The House of the Spirits Essay Example

The House of the Spirits Essay Illegitimacy has always been stigmatized in society, particularly throughout the nineteenth century. This is reflected in literature by characters who are portrayed using stereotypical features of illegitimacy like avidity, intensity or vehemence. The prejudice was that children who are conceived in lust and irresponsibility will result in more sensual and fiery personalities. I will base my study of illegitimate children in literature on the characters of Therese Raquin in Therese Raquin and Esteban Garcia in The House of the Spirits.To study the way in which the two authors portray illegitimacy, Esteban Garcia who is Esteban Truebas illegitimate grandson and Therese Raquin, who is also an illegitimate child, will be compared. Even though it can be argued that these two characters lived in completely different times and have personalities that differ greatly, their illegitimacy and the prejudice that surrounds it brings them together. Because of the stereotype that comes with children who are born outside of marriage, authors sometimes write characters who are particularly passionate, unstable emotionally or impulsive as illegitimate.Both Esteban and Therese have very intense personalities and they are particularly impulsive. In Estebans case, this is shown through violence and physical as well as psychological torture. For Therese, her true nature is shown through her strong sexual desires and extremely passionate lovemaking. In The House of the Spirits, Esteban Garcia is shown to have a sickening morbidity to him from a very early age. We will write a custom essay sample on The House of the Spirits specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The House of the Spirits specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The House of the Spirits specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He leads Esteban Trueba to Pedro Tercero and after his grandfather has injured Pedros hand, Esteban Garcia: had picked up the sliced-off fingers and was holding them like a bouquet of bloody asparagusI vomited all over my boots while the boy smiled impassively.(p.240)The novelist shows us here how perverted the child is as a scene which makes the stoic Esteban Trueba sick, only gets a smile out of Esteban Garcia. In Therese Raquin however, even though Therese had always been an inflamed child and adolescent, she hid it from the people around her and acted as a rather apathetic person. It is once she meets Laurent and they become lovers that her true personality that had been dormant inside her is revealed: It was as though her face had been lit up from within and fire leaped from her flesh. Her boiling blood and taut nerves radiated warmth, something keen and penetrating. (p.63)This shows that even though Therese attempts to conceal her true self, it still comes out eventually. This is an example of determinism, no matter how much effort she puts into hiding her lustful personality, it will still be revealed as it is a part of her. Following the prejudice, children born outside of marriage werent considered to have full membership of society, also their social status cannot have been as important as legitimate children.As it was considered that illegitimate children were closer to animals than proper human beings, they were expected to be more prone to mental ilnesses or being emotionally unstable. Perhaps this was because being seen as an outsider brought on frustration and resent towards society. In The House of the Spirits, Esteban Garcia clearly demonstrates resent as he speaks of Alba as She embodied everything he would never have(p.328) :He, barefoot in the mud, swore that one day he would make her pay for her arrogance and avenge himself for his cursed bastard fate. (p.469) Esteban Garcia kept to his promise and later on tortured and sexually abused Alba for weeks. In Therese Raquin, this kind of lower status is also seen. The novelist sometimes describes Therese as he would a domestic animal. She sounds like a type of apathetic pet who lacks a soul and personality: She had always shown such passive obedience that her aunt and husband no longer bothered to ask her opinion. She went where they went, did what they did, without a word of complaint or reproach, without even appearing to notice that she was moving at all. (p.43)It is as though the Raquin family had adopted a wild beast and tamed it into a pet. Zola does however, reveal Thereses true impulsive nature by sudden outbursts. He emphasises these using a lot of animal imagery. This is again an example of determinism. At unexpected times, Therese uncontrollably lets her instinctual side show: One day he (Camille) gave her a push and knocked her over : she leaped to her feet like a wild beast and with face aflame and bloodshot eyes flew at him with both arms raised. (p.41)Events like these reinforce the portrayal of Therese as a wild spirit trapped inside a passive womans body. Comparably, in The House of the Spirits, Esteban Garcia is sometimes described using animal imagery and seen by other characters to have beast like features. Particularly Alba, who was inflicted by most of his violence and torture. After Esteban forcefully kissed her on her fourteenth birthday Alba is traumatized and even has nightmares: She told no one of that repulsive kiss or of the dreams that she had afterward, in which Garcia appeared as a green beast that tried to strangle her with his paws and asphyxiate her by shoving a slimy tentacle down her throat. (p.374)The way Alba sees Esteban Garcia only emphasises Allendes character as being particularly violent, repulsive and brutal. Therese and Estebans sexual attitude also reveals their instinctive, almost subhuman selves. They both have an enormous apetite for sex and prove to be near savage in practice. In The House of the Spirits, Esteban comes across as sadistic when he fantasises about Alba as she is sitting on his lap:

Fortunately, we live in a country that treats thei Essays

Fortunately, we live in a country that treats thei Essays Fortunately, we live in a country that treats their citizens better than others. Unfortunately, we have a horrible president controlling our country we call America. We are called "The land of the free", but are we really "free"? President Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America, is the most inconsiderate person alive. He is a validated sexists, racist and non-caring person. There are countless of reasons why he is an inadequate president and shouldn't be serving our country as a president. There have many incidents of Donald Trump being sexist towards women. April 15th, 2015 Trump tweeted "If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband what makes you think she can satisfy America?' This tweet shows where Trump true attention is at, not with this country, but worrying about another politician's marriage. Trump believes that a woman who gets an abortion should be punished in some form, says The Telegraph. Trump believes that women should only be allowed to get an abortion if they were raped or there life is at stake. Trump has participated in an interview where he states that he "grabs them by the pussy", them as in women. Trump claims that women allow him to do such a thing, even without asking for consent, because he is famous. Trump sexist comments dates back to as far as the 90s when he in an interview calls women a "beautiful piece of ass". To think that this is our president is a bit frightening. Not only a sexist, Trump is a racist and seems to be proud of it. Donald Trump has been a racist far before claiming his president position in The White House. Not only a racist towards the African American community, he has stated many racist comments towards many other races, practically all races other than his own, which is the white community. Trump has put in order to build a wall at the Mexican and American border in hopes to keep all Mexicans out of America. He wants to deploy all illegal immigrants back to their native land. Trump claims to "have a great relationship with the blacks", says Huff Post. Although Trump claims to love him some black folk, in 1993 his company was sued twice by the Justice Department for reportedly not selling property to black people. Unfortunately Puerto Rico was

The Joys and Pains of Teaching Seniors

The Joys and Pains of Teaching Seniors There is a certain attitude in high schools that Senior teachers often get off easy. Typically, their students finish sooner than the rest of the school. Further, the worst behaved students have often times left school for good by that point. Despite these positives, teaching Seniors is not always a bed of roses. So how do we keep students who are suffering from Chronic Senioritis motivated? I cant say I have all the answers, but I can give you some insights that might help you make it through the last day of graduation practice without losing your mind or your patience. Teaching Seniors requires a person with a special personality. You cant take things as seriously with Seniors because, honestly, you are dealing with at least four special circumstances: Non-college bound students who are doing fine and will definitely graduate. They know that by second semester they only need to pass (not excel) in your class and therefore they do not take it seriously. Note: If you teach an non-required elective, this is even worse.College-bound students who by their second semester have already been accepted to their University and know that it is VERY rare that students will be turned away based on their last semester grades unless they fail.Students who are in danger of not graduating and are doing everything they can to stay afloat and make that grade that will give them the required GPA.Students who have no chance of graduating on time. These can be divided into two subcategories: those that will take the required summer courses to graduate and those that wont. Further, the ones who wont are often under the false impression that somehow a miracle will happen and they will be allowed to graduate. (Whats really sad is that many schools allow the se individuals to actually walk across the stage - just not get a diploma. Why cant we teach our students the harsh reality of their poor decisions? They will learn them soon enough - so arent we doing them a disservice by not helping them learn coping mechanisms now? But thats another article for another day.) So with that said, you can probably see that your best and average students are usually not interested in giving it their all. The only people still interested in working hard are those who either do or dont have a chance to graduate on time. And they are most interested in getting work in that will raise their grades. What to do? You can choose to give up for the last semester and just show movies - loosely based on your topic. You can continue teaching as always hoping they will settle down and get back to the way they were first semester. Or you can change what you are doing and include interest building activities that could actually result in some thinking and learning. Ideas for Interest Building Activities: Have the entire Senior class work on a project that culminates near the end of the year. In my school, we always had a Mock Legislature. Kids spent time writing bills and then for two days, the bills went through committees. If they made it through the House committees then they had to go to the Senate committees. If they made it out of their, they had to go to the entire House and Senate. If they made it out of that, the Governor would determine if it was a worthy bill and either sign or veto it. Of course, the competition for the top spots (committee chairs, Speaker, Governor, etc.) would be advertised and students would have to apply and turn in resumes. etc. This kept kids motivated and interested in coming to school. Hold classroom debates Go back to Grade School. The oddest thing happens with last semester Seniors. They are eager to leave but they are also (secretly) afraid of leaving the safety of High School. Therefore, they seem to really enjoy activities in class that requ ire artwork, cutting and pasting, experimenting, even coloring. Make them curricularly-sound - they will enjoy it. Teach them about what they can expect in College. Spend a little time talking to them about college and about how to succeed. Teach them note-taking skills. Let them in on some truths - like how important it is to figure out each professor at the beginning of a course to know how best to turn in work that they will appreciate. Help them create goals. There is no greater gift that you can give them giving students a road map to making their dreams become reality. Play educational games. Some simulation games provide students wiht a real depth of understanding. Interact has an awesome line up of simulations throughout the curriculum. Even though something might be listed as for Middle School, it can still be used in the upper grade. In the end, motivating Seniors is more about changing your teaching style to keep their interest. This is not say that you have to be an entertainer but if you want to make the last months of school enjoyable each year, try one or more of these strategies and see what happens. Good Luck!

Comparison & Contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparison & Contrast - Essay Example While Sietel directly and openly opposes the banks decision adhere to advocacy groups, Yeoman is more affirming as he recognizes the role of banks in the pursuit of sustainable development. Yeomans begin his discussion by recalling how activist groups were able to make JP Morgan Chase, the second largest bank in the US, adhere to environmental and social policies. The article bring to light how financial institutions, which were not the typically targets of environmentalists, contribute to the degradation of the environment as they fund the projects of â€Å"air polluters† and â€Å"illegal loggers.† The author also describes how banks have incorporated corporate social responsibility in their strategies. In the case of Citigroup, â€Å"the bank committed to banning investment in firms that logged primary tropical forests, and it pledged to invest in renewable-energy projects† (Yeoman 2). The institution of the Equatorial Principle further formalizes the banks’ adherence for a more sustainable operation. However, Yeomans also recognized that banks and other companies often fail to deliver their lofty promises. Though business organization vo wed to adhere on environmentally and socially sound policies, companies often fail to apply these policies on their every project. In contrast, Sietel voices out a strong criticism against the move of the banks to cooperate with environmentalist. It should be noted that the article express its approval on â€Å"corporate concern for environment.† However, he stresses that joining activist groups on their thrusts may post complicacies for business organizations as most of their goals are not in line with their environmental partners. In conclusion, the two articles give light to the current issue of incorporating environmentally responsible policies for banks. Yeoman analyzes the issue by exposing both positive and negative aspects of

Pick topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pick topic - Essay Example I should rely more on fruits and yoghurt for dessert rather than sugar enriched dishes. In the same manner, there should be more vegetables, legumes and fruits included in my dinner plan to increase by the nutrition on my diet. A human body whether male or female function on protein, carbohydrate and lipids along with vitamins and minerals achieved from food. Generally, protein is needed for muscles and organs of body. Nutrients are substances needed for growth, metabolism, and for other body functions. With insufficient supply of these macro nutrient the body gets malfunctioned which result in diseases. I believe my fiber intake is less that recommendation and I should include more tubers, vegetables and fruits in my diet. Apart from this, legumes and pulses can add the fiber and nutritional supply in my diet When it is the issue of food my strength is that I like to see variety in my food menu. I like to mix and match food items which is really a positive thing. Because I like various food sources and colors in my diet, I can access to multiple nutritious food. I am not monotonous with my food menu and like to change food every time throughout the week. Also I like to eat fruits along with all my meals as my appetite increases when I see colorful fruits on my table. It is a fact that I have sweet tooth and indulging in healthy desserts add to my satiety value and usually my dessert .I also have the strength of liking vegetables in my diet as their color and peculiar taste add to my palate. My Weakness : My weakness is that I consistently want sweet dishes in my menu throughout the day. Also I adore food that is fatty and oily. I am a person who loves meat products and replacing it with fish make me think twice. The other weakness is that I don’t like dairy product much and that is the reason you see less of milk and chesses in my daily consumption. Suggestion to patient : Eat more of green leafy vegetables and

What I Have Learned Essay Example for Free

What I Have Learned Essay The past three weeks I can say that I have learned quite a lot, I never really thought I could understand what entailed through organized crime. There are many different attributes that were involved to form organized crime. Without knowing exactly what those attributes are you would never be able to figure out what it takes to organize crime or even get why they call it organized crime. I would say to myself why do these mafia and big groups put so much time and effort into making sure that there plans to through and who heads up their plans because of the path that has been set from organized crime. I will be explaining the major areas concerning the foundations of organized crime. What two definitions best fits organized crime, how organized crime gained a foothold in the United States, How organized crime groups sought to influence government and the organization of organized crime groups in the post-Prohibition era. Conventional criminals are different from the persons that are involved with organized crime through variety and a larger scale. Organized crime has no political agenda. In every group or family there is a main boss, underboss and follows down the ladder. There are qualifications to be accepted into any crime family or group. In these groups they feel as if they are untouchable that they do not need to follow any laws, people must follow their laws. In any group they must keep their group strong so they have to constantly find new members, they only look for individuals who they think will be beneficial to their group. When a member is finally accepted into a family there are still rules and regulations that must be followed, if these rules are not followed your consequences could be death. Every person and/ or organization will have their own definition when it comes to organized crime it is like terrorism; every organization has its own definition to what consists of a terrorist. According to Donald Creesy organized crime is any crime that is committed by a person occupying in an establishment of labor, a position that is designed for a person from the commission to be that of a corrupter, a position for the corruptee, and one position for the enforcer. Donald Creepy’s definition I think is actually a good definition that truly can identify was the commission’s main task was for. I mean if you think about it the commission will find someone that is behind the lines of a company that they need ties with to get them the information and goods they need for the mob. Michael Maltz has a different perspective on the definition for organized crime. He says that organized crime is a crime that is made from more than one person, and the persons that are involved stay to be associated with each other for the purpose to succeed in committing the crimes. Michael Maltz also has a great definition because he wants every person that is involved with organized crime to be found at fault. For myself I would have to agree with Maltz because I do believe that every person that is involved with organized crime should be found guilty. How do you think you are going to stop a problem from happening if you do not try to find every person who is involved guilty; everything would stay the same and the matter would not be fixed. The attributes of organized crime are as follows has no political goals, is hierarchical, has limited or exclusive membership, constitutes a unique subculture, perpetuates itself, exhibits a willingness to use illegal violence, is monopolistic, and is governed by explicit rules and regulations. These eight attributes pretty much can show you how if they are not implemented then a group’s plan will not go as planned. As a part of the set of attributes it is only natural for a group to make sure that when they set up a plan every step that was made should be followed.

Using Gothic Characteristics to Portray the Theme of Knowledge Essay

Using Gothic Characteristics to Portray the Theme of Knowledge in American Gargoyles, Johnny Mnemonic, Frankenstein, Good Country People, and Cyberpunk   Ã‚  Ã‚   Gothic literature has been interpreted, and even criticized by many people as just being scary stories. They feel the author's only purpose for using gloomy settings and grotesque characters is to horrify the reader. This however is rarely true of Gothic literature, instead an author will use these characteristics to portray a deeper purpose rather than to just scare the reader. This is true of all genres of gothic literature including classical, southern, and cyber literature. One theme that has been prevalent throughout gothic history is that of knowledge. Several authors have used gothic tendencies to convey the idea that too much knowledge can be dangerous. They use these characteristics to warn the reader that knowledge is not always good. Classical gothic literature, developed in the late eighteenth century, was most likely first concepted by Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto. Dark, dreary settings and frightening monsters often characterize the style of this category of literature. Mary Shelley, a classical gothic writer, has used these characteristics in her novel Frankenstein. In her novel Victor Frankenstein composes a creature that has all the potentialities of a child because it knows nothing. But this creature is far from looking anything like a child. The monster, created from different body parts, is grotesque, he has yellow skin that barely covers his muscles, long black hair and is very large. However, just as a child, he begins to learn, through experiences and especially by reading several books. This new knowledge he has learned has a harmful ... ... situations to warn or horrify the reader about a deeper theme. The terror felt by the reader as he/she reads the story mimics the terror another character is feeling in dealing with this hidden theme. Authors often use these tendencies to portray their ideas on current social conditions in order to warn the reader. Works Cited Bloom, Harold. Flannery O'Connor. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Di Renzo, Anthony. American Gargoyles. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1993. Gibson, William. "Johnny Mnemonic." 5 April 2000 . Levine, George. The Endurance of Frankenstein. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1979. O'Connor, Flannery. "Good Country People." 5 Apr. 2000 . Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 1994. The Cyberpunk Project. Christian Kirtchev. 3 Apr. 2000. 10 Apr. 2000 .

Life of Pi: the Good Kind of Lie

Sometimes a lie is better than the truth. Now I’m not saying that you should lie to your parents about the dent on their car or lie to your friends about getting lucky with that girl last weekend, but every so often a situation comes along in which a small fabrication will better warrant the situation. In the novel Life of Pi, the author Yann Martel tells a fantastic story about a young boy at sea, trapped on a lifeboat with a 450lb Bengal tiger. During their journey, the unlikely castaways face an epic adventure of survival; crossing paths with such characters as a homicidal hyena, a motherly orangutan, a dead on arrival zebra, and a French blind cannibal. In the end the two find sanctuary after 227 days upon their arrival to the coast of Mexico. Now I know what you’re thinking. â€Å"This sounds pretty unbelievable†. Well you’re right to think so, but the truth in this case, is something you’re better off not knowing. The end of the novel brings about the knowledge that the animals in the story were in fact people and their grim deaths, including that of his mother, Pi had witnessed. Given the setting, this shouldn’t be seen as a lie, but rather as story telling. The act of story telling is a great thing. It can drum up adventure in the heart of the audience, make you feel a great deal of emotion for someone you’ve never met or isn’t even real, but to some it is a way to cope with an occurrence in which the truth is too terrible to deal with. We’ve always been taught never to lie and therefore it is an act that is seen as wrong be any means, however, given the right circumstances telling a lie, whether it be to yourself or to others, is the best possible way to avoid a traumatic experience of the past. Throughout the story Pi tells the more enjoyable version of his story, though the realization of this does not occur to the reader until the end of the novel. Through retrospection it is easy to see the fiction and the significance it holds. To the best of my knowledge the first part of the story appears to all be true, however, in this segment Pi does find way to state his distaste for those who only wish to believe what can be proven true and logical. The best example can be found in chapter 22 in its entirety. Being a strong believer in God, so much so that he embraces three of His religions, it is surprising that Pi can easily accept the choices of Atheists, but denounce those who are agnostic (those who don’t know who to side on the subject). Chapter 22 reads, â€Å"I can well imagine an atheists last words: , â€Å"White, white! L-L-Love! My God! —and the deathbed leap of faith. Whereas the agnostic, if he stays true to his reasonable self, if he stays beholden to dry, yeastless factuality, might try to explain the warm light bathing him by saying, â€Å"possibly a f-f-failing oxygenation of the b-b-brain,† and, to the very end, lack imagination and miss the better story. †(Martel 80) Pi describes factuality as dry and yeastless, further strengthening the readers understanding of how he feels about logical facts. The second part of this quote that is significant is his use of the phrase â€Å"the better story†. Showing that what isn’t real is often the ‘better’. With the end of Part One of the novel comes then end of what’s real and transitions into fiction. Since the second part of the story is a fabrication in its entirety, it seems redundant to try to state the many times when fiction trumps over the truth. Instead, it seems that the better idea would be to pinpoint the section where Pi is driven to admit the truth behind his adventure at sea. The best examples of the fact vs. fiction theme come after a lengthy interrogation on Pi by Two Japanese men who represent the company who owned the freighter which was transporting Pi and his family across the ocean. After being asked the true nature of his story one too many times Pi finally broke the ice with the simple question, â€Å"So you want another story? † (380) This was then followed by the significant statement, â€Å"The world isn’t just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn’t that make life a story? † through examination of this comment it is found that he means that life is just a story told by the storyteller. Pi is saying that he willing to tell the to representatives the real story, but in knowing the real story they are missing out on the previously discussed â€Å"better story†. He brings this up further with the quote, â€Å"I know what you want. You want a story that won’t surprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won’t make you see higher or further or differently. You want a flat story. An immobile story. You want dry, yeastless factuality. † (381) It’s obvious that Pi is warning the two men once more that the truth isn’t always what you want to hear and also further representing the theme of truth vs. iction. Though this novel is filled with different themes, and many of those who read it speculate on which is the main theme. I believe that the theme of the importance of story telling is without a doubt, Yann Martel’s main point that he tries to get across to the reader. He makes it evident in all parts of the story and the twist at the end is based on the subject. In all it is important to remember that lying is bad, but sometimes the truth is too. Storytelling is a healthy medium between the two and can even help to cope with the most traumatic of experiences.

El Norte Essay

Gregory Nava’s El Norte debuted in the Telluride Film Festival in 1983 and presents the challenges and realities of migration and multiculturalism. Though the film’s settings are not consistent with today’s scenarios, it is still an important work because it provides and periodical anthology of the migrant issues as well as a background to today’s multicultural issues. A study of the film reveals not only the developments in the perceptions regarding immigration but also the development of niche cultural groups from the perspective of both original and adoptive societies. Moreover, El Norte suggests that cultural biases exist in various levels of society even in seemingly homogenous ones and that cultural disambiguation creates social vulnerabilities. Therefore, the movie can provide valuable insights on how multicultural psychology develops and changes in different settings. In turn, the insights that can be developed can help address the issues faced by the Xuncax family, particularly by the Rosa and Enrique in their quest to find their way and to establish a new life in the United States. In all three parts of the movie, cultural differences remain a dominant issue. Tackled closely with social issues, the film’s view is that culture is both a source of strength and a bane for the siblings. At the same time, the change in both Rosa and Enrique’s view of their experience and their prospects undergoes a metamorphosis that challenges them to find their place in the social schema. Immigrants or Refugees One of the major issues that are being explored in the movie is regarding the status of Rosa and Enrique as migrant or refugees. This issue is one that has become an interest in consideration of the political and economic persecution that became prevalent in autocratic and militarists governments in South America. Many countries, in the interest of controlling the influx of transnational established qualifications that can be considered as refugees, eligible for sanctuary and those that are to be considered as migrants. The general consensus seemed to be that political persecution was to be the basis for refugee status while migrants were associated with economic motivations. Furthermore, the status of immigrants requires legality where eligibility is based on an individual’s productive capacity. In the case of the main characters of the movie, they started out more as refugees. The circumstances that motivated them to leave Guatemala were because of persecution against indios their motivation was clearly not economic in nature. Rather, it was because of fear against threats against their life due to their ethnicity. At the same time, one classifies the siblings as refugees because they are not given the choice of staying or going back to Guatemala or to seek the protection of their government. However, they are not given this status but does not either fulfill the tenants of being considered as immigrants recognized by the United States. Considering these, Rosa and Enrique are to be considered as immigrants, however it should be noted that their lack of legal status makes such a classification problematic as well. In more contemporary terms, they are to be considered as illegal migrants, neither of their own country or the one they are currently in. Challenges and Implications It is understandable that there is reluctance to consider them as refugees since such a status, under the international charters, makes them eligible not only for residence in the United States but also makes them eligible for social assistance and placement. In contrast, immigrants are managed by the conditions of their migration or residence programs and there is greater leeway for their ejection when they are proven to be unproductive or detrimental to society. Thus, Rosa and Enrique can only turn to illegal means of entering the country as illustrated by their association with a â€Å"coyote† who smuggles them into the country. Though this bypasses the bureaucracy needed to gain both refugee and immigrant status, it also has left them vulnerable to abuse since they can not seek legal or judicial intervention if they need to. Furthermore, since they already entered the country illegally, the have burned their bridges in gaining legal recognition in the country. The siblings both offer perspectives on the institutions that migrants have to deal with. Rosa’s perspective is that their journey north has only led them from death to greater poverty and questioning if they have a place anywhere in the world except in death. Enrique reflects the sentiment that he is considered simply a factor of production, a â€Å"strong arm†, gaining no greater value than livestock or equipment. In either case, the siblings show that they see themselves apart from society, excluded by their circumstance and history. Acculturation Though the associates of the siblings are generally limited to their own community of migrants, this is not to suggest that they do not make an effort to become part of the general society. However, their efforts are often deterred by cultural and social preconceptions that box them into their roles as illegal immigrants. At the same time, they were being challenged to adjust to their roles within their won community as many of the racism they faced against their indigenous heritage in Guatemala persisted. The irony is that they heritage that they are being persecuted form is also the source of the philosophical perspective that give them the will to survive and bear the conditions and challenges of their journey north. The siblings peg all of their social interactions from their observations as well as each other’s perspectives. The issue of turning back from one’s cultural heritage is an underlying theme of the story since from the very beginning, perceived cultural inferiorities were the crux of the challenges faced by Rosa and Enrique’s family. Thus, within the socially excluded community they are categorized in by mainstream society they remain outsiders. It is then apparent from the observations and interactions of the siblings that their acculturation is always from and externalist’s perspective. Therefore, as Rosa and Enrique tried to adjust to their circumstance, there seems to be an acceptance that they will neither be able to be part of their community. Immigration Policies and El Norte The conjecture that the illegal immigrant trade is one that is protected and even encouraged is a perspective that is presented in the story. Illegal immigrants provide cheap labor, a blanket against social security requirements and a labor supply for jobs that are unwanted jobs. At the same time, immigrants are able to have livelihoods that allow them to subsist as they try to gain the tenure they need to apply for legitimacy. However, there is credence to Enrique’s sentiment that such a scenario has left them in a continued disadvantage. He points out that their situation has left them not only economically, socially or politically disadvantaged but also has made him question his worth as an individual and cultural heritage. The United States remains to be the preferred country for migration and there is still a great need for migrants particularly to sustain labor forces in jobs that are considered blue-collar in nature, However, the reality is that the country is already facing high unemployment among its citizens and there is a slow down of the economy. Thus, the need to control migration is also justified, if not necessary. At the same time, the persistence of ethnicity or culture as a bias still persists despite the establishment of political institutions that are to protect social diversity. The reality is that the issue is not so much regarding migration but the lack of viable opportunities and the inequitable distribution of wealth within nations and internationally.

All Rise Essays - Porphyria, Eager Reporters, Colt 45, Damore

All Rise Essays - Porphyria, Eager Reporters, Colt 45, Damore All Rise Judge Watson scanned his courtroom with an eagle-like glare. The room was packed, Watson could smell the eager reporters outside. Damore versus State of Alabama was the biggest case his Honor had heard in years, God he needed a drink. Judge Watson blinked a long, tired blink, and swallowed hard in a vain attempt to soothe his bone dry throat. The old man called out in a loud voice, ?prosecution!? Billy Parker stood deliberately and strutted to his podium. The DA unbuttoned his two thousand dollar Armenagildo Zenga suit coat, and began. ?Let me share with you all the sad story of a sweet, defenseless woman named Porphyria. It was a rainy dark night, and Porphyria desperately ached to see her lover. She trekked through the woods, braving the pneumonic weather, to the small cottage owned by one, Mort Damore. Porphyria entered the cottage dripping wet. Carefully she tended to the fire, so her lover wouldn?t catch cold. Porphyria laid by Mr. Damore, wanting so badly to act out her love for him. Softly she whispered his name, but Mr. Damore was busy faking sleep, concealing his murderous plan for now. Sweet Porphyria uttered ?I love you? quietly to her love. Mr. Damore listened to this praise for a short while, but quickly grew impatient-the beast yearned to kill. Mr. Damore debated on which weapon to use. The Colt .45 lay loaded under his bed, but guns are loud! and messy. 2 Then Porphyria?s creamy, innocent neck and long hair caught Mr. Damore?s attention. Yes!, he thought, strangulation is much more thrilling than pulling a little old trigger. Brutally Mr. Damore grabbed Porphyria and began to cut off her air supply. Porphyria gasped for air, but moments later the beautiful body was lifeless. However, the abuse did not end with Porphyria?s death. Mr. Damore decided the fun had ended too quickly, and maliciously proceeded to sexually abuse the corpse. This, your Honor, is the exact description of the premeditated, heinous murder committed by the defendant, Mort Damore. Mr. Damore waited for his beautiful love to visit, then faked sleep to lure Porphyria into his murderous trap. When the opportunity arose, Mr. Damore strangled Porphyria to death. After the slaughter, there was no guilt or remorse from Damore. God no! In fact, Mr. Damore sexually abused Porphyria, then opened her eyes and laid by the victim throughout the night. This animal is not even fit for a jail cell. Your honor, there is no option but to sentence Mr. Damore to death by electrocution.? Judge Watson nodded, and turned to Troy Broussard. ?Defense!? Troy Broussard remained seated, leaned back in his chair, and propped his feet upon the desk. ?Well well?, he said in a high pitched voice, ?I really must applaud Mr. Parker for his wonderful story. The only problem with it, is that it is a fictions story. Here is the truth. On that rainy night, Porphyria fled from her husband to visit Mr. 3 Damore. In fact, she was downright in a hurry to reach the cottage, she couldn?t wait to commit adultery. Barging into Mr. Damore?s domicile, Porphyria wasted no time in going after what she wanted, purely physical sex. The harlot undressed and tried to wake Mr. Damore, who was frozen with guilt and uncertainty. My client had been trying to dissolve the relationship since he first learned of Porphyria?s husband, but the slut would not leave him alone. Porphyria frequently popped into Mr. Damore?s life to use him, then run back home to her husband. Determined to end the sick relationship that rainy night, Mr. Damore faked sleep so Porphyria might leave. But no, the adulteress persisted. She whispered the usual lies, ?I will get a divorce, Mort, but now isn?t the time. I love you, please trust me.? Mr. Damore looked into Porphyria?s truth telling eyes, and deceit stared back at him. Mr. Damore debated how to react. His heart raced, he felt cheap and used, he felt hat! e. In a rage Mr. Damore painlessly strangled Porphyria out of love. In a fit of psychotic distress, Mr. Damore kissed Porphyria, a sign of his forgiveness. Then, like a cat who has accidentally killed a playful mouse, Mr. Damore, in total

My SAT Testing Center Was a Nightmare - Make Sure This Doesnt Happen to You

My SAT Testing Center Was a Nightmare - Make Sure This Doesn't Happen to You SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips On Saturday, June 6th, I sat alongside high school students to take the SAT at George Washington Prep High School in South Los Angeles. I knew what to expect. I’d taken the test back in 2009 in South Florida when I was beginning my own college application process. I could never have imagined how different my experience would be this time. My SAT Testing center, located in a poor area of Los Angeles, had HUGEflaws that resulted in extremely unfair testing conditions for the students. When I shared these experiences with my co-workers, they were flabbergasted. But others shared experiences that were just as deplorable. I wish I were joking. I wish this were satire. But this isn't Saturday Night Live, and there were serious problems that ruined the experience for the other test-takers, many of whom were taking it for the first time and using vouchers. This is undoubtedly happening across the country and crippling the scores and futures of thousands of students. Unfortunately, as in my experience,these problems may be especially prevalent in lower income areas where students aren't as well prepared for how the test SHOULD go, and incompetent proctors may be overlooked. Read this and make sure this doesn't happen to you. I'll address the five main issues that occurred: Shortened section times Communicating the wrong instructions Intolerable noise Poor proctoring leading to opportunities for cheating Break time waived I'm reporting 100% fact from my own experience. I'm not a dramatic person, and I wish these things hadn't happened. At the end, I'll address why these issues matter, what you as a test taker should learn from my experience, and what the College Board should learn from my experience. Shortened Section Time Issues While many students are angry over the 20/25-minute discrepancy on section 8/9 of the test, this is not the timing issue I am referring to. To be honest, no one at my testing center seemed to notice. There were too many other issues. We only received 20 minutes for the essay portion, instead of 25 minutes - a full 20% less than the allotted time. Our proctor incorrectly wrote that we started at 8:45 when we actually started at 8:50, according to my watch and the clock on the wall.I didn’t say anything at the time because I assumed he was timing off his own watch that was perhaps 5 minutes behind. I assumed we would be stopped at 9:15 according to my watch, but we were stopped at 9:10. How many clocks does it take to tell the time? I didn't say anything, and I regret it. I was able to finish my own essay, but I could have potentially helped the students around me. I didn't say anything at the time because I second-guessed myself. Was I wrong?Was the section only 20 minutes long? I re-read the instructions after the test was over and realized that we were supposed to have 25 minutes for the essay. Also, in some ways, I felt helpless. I only had 1 proctor in my room, and he was the one making the mistakes. Would he listen to me? Who could I talk to other than him? I should have sought help from the other proctors especially because the timing issues continued. On a few sections without a break before them, we were short a minute per section. For those sections, our proctor said the section began at the same time the other ended.When in fact, he read directions in between, so the new section began about a minute after the other ended. With only 10-25 minutes per section, this minute could have been crucial to students. I made a mistake by not speaking up, but you shouldn't. If this happens to you, you MUST speak up. While this issue may have had the most direct impact on our scores, the others are just as worrisome. 100% Incorrect Instruction Issues On top of the timing issues, there were issues with the instructions.At the beginning of the test when reading the directions, the proctor misspoke and said you could not write in your test booklet. What I think he meant was that you can’t ONLY write your answers in the test booklet, as you need to fill out the scantron to have your test scored. A student was confused and asked if she could write in the booklet. He said no. This is absolutely, 100% false. You're supposed to mark up the reading passages and do your math figuring directly in the test booklet. I spoke up. I said, â€Å"Yes, you can write in the booklet, but you need to put your final answers on the scantron.†The proctor said he wasn’t sure.Finally, another student spoke up and said that she read on the back of her test booklet that you can write in it.The student who originally asked the question looked unsure because the proctor still said he wasn’t sure. This is unacceptable. Imagine how hard it is to do math without writing out work or use process of elimination when you can’t physically cross out answer choices.If this happened at my site, you could imagine how many instruction issues occur throughout the country. People who have studied the test thoroughly know this instruction is wrong. But people who haven't taken the test and aren't prepared would have no idea.This would cripple their score. Another PrepScholar writer took the test at a different testing center in Los Angeles this weekend, and her proctor kept skipping over instructions or telling "jokes" like "the test will last 23 hours."Her proctor really scared some students with that one.Additionally, her proctor missed several 5-minute warnings. So, it's very important to bring your own watch to self-time.Some issues are out of your control: Unbearable, Concentration-Breaking Noise Issues During my test, there were noise issues CAUSED by the proctor as well as outside noise issues.After starting the test, our proctor promptly popped in ear buds and began listening to music. This is wrong on a number of levels.We could hear the music clearly through his headphones, and finally, about 10 minutes into the essay, one student had the courage to ask him to lower the volume.To his credit, our proctor apologized profusely and lowered the volume - but he should not have been listening in the first place. LOUD NOISES! At some point in the middle of the test, our proctor opened the window to our classroom (big mistake).During one section, we heard young children screaming in the hallway for a few minutes (why were they at a high school on a Saturday? who knows!).Our proctor did ask them to stop, but it was still a disturbance, and the window should have been closed. During a later section, there was a very loud ice cream truck playing â€Å"it’s a small world† on loop.I asked the proctor about it, but he just told me it was an ice cream truck and did nothing. It clearly was parked in the school parking lot or something because it continued to play â€Å"it’s a small world† audibly and loudly for about 15-20 minutes. This noise was incredibly distracting. I was trying to power through a CR passage and block it out.Again, the proctor did not close the window. He did not try to get another faculty member to investigate the noise. He just let it continue. I know noise issues are a common problem.Another PrepScholar writer took the test in Northern California this weekend, and her proctor was watching a movieon their iPad, which accidentally switched to full volume during a section.She said her proctor promptly turned it off.However, no proctors should be allowed to use electronic devices during the test.They need to be alert and focused to catch any possible cheating. Creating Opportunities for Cheating Issues During my test, there was a definite possibility of cheating. I am not saying that anyone cheated. I did not specifically see anyone cheating. However, I know it would have been far more possible to happen compared to normal testing centers. At the beginning of the test, when the proctor was listening to his music while at his desk, it would have been easy to whisper to the students around you to discuss the essay. Don't do it! During one break, the proctor stood outside the classroom by the door, leaving all of the students who decided to stay in the room alone at their desks with their test booklet and answer key.It would have been easy to go back and review your work or answer problems you couldn’t get to. Additionally, the proctor only walked up and down the aisles at most 3 times during the entire test.He did not check calculators.We could easily have had unapproved programs with vocabulary words or something else. While I genuinely do not think cheating occurred in my classroom, my proctor definitely opened himself up to possible cheating.My proctor did not seem to care about much other than getting out of the test as quickly as possible, which leads me to my next point. Waiving Important Breaks Issues Another huge issue was that after our 4th section break, our proctor put it to a vote as to whether we would only break between the 7th and 8th section or whether we’d take 2 breaks. No. This test is NOT a democracy. The College Board requires three 5-minutebreaks and doesn’t let the students decide.We voted to take only one break.My proctor was elated as he was â€Å"trying to get to a Dodger’s game.† I didn’t need another break; however, I’m sure if I were a student who wanted the additional break to reset, I would have been too nervous to speak up and conflict the group opinion. Students should not have been placed in that awkward situation. Why Does This Matter? Social Inequality. The College Board Is Failing Its Students. All of these problems created an incredibly unfair testing environment. I definitely think my score may have been impacted. I barely finished the Critical Reading section while "it's a small world" was playing on loop. All of the issues made it very difficult to concentrate. Additionally, the essay, for which we received20% less time than normal, counts for 30% of our Writing score. An incomplete essay or poorly written essay could easily drop your score 100-200 points on the Writing section. If this happened at my testing center, which I randomly chose from the centers available in the Los Angeles reason, irregularity must be incredibly prevalent, and that is unbelievably sad. As I mentioned, two other PrepScholar writers also had unforgivably bad experiences at their test sites.Testing center regulation should be of the utmost importance to the College Board, especiallyas I believe this issue may impact those at the lowest socioeconomic levels more. I took my test at George Washington Preparatory High School in the Westmont neighborhood in South Los Angeles. According to an article from the LA Times, the average household income in Westmont is $31,572. It ranks 242nd out of the 265 ranked neighborhoods by household income in Los Angeles, meaning it'sthe 13th poorest neighborhood in all of Los Angeles, in the bottom 10 percentile. The College Board already knows from their testing data that their SAT tests unfairly disadvantage those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the College Board does not take into account the unfair testing conditions that may be contributing to these students' lower scores as well. I know that the playing fields are incredibly uneven when it comes to SAT testing centers. My original SAT Testing Center, William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, stuck to the rules. The proctors knew the instructionsand were able to answer any of our questions. There were no noise disturbances, and the timing was precise. The proctors circulated throughout the test, ensuring that there was no cheating. I don't know what it takes to become a proctor in South Los Angeles. Clearly, the proctors weren't instructed well, and the College Board doesn't care enough to maintain quality evenly throughout the country. If I were to guess, the College Board takes extra care when it knows students are hyper-vigilant and ready to pounce on a single screwup. In wealthy areas of metropolises like New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, students would complain incessantly. And the College Board can't risk another scandal. So it pays attention to those areas and makes sure they stay quiet. But where students are unprepared, don't know their rights, and aren't as motivated to report problems, the College Board gets away with unforgivable behavior like this. TheSAT can account for a huge part of whether a student can get into her dream college or not. These conditions severely disadvantage the people the College Board is supposed to be trying to help. But not all hope is lost. While the College Board may not be doing anything to level the playing field, you as the test taker can take certain steps to help yourself get the fairest testing conditions possible. What a Test Taker Should Learn From My Experience: Try to go into the SAT as knowledgeable as possible about the test. Know the amount of timing you are allowed per section. Read the instructions at home. You should be able to read them off of any free SAT practice test. If you have any questions about these directions, email or call the College Board in advance of your test date, so you know the answer from the authority. Ask your older friends where they took their SAT. Ask them if there were any issues. Was the timing correct? Was there distracting noise? Bring your own watch to time yourself. If you notice a timing issue, raise your hand and ask/tell your proctor about it. For noise issues, unfortunately, the College Board doesn’t allow you to take the test with ear plugs (a policy I think they should change). You need to ask your proctor to close all windows. Ask your proctor to tell whoever is outside to quiet down or go elsewhere. If your proctor is unable to answer any questions you have about the instructions, ask your proctor to go ask someone else. Demand to speak to someone else or have your proctor call the College Board. If you have other issues with your proctor as far as allowing possible cheating or trying to cut out break or anything else, go find another proctor during your break! Tell the other proctor what is happening. If you feel your issues were not addressed at the testing center, call the College Board; here is their phone number. I did! The College Board takes these matters seriously as they pride themselves on standardization. What the College Board Should Learn From My Experience: With all of these issues, I hope the College Board will consider offering free re-tests to every other student at George Washington Prep High School. I also feel this reveals a bigger issue that the College Board needs to address: proctor training.I think all proctors should undergo a required training session before they act as a proctor for any SAT test. At these training sessions, the proctors should be taught the instructions and rules of the test. They should be taught the exact timing procedure including breaks, and they should be forced to practice it. Also, they should be told that they are never allowed to use electronic devices during the test. Additionally, they should be taughthow to watch for cheating by checking calculators, walking up and down the aisles, etc. Proctors need to know their own dos and don'ts. While I believe my proctor could have done better, I still think the College Board is to blame for the lack of standardized procedures at test centers. Why has the situation gotten so bad? I am not sure. Perhaps the College Board needs to send observers to every school site toensure fair testing conditions are being met? I also think thatall SAT test takersshould receive a test taker’s rights guide from the College Board so that they know what is fair or unfair.These students I took the test with were mainly first time, voucher-using students, who had no idea what to expect. What’s Next? Taking the SAT soon? Learn about the rules and regulations, and know thatif your test center has a problem to speak up. Trying to figure out where to go to college? Let us help you pick out your target school. Studying for the SAT? Read our ultimate SAT study guide. Taking the test really soon? Learn how to cram for the test. Want to improve your SAT score by 160points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Explain the structure and operation of TNCs in the Food Industry Essay

Explain the structure and operation of TNCs in the Food Industry - Essay Example The present study would analyse the structure and operations of the Transnational Corporations in the food industry. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Council a Transnational Corporation is defined as an â€Å"enterprises which control assets – factories, mines, sales offices and the like in two or more nations across the globe (Jenkins, p.1). The global food industry comprises farming, production, distribution and retail sectors. The industry is expected to grow at 3.5 percent growth on a compounded basis and is expected to be valued at approximately 7 Trillion US dollars by 2014. Traditionally, Europe has the largest share in this mammoth industry segment but presently Asian giants like India and China are also emerging as potential markets in the food industry (IMAP, 2010, p.4). The figure below represents the composition of the food industry and the percentage of individuals employed by each of the units. It is very clear from the figure that non-residential catering industry employs the highest number of individuals followed by retailing industry. There are two types of value chains that are prevalent in the industry, namely the producer driven value chain and the buyer driven value chain. Producer driven value chains are employed by large multinationals including transnational companies and the product manufacturers who assume leadership and play a major role in coordinating with other market players. On the contrary, buyer driven chains are characterised by the presence of large market players who play the most influential role in managing different decentralised units (United Nations Industrial Development Organization, 2009, p.3). Producers in the food industry constitute of farmers, fishermen etc who use natural resources. The product in this stage is said to be in the input stage where raw materials are used to make the finished product (Kannan, Sivakumar & Gilani, 2010). Transformers