European History-The Later middle Ages Essay

Black Death was a plague that swept across Europe in the 14th century resulting in an irrevocable change to Europe’s religious structure which was highly dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Besides, Black Death resulted in harassment of minority groups such as Jews on not only grounds of religious detestation but also a way of attacking the church or the kings who were perceived to protect them. This was heightened by feelings that the church as an institution had failed to provide social guidance equally among all people. The Pope condemned the killings and tried to stop it but to no avail resulting in renewed religious fanaticism and fervor amid Black Plague. This resulted is weakening of the old connection between the society and the religion (Tuchman 20-50). The fact that the clergy were not able to banish or cure the disease and explain its causes resulted in cynicism toward church. At the time of Black Death the Pope was based in France and was seen to have abandoned church leadership for French monarchy hence leaving its people at the time of need. This compounded disillusionment among people towards the church and embraced other religious outfits such as Order of Flagellants. Subsequently, as the disease caused death in monasteries, few years later there was a shortage of clergy. New clergy members replaced those who had died but did not have life-long convictions hence resulting in more abuses and weakening of church position in the society (Tuchman 50). 2. The Hundred Years’ War occurred in the years between 1336 and 1453 and it was mostly between France and England. England traded with Flanders in exchange of its fleece for wine in the Southern France. This was a triangular-like trade in which English traded with France indirectly through Flanders. However, the king of France was persistently struggling to regain control over the wealth in Flanders as a result the English could not let it go as it could have meant their only source of foreign exchange is gone. In these misunderstandings, a civil war broke out whereby the English supported the manufacturing companies whereas the French supported land-owning nobility. Besides, the English had a control over duchy of Guienne in France. In this regard, King Edward III became disappointed with King Phillip IV’s broken promise to restore a part of the Guienne to the English. Additionally, King Phillip went against English wish and supported Scotland which angered England. This war became more complex as the right over the territorial control –dynast conflict- was coupled with conflict over succession of throne. For instance, King Edward III who had risen to the throne in 1327 could have claimed to succeed Charles IV of France after he died in 1328 without any heir. Some years later, King Edward declared himself the King of France to provoke France so that he can attract resistance from them (Allmand 20-50). The war resulted in paradigm shift in terms of tactics, weapons, and technology employed in military war. For instance, the use of cavalry which by then was powerful machinery was abandoned for longbow. Other weapons introduced during the war include gunpowder and cannons. The war revealed the extent to which royal authority in England could be questioned especially in the succession lapse when King Edward III died. The Peasant’s revolt in 1381 witnessed an uprising against the throne by peasants leading to the King (Richard III) giving in to their demands. The war rekindled patriotism and nationalism among the French nationals. The country transformed from being a feudal monarchy to being a centralized state. Besides, the growth of French as a royal and commerce language disappeared during the war (Anne 5-20). 3. It is in the fourteenth century that majority of European countries experienced some of the worst natural disasters and social upheavals. The first disaster is the Little Ice Age, a climatic disaster. During this period, epidemics, famine and heavy rains became evident resulting in weakened agricultural productivity. The second natural disaster during the fourteenth century was The Black Death, a plague that nearly brought life to a standstill in Europe. Social upheavals include the hundred years’ war (1337-1450), internal church wrangles in the Catholic Church, and rise up of Islam militants. As a result of The Little Ice Age, France experienced heavy rains around 1315 that culminated into famine in the later years. All these disasters had a large impact on drastically reducing the overall population of Europe as many individuals died. It is also important to note that a lot of minorities for instance Jew were killed or extradited for Europe especially during Black Death. It is also during this time that the highly dominant Catholic Church received much criticism from the society. Additionally, the Church differed with the monarchy when taxes were imposed on its officials resulting into ‘Babylonian Exile’. In 1377 amid the crisis, Pope Gregory XI relocated to Rome for Avignon, France (Tuchman 25-70). 4. In the 14th century, Italy like many other European countries experienced a lot of hardships economically, socially, politically, and in religion. Besides, in the mid 14century, Italy undergone rebirth what is popularly referred to as ‘renaissance’. In the cities where the feudal system was not strong for instance in the northern frontier –Venice, Florence, and Milan- a strong economical and political atmosphere became dominant and their political structure ruled surrounding regions impacting significant influence over them. In the same period, south of Italy became highly dominated by Papal administration especially in Rome. The papal administration exerted a lot of rivalry to the Northern cities as well as influencing to a large extent the Italian politics and lifestyles. During the 14th century, the political elite advocated for the principle of humanism by arguing that a person can achieve considerably while in this world in terms of politics and life among others. Therefore, the medieval perceptions that people had changed drastically as they geared towards showcasing their talents (Jackson 310-320). 5. In the fourteenth century, the Roman Catholic had strong influence on the political and social life in most parts of Italy whereas Germany was under monarch rule. For instance, Germany was ruled mostly by the Habsburgs with power centering around three houses of dynasty: Habsburg, Wittelsbach, and Luxemburg. Therefore most parts of Germany were controlled by the emperor. It is also during the fourteenth century that Germany flourished although it was hit by the Black Plague. In Italy the papal administration and secular leadership was not totally in agreement in terms of managing economic resources and to develop central governments. Subsequently, around the year 1300, the well established Holy Roman Empire failed to maintain its centralized form of governance across Europe resulting into war between different states such as the barbaric German tribes that invaded Italy. This culminated into having a power vacuum until in 17th century. In Italy for instance, the independence of some of its states in the North coupled with wrangles between the in the Papacy prevented realization of a strong centralized governance (Tuchman 50). 6. It is in the 14th century that the Church experienced faced difficult times and gradually lost its prestige and power in the society. The Church failed to provide moral and spiritual guidance to the people and it can be explained in three distinct stages. First is the Avignon Papacy of 1305 to 1378. During the time pope was located in Avignon, France and officials were seen to monarch’s puppet. They were corrupt, disregarded social morals, were left out in condemning the hundred years’ war, and failed in their responsibility during the Black Plague. A lot of groups also criticized the Church for owning wealth and property as this was against God’s teaching because Jesus owned nothing. Some people also claimed that Church should consist of members only and not be led by a single individual. At this time papacy defended its righteousness persistently as well as attacking its critics but it is evident that papacy lost its moral authority and credibility to the people (Jackson 322). The second event that degraded credibility of papacy was the great schism of between 1378 and 1415. After Gregory XI died, the College of Cardinals in Rome was forced by an angry Roman mob to choose a pope of Italian origin. Urban VI was chosen and immediately after, French cardinals protested by fleeing Rome into Avignon where they chose another French pope as they claimed the election was not free and fair. This culminated into having two papal administrations at Rome and at Avignon hence resulting in financial crisis. Besides, the notion that Church was autonomous from state and secular sanctions failed to be realized. Wrangles existed between the two centers of power leading to excommunication claims by either of the side for receiving sacraments. Third is the Council of Pisa that met in 1408 and resolved to elect a new pope thereby dismissing the two rival popes. They based this on the principle of conciliarism. However, this was not adhered to by the two rival popes and resulted in having three popes. This complicated the matters more in regard to who had supreme power to elect pope leading to the Holy Roman Emperor backing the Conciliarists in holding another council to resolve the issue in 1415 (Jackson 323). . 7. The religious rift which occurred in the Church around 11th century A. D. is what widely referred to as the Great Schism. The Roman Catholic Church and the Geek Catholic also known Greek Orthodox Church separated during the p[period which lasted between 1378 and 1415. The acrimony between the West patriarchate in Rome and East patriarchates in Jerusalem, Antioch, Byzantium, and Alexandria was on of the cause. This was heightened more by language differences because the West spoke Latin whereas East spoke Greek. Besides, the rift grew more when Emperor Constantine considered transferring the capital from Rome to Byzantium. Additionally, during the same time German tribes invaded Europe leading to political instability (Jackson 323). This political turmoil coupled with geographical distances and economic hardship lead to ultimate separation of West from the East. As a result it is only a few theologians from West who could speak the predominant Greek language in the East. Communication broke lose among the west and east clergy. There was decreased literacy in the West as compared to highly educated East populace. Thus the church had significant influence among the East populace. The clergy in the East was capable of translating the Bible into local languages and with time it became mature enough to establish self governance. The occurrence of the Great Schism was also a sign of failure in leadership among the church officials in the 14th century (Jackson 324). Works Cited Allmand, C. T. The hundred year’s war: England and France at war, c. 1300-c. 1450. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1988. Anne Curry. The Hundred Years War. 2nd ed. UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Tuchman, Barbara W. A Distant Mirror. New York: Knopf, 1978. Jackson, Spielvogel J. Western Civilization. 7th ed. Cengage Learn

Air Pollution Summary 5

? Air Pollution Nicole Ergler Axia University of Phoenix Robert Orben once said â€Å"There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all. † Did one ever think of how much pollution they are breathing in every day? Does one ever realize in what ways they are contributing to air pollution? Air pollution is environmentally a global catastrophe. However, the human population does not have the correct knowledge of how to help the environment from these harmful pollutions. How does the human population help stop contributing to air pollution? Air pollution is a persistent problem within the United States as well as worldwide. Air pollution is a matter in which human and animal’s lives are lost. (Quotationspage. com 2007) According to Columbia Encyclopedia (2008), air pollution is contamination of the air by harmful gases in amounts that are known to endanger the health of humans and animals. Combinations of gasoline, automobile emissions, and burning coals and oils all produce several types of air pollutions. According to Encarta. msn. com (2009), fossil fuel emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution. According to Encarta. msn. com (2009), air pollution can come to our environment in the forms of snow and rain as well. Air pollution can harm a human and/or an animal as well as the environment. Corruption of plants, vegetables, aquatic life, humans, and drinking water are all examples of ways air pollution effects the environment. Air pollution causes respiratory diseases, loss in emotions, fatigue, headaches, loss of sense of direction, and decreased control of muscles and visual sharpness. A child’s lungs and the lung’s capacity are much smaller than a grown adult’s. How does a child react to air pollutants when the child has asthma? Researches Liu, Poon, Chen, Dales, Frescure, Montuschi, Ciabatonni, and Wheeler (2009) conducted a study on how air pollutants such as: sulfuric dioxide and nitrogen oxides, effected children with asthma. The conclusion to their study was significant. While there was a noticeable decrease in the airway function of lungs, there was also an increase of damage done to the child’s airway passage. In conclusion, air pollutants are much more potent and harmful to a child with asthma. Pollution to the Earth causes global warming. According to Encarta. msn. com (2009), global warming is the significant accretion of temperature in the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land. According to Encarta. msn. com (2009), scientists believe Earth is currently experiencing a period of increased, fast warming brought on by increasing levels of greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere. Global warming exists when greenhouse gases trap heat and sun light in the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Thinkquest. org (2002), green house gases include but are not limited to: carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane. Electrical pollution, when fossil fuels are burned creating energy, is a main source of energy used by humans that causes global warming. veryday fossil fuels are burned to create a source of energy. Therefore, pollution is seeping into the Earth’s atmosphere sickening adults, children, and animals. How can humans attack air pollution? According to Calef and Goble (2007), in 1990 California took its’ approach to zero vehicles on the road that produce vehicle emissions. California Area Resources Board conducted a plan to take all battery operated electric vehicles off the road and replace them with zero emissions vehicles. Today, zero emissions vehicles are known as hybrid cars. California Area Resources Board wanted to make the plan mandatory and sell only the zero emissions vehicles in a set amount of time. However, oil industries and popular automobile manufacturers brought controversy to this factor. The United States did not mandate the plan or follow through with the zero emissions vehicles plan. Now, in the year of 2009, hybrid cars are on the market. Although hybrid vehicles regularly cost about $5,000. 00 more than a battery operated vehicle, it will help contribute to saving the environment. Physorg. com 2009) There are dozens of other ways to help the environment. Using environmentally safe products for cleaning and killing pests are ways to improve pollution around your home, work, or school. Throwing away cut grass or trees at a local garbage company saves from waste in the yard. An individual can make a recycling bin at home to make it easier to recycle. Picking up after pets is a chore t hat most individuals cannot somehow manage. However, picking up after pets is a manageable chore and can also help attack air pollution. Carpooling, walking, or taking public transportation to work, home, shopping, or even school are easy ways to reduce vehicle emissions. Drying laundry on the laundry line outside instead of in a gas operated dryer will help conserve energy and decrease gas pollution. Simple tasks can help the environment, why not start now? (Lastormwater. org 2009) A plan is in desire need to help attack air pollution. In order to conduct a plan to attack air pollution, one must have research air pollution. Identifying sources of air pollution is a good start in order to be able to attack air pollution from those sources. Talk with school principals, city council, and representatives with the government about the plan. Because knowledge of air pollution and its effects is rare, develop an educational curriculum in which children will be able to put the attack into action. Develop a presentation for adults about the severity of air pollution and how the adults can contribute to helping. Speak with teachers and parents about the educational curriculum in which the children will be learning about attacking air pollution. Schedule dates and times that one can be available to the school in order to present the educational curriculum about air pollution. Schedule dates and times that one can be available to the city council in order to present the information to the adults. Pass out flyers to local businesses, schools, and homes about both programs. Present all information to both students and adults at all scheduled times. Firstly, I will research information on air pollution, its sources, and all effects to the environment, humans, and animals. Next, I will develop an educational curriculum for both students and adults. Then I will speak with all school principals, the city council, and the government in order to get my plan permitted. I will then speak with teachers and parents to educate hem on the benefits of the educational curriculum about air pollution. Next, I will schedule dates and times that is convenient for me, the city council, and the school’s teachers to present the information. I will speak with the local newspaper in order to get my flyers passed out with the newspapers for each time that I am going to prese nt the information at the city council. I will present all information to both students at schools and the adults at the city council at all scheduled times. Finally, I will conduct a website which will provide all the information that I have conducted and presented. In conclusion to my website, I will make myself available to any school, function, or city council that would like to have me as a guest to present my information. Researching information on air pollution, the sources of air pollution, and the effects of air pollution will be conducted from months one to five. During month’s two to three, I will develop an educational curriculum for both students and adults. Also during month’s two to three, I will speak with all necessary authority in order to get my plan permitted. During month three, I will speak with teachers and parents about the benefits of my educational curriculum. During month four, I will schedule dates and times for my information to be presented to both the city council and the schools in my county. I will also speak with the local newspaper during month four in order to get permission to distribute a flyer included in the newspaper about all scheduled dates and times that I will be holding a presentation. During month five, I will present all information that I have conducted at that specific point. Also during month five, I will establish a website that will hold all the information I have conducted. Students and adults both will benefit from my plan. As said in the above information, people from all around the world are unaware of the effects of air pollution. Presenting this information will help them better understand how air pollution is harming our environment, humans, and the animals that live in our environment. Presenting this information will also put a start to learning more about air pollution. Some teachers may like to include the effects of air pollution and how we can attack air pollution in their own daily or weekly educational curriculum. During month five of my plan, I will be concluding to the conduction of my website that I am available to present my information at any school, function, or city council conference. I am hoping to get a response from my conclusion in order to get the word out about air pollution. Challenges may be an issue before being able to present my information. I may not be permitted by schools to present my information to their students. Parents and teachers may not agree with the education curriculum that I have developed. City council may not see air pollution as a problem to our environment. Individuals may not ask me to participate as a speaker at any functions, schools, or city council conferences. However, I will continue to attempt to get my word out on air pollution if this may occur. In order to have success from my plan on how to attack air pollution, I will need government, global, and our society’s support. The government will also need to troubleshoot the effects of air pollution as well as how to attack air pollution. Globally, individuals should participate in helping to attack air pollution. Globally, individuals should take notice to my plan and establish a plan to present information in their own communities. Society should face the facts about the consequences of air pollution and take in the information on how to attack air pollution. In conclusion the above information, air pollution, again, is a global catastrophe. It has harmed and killed many species of animals. It has also caused humans and animals illnesses. Our environment is screaming for our help, for we are the only ones who can help. The environment cannot do this on its own. References Quotationspage. com. (2007). Quotation Details. Retrieved on May 14th, 2009 from http://www. quotationspage. com/quote/1033. tml Columbia Encyclopedia. (2008). Air Pollution. Retrieved on April 18th, 2009 from http://plus. aol. com/aol/reference/airpollu/air_pollution? flv=1 Encarta. msn. com. (2009). Air Pollution. Retrieved on April 18th, 2009 from http://encarta. msn. com/encyclopedia_761577413/air_pollution. html Liu, L. , Poon, R. , Chen, L. , Frescura, A. M. , Montuschi, P. , Ciabatonni, G. , Wheeler, A. , Dales, R. (2009). Acute Effects of Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function, Airway Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Asthmatic Children. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(4), 668-674. Thinkquest. org. (2002). Global Warming. Retrieved on April 18th, 2009 from http://library. thinkquest. org/CR0215471/global_warming. htm Calef, D. , Goble, R. (2007). The Allure of Technology: How France and California Promoted Electric and Hybrid Vehicles to Reduce Urban Air Pollution. Policy Sciences, 40(1), 1-34. Physorg. com. (2009). Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons. Retrieved on May 14th, 2009 from http://www. physorg. com/news10031. html Lastormwater. org. (2009). How You Can Help. Retrieved on May 14, 2009 from http://www. lastormwater. org/Siteorg/residents/howucnhp. html

Life Without Limits Essay

There are some things in life that are out of your control that you can’t change and you’ve got to live with. The choice that we have, though, is either to give up or keep on going. I tell your life is interesting, Life is a JOURNEY. But I tell you there are sometimes in life where you fall down and you feel you don’t have the strength to get back up. You see, if you try 100 times to get back up and if you fail 100 times, if you FAIL and you’ll going to GIVE UP, do you think that you’ll ever going to get up? No. But if you fail and try again? And again and again? For as long as you try there is always that chance of YOU getting up. Does that make sense? And it’s not the end until you’ve given up. And just the fact that you’re here should persuade you that you have another chance to get back up. There’s still HOPE. And I want you to know that we can find our strength in GOD and you’re going to find your strength in whatever you find it in. But I just all want you to know that it’s not the end. It matter how you are going finish. Are you gonna finish strong? Now, try to ask yourself a couple of questions. And the first question was â€Å"Who am I? Who am I?† I’m Rj Abutazil. But who is that? And it’s funny how the friends around you sort of determined who you are. You change yourself. Just like for example, you come to school or to your work and everybody swore around you and so you started swearing. Why? Because it’s the cool thing to do and now, everybody swears. So you didn’t want to be left out and I wanted to be accepted and so I started swearing. You go to a party and everybody’s drinking so you drink. Why? Well, everybody else around me is doing it, big deal! And you start losing yourself and you start putting your security in temporary things. You start putting your happiness in things won’t last. You can get drunk all you like but in the morning you’re going to be sober with a headache with the same problems. You want to be high for the rest of your life on drugs? Everybody saying, â€Å"Don’t do drugs! Donâ€⠄¢t do drugs!† Well, Why? Why do we even go there? Because of our curiosity, peer pressures, or trying to escape reality. Basically, 3 things. That’s why we go to drugs, sex, and alcohol. Why do you do it? Because it feels good. Okay. That’s how we do it. I mean, you want something? you go and get it. You want to but something? You save up money and you go get it. Why? Because that will make you happy. And we take these steps in the wrong direction that will actually take you away from your dreams. Oh, don’t worry my friend, drugs and alcohol won’t me take away from my dreams and my purpose and sex and all that. NO! But I tell you, it actually will. Because you go to level of drinking and you go a level of drugs and it’s not enough. You’ll find that out. Then you’ll try something new. And you’ll also go to school or to your work and people will put you down and you classmates and friends will tell you that you are failure because you failed in a test or got fired up from work. And you start believing the lies around you saying that you’re not good enough and no one’s going to want you and you’ll nev er do anything good in your life and you’ll never, ever achieve the dreams and goals that you wish you had done. Or wish that you could do. And these steps take you closer to the voice saying â€Å"YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.† And all you need is just one more step for the fall. See, you have the choice to know which step you’re going to take today. Let me ask you, do you know who you are? Do you want to know who I think you are? I tell you right now. You care about what your friends think who you are. You care about their opinion. I don’t care how you look, honestly! I don’t care! But I’m going to come and tell you that you are awesome just the way you are. So when you say â€Å"Well, I have this.† or â€Å"I Don’t have that, I’m not good enough.† I’m going to go, â€Å"So, what? I don’t care!.† You are worth more than diamonds. All the diamonds in the world, you are so precious. Every single one of your hearts, you can do something, not just something you can do, but you can live, LIFE! Life is not always good. Life is not always ros y. Life is worth living when you find purpose. Everything you do, just follow your heart. If that’s who you want to be, if that’s what you want to do in life, then walk to it. One day at a time. But I want you to know that nothing is IMPOSSIBLE and if it is impossible for your dreams to come true let’s say you want to become a Doctor or a Lawyer and you can’t become a Doctor or a Lawyer for some reason, maybe you’re not good in science or in business law and politics. I know somebody who couldn’t be a Doctor or a Lawyer. They’re doing something now that they actually love to do. See, all things come together for the good. That’s how we should be in our life. Not only you and your life, but what about the people around you? You know, if you think that you have no purpose in your life. Let me tell you this. There are several people come up to me and said â€Å"RJ, I don’t have a purpose. Hindi ko na alam anong gagawin ko sa buhay ko.† Let me ask you one thing. If you went through your life full of pain, full of tears and at the end of your life, you actually save somebody’s life, is your life worth living? Is the pain worth somebody’s life? If you could actually save somebody? Can you imagine? If you actually saw somebody nearly gets run over by a car and you dive and get them out of the way over the car? For instance, an example, would that be worth living? You’ve saved somebody’s life. I don’t know. What about this. Let’s say you have a problem in your life and you want to give up now. Imagine, if someone ten years older who’s gone through the exact same thing that you have actually gotten through it and came to you and said, â€Å"You know what, I know how it feels, I’ve been there! I’ve been going through what you are going through now. But I’m still here.† Would that not encourage you? Could that possibly save your life? YES! Is that not a purpose worth living for? And that’s why I believe in you because that is the greatest purpose! Be the change you want to see. And be that person and turn them around. In this world, there’s nothing to be ashamed of or to be scared off. Embrace it! LET†S LIVE! Let’s learn and love our life and nothing can stop us. We’re all going through something. We’re all trying to find that something†¦ that happiness. You can find it. Find what you love to do. I love loving people, I love encouraging people, It’s great! The greatest business in the world. Helping people’s lives to be better and uplift people’s lives. I love it. Now, what do you want to do in your life? Is there something more to your life? Because I found something more to my life and I believe it’s God and you want to know Him too, then it’s fine. The choices are yours. Look at me and my life. I made choices and this is how I am. This is where I am. I live it and I love it. I hope brothers and sisters, you’d remember what I said. You have a choice to either uplift somebody or put someone down. You either have the choice to step towards your goal and dreams or step away going to temporary things. You have a choice to either give up or keep going. GIVE UP or GET UP. When you fail, try again and again and again. You have the CHOICE†¦

Women in Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Women in Politics - Essay Example The main reason behind the empowerment and awareness of women is the rate at which they are embracing education. Today women are holding senior government positions in many countries across the world especially in the developed world where gender issues are more flexible. Three out of the top ten most powerful women globally, according to the Forbes Magazine, are political leaders. The most powerful woman according to Forbes is the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel. Leading the fifth biggest economy in the world, Merkel is the most powerful political figure in the European Union. This paper seeks to explain the participation of women in politics today, and the factors contributing to the situation. Hillary Clinton, the state secretary of the U.S, once said that true democracy could only be found if the world was willing to listen to the voice of women. This statement has been interpreted differently by different political analysts. While some have seen it as a wake-up call to the women to start taking part in a people’s democratic processes, others have interpreted it as a cry to the developing countries to encourage female participation in decision making (Zergaw, 2011). In the contemporary world, women are going to school and pursuing careers that were associated with men in the past. They are empowering themselves and establishing high ambitions. Educating the girl child has been the theme and goal of many campaigns especially in the developing nations. Such knowledge is intended to provide the girls and women with necessary professional and academic qualifications that can let them go into such fields as politics. Today, the there are eight female heads of state across the world. The most fascinating thing about the participation of women in politics is that most of the female heads of state are presidents in third world nations. The fact that such African countries as Malawi and Liberia have women presidents indicates how aggressive women have be come in seeking to manage their nations. Such women as Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is the Liberian president, and Joyce Banda, the popular head of state of Malawi are evidences of the revolution in the world of governance and politics. Third world nations have always been associated with male chauvinism and gender discrimination (Karin, 1999). However, with the current legislative reforms, women are gaining some bargaining power in socio-political dealings. Some of the most significant legislative reforms that have highly empowered women include the prohibition of gender violence and justice in inheritance of property. Unlike in the past century, most states now advocate for equal consideration in the distribution of family wealth. This has made women gain a wealth of knowledge in relation to their rights, privileges and responsibilities. The high rate, at which women are getting involved in politics, can be attributed to the awareness that the girl child has equal rights to educatio n as the boy child. In the past two decades, women got enlightened and went for such courses as law and political science. Typically, most influential women politicians are those that have taken legal courses and professions (Zergaw, 2011). Janet Reno is one of the most prominent women in the history of the United States. Having studied law at the university, Reno became the first female attorney general in the United States in the year 1993. She held the position for the second longest period in the history of the United States. This was after having been in the position for eight years. Reno had an enormous influence on all legal reforms in the

Film analysis comparing The Ice Storm and Do The Right Thing Essay

Film analysis comparing The Ice Storm and Do The Right Thing - Essay Example Some of those visions are more correct than others; some of them are more cynical than others. The Ice Storm and Do the Right Thing are two unforgiving glimpses at what can happen when proprieties fall to the side; watching them makes me feel as though all of the horrid visions that Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville had for modernity, when they were so outraged by the notions of Transcendentalism and Romanticism that their quills virtually skied across the parchment, have all come to pass. It is the detail, as usual, that sets these two films above many of their contemporaries, in terms of expressing their vision of the way we are – or at least the way we shouldnt be. The Ice Storm shows director Ang Lees usual flair for the extremely precise, in terms of dà ©cor and set. The G.I. Joe doll, sitting askew and yelling â€Å"May Day! May Day!† is just one symbol of the existential chaos that has ensued in the years leading up to Thanksgiving, 1973. The music and dà ©cor take one back to the era of The Streets of San Francisco or Hawaii Five-O, all the way down to such details as the trendy water bed that Sigourney Weavers character sleeps on, the Philip Roth novel she is reading, and even the metal ice tray that Kevin Klines character empties each night. The architecture follows suit, with the modern glass walls that came into vogue in those days keeping the families inside during the ice storm – but able to see the entire thing. While The Ice Storm is an analysis of an era – the days around Watergate – Do the Right Thing is an analysis of a vicious racial incident in Brooklyn – the Howard Beach attack on a group of black youths. While The Ice Storm is eerily quiet at times, Do the Right Thing hums with noise – not just the militant rap tunes by Public Enemy and other artists, but there is also the sound of urban life, piped into the movie virtually from beginning to end. It is as though director Spike Lee knows how sound can

Teacher Attitudes Toward Pay for Performance Incentives for Teachers Essay

Teacher Attitudes Toward Pay for Performance Incentives for Teachers - Essay Example Subsequent intention is to subjects’ responses to qualitative analysis in order to develop an in depth understanding of teachers’ perception on the two remuneration approaches. The developed knowledge will then be communicated to relevant stakeholders. Research results will be communicated orally, and in writing. The compiled dissertation will be communicated orally during its initial presentation and subsequent written communication modes will include hand delivery of the dissertation’s hard copy and electronic communication of soft copies. The soft copy will be sent to each stakeholder’s mail address and a similar copy will be availed online. Phenomenological design, through online surveys, is proposed for implementing the research. In the plan, the research will explore teachers’ experience with the remuneration approaches (Creswell,

Marketing strategies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing strategies - Case Study Example Equal also used pricing strategies to market its products. It has been reported that Equal priced its product 3 times more than its competitors in order to recover the higher branding cost it incurred as well as to attract customers through unique pricing strategies (Buss, p.193). On the contrary, Sweet’n Low’s utilize advertisement strategies brand positioning marketing strategies. It can be observed that Sweet’n Low’s had created a unique brand image before and after the introduction of Equal. In addition, Sweet’n Low’s utilized promotion-marketing strategies. It has been reported that Sweet’n Low’s had spend 5 million on adverting. However, Sweet’n Low’s relied heavily on brand positioning strategies to market its products. 2. The product-line branding strategies of Cumberland and Nutra Sweet in 1990’s may be described in various ways. It can be observed that Cumberland used Brand extension strategy by launching a new multipurpose product called Sweet One. This product could be used as both a baking and a sweetener. In addition, Cumberland used the blue color similar to the one used by Nutra Sweet to package its products. On the other hand, Nutra Sweet used extended product-line branding strategies by maintaining the existing product and making additional innovations to attract more consumers (Buss, p.193). 3. (a). Based on the evidence provided, I think the market of tabletop artificial sweetener is at maturity stage in the product life cycle. This is because at this stage a promotion may be required to help the product to become differentiated from those of other competitors. Moreover, additional features may be added to enhance the product quality and differentiate it from that offered by the competitors in the market. In addition, the company is should lower the prices of its products to attract more customers. Further, the company is encouraged to utilize both intensive and

The Gospel of jesus Christ II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Gospel of jesus Christ II - Essay Example For them, the day of the Lord is the arrival of a divine political figure that could protect their country. For them, Jesus would not offer a Jewish Kingdom. According to (Kereszty 97) â€Å"The angry reaction shows that Jesus was indeed known as a normal â€Å"ordinary guy† among his townsfolk† Jews did not want a King who was not a political leader because they wanted a geographical liberation from Israelites enemy which Jesus could not offer. When the wise men asked about the whereabouts of the King to Herod he was surprised and questioned his authority. For Jews, the Kingdom of God would come from a divine political figure and accepting a person outside this realm was taken with confusion, fear and despise. According to Kerestzy, the love of Jesus is a forgiving one this means his forgiving nature even to the enemies. But this forgiving love can have terrible consequences as Jesus was tortured and crucified by Jews. 2. Christian theologians had different views when it came to Christ as the systematic theologians believed in explicit theology while the commentators were on the side of the implicit theology. This belief of theologians had been creating a conflict as both had differences in interpreting the values expressed by Jesus Christ. Explicit theology is the public nature of the religion as in how the church practiced its rituals, sermons, mission, values and doctrines. It is more outwardly and identifiable. However the implicit theology is much more subtle and looks at the underlying concept in a religion. However, Balthasmer had a logical attitude towards both explicit and implicit theology as he suggested one cannot chose one to be right and other to be wrong. He was of the opinion that one need to balance on the divine aspects as the general will of God is salvation. He says that, Scriptures and Church tradition of faith can assert the fate of humanity. As per ( Catcheism)

Drug Testing in High School Athletics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Drug Testing in High School Athletics - Essay Example The researcher states that despite the fact that some critics give low credit to the drug testing policy in high school, it is morally right to carry out the activity. It serves the country a long-term goal of fighting against drug abuse that is very common in high schools. The government has an obligation to ensure that its citizens learn to observe culturally acceptable values by instilling discipline to children when they are in schools. The students will grow up knowing that the law disallows drugs and substance abuse. However, the parents have an upper hand in ensuring that their children do not end up in drug dens but because of their tight schedules and prioritization of career and professional development, they do little. The teachers and the government are left with the hard task of making eliminating the bad behavior from the students. There, the government has an ethical obligation to carry on with the program despite the critics and controversies surrounding the issue. Th e thought of prevention is better than cure is a valid statement when it comes to drug testing in schools. The government together with school’s administration will acquire valid findings to aid in making sound decisions. A school’s management can establish rules and regulations regulating the usage of drugs among their students. This means that before a student is admitted, they are asked to ensure they drug and to certify their will abide by the law. A strict penalty the school can demonstrate is to expel students found abusing drugs.

Math Early Childhood Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Math Early Childhood - Assignment Example Groups have group think especially when formed by students sharing the same interests. Groups used different materials to create variety of ideas since students have cognisance of different objects. 3. He uses variety of graphical representation techniques for instance: maps, number line and scales. This enhances flexibility in learning since the student gets different ideas resulting in a general understanding. He set the students free to move around and be comfortable when working on the estimates. 4. By the use of number line to allocate the point at which the animal counts they have estimated rests. They used rulers and maps to estimate the size of geographical regions under survey. Measurement at the number could have been enhanced by drawing a straight line then marking different points of equidistant from one another. 5. As seen in the results, there are two results which have close estimates. According to the rule of probability, the two close ones are closer to the real value. I would then take an average of the two as the final estimate. 1. Advantage: the concept of time as a measure of duration enables the students get a background information of how the inventors came up with this gadget. This enhances their creativity as seen in the way they enjoy the exercises. Disadvantage: introducing the concept of time goes into intricate details which might be too difficult for young students to understand. Their mind is also diverted from the overall goal which is time reading. Going straight to reading time creates an ease of comprehension. 2. They counted the second hand after every five seconds to note how many of them are there in a minute. This was done under the teacher’s guidance and they shouted along. This counted till they reached 60 thereby knowing how many seconds are there in a minute.

On the Free

On the Free Choice of the Will Essay This book by St Augustine contains many philosophical arguments. St Augustine was a Latin speaking philosopher born in what is now modern day Algeria. He was one of the most prolific philosophers with hundreds of surviving works attributed to him (having survived the passage of time). The book On Free choice of the will contains may divine references with the central argument concerning free will as a gift from god, a gift which leads to humans becoming evil due their own inherent flaws. Free will is a large theme in the book. I will be critically analyzing Augustine’s argument that ‘†¦ a mind that is in control, one that possesses virtue, cannot be made a slave to inordinate desire by anything equal or superior to it, because such a thing would be just, or by anything inferior to it, because such a thing would be too weak’1 . I will be looking at the weaknesses and strengths of this argument and conclude how convincing his argument is. Augustine’s first argument about the mind being made a slave to inordinate desire contains many flaws its states â€Å"Each mind possesses the same degree of excellence and any thing that would attempt such a thing will have fallen from justice and become weaker† 2(originally said by Evodius but Augustine agrees to it) in this he is essentially saying that any mind attempting to enslave another mind to an inordinate desire will have become unjust and in the process weaker meaning it cannot control the superior mind. The first problem with this argument is the premise that all minds posses the same degree of excellence, this notion is completely wrong as it would be illogical to assume that all humans are intellectually equal. The fact that the foundation of the argument is wrong could serve to debase the entire argument as it is a paramount (and erroneous) notion upon which the argument is built. Augustine’s argument states â€Å"a Mind cannot be enslaved by something equal or superior to it because that thing would be just† 3 Not only does this statement destroy his previous notion that all minds are equal it also contains many faults on its own. Firstly its assumes that a mind that is superior would be just this assumption contains many problems. Firstly it assumes that the smarter you are the more just you would be, this statement is quite the contrary the smarter you are the more likely you are to be able to manipulate and scheme making you unjust, one can only look at politicians to see that the more intelligent you are the more susceptible you would be to carrying out unjust acts, so in my opinion this statement can be easily refuted. It is quite logical to assume that the superior mind will be more likely to try and enslave another mind for some purpose or another. One can only look at the peace among intellectual inferior animals which do not commit a multitude of nefarious acts in order to further themselves, contrast this with the chaos amongst humans and one can begin to see that the superior mind is truly less just than the inferior mind, humans have pride and ambition which engenders greed and other destructive traits, these are not seen in animals and babies (both of whom have inferior minds) and galvanizes the notion that a superior mind is less just than a weaker one. The next part of his argument that an inferior mind cannot enslave a superior mind because it will be weaker, contains much more logic than his previous arguments. I would not say this statement is wholly correct but the notion that a weak mind cannot enslave a superior mind is mostly correct in my opinion as it is logical to assume that weak cannot overcome the strong. On the other hand to completely write off a weak minds chances of enslaving a superior mind would be foolish as many other factors are involved in this process including emotions and circumstance, for example if a man with a superior mind is in love with a woman who possesses an inferior mind he could still be enslaved to inordinate desire by virtue of his love for her which will have warped his reason. Hence under some circumstances a weak mind can over come a superior mind yet it would be prudent to assume that a superior mind will always have the upper hand barring external factors. Finally in my opinion there is a huge inherent flaw in the entire argument of Augustine, I believe that pride, ambition, gluttony and all other various inordinate desires are inherent in humans in general, I do not believe it is necessary for a mind to sway another into these desires as they already exist within the human being, it is environmental factors which sway a human being into experiencing these inordinate desires not people and as a result I believe that Augustine’s arguments are fundamentally flawed. He takes a very idealistic view on humans believing them to only corruptible due to other unjust people corrupting them. In truth I believe (unfortunately) that humans are more inclined to feel inordinate desires due to extenuating factors that catalyze their latent emotions that lead to the dire consequences that are engendered by inordinate desires. In conclusion I believe Augustine’s arguments are mediocre. Their strengths are far and few and hugely outweighed by the flaws In them. His arguments while appearing logical and reasonable contain many imperceptible cracks which can be exploited greatly (and at times can debase his entire argument) in the case of a debate. On the basis of this I would have to say that his arguments are mediocre at best and while they are somewhat convincing a wise man would see through them easily.

The Connexions advert Essay Example for Free

The Connexions advert Essay he third most important aspect of advertising is editing this is the effects and special effects used to make the advert look better or say that now is the time to take the next step up in technology. There are two types of editing basic editing and the more special effects editing examples like the Renault scenic advert only uses basic editing which is the quick shots of the four locations and shots of the car apart from the opening and closing scene where they use a cartoon style opening and closing effect the Connexions advert also uses basic editing with its quick shots of the different areas. The two advert only have on scene where they use special effects and thats shown when they show us there logo or company name the Burger King advert does it too but the burger king advert uses the most special effects or uses it for the longest some examples are when it changes scene it uses a clock type motion showing that time is an aspect of the advert. Sound effects are quite important as they gives us an awareness on whats going on around us so this does have an impact on the viewers opinion on the advert or the product being advertised. On the Renault scenic advert in the four locations they have there relatives noises for that area like the car on the runway will have noises of planes which it has. The Connexions advert and the Burger King advert has sound effects too which are also relative to there locations apart from the burger king advert where it has ooooooo and aaaahhh at the monumental sites instead of the noises which are meant to be there. Adverts, a lot of the time use lights to help set the mood upon the advertised product and what its meant to do. In the Renault scenic advert its fun in the sun and its safe in the dark. The Burger King advert it is warm and sunny which is what weather in America is like. The Connexions advert they only use dark or just dim light making it a quite depressing environment. Music is used a lot in advertising because messages can be sent through songs and music this is done especially on the radio this is clearly shown and done in the Renault scenic advert, it uses the songs given in the order they are shown, summer holidays by Cliff Richard, Hi Ho Silver Lining by Geoff Beck, Teenage dirt bag by Weetus etc.. The Burger King advert has a Texas style chorus when arriving at the Burger King restaurant and the Connexions advert doesnt use any music because you wouldnt really have any in the back round when you are being told of. A lot of adverts use certain graphics or logos like the Burger King advert uses a slogan from there logo which is got the Urge, go to Burger King and it has fire flaming at the bottom of the screen advertising the new flamin Whopper. The Connexions advert uses the slogan lets talk about you and the Renault scenic advert has the slogan change your scenery and there logo Creature der Automobiles. The advert which worked most successfully the Connexions advert as it was just straight forward and easy to understand and it points out yes, if you are getting nagged and never get a chance to say anything then we will listen to you and the editing with all the voices perfectly merged together was pretty impressive. The Burger King advert comes next as it was to a simple advert just saying there no time for anything except for the new flamed grilled flamin Whopper for just à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1.99. these two advert worked well because they where both aimed at any age group where the Renault scenic advert was basically aimed at twenty year people and

Out Of The Silent Planet Notes English Literature Essay

Out Of The Silent Planet Notes English Literature Essay Chapter 1 Dr. Ransom, a philologist, is wandering streets, looking for a place to stay when a woman sees him, and calls to him mistaking him for her son, Harry. After a conversation, and in half pity for the woman, half desire to find a place to stay, Ransom goes to retrieve Harry from his place of work, a farm called The Rise. After sneaking into the back yard, Ransom finds two men holding the boy in the Professors house he calls out and they approach him. The men are Mr. Devine, who was a school mate of Ransom, and Professor Weston, and physicist. The men claim to be putting Harry in the washhouse because hes become hysterical, Harry claims that they are forcing him into Westons laboratory. Because of Ransoms relationship to Devine, the arrangements are made for Ransom to take a rest, then to take Harry home, and finally return to the house to sleep. Devine seems overly accepting, Weston is not happy about Ransom, and Ransom is very suspicious and uneasy about all of it but is too tired to care. Chapter 2 Devine brings out a bottle of champagne, and quizzes Ransom about his life. Ransom was in the army, and now has only a married sister in India. No one knows or cares where he is. Devine eventually begins to fill the glasses, his own first, and realizes he is out of champagne. He asks if Ransom would like water, and Ransom accepts. Minutes later, Devine returns. Ransom drinks it, and minutes later fades into unconsciousness. He has a dream about the two men and himself climbing a wall to a dark side with queer beings. He wakes up, still foggy, and hears the two talking of using him as an experimental subject, or not using the boy Harry. Devine leaves, and Ransom throws himself at Westons feet, knocking him over. Ransom runs, and opens the front door, but is hit in the head, and dragged back inside the house. Chapter 3 Ransom wakes up in a bed, with a skylight above him. He believes the moon is lighting his room from it. He looks at the walls, and believes they are going outwards, making the room larger, but he then also believe they are all perpendicular. He realizes the walls are metal, that there is a mechanical vibration, and that there are small irregular things hitting the room from above because of this, Ransom decides hes in an airship. He realizes the moon is far too big, and becomes panicked. Just then, a naked Weston enters. Ransom, more concerned with where he is, sobbing, asks Weston what it is, it cant be the moon. Weston says it is the Earth. Chapter 4 Ransom is horrified, and demands answers of Weston. He asks how the ship works, and why he was kidnapped. Weston says he will not say how it works, because Ransom wouldnt understand, and even if he did he wouldnt be told. All Weston will say is that it is powered by solar radiation. Weston says they are going to Malacandra, a planet it our solar system. Malacandra is its real name, not the one we named it. Weston knows this as he claims to have contact with its inhabitants, he claims to have been to this planet before. As far as kidnapping, and Ransoms purpose, Weston has no idea he says he is following orders. When Ransom asks whos, Weston changes subject to breakfast. Once outside his room, Ransom strips naked and puts on a weighted harness. He then has breakfast with Weston, and Weston tells him there is not enough oxygen on the ship for Ransom to ask so many questions. Weston then exits through an unknown door. Chapter 5 Ransom takes on the duty of steward and cook on the ship, doing what he can. He explores the ship as far as he is allowed, but is never allowed into what he assumes is the control room Devine and Weston take shifts in there. Ransom begins to feel happy, invigorated. Weston explains it as getting sun rays that never reach Earth, but Ransom suspects its because the nightmare he imagined space to be, it is not. About two weeks into the journey, Ransom returns to finish some preparations in the galley late at night, and hears the two men discussing him as a human sacrifice. Ransom decides suicide would be better than this, gets a knife, and brings it back to his bed. Chapter 6 Ransom feels invigorated once again by the adventure, and the threat of death. He is sure he could face it if the time came. The ship begins to get pulled in by Malacandras gravity, and the walls become floors as the center of gravity on the ship shifts. Ransom, with Devine and Weston, moves things to compensate for this. The ship is starting to land, and the light dims. Ransom hates this, seeing this destination as a negative. He thinks of how he believed planets were the centers of life, little earths, and he now believes they subtract from space, not add to it. Chapter 7 The ship lands and the three men get off the ship, and go to the hut Devine and Weston built on a previous journey, which Ransom thought was built by the aliens. Ransom realizes the ship and hut are on a peninsula of sorts in a lake. After lunch, Ransom and the men see six elongated creatures, two or three times the height of men. In chapter 8, Ransoms decides these are sorns. Devine and Weston attempt to push Ransom into the water with them, deciding the creatures wanted them to go across. Suddenly, Weston fires his revolver at something, a black torpedo creature coming toward the men. Weston releases Ransom as he fire, and Ransom runs. He sees Devine groan, jaws snapping, and Devine collapsing into the water. He hears Westons pistol fire again and again as Ransom runs away into a forest of unknown vegetation. Chapter 8 Ransom walks through the forest, tired and full. He takes in the landscape odd vegetation, small red creatures, and warm water streams lighter in color than the lake. He realizes the water is warm and fizzy. Next to the warm, heating water, Ransom lays down promising only a short rest, as he fears the black creatures may be in the water. He falls asleep. Chapter 9 Ransom wakes up convinced he will meet Ransom, convincing himself he is Ransom, and then talking himself out of it. He contemplates whether or not he is mad, and maybe he is in an asylum on Earth and is imagining the whole thing. Ransom then sees a herd of giraffe like creatures they are taller and skinnier that eat the leafs on the trees. It calms him, until he sees close behind a sorn. He runs in fright, and ends up by more water. A black, seal like creature emerges from the water. It is covered in a black hairy coat, and is around seven feet tall and very skinny. It begins to talk an unknown language to itself, and Ransom gets its attention. They stare at each other in fright for a moment, until the seal thing begins to walk away. In English, he calls it back and it comes. Through gestures, they communicate, and he learns it is a hross, and it speaks its own hross language, which it attempts to teach him. With gestures, the hross gives him food and drink. Chapter 10 Ransom travels with the hross all day long on the boat, on choppy waters that cause him to vomit. He realizes that handramit is lowland, handra is land, and harandra is highland. He also realizes that the earth itself is not the same, valleys are not formed by mountains, but by cracks or separations in the planet itself. Ransom is taken by the hross to a fire, where there are many hrossa, and baby hrossa as well. Ransom is content, and falls asleep. Chapter 11 Hyoi is the hross Ransom first met. Ransom has spent weeks with the hross, and he sees them as old stone age creatures. They have bare necessities, and nothing else. Clumsy, improvised pots and tools. Besides this, all they have is a poetry/music art, which each group of 4 hrossa practices. Eventually, Ransom comes to form habits, begin to understand the language, and become part of the group. He comes to find out they understand astronomy, as he learns language from the elder hross, Hnohra. Hnohra points out Thulcandra (silent planet). As to why it is silent, only the seroni know. When Ransom tells of Weston and Devine, the hrossa agree he should see the ruler of Malacandra Oyarsa. Ransom also learns that the hrossa have a religion, in which Maledil the Young had created everything, and resides with the Old One. Ransom learns of the other intelligent races of Malacandra The seroni, who lived in highlands in caves, were the intelligent ones, educated in astronomy, history, and overall science but helpless in practicality. The pfifltriggi lived in a broad, open space. They mined gold and made things of it, and were frog looking. When he asks which race rules, they say they are equal, only Oyarsa rules. Ransom tells them of earth, and they write poems. When he tells them of the small black creature, they agree it is a hnakra. The hross hunt these, but have not seen one for years. They all prepare to hunt it, as Hyoi does with Ransom, they prepare the boat. On the way, Ransom asks a hross who is talking to himself why he is doing that, he tells Ransom he is ta lking to an eldil. Ransom doesnt see anything, a shock to the hross. Chapter 12 Hyoi explains that the hross are monogamous, only mating and in love for 1-2 years of their life, they treasure memories over events. A good memory brews into poetry, and makes life more special. Hyoi explains the pride, honor in killing or being killed by a hnakra. He says they are our enemy, but also our beloved. They seems to respect and admire them, but also take pride in hunting them. Ransom asks Hyoi about the day they met, who was Hyoi talking to? Hyoi says it was an eldil, a messenger of Oyarsa. He explains them as wanting to be seen or not, light passes through them. Hyoi is surprised there are none on earth, and doesnt know if Ransom can see them at all. Chapter 13 All of the hross begin the hunt, and a eldil appears to Hyoi. Ransom can hear, but not see it. It says that Ransom must go see Oyarsa, as two men are hunting him, and he is in danger. Despite Ransoms protests, Hyoi turns the boat of himself, Ransom, and another hross, Whin, back to shore. Just then, a hnakra attacks the boat, and the three kill it. Elated, Hyoi says it is all he has ever wanted, and Ransom feels he has proven himself. A shot breaks the joy, and Hyoi has been shot by an English rifle. Ransom says the humans are evil, he attempts to apologize. Hyoi calls him a hnakra-slayer, a show of respect, forgiveness enough. Whin convinces Ransom that he must go immediately to Oyarsa, or bad things will continue to happen. Out of guilt, he complies. Chapter 14 Ransom wants to give himself over to the men, but fights the urge. He wonders where he was told, and as he starts to go up to higher ground, where the sorn live, the altitude takes its toll on Ransom. He cannot think straight, and is searching for Augrays tower, as he was told. He stumbles upon a light source, which he follows into a cave, where a fire burns. A sorn is in the cave. Chapter 15 The sorn, Ransom finds out, is Augray. Augray invites Ransom in, and feeds him vegetation and cheese. This comes from yellowish grazing herd animals. Ransom realizes that the giraffe creatures were these, and the sorn he saw chasing was simply a shepherd, not a threat to Ransom. Still suspicious about the social structure, Ransom asks if the sorn rule over the other groups. Augray says only Oyarsa rules, and they are all equal, just as the hrossa said. Ransom asks more about Oyarsa, and Augray explains that Oyarsa is everywhere at once, using light as an example. We do not see light, we see the things slower than it that are lit by it. Ransom says that there is not Oyarsa in his world, and Augray says this is yet more proof Ransom is of Thulcandra, the silent planet. Augray shows him Thulcandra, and Ransom says it is Earth. He feels bleak and depressed. Chapter 16 Ransom feels relieved that he has met a sorn, and they are not evil. The sorn is carrying Ransom to Meldilom on his shoulders, and to counter act the thin air, Augray gives Ransom an oxygen tank, the sorn thought of and the pfifltriggi made. Augray tells him all about extinct species that used to live in the harandra. Augray stops for the night at an older sorns house, that has students in it. They ask Ransom all about Earth geography, history, languages, politics, arts, etc. When he tells them of war, slavery, and prostitution, they conclude that it is because Earth has no Oyarsa. Chapter 17 Augray brings Ransom to the edge of the lake surrounding Meldilorn. A hross mans the ferry, and will not bring Augray across because he has not been called by Oyarsa. As payment, Ransom offers his watch to Augray. Augray declines the gift, telling Ransom to give it to the pfifltriggi instead. Ransom is told by the ferrying hross that all three races Malacandra sent assistants to Meldilorn, and the hross run the ferry, as they are boat experts. The hross tells him the are eldila all over the island, and once he gets on to the island, Ransom sees little flashes around him, confirming this. After a snack, a nap, and some watching of the sorns, Ransom discovers stone etchings of what he decides is the solar system. As he studied it, all the planets had a flame like figure above them, except Earth. Earths flame depiction had been removed, chiseled out. He also discovers that Malacandra is Mars. He hears a tapping, a discovers a pfifltriggi making a full body portrait of him in stone. He discovers that each race has its own language, but they all use the hross language as common tongue. The pfifltriggi, named Kanakaberaka, also speaks of gold suns blood and the way that females rule in that race. Chapter 18 Ransom spends the night in a guest house with all three races, he understands words but doesnt see the humor in any of their jokes. The next morning, he is woken up by an eldil summoning him to Oyarsa. He went to the summit of the island, where he and all creatures, including all the eldila, stood still and silent for quite a while. Later, Oyarsa came to meet him. Ransom is clearly nervous, and Oyarsa asks him why. He replies that it is because of Oyarsa, and Oyarsa says that Ransom was afraid of him before he got to Malacandra. Oyarsa says that he sent for a human to be taken to Malacandra. He also says that Earth used to have an Oyarsa, but he became bent, before life, and almost destroyed Malacandra. There was a war, and Oyarsa of Earth was banished to Earth, where he remains today. Oyarsa is told that Earth is still very bend. Oyarsa tells of how the men came 4 human years ago, taking suns blood (gold) without learning the language, saying no to seeing Oyarsa, and onl y taking gold. Oyarsa told them, like cubs, that if they didnt bring a human, they would not be allowed to take any more gold. Just as Ransom is beginning to tell Oyarsa all about Earth, a procession of hrossa carrying something. Chapter 19 The hrossa carry 3 dead hross, and have the two men captive. Hyois brother explains that two were killed while capturing the men, but Hyoi was killed with a cowards weapon. Osyarsa asks why they have killed the hrossa. Weston thinks it is a trick, ventriquism. He believes it is coming from a sleeping elder hross. He addresses, yells at the hross. He threatens the crowd with Pouf! Bang! but they dont understand. Finally, he pulls out a necklace and shows them it like theyre incredibly stupid. They begin laughing, which Weston mistakes for stupidity. Oyarsa asks Ransom if the men are mentally hurt, and he says that they dont believe Oyarsa is real. Ransom warns the men that they better pay attention, as Oyarsa is real. The sleeping elder leaves, and Weston stands dumbfounded when Oyarsa speaks. Oyarsa had some hrossa take him to dunk his head in cold water. Oyarsa and the rest have a funeral for the dead hrossa. They sing an honor song. A pfifltriggi touches each of the bod ies with a glass/crystal object, and they disappear in a flash of light with wind. Just then, Weston returns. Chapter 20 Oyarsa yells at Weston, for disrespecting him and his hnaus the first visit, for killing his hnaus, and for kidnapping Ransom. Oyarsa doesnt want to kill Weston because he is not one of his hnaus. Oyarsa gives Weston the chance to speak, and he says that he is prepared to die. Devine stands up and tries to say that Weston is just stupid, but Oyarsa silences this. Weston continues, with Ransom translating, that even if he is killed, the humans are so smart, strong, and advanced that they will take over the planet eventually. Oyarsa understands his nobility in regards to his race being the best. But he says that The Lord of the Silent Planet has made him bent, and made him think that his is the only race that deserves to live. Weston says maybe thats true, but at least hes a lord of action, not just words. Oyarsa says that the men will not be killed, but that they must leave the next day, (Oyarsa will provide 90 days of food, drink, and oxygen for them, after 90 days it wil l self destruct) and until then Ransom will stay to talk of Earth. The men are led away, and Ransom stays. Chapter 21 Ransom stays, and talks to Oyarsa about Earth. Oyarsa thanks Ransom, and tells him to watch the dangers of the bent ones, with the help of Maledil. Oyarsa also has all the weapons removed from the ship, except one for Ransom. Oyarsa also sends an eldil to watch over Ransom. The three make their way through crowds the next morning, and take off. Ransom begins to make notes for a dictionary on the Malacandian language. In order to make it in 90 days, Weston plots a course that is dangerous, taking them insanely close to the sun. They all become extremely dehydrated, but survive. However, when they become extremely close to a clean landing, the moon is going to intersect them. They have no choice but to go around, and they will never make it in time. Accepting death, Ransom retreats to his chamber and falls asleep. He wakes up to the sound of rain. The others have abandoned ship, but Ransom finds his way out in the dark. He walks for 30 minutes before he sees a bright light behind him, the ship has self destructed. He walks to a local bar and orders a pint of bitter (ale). Chapter 22 The narrator speaks directly to us, saying that he got the story from a professor he knew, whos name is not Ransom. The story came up when our narrator contacted Ransom regarding an unknown Latin word Oyarses. Ransom invited the narrator to his house and told him the story. The narrator and Ransom are worried about Weston, or the forces behind Weston. The evil needs to be stopped, but the world wouldnt listen, theyd laugh, if this was presented as fact. Ransom came up with the idea to write it as fiction, so people would be more accepting, and it would be more widely spread. The narrator is concerned, however, that no one will ever take it as reality. Ransom says the the very few who go beyond fiction, who are ready to fight, will easily find them, and find Weston, and how to stop the evil.

Gender Roles in Macbeth Essay -- GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

Gender Roles in Macbeth  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although written long ago, Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth still has themes relevant for contemporary society.   Murderous ambition, political intrigue, crafty social alliances, the disintegration of marriage – these could be headlines from any daily news program.   It comes as no surprise, then, that we also find a significant number of moments in the play where gender seems to be an issue. More specifically, we might say that Shakespeare's dramatic investigation into proper uses of power consists, in part, of a rigorous critique of the disparities between the respective roles assigned to men and women. Shakespeare seems especially interested in the moral and ethical implications of such discrepancies. In the interest of space and time, I will focus here on only a few brief moments from act one. However, I encourage you to note the further development of these points as the drama unfolds in subsequent scenes. In the very first scene of Macbeth we learn what Duncan and his people value in masculine identity. When the sergeant staggers in to report what he has seen of Macbeth in battle, we are given an image of a thane who is steeped in gore: For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smok'd with bloody execution, Like Valour's minion carv'd out his passage, Till he fac'd the slave; Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseam'd him from the nave to th'chops, And fix'd his head upon our battlements. (1.2.16-23) The king's response to this account is especially telling: "O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!" (1.2.16-24) demonstrates as much appreciation for the manner in which Macbeth overcame h... ...41). By play's end, we are confronted with her madness, the result of an excruciating tension between her identity as a woman and the desire to accommodate a misconceived and fatally monstrous masculinity. Although I do not intend here to resolve the question of gender in Macbeth (actually, I hope to provoke further thoughts on interpretation), I do wish to note that Shakespeare has forcefully bound the cultural problem of violence to the promulgation and validation of the roles a community assigns by sex. Read the play; attend a performance; consider the moral and ethical implications bound up in the plot of a would-be king who sheds true manhood even as he fulfills the masculine ideal. Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.

African Drumming :: essays research papers

The music culture model can be used to view music not as a part of culture, but culture as a part of music, which gives a better understanding to outsiders trying to comprehend another society’s music. The first component of the music culture model is ideas about music; this topic is subdivided into music and the belief system, aesthetics of music, context, and history. The second aspect is activities involving music in that culture. The third facet is repertories of music, which includes styles, genres, texts, composition, transmission, and movement. The last part of the music culture model is the material culture of the music, that is, what physical objects are used. By applying the music culture model to the war drumming of the Ewe people of Ghana, a greater appreciation of both the Ewe culture and their music can be attained.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first aspect of ideas about music is how music relates to the belief system of the people. In the Ewe tradition, music helps people get in touch with their ancestors and feel the power of life. Ancestors are very important to the Ewe because one’s ancestors have the power to work both good and evil on a descendant’s life; therefore, ancestors must be pleased through music. The power of life is also important to the Ewe because most natural things are seen as holy, and the energy force that runs through nature can be tapped through music.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second idea about music in the music culture model is aesthetics. In the Ewe culture, powerful music is regarded as â€Å"good† music. The force of drumming in a song like â€Å"Agbekor,† for example, helps remind the people of past war victories and bravery shown on the battlefield, an important concept for the Ewe people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The next aspect examined by the music culture model is the context of the music. Typical Ewe drumming performances are presented at funerals and festivals, where the aim is to reach the spirits of one’s ancestors. Music is a social element for these people, and performances are held for entire villages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The final idea about music in the music culture model is the history of the music. Drumming is one of the most historically important facets of Ewe culture. In the past, drumming has given the Ewe people freedom by way of intimidating their captors, as well as victories in the battlefield, and the blessings of ancestors. African Drumming :: essays research papers The music culture model can be used to view music not as a part of culture, but culture as a part of music, which gives a better understanding to outsiders trying to comprehend another society’s music. The first component of the music culture model is ideas about music; this topic is subdivided into music and the belief system, aesthetics of music, context, and history. The second aspect is activities involving music in that culture. The third facet is repertories of music, which includes styles, genres, texts, composition, transmission, and movement. The last part of the music culture model is the material culture of the music, that is, what physical objects are used. By applying the music culture model to the war drumming of the Ewe people of Ghana, a greater appreciation of both the Ewe culture and their music can be attained.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first aspect of ideas about music is how music relates to the belief system of the people. In the Ewe tradition, music helps people get in touch with their ancestors and feel the power of life. Ancestors are very important to the Ewe because one’s ancestors have the power to work both good and evil on a descendant’s life; therefore, ancestors must be pleased through music. The power of life is also important to the Ewe because most natural things are seen as holy, and the energy force that runs through nature can be tapped through music.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second idea about music in the music culture model is aesthetics. In the Ewe culture, powerful music is regarded as â€Å"good† music. The force of drumming in a song like â€Å"Agbekor,† for example, helps remind the people of past war victories and bravery shown on the battlefield, an important concept for the Ewe people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The next aspect examined by the music culture model is the context of the music. Typical Ewe drumming performances are presented at funerals and festivals, where the aim is to reach the spirits of one’s ancestors. Music is a social element for these people, and performances are held for entire villages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The final idea about music in the music culture model is the history of the music. Drumming is one of the most historically important facets of Ewe culture. In the past, drumming has given the Ewe people freedom by way of intimidating their captors, as well as victories in the battlefield, and the blessings of ancestors.

North American Natives Essay -- American History, The Iroquois Nation

The early natives of North America can be divided between six different regions that they lived in. The regions were easily designated by the different environmental conditions and resources found in those areas. The regions were known as the Eastern Woodlands, the Plains, the Southwest, the Northwest Coast, the Arctic and the Sub-Arctic. Each region provided a different set of challenges that help shape the people that lived there (Harcourt, 2009). In order to survive prior to the arrival of the European settlers the native people of North America had to adapt to their environment and use what it could provide or they would parish. Each region provided what the people needed in many different forms. If the people were able to adapt and learn how to use those resources they would survive. The Eastern Woodlands The Native Americans that inhabited the area from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean and up to the Great Lakes were considered to be in the Eastern Woodlands. During that time forest covered most of that area. What the Native Americans depended on to survive was provided from the natural resources that were all around them. They used what the forest provided for their homes, food, tools, clothing and weapons. There were many different groups of people that lived in the Eastern Woodlands but the two most predominate tribes were the Iroquois and the Cherokee nations. The Iroquois Nation lived in what later became known as the northern part of the United States. The Iroquois were made up of the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Ogondaga and Seneca tribes. They were also known as League of the Five Nations and all the tribes had to agree on decisions (Cipriano, 2003). By forming the League of the Five Nations th... ...nd understanding they had developed over generations. They also relied on each other for assistance with hunting and building their homes. These skills were evident throughout all the regions as the people learned to use the natural resources around them and other members of their tribe. However you can see the impact of outside influences like the arrival of the horse and the impact it had on the Plains Indian and their old way of life. They were able to embrace this change and make it a part of their new way of life. In order for those original people of North America to survive they had to adapt to their environment or change that environment somehow so they could survive. We are facing the same challenges today as we change our environment. How we adapt to that new environment so we can survive is the challenge the people of North America faces today.

Managing Church Conflict

Managing Church Conflict Conflict within Churches continues to be a problem (Tony Cartledge 2001), and it shows little sign of abating. In fact, the opposite could be much closer to the truth. Perhaps this is why so many in the ministry turn to the writings of Hugh Halverstgadt (2002), a ministry professor from Chicago. In the introduction to his book â€Å"Managing Church Conflicts†, Halverstgadt analyzes the personal and congregational reasons that provide the root causes, which can lead from minor disagreements to outright conflict. His book develops the theme that, as in many areas of life, to sensibly address these problems, ministries and churches globally need to institute a system of conflict management. Leading the reader through a step-by-step conflict management strategy, covering a wide range of typical scenarios, Halverstgadt leads us to his image of peace in churches based upon the notion of Shalom, which promotes the â€Å"right harmonious relationships to other human beings,† (Nicholas Wolterstorff, 1983).   The real question is whether the views held, and the solutions that Halverstgadt promotes to resolve conflict, address the situation. Halverstgadt’s preface asks the question â€Å"can Church conflict be Christian?† and argues that where it degenerates into a â€Å"dirty fighting† scenario, which is not uncommon, this is perhaps not the case. To address this he suggests that ways of turning such disputes into a â€Å"fair† Christian fight need to be found. However, he accepts that there is no need for the Church to fear conflict, provided it is engaged in a manner of fairness. He provides an insight into the reasons conflicts, identifying that essentially the foundation for all conflict is power and that power turns to conflict once its balance is disturbed. Such disturbances can one sector seeks to promote its power in a way that other may perceive would result in a weakening, and therefore limiting or reducing, the power that they think they should enjoy. As, in the case of the Church, most conflicts are deemed centered round power battles within the congregation itself, the book promotes the theory that it falls to the pastor or minister to take on the mantle of conflict manager. It suggests that to successfully take on and execute the role, the manager will needs to reassess their own ideas and beliefs in terms of conflict and their reactions to a situation that arises. In effect, Halverstgadt is looking to the conflict managers to retrain themselves into this new role so that their approach will lead to a solution to the issue that will be acceptable to all of the parties concerned. He acknowledges that the force nature of such a role may be alien to the person, but counsels that as long as they approach it from a position of self-worth, a knowledge that one is a loved member of God’s and the communities family, others will respond positively to them. Part two of â€Å"Managing Church Conflicts† concentrates on the understanding of the issues that have given rise to the conflict, and analyzing these issues and the parties involved into their component parts. One of the first steps advocated is to set rules for the discussion of the conflict, which may mean reorganizing the current ways that existing systems of debates within the Church and its congregation are managed. Often, in conflict situations, both the root causes and indeed the participants in the dispute are not easily identifiable. Therefore, the book suggests that there is a need for the conflict manager to move between the disputing parties and draw them together in conversation that is open and productive. One of the first, and most important, steps in this process includes ensuring that the disagreements move from a â€Å"dirty fighting† stance, which is characterized by its personal direction and content, to an open discussion based upon the foundation of Christian ethics. Haverstadt suggests that it is only once all of these issues have been addressed that the ministry or pastor can move onto the next step, which is the task of managing the conflict and bringing about a resolution that is just, fair and brings about unity once again. Haverstadt further recognizes that managing a conflict situation is no easy task, even for the most experienced conflict manager, and that is has certain limitations. Therefore, in the second part of his book, he sets out a straightforward systematic process for the church mediator to follow.   How they can avoid damaging exchanges between the parties, partially by using the interpretations of faith on the issues, and seeking calmer methods of controlling the discussions. He further discusses ways in which this process should not be limited to just the main protagonists as this could bring about the arising of new conflicts, but include the Church community, so that everyone understands where the process is heading. Furthermore, recognizing that there are issues within the individuals involved that might be better served in private, he suggests that the using of a mentor, or coach, may be beneficial. This gives the individuals the opportunity to discuss those feelings on a personal basis, and to receive comfort and counseling from those appointed to assist them. The desire is that this will lead to a situation where parties can put forward the basis of their strategies and arguments in a positive and clearly defined manner. In the relative calmness of discussion that these moves are hoped to produce, Haverstadt’s book then attempts to deal with the subject of resolution itself, outlining the strengths and weakness of the possibility of trying to reunite the differences or achieving a negotiated settlement acceptable to all. The whole focus or aim of the procedures that Haverstadt’s book promotes is the perception that, by following the guidelines outlined, a position of shalom will be reached. Shalom, in the biblical understanding of the term, a vision which emphasizes the notion of a united, just community bound in pleasant relationships. Although this may seem to exclude discord and diverse viewpoints, as Haverstadt explains, this is not the case. Diversity in the vision of shalom is realized and accepted within an enthusiastic wish to maintain and restore relationships with others using the one abiding link between the congregation, namely their belief in God and the trilogy. Differences in this situation become part of the core strength of the community, rather than the influence that tears the community apart. Result To the extent that the focus of Halverstgadt’s interpretation that the causes of Church conflict are produced by a clashing of power bases, there is little evidence to argue against his findings. If one looks at the development of the Christian Church over the centuries since it’s birth with the death of Christ, the power theory is evidently supported. From a that one focus, Christianity, one has seen it develop into a multi-faceted structure, with the only link, and that somewhat precarious, being the core belief in the trilogy. Catholic, Anglican, Baptist and Methodist, amongst a host of Churches, ostensibly promote the same message, all offering the same vision for the salvation of the human being. Yet, when reflecting about each other, the divisions are obvious, sometimes almost vitriolic in their expression. Historically, it is clearly demonstrated that these divisions resulted from a conflict of power. A typical example is the way in which the King of England separated the Anglican Church from the Church of Rome. Halverstgadt’s promotion of the use of conflict management in an effort to resolve Church conflicts, by providing a calm and common sense vehicle through which issues can be identified and resolved is laudable. Such systems have been used as an integral part of human resource management in business for a number of years, often with much success. However, like all strategies, it has its limitations. Successful conflict management in a community relies upon all the protagonists having the same goals. Business is possibly unique, in that all involved have a tangible focus for conflict management, the business itself. The difference with Church conflicts is that although much of the dispute is about power, it also rests in emotions and non-tangible ideas and beliefs. For example, some of the congregation would promote the idea that the Church should accumulate wealth, so that it can promote its message from a position of strength, others promote the idea that strength of message is better served and more honest from a position of meekness. Conclusion My opinion of this book is that it will serve as a good foundation for dealing with Church conflicts in a number of instances, the main areas to benefit from this good will be concentrated on a parochial basis. At the level where major conflicts occur, as identified in the example of conflict between King of England and the Church of Rome, the power driven differences are too embedded within the psyche of the dominators of the various factions for mediation to be truly successful. In addition, whilst the vision of Shalom is a worthy target for all communities, particularly in Churches, such is the nature of the Human Being that it is unlikely the culmination of this vision will come to fruition. My conclusion therefore is that, whilst the book provides valuable direction from which the Church, its concentration and examples are too localized to make a significant impact upon the area where it is needed most, namely the hierarchy of the various religious sects themselves. References Halverstgadt, Hugh. F. (1992). Managing Church Conflict. Westminster/John Knox Press. U.S. Cartledge, Tony. W.   ed. (2001). Church conflict a common problem. Biblical Recorder. North Carolina. U.S.A. Wolterstorff, Nicholas (1983). Until Justice and Peace Embrace Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. p 70.               

The Crazy Horse Electric Baseball Game

The story starts of while they are playing their first baseball game of the season against the Crazy Horse Electrics. They decide to put beer in the opposition team's water bottles as a prank, so that they could win. After that Willie decides to go fishing with his dad. They have deep conversations, and they start talking about why Willie's mom does not fish like she used too. Then they get into talking about Missy, Willie's little sister who died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). After that the book cuts into another baseball game, they are playing against the Crazy Horse Electrics. Sal, a big guy on the Crazy Horse, and Johnny get into a verbal argument, and then Johnny says something personal about him and he wound up and decked Johnny one. They break it up and continue the game. When Willie was about to pitch he looses his balance and Sal hits a good pitch. Then out of pure luck and talent, Willie stretches himself out and robs Sal of a sure triple. Willie becomes a minor legend. On their way home from school Jenny and Willie hook up. Then on the weekend, Jenny, Johnny, Willie and his family decide to go to the lake. Willie and Jenny set the table for a picnic when Johnny is out skiing. Willies mom complains about him never being safe enough. Next it is Willie's turn to water-ski. As Willie was doing a 360 ° turn, he caught the tips of his skis under the water and he crashed. Willies dad was in shock, Jenny had to give Willie mouth to mouth, and save his life. The left the boat, got into the vehicle, and drove to the hospital. Willie ends up with a speech impediment, and problems walking. He ends up doing crazy things, like acid, and drinking. He talks to a counselor whom he really likes. Willie does not want to go into a Special Ed class that the school is referring him to. He feels hopeless, and even jealous of his girlfriend for her athletics. He tries to play racquetball, but his dad gets frustrated with him. That night he hears his parents arguing over him. He hears his dad say that he thinks it would have been easier if Willie had died in the accident. From there he suspects Jenny and Petey of getting together, and finds out that they are. Willie freaks out on Petey when he trips of Willies cane, and then Petey unintentionally turns all of the attention over to Willie. Willie decides that night that he is going to run away. He goes to the bank, and tells the teller that he is going to buy a VCR, then he goes to the bus depot. He starts off on the bus with no regret, and no guilt. He arrives in Oakland, and has to take a bus transfer from there to get to the bus that will take him to San Francisco. On his way to the bus he meets a gang called the Jo Boys. They try to take his money, but when the bus came he jumped right on it to get away. They get on the bus too. He talks to the bus driver, and the bus driver says that he will try to stall the gang, but that's about all he can do. So he tries to run away as fast as he can with his handicap, and they catch up, beat him up, and take all four hundred dollars from Willie. Willie passes out. When he wakes up, there is the bus driver. He helps him up, then takes him to a restaurant where he agrees to let Willie stay the night, and ONLY the night. Willie ends up staying for good, under the agreement that he will clean up, and stay out of Lacey's (The bus driver) way. Willie finds out when Lacey says Human Relations Management, that he is a pimp. The next day Lacey and Willie go to look at the school. Willie goes in while Lacy stays in the car. It is a private school, and the owner, Andre, offers free tuition as long as Willie will help keep it clean. Andre explains that the school is for people who have any handicaps, physical disabilities, or things that cause them to have learning problems. So Willie accepts and is getting a tour, when a tall gangly blond kid, named Jack comes up and starts repeating over and over again, â€Å"This school is a chicken-shit rip-off†. Finally Andre calms him down, and they finish the tour. After a few days, Willie begins to actually try to be normal again. Though he is slow, Jack asked him to play a game of basketball. They went to an abandoned court, and started a game. This was when Jack started to call himself the â€Å"Telephone Man†. People start to watch the game, and Willie starts to get nervous. Finally the game ends, and Willie goes into the office with the Phys Ed teacher, Lisa. She asks him if he wants some help with getting control back. He says that he doesn't have any money, but he finds out she is doing it for a university paper. So they start with learning how to find his center. Willie stays in Lacey's apartment and practices dancing to some horrid music. He is learning how to place one foot in front of the other with applying the same amount of pressure on both sides. Suddenly Lacey comes home with a girl from Willie's school, Angel. Lacey is extremely drunk, and has the girl around the waste. Willie figured it out. She was a whore. Willie goes to bad, and then wakes up to screaming. He runs into Lacey's room to find him beating Angel. He takes his cane, and pounds it across Lacey until Lacey is flat out cold. Then Angle runs and calls the ambulance, and gets mad at Willie. She tells Willie that when Lacey wakes up he is going to kill Willie. So the next day Willie goes to the hospital. Andre had offered for Willie to stay in the basement of the school if he needed too a little while ago. Willie went in there, and he saw Lacey. At first Lacey was pissed off, but when Willie said that he would move, Lacey asked him to stay. Later on Willie was practicing basketball again. He was doing it a lot. Andre saw him and said that he was starting to look like a player. Willie rebounds the compliment to Lisa, because she was the one who was helping him so much. Andre asked him why he doesn't hang around with the kids. Willie replied that he doesn't do drugs. Andre gets a little angry and says that that is not the only way to get into the school. They play a little more, and Willie says that he will try to make friends. Later that night, after Willie finished polishing Lacey's car, Willie gets a phone call. It is Lacey's ex-wife, and she told him to tell Lacey that his son is still rotting away. Will decides to relay the message just to â€Å"your ex wife called. † Willie had never pried into Lacey's personal life, but when Lacey came home, he read the message. Then Willie and Lacey get into his car, and drive down to an old facility. When they look in they see Lacey's son, staring into blind air, damaged permanently. Lacey had abused him when he was younger. Lacey told Willie that Then Willie asks if that was the reason that Lacey took him in was to make up for what happened to his son. The next day at school, Lisa told Willie to ask Lacey for a hundred and forty dollars, for a special course. She said to tell Lacey that all the students were taking it, and Willie was getting a deal. So Lacey gave him the money, and the next morning Lisa picked up Willie, and they went to a gym to work out, then Willie got introduced to Sammy, who was Lisa's â€Å"boyfriend†. He taught Willie how to protect himself, and to use his â€Å"set-backs† as an advantage. Later on, Willie saw Angel, and he asked her if she was still working for Lacey. She said that she still was. He told her that he had talked to Lacey, and he said he would promise to tell her that she could go. He had told her, but she didn't want to give it up. It was the only way that she could get money, and she had been raped when she was younger. During the weekends, Willie and a bunch of people would go to the school and fix it up. Then one day, Willie went into the school, and found spray painted all over Jo Boys. He cleaned it up, and left. Then the next morning he found it again, and left it for Andre to find. Hawk got really angry about this, and was going to beat the Jo Boys up. Then Willie went to the washroom to find Jack in there, sick to his stomach from eating Bisquick and strawberry-scented shampoo. He told him to wait there while he grabbed him some clothes from the lost and found, and then sent him to run home and get changed. Willie went back to class, and then when he heard, â€Å"fight†. Hawk ran up and found Jack on the floor and the lead Jo Boy, Kam, against the wall. So Hawk beat him up. Then Hawk convinced Willie into letting them come into the school, since Willie had the keys, and wait for the Jo Boys to come, and they would catch them in the act, and beat them up. So that night Willie went, and they never showed up. The Jo Boys came and set the school on fire. Willie beat up Kam in the dark with his cane, and then went back and got him before he burned in the fire. Kam got sent to a Juvenile Delinquent Center. Willie was a hero. Then the book cuts to graduation. Willie thanks all the people that helped him along the way, and the next day he heads home. When he gets there, his parents are divorced, his dad is a drunk. His mom has remarried to a guy named Don. His dad doesn't want anything to do with him. Jenny is still angry at him because everyone thought that he was dead, and she felt guilty. He works things out with his family, and then goes to see his old house. When he gets there he sees a tiny baby, in his room. He sticks his finger out for her to grab and she does. He begins to cry. The mother says that her name is Melinda. He says, â€Å"Thank-you, she's beautiful†, turns around, leaves and head back to southern Oakland.