Parental Relationships in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall...

Parental Relationships in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, and Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, are two novels that emphasize the complexities of relationships between parents and their children. In Achebe’s story, the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo, has distant relationships with his children (particularly Nwoye and Ezinma) because their father sees them as inadequate in many ways. Okonkwo has high expectations of his children, especially Nwoye, his eldest son and often finds fault in almost everything he does. Okonkwo resents the fact that the child he feels has the most promise is his daughter Ezinma. Her strength of character is†¦show more content†¦Nwoye, Okonkwo’s oldest son, causes him great concern because Okonkwo sees him as lazy. He sees Nwoye as inadequate to his standards of how a son should be and Achebe illustrates this early on in the novel, â€Å"At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and he sought to correct that by constant na gging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth,† (10). Okonkwo is so critical of his son’s behavior that he even beats and criticizes Nwoye because he does not like his father’s masculine stories of violence and gore as much as he likes the stories his mother tells him, stories that are more â€Å"female-oriented† in Okonkwo’s eyes. Nwoye seeks his father’s approval so much that he pretends to like the stories his father tells him. As Achebe states, â€Å"...he knew that his father wanted him to be a man. And so he feigned that he no longer cared for women’s stories. And when he did this he saw that his father was pleased, and no longer rebuked him or beat him,† (38). Early in The Joys of Motherhood, Nnu Ego is forced to work so that she can feed herself and her children. The Meers have decided to return to England and Nnaife has found a job aboard a ship heading to Fernando Po. Soldiers tell Nnu Ego that she must leave the compound. With her husband away, Nnu Ego, pregnant with her second son Adim, leaves with her first son Oshia to go earn money for their survival.

Nuclear Warfare A Conflict of Deterrence - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2243 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Politics Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Nuclear warfare is often posited as essentially different from conventional warfare.   Certainly they are conceived of as so, since dominating the cultural imagination in the Second World War (Gamson, 1989, 2).   Dozens of films have been made depicting disasters caused by nuclear war in the past few decades, especially when the threat was most imminent during the cold war, and these films generally depict nuclear weapons as distinct from other violent weapons of war (Perrine viii, 1998). This differentiation is further mirrored in fiction which heavily suggests that psychologically, nuclear weapons are perceived as different and unique.   But does this psychological classification reflect real differences, or are nuclear weapons simply the most dangerous weapon of war on a continuum of deadly weapons?   Examining the history and the policy trends since the first use of the weapons, I argue that nuclear warfare is different not beca use the weapons themselves are deadlier, but because their damage is inflicted on all participants in the war; as a result, nuclear states pursue a policy of deterrence through mutually assured destruction (MAD). To evaluate nuclear war and weapons in comparison with conventional war and weapons and determine their difference, if any does exist, I will use two main criteria.   First, I will examine the violent capabilities of nuclear weapons compared to war fought with conventional weapons and second, I will examine how these weapons are interpreted and used in international relations.   I conclude that the difference between conventional warfare and nuclear warfare is not the weapons themselves, as the damage in terms of destruction of lives, infrastructure, and landscape can be matched by other forms of violence; however, the way in which nuclear weapons perform this violence causes them to be interrupted differently, and this different interpretation means t hat the way political entities view and use them is also different. Nuclear weapons are understood to be distinct from conventional weapons precisely because of their increased destructive capacity, a capacity which negates the goal of warfare.   Here, war is seen as a tactic used for the purpose of gaining power in a struggle between organised political groups. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Nuclear Warfare: A Conflict of Deterrence" essay for you Create order As such, it is a political instrument, the resort to force to advance political purposes and to settle political conflicts between sovereign communities (Cohen and Lee, 1986, 9).   In a rational political system, in order to go to war, the party waging it must believe that the end result will be conditions so preferable to the pre-war ones that they justify both the risk and the cost of war.   In short, the object of war is to attain a better peace.   Victory in the true sense implies that the state of peace, for ones people, is better after the war than before (Hart 1974, 353).   If nothing can be gained by war, then it is illogical to wage. Because nuclear warfare has the distinct possibility of destroying whole continents, it can be said it is distinct from conventional war. Moreover, the threat of its use can be utilised as an effective diplomatic tool in a way that conventional war cannot really match. This notion provides the foundations behind th e theory of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) which assumes that the threat of global devastation is sufficient to deter states from conflict (Sokolski 2004, v). MAD also supports the notion that the possession or development of these weapons gives a state power, however it would be illogical for such a state to utilise them. For example, India views its official defence policy as a doctrine which expressly calls for deterrence by threat of putative retaliation via their nuclear force (Sokolski 2004, 293).   If India were to be attacked by nuclear weapons, so long as India still retained the possibility of striking back with its own weapons à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" a distinct possibility as the technology stands today à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" then its counter-attack would be destructive enough to the aggressor as to nullify the original aims.   In short, to a rational actor, nuclear warfare would never be worth the risk, and therefore, it can be suggested that possessing destruct ive weapons is the key to peace. Unfortunately, the counter to this theory argues that nuclear weapons are not a special kind of weapon, and simply function as a deterrent today because they are the latest weapon.   Indeed, there is a history of other weapons which have also been seen as destructive enough to destroy the aims of war.   In the escalation of violence during World War II for example, the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were only marginally more horrific in terms of destruction of life and property than the firebombing of Tokyo and Dresden which were conducted through the use of so-called conventional weapons (Leviton 1991, 252). Moreover, the holocaust of Nanking by Japan early in the war certainly wrought similar levels devastation though it took the matter of days rather than seconds (Chang 2012, 15). Looking further back into history, civilisation-ending destruction has always been a consequence of war.   When the Golden Horde of the Mongol s attacked the northern Chinese Jin, the most advanced and populated cities in the world at the time, the death toll was in the millions as the Mongols ground the cities into dust.   Moreover, at the time, it also appeared that death on that scale was both unprecedented and unlikely to occur again. The scale of this attack is demonstrated by this account from Arab historian Ibn al-Athir (1160-1233) a tremendous disaster such as [this] had never happened beforeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦It may well be that the world from now until its endà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦will not experience the like of it again (Burgan 2009, 27).   Looking back even earlier to the Punic Wars, Carthage was destroyed with the Roman equivalent of weapons of mass destruction: salt sewn into the ground to prevent life from ever emerging again (Cornell, 2012, 443).   Biological and chemical pathogens are newer, but equally deadly and fast-acting: mustard gas, for example, became taboo after its effective use for mas s-slaughter by the Germans in World War I (Price 1997, 61). This historical overview shows that the deadliness of nuclear weapons in terms of capacities to destroy civilisations and their civilian populations is not unique. While the decades of research and development since Hiroshima and Nagasaki have certainly amplified the deadliness of the weapons, their capability to kill is not unique. What has changed from the days of Carthage, though, is the speed at which this destruction is done.   This is because a state, once the victim of a nuclear attack, can possibility still retain the ability to launch a nuclear retaliation, and in so doing, create enough to do mass destruction to the victor.   Complete destruction has always been a possible outcome in warfare, but the ability to win a war and still be destroyed to the point that life is no longer sustainable is unique to modernity. As nuclear scholar Cohen writes, a state in a post-nuclear war would not be whi ch political system would survive, but whether any would (Cohen 1986, 9). This categorical difference of MAD makes nuclear warfare an irrational act, waged only by a nihilist system unconcerned with its own existence.   However, these weapons obviously play a role in the international system.   There are two reasons for this.   First, the weapons are not ubiquitous; only a few developed countries have the weapons, giving them a clear military advantage over non-nuclear states.   So long as this advantage remains, deterrence via mutually assured destruction is not possible.   This is one of the reasons which nuclear countries refuse to completely destroy their arsenals; moreover, it becomes a reason for non-nuclear states to pursue such weapons. States will seek to develop nuclear weapons when they face a significant military threat that cannot be met through alternative means (Sagan 2007, 54). Put simply, if two states are in conflict, and neith er possess a weapon which will cause mutually assured destruction, the weaker state will seek such a weapon as an insurance policy.   At the same time, third party states both with and without such weapons will oppose the acquisition, as expanding the nuclear club is only an advantage to the state seeking admittance. Because having nuclear weapons is so important for deterrence, states in possession cannot abandon them nor publically claim that they will not use these weapons.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   This how the paradox of nuclear deterrence is reached.   States seeking to avoid nuclear warfare must therefore make a credible commitment to use them; if such a commitment cannot be made, then other states will not be afraid of attacking.   As Cohen summarizes: threatening to do what would serve no political purpose [launch a war of mutually assured destruction] is the only way to avoid nuclear war (Cohen 1986, 10). This principle of nuclear deterrence leads to bri nksmanship behaviour, where nuclear powers continually assert their readiness to use the weapons.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Such behaviour can be observed especially during the Cold War, where the USSR and the USA both threatened nuclear war precisely because they did not wish it to occur.   In the Cuban Missile Crisis, for example, both states demonstrated their willingness to use weapons; it was because their wiliness was so well demonstrated that neither side felt free to use them (Trachtenberg 1985, 142). Had either power capitulated early, the other would have felt free to attack. Since the end of the Cold War, brinkmanship behaviour exists only between actively hostile states.   The USA, not having a serious rival in the unipolar international system, no longer needs to demonstrate its wiliness to use its arsenal.   Where brinksmanship is seen is between states such as India and Pakistan, where both states have reason to engage in conflict and both possess nuclear weapons (Kroenig 2013, 147).  Ãƒâ€š Adding to MAD, there are two other factors which determine nuclear behaviour: psychological categorisation of nuclear weapons as worse and more inhumane than other weapons, and the existence of non-rational actors with the possibility of becoming nuclear powers.   The psychologically distinct category of nuclear weapons arose in part due to the significant pushback against the weapons after the Second World War.   While the violence and destruction caused by the bombs was not significantly worse, as I earlier argued, the newness and manner of destruction caused them to be singled out for condemnation (Tannenwald 2007, 74). As a result, political leaders have come to see them as taboo à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" that using them or even advocating using them is a breach of ethnics, and that discussing using them in a democratic setting will prohibit election (Wittner 2009, 49). Unfortunately, the existence of a nuclea r taboo creates a problem for democratic politicians who must, by the principles of MAD, continue to pursue brinkmanship behaviour. As a result, a type of doublespeak emerges from nuclear powers.   In order to maintain the image that they are humanitarian and with the added purposes of maintaining relative military power by preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, they must condemn nuclear force.   At the same time, however, these leaders must continually suggest that they are willing to use the weapons if necessary (Bundy 1988, 536). Finally, in the post-September 11th world, nuclear powers have become increasingly concerned with the actions of non-rational or non-state actors who might use not operate by the principles of MAD.   Because non-rational or non-state actors have nothing to lose, they therefore have no reason to prevent them from using such a weapon.   As a result, nuclear policy of the twenty-first century has focused on containing weapo ns of mass destruction (Cirincion 2014, 293).   This focus on containing non-state actors is because, should MAD be properly used against other rational states with comparative military power, these actors represent the greatest threat to the nuclear state. In sum, nuclear warfare compared to conventional warfare is not different in terms of the scale of possible destruction inflicted on the losing state.   However, because the destruction occurs much faster and the losing state is capable of inflicting such a serious blow to the victorious state that negates the entire purpose of war, nuclear warfare is unique.   As a result, the weapons have taken on a psychological taboo as well as a commitment by rational actors not to use them, precisely by threatening to use them.   These powers are also eager to see that nuclear weapons do not spread to new states or non-state actors. It is this paradox that has defined military strategy since the Second World W ar. Bibliography Bundy, M. (1988) Danger and Survival. Random House.   New York. Burgan, M. (2009) Empire of the Mongols. Infobase Publishing. New York. Chang, I.(2012) The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II. Basic Books. 2012. Cohen, A and Lee, S. (1986) Nuclear Weapons and the Future of Humanity: The Fundamental Questions. Rowman and Littlefield. Totowa, New Jersey. Cornell, T. (2012)The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å"264 BC). Routledge. London and New York. Gamson, W. and Modigliani, A. (1989) Media Discourse and Public Opinion on Nuclear Power: A Constructionist Approach. American Journal of Sociology. 95(1): 1-37. Hart, B.H. (1974) Strategy. The New American Library.   New York. Kroenig, M. (2013) Nuclear Superiority and the Balance of Resolve: Explaining Nuclear Crisis Outcomes. International Organization67(1): 141-171. Perrine, T. (1998) Film and the Nuclear Age: Re presenting Cultural Anxiety. Taylor and Francis. New York London. Price, R. (1997)The Chemical Weapons Taboo. Cornell University Press. New York. Sagan, S. (2007) Why Do States Build Nuclear Weapons: Three Models in Search of a Bomb. International Security. 21(3): 54-86. Sokolski, H. (2004) Getting Mad: Nuclear Mutual Assured Destruction, Its Causes and Practices. Strategic Studies Institute. Trachtenberg, M. (1985) The Influence of Nuclear Weapons in the Cuban Missile Crisis. International Security. 137-163. Wittner, L (2009). Confronting the Bomb: A Short History of the Nuclear Disarmament Movement. Stanford University Press. New York.

The Truly Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald Essay - 869 Words

The Truly Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald Hopes and dreams are needed to give mans efforts a meaning, or a purpose. Pushing towards some ideal is how man can feel a sense of his own identity. In the novel The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a man with tremendous and infinite hope (Fitzgerald, 6). To be able to accomplish a life long dream, one must have strong determination that can in no way be weakened by any obstacles one might face. It is the hope of achieving your dream that keeps you from wandering away from it and guides you to the right path. In order to achieve his dream, Gatsby was motivated, optimistic and brave. Whether or not he eventually was able to accomplish this dream, having these qualities in a person certainly indicate†¦show more content†¦This lack of wealth motivated Gatsby and made him determined to work hard in order to become rich and regain Daisys love. He worked hard to reach his goal and was eventually able to achieve it as a result of his optimism and endless determination. Another evidence of Gatsbys motivation is his productive daily schedule which he set for himself. His father tells Nick about it: Look here, this is a book he had when he was a boy. It just shows you. Rise from bed .................. 6.00 AM Dumbbell exercise and wall scaling 6.15-6.30 Study electricity, etc. .............7.15-8.15 Work ..................... 8.30-4.30 Baseball and sports ................ 4.30-5.00 P.M. Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it 5.00-.00 Study needed inventions .............. 7.00-9.00 GENERAL RESOLVES No wasting time at Shafters or [a name, indecipherable] No more smoking or chewing Bath every other day Read one improving book or magazine per week Save $5.00 [crossed out] $3.00 per week Be better to parents (Fitzgerald, 181). This schedule clearly illustrates Gatsbys motivation. He was bound to get ahead (Fitzgerald, 182). His no wasting time rule and read one improving book habit were his means of improving himself and therefore accomplishing his dream. Gatsby was optimistic because he never lost hope of achieving his dream. Many people hadShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1036 Words   |  5 Pagesbloodshed. However, for many this allows them to shine in a way that they could not back at home. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it is placed in the post war era. Gatsby, one of the main protagonists, is a war hero that fought in World War I. World War I is important to The Great Gatsby due to how integrated it is to the past of Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the beginning, Fitzgerald had many people in his life that played an influential part in his literary career. First, his maternalRead MoreAmerican Dream : The Great Gatsby By F. 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Furthermore, to better understand the characters, he utilizes symbolism. In conclusion, throughout The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald incorporates subtle, yet flawless use of literary devices to aid in the development of characters and theme. First and foremost, F. Scott Fitzgerald utilizes the literary device of allusionRead MoreHumanities Through the Arts: Artistic Criticism Essay examples1063 Words   |  5 Pageson self-indulgence and happiness like never before. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is the ideal portrayal of this time era. In a time shortly after war, this novel captures the audience, forcing them to participate in the setting and with the characters. Jay Gatsby, the focal point of this novel, is used as a representation of this era in American history and as an example of the pursuit of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses vivid diction that captivates the reader and his symbolismRead MoreInfluences on F. Scott Fitzgeralds writing in The Great Gatsby1658 Words   |  7 PagesThe Roaring Twenties was a period of frivolous days and exciting nights. Times were prosperous and life was good for most. In The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald writes about the fictitious life of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire (Gross 1). The setting of the novel is New York in the twenties, a time, and place, where people were jovial and carefree. In New York, more than anywhere, people did not worry about lifes downs, but focused on the highlife and partying. ProhibitionRead MoreThe Great Gatsby Character Analysis1071 Words   |  5 Pagesdonates a certain aspect of themselves in order to truly bring out the ideal message. The way in which a character values his/herself determines the impact they have on other characters, which leads to the progression towards the central theme. 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Scott Fitzgerald Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom a low economic or social level towards prosperity, wealth, or fame. The novel â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by Scott Fitzgerald embodies many themes however the novel’s most significant theme relates to the American dream and the corruption it brings. This achievement of reaching the â€Å"American Dream† is commonly portrayed by having money, a big house, a car, a happy family, and other upscale possessions. Fitzgerald shows how this dream is full of materialism, and how materialism corrupts the lives of people

The Opening Scene Of Inauguration Of The Pleasure Dome And...

Rituals or cults are part of the average’s man or woman’s everyday life. From following a religion and practicing its ceremonies, to performing tasks in order to belong to a certain crowd, people are constantly involving themselves in cult-like activities and the rituals that come attached to them. Avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger in his films Inauguration of The Pleasure Dome and Scorpio Rising does not only highlight some of these cult rituals, but also induces the viewer to become part of them. On one hand, Scorpio Rising depicts an actual ritual by creating the portrait of the leader of a motorcycle gang who is part of a sacrifice while Inauguration of The Pleasure Dome does not only suggest a religious ritual practice, but also creates a trance state for the viewer––allowing them to be part of the ritual. Both films use similar tools to achieve the ritualistic reference. They both do it through alluring set design and costumes, reference to religio us acts, and through repetitive and detailed narrative schemes. The opening scene of Inauguration Of The Pleasure Dome consists of a colorful sequence in which an unusual man is putting gold rings on his fingers and diamond necklaces down his throat. The camera follows this extravagant man down bright orange corridors until he reaches a mirror––his reflection shows a demon figure that opens the gate to the following sequence. For the following thirty minutes the visuals content is quite shocking. Every figure shown from

Essay on August Wilsons Fences - 961 Words

August Wilson’s Fences was centered on the life of Troy Maxson, an African American man full of bitterness towards the world because of the cards he was dealt in life amidst the 1950’s. In the play Troy was raised by an unloving and abusive father, when he wanted to become a Major League Baseball player he was rejected because of his race. Troy even served time in prison because he was impoverished and needed money so he robbed a bank and ended up killing a man. Troy’s life was anything but easy. In the play Troy and his son Cory were told to build a fence around their home by Rose. It is common knowledge that fences are used in one of two ways: to keep things outside or to keep things inside. In the same way that fences are used to keep†¦show more content†¦In the play when Cory and Troy fight, Troy kicks Cory out of the house saying, â€Å"Cory: Tell Mama Ill be back for my things. Troy: Theyll be on the other side of that fence. (Henderson) It is in this particular passage that Troy uses the fence physically to represent the dividing line between Cory and him, but more specifically the emotional barrier he’s put between him and his family. Troy grew up with an abusive father which makes his complete emotional disregard towards his family logical. If the man that raised you taught you keep your emotional guard up even with your family, you would probably treat your family the same way that Troy treated his; with complete emotional neglect and disregard. The fence working as barrier could also symbolize Troy trying to protect himself from feeling too deeply towards things which could end up disappointing him or already have. For instance, when Troy became passionate about becoming a Major League Baseball player he suffered extreme disappointment when he was rejected because of his race. It was this life lesson that reinforced Troy’s upbringing of emotional disregard towards things he could grow to either want, lov e, or feel passionate about like his family and friends. Troy’s philosophy in building the fence was that if you don’t grow an emotional attachment to something then it cannot hurt you, and he stayed by philosophy till his death. The fence also became symbolic of the barrier Troy wanted toShow MoreRelatedEssay on August Wilsons: Fences2481 Words   |  10 PagesAugust Wilson’s: â€Å"Fences† In â€Å"Fences†, August Wilson tells the story of an ex-negro league baseball hero, Troy Maxon. Troy is a bitter man, withering away in his own hatred for the way things â€Å"are†, as well as his inability to see the world has changed. Troy has an â€Å"iron grip† on his family in the beginning, however as the story progresses the family breaks loose of the physical and emotional ties that are holdingRead MoreThe Symbolic Importance of the Fence in August Wilson’s Fences1179 Words   |  5 Pages Alan Nadel argues that the object of the fence in August Wilson’s play, â€Å"Fences† symbolizes a great struggle between the literal and figurative definitions of humanity and blackness. The author summarizes the play and uses the character Troy to explain the characterization of black abilities, such as Troy’s baseball talents, as â€Å"metaphoric,† which does not enable Troy to play in the white leagues as the period is set during segregation (Nadel 92). The author is trying to use the charactersRead More August Wilsons Fences - Building Fences Essay3028 Words   |  13 PagesAugust Wilsons Fences - Building Fences The first time I read August Wilsons Fences for english class, I was angry. I was angry at Troy Maxson, angry at him for having an affair, angry at him for denying his son, Cory, the opportunity for a football scholarship.I kept waiting for Troy to redeem himself in the end of the play, to change his mind about Cory, or to make up with Ruth somehow. I wanted to know why, and I didnt, couldnt understand. I had no intention of writing my research paperRead MoreFeminist Criticism In August Wilsons Fences732 Words   |  3 PagesWithin August Wilson’s Fences, the conflict between the authority figures within the Maxson household was prevalent. At this time in history, misogyny was widespread, and men typically held a large majority of the authority positions in society. Some scenes from Wilson’s Fences would include times in which Troy Maxson would depict seemingly oppressive authority over his family members. Troy often acted in a rather arrogant manner, which contribu ted to the strong sense of patriarchy that was presentRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of August Wilsons Fences758 Words   |  4 PagesRhetorical Analysis Paper August Wilson’s play, â€Å"Fences†, is a play about a father who is trying to make do to support his family as well as come to terms with his boisterous upbringing and the collapse of his Major League Baseball career. The Father, Troy Maxson, resents his son’s painless childhood and chances to pursue a college level football career. In multiple excerpts from the play, Troy brutally lectures his son Cory about life and adulthood. He uses short and incomplete sentences, rhetoricalRead MoreSpirituality Religion in August Wilsons Fences1072 Words   |  5 PagesFen Spirituality amp; Religion | In August Wilson’s â€Å"Fences† | | Mia Savage ENG 102 Essay #3 | 11/11/2011 | Introduction: â€Å"Fences† is one of ten plays written by August Wilson that document historic periods in Black American life. It is a colorful and thoughtfully written piece that tells the story of one family’s struggle in Civil Rights Era America, an empowering and complicated time for lower and middle class blacks struggling to attain an ideal of the â€Å"American Dream†. TroyRead MoreAnalysis of August Wilsons Fences706 Words   |  3 PagesHow would you feel if you witness that your life has been a complete failure? This is the question that Troy Maxson, the leading character in the drama Fences written by August Wilson, had to live with for the rest of his existence. It is the year of 1957 in Pittsburgh, where African descendants escaped from the savage conditions they had in the south. They were living in a world without freedom. While the play develops, the author shows the 1950s as a time when a new world of opportunities forRead MoreCharacter Analy sis of August Wilsons Fences879 Words   |  4 PagesIn the play Fences, by August Wilson, the main character, Troy Maxson is involved in numerous relationships with family members throughout the entire eight years that the story takes place. Troy is a father, husband, and brother to other characters in the play. Unfortunately for Troy, a strong-minded and aggressive man, he constantly complicates the relationships with his family members. Troys hurtful actions and words make it nearly impossible for him to sustain healthy relationships with not onlyRead More Religion in August Wilsons Fences Essay examples814 Words   |  4 PagesIn August Wilsons play, Fences, the character, Troy Maxson, is by no definition a religious man. He has created his own religion through his own philosophies, especially baseball. Sandra G. Shannons critical analysis, The Good Christians Come and Gone: The Shifting Role of Christianity in August Wilson Plays, gives analogies for the way Troy deals with h is own spirituality. It is agreeable that Troy, like other Wilson characters, deals with religion in his own way. Shannon assertsRead MoreAnalysis of August Wilsons Short Story Fences2029 Words   |  8 Pageswhat it means, other than life is hard (Calvert, n.d.) In so many ways Fences is such an ordinary story that its power comes from the ways in which ordinary people hear and view it. There is no doubt but that the metaphor of the fence prevails, working its way across work, family, friendship and the emotional pain of living a life literally dependent on garbage for survival. This is what Wilson wrote about in his Fences of the 1950s. In retrospect, however, it doesnt take a lot to put some of

Economic Downturns

Questions: 1: Classical economists and Keynesian economists both have different views on the causes of economic downturns, as well as what to do about restoring the economy to long-run equilibrium. Explain in 4-5 sentences how and why these two views differ. In an economic downturn, what does a classical economist believe will happen? What about a Keynesian economist? Using an LRAS-SRAS-AD diagram, illustrate either the Keynesian or the Classical view of how the economy should return to long-run equilibrium after an economic downturn (recessionary gap). For full credit, be sure to explain each step in your answer. 2: The below information gives details on the U.S. balance of payments for 2013 ($ billion). Exports of goods 1,592 Imports of goods 2,294 Exports of services 682 Imports of services 456 Factor income receipts 773 Factor income payments 574 Unilateral transfers (net) -123 Private asset sales and 373 Official asset sales and purchases -2 purchases (net) (net) 1. Calculate the current account and financial account balance. For full credit, show all steps in your answer.2. Adding the current account to the financial account balance should give you a zero balance of payments. Calculate the balance of payments for this example. Explain in 1-2 sentences why the balance of payments in this example is not equal to zero.3.What effect did the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble and the ensuing recession have on international capital flows into the United States increase or decrease, and why? (Hint: U.S. interest rates plummeted during the recession.) Explain in 2-3 sentences. 3: Illustrate the effects of the following events on the value of the British pound relative to the value of the U.S. dollar. For full credit, label the axes and explain how you arrived at your answer. Britain's income decreases Britain's price level increases relative to the U.S. price level Britain's interest rates decline relative to U.S. interest rates 4: Use the relationship between the nominal exchange rate and the real exchange rate that was discussed in class to determine the answers to the following questions. For full credit, show how you arrived at your answer. Year Nominal Exchange Price level (U.S.) Price level (foreign) Rate (U.S.) 2011 2.335 105.2 108.3 2012 2.590 105.9 108.5 2013 3.015 106.0 109.0 2014 3.020 107.3 110.8 2015 3.446 107.3 112.6 Calculate the real exchange rate in the U.S. in 2012. Round your answer to three decimal places. Calculate the percentage change in the nominal exchange rate in the U.S. between 2013 and 2014. Round your answer to three decimal places. Calculate the percentage change in the real exchange rate in the U.S. between 2013 and 2014. Round your answer to three decimal places. Did imports from the U.S. get cheaper or more expensive between 2013 and 2014? Explain in a sentence Answers: 1. In accordance with the new Keynesian theory, economic downturns are due to lack of coordination. Such problems can arise due to the setting of prices and wages as these can anticipate the actions of other price and wage setters. The union leaders negotiate wages that are further concerened about concessions that other unions can win. According to Keynesian theory, the economy comprises of 2 firms and that if there is a decline in the money supply then each firm should decide whether or not it should cut the price. Each and every firm needs to maxize their profits, and that the profit relies not only on the pricing decision but also on other decisions made by another firm. And when no one firm makes a reduction in the price, the amount of the real money is quite below par due to which recessions occur. According to the classical economists, the government involvement and spending can result in a slow economic growth by decreasing the private sector and increasing the public sector as classical economists believe that the business investments and consumer spending signifies the most essential parts of the countrys economic growth. 2. In the Keynesian theory, the four components are consumption, investment, net exports and Government. The equlibrium level is attained when the current production is equal to the planned aggregate expenditures. At this particular point, there is never an incentive for the firms to make any alteration in the production plans. 2. Current Account balance = Exports imports + net income abroad + net current transfers CAB = (1592+682) (2294+456) + (773-574) + (-123) CAB = (-400) Financial Account balance = Differences between the sale of private assets to foreigners and purchases of private assets held abroad and differences between the sale of official assets to foreigners and purchases of official assets held abroad FAB = 373 -2 = 371 Adding of CAB to FAB does not give the value of 0 This is because there is no capital account. BOP = -400 +371 BOP = (-29) The bursting of housing bubble and ensung recession will result in the change in the returns expected to housing assets and will in turn result in the capital reallocation within the United States. When there is a collapse in the housing bubble, consumers feel less wealthy and hence reduce their spending and that the investors would get lower capital gains from the investments and hence, consider other assets. This shift can be to a one specific country or another country. When there is a flow in investment to offshort assets then the capital movements would definitely generate a change in the CAB, exports and imports and hence the real exchange rates as well. 3. When the British income increases, the demand schedule for US dollars will make it shift towards outwards which reflects the increase in income of British pounds and hence there would be an increase in demand for US goods. More than this, the supply schedule for US dollars for sale will not change. The equilibrium rate of exchange of the US dollars would rise. 1. Higher prices in Britain will result in making the imports less expensive. The Britain citizens will likely increase their spending on imports from US, shifting the demand for US dollars to the right from D0 to D1. At the same moment of time, the US would find out the Britishs goods to be more and hence it will make a reduction in their export demand from the British. The supply of US dollars will also shift to the left i.e. from S0 to S1. The result is the increase in the price of US dollars.2. A lower interest rates will definitely lessen the return rate on British GBP below the return rate on dollars which leads the investors to make a shift in the investments in US assets and hence a decrease in the US dollars to GBP exchange rate. This is shown below in terms of an increase in the GBP interest rate and vice versa. 4.1. Real Exchange rate in 2012 = Nominal exchange rate x domestic price / Foreign price Real exchange rate in 2012 = 2.590 x 105.9/108.5 Real exchange rate in 2012 = 2.532. Percentage change in the nominal exchange rate = 3.020-3.015/3.015 x 100 Percentage change = 0.166%3. Real exchange rate in 2013 = 3.015x106/109 Real exchange rate = 2.93 Real exchange rate in 2014 = 3.020x107.3/110.8 Real exchange rate = 2.92 Percentage change = decrease of 0.34%4. Real exchange rate decreases results in the exports to be cheaper as there will be a decrease in the leakages from the circular flow of income.

Bio-Psychosocial Stressors in Adolescents free essay sample

Adolescent Stressors Adolescents today face a myriad of stressors in their lives that can impact who they are and who they will become. Bio-psychosocial stressors appear to be more prevalent in minority adolescents who reside in lower socioeconomic households. Impoverished neighborhoods experience a great deal of financial difficulties, crime, and single parent homes. Adolescents growing up in these households often have lower grades in school and a lack of self confidence verses their counterparts. Below these stressors will be discussed in greater detail.Economic Strain One of the more common stressors facing adolescents today is economics. Especially in these trying financial times many families are experiencing during the recession. The economic stress can impact parenting skills adversely by one or the other taking it out on their adolescent children. Parents may get frustrated easily and take it out on their children by cursing and/or yelling, or over reacting to minor problems. We will write a custom essay sample on Bio-Psychosocial Stressors in Adolescents or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In turn the adolescent may respond by getting depressed, and engage in negative behavior patterns in the home and at school. Findings from a number of studies have also posited the linkage of economic strain with a variety of socio emotional problems in childhood and adolescence, including depression, conduct and psychological disorders, and social mal adaptation. † (Taylor, R. D. 1994) Research also indicates that adolescents that live in poor run down areas exhibit low levels of self esteem and high levels of anxiety. Unrealistic Beauty Standards A major area of stress for adolescents is school. The popular girls are almost always thin, a mirror image of mainstream society.Adolescent girls are under more and more pressure to look a certain way to conform to unrealistic societal standards. Young girls can not escape the constant bombardment of print ads, television, and billboards depicting skeletal images of supposedly beautiful women. The unrealistic images of models that young girls attempt to recreate often lead to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Overweight adolescents are often taunted by their peers. Other stressors adolescents often experience include bullying, pressure to excel, and the need to impress others.Bad Habits Bad habits adolescent children may acquire include cigarette smoking, drug/alcohol abuse, violence cutting, and petty crimes. These bad habits usually result from seeing their peers do it and/or peer pressure to try it. Children living in poor neighborhoods commonly have less access to community resources that could occupy their time in a positive manner verses a negative one. Research indicates that social support enhances individual’s opportunities for positive experiences, while diminishing the likelihood of negative ones. Adolescent Stressors Verses those of Younger ChildrenAll children experience a variety of stressors depending upon culture, socio economic status, religion, and upbringing. The kinds of stressors children may experience have a lot to do with their age group. For example; young children are not usually going to have to deal with unplanned pregnancy and drug/alcohol abuse. On the other hand adolescents likely do not have the same stressors as young children. Young children often have to deal with the stressors of mixed messages, parent/teacher demands, peer conflict, and relationship navigation the death of loved ones and parental divorce and conflicts.According to Dr. Schachter of the Department of Psychiatry at the New York City Mount Sinai School of Medicine â€Å"Research reported throughout the literature shows that there is a definite relationship between life stressors for adolescents and depression, incidence of suicide, interfering anxiety, poor school performance, and general adjustment problems. † (stressmanagement. com) Adolescent children are a lot more likely to experience depression verses their younger counterparts.According to one statistic; â€Å"An estimated 1 out of 10 children have difficulty escaping the symptoms of depression for long periods of time. The rate of depression is markedly lower (1%) in children ages 1 to 6 years old. The rate is higher in older children ages 9 to 12 years (12%). † (Conner, Psy. D) What Parents Can Do Regardless of what stressor is affecting the life of the child parents can have a powerful impact on diminishing the stressors a child is feeling. A parent can get involved in the children’s school functions such as field trips and by joining the Parent Teacher Association.Parents and children would benefit greatly from professional counseling. Parents should seek a consultation to see if counseling is a fit for their family from a qualified mental health professional. Medication a child is taking could also cause side affect that may affect them mentally so a visit to the family doctor or pharmacist may be in order. With the parents involvement in all aspects of their child’s life and attention to anything out of the ordinary a child’s stressors can be minimized so that they ay live a healthy and productive life.