Black and White Photography Essay Example for Free

Black and White Photography Essay Black and white photography can be misunderstood in a modern artistic perspective. This type of photographic depiction is captivating and speaks through the image into the mind where it processes the lack of color by visualizing the depth and contrast vividly. An image that used in colorless photography was seen prior to the 20th century as the normal way to take pictures, but now we have color photography. However, photographers are still finding that black and white images are important to documentation, art, and photojournalism. Black and white photography is a technique that creates a unique impression upon the viewer that cannot be seen in traditional color photograph. No one has to be an expert to realize when looking at a black and white image, that it is something out of the ordinary. â€Å"Black and white and color photography are two different languages. † (Hass 14) Looking at two images side by side, one black and white and one color, the color photograph may be striking, although when just glancing that opinion may be true but looking at them for a long period of time, the colorless picture will prove its self by composition using shadows and highlights. The darkness that seems to be apparent in a black and white photograph usually brings the viewer to believe it is sad and depressing but that opinion is in the eye of the beholder, can a photograph of a sunset be sad and depressing just because it is in black and white? â€Å"The ultimate truth is that the black and white digital photography can make the world look completely different from what it is through the human eyes† (Jelling 1). Many digital photographers actually prefer to shoot images intentionally being black and white, in low contrast situations. So a dark or overcast day can be a great time to shoot out door shots. Most of the time for black and white photography, after the image is taken, it doesn’t need to be photo shopped or edited because the beauty stands on its own. In a color photograph, a lot of editing has to be done because of all the complex colors and shades. For example, red eye can be seen in a color photograph but cannot be seen in a black and white photograph. Many visual tools are used in a colorless photograph including: form, tone, texture and pattern. All of these visual tools are more prominent because there is nothing to take away from the original art of what has been captured. In a color photograph, the color is stealing the viewer’s attention or distracting it away from being a great photo and the appeal of the image is less in the art and more in the color. The viewer is more fascinated with the pretty colors than the deep truth that a black and white image beholds. Color is seen as a major distraction to the overall â€Å"mood† of the picture, when color is removed, the subject can be seen much better. â€Å"What does black and white convey to the viewer? Separateness and coolness with overtones of art, age and credibility† (â€Å"In Living Color† 1). Anyone can see the difference a black and white image holds, it is clear that there is a difference and the subject stands out unlike a color photograph where only the color is seen as a whole, in black and white, what is trying to be seen is clear. â€Å"Light and dark are the fundamental photographic components. Black and white was once the only kind of image available. However, a black and white image contains more than just black and white, light and dark, it has a full range of tones from paper white through light, mid and dark greys to dense black. (Prakel 15). â€Å"Black and white Photography always gives one the feeling of looking at real art. While sometimes bad photographers use the method (of using black and white photography) to cover their inability to take a good shot, in the hands of a true master, black and white shows the best photography can offer. † (Enk and Delbos 1). Unlike the average person taking pictures in black and white, professionally done black and white photographs can be stunning and nothing like any other type. Many photographers regard colorless photography as the purest form of photography available, even compared to still life. The definition of black and white photography is any type of photography in which form, tone, texture, and pattern are the main focus of attention in a photograph. Color depicts reality and with a colorless photography it is unrealistic, meaning the human eye cannot see what the camera sees, we see color in everything but a colorless photograph shows us what we cannot see. It allows the viewer to interpret reality through a photographic medium. Black and white images are, by their nature, abstract and can tolerate much more tonal manipulation without sacrificing realism because it works in a spectrum of black and white and everything in between. â€Å"The sheer beauty of a well-lit black and white frame is hard to beat because it’s difficult to produce that type of focus and simplicity when you’re shooting in color. † (Caterson 1) Lighting is a major part of black and white photography; it redefines the image into something great. Light turns an average picture into a magnificent one, if he lighting is done right. Shadows play an important role in the composition of a black and white photograph. That is why black and white photographers shoot their pictures in a very well lit environment. † I suppose I would describe black and white, or monochrome photography as a filter. It fitters out the color so you become aware of the light, the shadows, the composition and not the color. † (Caterson 1) â€Å"Seeing is not enough; you have to feel what you photograph. â€Å" Andre Kertesz, Photographer. The most prominent aspect of a black and white image is the feeling the viewer gets from looking at something that has color but has been taken and made into something that is made of greys and shades of contrast instead of what was a bright red is now black, for example. The feeling is usually somber and dark but can be taken as a good thing because the darkness portrayed comes from the instinctiveness of a black and white photograph being from history and the old days; black and white photography is associated with history because that was the only kind of photography available at that time. Selenium toned, silver-based, black and white photographs have an inherent depth, luminosity, and 3-D quality, unlike that produced by any other process† (Olssen 70) â€Å"Just as in the media of the written word we have poems, essays, scientific and journalistic reports, novels, dramas and catalogues, so with photography we touch the domains of science, illustration, documentation and expressive art. † Ansel Adams Photographer. â€Å"Color photography of actual settings overwhelms with its specificity and leaves little to no room for distance and thereby for theory† (Sassen 438). Distance is something that color photography has trouble with grasping. Distance comes from the monochrome parts of an image that create the depth form a fade of one color. Shadow can be seen in that one color usually being grey in black and white and in color it turns out to be a mixture of colors that confuses the image as being movement instead of just distance. â€Å"The two form a striking juxtaposition that is a testament to the stark power of black and white photography to capture the range and depth of ascetics, emotions and, often unbeknown to its subjects, history. (Enk and Delbos 1) The credibility of black and white photography may seem to be fading away, although it is sure to shine as it did in the history books, telling its story so vividly. As important as it was then it is an art that has been extremely perfected throughout the years, it is now what no one thought it would become. It was thought to never return as color photography arose but even in the coming years, it will prove itself to viewers just as it did in the days when it was famous.

Market Demand For Knitwear: Competitive Analysis

Market Demand For Knitwear: Competitive Analysis Industry Analysis: Current market demand for knitwear is involved with the quality and competitive pricing of products. There is a close competition between the manufacturers and marketers to hit the best bargain and offer promotional discounts to consumers. Cut-throat competition has made manufacturers to offer multi-pack products at inexpensive prices. Developments in knitting, and advanced treatments such as digital printing, glossy foil prints, inkjet printing, flocking, and burn-outs have heated up the market. New knitting machines have opened up possibilities hitherto into unknown segments such as technical textile, for instance; products such as fishnet, fruit-net, shade net and composite products. The Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles market will return to growth, reaching a value of US$1.8bn by 2015, according to new research by Global Industry Analysts (GIA). (just-style.com)It seems that the revival of economic growth, a recovery of consumer confidence, product innovations and sustainability would all help to put growth back on track. On the other hand, demand for unique product offerings, served by unexplored, developing markets, will sustain growth. It can be safely assumed that the knitwear the industry lifecycle is at the mature stage as shown in the figure below. According to GIA, the intimate apparel industry is defined by new fabric developments, including innovations in fashionable and comfortable garment designs. The report found that competition within the industry had resulted in falling prices and a shift in production, prompting manufacturers to expand their operations into South America, Central Europe and Asia (Network). Europe is identified as the single largest regional market for knitwear, although the US; they dominate global knitwear sector with a 65% market share (LTD). Asia Pacific is currently growing to be a promising market for the same. During the recession, the Asia-Pacific market was buoyed by rapid growth in China, India, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan. The global knitwear market is competitive and fragmented. The economic crises have narrowed the gap between the upper and lower end of the market with style differentiation almost vanishing.(Ltd.) With advancements in the industry in the recent years, RadiciGroup is introducing CornLeaf, a 100% biodegradable solution-dyed continuous yarn. Produced by Noyfil SA, the yarn is made from Ingeo, a polylactic acid (PLA) polymer derived from renewable vegetable resources. Compared to traditional dyeing and finishing processes, the manufacturing of CornLeaf requires less water and energy consumption as solution dyeing technology is integrated into the spinning process. CornLeaf lighter than other natural fibers, and has tenacity comparable to other synthetic fibers. According to RadiciGroup, the yarn also has greater hygroscopicity compared to synthetic yarns and is faster drying than natural fibers. RadiciGroups yarn is available in a range of lightfast, wash-resistant colors intended for use in intimate wear, furnishings and consumer goods. (W. T. Ltd.) Company Information: Sana Hastakala (P) Ltd. main office, that houses training, product design and development, and retail outlet, is situated in Kupondole, Kathmandu, Nepal. The address is: G 10/113, Kupondole, Kathmandu, Nepal Corresponding address: P.O. Box No. 3901, Kathmandu Nepal Sana Hastakala (SH), when translated to English, literally means Small Handicrafts. This company was established by conglomerates of handicraft businesses in Nepal to encourage the local artists and producers to participate in producing handmade goods and sell them abroad. In 1989, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF, now known as United Nations Childrens Funds) provided technical and financial support, in addition to assistances from local handicraft businesses, to launch SH. After a year, the organization was able to sustain on its own and, though registered as non-government organization with Government of Nepal, now is a private limited company. SH strives to foster the resurgence of traditional craft skills as well as applying modern techniques in order to generate income for under privileged craft producers who are mostly women (Sana_Hastakala). SH has more than 1,500 individual producers, and collaborates with 80 producers groups. Income is distributed amongst producers and employees. Profits, also, strengthen the organization and finance community development initiatives. The community development fund is used to assist craft producers in purchasing raw materials and equipment, and provide skills training (SanaHastakala_Producers). SH has been proactive in establishing fair trade in Nepal and is the founding member of local chapter Fair Trade Group Nepal. Though many organizations have provided definition of fair trade, the definition offered by World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) has been widely accepted. It states that Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seek greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers especially in the South (WFTO). There are ten standards for fair trade and the list includes stipulations about labor conditions, gender equity, environmental considerations, and transparency to name a few (Weber). Fair Trade Group Nepal (FTG Nepal) is a consortium of fair trading organizations working with the aim to uplift socio-economic status of underprivileged and marginalized producers of Nepal (FTGN About Fair Tr ade Group). SH contribution to social development has been highlighted in periodicals. In 2007, World Fair Trade Day published series of case studies on Why Kids Need Fair Trade that exemplified how SH has helped Babita Rajbhandari, who had been previously trained in SH, to educate her daughter Boibha after her husband passed away (WFTD). In order to increase awareness of the fair trade, SH regularly promotes educational programs at local institutes that offer social work courses. To provide hands-on experience of fair trade, SH provides two 8-month long internships every year to students from the colleges (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures; FTGN Annual Activity Report). SH has two outlets located in Kupondole and Lazimpat. Their annual turnover in 2009 was NRs. 40.5 million (CAD 550,000), exports accounting for 78% and domestic for 22% of sales. Information regarding which categories contribute most to the sales was not disclosed; Japan is the number one importer of knitwear products (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). Many promoters of fair trade have associated with SH to promote local handmade products in the global market; most notably is Ten Thousand Villages, which has 75 retail stores in the United States of America (TenThousandVillages_USA) and 49 stores across Canada (TenThousandVillages_Canada). As promoter of fair trade, SH will provide brochure that highlights the activities of SH, and access to merchandise producers and manufacturing centers will be provided. The third party inspection can be arranged, but the buyer has to provide the cost of hiring external agency (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). Sana Hastakala has website http://www.sanahastakala.com that provides information to the products, and the services provided by the organization and information on Nepalese handicrafts. The website, however, lacks web-based ordering system. This is due to the lack of laws for e-commerce (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). SH recently won Best Entrepreneur Award given by Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal for their contribution in product development, employment creation, export and sales promotion, technological, management and environmental improvements, socially responsible activities, and support to other handicraft entrepreneurs and buyers (WFTO-Asia). Competitive Analysis: Our top three competitors are, Ecowool: Ecowool is located in New Zealand; it has been selling the ship skin and woolen products for almost 20 years. Mayfair overseas: Mayfair overseas is the largest knitwear manufacturing and exporting group in India. Trident Craft Pvt. Ltd: Trident Craft is a handicraft company located in Nepal. All these three competitors offer similar knitwear products, such as cap, jacket, socks, gloves, hat, scarves, and sweaters. Competitive advantage over each of the competitors: Ecowool: All our products are handmade with Nepals rich artistic skill and craft techniques We are the founding member of fair trade group Our main objective is to provide financial and technical support to craft producers Mayfair Overseas: We do not use harmful chemicals in production because all products are hand made Traditional craft skills with modern techniques Designs and based on both traditional Nepali and classic western motifs Trident craft Pvt. Ltd: We use high quality sheep wool and agora wool from Nepal and imported wool from New Zealand to create beautiful knit wears We are the founding member of fair trade group and provides marketing services to our producers of our company Product Information: Sana Hastakala, in collaboration with local women and producers, market variety of handicraft products. Besides producing and exporting handicrafts items, SH helps entrepreneurs with financial and technical assistance; some of these business enthusiasts operate in a very small scale and usually manage their business operation from home. Such assistances usually consist of capital needed for raw materials, health checkup, product development and design, and marketing (Sana_Hastakala About Us). The products are beads, ceramics, hemp products, knitwear, metal crafts, silver jewelry and others. The complete list of products is provided in Appendix A. We are looking for prospect buyer(s) in Canada for knitwear products offered by SH. The knitwear products include woolen cap with earmuffs (or ear-flap woolen hats), mittens (boxer gloves and hunter mittens), woolen sock, and mufflers. Appendix B provides the images of these products. SH uses high quality sheep wool and agora wool from Nepal, and also uses imported wool from New Zealand. The quality of yarn has to be approved by the client prior to production. SH has its own catalog for the designs, which are based on both traditional Nepalese and classic western motifs (SH_Woolen). The design catalog is provided to clients upon request. SH also provides professional to develop pattern and design in collaboration and consultation with the clients. The samples, after approval, will then be sent to producers. All the knitwear products are hand-made and will have 100% Hand-made in Nepal labels (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). It is worthwhile noting that all knitwear (except for sweaters which is not in consideration because of size-requirement discrepancies between Asia and North America) products are unisex. The knitwear products are available in two different sizes: small (kid-size), and large (adult-size). Since these are hand-made, SH admits that it is hard to enforce size requirements, but will comply with clients requirements (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). The knitwear products are available in a range of fashionable colors. The local woolen yarn colors are usually pale white and grey. These wools are from sheep and yak, and no animals are harmed during the production of wool. The wools are dyed based on the clients requirements. The design catalog contains the range of colors available. The hats or caps and boxer gloves can have fleece lining upon request by the clients. These linings provide extra warmth and are usually preferred by most of the clients. The requirement of linings will be decided after consultation with clients. Being a member of World Trade Organization, Fair Trade Group, and Fair Trade Group Nepal, Sana Hastakala strictly adheres to the guidance and regulations to maintain quality and standards, which are regularly checked by these organizations. Besides quality and standard, SH ensures that these ten standards are followed: Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers, Transparency and accountability Trading practices Payment of a fair price Child labor and forced labor Non-discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association Working conditions Capacity building Promotion of Fair Trade Environment The details of these standards are discussed in detail by any Fair Trade organizations (FTGN_Standards). The compliance certificates can be obtained upon request by the clients. The client can request to be affiliated with Sana Hastakala to promote Fair Trade practices in Nepal. Some clients have expressed the positive outcomes and boost in profits because of this affiliation. SH assures that the client will develop business relationship that will benefit everyone and SH will be committed once this relationship is established (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). Transportation Procedures: Sana Hastakala (SH) offers two types of shipping: sea and air. If the client prefers DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), then SH will use its own freight forwarding firm, handled by third party, and the freight, insurance and cost of goods will be the landed cost. Some clients prefer EXW the products are picked up from the SH warehouse located at Kupondole, Nepal. The client will be responsible for all the charges thereafter (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). Nepal is member of World Trade Organization and strictly adheres to rules and regulations of WTO. Prior to 2005, Nepal enjoyed quota free access to major global markets. Nepal does not have any restrictions in exporting knitwear as long as it maintains quality standard requirements (Shah). However, importing textiles and clothing to Canada is subjected to Export Import Permit Acts and requires import permit from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) (DFAIT Import Conditions). The import also is subjected to certification fees and custom fees based on the total value of goods (DFAIT Schedule (Paragraph 3(1)(a)): Fees for Import Permits). SH prefers exporting through seaway for exporting goods, but this requires order in advance one year so that the product reaches the buyer in time. SH can also provide merchandise through air cargo the order is required four months in advance. The seaway shipment is cost-effective compared to air cargo. Currently, the shipping price through sea is US$ 3.00 below 500 kg and US$ 2.00 over 500 kg, whereas the air cargo cost depends upon the courier service used for transportation; on the average, air cargo costs US$ 9.50 below 500 kg and US$ 7.25 over 500 kg (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). The method of transportation will depend upon after discussion with buyer and their preferences, but sea shipment will be recommended to keep the landed cost minimized. The turn-around-time depends upon the quantity of merchandise ordered. A minimum order of 1,000 units of knitwear, mix and match of any products, is required to minimize the packaging and handling charges. The seller has to keep in mind that the estimated delivery time through sea is three to four months, whereas the estimated delivery time through air cargo is five to seven business days (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). The packaging will be done in weather-proof packages so that there is minimal damage to the merchandises due to weather and other natural disasters. The packaging is either in the tarp sacks or boxed, the latter being more expensive and will cost more to buyer (Sana_Hastakala Polcies and Procedures). Pricing Policies and Procedures: For selling any of goods or services some type of cost analysis is required. SH, according to the cost analysis, set prices, for their three merchandise (Caps, Mittens and Mufflers), as below: Caps: $3-4/Piece Mittens: $3-4/Pair Mufflers: $2-3/Piece A part of analysis is verification of pricing. For better understanding the market situation, the table one shows comparing prices between three supplyer that are competing in the market and SH. Obviously, this is one of the best means for validating price. By asking three or more suppliers of their prices for the same product, we can determine if a particular price is reasonable. However, the lowest bid may not always represent the lowest cost. There may be cost associated with making the lower cost product perform to standards, the additional cost of early replacement or the cost of redesign and/or testing required making the lower cost product applicable. This total cost of acquisition is the real cost that must be compared. Its obviously shows that SH prices are higher than the other competitor in the market and it is because of their quality and being handmade of the products. SH doesnt have any discount offer for first order but for compete with other competitors they offer discount for second and subsequent orders. They promote 12% discount for orders more than 70,000 and 20% discount for orders more than 100,000. Furthermore they have discount for fair trade members about 25%, also these excludes VAT which is 22% in Nepal. The company use advanced order to take advance payments to cover the cost of raw materials purchase. Then SH use totally prepaid advanced payment for first order and for the second order they recommend 75% advance payment, 25% after shipping. Also they recommend 50% advance payment and 50% COD payment for third order and subsequent orders. The firms policy on extending credit to its customers is depending on the loyalty of the customers to SH and their participation in promoting fair trade globally and locally. PART B: Prospecting/Qualifying Potential Customers: We propose these methods for prospecting and qualifying potential customers. Exhibitions and Demonstrations: Prospecting Exhibitions and demonstrations will be our primary prospecting method. This types of events gives a sales person extensive contact with large number of potential buyers over a brief time. Using this method we can set-up an interesting display to get peoples attention for example popcorn machine, lightning etc. We can set up our display to maximize visibility based on the flow of the traffic. We can use lead cards to write down prospect information for efficient and effective post- show follow up. In this kind of trade shows we can get the major buyers we want to pursue for contact. Qualifying: For qualifying potential customer in such kind of exhibitions or trade shows we can set up a booth with one sales person to qualify leads and get name and addresses to contact them later at their home or offices. Our sales persons approach to the customers will be assertive rather than common; we can use some questions such as have you ever use hand crafts products? Or by offering them sample to handle that make them get involved into conversation. We can write our message so that it fits on the back of the business card. Our website: Prospecting: Our company website would be our one of an automated prospecting tool. We can use our company website as prospecting tool by doing number of things such as, We can make the site attractive and easy to use We can get come in to their contacts by contact link on every page We can put call me links, whereby they can enter their phone numbers and we call them back. Qualifying: To qualify potential customers through our websites we can put our full product catalog online and also let them download a pdf and order a paper copy. Our website would allow them to make both free-text queries and guiding them through a product list. Our potential customer can get all information about our products price range from our web sites. We can use cookies so we can track the prospect and offer customized information. Networking: Prospecting: To find new prospects, networking can be the most reliable and effective prospecting method. We can focus on meeting the Centre of influence people by which we can come in to many valuable contacts. By networking we can get to know about prospects business and find key people in our industry. By meeting people we can tell them what we sell, exchange business cards. Eventually we can build a network of people talking to each other, sharing ideas and exchanging information. We can get networking prospects business card and follow up with our new contact. By doing networking we can develop credibility and a valuable, long lasting relationship that would be helpful in our business. Qualifying: To qualify potential customers through networking we can share information about their business and our business. We can ask them some open ended question or feel good question about our industry and also their industry like, What do enjoy the most about your industry? By making contacts through networking we can build up relationship by sending them something every month such as notepad with our company name and picture. These things will be reminded us and our products. Monthly hard copy and newsletter: Prospecting: This is one on of the good prospecting method that we can use to find potential customers We can target particular market by publishing monthly hard copy and newsletters of our company and our products. Though monthly hard copy and newsletter we can offer them an invitation to a seminar, free training session etc. Qualifying: We can send to our prospecting customer contacts articles, newsletters, books, brochures etc. to guide them about our company and our product. We can publish questionnaires to encourage the conversation. Securing an Appointment: The letter seeking an appointment is provided in the next page. February 21, 2011 Mountain Equipment Co-op 400 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1K2 Dear Sir/Madam, Sana Hastakala is Nepali Handicraft Company. We are the founding member of fair trade group Nepal (FTG) and member of International federation of alternative trade (FAT). This is a non-profitable organization and our main objective is to foster traditional craft skills as well as applying modern techniques in order to generate income for craft producers who are mainly women. We produce different woolen items and other handicrafts products. Sana offers you variety of woolen items which can be used in everyday life. We use high quality wool such as sheep wool, agora wool from Nepal, imported wool from New Zealand to crate beautiful knit wears, sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves. Designs are based on both traditional Nepali and classic western motifs and are available in beautiful range of fashionable colors. At your convenience, I would like to introduce you to some of our products features and benefits. Please let me hear from you if you would like to find out more about Sana Hastakala and what we can offer you. Regards, Jasmin Upadhyaya (Marketing Manager) Appendices: Appendix A Product Catalog for Sana Hastakala Beads necklaces, earrings Ceramics Earthenware statues, water and storage jars, flower pots, glass, cup and plate, tea pot, flower vase, serving bowl, soup bowls, paper Mache masks, puppets and dolls Dhaka Shawls, and cloths Dolls (made from cloth and corn husk depicting various occupational and tribal ethnic groups represent the culture of Nepal) Felt Hand Made Paper Products greeting cards, stationary sets, notebooks, gift wrapping paper, bags, envelopes, photo frames Household accessories Knitwear sweaters, jackets, hats and caps, gloves and mittens Metal Craft Singing bowls, trumpets, drums, various kinds of flutes, cymbals, cutlery items, such as knife ,spoon and forks with traditional designs , and bagh chal and chess games Mithila paintings, mirrors, ceramics, table cloths bed sheets and T-shirts Natural fiber Allo Hemp bags, cushions covers, wallet, and clothing Pashmina Shawls, mufflers Silver Jewelry Wood carving picture frames, mirror frames, small boxes, animals, buttons, decorative wall hangings, masks X-mas hanging Filigree Christmas hangings, and felt decoration Appendix B Images for knitwear products: Ear Flap Hats (DSC08796) Cap with Earmuffs (DSC02910) Boxer Gloves (DSC01045) Hunter Gloves (DSC02905) Mufflers (DSC01063) Woolen Socks (DSC01059) Works Cited:

Every Woman Is A Novel :a Jest Of God :: essays research papers

Rachel often addresses her thoughts to God. How does she imagine Him (Her or It)? Does Rachel's concept of God change during the course of the Novel? Explain. Rachel Cameron, the heroine of "A Jest of God", is not simply as an individual literary character but as a psychological portrayal of women of Rachel's time and inclination. Even we can easily find someone who has the same problem Rachel has in the friends of us, or maybe in an early morning when we get up; stand at front of the mirror; we will suddenly have a idea, "I am Rachel too." She has a common Cameron heritage. She is a gawky, introverted spinster schoolteacher who has returned home to Manawaka from university in Winnipeg, upon the death of her alcoholic undertaker father Niall Cameron, to care for her hypochondriac mother May. Nevertheless, the family resemblance is obvious: their shared Scots Presbyterian ancestry, which Laurence views as distinctively Canadian, provides an armour of pride that imprisons her within their internal worlds, while providing a defence against the external world. To overcome that barrier between personalities, she must learn to understand and accept their heritage in order to liberate her own identities and free herself for the future. She must also learn to love herself before she can love others. Rachel receive a sentimental education through a brief love affair: as a result of learning to empathize with their lovers, she learn to love herself and the people she lives with. Laurence's emphasis is, as always, on the importance of love in the sense of compassion, as each of her solipsistic protagonists develops from claustrophobia to community. The beginning of "A Jest of God" extends beyond its Canadian perimeters in Rachel's branching imagination, both into the fairytale dream world which gives depth and pathos to the disappointment and despair of her present and out into a wider world in time and space than the grey little town of Manawaka. The first lines of the novel tell us everything basic to Rachel's mind, her temperament, and her situation. The wind blows low, the wind blows high The snow comes falling from the sky, Rachel Cameron says she'll die For the want of the golden city. She is handsome, she is pretty, She is the queen of the golden city. They are not actually chanting my name, of course, I only hear it that way from where I am watching the classroom window, because I remember myself skipping rope to that song when I was about the age of the little girls out there now. Twenty-seven years ago... (p. 1) The reader is engaged in sympathy with Rachel by the sadness of the gap

Malcolm X Essay -- essays research papers fc

Malcolm X No one really knows what kind of impact Malcolm X would have had on history if he had not been assassinated. His beliefs and philosophy did gain him a place in history as one of the best-known Black Nationalist Leaders. Everyone seems to have known who Malcolm X was, and he ranks high with all other Black leaders. His ideas were radical and he was very out spoken. He was a major force in the development of black history. He fought not only for his people but also for all oppressed people everywhere. He was well spoken and he laid the groundwork for the black power movement of the late l960’s. Malcolm X was born on May 19, l925 to Rev. Earl and Louise Little in Omaha, Nebraska. Malcolm Little developed his own ideas and philosophies because of the many events that took place in his life. These events mostly tragic, created the path that Malcolm would travel. His father was his main influence. He was a Baptist minister who believed in freedom and equal rights for black people. He wanted a black nation in America and went underground with secret meetings to further these ideas. Sadly, when Malcolm was six years old, his father was murdered. After the murder his mother was institutionalized and all of the children went to live with neighbors. Malcolm decided to go on with his life an attended a white school. However, he soon realized that he was still treated unequally with whites because he was black. After leaving school Malcolm eventually went to live with his sis...

Sadistic Zealots :: essays research papers

Opinion Sadistic Zealots   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The acts of terrorists on September 11, 2001, demolished two important American buildings and executed thousands of innocent victims. This united Americans, both to mourn the loss of lives and to fight back against international terrorism. However unforgivable, this attack was not a senseless act of violence by sadistic zealots. Apparently, the terrorists were not aware of the long-term consequences of their actions. The brainwashed crusaders may not have even known the motivation for the attack but were blindly following a twisted act of eccentric Muslims. In either case, serious short and long-term reactions will ensue until ultimately, a peaceful resolution will result or the world will be at war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The causes of this atrocious terrorism are numerous and date back to biblical history when freedom fighters were misguided by radical factions, such as the zealots who fought Roman domination while Christ sought peace. In the present, one of the chief causes is America’s gift of approximately three billion dollars to Israel each year. This money and support is then used to help the Israeli Army fight an endless territorial war against Palestine. The result is anti-US. demonstrations in Palestine and other Arab countries. The arsenals used by Israelis to attack Palestine were obtained through American aid. US technology has provided for easy international travel and contemporary buildings and cities produce easy targets to kill innocent victims with one mighty blow. Therefore, when people ask today what Americans did to deserve this, the answer would be simple. America entwined itself into a war over hallowed ground. Hoping to be a mediator, it did not realize that it is in no place to proctor such a violent bonanza.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Basinger Hickey 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The reactions of Americans to the terrorism were what everyone expected. An initial fear of certain doom was followed by remorse and grief for the loss of lives. Next came the nationwide sacred oath of revenge, one that was shared by the President of the United States. He vowed vengeance on the perpetrators of the attack. Among the individual Americans, no consensus is available on what they feel needs to be done. Extremists feel that the only way to rectify this situation is to sacrifice all Arab countries. Others hope that there is no need for any more violence, as it can only escalate into even more trouble for targeted countries. For instance, perhaps the solution will be found by bringing Osama bin Ladin and his cult of kamikaze bandits to justice other then executing millions of innocent Arabs with a bomb.

Cultural Differences Essay

Sexual development is a natural part of life. Sex is a biological form of the male and female make up. Sexual development is considered a universally biological aspect of life. Although, sexual development is the foundation of human existence everyone that is biologically labeled as a male or female do not identify themselves as such. Also social encounters that an individual experience develops gender identity. In this paper I will discuss the implication of the sociopolitical factors of gender and sexual identity/orientation in multiculturalism. I will address the following questions; what is gender identity and sexual identity/orientation? What is the role of gender identity in cross-cultural societies? What is the role of sexual identity/orientation in cross-cultural societies? Finally what of their significance in understanding cultural difference? Gender identity has been defined as the possession by somebody of a conviction of belonging to a particular sex, regardless of whether this corresponds to his or her anatomical sex (Segall, pg 227, 1999). The universally acceptable definition is the specification of a sexual role whether male or female it is not the biological make up as of sexual identity. There are many different perceptions of cultures within gender identity given it is socially-cultured influence for example the LGBT community which is a socially created group in result of behaviors developed from external factors. Gender identity is a socially driven aspect of sexual make up. â€Å"Gender refers to the meanings attached to being male or female, as reflected in social statues, roles, and attitudes regarding the sexes†¦gender roles, gender identity, and sex-role ideology are not inherently biological. Therefore gender identity is not an inherently developed part of the human. In fact it is a psychologically developed discipline because it is a behavior and can be influenced by external factors. Given that gender is easily manipulated and not manifested, male and female react to their gender roles in different ways. â€Å"Conditions in subsistence-level societies that can produce sex differences  in psychological differentiation through socialization practices that may differentially influence the two sexes† (Segall, pg 232, 1999). Sexual identity is how an individual sexual identify them as and sexual identity has a direct correlation to refers to whom one is sexually and romantically attracted to. Sex alone is the biological make up of a human genital. In today’s society many cultures will consider a person sexual identity as identification of sexuality. Also in a more traditional conservative culture sexuality identity is of what GOD created one as at birth. Yet for evolutionist sexual identity is how one identifies one’s self as. In contrast sexual orientation is the nature of sexual preference, the direction of somebody’s sexual desire, tow ard people of the opposite sex, people of the same sex, or people of both sexes (Segall, pg 229, 1999. Unlike gender identity sexual identity is a physiological make up of human sexual desires and orientation. The difference between gender identity and sexual identity is the nature vs. nurture concept. Gender identity is a product of nurture, and learned behavior while sexual identity/orientation is nature and apart of biology it is inherent. Gender identity is a universally accepted termed that is used in most cultures. Gender is a very controversial topic is conservative cultures. â€Å"The perspectives on the politics of difference obtained from poststructuralist queer theory underdetermine identity as it is experienced by a distinct subset of individuals, emblematized by non-traditional, non-conforming, and transgressive black queers† (Phillips & Stewart, pg 379, 2008). In mainstream society the ideology of gender identity has transitioned from male and female roles into gender confusion roles, which birth the LGBT population. In terms of cross-cultural correlation gender identity has a ethnocentric concept, meaning identity is very one side and biased. The groups that does not fall in the null group has to from a negative opinion of why they choose to have a gender iden tity verse a normal mainstream male female given identity. â€Å"Identity allows [groups] to attain voice and visibility against a context of social repression as did discussions concerning the identities of people†¦reinforcing social ascription and categorization† (Phillips & Stewart, pg 380, 2008). Sexual identity/orientation as it relates to cross-culturalism is an inherented from of humans. Sexual formation as a biological form has very little  variance across cultures due to the intangibility of sexual make-up. Yet in today’s society the relaxed notion of sex has transition into a not so culturally acceptable concept. Sexual identity/orientation is now the freedom of choice. A individual has the ability to decide which sex they want to identify which also the partner they want to share that identity with. â€Å"Behavior differences between the sexes are not identical in every society is enough to suggest that culture plays a role in shaping sex differences† (Segall ect, pg 227, 1999). External factors has shape to roles of sexual and how it impact each specific group, for example the LBGT population. In traditional perspective of sexual identity/orientation cultures associate sexuality with religion and considered sexual promiscuity as a sin. â€Å"Social articulation of sexuality had been organized primarily by religion and it was fundamentally the religion monopoly over the sins of the flesh† (Parker, pg 253, 2009). Finally the significance of gender identity and sexual identity/orientation in understanding cultural difference are the generalizations associated with the terms. Across cultural both factors have played a significant role in the liberal society from conservative. As children each culture bestow key gender roles as a form of upbringing from simply playing with dolls or truck to assisting the women in the kitchen and the men at work, each culture has a general ways of teaching socially accepted roles into their children. â€Å"All societies observed different inborn behavioral tendencies in males and females and shaped their socialization practices to reinforce such biologically determined tendencies† (Segall ect, pg 237, 1999). In conclusion although, sexual development is the foundation of human existence everyone that is biologically labeled as a male or female does not identify themselves as such. Also social encounters that an individual experience develops gender identity. The universally acceptable definition is the specification of a sexual role whether male or female it is not the biological make up as of sexual identity. Reference Nuttbrock, L., Bockting, W., Hwahng, S., Rosenblum, A., Mason, M., Macri, M., & Becker, J. (2009). Gender identity affirmation among male-to-female transgender persons: a life course analysis across types of relationships and cultural/lifestyle factors. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 24(2), 108-125. Parker, R. (2009). Sexuality, culture and society: shifting paradigms in sexuality research. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 11(3), 251-266. doi:10.1080/13691050701606941 Phillips, L., & Stewart, M. R. (2008). â€Å"I Am Just So Glad You Are Alive†: New Perspectives on Non-Traditional, Non-Conforming, and Transgressive Expressions of Gender, Sexuality, and Race Among African Americans. Journal Of African American Studies, 12(4), 378-400. Segall, M. H., Dasen, P. R., Berry, J. W., & Poortinga, Y. H. (1999). Human behavior in global perspective: An introduction to cross-cultural psychology (2nd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

Social And Political Conditions Influences Readers English Literature Essay

With the different reactions, observations and sentiments of the characters a strong position is developed on the two civilizations, which could so be interpreted in different ways depending on societal and political conditions in different times and topographic points. In this respect, the point of position from which the novel is narrated and the fact that it is from a western position, like our society, creates an atmosphere in which reading would change in different societal and political conditions. Marlow ‘s geographic expedition of the native civilization provides an interesting position for us, detecting what are unusual rites to us, yet to the indigens or to their posterities it may look rather normal. A western civilization is engaged by the geographic expedition of the peculiar events which unfold in the fresh whereas another civilization may non be as mesmerized, they would construe it all really otherwise and possibly non happen the same enlightenment. As the Europeans were far more technologically advanced than any other civilization these foreign people were seen as inferior and crude, they are ‘simple people ‘ and resultantly they were held in really low respect by the colonials and frequently depicted and treated as barbarian, wild animate beings. However the derogative description of these people and of their civilization was seen as a merely and just description during these times. Any uncomplimentary history was non seen as being favoritism, the people took no notice of it. Marlow ‘s steersman, a native, is possibly the most complemented of all the native people yet is still spoken of in an sick mode. A manner in which anyone today would be highly insulted and highly offended. Bing referred to as ‘an improved specimen ‘ would propose that there was so something about him which required changing, something which distinguished him from everyone else and had to be corrected in order for him to be accepted by the colonials. Yet he is still in a low place, while most of the colonials seem to hold really small intent in the physical journey along the river, the steersman and the other indigens on the crew, the woodcutters, partake in hard and arduous undertakings. Another native functioning the colonials, a guard, is referred to as ‘one of the reclaimed, the merchandise of the new forces at work ‘ proposing that he has been rescued or delivered from another civilization and trained in the right ways of the colonial civilization. Many people today would reason that non merely did these indigens non necessitate any ‘improving ‘ or ‘reclaiming ‘ , that they were by their ain right peers to any other individual, but besides that the colonials had no right to use the indigens to make their difficult work, to work as retainers. This is so exemplified by the hapless payment which they received for their services, â€Å" three pieces of brass wire † , as Marlow says, â€Å" I do n't see what good their excessive wage could be to them. † The unlawful employment of black people as retainers by white people was besides a big issue in America and the indefensible favoritism of these people everlastingly remains an issue. In current western society nevertheless people depicting the native Africans like these would be accused of being racialist and go capable to intense examination. The promotions in societal equality and anti-discrimination established in western civilization have created a society which frowns upon derogative mention to other civilizations, races or ethnicities as is normally used by the colonials in the Heart of Darkness. A pursuit for cosmopolitan tolerance has built a society which has learnt to accept and embrace people of all races and beginnings, it is what sets us apart which brings us together. Upon Marlow ‘s first brush with the native people he describes them as â€Å" black chap † and holding â€Å" faces like grotesque masks † , although people today would really probably be shocked and offended by this rough description at the clip in which the novel is set it would hold been absolutely acceptable. Many people of the clip would attest to it simply bei ng the truth yet today those same people would be labelled racialists. However, from an alternate position, in stating that it is truth it must besides be considered that these people were of a foreign race to which Europeans had antecedently had limited contact. Describing their faces as ‘grotesque masks ‘ may simply be due to a fright of what is different, what they most likely considered, unusual facial features of the foreign race is what provoked these remarks and non because they were in fact horrid. Today western society is far more multicultural. We normally associate ourselves with people of different races, ethnicities and civilizations, we have adapted ourselves to see the comprehensiveness of every civilization and go more tolerant of other people. The African people would non look unusual to us as they did to the colonials and we would hence non talk so imprudently about them. To us there is nil uneven or unusual about a black individual whereas for the colonials, of which many had most likely ne'er seen a black individual, they were a whole new species to be discovered. Some of the different characters react otherwise to the hit of the two civilizations, they have a different position of the opposing ethnicity. Marlow frequently seems to feel for the indigens, he sees an unfair intervention, he says, â€Å" these work forces could by no stretch of imaginativeness be called enemies. They were called felons, and the indignant jurisprudence. † He tells of how they are treated like junior-grade felons, yet by their ain cognition they have committed no offense or any indecency. Marlow denounces the inhuman treatment which is enforced by the colonials and refers to them as â€Å" red-eyed Satans, that swayed and drove men-men, I tell you. † Meanwhile most of the colonials have a really different agencies of detecting the indigens and of covering with them. They are so the people who subject them to the inhuman treatments of which Marlow speaks, they besides seldom hesitate to open fire when they feel threatened. Even when they ca n't see who or what they are hiting at they continue to dispatch ammo into the nothingness which is the jungle. â€Å" The pilgrims had opened with their Winchesters, and they were merely force outing lead into that shrub. † Marlow besides mentions how the Gallic ship of the line would fire into the jungle from out at sea to an evident mark which could non be seen, â€Å" In the empty enormousness of Earth, sky, and H2O, there she was, inexplicable, firing into a continent. † The European would fire into this limbo without spying and placing a precise mark, yet they knew that there was person at that place. Person who was relatively harmless and seldom hostile but person whom they felt was a hinderance or a menace to their wellbeing, â€Å" guaranting me seriously there was a cantonment of natives-he called them enemies! -hidden out of sight someplace. † Most of the Europeans treat the indigens with an indefensible fierceness, they punish them merely for being tribal and different. An attitude which Marlow seems to hate and glower upon. Had another member of the European society in the Congo been the chief storyteller so there would ‘ve most likely been a different position exposed to the reader, meanwhile people with a similar attitude to the colonials would see small or no mistake in their actions like Marlow does. They would construe Marlow ‘s observations in a different mode to others who are like-minded with Marlow. Though the sentiment of the narrative may besides be due to the frame storyteller, he may in fact be the 1 who disagrees with the colonial intervention of the indigens and non Marlow. He once more is in a somewhat different societal and political place, Marlow tells the narrative to him at a ulterior clip to when it was acted out. He may construe Marlow ‘s narrative otherwise to the manner in which Marlow had intended due to his different societal and political penchants and the society in which he had grown up possibly being somewhat different to the one which Marlow did. This manner in which societies have different political and societal constructions and how they change and develop over clip agencies that for all people their reading of a text such as Heart of Darkness can be really different. How different civilizations observe and notice different proceedings and rites, how they comprehend different euphemisms and descriptions, all depends on their societal and political background. What values and beliefs people have been constrained to make a different reading. Interpretations which are as plentiful and every bit diverse as the lands and ages which have passed, people in all different times and topographic points comprehend the novel in assorted ways. The different societies the characters have been exposed to, which the storyteller has been exposed to and which the reader exists in today offer a different position on the novel and many different waies towards its reading.