Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Simon s Model Of Human Decision Making - 974 Words
Herbert A. Simons was a scientist that was interested in the subject of human decision making and because of this, it lead him to studying various disciplines to gain a wider knowledge of decision theory (Auiger 2000). This gathered knowledge lead to what is today known as the Simonââ¬â¢s Model. Simonââ¬â¢s model involves four main phases. These phases include, the intelligence phase, the design phase, the choice phase and implementation The first phase of Simonââ¬â¢s model is the intelligence phase. It is in this phase that the problem or decision that must be made, must be identified and clearly defined. Therefore, it is important to understand the true nature of the problem or opportunity and not the symptoms. ââ¬Å"Often, what is described as a problem may be only a symptom of a problemâ⬠(Turban 2011, p.48). Campitelli and Gobet (2010, p.359) state that participants must use strategies to reduce the number of states they need to explore to reach the final state. This approach is aimed to narrow the field of information that must be gathered to ensure relevant information is accessible during further phases. The identification of the problem or opportunity allows for categorisation into structured, semi-structured or unstructured. There are multiple issues that can occur in this phase that can have a flow on effect to further phases. These issues can include things such as unavailable data, inaccurate da ta, qualitative (soft) data, information overload or assuming future data will beShow MoreRelatedA Review On Organisational Theories1677 Words à |à 7 Pagesreview of organisational theories Craig Morley University of the People A review of organisational theories 1 In Chapter 2 of the Organizational Theory text we reviewed four theoretical contributions which are central to the understanding of today s Organizations. Offer a brief analysis of all four theoretical concepts and then pick the one you the feel is the most influential from both historical and managerial perspectives. Explain. Now, consider how these concepts impacted the development ofRead MoreThe Theory Of Rational Systems1342 Words à |à 6 PagesScott s Perspective of Organization s as Rational Systems in the perspective of Weber, Simon and Taylor. In the perspective of rational systems as defined by Scott- organizations are defined as ââ¬Å"instruments designed to attain specific goalsâ⬠. Scott focuses on the action of functional rationality that refers to the implementation of a series of actions to attain specific goals with maximum possible efficiency. Scott s draws his basic definition of rationality by encompassing the results, researchRead MoreEssay about bounded rationality1006 Words à |à 5 Pagesclear section headings, and clear paragraphing. NB: our example does not reach 1500 words; further paragraphs need to be written in sections 2 and 3. The Decision A mining claim of 60 miles had to be staked, and the project manager Tom Parker decided to budget 7 days and 3 assistants to do it. He based this decision on his own physical experience and skill. He was an outdoors man, skilled in all non-technical aspects of mining claims. He himself proved able to do 8 claims per dayRead MoreThe Cost Of Free Will1428 Words à |à 6 PagesThe Cost of Free Will; Within the Human Condition Temptation, as an omnipresent force, possesses the capacity to dictate one s life. Drawing the line between good and evil, these desires for destruction have the ability to take utter control or linger within the shadows. Manifesting from within, or as an exterior component, the darkness within feeds on the destruction of humanity, stealing peoples innocence. It is within the human condition to formulate decisions and to purposefully chose betweenRead MoreEssay about Organizatinal Change1668 Words à |à 7 Pagesparticipation of their teams and establish the environment for their organizations to succeed (Eisner, 2011, p. 51-52). Lewin, a leader in the field of change, provides a change model that includes the three steps that change agents must lead their organization through to achieve a successful change in his seminal article Group Decision and Social Change (1958, pp. 210-211). These steps are unfreezing,, moving, and freezing. The next section will first include a brief description of the management theoriesRead MoreDecision-Making Model Analysis Paper1526 Words à |à 7 PagesDecision-Making Model Analysis Paper Hal E. Bat University Of Phoenix Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision-Making MGT350 Daryl Korinek Jan 06, 2006 Decision-Making Model Analysis Paper Introduction In order to master critical thinking, the ability to question information and solve problems must be present. The crucial steps that lead to successful decision-making is not based solely on our skills and abilities, but on the strategies that help us get there. All these steps combinedRead MoreThe Concept Of Corporate Governance1100 Words à |à 5 Pagesimplementing structural processes for deciding which decisions the board should actually make to assist in controlling unethical practices. Some of these consists of creating annual calendars for scheduling major board decisions, committee charters for defining the boardââ¬â¢s responsibility for decision making, and decision protocols to determine which decisions should be made by the executives and those to be made by the board. Decision- making norms take shape in a common-law fashion, incorporatingRead MoreThe Rational Model of Policy Decision Making2827 Words à |à 12 Pages------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------Public Policy and Policy Analysis: The Rational Model Question: The rational model of public policy making, though heavily criticized, is the most widely used and or talked about model. Discuss why. By Lefoko O. Molebatsi (University of Botswana) Instructor: Prof G. S Maipose 2001 1 Selected Essays by Lefoko O. Molebatsi (2001) -----------------------------------------------------------------------Read MoreThe Rational Model of Policy Decision Making2813 Words à |à 12 Pages--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Public Policy and Policy Analysis: The Rational Model Question: The rational model of public policy making, though heavily criticized, is the most widely used and or talked about model. Discuss why. By Lefoko O. Molebatsi (University of Botswana) Instructor: Prof G. S Maipose 2001 1 Selected Essays by Lefoko O. Molebatsi (2001) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Read MorePhysics Of Bsc Linked Between Measuring Performance1719 Words à |à 7 Pagessatisfaction, development of human and intellectual capital and learningâ⬠. This study will adapt the definition used in BCS.org because it supports the uses of BSC as a strategic planning and management tool, used to align business activities to the vision and strategy of an organization. According to Kaplan and Norton, considering Balanced Scorecard as an innovation to performance analysis and not just a measure will have positive influence in strategic decision making process. 2.3 Overview of BSC
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
1984 Dystopian Society Essay - 1212 Words
Envision the presence living in a dystopian society - where citizens are watched day-and-night. George Orwellââ¬â¢s novel 1984, written in 1949, depicts and illustrates the future of the 1980ââ¬â¢s. Orwell imagined the world in which totalitarianism reigned, individualism is dead, and history is just sentiment. The world diverged into three superstates: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. With protagonist Winston Smith and the citizens of Oceania, they have experienced the impression, having to live life behind closed doors perpetually, also known as Big Brother. On top of this, the government directed everyone stay in control, citizens are not allowed to think for themselves and must be aware what they express before the Thought Police come forâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬Å"If he thinks he floats off the floor, and I simultaneously think I see him do it, then the thing happens,â⬠(Orwell, 278) which in this case the majority of us do not realize how we believe in two circumstances that greatly contradict one another. Despite the fact that we often utilize doublethink today and at occasionally question each other, in 1984 it was commonly practiced and no citizens ever questioned it due to doublethink being a routine. Thus, doublethink does not only be brought upon in this novel but today and certainly from here to eternity. As we go along in this generation, technology has vastly improved and changed. With this coming along we tend to start adapting to these advanced technologies. Most adolescents today are constantly on their phones for social media, texting, etc. But how is all of this affecting kids, and future generations? Due to this, it may be one of the contributions to why adolescentââ¬â¢s vocabulary in this generation is diminishing. We often hear and see words such as ââ¬Å"veryâ⬠and a lotâ⬠frequently employed. In the novel, character Syme believes ââ¬Å"if you have a word ââ¬Ëgood,ââ¬â¢ what need is there for a word like ââ¬Ëbadââ¬â¢? Ungood will just do as well-better because itââ¬â¢s exact opposite, which the other is notâ⬠(Orwell, 55). In Oceania, their language is Newspeak: to eliminate thought crime and to have no words to express themselves. Additionally, the simplicity of Newspeak makes it nearly impossible for citizens to speak for themselves,Show MoreRelated1984 Dystopian Society Essay1164 Words à |à 5 Pageslittle freedom to express their own opinions. This is because dictators create societies that they feel are supreme. In order to have an almighty society, each person has to think and behave the same. George Orwell created a dystopian society, Oceania, where the government was controlled by Big Brother. Winston Smith, the main character, slowly realized that the Party, or the government, was manipulating their society to make the Party immortal. Winston presumably wanted to stand up for his beliefsRead More1984 Dystopian Society Essay1445 Words à |à 6 Pages1944, famous author, George Orwell, composed a novel about a dystopian society called 1984. Telescreens that could see and hear everything someone did, children who turned in their parents for ideas about overthrowing the government, and a clueless society surviving on only what the government told them were the main problems in Orwell s novel. Orwell s purpose for writing this novel was not as a prediction of what the future of society would look like, but more as a warning. He warns of the problemsRead MoreThe Dystopian Society in George Orwells Novel 1984 Essay469 Words à |à 2 Pagesbook and helped lay the foundation of the dystopian society George Orwell imagined in his novel 1984. Fear, manipulation, and control were all encompassed throughout this dystopian society set in the distant future. The freedom to express ones thoughts was no longer acceptable and would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Humankind was rapidly transforming into a corrupt and evil state of mind. Even though many of Orwellââ¬â¢s ideas in his novel 1984 seemed completely fictional, several of theRead MoreDystopian Society: Comparing Brave New World and 1984 Essay1705 Words à |à 7 PagesDystopian Society: Comparing Brave New World and 1984 Different societies have risen and fallen in the continual search for the ââ¬Å"perfectâ⬠society. The definition of this utopia is in constant flux due to changing times and cultural values. Many works of literature have been written describing a utopian society and the steps needed to achieve it. However, there are those with a more cynical or more realistic view of society that comment on current and future trends. These individuals lookRead MoreCreating a Dystopian Society in 1984 and Brave New World Essay2001 Words à |à 9 PagesDystopian Society is carved by manipulation of society Throughout many decades people have been searching for the perfect society in which everyone is happy and prosperous . Many literature and movies has been created to depict the utopia world to enable people to explore and experience the perfect society anyone could wish for. Creating a perfect world is not an easy task and this can be seen in our history . Totalitarian states arise from different countries , Stalinââ¬â¢s Soviet Union , Hitlerââ¬â¢sRead MoreOne Of The First Dystopian Novels To Become Famous Was1396 Words à |à 6 PagesOne of the first dystopian novels to become famous was 1984. The concept of dystopian novels is not only to entertain readers, but to let them understand the characteristics and ideas of a dystopian society. Some of these characteristics are shown through our society but at a more drastic level. Basic fears are exaggerated such as the following: distrust of others, disease, contaminated water, nuclear holocaust, etc. The reader can gain more kn owledge by finding ways in which the topics the authorRead More1984 Essay Historical Perspective674 Words à |à 3 Pages1984 Essay Historical Perspective Many historical events have occurred in the past years that are occurring today. Similar events happened in the years of 1948, 1984, 2014. Dystopia has been shown in many types of governments throughout the years of 1948 to 2014. Hitler for example showed a dystopian type of government where hatred towards jews and propaganda played a big role in his government. The book named 1984 written by George Orwell, has a historical perspective. Orwell published the bookRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s The Great Gatsby 1285 Words à |à 6 Pagesstories about animals, however, they contain much deeper and influential meanings. Orwell is most recognized for his portrayal of dystopian societies and how they parallel present society. Through intense allegories, Orwell unintentionally crafted novels that are applicable to the totalitarian government systems prevalent in many advanced societies today. His dystopian societies have influenced many on history and government alike, giving it time less qualities. Born as Eric Arthur Blair, George OrwellRead More1984 and V for Vendetta Comparing and Contrasting Essay754 Words à |à 4 Pages1984 And V For Vendetta Comparing And Contrasting Essay George Orwells 1984 and the movie V for Vendetta both have similar views on how society is being run. Since The book 1984 was written before V for Vendetta, so perhaps V for Vendetta may have based some of its ideas on this book. Both 1984 and V for Vendetta have similarities like the way the themes and how the male protagonists are the one in charge of overturning the government. The first similarity between 1984 and V for VendettaRead More1984 Dystopian Literature1924 Words à |à 8 Pagesrepresses, and rules the people; administering their freedoms, thoughts, and speech. Throughout the dystopian genre, control, or the illusion of it, is a recurring motif used throughout various forms of mediums. For this essay, I will closely examine the interconnected theme of control in dystopia, comparing different kinds of dystopian literature on how they present this idea. From George Orwellââ¬â¢s 1984ââ¬â¢s struggle for characters to assert control in their lives, to Children of Menââ¬â¢s authoritarian rule
Sunday, December 8, 2019
American Family and Traditions free essay sample
Family and traditions have always played an important role for each one of us, and they are becoming even more important nowadays, as people start not to pay attention any more to the fact that the family traditions and the values that we are taught represent the things that really matter for our personal development. I chose to make my research paper on American Family and Traditions because I think these are two of the most important, valuable things that we have to appreciate in the society nowadays. Also, I wanted to find out more about life in the United States of America and the research work that I have done really helped me understand better the Americansââ¬â¢ way of thinking and to know better their main holiday traditions. In the first chapter of my research paper you will find information about the American family and the most important family issues, such as the education, as well as some of the most important facts about the American family. We all know that there is no place like home, but even if this is true, there are children for whom the family is not forever, due to the fact that more and more young couples get divorced in the first 10 years of marriage or so; this is one of the main dysfunctions of the family, as I will show in my presentation. For the Americans, as for all the other nations, family is the place where you can always go whenever you need love and loyalty. The home is the only place on the earth where forgiveness and understanding must be abundant. Love, support, tolerance and carrying must be the basis for the relationship. Family life today is more challenging than ever, but love is the solution for all its problems. To support my ideas about the American family, I will present in the end of the first chapter an interview with an American teenager who made me understand better how Americans live their lives and what the family and traditions mean for them. In the second chapter, entitled ââ¬Å"American Traditionsâ⬠, I will present you some of the most important American traditions that are respected every year, such as Christmas traditions or Thanksgiving raditions. You will find out what all these traditions mean for the American people and what a great importance they have in their lives. Many of the American traditions are inherited, having roots in the culture of the Native Americans. Society passes principles and values to future generations through customs, traditions and rituals, through which they view their liv es and shape their opinions. Throughout history, cultures have passed their family values to future generations by these means. Family rituals and traditions have a great importance in a society, as they help to define family values such as the importance of the family, the integrity, the empathy and the discipline. I hope that my research paper will attract some attention on the issue of the family nowadays, on the importance of passing down the traditions that a nation has got, as well as on how Americans deal with such problems and how they make the most of what they have. 2. CHAPTER 1: The American Family 2. 1 A Definition of the Family Family is forever. Family is comfortable, fun, loyal. It is the most important thing for every American. Family is the one place on earth where we should always find forgiveness, understanding, happiness and a lot of love. This does not mean that the family should encourage or aid unethical behavior of one of its family members. Love, support, tolerance and caring must always be the basis for the relationship. These things must always exist in a family, and always be unconditional. Everyone in the world shares the joy of belonging to a family, but family patterns vary from country to country. The United States has many different types of families, but the traditional structure of the American family (mother, father and children) continues to be best model for the most part of the people, this century. Yet, over the past several decades, US society has witnessed an evolution in family structure and daily life, because of a large series of factors, such as the workplace. Some of the families with a different structure than the standard one are: single-parent families, step-parenting families, single-parenthood families or families where grandparents are raising children. 2. 2 What is Like to be a Young Person in the United States? The typical American child spends six hours a day, five days a week, and 180 days a year in school. Children in the US start preschool or nursery school at age four or under, kindergarten at five years of age. Schools provide American children with much more than academic education. More than 80 percent of all students participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, student newspapers, drama clubs, choral groups and bands. During their leisure time, American kids spend much time watching television, listening to music or playing computer games, but many also have after school jobs. One recent study indicated that nine out of 10 teenagers said they either had a job or would like one. Child labor laws set restrictions on the types of work that youths under 16 years can do. Many youths work part-time on weekends or after school at fast-food restaurants, baby-sit for neighbors, hold delivery jobs or work in stores. Many youths are also involved in community service organizations or are active in church and religious-group activities. Other belong to youth groups such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, were they learn about citizenship, arts, camping and other outdoor activities. Thousands of young Americans volunteer to help take care of the elderly, the handicapped and hospital patients, or help clean up the environment. Even though for most American children and teenagers life today is nearly free of serious conflict, young people are still under many types of stress. Peer pressure, changing family conditions, mobility of families, unemployment and problems at school may lead to use of alcohol or drugs, the refusal to attend school, running away from home, teenage pregnancies or juvenile delinquency. 2. 3 Education Americans have shown a great concern for education since early colonial times. Within 30 years of the founding of the first settlement in Massachusetts (1620), all towns were required to hire a schoolmaster. Today, almost 90 percent of American students attend public elementary and secondary schools, which do not obligate them to pay, but rely on local and state taxes for funding. The other ten percent attend private schools, for which their families pay tuition. Four out of five private schools are run by religious groups, where religious instruction is part of the curriculum. There are also a small but growing number of parents who educate their children themselves, a practice known as home schooling. Traditionally, elementary school includes kindergarten through the eighth grade. In some places, however, elementary school ends after the sixth grade, and students attend middle school, or junior high school, from grades seven through nine. Similarly, secondary school, or high school, traditionally includes grades nine through twelve, but in some places begins at the tenth grade. The United States do not have a national school system, but the government provides guidance and funding for educational programs in which both public and private schools take part. Each of the 50 states has its own laws concerning education. From state to state, some laws are similar while others are not, but all states require young people to attend school. The age limit varies, however. Most states require attendance up to age of 16, some up to 18. Thus, every child in America receives at least 11 years of education. In addition to the recent challenges of curriculum reform, American schools have been facing new problems. They must deal with an influx of immigrant children, many of whom speak little or no English. Schools must make sure that students develop basic skills for the job market, and they must consider the needs of nontraditional students, such as teen-age mothers. Schools are solving these problems in ways that reflect the diversity of the U. S. educational system. They are hiring or training large numbers of teachers of English as a second language and, in some communities, they are setting up bilingual schools. Schools are also teaching cognitive skills to the nearly 40 percent of American students who do not go on to higher education. A Snapshot of the American Higher Education. The United States leads the industrial nations in the proportion of its young people who receive higher education. For some careers (law, medicine, education, engineering) a college education is a necessary first step. More than 60 percent of Americans now work in jobs that involve the handling of information, and a high school diploma is rarely adequate for such work. Other careers do not strictly require a college degree, but having one, can often improve a persons chances of getting a job and can increase the salary he or she is paid. The widespread availability of a college education in America dates back to 1944, when Congress passed a law popularly known as the G. I. Bill (G. I. meaning government issue). This law provided financial help to members of the armed forces after World War II was over. By 1955 more than 2 million veterans of World War II and the Korean War had used the GI Bill to go to college. Many of them came from poor families and would not have had the chance to go to college without the law. The programs success changed the American image of who should attend college. About the same time, the percentage of women in American colleges began to grow constantly; in 2000 women received 57 percent of all degrees awarded, compared to 24 percent in 1950. With the end of racial segregation in the 1950s and 1960s, African Americans also entered colleges in record numbers. Today, the percentage of African Americans who go on to college nearly equals the general population. In 2000, 56. 2 percent of African-American high school graduates were enrolled in college, compared with 63. 3 percent of all high school graduates. 2. 4 The Effects of Divorce in the United States Each year, over 1 million American children suffer the divorce of their parents; moreover, half of the children born in one year, with parent who are married will see their parents divorce before they turn eighteen. It has been demonstrated that the devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects that divorce is having on these children will last well in the adulthood and affect future generations. Among these damaging effects are the following: ? Children whose parents have divorced are increasingly the victims of abuse. They experience more health, behavioral, and emotional problems, are involved more frequently in drug abuse, and have higher rates of suicide. Children of divorced parents perform more poorly in reading, spelling, and math. They also are more likely to repeat a grade and to have lower rates of college graduation. Families with children that were not poor before the divorce, have an income drop as much as 50 percent after the divorce. Almost 50 percent of the parents with children that are going through a divorce move into poverty after the divorce. ? The divorce of parents, even if it is by common agreement, tears apart the fundamental unit of American society. Today, on ly 42 percent of children aged 14 to 18 live in a first marriage family ââ¬âa two-parent married family. It should be no surprise to find that divorce is having such profound effects on society. 2. 5 Interview with an American Teenager In order to find out exactly how a typical American family looks like and how important it is in the American society, I decided to interview (Annex 1) an American teenager, Greg Yerks, who lives in Greenfield, New Hampshire. I imagined the American family as a very modern one, in which the relationships are superficial and parents do not have enough time to spend with their children or loved ones. I ended up with a totally changed opinion, due to this interview. The answers I got from Greg really helped me have a better image about the habits, the relationships and the mentality in the American family. I discovered that the American family, generally speaking, is actually a traditional one, a family that respects the true values and principles. From the very beginning of the interview I understood from Greg that the family is one of the most important things in their lives, since it represents the place where you can always find love and support. Thus, the answer he gave to my first question, ââ¬Å"How do you describe the American family in three words? â⬠was simply ââ¬Å"Important to usâ⬠. Greg said that the main three principles that matter in his family are honesty, respect, and hard work. He mentioned that due to these principles he and his family are always very happy. As long as there are certain rules to be respected and everyone does his part around the house, everything is nice and peaceful in the family. As we can see, respect and teamwork play an important role in family life, and they must always exist in order to maintain the harmony and the well-state of the family. As far as family relationships are concerned, they are often very good, according to Greg. Parents and children get on well, as long as both of them respect the rules and do their duty. The parents are loving and caring and they always make sure their children get what they need. The parents also know that the education is crucial for their children, so they provide them the chance to get a good education and to try different things that could help them develop their talents, such as doing sports, theatre, or playing musical instruments. Of course, the children must also do their part, in respect for their parents, as Greg told me: ââ¬Å"The children are often expected to help out around the house, cleaning, washing the dishes and things like that. This is in return for all of the things parents do for their childrenâ⬠. During leisure time, the family members like to gather for different activities they enjoy a lot doing together. Whenever possible, the family goes different places to see attractions, does hiking together or just spends time outdoors, talking. It seems that the dinner is a very important moment of the day, as everyone comes around the dinner table and, after eating, shares conversation, which helps create strong bonds between family members. ââ¬Å"We would often spend a lot of time after we eat in the evening just talking, which is some of the most valuable time we shared. I enjoy the dinner time spent together. It is a good chance to catch up with the other members of my family and see what is going on in their livesâ⬠, says Greg. Beside the tradition of always having dinner together and talking about family issues at dinner time, there are also many other customs that are truly respected in the American family. One of the most important holidays of the year is Christmas, which seems to be enjoyed by everyone in the United States. The custom of choosing a Christmas tree is also an important one in the American family, as I found out: ââ¬Å"The second favorite thing I enjoy doing with my family is going to pick up a Christmas tree every December. It is fun and it is also a very important tradition in my familyâ⬠. To conclude, I could say that after having interviewed Greg, I had an important change of opinion about the American family. Now I have a better knowledge about what the Americans enjoy doing as a family, about the relationships in the family and the principles that guide their lives. 3. CHAPTER 2: American Traditions Family traditions and rituals passed down through generations, play an important role in family life. Traditions and rituals help to define family values, such as the importance of family. For instance, a family who has the tradition of always gathering for dinner on holidays demonstrates the value of togetherness. For the American family, many traditions and rituals can be linked to the history of America. Examples of family traditions and rituals include weddings, anniversaries, family dinners and holiday celebrations. American wedding traditions are based on the culture and ethnicity of the families of the individuals getting married. The anniversary serves as an annual celebration of the wedded couples union. Family dinners can vary from nightly dinners to a weekly event, typically on Sundays. The family dinner serves as an opportunity for family members to gather and discuss problems from their lives with each other. Many holiday rituals are based on a familys religion, for instance, fasting on Yom Kippur (Judaism) or exchanging gifts on Christmas (Christianity). Some holidays, however, like Halloween and Thanksgiving, go beyond religious boundaries and are celebrated by American families of different faiths. 3. 1 Christmas Traditions People all around the world have been practicing holiday traditions, due to their ethnic or specific family backgrounds, for centuries. While most countries have a lot of traditions of their own, and they have passed them down for thousands of years, the same cannot be said of the United States. Due to its young people and multi-cultural diversity, America has not developed many of its own holiday traditions, but it formed a mixture of Christmas practices inspired from those of other countries. The Birthday Cake For those who choose to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas that of the birth of Jesus a birthday cake is baked and decorated, to be enjoyed as the dessert for Christmas dinner. While the cake is being eaten, those around the table share conversation, grateful for the things they have and most especially for the birth of the Savior. This is a particularly good practice for children, since it not only serves as an instructional tool, but it also offers them a structure of values and priorities that are not always expressed to the children of today. An addition to the discussion would be to read significant Bible passages (the infancy narratives, for example) or biblical stories from childrens books. Since the idea behind the practice of traditions is one of family involvement, those who have children who are over 5 or 6 years old should consider allowing them to assist in the process of baking and decorating. This will not only be of benefit to the adults who are facing the task during an already busy time of year, but it will give children the sense that they have offered something to the Christmas tradition itself. Christmas Caroling For many years, folks in the United States of America have been gathering together to sing Christmas carols at holiday time. Some communities, however, still go from door to door sharing the songs of the season. When the caroling is finished, friends and relatives gather together in order to have holiday treats and beverages (hot spiced cider, also known as mulled cider, is a great favorite at this time of the year). There are some church groups who gather together during the Christmas season to go caroling, and there are also private groups or organizations that extend the invitation to those who are interested in participating in this holiday activity. Regardless of who initiates it, this is a wonderful way to spend beautiful time with the family. Adults and children alike enjoy this type of Christmas activity, and most people are pleased to have a visit from such seasonal singers (Annex 2). Family Reading Many families gather the children around on Christmas Eve to share a good book. Quite often, the same book is read each year on that night, such as ââ¬Å"The Night Before Christmasâ⬠. For others, passages from the Bible are read aloud so that the entire family can enjoy and discuss the readings. These are usually the infancy narratives, which are particularly appropriate for the season. Afterward, the reading is discussed among the family members, while holiday treats are passed around, including any home baked Christmas goodies that members of the family have made for the holidays. The Living Nativity Church communities often stage a recreation of the birth of Jesus, called the Living Nativity. Families belonging to a particular church save time on Christmas Eve to attend the play, as their own children may have a role in the re-enactment. In the case of the Living Nativity, being held at a community theater, neighborhood families come together to enjoy the play. The invitation to play the part of the Baby Jesus is a great honor for the family whose baby is chosen to fill the role. The Midnight Mass Churchgoing families enjoy attending the Midnight Mass together as one of their Christmas tradition each year. For two or three hours, members of the church community come together to celebrate the coming of Christmas at a special Mass that is held during the latter part of Christmas Eve. It may seem a very long and boring activity, but the Midnight Mass is spectacular and many families see this as one of the most important moments of the holiday. Family and Friends Often, Christmas Eve is designated as the time to spend with friends, and they come together for gift exchanges on that special night. In addition to gift giving, dessert tables are generally set up during the Christmas Eve. Later, Christmas caroling often comes into the picture, followed by more games or some other forms of entertainment. One of the advantages of this type of gathering is the ability to share stories of previous Christmas celebrations, including the children. 3. 2 The Yellow Ribbon The display of a yellow ribbon (Annex3) is a sign of loyalty to family, friends or loved ones who are welcome home. Usually it is used to welcome home men and women who have been away for a long time under difficult circumstances such as war or prison. In the United States, a yellow ribbon is used as a symbol of solidarity with someone who is far from home, and an expression of hope that he or she will return safe and soon. After the deployment of the American troops to the Middle East in 2001, most Americans came to associate the yellow ribbon specifically with active duty embers of the military, and supporting American troops. The history of the yellow ribbon is ancient. Several folktales and songs from England refer to the wearing of yellow ribbons by young women waiting for their lovers to come home. The association of a yellow ribbon with waiting for a loved one appears to have been carried to North America by colonists. Also, Civil War folksongs made reference to this tradition , as well as a popular marching song from the First World War, ââ¬Å¾She Wore a Yellow Ribbonâ⬠, which included a yellow ribbon as symbol of a waiting lover at home. In the 1970s, the popular song ââ¬Å"Tie a Yellow Ribbonâ⬠. According to legend, the song was inspired by a prisoner who wrote his wife shortly before his release, expressing a desire to reunite and saying that if she wanted to see him again, she should tie a yellow ribbon to a particular tree along the road. If he saw the ribbon from the prison bus, he would know that he was welcomed home, but if he did not see it, he would know that his wife had moved on, and he would keep going. This story quickly spread throughout the country and the yellow ribbon became a symbol of loyalty. 3. 3 The Window Candle A specific family tradition that originates from colonial times includes the window candle ritual (Annex4). The window candle ritual involves lighting a candle in the evening. The flame of the candle represents the love, security and warmth of family. A window candle has been a traditional practice in many cultures. It has a variety of meanings in The United States. The practice starts with the fundamental use of fire by mankind. Throughout the history of man a campfire has represented warmth and security, as it is the source of heat to cook food and warm the body and the spirit and it makes the difference between safe and unsafe in the wilderness. Over the course of history, as the campfire moved into our homes, it has represented these very same things. In most cultures a candle in the window was used to signal the loyalty of family to a loved one who was away traveling. It let that person know that the family awaited their return and the hearth was warm and waiting for them. In Ireland, during times of religious persecution, the window candle signaled the location of religious services. 3. 4 The Recipe Box It has become customary to keep favorite Family Recipes in a special container called The Recipe Box (Annex 5). All of the secret ingredients that go into the familys favorite meals are written on 35 inch or 46 inch Recipe Cards. The Recipe Box is a family heirloom and its contents are priceless. Some of the newly married couples usually buy The Recipe Box early in their marriage and spend a lifetime together gathering the recipes that become their favorites. Foods and recipes differ between cultures because of the predominant plants and animals in a particular region of the world. Religion has also played a key role in the definition of the foods consumed by certain cultures. Over the years, as the United States has absorbed millions of people from all over the world, an abundance of recipes are available, with which to experiment. 3. 5 Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Day is a celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, and by offering gifts to your dear ones. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. 3. 5. 1 Origin of Thanksgiving Day Journey of the Pilgrims The legendary pilgrims crossed the Atlantic in 1620 on Mayflower, a 17th Century sailing vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty. This was so because they were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel. No one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims comforted themselves by singing Psalms, sacred songs. The pilgrims reached Plymouth on December 11th 1620, after a sea journey of 66 days. Though the original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia, they could not reach the place owing to winds blowing them off course. Nearly 46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold in winter. However, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to survive by growing food. In the summer of 1621, owing to severe drought, pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer to please God and ask for a rich harvest in the coming season. God answered their prayers and it rained at the end of the day. The rain saved the corn crops. First Thanksgiving Feast It is said that the Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive. In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited, including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank God for His favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as the first thanksgiving feast. However, there is no evidence to prove if this initial feast actually took place or if the customary turkey was part of it. According to the first hand account written by the leader of the colony, the food included ducks, geese, venison, fish, berries etc. The feast continued for three days and was eaten outside due to lack of space. It was not repeated until 1623, when a severe drought took place again. Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of thanksgiving in the year 1676. After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed last Thursday in November of thanksgiving in the year 1863. This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, who wrote a number of articles for the cause. 3. 5. 2 Thanksgiving Traditions and Customs Family Reunion and Feasting Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving Day. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord for His continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate. The Turkey Tradition The traditional stuffed turkey is found on every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce or corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians do not have an evidence to prove that the turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, the Thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it. Parades The traditional Thanksgiving parade (Annex 6, Annex 7) probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The parade is a way to display the countrys military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators and provide them a good entertainment. Today, Thanksgiving parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities. The Custom of Praying For centuries, Thanksgiving Day is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes. People offer various meal-time-prayers during the day. It is a time when mankind thanks God for all his blessings and grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to friends and relatives for all the good deeds. The Custom of Family Dinner Everyone follows the custom of family dinner and reunion every year. Distances do not really matter as relatives drive down to be with their family. Feasts are usually held at home. It is a time to enjoy their favorite roasted turkey with the family. The Custom of Decoration Thanksgiving is a time to decorate homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. People their homes beautiful and give the interiors a whole new look and feel. They light lamps to brighten the environment. The tables re adorned with best china and antique silver cutlery to mark the occasion. The Custom of sending messages Thanksgiving is a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives, colleagues at work place, superiors and subordinates, near and dear ones. It is a day of expressing their feelings through Thanksgiving cards. 3. 6 The Fourth of July On July 4, 1776, the United S tates of America claimed their independence from Britain and democracy was born. It is the day the Americans celebrate the spirit of patriotism and freedom. The United States is truly a diverse nation with a dynamic people. Each year on July 4, freedom and independence is celebrated in ââ¬Å"the land of the free and the home of the braveâ⬠with barbecues, picnics and family gatherings. The Independence Day is celebrated maybe more than Christmas itself. This day is filled with activities from morning until night and many families enjoy having as much fun as possible with their loved ones on this holiday. The day has always been associated with favorite customs like fireworks, parades (Annex 8, Annex 9), barbecues, beer, picnics, baseball games, outdoor parties, public and private honoring the nation and so on. Fireworks are probably the most iconic event for the Fourth of July. Fireworks have been associated with this holiday since 1777. The fireworks shows are held in many states and families and groups even buy them for private use. They are often accompanied by singing or music of patriotic songs. Picnics and barbecues have become a Fourth of July tradition due to many reasons. The first reason would be that summer is a lovely time to be spent outdoors and the second that these two are the easiest ways to entertain a large number of guests. Baseball, Football and Frisbee Games as well as other outdoor and beach games are very popular among the young ones. There are also usually a host of activities for children, such as face painting, fairs and carnivals, organized in various public places. Public events are common in most cities, where politicians make their appearance for holding patriotic speeches. The National Anthem is sung as well as other patriotic songs. Patriotic displays are commonly seen everywhere. People customarily dress in red, white and blue and the American Flag is exposed in all places. . Conclusion My research paper, ââ¬Å"American Family and Traditionsâ⬠, did help me improve my knowledge about the American culture. It is no doubt that the American people respects and cares for its legacy ââ¬â the values and traditions that it owns. I now see the American family as the core of the society, as it is the place where children get their education from; it is the place where the new generation is taught the true values of the family and the importance of it, as well as the importance of family traditions. Children that are raised in the hearth of the family will become responsible adults who care for their society, for their future generations and for all the things that will help create a strong, good-looking future for the American society. Even though the modern American family is facing different problems, such as the divorce, I found out, doing my research paper, that there are organizations which try to protect the traditional family from disappearing. My opinion is that, as long as the main family values and principles are passed down to following generations, the true American family will not cease to exist. As far as traditions are concerned, I learned that the American people respect and love their traditions that have been passed down to them from parent and grandparents. From the most insignificant custom to the most important holiday tradition such as Christmas, all of these rituals are followed every year, without exception. This demonstrates that the tradition is priceless for the American people, aware of the fact that the traditions are those that define America as a nation. The family and traditions are in a tight connection, because even since childhood, the kids are taught about every custom and holiday tradition that they see practicing in their families. It is the moment when children become aware of the fact that those traditions are part of their lives and they must be appreciated and shared with others. In conclusion, I can say that by doing this research paper I discovered new interesting things about the American people. I discovered that Americans give a lot of importance to their families and their traditions, as they know that these two are the ones that guide their lives. I can tell now that I know how life looks in the United States and how the Americans celebrate their most important holidays. I hope those who read my research paper also understood the importance of the family and traditions and now have a better view of the life in the United States.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
The Seafarer free essay sample
Matthew Clare Ms. McIntyre British Literature Tuesday, September 25, 12 The Seafarer Each struggles with the storms of life. The long nights fighting the icy cold seas. Ideas fill minds with despair and doubt. Some struggle with the knowledge of coming danger, others with the fear of not knowing. ââ¬Å"The Seafarerâ⬠is an elegy that compares the sea to the fear of everyman, of every struggle and hardship. However, contained in this elegy is also the answer to these fears. The author depicts the value that one should not be concerned with this world, but rather to take joy in the Lord. The author of ââ¬Å"The Seafarerâ⬠describes the sea as a grave for young men and a chance for a life filled with God. The author uses personification to depict the sea as it really was, an evil being that drew men into its icy waves of doom. The Anglo-Saxons were faced with the decision everyday to toy with death at the clutches of this beast. We will write a custom essay sample on The Seafarer or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In lines 2-3 the author describes how ââ¬Å"The see took me, swept me back and forth in sorrow and fear and pain. â⬠The personification the speaker gives to the sea is that of an old, drunk father who grabs his own sons after drinking and beats them. With pain, the people living on land view the sea in this manner. In lines 4-5 the speaker describes how the sea showed him the pain and suffering in hundreds of ports and ships. This hyperbole can also be viewed as personification. Pain and suffering can be viewed as the abusive father, whereas the ports and ships can be viewed as a mothers care and protection. This idea shows that the Anglo-Saxons viewed the sea as an evil creature that drew them into its grasp. The speaker than changes the tone and describes how man should not be concerned with worldly possessions ââ¬Å"The wealth of the world neither reaches to heaven nor remainâ⬠lines 66-67, but instead the speaker tells readers that one should ââ¬Å"fear God and strive for treasures in heavenâ⬠lines 99-100. Treasure intended for heaven, but nothing golden shakes the wrath of God. The speaker tells us that we should ââ¬Å"Love world and hate the evil but never to harm itâ⬠line 112 ââ¬â 113 because Godââ¬â¢s fate for us is ââ¬Å"mightier than any mans mind. The author of ââ¬Å"The Seafarerâ⬠describing the sea as a grave for young men who are seeking a chance at a life filled with God. The poem combines the elements of personification and theme to paint for the reader a scene of death, with the chance of escape into Godââ¬â¢s hope. The cold waters of death roared and screamed in every sailorââ¬â¢s daily tasks. Forced to choose between the desolate a nd lonely life at sea, or a small and meaningless life on land. However, there is a silver lining in ââ¬Å"The Seafarerâ⬠which leads to a life of service and God; life of meaning, filled with people.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Griffin essays
Griffin essays Griffins project is that she carefully constructs and describes history, particularly World War II, through the lives of several different people. She does not just state the history, she ties each of her topics and shows how they directly effected the other by the actions someone would take. For example, when Himmler sends all those people to the death camps, Helene was directly affected by this and Griffin they went ahead and showed how because of Himmlers actions, Helene had her own story about the same conflict but in a totally different point of view. Griffin strikes all of these aspects in her essay. What is most compelling about the essay, however, is the way Griffin incorporated personal, family, and world history into a chilling story of narrative and autobiography, without ever losing the factual evidence the story provided. Many believe that history is what is read in textbooks, or what is seen on the news. If Susan Griffin were asked that question, she would probably argu e that history is much more than that. It is about the minds and souls of the people who went through the historical event, not simply what happened. In her essay, Griffin incorporates stories of people from totally different backgrounds, and upbringings, including herself, all to describe their account of one time period. Each persons history is somehow connected with the next persons, and each story contributes equally to the larger view of history. Griffin inputs three types of histories in her text; personal, family and world history. In her personal history, she describes her life, and her childhood, which intertwines with her family history. However, she not only talks about her histories, she talks about the histories of the other characters in the essay to bring across the larger world history. One of the techniquess that Griffin uses to help the audience understand her concepts, is explaining two other story lines whil...
Friday, November 22, 2019
How the US Federal Budget Process Is Supposed to Work
How the US Federal Budget Process Is Supposed to Work In the fiscal year 2018, the U.S. federal government budget committed to spending up to $4.09 trillion dollars. Based on estimated revenues totaling $3.65 trillion, the government will face a deficit of about $440 billion. Clearly, spending that much taxpayer money requires a carefully thought out and closely followed budget process. The ideals of democracy envision that the federal budget, like all aspects of the federal government, will speak to the needs and beliefs of the majority Americans. Clearly, that is a difficult standard to live up to, especially when it comes to spending nearly four trillion of those Americansââ¬â¢ dollars. To say the least, the federal budget is complicated, with many forces affecting it. There are laws controlling some aspects of the budget process, while other less well-defined influences, like those of the president, Congress, and the often-partisan political system play key roles in deciding how much of your money is spent on what. Over the years of government shutdowns, threats of government shutdowns, and last-minute resolutions passed by Congress to keep the government running, Americans have learned the hard way that the budget process actually operates in a far from perfect world. In a perfect world, however, the annual federal budget process begins in February, ends in October and goes like this: The Presidentââ¬â¢s Budget Proposal Goes to Congress The Presidentââ¬â¢s Budget Proposal informs Congress of the White Houseââ¬â¢s vision for the three basic elements of U.S. fiscal policy: (1) how much money the government should spend on public needs and programs; (2) how much money the government should take in through taxes and other sources of revenue; and (3) how large a deficit or surplus will result- simply the difference between money spent and money taken in. With much and often heated debate, Congress hacks away at the presidentââ¬â¢s Budget Proposal to come up with its own version, known as the Budget Resolution. Like any other piece of legislation, the House and Senate versions of the Budget Resolution must match. As a critical part of the budget process, the Congressional Budget Resolution sets spending limits on discretionary government programs for the next 5 years. Congress Creates the Annual Spending Bills The meat of the annual federal budget is, in fact, a set of ââ¬Å"appropriations,â⬠or spending bills distributing the funds allocated in the Budget Resolution among the various government functions. Roughly one-third of the spending authorized by any annual federal budget is ââ¬Å"discretionaryâ⬠spending, meaning it is optional, as approved by Congress. The annual spending bills approve discretionary spending. Spending for ââ¬Å"entitlementâ⬠programs, like Social Security and Medicare is referred to as ââ¬Å"mandatoryâ⬠spending. A spending bill must be created, debated and passed to fund the programs and operations of each Cabinet-level agency. Per the Constitution, each spending bill must originate in the House. Since the House and Senate versions of each spending bill must be identical, this always becomes the most time-consuming step in the budget process. Congress and the President Approve the Spending Bills Once Congress has passed all of the annual spending bills, the president must sign them into law, and there is no guarantee that will happen. Should the programs or funding levels approved by Congress vary too greatly from those set by the president in his or her Budget Proposal, the president could veto one or all of the spending bills. Vetoed spending bills slow the process greatly. Final approval of the spending bills by the president signals the end of the annual federal budget process. The Federal Budget Calendar It starts in February and is supposed to be finished by October 1, the start of the governmentââ¬â¢s fiscal year. However, the federal budget process now tends to run behind schedule, requiring the passage of one or more ââ¬Å"continuing resolutionsâ⬠that keep the basic functions of government running and save us from the effects of a government shutdown.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Mathematical Concepts in Registered Nursing Career Research Paper
Mathematical Concepts in Registered Nursing Career - Research Paper Example They would normally be stationed in hospitals, home healthcare service providers, physiciansââ¬â¢ offices and in nursing care facilities. Before licensing, prospective registered nurses should have acquired relevant academic qualifications in approved nursing program ranging from diploma to bachelorââ¬â¢s degree. To further understand the roles played by registered nurses, it would be critical to examine their specific duties.Specific Duties of a Registered Nurse Borrowing from the registered nursesââ¬â¢ outlook as documented by BLS, nurses observe patients and record symptoms of patients and their medical histories. Patientsââ¬â¢ medical histories serve to give indications of their current medical condition. By analyzing the patientsââ¬â¢ medical histories, the nurse would in essence be considering the past statistics. The nurse would be majorly concerned with relative frequencies of past medical conditions. To effectively achieve this, these nurses would appreciate t he important role played by measures of central tendencies including the median, mode and mean as documented by Meerschaert (214), in evaluating these historical observations. To make these numerical data useful to the registered nurse, there would be need to understand the concepts in probability and statistics so as to evaluate the chance and collect, organize, analyze and describe numerical data ). These mathematical functions help organize these observations in a meaningful manner.BLS also notes that nurses operate and monitor some medical equipment. This therefore means that the nurses have the ability to perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results thereof. Probability and statistics mathematics finds key application in nursing in the diagnosis of medical conditions. To be particular, relative frequencies of observed phenomena would give crucial leads to diagnosis of existing medical conditions. As discussed by Timmons, Johnson and McCook (351), relative frequencies would show the frequency of each category, in this case the categories being the medical conditions. Higher frequencies of a particular pathogen could point out at the medical condition being a consequent of such. Probability being a study of random events helps nurses in diagnosis such that higher relative frequencies indicate a higher probability of recurrence of such medical conditions. In consultation with doctors and other available healthcare professionals, nurses set up the plans for the care of patients or advise on the existing plans. They teach the patients together with their families on ways of managing their injuries or illnesses. Since public health and home health nurses travel to the location of patients to deliver such services, they would appreciate the knowledge of statistics and probability in planning their schedule so as to effectively utilize their resources. To be specific, nurses would plan to visit their patients densely distributed in a region at a go so as to save on time and resources. In offering care, nurses also give medicines and treatments to patients as observed by BLS. The quantity and frequency of drug intake they prescribe referred to as dosage in nursing terminology would be determined by the
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Term Paper Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Proposal - Term Paper Example This would act to speed up the lengthy intake process. These kiosks would be set up to gather at the very least the patient's name, insurance coverage, and any allergies or chronic conditions. This could help reduce the amount of time a nurse must spend with the patient just to collect background information, and therefore moves the patient to the doctor sooner for treatment or discharge. These kiosks could also be linked to the patient's electronic medical record. Ideally, these kiosks would be able to take a history of symptoms through the use of condition or symptom specific questionnaires. In this way, these kiosks would be able to assist with the triage process by alerting a charge nurse of any particularly worrying symptoms more quickly than they might otherwise have been noticed. The use of these kiosks to perform triage for milder symptoms would also free up the nursing staff to deal with patients who come in with more serious injuries and illnesses, or for whatever reason ar e unable to make use of the kiosks. This division of labor between man and machine could even make it possible for the ER to have fewer nurses on staff without detrimental effects on the quality of care. Another possible use for these kiosks would be to keep track of patients after they have been moved to treatment.
Sunday, November 17, 2019
That Was Then, This is Nowââ¬Â and ââ¬ÅThe Chocolate Warââ¬Â Essay Example for Free
That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠and ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠Essay ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠by S.E. Hinton (1971)à and ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠(1974) by Robert Cormier are boundary-shattering young-adult novels, each of which penetrates to the heart of issues with which adolescent readers can readily identify. However, as groundbreaking as these novels were upon their initial publications, both of the novels conform to an established literary idiom, prevalent throughout young-adult literature for many centuries. Both ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠and ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠present novels of initiation; more specifically, novels of male-initiation. Aspects of the male-initiation novel include specific conditional criteria that both define and structure the concept of manhood; among these criteria are issues of heterosexuality, embodiment, and collectivism. (Bereska, 2003) à à à à à à à à à à à The prominence of traditional male-initiation archetypes and notions of masculinity in the novels, together with the novelsââ¬â¢ unconventional narrative styles, pace, and conventions helped generate two of the more popular, controversial, and memorable titles in the 1970s YA catalog. ââ¬Å"Like classics or current adult fiction, some YAL includes a variety of situational archetypes such as the test/trial as a rite of passage, the journey or quest of the hero, birth/death/rebirth, and the search for self.â⬠(Herz Gallo, 1996, p. 11) à à à à à à à à à à à In both novels, notions of manhood and sexual orientation play key roles in defining character and plot development, as well as thematic development. Bryon, the main character in ââ¬ËThat Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠prides himself as a ladiesââ¬â¢ man and is compared to (or confused with) the Romantic Poet Lord Byron, who was an infamous womanizer, on different occasions during the story.à ââ¬Å"While not explicitly stated, it is an implicit assumption that the boys world is a heterosexual world; there are no logical alternatives to heterosexuality.à In books from the 1940s to the late 1990s[] A normal male body is presumed to be both masculine in gender and heterosexual (Nelson (Bereska, 2003) à à à à à à à à à à à Along with heterosexuality as a harbinger of normalcy, the male world in YA initiation novels is ââ¬Å"characterized by particular types and degrees of emotional expression, naturalized aggression, male hang-out groups, hierarchies within those groups [and] competition,â⬠(Bereska, 2003). In both ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠and ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠the world is portrayed as a male-dominated ââ¬Å"war zoneâ⬠where a survival of the fittest mentality reigns above issues of emotionality, sensitivity, or compassion. à à à à à à à à à à à While drugs, street-fights, and casual sex present controversial and very stark terrors in the world of ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Now,â⬠in Cormierââ¬â¢sà male-dominated world, the male-hierarchy is not only prevalent, its strictures are living law: ââ¬Å"football is easy compared to Jerrys other extracurricular activities at Trinity High: placating the Vigils, the schools secret society, and avoiding Brother Leon, the acting headmaster[] Archie Costello, de facto leader of the Vigils, orders Jerry to refuse to sell chocolate for ten days, as a way of exerting powerâ⬠(Cheaney, 2001, p. 256). à à à à à à à à à à à The aspect of embodiment: that is, the physical manifestation of male characteristics (or defining manhood by male bodily capacities and functions) is a vital component of both novels, symbolized by, not only erotic scenes and passages, but by visceral acts of violence. Foremost among the explicit symbolism of male initiation as male-body-experience is the climactic brutality of ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠when raffle-tickets are drawn to direct blows against bodies. Raffle tickets are drawn to see when and where Jerry and Emile Janza (a thug) will strike one another with boxing blows. One of the members of the school gang The Vigils finally draws a raffle ticket that allows Janza to strike Jerry below the belt. à à à à à à à à à à à à In ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Now,â⬠Mark and Bryon vital, viral male bodies are contrasted with Bryonââ¬â¢s ailing mother, a victim of the poverty and desperation that hangs over her household. While Bryonââ¬â¢s healthy erotic-physical response to Cathy brings about a sense of patriarchal responsibility for MM, Mark, whose sexuality had never been as pronounced as Bryonââ¬â¢s deviates from a ââ¬Å"pureâ⬠state of male-embodiment, becoming a drug-user and drug-pusher, selling drugs to help support Bryonââ¬â¢s mother. à à à à à à à à à à à The corruption of the communal (but male dominated and protected space) in this case comes by way of drugs with threaten MMââ¬â¢s physical and mental maturity; during his LSD hallucinations, he seems to regress to a childlike, vulnerable state. It is at the point of Bryonââ¬â¢s decision to turn Mark in as a drug dealer despite their ââ¬Å"brotherhoodâ⬠that Bryonââ¬â¢s initiation is completed and the transformation of his masculinity from purely male-identified to communally-identified takes place. à à à à à à à à à à à Both ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠and ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠end ambiguouslyââ¬â if not tragically. Although Bryon makes a successful transition from self-motivated and socially alienated to selflessness and social responsibility, his initiation into manhood exacts a heavy toll and violates the previously established intimacy between the stories two main characters. Keeping in mind the aforementioned ââ¬Å"classicalâ⬠motifs of male-initiation, Bryonââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"sacrificeâ⬠of his male-to-male friendship with Mark in favor of his traditional familial relationships with Cathy and MM fulfill the classical notion of heterosexual manhood as established via physical embodiment, and collectivism. à à à à à à à à à à à ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠ends with pyrrhic victory, in that Jerry dares to ââ¬Å"disturb the universeâ⬠by challenging the male-on-male hierarchy generated by The Vigils, but at the novelââ¬â¢s close Jerry is beaten and physically injured; with a broken jaw, he tells his friend, The Goober,à not to disturb the universeââ¬âthat itââ¬â¢s not worth it. The book ends as Archie displays no remorse for the past, and Jerry no hope for the future. Cormierââ¬â¢s themes for ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠were rooted in ââ¬Å"the individuals response to evil, a concern deeply rooted in Cormiers Roman Catholic conscience[]I was made aware of evil, and Im aware of it now. I mean, we constantly try to be good, and most of us are because of the lack of opportunities to do evil. Opportunities for evil abound at Trinity High because most of the boys dont recognize it for what it is.â⬠(Cheaney, 2001, p. 256) Though Hintonââ¬â¢s themes seem less explicitly grounded in traditional religious morality, her work, like Cormierââ¬â¢s, deals with issues of profound sociological consequence, along with themes of dynamic individuation and social integration. Perhaps ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowâ⬠can be rightfully regarded as offering a somewhat less tragic arc than ââ¬Å"The Chocolate War,â⬠the impact of both of the novels on the YA genre was (and remains) explosive. à à à à à à à à à à à Classical literature often fails to exert the kind of hypnotically personal impact on young-adult readers that commercially published YAL sometimes offers. ââ¬Å"Literature can be a way for teens to release these tensions.â⬠This point remains highly valid as the enduring appeal and success of ââ¬Å"The Chocolate Warâ⬠and ââ¬Å"That Was Then, This is Nowââ¬â¢ demonstrates. ââ¬Å"Students can read a book, for example, about a teenager reaching puberty and can talk about what the character is feeling in the third person, not the first. They can say she felt instead of I felt.[]Why do they want to read it? Perhaps because it helps them feel as if they are not alone.â⬠(Alsup, 2003)à Each of these novels melded traditional elements of the male-initiation story while simultaneously breaking through previously held notions regarding the thematic scope and sociological relevance of YA novels. References Bereska, T. M. (2003). The Changing Boys World in the 20th Century: Reality and Fiction. à The Journal of Mens Studies, 11(2), 157+. Herz, S. K., Gallo, D. R. (1996). From Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges between Young Adult Literature and the Classics. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Alsup, J. (2003). Politicizing Young Adult Literature: Reading Andersons Speak as a Critical Text Critical Texts Confront Difficult Topics. Students Need to Read, Write, and Talk about These Relevant Issues. Journal of Adolescent Adult Literacy, 47(2), 158+. Cheaney, J. (2001, December). Teen Wars : The Young Adult Fiction of Robert Cormier. World and I, 16, 256.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Mother Daughter Relationships - Mothers and Daughters in Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club :: Joy Luck Club Essays
Mothers and Daughters in The Joy Luck Club Although mothers and daughters are genetically related, sometimes they seem like complete strangers. When immigrants raise their children in America, there is a great concern for these parents that American culture will negatively affect their children. In the novel, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, four mothers try to instill their Asian culture into their daughters' lifestyle; however, these daughters rebel against them, due to their desire to assimilate themselves into American culture. Early in the novel, the Joy Luck Club members discuss the different types of mah jong; it is then that Jing Mei realizes how oppositely she and her mother spoke to one another. While these women are explaining the differences in Chinese and Jewish mah jong, Jing Mei plays back the conversations that she and her mother used to have regarding the same topic. During their talks, her mother indirectly attempted to have her daughter keep her Asian culture a part of her daily lifestyle. One way was through Suayan's snappish tone, used when describing the lesser style, Jewish mah jong, with no logical explanation. Jing Mei assumed that this negativity was simply because of its ethnicity being unlike the Chinese way. Despite her mother's wishes, Jing Mei played Jewish mah jong with her friend's (22). Another roundabout manner Suayan avidly sought to keep the Asian tradition in her daughter's lifestyle was Suayan's refusal to speak to her daughter in English. Jing Mei's rebellion was similarly apparent when she continued to speak in a subdued tone in English while her mother spoke in Chinese. Later on in the novel, Waverly and her mother, Lindo, are at odds with each other over a simple haircut. Lindo is annoyed by Waverly's haircut because it does not resemble a traditional Asian hairstyle; rather it looks "chopped off," and that Waverly should "ask for {her} money back (182). Waverly, on the other hand, loves it because it looks fashionably American (182). Knowing it would infuriate her mother, Waverly rebels regardless because it was more important to look "hip" than to please her mother. Towards the end of the novel, Waverly and her mother conflict over whether Waverly, as a young woman, will be accepted in China since she has been able to "walk out the door by herself and go to school," she has chosen not to follow her mother's Chinese ways (289).
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Story of Jose Rizal by Austin Craig
The Story of Jose Austin Craig Rlzal Chinsegut Hill University of Florida Libraries )h- ?yv^. ^>-. (l. witliDUt lu-sitatioii. Willi not a reerret in the a'lv'mg; No matter what place, ââ¬ËMid cypress or laurel or Whether on lilies. scaH'old. in open. Or combat or martyrdom same the Who the jtuem dies for his written home and by Dr. Rizal the ere of hix execution . crurl. to the hcrt) It is /'â⬠/â⬠¢(;/// ââ¬Å"â⬠what condition, (Lieut. E. in his tiresidt. â⬠Fort Santiago clnn^cL H, Rubottom^s translation uu . THE STOKY J R OSK rHK ORKATKS'I^ Ol 1 Z MAN A Ol THK UHOW? ^ HAO; The study of the life and character cannot but be beneficial esirous of imitating: him. of Dr, Rizal to those ââ¬âPresident PHII. IPPINTK Wm. H. T^ff, MANILA KDUCATION PUBLltaHlKO 1 ooo CO. L A FTHOirS These pages aim the principal of Spanish time a to to summarise figure letter in NOTE the interest in him meant and suspicion. fully destroyed everything relating circumstances variations it is from events in the life During mentioning Dr. Bical was sufficient cause deportation of both zvriter any main Philippine history. receiver, Even him. to and to Under such quite natural that there should he the popidar version of his show his family care- many life in this first uthentic hiography. The statements are based on lahorions researches in government and church records, extensive inquiries among relatives, associates and confemjwraries, and a careful study of the considerable Kizal literature, but achiowltdgment of those obligations must Jje deferred till the puhlication of the larger worlc. Here ii is possible only to express gratitude for the enthusiastic interest shown by the Filipinos, and appreciation , of the courtesy of the Spaniards, uniformly experienced during the five years i^i ivliich this study has been in indgrcss. I^HIUPflNK KDUCifVXION PUBLISH ^fC* COMPANYKBCJISTERED IN THE PHILIPPINES ISLANI>S I (Txi'/Jif of Tranxhifiori lifiicrved . ) Press of Metho dist Publishing House, Manila. EN The Story of ^Jose Rizae ^J OSE RIZAL, the martyr- hero of the Philippines, on the southwest shore of the picturesque laguna of Bay, in Luzon, June 19, 18G1. His father's family began in the Philippines with a Chinaman named Lam co who came from the Amoy district to Manila possibly because of the political troubles which followed the conquest of his country by the Manchu invaders. It was in 1697 that this ancestor, whose Christian name was Domingo, was baptized in the Parian hurch of San Gabriel. à » was born At first in Kiilamba, a merchant, he finally made up his mind to stay in these Islands, and turned farmer to escape the bitter anti Chinese prejudice which then existed in Manila. Rftther late in life he married the daughter of a countryman who was a dealer in rice and moved into La Laguna province to become a tenant on the Dominican Friars' estate at Biiian. His son. Francisco Mercado y Chinco, apparently owed his surname to the Chinese custo m of looking to the appropriateness of the meaning. Sangley, the name thruout all the Philippines for Chinamen ignifies ââ¬Å"travelling traderâ⬠and in the shop Spanish cf the Islands ââ¬Å"mercadoâ⬠was used for trader. So Lamco evidently intended that his descendants should stop travelling but not cease being traders. Francisco Mercado was a name held in high honor in La Laguna for it had belonged to a famous sea captain who had been given the encomienda of Bay for his services and had there won the regard of those who paid tribute to him by his fairness and interest in their welfare. Francisco's son was Captain Juan Mercado y Monica and he took advantage of his position to expunge from the municipal records the designation ââ¬Å"Chinese mestizoâ⬠fter the names of himself and family. Thus he saved the higher fees and taxes which Chinese mestizos then were compelled to pay. The Captain died when his youngest son, Francisco Fngracio Mercado y Alexandra, was only nine years old. An unmarried sister, Potenciana, twenty years older than boy and sent him to the Latin school. years later the husband of their sister Petrona died and they moved to the neighboring hacienda of Kalamba, also belonging to the Dominican order, to help the widow with her farm. The landlords recognized the industry of the young farmer and kept increasing his land until he became one f the most prosperous of their tenants. In 1847 his sister Potenciana died and the following year Francisco married. he, looked after the Some Dr. Rizal's Father His wife, Teodora Alonso y Quintos, was nine years his junior and a woman not only of exceptional ability but with an education unusual for that time in its modern- She was of Ilocano-Tagalog-Chineseness and liberality. Spanish descent, possibly having even a little Japanese blood, and her family counted lawyers, priests, govern- ment officials and merchants among its members. They boasted of one representative of the Philippines in theSpanish Cortes, and it is said to have been a youthful ambition of Dr. Rizal to fill some day the same position. A new family name was adopted in 1850 by authority of the royal decree of the preceding year which sought to remedy the confusion resulting from many unrelated Filipinos having the same surnames and a still greater number having no last names at all. The new name, however, was not taken from the government lists but appears to have been selected, as was the old one, because of its appropriateness. Rizal, a shortened form of the Spanish word for ââ¬Å"second cropâ⬠, seemed suited to a family of armers who were making a second start in a new home. Francisco Rizal soon found that in spite of his legal authority for it. the new name was making confusion in business affairs begun under the old name, so he comproHis mothmised, after a few years, on ââ¬Å"Rizal Mercadoâ⬠. er-in-law, who lived in the neighborhood, at the same time adopted the name ââ¬Å"Rialondaâ ⬠and her children fol lowed her example. So it was that when Jose Protasio Rizal was baptized, the record showed his parents as Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Realonda, another spelling of ââ¬Å"Rialondaâ⬠. St. Protasio, the child's patron, very properly was a artyr, and that a Filipino priest baptized and a secular archbishop confirmed him seem also fitting. Jose's mother taught him his letters, learned at three, and his uncles and an- aunt interested themselves in his training untila young man named Monroy, who had studied for the priesthood but never taken the final orders, came into the house as Jose's tutor. The impression of his first reading lesson, which was the story of the foolish butterfly in Abbe Sabatier's ââ¬Å"Children's Friendâ⬠, was prophetic of a martyr's fate, for the child envied the insect which had died for the sake of Early the injustices and abuses daily to be he light. seen in Kalamba attracted his attention and he wondered if in the la nd across the lake, which to him then seem- ed a distant country, the people were happier and the officials less cruel than they were on the shore where his home was. No small part of his childhood training came from listening to the Spaniards, officials and priests, who generally were guests in the Eizal home when they visited Kalamba. The parish priest, Father Leoncio Lopez, also made the boy the companion of his walks, and the confidant of his views on the injustices done the Filipino clergy. On his pony or afoot with his dogUsman, Jose explored all the picturesque region which lies about Kalamba, but his first journey from home was at seven when his family -visited Antipolo during the festival in honor of the Virgin *'of Peace and Safe Travf'lâ⬠which had been brought from America by an early Spanish governor. Until he went away to school, and then during his holidays at home, entertainments were given the neighbors ââ¬ËOur Lady of Peace and Safe Voyages who is venerated at Actipoloâ⬠ââ¬â l'>()rii Hail. Flower of Purity, Queen Hail, ââ¬Å"Al Juveniud Pilipina,'. of the seas. Seamen's Security, Emblem of peace. Antipolo. Of thee we all know.The fame of thy name shall not cease. The picture was found RizaVs album and in Dr. engraving placed by him, according to the Filipino custom, inside his is the chest home. when he Jirst left and shadow movintr pictures. These shadowgraphs were made by paper figures moved by his clever fingers between a lamp and a white curtain. Their novelty and his skill were the subject of village talk which magnified them as it repeated the stories until the boy came to be enveloped in a sort of mystery. As he became more than a local hero, these tales spread thru the archipelago abreast with his growing reputation nd were doubtless the foundation for the belief in his miraculous powers which existed among the illiterate of his countrymen. In two years at the Biiian Latin school, where he lived in the home of an au nt, he got beyond tlie old schoolmaster, Florentino Aquin Cruz, and returned to Kalamba to wait till he was old enough to go to Manila. After a few weeks in the public school under a Lucas Padua, who had been a student in the Jesuit Normal School, Jose rested for a while from studying. His unfavorable opinion of the public school and its methods are very apparent, however, from frequent references in his writings.His brother Paciano had been studying philosophy in San Jose College but really had been more interested in the stirring political matters of the day so that it was considered better for Jose, when he went to Manila, to not go with the elder brother. He lived with the keeper of a sinauiay store in which his mother was a partner thru furnishing the capital, and seems first to have been examined in San Juan de Letran College but not to have attended there. This was in June, 187 1, and of the rest of that school year there is no record, but college mates say that once in Spain he spoke f having been in the Jesuit Normal and laughed aver the recollection of his first struggles with Spanish. His Ateneo record shows credit for arithmetic but evidently given for examination on entrance, which was June 15, 1872, and learning Spanish would certainly have been enough work for one year. The first year in Manila was important in Dr. Rizal's education tho the knowledge was not gained in school. On January 20, 1872, the liberal ideas that had been rapidly gaining ground in the Philippines received a terrible set back thru an insurrection in Cavite which was of sleight- of -liaiid tricks ade the pretext for removing the progressive leaders tho their guilt was never established and the people bePaciano kept his brother posted on lieved them innocent. the conditions nor did Mrs. Rizal conceal from her sons her interest in the situation and belief that injustice was being done^ ââ¬Å"To the memory of the priests, Don MARIANO GOMEZ (aged 86 years) DoD JOSE BURGOS (aged 30 years )à » and Don JACINTO Executed ZAMORA on (aged 35 years) Bagumbayan Field February, 1872. ââ¬Å"The Church, by refusing to unfrock you, has placed in doubt the crime which has been charged against you; the State, by enveloping your trial in ystery and uncertainty, caused belief in an error committed in a fatal moment; and the Philippines, by venerating your memory and calling you martyrs, does not recognize in any way your guilt. â⬠{The dedication of the novel ââ¬Å"El Filibustensmo. ^^) JO With the following year, when he entered the Ateneo Municipal, his real schooling began. This school, whose semi-centennial is to be celebrated in 1909 and which has educated the greater part of the leading men of the Philippines of today, had been founded by the Jesuits upon their return to the Islands after nearly a century of banishment.In methods of instruction it was in 187'2 the only modern school in Manila, but it was particularly because Filipinos were given the same tre atment there as Spaniards that the school was so popular. Hundreds were going as day scholars awaiting a vacancy in the dormitory that they might enjoy the advantages of a boarder. It was not until his fourth year that Jose's opportunity came. The Ateneo Municipal On March 14, 1877, he received his bachelor's degree in Arts with highest honors, having been first in his class in both deportmtent and scholarship thruout the course and having won most of the prizes offered by the school.The next year he did double work, taking the first year in philosophy in the University of Santo Tomas and studying agriculture in. the Ateneo. This latter course was also completed with highest honors but because h^ was not yet of the legal age his credentials as ââ¬Å"agricultural expert and surveyorâ⬠were not issued until two years later. 11 Hig second, third and fourth years in the Manila university were in medicine and were combined with outside studies in painting, and sculpture, and intere st in two societies established by the Jesuits, the Academy of Spanish Literature, of which he was president, and theAcademy of Physical Sciences, in which he held the position of secretary. Modelling liad come from making masks, or false faces, from clay for which Jose used to go out to a cousin's brick yard at San Pedro Macati, and when younger his play with wax in Kalamba had been to fashion rude birds. Drawings of men with arms like X's on the margins ot his Abbe Sabatier, for which his mother had scolded him, had been followed by daubings in color. One festival day, when an important banner had been lost just before Bust, Rizal, by modelled of Padre Dr. Guerrico, one of his Ateneo instruc-ââ¬Ë received tors. medal t (190'4) 12 It Exposition. the St. a gold Louis the procession in which it was to be used, young Rizal hastily painted a substitute that the deh'ghted municipal captain said was every bit as good as the original which had come from Manila. From a Spanish translati on of the Latin Vulgate his mother had read to him the poetry of the Bible as well as the stories usually told to children and its rich imagery had made an impression. Then she had encouraged his efforts at rhyming, which were inspired by the simple verses in Abbe Sabatier's â⬠Children's Friendâ⬠, and at eight a Tagalog comedy of his had een bought by the municipal captain of Paet for as much as a farm laborer earned in half a month. Verses to Magellan, to El Cano, on Education, a French ode, and a dozen other efforts had given practice and each was better than its predecessor. At eighteen competition held by the ââ¬Å"Liceo Artispoem ââ¬Å"Al Juventud Filipinaâ⬠(To the Filipino Youth) he won the special prize for â⬠imliaths' in a tico Literarioâ⬠with the and mestizos. The next year the same lyceum in a contest in honor of Cervantes allowed Spaniards, mestizos and imUans ail to enter the same competition. The first prize for prose as awarded Jose Rizal's ââ¬Å"Consejo de los dioses (Council of the Gods)â⬠and the jury gave it another special prize as the best critical appreciation of the author of ââ¬Å"Don Quixote. â⬠At the public meeting in the old Variadades theatre, Governor General Primo de Rivera presented to the young student the gold ring bearing a bust of Cervantes which had been won by him as ââ¬Å"one who had honored Spain in this distant landâ⬠, to quote from the newspaper account. Everybody had expected this prize to be won by Friar Evaristo Arias, one of the most brilliant literary men the CFniversity of Santo Tomas had ever had on its faculty, nd there was astonishment and disappointment among his many friends who were present to applaud his triumph when the award of the jury and the opening of the envelopes reveafed the success of an unknown medical student. Naturally, as the Jesuits and Dominicans were rivals in school work, there was corresponding elation in the Ateneo and among its friends for, tho Rizal was a student 13 THE The use of the PRIZE FOR ââ¬Å"AL word Spain in JUVENTIJD FILIPINAâ⬠the translation makes the meaninxi vnmistakable bid the reference ivas not obscure in the originoh Prosperity once for an era in this land held reign.But now it groans beneath an iron yoke, Slowly expiring from a mortal stroke Ruthlessly dealt by the grim, nnpitying hand of Spain. And yet if it should now devoutly bend tlie knee At the shrine of Patriotism, might it still be free? Alas! In the sad future, for unnumbered days, AVill come the reckoning which man repays AV'ho, putting his own before his country's gain, Finds in his own ensuing degradation, Slave of a cruel, harsh invading nation, His rewanl; in pestilential 'ars and endless pain. 14 Paciaiio encouraged him and so did Antonio Kivera, a distant cousin of bis mother's in whose house he hadI5een living and to whose beautiful daughter, a few years younger than himself, be was engaged. Nor did his old professors in the Ateneo, of whom he sought advice, try to dissuade him. So, on May 5, 1882, after he had been recalled by a cipher telegram from Kalamba, where he had been staying for a short visit, he embarked for Singapore on the mail steamer â⬠Salvadoraâ⬠and after the six days that the journey then took he transferred to a foreign passenger ship which carried him to Barcelona. There was quite a distinguished passenger list of returning officials and their families among whom Rizal figured, according to is passport, as ââ¬Å"J^se Mercado, a native of the district Paciano furnished the funds but as soon of Santa Cruz. â⬠as his father learned of Jose's going he arranged to send him money regularly thru Antonio Rivera. This roundabout way was necessary as life would not have been pleasant for any provincial family known to have sent one of its sons abroad to be educated, especially for a family like the Mercados who were tenants on an estate which was part of the university endowmen t. From Barcelona Rizal quickly went to Madrid and contin^jed his double course in philosophy and letters and in medicine. Besides he found time for more lessons in rawing and painting, and studied languages under special teachers. In 1884 he received the degree of Licenciate in Medicine and the following year, on his twenty-fourth birthday, the like degree in Philosophy and in Letters, and with highest honors. On the voyage to Spain or just after arrival, Rizal wrote and sent back to a Manila Tagalog daily an article on love of native land, and he continued to write for the paper during the short time it lived. The Filipino students in Spain knew Rizal by reputation, many of them had bee a schoolmates of his, and they enthusiastically welcomed him, but in their gayety he took o part. He economized in everything else to have money to spend on books and his first purchases included ââ¬Å"Picturesque Americaâ⬠, ââ¬Å"Lives of the Presidents of the United States', ââ¬Å"The Ang lo Saxonsâ⬠, ââ¬Å"The English ! ZAL'S SHIP ; m THE SUEZ CANAL [Photograph from IHs album) THE SONG OF THE WANDERER (Translation by Arthur P. Ferguson. ) Like to a leaf that is fallen and withered, Tossed by the tempest from pole unto pole, Thus roams the pilgrim abroad without purpose, Roams without love, without country or soul. Following anxiously treacherous fortune, Fortune which e'en as he grasps at it flees.Vain tho the hopps that his yearning is seeking Yet does the pilgrim embark on the seas Ever impelled by invisible power, Destined to roam from the East to the West, Oft he remembers the faces of loved ones, Dreams of the Day when he, too, was at rest. Chance may assign him a tomb on the desert. Grant him a final asylum of peace, Soon by the world and his country forgotten God rest his soul when his wanderings cease! Often the sorrowful pilgrim is envied. Circling the globe like a sea gull above; Little, ah, little they know that a void Saddens his soul by the absenc e of love. Home may the pilgrim return in the future,Back to his loved ones his footsteps he bends; Naught will he find but the snow and the ruins, Ashes of love and the tomb of his friends. Thou must seek other pasturcis, Stranger thou art in the land of thy birth, Others may sing of their love while rejoicing; Thou once again must retra verse the eartli. Pilgrim, begone! Pilgrim, begone! Nor return more hereafter, Dry are the tears that a while for you ran, Pilgrim, begone! and forget thy affliction. Loud Uughs the world at the sorrows of man. J8 Revolutionâ⬠and other indications that then, as he said later, ââ¬Å"the free peoples interested him most. The affectation and love of display of some of his countrymen disgusted him and at the same time convinced him of a theory he later declared in regard to race This same disgust, he reasoned, is felt toward the ostentatious new rich and the braggirt self-made man, only these when they come to their senses are no longer distingu ishable from the rest of the world while the man of color must suffer for the foolishness of his fellows. So he who by nature was little inclined to be self-conceited, boasting or loud came to be even more unaffected, simpler in dress and reposeful in manner as he tried to ake lymself as different as possible from a type he detested. Yet this was at no sacrifice of dignity but rather brought out more strongly his force of character. His many and close friendships with all who knew him, and that his most intimate friends were of the white race, (one of his Spanish jailers even asked to be relieved of his charge because the association was making him too prejudice. fond of his prisoner) seem to show that Dr. Rizal's theory was right. One day, after an association aimed to help the Philippines had gone to pieces because no one seemed willing to do anything unless he were sure of all the glory, some f the students met in an effort to revive if. The effort was not successful and then Riz al proposed all joinino- in a book, illustrated by Filipino artists, to tell Spain about the real Philippines. The plan was enthusiastically received but tho there was eagerness to write about, the ââ¬Å"The Pilipina Womanâ⬠the other subjects were neglected. Rizal was disappointed and dropped the Then he came across, in a second-hand booka French copy of ââ¬Å"The Wandering Jewâ⬠and bought it to get practice in reading the language. The book affected him powerfully and he realized what an aid to the Philippines such a way of revealing its wrongs ould be, but he dreaded the appearance of self-conceit in announcing that he was going to write a book like subject. store, Eugene Sue's. idea of writing So he said nothing to any one, yet the NoU Me Tangere was constantly in his 19 mind from the night in January of 1884 when he finished the French novel. During his stay in Madrid, Dr. Rizal waa made a freemason in Acacia Lodge No. 9 of the ââ¬Å"Gran Oriente de Espaiiaâ⬠at whose head was then Manuel Becerra, later Minister of Ultramar, or Colonies. Among the persons with whom he thus became acquainted were Manuel Ruiz Zorilla, Praxedes M. Sagasta, Emilio Castelar and VictorHowBalaguer, all prominent in the politics of Spain. ever slight the association, it came in the formative period of the young student's life and turned his thoughts into He no longer constructive lines rather than destructive. thought only of getting rid of Spanish sovereignty but began to question what sort of a government was to reAt Barcelona he had seen the monument of place it. General Prim whose motto had been ââ¬Å"More liberal today than yesterday, more liberal tomorrow than todayâ⬠yet he knew how opposed the Spanish patriot had been to a Spanish republic because Spaniards were not prepared for it.So he resolved to prepare the Filipinos and the compaign of education which he saw being waged by Spaniards in Spain Rizal thought would be no more unpatriotic or anti- Spanish if carried on by a Filipino for the Philippines. Already he had become convinced of one political truth which was to separate him from other leaders of his countrymen, that the condition of the common people and not the form of, Uie government is ââ¬â the all-important thing. From Madrid, after a short trip thru the more backward provinces because these were the country regions of Spain and so more fairly to be compared with the Philippines, Dr.Rizal in 1885 went to Paris and continued his medical studies under an eye specialist. Association with artists and seeing the treasures of the city's rich galleries also assisted in his art education. For the political part Masonry again was responsible. The Grand Orient of France was not recognized by the Spanish Masonry of which Rizal was a member but held relations with a rival organization over which Frof. MiMoray ta presided. So in Rue Cadet 16 he was initiated into this irregular body which had been responsible for the Fren ch Revolution and, because it did not re- guel 20 Dr. Rizal's Library hown here makes the Of the open volumes first is in German, next Site's ââ¬Ë^Wan- Attother small case with those half reinaining of his books. Goetheâ⬠s â⬠Wilhelni Meisttrâ⬠' and the third a ââ¬Å"The Lives of the rlering Jewâ⬠' edit ion # of finely illustrated Spanish Presidents of the United St a ( EXPEDIENTK (7 ^? rother knew of the insurrection, tho the use of the thumbscrews and hanging him by the arms had taken place in Manila just after Dr. Rizal had sailed for Spain. In those days a prisoner was compelled to testify against himself, and the Doctor answered very frankly except Avhere othesrs ere concerned. The use of symbolic names among his Masonic acquaintances made jt possible for him to say in many cases that he did not know any one of such a name. At other times his memory was made the excuse for not caring to answer, but where it concerned himself there were no subterfuges. T he man whose word was so sacred to him that he would not take any of the many chances to escape offered during his years in banishment disdained any attempt at deception. *^ He had said that his conscience was clear and in his trial he seemed only anxious that his real position shall be understood. In act he asked permission to address a proclamation to the rebels in the field who had been deceived into insurrection by the fraudulent use of his name, and when it was read by the prosecutor that zealous official added it as him only -by another proof of disloyalty. It urged that tbey disband now, for they were unfitted for independence and should first educate and fit themselves before they attempted to There was no cringing or denying separate from Spain. Riof responsibility but neither was there any bravado. zal's additions to his defense were as clearly reasoned and dispassionate as tho he were debating with a friend nd not on trial for his life. No time was lost in convicting him nor in confirming the military court's decision but he was sentenced to be shot on December 30, 1896. Just after Rizal became aware of his sentence to death but before bis transfer to the chapel he wrote the poem now f amors as ââ¬Å"The Final Farewell. â⬠It was copied on a small sheet of notepaper, folded lengthwise into a narrow strip and then doubled and wedged inside the tank of a little alcohol lamp on which his cooking in the cell had been done. At the farewell to his sister Trinidad while in the chapel he said: ââ¬Å"I have nothing to give you as a ouvenir except the cooking lamp Mrs. Tavera gave me and then so the guard might not while I was ii^ Paris understand he said in a low tone, in English, ââ¬Å"There is something inside. â⬠The lamp was taken with his other belongings from the fort and it was not until the night of the second day after his death that it was deemed safe to investigate. Then when the verses were found they were immediately copied and the copy without comment mailed to Hong Kong. There they were published. But Rizal had time to polish the poetry a little and thru another channel safely sent the revised poem so the morning after his death opies of it were found on the desks of prominent Filipino > â⬠sympathizers. He had been a prisoner in Fort Santiago, at first ââ¬Å"incomanicadoâ⬠in one of the dungeons and later in a cell on the ground floor. After his sentence he was removed to the fort chapel with troops on guard in the courtyard in The military chaplains offered services which front of it. ââ¬Å"My own ââ¬Å"Of all of ââ¬Å"My own idolized Native Country, my sorrows the saddest, Philippines, ââ¬Å"Hear now my my beloved! adieu, ray last farewell! 40 ââ¬Å"Behold ââ¬Å"My all for parents, thee my I am leaving, friends long beloved! ââ¬Å"I go where no slaves are in bondage, No hangman, nor cruel oppressor, ââ¬Å"Where faith does not justify murder, ââ¬Å"And God is the Ruler Eternal. ââ¬Å"A dieu, Oh my parents and brothers, ââ¬Å"As part of my soul here remaining, ââ¬Å"Ye friends of the years of my childhood, ââ¬Å"And of the dear home lost forever! ââ¬Å"Give thanks unto God, that already ââ¬Å"I rest from the day's toil and trouble. ââ¬Å"Farewell unto thee, gentle stranger, ââ¬Å"My friend ââ¬Å"Farewell, ââ¬Å"Oh weep and all my joy thou wert ever! ye beings beloved! not, for death *L is but resting! he courteously declined but later Jesuits came, from iiia old school, whom he warmly welcomed. These brought a ittle wooden image of the Sacred Heart which as a schoolboy he had carved with a penknife during playtime and had put up inside the door in the dormitory. During all the tweTity years it had stayed in the same place for Rizal was not only the favorite of his fellows as a student but had remained the hero of the Ateneo boys up to that time. The recollection of his happy school days brought up memories of when for his exemplary conduct he had been a le ader in the Marian Congregation, and of the verses he had written in honor of the Virgin. A retraction was required by the Archbishop before he ould receive the consolations of his religion and several forms were proposed. Practically every victim of political persecution had left a retraction couched in such language that its spontaneousness was always questioned. The one dictated for Rizal was no exception and the Jesuits knew he would never sign it so they substituted a form of their own, giving what was essential for reconciliation with the Church and worded in a way that would not recall the differences Rizal had had with some of its minis- With its ideas the prisoner was satisfied but he very reasonably argued that unless in his style no one ould believe that he had changed the habit of a lifetime in its last moments. To this request the Jesuits say they agreed and the retraction was re- worded by him. Unfortunately the original has been lost and that it was ever made was disp uted, at the time it was first pubNo one of his family was permitted to see it. lished. Nevertheless the attending circumstances all argue in Strongest of all is the favor of its having been made. testimony of the Jesuits who were not mixed up in the politics of that time when church and state were so interwoven that it was argued that no one could be a good Catholic who was not a good Spaniard.Two copies, differing only in phraseology, have been published. Of these the one telegraphed to Madrid and published in ââ¬Å"El Imparcialâ⬠on December 31st, 1896, seems to be more Rizal's style and is free from those for- ters. 4;i mal church terms which he would have been likely to nothing he could not have sfgned in when he was expressing his religious views to Dapitan Father Pastells. But th^n a political recantation as well as a religious reconciliation was desired. avoid. Tliere The is in it retraction reads: I want to live and ââ¬Å"I declare rayself a Catholic. I retract with all my heart whatdie as a Catholic. ver I have said or written or done against the Church and our Lord Jesus Christ. I give up Masonry which is an enemy of the Church. â⬠ââ¬Å"The head of the diocese may publish this retrac tion, which I make of my own accord, to repair as as may be possible the scandal caused by May all men forgive writings and by my acts. for the injury which I have caused to many. â⬠far my me After his confession Dr. Eizal was married to Josephine Bracken, the adopted daughter of a Hong Kong retired engineer who had come to Dapitan to see if there was any cure for his lost sight. Rizal had fallen in love with he girl, who was ten years younger than himself, and had asked her to stay in Dapitan until they could be married but tho authorized by law there was no provision in the Philippines fqr civil marriage and so there was no chance for the ceremony until this reconciliation with His wife, the daughter of an Irish sergeant the church. in the British army in India and, to judge by her features, an Indian mother, was also of his faith. The belief that Mrs. Rizal was an Eurasian is^ borne out by the fact that she was educated in the Italian convent of Hong Kong which has so many of that mixed Her adopted mother, Mrs.Taufer, from whom blood. she took her middle name of Leopoldine, was Portuguese, and thru her knowledge of that language she found Spanish easy to learn. If she had not known Rizal personally she at least ticing medicine in knew of him while Jje was prac- Hong Kong. It was now morning and after a short interval the march to the place of execution, on the Luneta, was begun, on foot and with a heavy escort of soldiers. 44 In the same place where the three priests had been 1872 and where his very- very-great-grandfather had his rice store, two centuries back, beside a bastion of the same name he had given to Kalamba in the novel or which he was dying, Jose Rizal with a pulse that beat as naturally as ever was shot by Fili pino soldiers behind whom stood Spanish soldiers to see the order was unhesitatingly obeyed. The request that he might not be shot from the back because he was neither traitor to Spain nor to his own country was refused. A powerful effort of the will in falling led the victim to turn himself so as to fall with his face to the sky. So the Spanish soldiers saw hira as they filed past his dead body and the cheers for Spain and the triumphal music of the band as it played the March of Cadiz did not prevent a feeling of admiration for the brave man.Spain's was a brief triumph, for tho the first killed in anniversary of his death was celebrated by desecrating his grave, the second found it decorated, and each sue ceeding year has seen an increased importance given* to the day which has become the great holiday of the Philippines. The martyr's body was put in an unmarked grave in Paco cemetery but a way was found to have a small marble stone, bearing his initials in reversed order, dropped in with the un coffined remains Within less than two years, on the first day of American occupation, the body was raised for a more decent interment and tbe marble slab rests under a cross bearing nly the date ââ¬Å"Dec. 30, 1896â⬠. The ashes have since been put in an urn of Philippine woods carved by the skillful hands of Dr. Rizal's instructor in carving, and will be finally deposited in what will be by far the finest of Manila's monuments, the P100,000 memorial which is to mark the place where he gave his life for his country. His widow joined the insurgents at Cavite, and later returned to Manila and then to Hong Kong where in 1898 she was married to a Filipine ^tudent from Cebu. She taught in the public schools of Manila in 1901, and in the following year died in Hong Kong and is buried there inRizal's Execution. (Courtesy of Mr. 46 Dantas) the Catholic part of Happy Valley cemetery beside the monuirjent of her adopted father, George Taufer, the blind man, who was an Ame rican. him but a year, but his and not long ago refused a proffered pension from the Assembly with the statement that she did not believe in paid patriotism and was content that her son had done his duty. Of the numerous Rizal relatives there seem to be none in politics but all are industrious and seeking to bring Dr. Rizal's fatlier survived mother still lives about the independence of their country in the way their istinguished kinsman recommended, working to increase its wealth and availing themselves of every opportunity for education. A new province bears Doctor Rizal's name, his picture appears upon the most generally used values of postage stamps and paper money, every town in the Philippines has its Rizal Street or Rizal Square, Manila has a flourshing Rizal University, a Rizal Ateneo and a Rizal Business College, and his birthday is getting to be observed as well as the day of his death, but Filipinos are forget- I ;* B -i I f t f Former Grave ââ¬Ë â⬠of Dr. 47 â⠬ ¢ Ris&l ââ¬Å"i
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)