Magic Realism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Magic Realism - Research Paper Example The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is a text peopled by characters with magical capabilities. Characters, such as Clara, are endowed with uncanny, spiritual ability such as clairvoyance, interpretation of dreams, and telekinesis (moving objects with the mind). In the novel, writing is not a mere activity. It becomes a spiritual affair in which the writer undergoes a catharsis or inner purging, wielding the power of the pen. Clara records her dreams and spiritual encounters to be passed down to future generations. In this world, â€Å"conventional resources were not everything† (Conniff 1990). Spirits aid man in a mutually beneficial relationship. She relates well with the good spirits and they abide in her home, giving her a contentment that nothing material could bring. Characters can see the apparition of ghosts and experience comforting spirits participating in daily life so much so that the residents of the home accept them as normal. The paranormal constantly take s place in the novel. For example, Clara miraculously finds the lost head of her mother who accidentally gets decapitated. The spirits reveal to her the head's exact location when no one could retrieve it.  The punctuation of the novel with magic and surreal occurrences impresses on the mind the intersection of the spiritual world (embodied as Clara) and the material (embodied as Esteban).   In Monkey Beach, Lisa, the protagonist equally has phenomenal spiritual ability to foresee events through dreams before they come to pass. In the Haisla culture in Canada, the Native Indians cherish the culture of supernatural consciousness and communication with dead ancestors. Ma-Ma-Oo, Lisa’s grandmother, appreciates Lisa’s unusual gift and teaches her how to sharpen and control it. In magical realism novels, the presence of older generations is indispensable because the work â€Å"is the simultaneous impetus of atavism and modernism† (Gish 1990). Lisa learns about he r sixth sense and later ‘sees’ a vision of her dead brother relaying an urgent message to her. Lisa also receives a vision that her best friend has died. Magical realism is woven into Monkey Beach not only through Lisa, but also through the old witch, Screwy Ruby, Sasquatch (an fabled animal from another world) and a strange little man who appears to Lisa whenever something imminent is about to take place. These personas are gifted with premonitions and foretelling. Some of Lisa’s family members also have strains of her spiritual gift but choose to deny it. Setting is key in structuring a text with magical realism. In One Hundred Years of Solitude, the setting is a fantastic, timeless village called Macondo, whose inhabitants are immortal. Setting not only signifies space, but also time. Time laws in magical realism works operate outside of the normal sphere. â€Å"Time is curved and coincidental in a whole moment that is outside of clock time† (Rabassa 19 73). Marquez’ title emphasizes a timelessness which also points to an otherworldliness. Gabriel Garcia Marquez describes the Macondo village as a place untainted and uncorrupted by

Impact of Detention Centres on Asylum Seekers

Impact of Detention Centres on Asylum Seekers BUSINESS REPORT: Asylum seekers Executive Summary This report outlines the impact of detention centres where those seeking asylum in Australia are placed. It examines the issues relating to detention centres and consequences of them. As it is repeatedly demonstrated by research, there is a uniform trend highlighting the trauma and the sufferings of asylum seekers during their stay at Australian detention centres. This is due to the inadequate facilities and the lengthy duration of time which asylum seekers are forced to spend in these detention centres. Adequate facilities are especially important for young asylum seekers as they endure sorrow to a greater extent. When viewing this issue from a global perspective, approximately 51.2 million people are displaced as a result of conflict or prosecution every year and close to 50% of this number are children (UNHCR 2014). These numbers provide reasons for provision of all the required facilities and faster processing systems to reduce the time at the detention centres. This report examines the main causes of mental health issues and the difficulties of integrating into a new society amongst asylum seekers especially, young asylum seekers and provides possible solutions to ensure that asylum seekers transit into the new society comfortably.   Ã‚   Issue Discussion Facilities Rwandan genocide and Syrian war (caused by the Arab spring) cause a large inflow of asylum seekers to Australia (Keller 2003, p.1721). Asylum seekers are detained indefinitely in conditions that abuse their human rights. This occurs in mandatory detention centres in breach of Australias commitment to Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution (United Nations 1995 p.1). A large number of asylum seekers are genuine refugees that are fleeing from atrocities such as torture, rape, imprisonment, threats of death and murder. Australias mandatory detention policy in conjunction with the lack of facilities and health treatment aggravates the trauma of these experiences and severely affects the mental health and well-being of asylum seekers. Furthermore, Australias lack of cooperation in providing facilities violates international human rights standards (UNHCR 2014). Recently, the movement of thousa nds of Syrian refugees make their way into Europe via Hungary was stopped and held in detention-like environment increasing asylum seekers trauma (Al Jazeera 2006). It is essential for nations to accept asylum seekers and provide them with care and facilities as they endure traumatizing experiences and flee prosecution. Figure 1.2 Irregular arrivals by sea, selected countries (Phillips 2015) Figure 1, (Irregular arrivals by sea, selected countries) shows the approximate number of refugees entering Australia and four other countries.   According to the figure, there is a great difference in the number of refugees entering the five countries. Further noted in Figure 1.2, the data provides information on the fluctuating number of refugees entering a country in a particular year within the given 7 years. This suggest that the refugee inflow into a country depends on the countrys refugee acceptance policy. However, in the case of Australia, there is a progressive increase in the number of refugees entering despite the stricter border policies. Lengthy delays and offshore processing    The length of time spent at detention centres by asylum seekers is indefinite and this aggravates the trauma as they remain uncertain of their future (Couldrey Herson 2013, p.7). In Australia there are long processing steps where the asylum seekers are interrogated of their reasons of arrival. This lengthens the time spent at detention centres for getting a humanitarian visa. From figure 1, Australia is one of the countries with lower asylum seeker intake. Despite the increase in asylum seekers entering Australia, it remains the only western country to have a mandatory detention policy.   Mandatory detention can take place by detaining asylum seekers offshore. A piece of legislation was passed requiring all asylum seekers arriving on Australian shores are sent to offshore processing facilities (Kaldor 2014, p.3). This legislation puts strain on asylum seekers by detaining them in centres with inadequate facilities but also on the finances of the Australian government (Kaldor 2 014, p.4). The lengthy processing system and sending asylum seekers offshore for processing is a disadvantage for both the government and asylum seekers. Issue Outcomes Mental Health Issues Mental health is a significant factor that needs to be addressed by the host nations government. Placing asylum seekers in detention centres for a long duration of time without providing the adequate facilities has a significant negative impact on asylum seekers mental health and well-being (Cornelis et al. 2004, p.848). Despite Australias low intake of asylum seekers, it has adopted harsh laws that fuel the trauma faced by asylum seekers. Some of the detention centres in Australia are located in remote regions where facilities are not easily accessible hence the asylum seekers are not able to address their mental health issues (Keller et al. 2003, p.1721). Research conducted 2 years ago shows that refugees living in Australian detention centres, suffered up to 19 chronic mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and social anxiety disorder. During the initial stages of the research, approximately 42% of adults and 59.1% of children showed symptoms o f mental health disorder (Hadgkiss et al. 2012, p.17). This result conveys that children are more vulnerable and are largely affected by mental health illnesses due to their experiences and lengthy stay at the detention centres. Social cohesion Asylum seekers who stayed in detention centres for a long duration and with inadequate facilities showed a slower rate of integrating into a new country as interviewed by the VU University Medical Centre of research due to mental health issues (Gerritsen Bramsen 2005, p.14). Those diagnosed with mental health issues could not easily or comfortably integrate into the new society. Close examinations of research suggests that the lack of facilities hinders the asylum seekers ability to enter a new society as most of them come from backgrounds where they have not had a chance to educate themselves. At the detention centres asylum seekers are kept idle and in solitary confinement which fuels their insecurities therefore inhibiting them to find opportunities and success once they are out of detention centres. Research also shows that many young asylum seekers between the ages of 6 to 15 that have come out of detention centres show a slower rate of learning in comparison to the local stude nts (Couldrey Herson 2013, p.9). Inadequate facilities degrades asylum seekers in an effective transition into a better lifestyle. Recommendations Mental Health Treatment Treatments and heath care facilities can reduce the impact of major issues such as pre-migration trauma, depression and anxiety. Such treatments at detention centres not only benefits the asylum seekers but also the Australian society as it is cost effective and creates jobs for Australian medical and health professions (Hadgkiss et al. 2012, p.23). Cases of mental health illness can reduce an individual life expectancy and can also lead to various other problems such as suicidal thoughts and violence. However, installation of programs that allows the asylum seekers to address their mental health issues can improve their mental health and also their lifestyle once they are released from detention centres. Key findings in studies show that the number of mental health issues such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse and violence reduces where proper treatment is provided which can be accessed (Keller et al. 2003, p.1722). This important step of providing health care will allow asylum seekers t o integrate into the society. Workplace skill development It is important to provide facilities that contribute to gaining skills so that when asylum seekers enter the new society, they are better able to find jobs and there is reduced imbalance in socio-economic status (Gerritsen Bramsen 2005, p.15). The lengthy processing time could be effectively used by the host nations government to install educational facilities that engage asylum seeker in workplace and work related skills such that they can find jobs much easier when they are out of detention centres. It is also important to provide education and language skills for young asylum seekers so that language does not act as a barrier but as an aid to get opportunities. It is vital to engage young asylum seekers in education as this will empower them and decrease the gap between them and Australian schooling standards (Phillips 2015). Taking this measure of providing facilities that may provide equal opportunity in getting employment once asylum seekers are out of detention centres is an effective way of not increasing unemployment rates and hence making a smooth transition into society. References Websites Al Jazeera 2006, Hungary seizes refugee train arriving from Croatia, viewed on 18 September 2015, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/hungary-seizes-refugee-train-arriving-croatia-150919003810139.html> United Nations 1995, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, viewed on 15 September 2015, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/>. Journal Articles UNHCR 2014, Wars Human Cost, UNHCR Global Trends 2013, viewed on 10 September 2015, http://unhcr.org.au/unhcr/images/Global%20Trends%202013.pdf> Phillips, J. 2015, Asylum seekers and refugees: what are the facts?, Parliamentary Library of Australia, viewed on 8 September 2015, http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1415/AsylumFacts>. Keller, A., Rosenfeld, B. Trinh-Shevrin, C. 2003, Mental health of detained asylum seekers, The Lancet, vol. 12, no. 362, pp. 1721-1723, viewed on 15 September 2015, http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0140673603148465/1-s2.0-S0140673603148465-main.pdf?_tid=60f28634-5f74-11e5-bd3f-00000aab0f6cacdnat=1442739095_b3b162da84af0a2c0dd5353d4321195d> Couldrey, M.    Herson, M. 2013, Detention, alternatives to detention, and deportation, Forced Migration Review, vol. 18, no. 44, pp. 4-14, viewed 15 September 2015, http://www.fmreview.org/en/detention.pdf> Cornelis, J., Bettine, A., Hajo, B., Gernaat, E. Ivan, H. 2004, Impact of a Long Asylum Procedure on the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Iraqi Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands, NERVOUS MENTAL DISEASE, vol. 13 no. 12, pp. 843-851, viewed on 5 September 2015, http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan_Komproe2/publication/8143453_Impact_of_a_long_asylum_procedure_on_the_prevalence_of_psychiatric_disorders_in_Iraqi_asylum_seekers_in_The_Netherlands/links/00b7d5304b6381a575000000.pdf> Hadgkiss, E., Lethborg, C., Al-Mousa, A. Marck, C. 2012, Asylum seeker health and well-being, St Vincents Health, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 17-31, viewed on 20 September 2015, https://svha.org.au/wps/wcm/connect/cb7b96fc-6653-42ea-9683-749a184d3aed/Asylum_Seeker_Health_and_Wellbeing_Scoping_Study.pdf?MOD=AJPERESCONVERT_TO=urlCACHEID=cb7b96fc-6653-42ea-9683-749a184d3aed> Kaldor, A. 2014, Offshore processing: Australias obligations with respect to asylum seeker children who may be sent to Nauru, Never Stand Still, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-9, viewed on 20 September 2015, http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/Factsheet_Offshore_processing_asylum_seeker_children_BIA.pdf> Gerritsen, A. Bramsen, I. 2005, Physical and mental health of Afghan, Iranian and Somali asylum seekers and refugees living in the Netherlands, Original Paper, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 12-19, viewed on 19 September 2015, http://epiresult.com/downloads/refugees/SPPE.pdf>

Kierkegaard and P.M. Moller on Immortality :: Essays Papers

Kierkegaard and P.M. Moller on Immortality P.M. Moller and His Relation to S.A. Kierkegaard Although virtually unknown today outside of Danish philosophical circles, Moller (1794-1838) was, during his lifetime, esteemed as one of Denmark’s most loved poets, and beginning in 1831 he held the position of professor of philosophy at the University of Denmark. While at the university Moller taught Moral and Greek Philosophy, and his early philosophical position has been regarded as Hegelian. Kierkegaard began his university studies in 1830, and the young professor made a deep impression upon him. During 1834-36 two events occurred that transformed Moller’s philosophy and also influenced his relation to Kierkegaard. The first was the death of Moller’s wife in 1834, which caused him to question the adequacy of Hegel’s system. The second was the publication of some articles by Kierkegaard in 1836 in a journal called Copenhagen’s Flying Post. In these articles Kierkegaard attacked Orla Lehmann, the young leader of the liberal student movement. This attack pleased the conservative Moller, and the two developed a deep friendship. Despite the nineteen-year difference in their ages, the two shared similar views regarding Danish politics, a growing distrust of the Hegelian system, and a concern about the state of the Danish clergy. With the death of Moller in 1838, at the age of forty-four, Kierkegaard lost his nearest congenial friend, the person with whom, above all others, he could discuss freely his ideas and receive a sympathetic and intelligent respon se. After Moller’s death Kierkegaard cherished his memory and faithfully read his Posthumous Works when they were published in 1839-43. Kierkegaard also dedicated his book The Concept of Anxiety (1844) to Moller, with the following tribute: To the late Professor Poul Martin Moller The happy lover of Greek culture, the admirer of Homer, the confidant of Socrates, the interpreter of Aristotle, Denmark’s joy in â€Å"Joy over Denmark,† though â€Å"widely traveled† always â€Å"remembered in the Danish summer,† the object of my profound admiration, my profound loss, this work is dedicated. This dedication should illustrate, if not Kierkegaard’s indebtedness to Professor Moller, then at least his unyielding affection. Moller’s Reflections on Philosophical Systems and Personal Immortality The work by Moller that beyond all others influenced Kierkegaard was â€Å"Thoughts on the Possibility of Proofs of the Immortality of Human Beings With Reference to the Most Recent Literature on the Subject.† H.P. Rhode stresses that it was this work on immortality that was Moller’s most important contribution to philosophy in Denmark, and most notably for the young Kierkegaard, who was â€Å"notoriously occupied† with it.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirty-five

Eddard He found Littlefinger in the brothel's common room, chatting amiably with a tall, elegant woman who wore a feathered gown over skin as black as ink. By the hearth, Heward and a buxom wench were playing at forfeits. From the look of it, he'd lost his belt, his cloak, his mail shirt, and his right boot so far, while the girl had been forced to unbutton her shift to the waist. Jory Cassel stood beside a rain-streaked window with a wry smile on his face, watching Heward turn over tiles and enjoying the view. Ned paused at the foot of the stair and pulled on his gloves. â€Å"It's time we took our leave. My business here is done.† Heward lurched to his feet, hurriedly gathering up his things. â€Å"As you will, my lord,† Jory said. â€Å"I'll help Wyl bring round the horses.† He strode to the door. Littlefinger took his time saying his farewells. He kissed the black woman's hand, whispered some joke that made her laugh aloud, and sauntered over to Ned. â€Å"Your business,† he said lightly, â€Å"or Robert's? They say the Hand dreams the king's dreams, speaks with the king's voice, and rules with the king's sword. Does that also mean you fuck with the king's—† â€Å"Lord Baelish,† Ned interrupted, â€Å"you presume too much. I am not ungrateful for your help. It might have taken us years to find this brothel without you. That does not mean I intend to endure your mockery. And I am no longer the King's Hand.† â€Å"The direwolf must be a prickly beast,† said Littlefinger with a sharp twist of his mouth. A warm rain was pelting down from a starless black sky as they walked to the stables. Ned drew up the hood of his cloak. Jory brought out his horse. Young Wyl came right behind him, leading Littlefinger's mare with one hand while the other fumbled with his belt and the lacings of his trousers. A barefoot whore leaned out of the stable door, giggling at him. â€Å"Will we be going back to the castle now, my lord?† Jory asked. Ned nodded and swung into the saddle. Littlefinger mounted up beside him. Jory and the others followed. â€Å"Chataya runs a choice establishment,† Littlefinger said as they rode. â€Å"I've half a mind to buy it. Brothels are a much sounder investment than ships, I've found. Whores seldom sink, and when they are boarded by pirates, why, the pirates pay good coin like everyone else.† Lord Petyr chuckled at his own wit. Ned let him prattle on. After a time, he quieted and they rode in silence. The streets of King's Landing were dark and deserted. The rain had driven everyone under their roofs. It beat down on Ned's head, warm as blood and relentless as old guilts. Fat drops of water ran down his face. â€Å"Robert will never keep to one bed,† Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm's End. â€Å"I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale.† Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. â€Å"Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature.† The girl had been so young Ned had not dared to ask her age. No doubt she'd been a virgin; the better brothels could always find a virgin, if the purse was fat enough. She had light red hair and a powdering of freckles across the bridge of her nose, and when she slipped free a breast to give her nipple to the babe, he saw that her bosom was freckled as well. â€Å"I named her Barra,† she said as the child nursed. â€Å"She looks so like him, does she not, milord? She has his nose, and his hair . . . â€Å" â€Å"She does.† Eddard Stark had touched the baby's fine, dark hair. It flowed through his fingers like black silk. Robert's firstborn had had the same fine hair, he seemed to recall. â€Å"Tell him that when you see him, milord, as it . . . as it please you. Tell him how beautiful she is.† â€Å"I will,† Ned had promised her. That was his curse. Robert would swear undying love and forget them before evenfall, but Ned Stark kept his vows. He thought of the promises he'd made Lyanna as she lay dying, and the price he'd paid to keep them. â€Å"And tell him I've not been with no one else. I swear it, milord, by the old gods and new. Chataya said I could have half a year, for the baby, and for hoping he'd come back. So you'll tell him I'm waiting, won't you? I don't want no jewels or nothing, just him. He was always good to me, truly.† Good to you, Ned thought hollowly. â€Å"I will tell him, child, and I promise you, Barra shall not go wanting.† She had smiled then, a smile so tremulous and sweet that it cut the heart out of him. Riding through the rainy night, Ned saw Jon Snow's face in front of him, so like a younger version of his own. If the gods frowned so on bastards, he thought dully, why did they fill men with such lusts? â€Å"Lord Baelish, what do you know of Robert's bastards?† â€Å"Well, he has more than you, for a start.† â€Å"How many?† Littlefinger shrugged. Rivulets of moisture twisted down the back of his cloak. â€Å"Does it matter? If you bed enough women, some will give you presents, and His Grace has never been shy on that count. I know he's acknowledged that boy at Storm's End, the one he fathered the night Lord Stannis wed. He could hardly do otherwise. The mother was a Florent, niece to the Lady Selyse, one of her bedmaids. Renly says that Robert carried the girl upstairs during the feast, and broke in the wedding bed while Stannis and his bride were still dancing. Lord Stannis seemed to think that was a blot on the honor of his wife's House, so when the boy was born, he shipped him off to Renly.† He gave Ned a sideways glance. â€Å"I've also heard whispers that Robert got a pair of twins on a serving wench at Casterly Rock, three years ago when he went west for Lord Tywin's tourney. Cersei had the babes killed, and sold the mother to a passing slaver. Too much an affront to Lannister pride, that close to home.† Ned Stark grimaced. Ugly tales like that were told of every great lord in the realm. He could believe it of Cersei Lannister readily enough . . . but would the king stand by and let it happen? The Robert he had known would not have, but the Robert he had known had never been so practiced at shutting his eyes to things he did not wish to see. â€Å"Why would Jon Arryn take a sudden interest in the king's baseborn children?† The short man gave a sodden shrug. â€Å"He was the King's Hand. Doubtless Robert asked him to see that they were provided for.† Ned was soaked through to the bone, and his soul had grown cold. â€Å"It had to be more than that, or why kill him?† Littlefinger shook the rain from his hair and laughed. â€Å"Now I see. Lord Arryn learned that His Grace had filled the bellies of some whores and fishwives, and for that he had to be silenced. Small wonder. Allow a man like that to live, and next he's like to blurt out that the sun rises in the east.† There was no answer Ned Stark could give to that but a frown. For the first time in years, he found himself remembering Rhaegar Targaryen. He wondered if Rhaegar had frequented brothels; somehow he thought not. The rain was falling harder now, stinging the eyes and drumming against the ground. Rivers of black water were running down the hill when Jory called out, â€Å"My lord,† his voice hoarse with alarm. And in an instant, the street was full of soldiers. Ned glimpsed ringmail over leather, gauntlets and greaves, steel helms with golden lions on the crests. Their cloaks clung to their backs, sodden with rain. He had no time to count, but there were ten at least, a line of them, on foot, blocking the street, with longswords and iron-tipped spears. â€Å"Behind!† he heard Wyl cry, and when he turned his horse, there were more in back of them, cutting off their retreat. Jory's sword came singing from its scabbard. â€Å"Make way or die!† â€Å"The wolves are howling,† their leader said. Ned could see rain running down his face. â€Å"Such a small pack, though.† Littlefinger walked his horse forward, step by careful step. â€Å"What is the meaning of this? This is the Hand of the King.† â€Å"He was the Hand of the King.† The mud muffled the hooves of the blood bay stallion. The line parted before him. On a golden breastplate, the lion of Lannister roared its defiance. â€Å"Now, if truth be told, I'm not sure what he is.† â€Å"Lannister, this is madness,† Littlefinger said. â€Å"Let us pass. We are expected back at the castle. What do you think you're doing?† â€Å"He knows what he's doing,† Ned said calmly. Jaime Lannister smiled. â€Å"Quite true. I'm looking for my brother. You remember my brother, don't you, Lord Stark? He was with us at Winterfell. Fair-haired, mismatched eyes, sharp of tongue. A short man.† â€Å"I remember him well,† Ned replied. â€Å"It would seem he has met some trouble on the road. My lord father is quite vexed. You would not perchance have any notion of who might have wished my brother ill, would you?† â€Å"Your brother has been taken at my command, to answer for his crimes,† Ned Stark said. Littlefinger groaned in dismay. â€Å"My lords—† Ser Jaime ripped his longsword from its sheath and urged his stallion forward. â€Å"Show me your steel, Lord Eddard. I'll butcher you like Aerys if I must, but I'd sooner you died with a blade in your hand.† He gave Littlefinger a cool, contemptuous glance. â€Å"Lord Baelish, I'd leave here in some haste if I did not care to get bloodstains on my costly clothing.† Littlefinger did not need to be urged. â€Å"I will bring the City Watch,† he promised Ned. The Lannister line parted to let him through, and closed behind him. Littlefinger put his heels to his mare and vanished around a corner. Ned's men had drawn their swords, but they were three against twenty. Eyes watched from nearby windows and doors, but no one was about to intervene. His party was mounted, the Lannisters on foot save for Jaime himself. A charge might win them free, but it seemed to Eddard Stark that they had a surer, safer tactic. â€Å"Kill me,† he warned the Kingslayer, â€Å"and Catelyn will most certainly slay Tyrion.† Jaime Lannister poked at Ned's chest with the gilded sword that had sipped the blood of the last of the Dragonkings. â€Å"Would she? The noble Catelyn Tully of Riverrun murder a hostage? I think . . . not.† He sighed. â€Å"But I am not willing to chance my brother's life on a woman's honor.† Jaime slid the golden sword into its sheath. â€Å"So I suppose I'll let you run back to Robert to tell him how I frightened you. I wonder if he'll care.† Jaime pushed his wet hair back with his fingers and wheeled his horse around. When he was beyond the line of swordsmen, he glanced back at his captain. â€Å"Tregar, see that no harm comes to Lord Stark.† â€Å"As you say, m'lord.† â€Å"Still . . . we wouldn't want him to leave here entirely unchastened, so†Ã¢â‚¬â€through the night and the rain, he glimpsed the white of Jaime's smile—†kill his men.† â€Å"No!† Ned Stark screamed, clawing for his sword. Jaime was already cantering off down the street as he heard Wyl shout. Men closed from both sides. Ned rode one down, cutting at phantoms in red cloaks who gave way before him. Jory Cassel put his heels into his mount and charged. A steel-shod hoof caught a Lannister guardsman in the face with a sickening crunch. A second man reeled away and for an instant Jory was free. Wyl cursed as they pulled him off his dying horse, swords slashing in the rain. Ned galloped to him, bringing his longsword down on Tregar's helm. The jolt of impact made him grit his teeth. Tregar stumbled to his knees, his lion crest sheared in half, blood running down his face. Heward was hacking at the hands that had seized his bridle when a spear caught him in the belly. Suddenly Jory was back among them, a red rain flying from his sword. â€Å"No!† Ned shouted. â€Å"Jory, away!† Ned's horse slipped under him and came crashing down in th e mud. There was a moment of blinding pain and the taste of blood in his mouth. He saw them cut the legs from Jory's mount and drag him to the earth, swords rising and failing as they closed in around him. When Ned's horse lurched back to its feet, he tried to rise, only to fall again, choking on his scream. He could see the splintered bone poking through his calf. It was the last thing he saw for a time. The rain came down and down and down. When he opened his eyes again, Lord Eddard Stark was alone with his dead. His horse moved closer, caught the rank scent of blood, and galloped away. Ned began to drag himself through the mud, gritting his teeth at the agony in his leg. It seemed to take years. Faces watched from candlelit windows, and people began to emerge from alleys and doors, but no one moved to help. Littlefinger and the City Watch found him there in the street, cradling Jory Cassel's body in his arms. Somewhere the gold cloaks found a litter, but the trip back to the castle was a blur of agony, and Ned lost consciousness more than once. He remembered seeing the Red Keep looming ahead of him in the first grey light of dawn. The rain had darkened the pale pink stone of the massive walls to the color of blood. Then Grand Maester Pycelle was looming over him, holding a cup, whispering, â€Å"Drink, my lord. Here. The milk of the poppy, for your pain.† He remembered swallowing, and Pycelle was telling someone to heat the wine to boiling and fetch him clean silk, and that was the last he knew.

Act III Scene II Consider the dramatic significance of this episode in the play

As an audience, we can foresee the sinister turn of events which will be marked by the appearance of Don John in the latter part of this scene. Having earlier witnessed the deceitful and slanderous plot conjured up between he and Borachio during their discussion, implementation of the plan seems imminent. And yet the descent from the comedy of Benedick trying to pass off his love-sickness as toothache to the threatened tragedy of Hero's slander is perhaps far more rapid than we might have anticipated. The earlier jovial mockery of Benedick by Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio provides a striking contrast with the underlying malice of the deliberately ambiguous and disparaging remarks from Don John. Yet such ambiguity seduces Claudio and Don Pedro in a remarkably similar way to the double meanings and innuendo which deceived Benedick earlier on. Don John demonstrates an ability to manipulate his language in a successful bid to influence and target the weaknesses of his audience; that is, Claudio and Don Pedro. He has a shrewd understanding of the court and his insinuations about Hero play upon the tensions within it relating to honour and status. Don John opens with a customary courteous greeting before baiting both men with his declaration that he has something of interest to reveal concerning them both: ‘If your leisure served, I would speak with you / yet Count Claudio may hear; for what I would speak of concerns him.' ‘I know not that, when he knows what I know'. With their curiosity secured, Don Pedro conveys a rather convoluted proclamation of regret and remorse for the bad news he is about to impart, ‘You may think I love you not: let that appear hereafter†¦' and when combined with his fallacious self-deprecation, we observe further his dexterity as their sympathy and trust is won. As he continues with his tacit allegations, Don John uses a loose and undefined disparagement ‘disloyal' which would imply a certain reluctance to accuse Hero, yet his following remark; ‘The word is too good to paint out her wickedness' incites the other men to affix their own condemnation of her. A dramatic irony here ensures the audience's perception of this as a further ruse whilst for the seemingly naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and gullible Claudio and Don John, it makes the hurried offer of immediate visual evidence irresistible; ‘Go but with me tonight, you shall see her chamber-window entered', a crude vaginal symbol is used to further offend the newly enamoured Claudio, who in his youthful inexperience has believed in his betrothed's virginity. Their melodramatic exclamations in response to this, one after another, serve to indicate ironically how they, who tricked Benedick, have been no less suddenly transformed. Claudio asks rhetorically ‘May this be so?' and vows if it is, ‘†¦should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation, where I should wed, there I will shame her'. The marked use of sibilants serves to emphasise his fury, suggesting suspicion and fear to be the other side of Claudio's idealisation and the aggressive denunciation may arise from a personal insecurity urging him to make such a pledge. In Messina sexual relations are complicated by conventions and illusions, Claudio has already tried and found Hero guilty before even witnessing the evidence. Such a rash conviction is reminiscent of his earlier behaviour during the masked ball in Act II Scene I which gave us foresight of Claudio's impulsive and fickle characteristics, a man so easily influenced by the ‘hearsay' from Don John and his own irrationality and mistrust in women. Though it is easy to criticise and condemn Claudio for such tenuous judgements, one must not disregard Messina'a patriarchal society and the sense of superiority to women which regulated masculine loyalties. Such loyalty is evident in Don Pedro, who; when informed of Hero's alleged infidelity, endorses Claudio's vengeance by offering to ‘join with thee to disgrace her'. Such is Don Pedro's influence and arrogance that Claudio offers to accompany his departure from Messina on the wedding day. We must now question Don Pedro's willingness to join Claudio's slandering of Hero which not only seems cowardly but most absurd having himself been the ‘accused' by the same source of indictment – his rebel brother, the bastard Don John. Whilst for an audience of the twenty-first century this continued credulous behaviour might seem somewhat contrived, we must consider that Don John, a melodramatically sketched, stereotypical villain, serves a thematic and narrative function. His role is principally to expose the flaws within others, namely his brother Don Pedro and Claudio and highlight the shared immorality in his companions Conrade and Borachio as well as present themes of slander, noting, jealousy, honour, illusion and reality. Since the major complication of the play arises from Claudio's denunciation of Hero on the basis of Don John's trickery, and in fact therefore ‘nothing' at all, the use of such a villain as a dramatic device is crucial. Whilst only a brief episode in the play; the significance of the latter part of this scene is paramount to future events. The timing of the episode is most significant as Shakespeare distinguishes misunderstanding and misreport from deliberate and malicious deceit. We prepare ourselves for a potentially tragic consequence yet with the benefit of dramatic irony, remain optimistic that as the title suggests, this will again prove to be ‘much ado about nothing'.

Apostrophe with Plural Possessive Nouns

Apostrophe with Plural Possessive Nouns Apostrophe with Plural Possessive Nouns Apostrophe with Plural Possessive Nouns By Maeve Maddox Most English speakers know that the usual way to make a noun plural is to add -s to the singular: boy/boys, knight/knights, house/houses. They are also aware that the plural of few nouns, like child and ox, is formed with the quaint ending -en: children, oxen. The modern convention of forming a noun plural by adding -s was not a foregone conclusion. Old English formed noun plurals with five or six endings, depending upon which declension the noun belonged to and how the noun was used in the sentence. By the Early Middle English period (1100-1300), most of the OE inflectional endings had dropped away, but the plural ending -en was still in the running with -s and -es: for a time, at least in southern England, it would have been difficult to predict that the s would become the almost universal sign of the plural that it has become. Until the 13th century in the south the -en plural enjoyed great favor, being often added to nouns which had not belonged to the weak declension in Old English. –Alfred Baugh, A History of the English Language p. 191. We’ve seen how the apostrophe was added as the mark of the singular possessive because of a mistaken notion that a letter was missing before the -s. Once the ’s became established as the possessive ending of a singular noun, it was inevitable that the apostrophe would also be used in the formation of plural possessives. Although many writers misuse the apostrophe in the plural possessive, the rule is quite simple, in both American and British usage: If the plural ends with -s, add an apostrophe: the boys’ kites, the knights’ chargers, General Motors’ mission statement. If the plural doesn’t end with -s, add ’s: the children’s teacher, the oxen’s yoke. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely?The Six Spellings of "Long E"3 Types of Essays Are Models for Professional Writing Forms

Free Essays on The Religion Of Santeria

The Religion of Santerà ­a Peoples and Culture of the Caribbean Religion, in some ways, confuses me. They all claim to be so different yet, when one takes a close look at them, they all have striking resemblances to each other. I was raised in a Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox household. Although both had some differences, anyone could see all the similarities that they possessed. All religions pick, choose, and blend from other religions and form a new version. A type of creolization if you will. Different aspects of two similar religions (Catholicism and Yoruba) were blended together to form what we now know as the worldwide religion of Santerà ­a. In this paper I will be discussing the origins of this fascinating religion, what it entails, and a couple of the problems that people who practice the religion face. Santerà ­a started in Cuba during the nineteenth century, when Africans from what are now Nigeria and Benin, were sent to the island to be slaves. The religion centers around ancient African gods who have been assimilated as Catholic saints. Santerà ­a comes from the Spanish word santo meaning saint; Santeros or for women, Santeras is what the priests of the religion of Santerà ­a are called. They â€Å"dispense ritual paraphernalia, such as candles, beads, and ointments, as well as advice on how to solve any problem imaginable–including relationship, money, and health problems–which usually involves strengthening the individual’s connection with the orishas.† (Novas 2003: 211) Santerà ­a was created out of necessity for the African slaves so that they could continue to practice their religion in the New World. In most countries where Africans were made into slaves, they were discouraged or forbidden from practicing their native religions. For this reason, the religion that emerged is known as Santerà ­a, "the way of the saints." Since they were forced to convert to Catholicism, slave... Free Essays on The Religion Of Santeria Free Essays on The Religion Of Santeria The Religion of Santerà ­a Peoples and Culture of the Caribbean Religion, in some ways, confuses me. They all claim to be so different yet, when one takes a close look at them, they all have striking resemblances to each other. I was raised in a Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox household. Although both had some differences, anyone could see all the similarities that they possessed. All religions pick, choose, and blend from other religions and form a new version. A type of creolization if you will. Different aspects of two similar religions (Catholicism and Yoruba) were blended together to form what we now know as the worldwide religion of Santerà ­a. In this paper I will be discussing the origins of this fascinating religion, what it entails, and a couple of the problems that people who practice the religion face. Santerà ­a started in Cuba during the nineteenth century, when Africans from what are now Nigeria and Benin, were sent to the island to be slaves. The religion centers around ancient African gods who have been assimilated as Catholic saints. Santerà ­a comes from the Spanish word santo meaning saint; Santeros or for women, Santeras is what the priests of the religion of Santerà ­a are called. They â€Å"dispense ritual paraphernalia, such as candles, beads, and ointments, as well as advice on how to solve any problem imaginable–including relationship, money, and health problems–which usually involves strengthening the individual’s connection with the orishas.† (Novas 2003: 211) Santerà ­a was created out of necessity for the African slaves so that they could continue to practice their religion in the New World. In most countries where Africans were made into slaves, they were discouraged or forbidden from practicing their native religions. For this reason, the religion that emerged is known as Santerà ­a, "the way of the saints." Since they were forced to convert to Catholicism, slave...