Paul Laurence Dunbar Essays - Paul Laurence Dunbar, Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Renowned African-American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar rose from a poor childhood in Dayton, Ohio to international acclaim as a writer and as an effective voice for equality and justice for African-Americans (Howard, Revell). He met and associated with other historical men such as Fredrick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and his Dayton neighbors Orville and Wilbur Wright (Harvard, Columbus). Dunbars personal story, as well as his writings, are still an inspiration to all Americans (Poupard). Dunbar was born June 27,1872 in Dayton, Ohio to Matilda and Joshua Dunbar, former slaves from Kentucky (Van Doren 296, Columbus). Their family was extremely poor because Joshua was not able to get a job. Racism was still strong in Ohio even though slavery was against the law at the time. To help their parents, Paul and his two half-brothers did chores like gathering firewood, raking leaves, and cutting grass (Howard). Matilda always provided inspiration to her children by reading to, supporting, and encouraging them to be creative. She loved storytelling, songs, and poetry. This affected Paul throughout his life, and it was she who instilled in him the desire to achieve (Columbus). Dunbars parents separated in 1874, after having two children. In spite of this, Paul was still able to achieve. He wrote his first poem at age six and recited publicly at age 2 nine (Howard). His first public reading was on his birthday in 1892. After Joshua left, Matilda was forced to work in Dayton as a washerwoman to support her family (Columbus). Joshua died when Paul was just twelve years old (Poupard). The death of Joshua only strengthened the bond between Paul and his mother (Revell). Dunbar was very popular among his classmates at Central High School. He was the only Negro in his class and was a member of the Literary Society, editor of the student publication, and composer of the class song at his graduation (Van Doren 296, Columbus). Dunbars first published poem was called Our Martyred Soldiers. It appeared in the Dayton Herald on June 8, 1888. In 1891 Paul graduated from Central High School (Revell 11-12). After graduation, Paul had to work as an elevator boy in Daytons Callahan Building and later as a page at a Dayton court house(Revell 11 ). He was forced to work at places such as these because some businesses were reluctant to hire him because of his race (Columbus). Dunbars first poetry collection, Oak and Ivy was published in 1892 (Howard). Oak and Ivy consisted of fifty-six poems, thirty-six of which were later discarded by Dunbar (Revell p.29) To help pay for the publishing fee and printing supplies he sold the book of poem to customers who rode the ele vator for $1.00 (Columbus). meanwhile he continued writing for various national newspapers and magazines for a little extra income. Paul 3 quickly achieved a reputation in his hometown as a poet and frequently was invited to recite his works for various clubs and organizations. Many times people would recommend his books to friends, spreading word of his talents (Howard). In general, Dunbars poetry was accepted and well-liked (Poupard). This landed him an invitation to recite his poetry at the first Worlds Fair at Chicago in 1893. Here, he worked as clerk at a Haitian pavilion where he met Fredrick Douglass and other black speakers and writers (Revell 102). Douglass called Paul Laurence Dunbar The most promising young colored man in America. (Howard). 1895 brought Dunbars move to Toledo, Ohio and the publishing of his second collection of poetry, Majors and Minors (Columbus). Eleven poems from Oak and Ivy were printed in Majors and Minors. (Revell, p.224). Its publishing was financed by his friends Dr. Henry A. Tobey and Charles H. Thatcher, an attorney. Majors and Minors caught the attention of a famous literary critic William Dean Howells. Howells favorable review of Dunbar in the Harpers Weekly made him nationally known overnight (Columbus). Howells pointed out that in history Negros have been gifted and successful in music, oratory, and many of the other arts, but Majors and Minors was the first 4 instance of and African-American who had evinced innate distinction in literature (Poupard). Following Howells review, New York publishing firm Dodd-Mead and Company combined Dunbars

Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace

Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace Free Online Research Papers Under federal law, sexual harassment is described as a form of sex discrimination that violates a person’s civil rights, creates a hostile work environment and is conduct that is unwanted and sexual in nature. In 1994, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that behavior could be considered sexual harassment and a violation of a person’s civil rights if it creates a hostile and abusive working environment. Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances. It may be physical, verbal or non-verbal. Many businesses have not addressed the issue. Employers and employees do not always know the legal boundaries of sexual harassment because not all workplaces have a sexual harassment policy in place. Some companies do not take the time to educate their employees about sexual harassment or the consequences of such behavior. Sexual harassment occurs in all levels of employment, from lower level to the highest levels of management. The best way to end sexual harassment in the workplace is to take the necessary steps to prevent that type of behavior initially. It is important that a distinction be made between what is illegal behavior, behavior that is legally defined as sexual harassment, and what is undesirable behavior in the workplace. It was not until the Anita Hill verses Clearance Thomas case that the seriousness of sexual harassment in the workplace came into the spotlight. Federal law states that for behavior to be considered as sexual harassment that the behavior or actions have to be unwelcomed and create a hostile work environment. The situation between Frank and Mary definitely constitutes a form of quid pro quo sexual harassment. Frank has a known reputation of being a flirt and flirting with female employees. His actions and statements towards Mary were very inappropriate as well as unprofessional. Although Frank did not directly come out and tell Mary what he wanted from her, his intentions were very clear and direct. When Frank made the statement to Mary that he was sure that her client enjoyed â€Å"desert†, he implied that she had given her client some type of special sexual treatment to land the account and he now expected the same if she wanted him to approve her expense account and avoid any trouble for the bosses that are higher up. He abused his power and violated the trust that Mary had in him as a supervisor. Mary remained professional even though she was placed in a position that made her feel uncomfortable and uneasy. Frank violated Mary’s civil rights by sexually harassing her. She took appropriate action and reported the incident to Human Resources. Her employers can be held liable if they take no action to correct the situation. There are a number of legal boundaries in place to protect employees as well as employers when it comes to sexual harassment. It’s imperative that employers have a strict policy regarding sexual harassment and maintain appropriate procedures to address the issue. Once an employee reports or makes a complaint of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior, the employer should initiate an investigation immediately. Mary has the right to come to work and not be harassed. It’s her right to be able to work in an environment that is comfortable and not hostile. Before doing this assignment, my knowledge of sexual harassment was very limited. I had an idea of what constituted sexual harassment but not a broad understanding of the legal definitions and the laws pertaining to and protecting victims of sexual harassment. After doing research, my understanding of quid pro quo sexual harassment is that it occurs when a person gives in or rejects sexual advances or behavior that is sexual in nature and used as a basis or condition of decisions that affect their employment or made as a requirement for employment, very similar to a trade off. This type of harassment can only be committed by a supervisor or another person that has the power to make or influence actions directly related to employment that will affect the employee that is being victimized or harassed. Hostile environment sexual harassment happens when a person’s behavior or conduct interferes with and affects an employee’s performance at work and an offensive or hostile environment develops. Examples of this type of sexual harassment are offensive language, explicit graffiti and request for sexual favors. Employers are not the only people who can create a hostile work environment. Co-workers, supervisors and even clients can create this type of environment. When a hostile environment is present, it can affect the moral of employees as well, overall job performance and the company’s reputation. The damage and harm caused by sexual harassment may not be immediately evident. Humiliation, loss of dignity and self-esteem, destruction of professional reputation and physical and psychological injury are just a few examples of the damage sexual harassment can cause. Unfortunately, sometimes victims of sexual harassment have to choose between their jobs and their personal safety. Many sexual harassment victims are never threatened with firing or lack of advancement but instead suffer repeated abuse by a hostile work environment. Federal Equal Opportunity Laws as well as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit sexual harassment on the job. In 2007, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received over twelve thousand charges of sexual harassment. 16.0% of the charges were filed by men. They resolved 11,592 of those charges and recovered forty-nine million dollars for victims. Federal law acknowledges two different sets of legal grounds for claiming sexual harassment under Title VII. The first one is quid pro quo and the second is hostile work environment harassment. When sexual harassment does occur on the job, the victim has the legal right to take their employer to court and sue for damages. Courts follow the doctrine of respondeat superior, which means, the company is held liable even if it had no knowledge of the conduct or behavior. It’s very important that businesses and companies enact strict guidelines and policies concerning sexual harassment. Not doing so places them at risk for liability when an incident of sexual harassment does happen. Claims of sexual harassment can negatively affect a company’s reputation, profits as well as their customers. Lawsuits resulting from sexual harassment cases can cause a company serious financial damage. It’s in the best interest of companies and businesses to educate all of their employees about proper conduct and behavior. They have to educate themselves as well as their employees about boundaries and exactly what constitutes sexual harassment. They must be diligent about what types of behavior is prohibited and unacceptable. A detailed and strict harassment policy should be instituted. Employers have to take immediate and appropriate corrective action when there is a claim of sexual harassment. To avoid and prevent sexual harassment, companies have to act before a problem occurs or develops. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission encourages employers to take all steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. They suggest affirmatively raising the subject, expressing strong disapproval, developing appropriate sanctions, informing employees of their right to raise, and how to raise, the issue of sexual harassment There has to be severe consequences for inappropriate behavior that is deemed as sexual harassment. I believe that if employers inform their employees of the strict penalties that will be enforced in connection with sexual harassment, it will discourage that type of improper behavior. Companies should have a detailed grievance policy and procedure relating to sexual harassment. They need to train their supervisors as well as upper management to deal with issues of sexual harassment. If a company has grievance procedures in place, it will encourage employees to come forward with sexual harassment complaints and provide a sense of security. An effective grievance procedure should provide the victim with alternative methods or avenues for reporting harassment. When an employee reports sexual harassment, the employer should ensure the employee that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that the complaint will be kept confidential. A victim of sexual harassment must not be forced to address their complaints to a supervisor who is involved in, condones, or ignores the harassment. It’s very important that a company maintain confidentiality, for the sake of the victim as well as the person accused. Once an employer has received a report of sexual harassment, their liability may be reduced or eliminated depending on how quickly and effectively they respond. Under no circumstance should a company or business delay an investigation of sexual harassment for more than a few days. Severe sexual misconduct should be handled immediately. Regardless of how comprehensive or complete a company’s sexual harassment policies and procedures they are bound to fail if a company does not properly and promptly enforce them. Employers must be consistent and aggressive when it comes to sexual harassment. It’s a very serious subject and should be taken seriously at all times. Whatever the situation, a company should take action that is reasonably calculated to end the harassment. Such action must be directed toward the harasser, and may include verbal warnings, written warnings, job transfers, suspension of employment, and, if necessary, termination. In dealing with problems, companies must avoid any measures that penalize the individual who has lodged a sexual harassment complaint. I think that immediate action has to be taken when there is a report of sexual harassment. I think the first step is to launch a full and complete investigation regarding the complaint. Once the investigation is complete, depending on the findings, appropriate action should be taken right away. Penalties for sexual harassment should be based on the severity of the harassment and what extent of damage the victim suffered. One thing is certain, all forms of sexual harassment must be penalized regardless of how innocent the behavior is intended to be. Employees have to be protected from sexual harassment at all costs. Research Papers on Sexual Harrassment in the WorkplaceInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenResearch Process Part One19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraTwilight of the UAWPETSTEL analysis of IndiaPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

Advertising & Consumers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Advertising & Consumers - Essay Example and Trehan, R. (2011) as advertisement. According to Bishnoi and Sharma (2009), advertisement refers to a persuasive, normally paid for, impersonal communication on services, products or ideas through various media by a specific sponsor. The intention of the advertiser would be to spread ideas on the product and offerings, recognised by Belch, George Edward, Belch, George Eugene & Belch, M. (2006) as a marketers’ tool of communication to customers. Wang, Zhang and Ouyang (2009) categorise the effects of advertising as either intermediate, which influences the beliefs and attitudes of consumers or behavioural, which relates to the purchase and brand choice of consumers. Advertisement banks on psychological factors that influence consumer behaviour to reach out to the customer. These psychological factors include learning, personality and lifestyle, attitude, image and individual needs. Studying these factors would guide the advertiser on the message, ad-appeal, colour, illustra tions, media, media scheduling and the layout of the ad-copy among other critical advertisement factors. If these consumer behaviour factors would be related to the target audience, advertisers would come up with effective advertisements. Impact of advertisements on consumer behaviour ... Sutherland (2009) appreciates the importance of repetition in advertisements with consistency in messages so as to increase familiarity especially with the use of a catch line, an observation opposed by Chung and Zhao who noted that â€Å"ad repetition has no influence on perceived humour and overall effectiveness of advertising† (2003, p.121). Percy and Elliott (2012) add to this debate arguing that in direct response advertising, there would be no need for repeated advertising as action terminates with a single purchase. Consumer choices would be influenced by the brand and product image and their perception towards them (Percy & Elliot, 2012). Through advertisement, advertisers could change consumers’ perception through association of the product with attributes appealing to the needs of the consumer. Consequently, in their minds, consumers would associate that attribute to that particular brand more than they would for competitor’s brand, thus influencing pur chasing behaviour (Sutherland, 2009). Different organisations would have differences in their dependencies on advertisement to sell their products. For example, a cereal company would have to advertise more due to the existence of varied competing products as opposed to a power company which has minimal or no competition (Yeshin 2006). A strategy that advertisers employ to influence consumers to purchase products has been noted to be the creation of a feeling of lack or scarcity (Wells & Foxall, 2012). But noting the role that brands play in influencing consumption of products, Dahlen, Granlund and Grenros (2009) introduce an important role of advertising in brand

Wolverhampton - A car-free city, myth or possibility Essay

Wolverhampton - A car-free city, myth or possibility - Essay Example Nowadays every effort is geared towards conserving the little resources that are available for human beings. Furthermore, efforts are made to make life easy. One of the areas that tries to conserve the environment and at the same time benefit from its own program is sustainable mobility (Ozge, & Karaaslan, 2011, p 28). This roughly means that the project aims at holding to the resources that are available in relation to the movement from one location to another. In the current world, the aspect of globalisation has led to the jeopardisation and astronomical increase in the need to use transport and has turned mobility of people, their concepts and commodities into a very important feature in our current society. At the same time, the transport segment in most of the countries has become one of the largest contributors to the carbon dioxide that the vehicles emit. This transport segment over period of time has built a great percentage on the number of pollutants contributing to the en vironmental degradation and has increased the level of energy consumption (Thomsen, 2011). It is with this in mind that I set this research on the grounds explained above. I will look at Wolverhampton concerning whether there is a possibility of turning the city into an environmental conscious city. As for this aspect of a car-free city, I will be selecting a suitable and sustainable mobility concept that can work in the city and also explain the concept itself and how it will be implemented. This will be analyzed with the relevant literal materials (Shane & Graedel, 2000, p77). The first area I will tackle in this essay will be the sustainable mobility as a concept and thereafter I will chose the most appropriate concept for sustainable mobility in the Wolverhampton area. Sustainable Mobility The word â€Å"mobile† means that one is capable of making movement in a space, virtually like in the flow of information in a particular network, be it socially (in this case, climbing the ‘social ladder’ to be in a different level or status), or even being physically making the movements (Neuman, 2011, p 41). In a statistical perspective, it means that mobility is the movement between two places, from one place to another and this does not clearly emphasize which means were used. Therefore, in my case, I will assume that mobility involves different means of transport and the mode of transport used for the movement to be made. According to Staley and Ybarra (2008), sustainable mobility is â€Å"mobility which does not endanger public health or ecosystems and meets needs for access consistent with: a) Use of renewable sources below their rates of regeneration; b) Use of non-renewable resources at below the rates of development of renewable substitutes†. The concept of mobility in some quarters has a different definition. According to Kasanen (1994) and Berge et al (1992), mobility is the potential for movement. For instance, a product might hav e a high mobility which means it might have a potential for movements by having qualities and characteristics that will make it easy to make a move and through the existence of means of transport to carry the movement out. At the same time, the mobility in people will greatly vary depending on each person’s factors like the age of the person, gender, health of the person and the occupation among many other factors. At the same time, the different periods of time at individual disposal and varied accessibility to the correct means of transport play a major part too. This is further supported by Hoyer (1999) who also describes mobility as â€Å"†¦an expression for both the potential for movement and the volume of the actual movement taking place. It

Coca-Cola financial statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coca-Cola financial statements - Essay Example Coca-Cola’s largest assets are property, plant and equipment that amount to a net worth of 9,052 million dollars based on the December 2014 yearly financial reports (The Coca-Cola Company, 2015). Their second largest asset is goodwill that amounted to 12,100million dollars as at December 2014. Their total asset worth is 92,023 million dollars. Based on the 2014 financial reports, the company’s total liabilities amount to 32,374 million dollars while their total equity amounts to 30561 million dollars (The Coca-Cola Company, 2015). At the end of the year, the company’s’ cash and its equivalents amounted to 8,958 million dollars. The company’s largest expenses were on purchase of investments and payments of debts. Purchase of investments amounted to 17800 million dollars while payment of debts amounted to 36,962 million dollars. Despite having many debts and incurring a lot of money on investments, Coca-Cola realized a gross profit of 28,109,000 dolla rs. How the financial statements are linked The income statement described how assets and liabilities were used during the year. The cash flow statement explained how the company got cash and how they spend it, and it gave a figure on the company’s cash at hand Example 1: The net income calculated in the income statement ($7,098,000) is used as the first item in the cash flow statements ($7,098,000) (NASDAQ, 2015). Example 2: The retained earnings of the company amounted to 63,408,000 dollars.

Cult Of Domesticity Slave Narratives English Literature Essay

Cult Of Domesticity Slave Narratives English Literature Essay Slave narratives give an account of the physical brutality and deprivation that many slaves were forced to endure; slave narrators ultimately write his or her self into an existence recognized by dominant American society. The author illustrates the way he/she overcomes the slaveholding societys continuing attempts to destroy his/her identity; concurrently, the narrator also rewrites that identity to fit the dominant cultures norms, despite the fact that these norms tend to conflict with his/her own experiences during slavery. Male slave narratives have ultimately highlighted on heroic male slaves, not on their wives, daughters or sisters; for a female her relationships as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend would ultimately demonstrate her womanliness and her shared roles with white women readers (who do not need to contest their womanliness). The many different choices Linda has made throughout her life including her attempt to free herself from her masters moral degradati on, her relationship with Mr. Sands, her strategy for saving her children, and her concealment is how she illustrates to her reader the ways in which she has strived to live up to their standards. Ultimately, Linda Brent is caught between the vile, abusive practices of slavery and the idealized cult of domesticity. By focusing almost entirely on the narratives of male slaves, critics have left out half the picture. Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is representative of African American Orr 2 womens literary tradition, or of a feminine model of identity formation. It is safe to say that both male and female slave narratives strove to counter racial stereotypes; it is also safe to say that black men and women however faced very different stereotypes. Black slave men fought against the stereotype that were boys (transition to manhood as in Douglass) while black women struggled to defend the idea that they were either helpless victims or whores. For a male fugitive, public discourse was a way in which he would declare his place and identity among men. The form in which Jacobs narrative is written is a direct result of gender differences among men and women. Because women slave narrators were held hostages to the nineteenth-century ideal of the cult of domesticity which demanded a standard of feminine purity that slavery denied them, they were excluded from the public discourse of their stories in the dominant culture that publicly insisted on the cult of pure womanhood. Her primarily white readership at the time insisted that women should choose death before dishonor; they would not recognize so-called mothers of children who were bastards. Harriet Jacobs could not demonstrate to her primarily white female readership how she had been the perfect wife or mother that the cult of domesticity demanded but she emphasizes the ways in which she strove to meet those same demands given her peculiar position. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl present the authors confession of what her readers might consider a sin-ridden past and a justification of her motives to a potentially disapproving readership. Northern white women could have possibly identified with the female slave in times of hardship and may have even made allowances for her behavior under duress, however, Jacobs appears to take for granted that her readers will apply to Linda Brent the moral standards that were imposed upon them. She emphasizes, Slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible Orr 3 for women. Superadded to the burden common to all, they have wrongs, and sufferings, and mortifications peculiarly their own.(119) She calls attention to that of female slaves who suffered horrible mental tortures and humiliation such as sexual harassment and the loss of their children. Jacobs mentions numerous examples of Dr. Flints behavior as proof of the corrupting power of slavery and its negative effects especially on the female slaves maternal and womanly experiences. Dr. Flint batters Brents purity of mind with constant insinuations and harassment; he built a cottage in the field for her to live in but she refused him. If she had accepted his offer, her life would have been spent undergoing more of his foul insults and sexual abuse. Her decision to become a mother was a direct result of Dr. Flints constant sexual advances. Linda admits that she accepted Mr. Sands advances toward her as, deliberate calculation. She states: But, O, ye happy women, whose purity has been sheltered from childhood, who have been free to choose the objects of your affection, whose homes are protected by law, do not judge the poor desolate slave girl too severely! If slavery had been abolished, I, also could have married the man of my choiceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I wanted to keep myself pure; and under the most adverse circumstances, I tried hard to preserve my self respect; but I was struggling alone in the powerful grasp of the demon slavery; and the monster proved too strong for me. (83-84) Since, Flint denied Brent marriage to a free black man and refused to sell her to anyone, Brent knew that she would never be allowed a traditional home and family therefore not achieving the proper standards of white women. If Linda had the choice to love and marry whom she pleased then, she would gladly take it. But the fact remains she does not. Through her relationship with Mr. Sands she gains some control over her body; if she cannot marry whom she pleases then at least she can choose with whom she will reproduce. By choosing Sands as a lover and father to Orr 4 her children, Brent went against the ideal image of womanhood and instead dealt with the position she was in. Jacobs writes about Mr. Sands: I felt grateful for his sympathy, and encouraged by his kind words.   It seemed to me a great thing to have such a friend.   By degrees, a more tender feeling crept into my heart.   Of course I saw whither all this was tending, I knew the impassable gulf between us; but to be an object of interest to a man who is not married, and who is not her master, is agreeable to the pride and feelings of a slave, if her miserable situation has left her any pride or sentiment. It seems less degrading to give ones self, than to submit to compulsion.   There is something akin to freedom in having a lover who has no control over you, except that which he gains by kindness and attachment. (Jacobs 84) She made the choice to willingly give up her virginity outside of marriage; an action that is completely against traditional moral codes. Brent recognizes that it is through her right to choose that a woman gains moral integrity, not through the physical virginity with which the choice is associated. She chooses Sands to upset Dr. Flint in hopes of being free from his sexual advances and to also possibly secure her freedom and that of future children; Of a man who was not my master I could ask to have my children well supported; and in this case, I felt confident I should obtain the boon. I also felt quite sure that they would be made free. (85-86) While attempting to embrace the ideals of womanhood, Brent is able to recognize and disregard the standards that cannot be applied and established for her. She says: Pity me, and pardon me, O virtuous reader! You never knew what it is to be a slave; to be entirely unprotected by law or custom; to have the laws reduce you to the condition of a chattel, entirely subject to the will of another. You never exhausted your ingenuity in avoiding the snares, and eluding the power of a hated tyrant; you never shuddered at the sound of his footsteps, and trembled within hearing of his voice. I know I did wrongà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.Still, in looking back calmly, on the events of my life, I feel that the slave woman ought not to be judged by the same standard as others. (Jacobs 86) This statement declares that other women have no right to criticize Brent for revealing her sexual history unless they have walked in her shoes and been witness to all she has endured. Orr 5 Furthermore, Jacobs argues, that the audience cannot possibly understand what she has been through. The quote is directed to the white female audience and suggests that particularly female slaves should not be judged according to the moral standards of everyone else. Nevertheless, Brent is constantly trying to live up to the cult of true womanhood by attempting to find ways to secure the freedom of her two children. Jacobs emphasizes her narrators maternal emotions towards her children; motherhood depicted in the narrative is significant because it is a strong connection between herself and her readers and, most importantly, one that goes above race and social status. In presenting the life of the slave mother as one of constant misery and pain, Jacobs earn the sympathy of her readers and motivates them to focus on her maternal experience as the reason behind her desire to be free. Lindas actions are mostly determined by the effect they will have on her children and their future liberation. Many female slaves were incapable of keeping their families together but Brent converted her body from a position of exploitation to a vehicle of resistance when she challenged the authority of the slave master and worked to liberate her children. Jacobs write s, My thoughts wandered through the dark past, and over the uncertain future. Alone in my cell, where no eye but Gods could see me, I wept bitter tears. How earnestly I prayed to him to restore me to my children, and enable me to be a useful woman and a good mother! (202). Lindas calculated advantage of being with Mr. Sands was not enough to secure the liberation of her children and her escape from Flints pursuit. Significantly, Linda takes actions that promote the well-being of her children constantly throughout the narrative. She devises a plan to hide in the garret to protect the love she has for her children; she removes her physical body in order to safeguard them. Most importantly, Linda never seriously takes into consideration running away to the North without her children. Her Orr 6 flight is always understood as a necessary precaution for the betterment of their lives and sacrificing her physical and emotional intimacy with them is crucial in order to achieve her ultimate goal: their emancipation. The ending of the narrative was startling. Freedom was gained from none other than Mrs. Bruce who bought the freedom of the children and Linda. Mrs. Bruce is a very significant character in the narrative and stands as a role model of courage and political activism for the audience. She is also an example of a white woman who uses her own motherhood to help that of a slave. The narrative ends with the quote: Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage. I and my children are now free! We are as free from the power of slave holders as are the white people of the north; and though that, according to my ideas, is not saying a great deal, it is a vast improvement in my condition. (Jacobs 302) By stating this, she is explicitly referring to the ideal of the cult of true womanhood. Even though Brent succumbs to the values of her readers she, however, resists their authority to judge her by those values. She makes a significant point about values and life situations; that is, not everyone can be judged by the same standards and points out the ways in which womanhood and motherhood are corrupted by slavery itself. Brents story does not end in the conventional feminine way; the narrative ends, not with a solitary speaker, but with a woman gratefully acknowledging her bonds to her children and friends, bonds that were freely chosen. Jacobs primarily female white readership may have been sympathetic to her pseudonym Lindas struggles to secure the unity of her family, to show extensive sexual encounters between slave and master, and to display the inhumane institution of slavery itself but instead the narrative was written in a trial by jury format (white women being the jury, and Brents life Orr 7 being the trial). By calling upon her fellow women and mothers to be witnesses to her life as a, poor desolate slave girl she challenges them to understand that she could not emulate the standards that were imposed upon white women at the time; in her own way she proved herself to be a worthy woman and mother even if it did not end with marriage.

hamlet :: essays research papers

In the story â€Å"Hamlet†, written by William Shakespeare, the main character Hamlet starts to loose his mind, and goes completely crazy. He starts to go crazy shortly after his father’s death, because his mother married his uncle the new king of Denmark. And later in the story his girlfriend leaves because she is forced by her father to leave him for the good of her own and her fathers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When his father was killed no one knew who really killed him, everyone thought that his just died of natural causes. By soon Hamlets father’s ghost started to appear, some of the night watch men saw him and they thought that it would be a good idea to let Hamlet know about it. So later that night Hamlet and the night watch men went out on patrol and that’s when Hamlets dad’s ghost appeared to him. Hamlet followed him into the woods and that’s where he spoke to it. The ghost told him the whole story about how his brother poured poison into his ear and killed him to take over the throne. The ghost asked him to avenge his death. And that’s when Hamlet started to go crazy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hamlet was a bit sadden by his mothers actions, she went off and married her brother in law, which was the Kings brother, only two weeks after his death, and she had already forgotten about her other husband. Hamlet didn’t really know what his mother was thinking when she did this. But after the ghost appeared to him and he knew the truth he thought that his mother might have had something to do with the murder. Soon Hamlet starts to find ways to kill his uncle. One for killing his father, and the other for marrying his mother. Hamlet tries to put get his uncle to confess to the murder by making plays about how his father was killed and then how his mother goes off and marries his brother. He tries to talk to his mother but his mom thinks that he crazy and doesn’t really believe him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Then his girlfriend leaves him because she was forced by her father to do so because he didn’t want his daughter to be with a mad man, and because it was going to make him look bad. So when she does leave him Hamlet gets heart broken and really goes over the edge.