A Comparison of TASA Model and Danielson´s Framework for...

I found this assignment the most difficult so far in this class. I am glad that I get to write a reflection on the assignment. After reading the professor’s and classmates’ comments along with rereading the text, I realized that I missed part of the correlation of the InTASC model with Danielson’s Framework for Teaching. As a class, we all seemed to agree that there are many similarities between InTASC Model and the Danielson’s Framework for Teaching. Both models purpose is to help teachers and administration to identify individual strengths and areas of growth. We agreed that there were slight differences in the wordage used and the structure of the Domains vs. Standards but that they were interchangeable for the most part. In fact,†¦show more content†¦As schools across the nation look for a uniform method to evaluate teachers’ performances, concerns about both methods are highlighted. NYC is using the Danielson Framework to evalua te teachers this year; some concerns have been brought up by administrators and the teachers union. In the piliot program it was noted by one administrator that â€Å"some of her teachers are not scoring as high on the rubric as she would expect — precisely because the rubric expects the same general characteristics in all grades† (Cromidas, 2012). This is because in the Danielson Framework the observer is looking for weather a teacher is doing the behavior or not. Check mark - there is no distinction between a new teacher and a veteran teacher. The other thing that administrators are noting that the â€Å"practicing observing teachers using Danielson had proved to be time-consuming† (Cromidas, 2012). It is recommend that they observer spends a number of informal observations lasting at least 15 minutes in the classroom before the official observation and that the report be turned around in 48 hours to the teacher. I found reading about how the United Federation of Teachers is recommending their teachers to prep for their observations this year as NYC transitions over to the Danielson Framework for teacher

The Obesity Epidemic Obesity Essay - 1696 Words

The obesity epidemic proves to be an issue in America and continues to grow with time. In simple terms, obesity is a disorder where the subject has increasing amounts of fat, leading to health problems in the future. This epidemic has steadily increased in American bodies for decades and researchers have tried to find the root causes of this problem. Though there is controversy as to what is the primary cause of this rising epidemic, it is clear that there are many factors that contribute to the fluctuating weight gain among many American citizens. With these factors, there are multiple perspectives of the epidemic. One of the primary perspectives is that an unhealthy diet contributes to obesity in Americans; with the popularity, convenience and cheap prices of fast food, statistics have shown direct relations of increasing obesity rates with an unhealthy diet. A secondary factor of rising obesity rates is the lack of exercise or activity in the body. Without a way to burn off excess calories, they sit in your stomach and there is not a good alternative to burn them off like in a workout. Additionally, with the strong presence media plays in society, there is an idea that women have to be stick-thin as the norm. As a result, there is a new perspective that being overweight is due to societal standards of skinny figures and the increasing media, creating weight bias. These different perspectives all provide a basis for researchers to explore this issue and find ways toShow MoreRelatedObesity : The Obesity Epidemic1509 Words   |  7 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic What is obesity? According to the Health Reference Center Academic, â€Å"Obesity is a clinical condition characterized by an excess of body fat†. Obesity causes serious and life-threatening diseases. Obesity can be calculated using the BMI or Body mass index. The higher the BMI the more obese a person is considered. More than 1 third of the population in the US is obese. Medical costs for treating obesity were estimated at $147 billion in 2008. Non-Hispanic black and Mexican AmericanRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity1133 Words   |  5 PagesObesity has always been a topic that many have had due to the increase attention it has received. Across America, there has been a lot of attention on the obesity epidemic. In America and the inner cities, more people are eating meals away from home in addition to consuming larger portions from fast food restaurants. At this rate, gaining weight is the likely outcome. High energy dense food has become convenient and affordable. Fas t food is almost everywhere in America and, contributes to the growingRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity967 Words   |  4 Pagesthe issue. There has been substantial encouragement, which has pressured governments and politicians to implement restrictions on the publicising of unhealthy foods, particularly those targeting children. (Jolly, R. 2011) Researchers of the epidemic of obesity are inclined to emphasise environmental aspects, including the convenience of high-calorie appetising junk foods in conjunction with the influence of television programming, video games, computers and tablets that discourage exercise. TheoreticallyRead MoreObesity : The Obesity Epidemic Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagesevidence that Americans are among the most overweight across the globe, this issue is constantly ignored. We hear about obesity being one of the most prevalent issues in America yet through the years this issue seems to worsen. Although Obesity may not be taken seriously by many, it is one of the leading health issues in America today. Many don’t understand the causes of this obesity epidemic, but being educated on this topic is the best way to prevent and control this issue. A recent study from the NationRead MoreObesity : The Obesity Epidemic2984 Words   |  12 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic What is obesity? A condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body; obesity is when someone is so overweight that it is a threat to their health (â€Å"What is Obesity?†). Obesity is an increasing global health problem. Corpulence is an important matter because of the astounding magnitudes that this disease has reached in the past 30 years (â€Å"Health and Aging†). Obesity is the reason for nearly 10 percent of the national medical budget, whichRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity2517 Words   |  11 Pagesof obesity in children is on the rise in America. One in three children in America is obese (Kelly). Anyone can recognize there is a problem with the growing numbers of children overweight, however, no one has come up with a way to stop the obesity epidemic. This epidemic in children has been caused by numerous factors now numerous solutions can stop this if they are put in use. Children are weighing more than they ever have. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, â€Å"Obesity hasRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Obesity And Obesity1319 Words   |  6 Pages There’s an appalling epidemic in today’s society sweeping across not only the United States, but all across the globe. This horrible epidemic isn’t the bird flu, or any type of sickness, rather obesity. Today, obesity rates are at an all time high in America. This disease, obesity, is being passed down the family both genetically, and by the terrible eating habits developing in the US. Kids growing up in this generation are facing frightening issues such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetesRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity Essay1503 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Obesity is becoming an outrageous and alarming health issue in today’s society. Children are rapidly getting engulfed by this pandemic every day. According to the book Public Health 101: Health People-Healthy Populations, pandemic can be defined as, â€Å"An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and affecting a large number of people† (Riegelman, Kirkwood, 2015). The World Health Organization estimates that 43 million children worldwideRead MoreObesity Epidemic : Obesity And Obesity1634 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012† (cdc.gov). Subsequently, the obesity epidemic has continued to increase over the past few years in the United States. There are many different aspects that have contributed to the obesity epidemic. For example, many people today choose to be convenient instead of eating healthy, which results in the consummation of processed foods. Processed foods have a significant effe ct on the risk of obesity. With a current society always on the go, adults and children haveRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity2053 Words   |  9 Pagesrise in obesity has reached global epidemic proportions (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2015). Obesity is defined as an â€Å"abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.† Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common tool used to measure a person s weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared (kg/m2) (WHO, 2015). An individual with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is considered clinically obese (WHO, 2015). However this may not be the most valid way of measuring obesity as it

Details Of Legislative Payment On Termination Of Employment - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Details Of Legislative Payment On Termination Of Employment. Answer: In this letter, an attempt is made to provide details of the legislative payments that are made during the termination of the employment. The organization is contemplating termination of five employees each from the offices and boutiques in Ontario and Quebec. The severance of relationship between employer and employees raise certain obligations on the part of the employer which it has to fulfill in order to provide necessary compensation to the employees. The obligations of employers to pay certain amounts is dependent on the operation of relevant laws and legislations governing the employer-employee relationship or due to the agreement between the employers and the employees. There is both the jurisdictions of Glorious Florists, i.e. the offices and boutiques in Ontario and Quebec, have annual payroll of $12,000,000. Wages in lieu of notice: The quantum of wages in lieu of notice will be primarily dependent on the length of services of an employee. The longer the length of service the higher the amount of wages in lieu of notice will have to be paid to the employee at the time of termination of employment[1]. In case of employees of Ontario the wages in lieu of notice shall include the following: Employment income. Contribution made by the employer for CPP. In case of employees of Quebec, the wages in lieu of notice is considered as: Income from employment so premium for employer and the QPIP is applicable; the wages in lieu of retiring allowances so no employer QPP contribution is required; Vacation pay: The employer is required to make vacation payments to the employees whose services have been terminated. The vacation pay are the same in both the jurisdiction. The vacation pay should be considered employment income and employment consideration. It should be noted that the CPP and EI and QPIP are subject to the deduction[2]. Severance pay: The payroll of $12m meets the threshold of $2.5m, both the offices and boutiques in Ontario and Quebec will have to pay severance pay to the employees who have completed 5 or more years of services in these jurisdictions. It should be noted that the severance pay is not included within employment income. The letter above provide the details of payment that is required to be made at the time of termination of employment. It is hopeful that the advice is helpful and if there is any further requirement please contact. References [Internet]. Ontario.ca. 2018 [cited 6 February 2018]. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/termination-employment Layoff, permanent layoff, dismissal and resignation - CNESST [Internet]. Cnt.gouv.qc.ca. 2018 [cited 6 February 2018]. Available from: https://www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/en/end-of-employment/layoff-permanent-layoff-dismissal-and-resignation/index.html

The Facts about Alcoholism

The Selective Addictive Nature of Alcohol Alcoholism has been misunderstood by people as a moral or emotional weakness. It is believed that people succumb to alcoholism because they have psychological and emotional problems that they want to escape from or relieve. People believe that alcoholism is caused by all kinds of social problems such as marital problems and death of loved ones.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Facts about Alcoholism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the truth of the matter is that everyone has the same psychological and emotional problems. And most people will drink to escape these problems.  The fact is that even as majority of the people are influenced to drink alcohol by emotional problems, not all of them will become alcoholics. Physiological factors in a man causing vulnerability towards alcohol are what will determine which person will become alcoholic not psychological factors (Milam and Ketcham, 12). However, once the person is an alcoholic, he is unable to handle his problems well. The alcohol further aggravates his emotions leading him to feel fearful and depressed in exaggerated proportions whether he is in a drunken state or not. They are some myths on alcoholism that must be disregarded for the alcoholics to be correctly assisted by the medical experts. First of all alcohol consumption affects people differently. It does not have the same effect on everyone. Secondly, not anyone can get addicted to alcohol even if they take the drug for a long time. It is a selectively addictive drug. It is only a minority of users who get addicted to the alcohol. It therefore does not appear in the category of addictive drugs in the WHO guidelines. For most people, alcohol is a harmless social drink.  There is also the myth that alcohol addiction is psychological. The truth of the matter however is that addiction is primarily physiological. There are peo ple’s whose body is unable to process the alcohol normally. Alcoholics have a liver malfunction that causes a buildup of acetaldehyde throughout the body. The acetaldehyde reacts with the brain amines to produce isoquinolines which trigger the urge to drink more and more alcohol to combat the excess production of acetaldehydes in the body. Secondly, studies have shown that alcoholism is hereditary. Children of alcoholics have a higher tendency of becoming alcoholics whether they are raised by their alcoholic parents or non-alcoholic relatives. There is even the aspect of ethnic vulnerabilities to alcoholism. Jews and Italians have lower rates of alcoholisms than the Native Americans. This is because the number and variety of the alcohol dehydrogenate liver enzyme varies from one race to another. Furthermore the longer an ethnic group has been exposed to alcohol, the lower their vulnerability to alcohol.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Jews and Italians have been exposed to alcoholic drinks for over 7000 years while the Native Americans have been exposed to alcohol for only 300 years. Intermarriage within the different races also influences the susceptibility to alcohol. The alcoholics cannot cease to be alcoholics by simply limiting the amount of alcohol that they take. The smaller amounts of alcohol taken will only go to reactivate his addiction. The society believes that if a person would only drink responsibly, then he would not become an alcoholic. The fact of the matter is that there are many responsible people who have become alcoholics. The Effects of Alcohol There is the belief that alcohol is primarily a sedative and depressant drug. The effect of the drug however depends on the amount that is consumed. When small portions are taken, the drug is a stimulant. The consumption of alcohol in small doses causes increase in heart rate, blood flow and the transmission of nerve impulses. The individual’s performance on solving complex tasks is improved. The concentration level and creativity thinking is heightened. It is only when taken in large amounts that the drug acts like a depressant. At this point a person will avoid drinking because he does not want to experience nausea and other similar sensations. For the alcoholics though they can take higher amounts of alcohol before they start experiencing discomfort. They have an increased tolerance to the alcohol. Nevertheless whether the dug is taken in small or large doses, the alcohol is a source of high amounts of calories and energy for the individual. Medical experts believe that the alcohol is poisonous and dangerous. To the alcoholic, alcohol actually works as a medicine for the pain it creates for the individual. It gives the alcoholic relief from the pain of withdrawal leaving him feeling energetic and stimulated. The Stages of Alcoholism Alcoholism occurs in stages . In the early stages, the body adapts and builds tolerance. He does not feel sick and no one suspects a thing. The cells in the central nervous system change their functioning to accommodate the high levels of alcohol in the body. If he stops drinking the cells suffer distress showing the person’s dependence on the alcohol.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Facts about Alcoholism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He then suffers withdrawal. If the alcoholic stops drinking he will experience acute withdrawal after a few days and the protracted withdrawal symptoms if he abstains from alcohol for months and years. In the acute withdrawal period, the person’s body reacts violently since the cells are addicted to the alcohol. The person will experience hallucinations, mental confusion, memory defects, convulsions, paranoia, violent behavior and convulsions. The protracted withdrawal symptoms include l oss of control, malnutrition, hypoglycemia and Autonomic Nervous system disorder. There are symptoms of alcoholics in the early stages such as greater tolerance for alcohol and growing preoccupation with alcohol. In the middle stages the penalties of drinking alcohol become higher than the benefits achieved with drinking alcohol. The alcoholic craves for alcohol and does not realize the damage to his organs till it becomes full blown in the later stages. He will start sneaking or hiding drinks at the workplace or home. He may drink before a party to loosen up and hide his desire for more alcohol. He will gulp the first drinks and show signs of loss of control. He will have mood swings, blackouts, loss of self-respect, remorse, guilt and personality changes. He will tend to isolates himself and have a lot of self-pity. The family tends to seek psychotherapy help for him that does not help. Social and professional interactions at home and work deteriorate as his disease starts showing . His body soon starts rejecting food and his sexual performance dips.  At the deteriorating stage of alcoholism, the person’s organs have been severely damaged. The physical health of the individual has deteriorated and he may die from heart failure, liver disease, cancer, respiratory disease and pancreatic. The alcoholic at this stage will take morning drinks, exceed his tolerance level getting drunk and have prolonged binges. He may get hospitalized, attempt to kill himself or get arrested for drunk driving. He may end up becoming financially dependent on his family having lost his job. He will prefer to drink with inferiors in seedy locations due to fear of becoming recognized by someone. He may start experiencing paranoia, vague religious or spiritual desires. The alcoholic is unable to stop because the disease does not allow him to see that he is addicted till in the last stages when it is too late.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Correct Treatment of Alcoholism Anyone interested in helping an alcoholic should do several things. He should learn about the disease, avoid moral judgment and develop an emotional detachment in the situation. The person should pick a treatment program with detoxification, professional counseling, nutritional and AA aspects to help the alcoholic maintain soberness. The family also needs help in the convincing the alcoholic to agree on treatment. The family, the employer and the family doctor may all get involved in confronting the alcoholic. The alcoholic must submit to the program, understanding the disease and stay committed to the treatment. Effective treatment needs to take place in a medical environment so that the medical staff can adequately treat the withdrawal symptoms. The patient will be given nutrients, fluids and adequate rest with medical intention. There are medical experts who believe that if an alcoholic takes three balanced meals a day, his nutritional requirem ents will be fulfilled. However, an alcoholic requires additional supplements of vitamins and minerals for his nutritional deficiencies to be met. The amount of calories one gets from alcohol causes him to require lesser calories from other foods which are more nutritious. Furthermore it inhibits the body from absorbing valuable vitamins from the gastro-intestinal tract. There are also a lot of vitamins that are released by the alcoholic through urine. The alcoholic therefore ends up being malnourished.  The use of psychotherapy does not help the alcoholic at all either. Psychotherapy only makes the alcoholic feel more ashamed and guilty. Furthermore the use of this treatment method diverts the attention from the physical causes of the disease. There are people who believe that the alcoholics should desire help in order to be helped. However the alcoholics do not want to be helped. The issue is that the alcoholics are very sick people. They cannot reason in a rational manner neith er can they stop alcohol consumption by themselves. The alcoholics have to be forced into treatment. It is only as the treatment progresses that the alcoholic gets the self-motivation to stop drinking. In the phase 2 of the treatment, the alcoholic learns about the disease and abstaining from alcohol. To help the alcoholics, people must let go of the prejudices and treat it like a disease. Works Cited Milam, James and Ketcham, Katherine. Under the Influence: A Guide to the  Myths and Realities of Alcoholism. New York: Bantam. 1984. Print. This essay on The Facts about Alcoholism was written and submitted by user Haleigh Mendoza to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes Introduction Langston Hughes is an African- American writer who lived in the early years of the twentieth century. He had a difficult childhood that was marked by a divorce between his parents. Langston stayed with his mother who was very poor after the divorce with her husband.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Langston Hughes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has greatly influenced Langstons further life. He began writing while he was a teenager. His work was inspired by the surrounding world (Kennedy and Gioia 372); so, he wrote about things he saw. As a child born from a black family, he witnessed prejudice and racism practiced against the blacks. This contributed to Hughes dark times; therefore, most of the poems he wrote carry a theme anchored on those experiences. The poems demonstrate and describe the dark times the blacks faced. Hughes even mentioned that he mostly wrote his poems when he felt the worst. T hese included moments when he could not stand the social injustices any longer. An aspect that is so common with writers. Most authors write best at their dark moments in life. This essay discusses how many writers write best during the low points of their lives, and analyses this aspect in Langston Hughes poem (Kennedy and Gioia 372). Why authors write their best works during darkest moments: Langston Hughes In my opinion, when one is going through the dark times in life, they feel determined to let out what he or she holds back in the heart. This is why when one speaks during such moments, they are likely to speak directly what is in their minds. For instance, Hughes was dissatisfied with ill treatment that his fellow black men experienced. He desired to live in a world that observed justice in spite of the skin color. This made him write his poems with titles implying democracy and freedom from racial discrimination. He told of the black men, and what they felt. He wrote about th e desperation that the black people went through and that he also experienced in his life. For instance, in his poem; The Weary Blues, Hughes speaks of a sad moan who finds consolation in playing his music. He wishes he was dead and says, â€Å"†¦I aint happy no mo, and I wish that I had died†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hughes 369). His speech suggested hard times, yet showed anticipated hope, â€Å"†¦ Is gwine to quit ma frownin And put ma troubles on the shelf† (Hughes 369). During the time when one is going through the dark phase in life, they have to look on the bright side to move on. This is why Langston was hopeful and felt encouraged. An example is his poem titled Mother to Son. This poem involves a piece of advice given to a son by his mother.Advertising Looking for essay on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The poem tells of the writer’s rough life, which has not been easy. He sa ys, â€Å" well, son, I’ll tell you: life for me ain’t been no crystal stair, it has tacks in it, and splinters and boards†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hughes 370). In this poem, the mother proceeds to tell the son how she maneuvered and climbed regardless of the prevailing tough circumstances. This shows the inspiration that comes out of low moments, as one hopes for better days in life. Whenever a person is going through tough moments all they bank on is hope. It is also evident that during dark time’s peoples’ sorrows makes them empty their hearts, which brings consolation. Sorrow digs out the deepest heart’s feelings. This is why in Hughes’ poem Island he uses a tone that shows a broken soul, which is willing to express itself. This can be seen in lines, †¦Wave of sorrow, do not drown me now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  shows affliction (Kennedy and Dana 370). Conclusion In conclusion, it is worth noting that a broken soul becomes open and ready to express its elf. Therefore, it is clear why the most popular writers wrote best at the times when their souls and spirits felt crushed. As they expressed the feelings of their hearts they found comfort, and came up with renewed hopes. Such poems are a great inspiration when people going through tough times read them; hence, their popularity increases desire and hope in their hearts. Hughes, Langston. â€Å"Mother to Son†. An Introduction to Poetry. New York: Longman Publishers, 1998. Print. Kennedy, X.J and Dana Gioia. An Introduction to Poetry. New York: Longman, 1997. Print

Everything You Need to Know to Visit the Temples of Bagan

Everything You Need to Know to Visit the Temples of Bagan SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips For grandeur, size, and the feeling that you’re Indiana Jones, it’s hard to compete with the temples of Bagan in central Myanmar. This massive expanse of thousands of temples (estimates range from 2,000 to over 4,000) dot the landscape in various stages of dilapidation and restoration. Built by a series of kings between 1057 and 1287, Bagan is one of an increasingly rare breed: a world-class attraction that hasn’t yet been discovered by the masses. Bagan’s popularity is increasing, but much of the information about it has not kept pace, and that can make it difficult for travelers trying to plan a trip to this site. Bagan offers a range of unique experiences. While here you can: Watch the sunrise from the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda Cool off with a glass of fresh tamarind juice in a cafe overlooking the Irrawaddy River Discover gold-plated Buddha statues hidden in temple niches Survey the ruins of past kingdoms during a hot air balloon ride over the plains Follow winding dirt roads around bushes and through groves of palm trees to discover tiny temples that only get a few visitors a year This guide will walk you through each step you need to take to plan and carry out a trip to Bagan, from when to visit and how to get there to which temples to visit and what form of transportation to use. 5 Things to Figure Out Before You Leave The logistics of visiting Bagan can be somewhat challenging, so it's important to make sure you thoroughly understand what to expect before heading out. When to Visit One of the first things to decide on when planning your trip to Bagan is figuring out when you’d like to visit. The most popular time to visit Bagan is in the winter, from November through February, when it is both cooler and dry. The average temperature during this period is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius). This is when temperatures are coolest and there is little rain, but this is also when Bagan is most crowded. If you’d like to avoid the crowds or can’t make it to Bagan in the winter, it’s also possible to visit during other times of the year. The end of the dry season, from March to May, is when temperatures are hottest in Bagan. The average temperature during these months is about 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 Celsius), although the temperature can often get over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in the middle of the day. Rainy season begins at the end of May and lasts through October. Temperatures are cooler during this period (about 78 degrees Fahrenheit/ 26 Celsius), but it will rain nearly every day. Take your personal preferences into account when choosing when to visit. Winter has the most enjoyable weather, but you’ll also have to deal with more crowds (although nothing close to those you’ll find at similar locations like Angkor Wat). If you think you can handle the high temperatures, the end of the dry season can be an ideal time to visit Bagan as you'll have many of the smaller temples to yourself. The short period between seasons can also get you the best of both worlds. I visited Bagan at the end of May, right at the beginning of the rainy season, and I was lucky to have no rain, cloudy skies which kept the temperature lower, and few other visitors at the temples, although this won’t always be the case. Whatever month you choose to visit Bagan, know that any time in the near future is a great time to go. Bagan’s popularity has been steadily increasing in the past few years, and, while it’s still a somewhat undiscovered place, that won’t last forever. So visit Bagan now before the rest of the world catches on. How Long to Stay The temples cover a huge area and take a while to get to, therefore I’d recommend spending at least two days, ideally three, in Bagan. Your first day can be spent visiting the major temples (described below), preferably with a guide, on your second day you can explore some of the smaller and more distant temples on your own, and your third day can be spent further exploring the area or returning to some of your favorite temples. Staying longer is always possible, and you could easily spend your entire trip exploring Bagan and still only see a fraction of what it has to offer. However, there isn't much else in the area besides temples, so if you get easily "templed-out", take that into account when planning your itinerary. How to Get to Myanmar Most foreign visitors to Myanmar will require a visa to enter the country. If you’re a citizen of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand (only if you’re entering via an international airport), or Vietnam, you don’t need a visa if your visit is less than 14 days. Most people who need a visa are eligible to apply for an eVisa (check the website to see if your country is one of those eligible for the eVisa). To apply for the eVisa, you’ll need your passport information, a recent color photo you can upload, and credit card details to pay the $50 fee. After your eVisa is approved, you’ll receive an eVisa approval letter which is valid for 90 days and which you must have with you when you arrive in Myanmar. If your approval letter is expired, you won’t be allowed to enter the country. Your eVisa allows you a single visit of up to 28 days in Myanmar, and eVisas can only be used by people entering via an international airport. Most people enter Myanmar at the country’s largest city, Yangon, but there are also two additional international airports in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. The eVisa is by far the most popular way to get the visa needed to enter Myanmar, but there is also a paper visa and a visa on arrival. For people in the United States, information on the paper visa, as well as the form you need to fill out and submit, can be found on the Myanmar Embassy’s website. The paper visa will also grant you a single visit of up to 28 days, and you’ll need to attach proof of your plane tickets, hotel reservations, or confirmation from your tour leader. Visas on arrival are rare to get, and they also require additional documents, such as proof of your itinerary. More information about them can be found on the government of Myanmar’s website. Money Matters The kyat is the currency used in Myanmar, and one USD is worth approximately 75 kyats. You can get kyats at an ATM or by exchanging money at a bank or exchange center. If you are exchanging US dollars, make sure the bills are in as pristine condition as possible, as many places won't take them if they have any wrinkles or tears. It's best to get kyats before you arrive in Bagan, as ATMs and official exchange centers are rare outside of the main cities. Some places will accept US dollars in place of kyats, and many of the larger hotels accept major credit cards. How to Get to Bagan After you arrive in Myanmar, there are several ways to get to Bagan. If you’re traveling with a tour, these details will already be worked out for you, but if you’re traveling independently, you’ll have to figure out how to get to Bagan on your own. Flying The fastest way to get to Bagan is to fly. The Bagan airport is called Nyaung U, and there are flights from both Yangon (80 minutes) and Mandalay (30 minutes). (Nyuang U is only a domestic airport, so there are no international flights there.) Flying domestically in Myanmar used to be difficult because there was no way to purchase tickets online. Recently, however, most airlines have adopted e-ticketing. Flights are still limited, so tickets should be purchased at least several weeks, and ideally a few months, in advance. The airlines offering flights to Bagan are Asian Wings Airways, Golden Myanmar Airlines, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, and Myanmar National Airlines. Roundtrip flights from Yangon start at about $215, and from Mandalay at about $150. Bus The cheapest way to get to Bagan is traveling by bus. Overnight buses from Yangon leave around 6pm-8pm and arrive very early in the morning, usually around 3am. (Hotels are well accustomed to this, and many will let you check in when you arrive, provided your room is vacant.) Bus rides from Mandalay take five to seven hours and travel during the day. There’s variation in the quality of different bus lines, with the higher-end companies, like JJ Express or Bagan Minn Thar Express, offering reclining and quite spacious seats. Most hotels can help you purchase bus tickets, or you can buy them from the ticket office directly. Tickets from Mandalay cost about 10,000 kyats ($9), and tickets from Yangon start at about 15,000 kyats ($13), with higher-end companies costing a bit more. Train Traveling by train is slower than more expensive than going via bus, but if you enjoy train journeys, you may be interested in taking a train to Bagan. From Yangon, trains leave around 4pm and arrive the next morning at about 10am. Trains from Mandalay run during the day and take about 7 hours, although delays of up to several hours are often reported. Trains in Myanmar are often old and have only basic amenities, although most will have a restaurant car available. Train tickets need to be bought at the station. A ticket for a sleeper-car from Yangon will cost about $50, while tickets from Mandalay are about $7-$10. Boat The only way to enter Bagan via boat is if you’re coming from Mandalay. The journey can take between 8 hours and two days, depending on whether you’re on a government-run â€Å"slow boat† or a faster boat that makes fewer stops and doesn’t overnight. Boats stop in either Nyang U or Old Bagan. The ferry service is shut down from April through June due to low water levels. Ticket prices can vary widely depending on which boat you take, but prices are generally between $15 and $40. What to Expect Once You Arrive in Bagan Once you arrive in Bagan you've made it through the hard part, but there are still some decisions to be made. Arriving in Bagan Both the Nyuang U Airport and the train station are located 2-4 miles southeast of town, depending on which part you’re going to. The jetty is about half a mile from Nyuang U market (the boat may also stop in Old Bagan), and buses will drop you off along Nyuang U’s main road, a few miles from town. No matter how or when you arrive, there will be transportation options to get you to your accommodation. However, if you arrive very early on an overnight bus, your options may be limited to tuk-tuks as opposed to taxis. When you arrive in Bagan, you’ll have to pay the Bagan Archaeological Zone fee (25,000 kyats or $20). If you arrive via boat or plane, you’ll pay this fee at the port or airport. If you arrive by bus or train, there are checkpoints where your driver will stop and you’ll pay the fee (these checkpoints are manned around the clock, so even if you arrive at 3am, you’ll still have to pay). After you pay the fee, you’ll be issued a small card you may be asked to show your hotel when you check in. The card is valid for one week, but people working at the temples rarely ask for it, so you likely won’t have to buy another card if you stay longer than a week. Where to Stay While not very populous, Bagan covers a significant area (the Bagan Archaeological Zone on its own is 26 square miles), and there are several different towns you can stay in. Be aware that hotel prices drop significantly during the off-season if you look for deals online. Nyuang U Most people stay in Nyuang U because it is the largest town in the area and offers the most amenities. Nyuang U is also where most of the transportation links are, and, even if you don’t stay here, you’ll likely pass through on your way in or out of Bagan. If you’re traveling on a budget, Nyuang U has the widest selection of hostels and budget hotels in the area, with some rooms as cheap as $20 a night. It also has the greatest selection of restaurants. Nyuang U has a few minor temples within its boundaries, but it's two miles away from the edge of the main temple area. Old Bagan Old Bagan is located next to the Irrawaddy River, just a short walk to the main temple zone (however, a bike or other form of transportation is recommended to reach more distant temples). Because this is the closest you can stay to the temples, accommodation is most expensive here. There are some high-end hotels that cost several hundred dollars a night, but it is possible to find a room for under $100 or even less if you visit in the off-season. There are restaurants here but, in general, Old Bagan is the quietest area to stay in. New Bagan New Bagan strikes a good balance between the other two areas. It’s between Old Bagan and Nyuang U in terms of both price and distance to the temples, so if you’re trying to balance your budget and travel time to the temples, New Bagan might be a good option for you. Which Temples to Visit One of the most unique and memorable aspects of Bagan is wandering through a maze of hundreds of small and forgotten temples with no one else in sight. At least part of your trip should involve just heading out and seeing what you find, but there are also certain temples everyone who visits Bagan should see, and I’ve described each of them below. These temples are generally the biggest, most beautiful, and most religiously significant in all of Bagan. Ananda Temple One of the most important of several thousand temples of Bagan, the Ananda Temple is definitely a must-see. It was built over 900 years ago by King Kyanzittha and today is an important Buddhist pilgrimage spot. Ananda is also one of the best-preserved temples in Bagan, and beyond the entrance are numerous Buddha statues and a courtyard with traditional glazed tiles. This is one of the most popular temples to visit, so there will often be crowds and vendors selling goods during peak times. Dhammayangyi Temple Dhammayangyi draws visitors because it’s the largest temple in Bagan and is visible across most of the temple zone. It’s imposing exterior matches a grim history. Dhammayangyi is said to have been built in the 12th century as an attempt at atonement by King Narathu, who was known for murdering multiple members of his family. It doesn’t seem to have changed his personality much though, for the king also allegedly chopped off an arm of any worker who didn’t meet his strict construction standards for Dhammayangyi. Gory history aside, this is one of the best-preserved temples in Bagan and has many original paintings and mortar decorations. Gawdawpalin Temple Also known as the â€Å"temple of forgiveness†, Gawdawpalin was built in the 12th century by King Narapatisithu. Legend has it that the king committed a terrible crime that caused him to go blind. After completing the temple and praying for forgiveness, his sight was miraculously restored. This isn’t the most unique or interesting temple to see, but it’s an excellent example of how temples were built in the late Bagan period. Shwesandaw Pagoda This white-washed colored pagoda isn’t the most stunning building in the area, but it’s one of the most popular places to watch sunrise and sunset. Climbing to the highest level gives sweeping views of the plains dotted with temples. At dawn and dusk Shwesandaw can be extremely crowded, but it’s quite empty during other times, and the views are still some of the best you’ll get anywhere in Bagan. Shwezigon Pagoda Located in Nyuang U, glittery, golden Shwezigon makes a nice contrast to all of the brick you’ve likely been seeing in Old Bagan. The temple includes four shrines, each housing a bronze Buddha, as well as 37 nat, or pre-Buddhist religious figurines. Thatbyinnyu Pagoda The tallest temple in Bagan, Thatbyinnyu is located near the Ananda Temple. The temple is primarily white, with its spires tipped with gold. Unfortunately, past earthquakes have made the upper stories of the building unstable, so visitors are not allowed to climb it. Touring Bagan With a Guide It’s possible to either wander Bagan on your own or hire a guide for a day or half-day tour. There are several types of guided tours. Horse-Cart A guided horse cart tour is the most traditional and cheapest way to tour Bagan. Your guide will be a local, and you’ll sit in the back of a cart with a cover on top so you’re protected from sun and rain. Your driver will know where all of the main temples are as well as places to stop for snacks and drinks, but their job is mostly transporting you from one place to another as opposed to explaining the sites. Once you hop out of the cart to explore the temples you’ll be on your own. Prices can vary widely depending on the season and competition, but expect to pay around 25,000 kyats ($21) for a full-day tour and slightly less for a half-day tour. There are also sometimes rickshaws available for tours, but they're much less common. Taxi You can also tour Bagan in a taxi. This will be similar to the horse cart tour, but with increased comfort and cost, and you’ll likely get to see more of Bagan because you can travel faster. Most hotels will be able to hire taxis for you, and you can also enquire at Nyaung U airport. Taxi tour prices can vary widely (always confirm the price with the driver before you start), but expect to pay about twice as much as a horse cart tour. Balloon Rides For those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience (besides just visiting Bagan itself), it’s possible to take a hot air balloon over the temples. You’ll take off early in the morning so you can see sunrise from the air, then circle around the main temples of Bagan. Balloon tours are only available from October to April and cost about $350-$400 per person. The price typically includes pickup and drop-off, breakfast, and a champagne toast. There are several companies that offer these tours including Balloons Over Bagan, Bagan Balloon, Oriental Ballooning, and Golden Eagle Ballooning. Book your tickets before you arrive as the trips can sell out in advance. Getting Around on Your Own It’s also possible to explore Bagan individually. Walking is, of course, possible, and can be useful for nearby temples, but Bagan’s size and regular high temperatures mean you’ll probably want to have some form of transportation to more comfortably reach distant sites. Almost every hotel rents bikes for as little as $2 a day. Bikes are a cheap and easy way to get around, but if it’s very hot you may wear yourself out pedaling all day. Also, the ground can get very loose and sandy around the smaller temples, which can be difficult to pedal through. When renting a bike, always try it out first before paying for it. Bike quality can vary widely, and you don’t want to get stuck with a wobbly frame or a flat tire. Another option is getting around on an electronic bike or e-bike, which is a bike that runs on electric power or can be pedaled. These are more expensive, but you travel faster and don’t have to pedal very much. If your own hotel isn’t renting e-bikes, they’ll be able to direct you to a place that does. Again, test the e-bike out before you pay for it, and make sure it’s fully charged. Should You Get a Guide? There are several options for guided tours in Bagan, but do you even need one? As I mentioned above, most tours, excluding some higher-end ones, won’t give you much information about the Bagan temples themselves; instead, they’re primarily a way to get around. This may make you think that a tour isn’t very useful. However, Bagan is a huge site with just a few signs pointing the way to the most important temples. Many temples are found on winding, unmarked dirt roads making it almost impossible to easily find all the temples you want to see on your own, even if you have a map. While in Bagan, I met multiple tourists who had decided not to hire a guide to keep costs down, but many left Bagan disappointed because they were unable to find some of the most important and popular temples on their own. I’d highly recommend hiring a guide for your first day in Bagan and asking them to take you to each of the main temples. This way you’ll ensure that you see each of Bagan’s main sights. You can spend the following day/days exploring the other temples on your own and perhaps return to some of your favorites. Tips for Visiting Bagan Finally, there are a few tips you should keep in mind in order to keep your trip to Bagan as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Tip 1: Make Use of the Early Morning Bagan is hot all year round, so take advantage of the morning hours right after dawn when Bagan is cooler and less crowded. During sunrise, there will generally be crowds around popular spots like Shwesandaw Pagoda, but at least one morning you should get off the beaten trail and visit some of the lesser-known temples. You’ll likely have them all to yourself. Tip 2: Dress Appropriately Most of Myanmar is devoutly Buddhist, and the temples of Bagan are some of their most important religious sites. As such, visitors are expected to be respectful and dress appropriately. Everyone, especially women, should make sure their pants/skirt/dress reaches past their knees, and covering your shoulders is a good idea too. Those who don’t meet the dress code will be denied entry into the larger temples (most smaller temples have no one to check what you’re wearing). You must be barefoot when entering the temples, so wear flip-flops or sandals so you're not spending a lot of time messing with socks and shoelaces. Walking barefoot on hot tiles can get uncomfortable in the middle of the day, which is another reason to get up early. Tip 3: Be Respectful Again, the Bagan temples are culturally and religiously significant to the people of Myanmar, so don’t treat them like they’re just an Instagram background. In February 2016, the Myanmar government banned the climbing of all but five of the Bagan temples. The five temples exempt from the ban are Shwesandaw (discussed above), Pyathard Gyi, North Gunni, South Gunni and Thitsaw Wati. This ban was instituted because of â€Å"inappropriate activity† by tourists, including sleeping in the temples, entering restricted areas, dancing in the temples, and causing damage to the stonework. You don’t need to be frozen and silent when you’re in the temples, but don’t be rowdy either and don’t try to access restricted areas (many of these are unstable due to age and earthquake damage, and building collapses are not uncommon). Tip 4: Do Some Exploring My last and most important piece of advice is to do some old-school exploring of Bagan. Bagan is one of the only archaeological wonders of the world where you’re pretty much given free reign around the site. There are literally thousands of temples to explore, but most tour groups will only visit a handful of the biggest and most famous ones. Grab a bike and just pedal in the direction of anything that looks interesting. I spent several days getting lost in mazes of hundreds of smaller temples, and, in addition to the temples, I came across local goat herders and their flocks, Burmese children walking home from school, and a tiny cemetery a villager brought me to. If you’re worried about not knowing how to find your way back to civilization, bring a map with you. You’ll regularly come across Burmese people, and even if they don’t speak English, if you point to town on your map, they’ll be able to send you in the right direction. Recently, I’ve seen more and more people complaining about crowds in Bagan, but on my recent trip I found it easy to escape the masses by stepping onto any of the smaller dirt roads and seeing where it took me.

Environmental Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environmental - Research Paper Example They have been stereotyped as evil, terrorists, offensive and likes attacking. In addition, the Americans have viewed them as silly, uncivilized, nervous, and repressive to women. All these aspects create a rift between the two groups of people. In the documentary â€Å"Reel Bad Arabs†, Sut Jhally demonstrates the extent to which Hollywood has corrupted the image of the Arabs hence making people to believe in the proposition. All these aspects that have created this rift are politically motivated. It is apparent that there is deep relationship between Israel and the United States. However, this should not guarantee loss of Palestinian’s lives. According to Wilson Woodrow, the fact that the 111th United States Congress is dominated by Jews and by extension the Zionists is an evidence enough for the particular interest in Israel. They dominate the Committees too, which are the most active organs of the Congress. In addition, more than 52 major American Jewish organizations are meant to lobby for the interest of Israel/Jews. The American Jews also shape their position by funding individuals who in return help to keep their interests

Terrorism as a response to U.S. foreign policy Essay

Terrorism as a response to U.S. foreign policy - Essay Example (2009) cites, â€Å"the US arms uncritically supports Israel in its barbaric war against the Palestinians; it is hard to overemphasize the damage this does to the American image and interest in the Middle East† (p. 3). The foreign policy that focused only on the home security and border defense boosted sales of weapons but by cutting down the values of morality to a great extent. More logically, transformation of aggression and enmity into productive enthusiasm based on humanity can improve the situations and manage the conflicts to a great level. But the US foreign policy faces the criticism for arrogance against Muslims. A journal critically points out that â€Å"the zealotry that led to the tragedy of September 11th cannot be tolerated, but some grievances in the Islamic world deserve more serious consideration by Americans† (Johnson & Caruson, 2003, p. 9). Instead of the focusing on rivalry, America can utilize foreign interest in education and scientific researches by inviting global partnership. The country can make ties with developing economies and promote global peace. It can also stop instigating wars for the settlement of international issues, and promote the prospects of modernization through westernization in the fighting countries. Moore, D. (2007). A book review of Terrorism and American foreign policy: Intelligence in recent public literature, by P. R. Pillar (2001). Retrieved from

Sonnets of Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Sonnets of Shakespeare Essay Shakespeares sonnets are a collection of 154 sonnets, dealing with themes such as the passage of time, love, beauty and mortality, first published in a 1609 quarto entitled SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS. : Never before imprinted. (although sonnets 138 and 144 had previously been published in the 1599 miscellany The Passionate Pilgrim). The quarto ends with A Lovers Complaint, a narrative poem of 47 seven-line stanzas written in rhyme royal. The first 17 poems, traditionally called the procreation sonnets, are addressed to a young man urging him to marry and have children in order to immortalize his beauty by passing it to the next generation. [1] Other sonnets express the speakers love for a young man; brood upon loneliness, death, and the transience of life; seem to criticise the young man for preferring a rival poet; express ambiguous feelings for the speakers mistress; and pun on the poets name. The final two sonnets are allegorical treatments of Greek epigrams referring to the little love-god Cupid. The publisher, Thomas Thorpe, entered the book in the Stationers Register on 20 May 1609: Tho. Thorpe. Entred for his copie under the handes of master Wilson and master Lownes Wardenes a booke called Shakespeares sonnettes vjd. Whether Thorpe used an authorised manuscript from Shakespeare or an unauthorised copy is unknown. George Eld printed the quarto, and the run was divided between the booksellers William Aspley and John Wright. - Structure [edit] The sonnets are almost all constructed from three four-line stanzas (called quatrains) and a final couplet composed in iambic pentameter. [18] This is also the meter used extensively in Shakespeares plays. The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg. Sonnets using this scheme are known as Shakespearean sonnets. Often, the beginning of the third quatrain marks the volta (turn), or the line in which the mood of the poem shifts, and the poet expresses a revelation or epiphany. There are a few exceptions: Sonnets 99, 126, and 145. Number 99 has fifteen lines. Number 126 consists of six couplets, and two blank lines marked with italic brackets; 145 is in iambic tetrameters, not pentameters. There one another variation on the standard structure, found for example in sonnet 29. The normal rhyme scheme is changed by repeating the b of quatrain one in quatrain three, where the f should be. Characters [edit] When analysed as characters, the subjects of the sonnets are usually referred to as the Fair Youth, the Rival Poet, and the Dark Lady. The speaker expresses admiration for the Fair Youths beauty, and later has an affair with the Dark Lady. It is not known whether the poems and their characters are fiction or autobiographical; scholars who find the sonnets to be autobiographical, notably A. L. Rowse, have attempted to identify the characters with historical individuals. [19] Fair Youth [edit] Main article: Shakespeares sexuality. Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton at 21. Shakespeares patron, and one candidate for the Fair Youth of the sonnets. The Fair Youth is the unnamed young man to whom sonnets 1–126 are addressed. [20] Some commentators, noting the romantic and loving language used in this sequence of sonnets, have suggested a sexual relationship between them; others have read the relationship as platonic love. The earliest poems in the sequence recommend the benefits of marriage and children. With the famous sonnet 18 (Shall I compare thee to a summers day) the tone changes dramatically towards romantic intimacy. Sonnet 20 explicitly laments that the young man is not a woman. Most of the subsequent sonnets describe the ups and downs of the relationship, culminating with an affair between the poet and the Dark Lady. The relationship seems to end when the Fair Youth succumbs to the Ladys charms. [citation needed] There have been many attempts to identify the young man. Shakespeares one-time patron, Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton is commonly suggested, although Shakespeares later patron, William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, has recently become popular. [21] Both claims begin with the dedication of the sonnets to Mr. W. H., the only begetter of these ensuing sonnets; the initials could apply to either earl. However, while Shakespeares language often seems to imply that the subject is of higher social status than himself, the apparent references to the poets inferiority may simply be part of the rhetoric of romantic submission. [citation needed] An alternative theory, most famously espoused by Oscar Wildes short story The Portrait of Mr. W. H. notes a series of puns that may suggest the sonnets are written to a boy actor called William Hughes; however, Wildes story acknowledges that there is no evidence for such a persons existence. Samuel Butler believed that the friend was a seaman. Joseph Pequigney argued in his book Such Is My Love that the Fair Youth was an unknown commoner. The Dark Lady [edit] The Dark Lady redirects here. For other uses, see Dark Lady. The Dark Lady sequence (sonnets 127–152), distinguishes itself from the Fair Youth sequence by being overtly sexual in its passion. Among these, Sonnet 151 has been characterised as bawdy and is used to illustrate the difference between the spiritual love for the Fair Youth and the sexual love for the Dark Lady. [22] The distinction is commonly made in the introduction to modern editions of the sonnets. [22] The Dark Lady is so called because the poems make it clear that she has black hair and dusky skin. As with the Fair Youth, there have been many attempts to identify her with a real historical individual. Mary Fitton, Emilia Lanier and others have been suggested. The Rival Poet [edit] Main article: Rival Poet The Rival Poets identity has always remained a mystery; among the varied candidates are Christopher Marlowe, George Chapman, or, an amalgamation of several contemporaries. [23] However, there is no hard evidence that the character had a real-life counterpart. The speaker sees the Rival as competition for fame, coin and patronage. The sonnets most commonly identified as the Rival Poet group exist within the Fair Youth sequence in sonnets 78–86. [23] - Themes [edit] One interpretation is that Shakespeares sonnets are in part a pastiche or parody of the three-centuries-old tradition of Petrarchan love sonnets; Shakespeare consciously inverts conventional gender roles as delineated in Petrarchan sonnets to create a more complex and potentially troubling depiction of human love. [24] He also violated many sonnet rules, which had been strictly obeyed by his fellow poets: he plays with gender roles (20), he speaks on human evils that do not have to do with love (66), he comments on political events (124), he makes fun of love (128), he speaks openly about sex (129), he parodies beauty (130), and even introduces witty pornography (151). http://www. bardweb. net/poetry. html ontents * The Sonnets * Venus and Adonis * The Rape of Lucrece * Other Poetry In the summer of 1592, an episodic outbreak of the plague swept through London. Theatres were among the public gathering places to be shut down. William Shakespeare decided to stay in London rather than follow a theatrical company on tour. Shakespeare needed a way to earn a wage until the theatres reopened. He also desired to be taken seriously as a writer. Playwrights of the era were considered little more than populist hacks, writing largely disposable entertainment. Shakespeare instead found a way to earn both money and acclaim through the patronage of the third Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley. Poetry was the art of nobles and gentlemen, and Shakespeare—a rustic interloper without the usual college-educated wit—lucratively introduced himself between1593 and 1594. Venus and Adonis would become Shakespeares most widely printed work during his lifetime. The following year, Shakespeare published The Rape of Lucrece. Both were poems calculated to bolster Shakespeares reputation and wallet. On the opposite end of that spectrum is the body of poetry that comprises Shakespeares more mysterious and controversial work. If Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece represent Shakespeares quest for immortality, his sonnets of the early 1590s represent the passion and introspection behind it. The Sonnets At some point in the early 1590s, Shakespeare began writing a compilation of sonnets. The first edition of these appeared in print in 1609. However, Frances Meres mentions Shakespeare sharing at least some of them among friends as early as 1598, and two (138 and 144) appear as early versions in the 1599 folio The Passionate Pilgrim. Shakespeares seeming ambivalence toward having the sonnets published stands in remarkable contrast to the poetic mastery they demonstrate. Why sonnets? The sonnet was arguably the most popular bound verse form in England when Shakespeare began writing. Imported from Italy (as the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet), the form took on a distinctive English style of three distinctively rhymed quatrains capped by a rhymed couplet comprising 14 total lines of verse. This allowed the author to build a rising pattern of complication in a three-act movement, followed by the terse denouement of the final two lines. Conventional subject matter of the Elizabethan sonnet concerned love, beauty, and faith. Shakespeare as a poet could hardly have ignored the sonnet as a verse form. He appears to have written a sequence of them, dedicated to a Master W. H. , and the sequence as a whole appears to follow a loose narrative structure. Of the 154 sonnets, there are three broad divisions: * Sonnets 1-126, which deal with a young, unnamed lord, the fair youth of the sonnets * Sonnets 127-152, which deal with the poets relationship to a mysterious mistress, the dark lady of the sonnets * Sonnets 153-154, which seem to be poetic exercises dedicated to Cupid The sonnets are poignant musings upon love, beauty, mortality, and the effects of time. They also defy many expected conventions of the traditional sonnet by addressing praises of beauty and worth to the fair youth, or by using the third quatrain as part of the resolution of the poem. The first edition of 1609 could very well have been an unauthorized printing. The dedication is enigmatic, and the sonnet by that time had waned in popularity. Whether or not Thorpe published the 1609 quarto with Shakespeares blessing, the sonnets as they are printed comprise the foundation for all later versions. Points of debate have ensued ever since as to: * The order of the arrangement * Whether or not the sonnets are autobiographical * Whether or not Shakespeare actually intended them to be published * The identities of W. H. , the fair youth, and the dark lady, among others * The exact nature of the poets relationship with those he addresses in the sonnets Venus and Adonis Shakespeare dedicates Venus and Adonis as the first heir of my invention. In doing so, Shakespeare acknowledges that even he considered his plays as literary works inferior to poetry. The poem, a brief epic, evokes comparisons to Marlowes Hero and Leander, to which Venus and Adonisowes at least some debt. Equal parts comic and erotic, the poem is Shakespeares take on a story told by Ovid in which Venus falls for the handsome youth Adonis. Shakespeare, however, makes one crucial twist to Ovids Metamorphoses. Ovids Venus is an irresistible, tragic goddess whose love Adonis returns. Venus and Adonis portrays the goddess as a comically frustrated seductress who cant seem to distract Adonis from his love of hunting. Shakespeare also includes elements from Metamorphoses from the tales of Narcissus and Hermaphroditus. Venus and Adonis is a microcosm of Shakespeares writing: taking a classical source and infusing it with both heightened formality and a playful humanity. Of course, the poems comic overtones and animal sensuality caused it to lapse into critical disfavor. The Rape of Lucrece The Rape of Lucrece was published the year after Venus and Adonis. Because of their proximity and Shakespeares dedication of both works to Southampton, the two poems are often thought of as companion pieces. In fact, its believed that Lucrece is the graver labour to which Shakespeare refers in the dedication of Venus and Adonis. Written in rhyme royale stanzas, The Rape of Lucrece also borrows from Ovid. While Shakespeare sticks fairly closely to the narrative of Ovid, in The Rape of Lucrece, he expands significantly on the action through the characterization of both Tarquin and Lucrece. Shakespeare creates as a result a tense drama with both moral and political overtones. The verses are thick with rhetorical flourishes and wordplay. Like its predecessor, The Rape of Lucrece sparked much critical debate over the years, mostly regarding how Lucreces language often works against her emotion. Other The 1599 volume The Passionate Pilgrim was a collection of twenty poems that the publisher attributed entirely to Shakespeare. Only five works can be traced to Shakespeare: versions of sonnets 138 and 144, and three poems presumably taken from a quarto edition of Loves Labours Lost. Thomas Heywood actually complained about a later reprinting of the work in which his poetry was published but still credited to Shakespeare. Heywood also noted that Shakespeare was unhappy with the publisher, William Jaggard, who presumed to make so bold with his name. It seems apparent that Jaggards printing was an unauthorized enterprise. A Lovers Complaint was printed with Thorpes 1609 edition of Shakespeares sonnets. Like The Rape of Lucrece, A Lovers Complaint is written in rhyme royale stanzas but is much shorter, at just over 300 lines. The poem tells the story of a woman seduced by a womanizing young man. In 1601, an untitled poem by Shakespeare appeared in a collection entitled Loves Martyr. Scholars have given it the title The Phoenix and the Turtlebased on the thematic subject of the collection. Based on computer-aided analysis, a 1612 poem published by Thomas Thorpe as A Funeral Elegy and signed W. S. was thought to be attributable to Shakespeare. Further study has pointed toward Jacobean dramatist John Ford, rather than Shakespeare, as the poems author. Sir John Falstaff is in financial difficulties. On top of that, Justice Shallow and his youthful cousin, Slender, have come to Windsor because he has conned them out of money. Falstaff decides to woo the wives of two of Windsor’s leading merchants, Page, and Ford, to get money out of them. He sends his page, Robin, to each of the wives with a letter. The wives compare the letters and find that they are identical. They decide to teach him a lesson and devise a plan. They invite him to Mistress Ford’s house at a time when Ford will be out bird shooting. Falstaff’scompanions, Pistol and Nym, tell Ford about Falstaff’s intentions and Ford, a naturally jealous man, resolves to catch his wife out. He disguises himself as a shy man, Master Brook, with a passion for Mistress Ford, and goes to Falstaff and offers him money to woo her on his behalf. Falstaff tells him that a meeting has already been arranged and agrees to Master Brook’s request. Slender has made friends with a local clergyman, Parson Evans. Slender has fallen for Page’s daughter, Anne, who is already secretly meeting a young courtier, Fenton, of whom Page disapproves. Anne’s mother, Mistress Page, is determined that she will marry the French doctor, Caius. When Caius hears  about Slender’s suit he challenges Parson Evans to a duel. The landlord of the Garter Inn confuses matters by setting different places for the duel, which results in the antagonists making up their differences. Falstaff arrives at Mistress Ford’s house but his wooing is interrupted by Mistress Page’s announcement that the men are returning. They hide Falstaff in a large laundry basket and he is carried out. Ford searches the house. Falstaff is tipped out on a muddy river bank. The wives, amused by the incident, decide to repeat the incident and invite Falstaff to come again. He is reluctant but Master Brook persuades hnbim to accept and his visit is again interrupted by Ford’s return. Ford searches the laundry basket but this time Falstaff is disguised as the elderly aunt of one of the servants. When Ford finds nothing in the laundry basket he loses his temper and angrily beats the ‘aunt’ out of the house. The wives laughingly tell their husbands about the trick and Page suggests that they should publicly humiliate Falstaff to stop him from preying on honest wives. Mistress Ford invites Falstaff to meet her at night in Windsor Park, disguised as Hearne the Hunter. Parson Evans organises Anne and some children to dress as fairies. Anne plans to elope with Fenton, while her parents are plotting her kidnapping by Caius and a secret marriage to him. They all meet in the park and Falstaff is pinched and taunted by the fairies. Anne escapes and returns as Fenton’s wife, while Cauius and Slender both find that they have eloped with boys. The play ends with the Pages giving their blessing to Anne’s marriage and everyone laughing at the evening’s antics and the humiliation of Falstaff. Henry-1 Henry Bolingbroke has usurped his cousin, Richard II, to become King of England. News comes of a rebellion in Wales, where his cousin, Edmund Mortimer, has been taken prisoner by Owen Glendower, and in the North, where Harry Hotspur, the young son of the Earl of Northumberland, is fighting the Earl of Douglas. The king’s problems mount up and he is forced to postpone his proposed participation in a crusade. Moreover, his heir, Henry, known as Hal, shows no interest in princely matters and spends all his time in the London taverns with disreputable companions, particularly one dissolute old knight, Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff will do anything to finance his eating and drinking. He carries out a robbery with two of hisfriends but Hal and Poins rob them in turn. Hal protects Falstaff from the law and returns the money to the victims. Although Hotspur has been forced to agree to support the king he joins a plot with his father and his uncle, Worcester, to support Glendower, Mortimer, and Douglas against the king. Hal returns to the court, makes his peace with his father, and is given a command in the army that is preparing to meet Hotspur. Falstaff has also been given a command but he has taken bribes and filled his ranks with beggars instead of recruiting able men. The King offers to pardon Hotspur if he will withdraw his opposition. Glendower’s troops and those of Northumberland have been unable to contact Hotspur and Worcester withholds the King’s offer from Hotspur and the battle of Shrewsbury begins. Falstaff’s conduct in the war is disreputable and behaves in a cowardly way, while Hal saves his father’s life in combat with the Scotsman, Douglas. He encounters Hotspur, who is killed. Falstaff, having feigned death to avoid injury, claims to have fought and killed Hotspur. The King’s army triumphs over the rebels and Worcester is condemned to death. Hal frees Douglas while Henry takes his troops to continue the war against Mortimer and the Welsh, and the remnants of the Northumberland forces. Henry-2 King Henry IV has been victorious at the battle of Shrewsbury but the Earl of Northumberland hears rumours that his son, Harry Hotspur, has been the victor. Northumberland and the Archbishop of York decide to oppose the king’s forces, led by Prince John. The news of Hotspur’s death finally comes, however, and Hotspur’s widow and Lady Northumberland urge them not to continue with their rebellion. The Lord Chief Justice criticises Sir John Falstaff for his behaviour during the wars but gives his blessing to him in his intention to join Prince John’s forces. Before Falstaff can leave he is arrested for his debt to Mistress Quickly, the landlady of the Boar’s Head tavern. They both land up in court where Falsaff persuades her to patch up their differences. Prince Hal and his friend Poins, arrive at the tavern, disguised as servants. Acquaintances between Hal and Falstaff and his companionsare renewed. Pistol arrives and tells Falstaff that he should have departed for the wars by now. Hal and his friends remain, still dressed as servants, although the king is sick, and worried about the succession. Falstaff recruits men, conforming to his usual corrupt methods. York, Mowbray and Hastings prepare for battle. The Earl of Westmorland arrives from Prince John to hear their grievances and they come to a peace arrangement. However, as soon as the rebel armies disperse, Westmorland arrests the three leaders for treason. The king is very ill. Hall arrives from London. He thinks the sleeping king is dead and he lifts the crown and tries it on. The king wakes up and is angered by that. They make up and are reconciled before the king prepares himself for death. When Falstaff hears of the king’s death and Hal’s succession he sets out to attend the coronation, expecting to be given high office, but the king denies knowing him and banishes him, commanding him to come no nearer than ten miles of his court. The play ends with Falstaff left hurt and hoping that the king will change his mind, while the King Henry plans a war against France. Henry-5 Henry V’s father Bolingbroke (Henry IV) was never able to rule comfortably because he had usurped Richard II. On his succession King Henry V is determined to prove his right to rule, including over France. An ambassador arrives from the French Dauphin with a provocative gift of tennis balls. Henry responds by preparing to invade France. Three of the king’s friends, Scroop, Cambridge and Grey, are discovered to be plotting against him and he condemns them to death. Pistol, Nym, and Bardolph, the companions of Henry’s dissolute days in London, join the king’s forces and set off for the wars. The news comes of Sir John Falstaff’s death. The English take the town of Harfleur and the king moves on towards Calais. The two armies prepare for battle near Agincourt. The night before the battle the king visits his troops in disguise. The French numbers are superior but Henry inspires his troops with a powerful patriotic speech. The battle begins and the French are defeated, with heavy losses, whereas the English losses are light. Henry returns to London in triumph before making peace with the French king. Henry woos the French Princess Katherine and their marriage links England and France. HEney-6-The play opens in the aftermath of the death of King Henry V. News reaches England of military setbacks in France, and the scene shifts to  Orleans, where ‘La Pucelle’ (Joan of Arc) is encouraging theDauphin to resist. She defeats an English army led by Talbot. In England, Richard, Duke of York, quarrels with John Beaufort, 1 st Duke of Somerset about his claim on the throne. The lords select red or white roses, depending on whether they favour the House of Lancaster or that of York. Edmund Mortimer, a leading claimant to the throne, is a prisoner in the Tower ofLondon and declares Richard his heir. The young Henry VI honours both Richard and Talbot. Talbot dies bravely in his next battle against the French. In the meantime, King Henry is married off to a young French princess, Margaret of Anjou. Suffolk intends to control the king through Margaret. Ill feeling between him and the Duke of Gloucester continues to grow. This play ends without a resolution, and is Henry-6-21This play begins with the marriage of King Henry VI to the young Margaret of Anjou. William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, aims to influence the king through her. The major obstacle to this plan is the regent of the crown, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who is very popular with the people. Queen Margaret vies with his wife, Eleanor, for precedence at court. Eleanor is lured by an agent of Suffolk into dabbling in necromancy, and then arrested, to the embarrassment of her husband,Gloucester. Nevertheless, the demon she has summoned delivers some accurate prophecies concerning the fates of several characters in the play. Gloucester is then accused of treason and imprisoned, and afterwards assassinated by agentsof Suffolk and the Queen. Meanwhile, Richard, Duke of York, who has a tenuousclaim to the throne, schemes to make himself king. The Earl of Suffolk is banished for his role in Gloucester’s death and killed by Walter the pirate, leaving Margaret without her mentor. Meanwhile, Richard of York has managed to become commander of an army to suppress a revolt in Ireland. York enlists a former officer, Jack Cade, to lead a rebellion that threatens the whole kingdom, so that he can bring his army from Ireland into England and seize the throne. As Cade’s rebels are routed, York, who has brought his army over on the pretext of protecting the King from Somerset, declares open war on the king, supported by his sons, Edward (the future King Edward IV) and Richard (the future King Richard II). The English nobility now take sides, and the Battle of St Albans ensues. The Duke of Somerset is killed by the future Richard III. Young Lord Clifford, whose father has been killed by the Duke of York, vows revenge on the Yorkists, and allies himself with King Henry’s other supporters. Henry-6-3 The Earl of Warwick (Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick) is presiding over a dispute between Richard, Duke of York and the reigning King Henry, in the course of which Henry agrees to make York his heir. The Queen, Margaret, makes it clear that she will not agree to this, and declares war on the Yorkists, with the assistance of the young Lord Clifford and other supporters, including her son, Edward, Prince of Wales. The Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Wakefield. Cliffordmurders York’s young son, the Earl of Rutland. Margaret andClifford taunt the duke of York before killing him. The Earl of Warwick now takes York’s eldest son, Edward (King Edward 1V of England) under his wing. At the Battle of Twoton, they take revenge on Margaret’s army, and Clifford is killed. Following the battle, Edward is proclaimed king, and his two brothers, George and Richard, are created Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester respectively. Warwick turns against Edward when he marries Lady Grey, and he changes sides, joining Queen Margaret and allowing his daughter to marry her son, the Prince of Wales. The Duke of Clarence goes over to Warwick, marrying his other daughter, and Edward IV is taken prisoner. He is rescued by his brother Richard and the faithful Lord Hastings. King Henry VI has been restored to the throne, and the young Earl of Richmond (the future King Henry V11) goes into exile in France to escape the Yorkists. Edward defeats and kills Warwick at the Battle of Barnet. In a subsequent battle, he kills the Prince of Wales and captures Queen Margaret. Richard of Gloucester begins his campaign to remove all obstacles in his path to the throne by murdering King Henry VI who is a captive in the Tower of London. Henry prophesies Richard’s career of villainy and his future notoriety. However, King Edward’s wife has just given birth to a son, the future King, Edward V of England, and the play ends here. Cardinal Wolsey, a close advisor to Henry VIII’s father, Henry VII, has framed the Duke of Buckingham for treason, who is executed. The Queen, Katherine, hates Wolsey and he is also hated by the people because of the plot against Buckingham and the harsh, unfair taxes he is imposing in the King’s name. The King goes to a party hosted by Wolsely and falls in love with Anne Bullen, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. Henry, married to Katherine for twenty years, decides that the marriage is not legal because she is the widow of his brother, and it is therefore incest. He asks Wolsey for his advice. Because of that Wolsey becomes even more hated, both by Katherine and the people so he can’t agree to Henry’s solution of a divorce, but he agrees to put it the Pope, who will send someone to investigate and make a ruling. Katherine regards the marriage as sacred but she has to submit to the proceedings. Wolsey’s enemies are active and, the situation compounded by some bad luck, he begins to lose the confidence of Henry. Also, Henry sees him as a stumbling block to the divorce. Wolsey knows that Henry is determined to marry Anne Bullen so he advises the Pope to postpone a decision. With Wolsey in disgrace Henry goes ahead with the divorce and the remarriage with out any regard to the Pope’s opinion. Wolsey then dies, followed soon after by Katherine. The new Archbishop of Canterbury has a plot hatched against him by Wolsey’s secretary, Gardiner, who is tried and executed for treason. Henry has a daughter, Elizabeth, by Anne Bullen. Cranmer christens her and makes a speech foretelling a noble rule for Elizabeth and a glorious period of history during her reign. King John settlement with the French King. John is, in the meantime, having a problem with the Pope. The Pope has excommunicated him, and his envoy, Pandulph, orders the French King to resume hostilities with John. During one of the battles John captures his nephew, Arthur. He gives orders for his execution but his chamberlain, Hubert, disobeys the order. While trying to escape, Arthur falls to his death. The nobles accuse John of murder and defect to the French side. John is forced to hand over his crown to Pandulph, although receives it back, but his kingdom is now under the Pope’s control. Pandulph now tries to stop the conflict but the French won’t co-operate and the armies meet at Edmundsbury. The nobles don’t trust the French King and they return to John. The French King comes to terms with John through Pandulph but John is not there to see that as he is poisoned by a monk while he is staying at Swinstead Abbey. He is succeeded by his son, King Henry III. Richard-3 Richard, the Yorkist Duke of Gloucester, has not stopped plotting since the defeat of Henry VI. He conspires to play his brothers, Edward (now King Edward IV) and George, Duke of Clarence, against each other in an attempt to gain the crown for himself. By insinuating charges of treason against George, Richard has him arrested. He also brazenly woos Anne, widow of the murdered Prince of Wales, in the midst of her husbands funeral procession. In the course of events, Edward IV, who is deathly ill at the beginning of the play, dies; Richard has already arranged for George to be murdered while imprisoned, and so it stands that Richard will serve as regent while Edwards son (also named Edward) can come of age. In order to protect the Prince of Wales and his younger brother, Richard has them stay in the Tower of London. He then moves against Edwards loyalist lords; Vaughan, Rivers, Hastings, and Grey are first imprisoned, then executed. Then, with the aid of Buckingham, Richard declares that Edward IVs offspring are technically illegitimate. In an arranged public display, Buckingham offers the throne of England to Richard, who is presumably reluctant to accept. By this time, Richard has alienated even his own mother, who curses him as a bloody tyrant. By now, Richard needs to bolster his claims to the crown; the young princes locked away in the Tower of London must be disposed of. Buckingham, until now Richards staunchest ally, balks at this deed. Richard gets a murderer to do the deed, but turns on Buckingham for his insubordination. Now Richard—conveniently a widower after the suspicious demise of Anne—makes a ploy to marry the late King Edwards daughter, his niece. Elizabeth, Edwards widow, makes Richard believe that she agrees to the match; however, Elizabeth has arranged for a match with the Earl of Richmond. Richmond, at this point in the action, is bringing over an army from France to war against Richard. Buckingham, finding himself out of favor with the king, gives his allegiance to Richmond. However, Buckingham is captured when his army is thrown into disarray by floods, and Richard has him executed immediately. Richmond, who has undergone his own troubles crossing the English Channel, finally lands his army and marches for London. The armies of Richard and Richmond encamp near Bosworth Field; the night before the battle, Richard is visited by the sundry ghosts of the people he has slain, all of whom foretell his doom.

Country Music in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Essay -- White Trash Broth

Country Music in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Abstract: This essay explores the way white trash identity is performed through country music. In particular, the focus is on the way the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Joel Coen, 2001) uses a soundtrack of 'old-timey' country music from the 1920s and 30s to aurally assist the film's white trash aesthetic. Various cultural critics (Barbara Ching) and music historians (Richard Peterson) have already documented the way country music is white trash music. Such histories are drawn upon to demonstrate the way country music is used to authenticate white trash as rural, impoverished, simple-minded and sweet. The authenticity of white trash often depends on an authentic performance of country music; one that is dependent on staging a particularly commodifiable white trash image or ' look' . Does this mean the supposed authenticity of white trash is all performance? By locating the white trashness of country music within a broader historical and cultural context, this essay demonstrates the way O Brother, Where Art Thou? depicts white trash as an identity that is only authentic through a performance of authenticity. This essay explores the way white trash is often depicted on screen through the use of early 20th century country music. Whether it be through white trash country music narratives or the use of country music on film soundtracks to signify white trashness, it is undeniable that white trash has a special affinity with country music. For this reason my analysis of O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2001) will demonstrate the way early forms of U.S. country music emphasise the white trashness of the film' s characters. What exactly is white trash? U.S. cultura... ...Bring Coen Brothers Film Soundtrack to Stage' . Rolling Stone 21 April. 2000. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=10660 Peterson, Richard A. Creating Country Music: Fabricating Authenticity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. Scott, A.O. ' O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Hail, Ulysses, Escaped Convict' The New York Times 22 Dec. 2000. Singer, Ben. ' Modernity, Hyperstimulus, and the Rise of Popular Sensationalism' . In Cinema and the Invention of Modern Life. Eds. L. Charney and U. Schwartz. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. 72-99. Williamson, J. W. Hillbillyland: What the Movies Did to the Mountains and What the Mountains Did to the Movies. Chapel Hill, N.C. and London: University of North Carolina, 1995. Wray, Matt, and Annalee Newitz. White Trash: Race and Class in America. London and New York: Routledge, 1997.

Wealthy vs. Poor (the True Definitions)

| Wealthy Vs. Poor| The True Definitions| | Sierra Lockett| ENG-101| Jim Andrzjewski | The definition of wealth is very versatile and affects the lives of people in many different ways. It is usually defined as pertaining to riches, luxurious possessions, and an abundance of things of value in general. But to some, it can also mean having a great amount of the things that are considered more important than materialistic assets such as family, friendships, wisdom, health, love, etc.What is the true definition of wealth and does it only relate to things that are great in cash value? Most of today’s official definitions of wealth in dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauruses define wealth as an abundance of valuable possessions or money. There are trillions of advertisements advising people how to obtain it in how-to books, videos, commercials, and step by step guides. Who’s to say that the one who doesn’t have all the materialistic possessions isn’t already w ealthy?People all over the world are striving day to day to have the finer things in life and live the common dream such as a white collar career, luxury vehicles, white picket fence, and the suburban home. The typical classifications of wealth are insufficient and have been misleading people for generations. As a result, people thrive, fight, steal, and kill just to have what is considered the better quality of things in life for their selves and their families. Society must understand that true fortune and prosperity does not come in the form of assets.It cannot be worn around one’s neck, a check cannot be written for it, nor can it be direct deposited. Valuable possessions are things that only bring happiness temporarily and it does not take long before a person becomes bored with it. The tainted and inadequate description of wealth not only misleads but causes one to be prejudice against people who are considered poor. A person is not poor because they lack things of sign ificant value or because their life does not revolve around money.The one who has everything their superficial heart can desire but no one to share it with is the one who is, in fact, poor. Poor just simply means a lacking and official definitions should not state of what the lacking is. Money is the least of what a person can be poor at because even a rich individual can be poor at something. Rich is the one who is plentiful in knowledge and wisdom. How dare someone be prejudice against people who have an inadequate supply of clean water, food, clothing, education, and healthcare?Rich is the person who is still bountiful in faith through strife. Financial income is not the only important factor of wealth or poverty. There are many definitions of being either poor or wealthy. The cash value of something is not what makes it beautiful. The best things in life are completely free such as falling in love, giving birth, and enjoying the beautiful green nature around us. Poor does not ne cessarily mean you cannot enjoy life to the fullest. There are so many individuals who have nothing materialistically but are still content with life because they have each other.True wealth is an abundance of what is important to someone such as what makes them happy. It is not always necessarily money, jewels, and cars. A person living in what is considered poverty can be rich spiritually and family-wise. There is no one definition as to what makes a person poor or wealthy. The definition of wealth is not just having plenty of money and the definition of being poor is not just having a lack of it. It only depends on having abundance or lack of what is important to someone as an individual and not based on what society thinks someone should have.

Effective Advertising Essay

Advertising is considerably one of the vital strategies needed for a product or service to be known within a certain community. The scope of advertising has been highly controversial in the aspect of marketing nevertheless a towering issue in the political aspect as sought in elections and other forms of the like. Synthesis on effective advertising has been defined in accordance to the different models and theories presented in the literary aspect, which, of course has been collaborated with the context of practice. In the field of economics, it has been stressed that advertising consistently plays a vital role in shaping a proficient and efficient society beneficial on the glory it serves. As soon as printed symbols were invented the advertising man made use of them to give publicity to his merchandise (Sokotch, 2006). In recent times, advertisements are embossed on walls and tombs, in black and white on parchment and other paper entities, and are produced in publishing houses. Though these diverse forms of advertising were engaged, diminutive are considered and regard are not as effective as expected. Posters, painted signs, street-car placards, booklets, calendars, almanacs, handbills, magazine and newspaper advertising have now become forms of advertising so well established that we look upon them as a necessity, and are overwhelmed to find out that majority are up to date novelty (Tellis, 2003). However, it runs in the stream of cognitive, affective and behavioral pitches before one may thoroughly state that one’s mean of advertising is effective. Critical analysis on advertising in the contemporary society The verity of advertising in point of fact is focused in one set of audience alone. Take for example, for advertising in the market arena, the audience are the consumers; in the political arena, politicians advertise their platforms and propagandas in the light of the voters; while for research and other educational gains, it is in the hands of their respondents that they are able to complete their study—without these ‘audience’ it would be hard to comprehend why â€Å"advertisers† are so eager to let their â€Å"advertisement† out in the open with the milieu of persuasion and of encouragement over what they wish to imply (Michelet, 2006). Textbooks and other published materials would often lead to the fundamental concept of â€Å"Ivan Pavlov’s conditioning experiment† or that which has been used by Anne Sullivan, remarkably, the notion is coherent with the idea on advertising. The consumers represent Helen Keller and the advertiser is the teacher in the person of Anne Sullivan—motivation and persuasion, per se. Marx’s theory of commodity fetishism  There have been several deliberations on how advertising shall be crucially taken into basis of analysis. Apparently, critics has often addressed that media analysis collaborated with the arena of political, economical and socio-cultural context must not serve as grounds in identifying the ability of advertising and mass communications in empowering a contemporary capitalist society. Further, Marx’s theory of commodity fetishism connotes the perception—which by hand is used by fashion advertisers—that assessment of an effective advertisement falls on the utilization of a â€Å"model or person,† a product, a setting and text; hence it has also been cited that these forms of â€Å"advertising† is magnificently effective and never fails to capture the consumer-public (Karlsson, 2007). Conceivably, the Marxian theory all boils down to the fact that capitalism is legitimate since that it endows with the public with what they â€Å"want† and gradually fulfills their present needs, use, values and other sort of the like—corresponding to the ethics on exchange value, use value, surplus value, commodity fetishism and fickle-feeding. Strong’s AIDA Model The AIDA model is a behavioral approach which contains a purpose to uplift the verity of making an advertisement awareness-able, interest stimulating, and desire action-triggering dynamic in consumers. It is also considered as one of the most persuasive and highly efficient methods in advertising hence suggesting that for a certain advertisement to be effective, it has to be something that captivates attention leading to convincing the consumers that the product or service or whatever is advertised as interesting. Further, it must also have the ability to make the consumers crave for the product in the sense that they shall â€Å"desire† on it and finally for them to get attached with it and hopefully get a feedback that the advertising is effective. In a larger view with this model, it is important that the information being sent to the consumers is believable and memorable that even in the busy schedule of the consumers, or in the million of ideas processed by the mind each day, one’s advertisement is sought (Karlsson, 2007). Defining Advertising Goals for Measured Advertising Results Theory This model presented by Russell Colley is popularly known as DAGMAR, of course, for the benefit of the masses, and a technique in memory building as well. Consequently, this communication strategy is known for its ability to send information without the utilization of excessive text or message. Its focal point falls on the level of understanding stating what the consumer must believe on an organization and at the same time to measure the efficiency of an advertising campaign (Bok, 2002). Further, it expresses the fact that there are four levels of understanding in advertisement and that the methods used in all commercial communications must come across that very objective. Hunching the four levels of understanding advertising the following are presented by the proponent: awareness of the existence of the organization advertising the brand, grasp on what the product is or is capable of, a rational suspicion or sagacity of conviction in buying the product and like the aforementioned methods, persuasion to act in availing the product advertised and have it stuck on their list (Karlsson, 2007). Lavidge and Steiner’s Heirarchy–of-effects model Published in the same time-frame as that of DAGMAR, this model raises the connotation that consumers possess a non-fickle personality hence consumers are skeptical in being convinced—not interested at all stake would be the fitting definition. Unlike the other theories, which stresses that all factors be cited in equal proportion, this model follows a liner path and insists that these factors are to be taken in a step-by-step basis (Karlsson, 2007). Awareness, knowledge, fondness, preference, conviction and purchase—the mentioned steps shape up this models apprehension. Moreover, the insistent point of this model expresses that consumers are wise enough not to be easily convinced, not unless they are holistically provided with the necessary details that they need inline with the kind of social standing that they have. French postmodernist theory of Jean Baudrillard: Theory of sign value Jean Baudrillard on the other hand, believed on the prowess of signs and symbols constituted by objects for that matter. Having a consumer society, the proponent’s theory dwells on the idea of implosion of aesthetics manifesting that advertising lies on aesthetic techniques and the promotion of consumption as a way of life. Baudrillard’s â€Å"sign value† analysis assess the consumer’s grave need for seeking various products and the actual gratifications that these products derive onto as well as with the social function that it offers. Lurking deep on the â€Å"social perspective† the proponent stresses that signs of sociality are great basis in building up the right method to advertise and capture their pockets to hail such (Harms and Kellner, 1990). Commentary Critical analysis on the models presented would wrap up the idea that advertising is a broad state of field. Perceivably, there are models which are similar in concept—consumers are after products, only that they seek for the best—however, there also appears the skeptical viewpoints that insists the un-fickleness of consumers and there is nothing advertisers can do but to wait for them to visit one’s shop dependent on their innate characteristic. In the light, due to the complexity of the marketing landscape and the advent of globalization, these theories may be evaluated as up-to-date or no longer effective a way or another. But then the perception on â€Å"basics† and fundamental perspectives will always contradict with that nuance. The behavior of the consumers has already transformed through time, with this, it may be taken to assumption that the â€Å"pessimistic† side of the story may be eradicated in pleas. The more â€Å"open† the society, the easier advertising influences them—the higher the chance to be marked as â€Å"effective. † Consumer vs. business in effective advertising In relation to business and consumers as two major factors in marketing, the predicament of the matter is clearly seen in the areas of communication efficiency, product quality and audience analysis. Take for example, the target groups must be taken consideration—kids, teens, adults, couples—all these must be known before a product shall be advertised. Aside from that, culture is also a factor, what to be advertised must be taken into deliberation first considering the fact that the context of the advertisement may not be acceptable in the kind of culture where the product is introduced. In the case of technological product advertising, the following threats may be assessed: as categorized, opportunities and threats, which is basically a portrayal of external change is the scale fall on the line of â€Å"five forces of threat,† namely, (1) threat of new entrants (rising companies of the same service rendered as well as with other rising broadcasting companies which will offer ‘greater’ service than theirs), (2) competitive rivalry (competition in sales, in fame and in the service satisfaction), (3) threat of substitution (other broadcasting/media corporations such as films, 3D theater, home-video conferencing, piracy and other sorts of the like), (4) power of buyers (upon knowing the fact that the society always change their â€Å"taste† primarily in the streamline of the kinds of shows which is â€Å"famous† in the immediate time and the advent of technological advancements such as 3D and other competition in broadcasting) and (5) p ower of suppliers (the fact that such is competition, resources is most likely to halt leading to scarcity from manufacturers of entities and commodities needed for broadcasting). All which serve as the grounds for the success or the failure of the company or the industry and if fortunate, then it will be easier to get the general objective (Mooij, 2005). Advertising in the commerce landscape  Progress in the subject matter is made in the abstract; one scholar shows a compelling talent for innovation, and others amend and improve on his work, all without close reference to the economic context. In the last one hundred years the great corporate enterprise, the trade union, depression and war, increasing and increasingly dispersed affluence, the changing nature of money and the new and enhanced role of the central bank, the declining role of agriculture with the counterpart urbanization and growth of urban poverty, the rise of the welfare state, the newly assumed responsibility of the government for overall economic performance, the emergence of socialist states, have all dramatically altered, even revolutionized, economic life. As the subject matter of economics has changed, so necessarily has the subject. Advertising comes in a handy realization that the more complex the economy gets, the larger the need for business tycoons to broaden their understanding with the flow of the society in patronizing their basic needs. The competition floating in the commercial room also serves as a challenge that each advertisement of their product must be sent with critical analysis and with a pinch of â€Å"freshness† capable enough to outstand the other entities which steams up the battle. The scope of marketing must not only fall under the circumstance of financial basis itself, but rather on the deeper application premises of the activity. An illustration of such would surface in a company’s ability to perform social responsibilities and being able to consistently adjust on the intrinsic and extrinsic demands of the society, as well as with keeping track on the challenges laid on the inevitable table of change (Michelet, 2006). It must be kept in mind that advertising is the only gateway to get their products’ path to the consumers. With the competition rising, consumers are wise enough to know what they want and which is best. Assessment on the components of effective advertising in McDonalds An example of effective advertising is practiced by McDonalds; the power of commercial speech is exercised. Even when backed by the resources and visibility of a McDonalds Corporation, the power of commercial speech campaigns is limited. Neither particular advertisements nor broader advertising campaigns are always effective, even when they have been well researched and well financed: the majority of prospective new brands that are test marketed are not marketed nationally. The battle of the marketplace has many casualties. Even when advertising affects behavior, the effect may be temporary (Michelet, 2006). And when the effects are more enduring, they may amount only to switches among rival brands by established users, rather than new consumers for any of the rival brands. Some advertising—consider the various recent plans and pricing claims of the leading long distance telephone carriers—is widely disliked. As a result, many ads are simply drowned out, unnoticed or unremembered in the ongoing daily proliferation of commercial speech. This does not mean, however, that commercial speech, or commercial advertising more narrowly, does not have important long-term effects, intended or unintended, on American culture and decision making. Commercial advertising is in some sense a ‘zero sum’ game, with one product’s gain being another’s loss. The proliferation of ads, however, does not lead simply to a process of mutual conflict, let alone mutual annihilation (Harms and Kellner, 1990). Conclusions and further remarks Moreover, given the fact that the main subject and prospects for the purpose of venturing into business are the masses, it most likely true that customer satisfaction is a pious must. In simple logic, selling does not only denote giving consumers the idea that a product/service offered on the market/industry, but rather dwelling on the array of perception that consumers are after ‘fame’ of the company as well as the ‘trend’ which is seemingly floating up in the limelight and the ‘generation status’ per se’ – more like, â€Å"in-line-with-amazing-quality† (Easey, 2001). The above mentioned threats then takes place, the world of business is a vortex of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges which requires critical analysis on what consumers need and logical wit to determine the flexibility of the product and service. That is the main purpose of the survey and other forms of observation in the society are needed to achieve managerial goals and jive along with the â€Å"change of taste† and speculations of the masses (Mooij, 2005). What utterly demoralizes business tycoons and practitioners hangs back on the exactness of the cost and the revenue generated by investments which are indefinite to be defined, for the reason that the scheme and the flow of the advertising differ dependently upon the ‘season’ or under the discretion of the contemporary society. It would seem quite hard to distinguish which of the sites are assumed to be the most significant or rather the one which is offering the best service for the majority (Beckwith, 2003). Since that, those who are apt to surf actually depend on what they wish to find. In addition to that, each layer of the society hold different jobs or activity with diverse enthusiasm, it is evident that it is possible to shift sites which then give the argument abstain on conviction with regard to the matter (Seelye, 2005). The aforementioned threats must not serve as intimidating factors in the world of business, hence a challenge towards the attainment of organizational goals through the use of effective advertising. In conclusion, effective advertising depends on for demonstration of the method, traditional or modern as long as the advertiser knows the perfect mixture of the factors needed in advertising, what is sold on the market will be a sure hit. In collaboration with the political or academic concept, a politician does not get votes not unless he or she knows what words are to be uttered in specific groups and what technique of persuasion is to be utilized in that certain point of time. Effective advertising does not only require skill, timing is a vital one.