Discuss the different types of love Essay

In Act 3, Shakespeare portraits love in different characters’ point of views, also showing the different ways love can be expressed in. Orlando and Silvius both express their love openly, not fear of embarrassments. Touchstone’s love is very realistic; Phoebe’s way of express is very childish; and Rosalind’s words are very self-contradicting. Touchstone’s point of view of a â€Å"wife† is a tool that can be replaced or thrown away at any time. Just from the excuse he gave from not having a proper wedding â€Å"for he is not like to marry me well and, not being well married, it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife†, it can show that he doesn’t really value this marriage and is already thinking about divorcing before they are even married. Also from the reason he gave about the marriage is just â€Å"by so much is a horn more precious than to want†, we can tell how he sees Audrey as a person. Audrey in Touchstone’s eyes can be seen as an object or just a releasing of sexual needs, he is not respecting her in any point. As a professional jester, people usually imagine them as very nai ve and stupid, but in a contrast to Orlando from a noble family, he acts more mature and is more realistic. By using big difference in status, Shakespeare shows that the way of thinking is actually not affected by the status and job of that person. Different from Orlando, Silvius pursues Phoebe day and night, and begs that she would accept him, while Orlando is just expressing his love without even the courage to go see Rosalind face to face. But the love between Silvius and Phoebe is one sided. We can tell this after Silvius said she is like â€Å"the common executioner, whose heart th’accustom’d sight of death makes hard† begging her to go easy on him, but just in return receives Phoebe’s mocking. She mocks him about his hyperbolic language and says â€Å"now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee†. During the whole scene, she only said Silivius’s name once, showing that she does not even spare him a glance. Not only is their love one sided, Phoebe acts really irritated and is very cruel with the words she chose to use. Like â€Å"if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee†, suggests that she would rather kill him than to give him a little of her love. Although she says cruel things, but she never kicked Silvius or physically hurt him. She also never said anything like â€Å"stay away†, I think is because she likes to feeling of being â€Å"popular†, and the amount of attention Silvius is giving her. I think she mistook that every man is like Silvius, only crying for her love, and falling before her knees, that’s why she acts like a queen. This shows that Phoebe actually has very little contacts with people outside even the others in the forest. Phoebe actually is very inexperienced with love. Although she didn’t say openly, but saying â€Å"I had rather hear you chide than this man woo† to a man which she has just saw reveals her affections. Shakespeare here uses dramatic irony, because Phoebe doesn’t know that Ganymede is actually a women in disguised. And denying her own love is just like the actions of a child towards his or her first love, so I think she is very inexperienced in love. The love Orlando holds for Rosalind is very inconsiderate. As Rosalind says, he â€Å"haunts the forest that abuses out young plants with carving ‘Rosalind’ on their bards; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles; all, forsooth, defying the name of Rosalind†. He doesn’t care how much trouble he is causing to the forest and other people that lives in the forest, just for the sake of his â€Å"quotidian of love†. He didn’t care about Rosalind’s feelings whose name is written by him all over the forest, which makes her widely known, just for the sake of his â€Å"love†. Orlando is very childish, naive, and venire. He wants the whole world to believe that he is in love with Rosalind, even the â€Å"Ganymede† for which he has only seen. He said, â€Å"fair youth, I would I could make thee believe I love† and â€Å"I swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that unfortunate he†. From his urgent tone, we can tell that how much a stranger’s word weighs on his heart, in order for him to swear. â€Å"White† using to describe a person’s skin can mean that he or she is ill, but I think Orlando mean no harm, but this is just the word he can find to describe Rosalind. So, again, we can see the big difference in education between Rosalind and Orlando. He said the verses above right after Rosalind (now as Ganymede) said he doesn’t look like he is in love, so he reacted greatly from just a stranger’s words. Just from one side of the story, without questioning the truth, Orlando accepted the â€Å"help† of a stranger, without even knowing that person. If it was a trap, Orlando would be dead by now, so he is very nai ve. As a woman, Rosalind loves Orlando by heart. By the way she questions Celia about Orlando, â€Å"answer me in one word† shows that Rosalind is very urgent about everything that is about Orlando. Although she loves him, she doesn’t show it very much, denying the â€Å"love rule† in Shakespeare’s plays, which when characters fall in love hard and fast, they would be desperate and reacts greatly. Rosalind’s love is very self-contradicting. She says â€Å"love is merely a madness† when she also, is madly in love. She says as if she was very experienced with love, but actually she doesn’t hold much experience than Orlando does. These contradictions only happen when she is dress as a man, showing the difference in gender can bring much difference in the way of talking and gestures. Rosalind is a very ironic character. She comments on love from two different points of views when she is having two different identities. She uses her identities to her greatest benefits, but in return receives a self-contradictory image about love. It is because in Shakespeare’s period, all actors were men. Imagine a man playing a woman who plays a man in order to win a man’s love, the neat borders of gender becomes hopelessly muddled. I think Rosalind’s â€Å"Ganymede† identity is use to show that men is actually not much better than women, because the things men can do, women can also do if they want. Shakespeare displays love in many different angles, showing to the audience that love cannot be too realistic like Touchstone, but cannot be too imaginative like Orlando; love is a poison that can bring suffer like Silvius and Phoebe, but can also bring sweetness. The love in â€Å"As You Like It† is far to unrealistic that they are not likely to happen, but this is just a hyperbolic play, suggesting that it might occur in another form. Like Rosalind’s identities, love need to strike a balance; otherwise they would create problems for others and themselves.

Analyzing the Formation of Habits Using Behavioral and Social/Cognitive Approaches

The habit to be analyzed is cigarette smoking. Around the age of 13 is when I probably had my first cigarette. The habit developed from a learned behavior from the adults around me and peer pressure. I can remember many of the adult figures around me, more so the adult males, smoked cigarettes, and cigars. At the time when I was a girl there was not an age limit on buying cigarettes. My father, who ran his body and fender shop out the garage in the back yard would send me and my siblings to the corner drugstore to buy his KOOL cigarettes. The seventh grade is when the peer pressure began.I remember sneaking the KOOL cigarettes out of my father’s pack and smoking on the way to school with friends. Smoking did not become a habit then. I had older sisters and always wanted to follow them. So once I was in high school they let me hang out with them. I smoked to pretend I was as grown as they were. It still had not become a habit. After high school about the age of 19 is when it be came a habit. I moved away from home and wanted to do the things that grown-ups do. Because smoking has formed into a habit my body craved the nicotine and this is what fed the habit and caused it to continue.The habit continued until my 29th year when I became pregnant with my daughter. The smoking probably would have continued through pregnancy, but it made me sick. The smoking resumed after birth for the next 15 years. During the period after birth I tried to stop smoking once or twice unsuccessfully, convincing myself that I enjoyed smoking and was not ready to quit. It was the nicotine addiction talking to me. Most of my friends smoke and it was something we did together When comparing this habit to the behavioral personality theory, it makes complete sense.The behavioral personality theory only deals with externally observable things. This habit came about from watching and observing others. Trying to do as others to fit in or be someone different than who I was at the time, n ot knowing how addicting this habit could be. As a person gets older the body does not allow one to continue the habits that started in their younger years without consequences. The effects of aging start taking over. Because of operant conditioning this habit had to be change. The effect of smoking in people with diabetes cause a high cardiovascular risk, Diabeticnephropathy which causes kidney disease, high blood pressure, and genetic predisposition. Every visit to the doctor reminded me of the consequences of smoking. Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through these rewards and punishments, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior (Kendra Cherry, 2013). This conditioning caused me to quit this habit. First I had to make the conscience decision that this was going to be the end of smoking.The plan was to quit smoking cold tur key; I did not want to substitute one drug to give up another. I no longer allowed myself to buy cigarettes. If I had the urge to smoke a cigarette, I would get one from someone else, preferably non-menthol or not my brand so it would not be satisfying. All money that was to be spent on cigarettes went into a savings account. After six months I had a savings of $360. 00. This is where the operant conditions plays a part, that was a great reward. This was a hard habit to change but not as hard as I thought it would be.Like any habit or addiction I believe the person has to want to make the change. People who â€Å"relapse† make the conscience decision to continue the habit. Social cognitive theory (SCT) refers to a psychological model of behavior that started primarily from the work of Albert Bandura (1977; 1986). It was first developed with an emphasis on the cognitive process or acquiring knowledge of social behaviors, social cognitive theory continues to single out that lea rning happens in a social setting and that much of what is learned is acquired through watching others (The Gale Group, 2013).Cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT) refers to the basic principle that a person’s perceptions play a substantial and important role in the development and maintenance of emotional and behav ¬ioral responses to life situations. In CBT models, cognitive processes, in the form of meanings, judgments, appraisals, and assumptions associated with specific life events, are the primary determinants of one’s feelings and actions in response to life events and thus either enable or hold back the process of adaptation (A. Antonio Gonzalez-Prendes and Stella M.  Resko, 2013)After understanding both the social and behavioral cognitive theories, I believe the cognitive-behavioral theory has the most influence in the makeup of my personality. The cognitive behavioral theory comes into play when I am trying to reach self-actualization motives as described in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I tend to react on feelings in most situations, which will either enable or hold back the process of adaptation. In conclusion, I am finding that studying the different theories of behavior is giving me a better understanding of the way people act and think. This hase been a very informative class.

How have certain modern conflicts been described as ‘New Wars?’ Essay

Whilst ‘old’ wars have sometimes been referred to as ‘interstate industrial warfare’ which involve wars between states being fought by armed forces in uniform, with decisive encounters being decided on one battlefield, ‘new’ wars have been described by Mary Kaldor as ‘intra-state’ wars. In the last 20 years we have seen a paradigm shift; from armies with comparable forces doing battle on a field to strategic confrontation between a range of combatants using different types of weapons .These so-called ‘new’ wars which involve the use of civilians as both targets and objectives to be won, have been said to have been led by globalisation, due to the fact that the integration created has led to â€Å"fragmentation,† as seen in the Yugoslav wars with these wars being wars on identity. An identity war is a conflict in which the quest for cultural regeneration, expressed through the demand that a people’s collective identity is publicly and politically recognised, is a primary motivation for conflict. These ‘new’ wars have constructed new sectarian identities (religious, ethical or tribal) that undermine the sense of a shared political community. They recreate the sense of political community along the new lines through purpose of fear and hate. These ‘intra-state’ identity conflicts have been prominent in many recent conflicts, with the Iraq war and The Arab Spring seeing the recurrence of tensions between the Shia and Shiite Muslims. Furthermore, conflicts in the Congo, Rwanda and Sudan were also fought on the lines of ethnicity, with ethnicity also being a real cause in the Yugoslav wars with Slavic Christians being pitted against Bosnian Muslims. Furthermore, ‘new’ wars have differing characteristics to ‘old’ wars. As mentioned earlier, ‘old’ wars traditionally saw conventional armies fighting against each other, however with ‘new’ wars, we have seen a blurring between civilians and soldiers. This can be seen through the feminization of war, which has been seen in conflicts such as Rwanda, and the use of child soldiers in conflicts throughout Africa including Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Congo. This change has meant that women and children have become the main targets and victims of war and armed conflict in today’s conflicts. It estimated that 75% of all African wars are fought by children, and whilst rape has traditionally been a by-product of war for many centuries, it is now thought that War Rape is genuine military tactic. War Rape has been seen primarily in Rwanda where it is thought that 1 million women were raped and in the Yugoslavian Wars where ‘Rape Camps’ were set up. As one UN peacekeeper working in Africa put it, â€Å"It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict.† ‘New’ conflicts have also seen new tactics come in to play aside from ‘War Rape.’ Often’ ‘new’ conflicts have seen the occurrence of ‘Asymmetrical’ wars. Asymmetric warfare exists when two combatants are so different in their characters, and in their areas of comparative advantage, that a confrontation between them comes to turn one side’s ability to force the other side to fight on their own terms. Tactics used in these conflicts are often Guerrilla warfare and low-intensity hit and run conflict. An obvious example of this is seen in the conflict in Afghanistan through the use of IEDS and roadside bombs. Essentially such strategies used in the ‘war of the flea’ involve inflicting pain over time without suffering unbearable retaliation in return. Lastly, ‘new’ conflicts differ from ‘old’ conflicts through their funding. Whilst ‘old’ conflicts were funded through the state, as seen in the WW2 and the entrance into ‘total war’, ‘new’ wars are characterised by funding through the criminality of war. This illegal funding has been seen in Sierra Leone, where funding was acquired through the selling of blood diamonds, in Afghanistan where the Taliban are funded through the selling of opium, and finally in the Bosnian war, where counterfeit cigarettes funded Para-military groups involved in ethnic cleansing. To conclude, recent modern conflicts have been classified as ‘new’ conflicts as they differ through their legitimacy, funding and tactics.

It Takes Two to Tango Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

It Takes Two to Tango Response - Essay Example It is put into action in various situations ranging from petty, such as making a vacation rotation schedule to the life threatening ones such as renewing a contract with your suppliers or customers. Negotiations require the parties no matter the situation to reach an agreement point. Thus, when you decide to go into business with WSI, one should bear one thing in mind. The most fruitful outcome is one achieved during the negotiation process giving each party a correspondingly favorable deal. The main objectives for these negotiations will include certainty (Wankhede, 2013). Here is to record what it is that is being supplied, the standards of the commodity, the quantity of the product, magnitudes of delay and failure to exceed or meet expected requirements. It should also try to achieve the best deal by holding discussions of every element to ensure that both parties’ objectives are acknowledged. There should be the creation of a long-term relationship between parties and ensuring one achieves the organization objectives. Information research is necessary before engaging with a 3PL, and one must conduct a broad research on a number of issues (Wankhede, 2013). One is whether the firm is asset based as they make use of their warehouse, personnel and trucks to run their businesses. Management based make use of managerial and technological functions to run the function of logistics to their clients. The third type is integrated providers who mainly enhance their services according to customer needs. When the decision has been arrived at, the quotation (RFQ) and the request for information (RFI) ought to be detail as possible. The firm selected should accomplish the requirements of logistics that competing firm could also achieve. When engaging with a company like WSI there is the risk of emergence of potential issues that could result in very costly mistakes impacting negatively on your business. One should factor in the state of

Rewrite my essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rewrite my - Essay Example The first of these is that it may be possible for a project to have a concrete starting point but not a predetermined finishing point. As an example, a project to do with rehabilitating endangered animals has some unplanned risks that could delay the project from being completed. In this situation, no fixed end date would be set because it is possible that the project would yet to be completed. Although the Work Breakdown Structure breaks activities down into more manageable tasks, one downside is that some unforeseen circumstances may arise. Let’s say that a project has many problems through on each stage of execution. During the beginning stage, a project may face the difficulty of trying to fix a broken down car in the middle of the highway. In the next stage, a weather problem could prevent an airplane from landing, which would decrease its fuel. In the final stage, a project may face a problem of dealing with the heath of a newborn animal, and this may delay a project further. Therefore, every project can contain many different perspectives that derive from project management. As was mentioned above, we have now increased our knowledge about the positives and negatives of project management concerning any given problem. This background will assist in understanding all the holdups that occur in project management. In addition to this, also to be discussed are the issues that can harm the objective of a mission statement of a company. Understanding the basics of project management helps companies and employees alike to make decisions based on project management techniques. Forecasting can assist in identifying results in terms of scope, scheduling, price, and quality. In summary, we can say that project management is a problem-solving technique that can be used while carrying out research methodology. The benefits of project management for any simulation are listed below: The planning phase of

Guillermo Furniture Store Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Guillermo Furniture Store Concepts - Essay Example Among the financial concepts appreciable within the context of the set-up include financial markets, financial principles as well as business ethics that form the basis from which financial decisions are made. Guillermo’s Furniture Store case study divulges how the entry of a new competitor from abroad has triggered unexpected challenges to the financial situation of the business. Previously, Guillermo furniture store seem to benefitted from a form of monopoly advantage, resulting from its seemingly popular brand name, non-competitive market conditions and cheap labor in Sonora. This was until the entrance of the new entrants into the local market. Competitors use technology to boost their competitive advantage, in which case they add value to their services to attract customers as well as retain them (Emery, Finnerty & Stowe, 2007a). In view of the fact that financial self-interest is aimed at guiding businesses towards balanced supervisory decisions, it appears the furniture store is compelled to reassert its position if they have to counter competition from the new entrants in Sonora. In this case, the principles of finance demonstrate archetypal behavior in financial transactions. In addition, it offers a model for decision-making with regard to the Guillermo’s Furniture Store scenario. Based on the principles of financial management, Guillermo has a number of sensible options worth applying. Among them includes the principle of two-sided transactions, which is effective in instances where bsuinesses are faced with no less than two sides and where each part considers its own self-interest. In addition, the principle of two-sided transactions is seen to occur each side is seen to be acting on behalf of its financial self-interest (Emery, Finnerty & Stowe, 2007a). For example, when two forces occurred in the Guillermo scenario to damage his

The Social Impact of Automobile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Social Impact of Automobile - Essay Example We are popular with possession of the right product, and, at the same time, own our individuality. The car has moved far from being just a tool of convenience or necessity, it has come to life within our minds and our culture. The intricate psychological reasoning for these insecurities is as varied as the individuals themselves. â€Å"Every adult life could be said to be defined by two great love stories. The first – the story of our quest for sexual love – is well known and well-charted. The second – the story of our quest for love from the world – is a more secret and shameful tale. And yet this second love story is no less intense than the first.† (de Botton, 2004). De Botton’s research for possible cures to â€Å"status anxiety† leads to the idea that the admission of ones mortality puts into perspective elements of status, such as careers, possessions, appearance and fame. (Jutkins, 2006). Life experiences that frustrate the fulfillment of people’s basic needs such as independence, competence and interrelationships result in feelings that lead to differing levels of materialistic pursuits. This tendency is especially heightened under the curren t atmosphere of cultural consumerism. To deal with cultural pressures and their effects, people may resort to what psychologist term as compensatory consumption. That is, consuming even more to feel better. â€Å"This is ironic because this additional consumption often stems from the culture of consumerism itself.† (Kasser, Kanner, 2004, p. 16). The market has positioned the most physical of products such as cars, in ways that provide a kind of healing to consumers. Consumers have been drawn into a self-willed daze by an assault of feel-better-about-yourself advertising. The purchase of what we perceive others believe as beautiful possessions enable us to feel significant and worthwhile, at least for a short time. (Davis, 2002). People buy for recognition from family, friends and

Future of Food Supply Chain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Future of Food Supply Chain - Essay Example n will collect more information and data from their suppliers, including the farmers, so that they can serve the internal demands related to risk assessment, strategic decision-making and the monitoring of progress towards future-looking targets (Mattoo, Mishra and Narain 56). The forces shaping the food supply chain, which will greatly influence the systems of the future, include dependency on ecosystem services, forest footprinting, and the production of greenhouse gases – irrespective of the fact that the different players within the supply chain will employ their methodologies across the varied business areas (Marsden, Banks and Bristow 426-427). Some of the companies that have been acting in ways that are similar to the outlook of the future food supply chain include LEAF and Landcare as well as commercial players like Unilever; these companies have been gathering information about the sustainable nature of their supply chains, which has helped them to make strategic deci sions (Fafchamps, Vargas-Hill and Minten 257). Farmers will need the information required to support the changes that will make their production more attractive in the market. Further, the end consumer will exercise more control over the production systems and the technologies of the producer, due to changes in preferences and lifestyles – among them the increasing demand for organic foods. The power of farmer groups and Land-management The flow of knowledge, on itself is not sufficient to ensure hat farmers and other players within the supply chain improve their output, efficiency in the use of resources and quality (Marsden, Banks and Bristow 426-427). Regulatory, cultural and organizational changes will become more necessary, in fostering the implementation and the maintenance of positive... This report approves that the future of the business of farmers will represent the outlook of the Farmer Field school movement, which offers training to farmers and allows them to experiment on their own farms, and then group together to chart the way forward for their farming outlook. Through the grouping of farmers into groups, there will be a more strategic realization of strategic partnerships between them and the companies that consume their produce. One example of such a strategic partnership is that of Unilever and its suppliers – the company has strategically positioned itself with the primary processor suppliers. Some agencies that are already studying the system applied to agriculture and their impacts include LCA. Irrespective of the fact that innovation in agriculture is difficult, the future outlook of the members of the supply chain will be more conscious of the changes of land use required.The different areas that will be explored at greater depths include food safety, water footprinting, social impacts, biodiversity, and legality. This essay makes a conclusion that world business and economics are changing swiftly, and that is calling for the constant improvement of the food supply chain. The changes anticipated in the future supply chain include improvements in information and knowledge flow, the increasing command of farmer groups and Land-management and innovating according to market needs. Many of the supply chain changes anticipated for the future are evident from the business of Wal-Mart, which uses IT to monitor its supply chain from the store to the farm.

Matriarchy versus Patriarchy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Matriarchy versus Patriarchy - Research Paper Example Such a society implies male privilege and rule, and entails women's subordination (Asadi 4). Most patriarchal societies are as well patrilineal, indicating that only males inherit the title and property. Women, in a patriarchal society are matriarchal. On the other hand, matriarchy is a social system in which women or older females are the headers of their families. In such societies, women determine relationships and descent and they play major roles in the government. Currently, many religions believe that males should be the leaders in their families and society and both children and women must obey to their authorities (Asadi 72). The main purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast how women are presented, treated and importance in different religious. The content of this paper compares and contrasts women treatment in Islamic and Christian religions. Women treatment in Christianity and Islam Religions Throughout the religious history, men believe that they are more superio r to women in most diverse religions (Eller 121). Is this belief true in Islam or Christianity religions? In Christianity view, a woman's role is different from other religions since their roles are equal to those of males. In Galatians chapter 3 verse 28, Apostle Paul writers, â€Å"in Christ there is neither female nor male in Christ, Greek or Jew†¦Ã¢â‚¬  all human beings are equal before Christ. However, the two religions have expressively denied accepting the significant roles that women can influence in the society. Despite the advent of civilization, the prevalence of male chauvinism has served to suffice the importance of women in the society. Majority of the people professing the two religions hold that women are subjects to their husbands and they can never be equal. Similarities In both religions of Islamic women and Christian women, worship is a vital part of their responsibilities although the reasons behind this worshiping differ. Women from Islamic religion wors hip by adhering to a schedule of prayer and fasting, therefore, after their death, their good actions and ability to keep the Islamic laws, will enable the women enter â€Å"paradise† (Kanra 111). While Islamic men in â€Å"Paradise† are assured the company of various virgins for their pleasures, Koran does not offer much information for those women who afford their way in. It is evident that Islamic men derive the assurance that they will dominate the women in paradise since it is the case on earth while still the women are knowledgeable of passing into paradise as virgins to become subjects to their men. On the other hand, Christian women love God because He initially showed love to them. God offered is only beloved son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sinners since they were unable to earn any of the heavenly grace. Similarly, Christian women worship God through praying and fasting, but this is practiced in response to God’s commandments, and not fo r earning God’s favor (Kanra 42). A Christian woman is always aware of the awesome ease of acquiring God’s favor. As Jesus Christ said in John chapter 3 verse 16, â€Å"whoever believes in me shall not perish, but have everlasting life†. Christian women worship and praise the Lord to enable them to enter the Kingdom of heaven after death. Further, Christian women abide by Biblical teachings in order to draw God’s favor and become certain of the resurrection after death and acquisition of eternal life in paradise. In both religions, women play a major role of taking care of their husbands and children. They have the role of preparing and serving meals for their husbands and children. Women are only supposed to concentrate with home duties such as

Pharaphrasing the Purple Hibiscus Essay Example for Free

Pharaphrasing the Purple Hibiscus Essay Kambili and Jaja both come of age in Purple Hibiscus as a result of their experiences. The book opens with Jaja rebelling against his devout Catholic father by skipping communion on Palm Sunday, an important religious holiday. The following chapters detail the events that culminate in Jaja’s defiance. The book is narrated by Kambili three years after this incident. Since she has been stunted by the severe punishments of her father, Kambili barely speaks. Her narration is striking because it can be concluded that she finds her own voice throughout this ordeal. Both Kambili and Jaja take steps towards adulthood by overcoming adversity and being exposed to new thoughts. Part of growing up is building your own identity by choosing which paths to follow. In Enugu, the only path Kambili and Jaja are allowed to follow is Papa. He writes out schedules and severely punishes them when they stray. When Kambili and Jaja visit their Aunty Ifeoma in Nsukka, they are astonished by what they find. Though her home is small and devoid of luxuries, there is love and respect. Her children Amaka and Obiora are allowed to question authority and choose their own paths. Obiora, though he is three years younger than Jaja, is articulate and protective. He has been initiated into Igbo culture by performing a rite of manhood. Jaja was not allowed to participate and is ashamed that he is lagging behind his cousin. In Nsukka, Jaja is encouraged to rethink his allegiances and make his own decisions. Aunty Ifeoma encourages Kambili to reconsider her stance on Papa-Nnukwu. As she has been taught by Papa, her grandfather is a heathen. But when she searches his face, she sees no signs of godliness. After witnessing his innocence ritual, Kambili questions the absolute rule of her father. Both Kambili and Jaja take major steps towards adulthood by claiming their individuality. Religion There is a contrast between Father Benedict and Father Amadi. Priest at Papa’s beloved St. Agnes, Father Benedict is a white man from England who conducts his masses according to European custom. Papa adheres to Father Benedict’s style, banishing every trace of his own Nigerian heritage. Papa uses his faith to justify abusing his children. Religion alone is not to blame. Papa represents the wave of fundamentalism in Nigeria that corrupts faith. Father Amadi, on the other hand, is an African priest who blends Catholicism with Igbo traditions. He believes that faith is both simpler and more complex than what Father Benedict preaches. Father Amadi is a modern African man who is culturally-conscious but influenced by the colonial history of his country. He is not a moral absolutist like Papa and his God. Religion, when wielded by someone gentle, can be a positive force, as it is in Kambili’s life. Papa-Nnukwu is a traditionalist. He follows the rituals of his ancestors and believes in a pantheistic model of religion. Though both his son and daughter converted to Catholicism, Papa-Nnukwu held on to his roots. When Kambili witnesses his morning ritual, she realizes that their faiths are not as different as they appear. Kambili’s faith extends beyond the boundaries of one religion. She revels in the beauty of nature, her family, her prayer, and the Bible. When she witnesses the miracle at Aokpe, Kambili’s devotion is confirmed. Aunty Ifeoma agrees that God was present even though she did not see the apparition. God is all around Kambili and her family, and can take the form of a smile. The individualistic nature of faith is explored in Purple Hibiscus. Kambili tempers her devotion with a reverence for her ancestors. Jaja and Amaka end up rejecting their faith because it is inexorably linked to Papa and colonialism, respectively. Colonialism Colonialism is a complex topic in Nigeria. For Papa-Nnukwu, colonialism is an evil force that enslaved the Igbo people and eradicated his traditions. For Papa, colonialism is responsible for his access to higher education and grace. For Father Amadi, it has resulted in his faith but he sees no reason that the old and new ways can’t coexist. Father Amadi represents modern Nigeria in the global world. Papa is a product of a colonialist education. He was schooled by missionaries and studied in English. The wisdom he takes back to Nigeria is largely informed by those who have colonized his country. He abandons the traditions of his ancestors and chooses to speak primarily in British-accented English in public. His large estate is filled with western luxuries like satellite TV and music. Amaka assumes that Kambili follows American pop stars while she listens to musicians who embrace their African heritage. But the trappings of Papa’s success are hollow. The children are not allowed to watch television. His home, modernized up to Western standards, is for appearances only. There is emptiness in his home just as his accent is falsified in front of whites. Over the course of the novel, both Kambili and Jaja must come to terms with the lingering after-effects of colonialism in their own lives. They both adjust to life outside their father’s grasp by embracing or accepting traditional ways. Nigerian Politics Both Kambili and the nation are on the cusp of dramatic changes. The political climate of Nigeria and the internal drama of the Achike family are intertwined. After Nigeria declared independence from Britain in 1960, a cycle of violent coups and military dictatorship led to civil war, which led to a new cycle of bloody unrest. Even democracy is hindered by the wide-spread corruption in the government. In Purple Hibiscus, there is a coup that culminates in military rule. Papa and his paper, the Standard, are critical of the corruption that is ushered in by a leader who is not elected by the people. Ironically, Papa is a self-righteous dictator in his own home. He is wrathful towards his children when they stray from his chosen path for them. In the wake of Ade Coker’s death, Papa beats Kambili so severely she is hospitalized in critical condition. Both in Nigeria and in the home, violence begets violence. Kambili and Jaja are kept away from the unrest at first. They witness protests, deadly roadblocks, and harassment from the safety of their car. But when they arrive in Nsukka, they are thrust into political debate. Obiora says the university is a microcosm for Nigeria – ruled by one man with all the power. Pay has been withheld from the professors and light and power are shut off frequently. Medical workers and technicians go on strike and food prices rise. There are rumors that the sole administrator is misdirecting funds intended for the university. This is a parallel to what is happening in the country at large. Kambili and Jaja now understand firsthand the struggle of their cousins. The personal becomes political, and vice versa. Silence Several characters are gripped with silence throughout the novel. Kambili suffers the most, unable to speak more than rehearsed platitudes without stuttering or coughing. Her silence is a product of the abuse that she endures at the hands of her father. Kambili does not allow herself to tell the truth about her situation at home. When her classmates taunt her for being a backyard snob, she does not explain that she does not socialize out of fear. She is not allowed to dally after school lest she be late and beaten. She finally learns how to speak her mind when she is taunted continuously be her cousin Amaka. Aunty Ifeoma encourages her to defend herself and only then can Amaka and Kambili begin their friendship. Kambili begins to speak more confidently, laugh and even sing. The titles of the second and fourth section are Speaking With Our Spirits and A Different Silence. Kambili and Jaja communicate through their eyes, not able to utter the ugly truth of their situation. Mama, like her daughter, cannot speak freely in her own home. Only with Aunty Ifeoma can she behave authentically. The silence that falls upon Enugu after Papa is murdered is, as the title suggests, different. There is hopelessness to this silence like the one that existed when Papa was alive. But it is an honest silence. Mama and Kambili know the truth and there is nothing more that can be said. Jaja’s silence betrays a hardness that has taken hold of him in prison. There is nothing he can say that will end the torment he experiences. The tapes that Aunty Ifeoma sends with her children’s voices are the only respite he has. Silence is also used as punishment. When Kambili and Jaja arrive in Nsukka for Easter, Jaja refuses to speak to his father when he calls. After the years of silence that he has imposed upon his children, they use it as a weapon against him. The government also silences Ade Coker by murdering him after he prints a damning story in the Standard. When soldiers raid Aunty Ifeoma’s flat, they are trying to silence her sympathies with the rioting students through intimidation. Silence is a type of violence. Domestic Violence On several occasions, Papa beats his wife and children. Each time, he is provoked by an action that he deems immoral. When Mama does not want to visit with Father Benedict because she is ill, Papa beats her and she miscarries. When Kambili and Jaja share a home with a heathen, boiling water is poured on their feet because they have walked in sin. For owning a painting of Papa-Nnukwu, Kambili is kicked until she is hospitalized. Papa rationalizes the violence he inflicts on his family, saying it is for their own good. The beatings have rendered his children mute. Kambili and Jaja are both wise beyond their years and also not allowed to reach adulthood, as maturity often comes with questioning authority. When Ade Coker jokes that his children are too quiet, Papa does not laugh. They have a fear of God. Really, Kambili and Jaja are afraid of their father. Beating them has the opposite effect. They choose the right path because they are afraid of the repercussions. They are not encouraged to grow and to succeed, only threatened with failure when they do not. This takes a toll on Jaja especially, who is ashamed that he is so far behind Obiora in both intelligence and protecting his family. He ends up equating religion with punishment and rejects his faith. There is an underlying sexism at work in the abuse. When Mama tells Kambili she is pregnant, she mentions that she miscarried several times after Kambili was born. Within the narrative of the novel, Mama loses two pregnancies at Papa’s hands. The other miscarriages may have been caused by these beatings as well. When she miscarries, Papa makes the children say special novenas for their mother’s forgiveness. Even though he is to blame, he insinuates it is Mama’s fault. Mama believes that she cannot exist outside of her marriage. She dismisses Aunty Ifeoma’s ideas that life begins after marriage as â€Å"university talk.† Mama has not been liberated and withstands the abuse because she believes it is just. Ultimately, she poisons Papa because she can see no other way out. The abuse has repressed her to the point that she must resort to murder to escape. Nature/Environment The book’s namesake flower is a representation of freedom and hope. Jaja is drawn to the unusual purple hibiscus, bred by a botanist friend of Aunty Ifeoma. Aunty Ifeoma has created something new by bringing the natural world together with intelligence. For Jaja, the flower is hope that something new can be created. He longs to break free of his Papa’s rule. He takes a stalk of the purple hibiscus home with him, and plants it in their garden. He also takes home the insight he learns from Nsukka. As both blossom, so too do Jaja and his rebellion. Kambili’s shifting attitudes toward nature signify her stage of transformation. During one of the first times she showers at Nsukka, Kambili finds an earthworm in the tub. Rather than coexisting with it, she removes it to the toilet. When Father Amadi takes her to have her hair plaited, she watches a determined snail repeatedly crawl out of a basket. She identifies with the snail as she has tried to crawl out of Enugu and her fate. Later, when she bathes with water scented with the sky, she leaves the worm alone. She acknowledges that God can be found anywhere and she appreciates its determination. In the opening of the book, Kambili daydreams while looking at the several fruit and flower trees in her yard. This same yard, a signifier of wealth, leaves her open for taunts of â€Å"snob† at school. But here she fixates on the beauty of the trees. When she returns from Nsukka after her mother has miscarried, Kambili is sickened by the rotting tree fruit. The rot symbolizes the sickness in the Achike household but also that Kambili is seeing her home with new eyes. Like the trees, she is trapped behind tall walls. Weather also plays a role in the novel. When Ade Coker dies, there are heavy rains. After Palm Sunday, a violent wind uproots several trees and makes the satellite dish crash to the ground. Rain and wind reflect the drama that unfolds in the Achikes’ lives. Mama tells Kambili that a mixture of rain and sun is God’s indecision on what to bring. Just as there can be both rain and sun at the same time, there are good and evil intertwined. In nature, Kambili gleans that there are no absolutes. Papa is neither all good or all bad, her faith does not have to be either Catholic or traditionalist, and she can challenge her parents while still being a good child. * 1-310-919-0950 * Log In | * Sign Up * 1) Five major issues explored in purple hibiscus are; domestic violence, oppression, religion, education and love. 2a) Adichie uses a narrative point of view to explore the theme of domestic violence. The book is narrated in the first person by a 15 year old who is directly affected by domestic violence. Because of her young age she is quiet honest and this allows her to paint a great picture to the audience of the brutal abuse that Eugene bestows upon his family. This is as a result of her sensitive, intelligent and observant nature. 2b) Oppression is explored through narrative point of view. Adichie uses the point of view of Kambili to show the audience how oppressed the country is not only in the Achike household but the whole of Nigeria. Again Kambili’s honesty and good descriptions help to give the readers an idea as of how oppressed the country and Eugene’s household really is. 2c) Adichie uses narrative point of view to explore the theme of religion. She uses this because Kambili the narrator is exposed to different kinds of religion, such as, fanatic Catholics, liberated Catholics and Traditionalists. Again, it is Kambili’s observant nature that helps to give the readers a good idea of what all of the practices are like. Kambili’s narration is also used to show the great impact that religion has on life. 2d) Education is also explored through narration. In the narration Kambili has an encounter with her father and Kambili’s father’s past gives us an idea of how important he thinks education is. 2e) Love is also explored through narration. Although Kambili is a 15 year old through her narration we are able to see that she loves father Amadi. The love however is immature in because they have known each other for a very short time. Although the love narrated is not very mature it is still love. Adichie uses narration to show the audience that Kambili is in love and Adichie uses her narration to give us some hints of this love. 3a) Adichie bring out [continues]

Unfair Dismissal Problem Question

Unfair Dismissal Problem Question This question would be regarding on the areas of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and whether Carmen could bring a claim under Employment Tribunal(ET) for her dismissals. Firstly, Carmen would need to fulfil the qualifications under ACAS to bring a claim. Carmen would need to proof that she is the employee of the hospital and had worked for the same employer for at least 2 years after 6th of April 2012. On the facts, she is a nurse who work in Mount Vernon Hospital, Wimbledon, London for the past 11 years. Next, she would then need to prove that she has ordinarily working within United Kingdom(UK) as per the case of Ravat v Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Ltd[1]. On the facts, she had worked in London which it is clearly within UK. Then she would then need to prove that she was not employed on an illegal contract and not under the exclusion of class which is the armed forces. On the facts, it is clear that she is employed lawfully as a nurse and she was not in the excluded class. Furthermore, she has the burden of proof to prove that she had been dismissed under s.95 of Employment Rights Act 1996(ERA).[2] On the facts, she had been summarily dismissed which is dismissal without notice as she was alleged to be breach in contract due to her drunkenness in work. Moreover, she would need to bring the claim by submitting a form of ET1 for her unfair dismissal claim to the Employment Tribunal nearest to her employer in 3 months from the effective date of termination of the employment contract. However, Carmen would also need to send her employer and her contact details to the The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service(ACAS) as they will attempt to conciliate within one month under s.7 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013(ERRA) which came into force in April 2014. If it fails, then the officer will issue a certificate to this effect and Carmen would need this certificate to file the ET1 form. On the facts, the effective date of termination for Ca rmen would be the date of she received the summary dismissal letter as per s.97(1) of ERA. However, the employer would have a defence if the reasonableness for the dismissal could be justified. The burden of proof would then shift to the employer. The Mount Vernon Hospital would need to prove that they had honestly believe that the facts disclosed a fair reason at the time of dismissal of Carmen and there is no need for a positive proof that the offence has been committed as per Devis Sons Ltd v Atkins[3]. However, an evidence would be considered if it relates directly to the reason for the dismissal. There could be more than one reason but if one of the reasons cannot be substantiated, the employers defence would fail even if the other reasons are valid as per Smith v City of Glasgow DC[4]. On the facts, the Mount Vernon Hospital would argue that Carmens dismissal was due to her drunkenness at work which was witnessed by Kelly where she smells alcohol in Carmens breath and her speech was slurred. Thus, the test laid in the case British Home Stores v Burchell[5]would be discussed to determine the reasonableness for Carmens dismissal as it was a misconduct dismissal. It is a 3 steps test which includes whether the employer reasonable belief the misconduct, whether it is based on reasonable grounds and whether a reasonable investigation that has been carried out. Firstly, in Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust v Roldan[6] where it follow the test laid down in Burchell, it was held that the proof of misconduct would not need to be irrefutable. On the facts, it could be argued that the Mount Vernon Hospital had reasonably belief that Carmen was drunk in her work as the proof was that the Kelly had witnessed the incident. Then, the Mount Vernon Hospital would need to show that the belief was based on a reasonable ground. On the facts, it could be argued that it was based on the fair ground of Carmens misconduct under s.98 of ERA 1996. Next, the employer would need to carry out reasonable investigation on the established facts as per Stuart v London City Airport[7]. However, on the facts, it was unclear whether there is a reasonable investigation for Carmens misconduct. An investigation is also required to be carried on employees defences as per Shrestha v Genesis Housing Association[8]. On the facts, it could be argued that the investigation was not clear enough as the Mount Vernon Hospital did not investigate the explanation provided by Carmen herself. Furthermore, Carmen had explained about her alcohol breath was due to the non-alcoholic wine and the slurred speech was due to the tiredness of working 12 hours for the past 5 days. However, this point was not taken by the Mount Vernon Hospital and they decided to just plainly believe the words of Kelly. The Code of Practice states that the employer should informed the employee formally in writing when there is a disciplinary matter and the employer should hold a meeting to discuss the matter as an employee is entitled for a fair hearing as per the case of Clark v Civil Aviation Authority[9]. Moreover, Carmen should also be informed that disciplinary action is being considered and the reasons for it as per Alexander v Bridgen Enterprises Ltd[10]On the facts, Carmen only received an invitation for a disciplinary meeting on but the reason of the meeting was not stated in the email. Even though the invitation was sent through an email, it would still be regarded as a form of in writing as per Wang v University of Keele[11]. Furthermore, the meeting should be held as soon as possible but there must be a sufficient time given to the employee to prepare his case. On the facts, it could be argued that there is not enough time given for Carmen as the meeting was held on the next day after th e incident. Other than that, the Mount Vernon Hospital must also allow Carmen to be accompanied by a companion to attend the meeting as per s.10 of Employment Relations Act 1999 and Stevens v University of Birmingham[12]. However, it was unclear whether that she was accompanied by someone to the meeting on the facts. Next, employee should be informed of the decision in writing and be informed of the opportunity of to appeal. On the facts, Carmen was informed of the decision by a letter and was informed of an opportunity of appeal. However, on the facts, Carmen thought that it was not worth appealing. The tribunal is also required to direct itself using the terms set out in s.98(4) of ERA 1996 which requires it to only consider the reasonableness of the employers conduct and not fairness to the employee. The tribunal would need to determine whether did the employer utilise a fair procedure and an employer is expected to observe a fair procedure open to a reasonable employer as per Polkey v Dayton Services Ltd[13]. A fair procedure guidance could be found in ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline Grievance 2015[14]. This test has been laid down by Lord Browne Wilkinson in Iceland Frozen Foods v Jones[15]which was also confirmed by P.O. v Foley[16]. Moreover, the tribunal would need to determine whether a reasonable employer might have adopted the same approach and reach to the same decision. The tribunal must not answer this question by substituting themselves for the employer. The substitution happens when the tribunal decide what would they have done if they were the employer. This approach has also been confirmed in Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd v Hitt[17] where it was held that the test also question that whether the employers investigation into the suspected misconduct was a reasonable one in the circumstances. This test would still comply with the Article 8 of European Convention of Human Rights(ECHR) even though personal privacy might be invaded during the investigation as the traditional band of the test itself was compatible with the Article 8 in the case of Turner v East Midlands Trains[18]. On the facts, the investigation was not held thoroughly as stated above. Other than that, under s.98(4) of ERA 1996, it requires the employer to consider the merits or equity of the case. The employer would need to consider the employees length of service as per Strouthos v London Underground[19]. On the facts, the Mount Vernon Hospital clearly did not consider these factors of Carmen as she still has been dismissed even though she had worked in the hospital in the past 11 years and had a very good performance in her work. Furthermore, the Mount Vernon Hospital should also consider that whether the employee had acted consistently and whether is there a better alternative disciplinary action. On the facts, Carmen had a clean disciplinary record and there is no other similar incident happened after her misconduct. Hence, it could be submitted that Carmen had acted consistently as she had a good performance for the past 11 years as stated above but this was not considered by the Mount Vernon Hospital. Furthermore, it was held that in Diary Produce Packers Lt d v Beverstock[20] and Taylor v Alidair[21] that first offences of misconduct have to be very serious to justify the dismissal. On the facts, the Mount Vernon Hospital should have given a warning for her action instead of a dismissal as a better alternative. This is due to the severity of the reason of the dismissal, Carmen may not be employed by other employer in the future and this would affect her career. Other than that, Carmen may bring a claim under wrongful dismissal. A dismissal in breach of contract without notice or insufficient notice would be a wrongful dismissal. Wrongful dismissal is governed by common law action for breach of contract. It would be a wrongful dismissal if there is none or the notice period provided by the employer to employee is less than the minimum notice period under s.86 of ERA 1996. On the facts, a notice for Carmens dismissal was given by the Mount Vernon Hospital. However, the notice was given was less than the minimum notice period required. Hence, since Carmen had worked for the hospital for 11 years where she met the requirement of two years continuity, she would be entitled to 11 weeks with a maximum of 12 weeks of notice period. However, the Mount Vernon Hospital may argue that it was a summary dismissal as the is a repudiatory breach of contract by the Carmen. On the facts, it would be the gross act of misconduct where she was accused for being drunk during work. Hence, the Mount Vernon Hospital is entitled to dismiss her without any notice as they could argue that a serious act of negligence had been committed by Carmen which is being drunk during working time as per the case of Pepper v Webb[22]. However, Carmen would then argue that it was an alleged misconduct as she was not drunk at all as stated on the facts. Hence, if the ET held that there is no gross misconduct committed by Carmen or the misconduct was not so bad to be considered as gross, the Mount Vernon Hospital would then be held to be wrongfully dismissed Carmen as the notice given were less than statutory minimum notice period. In conclusion, in relation to the unfair dismissal claim, Carmen would be eligible to make a claim to ET. As stated above, it could be submitted that the Mount Vernon Hospital had unfairly dismissed Carmen due to the following reasons. Firstly, the Mount Vernon Hospital had failed to provide a fair procedure for the dismissal by failing to conduct a proper investigation and failed to give sufficient time for Carmen to prepare her case. Moreover, as stated above, the Mount Vernon Hospital would also fail the band of reasonable response test and failed to consider the merit and equity of the case under s.98(4) of 1996. The remedies available for Carmen in this issue would be reinstatement, reengagement, compensation of basic award, and compensatory award. On the facts, the maximum basic award of compensation that Carmen could claim would be  £5269 and it would be another 25% raise of the award due to the failure to follow the ACAS Code of Practice by the hospital. Other than that, sh e could also claim for a maximum compensatory award of  £78,962. However, the requirements for this which laid down in Norton Tool Co Ltd v Tewson[23] would be harder to be fulfilled by Carmen. Lastly, Carmen could also bring a claim under wrongful dismissal as there was an insufficient of notice period for her dismissal. The remedy available for Carmen for this issue would be to claim for a compensation with a maximum award of  £25,000 by bringing an action to employment tribunals for breach of contract. As stated above, a wrongful dismissal would be a breach of contract. [1] Ravat v Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Ltd [2012] UKSC 1 [2] Employment Rights Act 1996, s.95 [3] Devis Sons Ltd v Atkins [1977] AC 931 [4] Smith v City of Glasgow DC [1987] IRLR 326 [5] British Home Stores v Burchell [1978] IRLR 379 [6] Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust v Roldan [2010] EWCA Civ 522 [7] Stuart v London City Airport Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 973 [8] Shrestha v Genesis Housing Association [2015] EWCA Civ 94 [9] Clark v Civil Aviation Authority [1991] IRLR 412 [10] Alexander v Bridgen Enterprises Ltd [2006] UKEAT 0107_06_1204 [11] Wang v University of Keele [2011] IRLR 542 [12] Stevens v University of Birmingham [2015] EWHC 2300 (QB) [13] Polkey v Dayton Services Ltd [1987] AC 344 [14] ACAS, http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/d/r/Discipline-and-grievances-Acas-guide.PDF , Discipline and grievances at work, accessed on 28 February 2017 [15] Iceland Frozen Foods v Jones [1982] ICR 17 [16] P.O. v Foley [2000] EWCA Civ 3030 [17] Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd v Hitt [2003] EWCA Civ 1588 [18] Turner v East Midlands Trains [2012] EWCA Civ 1470 [19] Strouthous v London Underground [2004] EWCA Civ 402 [20] Diary Produce Packers ltd v Beverstock [1981] IRLR 265 [21] Taylor v Alidair [1978] IRLR 82 CA [22] Pepper v Webb [1969] 1 WLR 514 [23] Norton Tool Co Ltd v Tewson [1973] 1 All ER 183

Generic Concept Of Authenticity In Pop Music Music Essay

Generic Concept Of Authenticity In Pop Music Music Essay This thesis and its associated research had its origins in my own fascination with the generic concept of authenticity, as it exists within life generally, and specifically within popular music. The dualities of good/bad, genuine/false, honest/fraudulent, and creative/derivative have always been present within the ranks of musicians and their performances. This thesis is intended to reconcile and explain the distinctions within these dualities, and to develop a model for evaluating authenticity within popular music. An Hypothesis on Authenticity in Popular Music As a foundation for the research and development in this thesis, I will explain my own stance on the key issue of authenticity. There are six key tenets within this proposition: Authenticity functions as a marker of quality Authenticity can be evaluated. Authenticity is not a finite concept. An Hermeneutic approach is essential in measuring authenticity Authenticity judgement requires a prior-researched description of genre Authenticity may only be assigned to a single piece of musicking. Here are some details of each one: 1.1.1. Authenticity functions as marker for Quality Whilst there are some ingredients of Authenticity that are more easily measurable, there are other criteria which are more subjective, and where evaluation of them is an activity more determined by expert consensus, or personal taste and background. Judgements made using these criteria are largely unquantifiable, and often in the form of personal assessments. Some of these judgements may be socially and culturally constructed, and are shared between groups of people, notably in the case of fans, critics, or enthusiasts of a specific type of music, or a particular performer. Students and researchers of popular music would normally adopt a more balanced and catholic judgement, so that an equally fair evaluation would be made on a piece of country-rock music, as would be made on a piece of punk music. Authenticity is a description of the provenance and integrity of a recorded, or live performance, as well as a definition of musical skill, tunefulness, and of a listeners personal gratifi cation. The judgement, or evaluation, of some aspects of authenticity of a piece of musicking may use less scientific criteria than others, wherein the measurement is inevitably affected by the tastes of the judge or evaluator. I have drawn extensively on Christopher Small (1998:2-3) and his eleven activities within musicking, in developing my own nineteen criteria for evaluating Authenticity, which operate as a hermeneutic circle, and of which the first fourteen relate to recorded songs, with an additional five criteria for evaluating live performances of songs. Here is a brief description of my nineteen criteria: The Notation This element is less important in popular music than in classical music, since the main method of transmission has not been through stave notation, but through recording, and performance. (Moore, A.F 2001:34) However, where it originally exists, or where subsequent notation has taken place on existing works, there is still value in its inclusion as a criterion, particularly where patterns of notation may be compared within several songs, or where consistent notational motifs may be identified Lyrics Whilst I contend that it is Performance and Reception that are central to the true meaning of a song, the lyrics have a strong bearing on this. It is also possible to identify common patterns in lyrics (Wall, T 2003:129) as well as everyday language in the context of performance, and collective responses and aspirations (Frith, S 1988:121) The words of the song should usually be grammatically correct and recognisable, and the overall content should be rational. Biography This element should also be twinned with autobiography as it refers to the use and influence of personal history, upbringing, nurture and culture on singer/songwriters and their eventual compositions and performances. It is an essential element to consider as far as authenticity is concerned, and in my view has been vastly under-analysed, and has been allocated insufficient importance. Recognised Influences There are undoubted connections here with my Biography element (No. 3), in that childhood and developmental influences are nearly always lasting, especially where they have been received in an emotional context (e.g. happy, sad, or painful). But in addition consideration is needed on more contemporary influences, both of musical, and of other types. Song Structure An important element in the primary text is the actual shape of the song, in terms of its musical texture, its use of instruments and voices, its rhythmic organisation and its relationship to lyrics. This is often a key factor in the determination of a genre. It is important that there is a pleasing shape to the song, with sufficient changes (verses and choruses), a comprehensible story line, and an appropriate length. There should also be a balance between familiarity and variety, and the song must have sufficient familiarity to provide comfortable reception, whilst, on the other hand, offering something new and challenging. Melody This is a pattern of pitches and rhythm that creates a tune or song, and as such, underpins the whole content of a song. It is the melody that, to a large extent, is the basis for the Emotion (No.13) element of the song. In popular music, the melody usually comprises verses and chorus, but with variety in the phrasing and lyrics. Meaning and Intellectuality The meaning of a musical piece may be interpreted in an abstract or a universal manner, and Composition may be viewed as having a subtle difference in meaning from some Performances. Such differences may also affect the meaning from the position of Reception, but it is easier to see musical works anchored to specific time, place, and cultural situations. This aspect is probably the most difficult to analyse scientifically, since the central question is whether the lyrics and/or the music stimulate some intellectual curiosity, with ultimate satisfaction. Context This broad topic is important not just for the more obvious analysis of Performance, and Reception, but also for the historical and biographical context in which a song was composed. Again there will be some interconnection with aspects of Biography and especially factors such as class, culture, gender, and politics. Instrumental The traditional rock line-up of a band is two or three guitars and drums, but in the case of country-rock and its convoluted development phase, many other instruments were involved. The exploration of the use of these instruments, and the ways in which they have contributed to the Performance and Reception of music is essential. Much has been written on the appropriate use of specific instruments and their relationship to the true membership of a genre, as well as whether there are acceptable levels of musical proficiency demonstrated in the execution of the song by the instrumentalists. Vocal Most popular music involves one or more voices, and this element is concerned with how these voices are used, singly or harmoniously, and the ways in which communication is established between singer and listener (Moore, A.F 2001: 44/5) It is arguable that, in many cases, it is the voice that is the final arbiter in establishing whether a piece of music is authentic or not. It is important that acceptable levels of musical proficiency are demonstrated in the execution of the song by the vocalist/s. Production This mainly Performance related element deals with the technical, and technological systems used to aid and enhance performance, as well as the choices made about instrumentation, vocals and, in some cases, stagecraft. There is a natural interlinking with other hermeneutical elements. The technical production of the recording should meet standard conventions of the genre, in regard to the mixing, the balance, and the volume as well as any additional enhancements. Cohesion and Balance (including Sonic Balance) This element is concerned with the extent to which the band is playing as a team with appropriate use of instruments and vocals, and to which the various instrumental and vocal elements within the performance/recording are balanced, so that a smooth and cohesive overall sound is achieved. Connectivity and Emotivity It is important that the listener/receiver, acknowledges a personal relationship with the song, lyrically and/or musically with the song exciting some form of emotion upon reception, and in which the listener/receiver is sufficiently stimulated and curious to have a desire to hear the song again. The Leader Within a band, the style of performance may be dictated or at least highly influenced by the leader who is often, although not always the singer. This inevitably affects the Reception of the music. However, the Composition of the music also needs to be considered in the light of the leader, for even if it is not he/she that is the main author, the style of the piece could be shaped by his/her approach. Repertoire This is what Christopher Small terms The Drama of Relationships (Small, C 1998:158) Each musical performance has, or should have, a recognisable narrative, or a set-list and this is most significant in the analysis of Reception. The psychology inherent within constructing a performance including many songs is important in the development of Audience Rapport, or even individual fan admiration. Stagecraft Middleton (1990:168) recognises false music and true music, where false means corrupt, manipulated, over-complex, and mechanical, and true means natural, spontaneous, and traditional. In these senses, the interpretation of drama, and a sense of theatre in the performance and reception of popular music are always important. It is inevitably connected to Repertoire, but is far more than this single item. Again, only in a live performance, the image presented by the performers through body movement, gestures, stance, and cohesion should augment the reception of the song. Planning and Organisation This thoroughly contemporary affair as Christopher Small puts it (Small, C 1998:30) includes the organisation of performances, the role of publicity and advertising, and the ways in which the audience is prepared for the Reception. Whilst they are not directly a composite part of a piece of music or its actual performance, the intricacies of the arrangements undoubtedly sway perceptions of a musical show or concert. Venue This, of course is solely a Performance/Reception element but, like Planning and Organisation, is extremely powerful, since the size, shape, location, construction, lighting and acoustics will exert major pressures on the ultimate performance. Audience Rapport This element is concerned with the intimacy, community, bonding and sharing of an audience and the ways in which they are able to persuade each other. It is also concerned with individual and group participation in the Performance and its effect on the perceptions of authenticity. In a live performance, there must be a general and universal approval demonstrated towards the song as demonstrated through facial and bodily expression during the performance and applause at the end. Having described all nineteen elements used in the assessment of Authenticity, it should be stressed that whilst Authenticity is a term that provides for a description of the integrity of a piece of musicking, this integrity is not always synonymous with attractiveness, as recognised by huge swathes of the worlds population. As I show in this dissertation there are plenty of examples of music that are authentic, according to measurement of many of the criteria, but which are not necessarily well received. Conversely there are many instances of well-received musicking that are not of a high level of authenticity as related to the other criteria. In other words, Authenticity is not finite. 1.1.2. Authenticity is not a finite concept. Authenticity has so many different components (I have identified at least nineteen) as well as many mediators, so that relative judgements on each of the items would almost certainly mean that a final decision as to whether the song was authentic, could never result in a simple yes or no, but would be a relative assessment. The more appropriate question that should be posed by the judge, or evaluator, would be: to what extent has this song/performance been deemed to be authentic? A piece of musicking may, for example, have some authentic attributes, such as a truly original instrumental performance, and the vocal qualities may be genuine, whereas its lyrical content may be mundane, and derivative, thus rendering the song only partially authentic. This particular principle relegates the rockism argument, described in other parts of this thesis, to a peripheral position, since it accommodates varying degrees of authenticity, rather than insisting on one broad form of music being superior to another, simply based on its provenance. Rockists are people who consider that there were, and occasionally still are, golden periods of Rock, illuminated by artists and performances which contain an honesty, authenticity, and value of which the mainstream of performers in pop music are both incapable and unconcerned. The differences that show themselves when evaluating Authenticity, particularly in the contrasts between the more objective criteria and those that embody the expression of values generated and constructed by the critical and fan community, mean that an evaluation of authenticity cannot remain in perpetuity, and that it has a clear temporal characteristic, wherein evaluation may change over time. Therefore, despite the fact that judgements on the Authenticity of pieces of musicking may be made, they are essentially of a relative nature. 1.1.3. Authenticity can be evaluated There are many different hypotheses on the topic of musical authenticity, many of which have been reviewed and assessed within this thesis, all of which, without exception, explain the concept in notional terms, whilst avoiding any attempt to develop, or impose, a quantitative measurement of judgement. The decision on the authenticity of a piece of musicking, has been derived from a qualitative evaluation, left to the complex devices supposedly inherent within the intellectual abilities of a few senior musicologists and experts, or socially and culturally constructed values. I propose that, with the application of a list of authenticity criteria, built into a hermeneutic framework, there are a number of activities that can move the efficacy of the judgement towards a more accurate qualitative assessment, albeit still with strong elements of discrimination within it. 1.1.4. A hermeneutic approach is essential in evaluating authenticity Since each evaluation criterion has influences upon, and from, each of the other criterion, the idea of a circle is used so that ones understanding of a piece of musicking, as a whole, is established by reference to the individual criteria and ones understanding of each individual criterion by reference to the whole. Neither the whole piece nor any individual criterion can be understood without reference to one another, and hence, it is a circular process. Strictly speaking, hermeneutics was originally conceived as means of cultivating the ability to understand things from someone elses point of view, and to set aside ones own predelictions and tastes. So the whole evaluation exercise must be considered in full awareness of the evaluation conclusions which may have been reached by the relevant community practice, before and during the judgement process. Using the tools and procedures that I have developed to make an ultimate judgement on both authenticity, ensures that the decision will be as informed, researched, and analytical as is possible. 1.1.5. Authenticity judgement requires a researched description of genre Whilst I have described in some detail the general nature of a range of criteria that I have allocated to Authenticity [including Quality], it is important that the Authenticity criteria are enhanced and made more explicit. This should be done through a close examination, and subsequent description, of the genre that one is analysing (in this thesis, my exemplar is country-rock music). There have been major academic debates on the nature of genre, and in particular whether genre is a stable item rather than a temporal one. My position is based on the assumption that genre may be fixed and stationary, if one is, firstly, prepared to accept the existence of a continuum of a multitude of popular music styles, within which many different genres and sub-genres reside. Secondly, and perhaps paradoxically, it is important to acknowledge that the detailed description of any single genre, or sub-genre, is not universally acknowledged and is, therefore never canonically explicit. The nature of both of these conditions will be influenced by the beliefs and convictions of individual researchers. This means that genre definitions will inevitably vary, albeit within boundaries. Nevertheless, it is essential to generate a broad genre template through which authenticity may be evaluated. It is important to note that authenticity may be a validity descriptor of a piece of musicking, both in general terms, in the sense that the song has been composed, performed, and received in an authentic manner, but also in genre specific terms; so that a song may be classed as being authentic blues or authentic country-rock. The significance of this lies in the need to define genre-parameters when attempting to evaluate authenticity within a genre; hence the statement: Authenticity Judgement Requires A Researched Description Of Genre. 1.1.6. Authenticity may only be assigned to a single piece of musicking Within Popular Music, I propose that the evaluation of authenticity may only be made as far as a recorded or performed song is concerned. Authenticity comprises a number of attributes of composition, performance and reception, but is largely concerned with sound, rather than the characteristics of a human being. Therefore, authenticity cannot be assigned to an artist, other than in a general sense, through a judgement of his/her individual performance of a song. It may be seductive to contemplate the authenticity of an artist, as has been done frequently over the history of popular music, and as argued forcibly by the Rockists. Indeed, many rock artists have been accorded that epithet, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Leonard Cohen, and Lou Reed. However, human authenticity is a complex and hugely debatable concept. For example, it is arguable that even these notable performers could only be described as authentic, if they were to have totally eschewed commercial gain, desire for glory, or other forms of psychological reward during their long and successful lives. This has patently not been the case. Of course, it is arguable that human authenticity could be assessed on the basis that it is not a finite concept (as I have professed is the case for musicking). However, the study of authenticity of individual human beings, would be a multi-faceted, and almost impossible task, since there are so many variables and criteria, which would need to be taken into account, such that even a relative evaluation would involve an extremely complex decision-making process. It is most certainly not within the remits of my research within this thesis. It is also important to stress that the epithet of authenticity cannot be assigned to a body of work, rather than a single song or piece of music, but is only related to individual performances/recordings of songs. It would be possible, however, to make assessments of a number of individual songs performed by one artist or even an assembled group of artists, wherein it might then be possible to offer an overall measurement of the degree of authenticity of that particular set of songs but it would be an average, or mean, of the total assessment. On the same basis, it would be technically possible, albeit extremely arduous and time-consuming, to carry out such an exercise on the entire output of a particular artist. It should be stressed that even so, the eventual conclusion would still be an evaluation of the performance of the music, rather than the person. At this point I should also restate that my position holds that the evaluation of Authenticity of a live performance of a song may be made, even though this will inevitably differ from the recorded version of the same song. All of the criteria used in the evaluation of a recorded song will apply to a live performance of a song, but there will also be a few additional elements that should be applied. These are listed under an earlier principle (Authenticity functions as a marker for Quality)

The Wisdom of Confucius :: essays research papers

The Wisdom of Confucius ' When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults.'; That quote is one of the many morals stated by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, which we still live by today. The Wisdom of Confucius, edited and translated by Lin Yutang, takes the best things said and said about Confucius and put them into one three hundred page book. It follows his life, from his lowly birth in the small town of Tsou, to his death as one of the world's greatest philosophers. The book also shows his ideas and beliefs on such subjects as education, politics, and music, subjects still evident in modern day society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book is mainly comprised of sections and chapters taken from ancient Chinese literature and translated into English by Yutang. He has also added his own commentary and a very lengthy introduction. Some of the books that Yutang used were: The Analects, written by one of Confucius' disciples Mencius, Spring and Autumn, written by Confucius himself, and The Book of Songs, which includes over three hundred Chinese songs and anthems edited by Confucius.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Confucius was born in the small town of Tsou, Lu in 551 BC. His real name was Ch'iu K'ung. Ch'iu literally meant 'hill';, and he was named this because he was born with a large bump on his head. The name Confucius means 'K'ung the master.'; When he was a young boy, Confucius' father and mother died and were buried together at Fangshan, a town in eastern Lu. While he was still grieving a corrupt official told Confucius that the baron of his city was giving a banquet for all of the scholars and he was not invited. This upset Confucius greatly so he left Lu. On his deathbed , the baron of Lu, Li Meng, told his son, Yi Meng, that Confucius was the descendant of a great nobleman. He also told him that Confucius would grow up to be a great philosopher, and that Yi Meng should follow him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Confucius returned to his home country of Lu, and more and more disciples came to study under him. He never stayed in the same spot for a long time. He would travel from place to place in China for long periods of time. The books calls these times as 'periods of wanderings.

Baby Boomer, The Driving Force :: essays research papers

Landlord-tenant law combines three areas of law; 1.) property law 2.) contract law and 3.) negligence law. Landlord-tenant law combines three areas of law; 1.) property law 2.) contract law and 3.) negligence law. Colleges nation wide have been reporting strong surges in enrollment largely due to baby boomers returning to school. Baby boomers are Americans born between 1946 and 1964. Soldiers returning from WWII caused a rise in the birth rate of the United States, creating a â€Å"boom† which is where the term â€Å"baby boom† comes from. There were approximately 76 million baby boomers born during that 18 year span. The baby boomer generation is now creating a â€Å"boom† in the field of adult education.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Enrollment in college programs by baby boomers has risen substantially. In 2001 the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that more than 20 percent of United States college students are above the age of 30. (qtd. in CNN 1). The National Center for Education Statistics also reported that enrollment of students aged 40 and older has increased by 48 percent from the early 1970’s. (1). The baby boomer generation has become the driving force behind the growth of adult education.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The benefits of higher education for the boomers have been greater than that of their parents. Baby boomer parents are from the Great Depression generation. These Great Depression era parents were immigrants who believed that hard work was the way to succeed in life. Upon arriving in America, the immigrants needed skills to help them live in their new homeland. They learned a new language, to read and that education was necessary to secure their future. These parents raised their children with the belief that education would open many doors for their children’s futures. The effects of education for the baby boomers was stronger than for their parents of the Great Depression generation. â€Å"Both baby boomers and their parents enjoyed a positive association between net worth and education.† (Keister 5). According to National Center for Educational Statistics the boomers have acquired more wealth by the age of 30 than their immigrant parents had acquired by that same age. The boomers have enjoyed a higher income than their parents substantiating the theory that higher education is the key to success. Educated boomers were enjoying the reward of a higher lifestyle than that of their uneducated immigrant parents. The baby boomer students have proven themselves to be the fastest growing

American Dream In The Great Gatsby Essay

What is the American dream? Is it white picket fences with beautiful green lawns and comfortably large brick houses? According to Dictionary.com the American dream is â€Å"the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative†. The American dream is a theme that is often used in American literature just like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. This novel presents the American dream as an illusion that can never be achieved. Daisy,’s personification of the American dream, Daisy’s choice of Tom over Gatsby, Myrtle’s death, and the green light are all representative of the unreliability of the American dream. Daisy is a crucial character who represents the unattainable American dream. When Gatsby unsuccessfully attempts to get Daisy back after five years, this shows how the American dream is unreachable. Gatsby in love with Daisy five years ago, got the disapproval stamp from Daisy’s parents since he didn’t have â€Å"pomp and circumstance†, unlike Tom Buchanan, who did (Fitzgerald 75). As a result, Gatsby tries to fix himself by becoming a financially successful man in a bootlegging business.. Gatsby states that Daisy’s â€Å"voice is full of money†, because it reveals that Gatsby has hope to win back Daisy since her and Tom had married (120). The irony in this attribute of Daisy is that Gatsby can become successful and wealthy for her, but cannot have Daisy, his one love and desire. Daisy represents the American dream because there is an excitement in her voice that makes men come running. This makes her desirable, much like the American dream. Also, when Jordan elaborates that Daisy never desired to attain love â€Å"yet there’s something in that voice of hers†, she shows how deceiving Daisy’s voice is, like when Jordan is su ddenly distracted by Daisy’s voice (77). This excitement and distraction, which is what Daisy provokes on Gatsby, is his clueless nature caused by the illusion of attaining Daisy, and thus fulfilling his American dream. When Daisy chooses Tom over Gatsby the American dream’s unattainability is shown. When Daisy confesses to Gatsby that she can’t say that she â€Å"never loved Tom†, it reveals how Gatsby is unable to truly understand how Daisy actually feels at all (133). Daisy is one way with Gatsby and another with Tom. She wants the best of both worlds, but is unable to achieve this due to her desires of prestige social status. Gatsby plans for such a long period of time by buying a house in West Egg right across the bay from her, arranging their secret meeting at Nick’s house, and reinventing himself from James Gatz into the persona of Jay Gatsby. Gatsby nonetheless must give in to failure in his attempt to claim Daisy once again. Likewise, It is physically impossible for all of us to achieve the American dream. This is what Fitzgerald, is trying to relay when Daisy chooses Tom over Gatsby. Tom and Gatsby can’t both have Daisy.

Fool Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR BOUDICCA RISING All my years as an orphan, only to find that I had a mother, but she killed herself over cruelty from the king, the only father I had ever known†¦ To find I had a father, but he, too, was murdered by order of the king†¦ To find the best friend I'd ever known was the mother of the woman I adored, and she was murdered, horribly, by order of the king, because of what I had done†¦ To go from being an orphan clown to a bastard prince to a cutthroat avenger for ghosts and witches in less than a week, and from upstart crow to strategist general in a matter of months†¦ To go from telling bawdy stories for the pleasure of an imprisoned holy woman to planning the overthrow of a kingdom†¦ It was bloody disorienting, and not a little tiring. And I'd built quite an appetite. A snack was in order – perhaps even a full meal, with wine. I watched from the arrow loops in my old apartment in the barbican as Cordelia entered the castle. She rode a great white warhorse, and both she and the horse were fitted with full plate armor, fashioned in black with gold trim. The golden lion of England was emblazoned on her shield, a golden fleur-de-lis of France on her breastplate. Two columns of knights rode behind her, carrying lances with the banners of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Normandy, France, Belgium, and Spain. Spain? She'd conquered bloody Spain in her spare time? She was rubbish at chess before she left. Real war must be easier. She reined up her horse in the middle of the drawbridge, stood in the stirrups, pulled off her helmet and shook out her long golden hair. Then she smiled up at the gatehouse. I ducked out of sight – I'm not sure why. â€Å"Mine!† she barked, then she laughed and led the column into the castle. Yes, I know, love, but bad form, isn't it, to march about with your own bloody army laying claim to random property, innit? Unladylike. She was bloody glorious. Yes, a snack would do nicely. I laughed a bit myself and danced my way to the great hall, indulging in the odd somersault along the way. Perhaps going to the great hall in search of food wasn't the best idea, and perhaps it wasn't my real intention, which was just as well, since instead of a repast, the bodies of Lear and his two daughters were laid out on three high tables, Lear on the dais where his throne sat, Regan and Goneril below, on either side, on the main floor. Cordelia stood over her father, still in her armor, her helmet tucked under her arm. Her long hair hung in her face, so I couldn't tell if she was crying. â€Å"He's a good deal more pleasant now,† said I. â€Å"Quieter. Although he moves about the same speed.† She looked up and smiled, a great dazzling smile, then seemed to remember she was grieving and bowed her head again. â€Å"Thank you for your condolences, Pocket. I see you have managed to fend off pleasantness in my absence.† â€Å"Only by keeping you constantly in my thoughts, child.† â€Å"I've missed you, Pocket.† â€Å"And I you, lamb.† She stroked her father's hair. He wore the heavy crown that he'd thrown on the table before Cornwall and Albany what seemed so long ago. â€Å"Did he suffer?† Cordelia asked. I considered my answer, which I almost never do. I could have vented my ire, cursed the old man, made testament to his life of cruelty and wickedness, but that would serve Cordelia not a bit, and me very little. Still, I needed to temper my tale with some truth. â€Å"Yes. At the end, he suffered greatly in his heart. At the hands of your sisters, and under the weight of regret for doing wrong to you. He suffered, but not in his body. The pain was in his soul, child.† She nodded and turned from the old man. â€Å"You shouldn't call me child, Pocket. I'm a queen now.† â€Å"I see that. Smashing armor, by the way, very St. George. Come with a dragon, did it?† â€Å"No, an army, as it turns out.† â€Å"And an empire, evidently.† â€Å"No, I had to take that myself.† â€Å"I told you your disagreeable nature would serve you in France.† â€Å"That you did. Right after you told me that princesses were only good for – what was it – ‘dragon food and ransom markers'?† There it was, that smile again, sunshine on my frozen heart, it felt. And like a frostbitten limb, there were pins and needles as the feeling returned. Suddenly I felt the small purse with the witch's puffball heavy on my belt. â€Å"Yes, well, one can't be right all the time, it would undermine one's credibility as a fool.† â€Å"Your credibility is already in question in that regard. Kent tells me that the kingdom fell before me so easily because of your doing.† â€Å"I didn't know it was you, I thought it was bloody Jeff. Where is Jeff, anyway?† â€Å"In Burgundy with the duke – well, the Queen of Burgundy. They both insist on being referred to as the Queen of Burgundy. Turns out you were right about them, which again counts against your standing as a fool. I caught them together at the palace in Paris. They confessed that they'd fancied each other since they were boys. Jeff and I came to an arrangement.† â€Å"Aye, there's usually an arrangement in those situations – the arrangement of the queen's head and body at different addresses.† â€Å"Nothing like that, Pocket. Jeff is a decent chap. I didn't love him, but he was a good fellow. Saved me when Father threw me out, didn't he? And by the time this happened I'd won the guard and most of the court to my sympathies – if anyone was going to lose his head, it wasn't me. France took some territories, Toulouse, Provence, and some bits of the Pyrenees with him, but considering the territories I've taken, overall it's more than fair. The boys have a crashingly large palace in Burgundy that they perpetually redecorate. They're quite happy.† â€Å"The boys? Bloody Burgundy buggering froggy France? By the dangling ovaries of Odin, there's a song in there somewhere!† She grinned. â€Å"I've purchased a divorce from the Pope. Bloody dear[46] it was, too. If I'd known Jeff was going to insist on sanction of the Church I'd have pushed to reinstate the old Discount Pope.† The sound of the great doors opening echoed through the hall and Cordelia turned, fierce fire in her eyes. â€Å"I said I was to be left alone!† But then Drool, who had lumbered through, pulled up as if he'd seen a ghost, and started to back away. â€Å"Sorry. Beggin' your pardons. Pocket, I got Jones and your hat.† He held up the puppet stick and my coxcomb, forgot for a second that he'd been shouted at, then resumed backing out the doors. â€Å"No, come, Drool,† said Cordelia. She waved him in and the guards closed the door behind him. I wondered what the knights and other nobles might think that the warrior queen would admit no one to the hall except two fools. Probably that she was merely another in a long line of family nutters. Drool paused as he passed Regan's body and lost his sense of purpose. He lay Jones and my hat on the table next to her, then pinched the hem of her gown and began to raise it for a peek. â€Å"Drool!† I barked. â€Å"Sorry,† said the Natural. Then he spotted Goneril's body and moved to her side. He stood there, looking down. In a moment his shoulders began to shake and soon he broke into great, rib-wrenching sobs and proceeded to drip tears upon Goneril's bosom. Cordelia looked at me with pleading in her eyes, and I, at her, with something that must have seemed similar. We were shits, together, we were, that we didn't grieve for these people, this family. â€Å"They was fit,† said Drool. Soon he was petting Goneril's cheek, then her shoulder, then both her shoulders, then her breasts, then he climbed on the table on top of her and commenced a rhythmic and unseemly sobbing that approximated in timbre and volume a bear being shaken in a wine cask. I retrieved Jones from Regan's side and clouted the oaf about the head and shoulders until he climbed off the erstwhile Duchess of Albany and slipped through the drape and hid under the table. â€Å"I loved them,† Drool said. Cordelia stayed my hand and bent down and lifted the drapery. â€Å"Drool, mate,† she said. â€Å"Pocket doesn't mean to be cruel, he doesn't understand how you feel. Still, we have to keep it to ourselves. It's not proper to dry-hump the deceased, love.† â€Å"It ain't?† â€Å"No. The duke will be here soon and he'd be offended.† â€Å"What 'bout the other one. Her duke is dead.† â€Å"Just the same, it's not proper.† â€Å"Sorry.† He hid his head under the drape. She stood and looked at me, turning away from Drool and rolling her eyes and smiling. There was so much to tell her, that I'd shagged her mother, and we, technically, were cousins, and, well, things might get awkward. It was my instinct, as a performer, to keep the moment light, so I said, â€Å"I killed your sisters, more or less.† She stopped smiling. â€Å"Captain Curan said they poisoned each other.† â€Å"Aye. I gave them the poison.† â€Å"Did they know it was poison?† â€Å"They did.† â€Å"Couldn't be helped, then, could it? They were right vicious bitches anyway. Tortured me through my childhood. You saved me the effort.† â€Å"They just wanted someone to love them,† I said. â€Å"Don't make the case with me, fool. You're the one that killed them. I was just going to take their lands and property. Maybe humiliate them in public.† â€Å"But you just said – â€Å" â€Å"I loved them,† said Drool. â€Å"Shut up!† I chorused with Cordelia. The doors cracked open then and Captain Curan peeked his head through. â€Å"Lady, the Duke of Albany has arrived,† said he. â€Å"Give me a moment, then send him in,† said Cordelia. â€Å"Very well.† Curan closed the doors. Cordelia stepped up to me then, she was only a little taller than me, but in armor, somewhat more intimidating than I'd remembered her – but no less beautiful. â€Å"Pocket, I've taken quarters in my old solar. I'd like you to visit after supper tonight.† I bowed. â€Å"Does my lady require a story and a jest before bedtime to clear her head of the day's tribulations?† â€Å"No, fool, Queen Cordelia of France, Britain, Belgium, and Spain is going to shag the bloody bells off you.† â€Å"Pardon?† said I, somewhat nonplussed. But then she kissed me. The second time. With great feeling, and she pushed me away. â€Å"I invaded a country for you, you nitwit. I've loved you since I was a little girl. I came back for you, well, and for revenge on my sisters, but mostly for you. I knew you would be waiting for me.† â€Å"How? How did you know?† â€Å"A ghost came to me at the palace in Paris months ago. Scared the barnaise out of Jeff. She's been advising the strategy since.† Enough talk of ghosts, I thought. Let her rest. I bowed again. â€Å"At your bloody beckoning service, love. A humble fool, at your service.† ACT V How I would make him fawn and beg and seek And wait the season and observe the times And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes And shape his service wholly to my hests And make him proud to make me proud that jests! So perttaunt-like would I o'ersway his state That he should be my fool and I his fate. – Love's Labour's Lost, Act V, Scene 2, Rosaline