...TEXTS AND COMPOSERS: Tim Winton’s – On Her Knees Topic: Importance of Dignity: Every person in this world is dignified in their own way; whether it is their riches, power, friends, family or even the smallest and most insignificant things, alot of things bring pride and dignity to one’s self. ”Pride” is an essential part of life as it gives self esteem and a feeling of self importance. Good morning/afternoon classmates; today I’ll be talking to you about the importance of dignity within Tim Winton’s “On Her Knees”. “On Her knees” is a powerful story that teaches and reinforces Tim Winton’s view of the true meaning of dignity. He accomplishes this through the use of “first person” making the text seem like an auto-biography of Carol, making her personal experiences seem more authenticated. Whether this story may be based on a true story or not, many of the occurrences within this short story are great examples of “The Importance Of Dignity”. Carol (the mother of Victor), quits her job as a specialized employee in a medical office, and instead becomes a maid to pay off her son’s law school fees. Victor during these troubled times feels guilty but most importantly feels that Carol’s dignity is devalued, perhaps even destroyed due to the fact that she cleans other peoples houses “on her knees”. Victor does not understand how Carol could do things to such an extent, despite having done so for his sake, as he understands that it is hurting his mother’s pride as a once respected...
Words: 431 - Pages: 2
...John Warren Mrs. Thomas English III - 6 20 October 2012 Miller’s Unfortunate Influences Many negative actions during the history of America such as the Salem witch-hunts and World War II brought upon a common psychology of desperation and deep meanings of struggle to many of Arthur Miller’s poems. “The Crucible” deals with extraordinary tragedy in lives of normal people due to the witch-hunts. “All My Sons” probes with the idea of dissatisfaction and unrest within the greater American population, influenced from the desperation and paternal responsibility put on people. Lastly, “Death of a Salesman” a work based on the American dream and national values, was influenced greatly by his hatred relationship with his uncle. The historical and personal events that occurred during Arthur Miller’s early life greatly influenced his writings of “The Crucible”, “Death of a Salesman”, and “All My Sons”. “The Crucible” was historically influenced by those trying to cleanse American culture of anyone who persisted in seeing the Soviet Union as a source of good in the world. This disgusted Miller so much that he based “The Crucible” on the anti-communist hysteria that pervaded the 1950s America, and the witch-hunts of the late 17th century He hated the idea of tragedy in ordinary lives and had much concern for the physical wellbeing of the working class. The outburst of these ideas caused him to be called before the House Committee...
Words: 746 - Pages: 3
...Spinsterhood: a Choice or a Matter of Destiny? By Omar Bihmidine Spinsterhood is looked upon as a nightmare for all women. At any point in her life, no sane woman has ever thought of living her whole life as a spinster. Society in its turn mercilessly deems it a shame, while women falling prey to it continue to suffer from a life-long bout of desperation. In silence, desperate, unmarried women groan out of their failure to find a man of their dreams, if not any man. In the face of this destiny, they do not know whether they are to blame for something they haven’t brought about or it is a destined curse they will only have to bear for the rest of their lives. At other times, our culture treats spinsters differently from bachelors even though both are trapped in the same shameful curse of singlehood. Whereas the society looks down on spinsters and deems them a burden to their families, it stands in ovation in the presence of bachelors, deeming the latter as the best of today’s men. In any society where spinsterhood is getting more rampant, we always find that spinsters are inferiorized and treated contemptuously, not because they are single as such, but because their singlehood is biasedly represented as a sign of rejection, refusal, lack of appreciation, ugliness, boredom, misery, etc. Regrettably, spinsters can’t help feeling that they are not part of their community. When spinsters observe their fellow women getting married one after another, they usually ask themselves...
Words: 880 - Pages: 4
...Genocide A dilemma ■ Events in Rwanda ■ More than ethnic hatred ■ Buildup in Kanama ■ Explosion in Kanama ■ Why it happened When my twin sons were 10 years old and again when they were 15, my wife and I took them on family vacations to East Africa. Like many other tourists, the four of us were overwhelmed by our firsthand experience of Africa's famous large animals, landscapes, and people. No matter how often we had already seen wildebeest moving across the TV screen of National Geographic specials viewed in the comfort of our living rooms, we were unprepared for the sight, sound, and smell of millions of them on the Serengeti Plains, as we sat in a Land Rover surrounded by a herd stretching from our vehicle to the horizon in all directions. Nor had television prepared us for the immense size of Ngorongoro Crater's flat and treeless floor, and for the steepness and height of its inner walls down which one drives from a tourist hotel perched on the rim to reach that floor. East Africa's people also overwhelmed us, with their friendliness, warmth to our children, colorful clothes -- and their sheer numbers. To read in the abstract about "the population explosion" is one thing; it is quite another thing to encounter, day after day, lines of African children along the roadside, many of them about the same size and age as my sons, calling out to passing tourist vehicles for a pencil that they could use in school. The impact of those numbers of people on the landscape...
Words: 7703 - Pages: 31
...Brick Pollitt is described by Williams as very charming and the embodiment of masculinity. However, as the play progresses the subject of the type of relationship he had with his now deceased close friend Skipper is being brought up by members of the family constantly. Brick states that it was the only true and good thing in his life. The fact that he describes their apparent platonic relationship as 'true' may point to the fact that Brick was in fact homosexual despite his constant denial and that their relationship meant so much more than people realised. After Skipper’s death Brick became a heavy drinker, throughout the play Brick is often described as having an alcoholic drink or empty glass. Brick uses alcohol as a measure to withdraw from the world, as many people do and try to suppress his grief and forget about his intimate relationship and love for Skipper. Brick’s heavy consumption of alcohol clearly has an effect as several times throughout the play Brick is seen as emotionless and seems like he’s never fully present except in a few scenes. It is interesting to note that the word gay or homosexual is never used in the play. Only the word ‘queer’ is used. Brick constantly denies having a homosexual with Skipper. This can be seen when Brick goes on a rant; “You think so, too?You think so, too? You think me an’ Skipper did, did, did! -somody!ʼ-together?” The fact that Brick gets so uptight when the subject is brought up and that he even stutters shows that it’s a...
Words: 592 - Pages: 3
...tragedy, Miller successfully depicts the human condition in midst of denying failure. The play unfolds around a washed- up salesman named Willy Loman, whose obsession with reaching concrete evidence of success, creates unfortunate repercussions on his family, and himself. Willys conviction that a man must not only be like, but he must be well liked (Miller, 1250), along with his uninterrupted focus on prominence, reflects on his two sons, Biff and Happy, as he infuses them with values of social status as well as future success. Willy’s sense of self value depends on the response of others. Such gestures of recognition provide signals that society is a comfortable home for him, one where he hopes to make his sons as happily at ease as he (Jacobson, 249). This is doubtlessly a mirage of security for Willy, as he desperately suppresses his inner motions of regret, and refuses to embrace his conscious identity. Ultimately, Willy Lomans self- delusion of success disabled him to obtain his true identity, and influence a displacement of identity in his sons. Most people in today’s society develop a constant necessity to better their lives, as well the quality of life for their family. For many, this necessity stems from their core beliefs of what a comfortable life should contain in our society, along with secure elements for their loved ones in order to flourish as human beings. Whether it is, health, security, education, or freedom, people pursue different values, which they feel lead...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...exchange for money or any other mode of payment is not accepted. However, there are several businesses and medical practitioners that want to change this. One of the notable associations that fight for this idea to go through is the AMA (American Medical Association). To justify their actions, they mention that the ethical issues behind the sale of organs favor the idea. This motivates them in fighting for laws restricting such sale of organs to be legal. The sale of organs is normally favored by two arguments. The first argument is the notion that the owner of the organ has every right to do as he/she wishes with their body parts. Secondly, there is a big shortage in the number of organs ready for transplant that has even led to radical measures being put in place to ensure that more organs for donations are present. Whether the organs would be sold, there is justification due to the high shortage being experienced. Arguments that are against the sale of organs are normally thrown back and forth. Nevertheless there are two clear arguments that reflect on the above arguments that have been mentioned. The first argument is the fact that selling organs eventually leads to commoditization of the bodies. The second argument that is not in favor of the sale of organs is that this would lead to a situation where the rich take advantage of the poor individuals i.e. the poor individuals are exploited in order for the rich to benefit. The idea of commoditization doesn’t really make a lot...
Words: 1566 - Pages: 7
...Wendy Kofi Adu “Charles I’s demand for the Forced Loan of 1626 was purely a political measure” Explain why you disagree or agree with this view. Charles I’s demand, in 1626, for the Forced Loan, was not a political measure, but undoubtedly a financial one that happened to have political advantages. King Charles, after only one year of reign, was threatened by an impending war with Spain and France, and this was the reason why he was in a desperate need of money. Following the disastrous and embarrassing expeditions to Cadiz, where the poorly equipped English soldiers got drunk and began fighting with each other, and later on at La Rochelle, personally led by Buckingham, where besides the lack of reinforcements and provision from the motherland,...
Words: 1180 - Pages: 5
...Changed Forever For years, I have wanted to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. My youngest son had been there and was immensely touched by this. Therefore, I determined this assignment would be the perfect opportunity for me to visit and in turn write about it. Immediately, in all honesty, I understood that this memorial and museum was a dedication of peace and hope that will change you forever. The museum is a place of amazing transformation that offers a unique insight of the events that took place on April 19, 1995. As you enter the museum, the first item you see is a huge wall that states, “Just like communities everywhere, it is the start of a day like any other day”, but as you proceed, the story of that day is revealed gallery by gallery showing you that it was not an ordinary day. As you approach the end of the third floor, which is where the tour begins, you are greeted by Gus, an elderly man, probably in his early seventies and full of knowledge of the events that took place that day. He explains that we are about to hear an actual audio recording of a water board hearing that was held across the street from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on the morning of the bombing. Our group, roughly 20 people, is ushered into a room where the audio is playing, approximately two minutes into the hearing; you hear a loud explosion followed by panicked shouting as the faces of the 168 victims killed that day are displayed on the screen...
Words: 1173 - Pages: 5
...China’s One Child Policy; Impacts on the Society, the Economy, and the People. By David Goheen Due: December 14, 2007 Executive Summary During the years before the implementation of the One Child Policy, the leaders of China were involved in wars, a great leap forward, and an industrial revolution. In the last twenty five years China’s One Child Policy has affected the country in every way one can imagine. This paper will attempt to explore the major ways the policy has affected the people of China socially, and how the economy has reacted with the change. A brief history on the traditional views of Chinese families, before the policy’s implementation, is outlined ahead of the policy’s background. This is to illustrate where the people of China are coming from, socially and culturally. I hope to convey that this policy has forcefully stolen the Chinese citizens’ basic human right to reproduce and has hurt them physically and emotionally. However, statistically and economically the policy has been a success up to this point. The early psychological status of China’s children with no siblings is looked at to try to understand their mental capabilities of dealing with the pressure of having to be successful. Major flaws that were overlooked could spell disaster for this aging population in the future. The policy has created prosperity for the country, but has also left its citizens suffering. China is now looked at as having a low birth rate, a low death...
Words: 4053 - Pages: 17
...* there must be some proof and not mere opinion in the shape of a statement. * ---Names of accused were not mentioned in F.I.R. nor description of their features or their stature was given---Accused had not been identified and their identification test took place two- months after incident---Alleged identification of accused was based on flashing of torch light which was a weak form of identification. * When material on record was not showing as to which accused caused fatal injury leaving room for consideration regarding common intention of other accused, such case called for further enquiry- * ---Assessment of evidence ---Principle---Deeper appreciation of record cannot be gone into at bail stage, but only its tentative Assessment is to be made just to find out as to whether the accused is, prima facie, connected with the commission of crime or not. * ---No final findings could be given regarding plea of alibi at bail stage, as same would require recording of evidence ---Tentative Assessment of such plea, could be made, if it was found that accused had succeeded in establishing an opposite version then the case of accused would become one of further inquiry and on that score, accused would become entitled to the concession of bail. * one of accused was shown as armed with dagger, while other with Kalashinikov---Injuries sustained by the complainant were blunt which could be the result of danda attributed to absconding accused---No role seemed of accused persons...
Words: 11061 - Pages: 45
...Princess Loriebelle M. Rivera Management 19: Good Governance and Social Responsibility MTh 10:30am-12:00pm, Section C Case 11.3 Consenting to Sexual Harassment 1. According to her own testimony, Vinson acquiesced to Taylor’s sexual demands. In this sense her behavior was “voluntary”. Does the voluntariness of her behavior means that she had “consented” to Taylor’s advances? Does it mean that they were “welcome”? Do you agree that Vinson’s acquiescence shoes there was no sexual harassment? Which court was right about this? Defend your position. 2. In your opinion, under what circumstances would acquiescence be a defense to charges of sexual harassment? When would it not be a defense? Can you formulate a general rule for deciding such cases? 3. Assuming the truth of Vinson’s version of the case, do you think her employer, Capital City Federal Savings and Loan, should be held liable for sexual harassment it was not aware of? Should the employer have been aware of it? Does the fact that Taylor was a supervisor make a difference? In general, when should an employer be liable for harassment? The employer, Capital City Federal Savings and Loan, should be held liable for sexual harassment even if they were not aware of it. They should be responsible for the act of their employees regardless of any particular circumstances. The employer is socially responsible not only because he is the head of the company but also because the harassment happened in the workplace. ...
Words: 946 - Pages: 4
...The redefinition of a woman's role in society and the image of the maternal figure through comparison of female characters in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House and Bertold Brecht’s Mother Courage and her Children. Henrik Ibsen’s Nora Helmer and Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage present two strongly defined female heroines whose actions not only adversely affect the other characters’ lives but also suggest a fundamental problem with their societies. Both playwrights establish the macroscopic view of society’s turmoil in the microscopic, individual characters of Nora and Mother Courage. Both characters have an indomitable magnetism that, on the one hand, allows them to control others but, on the other, cause them to make desperate choices that reflect a repressive society. In analyzing the figures of Nora in A Doll House and Anna Fierling in Mother Courage and Her Children, it is important to examine the ways in which they interact with their respective societies, specifically how well they play the roles defined for them. For each play, there exist social structures, as well as exigencies of a given period within those structures, which range from being burdensome to downright inimical to the process of being a good mother. In the case of Nora, the perspective is bleak: due to the oppressively, male-dominated society , not only is she in no position to be a provider or protector for her children, but due to the condescending, patronizing attitudes of her father and...
Words: 2749 - Pages: 11
...and the center of countless surveys, focus groups and opinion polls. There are some who disagree as to exactly how culpable absent fathers are for many of the social ills we’re seeing in our society today, but there’s no denying it is a problem. This paper will endeavor to show that in spite of often heroic efforts by single mothers to rear their children as productive members of society, there is an overwhelming amount of data indicating fatherlessness as a significant factor of violent crime, educational under-achievement, high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), teenage pregnancy and behavioral disorders and it is vital that children have a father proactively involved in their lives wherever possible. Arguably the most desperate reason for fathers to engage in a positive way in their children’s lives is reflected in the statistics of violent crime. The young men of society today are growing up without fathers to guide them and teach them right from wrong. This has produced a generation of young men who are astonishingly angry. According to a report by Criminal Justice and Behavior, “Eighty percent of rapists motivated by displaced anger come from fatherless homes” (Children of Divorce and Separation – Statistics, 2001). This means that a male growing up in a fatherless home is ten times more likely to commit rape. Obviously there are copious other factors that play into this extreme level of violent behavior, but it is no coincidence that where fathers have...
Words: 2804 - Pages: 12
...mourning period of King Hamlet and premature marriage to Claudius are the root of Hamlet’s despair. In this passage, Hamlet focuses in the timing of the marriage, describing that it occurred “wicked speed”. Similar to Hamlet’s fleeting love for Ophelia, Gertrude’s quick shift from one sexual partner from another suggests that romantic love is weak. In contrast, the love between mother and son never fades. Throughout the play, Gertrude’s constant concern for Hamlet’s well-being and desire to protect him from harm demonstrates her love. When Hamlet enters the royal palace looking depressed, Gertrude begs him to “cast thy nighted color off” ((I.ii.70), showing her care for his emotional state. Later, she asks him “stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg” (I.ii.123), which reflects her motherly desire to keep Hamlet close by her. In concern for his sanity, Gertrude is willing to take action to discover the cause of his madness, for when Hamlet acts crazy, she asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to “instantly to visit [her] too much changed son” (II.ii.38). In her love for her son, Gertrude takes desperate measures in attempt to return him to his sanity, for she even tries to use his former love, Ophelia, in hopes that she “will bring him to his wonted way again” (III.i.45). Even as she informs Claudius of Polonius’ murder, she tries to protect Hamlet with a white lie, declaring, “he weeps for what is done” (IV.1.28). Gertrude care for Hamlet proves herself as a loving mother. Her marriage to Claudius...
Words: 1726 - Pages: 7
