Welfare Argumentative Paper Essay Example for Free

Welfare Argumentative Paper Essay Welfare in the United States began during the 1930’s during the great depression to help families and individuals with little to no income with assistance. â€Å"Many Americans were unhappy with the welfare system, claiming that individuals were abusing the welfare program by not applying for jobs, having more children just to get more aid, and staying unmarried so as to qualify for greater benefits. (welfareinfo.org)† The question today is whether or not drug testing for welfare recipients should be allowed. Drug testing for individuals applying for government cash assistance should be mandatory before assistance is granted. Anyone willing to apply for a job or joining the military is subject to random drug tests. Anyone that works and pays taxes helps the welfare system. The reason testing could be justified would be how much fraud is generally found each year alone without drug testing and just by reasonable suspecion. â€Å"The Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified $16.67 million in fraud during Fiscal Year (FY)2011 within multiple Michigan public assistance program areas† (michigan.gov). Drug testing would save the government money and help distribute the benefits more to those who actually need it, by denying those who fail to pass a drug screening when applying. Many of the laws purposed would not deny benefits to the dependents the person may have, just the person applying. The dependent(s) would still receive the necessary help. Also the person who failed the drug test or has an apparent issue with legal substance abuse could be given the correct direction for treatment and get their lives going back in the right direction. Drug testing is unjustifiable, ineffective, potentially unconstitutional, and worst of all being discriminatory. Besides it being an invasion of privacy, it’s in violation of the 4th amendment. Using illicit drugs may not even be the reason they are applying for welfare. People have a choice where they want to work, but not always a choice to need welfare. Also not everyone that is in need has a drug problem or does drugs. The cost to test every applicant would outweigh the amount saved denying benefits for those who tested positive. There are alternatives to drug screening that would cost less and already a part of the applying process. Drug testing is a positive step towards many things in the welfare area, as with any job anyone is subject to random drug testing, why should welfare be exempt? Currently if reasonable suspicion was justified a person would have to submit a test anyways. The benefits show, in 2011, Florida passed the law HB 353 requiring all applicants for TANF benefits to be tested. Applicants must be notified of the drug testing requirement at the time of application, and are required to pay for the test. If they test negative the applicant will be reimbursed for the cost by adding the amount to their benefit check. The results from the first quarter of the law being passed (July-September) show the dramatic impact of Florida’s drug testing requirement for applicants for welfare cash assistance. The requirement has led to a 48 percent drop in monthly approvals, an overall drug-related denial rate of 19 percent, and almost $1.8 million in savings to taxpayers. Denials vary greatly by county, with at least one in three applicants being denied for a drug-related reason in 11 counties and no drug-related denials in another ten counties (floridafga.org). This example shows the potential of savings for the government and taxpayers and also more available funds to the ones really in need. Drug testing applicants has many flaws when it comes to proving if someone may have a problem or is even using illegal drugs. Drug testing fails to show the biggest legal substances being abused by people on or off welfare in America, nicotine and alcohol. Drug testing isn’t even thought of when it comes to unemployment or applying for school financial aid. Drug tests often fail to show the results of people who are using more addictive and more dangerous drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, or cocaine, which can exit the body’s system in a matter of hours or a couple days. Drug testing may have it flaws, but not every person does more addictive and dangerous drugs. If one was doing those types of drugs they would need more than a cash assistance program to provide for their habit. School financial aid or unemployment is excluded because the people were either at one time working and got laid off or injured, and is in school to better themselves for a better job in the long run. Drug testing applicants may also help promote people to stay off drugs, as well as identify people who might have a problem. The biggest issue with people having a drug problem is being disqualified from employment for drug abuse. Drug testing applicants would further help someone who may need help bu t doesn’t know how to get clean, or the right direction towards the correct help they need to stay free from drugs. Being free from drugs would then help someone not need welfare because they would be able to get a regular job in the work world, thus saving the government more money in the long run. The United States seems to be the only country with the issue of drug testing, but this could be a positive thing that could influence other countries around the world. The welfare program isn’t about helping people with drug problems get the correct help they need; it’s about helping those in need of assistance when they are low income or unable to afford their current situation. A bill passed would force drug screening but more than likely not get the person the correct help if there was a problem. The main objective is denying people assistance because of testing positive for drugs. Drug testing for individuals applying for government cash assistance should be mandatory before assistance is granted. The idea of drug testing individuals for eligibility of government assistance has many pros and cons. With many of the strengths being that it will help the funds that are available to help those people truly in need, and not helping people that don’t need help just because they can trick the system. Taxpayers spend a lot of money to help support the welfare system and many want to see the ones that can afford to buy drugs or othe r non-essential items not be part of the equation. Another positive thing could be getting help to those who actually have a drug problem so they don’t have to apply for welfare and can go have a fulfilling job and life. But with all the strengths will come just as many weaknesses. Many of the weaknesses stem from drug testing itself to be immoral. The cost and regulation of drug testing could also hinder the benefits of the program, causing a deficit in the end overall. Many of the drugs tested may not be able to be screened properly, with the 2 mostly abused drugs legal being alcohol and nicotine. Not everyone that is low income has a drug problem or does drugs. The misconception view the public has of low income people is they just want to get free money and not have to work. I think the issue still remains that people do abuse the welfare system, and drug testing can help in part of making things more fair to those truly in need. That is just a stepping stone in a bigger overall solution of the flawed welfare system. One might question their morals before deciding on whether or not they actually need help, and then decide what the right thing to do is. But not everyone has good morals or even questions them when certain instances present themselves. Bibliography durantdemocrat.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from durantdemocrat.com: http://www.durantdemocrat.com/view/full_story/17375795/article-Why-Mandatory-Drug-Testing-for-Welfare-Recipients-is-Wrong-%E2%80%93-FiscallyLegallyand-Morally- floridafga.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from floridafga.org: http://www.floridafga.org/2011/10/floridas-drug-test-law-for-welfare-cash-assistance-first-quarter-facts-2/ michigan.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/OIG_2011Annual_Report_384513_7.pdf. NCSL. (n.d.). Retrieved from NCSL: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/drug-testing-and-public-assistance.aspx welfareinfo.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from welfareinfo.org.

Study of history Essay Example for Free

Study of history Essay In studying history, the different ways to promulgate data and research in order to define a certain part of helped us recognize facts and claims that are relevant to the issues that we need to clarify. Historians usually interview the witnesses, victims, and heroes of the past to clarify and justify their thoughts and reviews on the different parts of historical accounts in the world. One of the most significant parts of history is slavery. The different kinds of slavery that emerged and developed during the period of colonization made us realize the true essence of our being as we acknowledge the facts and data of the past. Many have suffered and died during this period of struggle. Slavers have gone through different kinds of slaving – in land and water. Land slavery is almost familiars to everybody because it was a phenomenon during colonization but it was an unbelievable revelation that even in the ships of the sea contains hundreds of slaves that could not eat, drink, speak, nor move. However, how do the historians perceive the slave ships? How do they research on this issue? Are they keen to the issue as they uncover the â€Å"whole truth† by using their researchable documents and witnesses? Every person needs to study the past in order to justify the present and future. Nevertheless, are the historical data relevant and complete to signify the important details that we need? We must read and analyze those data by finding flaws and arguments that are necessary to clarify distorted cases and parts of history. Some of the Notable Philosophical Problems in documenting the Event Based on the research on the issue of Slave Ship, many researchers and historians support their materials through interviews and special communication with different witnesses and â€Å"heroes† of the past. Most of the witnesses that they used are church leaders and doctors who went through the voyage along with the slaves. The objective of the research as what I have seen is to show its reader that the research is complete and accurate source of learning from the past because they contain justification from the witness of the slave ships. In the article of the EyeWitness entitled â€Å"Aboard a Slave Ship, 1829,† they used the accounts of Reverend Walsh to show the â€Å"true situation† in a slave ship. â€Å"We join Reverend Walshs account as he boards the slave ship,† (EyeWitness, 2000). Another article stated that the research is an â€Å"original account† of the past that can be use to show the situation of a slave ship. â€Å"Here, for your perusal and research, we present an original 1860 news account of a captured Slave Ship. The Slave Ship was owned by a New York Slave Trader, It was full of Native African Men, Women, and Children, and it was delivering the Cargo to be sold in the South,† (Son of the Ship, 2003). On the other way around, an article entitled â€Å"The Slave Ship: A Human History by Marcus Rediker† showed how Rediker, an author of a significant book that discusses the life in a slave ship justify all the historical accounts that he saw and heard from his interviews and materials. â€Å"Rediker is a distinguished maritime historian whose previous books have used long-neglected primary sources to shed important new light on life around the 18th century Atlantic,† (Rutten, 2008). All the examples above were seen that the objectivity and choice of sources or references should rely on the needs of the readers. They all used people who are familiar and witnesses of the scenario so they could thoroughly define and describe the situation of the slave ship. However, they did not state the issues of the slavers, which are needed to show the side of the slobbers and not the slaves alone. Though they have reached their resolution to uncover or reveal the situation in the ship, they ignored the stand of the slavers why they come up to that kind of situation. It became a bias account in the side of the slaves. Though a reader should have pity on the slaves during those times as they read the situation in a slave ship, the authors and researchers of the document should also speak about the stand of the slavers and on how they are able to do those things. These claims are factual accounts, which is important to justify both sides. Can such problems be avoided? How? These problems can be avoided if the authors and researchers also showed the other situation to compare and contrast the thoughts and ideology of both sides. We all know that the slaves during the period are abundant but we do not know the deeper meaning of slavery. According to Kaltenbacher, Mehta, and Nahas (2008), in their article entitled Antebellum Slavery: Interstate Slave Trade, â€Å"Slaves forcefully pushed together, back to face, lay cramped and helpless on the boat. Their sweating bodies were so close to each other that it was not unlikely to feel the hot breath of another slave stinging the back of one’s neck. † The authors of the article discussed the situation of the slaves. It shows that the different documents tell us about the meaning of slavery its background, and development as years went on. However, it must also be describe in those articles to show the two sides of the situation so that people could thoroughly understand the scenario in a large perspective and concept because the authors only described the sides of the slaves and did not involved the sides of the slavers. Conclusion The hardest part of research is to document the past. Most of us say the term â€Å"past is past. † This is true in most of the time because we could not return to the past especially during the times when paper and pen was still not invented to write all the important details of a certain situation that part of historical events. If we think logically, how can we believe the books, articles, and journals that we read about history if the writers did perceive the event that they wrote? It was the hardest part I guess to educators of history to justify the claim of the past. However, this is also a challenge to discuss the historical events of human life because different perspectives and ideologies emerged as the interaction of both students and teachers are created. References Aboard a Slave Ship, 1829, EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory. com (2000) Kaltenbacjer, E. et al. (2008). Ship Life. Retrieved on January 21, 2008 from http://cghs. dadeschools. net/slavery/antebellum_slavery/interstate_slave_trade/ship_life. htm Rutten, T. (2008). The Slave Ship: A Human History by Marcus Rediker. Los Angeles Times. http://www. latimes. com/features/books/la-et-rutten2jan02,0,4348521. Son of the South. (2003). Slave Ship. Retrieved on January 21, 2008 from http://www. sonofthesouth. net/slavery/slave-ship. htm.

Solid Waste Disposal

Solid Waste Disposal INTRODUCTION Human development and health is greatly influenced by the environment in which they live in (Centre for Disease Control, 2009). Solid waste constitutes a major source of environmental hazard. Environmental hazards accounts for an estimated 25 % of the total burden of disease worldwide and nearly 35 % of ill-health in sub Saharan Africa is caused by environmental hazards (WHO, 2009). This dissertation is a report of a qualitative study done to find out the perceptions of Warri South Local Authority staff on solid waste and its disposal in Warri municipal. According to Beede and Bloom (2003), the perception and attitude of people towards waste can affect the way it is managed; hence it is essential to gain an insight and knowledge about the perception of Warri South Local Authority staff on solid waste and its disposal in Warri since they play a major role in the planning and running of Warri municipal. If they do not perceive waste disposal in Warri as a priority, little or no attenti on will be given to it. This first chapter starts by offering a background for the study. It will highlight the problem of municipal solid waste and depict its importance and public health consequences. The purpose of study, methodology adopted and potential benefits of this study are also discussed briefly. Overview of other chapters will also be discussed. BACKGROUND FOR THE STUDY The World Health Organization (WHO) constitution of 1964, defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (Naidoo and Williams, 2000). A clean environment is one of the prerequisite of a good health because there is a close relationship between the environment and peoples health. A high quality environment allow people to live longer in good and positive health (ref) Solid waste constitutes a major source of environmental hazard if not properly managed. The activities of humans and animals produce waste and the way these wastes are handled, stored, collected and disposed of, can pose risks to the environment and to public health (Tchobanoglous et al, 1993; Baritone, 1995; Ofomata, 2001, Da Zhu et al, 2008). Municipal solid waste (MSW) refers to non-air and non-sewage emissions created within and disposed of by a municipality this includes household garbage, commercial refuse, construction and demolition debris, dead animals, and abandoned vehicles (Cointreau, 1982; Walling et al., 2004). There are several classification of solid waste based on their origin, characteristics and risk potentials (Ofomata and Eze, 2001). They are broadly classified by their characteristic as biodegradable and non-biodegradable. This classification is based on the quality of solid waste generated from different sources. According to Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA, 2007), biodegradable waste consists of all organic wastes that decay naturally as the result of the action of micro organisms into useful or less polluting products. Non-biodegradable wastes consist of wastes that do not breakdown naturally and must be recycled, burnt or buried; a common example is the plastic shopping bag (Williams, 2005). In the beginning of civilization, disposal of waste was not a significant problem because population was small and land available for assimilation of waste was abundant (Tchobanoglous et al, 1993; Ahmed and Ali, 2004). Solid waste generated by the traditional society were little and simple, mostly containing organic matter while those generated by todays technological societies are large and complex. Problems of waste disposal started from the time people began to assemble in clans, villages, and communities and the build up of waste became a consequence of life (Tchobanoglous et al, 1993) The rapid developments of cities across the globe have led to an increase in the amount of waste produced from human activities; this has posed a challenge of disposal to both developed and less developing nations (WHO, 2009). According to United Nations Development Programme survey report of one hundred and fifty one mayors of different cities from around the world, inadequate solid waste disposal is the second most pressing problem facing city residents after unemployment (Da Zhu et al, 2008). This problem is further compounded as many nations continue to urbanize rapidly and to increase in population, making it difficult for most municipal authorities to provide most of the basic services (Ogbonna et al, 2002, Ayotamuno and Gobo, 2004). According to United Nation Statistic Division (UNSD, 2009) Nigeria has a population of about 140 million with an annual urban growth of 3.8%. It is a developing country that has persistent solid waste management problems in addition to her growing population (Walling et al, 2004). An average Nigerian generates about 0.49 kg of solid waste per day with households and commercial centres contributing almost 90% of total urban waste burden (Uguwh, 2009) Developing countries spend as much as 20 to 40% of their municipal revenues on waste management (Thomas-Hope 1998, Schà ¼beler 1996, Bartone 2000); yet they are often unable to solve the problem as one to two-thirds of the solid waste generated is not collected, while the uncollected waste is dumped on the land in a more or less uncontrolled manner (Onwurah et al, 2003, Da Zhu et al, 2008). Even the collected waste is often disposed in an uncontrolled dump site or burnt, contributing to water and air pollution (Da Zhu et al, 2008). Indiscriminate disposal and dumping of waste has become a common practice in Nigerian cities. Municipal solid waste heaps are found in several parts of major Nigerian cities like Warri, often blocking roads, alleys, and pavements (Ayotamuno and Gobo, 2004). Most of the waste dumps are located close to residential areas, Markets, farms, roadsides, and creeks; with many human activities close to the dump sites, there is an increase threat to public health (Ogbonna et al, 2002). Generally, the uncollected solid wastes are left to decay, and this produces foul odour thereby constituting a source of environmental nuisance (Ofomata and Eze, 2001). Uncontrolled burning, another common method of disposing waste in Nigeria and this have often led to fire outbreaks. Smoke arising from such fires can reduce visibility, and have been known to cause fatal vehicular accidents (Ofomata and Eze, 2001). Warri is a major oil city located in Delta state Nigeria, with a population of over a million. Its population is rapidly growing due to urbanization and oil exploration activities; the total waste load for Warri is about 66 721 tonnes per year (Ajao and Anurigwo , 2002). Municipal Solid Waste and Public Health Implication The management of municipal solid waste is becoming a major public health and environmental concern in urban areas of many developing countries (Harris, 2004). The improper management of solid wastes represents a source of environmental pollution, and poses risks to human health (Puri et al., 2008). Municipal waste in most cities contain human excreta, animal excreta, hazardous chemical pollutants and sharps which can facilitate the spread of diseases and injury particularly among children playing near waste dumpsites and employees in waste management sector (Da Zhu et al, 2008). Poor disposal of solid waste is associated with spread of vector borne-diseases like malaria and dengue fever (McKenzie et al., 2004; Puri et al., 2008). Infrequently disposed refuse tend to become breeding sites for mosquitoes, as pools of rain water collect in discarded cans, bottles and car tires (Ofomata and Eze, 2001) Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of malaria-a life threatening disease through their bites (Human Protection Agency, 2009). Malaria accounts for an estimated 300-500 million cases globally; which is an endemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. It accounts for about 1.5-2.5 million deaths yearly, most of them among children under five years (WHO, 2009). Decomposing organic materials can become breeding sites for pests, rats, flies and vermin that enhance the likelihood of disease transmission like diarrhoea and Lassa fever (Simon, 2008). Lassa fever is a haemorrhagic fever common in four African countries: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta (HPA, 2009; WHO, 2009). Uncollected waste left to accumulate or dumped in the streets can block water drains and channels which can cause flooding, posing significant environmental and public health risks (Whiteman et al, 2008). Ground or surface water pollution can occur when rain water combines with decomposing waste and seep through permeable soil, finally contaminating surface and ground water with both lethal materials and pathogenic organisms (Ofomata and Eze, 2001); this is extremely dangerous as ground water is the main source of drinking water for most cities in the developing world (Oluwasola, 2007). Incineration of municipal solid waste contributes to air pollution by the release of noxious materials into the air, which may cause ill-health (Ofomata and Eze, 2001). Uncontrolled incineration of solid waste can also cause fire outbreaks in nearby homes and farms. Other impacts of poor Municipal Solid Waste disposal include disgusting odour, unsightliness and general degradation of the environment ( Dolk, 2002). PURPOSE OF THE RESEARH Many studies have been done on waste disposal and management in Nigeria but none has been done to explore the views of Warri south local authority staff. The aim of this research is to explore the views of the staff of Warri south local authority on municipal solid waste disposal system, and its public health implication in Warri. RESEARCH QUESTION The research question for this study is What are the perceptions of Warri South Local Authority senior staff on municipal solid waste disposal in Warri? This will encompass the issues and problems of solid waste management in the municipal. WHY PERCEPTION? According to Collins school dictionary (2000) perception is your understanding of something or someone. Perception refers to the image or feelings formed in ones mind about some perceived phenomenon or object (Okot- Uma et al, 2002). Perceptions vary from person to person, as they perceive different things about the same situation. Perception is influenced by perceivers value, beliefs, social economic circumstance and expectations (Okot- Uma et al, 2002). Peoples perception of issue influence the way they act, behave or respond to them. Decision makers working in any environment base their decision on the environment as they see it and not as it is. The action resulting from their decision on the other hand is played out in the real environment (ref). If the general perception of people who play a major role in the running of warri municipal on solid waste disposal in Warri is that it is of little importance, little or no attention will be given to it. METHODOLOGY. The study will adopt a qualitative research methodology because it aims to gain an insight and knowledge about peoples perception on waste. Qualitative research concentrates on peoples attitudes, experiences, beliefs and their perceptions of a situation (Polit et al., 2001). It aims to generate an understanding of what is going on in everyday setting and it can also be used to describe a point of view, illustrate meaning, sensitize readers or try to understand phenomena (Green and Britten, 1998). Hence qualitative research is the most appropriate approach that should be used for this study. BENEFIT OF THE RESEARCH The study will be beneficial, as it will provide an insight on how the staff in charge of daily planning of services in Warri south view waste disposal in the community. It may also help Warri south local authority in modifying and improving waste disposal strategies and systems. I intend to publish the findings and recommendations of this study in a local paper. It will also contribute to the existing body of knowledge of waste management in Nigeria. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS This chapter has presented an overview of municipal solid waste disposal problems and its public health implications as an introduction to the study. Chapter two will presents a review of current significant literature on waste disposal in Nigeria and other developing countries. A brief note on how the literature search was carried out will also be stated. Following the literature review chapter, will be the methodology of the research reported in chapter three; where different research methodologies and the justification for the method chosen are discussed. The research method, which includes; sampling method, data collection, data management/analysis and ethical issues also form sections of the methodology chapter. The findings of the study and discussion are reported in chapters four and five respectively. At the end of the dissertation, the recommendations based on the research findings are stated in chapter six.

Good Earth Olan Essay -- Essays Papers

Good Earth Olan Throughout The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, O-lan showed herself as a very humble woman. O-lan was a slave in the House of Hwang before her marriage was arranged by the Old Mistress of the House of Hwang. O-lan was faithful throughout the book to Wang Lung through harvest, famine, and even when Wang Lung brought home another woman. O-lan was a hard worker and worked even when no one told her to. She had wisdom that only a slave and a hardworking woman could acquire. Pearl S. Buck reveals many things that all show O-lan to be the humble woman she was. O-lan's physical appearance showed her as a very modest woman. When Wang Lung sees her, he stares at O-lan seeing that, "plain though her face was and rough the skin upon her hands the flesh of her big body was soft and untouched . . . her body was beautiful, spare, and big boned yet rounded and soft" (26). From her physical qualities, it is clear that O-lan isn't a spoiled woman who sits around all day, but a hard worker. She is described as an ugly, flat-footed, stolid-faced woman. Many times, Wang Lung secretly wishes that O-lan didn't have such big feet. During the time of this book, women's feet were bound so they would be smaller. O-lan had big feet because they were never bound. This was another aspect of Chinese life that seemed designed to make women suffer was the practice of altering the feet of girls so they could barely walk. The Chinese custom of foot binding was meant to please men esthetically and to enhance a man's status by showing he was wealthy enough for his wife or concubine not to work. O-lan said many significant things that showed her to be the modest woman she was. She was a very quiet woman. Though she spoke very few words, they meant so much. In the first part of the book, when the Ancient One asked O-lan if she was ready to head into the world with this stranger, answering in her "not loud, not soft, plain, and not ill-tempered" voice, she says, "ready" (17). Many times, O-lan is fearful of speaking. When it is the first time taking hot water to the old man, she tells Wang Lung fearfully, "'I took no tea to the Old One-I did as you said-but to you I . . .'" (27). O-lan listens well to Wang Lung, but fears that she is not doing her jobs correctly. O-lan's timidity when she first gets married is only natural for her situation. At the b... ...d" (36). Other characters in the novel said things about O-lan that showed her to be the modest woman she was. When Wang Lung was talking to his father, he said a lot shouldn't be expected of O-lan's appearance. He said, "We are farmers. Moreover, who has heard of a pretty slave who was a virgin in a wealthy house? All the young lords have had their fill of her." (18) O-lan was obviously a very bold and important woman in this novel yet never knew it. She would do what she was raised to do and try her best to make her husband happy. Through all her marriage, she helped Wang Lung to be one of the wealthiest men in his city. While O-lan endured many difficulties, she continued with her duties as wife through thick and thin. Whether it was her begging on the streets for food and money, or putting up with Lotus, her husband's concubine, O-lan remained a strong woman with good qualities until the day she died. While she usually had little to say, O-lan's impact on the Lung family is one that wont be forgotton. She accomplished all of her goals in life and fulfilled her marital duty in making Wang Lung very happy. Even after all this, O-lan still was a very modest woman.

moralhod Relative Morality in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay

Relative Morality in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   It has been well documented by critics that modernist literature departs from the blind acceptance of beliefs, religious beliefs in particular, evident in literature of prior periods (Abrams 1).   As Jump notes "[...] the modern western world is less sure of its values than most previous cultures with which we are familiar; relativism and subjectivity are facts of everyday experience" (15).   Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is no exception.   The novel does explore the place of the individual in an increasingly complex society, but Conrad's presentation specifically focuses on the moral dilemma of man in a godless world.   The lack of Christianity or any other stable moral system to underpin moral decisions is evident in Heart of Darkness not only to the reader, but to Conrad's characters as well.   Marlow's narrative presents both the human drive to have a stable conception of reality - a center - and the precedence this drive can take over basi c moral decisions.  Ã‚      Conrad alludes to the forms of religious faith through the infusion of religiously connotative language into the speech of both Marlow and the narrator.   The narrator describes Marlow as having "[...] the pose of a Buddha preaching [...]" (1, 11).   This characterization is strengthened by Marlow himself when describing his activity before he leaves for the Congo:   "[...] I was loafing about, hindering you fellows in your working and invading your homes, just as though I had got a heavenly mission to civilize you"(1, 16).   The trip itself is then described as both a "glorious idea" and "the noble cause" (1, 20-21).   The references to faith, Christianity in particular, set up a context in wh... ...re to seek out meaning while accepting that an absolute meaning may never be found.       Works Cited    Abrams, M.H., ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1993. 1080-1125.    Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness I. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section1.html>.    ---. Heart of Darkness II. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section2.html>    ---. Heart of Darkness III. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section3.html>    Jump, John D., ed. The Critical Idiom. London: Methuen & Co., 1977.    Jean-Aubry, George. Joseph Conrad: Life and Letters. Vol. 1. New York: Page, 1966.    Ed. Marvin. Conrad: Collection of Critical Essays. Mudrick. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1972.    moralhod Relative Morality in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Essay Relative Morality in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   It has been well documented by critics that modernist literature departs from the blind acceptance of beliefs, religious beliefs in particular, evident in literature of prior periods (Abrams 1).   As Jump notes "[...] the modern western world is less sure of its values than most previous cultures with which we are familiar; relativism and subjectivity are facts of everyday experience" (15).   Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is no exception.   The novel does explore the place of the individual in an increasingly complex society, but Conrad's presentation specifically focuses on the moral dilemma of man in a godless world.   The lack of Christianity or any other stable moral system to underpin moral decisions is evident in Heart of Darkness not only to the reader, but to Conrad's characters as well.   Marlow's narrative presents both the human drive to have a stable conception of reality - a center - and the precedence this drive can take over basi c moral decisions.  Ã‚      Conrad alludes to the forms of religious faith through the infusion of religiously connotative language into the speech of both Marlow and the narrator.   The narrator describes Marlow as having "[...] the pose of a Buddha preaching [...]" (1, 11).   This characterization is strengthened by Marlow himself when describing his activity before he leaves for the Congo:   "[...] I was loafing about, hindering you fellows in your working and invading your homes, just as though I had got a heavenly mission to civilize you"(1, 16).   The trip itself is then described as both a "glorious idea" and "the noble cause" (1, 20-21).   The references to faith, Christianity in particular, set up a context in wh... ...re to seek out meaning while accepting that an absolute meaning may never be found.       Works Cited    Abrams, M.H., ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1993. 1080-1125.    Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness I. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section1.html>.    ---. Heart of Darkness II. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section2.html>    ---. Heart of Darkness III. 26 July 2002. < http://pd.sparknotes.com/lit/heart/section3.html>    Jump, John D., ed. The Critical Idiom. London: Methuen & Co., 1977.    Jean-Aubry, George. Joseph Conrad: Life and Letters. Vol. 1. New York: Page, 1966.    Ed. Marvin. Conrad: Collection of Critical Essays. Mudrick. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1972.   

Comparative Analysis of Shall I compare thee to a summers day? and The

Comparative Analysis of "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" by William Shakespeare and The Flea by John Donne 'Shall I compare thee' by Shakespeare focuses on romantic love, whereas Donne's poem, 'The Flea' is all about seduction and sexual love. The situations in the two poems are very different. In 'Shall I compare thee', the poet is shown as a lover who is addressing his lady. His tone is gentle and romantic. He starts with a rhetorical question to which he must answer and therefore he does not put demand upon the lady. The poem gives the impression that it is set perhaps in his room, where he is composing his poem. One thing is for sure and that is that the woman he is addressing is not with him, because all the way through the poem, there is no response from her. Shakespeare wants to emphasize her beauty. In 'The Flea' the poet is directly appealing to the woman or his mistress. They seem to be in bed together with a flea, but no sex seems to have taken place. If it had, then the situation would be very different. The poet has seduced her as far as the bedroom and at this point, it seems as though he is going to try a new strategy. The woman does not appear to be very keen and is resisting his advances. Compared with Donne's poem, in 'Shall I compare thee' the poet is simply flattering the woman and wants her to like him. It is also one-sided, unlike in 'The Flea' where the woman gives her views as well. 'Shall I compare thee' is similar to 'First Love' by John Clare in this way. In 'First Love', only the poet's views are shown and therefore it is also one-sided. In 'The Flea' the poet's aim is to have sex with ... ..., and tetrameters, which are eight syllable lines. Donne uses an obvious three-part argument, or syllogism, where he uses the flea to structure it. Shakespeare uses a sonnet, which was a traditional way of writing about romantic love. Donne's poem is more intellectual in which he uses persuasive and rhetorical devices. The comparison's Shakespeare uses are passionate and interesting, but Donne's poem is more enjoyable to read since it uses wit and a clever structure to make it entertaining. The farfetched idea of using a flea to persuade a woman for sex is very unusual and makes the poem more enjoyable. Shakespeare's poem is more typical of a love poem, since the language he uses is more affectionate, but I have found Donne's more appealing to read because the wittiness and content of the poem is so unexpected. Comparative Analysis of Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? and The Comparative Analysis of "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" by William Shakespeare and The Flea by John Donne 'Shall I compare thee' by Shakespeare focuses on romantic love, whereas Donne's poem, 'The Flea' is all about seduction and sexual love. The situations in the two poems are very different. In 'Shall I compare thee', the poet is shown as a lover who is addressing his lady. His tone is gentle and romantic. He starts with a rhetorical question to which he must answer and therefore he does not put demand upon the lady. The poem gives the impression that it is set perhaps in his room, where he is composing his poem. One thing is for sure and that is that the woman he is addressing is not with him, because all the way through the poem, there is no response from her. Shakespeare wants to emphasize her beauty. In 'The Flea' the poet is directly appealing to the woman or his mistress. They seem to be in bed together with a flea, but no sex seems to have taken place. If it had, then the situation would be very different. The poet has seduced her as far as the bedroom and at this point, it seems as though he is going to try a new strategy. The woman does not appear to be very keen and is resisting his advances. Compared with Donne's poem, in 'Shall I compare thee' the poet is simply flattering the woman and wants her to like him. It is also one-sided, unlike in 'The Flea' where the woman gives her views as well. 'Shall I compare thee' is similar to 'First Love' by John Clare in this way. In 'First Love', only the poet's views are shown and therefore it is also one-sided. In 'The Flea' the poet's aim is to have sex with ... ..., and tetrameters, which are eight syllable lines. Donne uses an obvious three-part argument, or syllogism, where he uses the flea to structure it. Shakespeare uses a sonnet, which was a traditional way of writing about romantic love. Donne's poem is more intellectual in which he uses persuasive and rhetorical devices. The comparison's Shakespeare uses are passionate and interesting, but Donne's poem is more enjoyable to read since it uses wit and a clever structure to make it entertaining. The farfetched idea of using a flea to persuade a woman for sex is very unusual and makes the poem more enjoyable. Shakespeare's poem is more typical of a love poem, since the language he uses is more affectionate, but I have found Donne's more appealing to read because the wittiness and content of the poem is so unexpected.

Women and the Effect of Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution was a great time of change for men, the economy, domestic life, and brought the change in the role of women in society to the forefront. As time evolves, so must the lifestyles we as a society lead. This was no different during the industrial revolution in Britain and France. Throughout this paper I will begin to discuss how the impact of industrialization effected the switch in labor from domestic to factory, the new role of the mother in an industrialized family and the issue of education in the lives of ordinary people, as discussed in the memoirs we have read in class. One of the main effects of industrialization was the switch in labor from the women working at home in a domestic environment to that where her labor brought in wages to the family. Suzanne Voilquin speaks of this in her memoirs â€Å"A Daughter of the People†, â€Å"And so, at the end of the first week, we were very proud to to deposit on our father's mantle piece the eighteen francs we earned as wages.†(Voilquin, 112). Throughout her story, she tells of how through the ability of her and her sister being able to work, they were able to support the family while her father was infirm. Without this opportunity, the family may have been put out onto the streets. It is through these two women's effort that the family survived. With the women now being able to earn wages out of the home, the role of the mother greatly changed within the home of the industrialized family. Before the revolution, children were raised on the plantation with the mother, father, and siblings as discussed in Agricol's, â€Å"Memoirs of a Compagnon†. â€Å"[In regards to his father's plantation] moreover he made good use of his children's labor. He wanted to make us hard workers rather than gentlemen and ladies, and in this he did right.†(117). We have also learned form this era that when women moved to factories, newborn children no longer had the opportunity to reside with the mother. Infants were sent off to a wet nurse, so that the women could return to work as soon as possible after the birth. This provided a new environment in which children were raised; however the pro's and con's of this new lifestyle varied. This brings me to my final point of the issue of education in the industrial revolution. It seems that throughout the memoirs the common theme is that labor was valued over education. Most children had no education at all and went to the factory as soon as they were able, while children who had a little schooling rarely went beyond the third grade. Jeanne Bouvier speaks of this in â€Å"My Memoirs†, â€Å"[after her first communion] ‘It's a shame you cannot leave her longer. She's very gifted. She even works hard when it comes to manual tasks'.†(34). It is shown here that girls were not inferior to boys and were just as capable in school. This did nothing for the stigma that was already set on women. Many times the father was not willing to pay for his daughter's to go to school; just the sons were worthy of the cost of education. â€Å"My mother†¦paid the fees for her daughters with the money she earned†¦my father paid only for his sons.†(Perdiguier 119). Obviously, the emphasis was placed on manual labor during this revolution, for it brought in money that the family may so desperately need. The industrial revolution placed the ordinary worker into a mirade of new, enterprising, and yet sometimes compromising situations. Workers were faced with new problems, but also with opportunities that had never been available before. It is through their struggle that we are the society we know today. It is through the past that we can mold our future.