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The Raisin in The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry
INSTRUCTIONS:
Directions: Answer the questions below on “A Raisin in the Sun“. Do not use any outside sources other than your notes from the classroom lecture and your knowledge of the play. The plagiarism checker is in use for this exam and plagiarized responses will be given a grade of zero. No opportunity to retake the test will be offered. Use your time wisely. Do not upload a file! Write your responses within the exam.
Choose one character from the play and write a one paragraph discussion and analysis of his/her dream. What is the dream and how does it shape and motivate this character? What internal and external factors defer the dream?
2. Explain the practice of redlining. How has this practice contributed to segregation and housing discrimination? What evidence of this can be seen in the play?
3. Write a short paragraph comparing Beneatha’s two suitors. What similarities and differences exist between these two characters?
4. Discuss Walter Lee’s growth as a father in the play. What differences can be seen in how he interacts with Travis at the end of the play? What important revelation has he learned and what has it changed about him.
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An Enemy of the people: Book Report
Miller’s adaptation of Ibsen’s play is highly interesting, even the preface itself is fascinating. Arthur Miller dedicates the whole preface to describing what he tried to do with Henrik Ibsen’s celebrated play, An Enemy of the People. The motivations for Arthur Miller for choosing this play was essentially to illustrate that Henrik Ibsen is not out-of-date.
One of the main intentions of Arthur Miller’s adaptation of Ibsen’s play is certainly to convey the original message. In this report, the play An Enemy of the People is discussed in an exhaustive manner. The setting of the play, the plot, the main characters and the main theme are discussed. The author of this play is also described.
An Enemy of the People is certainly one of the most well-known and popular plays amongst producers and audiences and was initially written by Henrik Ibsen in the nineteenth century. Even so, it is also believed to be one of Arthur Miller’s famous staged works. The play was written in the year 1882 by Ibsen and a small coastal town in Norway serves as the setting.
The plot of this play was rooted in the real-life censure that Henrik Ibsen went through due to his 1881 controversial play, Ghosts. Henrik Ibsen’s plays were renowned for their pragmatist style (Miller, 2010). In the year 1950, Arthur Miller requested for the right to write an adaptation of An Enemy of the People. In translating the text from Norwegian into English, Miller retained most of the original text.
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The play An Enemy of the People by Arthur Miller, which was adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s drama, is focused on a conflict between 2 brothers, Peter Stockmann and Dr. Stockmann. It also focuses on a conflict between the freedom and the suppression of speech. Peter Stockmann and Dr. Stockmann reside in an unidentified town which has of late finished building a medicinal bath on the town’s outer edge referred to as Kirsten Springs.
The Mayor of this town is Peter Stockmann who brags about the possible benefits which Kirsten Springs would present to the town. He envisages Kirsten Springs bringing tourists and visitors to the town – something that would increase the revenues of the town, provide enough employment opportunities for people of the town, and make businesses thrive (Ibsen, 2010). He also has the expectation that the town would in due course become a top resort in the region.
Dr. Stockmann, who is a scientist and a medical doctor, has suggested that the town should not construct Kirsten Springs in the site which has been chosen. Even so, members of the Council along with his brother Peter Stockmann disregard Dr. Stockmann’s recommendation. Dr. Stockmann believes that the water which pours into the Springs may be contaminated but he does not divulge his fears to anybody given that he does not want to alarm anybody needlessly in case he is incorrect (Miller, 2011).
In an attempt to verify what he believes to be true, Dr. Stockmann sent samples of water away to a certain university for them to be analyzed. The analysis report from the university divulges that the water which pours into the Springs is contaminated with an organic matter infection. The editor of Hovstad, a local newspaper, becomes aware of the report from the university and wants to publish this report in his newspaper.
Dr. Stockmann asks the editor, Hovstad, to hold-up printing the report until he notifies the Mayor of the town, Peter Stockmann, as regards the contents of the report. The doctor is sure that Peter would want the report published so that the people of the town could be cautioned and informed regarding the health risk.
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After reading the report, Peter Stockmann meets with his brother Dr. Stockmann to talk about the report. The Mayor is disappointed that Dr. Stockmann decided to examine and look into the water quality without informing him first. Peter believes that the report is overstated and that his brother wants to challenge and undermine his position since he loathes authority. In the town, Dr. Stockmann is a respected and outstanding doctor who has outdone his older brother Peter constantly (Miller, 2011).
In this situation, Peter Stockmann is confronted with an ugly truth which has the potential of destroying his dreams of the town becoming a popular and rich tourist resort. Peter also has to tackle his own personal demons in dealing with Dr. Stockmann who happens to be his accomplished younger sibling.
Peter Stockmann then spreads the word throughout the town that Dr. Stockmann wants to ruin it. The people of the town, who do not want to face the horrible prospects which the water report is representing, choose to believe that the words of their Mayor and snub Dr. Stockmann, who is not permitted to speak publicly regarding the dangers existing in the water supply of the town or publish the water report in the newspaper.
In spite of what Dr. Stockmann is confronted with, be it loss of income, threats of arrest or violence, isolation, or being called an enemy of the people, he would not forsake the truth and he in fact ends up fighting the whole town to do what is right for the town and townspeople (Ibsen, 2010). Even though when play concludes, Dr. Stockmann and his family have been banished from the town and are in fact outcasts, Dr. Stockmann is sure and positive that the path which he has chosen is the right one.
Even though he is the only individual in the town who is fighting for the truth, he recognizes eventually that he is doing what is right and that it would make him a stronger person (Miller, 2011).
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On the whole, the main theme in An Enemy of the People is truth and morality; this is the theme which is clear and evident. Dr. Stockmann is determined to reveal the whole truth even if the information puts himself as well as his family in danger. That crucial information could affect the safety of his friends and his neighbours also. In this play, the audience and readers follow Dr. Stockmann, a man who discovered that the town’s water supply is contaminated. As a result of his efforts to disclose this information to the people of the town, his safety, his family, and his repute are put in jeopardy.
The key characters in this play include Peter Stockmann and Dr. Stockmann. Peter, who is the town’s mayor and the brother of Dr. Stockmann, is motivated by power and money. Peter Stockmann appears to be representing the government and the lengths which the government would go just to keep its citizens uninformed of wrongdoings. In the play, Peter acts as the antagonist. Dr. Stockmann is the play’s key character and is motivated by the truth.
In spite of the cost, Dr. Stockmann wants to provide the truth to the people of the town. He is the play’s protagonist. This character may represent science, or any profession which has as issue with places or products which the government considers safe for the citizens. Other noteworthy characters are Billing and Hovstad who are actually contributors to The People’s Daily Messenger, the local newspaper (Miller, 2011).
These two characters appear to be motivated by controversy. When Billing and Hovstad concur about publishing the findings of Dr. Stockmann, Hovstad states that this is just the start, which implies that the two want to publish a number of editorials that may bring the government down. Moreover, in the play, Aslaksen is the individual who publishes The People’s Daily Messenger. Aslaksen is motivated by money and he conducts himself in a manner that may sell the most newspapers and keep the peace with the people of the town.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, An Enemy of the People play is without doubt one of the most renowned plays amongst producers and audiences and was initially written by Henrik Ibsen in the nineteenth century. In spite of that, it is also one of Arthur Miller’s eminent staged works. Truth and morality is the overriding theme in this play. Dr. Stockmann is strong-minded and wants to expose the whole truth although the information puts himself as well as his family in danger. The key characters include Dr. Stockman, Peter Stockman, Billing and Hovstad.
References
Ibsen, H. (2010). An enemy of the people. London, England: Penguin Plays Miller, A. (2011). An enemy of the people. Adapted by Arthur Miller. New York City, NY: Longman Literature
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Ovid Amores Quiz
1. The Ovid’s metamorphoses are used in two forms within a play that include the Titian Perseus and Andromeda. The authors consequently make use of the traditions, magic and myths to make a clear depiction to the viewers on how human conditions have the capacity to transform things (Goh, 2015). The aspect of imagination and love remain the essential elements in the theme of transformation. The use of different figures of imagery are essential in the Ovid’s in order to ensure the understanding of the viewers and the meaning of the play as it relates to the current context.
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2. The three references to warfare as presented in Ovid include the aspect of sexual desires, deep emotional declarations and external devotions to the flippant arguments on the element of promiscuity (Goh, 2015). In Amore, Ovid views himself as a beautiful and elusive mistress. Intimacy is also reviewed in this poetry that vanishes in the Art of Love that clearly shows the guides to sexual conquest.
3. Some of the inversions presented in these poems and the manner in which they point to the cultural contradictions in the Roman World include the social and cultural ramifications of the events that transpire in the poem and that relate to the Roman World (Perkins, 2015).
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4. Some of the Roman concepts of masculinity and femininity in the poem can be seen when the poet uses a poetic figure of women that is constructed in reaction to the rhetoric need of the abject that seeks to establish the moral and the writing authorities (Perkins, 2015). The poet empowers herself through the contention with an absent beautiful figure which may be determined as either male or female.
5. The author makes use of the warrior character to depict Cupids power that was developed to chase some of the female characters (Perkins, 2015). In as much as the female characters looked non-committal, they choose to evade these capturing and followed their individual desires. This depicts the power of women as illustrated in the poetry.
References
Goh, I. (2015). The End of the Beginning: Virgil’s Aeneid In Ovid, Amores 1.2. Greece & Rome, 62(2), 167-176. doi:10.1017/S0017383515000042
Sigmund Freud is the one of the most influential and controversial theorists of the 21st century. This paper discusses Sigmund Freud, from his life to his theory on dreams as discussed in his book The Interpretation of Dreams.
Sigmund Freud is recognized as the father of psychoanalysis. The work of Sigmund Freud aims at revolutionizing the study of dreams. In his book The Interpretation of Dreams, Freud analyzed dreams for the purpose of understanding personality aspects in relation to pathology. He believed that when people explain their own behavior, they rarely provide a true account of their motivation. Nevertheless, it is not that a person is deliberately lying.
Freud was born on May 6, 1856 to Galician Jewish parents in Austria. In 1881, he qualified as a medical doctor from the University of Vienna. Upon completion of his habilitation, Freud got an appointment as a docent in neuropathology. In 1902, he was promoted to an affiliated professor. Sigmund Freud resided in Vienna. He established his clinical practice in Vienna in 1886. In 1938, he moved away from Austria in the bid to escape the Nazi regime. Freud died in 1939 in exile in the UK.
Freud is considered the most famous figure as well as one of the most controversial and influential thinkers of the 20th century. His work and theories helped in shaping perspectives on therapy, sexuality, memory, personality and childhood. Out of Freud’s legacy grew several major thinkers who contributed to his work, while others have developed new theories to oppose Freud’s work.
Freud is famous for founding psychoanalysis, and for creating a wordlist that has been embedded within the vocabulary of western society. Through his theories, he introduced such vocabularies as neurotic, Freudian slip, cathartic, repression, denial, and libido.
Sigmund Freud introduced his theory on dreams in his book The Interpretation of Dreams. In the book, Freud explores the theory of the unconscious in line with dream interpretation and establishes ideas that would later be known as the theory of the Oedipus Complex. According to Freud, dreams refer to all forms for fulfillment of wishes; they involve attempts by the unconscious part of the brain to resolve any conflict arising from the past (Freud 3).
The fact that the information stored in the unconscious is disruptive and keeps disturbing a person implies that it cannot pass to the unconscious without alteration by a censor in the preconscious. When a person dreams, the preconscious tends to be more inactive in its duty of censoring information than in times when the person is awake. Therefore, information has to be distorted in the unconscious mind as the meaning of it proceeds to be censored.
In most cases, images in dreams are not a true representation of what they appear to be, and thus require a deeper interpretation for purposes of informing the structures of the unconscious. Accordingly, people struggle to remember their dreams when the superego is at work. The Superego plays the role of protecting the Ego from disruptive images and wishes conjured by the Id.
Freud proposed the condensation phenomenon, though which he suggested that a simple image or symbol presented in a dream is capable of many meanings. In line with this thinking, Freud focused on details during psychoanalysis and even requested his patients to tell him everything including what they might have termed as trivial. For instance, applying the phenomenon of free association, he could ask patients to interact freely and tell him whether they had seen any sign on the wall and what the sign actually was.
While Freud focused on individual biological drives, his colleagues such as Adler, Jung and Breuer did not subscribe to these ideas. According to Freud, when a person sees a hollow image in his/her dreams, such as a cave or a box, this may symbolize a womb. A long image may symbolize a penis. Critics attacked these statements and labeled Freud as a misanthrope or sexist on the ground that he overemphasized the role of instinct, implying that he perceived human beings as wild beasts.
It is interesting to note that Freud’s ideas had a very strong impact on psychology that a school of thought was established from his work. Although psychoanalysis was eventually replaced by behaviorism, the school of thought had a long-lasting impact on both psychotherapy and psychology. A limitation of Freud’s work is that most of his ideas were drawn from cases studies and clinical cases, which made it difficult to generalize his findings to a larger population (Mitchell and Black 102).
Psychoanalysis theory is an illustration of a global therapy that aims to help patients in bringing about major changes of their perspective about life. According to Wittels and Freud (47), psychoanalysis is based on the belief that the prevailing maladaptive perspectives are closely related to deep-seated personality traits. Most global therapists are guided by the contrary approaches that focus majorly on reduction symptoms such as behavioral and cognitive approaches.
Works Cited
Freud, Sigmund. The interpretation of dreams. Read Books Ltd, 2013.
Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, 2010.
Summary
Spurgeon’s book “Lectures to my Students” is a journal that pastors, ministers, and those pursuing training for ministerial positions use as a reference. Charles Spurgeon has authored several books on the principles that people in ministry should adhere into a bid to be better ministers of the gospel. This book was written to establish the principles that spiritual leaders need to avoid that include unhallowed and the use of endearing words in ministry, thus showing the elements that pastors need to incorporate into their lives to remain consistent in their prayer lives.
Additionally, Spurgeon reiterates on the essence of developing a relationship with Christ, the necessity of prayer, the genuineness of having a call to serve, and a thirst to reach the lost. Speaking to his students on the element of Christian life Spurgeon ululates that, “For a herald of the Gospel of Christ to be spiritually out of context in an individual’s proper person is, both to himself and to the work he is called to do, a most serious catastrophe[1].
Ministers in this care are required to be vigilant in prayer, faithful in their private devotions, and understanding the fact that their souls must be taken care of before they consider taking pastoral ministries on others.
Spurgeon delves into greater detail on the reasons why the call for ministry needs to be authentic, with origins from God. Ministers are therefore advised to have the desire to serve, an aspect that details the need for gentleness even under difficult circumstances, and the inclusion of good judgments in ministry. In his book, Spurgeon provides examples of unfortunate cases of individuals who go into ministry without authentic calls from God.
In regards to the calamity, Spurgeon alleges that hundreds of ministers have lost their course and stumbled against the pulpit, sorrowful evidence that depicts the fruitlessness of their ministries and decaying churches which currently surround the world[2]. It is prudent to consider that Spurgeon points to the need to understand that God only opens doors for ministers who are faithful[3].
The call to ministry as evidenced by Spurgeon is a call to holiness and godly characters. Individuals striving to minister must be people who are looked up to by the society. They must be examples of what it means to be true followers of Christ. The ministers therefore need to pious and develop high moral standards that are consistent with the principles of the bible.
Spurgeon shows his eloquence in regard to a godly living by alleging that the world finds it challenging to trust people who are two faced, nor will the world believe in those whose practical and verbal testimonies are contradictory[4]. The inclusion of these godly characters resonates from an individual’s faith in the person of Christ. In his teachings about sermons, Spurgeon advices his student’s to preach Christ always[5].
Critique
Surgeon on his book Lectures to my Students is an important edition that offers ministers practical lessons and guidelines that prepare them for ministry especially on what they may encounter and approaches of staying on the right course. One of the greatest strengths of Surgeons works remains in the practical application presented to the ministers in the book. The practical application documented in the book is seen in the author’s presentation of what ministers need to do within their ministerial lives both in public and privately.
On the other hand, Spurgeon speaks more on sermons, hence insisting that sermons need to give teachings that can be applied in everyday life. Additionally, he insists that the truth should never be held back no matter how complex or unpopular it may sound[6]. The author also reminds ministers on the importance of humility, hence denoting the need for ministers to understand that they are called by their creator to serve the Universe. This intrigues the practicality and application of our place within God’s scheme, an approach that gives reverence to God’s priorities.
However, it is imperative to note that there are weaknesses to Spurgeon’s book to the 21st century readers. Spurgeon is considered to have served in England in the 1800’s and ministry has revolutioned since then. One aspect relates to language that has immensely changed over the last 200 years. Additionally, changes are notable in doctrinal beliefs among different Baptist groups in England compared to those that existed during Surgeons time.
Evaluation
Within the larger academic context, Spurgeon’s book Lectures to My Students is viewed as remarkable in standing the test of time by establishing approaches that ministers can enhance their relationship with Christ. Through this, the ministers of the Gospel are in a position to establishing the authenticity of their calling, and the need to fulfill the Great Commission.
The book therefore reminds spiritual leaders that things such as quit time, solitude, prayers and fasting are essential tools required in prospering the ministry of the Lord. In as much as these elements are viewed as popular, they remain essential in supporting the course of ministry. Spurgeon through his work exemplifies the ingredients required by pastors and servants of God in serving the world.
[1] . Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, 2010.
MacArthur, John F. Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Thomas Nelson Inc, 2013.
Summary
The book by MacArthur is very resourceful to Christians and leaders seeking to be effective in their ministries and in their personal growth in Christ. The book has three chapters, each delving in different topics, addressing the need for Christians to understand the immense power of the Holy Spirit. In the first chapter, the author states how Christians in several parts of the world have been faking their understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit.
Others use their position to swindle and steal from unsuspecting listeners using the language of generosity and faith.[1] He says prosperity is not a gospel but a heresy.[2] The author says that the Holy Spirit is already churning the Church through mighty revivals and it requires Christians to discern the times and workings of the Holy Spirit in their midst.
In the second chapter, the author states the importance of speaking in tongues as a sign to the Israelites and as a transition to the new covenant from the old.[3] The use of tongues should be orderly and only for edification purposes and not for spiritual ecstasy. The author strongly reinstates the need to have faith in praying for the sick, whose healing should depend on the faith of their intercessors, not theirs.
The author in the third chapter brings several themes into light. First, the author highlights the dangers of counterfeiting the working of the Holy Spirit, stating that it is vital to have a true understanding of the Holy Spirit in worship. The Holy Spirit is God, whose presence in a person should result in a greater spiritual experience.
The Holy Spirit has the ability to secure a person’s salvation, but some charismatic Christians ignore this wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit. The author states that it is important for believers to be filled continually with the Holy Spirit in order to offer effective worship to God and to be fiery in their ministries.[4]
Critique
The works of MacArthur highlights several problems encountered in the Christian faith worldwide. The author is concerned with the low level of spirituality in the church; and how some ministers have reduced the message of salvation to personal gain. The author’s arguments on the working of the Holy Spirit resonates the need for the church to awaken and rediscover the power of revival, prayer, worship and evangelism.
I agree with the author’s analyses of several theatrics present in the church such as false tongues, false miracles, prosperity gospel, and use of the pulpit for personal gain. It is imperative for the minister to understand their call and adhere to their master’s command, the Holy Spirit, in their daily activities.
The author has also stated how important it is to speak in tongues; genuine tongue that leads to edification of the person. This is the most abused practice in the church according to the author, and amounts to mockery of the highest order to the Spirit.
The fact that many Christians do not understand the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives in terms of His plans for their salvation also highlights the need for Christians to seek for a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit. To sustain the great revival and to keep the Spirit fire burning, Christians will have to safeguard themselves from false doctrines and practices and lean to the pure word of God.
Evaluation
MacArthur reinstates the perpetual need for revival in the body of Christ in his book. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the church has experienced mighty revivals by the Holy Spirit seeking to change the static nature of the church to a vibrant one. The notion of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in new tongues is a part of Christian experience that the mainstream churches have ignored for a long time.[5]
The Holy Spirit has immense ability to work in the current church in an even mightier state than the ancient church; something that has been plagued by the inability of the church to recognize His power and the need to yield under His authority. The Holy Spirit is a prerequisite for the successful operation of the church, which Jesus promised to send, without which we cannot be effective in ministry.[6]
George Smeaton in his book The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit reiterates how this third personality of God has been working with humanity since the time of Enoch. The Holy Spirit is the finisher and effecter of the purposes and plans of God. However, the reason why the church has remained dormant for a long time is due to lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit and yielding to the spirit of confusion.
The church is at the edges of societal centrality due to entertainment of ungodly doctrines by ministers and congregation as well. Christians must learn to test the spirits to know which is from God in order to avoid deception.[7] God gave several people in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit in order to do specific tasks, requiring wisdom, courage, extreme strength, and skills.[8] Therefore, the infilling with the Holy Spirit is a requisite for effective spiritual experience in Christianity and realization of greater purpose. The author’s analogy of the works of the Spirit reflects the works of other authors as an imperative entity.
Foremost, one can argue that the ultimate goal of every human being is to thrive and live in a free world where their activities are not controlled or even restricted by some form of authority. However, every person has interests and needs that would often differ from another person’s. This means that conflicts are bound to happen when each person wants to take a different path that would eventually lead to a satisfaction of their endeavors.
Naturally, human beings are dependent on each other for survival (Qizilbash, 2014). For example, if a person has capital to start up a business, they will need workers to run the day to day operations of the business. Equally, human beings depend on the same resources to achieve different ends.
For instance, one person may use land to cultivate crop and another person may opt to use the same land for real estate development. In the same token, when a person acquires property, he naturally expects that another person would respect such property and refrain from trespassing or unwanted interference in its usage and vice-versa.
From the aforementioned examples, then it is evident that society generally is a unit that is modeled on the aspect of mutual co-existence. These sprouts up the concept of rules and regulations that are meant to guide the conduct of the people. These rules are often based on norms and acceptable codes of behavior supplemented by sanctions and punishments for any violation that may result (Urmonas & Naciscionis, 2016).
However, not all rules may be good for society but the authorities in charge of enforcing these rules may initiate manipulative ways to blind the people to presume the rules to be good. Take for instance a rule that requires one to kill another for trespassing in his property. Such an action may be justified but is it justifiable that another person’s life has been lost.
Thus, when one chooses not to adhere to the set rules, then such a person is presumed to be a crook deserving harsh punishment so as to conform to the set rules. In doing this, violent or even negative consequences may emerge all in bid to try and transform such a person to conform to the crude system.
PART TWO
Concisely, the story about the hanging stranger describes a society that has been indoctrinated into believing that certain acts are ordinary. These acts, from a reasonable man point of view should be nerve-wracking such that they demand proper action to be taken but it is not the case in our given story. Ordinarily, one would expect that if a dead man is found hanging in a lamppost, then the authorities would be informed and conduct immediate investigations on the same.
Nonetheless, the story depicts that even in such a crooked situation; there will be always one or two sane people that would see the problem. However, this means that pointing out such a problem would paint a person as an outlaw. This is the situation that Loyce finds himself in. Hence, in such a state, Loyce must first protect himself from being trapped in the same situation and livelihood as the others but this means that the concerned authorities will do everything possible to make sure he abides by the same rules and way of life. His life and that of his family is thus in danger.
In the story, Loyce is characterized as an ordinary person going about his everyday life. However, owing to the change of events his life suddenly turns into turmoil. Foremost, such a characterization portrays the picture that laws in the society seemingly affect the normal person on the street. Similarly, the residents of the town who are characterized as ordinary people represent a different role in the story of having accepted the codes of the corrupted system.
Therefore, by making a comparison of the two characters, then one is able to clearly see the variation of what ought to be right and what is wrong. Thus, when Loyce notices that a dead man is hanging from a lamppost and none of the other people is worried, then it makes him an outlaw that must face consequences of not following the established code.
As portrayed in the story, the rot in the society begins from the highest authorities. Considering these are the people with the power over the society, then whatever they propose or impose would be deemed to be right. Thus, if anybody objects to the same, they will take action which in the eyes of the other societal members will be taken as appropriate.
Undisputedly, rules require that a person be of a certain character in order to be accepted in the society. When this does not happen like in the case of Loyce, then negative consequences may emerge. For instance, Loyce is forced to move out of his home. Equally, when a person does not share in the same rules, views and opinions as the majority members in the society, it essentially means that there deferring personality would not be taken friendly. Hence, to contain ones behavior, it will take more than the use of rules. This means that force or even harm to the person may be used.
Importantly, the main aim of rules within the society is to limit or prevent the occurrence of conflicts. This means that every person must obey the rules imposed without question. Raising an alarm on any of such rules would mean one is corrupting the minds of the people following such a system and this could potentially lead to a revolution. For instance, when Loyce noticed that all the people were not worried about a body hanging from a lamppost; it hit him that they had been corrupted by the system.
The body was there to act as a bait to expose anyone that reacted to it because that was what any sensible man was expected to do. Such a reaction meant Loyce was a potential threat to the system as he was bound to lead to a struggle between him and the authorities thus endangering his life as afterwards he was attacked by a creature while in his house (Philip, 2015).
To conclude, it is averred that regardless of existence systems that indorse rules within the society that are bound to raise insurgencies for their violations, such rules can be defeated in the long run because they do not get to everybody. But these exceptional people must fight against such systems and take firm stands.
References
Philip K. Dick (Jan 29, 2017). The Hanging Stranger. American Literature. Retrieved from
Qizilbash, M (2014). Are modern philosophical accounts of well-being excessively‘individualistic’? International Review of Economics, 61(2), 173-189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12232-014-0204-x
Rhetorical Analysis of Amir Attaran’s “The Ugly Canadian”
A Rhetorical Analysis of Amir Attaran’s “The Ugly Canadian”
Thesis
The article, “The Ugly Canadian” aims at convincing Canadians that the government is the tainting the image of the state and correspondingly that there is a gross violation of elementary standards and values both at the national and international level. Likewise, Attaran asserts that Canada is liquidating its internationalism based on the national laws that are showing a dark side of the state. Attaran presents a resounding argument that the government has embraced the concept of “exceptionalism” which has discolored Canada’s progression towards achieving the international honor.
Throughout the article, he dispatches this argument by asserting that the government has taken pride in working in different directions contrary to what the norms profess. For instance, he notes that the abduction of Robert Fowler and Louis Guay; who were Canadian diplomats raised a few eyebrows in spite of them being government envoys. He questions such silence in a distressing manner. He goes further to drive his argument by denoting that the former Prime Minister, Lester Pearson, would never approve the direction the government had taken about its international and national conduct.
Attaran tells of a vast growing evidence of exceptionalism especially within the national context by looking at the legislations and codes of conduct that exist. He gives an indication of foreign trade laws, for instance, the Governor-in-Council gets to decide on which developing countries gets the preference of exporting to Canada at a discounted tariff. Why Attaran asks, does Hong Kong, Israel, South Korea and Singapore get the preference when certainly none of them is poor? (Attaran, 2009).
In further discussion, Attaran points out other wanting areas of concern; public health, corruption and human rights domains. The evidence he gives paints an image of a government that embraces rather than critiquing the loopholes that exist within various systems. Take, for instance, “the state-orchestrated secret kidnapping” which is against the doctrine of enforced disappearance of persons.
Despite Canada having nurtured a global reputation for being a fierce human rights defender, the country is yet to sign UN’s International Convention for the Protection of all persons from enforced disappearance. Attaran pegs this refusal to the fact that Canada is in the actual sense committing the same crimes it should be preventing.
Significantly, by basing his excavation on various domains where the Canadian government has exercised exceptionalism in an arbitrary and unjustifiable way, Attaran delivers substantial evidence as such successfully achieving the intended goal of critiquing the government’ conduct both at the national and international level which has led to tainting the overall image of the country.
By the same token, Attaran further faults the civil society, mainly his fellow academics and NGOs for taking a back seat and failing to question the defects of the government which has led to drift from internationalism. In this respect, Attaran not only attributes the failure to uphold Canada as a respectable nation to the government officials but the society in large. In this way, Attaran successfully conveys his message that the rot affecting the country is deep rooted in the society and if a change is to occur, it should start from the top level going deep down.
Purpose
Arguably, the purpose of the article is not to taint the image of the government but rather to act as a critique towards its international and national conduct which has circumvented the standard codes of practice for a sovereign state. By providing a significant amount of information on various areas where the government has failed, the article provides a weighing scale on which the country can assess itself.
Accordingly, the article also puts the government in the limelight for its various activities. This is an important aspect as it empowers the people to understand various violations conducted by the government. Such an understanding could evoke public disapproval of the activities of the government as such promoting proper change or initiating platforms for facilitating discussions so as to find better ways forward.
Target audience
Notably, Attaran targets the political class at large. These are the people that not only represent the country at the international level, but they also formulate local laws which control the interactions between the citizens themselves, their interactions with various governmental agencies and the state. Arguably, the demeanor of these officials of embracing exceptionalism, which is contrary to conventional norms, trickles down to the society hence causing further adverse effects.
By targeting the political elite, Attaran delivers on his argument that reforms must commence from top most individuals down to the societal members.
Writing strategies
Structure
Notably, Attaran structures the paper in such a way that it allures the reader into developing an interest in the intended goal. He starts off by giving an insight of how two Canadian diplomats were abducted by a shadowy group (Al Qaeda). He further asserts that even though their story has a happy ending, it leaves many questions to be answered.
From this short introductory piece, Attaran can develop his idea of exceptionalism that had been embraced by the government, which had allowed it to deviate from acceptable codes of conduct. He further moves from the international level and gives wide examples of the same concept being applied within the national context. Notably, this structure enables Attaran to develop his story in a smooth manner as he can move swiftly from one issue to another.
Language
Substantially, Attaran sticks to using a formal language throughout the article so as to enable him to deliver his message better. Considering his target audiences are the political elite, it is important that he addresses the issues at hand in a clear manner. Also, by using direct quotations from past scenarios, Attaran can allow the readers to have a flash back to things that they can relate to. This is an upshot to his intended goal as it keeps the reader involved and gives a feel of realness. Also, Attaran uses ridicule and comparison so as to express how Canada has fallen below the expected standards.
The language that Attaran adopts strengthens his argument as he can reach out to his target audience and at the same time connects with the readers
Rhetoric appeals
Expressively, the lack of solid sources to back up Attaran’s claims towards the government’s failures may impact negatively on the intended goal of the article. His focus on technical areas such as security or trade laws without concrete proof on the reasons for the measures taken by the government may not persuade a reader into following his line of thought. Arguably, this forms a weakness for the article; his logos may be questioned especially based on the accuracy of data provided. Also, the historical analogies given may have happened under different circumstances as such making it unfair to put Canada under the same scenario.
Reference
Amir Attaran’, (2009). “The Ugly Canadian” in the Literary Review of Canada.
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Yank in The Hairy Ape
Based on what you know about bullying by today’s standards- in school, work, or social environment-is Yank in The Hairy Ape By Eugene O’Neill the bully or bullied? Explain your theory and include dicussion on the final outcome of the whole story.
Topic: The Tale of “Yank in The Hairy Ape” and the Bully in the Office.
Workplace bullying is a reality today as the statistics from Civility Partners LLC indicates that about 70 percent of adults working have been bullied at some point in their working life. The majority of the bullies are found in management positions represented by figures of over 71 percent.
This reflects the tale of “Yank” in “The Hairy Ape” who was a brutish, unthinking stoker that worked in a transatlantic liner who bullied and despised everyone around him as he thought himself superior to his mates. He felt secure and he was highly confident of his physical power over the ship’s engine as he stokes the engines of an ocean liner (O’Neill).
According to Carbo and Amy, the consequences of workplace bullying are dire to a company and its employees as many employees would opt to leave rather than challenge the bully and stir up trouble. But because of the “bad job market”, they have no option but to stay which results in a demotivated worker and consequentially affects the company’s bottom line.
Bullying has been made illegal since the passing of the Health Workplace Bill which was in response to the illegal workplace acts that were occurring such as discrimination and harassment due to a variety of reasons. In the play, Yank challenged everybody’s opinion and even threatened physical violence as seen when he threatens “Long” when he talks about the Bible and tells him that he does not want to hear the religious nonsense.
He goes on further challenging the other ship workers as he says that his work is the most important and cannot be done by just anyone as they would faint (O’Neill). This reflects the thinking of today’s bullies in the workplace as they brag that they can easily do the work of other people in the shortest time possible while theirs cannot be managed by just anyone.
This is common especially to those in power or the “rainmaker” that bring huge amounts of business to the company per year. It also could be the people in the management that suffered and strained in order to reach the position they are today are more predisposed to being bullies (Lavan and Wm Marty).
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A bully usually struggles with the search for belonging in the world of the rich and this is what Yank goes through as he works in the liner. Bullies will look for ways to inflict pain to those that reject them or refuse to love them, especially those in the higher ranks or social class (Lavan and Wm Marty). Retaliation from bullies can be devastating, especially in the workplace as they can deliberately plan to sabotage the company as payback.
In the play when Yank faces rejection from the daughter of a rich industrialist, who owned various steel businesses, when she calls him a “filthy beast”. The rejection by the lady drives him into a depression and he later plans on how to destroy the factory owned by the lady’s father as payback. Companies should therefore implement anti-bullying policies and conduct anti-bullying training not only to protect themselves from the bullies but also protect its workforce. A company can shield itself from lawsuits of workplace bullying if they can prove that the supervisor or manager who harassed an employee received anti-bullying training (Carbo and Amy).
Although tough laws concerning workplace bullying do exist, the nature of the vice is difficult to diagnose. This is because most of the cases occur under the radar. We can ask ourselves if a demanding boss or a perfectionist is a bully or what it means to rise above the level of being a “mean boss” to being a bully. We must therefore seek first to understand the bully before they become destructive or even lead to their own demise (Lavan and Wm Marty).
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Lavan, Helen, and Wm Marty Martin. “Bullying in the U.S. Workplace: Normative and Process-Oriented Ethical Approaches.”Journal of Business Ethics 83.2 (2008): 147-65. ABI/INFORM Complete. PROQUESTMS. 18 Sep. 2012 .
