What It Means to Be a Blackbelt

Ryan Cloninger Denver Tae Kwon Do Mr. Putnam November 8, 2009 What a Black Belt Means to Me When I was thirteen I started taking Tae Kwon Do. I wanted to learn how to fight and break boards. I have come a long way since my first Tae Kwon Do class. As a candidate for black belt rank, I now have a different perspective of Tae Kwon Do, and different motivation for attending each class. To me a black belt consist of displaying great character, becoming a leader, and reaching your goals, and understanding the history of Tae Kwon Do.To become a true black belt, you have to look back and remember the men who started Tae Kwon Do, and understand their history. Tae Kwon Do means the way of the fist and foot. In Tae Kwon Do you are empty handed. When empty handed you must use your hands and feet. In the early times Korean men used their hands and feet as weapons. Koreans used Tae Kwon Do for self-defense when invaders came to savage their village. Men died fighting to protect their loved ones a nd their homes. What once was a military form of fighting soon became a way of life for the Koreans.The history of Tae Kwon Do has taught me that becoming a black is not about what color material you receive. Tae Kwon Do black belts never quit. They work hard to achieve goals, even when the journey is difficult. I have learned to never retreat in life, and that victory is the goal. Becoming a black belt has always been a goal of mine. The respect and honor you gain from becoming a black belt is priceless. Knowing you worked hard for a black belt makes your accomplishment so much better. I have been taking Tae Kwon Do for over four years and am yet to have earned my black belt.The school I train under believes in working hard for the rank of black belt, and this can take a very long time. I believe the long road will make the destination that much more rewarding. Another goal I have is to attend college at Clemson University, after graduating high school. After college I hope to be a professional chef. My goals of going to college to become a chef have been with me ever since I can remember. Growing up around my grandparents who were always cooking got me interested in becoming a chef.Tae Kwon Do has taught me to stay in pursuit of this goal. In order to be the best college student and the best chef, I know I need to be a leader and not a follower. During the Tae Kwon Do summer camps I had a chance to practice my leadership skills. My instructor, Mr. Cloninger, allowed me to teach the Tae Kwon Do classes to work on and critique my leadership skills. Instructing the students really helped me correct my own mistakes in technique and forms. As I have grown through the ranks, my instructor has allowed me to instruct the classes.Instructing is another way of learning. If you cannot teach the material you truly do not understand it yourself. This is required to perfect your material, as I learned from personal experience. I believe my instructor, Mr. Cloninger, is an example of a great leader. He pushes me to my limit and beyond. He makes me a better person, better in the karate school, and in the community. Mr. Cloninger is dependable, hardworking, and possesses many great character qualities. Displaying good character is essential for being a great leader and a great black belt.Positive characteristics, such as respect for others, self-control, obedience, and humbleness, are the building blocks of a well-trained black belt. Respect is always important when training. Respect is earned. It is not simply given to you. You must work hard and be respectful to your instructor. Self-control is an important characteristic to have, not only in martial arts, but also in life. Self-control is harnessing your actions and emotions. When in training all emotions must leave the room. Your mind should be set on your material and goals.Self-control also applies in every day life, whether it is when you are driving down the road and some one cuts you off, or w hen your peers upset you at school. Obedience is another attribute a black belt must have. Whether it be listening to my parents or my instructor, I need to be able to listen and follow through when something is asked of me. Black belts are portrayed as people that can be trusted, doing what they are told and doing it the first time. Obedience comes easier when you have respect for others and self-control of your own wants and desires.A true black belt should be humbled in his achievement of his rank. Black belts should have respect for the art and not use their rank to show off, bully, or be intimidating. Black belts should not to be portrayed as cocky, arrogant or boastful. This is not being a good leader or representative of martial arts. I continually try to implement respect, self-control, obedience, and other positive characteristics into my life. These characteristics help me learn in school, train in Tae Kwon Do, and be a good member of my family.I am grateful and honored th at I was given the chance to test for my black belt. I received the best training from Mr. Putnam and Mr. Cloninger. These great leaders have taught me to stay strong and to work hard for my goals. If I receive the rank of black belt, one of my many goals will have been accomplished. My journey to becoming a black belt has taught me to display great character, build my leadership skills, reach my goals, and understand the meaning behind Tae Kwon Do. I look forward to continuing my Tae Kwon Do journey for many years to come.

Lawyer Ed Masry on a referral Essay

Erin Brockovich is a true American hero who’s icon status and â€Å"stick-to-it-iveness† only fuels her determination to expose injustice and lend her voice to those who do not have one. Erin Brockovich is a single mother, unemployed, struggling to make ends meet in a world not particularly kind to single moms. After a car accident leads her to seek legal redress, she meets lawyer Ed Masry on a referral. When he loses her lawsuit, she shows up at his office, demanding a job, barely hiding her desperation. Intimidated, Ed gives her one. By pursuing her own curiosity she brings on a difficult and huge case about PG&E. PG&E’s desire to increase its profits was so big that they didn’t even care about their neighbors’ health or security. In a world where heroes are often in short supply, the story of Erin Brockovich is an inspirational reminder of the power of the human spirit. Her passion, tenacity and steadfast desire to fight for the rights of the underdog defied the odds. Her victory made even more sweet by the fact that while helping others, she in turn helped herself. This story is not just a triumph of the little guy over the big nasty corporation, it’s the journey of one woman down the path of self-discovery as well. If only the world had more â€Å"Erin Brockoviches† in it, perhaps there would be more honesty in it. Profile of an extraordinary woman â€Å"She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees.† After watching the movie I realized that Erin’s public self was pretty much the same as her private self: she treated Ed, her boss in the same manner as she treated George, her boyfriend. Erin didn’t take crap from anybody but at times she did let her aggressions take over. Most of the time these hostilities would lead her in contempt, but in the long run usually worked out for the best. It was a good way to get her point across at times but from my perspective she could have approached some of these situations a little differently, for example the night Erin met George she could have asked him nicely to be quiet instead of chewing him out angrily, even after he tried repeatedly to apologize to her. She is aggressive and she loses her temper easily. Another example of this is point where Ed takes on a partner for advice and help with costs on the PG&E cases and when Erin walks in and finds out, she immediately feels offended and flies off the handle when she could have used a â€Å"pillow method† so to speak, to look at the situation from Ed’s point of view and realize that taking on this partner was in the best interests of the case. Incensed by what she has found, Erin begins a crusade to make Pacific Gas & Electric accountable for the illness and death that they have caused. Driven by her own persistence and desire to seek justice for the townspeople, Erin goes door to door to sign up over 600 plaintiffs for a direct-action lawsuit against PG&E. However, not everyone shares Erin’s enthusiasm to see justice done – with PG&E being the largest employer in the area, Erin finds a number of townspeople leery of rocking the boat. Nonetheless, Erin’s persistence and the personal interest she takes in their lives makes them listen. She is one of them. A kindred spirit and her ability to connect with them on their level makes them comfortable, ultimately earning their trust. She thrives on being the voice for those who don’t know how to yell. Along with trust and honesty comes respect. When a person is trusted and shown to be honest, that person is respected for those reasons. Erin experiences respect of her for the first time with the community of Hinkley. Once she knows how it feels to be respected, she realizes how valuable that asset can be: â€Å"For the first time in my life, I’ve got people respecting me. When I walk into a room, people shut up to see if I have anything to say. I never had that before. Please, don’t ask me to give that up.† Erin was also respected for her compassion and selflessness. She genuinely cared about every single victim of P.G. & E.’s lie. She proved this fact when Theresa said Erin’s files needed some holes filled in and Erin recited from memory all the information Theresa wanted and more. Someone who doesn’t have compassion and caring for the townspeople of Hinkley would not have been able to do that. When Erin is hired there is some internal grumbling at the law firm, as a number of Erin’s co-workers resent her outspoken personality and questionable style of dress. She talks in a non-polite way, she always goes straight to her point and she is not afraid of saying what’s in her mind, she is brutally honest: â€Å"That’s all you got, lady. Two wrong feet and ugly shoes!† She also loves ironies: â€Å"I just went out there and performed sexual favors†. Erin is always able to get the evidences she needs by using the means she has, she is extremely confident.

Financial Markets and Institutions, Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Markets and Institutions, - Essay Example The impact of the United States to the world economy is connected to the activities happening in the NYSE (Harrison, 2011). Leading US companies have already participated in buying and selling of the shares of stocks in the NYSE. Since NYSE has been successful in trading these financial assets, its operations have expanded that now involve successful foreign companies (Kim, 2004, p. 61). The success of NYSE is crucial to the US economy because the companies listed in this financial market contribute to the nation’s economic growth. The NYSE serves as a mirror of America’s economic stability that if impeded will also have an impact to the global economy. The US economy has an effect on the global economy because the country has been active in having trade ties with other nations. If the US economy will stumble, then it can also be felt in other nations where foreign companies listed in the NYSE are headquartered. When a borrower obtains a loan from a lender, interests are added to the original amount borrowed. Interest rates have to be paid to compensate the lender, since they have given the borrower the opportunity to get the money without having to wait for a couple of days, months, or years of saving it (Heakal, 2009). There are factors that affect the determination of interest rates, and these include inflation, government, and supply and demand. When speaking of supply and demand, this would imply that if the demand for credit rises, interest rates will also increase, but if it decreases, interest rates will decrease, as well. Supply and demand have influenced interest rates in today’s economic climate. Because most people nowadays are into banking transactions, (e.g. when they open accounts in banks), money is being lent to those banks that in turn will be used by the bank for business or as an investment. Hence, the money deposited to the bank by the customer becomes the source of

Job Selection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Job Selection - Essay Example announcing the opening of the jobs in major newspaper and online job services, FEMA will also post such job opening at the universities to cater to students who are about to finish their Master’s degree whom FEMA could entice to join the organization. The job requires of an Information Technology Specialist requires an aptitude for Information Technology, and as such applicants without a background in Information Technology shall be given least preference. Applicants with Master’s degree in Information Technology or a security certification shall be given priority. The function of an Information Technology Specialist requires a high aptitude in computer and programming and it is critical that those skills should be present among the possible candidates. A test that determines a candidate’s competency in computer shall be administered in stages until the applicant’s skill and knowledge in computer is established. Applicants who passed the examination shall be evaluated further in an interview. Experience, attitude and other characteristics that contributes to an ideal job performance shall be evaluated during the interview. The informations that the candidate provided shall be evaluated for accuracy. This is necessary because FEMA involves national security and it is imperative to determine that the candidate is exactly what he or she said she

Public law special study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Public law special study - Essay Example This is an approach consistent with the asymmetry thesis. The asymmetry thesis, takes the position that the imposing sex discrimination prohibitions on religions would amount to excessive restraints on freedom of religion.4 International academic debate centres round either defending or attacking the asymmetry thesis.5 This paper argues that the liberalized thinking occupying international debate is more suited to resolving the tensions between sexuality-based equalities and faith-based equalities. Liberalized thinking in today’s egalitarian society argues that neither religious nor â€Å"quasi-religious† beliefs have a role to play in defining the parameters of civic duty and democratic participation.6 This paper analyses the tensions implicit in sexuality-based equalities and faith-equalities by reference to both British case law and in the context of international academic debate. ... previous statutes defining and regulating the states obligation to ensure equal treatment and protection of the law for all citizens regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, nationality and so on.7 In particular, sexuality, gender and religion are â€Å"protected characteristics† within the ambit of the 2010 Act.8 Freedom of religion is likewise statutorily protected in the UK by virtue of the Human Rights Act 1998 which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights 1953 (Hereinafter ECHR).9 Article 9 of the ECHR provides that all citizens have â€Å"the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion† as well as the right to observe, practice, teach, worship and â€Å"manifest his religion or belief†.10 Article 9(2) however goes on to impose conditions to freedom of religion by providing that the freedom of religion is limitations imposed by law: ...And are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for t he protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedom of others.11 The Court of Appeal explained the importance of Article 9(2) of the ECHR in Ladele v Islington. In this case there was a conflict in competing equality claims: sexuality-based and faith-based equalities. On the facts of the case a registrar who professed to be a Christian declined to register a civil partnership between a same-sex couple on the grounds that same-sex partnerships were against her religious beliefs. The Court of Appeal, in considering Article 9(2) of the ECHR held that the law recognizes that in a modern democratic society it is necessary to prohibit discrimination with respect to the delivery of â€Å"goods, facilities and services on the grounds of sexual orientation† with only exceptional

Relationships in the Church of Christ Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Relationships in the Church of Christ - Essay Example cans and African Americans, the thesis would try to define the role of Church of Christ in uniting these two cross cultural communities and study its influence in promoting leadership qualities for acculturation. The two ethnic communities; Mexican-American and African-American are characterized by their vastly different cultures and individual set of cross cultural problems. But the social barriers have been overcome to build a society where these two different communities collaborate and mutually support each other and successfully help build relationships within the Church of Christ. The study would make efforts to compare the two groups’ leadership roles, on the basis of their assimilation, integration and cross-cultural communication and study the predominant influence of Church of Christ in prevailing over language, race and socio-economic constraints. The thesis aims to collect relevant data through comprehensive interview schedules and study the historical importance of 8th Street Church of Christ in San Jose, CA. in consolidating and uniting the congregation that is defined by its diversity in terms of language and culture. The scope of the thesis would include the study of Church of Christ, incorporating various factors like: organization of church services, integration of funds, language barriers, translation of sermons, communication between the eldership and deacons, individual thoughts of leaders, how scripture defines leadership roles etc., which determine the impact of Church in promoting and building social relationships that transcend the border of race, language and culture especially in the last five years. The research proposes to analyze the data and evaluate it from the various perspectives so that an unbiased and detailed outcome could be reached on the impact of Church on these two communities which have overcome cross cultural barriers to forge long lasting relationships that promotes professional and personal excellence in the field

Accuracy in Financial Reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Accuracy in Financial Reporting - Essay Example Very recently, there were reports of how Saytam Computer Services engaged in unethical financial reporting, which eventually led to the breakdown in an acquisition the company was embarking on. These new values were recorded as present values, making the financial standards of the company appear lucrative when in essence, that was not the real situation. After the proposed buyers found out the situation, they withdrew from the deal. This was because there were intensive debts that the company was trying to hide through that inaccurate financial reporting.Should I be found in such as a situation where indebtedness makes my company unattractive for an acquisition, I would rather put in place medium and long term debt recovery solutions that will buy the company out of debt, rather than report false financial statements. This recovery solution would be taken in association with whichever companies are interested in the deal so that the most workable solutions can be worked out in a very transparent manner. As a manager would always ensure that accurate financial information is reflected in the organization’s financial statements by ensuring the use of third party and independent auditing service persons. Very often, companies over rely on internal auditors, who are easily influenced by accountants (Zimmerman, 2014). It is for this reason that Sherman & Young (2001) recommend the use of external auditors and other independent accounting services to verify an authenticity of financial statements.

Effects of Hurricane Katrina on the gulf coast Essay

Effects of Hurricane Katrina on the gulf coast - Essay Example Effects of Hurricane Katrina on the gulf coast To understand what happened to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast during Katrina, however, one must first understand a bit about hurricanes, tropical storms, and their classifications. Storm occur when there are four specific weather conditions present – low air pressure, warm temperatures, moist ocean air and tropical winds blowing near the equator. Hurricanes begin as a tropical depression, with wind speeds of 23-39 mph, and falling air pressure. Once the wind reaches speeds of 39-73 mph, it upgrades to a hurricane. Category 1 hurricanes have winds from 75-94 mph, which does not cause real damage to structures, only to mobile homes, trees and shrubs, and flooding is kept to a minimum (Brinkley , 2006, p. 17). Category 2 hurricanes have winds from 96-100 mph (Fradin & Fradin, 2010, p. 14). Category 3 is much stronger, with winds from 111-130 mph, which causes some structural damage to small residence, destroys mobile homes, and more flooding (Brinkley, 2006, p. 15). Category 4 hurricanes have winds from 131-155 mph (Fradin & Fradin, 2010, p. 14). Category 5 has winds in excess of 155 mph, which causes â€Å"complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within five to ten miles of the shoreline may be required†.... Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within five to ten miles of the shoreline may be required† (Brinkley, 2006, p. 17). Beginning as a tropical depression over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, then gaining strength while hitting landfall in Florida (Hoffman, 2005, p. 4), Hurricane Katrina began hitting the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 Hurricane, with winds up to 141 mph (DesRoaches, 2006, p. 1). The original reports were that Katrina might only hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 1, which is the lowest grade of Hurricane, but, even while reports were that she was a Category 1, there was apprehensiveness that she would pick up fury and steam before hitting the Gulf region (Reid & Theiss, 2005, p. 4). As Hurricane Katrina hit the mainland of America, in Florida, she was only a Category 1, with wind gusts of 80 MPH, but picked up strength as she passed the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which put the Gulf states of Mississippi and Louisiana into a state of emergency (Rodger, 2006, p. 11). While the devastation in New Orleans is what attracted the most attention, and is what will give Hurricane Katrina its most notoriety, Hurricane Katrina was a devastating storm all around, as it damaged 45 bridges, destroyed railroad tracks and caused debris to fall into the road which cost $200 million in cleanup costs (Rodger, 2006, p. 1). Of course, Katrina was not the only hurricane during the 2005 hurricane season, although she was easily the most famous of that bunch. 15 hurricanes

Practical Research and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Practical Research and Design - Essay Example The leaders were informed of the problems found from the research. Suggestions were put forward to help solve these problems. Leaders were also advised and encouraged to attend courses that give lessons about good leadership. Since these problems have persisted for many years, the outcomes mean that the leaders of the university lacks lack proper leadership skills especially in managing and organizing their classes and labs. In addition, the lack of adequate finances to equip the labs and finance classroom needs means that the budget of the finance department has faults. This in turn leads to late graduation of students. From my reflections, I learnt that organizing ones work is essential, since it paves way for the next step. I also learnt that it is importance to pursue what I have accomplished and to adjust any decisions that need alterations. I also acquired great leadership skills from the resources I used during the research. The research also involved other participants such as my supervisor, the finance department of the university and the supervisor of the university lab. Form this issue; I have learnt that great leadership is essential for the survival and excellence of any organization, such as a school. A good leader should always motivate his/her working team and always create new ways of doing something (White, 1). In reference to the system, I learnt that leadership should be excellent in all areas of an organization to ensure the smooth running of the organization. The process taught me how to organize my work and always implement one step after the other. White, Barbara. Six Important Managerial Skills For Successful Leadership, September 14, 2005. Retrieved on November 29, 2011 from

Police History Essay Example for Free

Police History Essay Starting In 1829, Sir Robert Peel began developing his theory of policing. These nine principles are as relevant today as they were in the 1800s. Peel established the Metropolitan Police when he served as Home Secretary of England. Since Sir Robert Peel introduced his principles of policing in the early 1800s, our country has continued to follow his ideas of effective policing. Community policing is based on Peels concept of prevention. According to one of Peel’s principals, the real key for policing is The police are the people and the people are the police. Peel believed that prevention of crime could be accomplished without intruding into the lives of citizens. Sir Robert Peels first principle was that, â€Å"The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder† (Westminster Police Department, 2012) In our diverse society, it is necessary for police to understand the different cultures that make up the communities that they patrol. If police can relate to and understand the different cultures of the community, they will be able to successfully gain public approval. I believe this is important for his second two principals. â€Å"The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions. † Also, â€Å"Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public†. (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Peel also felt strongly about the idea of the use of force as well. In two other principals Peel stated â€Å"The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force† and that â€Å"Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient. (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Excessive force has been a public concern and the first sign of community mistrust in the police. It can take years to gain the trust of a community and one incident to lose that trust. By providing adequate training on the use of force and having the publics trust and respect can ensure that force is only used to the extent necessary. When individuals have little or no respect towards the police, they are most likely to ignore the requests or demands of officers. This can lead to the officer having to use force in order to gain control of a situation. Peel felt that â€Å"The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it. (Westminster Police Department, 2012) When police are faced with dispersing large crowds, it is necessary for the public to have the respect to follow police orders. When individuals lack trust and respect for the police, riots may occur, which can also lead to arrests, serious injuries, and even death. Sir Robert Peels principles and Community Policing go hand in hand and share the same concepts and goals in policing. One of the distinct similarities between Peels approach and Community Policing is that prevention of crimes is the number one priority. I believe that Peel felt morals played an important role in effective policing. It is important that police officers think things through and have the best interests in mind before making decisions. Peel’s principals â€Å"Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law†, and â€Å"Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary† (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Are important and should be demonstrated to earn the trust of the people in the long run and to uphold the law. The relationship between the U. S. overnment and police organizations across the United States can be analyzed in several ways. I believe that because the police organizations and the government have a close relationship in several ways. Not only are police organizations expected to follow rules from their own departments, they also must follow standard federal guidelines as well. There are federal, state and, local levels of police organizations. The federal government roles are similar to that of local and state; however there are a few differences. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the Department of Homeland Security are examples. Employees of these organizations are by law, allowed to make an arrest in any county or state. Unlike local or state police organizations, these officers do not provide basic protection services or simple criminal investigations unless the local or state agency cannot control the situation (say for example a serial killer). There are some problems with the way our government controls certain things with the other agencies. For example our government ran U. S. military is being used for domestic law enforcement. Also, the federal government is taking over the training, financing and delegation of local police. This could cause many issues, removing the police from local control may not be the smartest move. The concern is arising that the federalized police have increasingly turned to violent tactics and assaults on people who have not committed any crimes. When issues like this arise, it can cause problems within local or state organizations when it comes to police procedures and the way policing is being done. If the organizations don’t feel as though they are in control, or that their problems or concerns are not being addressed properly, this may affect the quality of law enforcement. It could also cause communication issues and lapses. There is the other possibility, that some people may have the opinion that things are better with more outside control. Policing may have to change in many ways to adapt to the change in control. Conclusion In conclusion I think there can be both pros and cons to the relationship between the U. S. government and the police organizations. I also believe that Sir Robert Peel had a major effect on the policing of his time, our current police procedures, and community policing.

PESTEL five forces and SWOT analysis of Apple

PESTEL five forces and SWOT analysis of Apple Introduction This study is an analysis of the business environment of Apple, Inc., which is typically undertaken as part of the strategic analysis of Apple’s operations for the medium and long term. The aim of this analysis is to assess the prospects of Apple, Inc. as a potential investment for consideration. There are three aspects of environmental assessment that are undertaken: the macro-environmental analysis makes use of the PESTEL model, industry analysis employs Porter’s Five Forces model, and the organisational analysis is performed using the SWOT model. PESTEL Analysis The business of Apple shall be evaluated within the context of its operations in the UK. Investor sentiment attached to the country plays a major role in determining the level of confidence reposed by investors in the country itself. Negative sentiment in the country overall may cause an investor shift that would affect stock prices even for companies in industries normally unaffected by the particular events or developments, thus consideration should be extended to indirect repercussions or contagion effects due to perceived weaknesses in the country environment (Chittedi, 2014; Haß, et al., 2014; Ioan, et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2014, Syriopoulos, 2014; Trenca Dezsi, 2013; Yaqing Hongbing, 2013). 2.1 Political The United Kingdom is a democratic country with a stable governance system, and maintains strong influence over the laws and customs of those countries that were formerly part of the British Empire, and now comprise the Commonwealth of Nations. The UK thus holds a strong and enviable position in global politics. However, there are risks posed by terrorist elements such as members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) recruited from among the British nationals. Current political challenges include the increasing tensions in the ruling coalition and the sagging government popularity (UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). 2.2 Economic The UK is a world economic power, with a highly developed economy that gained its footing after the Second World War. According to the World Bank’s assessment, as of 2003 the UK is the seventh best country to invest in or do business with. It is however burdened by a growing government debt problem (currently at  £1.38 trillion) and a huge budget deficit. In order to strengthen the financial system, the Bank of England (BoE) was given the authority to oversee the macro-prudential health and stability of the financial system. The BoE coordinates interest rate movements with the European Central Bank during times of crisis, however Britain still remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (CEEDR, 2012; UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). 2.3 Social The standard of living of UK citizens is comparable with other First World countries. The education and health care systems are among the world’s best, and the social goals of the government include the alleviation of income inequality and eradication of child poverty. As a member of the European market, the UK benefits from the free flow of young people into the country to offset the problems posed by an aging population. Demographically, the population is aging (i.e., 35% of the population are 55 years and older, only 30% are below 25 years), with average life expectancy reaching 82 years for women and 78 year for men (CEEDR, 2012; UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). 2.4 Technology The United Kingdom is renowned worldwide for its scientific expertise and cutting-edge research and development (RD). Intellectual property rights are stringently protected by legislation. Among the challenges to the UK with respect to technology is the increasing shortage of RD workforce, a trend that has persisted since 2008. The number of engineers and technicians in the physical and life sciences, as well as IT and telecom specialists, continue to decline. The lack of technical personnel and RD specialists is a serious threat to the continued competitiveness of UK industry. Patent applications have also been on the decline, meaning that innovations may slow down, further compromising competitiveness (UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). 2.5 Environmental The UK is a strong participant in the formulation of global policies, particularly with respect to agreements dealing with the environment, emission reduction, and sustainable energy source. However, the UK is also known to have a high level of air pollution. The European Commission issued a final warning to UK for the poor quality of its air, prompting the country to expedite a solution to the problem (BBC, 2014; Mathiesen, 2014). High air pollution, due to exhaust fumes and emissions from power stations and factories, prevails in London, while dangerous levels of NO2 have been recorded in Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester (BBC, 2014; Dugan, 2013; Mathiesen, 2014; UK Country Profile, 2013). Government policies, however, will continue to tread the middle ground between environmental protection and economic development (UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). 2.6 Legal The UK has a legal system that is organised, transparent and efficient, and efforts are being exerted to make the processes in the courts simpler and more efficient and transparent (Great Britain Ministry of Justice, 2011). The legislative system favours a high level of freedom in business, primarily to enable investor trust and confidence. There is effective enforcement of the law; in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators 2013, UK ranks at the 21st position among 185 countries with regard to enforcement of contracts. Challenges remain, however, in terms of tax evasion, and balancing personal liberties against the threat of terrorism. These challenges are being addressed by current proposals to amend legislation (UK Country Profile, 2013; USCIA, 2014). Porter’s Five Forces Porter’s Five Forces analysis is a model used for industry analysis. Apple plays a significant role in four businesses, namely the communication equipment industry, the music and video industry, the mobile phones industry, and the personal computer (PC) industry. Because its participation in the overall PC industry is comparatively small compared to its other products, only the first three industries shall be analysed here. Apple’s overall business includes eight product lines: iPhone, its related products and services; iPad and related products and services, Mac portables and other music related products and services, Mac desktops, iPod, software, services and other hardware (Apple, Inc., 2014; GCEIP, 2014). 3.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers Communication Equipment Industry Buyer power is moderate. Apple communications equipment caters to individual buyers, but each buyer has little bargaining power as he/she bargains for him/herself alone. If the company loses just one consumer, the effect on the company will be insignificant. Collectively, however, buyer power may be more significant, as switching costs are low. Fixed line telecommunication devices have a low degree of differentiation and there is little innovation taking place in this area, for which reason buyers are sensitive to price levels and could easily transfer from one supplier to another. Apple’s major competitors in this market include Lenovo, Nokia, and Samsung (GCEIP, 2014; CEIPUK, 2014). Music and Video Industry The bargaining power of buyers is moderate. As with the communications equipment industry, there are many buyers in this market, thus reducing their bargaining power. Offsetting this, however, is the low switching costs that enables customers to transfer brands quite easily. Also, there is a trend towards greater preference for online retail channels and digital download sales due to their greater convenience. Buyers are therefore sensitive to price, recommendations, availability, loyalty schemes, and brand image. In the global music and video industry, Apple’s key competitors are Amazon, Tesco, and Wal-Mart Stores (GMVIP, 2014; MVIPUK, 2014). Mobile Phones Industry The bargaining power of buyers is moderate. There are two types of buyers in this market, the retail outlets (e.g. Europe’s Carphone Warehouse, Walmart) which purchase handsets for sale to consumers, and the mobile network operators that now make their own retail sales bundled with the service they offer. The large retailers are at a disadvantage because they need to stock up on the latest innovations to meet end-user demand. When new innovations or models appear, unsold inventory of earlier models become obsolete. Apple is at an advantage because the firm is capable of forward integration – i.e., they conduct their own retail operations. As a result, buyer power is diluted. Apple’s closest competitors in this industry are LG Electronics, Nokia, and Samsung (GMPIP, 2014; MPIPUK, 2014). 3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers Communication Equipment Industry Mobile Phones Industry Supplier power is moderate. There are only a relatively small number of large multinationals who supply parts and components to this market, reducing market players’ options when sourcing for products. While backward integration is difficult due to high costs of telecommunication manufacturing, it is however not impossible; for instance, British supermarket brand Tesco will launch its own smart phone device, which if successful and followed by other retailers will reduce supplier power. Aside from their scarcity, suppliers are also benefitted by the level of customer loyalty that firms develop for their manufacturers. Apple, however, is one of those few companies which sell their products online and which operate their own retail shops (GCEIP, 2014; CEIPUK, 2014). Music and Video Industry Supplier power is relatively high in the music and video industry. The suppliers in this industry pertain to the purveyors of content, such as the record companies, TV studios and film studios. End-user tastes drive demand, and when the particular content is specifically in demand then market players are compelled to stock on popular products so as not to miss out on revenues for songs, movies, or shows that have high appeal. Also, suppliers such as large film and TV studios tend to integrate forward, that is, they sell directly to the retail market through their own websites. In these situations, there is strong supplier bargaining power (GMVIP, 2014; MVIPUK, 2014). Mobile Phone Industry Supplier power is moderate in the mobile phone industry. Mobile phone manufacturers are much larger than their suppliers, and are therefore in a position to better influence supply contracts. Operating systems are vital components to smartphone manufacturers, but in the case of Apple and Blackberry the operating systems are developed by the manufacturers themselves, and therefore one element of supplier power is diminished (GMPIP, 2014; MPIPUK, 2014). 3.3 Threat of Substitutes Communication Equipment Industry The threat of substitutes is moderate to strong, as product substitution may potential exist within the market. Landline phones and mobile devices are substitutes for each other, although mobile devices have the advantage of flexibility, portability and mobility. In developing countries, counterfeits may proliferate, drawing demand away from legitimate retailers, but such risk is gradually being eroded by regulation, law enforcement, and security measures. Cheaper second-hand products are also substitutes for new models, which may challenge the higher-priced Apple products in certain market segments (GCEIP, 2014; CEIPUK, 2014). Music and Video Industry The threat of substitutes, particularly from counterfeit media, is very strong; this becomes apparent when one considers that digital video and audio content are easily duplicated. Pirated titles appear online, on CDs, and more recently through streaming and file sharing websites. While lawsuits have been filed and litigation pursued in some cases, the lawsuits are so slow that by the time they take effect, damage has already been done that cannot be undone for the titles thus distributed. The same contents made legally accessible online also act as substitutes for the same content formatted on CDs and DVDs. Although demand for the latter may decline, there will still remain buyers who prefer their music or shows on a physical device (GMVIP, 2014; MVIPUK, 2014) Mobile Phones Industry The threat of substitutes is low. The threat posed by landline telephones as substitute for cellular phones is weak, due to the greater flexibility, portability and wide area coverage offered by mobile phone usage. Neither are laptops a strong substitute due to disadvantages in size, weight, and the capacity for outward calls (GMPIP, 2014; MPIPUK, 2014). 3.4 Threat of New Entrants Communication Equipment Industry The threat of new entrants is moderate. There is a low degree of differentiation among the products and services that players in this industry can offer; this signifies that customer loyalty is low, and customers tend more to follow the brand of the manufacturer rather than the retailer. Since buyers can easily switch retailers, low cost entry into the market is possible. Entry barriers are thus low, and threats of new entrants is strong, despite the fact that more established and larger-sale retailers would have developed better relationships with their suppliers as well as enjoy economies of scale (GCEIP, 2014; CEIPUK, 2014). Music and Video Industry The threat of new entrants is strong, and entry barriers to this market are low. If the prospective player already runs a retail business, then entry into the market becomes easy. Switching costs among vendors is low, and enables customers to transfer among players depending on the price, stock or brand image. Larger players carry strong brand images; however, this alone will not be sufficient basis to draw market share away from new entrants (GMVIP, 2014; MVIPUK, 2014). Mobile Phones Industry The threat of new entrants is moderate. The popularity of smartphones continue to attract new players which offer the same features as the established brands, such as Apple and HTC. A good number of the more mature mobile phone manufacturers offer their own smartphones. A market for cheap feature phones thrives in developing economies. New entrants are nevertheless faced with challenges, such as the huge amount and the specialist skills and experience required for capital outlay for RD in which Apple is well entrenched (GMPIP, 2014; MPIPUK, 2014). 3.5 Internal rivalry Communication Equipment Industry Internal rivalry in this market is low to moderate. The market for global communications equipment is highly fragmented; market participants are numerous and diverse, including large foreign companies as well as local independent shops. Competition is slightly more intense among specialty shops than it is for the larger firms that have a presence in several markets. Even so, competition tends to ease because the demand for digital communications products is still expanding, enabling all firms to acquire a reasonable share of the market (GCEIP, 2014; CEIPUK, 2014). Music and Video Industry Internal rivalry is strong, mainly due to the similar choice of products offered by competing players and the low switching costs among market players. Unless the content is originally produced or published by the player, it would not be able to sustain any long-term competitive advantage over its rivals as content and processes are common and indistinguishable (GMVIP, 2014; MVIPUK, 2014). Mobile Phones Industry Internal rivalry among mobile phone manufacturers is moderate, with the lion’s share of the market being shared among a few large and well-known firms (i.e. Apple, Nokia, LG, Samsung). A second tier of smaller manufacturers are directed towards specific niches and do not really pose strong competition to the larger firms (GMPIP, 2014; MPIPUK, 2014). SWOT Analysis (Datamonitor, 2011; MarketLine, 2014) 4.1 Strengths Apple’s several businesses are the result of a combined horizontal and vertical integration. Horizontal integration is comprised of its wide range of products, while the interconnectivity among such products is the result of the vertical integration. This has enabled the firm to create strong competitive advantages that competitors find difficult to challenge. Apple continues to enjoy strong growth rates and cash flows, as sales remain brisk particularly on its online stores. Apple commands high Application Service Providers (ASPs) which continue to perform well in the market while demand for ASPs of other company providers has declined. 4.2 Weaknesses Apple failed to anticipate certain product categories such as phablets, and therefore was a later entrant into them. Until recently, Apple had not launched a larger screen phone, despite having invented the tablet. Samsung outperformed Apple in this respect, having pioneered in the phablet with Galaxy Note in 2011, and now has a commanding presence in the phablet market. Apple positions itself in the premium category and prices itself at a single price point. Consumers who could not afford the premium price therefore turn to Samsung and other brands that have a range of differentially priced products for different markets. Apple has an overdependence on the iPad and iPhone for its revenues and growth rates; the revenues from these two products comprise 72.1% of its total revenues for 2013. Eventual decline in the sales of these products will threaten the company’s sustainability and viability. 4.3 Opportunities The iPhone and iPad remain popular in the personal gadgets market, and further growth in their sales could still be explored in the corporate arena. A trend known as bring-your-own-device has become popular in the workplace, as people have appropriated these personal devices for their business purposes. Companies have only begun to exploit mobility strategies to offer better choices to the customers, and iPads may be tapped for this. Apple has yet to fully tap the growth prospects in the emerging markets. There is a rising middle class in India in which Apple may carve out a greater market share. It should be recalled that India is a member of the Commonwealth with which the UK is developing increasingly closer ties. The vast market in emerging countries is far from saturation, and Apple in UK is in a position of take advantage of it. 4.4 Threats One of the weaknesses of Apple cited is its premium pricing policy. This policy shall prove detrimental to any efforts to penetrate an emerging market, because few if any will be able to afford it. Therefore, in the event of any economic downturns that tend to erode the buying power of consumers, demand may shift from Apple’s more expensive products to lower-priced competitors like Samsung. The complex environment of electronic communication devices is constantly innovating and poses a serious challenge to Apple’s position in the market. Players are aggressively competitive, principally because of the fluidity of this disruptive innovation that allows for constant redesigning and modification. Conclusion The business of Apple, Inc. is a viable investment in the UK, although recommendation of entry stock price will have to await a valuation analysis of the stock based on financial and economic models. Being an investment that relies in technological innovation, Apple will have to be a growth buy, that is, it may not have long-term prospects but it will continue to have a strong market presence in the medium term. The principal concern of investors will be the sustainability of Apple’s cutting-edge innovations in the post-Steve Jobs era. Apple should continue to maintain its core competence in technological innovation and its competitive advantage in its horizontal and vertical integration to remain a viable investment. References Apple Inc.: The Steve Jobs Effect (2012) Apple Case Study: The Steve Jobs Effect, pp. 1-16 Apple, Inc. (2014) ‘Apple Info.’ Retrieved 25 October 2014 from https://www.apple.com/about/ BBC News (2014) ‘Air pollution needs more monitoring, says GMB union.’ BBC News UK. 8 June. Retrieved 25 October 2014 from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27753072 Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) (2012, May) Early Assessment of the UK Innovation Investment Fund. Department for Business Innovation Skills. Retrieved 25 October 2014 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32236/12-815-early-assessment-uk-innovation-investment-fund.pdf Chittedi, KR (2014) Global Financial Crisis And Contagion: Evidence For The Bric Economies, Journal of Developing Areas, 48, 4, pp. 243-264 Communications Equipment Industry Profile: United Kingdom (CEIPUK) (2014) Communications Equipment Industry Profile: United Kingdom, pp. 1-37 Datamonitor: Apple Inc (2011) Apple, Inc. SWOT Analysis, pp. 1-10 Department for International Development (2013) Multilateral Aid Review: Assessment of Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). Retrieved 25 October 2014 from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multilateral-aid-review-assessment-of-climate-investment-funds-cifs Dugan, E (2013) ‘Government fights Europe over air pollution reduction.’ The Independent, 2 March. Retrieved 25 October 2014 from http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/government-fights-europe-over-air-pollution-reduction-8517922.html Global Communications Equipment Industry Profile (GCEIP) (2014) Communications Equipment Industry Profile: Global, pp. 1-35 Global Mobile Phones Industry Profile (GMPIP) (2014) Mobile Phones Industry Profile: Global, pp. 1-34 Global Music Video Industry Profile (GMVIP) (2014) Music Video Industry Profile: Global, pp. 1-34 Great Britain Ministry of Justice (2011) Legal Aid Reform in England and Wales: The Government Response. London: Ministry of Justice Haß, L, Koziol, C, Schweizer, D (2014) What Drives Contagion in Financial Markets? Liquidity Effects versus Information Spill- Over, European Financial Management, 20, 3, pp. 548-573 Ioan, T, Nicolae, P, Eva, D (2013) An Inquiry Into Contagion Transmission And Spillover Effects In Stock Markets, Annals Of The University Of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 22, 2, pp. 472-482 Liu, Y, Ouyang, H (2014) Spillover and Comovement: The Contagion Mechanism of Systemic Risks Between the U.S. and Chinese Stock Markets, Emerging Markets Finance Trade, 50, pp. 109-121 Mallin, M, Finkle, T (2011) Apple Inc.: product portfolio analysis, Journal of The International Academy For Case Studies, 7, p. 63 MarketLine (2014) Apple Inc. SWOT Analysis, MarketLine, pp. 1-10 Mathiesen, K (2014) ‘Does London have the worst NO2 pollution on Earth?’ The Guardian: The Eco Audit. 10 July. Retrieved 25 October 2014 from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/10/london-worst-no2-pollution-earth Mobile Phones Industry Profile: United Kingdom (MPIPUK) (2014) Mobile Phones Industry Profile: United Kingdom, pp. 1-37 Music Video Industry Profiles: the United Kingdom (MVIPUK) (2014) Music Video Industry Profile: United Kingdom, pp. 1-32 Syriopoulos, T (2014) Stock Market Volatility and Contagion Effects in the Financial Crisis: The Case Of South-Eastern Europe, n.p. EBSCO Trenca, I, Dezsi, E (2013) Connections Between the European Stock Markets, Review of Economic Studies Research Virgil Madgearu, 6, 2, pp. 151-171 United Kingdom Country Profile (2013) UK Country Profile, pp. 1-67 US Central Intelligence Agency (USCIA) (2014) ‘United Kingdom’ The World Factbook. Retrieved 25 October 2014 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print/country/countrypdf_uk.pdf Yaqing, L, Hongbing, O (2013) Identification and Measurement of Contagion Effects Among Main Markets in Financial Crisis, Pakistan Journal of Statistics, 29, 6, pp. 1105-1116

Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird :: Harper Lee

To Kill A Mocking Bird-courage Within the novel "to kill a mocking bird" the character Atticus finch defines courage as, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Atticus takes the first step by being courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, defying the towns liking of prejudice, even his own sister thinks that he is disgracing the family by taking the case he explains with concern "The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did-I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'. Scout believes at the beginning of the book that courage is all to do with physical feats like fist fighting. Scout and Jem though Atticus was courageous when he shot the mad dog, but Atticus just shrugged it off telling his children that that is not ?real courage?. The children soon see that moral courage is more valuable after Miss Dubose said "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" Chapter 11, Page 113 after they walked past her house. On the way back Atticus just walked by and told Mrs. Dubose, ?you look as pretty as a picture? Mrs. Dubose was so stunned that she could not say a word back to him. Later Jem and scout leaned how courageous Mrs. Dubose really was after Jem cut up her camellia bushes, the kids found out that she was a morphine attic brave enough to get off the drug that killed her. Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.

To Create a Better World :: College Admissions Essays

To Create a Better World    When you work for peace or any other aspect of social change, there are often hardships to overcome. You must believe deeply that what you are doing is right, or else you may become discouraged and give up. I have found that there are no easy solutions to problems involving social change. When you commit yourself to creating a better world, you are most likely committing yourself to a lifetime of effort.    To succeed, you must be willing to persevere in your efforts and you must keep a positive, hopeful attitude. In this work, it is often unclear who you are reaching or whether change is occurring. Thus, you must trust that your work for a better world matters. Sometimes change is occurring under the surface as a result of many individual actions, and suddenly the results become clear as in the cases of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the end of apartheid in South Africa.    The most rewarding life is one in which there is a major element of serving others. Many people find a way to do this in their lives. Of course, there are many ways in which an individual can be of service to others. Some of the biggest problems at the global level, though, go largely unaddressed by most of us, and I think this is an area where young people can make important contributions.    We have many global problems, but we are lacking global institutions powerful enough to effectively address such problems as global terrorism, human rights abuses, global warming, the ozone layer, pollution of the oceans and rivers, arms trade, child soldiers, war, the weaponization of space, and nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. Finding a way to participate in solving these and other global problems is one of the great challenges of our time.    Global problems require global solutions. They also require World Citizens who identify with and give their loyalty to humanity and the web of life. Patriotism takes on new dimensions and becomes Humatriotism, loyalty to humankind. To change the world requires a new kind of thinking and new loyalties that transcend the nation-state. These viewpoints may put one at odds with some segments of society, but if some individuals do not have the vision and the courage to venture beyond the borders of conformity then change will never occur.

Diabetes Mellitus :: essays research papers fc

Diabetes mellitus has a long historical record dating back to second century AD. The word "diabetes" was first used by the Greek physician Aretaeus. The word diabetes means "siphon". It was first used to describe patients with excessive thirst and urination. In the 17th century, the word mellitus, meaning "like honey", was added when diabetes patients' urine was noticed to be sweet. However, the disease is not directly related to urine, but instead to the pancreas. Today many other symptons and complications of the disease are known. Although, the disease has many complications there are also simple treatments to follow to avoid serious problems. Diabetes is a familiar health problem that affects millions of people world wide. Diabetes results from the failure of the pancreas to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the body's use of glucose. Therefore, the excess gluce remains in the bloodstream and passes out the body in urine. In some cases, the pancreas produces a sufficient amount of insulin, but the insulin is blocked from the body's cells and cannot be used. This causes diabetes patients to have abnormally high amounts of sugar in their blood and urine. Diagnosing a patient with diabetes is more complicated than measuring the glucose level of urine only one time. Instead the diagnosis involves several hours of glucose-tolerance tests. These tests measure the rate in which sugar is removed from the bloodstream. After the test are complete, a high glucose level indicates insufficient insulin and the patient is diagnosed with diabetes. There are several symptoms and complications involved with diabetes mellitus. The symptoms are excessive thirst and urination, unusual hunger, a lot of weight loss, and fatigue. The complications are heart attack and stroke, chronic kidney disease, lower-extremity amputations, blindness, and death. Arteriosclerosis is a condition caused by prolonged high levels of blood sugar that causes the walls of small blood vessels to thicken. This condition results in heart disease and stroke. Kidney failure may be caused by inadequate blood circulation. Poor circulation in the legs leads to gangrene which may require amputation of the toes or the legs. New cases of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 74 are caused by diabetic retinopathy. This condition causes hemorrhages in the capillaries of the eye's retina resulting in a loss of vision. Pain or a loss of feeling in the arms or the legs is caused by neurophathy which damages the nerves.

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 56-59

CHAPTER 56 Sophie stared at Teabing a long moment and then turned to Langdon. â€Å"The Holy Grail is a person?† Langdon nodded. â€Å"A woman, in fact.† From the blank look on Sophie's face, Langdon could tell they had already lost her. He recalled having a similar reaction the first time he heard the statement. It was not until he understood the symbology behind the Grail that the feminine connection became clear. Teabing apparently had a similar thought. â€Å"Robert, perhaps this is the moment for the symbologist to clarify?† He went to a nearby end table, found a piece of paper, and laid it in front of Langdon. Langdon pulled a pen from his pocket. â€Å"Sophie, are you familiar with the modern icons for male and female?† He drew the common male symbol The Da Vinci Code The Da Vinci Code â€Å"Of course,† she said. â€Å"These,† he said quietly,† are not the original symbols for male and female. Many people incorrectly assume the male symbol is derived from a shield and spear, while the female symbol represents a mirror reflecting beauty. In fact, the symbols originated as ancient astronomical symbols for the planet-god Mars and planet-goddess Venus. The original symbols are far simpler.† Langdon drew another icon on the paper. The Da Vinci Code â€Å"This symbol is the original icon for male,†he told her. â€Å"A rudimentary phallus.† â€Å"Quite to the point,† Sophie said. â€Å"As it were,† Teabing added. Langdon went on. â€Å"This icon is formally known as the blade, and it represents aggression and manhood. In fact, this exact phallus symbol is still used today on modern military uniforms to denote rank.† â€Å"Indeed.† Teabing grinned. â€Å"The more penises you have, the higher your rank. Boys will be boys.† Langdon winced. â€Å"Moving on, the female symbol, as you might imagine, is the exact opposite.† He drew another symbol on the page. â€Å"This is called the chalice.† The Da Vinci Code Sophie glanced up, looking surprised. Langdon could see she had made the connection. â€Å"The chalice,† he said,† resembles a cup or vessel, and more important, it resembles the shape of a woman's womb. This symbol communicates femininity, womanhood, and fertility.† Langdon looked directly at her now.† Sophie, legend tells us the Holy Grail is a chalice – a cup. But the Grail's description as a chaliceis actually an allegory to protect the true nature of the Holy Grail. That is to say, the legend uses the chalice as a metaphor for something far more important.† â€Å"A woman,† Sophie said. â€Å"Exactly.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"The Grail is literally the ancient symbol for womanhood, and the Holy Grail represents the sacred feminine and the goddess, which of course has now been lost, virtually eliminated by the Church. The power of the female and her ability to produce life was once very sacred, but it posed a threat to the rise of the predominantly male Church, and so the sacred feminine was demonized and called unclean. It was man, not God, who created the concept of â€Å"original sin,† whereby Eve tasted of the apple and caused the downfall of the human race. Woman, once the sacred giver of life, was now the enemy.† â€Å"I should add,† Teabing chimed,† that this concept of woman as life-bringer was the foundation of ancient religion. Childbirth was mystical and powerful. Sadly, Christian philosophy decided to embezzle the female's creative power by ignoring biological truth and making man the Creator. Genesis tells us that Eve was created from Adam's rib. Woman became an offshoot of man. And a sinful one at that. Genesis was the beginning of the end for the goddess.† â€Å"The Grail,† Langdon said,† is symbolic of the lost goddess. When Christianity came along, the old pagan religions did not die easily. Legends of chivalric quests for the lost Grail were in fact stories of forbidden quests to find the lost sacred feminine. Knights who claimed to be† searching for the chalice† were speaking in code as a way to protect themselves from a Church that had subjugated women, banished the Goddess, burned nonbelievers, and forbidden the pagan reverence for the sacred feminine.† Sophie shook her head. â€Å"I'm sorry, when you said the Holy Grail was a person, I thought you meant it was an actual person.† â€Å"It is,† Langdon said. â€Å"And not just any person,† Teabing blurted, clambering excitedly to his feet. â€Å"A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of Christianity!† Sophie looked overwhelmed. â€Å"Is this woman well known in history?† â€Å"Quite.† Teabing collected his crutches and motioned down the hall. â€Å"And if we adjourn to the study, my friends, it would be my honor to show you Da Vinci's painting of her.† Two rooms away, in the kitchen, manservant Remy Legaludec stood in silence before a television. The news station was broadcasting photos of a man and woman†¦ the same two individuals to whom Remy had just served tea. CHAPTER 57 Standing at the roadblock outside the Depository Bank of Zurich, Lieutenant Collet wondered what was taking Fache so long to come up with the search warrant. The bankers were obviously hiding something. They claimed Langdon and Neveu had arrived earlier and were turned away from the bank because they did not have proper account identification. So why won't they let us inside for a look? Finally, Collet's cellular phone rang. It was the command post at the Louvre. â€Å"Do we have a search warrant yet?† Collet demanded. â€Å"Forget about the bank, Lieutenant,† the agent told him. â€Å"We just got a tip. We have the exact location where Langdon and Neveu are hiding.† Collet sat down hard on the hood of his car. â€Å"You're kidding.† â€Å"I have an address in the suburbs. Somewhere near Versailles.† â€Å"Does Captain Fache know?† â€Å"Not yet. He's busy on an important call.† â€Å"I'm on my way. Have him call as soon as he's free.† Collet took down the address and jumped in his car. As he peeled away from the bank, Collet realized he had forgotten to ask who had tipped DCPJ off to Langdon's location. Not that it mattered. Collet had been blessed with a chance to redeem his skepticism and earlier blunders. He was about to make the most high-profile arrest of his career. Collet radioed the five cars accompanying him. â€Å"No sirens, men. Langdon can't know we're coming.† Forty kilometers away, a black Audi pulled off a rural road and parked in the shadows on the edge of a field. Silas got out and peered through the rungs of the wrought-iron fence that encircled the vast compound before him. He gazed up the long moonlit slope to the chateau in the distance. The downstairs lights were all ablaze. Odd for this hour, Silas thought, smiling. The information the Teacher had given him was obviously accurate. I will not leave this house without the keystone, he vowed. I will not fail the bishop and the Teacher. Checking the thirteen-round clip in his Heckler Koch, Silas pushed it through the bars and let it fall onto the mossy ground inside the compound. Then, gripping the top of the fence, he heaved himself up and over, dropping to the ground on the other side. Ignoring the slash of pain from his cilice, Silas retrieved his gun and began the long trek up the grassy slope. CHAPTER 58 Teabing's† study† was like no study Sophie had ever seen. Six or seven times larger than even the most luxurious of office spaces, the knight's cabinet de travail resembled an ungainly hybrid of science laboratory, archival library, and indoor flea market. Lit by three overhead chandeliers, the boundless tile floor was dotted with clustered islands of worktables buried beneath books, artwork, artifacts, and a surprising amount of electronic gear – computers, projectors, microscopes, copy machines, and flatbed scanners. â€Å"I converted the ballroom,† Teabing said, looking sheepish as he shuffled into the room. â€Å"I have little occasion to dance.† Sophie felt as if the entire night had become some kind of twilight zone where nothing was as she expected. â€Å"This is all for your work?† â€Å"Learning the truth has become my life's love,† Teabing said. â€Å"And the Sangreal is my favorite mistress.† The Holy Grail is a woman, Sophie thought, her mind a collage of interrelated ideas that seemed to make no sense. â€Å"You said you have a picture of this woman who you claim is the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Yes, but it is not I who claim she is the Grail. Christ Himself made that claim.† â€Å"Which one is the painting?† Sophie asked, scanning the walls.† Hmmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Teabing made a show of seeming to have forgotten. â€Å"The Holy Grail. The Sangreal. The Chalice.† He wheeled suddenly and pointed to the far wall. On it hung an eight-foot-long print of The Last Supper, the same exact image Sophie had just been looking at. â€Å"There she is!† Sophie was certain she had missed something. â€Å"That's the same painting you just showed me.† He winked. â€Å"I know, but the enlargement is so much more exciting. Don't you think?† Sophie turned to Langdon for help. â€Å"I'm lost.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"As it turns out, the Holy Grail does indeed make an appearance in The LastSupper.Leonardo included her prominently.† â€Å"Hold on,† Sophie said. â€Å"You told me the Holy Grail is a woman.The Last Supper is a painting of thirteen men.† â€Å"Is it?† Teabing arched his eyebrows. â€Å"Take a closer look.† Uncertain, Sophie made her way closer to the painting, scanning the thirteen figures – Jesus Christ in the middle, six disciples on His left, and six on His right. â€Å"They're all men,† she confirmed. â€Å"Oh?† Teabing said. â€Å"How about the one seated in the place of honor, at the right hand of the Lord?† Sophie examined the figure to Jesus' immediate right, focusing in. As she studied the person's face and body, a wave of astonishment rose within her. The individual had flowing red hair, delicate folded hands, and the hint of a bosom. It was, without a doubt†¦ female. â€Å"That's a woman!† Sophie exclaimed. Teabing was laughing. â€Å"Surprise, surprise. Believe me, it's no mistake. Leonardo was skilled at painting the difference between the sexes.† Sophie could not take her eyes from the woman beside Christ. The Last Supper is supposed to be thirteen men.Who is this woman? Although Sophie had seen this classic image many times, she had not once noticed this glaring discrepancy. â€Å"Everyone misses it,† Teabing said. â€Å"Our preconceived notions of this scene are so powerful that our mind blocks out the incongruity and overrides our eyes.† â€Å"It's known as skitoma,†Langdon added. â€Å"The brain does it sometimes with powerful symbols.† â€Å"Another reason you might have missed the woman,† Teabing said,† is that many of the photographs in art books were taken before 1954, when the details were still hidden beneath layers of grime and several restorative repaintings done by clumsy hands in the eighteenth century. Now, at last, the fresco has been cleaned down to Da Vinci's original layer of paint.† He motioned to the photograph. â€Å"Et voila!† Sophie moved closer to the image. The woman to Jesus' right was young and pious-looking, with a demure face, beautiful red hair, and hands folded quietly. This is the woman who singlehandedly could crumble the Church? â€Å"Who is she?† Sophie asked. â€Å"That, my dear,† Teabing replied,† is Mary Magdalene.† Sophie turned. â€Å"The prostitute?† Teabing drew a short breath, as if the word had injured him personally. â€Å"Magdalene was no such thing. That unfortunate misconception is the legacy of a smear campaign launched by the early Church. The Church needed to defame Mary Magdalene in order to cover up her dangerous secret – her role as the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Her role?† â€Å"As I mentioned,† Teabing clarified,† the early Church needed to convince the world that the mortal prophet Jesus was a divine being. Therefore, any gospels that described earthly aspects of Jesus' life had to be omitted from the Bible. Unfortunately for the early editors, one particularly troubling earthly theme kept recurring in the gospels. Mary Magdalene.† He paused. â€Å"More specifically, her marriage to Jesus Christ.† â€Å"I beg your pardon?† Sophie's eyes moved to Langdon and then back to Teabing. â€Å"It's a matter of historical record,† Teabing said,† and Da Vinci was certainly aware of that fact. The Last Supper practically shouts at the viewer that Jesus and Magdalene were a pair.† Sophie glanced back to the fresco. â€Å"Notice that Jesus and Magdalene are clothed as mirror images of one another.† Teabing pointed to the two individuals in the center of the fresco. Sophie was mesmerized. Sure enough, their clothes were inverse colors. Jesus wore a red robe and blue cloak; Mary Magdalene wore a blue robe and red cloak. Yin and yang. â€Å"Venturing into the more bizarre,† Teabing said,† note that Jesus and His bride appear to be joined at the hip and are leaning away from one another as if to create this clearly delineated negative space between them.† Even before Teabing traced the contour for her, Sophie saw it – the indisputable V shape at the focal point of the painting. It was the same symbol Langdon had drawn earlier for the Grail, the chalice, and the female womb. â€Å"Finally,† Teabing said,† if you view Jesus and Magdalene as compositional elements rather than as people, you will see another obvious shape leap out at you.† He paused. â€Å"A letter of the alphabet.† Sophie saw it at once. To say the letter leapt out at her was an understatement. The letter was suddenly all Sophie could see. Glaring in the center of the painting was the unquestionable outline of an enormous, flawlessly formed letter M. â€Å"A bit too perfect for coincidence, wouldn't you say?† Teabing asked. Sophie was amazed. â€Å"Why is it there?† Teabing shrugged. â€Å"Conspiracy theorists will tell you it stands for Matrimonio or Mary Magdalene. To be honest, nobody is certain. The only certainty is that the hidden M is no mistake. Countless Grail-related works contain the hidden letter M – whether as watermarks, underpaintings, or compositional allusions. The most blatant M, of course, is emblazoned on the altar at Our Lady of Paris in London, which was designed by a former Grand Master of the Priory of Sion, Jean Cocteau.† Sophie weighed the information. â€Å"I'll admit, the hidden M's are intriguing, although I assume nobody is claiming they are proof of Jesus' marriage to Magdalene.† â€Å"No, no,† Teabing said, going to a nearby table of books. â€Å"As I said earlier, the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.† He began pawing through his book collection. â€Å"Moreover, Jesus as a married man makes infinitely more sense than our standard biblical view of Jesus as a bachelor.† â€Å"Why?† Sophie asked. â€Å"Because Jesus was a Jew,† Langdon said, taking over while Teabing searched for his book,† and the social decorum during that time virtually forbid a Jewish man to be unmarried. According to Jewish custom, celibacy was condemned, and the obligation for a Jewish father was to find a suitable wife for his son. If Jesus were not married, at least one of the Bible's gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhood.† Teabing located a huge book and pulled it toward him across the table. The leather-bound edition was poster-sized, like a huge atlas. The cover read: The Gnostic Gospels.Teabing heaved it open, and Langdon and Sophie joined him. Sophie could see it contained photographs of what appeared to be magnified passages of ancient documents – tattered papyrus with handwritten text. She did not recognize the ancient language, but the facing pages bore typed translations. â€Å"These are photocopies of the Nag Hammadi and Dead Sea scrolls, which I mentioned earlier,† Teabing said. â€Å"The earliest Christian records. Troublingly, they do not match up with the gospels in the Bible.† Flipping toward the middle of the book, Teabing pointed to a passage. â€Å"The Gospel of Philip is always a good place to start.† Sophie read the passage: And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene. Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him,† Why do you love her more than all of us?† The words surprised Sophie, and yet they hardly seemed conclusive. â€Å"It says nothing of marriage.† â€Å"Au contraire.† Teabing smiled, pointing to the first line. â€Å"As any Aramaic scholar will tell you, the word companion, in those days, literally meant spouse.† Langdon concurred with a nod. Sophie read the first line again. And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene. Teabing flipped through the book and pointed out several other passages that, to Sophie's surprise, clearly suggested Magdalene and Jesus had a romantic relationship. As she read the passages, Sophie recalled an angry priest who had banged on her grandfather's door when she was a schoolgirl. â€Å"Is this the home of Jacques Sauniere?† the priest had demanded, glaring down at young Sophie when she pulled open the door. â€Å"I want to talk to him about this editorial he wrote.† The priest held up a newspaper. Sophie summoned her grandfather, and the two men disappeared into his study and closed the door. My grandfather wrote something in the paper? Sophie immediately ran to the kitchen and flipped through that morning's paper. She found her grandfather's name on an article on the second page. She read it. Sophie didn't understand all of what was said, but it sounded like the French government, under pressure from priests, had agreed to ban an American movie called The Last Temptation of Christ, which was about Jesus having sex with a lady called Mary Magdalene. Her grandfather's article said the Church was arrogant and wrong to ban it. No wonder the priest is mad, Sophie thought. â€Å"It's pornography! Sacrilege!† the priest yelled, emerging from the study and storming to the front door. â€Å"How can you possibly endorse that! This American Martin Scorsese is a blasphemer, and the Church will permit him no pulpit in France!† The priest slammed the door on his way out. When her grandfather came into the kitchen, he saw Sophie with the paper and frowned. â€Å"You're quick.† Sophie said,† You think Jesus Christ had a girlfriend?† â€Å"No, dear, I said the Church should not be allowed to tell us what notions we can and can't entertain.† â€Å"Did Jesus have a girlfriend?† Her grandfather was silent for several moments. â€Å"Would it be so bad if He did?† Sophie considered it and then shrugged. â€Å"I wouldn't mind.† Sir Leigh Teabing was still talking. â€Å"I shan't bore you with the countless references to Jesus and Magdalene's union. That has been explored ad nauseum by modern historians. I would, however, like to point out the following.† He motioned to another passage. â€Å"This is from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.† Sophie had not known a gospel existed in Magdalene's words. She read the text: And Peter said,† Did the Saviour really speak with a woman without our knowledge? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?† And Levi answered,† Peter, you have always been hot-tempered. Now I see you contending against the woman like an adversary. If the Saviour made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Saviour knows her very well. That is why he loved her more than us.† â€Å"The woman they are speaking of,† Teabing explained,† is Mary Magdalene. Peter is jealous of her.† â€Å"Because Jesus preferred Mary?† â€Å"Not only that. The stakes were far greater than mere affection. At this point in the gospels, Jesus suspects He will soon be captured and crucified. So He gives Mary Magdalene instructions on how to carry on His Church after He is gone. As a result, Peter expresses his discontent over playing second fiddle to a woman. I daresay Peter was something of a sexist.† Sophie was trying to keep up. â€Å"This is Saint Peter. The rock on which Jesus built His Church.† â€Å"The same, except for one catch. According to these unaltered gospels, it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Magdalene.† Sophie looked at him. â€Å"You're saying the Christian Church was to be carried on by a woman?† â€Å"That was the plan. Jesus was the original feminist. He intended for the future of His Church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalene.† â€Å"And Peter had a problem with that,† Langdon said, pointing to The Last Supper. â€Å"That's Peter there. You can see that Da Vinci was well aware of how Peter felt about Mary Magdalene.† Again, Sophie was speechless. In the painting, Peter was leaning menacingly toward Mary Magdalene and slicing his blade-like hand across her neck. The same threatening gesture as in Madonna of the Rocks! â€Å"And here too,† Langdon said, pointing now to the crowd of disciples near Peter. â€Å"A bit ominous, no?† Sophie squinted and saw a hand emerging from the crowd of disciples. â€Å"Is that hand wielding a dagger?† â€Å"Yes. Stranger still, if you count the arms, you'll see that this hand belongs to†¦ no one at all. It's disembodied. Anonymous.† Sophie was starting to feel overwhelmed. â€Å"I'm sorry, I still don't understand how all of this makes Mary Magdalene the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Aha!† Teabing exclaimed again. â€Å"Therein lies the rub!† He turned once more to the table and pulled out a large chart, spreading it out for her. It was an elaborate genealogy. â€Å"Few people realize that Mary Magdalene, in addition to being Christ's right hand, was a powerful woman already.† Sophie could now see the title of the family tree. THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN â€Å"Mary Magdalene is here,† Teabing said, pointing near the top of the genealogy. Sophie was surprised. â€Å"She was of the House of Benjamin?† â€Å"Indeed,† Teabing said. â€Å"Mary Magdalene was of royal descent.† â€Å"But I was under the impression Magdalene was poor.† Teabing shook his head. â€Å"Magdalene was recast as a whore in order to erase evidence of her powerful family ties.† Sophie found herself again glancing at Langdon, who again nodded. She turned back to Teabing. â€Å"But why would the early Church care if Magdalene had royal blood?† The Briton smiled. â€Å"My dear child, it was not Mary Magdalene's royal blood that concerned the Church so much as it was her consorting with Christ, who also had royal blood. As you know, the Book of Matthew tells us that Jesus was of the House of David. A descendant of King Solomon – King of the Jews. By marrying into the powerful House of Benjamin, Jesus fused two royal bloodlines, creating a potent political union with the potential of making a legitimate claim to the throne and restoring the line of kings as it was under Solomon.† Sophie sensed he was at last coming to his point. Teabing looked excited now. â€Å"The legend of the Holy Grail is a legend about royal blood. When Grail legend speaks of ‘the chalice that held the blood of Christ'†¦ it speaks, in fact, of Mary Magdalene – the female womb that carried Jesus' royal bloodline.† The words seemed to echo across the ballroom and back before they fully registered in Sophie's mind. Mary Magdalene carried the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ?† But how could Christ have a bloodline unless†¦ ?† She paused and looked at Langdon. Langdon smiled softly. â€Å"Unless they had a child.† Sophie stood transfixed.† Behold,† Teabing proclaimed,† the greatest cover-up in human history. Not only was Jesus Christ married, but He was a father. My dear, Mary Magdalene was the Holy Vessel. She was the chalice that bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. She was the womb that bore the lineage, and the vine from which the sacred fruit sprang forth!† Sophie felt the hairs stand up on her arms. â€Å"But how could a secret that big be kept quiet all of these years?† â€Å"Heavens!† Teabing said. â€Å"It has been anything but quiet! The royal bloodline of Jesus Christ is the source of the most enduring legend of all time – the Holy Grail. Magdalene's story has been shouted from the rooftops for centuries in all kinds of metaphors and languages. Her story is everywhere once you open your eyes.† â€Å"And the Sangreal documents?† Sophie said. â€Å"They allegedly contain proof that Jesus had a royal bloodline?† â€Å"They do.† â€Å"So the entire Holy Grail legend is all about royal blood?† â€Å"Quite literally,† Teabing said. â€Å"The word Sangreal derives from San Greal – or Holy Grail. But in its most ancient form, the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot.† Teabing wrote on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to her. She read what he had written. Sang Real Instantly, Sophie recognized the translation. Sang Real literally meant Royal Blood. CHAPTER 59 The male receptionist in the lobby of the Opus Dei headquarters on Lexington Avenue in New York City was surprised to hear Bishop Aringarosa's voice on the line. â€Å"Good evening, sir.† â€Å"Have I had any messages?† the bishop demanded, sounding unusually anxious.† Yes, sir. I'm very glad you called in. I couldn't reach you in your apartment. You had an urgent phone message about half an hour ago.† â€Å"Yes?† He sounded relieved by the news. â€Å"Did the caller leave a name?† â€Å"No, sir, just a number.† The operator relayed the number. â€Å"Prefix thirty-three? That's France, am I right?† â€Å"Yes, sir. Paris. The caller said it was critical you contact him immediately.† â€Å"Thank you. I have been waiting for that call.† Aringarosa quickly severed the connection. As the receptionist hung up the receiver, he wondered why Aringarosa's phone connection sounded so crackly. The bishop's daily schedule showed him in New York this weekend, and yet he sounded a world away. The receptionist shrugged it off. Bishop Aringarosa had been acting very strangely the last few months. My cellular phone must not have been receiving, Aringarosa thought as the Fiat approached the exit for Rome's Ciampino Charter Airport. The Teacher was trying to reach me.Despite Aringarosa's concern at having missed the call, he felt encouraged that the Teacher felt confident enough to call Opus Dei headquarters directly. Things must have gone well in Paris tonight. As Aringarosa began dialing the number, he felt excited to know he would soon be in Paris. I'll beon the ground before dawn.Aringarosa had a chartered turbo prop awaiting him here for the short flight to France. Commercial carriers were not an option at this hour, especially considering the contents of his briefcase. The line began to ring. A female voice answered. â€Å"Direction Centrale Police Judidaire.† Aringarosa felt himself hesitate. This was unexpected. â€Å"Ah, yes†¦ I was asked to call this number?† â€Å"Qui etes-vous?† the woman said. â€Å"Your name?† Aringarosa was uncertain if he should reveal it. The French Judicial Police? â€Å"Your name, monsieur?† the woman pressed. â€Å"Bishop Manuel Aringarosa.† â€Å"Un moment.† There was a click on the line. After a long wait, another man came on, his tone gruff and concerned. â€Å"Bishop, I am glad I finally reached you. You and I have much to discuss.†

Satirical Mouthpiece in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Typically when you hear â€Å"19th century literature,† you think of the formal and monotonous, yet gramatically and contextually correct writing of authors such as Charles Dickens and Harriet Beecher Stowe; but one author stood out among them and his name was Mark Twain. Twain started a new trend of including new aspects of writing into his pieces such as voice, dialect, and satire. The one particular book written by Mark Twain that is known to be the beginning of American literature called The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, contains all three of these aspects. In the book, Twain uses the main character and narrator, Huck, to utilize his voice, dialect, and satire. Huck serves as a satirical mouthpiece for the author’s attitude by fulfilling his role as the naive narrator. There is a specific passage in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that accurately portrays the satire that Twain is trying to bestow upon the reader involving a character by the name of Emmeline Grangerford, a sentimental artist. Huck is inspecting the art of Emmeline and expressing his feelings about them in the text. If you read Huck’s explanations without examining the underlying meanings you will find that Huck is completely clueless as to the artists’ sentimental intentions. He evaluates one picture called â€Å"Shall I Never See Thee More Alas† by describing a woman â€Å"under a weeping willow† (Twain 119) in a graveyard, another picture with a woman â€Å"crying into a handkerchief† (Twain 119), and yet another with a crying woman about to jump off a bridge. All three of these illustrations are obvious cliches of sentimental art of the 19th century. Huck looks at the images and simply sees â€Å"nice pictures† (Twain 119), not realizing the intent of the artist, Emmeline. This is an excellent example of Huck’s role as the naive narrator. His lack of understanding provides a completely different take on the art than Mark Twain actually feels. Twain’s main intention of the passage is to poke fun at the sentimentalists’ artwork. He includes Huck’s explanations such as bulges on a dress â€Å"like a cabbage† (Twain 119), and â€Å"black slippers, like a chisel† (Twain 119) to mock the sentimental art which was poplular at the time that he wrote the book. Writing the passage in Huck’s point of view allowed Twain to add satire to the story by making Huck’s comments so cliche and ridiculous that it is obvious that this is not actually the way that Twain feels about the sentimental artwork. This is why the character of Huck, being as clueless as he is in the book, is necessary for him to serve as the author’s satirical mouthpiece. Huckleberry Finn is certainly not the typical narrator of a book. To understand the context of the writing, one must decipher what is actually occuring in the story and what Huck thinks is occuring because of his role as the naive narrator. Although this makes the book more difficult to comprehend, it also makes it more interesting to read and allows the author, Mark Twain, to include such factors of voice, dialect, and satire. The narrator’s conception of the storyline is extremely important to the book. Huck serves as a satirical mouthpiece for the author’s attitude by fulfilling his role as the naive narrator.

Comparison of Tragic Heroes: Othello and Willy Loman Essay

Tragic heroism dominates many of the plays written in the earlier years of literature. Many of the known authors and playwrights used them in their works to represent their main character. Among the more popular tragic heroes in the literary history are Othello from Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare and Willy Loman from Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. These two characters, although both fit the qualifications of a tragic hero, do so in different ways. In Aristotle’s Poetics, he outlined the characteristics of a tragic hero as follows; first, someone who has a noble standing or who has a high position relative to his culture; he should be great, but not to the point of perfection. Spectators must be able to relate to him as a man, not someone so godly. A fatal character flaw would cause his downfall and the consequences or punishments that he receives for it usually surpass the crime. However, the fall should not be limited to pure loss but may also be an increased awareness, some kind of self-discovery or self-realization or gained self-knowledge. Othello perfectly fit the standards provided above. He was a prominent man being the general and commander of the armed forces of Venice. People respect him and look up to him because of his noble stature. However, as the play progresses, it slowly unveils the character flaws of Othello. His being so trusting of Iago, which was partly because of his military mindset of fully giving total confidence to a comrade, led him to be manipulated easily. He was lured to believe that his wife was having an affair with another man. His jealousy took the better of him, thus he was not able to think clearly. This character flaw pulled him down from the pedestal for it showed that even though he was a very prominent person, he also have some weaknesses just like all humans do. As the story comes to an end, he was overcome by his suspicion of his wife’s dalliance, which made him kill her. It was only after that incident that he realized his foolishness for believing Iago. Thus, before he took his life, he stated â€Å"Speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well, of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, perplexed in an extreme†¦. † (Act V, Scene 2). Too late was his realization of his lack of wisdom and naivete, which led to the tragic ending of the story. Willy Loman, on the other hand, has a different story. He may not be a very prominent person just like Othello, but within the realm of his culture, he is at the higher post. He was a successful businessman; he has his own home, a car, and what he perceived as a wonderful family. He saw himself as someone very important in his family and a cut above his contemporaries. This claim is evident in his statement in Act 1 where he uttered â€Å"I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England†. This prominence, although self-perceived made him qualify for the first qualification of a tragic hero. His flaws, however, also came from the perception he had of himself. He set a high standard for his son based on what he had accomplished, which the latter failed to achieve. As he got older, he became less effective as a salesman and things began going out of hand. He made major mistakes after another including an affair with another woman, which was discovered by his son making things worse. His faults, however, are not planned but were spontaneously derived from previous misfortunes. In the end, the once very happy and contented Willy Loman became very sad and miserable that he decided to end his life through a car crash. We can see in these two characters the fulfilment of the qualifications for a tragic hero in different ways. Othello, somehow manages to fit in classically while Loman had to achieve it by diving deeper into the criteria. Nevertheless, the main idea of being a tragic hero was met by both, thus they are considered as such. This only goes to show that literature is not limited, which is a good thing because it allows writers to explore different possibilities of meeting set standards.