American slaves (Couscous, 2007). Others feel that African Americans were better off in the United States than they were in Africa so they do not deserve reparation. This is simply not true. In their homeland, they were free people, free to pursue their traditional lifestyle established centuries before. In America, they Were tortured, and forced to work countless hours without pay just so this country can be what it is today.Authors Anne Barrow, Joel Lang, and Jenifer Frank reported that Slaves became so depressed they had to be forced to exercise and sometimes even to eat (2005, pig. 107). In conclusion African Americans deserve reparation for what America did to them. First they deserve reparation because America was built by slavery. African Americans helped bulled this country in many ways. Secondly, they deserve reparation because of all the horrific experiences they had to endure. African American were enslaved and mistreated for hundreds of years in America. Lastly, they mistreated receive compensation.If one group receives reparation so should the other. The great late Martin Luther King stirred the hearts of Americans lack and white, with his hope for America. Like Martin Luther King have a dream. I have a dream that one day American will stand up and take responsibility for all the hundreds of years that millions of African Americans were slaughtered tortured and enslaved. I have a dream.

How Should Free Democratic Society Handle Income Inequality Essay

How Should Free Democratic Society Handle Income Inequality - Essay Example The essay "How Should Free Democratic Society Handle Income Inequality" talks about the income inequality which is basically he rift between the rich in a population and the rest of the people who are at a much lower income level. Every country is currently at a certain level of inequality depending on the economy of the country.Basically, income inequality has taken center stage is defining the economies of nations and more so the US. In as much as it is growing, the US still has the best and effective taxing systems where the rich, as well as the rest of the people who fall under lower social status, are taxed accordingly. The rich obviously are taxed higher while the rest of the population is taxed according to their wages. Well, this could be fair and perhaps the road to democracy and freedom but how come the same population with such organized taxing approaches has the highest income inequality in this modern era. How will the government together with its people manage to handle this crisis that rushes to higher heights? Understanding and coming up with solutions to this wide question must be quickly done to solve this disaster. From the history of the US income inequality crisis, Robert Reich claims that he has observed the situation get worse over the years since 1970. This could be the case following statistical evidence on the same. Robert Reich, a former labor secretary stars a movie about the economy of the country since three decades ago and the bottom line of a solution to the crisis is inequality for all.

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Videocy findings memo - Essay Example The aforementioned can be achieved through the implementation of the following advice: The article historically contextualizes multimedia information delivery technologies. In so doing, it normalizes it. As you overview the evolution of the printing press, the rise of multimedia information channels, such as the television, and move onto interactive multimedia technologies, you normalize this media and present its evolution as a process of natural progression. This certainly allows readers to understand that the phenomenon in question is an evolution of already existing media and communication technologies, not a revolution against them. Nevertheless, the stated approach detracts from the uniqueness of multimedia as an information communication channel. It is essential that you fully acknowledge the uniqueness of this technological development. In so doing you will be expressing a sympathetic understanding of the position held by its opponents. The simple fact of the matter is that many fear multimedia technology and believe that its integration into the classroom and teaching environment will have a detrimental impact upon intellectual and cognitive development (Alliance for Childhood, n.d.). Indeed, as argued in an Alliance for Childhood article entitled `Fool’s gold,’ (n.d.), â€Å"Interactive multimedia leaves very little to the imagination †¦ multimedia narrative includes such specific representations that less and less is left to the minds eye.† This above-stated viewpoint, which as Jonnavithula and Kinshuk (2005) explain, is held by many, should have been acknowledged in the body of the article. Acknowledgement should have taken the form of an explicit concession to the uniqueness of the phenomenon in question. By conceding to uniqueness, you would have been expressing an understanding of the objections sounded against multimedia as a teaching tool. This would have

Mysticism in East Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Mysticism in East Asia - Essay Example lly under took this belief as its major faith and it was the first country in the east to actually become as modernized and successful as the western countries. Zen is considered to be an important aspect of Buddhism which was followed in Japan. This principle was a part of the faith which mainly came in existence at the time of the Second World War. Though it is believed that Zen was a principle which promoted peace and the coming together of people and also was associated with the modernization of Japan, it is also considered to be the reason for the disastrous nuclear bombings that took place during this war. The reason behind this is that it promoted success and it pushed Japan towards breaking the western domination. Dogen is considered to be the central figure in the belief of Zen. His presentation of Zen showed that it was the ultimate form of leading a life. He considered peace of mind and meditation to be the ultimate reality of life. He taught the princggggiples of Buddhism explaining the fact that mind and body should be brought together. He believed that a person should understand his soul and that a person should spend time every day by not thinking and completely concentrating. He would then achieve spiritual level and become a true Buddha. The teachings of Dogen concentrated upon the understanding of the self and the unity of the body and soul which should be able to work in alignment. Dogen laid great stress upon the understanding of the inner self. His teachings present a picture that a person could achieve success if he achieved an understanding of his inner world properly and for that proper consideration of time and concentration was important. He explained that a proper inner appearance was necessary for a proper external appearance and external presentation. His teachings can also be considered to have an impact on modernity. Though he presented his teachings in the thirteenth century, they were understood and utilized by the Japanese in

Melting Points and Cooperative Identification of Organic Solids Lab Report

Melting Points and Cooperative Identification of Organic Solids - Lab Report Example This is by deriving mixed melting point by obtaining that of the two compounds having a ratio of 1:1. This was instrumental in ascertaining mixture melting point that helped in identifying these compounds. In addition, comparing the already obtained data solid with dissimilar appearance has high melting points in its both mixed (1350C) and pure states (1870C). Hence, indicating its strong covalent bond where by in former state weakened due to dissimilar forces with the other component. The purpose of this experiment entails the determination of the given compound’s melting point. In this experiment, the melting point measurements they are for four organic solids. Hence, the ascertainment process encompasses utilizing the scientific premise that diverse compounds differ significantly in terms of their melting points. This is because of their respective structural bonds that have varying attraction strengths. Scientifically, ionic compounds are stronger in comparison to their covalent counterparts, which are weaker besides having diminished bond strength. From the obtained data, it is quite evident respective melting points across the groups of mixed substances are a bit low compared to pure solids. Probably, this is because of mixed and unequal attraction bonds/ Van der Waals amid the involved substances. This is evident whereby their pure state The experiment is somewhat an attempt of solving a puzzle. This is because for scientific discoveries, most scientists have to cooperate with each other. Great teamwork is crucial especially in the modern science. In several occasions, it is possible for diverse scientists to make the same discovery, at the same time, in different parts of the world. For the scientist to prove that they are using the same substances, they have to exchange their biological specimens or chemical samples and data. The melting points for the

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 12

History - Essay Example According to this treaty Germany forced to accept sole responsibility for causing the war and to disarm, make substantial territorial concessions and pay heavy reparations to certain countries. Around 132 billion Marks which are roughly equivalent to US$ 385 billion at present were levied upon Germany as the compensation amount which really hurt the Germans. Moreover, this treaty presented for German leaders to sign on May 7, 1919, forced Germany to concede territories to Belgium (Eupen-Malmà ©dy), Czechoslovakia (the Hultschin district), and Poland (Poznan [German: Posen], West Prussia and Upper Silesia)† (Treaty of Versailles, 1919). In short, "The Versailles Treaty system was intended to be a peace agreement between the Allies and a defeated Germany and the Central Powers, instead it created political and economic chaos, contributing directly to the rise of Mussolini and Hitler. This paper briefly analyses the role of The Versailles Treaty system in contributing to the rise of Hitler and Mussolini and the subsequent World War 2. One of the major aims of the peace treaty â€Å"The Treaty of Versailles† in 1919, which ended the World War 1 between Germany and allied forces, was the disarmament of Germany. However, Germans always had a feeling of superiority in their minds. The conditions they succumbed to accept as part of this treaty were intolerable to their pride and superiority feeling. When Hitler came into the power he has taken every step to regain the lost prides of the Germans. He deliberately started to violate the conditions of The Treaty of Versailles. In 1922, Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party succeeded in capturing the power in Italy. Fascism and Nazism have more similarities than differences which helped Hitler and Mussolini to work together against the allied powers. Fascism and Nazism were entirely different from capitalism, communism and democracy. Fascism was driven by a sense of belligerent

The American Life Style and fast food Essay Example for Free

The American Life Style and fast food Essay How much fast food do you guess you eat a month? The average American eats about 50lbs worth, that’s more than most children in 3rd world countries eat in total in 3 monthsWill you follow everyone else or will you stray from the beaten path, and dare to be different? Dare to be your own person? Or will you crumple from the influences and pressures of society? The truth is no matter how much you tell yourself that you are going to be independent and make your own choices and decisions regardless of what other people thing, every choice and decision you make are influenced by the people around you and the experiences you have faced. It is for this reason that accomplishing this task can be very challenging, however it is possible. And when you finally figure out who you are and what your values and morals it is believed you have finally â€Å"come of age†. A prime example of this would be in the fiction novel written by Mark Twain, the main character Huckleberry, also referred to as Huck runs away from home because the confines of society proved to be too overwhelming for Huck. On the run Huck meets a runaway slave named Jim and decides to help Jim escape with him despite the fact that he was raised and taught to be believe that slavery was a good thing and it is especially forbidden to help one to escape. It was for this reason that Huck struggles to see the blurred line between right and wrong. As Huck and Jim venture down the Mississippi River, Huck is introduced to many new experiences and is forced to make decisions that make him question his very own ideals, however it is those very own experiences and challenges that help him grow as a person and ultimately allows him to discover who he truly is as he himself comes of age. One of the many instances Huck is forced to make a difficult decision is when he encounters 3 murderers looting a shipwreck he and Jim came across while floating down the Mississippi. Huck overheard 2 of the murderers planning on stranding the other one on the wreck and taking his share of the loot, so he says â€Å"Quick, Jim, ain’t no time for fooling around and moaning;  there’s a gang of murderers in yonder, and if we don’t hunt up their boat and set her drifting down the river so these fellows can’t get away from the wreck, there’s one of’em going to be in a bad fix. But if we find their boat we can put all of’em in a bad fix† (pg.52) Huck originally plans to steal the murderer’s canoe so that none of them will be able to escape the wreck. However Huck starts to feel guilty as they start to float away from the wreck â€Å"Jim manned the oars, and we took out after our raft. Now was the first time that I begun to w orry about the men- I reckon I hadn’t had time to before. I begun to think how dreadful it was, even for murderers, to be in such a fix. I says to myself, there ain’t no telling but I might come to be a murderer myself, yet, and then how would I like it.†(pg.54) ,this is a crucial change in Huck because all his life he had wanted to be in a gang and kill people, but now that he felt he would be responsible for the murderer’s deaths he realized he was misguided and cannot handle the quilt if committing such an act. Finally Huck gives into his guilt and decides he could not live with himself if he left them there to die so he told Jim â€Å"At first light we will land and I’ll go fix up some kind of yarn and get somebody to go fetch that gang and get them out of their scrape.†(pg.55) Huck realizes that what they have done is wrong but if he had left them there he would be no better than they were. Huck learns something about himself on that wreck; he learns that the life he once wanted was not the life he was cut out for. Huck’s fight between his conscience and society greatens when he encounters a group of slave hunters. Huck feels guilty for helping Jim escape and starts to regret it, so Huck thinks things over in is head â€Å"Jim said it made him over trembly and feverish to be so close to freedom, well I can tell you it made me all trembly and feverish too, to hear that he was most free- and to blame for it? Why me! I couldn’t get that thought out of my conscience no how nor no way†(pg.66). It becomes obvious that Huck is torn between doing what is considered right and turning Jim in or what a part of him feels would be right and protect him. This conflict keeps eating away at Huck until he cannot take any more of it when he says â€Å"my conscience got to stirring me up hotter than ever†(pg.67) However the pressure of society finally get to Huck â€Å" until at last I say to it â€Å"let up on me- it ain’t too  late ill paddle ashore at first light, and te ll.† I felt easy, and happy and light as a feather; right off all my troubles was gone†. Huck convinces himself that turning in Jim is right thing to do. However as he approaches the slave hunters Huck realize he cannot do it. â€Å"What’s that yonder?† the slave hunters asked Huck. â€Å"Well there’s five niggers run off tonight, up yonder above the head of that bend. Is your man white or black?†(pg.68). Huck makes the conscious decision to lie to the slave hunters although it is not clear why â€Å"I didn’t answer up prompt I tried to, but the words wouldn’t come. I tried for a second or two, to brace up and out with it, but I warnt man- enough hadn’t the spunk of a rabbit. I see I was weakening; so I just give up trying, and up and says- â€Å"He’s white†(pg.68). Huck lies to protect Jim. Maybe he does this because he feels sympathetic for Jim and his family, or maybe Huck finally remembers that Jim has looked out for him and cared for him during their whole journey and realizes Jim is his only true friend, or it could be as simple as the fact that he made a promise to Jim not to betray him and Huck does not want to brake that promise. Whatever the reason this is a huge step for Huck when he decides not to turn Jim into the slave hunters and really allows him to slowly start to break loose from society and form his own morals. However despite Huck’s former breakthrough, Huck struggles to make peace with his conscience and the pressures of society get to him once again. To help ease himself Huck tries convince himself that it would just be for Jim if he was a slave. â€Å"Once I said to myself it would be better for Jim to be a slave at home where his family was as long as he got to be a slave and so I’d better write a letter to Tom Sawyer and tell him to tell Miss Watson where he was†(pg.160) Even though Huck is concerned that Jim might be punished for running away he still decides to write a letter hoping it will clear his conscience. Then Huck starts to think about what he’s done and what consequences he will face for his actions, â€Å"everybody naturally despises an ungrateful nigger and they’d make Jim feel it all the time and so he’d feel ornery and discouraged and then think of me! It would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger get his freedom and i f I was to ever see anybody from that town again id be ready to get down and lick his for shame†(pg.160), here starts to regret helping Jim escape and begins to worry  about what people will think of him when he returns home and hopes that he will be accepted into society again. With the hope that it will right the wrongs that he has done Huck decides to go on and write the letter here â€Å"I would do the right thing and the clean thing, and go and write to that niggers owner and tell where he was. I’ll go and write the letter then see if I can pray, why it was astonishing the way I felt as light as a feather right straight off and my troubles all gone, so I got a piece of paper and a pencil all glad and excited and set down and wrote. I felt all good and all washes clean of sin for the first time I had ever felt so in my life†(pg.161) This feeling of cleanliness helps assure Huck that he has done the right thing in the views of society. However Huck’s feeling of decency soon dissipates, â€Å"I happened to look around and see that paper, it was in a close place I took it in my hand, I was trembling because I got to forever betwixt two things, and I knowed it, I studied it a minute sort of holding my breath and then says to myself â₠¬Å"Alright then I’ll go to Hell† and tore it up†(pg.161) Huck finally decides he cannot bring himself to betray his only conscience and that he’d rather go to hell then do so. This is the point in Huck’s journey where he truly becomes his own person, where he breaks from the confines of society and decides to do what he in his heart feels is right not what other people think is right. This is an important decision for Huck and a crucial point in Huck’s life because growing up he was taught that slavery was a good thing and that African Americans were nothing but property as most boys were taught during that time period. However Huck discovers after meeting Jim that there is so much more to them, that they are a kind, and caring and sophisticated and loving people and that in turn helps Huck discover a little more about himself as well when he decides not to turn Jim in even though anyone else would have. Huck’s battles between his conscience and society force him to choose between being a part of society and becoming his own person, and while on his journey down the Mississippi with Jim he decides to be his own person and choose his own morals and values and by the end of his adventure he finally came of age with each experience along the way helping him grow as a person, whether it be near the beginning of the journey where he encounters a gang of murderers on a shipwreck and instead of leaving them there to die he decides to send help for them, or it be near half way through his journey where he comes  across a group of slave hunters and rather than turn Jim in, he lies to protect him even though the â€Å"right† thing to do would’ve been to turn him in. Or even near the end where he almost breaks his promise and betrays Jim when he writes a letter to Tom Sawyer telling him where Jim is, but instead of sending the letter he tears it up and decides to finish h elping Jim escape even if it means he’ll go to hell. All of these events are important in helping Huck create his own sense of right and wrong and in many ways, come of age.

The Historical background and current situation of the UAE-Iran dispute over three islands Essay Example for Free

The Historical background and current situation of the UAE-Iran dispute over three islands Essay The United Arab Emirates (UAE) dispute with Iran over the three islands is a historical conflict which relates to the ownership and sovereignty over of the islands. These three islands are the Abu Musa,the Greater Tunbs and the Lesser Tunbs . The islands are located in the Persian Gulf hence their strategic position in the Gulf can be very vital for a country that has sovereignty over them. For instance, the strategic importance of the three islands enables them to be used as a toll booth through which the passage of important regional commodities and oil can be controlled. Lack of adequate historical sources that point out clearly territorial boundaries in the Arabian Gulf has contributed to sovereignty conflicts, a good example being the UAE-Iran dispute. Although some recorded documents and historical events support UAE’s rightful ownership of the three Islands, Iran has constantly rejected those claims . The dispute has not yet been solved because as the United Arab Emirates maintain that it should have ownership over the three islands, Iran asserts that it should have sovereignty over the islands . This paper will discuss the historical background of the conflict as well as the current situation of dispute. Historical background of the dispute In the seventeenth century, Islamic conquests in the Arabian Gulf led to the Islamic caliphate decline in power. This had local powers such as Oman maintain sovereignty and control over the region. A close link of the Abu Musa, Greater Tunbs and Lesser Tunbs to the Southern Coast area remained until the presence of European colonial powers began to change leadership and governance issues in the Gulf. Historical records confirm that the fall of Ya’aruba state in Oman (1524-1741) paved way for the establishment of a new power in the Gulf referred to as Qawasin. Sharjah and Ra’s al -Khaimah were the two factions of Qawasin that had sovereignity over the Gulf islands. The first document to confirm the UAE legal title to the three islands is the official message that the Qawasin ruler sent to the British Resident. As a result, any form of interference with the sovereignty aroused protests. In the 1870s, Abu Musa served as a resort for the Qawasin rulers of Sharjah and also as an agricultural centre. The two Qawasin factions (Lingeh Qawasin and the Qawasin of the southern coast) were constantly involved in disputes about the Gulf islands. The dominant colonial power then (the British government of India) failed to interfere in the conflict because it considered it to be a local issue. However, efforts by a British political agent, Haji Abdurrahman to demonstrate that the Islands belonged to Lungeh Qawasin were disapproved. The Qawasin of the Southern Gulf continued to exercise sovereignty over the three islands until the late nineteenth century when the imperial Iran’s influence began to spread to the northern Gulf . Persian armies in 1887 invasion of Lingeh led to the expulsion of Qawasin governors expelled from the island of Sirri. Since the offensive launched by Persia enabled it to occupy to Island of Sirri, the Qawasin of the Southern Coast developed fears about the territorial ambitions of Persia. Iran confirmed the fears when it set forth claims to other Islands. However, the British government was opposed to Iran’s occupation of Sirri Island and supported Qawasin title to the Islands. As a result, the British government demanded that Iran explain hoisting of its flag on the Sirri Island as well as provide evidence of its claims to the Island. Iran pointed out that the strongest evidence of its ownership to the Island was its â€Å"occupation† and â€Å"possession† of the island. In 1904, Iran’s territorial and political ambitions together with the economic interests of some influential elements in the government strengthened its claim to Abu Musa Island . This marked Iran’s intentions to challenge Sharjah about its sovereignty over Abu Musa. For instance, Iran was interested in the red oxide resource that was found in the island. In efforts to take over control of the island, Iran sent a mission that was led by a Belgian officer to hoist an Iranian flag on Abu Musa. Protests against this move by the ruler of Sharjah were supported by the British Resident, who demanded that Iran submit evidence of ownership to the island. The failure by Iran to provide evidence had it withdraw quietly from the conflict three months later. British presence in the Gulf emphasized on the ownership of Abu Musa and the Tunbs by the states of Sharjah and Ra’s al Khaimah . Good relations between the two led to a signing of an agreement between the ruler of Sharjah and the British government in 1912 which facilitated the establishment of a lighthouse on Greater Tunbs. This allowed Sharjah to grant a five year red oxide exploration concession to a British national known as Strick. Iran protested against this move. Following a verbal understanding between the Iranian government and Britain that the three islands were Arab territories, the British administration on 24 August 1928 issued a memorandum to confirm that the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs belonged to Ra’s al-Khaimah while Abu Musa belonged to Sharjah . The fact that Qawasin had title to the three Islands during the 1929-1930 negotiations between Iran and Britain confirmed the weakness of Iran’s claims of ownership over the islands. The Anglo-Iranian treaty which was signed affirmed that the three Islands (Abu Musa and the Tunbs) would remain under Arab territories and Iran would maintain the title to Island of Sirri . Iran’s desire to have control over the island motivated it to propose an offer to buy the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. This was strongly rejected by the rulers of Sharjah and R’as al-Khaimah. This was followed by Iran’s proposal to lease the two islands for a period of 50 years. The pressure by British officials on the ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah to accept the offer on conditions that Iran refrain from inspecting Arab boats and ships as well as stop issuing order to them failed. This led the failure of Iran attempts to exercise sovereignty on the islands. Sharjah’s sovereignty over Abu Musa led to the issuing of red oxide concessions to the Golden Valley Ochre Oxide Company in 1935. On the other hand, Ra’s al-Khaimah gave an oil exploration concession to the Union Oil in 1964. The failure by Iran to annex Bahrain due to a United Nation’s endorsement of Bahrain’s independence in 1970 resulted to Iran’s emphatic claims to the three islands once again. Iran threatened to occupy the islands by force. To address the issue, intensive talks between Iran and the emirates of Ra’s al-Khaimah and Sharjah were held in 1970 and 1971. The talks did not prevent Iran from expressing its intentions to occupy the Islands by force. Pressure by Iran and Britain to have the rulers of Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaimah hand over the islands to Iran peacefully did not succeed. This move aimed at preventing direct military occupation of the islands by Iran in a manner that would deprive the rulers’ sovereignty over the islands. Iran’s deadlines and threats that were issued to increase pressure on the rulers were unsuccessful. On 30 November 1971, Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allowed Iran to land on Northern part of Abu Musa. When Ra’s al-Khaimah rejected Iran’s concession to a title over Tunbs led to the launch of an offensive by Iran to occupy the islands. The offensive had some service men and civilians killed, a primary school and a police station, demolished and the citizens of the Greater Tunbs evicted. Since 1971 when it occupied the Tunbs, Iran has continued to claim ownership over the three islands despite the fact that it has failed to produce legal justification of its occupation under the international law. On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates has continually asserted that it has sovereignty over the islands . Current situation on the UAE-Iran dispute Since 1971, Iran and UAE have continually been engaged in the dispute over three Islands . After Iran’s occupation of the Tunbs, the UAE tried to win the title to the islands by resolving the dispute according to the international customs and laws. The UAE requested for assistance from the United Nations Security council to have the dispute solved peacefully. However, Iran continued to violate the MOU in relation to governance in Abu Musa and international boundaries in relation to the Tunbs. Iran had adopted an imperial arrogance approach during Shah’s’ reign and since 1980s, it continued to violate the MOU. Currently, Iran considers the Tunbs to be part of its territory and considers this issue undebatable . However, Iran agrees that negotiations over Abu Musa can be conducted based on an MOU that will ensure UAE sovereignty over the island does not compromise Iran’s economic, security and strategic interests in the Gulf region. The rights of sovereignty or ownership of the Abu Musa and the two Tunbs was transferred from the emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah to the Federal state of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. The Arab states under the British protectorate were referred to as trucial states . The UAE constitution states clearly that the federation exercises sovereignty over all waters and lands that are encompassed by the international borders of the emirates. . This includes the three islands of Abu Musa and the two Tunbs. Ownership claims by UAE over the three Islands is considered to be based on historical events, legal documents and the actual exercise of territorial sovereignty . Scholars of the international law argue that the border treaties provide for succession where the obligations and rights are passed from the predecessor to the successor state in accordance with the Article 4 of 1969 Vienna convention on the law of treaties . Furthermore, the highest federal authority of the UAE, the supreme council of the UAE has declared that the agreements which were concluded by the individual emirates with the neighboring states are believed to be agreements between the UAE and the neighboring states. The UAE-Iran dispute over the legal status of the islands has continued to affect UAE-Iran diplomatic relations . In addition, the dispute strains the relationship between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council Members (Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia). These nations support UAE claims of ownership. For instance, in 2008, there was tension between Iran and the GCC over this long-standing issue. The UAE supports regional cooperation in the region hence it has managed to win the support of some of its neighbors over the issue. Although the UAE has recommended that the case be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Iran objects this measure . Britain which played a major role in the Gulf region and efforts to solve the UAE-Iran dispute would be expected to be involved in the case if it was taken to the ICJ. Iran criticizes the involvement of a third party in resolving the dispute hence it rejects the UAE’s request to have the dispute resolved at the international court of justice in the Hague. The UAE demands that the three Islands which were seized by Iran form UAE in 1971 be returned back . In 1992, Iran declared sovereignty over the three islands and had foreigners who run UAE sponsored school and several organizations in Abu Musa expelled from the Island. Iran’s political and economic influence in the region makes it a hegemonic power . Over the years, Iran has been making efforts to increase its military presence on the Island of Abu Musa by building an airport on the island and stationing troops on the Island. This indicates that Iran intends to maintain rightful ownership of the Island. For Iran, the Islands are strategically positioned to allow interdictions and observations of the Strait of Hormuz. This is believed to offer Iran land support to support stations boats, military troops and radars in the region. Iran’s opening a naval base in the Strait Hormuz and reluctance to resolve the territorial dispute confirms it political influence in the region. There is no doubt that the islands have economic and geopolitical significance to Iran . For example, during the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Zayed Al Nahayan stated that the UAE is still concerned about the continued occupation of Iran on the three islands . The UAE has been making efforts to resolve the dispute in a peacefully, either through bilateral talks of the ICJ . The UAE sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs relate to acquiescence and recognition due to the fact that the UAE has maintained possession of the islands for a long time. This has been recognized by Britain which has made a declaration that it recognizes the title of the Qawasin to the islands. As a result, Iran’s occupation of the Tunbs is viewed by the UAE to be a violation of the principles of border issues in the international law and inviolability of the states’ territorial integrity which are vital in international relations. The UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed when speaking during the Federal National Council recently stated that the occupation of the three Islands by Iran is painful to many UAE nationals and compared Iran’s occupation on the three Islands to the occupation of Palestinians territories by Israel. A Memorandum of Understanding that governs the status of Abu Musa does not define the status of the island. Although the bilateral agreement between UAE and Iran promotes understanding between the two, the Iranian government sees the agreement to be a temporary measure that postpones the restoration of Iran’s sovereignty over the Abu Musa . The dispute is considered to have negative impact on the relations between UAE and Iran . Efforts by other countries such as Turkey in resolving the dispute are expected to improve relations between the UAE and Iran . Turkey is expected to play a vital rile in talks between Iran and UAE in future . For instance, when speaking during the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference, Bahaeddine Jabaji supported Turkey’s role in resolving the dispute.

The Symbol Veil In Muslim Women Religion Essay

The Symbol Veil In Muslim Women Religion Essay This research paper aims to define the symbol veil in Muslim women. Aside from being a form of dress or hijab, it bears symbols of their oppression, social control, religious sanctions, invisibility and socio-political status, according to Watson. This has been an almost global concern for a sense of freedom. In Saudi Arabia and some parts of Asia alone as well as North Africa, countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt and Northern Cameroon practice Islam as a monotheistic religion with Quran as their religious text and Muslims as followers. Wherein, its women have been the part of a continuous discussion. Topics include the issue of the veil and how groups have been separated into account of maintaining its practice or not. Some admits a total ignorance of their religion and culture, while there are Islamic feminists who have shown a passion to reclaiming the emancipatory message of the Quran on using veils as part of the earliest traditions in Muslim communities. Such a scenario has attracted angers and frustrations in retort to the deliberate racism afflicted on Muslims especially in US colonies. Moreover, when Muslim women use veils showing a pictogram of ignorance and oppression, it has given fear to the younger population. Following patriarchy means having power over womens lives and in this lieu, these Muslim women wants to free themselves from its bonds. They want others to see themselves as an active part of the community vying for the same equal rights that allows them to be its members, workers as well as reformists. If the static colonial image of a Muslim woman wearing a veil does not improve in the future, they can deny their own culture and faith in religion. Chapters What is a Veil? A veil is a piece of loose, opaque, non-distinctive clothing wrapped around the body in modest to be able to hide a wearers head, torso and ankles, but leaving the face, hands and feet exposed (Hoodfar, 1992.) In Muslim women, it is called (Woodlock, 2000) hijab, a simple headscarf. Why should they wear a veil? It is part of their identity. On the other hand, Arab men are required to wear the keffiyeh, a traditional square cotton cloth that is use as a headdress. Other names are (ya)shmagh, ghutrah, hattah or mashadah (Kaitlin, 2008.) Importantly, a veil is worn as a religious item in the Islam faith, because members show demonstrates honor to an object or space. In Quranic verse, it means that there is a definition of separation in the sacred from the mundane. In the entire practice of Islam dress codes, its women members compete to gain a whole and complete image on being a pure and dedicated mother, sister, sister-in-law or daughter of their faith (Billaud, 2009.) Before, all members were asks to wear a veil, but with the entry of westernization and colonization there was a separation of responsibilities to wear one (Hoodfar, 1992.) Among the Arab urban elite, men began to copy new ways to dressing from their traditional keffiyeh. Yet, there are also a small percentage of Muslim women following the same pattern (Hoodfar, 1992.) The veil also underwent varied changes to fashions through out history. Some reasons entitle wearing a veil to show respect on conventional values or there are others who uses this to beautify their faces with make-up. Nevertheless, there have been other negative connotations to the symbol of a veil to which it can show a fundamentalist Islam in equal terms on extremism or terrorism (Van Santen, 2010.) Today, it bears a political meaning. Yet, Muslim women still continue to defend this choice. Its Origins and Language The practice of wearing a veil in seclusion of women comes from a pre-Islamic and non-Arab Middle Eastern and Mediterranean society tradition. If we trace along the history line, the first instance to veiling dates back to the 13th century BC in an Assyrian legal text. During that time, only respectable women are permitted to wear veils, wherein prostitutes are not allowed wear a veil (Hoodfar, 1992.) It was a sign of status and a part of the elite ways in ancient Greeco, Roman, pre-Islamic Iranian and Byzantine empires. After then, Muslims was able to seclude a life from the conquered regions and followed traditions in wearing veils. Nowadays, both non-Muslims and Muslims recognize this way as an Islamic phenomenon. Even if in the Quran, there are no specific mentions of the veil. Examples of descriptions, but not directly mentioning the use of veil, are Surah al Nur verses 30 31. This requires women to cover their chests and jewelry, which also means to wrap their whole body in clothing. Adding to this is Surah al Ahzab verse 59, that asks the Prophet wives to enveloped tightly their bodies, because they are should not be recognized, disturbed and molested outside. Though modern critics have rationalized that others also follow this form of dress, it was not until Safavids period of influence that the symbol status of veils was seen in the Muslim ruling class and urban elite. In 19th century, it was promoted as a major Muslim symbol, which members have fought for in the name of Islam and not for protecting culture practices. Honor, Veiling and Etiquette in Afghanistan No Muslim woman can embody the face of Islam. Any insight to wearing a veil does not account for a completely understanding on the faith of Muslim women. The point of discussing its purposes and symbolism is to keep an open-mind and listen (Kaitlin, 2008.) The veiling practices widely differ from regions, ethnics or social groups. In Afganistan, a veil is corresponds to honor (Billaud, 2009.) In here, a woman shows a devotion to the honor system through doing a pardah5 that can comprise of wrapping her head and hiding from unrelated men. When she does this, there is also a proud bearance to the honor of her male relatives or namus. Hence, in this region, a veil is symbolizing of a male-female connection in terms of relationships and balance in natural inclinations or nafs. Furthermore, the multitude of veil chadari colors is also another thing to interpret. On top this variations, a veil is also a way in the isolation of unrelated men and women in Afghanistan. Examples of these persons are the ones not affiliated with the same korwal or the inhabitants sharing a home. The society puts a difference between its private and public members, wherein a dakhili (the private sphere or home) is secluded and the biruni (outside world) is permitted to recognition. Moreover, the practice of namus allows a certain power from men that allow them to control women, which confine their manners when seen outside. If you are there, you can here men saying: Zan namus e mas (The woman is our honour) (Billaud, 2009.) Similar to soldiers saying: Watan namus e mas (The nation is our honour.) During the time that a woman steps outside of her home, she wears a veil and go with a mahram or a male relative to be able to defend her honor as part of the Afghanistan etiquette. Veiled Performance and Politics In modern times, the Islamic feminists have shown great efforts to reclaiming the emancipatory message of their Quran. They also want to gain back the rights that were bestowed upon them in the earliest Muslim communities (Falah Nagel, 2005.) Islamic regions have shared their own stories for this matter. Here are some of them: Politics in Afghanistan the new Islamic Republic has allowed its clothing and veiling practices to be under political category, which are mandatory to women to reach out to the public. Now, there are similarities between the image of parliamentary women and female university students that are Muslims in Afghanistan and whom displays a modern yet Muslim persona. The latter renounce the womens issues just to protect the practice of wearing their veils. Hence, Afghanistan women are divided into 2 categories: the conservative or nationalist and liberal women (Billaud, 2009.) 2. Irans De-veiling Law this was promulgated during the taking place of a rapid social change from a mayhem on its national economy; results of negative impact on the public, social, and leisure activities of its urban women; going to weekly ablutions in an offending feeling of nakedness; and a social implication bestowed on young women students when not wearing a scarf in public wherein parents hindered entry to schools (Hoodfar, 1992.) 3. Struggles in Northern Cameroon this shows an account to an image seen on Muslim women that they are a homogeneous category. To which, in public schools, wearing of a headgear is asked to be taken off inside the premises as required by the laic prescriptions of Cameroons constitution. Though there is no buzz on this matter. In this lieu, men choose to enter schools were veiling is allowed, while women opt for education (van Santen, 2010.) Womens Rights Activists Situations The Revolutionary Association of the Women in Afghanistan In the manner, a lot of womens rights activists, while opposing the need in veiling of women under chadari, used the practice to enjoy freedom of movement while carrying out tasks. The chadari was a symbol of womens oppression, but now in cultural norms, they were able to be active citizens fighting for a change in the community. The said hadari was a guarantee of womens protection in Afghanistan, wherein they need the veil during travelling to remote areas where security was often tight. In this lieu, the Revolutionary Association of the Women in Afghanistan is a very good example of a group with an instrumental nature of the chadari in inline with the goals of being politically engaged women (Billaud, 2009.) For certain their records are part of history under the human and womens rights. The Taliban realizes this under the chadari. When working in rural areas, this was worn for security reasons, during times that people tended to be suspicious on persons from the outside world. This was a strategy used by Rahela6, who is a member of the Afghan Womens Network, when she taught mullahs on womens rights in rural areas. She said, At first, it was difficult for us, women, to approach mullahs. They were reluctant to talk to us. But they gradually got used to us. By wearing chadari, we eventually gained their respect. Egyptian Feminist Movement in the 1920s Disobedience of the patriarchy can be seen in the de veiling act started by the Egyptian feminist movement during the 1920s and to the same situation resistance happening for a call to compulsory veiling in Iran. In here, we can see that aside from being a part of culture and religion, the veil can also be a form and symbol of resistance, for example in the case of the anti Shah movement that took place in Iran. In the same context, there were a number of Islam feminists Muslim women in Canada who have used the veil and reference to Islam during their stay in the country, because they wanted to resist some of the cultural practices that their forefathers have believed, like arranged marriages or far away educations from home without secluding from their parents and communities. Though, in Egypt, a lot veiled Muslim women use it as an instrument of mediation significantly seen from Muslim minority cultures and those of host cultures. Strangely enough, Western colonies reactions to Muslim women, as seen through the eyes of an Orientalist and colonialist frame, sets barricades on the customs and traditions of Muslim women to be difficult and opposite to their usual way of lives (Hoodfar, 1992.) Conclusion In conclusion, the veil is not so significant, after all, but it is who wears it that lies in importance. When in public, a Muslim woman shows people who see her in the outside world a marginal status that is of respect and honor. Not for culture and religion causes or even fashion. The series of incidents mentioned this paper have made me apprehend why a lot of young Muslim women today are so angry and have decided to fight for their rights together with other believers of Islam. This research paper aims define the symbol veil in Muslim women. According Watson in 1994, OR NON-MUSLIM WRITERS, THE VEIL IS VARIOUSLY DESCRIBED AS A TANGIBLE SYMBOL OF WOMENS OPPRESSION, A CONSTRAINING AND CONSTRICTING FORM OF DRESS, AND A FORM OF SOCIAL CONTROL, RELIGIOUSLY SANCTIONING WOMENS INVISIBILITY AND SUBORDINATE SOCILA-POLITICAL STATUS. I did not want to diminish or question the religious beliefs of the Muslim women in Islamic communities, but rather to underline and put emphasis on the possibilities that can be resulting through the reiteration of these feminine ceremonials. Since, it would be like a forever burden or mistake if the veil is lessened in reputation and disrespected in symbolism, which are its instrumental functions to the women, especially the young students in schools. Though, talking about the topic of veil, it was enough to see in it a pure religious expression. Reverence and dissimulation for it were indeed political gestures in my side that place defense on it as the necessary social make-up for women to be seen and heard through the public scenario. Moreover, if the Western colonies will only have a deeper analysis of Muslim womens motives and actions in their practicing their beliefs, efforts by these women can be recognized as strategies and adaption in relationship with them, displaying diff erent roles in the foreign community that should be basing on to the different Western citizen they wished to address themselves.

COP 3530, Discrete Data Structures and Algorithms, Summer 1999, Homework 2 :: UFL Florida Computer Programming Homework

Class Notes: Data Structures and Algorithms Summer-C Semester 1999 - M WRF 2nd Period CSE/E119, Section 7344 Homework #2 -- Due Fri 28 May 1999 : 09.30am * Question 1. Assume that an n-element array (vector) a contains distinct integers arranged in no particular order. Write an algorithm to find the value and location of (a) the mean of a and (b) the value v in a closest to the mean. Note: If v equals the mean, then v is the value closest to the mean. Example. If a = (1,2,3,5,4,6,7,9), then the mean equals 37/8 = 4.625. The value 5, which is in the fourth location (i = 4), happens to be the value closest to the mean. Answer: FindMean(a : array [1..n] of int): { sum = 0; posmean = -1, posclose = -1 for i = 1 to n do: sum = sum + a[i] endfor mean = float(sum) / n mdif = 9E13 for i = 1 to n do: dif = abs(a[i] - mean) if (dif if (dif = 0) then

Comparing Relationships in Raymond Carver’s Cathedral and Langston Hughes Mother To Son :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Relationships in Raymond Carver’s Cathedral and Langston Hughes' Mother To Son My Idea of family honestly didn't begin until I agreed to marriage and children. Until that moment, in my laxity, I hadn't even considered the many aspects and values a family should consist of. My experience needless to say, laid in shattered pieces long before I took over the reins of raising myself and built a blockade fortress of stoicism. In all seriousness, I often considered never having a relationship, thinking I was incapable of possessing the experience it would take to pursue such an endeavor. Needless to say, I didn't say 'yes' the first time. In spite of this, I did marry; yet my idea of family was built without preconceived ideologies. I've done what I felt was nurturing and beneficial for my children both environmentally and educationally. All in all, my family is successful though we are a work in progress. I'm often overly diligent in their wellbeing out of my heightened need for them what I never had; the experience of a wonderful family that sets the basis for a su ccessful life when life beyond the days of a dreamy child are a hardship all their own. Family relationships, be it any form, is as always a work in progress, yet, with the fiction work of Cathedral by Raymond Carver and with Langston Hughes' poem Mother To Son, we see those with steadfast nerves and unwavering determination can succeed in this precious and challenging undertaking. When concentrating on the foundation of a promising family, being that of love in marriage in reference to the fiction "Cathedral," I come to see some semblance between my idea of an assuring affinity told by the husband, only referred to as "Bub." Although not blatantly apparent is the husband's love for his wife, he does show it with a bit of a jealous disposition. When referring to his wife's ex-husband, he purposely neglects to even give the guy a name as a result of his envious attitude jeering, "Her officer-why should he have a name? He was the childhood sweetheart, and what more does he want? (818). Besides jealousy, he also expresses many other emotions of a typical loving husband such as: protection, affection, consideration and hurt, with regards to his wife's relationship with her friend Robert, he pouts, I didn't want him (Robert) to think I'd left the room, and I didn't want her to think I was feeling left out.

Three Mile Island Case :: essays research papers

5a) If I were on the School Board I would not have agreed to the issue framed for the arbitrator. I believe that the issue was not neutral, rather that it favored the association and Ms. Kimball. Statements in the issue such as, â€Å"...when the grievance absented herself from work for illness...†, support Kimball’s argument. In the Position of the School District section of the handout, the School Board states that when Kimball called in to report the absence she simply informed the district â€Å"that she would not be in.† In my opinion, this should have replaced the prior statement of her calling out â€Å"due to illness†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I also think that the School Board should not have agreed to the issue starting with the question â€Å"Was the School District wrong...† this automatically influences the arbitrator to question the School Board’s decision. The issue could have either been changed to impose the question of Kimball being wrong, or to a question of a neutral sort.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If I were the School Board I would have proposed this issue to the arbitrator:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Should Denise Kimball be paid for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3 and 4, after   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  calling to inform her place of employment â€Å"that she would not be in† due to the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Three Mile Island Incident of March 30, 1979? I feel that this issue is not only factual but puts weight in the School Board’s argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5b) Although I do not believe that the issue to the arbitrator was fair to the School Board, if I were the arbitrator, I would have ruled for the association and Ms. Kimball. I feel based on the severity of The Three Mile Incident and the fact that Kimball had a legitament note from a physician with a diagnosis of â€Å"environmental stress, emotional stress, and anxiety†, that she should be paid for the days missed. This right is upheld by the Applicable Pennsylvania Statutes: School Laws of Pennsylvania under Section 1154, which is covered in the handout.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The School Board’s argument of â€Å"she was not sick on the days in question† covered in the Position of the School

Access to Healthcare in Haiti

Access to Healthcare Services in Haiti Lena Almas Miami Dade â€Å"Healthcare is a human right, every American is entitled to the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. † Those words were spoken by former President Theodore Roosevelt on January 11, 1944 to the American Congress. This essential freedom is not enjoyed by the global society at large and currently â€Å"over one billion people lack access to basic healthcare systems. † (Carr, 2004, p. 28) Unfortunately, the poorest countries in the world are often found to be the ones most in need of these basic medical services.The island nation of Haiti is the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Seven million people inhabit an area the size of New Jersey. Seventy-eight percent of Haitians live on less than two dollars a day and only sixty four percent of the country is literate. (Shah, 2010) â€Å"Haiti has the worst malnutrition, the highest rates of infant and mate rnal mortality, and the worst AIDS epidemic in the Americas. Nearly half the population is chronically undernourished. Of every thousand children born in Haiti, 71 die before reaching the age of 5. † (Partners In Health, 2012, para. ) Many factors over the last 200 years have contributed to a healthcare system in crisis. The paper will examine how healthcare is delivered within this impoverished nation and the vast dynamics that contribute the current healthcare crisis. Haiti’s healthcare is delivered in three sectors, the public, semi-public, and the private sector. The private for-profit sector provides approximately one third of the population’s healthcare and is located dominantly within the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Here doctors and hospitals often expect payment in advance for services. Mangan, 2009) If you are one of the twenty percent that live above the poverty line private healthcare might be an option for your healthcare needs. However; close to eighty percent of Haitian household find themselves living in abject poverty on less than 2 dollars and day and half of all household live on less than one dollar a day. For these people healthcare is found in the pubic and semi-public sectors. The public sector is run by the Ministry of Public Health and Population and Ministry of Social Affairs and is responsible for providing healthcare to the Haitian itizens. (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010, p. 6) Only one in 10 people here are covered by public health insurance. â€Å"The 2005 World Health Report estimates that the Haitian government spends only $2 per capita on health each year, accounting for about 40 percent of national expenditures on health. Since health insurance is not available or affordable for the vast majority of Haitians, households must pay for health care or go without. † (â€Å"Zanmi lasante site background,† n. d, para. 3).In Haiti there are 371 health posts, 217 health centers and 49 hospit als ran by the Ministry of Health and an estimated 40% of the population lacks access to health services (Pan American Health Organization, n. d. ) Often, â€Å"citizens in Haiti are not always familiar with the medical system of their own country and will avoid or delay seeking care due to lack of funds for transportation, services, and medicines† (Mangan, 2009). Most Haitians continued to meet their health-care needs through traditional remedies. Herbal medicines are widely used, especially in rural areas.In addition to home remedies, herbal specialists (dokte fey) provided massage and herbal remedies. Many voodoo specialists are also experts in herbal remedies. In addition to the lack of funding and knowledge about healthcare resources within the country there is also found to be a lack of healthcare workers. In 1998, there were 2. 4 physicians and 1 nurse per 10,000 people. (Pan American Health Organization, n. d. ) Human resources are insufficient and lack of funds has p revented the creation of new positions and many professionals go into private practice or emigrate.In 1999, a bilateral cooperation agreement was signed with Cuba, under which 500 Cuban health professionals have been working in 62% of the municipalities for 5 years (Pan American Health Organization, n. d. ) Being elderly in Haiti was difficult before the earthquake. So difficult, in fact, that the average Haitian lifespan is only 61 years. Those over age 65 make up only 3. 4 percent of the population, compared with 13 percent in the United States. View a disabled child/elderyly as punishment or as a condition caused by a supernatural force, however the Disability is not shameful for family.References Carr, D. (2004). â€Å"Improving the Health of the World’s Poorest People† [Health Bulletin 1]. Retrieved from Global Issues: http://www. prb. org/pdf/ImprovingtheHealthWorld_Eng. pdf Cong. Rec. 50 (1944, January 11). Mangan, J. (2009, January 30). Haiti: Cultural competen cy and Tuberculosis Control [Educational Material]. Retrieved from Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center: http://sntc. medicine. ufl. edu/Files/Products/Country%20Guide%20-%20Haiti. pdf Pan American Health Organization. (n. d. ). Haiti (332-349). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.Partners In Health. (2012). The Situation in Haiti. Retrieved November 6, 2012, from http://www. pih. org/where/pages/Haiti Shah, A. (2010). Haiti. Retrieved , from http://www. globalissues. org/article/141/haiti World Health Organization. (2010). Public health risk assessment and interventions. Earthquake: Haiti. Retrieved from http://www. who. int/diseasecontrol_emergencies/publications/haiti_earthquake_20100118. pdf Zanmi lasante site background. (n. d). Retrieved November 13, 2012, from http://www. pih. org/pages/haiti-background

Aping Western Culture Essay

This topic might make most of us go back to the good old days of childhood when we used to run around and play in the hot and burning sun without the pressure of the world upon us.Now the entire world(at least the majority) is mesmerized by the non real world of computer games. Part of the reason for this shift is the lack of good grounds and the lack of togetherness that is persisting in today s world. We might play the popular football or cricket game on PC but its no where near to the joy that we get while playing outdoor football or even cricket. I can still remember the days when I used to play cricket in the burning hot sun in my village, sometimes even bare foot. Nothing can match the joy that we get when we flex some muscles while playin these outdoor games. I also remember my school days during which I used to wait for holidays so that i can play cricket, hide and seek,laggoree(A local game in which we throw the ball at stones and regroup all the stones while avoiding getting hit by the ball), lock and key,badminton and many more innovative games. Most of these games used to be played in the streets and they do not require a play ground. At least I used to play them on the streets. I used to leave my house in the morning and come back for lunch and then again go out and return home at night.Playing with many people is surely fun to the core. Just the assembly of so many people was a joy to be in. Only in villages can we get to see groups of children playing outdoor games.Its becoming more and more of a rare scene in the cities.I can see school kids already carrying the burden of t he world on their tender shoulders. There might come a time when games will be restricted to indoor games or even worse only the computer games. There s nothing wrong in playing on the computer as I myself do get hooked on to the computer games but from time to time playing outdoor games relaxes the mind and also its a very good exercise to our body.Even the PET classes in the schools are taken by other subject teachers in most of the schools.Also many of the schools do not even have a playground in their school premises. All this is sad and the future is going to be even more worse.At this point I remember the popular animated series that comes on disney channel â€Å"Recess†. Its focus is mainly on the outdoor games. There is a popular saying that â€Å"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy†, its time we changed it to something like this â€Å"All work and only playing a on computer makes Jack a dull boy†. There are still a lot more things that I could have written but it might get boring so I leave it to the people reading this blog to comment and share their experiences.

When The World Stands Out, Aspire To Be Outstanding

We are all different. We view things from different perspectives. What one person acknowledges as the truth may not be accepted by others. There exists a plethora of interpretations, which are rooted on the fact that people come from varying backgrounds – politically, socially and culturally. These differences allows people to be unique in there own ways. The world is divided, geologically speaking. As such, people grew up in societies that have dissimilar and often conflicting views on a number of things. I was born in Bangkok. The place that I first called my home is a bustling city.Being the capital of Thailand, most efforts in relation to economic development are concentrated there. It dominates the country’s economy. Unfortunately, the continued development of Bangkok results to the neglect of other urban centers. This makes the disparity in wealth distribution more intense. Despite the developed faà §ade of the city, the truth that there is inequality still linge rs. Growing up in a country like Thailand, where people from neighboring countries come to work, I have learned to accept the fact that the things I believe in is not always the same as the things that the people around me agree to.Confrontation is not always the best solution. If I keep on asserting my own views upon others, I know that we won’t come to an agreement. It is best to base my judgment on respect and not animosity. It is in this line of thinking that I gained the courage to speak out, even though, I know that others won’t agree with me. Deep inside I am hoping that they would respect my opinion regardless of my political, social and cultural viewpoints since I do the same to them. The other reason why I choose to go against the grain, sometimes, is due to the fact that I would like to create a better future for myself, my family and my community.I have seen both the glittering and rusty covered side of life when I was in Bangkok. I know that I can do bette r if I work hard and believe in own capabilities. I also know that I can a difference in the world in the same way that the world affects me. When the odds are against me, I try to remember that I am more fortunate than others because I am able to exercise some of my rights especially my right to education. I am thankful for what I have now that is why I work hard to show how much I appreciate them. Once again, I can say that I draw my strength from my family and community.