Thursday, October 3, 2019
Connotative Power Essay Example for Free
Connotative Power Essay Self-Checked Activities Read the instructions for the following activities and type in your responses. Click the link to the Student Answer Sheet at the end of the lesson. Use the answers or sample responses to evaluate your own work. 1. Identifying Connotations a. Decide whether the bold word in each sentence is using a denotative or connotative meaning: â⬠¢ Wendy hit the tennis ball. â⬠¢ Phil bought a cheap car at the used car lot. â⬠¢ They often serve a lot of strange foods at that restaurant. â⬠¢ I told my younger brother that he shouldnââ¬â¢t be such a baby. â⬠¢ Kevin studied most of the night for the SAT. Type your response here: | |Denotative or Connotative? | |hit |Connotative | |cheap |Denotative | |strange |Connotative | |baby |Denotative | |studied |Connotative | b. List the words from the previous activity that are denotative in meaning. For each word listed, rewrite the sentence that uses the word, replacing the denotative word with a connotative word (or phrase). The connotative meaning can be positive or negative. Type your response here: How did you do? Check a box below. Nailed It!ââ¬âI included all of the same ideas as the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Halfway Thereââ¬âI included most of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Not Greatââ¬âI did not include any of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. 2. Forms of Connotations a. For each sentence listed below, state whether the sentence has a negative, positive, or neutral connotation and then rewrite the sentence so it has a different connotation. Type your response here: |Original sentence |Connotation |Revised Sentence | |They gobbled desserts at Alisonââ¬â¢s party. |Negative |They ate desserts at Alisonââ¬â¢s party. | |We watched the eagle fly above the mountains |Neutral |We patrolled the eagle fly above the mountains to the west. | |to the west. | | | |Dan and Marsha have accepted twelve foster |Positive |Dan and Marsha have okayedà twelve foster children into their | |children into their house. | |house. | |Tom is studying for a job in the medical |Neutral |Tom is pondering for a job in the medical profession. | |profession. | | | b. In 1999, Elie Wiesel gave a speech called ââ¬Å"The Perils of Indifferenceâ⬠in Washington, DC, to address his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp and his concerns about societyââ¬â¢s indifference to the suffering that continues into the twenty-first century. Read the speech and find six examples of text (word or phrase) with a connotative meaning. Write these examples in the table, note whether the text has a negative or a positive connotation, and state the effect Wiesel was trying to achieve by using it. Type your response here: |Text from Speech |Connotation |Effect Wiesel Was Trying to Achieve | |Commander in Chief of the army that freed me |Positive |Show his respect to President Bill Clinton. | |and tens of thousands of others. | | | |ââ¬Å"people who are indifferent have meaningless |Negative |People who donââ¬â¢t care, lives have no worth. | |livesâ⬠| | | |ââ¬Å"In a way, to be indifferent to that suffering|Negative |People did not care about what they suffered through , so that | |is what makes the human being inhuman.â⬠| |makes a person cruel. | |Humanity |Positive |Having all human rights. | |Indifferent |Negative |Not caring. | |Gratitude |Positive |Being thankful. | How did you do? Check a box below. Nailed It!ââ¬âI included all of the same ideas as the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Halfway Thereââ¬âI included most of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Not Greatââ¬âI did not include any of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. 3. Explaining Connotations a. Explain several examples of connotation in Langston Hughesââ¬â¢s poem ââ¬Å"Will V-Day Be Me-Day Too?â⬠Type your response here: There was positive connotation, where he talked about fighting for the United States. There was negative connotation, where he was talking about watching people die. There was neutral connotation, where he was talking about winning the world and them having theie own ââ¬Å"V-Day.â⬠b. How does Hughes use connotative language to compare the plight of African Americans to that of the Jews during World War II? Type your response here: How did you do? Check a box below. Nailed It!ââ¬âI included all of the same ideas as the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Halfway Thereââ¬âI included most of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Not Greatââ¬âI did not include any of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Teacher-Graded Activities Write a response for each of the following activities. Check the Evaluation section at the end of this document to make sure you have met the expected criteria for the assignment. When you have finished, submit your work to your teacher. 1. Denotation and Connotation in Literary Works a. Write down the titles and authors of three works you will examine for use of connotative and denotative language. Choose the three works from among the novels, short stories, poems, speeches, essays, and plays you read in class this year. Type your response here: b. Read or review each text, looking for examples of denotative and connotative language. In the chart, write two examples of denotative language and two examples of connotative language for each of the three works you selected. Then, for the examples of connotative language, describe the effect, or emotional response, the author was trying to achieve by this use of language. Type your response here: |Literary Work |Denotative Language |Connotative Language (with page #) and Effect Achieved | |(Title/Author/Genre) |(with page #) | | |Out-Out by Robert Frost | | | | | | | |Desert Places by Robert Frost |BENIGHTED; |NIGHT; A negative connotation; Darkness or visionless | | | |SNOW; Also a negative connotation; Cold | |The Snow Man by Wallace Stevens | |CRUSTED; | | | |GLITTER; | Evaluation Your teacher will use this rubric to evaluate the completeness of your work as well as the clarity of thinking you exhibit. | |Concepts | |Distingui|The student has identified three literature titles and their authors. | |shed |The student has accurately identified two examples of denotative language and two examples of connotative language for each work of | |(4 |literature. | |points) |For each example, the student has accurately described the effect or emotional response achieved by the author. | |Proficien|The student has identified three literature titles and their authors. | |t (3 |The student has adequately identified two examples of denotative language and two examples of connotative language for each work of | |points) |literature. | | |For each example, the student has adequately described the effect or emotional response achieved by the author. | |Developin|The student has identified three or fewer literature titles and their authors. | |g (2 |The student has tried to identify some examples of denotative and connotative language for the works of literature. | |points) |For some examples, the student has tried to describe the effect or emotional response achieved by the author. | |Beginning|The student has not identified three literature titles and their authors. | |(1 point)|The student has not identified examples of denotative and connotative language for each work of literature. | | |For some examples, the student has failed to describe the effect or emotional response achieved by the author. |
Marketing Communications Plan To Launch A New Brand Marketing Essay
Marketing Communications Plan To Launch A New Brand Marketing Essay DESCRIPTION Hydra is to be launched as a premium brand for still unflavored and flavored water. It would be available in two sizes of 750ml and 330 ml each. The bigger bottle is to be made available in sports pack and the smaller in a screw cap. Along with unflavored water, Hydra offers four water plus flavors which are orange n cherry, ginger n lemon, mint n herbs and just grape. The flavored bottles would be available as Hydra! to differentiate them from unflavored. COMPETITION ANALYSIS The bottled water industry is essentially a part of the soft drinks sector which also includes carbonated drinks, still drinks, juices and other dilatable; representing a total customer value worth à £219 billion (Leijh, 2006). The image of carbonates, the biggest player of this sector, has been on a decline due to growing health concerns and the manufactures consequently try to reinvent their offerings in order to attract the consumers. Thus the traditional boundaries between carbonated drinks, water and juices and being dropped as newer blends hit the shelves every day. The competition therefore in this industry is immense and proactive. Offerings in the market which provide the value of quenching thirst must be regarded as indirect competition. These will include carbonated drinks, juices, milk, energy drinks, still drinks and even sparkling water; across all flavors. Some of the indirect competitors identified are Pepsi, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Britvic, Cresta, Tango, Sunkist, Lucozade, Tropicana, Nesquik and Scheweppes Tonic. The direct competition comes from other bottled water brands which target the same market as Hydra. These brands provide almost the same value that is, still unflavored and flavored water to the same market segments. The brands identified as direct competition for further analysis are Vittel and Aqua Pura. The Vittel brand belongs to the Perrier family owned by Nestle while Aqua Pura is an own label production from Well Well. Both these brands offer still flavored and unflavored water. MARKET SEGMENTATION The bottled water market in the UK posted strong positive growth and total value of à £ 1.4 billion in 2007 (Data Monitor Industry Profile, 2008). The volume of sales has also been constantly increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% from 2 billion liters in 2003 to 2.5 billion in 2007. Data monitor study also reveals that still unflavored water consists of 48.4% of total sales in this industry and still unflavored consists of 12.2%. A study of 24000 samples by Livingstone (2004) reemphasizes the large number of still water drinkers over sparkling. Figure 1 shows the dominance of still water in this market. Figure : Changing youth drinking habits Figure : Dominance of Still waterThe youth market segment in this industry has also been increasing in importance for the brands. Livingstone (2004) charts an almost 20% increase in use of bottled water in 11-19 years old over 1997 to 2004. This is shown in Figure 2. The communication strategies of the brands also reflect responding to this. Nestle Waters launched Vittel Red, aimed at young men and women through an edgy branding approach (Haymarket Publication, 2006). Aqua Puras Activa and Revive are two sub brands aimed at targeting the youth. Salazar (2007) states how demographics affect the usage of bottled water across UK. Women constitute the majority of bottled water drinkers. Around 45% of 18 to 34 year old women and 44.6% of 35 to 54 year old women consume bottled water. Mens percentages of the 18 34 age groups drank 35.3% and those in the age group from 35 to 54 consumed 34.5%. In addition, according to WQA surveys (cited in Salazar, 2007), some 47% of 18 to 34 year olds do not think that their water is safe; therefore 41.4% of them consume bottled water regularly. TARGET MARKETING In the value exchange approach to marketing, Gabbott (2004), states that the brand should identify target segments based on the meaning and viability of the product for the target. Targeting includes identifying specific group of consumers with similar preferences for whom the product is most meaningful and appropriate. This analysis identifies three target segments for the bottled water brands in study. Sports Active Both Aqua Pura and Vittel have sports cap available and are leading sponsors of sporting events. While Aqua Pura sponsors the UK Athletics and the great run programme; Vittel has been a sponsor of London marathon since the past 8 years. It would be interesting to note that Vittel even has marathon training and hydration tips from expert Jamie Baird on its web site. Vittel also launched a new drink Vittel +Energy with performance enhancing ingredients (refer to Figure 3) Go For It Guys/Girls Livingstone (2004) identifies lifestyle and fashion driven drinkers as Go-For-It target. These are active young males and females who are heavy internet users and fast food consumers. Both the brands provide sleek bottle options for this group. To target this group, Vittel operates as a lifestyle water option with edgy branding. Its David Bowie commercial was primarily targeted at this target group. Aqua Pura on the other hand attracts this group through its sub brands Activa and Revive. Figure : Vittel +energy Source: food manufacture(2003), ebsco publishingChildren Both the companies target children as one of the important target groups. With smaller bottles available which can fit into the school lunch boxes, to tie ups with Warner Bros and Looney Toones; Vittel strives to create a full fledging division for child consumers only. Aqua Puras Champions programme (Aqua Pura, 2008) is again a children specific programme through which it spreads the message of everyday healthy hydration along with the help of school teachers. MARKET POSITIONING To study the market positioning of the bottled water industry, it is essential to identify the broad values that the consumer demands and the values that are provided by the existing market players. The basic value demanded and supplied in this industry is that of quenching the thirst. As King (2002) points out, there has been a lot of weight placed on research and development to enhance this value supplied. Lots of research and marketing has been focused into development of water + options from vitamins to oxygen to new flavors being introduced. As the basic value is served by all the market players, differentiation is possible only through value additions and brand development. To develop a brand positioning map for this study, the brand appeal (premium, sophisticated urban, young) and the value differentiation (regular flavored) are chosen as the attributes. The positioning map thus developed is shown as Figure 4. URBAN TESCO VOLVIC VITTEL HYDRA FLAVORED REGULAR AQUAPURA HIGHLAND SPRING PERRIER SOPHISTICATED EVIAN FIGURE 4: MARKET POSITIONING MAP OF LEADING BRANDS MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PLAN OBJECTIVES The objectives of this plan are identified below. To create brand awareness. The target market has to be made aware of the existence of the brand. This is to be achieved through a mix of both above and below the line activities. Seventy five percent of the target market is to be made aware over the time plan. To achieve market penetration. This is to be done through a combination of aggressive below the line and pricing strategies. Fifty percent of the target market is to be penetrated over the time plan. To create brand promotion. Hydra is to be promoted aggressively and to be established as an active and urban brand of bottled water. Establishment of Hydra! as a definitive sub-brand. TIME PLAN Exploratory Research 3 weeks Concept Development and Creative Idea 4 weeks Market Tests 1 week Integrated Communications Above-the-line Strategies 12 weeks Below -the-line Strategies 26 weeks Exploratory Research Focus group interviews to be for product development and buyer behavior research. Concept Development and Creative Idea The brands communication concepts are developed internally, media planning and budgeting is carried out. External services are hired to create communications. Market Tests Tests are carried to check the response, validity and effects of communications designed. Integrated Communications Validated communications are issued through above-the-line and below-the line. Monitor and Evaluation The feedbacks generated by the communications are to be monitored consistently. Evaluation of the plan is to be done constantly and tight control is to be maintained. TARGET SEGMENTS The broad target market for this brand is everyone who wants to quench its thirst. But through the segmentation process, a few segments have been identified to which to which this communication plan is to be targeted. These are identified below Young urban professionals. Below 35 years of age, city dwellers male or female. Sports enthusiasts. Children from the age 8-16 Age group 16-22. Market influence leaders Through behavioral segmentation, target segments identified include Experiences, Innovators and Early Adopters. ABOVE-THE-LINE STRATEGIES The brand Hydra will be launched through an aggressive above-the-line communications campaign. A strong pull and profile strategy is to be realized through above-the-line. The advertisements to be used for the campaign must be first used to introduce and recall the brand, differentiate it from the competition, inform the consumers of the values in exchange and persuade their buying decision. Media Planning Keeping in mind the huge size of target audience and relative concentration in certain centers, the media to be used to deliver the communications has been decided. It is only after this that communications are developed to be broadcast through these sources. The media selected for Above-the-line communications are Television, Print, Outdoor, In Store, and Internet. Television Television is the most common medium for mass advertising. For Hydras launch two TV commercials are to be created. It is aimed to promote Hydra as an individualistic, stylized and aspirational sports and lifestyle brand through these commercials. The first TV ad should kick start the campaign and to be followed by other mediums. The second TV ad is to be launched after two weeks of the first commercial. Spots to be bought include lifestyle and sports channels at prime time and evening. Print The print campaign for Hydra will begin simultaneously with the television commercial appearing. The print ads will be complementary to the message of the television ads. The print media to be used is newspapers (The Sun, Guardian) magazines (Mens Health, Womens Health, OK!) and tabloids (Daily Mirror, The London paper). Full back page advertisements in daily tabloids twice a week for first four weeks and medium sized ads three days a week thereafter, are to be placed. Medium sized advertisements in newspapers are to be placed five days a week for the first two weeks; each day for a new flavor (regular plus four). The burst at the launch is to be followed by two ads a week. The magazines ad is to be accompanied with a reader competition as well. Outdoor and In Store Banners, logo and ads are to be placed in public transport systems, high streets, shopping centers and inside the store at points of sale. Internet Internet is to be very strategically used in order to communicate with the target. The market influencers of the World Wide Web are to be targeted through community web sites, blogs, interactive gaming and social networking sites. The web site of Hydra is to include an interactive game where the player would need to keep his level of Hydra high. The game would also be linked to facebook as one of its applications. Video blogging and YouTube channels are also to be used to promote the brand. Hydra ads on the internet would be seen in portals, news and lifestyle sites. BELOW-THE-LINE STRATEGIES It is imperative too design relevant below-the-line communication strategies for the success of the launch of Hydra. Below-the-line communications of Hydra would be a mix of pull and push strategies. These are to be carried over a period of 26 weeks and then reassessed. Sales promotion, organizing and sponsoring events, effective public relations, effective distribution and personal selling are effective techniques used. Sales Promotion In the initial period of launch, sales promotion activities are essential. The aim of aggressive sales promotion would be to make the target market try the product. It is planned that discount coupons offering fifty percent discount to be accompanied in the print ads. It is also planned to have discount coupons for every individual flavor on different days. This would help promote each flavor equally. Different discounts are also planned for department stores and convenience stores. Also, bulk buys in six packs would attract discounts. Through sales promotion, Hydra is to be pushed to the consumers. Events The profile strategy calls for sponsoring events as it helps establish and sustain the brand. It is worthwhile to sponsor only if the brand identifies with the event. With Hydra being an active lifestyle and sports brand, sponsorships of sports and other events would come naturally. It is planned to start with sponsoring corporate sports meets and move on to sponsor international sporting events and other events such as a music festival. Sponsorships and events are a part of the pull strategy. Public Relations Effective PR has to be maintained while launching the brand. It would require liaisons with different press and news agencies. News releases for the brand should be prominently featured. The influence leaders of the society need to be targeted. Print articles regarding health, hydration and fitness are to be released in different publications. Personal Selling The largest buyers of the bottled water industry are the departmental stores. Water is also sold through other merchandisers, convenience stores, news agents, tobacconists, some restaurants, kiosks and vending machines. Personal selling is required to effectively create and maintain strategic relationship with the channels. It is a classic part of the push strategy. Although the sales person would not be selling directly to the end user, its job would be all the more important as it would be dealing in larger quantities with larger parties. INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH LOCATION After the launch of Hydra in the United Kingdom, it is to be launched in the international market as well. It would be done after closely monitoring the performance of the brand in the UK. To launch the brand internationally, the first step is to decide on the new market. Hydra would look to venture into different European markets keeping in mind the proximity to the UK, geographically and culturally. It would look forward to launch the brand in Ireland and France first and then expand to Germany, Spain and Poland. OBJECTIVE After establishing the brand in the UK, the objective of Hydra would be to repeat its local success in the international market as well. In the Irish and the French markets, Hydra would still be an unknown entity. Therefore the first objective is to introduce the brand and create brand awareness. The second objective is to establish Hydra and Hydra! as lifestyle brands. Overall the objective is to culturally fit in the new market. STRATEGIES Ireland and France have been chosen as markets for international launch because they do not differ much from the UK in terms of culture. In terms of market segmentation, the target segments for Hydra are the same as that in UK and so will be the positioning of the brand. Therefore it is planned to go forward with the same communications plan tuned out with local language.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Saddam Hussein :: essays research papers
Saddam Hussein From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Redirected from Saddam) Saddam Hussein Enlarge Saddam Hussein Saddām Hussein ʻAbd al-Majid al-Tikrītī (Often spelled Husayn or Hussain; Arabic صدام حسين عبدالمجيد التكريتي; born April 28, 1937 1) was President of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. A rising star in the revolutionary Ba'ath Party, which espoused secular pan-Arabism, economic modernization, and socialism, Saddam (see 2 regarding names) played a key role in the bloodless 1968 coup that brought the party to power. As vice president under the frail and elderly General Ahmed Bakr, Saddam tightly controlled conflict between government departments and the armed forces at a time when many organizations were considered capable of overthrowing the government by forging a repressive security apparatus. Meanwhile, Iraq's economy grew at a rapid pace in the 1970s. 3 As president, he developed a pervasive personality cult, ran an authoritarian government, and maintained power through the devastating Iran-Iraq War (1980ââ¬â1988) and the first Persian Gulf War (1991), which both corresponded with a sharp decline in living standards and the human rights situation. Saddam Hussein's government, in particular, engaged in hard repression of movements that it deemed threatened his rule, as well as of ethnic groups that sought independence or autonomy. While he remained a popular hero among many disaffected Arabs for standing up to the West and for his staunch support for the Palestinians,4 the United States continued to view Saddam with deep suspicion following the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Saddam was deposed by the U.S. and its allies during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Captured by U.S. forces on December 13, 2003, he will stand trial under the new Iraqi government set up by U.S.-led forces. Contents [showhide] 1 Youth 2 Rise in the Ba'ath party 3 Consolidation of power 3.1 Saddam's consolidation of power and the modernization of Iraq 3.2 Succession 4 Saddam Hussein as a secular leader 5 Foreign affairs 5.1 The Iranââ¬âIraq War 5.2 Tensions with Kuwait 6 The Persian Gulf War 6.1 Postwar aftermath 7 1991-2003 8 2003 invasion of Iraq 8.1 Pursuit and capture 9 Trial 10 Personal 11 Notes 12 Related articles 13 External links [edit] Youth Saddam Hussein was born in the village of Al-Awja, in the Tikrit district of Iraq, to a family of sheep-herders. His mother named her newborn "Saddam," which in Arabic means "one who confronts." He never knew his father, Hussein 'Abd al-Majid, who died or disappeared five months before Saddam was born. Shortly afterwards, Saddam's twelve-year-old brother died of cancer, leaving his mother severely depressed in the final months of the pregnancy.
Office of National Drug Control Policy Essay -- Drug Abuse
Office of National Drug Control and the Present Threat Over the last decade, Southwest border violence has elevated into a national security concern. Much of the violence appears to stem from the competing growth and distribution networks that many powerful Mexican drug cartels exercise today. The unfortunate byproduct of this criminality reaches many citizens of the Mexican border communities in the form of indiscriminate street gang shootings, stabbings, and hangings which equated to approximately 6,500 deaths in 2009 alone (AllGov, 2012). That same danger which now extends across the border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California has the potential for alarming escalation. Yet, despite the violence, evermore-brazen behavior continues to grow, as does Americaââ¬â¢s appetite for drugs. Even though drug-related violence mandates that law enforcement agencies focus on supply reduction, the Office of National Drug Control Policy should shift its present policy formulation efforts to only drug demand reduction because t reatment and prevention efforts are inadequate and strategy has evolved little over the last three decades. Role of the ONDCP President Reagan established the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) following the passage of the Anti-Abuse Act of 1988 amidst mounting risk of drug dependence becoming more pervasive in American workplaces and schools. The legislation established the need for the federal government to make a good-faith effort in maintaining drug-free work places, schools, and drug abuse and rehabilitation programs for many users (Eddy, 2005). The early focus for the ONDCPââ¬â¢s was to curb the rising drug threat emanating from the drug cartels operating throughout South America, in... ...ved from http://www.gao.gov/assets/100/97472.pdf Office of National Drug Control Policy. (n.d.).AllGov: Everything Our Government Really Does. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from http://www.allgov.com/Agency/Office_of_National_Drug_Control_Policy Reduce the Threat, Incidence and Prevalence of Violent Crime and Drug Trafficking: FY 2011 Overview. (2011).Intelligence (p. 6). Washington, D. C. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/jmd/2011factsheets/pdf/reduce-drug-trafficking.pdf Roberts, M., Trace, M., & Klein, A. (2004). Law Enforcement and Supply Reduction: Report Three (p. 15). Retrieved from http://www.beckleyfoundation.org/pdf/report_lawenforce.pdf White, F. E. (1988). Memorandum from Frank E. White to Donald L. Ashton, Drug Enforcement Agency, on Operation Snowcap dated March 8, 1988 (p. 12). Retrieved from http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB69/part1.html
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
The ways in which Shakespeare uses structure and language to dramatise the comparisons in Twelfth Night
Examine the ways in which Shakespeare uses structure and language to dramatise the comparisons between different kinds of love in Twelfth Night focusing on Act 5, Scene 1 and one or two other scenes of your choice. à Twelfth Night is thought to have been written in 1601, near the middle of Shakespeare's career. The play looks at deception, disguise, illusion and probably most significantly the amazing things that love can cause us to do. Shakespeare does this successfully through clever use of language and structure. Act 1, Scene 1 of the comedy begins with a nobleman named Orsino, pining away for the love of Lady Olivia, a noble Illyrian lady. Shakespeare uses imagery to represent love: ââ¬Å"If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting The appetite may sicken, and so die.â⬠Orsino's language contains images which recur throughout the play such as music, death, love and food while expressing his love. Orsino doesn't mention Lady Olivia until his discussion with Curio soon after, this leads us to suggest that Orsino is in love with the idea of being in love itself, therefore being selfish. Consequently the reference to food can be perceived as Orsino's hunger for love. This hunger we are told leads to sickness and pain, again the imagery of sickness symbolises Orsino's extreme feelings towards love. The idiom ââ¬ËIf music be the food of love, play on' has become part of British language and has become a frequently used expression. However, Olivia does not desire to be with Orsino and refuses to entertain any proposals of marriage. On the return of a message from Olivia's household, Orsino is told that Olivia has vowed to mourn for her brother for seven years. Orsino accepts this refusal contentedly and is proud of Olivia for paying the ââ¬Ëdebt of love' to her brother. This love towards a sibling is the third love to be found in the scene and indeed Twelfth Night, however despite this seemingly kind act of respect it can also be seen as selfish to shut herself from others especially with the high status and position she has in Illyrian society. The first type of love identified was unrequited love, established and maintained through selfishness and the second type being melancholy love as seen by Orsino's sadness and misery. Despite the differences in the kinds of love Orsino's language remains the same using imagery with the semantic field of flowers, life and death: ââ¬Å"Hath killed the flockâ⬠¦ That live in her; when liver, brain and heartâ⬠¦ Away before me to sweet beds of flowersâ⬠Throughout the scene there has been little change in structure, Orsino has spoken verse throughout, while acting the conventional romantic hero, and through the three kinds of love identified there has still been the use of caesura which is generally used to give a dramatic effect. However, whilst Orsino was thinking of his own love at the beginning there was much more caesura used. Shakespeare would have done this to exaggerate Orsino's melancholy love further and also to convey his mood and emotions much more easily. There is also a difference in rhyme. The beginning speech contains two rhyming couplets: ââ¬Ëmore' and ââ¬Ëbefore' and ââ¬Ëthere' and ââ¬Ësoe'er'. While the final speech only contains one: ââ¬Ëflowers and bowers'. The varying use of structure between the two references to love highlights the difference between a falsified, sentimental, dramatised love and a more relaxed and genuine love towards a sibling. The second scene of Act 1, also establishes the love between siblings as Viola, a young lady of Messaline assumes that her twin brother, Sebastian has died in the ship wreck while she was brought safely to shore. Rather than being glad and rejoicing her own deliverance Viola began to lament her brother's loss: ââ¬Å"My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drown'd: what think you, sailors?â⬠Again the use of caesura conveys the emotion and panic felt by selfless Viola, particularly by the way the colon hurries on her thoughts to the question directed at the sailors. Viola decides that she must survive in Illyria asking the captain for help. She can not work for Olivia as she in mourning so instead she asked the captain to disguise her as a male using the feigned name Cesario in order for her to work as a page for Duke Orsino. Subsequently, Viola's appearance and disguise as a young male in Illyria causes complication and confusion between both Orsino's and Olivia's household and Viola becomes the main protagonist. Consequentially a complicated love pattern emerges which seems to revolve entirely around Olivia. This identifies an obvious link between the two characters who's names bear quite a resemblance, while both are grieving for their lost brothers they are also both lead the main plot to continue, Olivia continuing the theme of love and the many forms it can take, w hile Viola upholds the theme of concealed feelings and identity. Duke Orsino takes favourably to his new page, unburdening his heart to Cesario telling him about his love towards Lady Olivia. Act 2, Scene 4 sees the Duke neglecting the company of his probable associates and lords who he would have almost certainly been associated with due to his high position. However, instead he listens to soft, romantic music, as in the first scene: ââ¬Å"Give me some music. Now, good morrow, friendsâ⬠¦ That old and antique song we heard last night: Me thought it did relieve my passion much,â⬠Orsino blindly leads himself into a lifestyle of wallowing in his own misery and self pity, while once again using images of music and illness. This is significant since this language technique is only noticeably used throughout the comedy when Orsino's melancholy love is present. Viola, a selfless lover also begins feeling sorrowful as she is also suffering for the love of Orsino, who she has a deep genuine admiration for even though she is unable display her affection since her entrapment in male guise. She does however, gently hint: ââ¬Å"Say that some lady, as perhaps there is, Hath for your love a great a pang of heart As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her, You tell her so; must she not then be answer'd?â⬠Viola questions the Duke enquiring whether he could love someone who felt as strongly about he as he does for Olivia, whether he would return the love and if not what he would tell her. Orsino denied that it was possible to love as much as he did: ââ¬Å"There is no women's sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion As love doth give my heartâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ To an audience this would be ironic as they would know of Viola's love for the Duke and her true identity while he wouldn't be aware of the real situation or circumstances. Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony provides wit and humour while the character is still talking truthfully. The emphasis on disguise in Twelfth Night means that the comedy is full of dramatic irony. The image of passion violently beating someone is evoked by the metaphor ââ¬Ëcan bide the beating of so strong a passion' this is not a true description but works by making us imagine the painfully strong feelings Orsino believes he has for Olivia. The Duke sends Cesario to deliver Olivia a message however, Olivia is instantly attracted to Cesario which leaves Viola once again in a difficult situation as she is entrapped in her disguise. This completes the love triangle as Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia and Olivia loves Cesario/Viola. The sub plot of Twelfth Night or What You Will contains more humorous and comical scenes involving characters whose status is less than the likes of Olivia and Orsino and also two knights who seem to act foolishly despite their positions. For the play to be a good comedy it has to show human weaknesses, Shakespeare has done this particularly in the sub plot by varying the level of compassion and self control in each character leaving their weaknesses easily identifiable. Firstly, we meet Maria, a chambermaid of Olivia, Sir Toby Belch, Olivia's uncle and his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, two rowdy drunkards. Sir Andrew hopelessly attempts to court Lady Olivia but to no avail, again we see representations of unrequited love and also courtly love. The conversation between Maria and Sir Toby is playful and dim-witted, despite its purpose to instruct and lecture Sir Toby, for the sake of Olivia. Sir Toby replies: ââ¬Å"Why let her except, before excepted.â⬠The light-hearted wordplay can be seen as flirtatious as Sir Toby uses his wit to entertain and charm Maria, although not explicitly told, through Toby's tone and language usage he can be clearly seen to have feelings for her. However, puzzlingly he advises Sir Andrew Aguecheek to accost Maria. Andrew is left puzzled at the meaning of accost, the focus on wooing and courtly love is another apparent type of love. As Sir Andrew plays with the words of Maria the friendly, humorous conversation begins to include sexual references, as Maria says ââ¬ËIt's dry' she gains the answer: ââ¬Å"â⬠¦I can keep my hand dry.â⬠Bawdy, sexual references would have been gladly accepted by the audience in Elizabethan theatres particularly by the men, as in today's society. The use of a metaphor leaves the context in which this is meant to be decided by the audience. The flexibility of perception is also true of the relationship between the characters involved in the sub plot as they are able to communicate in different tones and about different subjects without actually announcing any true feelings they may have about one another. Maria and Sir Toby can openly flirt with each other and Sir Toby can insult Sir Andrew Aguecheek as he did when we were first introduced calling him ââ¬ËAgueface', Sir Toby in fact only wants to use Sir Andrew. This suggests how fragile and false relationships and friendship can be. Malvolio is a character who seems to be unloved throughout the play he is neither loved as a friend or lover and the other characters show no compassion in evilly tricking him. His love for Olivia, is kept only as a fantasy. Malvolio is seen as a vain and pompous character whose only true love lies with himself. This self-love is seen by Olivia: ââ¬Å"O you are sick of self love, Malvolioâ⬠This accusation sums up the view felt by the audience as he regularly spoils the fun of the other members of the households in order to satisfy himself. A letter forged by Maria, supposedly from Olivia soon leads to more deceit in the play as Malvolio tries to earn her favour by following the suggestions of dressing in yellow stockings and crossed garters, acting arrogantly, smiling constantly and refusing to explain himself to anyone, it is his own self-conceit that causes him to easily fall into the trap. The sub-plot eventually intertwines with the main plot as a result of the appearance of Antonio and Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, who is still alive but believes that his twin, Viola is dead. Sebastian's friend Antonio seems to care deeply about Sebastian, possibly passionately and sexually, leading us to believe that he may well be homosexual as he follows his friend to Illyria, despite being enemies with Orsino. Sir Andrew and Sir Toby, seeing Olivia's increased attraction to Cesario decide to challenge Cesario to a duel. However, they mistakenly duel with Sebastian. The entrance of Olivia during the confusion causes further bewilderment as Olivia proposes to Sebastian, thinking that he is Cesario, Sebastian is baffled since he has never even met Lady Olivia before. However, he accepts. Since separating from Sebastion, Antonio is arrested for an old crime he committed, he begs Cesario who he thinks is Sebastian for his purse that he had gave him. However, Cesario is confused at this and denies knowing Antonio, which is true. Antonio cries out that Sebastian had betrayed him giving Viola new hope that her brother may be alive. These scenes are laden with dramatic irony, obviously because the audience are the only people who understand that both of the twins are alive, and by the apparent confusion that the other characters are suffering, that no one can tell them apart. This perplexity causes the comedy to be as bewildering as it is, possibly projecting the moral that nothing is as it seems. This can also be interpreted by the alternative title ââ¬Ëor What You Will' To have five acts in a play was conventional of Elizabethan playwrights, Shakespeare has followed this convention in the play as we see the fifth and final act of Twelfth Night which reveals true feelings and identity, resolving each problematic situation. Feste's behaviour at the beginning of Act5, Scene 1 indicates that he has still not forgiven Orsino for dismissing him and replacing him for Fabian, a less witty and clever entertainer. His cheeky exclamation when being addressed as a friend by Orsino is evident of this: ââ¬Å"the better for my foes and the worse for my friendsâ⬠This expression signifies that reality can be different from what is expected; again one of the key morals of the play, a further example of this is Feste's sharp wit in contrast with Orsino who is more placid and plain despite his aristocratic status. The entrance of Antonio escorted by Orsino's officers sees an almost different Orsino to the previously sombre character. As the Duke recollects the sea-battle, this reveals Orsino to be a more fierce and influential individual, he recognises Antonio: ââ¬Å"besmeared as black as Vulcan in the smoke of warâ⬠this simile makes Antonio sound wicked since black is an evil colour and also the metaphoric link to Vulcan, a vulgar, vicious God presents Antonio as a vicious immoral creature like Vulcan. Orsino now speaks with more thought than his inattentive and egocentric speeches seen throughout the comedy. When Olivia admits her love for Cesario, Orsino becomes angry accusing his page of betrayal and surrenders Cesario despite loving him: ââ¬Å"I'll sacrifice the lamb I loveâ⬠Again the issue of homosexuality rises as Orsino professes his love to a person he believes to be a man before the issue of sexuality can be dwelled upon the play quickly advances. There is a great deal of dramatic irony in this final scene which adds tension to the reunion of the twins. The audience is aware that both twins are alive, yet, there is still anticipation present from the audience to discover whether the truth that Viola is female will finally be known to the characters of the play. Also, Olivia has married Sebastian, which the audience also know, however, Olivia is claiming that she has married Cesario, which Viola genuinely knows nothing about, this situation is humorous and ironic. Shakespeare had mixed the elements of a tragedy and comedy. Shakespeare also used this situation, in order to illustrate the powerful feelings felt by the characters. Inevitably, the twins are reunited this resolves the theme of concealed identity. Viola regains her name as she discards her disguise, and is no longer trapped. This enables her to take action on her love for the Duke. Malvolio vengefully reappears, and is soon to be made angrier by the clown who mocks him. Malvolio remains the same throughout the play unloved except by himself. The trick played upon him had failed in punishing him for his vanity and arrogance. Antonio also does not gain anything at the end, although he may be forgiven for his past crimes. We are never told whether Sir Andrew and Sir Toby regained their friendship after Sir Toby quit Sir Andrew's company. Whereas, the Orsino and Viola had maintained their love for one another as had Olivia and Sebastian. The resolution for the two couples held true, romantic love for each of them. Orsino confirms with an optimistic statement: ââ¬Å"Golden timeâ⬠¦ But when in other habits you are seen Orsino's mistress and his fancy's queenâ⬠This rhyming couplet shows the real happiness that Orsino has found in contrast to the selfish, melancholy lover, Orsino, until the final scene. It was usual of Shakespeare to make the formal, traditional characters speak in rhyming couplets, until now Orsino's high status had been shadowed by his sadness. Now he fills the role of the stereotypical character we would have first expected we can see his language adapts to the role. Conversely, the clown's final song suggests that the future may not be as happy as is hoped or assumed: ââ¬Å"for the rain it raineth every dayâ⬠The reference to rain suggests that the future may be stormy and not as sunny as expected. Shakespeare would have intentionally ended the play with music, the same way as the play had started. Almost certainly as an ironic message of hopeful happiness in light of Orsino's beginning expression ââ¬Ëif music be the food of love, play on'. Conclusively, we can see that Shakespeare used language techniques such as metaphors, similes and rhyming couplets to express different types of love. Generally those characters relating to love spoke in verse while comical characters such as Feste and the two foolish knights spoke in prose.
Monday, September 30, 2019
The Theme of Death in Edgar Allan Poe’s Poems
The Fall of the House of usherâ⬠is presented through the narrator's lens as he helps out a friend whose whole life has been permeated with death. Lastly, ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠is a story of death with a motive. The leading character commits the murder of a prideful man who is hooked to the pleasure of drinking wine. ââ¬Å"The Fall of the House of Usherâ⬠is a story that revolves around the terror and death of both Redbrick and his sister, Madeline Usher.As Redbrick Usher becomes mentally unstable and falls into a state of depression, he sends a letter to his long lost friend, asking him to come for a stay. The mood of the story is full of unrelieved gloom as Redbrick Usher undergoes a struggle between the will to live and the will to die. Usher has no will to live and tells the narrator/his friend ââ¬Å"l shall perish, I must perish in this deplorable follyâ⬠(Poe 5). This suggests his fixation on the horror of death, as Usher fears not death, Itself , or the end of life, but rather death while still oppressed by his ââ¬Å"phantasmagoriaâ⬠fears (Goodwin 174). Sheer ââ¬Å"â⬠¦. Dreads the events of the future, not in themselves, but in their resultsâ⬠; he continues to say, ââ¬Å"l feel that he period will arrive when I must abandon life and reason together in some struggle with the grim phantasm, FEARâ⬠(Poe 5). Usher is overwhelmed by the despair and darkness of death ââ¬â he is convinced of the inevitability of his fast approaching death. He has such a morbid attitude, as things that would normally bring others happiness do not please him.The narrator, says early on that usher's mental condition ââ¬Å"displayed Itself In a host of unnatural sensationsâ⬠; he then goes on to add that ââ¬Å"he suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses; the most insipid food was lone endurable; he could wear only garments of certain texture; the doors of all flowers were oppressive; his eyes were tortured by even a faint light; and there were but peculiar sounds, and these from stringed instruments, which did not inspire him with horrorâ⬠(Poe 3).Because Usher is surrounded by a characteristically gothic environment, Isolated and depressing, this contributes to his fascination and obsession with death. Throughout the story, usher's friend tries to keep his distance from this dread and misery, but he cannot seem to break away since he is staying in the dull and gloomy house. Gradually, Usher's troubled mental condition worsens and he becomes so hysterical that he is not accurately perceiving his surroundings. He seems almost ghost-like because he is removed so much from life and reality; he Is unstable and his mind Is warped by his morbid attitudes and disposition.Redbrick Usherâ⬠shows readers a portrait of a man whose morbid fascinations ultimately prompt dangerous and self-destructive actions. As Usher's sister decays, he realizes he will be the last Usher. While many mig ht despair in facing this reality, Usher takes pride in being the last of his family and glossaries his death. Usher says that ââ¬Å"her decease would leave him the last of the ancient race of the Ushersâ⬠- which explains the worsening of his mental condition because he will have no family left and will feel more lonely and isolated (Poe 5).Because Usher tends to exacerbate things that are not as bad as they are, he becomes so wrapped up in death that he responds to a death that has not happened yet. The fact that Usher entombs his own sister alive and is not immediately aware of it, confirms his obsession with the gloom of death. Usher is either preparing for, worrying about, or becoming excited with death- his orbit fascinations are so disturbing. (Walker 586). Redbrick's friend attempts to try to preserve himself from the doom of Usher, but finds it hard to not become trapped in this terror. The Fall of the House of Usherâ⬠concerns the total disintegration of Redbrick Usher as he willingly enters into a gloomy world by remaining in such a miserable environment. Usher experiences a mental disorder that oppresses him, leaves him deranged, and causes his frequent moods of ââ¬Ëmad hilarity (Walker 590). Redbrick is not killed by his sister, but is literally terrified to death by his environment and his distorted imagination. He is beyond saving, as the narrator quickly discovers.He collapses into the melancholy which ultimately causes his destruction. ââ¬Å"William Wilsonâ⬠is a challenging read. In this work Poe confronts death, but not in the literal sense, as in some of his other works. ââ¬Å"William Wilsonâ⬠is a story where a self-willed, intelligent, and bold man comes across another man who seems to embody the exact form of himself. Through this short story, the audience questions whether the other William Wilson is only a conscience and does not tangibly exist, or whether he is a real human that knows too much.William Willow's ââ¬Å"followerâ⬠has a disposition dissimilar to Wilson- he is quiet, has no flaws, and only communicates through whispers, and unlike the other boys at the school he is not charmed by William Willow's intelligence and wealth. Although Wilson is scared of and threatened by his follower (because of his omnipresence and unlimited knowledge), he is also awed and fascinated by him. Death in ââ¬Å"William Wilsonâ⬠is not necessarily literal; rather, it takes place throughout the entire story.Willow's doppelgà ¤nger is constantly trying to kill the side of William Wilson that has no concern for anyone else- the boastful and elfish side. William Wilson is, in a way, killing off his own goodness by refusing to listen to the wisdom of his doppelgà ¤nger; by the end of the story, Wilson is beyond salvation and has become dead to others around him. Many readers and critics question the true existence of the doppelgà ¤nger due to the fact that his mockery and sarcastic comments are only made in private through whispers. William Wilson is disgusted by these comments because he does not want his reputation to be tarnished.Willow's doppelgà ¤nger seems to be satisfied with the sting he inflicts, but William Wilson is hurting on the inside while trying not to question his own actions. He despises his doppelgà ¤nger because he knows he is doing something wrong but does not want to acknowledge it- he wants to pretend that everything he does is right and true. William Willow's doppelgà ¤nger, through his insights, gradually makes him tells Wilson, his avowed antagonist, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ And in my death, see by this image, which is thing own, how utterly thou hast murdered thyselfâ⬠(Poe 10).Here, Willow's doppelgà ¤nger tells Wilson that he has left the better part of himself and that, essentially, he is now dead also. Willow's doppelgà ¤nger is saying that if Wilson had listened to him, he might have been a better person. All along Wilson has been both t hreatened and fascinated by this doppelgà ¤nger because his wisdom is far keener and better than his own. His doppelgà ¤nger kills Willow's name, schemes, and pride- he has made Wilson feel horrible because he is the first ââ¬Å"personâ⬠to really expose his substantial character flaws.In one of the last scenes, where Wilson is gambling with a very rich man and swindles him, his reputation is destroyed and his deceiving tricks are revealed. This scene is where Willow's doppelgà ¤nger finally takes action instead of merely whispering. He makes it known that William is a ââ¬Å"cheat. â⬠The doppelgà ¤ngers exposure of Willow's trickery is the pinnacle of what he has been trying to do all along. Willow's doppelgà ¤nger represents the happier and better part of William Wilson, and in the end out of fear and paranoia, Wilson kills off this ââ¬Å"sideâ⬠of himself, or his conscience.William Wilson, like all people, has to constantly choose between right and wrong. E ven with the lingering specter of his doppelgà ¤nger urging him to do right, Wilson manages to triumph over the forces of good acting on him. When Wilson kills his doppelgà ¤nger, he dooms himself to a life of ââ¬Å"turpitudeâ⬠(Sullivan 254). The theme of death in ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠, by contrast, is literal. The story is a confession of a man, Mentors, who has committed the horrible crime of murder. Mentors lures his ââ¬Å"friend,â⬠Fortunate, into his family vaults, where he then fetters him to the wall and bricks him in.In this short story, the reader is perplexed by the seeming absence of a motive for this crime. It seems obvious that Mentors is insane, and his reasons for killing Fortunate are questionable. Mentors elaborates on his sophisticated philosophy of revenge: ââ¬Å"l must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is undressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unrepressed when the avenger fails to make hi mself felt as such to him who has done the wrongâ⬠(Poe 1).While many would suspect Mentors feels guilty about his killing after he says ââ¬Å"my heart grew sickâ⬠, he is actually stating his satisfaction over his monstrous deed: ââ¬Å"â⬠¦. On account of the dampness of the catacombsâ⬠(Poe 7). Mentors is fully capable of going through with all this violence and neither expressing nor experiencing any remorse. Not only does Mentors feel no guilt about his murder, but he perceives his murder of Fortunate as a successful and Justified act of vengeance and punishment rather than a crime (Barbara 49).The death in ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠is clearly murder, as Mentors expertly plans his devious actions of capturing Fortunate and killing him in his family vaults. Mentors presents himself as a person with the right to condemn Fortunate to death- he plans his murder as an act of retribution. Although Mentors claims Fortunate death is sought from revenge, th e insults Fortunate causes are never revealed to the audience. Clearly, Mentor's actions are irrational, extreme, and therefore he is mad.He is an extremely violent and insane person who is looking forward to the murder of his ââ¬Å"friend. â⬠Mentors is not an active participant in the life of local aristocracy- he seemed to be a recluse. The fact that was more powerful than Mentors (Poe 1). Fortunate death had to come from feelings of Jealously and inferiority. But Mentors felt, being a descendant of a powerful aristocratic family, he could not possibly let Fortunate insult him with impunity (Barbara 52). The murder of Fortunate is looked forward to and is deliberate and calculated, as Mentors wants to kill him.He is able to easily face the toll, of committing the gruesome act that comes upon him. The death in ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠is eagerly sought as Fortunate murder is premeditated and arranged and is later felt with no pity. The fact that Mentors feels no remorse after the death proves that he is an insane man and was fully capable of pursuing his plan. From losing his parents; becoming orphaned and adopted; and going through periods of fife where he struggled to both find and deal with losing love, it is obvious that Edgar Allan Poe experienced much suffering.Death was a common reality for him. Pope's three works, ââ¬Å"William Wilson,â⬠ââ¬Å"The Fall of the House of Usher,â⬠and ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠all express different aspects of death. The tale of Redbrick Usher is one of ââ¬Å"dramatic intensity, psychological subtlety, and symbolic complexity' (Kennedy 42). The deaths in the story are due to unrelieved gloom and morbid attitudes. In ââ¬Å"William Wilson,â⬠death is a mystery, as readers will never know whether William Wilson kills is actual self or a grim conscience who forces Wilson to question his immoral actions.Lastly, death in ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠is a plotted manslau ghter where the murderer is violent and vengeful. Although the treatments of death are diverse among these short stories, they all share characters, including Redbrick Usher, William Wilson, and Mentors, that are mentally unstable. These three stories deal with mental instability, self-destruction, and murder which all lead to death, inevitably. In conclusion, we can stem these forms of death from Edgar Allan Pope's life and experiences, as he lived through much loss.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Global Political Economy Essay
Sustainable development is defined as development that allows us to meet our current needs without destroying the means of livelihood of future generations. There are three basic elements of sustainable development: (1) economic growth; (2) social development; and (3) environmental protection. Undoubtedly, all of these elements concern our world as a whole. Thus, it is essential to acknowledge that the health of the planet is synonymous with the health of the living beings that occupy it. Protecting the health of the planet is the mutual responsibility of all citizens of the world. Since the planet is limited with respect to its size and resources, it is a sure responsibility of all governments of the world to collectively ensure that all citizens of the globe have somewhat equal if not absolutely equal access to its resources. There are countless ways to distribute essential resources relatively equally. What is required apparently is more practice than preaching; that is, governments must be diligently finding ways to overcome global economic and environmental problems, and acting on proposed solutions. There are plenty of global issues requiring immediate outcomes and solutions. It would be wise to answer their call with immediate action. The Wal-Mart Effect: How Wal-Mart Affects the Economy Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the worldââ¬â¢s largest retailer, able to force its small competitors to shut down business as well as drive down wages. On a positive note, the retailer helps to keep down prices or inflation, and productivity at a high level. Wal-Mart sells goods at unbeatable prices. It thus ââ¬Å"strikes fear into the establishment of every new industry it considers entering (Shaw et al. ). â⬠Presently, Wal-Mart is expressing its desire to enter the banking industry in the United States. However, the banking industry is thoroughly intimidated by the kind of competition it would have to deal with. Wal-Mart is certain to be of financial service to the low-income consumer ââ¬â if it does enter the banking industry in the United States, full-fledged. At least one-fifth of Wal-Mart consumers are low-income families that cannot afford to pay the high prices charged by most consumer banks and financial organizations in the United States (Weston). Hence, many low-income families do not have bank accounts in the country. Wal-Mart would like to change that, by offering unbeatable prices in the banking sector as well (Zellner). Whether the retailer has a greater positive or negative impact on the economy is, therefore, debatable. Is Capitalism Good for the Poor? A large number of people around the world are of the opinion that capitalists make profits at the expense of the poor. Others believe that capitalists provide jobs to the poor, thereby raising their standards of living. In early September, 2006, a toxic waste dumping scandal of truly globalized proportions came to light in the Ivory Coast. The Probo-Koala, a tanker chartered by the London-based shipping company, Tranfigura, set off from Amsterdam carrying four hundred metric tons of petrochemical waste to dump in Abidjan, the port city of the Ivory Coast (Vidal; ââ¬Å"Ivory Coast Toxic Tanker Impounded by Estoniaâ⬠). Tranfigura informed the Amsterdam Port Services that the waste was absolutely ââ¬Å"conventional (Vidal). â⬠However, it was later discovered that the waste contained hydrogen sulfide, which happens to be a poisonous gas, smelling as rotten eggs (ââ¬Å"Ivory Coast Toxic Tankerâ⬠). At least ten people lost their lives in the weeks immediately following the incident in the Ivory Coast (Vidal). Moreover, seventy five thousand people are known to have sought medical treatment with complaints of nausea, nose bleeds, breathlessness, vomiting, diarrhea, skin damage, headaches, and swollen stomachs (Vidal; ââ¬Å"Ivory Coast Toxic Tankerâ⬠). This incident was recognized as an illustration of the growth of capitalism at the expense of the Third World, regardless of the fact that capitalists provide jobs to the poor and develop their economies in the process. Works Cited ââ¬Å"Ivory Coast Toxic Tanker Impounded by Estonia. â⬠Environmental News Service. 28 Sep 2006. 13 Nov 2007. . Shaw, Hollie, and Carrie Tait. ââ¬Å"Wal-Mart eyes banking: Financial services in Canada: Itââ¬â¢s a way to strengthen ties with its customers: analyst. â⬠CanWest Interactive. 31 October 2006. 13 Nov 2007. . Vidal, J. ââ¬Å"UK Class Action Starts Over Toxic Waste Dumped in Africa. â⬠Guardian Unlimited. 8 Jan 2007. 13 Nov 2007. . Weston, Liz Pulliam. ââ¬Å"National Bank of Wal-Mart? â⬠MSN Money. 2007. 13 Nov 2007. . Zellner, Wendy. ââ¬Å"Wal-Mart: Your New Banker? ââ¬â Wal-Mart Canââ¬â¢t Be Or Own A Full-Fledged Bank ââ¬â Yet ââ¬â But Its Partnerships And In-Store Financial Services Are Giving The Industry Jitters. â⬠Business Week. 7 February 2005.
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