Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Implication of the growth of services sectors Essay
Implication of the growth of services sectors - Essay Example rvices based economy revolves around provision of services like transportation, distribution or transfer of goods and money from one point to another. In more concrete terms, the services sector includes things like the provision of insurance, banking, retail operation, information access and entertainment or leisure services. The services sector is strongly linked to the other two sectors, for example, the provision of public utilities like water and electricity is often considered a part of the services sector while the installation, creation and development of means to provide those services come from the industrial economy. Moreover, an industrial economy can only be developed if there is a food surplus in the agricultural sector of the same country. This is the reason that the normal economic progression of a nation might go from a complete dependence on agriculture, to a boost in industry and finally towards a service based economic system. Historically speaking, the UK holds the position of being the first country to develop and exist as a services based economic system (Wikipedia, 2006). While it took the British Empire a few centuries to develop a services economy (helped in no small part by the colonies), modern economies are developing a services sector much faster than England. India for instance, is moving towards a services based economy at a rapid pace while the industrialisation of India is slower than the growth of the services sector (Economist, 2006). However, the UK is much more interested in the services sector since more than 70% of the British economy is based in services which means any dip in the economic indicators there will have a drastic effect on the overall economic conditions of the country (Economist, 2005). Similarly, the growth potential of the economy in the services zone is stunted because marginal growth would not only be difficult, it would also mean that government resources are being utilised inefficiently if the same
Monday, October 28, 2019
The Tunnel Rats Essay Example for Free
The Tunnel Rats Essay INTRODUCTION            It was in January 1966 when one of the biggest intelligence coups of the war that time took place. While the soldiers or the â€Å"diggers†were doing a sweep of the â€Å"Iron Triangle†that was an area near Saigon they discovered a vast complex of tunnels.[1] This location was heavily guarded with armed protection and was restricted by the Viet Cong (VC). What they were about to find out was 60 feet into the ground of that perimeter would be the Viet Cong headquarters. [2]            When they arrived in Vietnam as part of the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry, 3rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division in January 7, 1966, they were called the â€Å"Big Red One†and were sent to engage in operation â€Å"Crimp.†[3] The mission was to search and destroy sweep the Viet Cong stationed in the Northwest of Saigon. Even as they were just landing, they could see from the air how there were groups of their men in trouble with small fire fights that made them quickly exit their helicopters to engage in battle and destroy the VC that had been attacking the soldiers.            When they went inside the tree line that led to the locations were they saw some of the fights, they saw a large trench filled with nothing and no one. They did not know where the VCs went. Those they saw that were firing at the other soldiers just disappeared into thin air. They were gone, all of them.            The battalion moved forward to see large catches of rice and estimated the amount they saw were enough to feed a Regiment.  Even after a few days later, they saw foxholes, trenches and caves but there were no VC enemies to fight with. However, it was evident the United States casualties were still increasing because of sustained enemy sniper fire that basically came out of nowhere.            It was already January 10th and they merely had a few glimpse of this enemy. Later that day, a radio report came out that elements from another brigade had made contact with the VC and found the same thing tunnels. VIETNAM WARFARE STATEGIES            Later they would discover that the VC’s strategy was to strike unexpectedly and then slip away into the tunnels to avoid retaliation. Their strategy was concealment and was effective with their hit and run tactics.[4] Tunneling was the essential element in the VC strategy. It was the greatest element in the VC stationed in the area of Cu Chi, located north the South Vietnamese capital, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon).            They used the tunnels for many functions. They attack American installations that were conveniently built right above them.[5] They took refuge in the tunnels when they felt threatened with annihilation. They used the tunnels to escape from threatened villages. The also used them to store war materials and to operate facilities like an underground hospital. The Americans never really discovered the full extent of the Viet Cong tunnel systems, but they gradually tried their best to develop tactics to counter attack the VCs and to use the complexities of the tunnels to their advantage.[6]            The tunnels are now made into something like a Disney amusement park wherein tourists can take an hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to experience going into them. These tunnels used to be well hidden from American soldiers and reporters of the war but now it has brought tourism to the country. But along with the sights and the interesting experience, the war tactics and weapons the Viet Cong used were placed on display that serves as a reminded of their polished warfare strategies.            Man traps made to kill were part of the display. When American soldiers would try to slip into the tunnels, Punjisticks or spears of bamboo with razor sharpness and covered with excrement or poison were the first things that greeted them.[7] The sticks pierced the legs and the torsos of the Americans. More brutal strategies were used as bear traps were also placed in the tunnel openings to amputate the feet of the soldiers as they go inside the tunnel. Like this was not enough protection, booby traps were also hung from the trees near the opening that would result to beheaded soldiers or amputated limbs.[8]            The VC did not even bury some of their casualties. The United States forces often buried their dead enemy to keep track of the extent of the casualties for the enemy. Tactical conditions from the Viet Congs would result to dead VCs lying around the tunnels for the tunnel rats to discover. In some cases, they would even pull the bodies of dead American soldiers in the tunnels for the soldiers to encounter. This was a strategy they used to unnerve and demoralize the U.S. troops that would come into the tunnels.[9] TUNNELS OF CU CHI            Located just seventy-five kilometers northwest from the country’s capital Ho Chi Minh were the tunnels of Cu Chi. This district of Cu Chi was a major Viet Cong infiltration route that served as a trail towards the Ho Chi Minh.[10] Situated above the ground of this perimeter was the station of the United States 25th Infantry Division.[11] Below them was the home of the 7th Viet Cong Regiment and other allied units. It was like sleeping with the enemy, only with them they were sleeping above the enemy, literally.            The tunnels were reported to be 250 kilometers long and most of the tunnels were located in Cu Chi. There were three levels to the VC tunnels. [12] In the first level, the opening was three meters deep. As one goes deeper into the tunnel, it would widen and be about six meters deep. The third level of the tunnels was eight meters below the ground. An Underground Battle Station            In the tunnels, it was like a whole word underground. There were kitchens, there was a hospital, and the officers’ quarters were there as well as a meeting room.[13] During that time the tunnels were almost inaccessible. It was hidden in a jungle-like area. During the war it was ravaged by a skin-burning chemical Agent Orange that was part of the American counterattack. Some tunnels were also too narrow for an overweight Westerner.[14]            The tunnel system included different sizes of chambers, rest areas, weapons and ammunitions storage, kitchens, workshops, barracks room as well as rooms that housed the communication equipments.[15] The kitchens was designed so well the smoke that could signal the Americans of their location were dispersed and dissipated into numerous pipes that would mislead anyone who would see it.[16]            The tunnels of Cu Chi were the venue where the Viet Cong fighters and the American Tunnel Rats, as they call those brave enough to penetrate the tunnels, would go into hand-to-hand combat inside dark and dangerous subterranean and complex tunnels. These tunnels were where they fought to death using knives and pistols.[17] The Little IRT            The tunnels of Cu Chi were known as the Little IRT. They were similar to the railway system in America with an interconnecting tunnel system that was in the northern section of Hau Nghia Province and in the southwester section of Binh Duong Province. The tunnels complexity connected hamlets, villages and provinces in the area. Originally it was dug up to be used to support the Viet Minh guerilla war against the French.            The American soldiers dubbed the tunnels the â€Å"little IRT†because of how similar it was to the New York City Subway. The complex tunnel system allowed for different levels in different locations that were interconnected by a series of â€Å"trap doors, channels, shafts, wells and communication tunnels.†[18] There connections from the tunnels to bunkers that was almost bombproof as well as to ground level bunkers. Tunnel Explorer, Locator Communicator System            The TELACS was an experimental communications device system that the tunnel rats or the American soldiers used when they explored the enemy tunnel systems. It was a system that was composed of an earphone and a throat microphone for communications with the troops in the surface.[19]            It was a flawed system because there was much voice distortion and there needed to be a large amount of wire that had to be dragged behind the explorer. It was a slow and inaccurate system. When it was tested in the year 1969, it was withdrawn.[20]            The tunnel system proved to a sophisticated military tactic from the Viet Cong that may have been underestimated by the American troops. The genius of their strategies overwhelmed U.S. Forces until it came to the point that they decided to clear the tunnels of the VC. TUNNEL CLEARING            After the time when Ben Suc, Vietnam was depopulated American troops went on to clear out the tunnels of Cu Chi, looking for Viet Cong fighters. The army made use of large tanks with bull dozer blades as well as medium built soldiers that were known to be â€Å"tunnel rats†that went to uncover the underground city.[21] In the clearing process they found stoves, furniture, clothes for men and women, and essentially thousands of pages of important war documents. This major headquarters that the American command found brought them to explore further into the tunnels.            However, during that time, a senior officer that was in-charge of exploring the tunnel was killed by one of the bloody booby traps. The U.S. army saw the danger of the situation and retreated from exploring the tunnels. Instead, they pumped tear gas into the tunnels as well as set off explosives.[22] The Americans thought this was the top headquarters for the Viet Cong, they miss the headquarters of the NLF that was several miles north that place.            The U.S. used tons of artillery and bombs for every Viet Cong fighter. The Viet Cong manual even said that the U.S. had much superior weapons and strength compared to them on the battlefield. But they could not chase them as they always launched surprise attacks from their underground tunnels.[23]            The use of incendiary weapons that included the white phosphorous and the napalm was used vastly by the U.S. forces during this time. [24]This move has placed them in the center of condemnation. Napalm was described to be a petroleum fuel that as very effective in the destruction of the enemies’ bunkers as well as the people inside them. White phosphorous was used to mark targets and to set fire to flammable ones. It has caused suffering that would tend to continue burning the skin long after the initial contact.[25] Used together with napalm would prove to be painfully lethal. The mortality rate from those who suffered from such weapons was high and there were deaths that arose from injuries where victims were too badly burnt to receive hospital treatment.[26] CS Gas was proficiently used in clearing the tunnel complexes that sifted the enemy soldiers as well as the large numbers of civilians who sought refuge in the tunnels.[27]            Some antiwar critics of the U.S. Forces in the Vietnam claimed that America conducted a war of genocide in Vietnam because of the civilian casualties. However this was denied because the U.S. military strategy did not amount to having an official policy of genocide nor was it the intention of the government and the armed forces to wipe out any significant part of the Vietnamese civilians. TUNNEL RATS            During the war trained special units were called tunnel rats. They were described to be â€Å"small, mean and crazy†as they actually went inside the tunnels and combated with Viet Congs they encountered while other units merely thrown explosives to clear the tunnels.[28] They were also known to be the â€Å"Tunnel Runners†by the 25th Infantry Division and â€Å"Ferrets†by the Australian Army. â€Å"Tunnel Rat†was their official accepted name.[29]            It was during this time that the U.S. Army realized that it was short-sighted to destroy the tunnels by the bulldozers and the bombings. There would be a massive loss of vital intelligence if the plans and documents of the Viet Cong would be destroyed through their first strategy.            It was in 1965 when the 1st and 25th Infantry division organized specialized teams that had missions to search and explore the tunnels in the III Corp area.[30] The tunnel rats were not assigned; they were all volunteers and were armed only with a pistol or shotgun, a knife and a flashlight.[31] They infiltrated the tunnels with such minimal weapons where hundreds of VC might be hiding with their massive supply of weapons stored in the tunnels as well. Anyone who went into the tunnels was then dubbed as â€Å"Tunnel Exploration Personnels.†           As the tunnel rats descended into the tunnels they experience walking into a pitch black and claustrophobic pathway wherein they were playing a deadly game of hide and seek with the enemy Viet Cong. The sensitive probing of the floor, sides and roofs of the tunnels soon became second nature to the tunnel rat as he inched his way deeper into the tunnel complexes.[32] They carefully watched out for wires and tree roots that was irregular and could pass for booby trap that could blow them up to pieces or cut their limbs into pieces.            The entrances of the tunnels alone are usually mined or protected by concealed guards ready to fire upon entry. Sometimes, the unsuspecting tunnel rat can met the garrote or someone would cut his throat as he came up and pass by connecting trapdoors[33].            Aside from the VC booby traps were a whole breed of animals that resided in the dark confines of the tunnels.[34] There were bats that used the grounds during the daylight hours. Snakes were also encountered inside the tunnels. The Bamboo Viper and the Krait were the deadly snakes that can be found the VC tunnels. The Viet Cong would deliberately tether a snake in the tunnels to serve as a natural booby trap for the tunnel rats.            The stress the tunnel rats undergo every time they went into the tunnel was unthinkable that pushed their mental state to its limits. They would crawl into the narrow, pitch black tunnels looking for a heavily armed enemy for hours to combat with. The idea was to find the VC first before he jumped on them to kill them. Sometimes the strain on the men’s nerves was too much to bear to the point wherein he had to be dragged from the tunnel screaming and crying.[35] When this occurs, they are not allowed to go into the tunnel ever again. There were no dead tunnel rats that were to be left inside the tunnel. Dead or wounded they were dragged out with wires, rope or by a comrade only to be taken out of the VC territory.[36] Weapons and Warfare            There was extensive use of the tunnel by the VC. The tunnel rats had to search and flush out the VC. Tunnel warfare then occurred between the VC and the U.S. Tunnel Rats.            The soldiers became used to tunnel welfare that they reveled in the opportunity to pursue a VC through the narrow passageways. It was not a work for someone with a faint heart as the danger of death was ever present underground were grenades would just pop through trapdoors and other forms of booby trap awaited.[37]            When a tunnel rat went in for tunnel warfare, the infantry basic load was kept to a minimal. His total lack of equipment to carry was a factor for the tunnel rat’s survival.[38] The pistols the tunnel rats carried where the .38 Smith and Wesson. Sometimes they would carry a 9mm German Luger.[39] Most of the tunnel rats agreed not to carry the Colt .45. It was too big of a weapon for the underground battle with a silencer. Without a silencer, it was too loud that the enemies from far away could know your location instantly while you are temporarily deafened by the shot. In tunnel warfare, the tunnel rats follow the golden rule that prohibits firing more than three shots underground without reloading.[40] If this does not happen, the VC could know that the tunnel rat is out of ammunition and could attack while they reload.            The tunnel rats carried a standard Army issue flashlight and each member carried one. They practiced how they would carry the flashlight to prevent themselves from being lighted targets. They also practiced how to change batteries in pitch darkness by touch alone and how it can be done quickly.[41] CONCLUSION            The tunnel rats were remembered to be one of the bravest in the American-Vietnam war. They did a job that not many wanted to do. In fact, not many dared to volunteer for this position. But they stepped up and made it a duty to their country.            It was not an easy job considering the highly sophisticated tunnel strategies that the Viet Cong implemented before the U.S. Army troops even discovered that they existed. They were in and out of a battle scene. They controlled the tempo of the battle because of their invisibility. Even when the tunnels were discovered, threats still turned on the American troops as it proved to be dangerous to explore the tunnels. Deadly booby traps such as land mines, sharp sticks and trapdoors overwhelmed the U.S. troops that may have underestimated the intelligence of the VC tactics. In the end much of the tunnels that were deeper into the complexes were remained uncovered and unexplored by the U.S. Army. This was a war rightfully won by the one who had the best strategies, the most ruthless approaches that surprised the nations of the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY Brown, Lousie. War and Aftermath in Vietnam. New York, Routledge, 1991. Clark, Gregory R. Words of the Vietnam War: The Slang, Jargon Abbreviations, Acronyms Nomenclature, Nicknames Pseudonyms, Slogans Specs, Euphemisms Double-Talk, Chants and Names and Places of the Era of United States Involvement in Vietnam. Jefferson, NC, McFarland, 1990. Mangolds, Tom. â€Å"Behind Enemy Lines a Nam Vet Returns; Tom Mangold Revisits the Terrifying Viet Cong Tunnels He Discovered as a Young War Reporter.And Finds Them Transformed into a Fascinating, Disney-Style Attraction†, The Mail on Sunday, 15 October 2006, 94. McGibbon, Ian. â€Å"The Tunnels of Cu Chi: A Remarkable Story of War in Vietnam†, New Zealand Internationa lReview, Vol. 31, No. 3 (2006): 29. Philbert, Robert E. â€Å"Back to Nam†, Social Studies, Vol. 86, No. 1 (1995): 6. Schulzinger, Robert D. A Time for War: The United States and Vietnam, 1941-1975. New York Oxford University Press, 1997. â€Å"Tunnel Rats.†Digger History, (2002). Available from http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/vietnam/tunnel-rats.htm, accessed on October 3, 2007.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
My First New Car Essay -- Personal Narrative Ford Focus Essays
My First New Car A few months ago I bought my first new car. The number of choices to be made seemed a little ridiculous. I walked into the dealer knowing I wanted a green Ford Focus sedan, only to find out there were half a dozen models that fit into that category – Focus LX, LX Premium, SE, SE Comfort, ZTS, blah blah blah, and a couple shades of green. In addition to the car model and color choices were decisions on options packages. And having seen the "pimped out" SUVs on MTV Cribs, complete with two or three LCD screens (one in the dashboard for the driver, of course), DVD player, speakers costing more than my college education, GPS navigation systems similar to those used in the Space Shuttle, heated seats, and 20 inch chrome wheels, my eyes were wide with opportunity. After checking on financing and whittling down the alternatives to what I might really need or want, I ended up with the most basic of standard packages. Even the standard package in my car seems excessive. Three years ago, remote locks, power adjustable side mirrors, and advanced heating systems were a luxury, but today they are standard package necessities. My cup holders are adjustable to a few sizes, accommodating everything from an eight ounce coffee to a gluttonous fifty-two ounce Extreme Big Gulp. The stereo has twenty plus presets (with the large panel display of the call sign, not just the radio frequency), an option to scan through channels searching only for stations playing a specified music genre, and of course adjustable treble and bass, which I'll never touch. The car manual, which had more pages dedicated to the stereo than the rest of the automobile, revealed a clever feature where I can program a volume for the radio to reset... ...he was about to drive over... When I look past what's inside the Ford Focus LX Premium versus the SE Comfort, I can see many of these technological advances for what they really are: unnecessary risks. The fact is that the number of accidents (and deaths) increases as a direct result of driver distractions, and more technology only provides more distraction. Unfortunately, manufacturers realize a high tech GPS system can sell for a lot more than an improved seat belt. Protection of human safety should be the primary concern of transportation regulations and in-vehicle technology developments. So while other people continue to drive while calling in to check voice mail, worrying about finishing off the Big Gulp Slurpee, and buying a GPS navigator to find the fastest route to grandma's house, I'll know I drove away from the dealership with the safest option: focus.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Business Report Essay -- GCSE Business Marketing Coursework
Business Report SOCIAL CUSTOMS Every country has it’s own social customs and gestures. Ireland has its share of social customs that differ from the United States, but for the most part the countries are relatively similar. Friendliness and hospitality have always been the hallmark of the Irish people. People in Ireland react to strangers very politely, as you would expect in most parts of the United States. The attitude toward foreigners in Ireland is reasonably friendly, and welcoming, as opposed to being hostile. In Ireland people greet each other much like they do in the United States. In a social setting, a handshake is appropriate when greeting another man, when greeting a woman a hug is appropriate. The manners in Ireland follow the United States almost exclusively. Entering or leaving a room in Ireland is much like entering or leaving a room in the United States. When entering and greeting a person, it is considered good manners to shake a man’s hand, or offer a woman a hug, but beyond that, when exiting a room, there is no bowing or nodding. Do not go overboard, the Irish aren’t physically effusive. â€Å"If an Irish person refers to you by your last name, do the same, generally in a social situation they switch quickly to using your first name.†1 Other than this using a name for an introduction follows the usual Mr., or Mrs., when referring to an adult. In a non-formal setting, such as a social atmosphere, referring to someone by his or her first name is completely acceptable.1 In the part of Ireland researched, social customs do not dictate where or when people are expected to sit in a social or business setting; however it would be advised when in a business situation not to be seated until asked. There are no hand gestures, facial expressions, or phrases noted that would be considered rude in Ireland that would not be considered rude in the United States. This also works in the reverse direction, where, such hand gestures, facial expressions, and phrases that would be considered rude in the United States will also be taken as rude in Ireland. When speaking to a person from Ireland, you would stand just as you would when speaking to an American in the United States. A relaxed manner, and a reasonable distance are the norm. While in a restaurant in Ireland you would signal a waiter in the same manner that you would in the United Stat... ... would have to be that of, St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland. St. Patrick worked in a missionary in the 5th century. He played a crucial part of converting Ireland into the Christian faith. There are many important dates on the Irish calendar. Many of which happen to be festivals. St. Brighad’s Feast (Feb. 1), May Eve, Festival of Lughnasa (Aug), and Halloween. Being that most of Ireland’s people are of Christian faith, all of the Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter, St. John’s Night, and the Feast of St. Martin, are celebrated. The Irish National Anthem-â€Å"The Soldier’s Song†or â€Å"Amhran na bhFiann,†- was written in 1907 by Peader Kearney, who together with Patrick Henney also composed the music. It was first published in 1912, and was formally adopted in 1926. It consists of three stanzas and a chorus, the text of which goes as follows: Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland; Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sire land Shall shelter the despot or the slave. Tonight we man the bearna baol In Erin’s cause come woe or weal ‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifles peal, We’ll chant a Soldier’s song.19
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Huck’s Moral Conscience
Huck’s Moral Conscience In the classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by the great Mark Twain the memorable character of Huck Finn is constantly choosing between the social morals of the southern states during the time of slaves in America and his own self morals. Throughout the novel Huck is being taught that slaves are lesser beings compared to white folk and that they do not deserve the same amount of respect, this leading to the main example of Huck’s struggle with his conscience.Huck has a good heart and knows what is right from wrong even in the smallest situations and is tested many times through strangers and friends. After Huck fakes his death he finds a true friend where he never thought to look before, in the heart of a supposed socially unacceptable, escaped slave named Jim. Jim sticks with Huck through thick and thin regardless of the consequences, whether they are returning to slavery or a broken finger. In the entirety of Huck’s life, he was taught that someone who confides with an escaped slave is no better than the black man himself.This thought haunts his mind throughout the book, making him even considers turning Jim in but he realizes that Jim has been â€Å"might good’ to him and is his best friend. Their relationship is tested when the duke and king sell Jim to the Phelps and Huck decides to rescue him whatever way it takes, no matter how long it takes. The king and the duke are two trouble making characters who lie about everything to whomever they talk to just to get a few coins. The two misfits even take it so far as to attempt to steal a dead man’s money before Huck realizes it’s a horrible deed and his conscience takes over.The money belonged to a family known as the Wilks, the three sisters Mary Jane, Susan, and Jenna. When the duke and king impersonate their uncles in order to get the money and Huck meets the three gals he says, â€Å" I felt so ornery and low down and mean that I says to myself, my minds made up, it’s either hive that money for them or bust. †Huck then does everything in his power to do the morally right thing and get them their money, in which he succeeds. Near the end of the book after the too bad men had sold Jim, Huck goes to the Phelps’s ranch to go get him.The misses Phelps, known as Aunt Sally, comes running up to Huck to call off the dogs as he came strolling in and believed he was the good old Tom Sawer, her nephew. Since Huck is an opportunist he then claimed to be Tom, and later found out that the real Tom was actually coming to the ranch that very day. The two devised an elaborate plan thanks to Tom who just wanted adventure to bust Jim out. When the zero day finally came and the two actually busted Jim out, there happened to be a mob chasing them thanks to a faulty part of the plan and one of the members shot Tom in the calf.The three escaped to an island and Huck came back to town to get a doctor who sail ed to the island alone leaving Huck to be found by uncle Silas who took him back to the ranch. Since innocent Aunt Sally doesn’t believe Huck, or â€Å"Tom,†had anything to do with the escape she tells him to go to his room. She also tells him that she wanted him to stay put in the room because she was worried enough. Huck truthfully wanted to go out and look for Tom but his conscience wouldn’t let him, so Aunt Sally could be calm at mind.Huck clashed with his conscience and social morals throughout the book and was able to decipher right from wrong. He made the right choice in keeping his friend close and never letting him go no matter what. Huck also realized it was wrong what they were doing to the Wilks and even did what was right when the opportunity presented itself. Finally Huck topped it off with a bang in resisting what he wanted to do most, to look for Tom, just so someone might be able to sleep better.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Fiction Hero Essay essays
Fiction Hero Essay essays Scarlett OHara, the main character in Margaret Mitchells Gone With the Wind, exemplifies essentially a southern women during the antebellum period. Gone With the Wind, is a great depiction of one southern womens struggle through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Scarlett the typical southern belle who lived a life of luxury and comfort is faced with a classic heros journey, which fiction rarely allows women to experience. Scarlett the prideful young women, illustrates strength and courage on her quest to survival and success in the harsh times during and following the Civil War. Scarletts journey begins when Ashley Wilkes, the man she loves refuses her hand in marriage. Out of spite, Scarlett marries the first man who asks her, Charles Hamilton. Widowed quickly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Scarlett is sent from her beloved home Tara to her Aunt Pitys House in Atlanta. While in Atlanta, the city falls under siege forcing Scarlett to protect Ashleys wife Melanie, who she had promised to protect even though she hated her for taking the man she loved. Exemplifying courage, Scarlett successfully sneaks around General Shermans men with Melanie, who is incredibly ill, Melanies new born baby, and Penny, a very loud servant. She then finds her beloved home Tara almost destroyed, her mother dead, and her father unable to take care of them. In desperation, Scarlett, on the edge of starvation and death, picks cotton, runs a plantation and even marries her sisters beau Frank Kennedy to save her beloved Tara and family. Illustrating heroism Scarlett marries Frank Kennedy to pay the three hounded dollar tax on Tara. After marrying Mr. Kennedy, Scarlett takes over his business by expanding his store and forging a successful sawmill, with little consideration of how being a business women would effect her reputation. Scarletts incentive for expanding Mr. Kenned...
Monday, October 21, 2019
Reflection is Important in Life
Reflection is Important in Life Reflection is Important in Life Many people act first, then they start to think and analyze their actions. However, such manner of the behavior is not new, a lot of men and women fall under the influence of it. It cannot be judged whether it is good or bad, if reflection precedes an act, it also depends on the situation in which it has occurred. As any other activity, it has advantages and disadvantages. Otherwise, Andrew Marvells poem To His Coy Mistress and Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleists essay On Thinking Things Over: A Paradox are two examples of the similar approach to the problem. The English author states on the fact that a person should not fight with the mind and thoughts, though to follow his or her desires and act first rather than perform a reflection. One more opinion is of the German playwright. Kleist affirms that mans actions should be in the first place rather than thinking. Thus, two thoughts of these writers have right to exist. However, human reflection depends on the actions and conversely: a man is judged by his deeds, and thinking represents mans ability to act. Andrew Marvells poem To His Coy Mistress is representative of the action without reflection. The main hero of the poem convinces his lover to surrender the struggle of the mind and tempt to their passion. Even more, he tried to urge a mistress to have a sexual contact with him; it was emphasized by heros words that her action would not be a crime. Thus it could be mentioned that mans intentions are unethical and obscene. Opposite to this situation is Kleists appeal, in which the author states that meaning of the act is more important than reflection. Besides, the essay is appointed to his son, as the writer pointed out at the beginning: A military man has to be quick and fearless, his actions have no time to be advised (Miller 217) Such belief also could be explained by the nationality of the playwright. Germans are precise people and the ability to do everything on time is very important. He suggests that realization of the action come to people in the moment of solution or a little earlier. However, long process of reflection could slow strength of the act or to intricate the mans mind and knock out of the way. Humans have a unique ability to think and find out the solution of the problems, however it requires to act quickly for the better result. Kleist writes about the fact, that after the action was made, people could evaluate results of it and according to submitted conclusions analyze faults, weakness or even unpleasant effects. Therefore, human will have an opportunity to regulate the perceptions, emotions and behavior in the future, in order not to make the same mistakes. The writer states that a person thinks first, only then speaks and expresses the thoughts, though it is not right. This false is made by the human brain, which is an alteration of the right order of causes and their effects. As well, Heinrich von Kleist emphasizes that mans life is the struggle with a fate, and all the ways, which are suitable for wrestling also will be good for this fight. He exemplifies, according to which man should act first, as a fighter does in a battle, and reflects in retrospect (Miller 217). As an example it could be a sportsman who almost win as he have no time for thinking things over, everything that is expected of him is t o act quickly and to win. The similar thoughts are presented in Marvells poem, where the main hero addressed to his lovers desire for control and compliments. Later the narrator changes his logic and starts trying to make the real world full of problems and even pushes the mistress away. Therefore, his supplication to the woman for acting first, and after that reflection forces her to destroy all the moral limits. In this situation, the ability to think things over should be first, though it will prevent adverse consequences for the lady. Nevertheless, the author strengthens heros belief by the powerful and eloquent words that they cannot cave their love and be together physically, though they have to make their feelings disappear. As follows, there are two characters in the poem: hero, who acts first and forces his lady to do the same, and heroine, who thinks things over after rather than before an act. Heinrich von Kleist said marvelous words about human life that it is a competition with fate (Miller 217). This point of view is perfectly suitable for my experiences as an international student. Peoples life is a struggle not only the destiny, but with themselves as well. It is necessary to have a great courage for studying in the foreign state with different society, traditions and relationships. Therefore, my decision was guided by long reflections and weighing the pros and cons, which led me to the United Stated. Thus, human life is a contest with the fate, which has to bring joy and happiness; and it can be won by the man who risk. In addition, nowadays it is more typical for the society to to act first and reflect after the actions. It cannot be said that this kind of realization has its advantages and disadvantages. Human life is too shirt to spend all of it in uncertainty and hesitation hesitating. It is better to live in the present day and be confident, fight with the fate, act spontaneously and take the best out of life, and draw the conclusions afterwards.
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