English Literature Commentary Essay Example for Free

English Literature Commentary Essay The Crystal Cabinet is an outstanding example of Blakes use of an alternative reality to evoke readers to contemplate the boundaries of their society in light of knowledge about another world where these boundaries do not exist. Through the poem which was written just after the French Revolution, Blake offers the extreme of human experiences; as the central metaphor of the poem symbolizes a deep human truth which can be adopted with his poem, London. The poems simple goal is to tell a story and share a wisdom. The poem contains seven stanzas, several stanzas containing a different world and a different boundary; within each stanza one is able to find a rhyme scheme which closely follows a broken dactylic tetrameter. The Crystal Cabinets seven stanzas forms a superstructure upon which the story elements can be intertwined, and imagination can be overlaid as deeper themes of Blakes philosophy can be also be embedded. The first stanza is the main and central metaphor which one should focus on as it unfolds line by line before connecting with the second stanza to further evoke readers on the different dimensions and boundaries. The first two lines in the first stanza seemingly represents a form of innocence, a new born into a new world that deserved a celebration which is where and why Blake uses the term merrily. However, one notices the semi-colon after the merrily as it drifts further away from the supposed celebration, as the narrators Maiden puts the persona into a cabinet and lockd me up with a golden key; the poems happiness and joy thus comes to a dramatic halt. The broken dactylic meter in the first stanza seems to be contradicting, as merrily representing a form of happiness and freedom, is partnered with key which in terms symbolizes a place where freedom is lacked and limited, where one is locked. The cabinet in which the narrator/Blake finds himself in is formd of gold, and pearl and crystal shining bright, a contrast to the large and dull world of nineteenth century London. The second stanza, from lines 5-9, Blake is using the cabinet for which the narrator is locked in to emphasize an escape to a different world as opposed to a world for which he lives in, a dull and fearful nineteenth century world, in London. The second stanza contains two broken rhymes/dactylic meters as Blake rhymes gold and world, and bright and night together. Inside the cabinet is where we find another London with its tower Blake uses to represent a temporarily forgotten evil of which the real city contained and the imaginary one within the cabinet was freed from. The cabinet that is described through the second stanza is a cabinet full of dreams and light, of beauty and no fright. A world that is surrounded by gold, a night that has a crystal shining bright light; this as opposed to a world where the narrator/persona is captured dancing merrily and locked up into a world of limits. The images inside this crystal cabinet translucent, lovely, shining clear; all of the people and places are presented in their perfect forms. Here, Blake comes to an agreement with Platos philosophy that a world of ideal forms only exists beyond our perception. His poem presents an encounter with the world, as the fourth stanza seems to be Blake pleading in hope that his readers will one day realize the possibility and potential which one can escape from their repressed society. O, what a pleasant trembling fear! is not necessarily speaking of fear itself, but the fear that this translucent, lovely and shining clear world of his will dissipate and once again, be ruined by repression in contrast to the French Revolution and its impact on England and the people of England. Here, Blake uses another broken dactylic meter of clear and fear; the clear representing/symbolizing a form of clarity, purity, innocence, and happiness and the fear that represents the loss of that clarity. Thus, allowing one to see the desperate desire that the narrator must have towards a peaceful world, a peaceful life that is not full of danger and fearfulness. Through this poem which catapults the reader into a realm of the personas imagination, Blake description and different realm throughout the fifth stanza is a world containing love, for which was given and returned. This particular stanza differs from the first four as it is filled with joy, happiness and love, without having a halt. O, the happiness and joy for which fulfilled my soul as though a flame being burnt, no composition, no question, I seek the love as I kiss the lovely Maid and found that the love I seek was returned. Notice the Maid in the third line of this stanza, is capitalized, which in terms represents something more than just a maid we understand in modern day, for this Maid is not one who cleans up after our mess, but a context used metaphorically to describe a woman in particular, a woman whom the persona is trapped with respects and cares about, perhaps a lover. Linking to Blake as the poet of this poem, must represent a time in his human experience of a lover which made him burn like a flame and smile threefold smiles. Another point for which one notices while reading this poem is the broken rhyme of burnd and returnd; the burnd here represents a fire (danger), a wrath, however symbolizing much more than just a fire object itself, as it symbolizes a warmth, the warmth of love, which in contrast was returnd. Here in this new world of The Crystal Cabinet, the persona trapped is happy and is in a world where his desires are fulfilled, as is the desire of his lover, his Maid. When the persona suddenly breaks the crystal cabinet in the fifth stanza, after having tried to seize the inmost form, the world was fierce and shattered; and the reader is convinced that both imagination and reason are incompatible to one another. Here, the poem suggests that our lives have been so dominated by the doctrines of society that if we do try to find any reason in anything beyond the confines of the familiar lives for which weve been put in, we will not succeed, but will fail. In terms of Blake during his time, this particular part of the poem suggests that people during this time, their lives, are so dominated by not only the doctrines of society, but the doctrines of the Church, that if they do find reasoning and truth beyond those lines that have been drawn for them, they will die, and that truth does not prevail because of the imposed laws and rules. Therefore, the realm of the imagination that is transcended can not be quantified by either science or mathematics, nor can it be philosophized according to the laws of the State or the Churchs teachings, limiting the human minds, locking each human up with a golden key, only allowing the locked up humans to use their alternative reality minds to go into other realms of the world. The last stanza, striking to the reader as to the narrator, basically states that although one has been locked up into a crystal cabinet with a golden key, having experienced different realms of the world and having loved and loved back, one opens their eyes (seize the inmost form but burst the Crystal Cabinet) they break through the cabinet and once again, is back into the reality of fear and danger, back to the fearful nineteenth century world of London. As babies crying because their births are of no happy events as it only represents a continuation of this woe (linking to London as well as last line of The Crystal Cabinet), and weeping Woman pale reclind, representing the plague from the Sexually Transmitted Diseases woman get from their husbands; there is no happiness, no other dimension that is capable of allowing one to escape reality forever, as the persona is born into a world filld with woes the passing wind. In conclusion, this crystal cabinet symbolizes a unique opportunity to unfold meaning and explore further into those minds of the nineteenth century. Using the metaphorical visionary/images to help set a stage for a greater understanding of the environment, situation and journey for which is also a realization of the philosophy of William Blake. This poem is independent, yet linked through the narrative, using color scheme and the re-use of objects and words from other narrative elements, these different realms of worlds and spaces produces a unique, harmonic, and fearful resonance to viewers. It is when the four-fold vision is sought as the Crystal Cabinet breaks, in the seventh and final stanza, summing up everything the poem means and has stood for, is returned back to the original place and location for which they had entered, in the town squares of London. Here, the readers experience has thus triggered a new perception of London, as this perception is the perception seen through the eyes of William Blake himself.

Marital Satisfaction And Gender Sociology Essay

Marital Satisfaction And Gender Sociology Essay Marital satisfaction also called marital quality is defined as the happiness and satisfaction one feels about their relationship with their spouse, as well as how well one feels their spouse fulfills their needs (Booth, Johnson, and Granger, 2005; Peleg, 2008). Marital satisfaction is the subject of much sociological research. Most of this research has focused on how certain influences affect marital satisfaction. Current research examines how factors such as division of labor, income, and parenthood affect marital quality (Kluwer, Heesink, and Van De Vliert, 1997; Tichenor, 1999; Cox, Paley, Burchinal and Payne, 1999). Studies shows that many factors play a role in the happiness spouses feel about their relationships. Much of the early research in this area focused on the traditional roles of husbands and wives. Because of recent trends such as the increase in dual-earner households and the fact that many women are making more money than their husbands, more recent studies focus on how gender role ideologies affect the marital relationship. Gender role ideology is how a person relates to family or marital roles that are usually linked to gender (Minnotte, Minnotte, Pederson, Mannon, and Kiger, 2010). Gender role ideologies are defined by Mickelson, Claffey, and Williams (2006) as spouses expectations of each other as well as of themselves within the context of the marital relationship. Mickelson et al. (2006) investigate the impact of egalitarian and traditional gender roles on marital satisfaction. Gender role ideology is shown to be a major influence on the levels of marital satisfaction reported by husbands and wives. Marital discord also influences marital satisfaction. Rogers (1999) defines m arital discord as problems and conflict in the marital relationship. Communication and interaction between spouses can have a major impact on marital quality. Does gender play a role in marital satisfaction? This article will examine previous research on the major factors that influence marital satisfaction, including gender role ideology, division of labor, income, children and parenthood, and communication and marital interaction beginning with the factors that correlate most with gender. GENDER ROLE IDEOLOGY Gender role ideology is defined by Minnotte et al. (2010) as the identity one assigns him- or herself with regard to gender-linked marriage or family roles. The difference in expectations between egalitarian and traditional gender roles can have a major impact on marital satisfaction. Lower marriage satisfaction in women seems to be the result of traditional gender role expectations (Ng, Loy, Gudmunson, and Cheong, 2009). However, lower marriage satisfaction in men tends to be influenced by egalitarian gender role expectations (Ng et al. 2009). Traditional relationships can appear to be less conflicted than egalitarian ones, but this is likely the result of conflict avoidance in the traditional relationship (Kluwer et al. 1997). Egalitarian relationships may seem to observers to have more conflict, however, they also have more communication and conflict resolution, whereas traditional relationships foster lower marital satisfaction by evading conflict management (Kluwer et al. 1997). Studies show that the gender role ideologies of husbands and wives play a significant role in their levels of marital quality. Mens marital quality is higher when the husband and wife share the same role ideology and is lower when the ideologies differ (Minnotte et al. 2010). When work responsibilities interfere with family responsibilities, the quality of marriage and other familial relationships can deteriorate. Minnotte et al. (2010) explain that egalitarian wives marital satisfaction suffers with relation to work-to-family conflict (lower marital satisfaction is related to high work-to-family conflict). Work-to-family conflict is defined as conflict that occurs when family needs are negatively impacted by the demands of ones work (Minnotte et al. 2010). DIVISION OF LABOR Division of labor continues to be a contentious issue between spouses. Saginak and Saginak (2005) define labor in the context of marriage and family as responsibilities of the home, including domestic, emotion and organizational work necessary to maintaining a family home. Dew and Wilcox (2011), Faulkner et al. (2005), and Ng et al. (2009) all report that a perception of inequitable distribution of household labor is directly related to marital dissatisfaction. In addition, Kluwer et al. (1997) report that just because a couple does not report household labor conflict doesnt mean that it is not present in their relationship. In traditional marriages, wives frequently avoid division of labor conflict, however discontent they may be, according to Kluwer et al. (1997). Evidence shows that instrumental support is crucial to marital satisfaction for egalitarian wives (Mickelson et al. 2006). However, the level of egalitarianism in men is negatively related to their marital satisfaction, probably because there is a higher expectation of household labor duties for egalitarian men compared to traditional men (Mickelson et al. 2006). This shows that in spite of egalitarian beliefs, many men still do not consider household labor their responsibility. INCOME The amount of money a woman makes doesnt influence marital quality in the ways we may think. Tichenor (1999) finds that gender has more of an impact on marital satisfaction than status or income. In families where the wife earns more money than the husband, most women reject the power they may get from earning more money and create an image of their husbands control of the family (Tichenor, 1999). These status-reversal relationships appear to seek the image of a conventional marriage (Tichenor, 1999). Tichenors (1999) research shows that most husbands prefer the label of provider and do not object to this manufactured image. Wives who earn more money than their husbands are still doing a majority of the housework while contributing a majority of the family income (Tichenor, 1999). This shows that housework is gendered and not influenced by wives income. Women cannot exchange money for housework by earning more money than their husbands (Tichenor, 1999). Rogers (1999) reports that wives marital dissatisfaction significantly influences wives income. Marital discord can contribute to a womans decision to get a job, but husbands marital dissatisfaction has no influence over their wives income (Rogers, 1999). Interestingly, Faulkner, Davey, and Davey (2005) report that wives job loss creates less marital conflict and a higher level of marital satisfaction for them. However, the time their husbands spend working outside the home is negatively related to their marital happiness (Faulkner et al. 2005). When a wife is unhappy, she is more likely to get a job outside the home, but when an employed wife loses her job, it contributes to less conflict and more satisfaction in the marriage. This illustrates the tendency of many men to have traditional gender role expectations. CHILDREN/PARENTHOOD The effects of parenthood on marriage are also more complicated than expected. Cox et al. (1999) argue that having children creates a decrease in marital satisfaction, but that the severity of the decrease is significantly influenced by whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, the gender of the child, and the conflict managements skills of the couple prior to pregnancy. Levels of marital satisfaction have been shown to bottom out around the childs first birthday, and then increase in small increments during the childs second year of life (Cox et al. 1999). Planned pregnancies purported higher levels of marital satisfaction than unplanned pregnancies. Studies show that parents of male children report higher levels of marital satisfaction than parents of female children, although the difference was slight (Cox et al. 1999). Dew and Wilcox (2011) report that wives decrease in marital satisfaction shortly after childbirth was attributed to a decrease in time spent with their spous e as compared to prior to the birth of the child. COMMUNICATION/MARITAL INTERACTION Communication plays a vital role in marital quality. Disclosure is the sharing of information about the self including past information and future plans (Finkenauer, Engels, Branje, and Meeus, 2004). Disclosure is a key aspect of marital communication. Finkenauer et al. (2004) state that disclosure in horizontal familial relationships is positively related to relationship quality. Sharing between spouses can lead to more intimacy and feelings of closeness (Finkenauer et al. 2004). Loss of time spent together as a couple can contribute to low marital satisfaction (Dew and Wilcox, 2011). Spending time together can lead to more sharing and disclosure, and has been shown to lead to higher levels of marital satisfaction for husbands and wives (Finkenauer et al. 2004). Interpersonal differentiation is also very important to personal relationships. Peleg (2008) defines interpersonal differentiation as the capacity for both intimacy and autonomy in relationships with others. Peleg (2008) argues that the differentiation of self is crucial to marital satisfaction. There is delicate balance of togetherness and separation that contributes to a healthy marriage (Peleg, 2008). More marital conflict is experienced by couples with low differentiation (Peleg, 2008). Peleg (2008) also states that low differentiation can result in negative feelings, which can negatively impact marriage satisfaction. These factors were equally significant for both men and women (Peleg, 2008). High marital locus of control (MLC) is associated with increased marital happiness (Myers and Booth, 1999). Locus of control is defined by Myers et al. (1999) as the level of control one feels over the conditions of their life. High MLC among spouses is directly correlated to lower reported marital instability and conflict (Myers and Booth, 1999). In other words, a perception of more control over marital activity equals increased perceived marital quality (Myers and Booth, 1999). Gender has not been shown to play a role in the MLC factor. Another aspect of the level of marital satisfaction has to do with the increasing number of aging wives caring for their ill and/or aging husbands. Between impaired husbands and their care giving wives, reciprocity of emotional support is directly related to lower perceptions of burden and increased marital satisfaction in the wives (Wright and Aquilino, 1998). Although reciprocity levels depend on the impairment of the husbands, increased interaction leads to higher marital quality perception in care giving wives (Wright and Aquilino, 1998.) CONCLUSION There is no simple answer to whether gender influences marital satisfaction. Simply stating that one gender is happier in marriage than the other is oversimplifying the facts. Most literature on marital satisfaction focuses on the different factors that influence marital satisfaction such as gender role ideology, income, children and parenting, communication and marital interaction, and division of labor. Some research goes a step further to distinguish how each factor is affected by gender, and some does not. There are so many angles from which to look at the quality of marriage that it would be next to impossible to isolate gender as the single most compelling issue in marital satisfaction. For example, a husband who has traditional gender role expectations is more likely to report higher marital satisfaction if his wife stays home with the children and does all the housework. However, if the wife does not share the traditional gender role expectations, she will be unhappy in the marriage, which will no doubt affect the husbands satisfaction with the relationship. These multi-layered findings make it obvious that gender is not the most significant factor in determining marital satisfaction. Differing gender role ideologies clearly influence marital satisfaction, as does each spouses expectations about their partners income. But husbands and wives are shown to have the same preferences when it comes to marital communication and disclosure. They also report almost identical patterns of marital satisfaction when it comes to the transition into parenthood. This illustrates how although influential, gender is not one of the most significant factors in marital satisfaction. Future research on this topic could focus specifically on how gender alone directly affects marital satisfaction. Excluding other influential factors could mean isolating the specific ways gender affects marital satisfaction in a way that hasnt been done before. This would be challenging, but finding a way to focus on gender would provide information that isnt currently available. This information can be useful to professionals who study the breakdown of marriage or to marriage counselors who are trying to help troubled couples salvage damaged relationships. It could also provide researchers with data that may predict the likelihood of success in future relationships.

Studies on Adolescene of Piaget and Erikson Essay -- Compare Cognitive

Studies on Adolescene of Piaget and Erikson Adolescence is considered a difficult time of life and one in which a number of changes occur as the individual achieves a certain integration of different aspects of personality. One approach to the cognitive and emotional transitions made at different times of life is to consider how the changes in, say, adolescence are linked to a continuum of change beginning in childhood and continuing throughout life. Some theorists, such as Piaget, were interested primarily in the transitions of childhood and youth, while others, such as Erikson, saw all of life as a series of transitions and offered a continuum of stages covering all of life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Piaget became fascinated in his early studies with his discovery that children of the same age often gave the same incorrect answers to questions, suggesting that there were consistent, qualitative differences in the nature of reasoning at different ages, not simply a quantitative increase in the amount of intelligence or knowledge. This discovery marked the beginning of Piaget's continuing effort to identify changes in the way children think; how they perceive their world in different ways at different points in development. Piaget's contributions can be summarized by grouping them into four main areas. First, he produced literature on the general stages of intellectual development from infancy through adulthood. This concern occupied him from 1925 to 1940, and after 1940 he began to describe some of the developmental stages in formal, structural terms using models from symbolic logic (Flavell, 1963, 1-9).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The different stages postulated by Piaget help to explain different rats of learning at different ages as well as the types of learning possible at different ages for the majority of the population. Learning itself is seen by Piaget as a process of discovery on the part of the individual, and learning as a formal activity becomes a system of organization by which instruction is enhanced by the way the teacher arranges experience. Learning is thus experiential, and Piaget suggests that experiences have meaning to the extent that they can be assimilated. Such assimilation does not take place without accommodation, an aspect of considerable importance from the point of view of adaptation and possible development:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the principal aims of the teacher wil... ...enerativity versus stagnation--the individual needs to be needed and to assist the younger members of society, and generativity is concerned with guiding the next generation. The last stage is that of ego integrity versus despair, and this is the time when the way the other conflicts were decided has an influence. If the preceding conflicts were not suitably handled, despair may result in later life (Liebert & Spiegler, 1982, 88-92).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Piaget was most interested in the learning stages for the child, while Erikson carried his stages through the life cycle. Both indicate how the stage of adolescence is part of a continuum, however, prepared for by childhood and leading to adulthood. Further research may differentiate even more divisions over the adolescent years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  References   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Flavell, J.H. (1963). The developmental psychology of Jean Piaget. New York: D. Van Nostrand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Furth, H.G. (1969). Piaget and Knowledge. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liebert, R. M. & M. D. Spiegler (1982). Personality: Strategies and issues. Homewood, Illinois: The Dorsey Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whitbourne, S.K. & C.S. Weinstock (1986). Adult development. New York: Praeger.

Post-apartheid Segregation in South Africa Essay example -- South Afri

All men should be treated as equal. However, some people think they are superior to the others. For almost fifty years, South Africans were segregated by apartheid, a system that separated South Africans by their skin colors. The purpose behind this system was to separate the colored people from the whites in favor of white minority to have power over the black majority. Many people had to move out of their homes in designated â€Å"White† areas even though they already settled in the areas before the system was established. This system officially came to end in mid 1990’s when Nelson Mandela came to power. However, the remnants of apartheid still exist in South Africa. Thus I decided to investigate the causes of segregation in South Africa. Apartheid started in when the Group Areas Act was introduced in 1950. This law drove the black people from the designated â€Å"White† areas in order to attain more perfect segregation. According to Outcast Cape Town by John Western it stated, â€Å"up to 1 in 10 Capetonians (nearly all mixed-race â€Å"Coloureds†) were ejected from their homes, in order to achieve a more perfect segregation† (Western, 1981,1996). Consequently, so many people lost their homes where they lived for their whole lifetime and had to move out to the outskirts of the cities. The government officials claimed that the law was to prevent any racial conflicts. Western stated, â€Å"†¦ segregation is in the interest of all, is enshrined in the â€Å"friction theory†¦ the belief is simply that any contact between the races inevitably produces conflict† (Western, 1981, 1996). It’s a pretty good allegation for introducing the law by saying that â€Å"we want peace amo ng every people†. However, in truth, the law only benefited the white minority. The g... ...riority." New York Times, March 23, 2012. https://blackboard.syr.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-3178578-dt-content-rid-8098063_1/courses/33750.1142/Polgreen 2012.pdf (accessed March 5, 2014). Teppo, A, and M Houssay-Holzschuch. "Revolution for Liberalism." Canadian Review African Studies. (2013). https://blackboard.syr.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-3178564-dt-content-rid-8098064_1/courses/33750.1142/Teppo and Houssay-Holzschuch 2013.pdf (accessed March 4, 2014). Tony, Samara. "Cape Town After Apartheid Crime And Governance in the Divided City." (2011). https://blackboard.syr.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-3178520-dt-content-rid-8098076_1/courses/33750.1142/Samara 2011.pdf (accessed March 5, 2014). Western, John. "Outcast Cape Town." (1981, 1996). https://blackboard.syr.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-3178075-dt-content-rid-8094165_1/courses/33750.1142/Western_excerpts.pdf (accessed March 5, 2014).

English Essay -- English Literature

English The Crucible Essay The Crucible, a tale of superstition and tyrannical oppression set to shake our complacency and make us think. Arthur Miller, the author of this compelling play, deals with controversial issues and subjects which could be classed as taboo such as infidelity and witchcraft. He has a rare talent when it comes to writing and conveying human emotions to his audience. Act 2 opens in the ‘common room’ of Proctor’s house. John Proctor arrives later than usual after a hard days work. Carrying his gun he enters the â€Å"low, dark and rather long living-room†. The stage directions not only suggest he is displeased with his food upon tasting it - he meddles with the pot situated on the fire: â€Å"Then he lifts out the ladle and tastes. He is not quite pleased†¦Ã¢â‚¬  - but also suggest that the setting in which this takes place is depressing and lifeless, symbolising the feelings that are conjured up in John when entering his ‘home’. The first words spoken between husband and wife are Elizabeth questioning his whereabouts in a very accusational way ‘What keeps you so late? It’s dark.’. There is no reaction from John just an honest reply as if Elizabeth had no double meaning to her inquiry, no Hi or Hello in sight. From then onwards basic chit-chat such as the farm and the weather ‘Pray now for a fair summer’ fill their conversation. The little conversation that they manage to force feels stunted and false as both John and Elizabeth are being too polite - not as man and wife should behave. John manages to eat a whole meal but they only speak six or more times leaving much of the time to be filled by uncomfortable silence. Elizabeth watches the reaction of her husband when he tastes her .. ... utter despair. The confession of John’s left her feeling vulnerable and alone. Her suspicion of her husband is so strong because of her low self-esteem and insecurities. Abigail threatens her. What is she to do? Everyday she is faced with the reminder that she wasn’t enough for the love of her life but she has no choice - she cannot leave. Society had not yet accepted even the concept of divorce, especially Practising Catholics like themselves. People judged their neighbours and it mattered about keeping up appearances. There would be no way Elizabeth could have confided in a ‘friend’ about her husband’s infidelity and there was absolutely no way she could walk out on her marriage - divorce was out of the question. Though it may be all dead and buried and laid to rest in John’s mind, for Elizabeth the wounds are just as deep as the day they were made.

Discrimination in the United States Today

Two blue and white school buses pull out of TC Williams High School parking lot destined for Gettysburg College, the site for this summer's football camp. Parents looked on with expressions of disgust and worry as their sons disappeared around the corner, now under control of the new black head coach, Herman Boone. Every seat on the bus was to be occupied by one white and one black football player. Players either stared off into space or out the window in order to avoid any contact with the player sitting beside them.The year was 1971 and this was going to be the first season the Titans played as an integrated school with both blacks and whites on the football team. The season would be characterized by hate, crime, brotherhood and determination and triumph. Despite their differences in appearance and the disapproval of the town they left behind, the team would need to come together as brothers to bring home the perfect season so that everyone would remember the Titans.According to Me rriam – Webster dictionary, the definition of racism is â€Å"a belief that race is the primary determinant of human trait and capacities and racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race† (Merriam Webster Dictionary 484). Racism has existed in our culture throughout human history in many different forms. Differences in skin color, language and customs have influenced the way people view and treat others. Racism has influenced past wars with slavery, caused segregation in the US in the 1960s and early '70s, and is present still today in the form of discrimination.The first documented form of racism in the US may have been slavery. Even though slavery was eventually banned in America, segregation continued. Not until many years later did the blacks received the same rights as white people. Still today, racism between ethnic groups is evident in the form of discrimination. Despite the efforts many have made to put an end to racism, eliminating a ll traces of it is ultimately impossible. Racism is still alive and well in the United States today.Issues on racial profiling, corporate downsizing, layoffs in the industry, racial and class segregation, hyper – segregation, economic racism and institutional racism are but just some of the living proofs to this kind of discrimination happening around us. It has been a struggle our forefathers have battled out and today, it has still not seen an end. It has and still continues to endure since time immemorial. The struggle to impede partiality from affecting law enforcement practices is as patriarchal as the Constitution of the United States itself.Also adversely, for the most part of our past, partiality peace enforcement – founded on fear rather than evidence – has been prevalent and futile (ACLU 4). Since the disaster of September 11, America have witnessed a boost in the country's desire to let pass law enforcement and defense practices founded mainly on skin pigmentation or other permanent attributes, and a certain desire on the end of the present administration to administer such procedures (ACLU 4). The country's Asian, Muslim and Arab populace are very much affected by such physical assaults.Rules chiefly laid out to impact specific classes usually end in the damage of the human rights of everyone involved. Furthermore, racism causes the United States to be less secure as a nation, considering the inadequate law enforcement assets are redirected and people who would rather not to be subjected to government perlustration are pinpointed (ACLU 4). The disaster of September 11 has created general counter – immigrant perception tolerable in the law enforcement and civil defense actions integrate prejudice into their implementation (ACLU 4).Ever since the disaster of the September 11 insurgent assault, it has been the legitimate tactics of the administration to hold, cross – examine and arrest beyond criminal offense  œ usually for long – term on the grounds of their native roots, race and faith. Actually, the very insertion of civil defense exclusion in the guidelines is an affirmation by the justice department that depends on racism and discrimination in its local anti – insurgent efforts (ACLU 5). Racism is at all times at odds with the nation's central statutory principles of impartiality and justice.Law enforcement founded on general attributes in the likes of ethnicity, faith and native roots, instead on the analysis of a person's conduct, is a faulty and useless action for guaranteeing civil (ACLU 6). During the times shortly after the September 11 insurgent attacks, the justice department began what measured to a comprehensive agenda of defensive arrest. It was the initial huge – scope arrest of a set of people on the grounds of their native roots or descent since the inhumation of Japanese – American at the time of the Second World War.In the period of the ins urgent assaults, civic personnel pierced through Asian, Muslim and Arab territories all over the United States, grabbing them from pathways, and even inside their residences, offices and places of worship (ACLU 9). The cluster and detention of a large number of the population were subjected under a strange disguise of cover – up, abandoning wives, offspring, schoolmates and bosses suspecting the victim's whereabouts and speculating on the identity of the next captive (ACLU 9).The individual expenses of the authority’s racism policies are immeasurable: diligent, obedient citizens abruptly finding themselves bound arms and foot, detained incommunicado in lone incarceration for over a month each; estranged from relations; residences and workplaces lost and existence flipped right side facing down. For most people, the ultimate defeat of all time is actually the harsh discovery that the place they came to call as their own, the very one which swore liberty and prospective, favored them no more (ACLU 11).The application of segregating by ethnic group, background, faith or native land runs opposite to what is questionably the central theory of democracy: each and everyone are made equal, and are at liberty must be dealt with unvaryingly by the government, notwithstanding immutable self like skin pigmentation, religion, ethnic or national roots (ACLU 18). For both citizens, either Black or Brown, racial discrimination connotes shorter, not so healthy, less – esteemed lifestyles. Racial discrimination verdict class philosophies and is the thought and tradition of white domination.It is the system of racism and repression based on skin pigmentation, physical appearances, roots and ethnicity. Its foundations can be traced as a validation for slavery and the invasion of the people of the United States. Ever since, slavery in America was attached to the progress and evolution of capitalism. Based on the trade and possession of human beings on the grou nds of their physical appearances and skin tone, its idea was the manipulation of unsettled labor for great earnings.As properties, Africans were sought as if they were animals, brought to now the United States, and then traded on public sale like creatures of inconvenience. Native American Indians suffered the same fate as their African counterparts as they too were murdered on a huge scale (Marshall NP). Ethical and logical reasoning were invented to give reason for this capture, trade, enslavement and mass killings against humanity. As a philosophy, racial discrimination presented the ethical and logical foundations of slavery, the spreading out of colonialism further to the west and the capture of Mexico’s other half.Hence the reason of this set of guidelines was, and even until now is, to set further views and philosophies based on the illusion that people of darker tones are innately low-grade (Marshall NP). The racially prejudiced utilization of the crime subject, incr easing chauvinistic and law enforcement aggression, intensifying separation, criminalization, immigrant – related assaults, rising poverty, living rough and joblessness, amplifying typecasts in media and environmental racial discrimination all signify the intensity of the crisis (Marshall NP).The leanings must be viewed in the perspective of the strengthening of the class efforts. Corporate curb and mass dismissal in the business have resulted to an general drop in the standards of living by the blue – collar workers, particularly the ethnically and nationally demoralized components, and have aggravated the development of racial discrimination. There is a direct relationship between these subject matters (Marshall NP). Capitalism’s general predicament combines a brand new aspect to these issues. Corporate curb and mass dismissal have swept out a lot of the previous reaps opposed to racism in the industry.As the fiscal crisis intensifies, contemporary types of ec onomic racial discrimination are making their presence felt (Marshall NP). Huge rate of joblessness and demarcation are its most straight and stunning result. Rising figures of unemployment cases concerning Asians and their African American counterparts are twice the rate of the Whites. Prolonged joblessness is also exceptionally grave. A huge fraction of those living in the rough are Latinos and Black. Economic racial discrimination’s dreadfulness is mostly observed on its effect on Latinos and Black youths, who predominantly live in penury (Marshall NP).A main attribute of the growth of racial discrimination at the present moment is the height of quality of separation. Segregation has hastened rather than degenerated and happened to be more severe, depicted by pressing destitution and awfully meager situations of life. This is grounds for closer scrutiny of the implication of segregation these days, as more than a consequence of fiscal factors but as a conscious business an d administration policy, with far – reaching repercussions (Marshall NP).It is a consequence of business and administrative policies counting red – lining as well as the former President Reagan’s and current administration’s bureaucrats’ slashes in housing and municipal expenditures, which have brought about the damage of metropolitan zones. The damage on national support for developing and maintaining civic housing projects has lead to disastrous outcomes; other than this is the former President Clinton’s bureaucrats’ unsympathetically racist and influential scheme to utilize HUD taxes to construct prisons (Marshall NP).Ethnic and class separation has created a segregated institutional organization, and played a role in the sudden descending glide of the quality of learning made available for both Latinos and Black youths of society particularly in the United States. The privatization of municipal education is aggravating this crisis and bringing new disparities into the scene (Marshall NP).The problem of segregation confronting all ethnically and nationally demoralized and particularly African Americans are the straightforward consequences of the organizational problems specifically during the later parts of the 1970s and 1980s as well as the industrial cut back of the 1990s. These cultures and neighborhoods must be regarded as an indispensable feature of the particular repression of these peoples – group, ethnic and national – and a way of manipulating and slashing these neighborhoods off from the rest of humanity and of actually isolating the blue collar workers (Marshall NP).Recent reports directs to what is called hyper – segregation of African Americana within the country’s major industrial metropolises namely Houston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Newark, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago, metropolises in which the organizational problems and prolonged and generational re dundancy have been deeply felt. Hyper – segregation encompasses the topographical, political, fiscal and social segregation of â€Å"`the aforementioned neighborhoods. It exposes that racial discrimination aimed at the African Americans has a exceptional feature and has arrive at a contemporary and unparalleled phase (Marshall NP).Economic racial discrimination is also associated with the issues of metropolises, where the most neighborhoods are situated. As central industries set out, services are permitted to deteriorate, lanes disintegrate, bridges collapse. Here, the drug use and abuse goes on increasingly, mortality rates sky rocket levels much higher those in the less developed countries, and illnesses such as tuberculosis and AIDS are almost uncontrollable. Here the neighborhoods are in a virtual situation of obstruction as racist law enforcers, under the excuse of combating drugs, threaten and coerce.Here, people of color particularly the younger ones are regularly cu rved up in speed, and have crammed the country’s penitentiary and detention centers almost to a spill over, African American adolescents amounting to approximately 35%, either in detention centers or subjected to the jurisdiction of the criminal justice organization (Marshall NP). Nationality, sex and background in the business realm must not be a problem. Instead, working well in a diversified environment must be everyone’s aim (Ishimaru NP). Varied sets of skills are in tall order particularly in the American offices these days.But then again, a certain race in itself cannot possibly make it all happen. At this point, diversity fulfills its real essence. Various people from every civilization must share and value each other’s outlooks and beliefs to be able to come off a solution to a crisis and ultimately cause success not just for themselves but for the team they work with (qtd. in Ishimaru NP). Every industry should aspire to diversify. Certainly, it is the proper way to go. Diversity in the business world makes a good logical in itself. It requires thoughtfulness, visualization and commitment to be momentous.Furthermore, it commands eagerness to scrutinize the conventional way of handling business and what is prized in its employees (Ishimaru NP). To be able to produce advancement as far as diversity in the business world is concerned, it is vital to re-evaluate one’s principles and be able to communicative what merit is really about. As people keep on diversifying even more, elevating workers who displayed an ability to diversify to communicate well with his co – employees setting apart aside social discrimination must be highlighted (Ishimaru NP).Studies confirm that operating in a diversified setting is associated with more important associations. Moreover, more friendships between different races are also created in this place. â€Å"The ethnically varied neighborhood is also a model of a diversified surrounding (E stlund 10). There are reasons to trust that the distinctly augmented occurrence of reported friendship between people from diverse backgrounds is founded chiefly from improved relations and incorporation in the business realm. Yet in the greater scheme of things, it is more than a friendship tale.It also speaks of the common but spread out implication of connectedness that shell out of the daily cooperation, informal sociability, mutual welfare, whines, achievements and frustrations among co – workers. All the same, their positive feature is suggested by the occurrence with which they are able to establish real friendship that transcends social discrimination. Racial conflict and segregation is still alive and well. Even so, they were definitely narrowed and combined with thoughts of harmony, respect, friendship and resemblance (Estlund 11).In point of fact, it is only in the business realm where a more lasting and mutual interaction is possible. It is the only place where on e can actually see it happen. Every person must search for to be able to team up with their co – workers in any place and time. This type of team up must be made amongst people of diverse roots, ethnic set and gender. Diversity in the business realm, affairs and association that go beyond social discrimination can be counted on to bring about heightened approval and empathy. Besides, it can perhaps form less hostility and typecasting amongst diverse roots, ethnic set and custom (Estlund 12).African – American middle school learners are sensitive regarding the issue of racial discrimination and are willing to voice out their thoughts about the topic at hand. Thoughts of injustice and prejudice associated to race will take place specifically in a teacher relationship, which is made difficult by problems of command and influence (Melvin 37). The condition of the increasing population of pupils from ethnic minorities in public institutions and the majority of white instruc tors in the public institutions is a crisis.White instructors need to rethink the crisis of the failure of various pupils from ethnic minorities in the institutions. Instructors nowadays hardly ever display explicit racial discrimination, but may unintentionally act discriminatorily in concealed and understated ways. As a result of placing the burden of achievement in institution completely upon a pupil from an ethnic minority, the instructor does not reflect on his role in creating the institution a positive learning ground.The floor is certainly amassed against people from ethnic minorities and instructors in an undersized way have the capability to offset the effects of racial discrimination. Definitely, there are a lot of other aspects that be part of the cause of a pupil success like a supportive family. Still, white instructors lean to classify these aspects with the consequence of holding responsible the victim and omitting the reality that the true rival is institutional rac ial discrimination.White instructors must to be not as much concerned about being branded racially prejudiced and be less troubled with contesting such accusations whenever they are expressed by pupils. Rather, instructors should to observe how their own actions, both with respect to their dealings with pupils and their selections of classroom matter to guarantee that they are doing everything feasible to assist pupils from ethnic minorities to succeed (Melvin 39). The asset of the United States as a country has been rooted in its ability to distinguish and nurture its diversity.Its blend of diversity has been a collage of expressions and outlooks that collaborated to clothe the country to be unified, in a never ending quest for life, liberation and sovereignty for all. While there will always be disagreements on the ways and measures that gets in the way of success, may all rise up every single day, and safeguard the nation’s ability to expressive what it deems as its absolu te right to be heard exercising its people’s freedom of speech (Jones NP). Hope should remain. Hope in the odd that living in an ethnically diversified world is feasible.More than being an odd, it is the kind of life everyone else must work hard to achieve. A life that is lived in accord between people regardless of native roots is an ideal kind of life. It is certainly a kind of life that transforms and surpasses boundaries formerly defined, aimed for the betterment of all (Racebridges. net NP). As we close the chapter on one heritage recognition to bridge the pages to the next, may everyone else never forget that the United States was molded on the hard labors of its immigrant populace.Having come from the Plymouth Rock, or from the weight of servitude, the force has been established and set free of the control of racial discrimination (Jones NP). For everyone to gaze further at the road that lie ahead, it is necessary to set sights on the rear view mirror to keep certain t hat alarming signs of the threats that lies further on are not overlooked. It is important to study, assess and commemorate history, or be condemned in recurring failures habitually. The past should be the handbook and experience must be the lead. It is there to serve as a reflection of the path yet to be (Jones NP).Ethic and socio – economic condition are amid the most well-known kind of inter – class affairs that mirrors kinds of social discrimination in the country. Whenever social discrimination is present, prejudice is a crucial feature of inter – class affairs. Prejudice can function to underpin the representational borders that divide ethnic class from one and the other (MacArthur & MacArthur NP). Racial discrimination is as relevant a subject matter at present as it was two decades ago (Miles168). Quite the opposite of other age group the world today is typically more and varied, mobile and integrated than it has ever been.These days, people find themsel ves living in a world with not only complete strangers, rather quite particularly exceptional individuals (Estlund 20). In our day than ever before, it is critical that all people take a firm position against racial discrimination. Everyone must stay alert and prepared to battle it out in opposition to those who longs to segregate and demoralize societies on grounds of race, background, ethnic group, faith or principles. A hate – provoked offense against members of a specific race is still an assault all of humanity. We are constantly challenged by racial discrimination in every aspect of society.Countless marginal neighborhoods are still subjected to different faces of racial discrimination and racist brutality. For most neighborhoods, the racist danger has augmented. There is a need for efficient and impartial actions to deal with all forms of racial discrimination. The governmental structure counter racism or hostility have not yet stood firmly on its ground, in some parts of the country still needs execution. There is a need to enforce it successfully and noticeably. Victims must recognize that their encounters of racial discrimination will be critically dealt with by powers that be.Perpetrators of the crimes must be made aware that their deeds will not be allowed by the world. For one, the possibility of creating deep and multi –thread ties grounded on resemblance is nothing sort of usual. On the contrary, the possibility of creating ties that surpasses social discrimination thrives. However, establishing such kind of ties that surpasses social discrimination is not quite simple. By not counting on the help of a certain amount of force, this type of ties is unfeasible. All the same when it carried out, it is perhaps more lean and more awkward that the type of ties grounded on resemblance (Estlund 20).To all intents and purposes, these ties can foster trust. It can generate a sense of togetherness, harmony for a reason. Ultimately, compounded with the development towards objectivity and integration in the office and beyond, trust could be encouraged as well (Estlund 20). In spite of everything, no one person can possibly live solely by himself. It is man’s basic nature that requires him to establish and interconnection with his neighbors. The world exists to blend diverse civilization. This is just but one of the certainties in this world.Instead of isolating oneself from his neighbors whom he perceives to be unlike himself, may everyone else simply learn to love and embrace his own as well as his neighbor’s individuality. The diversity in this world is worth more than its simple meaning. It exists to be a living reminder of the real essence of man’s uniqueness. It is there to impart the lesson to all ears that need to hear that differences in all intents and purposes are the common ground where people of all races and places can meet half way. And all else is better taken a step further from there. Firm rebuff of the racist philosophy is necessary for everyone.Impartiality, non – existence of prejudice and deference for the human civil liberties of all are frequent threads in our culture, which highlight the battle in opposition to racism. They are an essential part of one’s commitment to his neighbors. It is not simply a subject for institutional action. There is a demand to remain united in the battle in opposition to racism and succeed. It is a form of corruption to the future and a renouncement to the common codes of conduct if with consent the racist is permitted to develop a scheme wherein the people’s actions are deemed to be normal.

Chaim Potok Research Paper

The Story of Chaim Potok There have been many innovational authors throughout all of history, from R. L Stein, to Shakespeare, to Roald Dahl to J. K. Rowling. They all have different stories that have seriously impacted the literature world in unique ways. An essential author to add to that list is Chaim Potok, who not only was an outstanding author, but was also a very inspirational religious icon for many Jewish people in the world. Potok was born in New York City in 1929. He was raised in the Hasidic faith of Judaism.He grew up in a household where a high class of edicate and manners were enforced (Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 2003). Due to his way of life he later on developed tight grasp of art. His parents highly disapproved of this and did not want him to â€Å"waste his time† with this. In the Jewish household painting is seen as the least acknowledged and ambitious hobby. Potok attended Yeshiva University, and became a rabbi after graduating. He began rabbinical studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He soon received his master’s degree in Hebrew literature.In 1954 he served as a chaplain for the United States army while posted in South Korea. Later on throughout his life he began a teaching post at the University of Judaism. As years of study flew by this motivated Jew, he managed to earn a doctorate in philosophy in the University of Pennsylvania. The next Two Years flew right by, leading to the event of him writing his very first novel, The Chosen One, which was the very first novel ever to have a Hasidic Jewish setting (Contemporary Authors Online). This was a serious impact and appraisal of the Judaism Religion.This life unique novel was on the New York’s best sellers list for approximately 6 months. Potok elaborated expanded his new style of writing-by-writing more books on the daily life of Jews and child’s stories. Potok had a unique style of writing followed by a look of religious influence as well. H e usually conveyed the theme of Judaism/Hasidic through his precise use of characterization and dialogue. The majority of his beautiful creations were about how everyone should have some sort of faith in their lives and how religion has a huge impact on modern day life.Potok wrote about Jewish culture was viewed directly from the shoes of a very own Jew. He frequently focused on the issues and controversies in the Jewish Culture. Most of his life and works of literature were dedicated to his very own religion and faith, which was portrayed through his own writing. Potok received multiple awards for his unique book (St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers). The Chosen One was on the New York Time’s bestseller’s category for about 6 months, that is some very outstanding time to be a bestseller especially since Judaism is one of the least popular religions in the U.S. As the years passed his literature career slowly declined in success and popularity due to critics claimin g his unique style of writing wasn’t that professional, very mediocre, and not nearly as polished as his original creations. He was criticized according to that manner the following, â€Å"In The Beginning,† â€Å"The Book of Lights,† and â€Å"DaVita’s Harp† (St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers). â€Å"He wrote in a straightforward pose that some critics found unpolished and other likened to that of Hemingway. † said the New York Time’s Fox.On the other hand, many other critics loved and admired Potok’s love for his religion, the need to express his feeling about Jewish beliefs from a first person perspective, and the fearlessness in his writing tone. â€Å"Although his writing angered and scandalized some Jews, others applauded it his belief in the Jewish faith† Said critics from the Los Angeles Times. Chaim Potok died on July 23, 2002 due to the spread and intensity of brain cancer he had been diagnosed with. He di ed at the age of 73 years old. He was a motivating, inspirational, and phenomenal author that will never be forgotten throughout the Jewish culture.His name will be remembered as one of the most inspirational writers of all time, as well as a huge religious icon. Although critics often downsized him, he will always be known as being one of the greatest American Jewish writers of the 20th century. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 2003. GaleBiography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers. Gale, 1999. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012.