The Spaces between Stars by Geeta Kothari An interpretation based on Hindusism Essay Example

The Spaces between Stars by Geeta Kothari: An interpretation based on Hindusism Essay Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of the world. It evolved in the Indian subcontinent over 5000 years ago and has a rich body of literature. Unlike monotheistic religions such as Christianity or Islam, Hinduism is polytheistic, with thousands of deities and gods being worshipped. Even in terms of ethnography and culture there is a rich diversity of Hindu expression. The sacred rituals and beliefs related to Hinduism vary across ethnic communities in India. The Hindu scriptures explain morality in the form of legends and myths. More than a religion per se, Hinduism can be looked at as a philosophical system. The key themes of this system are that of the interconnectedness of life, repercussions of good and bad deeds (karma), the temporariness of earthly existence and the aspiration toward liberation from it (moksha). Texts such as the Upanishads and epics such as Ramayana and Mahabaratha serve as mediums of this philosophic discourse. In Geeta Kothari’s short story the major theme is one of entrapment. She regrets the condition of her married life with Evan. She wonders morosely if she had erred by agreeing to marriage in the name of security and conformity. There are parallels to it in the Hindu conception of life, whereby, our present life carries forward and expiates the Karma accumulate from our previous life. In this cycle of birth and rebirth thus continues the one constant reality is that of suffering. Certainly Maya has a legitimate feeling of betrayal in her marriage, and she wonders why things had turned out this way. Hinduism’s answer to her pondering would be that she is presently suffering on account of the bad Karma she had acquired in previous incarnations. We will write a custom essay sample on The Spaces between Stars by Geeta Kothari: An interpretation based on Hindusism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Spaces between Stars by Geeta Kothari: An interpretation based on Hindusism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Spaces between Stars by Geeta Kothari: An interpretation based on Hindusism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer While the Hindu idea of karma is deterministic, it does not promote fatalistic attitude. While the circumstances we find ourselves in are somewhat arbitrary, there is much we can alter about our future through the exercise of free will. Towards the end of the story Maya seems to realize this truth. She is seen to slowly make a resolution that she will henceforth be more faithful to her feelings and no more live in denial. Hindu spiritual practices in the form of yoga, dhyana and yagnya are deviced to alleviate our suffering by altering our natural state of ego-consciousness. By subjugating the impulses of the ego and attuning our senses toward cosmic consciousness we reach a state where suffering ceases. It is called in Sanskrit as mukthi. Maya’s project of self-actualization is not articulated in such esoteric Hindu philosophic terms. But hers is a project of great import in the context of the constricting and adversarial reality her marriage has turned out to be. In my own experience I’ve faced issues of melancholy in the past. In the early days, I used to feel very let down and feel victimized. But slowly I realized that remorse and helplessness lead us nowhere. I then started undergoing an attitudinal change in two aspects. First I trained myself to accept difficulties as part of life. Second I trained myself to proactively mitigate adversities. As a result I can claim that I am a much happier person now than I was a few years back. The important thing is that my circumstances have not drastically changed but my outlook and behaviour has changed. And it has made a world of difference. In this regard I share the same spirit of Maya. Between me and her, we share the Hindu philosophic outlook to addressing problems, although it took us both some time to make this transition. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of the world. It evolved in the Indian subcontinent over 5000 years ago and has a rich body of literature. Unlike monotheistic religions such as Christianity or Islam, Hinduism is polytheistic, with thousands of deities and gods being worshipped. Even in terms of ethnography and culture there is a rich diversity of Hindu expression. The sacred rituals and beliefs related to Hinduism vary across ethnic communities in India. The Hindu scriptures explain morality in the form of legends and myths. More than a religion per se, Hinduism can be looked at as a philosophical system. The key themes of this system are that of the interconnectedness of life, repercussions of good and bad deeds (karma), the temporariness of earthly existence and the aspiration toward liberation from it (moksha). Texts such as the Upanishads and epics such as Ramayana and Mahabaratha serve as mediums of this philosophic discourse. In Geeta Kothari’s short story the .

The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice Essay Example

The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice Essay Example The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice Essay The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice Essay Essay Topic: Merchant Of Venice Play Knowing that this play appeared in print in 1600 with the title The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice, we the audience, are entitled to be led into the impression that this play will end on a happily ever after basis, which is often found in fairy tales and Shakespeare comedies alike. Shakespeare uses many techniques to try draw a picture of a happily ever after ending, which he uses mainly on the main romantic focus of the play Bassanio and Portia, however, we are to discover later on in the play, that Shakespeare equally uses techniques to try and contradict this impression. These are illustrated in Act 1, Scene 1 as Bassanios love for Portia is put into consideration; Act 3, Scene 2, where Bassanio is to choose out of the caskets to win Portia; and in Act 4, Scene 1, alike when Bassanio misplaces his ring. It is, therefore, surprising that towards the end of Act 1, scene 1, Shakespeare conveys a sense of controversy, as the full extent of Bassanios love for Portia is questioned towards the end of the scene. This is as Bassanio describes to Antonio the fact that he is forced to be abrigd, and how his estate is damaged by his extravagant lifestyle that his faint means cannot grant continuance. Furthermore Bassanio explains to Antonio why he would like to make use of the money given to him which is to make Portia his wife. However, the first thing Bassanio describes Portia as is as a lady richly left. He later on describes her as someone fair and of wondrous virtues, however it is clear that money is the first thing that comes to mind when Bassanio thinks of Portia as he sets wealth, beauty and virtue in ascending order of his desirability of Portia. Yet the fact that Portia has money, and Bassanio does not, could make Bassanio unconsciously think that Portia is fair and someone of wondrous virtues, whereas in reality, it could be that she is far from it and that the fact that she has inherited some wealth could make Bassanio render to the thought that he is in love with her as it seems that Bassanio is looking for love in his head rather than his heart. This could indicate that Bassanio is in love with the idea of Portias money rather than the idea of Portia, as the foundations of Bassanios love for Portia are based on superficial reasons. Following on, Bassanio states how he wishes to get clear of all the debts [he] owe[s] to Antonio, and puts forward his idea that when he was younger if he lost a shaft, he would throw another shaft of the same value which would lead him to finding both. This can be interpreted in two ways, as the original shaft could symbolise the money that is owed to Antonio, and the second shaft could symbolise Portias inheritance. Thus meaning that the key to finding the original shaft (the money owed to Antonio) is down to the second shaft (Portias inheritance) meaning that once Bassanio is engaged to Portia, Bassanio is engaged to her inheritance, thus meaning that he is able to clear of all the debts owe[d], and being able to find the original shaft resulting to Bassanio show[ing] the swelling port that Bassanio is being forced to abridg. However, some people might argue, that this could just be a simple plea for help on the part of Bassanio as whatever way we the audience interpret this, Bassanio ultimately is hinting to the fact that he needs Antonios money to make Portia his wife, as the second shaft could equally represent Antonios money, which would give Bassanio the means to go to Belmont to try and make Portia his wife. Nevertheless, Bassanio later on refers to the world as [not] ignorant of her worth and how if only he could hold a rival place with one of [the Jasons thats come in quest of her]. The fact that Portia is referred to as some sort of worth, could indicate that Bassanio thinks of her as some superficial prize or consolation to be won. As well as this, Bassanio describes Portia as like a golden fleece. In Greek mythology, Jason led an expedition to Colchis in search of the golden rams fleece. Therefore this comparison that Bassanio has made could signify that he sees Portia to some extent as gold or a trophy to be won. However, it could be argued, that the fact that Bassanio thinks of Portia as gold or a trophy to be won, could show the extent of Bassanios love for Portia as if Bassanio thinks of Portia to some extent as gold, it could indicate how he thinks of Portia as precious. In addition to this, Bassanio lists the smallest details when describing Portia, like how her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece, rather than stating an obvious quality like her beauty or physical beauty. This shows how it is the small details about Portia which makes Bassanio in love with her, as he appreciates the fact that she is fair rather than she is beautiful. This gives us the audience an impression that maybe Bassanio is deeply in love with Portia after all: and that maybe the fact that Portias money seems so appealing to him is that maybe it is simply a benefit, as Bassanio is struggling to find the means to clear his debts. This to some extent leaves the audience with a grey idea of a happily ever after ending in the play, as it is unclear whether Bassanio is fully in love with Portia. There is a constant similarity between Portias worth, and Portia herself symbolising some sort of worth. This can make the audience more susceptible to the impression Bassanio is in love with Portias fortune, rather than Portia, thus making the audience wonder is Bassanio really out for Portia, or is he out for her wealth? However, it is, therefore surprising, that Shakespeare makes this scene, Act 3, Scene 2, the scene in which Bassanio is to choose out of the caskets, a scene that compliments the idea of Bassanio and Portia being a suitable match, as Bassanio is ultimately the right man that pass[es]. The compatibility of Bassanio and Portia are shown, as Shakespeare uses strong verbs to portray the affection shared between the two, such as tormented] and tortured] to describe the pain and discomfort of waiting for Bassanios to choose out of the caskets, as if they are in physical pain at the thought of not being together. This creates a mood of anxiety between the two, as Portias wish for Bassanio to pause in case he chooses] wrong and Bassanios hope to choose without further delay, grows. Portias wish for Bassano to tarry, is conveyed through Portias long speeches, which she embarks upon to ultimately try and delay time, and Bassanios choice. However, Bassanio desire to choose is obvious, simply as his short, snappy responses, causes a particularly on edge scene for the audience. Portias wish to delay Bassanios choice is also conveyed by the utter length of her speeches, especially in the unprepared and disorderly manner in which she speaks, along with the repetition of the word but, and the fact that she prays for Bassanio to tarry a day or two itself, illustrates the extent of her love, as she is desperate not to lose [him] and is pleading with him to choose right, as well as the fact that she is considering to go behind her fathers rules and teach him the correct casket before he makes her wish a sin. In addition to this, the fact that Portia considers to deliberately go against her father, shows how Portia is totally reliant on Bassanio, since she is desperate not to lose [his] company. As well as this, Bassanio cuts Portia short of her speech right at the end, as he takes her last three syllables, thus putting his desire for him to hazard as simply as possible: let me choose. Again, his desire to choose is demonstrated as his reaction to Portias long speech is to respond with a short reply of three words. Shakespeare also depicts the love between the two, as the sentences in Portias speech are multi-clausal, so the fact that Bassanio to some extent unconsciously steals the last three syllables in the speech thus making ten, shows how they are simultaneously one. The tension between the two are shown again, as Bassanio is pleading with Portia to let [him] choose as he live[s] upon the rack, (an instrument of torture stretching out the victims body, as Portia is trying to stretch out time) giving the impression that Portia is his persecutor, as if she is the only one who can let him go from his happy torment, in which her immediate response is to let him go away and confess and live. Portia embarks upon a final speech, however, Shakespeare deliberately concludes Portias speech with a happy ending, as he concludes the speech with rhyming couplets to try and point Bassanio in the direction of lead: the correct casket, as she purposely rhymes the words bred and head together. This leaves the audience with an idea of a happy ending to come in the scene and in the play, due to the fact that the happy ending at the end of Portias speech, could symbolise a happy ending at the end of the play. Bassanio ultimately chooses the correct casket, thus permitting him and Portia to marry, along with Gratiano and Nerissa. Again this gives a subtle indication that the play could end happily ever after, as the sense of an obstacle having to be overcome prior to a happy ending has been overwhelmed, which in this case is in the form of the caskets, in which Bassanio has correctly chosen thus leaving the audience more susceptible to being lead into an impression that the play will end happily ever after. However, again Shakespeare goes on to contradict this impression in Act 4, scene 1, as towards the end of Act 3, Scene 2, Bassanio swears to Portia that the ring given to him shall only part from [his] finger once [he] parts life. However towards the end of Act 4, scene 1, Bassanio sen[ds] [away] [his] ring given to him by Portia, to the Lawyers clerk, who is in fact Portia in disguise trying to test the extent of Bassanios love. However, when the clerk asks for the ring in return of his services, Bassanio refuses, as he explains how he has been vow[ed] to neither sell, nor give, nor lose it, yet when Antonio asks Bassanio to let him have the ring, Bassanio orders Gratiano to overtake him and make haste, give him the ring. As well as this, Bassanio does not even question Antonio, or even say a word his instant reaction is to order Gratiano to chase after him. This indicates that perhaps Bassanio on some level favours Antonio, more than his newly founded wife, as he swears to Portia that he will never part from his ring, yet when Antonio tells Bassanio to let [his] love be valued gainst [his] wifes commandment, Bassanio seems on some level happy to give away the ring as he is in desperation for Gratiano to make haste. This is also supported in the scene as Bassanio confesses to Antonio how he [is] married to a wife [that] is as dear to [him] as life yet he would sacrifice them all to deliver Antonio. This shows how Portia who was once depicted to some level as a golden fleece (indicating that she is gold) is now somewhat second best in favour of Antonio. As well as this, the fact that Bassanio says this when he thinks Portia is not in the room is somewhat more shocking, since he is being more truthful, as the fact that he confesses to Antonio how he would lose all for him when Portia is not around, could show how he is confessing his true feelings. As well as this, Bassanio states how he would sacrifice his wife and life itself for Antonio, yet there is no mention of how he would sacrifice his newly found inheritance. It seems as if he has freely given the ring away to the clerk, rather than having to part from the ring by death. However later on in Act 5, scene 1, Bassanio pleads to Portia how he unwillingly left the ring, and how he sufferd to deny the clerk, yet when Antonio asked Bassanio to let him have the ring, Bassanio instantly replies by ordering Gratiano to go and run. As well as this, Gratiano in Act 3, Scene 2, refers to himself and Bassanio as the Jasons as they have won the fleece, thus indicating that they have won Portia and Nerissa. This may be argued that, maybe since Bassanio has won Portia, or his worth, he is not fully devoted to Portia, as he no longer needs to hold a rival place for her love. As well as this, Gratiano is also even more guilty of giving away his ring, which he later refers to as to Nerissa as only a hoop of gold. The fact that Bassanio and Gratiano, are so illustrated to be so keen to give away their rings, could to some extent, point out the fact that they are not as devoted to the bonds made as Portia and Nerissa are. This is because after all, Portia and Nerissa travel to Venice in disguise as a clerk and a doctor, to try and save the life of someone they have never met, for Bassanios and Gratianos sake, in which as well as this, they do not even tell Bassanio and Gratiano. This again, contradicts the idea that Bassanio is fully in love with Portia, yet this may be Bassanios way of showing how he is grateful to Antonio, as he is ready to do whatever he pardons. Ultimately, Shakespeare does leave us the audience, with a happy ending in spite of a few occasionally sinister hints throughout the novel which is mainly conveyed through the love scene in Act 3, Scene 2, as we see Bassanio and Portia together for the first time in the play. The fact that Bassanio and Portia marry so suddenly in the play could seem hasty, however, this could be a simple way to show the love that the couples (mainly Bassanio and Portia) share. However ultimately this is a play, therefore this is not meant to resemble reality as Shakespeare often bases his plays on fairy tales, including this one. Therefore a general rule of thumb of such a Shakespearean comedy, and of a fairy tale in general, is for couples to fall in love at first sight. Therefore all things considered, to answer the question To what extent do you think that Shakespeare leave the audience with the type of happily ever after ending expected of a comedy? In my opinion, I think that Shakespeare ultimately does a good enough job to convince us the audience, that everything will work out picture perfect even though there are some indications that say otherwise, and that Shakespeare does a good enough job to leave us with a content happy ending expected of a comedy.

Birmingham Letter Illusions

Letter from Birmingham Jail Allusions in Section 3 Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is one of the most well known documents in American history. King’s profound ability to articulate important ideas, values, concepts and Biblical perspectives made for some of the most powerful and inspirational pieces of American literature ever produced. One technique that King used in his public speeches and letters was his allusions to historical figures, the Bible and opposing congressmen. During the 60’s when cultural prejudice still held strong roots in Congress, it was King’s talent to inspire the public that revolutionized America’s racial injustices. King’s frequent use of allusions in his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail proved his intelligence and greatly attributed to his success and popularity during the 1960’s. His allusions demonstrated his referential capabilities while also making his messages readily relatable to the public. It was often said that it was not King’s intelligence that made him seem so acumen, but that he was â€Å"well read†(knew much from reading). His frequent allusions to major documents and famous statements in contest to his adversaries ultimately lead to his dominance in public speech. In the paragraphs 12 through 14 when king references the election of mayor Albert Boutwell, he states, â€Å"We are sadly mistaken if we feel that the election of Albert Boutwell as mayor will bring the millennium to Birmingham† in paragraph twelve. The millennium is an allusion to a specific verse from the Bible’s book of Revelation interpreted as the 1,000 years in which Jesus comes back to earth to restore peace. He made many correlations to the Bible and major public documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights to make his arguments accurate and mainly understandable by restating vital rules and quotes that even the illiterate could comprehend. In these paragraphs he quoted the Bible by using phrases like â€Å"moral light, â€Å"abyss of despair† and â€Å" unjust posture. † King used the word â€Å"wait† in this section of the letter multiple times as a allusion to the current denial of rights to African Americans that had been going on for the last 340 years. He also stated that â€Å"justice too long delayed is justice denied† in correlation to the current racial dilemma in America at the time. All of these direct references made for some of the most significant and powerful American literature ever created and made Martin Luther King one of the most successful authors in this period of civil revolution. By reinforcing his argument with allusions that the public could relate to, King was able to greatly impact the civil rights movement of the 1960’s and ultimately bring around the social turning point of the century that provided racial equality to all and smother prejudice in America thereafter.

Corporate strategy assignment for pepsi co. company

Corporate strategy for pepsi co. company - Assignment Example From a strategic perspective, it could be observed that PepsiCo is the global leader in convenient snacks, foods and beverages market. According to Ansoff Matrix, PepsiCo has been using the growth strategy of product development. It has been observed that the company is constantly introducing new products into existing market and this has been the strategy that has helped Pepsi to grow. Some of the popular brands that have been introduced in the existing market i.e. food and beverage includes Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, Lays, Doritos, Tropicana, Gatorade and Quaker. The aim of such constant development is to remain ahead of competitors in the market and to enhance the market share by providing the customers with variety of products. In order to create value, the core strategy of PepsiCo is to enhance the product offering in the same market. This has been continuously observed that PepsiCo has introduced several brands in its existing market to create value and to tackle its competition. According to a research conducted, it has been that in emerging markets like India, 25 percent of the sales volume comes from juices and water. Similarly, 60 percent of the volume in North America comes from non-carbonated drinks. The TWOS matrix has focused on providing recommendations for the future strategy of PepsiCo. TWOS matrix is an important tool to formulate strategies (De Wit, & Meyer 2004). In order to do so, the strategies for the company have been analyzed and identified using the strengths and opportunities of the company, using the weaknesses and opportunities, using the strengths and threats of the company and then using the weaknesses and threats of the company. 2) To revamp sales in the market, PepsiCo should focus highly on the changing demands of its customers in the market. Additionally, the company should enhance its products in

Contested masculinities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contested masculinities - Essay Example There is a correlation between masculine types during this period and the contemporary American male, in which masculinity is defined by success, strength, leadership and independence. Death of a Salesman represents three types of American masculinity during the Post World War II Era. The American male during this period was perceived as being independent, adventurous, competitive, and a leader, particularly in the home and in the work-place. Willy’s mental decline illuminates the stress men inevitably felt trying to succeed in the land of opportunities and to live up to the ascribed role of man during this period. This is demonstrated through Willy’s struggles with independence and individuality in attempting to become the â€Å"self-made man† and to meet his obligation to care for his family (McDonough 27) in pursuit of the American dream. It becomes clear that industrialization and family obligations coincide, creating barriers to those ascribed roles, causing conflicts between masculine identity and reality. The war itself forced an emphasis on the powerful male. The question was whether the American man was capable of pursuing successful careers and maintaining stable families and with these questions came the anxiety of living up to this characterization of the American man in the aftermath of the Second World War. In order to understand Wily’s struggles with this masculine type it is important to view his dilemma in this historical context. What emerges is a generational trend through Willy’s father, his brother Ben and Dave an old salesman. Clearly the idea of the self-made man was as important to masculine social status from one generation to another in America. Willy is influenced by his father’s independence and is likewise influenced by the old salesman, although he does not pause to distinguish between the manners in which

Outline of your first main point Essay Example for Free

Outline of your first main point Essay Develop a detailed outline of your first main point. (For assistance with your writing skills, check out the Ashford Writing Center at https://awc.ashford.edu/essay-dev-essay-structure.html.) 1. The Constitution: a. Provide a topic sentence that briefly describes one strength and one weakness of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution has its strengths and weaknesses. What makes the US Constitution great is that it’s solely based upon the will of the people which is backed up by the Bill of Rights. However there are some flaws within the Constitution and that is the government being weak in interpreting the constitution. They do not uphold the constitution and what it stands for and it’s being misused to suit their needs. See more: what is essay format b. Provide a topic sentence that recommends one option to maintain the strength and one to correct the weakness.  In order to build the strength and also correct the weakness of our constitution is to enhance utilizing checks and balances. 2. Scholarly Support: (For assistance with your research, see the Tutorials provided by Ashford University’s Library at http://library.ashford.edu/tutorials.aspx, the APA Style Aid at https://www.wou.edu/provost/library/clip/apa/, and Annotated Bibliographies at https://awc.ashford.edu/tocw-sample-annotated-bibliography.html for additional help.) a. Provide two sources in APA format to support your main points. John, C. (2011). DIVIDED WE FALL: THE CASE AGAINST DIVIDED GOVERNMENT. International Social Science Review, 86(3/4), 166-174. Yeselson, R. (2014). James Madisons worst nightmare: todays Republicans have become the very kind of obstructionist factionwith apocalyptic politicsthat the primary author of our Constitution warned us against. The American Prospect, (1), 18. b. Briefly discuss how these sources support your main points. Divided We Fall supports my main points because it touches on the separation of powers and how checks and balances are crucial for both our government and country.  James Madison worst nightmare supports my main points by how the government is portraying weakness by not abiding by the constitution c. Briefly evaluate your sources for bias, validity, and reliability. Both articles are unbiased and are reliable because they have gone through a peer scholarly review.

The Change in Obstetric Care in the United States :: Evolution Childbirth America

Imagine for a moment a small room with pale green walls, and smelling of latex and disinfectant. The sharp light of fluorescent bulbs gives the space a harsh unnatural glow. A woman is lying on a metal bed: covered by a flimsy sheet, legs uncomfortably splayed open, feet in stirrups. A doctor and an entourage of residents enter the room in white coats. The doctor snaps on a pair of latex gloves, looks and feels between the woman’s legs, announces everything is moving "right on schedule," and hurries out the door, on to another patient. The woman is left wondering, among other things, what "on schedule" means. It doesn’t sound very pleasant, but for years this was what it was like to give birth in an American hospital. And, for many women, it is still true today. Just add to the situation a fetal monitor to measure the baby’s heart rate, an intravenous drip into the mother’s arm, an ultrasound machine, a catheter to collect the mother’s urine, surgical instruments for performing an episiotomy before delivery (an incision made to widen the vaginal opening), and various other technological devices, "just in case." While they can be helpful in certain situations, such as high-risk births, these things can impede the natural process of labor. In this paper, I will examine three distinct stages of obstetric care in the United States. By looking at the stages, you can see the evolution of childbirth in our country as it developed from a female- to a male-dominated field, and how it is now beginning to break away from some of the traditional medical methods that have been used for over 50 years. However, this break is not complete. Even with today’s woman having more power than ever in her decision making, we as Americans still can’t seem to get away from the technology used in childbirth, even though much of it is unnecessary and can sometimes even be detrimental. For the past 100 years, our view of pregnancy and childbirth has evolved into seeing it as a condition or sickness that needs to be controlled and treated by modern medicine. The first stage of OB care took place before and during the 19th century. In that time, obstetrics was a field dominated by women, almost entirely midwives. Almost all physicians were male, but for the most part, obstetrics was not studied in medical school.

Loren Baritz’s “God’s Country and American Know-How” Essay

In Loren Baritz’s â€Å"God’s Country and American Know-How†, it briefly describes the birth of our nation, characteristics, and theories through out America’s history. â€Å"America would become god’s country† (435) is not only the title of the summary but the basis of our founding father’s thoughts. In the begin only few words were spoken of the outside world, problems consisted within our borders that had to be dealt with. These included Indians, witches, and worst of all shrewd Yankees. The â€Å"new world was puny† (436) and could not be the protector of the free world. World War One was a large factor that increased American thinking of the â€Å"invincible war machine†(440) these thoughts continued up till World War Two, Americans now knew they we were superior, with the development of nuclear weapons technology has proven their superiority on the battlefield. JFK, Eisenhower, and George F. Kennan are just some of the examples Loren quotes from, but these great men show the change in American views and opinions. â€Å"We went to war in Vietnam in the name of ideas, of principles, of abstractions.†(438), this statement is only the beginning of America’s â€Å"city on a hill† (435) beliefs. Soon after the Vietnam War began the thinking changed from â€Å"United States could not be beaten in war† (440) to â€Å"Vietnam should have taught us that we could not continue to play the role of moral advisor and moral enforcer to the world† (437). Loren shows the readers not only the birth of our nation, but how Americans have gone from isolated to protector of free nations, and a World Power. By supporting his thoughts with quotes and grave description this story will not only open your mind to your thinking but to the thoughts of the nation we live in today. Works Cited Baritz, Loren. â€Å"God’s Country and American Know-How† Real Culture; contexts for critical reading and writing. Ed. Diana George and John Trimbor. 5th Ed. New York: Parison Longman, 2004. 434-41

Counseling Ethics Essay

Ethics are based on philosophical principles and these guidelines assist a practitioner in making the best possible decisions for the welfare of the clients and the practitioner himself. Ethics are normative or critical in nature and concern human conduct and moral decision. Morality describes decision making and judgement by an individual concerning an incident or human behaviour. This is greatly influenced by the values he or she has acquired or formed as a result of external influence or indoctrination. Value is an enduring belief that a specific that a specific end-state of conduct is desirable (McLeod, 1998). Terminal and instrumental values are two types of values where the former refer to the desired end-state of existence, for example wisdom and the later refer to the mode of conduct that leads to it, for example broad-mindedness .Values then influence and determine the decisions we choose to make in our daily lives. In providing an effective, therapeutic therapy, a practitioner helping a client encountering dilemma in decision- making may adopt the eight – step model approach to think through the ethical problems (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). The steps of the model are described as follows: Step 1- Identify the problem or dilemma. In the first step the existence of the problem must be recognised. The nature of the problem has to be ascertained. Identify if it is an ethical, legal, moral, professional or clinical problem. The practitioner’s and the client’s insights regarding the problem must be examined. Consultation with the client can begin at this stage as problems are being identified. Looking at the problem from different perspectives is useful as most ethical dilemmas are complex. Step 2 – Identify the potential issues involved. From the collected information, irrelevant ones must be discarded. The critical issues must be noted and described. The welfare of those involved; their rights and responsibilities must be evaluated. Ethical principles relevant to the problem must be identified and examined with the client. In doing so the moral principles namely, autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice and fidelity must be considered and applied to the  situation. The safety and welfare of the client and practitioner cannot be compromised while potential issues are being sorted out. Step 3- Review the relevant ethics codes. The practitioner must seek guidance that can be found from the professional codes of ethics. They provide a basis for accountability, and through their enforcement, provide protection for clients from unethical practices (Corey, 1997). Practitioner must also examine the agreeability of his values with the relevant codes. Should they be in conflict, he must have a rationale to support his stance. It is essential to consider congruency of these values and ethics with those of the client’s. The practitioner must ensure clarity of the ethical codes and if they are applicable with the state laws of the region. Step 4- Know the applicable laws and regulations. The practitioner should be up to date with the specific and relevant laws that apply to the ethical issue. This is particularly critical in situations which deal with keeping or breaching of confidentiality, reporting of child or elder abuse, record keeping, assessment, diagnosis, issues pertaining to dangers to self or others and the grounds of malpractice. Step 5- Obtain consultation. Consulting with colleagues to obtain different perspectives on the problems is generally considered to be helpful. Seeking legal counsel for legal questions is prudent along with consulting a person with an expertise in an unfamiliar culture to serve a client from that culture. In addition the practitioner must understand current rules and regulations of the agency or organization that he or she is working for. It is wise for the nature of the consultation and suggestions provided to be documented. These records would illustrate the practitioner’s attempt to adhere to the community’s standard practice. Step 6- Consider possible and probable courses of action. At this point a list of a variety of courses of action may be identified  through brainstorming. The practitioner could discuss with the client as well as other professionals the available options. The possibilities could be identified for probable courses of actions and these should be documented. Step 7- Enumerate the consequences of various decisions. From the various possible courses of actions, implications of each course must be examined. The questions of who will be affected and to what extent will the client’s decision to pursue the actions affect them must be carefully examined. Again using the fundamental moral principles as a framework, the client must collaborate with the practitioner to ascertain the probable outcomes and consequences. If new ethical issues arise from the selected course of action, a re-evaluation of the action must be pursued. Step 8- Decide on what appears to be the best course of action. Careful consideration of all information received from different sources deliberately and with sensitivity to cross cultural issues is critical before making the best decision. Once making the decision, informing the supervisor, implementing and documenting the decision follows. Reflecting on the experience considering any follow up action could result in finding a solution for the client. While the procedural steps may help in resolving ethical matters, some implications may be noted. Firstly, the client enters a collaborative relationship with the practitioner. The implication is that the client with the practitioner’s help must draw out the details of the problem. This implicates that the client should refrain from coveting relevant information to enable an accurate analysis of the issue. This is to ascertain the true nature of the problem whether it is an ethical, legal, moral, professional, or clinical one. The different perspectives of the problem must be explored. What are the insights the client and practitioner have regarding the problem? (Corey et al., 2007). Failing which the consequence is an unnecessary delay in resolving the problem as there will be an inaccurate analysis of the situation. Secondly, in identifying the potential issues, all the persons involved in the problem must be identified. The implication of failing to identify any one individual who may be affected by the decision of the client would be unethical. The welfare, rights and responsibilities of those affected by the decision might create a different set of problems. The decision would then have to be reversed and a new course of action would have to be pursued. It is to therefore necessary to explore to what extent the course of the action will affect the client and the others (Corey et al., 2007). Next the values and ethics of the client and the practitioner must be evaluated and the degree of congruency noted. This implicates that the relevant ethical principles that are identified to the problem should not be in conflict with those of the client and the practitioner. If there are disagreements, then they must be supported with a rationale. If necessary, guidance must be sought from the relevant organization to clarify the professional codes to the particular problem. Otherwise consequently, the client’s decision may violate the ethical codes relevant to the issue. The client must be informed of the relevant and most recent laws or regulations that apply to the situation. He must look out for any law or regulations that have a bearing on the situation. The implication of his ignorance is that he may run into problems with the law. The practitioner too must abide by the rules, regulations and policies of the workplace. When in doubt practitioner must seek professional advice. The client must be informed of legal issues related to confidentiality, abuse of the vulnerable, record keeping and grounds for malpractice. If the practitioner discovers a criminal act by a client for example, sex with an under-aged girl he has the moral responsibility to report him. The practitioner has the ethical responsibility to discuss with the client on the implications of his actions before reporting the incident. The client must understand the implications of his actions that violate the law. The fundamental moral principles may be considered as framework for evaluating the consequences of the given course of action. The client must  decide the principles that apply to the situation specifically and prioritise them. By thinking through these ethical principles, professional can better evaluate their options in such complex situations. Prioritising the principles can help the client and practitioner to work through the steps of the decision-making model (Elizabeth, 2010). There are implications however when prioritizing one over another. The practitioner encourages the client to exercise autonomy i.e. making a free choice. In doing so, the client must have the concept of doing no harm or non-maleficence and acting in justice (Elizabeth, 2010). Conflict can arise when subscribing to justice which may result in the necessity of treating an individual differently. Though not easy to apply equal weightage to all the principles, it will help to explore an ethical dilemma and resolve it with the least damage to the welfare of those affected. The model may be useful when clients seek help in making decisions in their life regarding relationship issues. A client may be caught in a loveless marriage and be involved in an extra-marital affair and seek advice to take the next step in his life. The dilemma of whether to dissolve his marriage and move on with his life or stay in the marriage to fulfil his duties towards his wife and children is one that needs careful consideration. A divorce would mean breaking up of his family and causing a disruption in the relationship with his children. Staying in the marriage would mean the sacrifice of his love life. Analysing his situation using the model can shed light to clarify the implications of his actions and weigh the consequences. The model may help clients to make decisions at their place of work regarding conflicting work practices. An office worker may be tormented by the wrong practices of her fellow colleagues. She may be facing a dilemma as to whether to report her colleagues to the management or turn a blind eye to the situation. The model can help the client to analyse the situation and evaluate her moral values. She would then be able to make an ethical decision that would do least harm to those involved in the situation. In conclusion, the eight – step model can be a useful tool in helping a practitioner to guide clients to make sound decisions that do not have  conflict with their ethics and are aligned with the laws and regulations of the region. In doing so the practitioner must ensure that he or she is operating in the best interest of the clients.

German Battleship Tirpitz - World War II

German Battleship Tirpitz - World War II The Tirpitz was a German battleship used during World War II.  The British made several efforts to sink Tirpitz and finally succeeded in late 1944. Shipyard: Kriegsmarinewerft, WilhelmshavenLaid Down: November 2, 1936Launched: April 1, 1939Commissioned: February 25, 1941Fate: Sunk on November 12, 1944 Specifications Displacement: 42,900 tonsLength: 823 ft., 6 in.Beam: 118 ft. 1 in.Draft: 30 ft. 6 in.Speed: 29 knotsComplement: 2,065 men Guns 8 Ãâ€" 15 in. SK C/34 (4 Ãâ€" 2)12 Ãâ€" 5.9 in. (6 Ãâ€" 2)16 Ãâ€" 4.1 in. SK C/33 (8 Ãâ€" 2)16 Ãâ€" 1.5 in. SK C/30 (8 Ãâ€" 2)12 Ãâ€" 0.79 in. FlaK 30 (12 Ãâ€" 1) Construction Laid down at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven on November 2, 1936, Tirpitz was the second and final ship of the Bismarck-class of battleship. Initially given the contract name G, the ship was later named for famed German naval leader Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. Christened by the late admirals daughter, Tirpitz was launched April 1, 1939. Work continued on the battleship through 1940. As World War II had begun, the ships completion was delayed by British air strikes on the Wilhelmshaven shipyards. Commissioned on February 25, 1941, Tirpitz departed for its sea trials in the Baltic. Capable of 29 knots, Tirpitzs primary armament consisted of eight 15 guns mounted in four dual turrets. These were supplemented by a secondary battery of twelve 5.9 guns. In addition, it mounted a variety of light anti-aircraft guns, which were increased throughout the war. Protected by a main belt of armor that was 13 thick, Tirpitzs power was provided by three Brown, Boveri Cie geared steam turbines capable of producing over 163,000 horsepower. Entering active service with the Kriegsmarine, Tirpitz conducted extensive training exercises in the Baltic. In the Baltic Assigned to Kiel, Tirpitz was in port when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Putting to sea, it became the flagship of Admiral Otto Ciliaxs Baltic Fleet. Cruising off the Aland Islands with the heavy cruiser, four light cruisers, and several destroyers, Ciliax endeavored to prevent a breakout of the Soviet fleet from Leningrad. When the fleet disbanded in late September, Tirpitz resumed training activities. In November, Admiral Erich Raeder, commander of the Kriegsmarine, ordered the battleship to Norway so that it could strike at Allied convoys. Arriving in Norway After a brief overhaul, Tirpitz sailed north on January 14, 1942, under the command of Captain Karl Topp. Arriving at Trondheim, the battleship soon moved to a safe anchorage at nearby Fà ¦ttenfjord. Here Tirpitz was anchored next to a cliff to aid in protecting it from air strikes. In addition, extensive anti-aircraft defenses were constructed, as well as torpedo nets and protective booms. Though efforts were made to camouflage the ship, the British were aware of its presence through decrypted Enigma radio intercepts. Having established a base in Norway, Tirpitzs operations were limited due to fuel shortages. Though Bismarck had some success in the Atlantic against HMS Hood prior to its loss in 1941, Adolf Hitler refused to allow Tirpitz to conduct a similar sortie as he did not wish to lose the battleship. By remaining operational, it served as a fleet in being and tied down British naval resources. As a result, ​Tirpitzs missions were largely limited to the North Sea and Norwegian waters. Initial operations against Allied convoys were canceled when Tirpitzs supporting destroyers were withdrawn. Putting to sea on March 5, Tirpitz sought to attack Convoys QP-8 and PQ-12. Convoy Actions Missing the former, Tirpitzs spotter aircraft located the latter. Moving to intercept, Ciliax was initially unaware that the convoy was supported by elements of Admiral John Toveys Home Fleet. Turning for home, Tirpitz was unsuccessfully attacked by British carrier planes on March 9. In late June, Tirpitz and several German warships sortied as part of Operation Rà ¶sselsprung. Intended as an attack on Convoy PQ-17, the fleet turned back after receiving reports that they had been spotted. Returning to Norway, Tirpitz anchored in Altafjord. After being shifted to Bogenfjord near Narvik, the battleship sailed for Fà ¦ttenfjord where it began an extensive overhaul in October. Concerned over the threat posed by Tirpitz, the Royal Navy attempted to attack the ship with two Chariot human torpedoes in October 1942. This effort was disrupted by heavy seas. Completing its post-overhaul trials, Tirpitz returned to active duty with Captain Hans Meyer taking command on February 21, 1943. That September, Admiral Karl Doenitz, now leading the Kriegsmarine, ordered Tirpitz and other German ships to attack the small Allied base at Spitsbergen. Relentless British Attacks Attacking on September 8, Tirpitz, in its only offensive action, provided naval gunfire support to German forces going ashore. Destroying the base, the Germans withdrew and returned to Norway. Eager to eliminate Tirpitz, the Royal Navy initiated Operation Source later that month. This involved sending ten X-Craft midget submarines to Norway. The plan called for the X-Craft to penetrate the fjord and attach mines to the battleships hull. Moving forward on September 22, two X-Craft successfully completed their mission. The mines detonated and caused extensive damage to the ship and its machinery. Though badly wounded, Tirpitz remained afloat and repairs commenced. These were completed on April 2, 1944, and sea trials were planned for the following day in Altafjord. Learning that Tirpitz was nearly operational, the Royal Navy launched Operation Tungsten on April 3. This saw eighty British carrier planes attack the battleship in two waves. Scoring fifteen bomb hits, the aircraft inflicted serious damage and widespread fires but failed to sink Tirpitz. Assessing the damage, Doenitz ordered the ship repaired though understood that, due to a lack of air cover, its usefulness would be limited. In an effort to finish the job, the Royal Navy planned several additional strikes through April and May but were prevented from flying due to poor weather. Final Demise By June 2, German repair parties had restored engine power and gunnery trials were possible at the end of the month. Returning on August 22, aircraft from British carriers launched two raids against Tirpitz but failed to score any hits. Two days later, a third strike managed two hits but inflicted little damage. As the Fleet Air Arm had been unsuccessful in eliminating Tirpitz, the mission was given to the Royal Air Force. Using Avro Lancaster heavy bombers carrying massive Tallboy bombs, No. 5 Group conducted Operation Paravane on September 15. Flying from forward bases in Russia, they succeeded in getting one hit on the battleship which severely damaged its bow as well as injured other equipment on board. British bombers returned on October 29 but managed only near misses which damaged the ships port rudder. To protect Tirpitz, a sandbank was built around the ship to prevent capsizing and torpedo nets were put in place. On November 12, Lancasters dropped 29 Tallboys on the anchorage, scoring two hits and several near misses. Those that missed destroyed the sandbank. While one Tallboy penetrated forward, it failed to explode. The other struck amidships and blew out part of the ships bottom and side. Listing severely, Tirpitz was soon rocked by a massive explosion as one of its magazines detonated. Rolling, the stricken ship capsized. In the attack, the crew suffered around 1,000 casualties. The wreck of Tirpitz remained in place for the remainder of the war and was later salvaged between 1948 and 1957. Selected Sources Tirpitz HistoryBBC: Tirpitz

Occupational Stress suffered by Anesthesiologists Essay

Occupational Stress suffered by Anesthesiologists - Essay Example In which case, physical and emotional stress are natural and cannot be avoided (Alves, 2005). This situation is called occupational stress. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (1999), occupational stress refers to the unsafe physical and emotional responses that surface when the abilities, resources or needs of a worker do not match the latter’s abilities. In other words, this is felt when the demands on a worker become too much for such worker’s ability to fulfill those demands (Lazarus, 1991). In a survey conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services (1999), 40% of the American workers see their jobs as enormously stressful which made the healthcare expenditures of US increased to as much as 50% (Sauter & Hurrell, 1999). According to the study of Dickson (1996), the main sources of occupational stress for anesthesiologists were overload in work, professional relationship and lack of control. The study of Nyssen (2003), on the same note, identified the lack of control over work, risks and time factors, the lack of supervision, and communication within the organization, particularly with the surgeons, as the major sources of stress for anesthesiologists (Nyssen et al, 2003). The studies conformed with the study of Kinzl (2007) that lack of control, especially for female anesthesiologists, is really a major contributor of stress. A different set of factors have been elicited during the ASA Annual Meeting in Orlando Florida in October 1998 wherein the attendees of the ASA Resident Component House of Delegates responded to an anonymous questionnaire about stress factors. However, it has to be noted that the respondents are anesthesiologists undergoing the residency programs. The answers identified were t he insufficient support given by the residency program, lack of contentment with the teaching given during the residency program, the lack of time for reading and the small chance to recreate

U.s. jails today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

U.s. jails today - Essay Example Figure 1 illustrates how far the US-prisoner rate than those of other developed countries.   PEW estimated that in 2008 2,319,258 of the US population are incarcerated (7). These statistics are very far from those of China, one of the most populated countries in the world. China’s incarcerated rate is estimated to be at 1.5 million of their population only (Hutchins 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the ratio of prisoners per 100,000 individuals of the US population grew from 193 in 1995 to 259 in 2007. Based on the study of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, on average, 15,502 sleeping beds were added in jails during the past 12 months in 2007. The additional beds summed up a total rated capacity of 813,502 beds and in the middle of 2007, 96% of these beds were already used and inhabited by inmates (Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/jails.htm). To maintain such overwhelming number of prisoners, correctional facilities, polices, and support groups should also be at par with the number of prisoners. With the rapid growing population of inmates in the US, expenditure in jails, correction, support facilities, and others are also increasing dramatically.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the figure above, there has been a humungous increase in the expenditure of the criminal-justice functions. In the police function there had been an increased of 396% from the average expenditure of 1982 to the average expenditure in 2005. With regards to correctional and judicial expenses, the same trend occurred with the police functions. Both correctional and judicial expenses in 2005 had an increase of 619% and 474%, respectively, from its values in 1982.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To accommodate a common inmate, an average of $23,876 per year is needed (PEW, 11). This figure is based on 2005 statistics. Moreover, states expenditure per prisoner varies with Rhode Island with $44, 860 spending on the top of