Birth control essay Essay

Birth control has come a long way since the introduction of the birth control pill. There are now more than a dozen methods to choose from.The most common ones could be condoms and birth control pills.Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, but none of those methods can be 100% safe,except for abstinence.None having sex with another person is the only way to be 100%effective of birth control. A condom is a barrier method commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy. As a method of birth control, condoms have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to use, having few side effects, and offering protection against sexually transmitted diseases. When used consistently and correctly with every act of sexual intercourse, male condoms can prevent pregnancy and STDs, including HIV/ AIDS. They are safe, and have no hormonal side-effects. They are very easy to find and use without seeing a healthcare provider first. Condoms do have some disadvantages too. Latex condoms may cause itching for a few people who are allergic to latex and/or lubricants. There is still a small possibility that a condom will slip off during sex. Some people are too embarrassed to buy, ask a partner to use, put on, take off, or throw away condoms.And condoms don’t make u feel good. Birth control pills provide highly reliable contraceptive protection, exceeding 99%. Even when imperfect use is considered, the BCPs are still very effective in preventing pregnancy. Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to occur regularly and predictably. This is especially helpful for women with periods that come too often or too infrequently. Birth control pills can improve acne as well. For moderate to severe acne, which other medications can’t cure, birth control pills may be prescribed.But birth control pills have disadvantages. Women taking birth control pills usually have a small increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Headaches may start in women who have not previously had headaches, or can get worse in those who do. Some women should not take pills if they have specific health conditions, including some types of diabetes, liver disease.Plus, The pill costs more than condoms. People are abstinent for many reasons, including to prevent pregnancy.And it is definitely the easiest,safest and the most convenient way to prevent pregnancy. People can choose abstinence to prevent STDs, wait until they’re ready for a sexual relationship, focus  on school, career, or extracurricular activities. Sexual relationships present risks. Abstinence is a very good way to postpone taking those risks until you are better able to handle them. There are few disadvantages to abstinence as well.People may find it difficult to abstain for long periods of time and may end their period of abstinence without being prepared to protect themselves against pregnancy or infection.And there is often pressure from your partner or friends to have sex.lt is hard to control yourself particularly in the moment. If you really want to prevent pregnancy,the best way is obviously abstinence. lt is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Therefore, It’s the best protection and the only guarantee. Abstinence is a good way to really get to know your boyfriend or girlfriend without the complications of sex.After knowing each other really well,if you really want to have sex with your boyfriend.l suggest you to use birth control pills,because they are safer even though they are much more expensive.But l don’t think that you want to risk on preventing pregnancy.If you can’t even afford the birth control pills,you are absolutely not ready to have a kid.But although birth control pills are 98.7% effective,there is still risk to get pregnant.So no method is completely safe except for abstinence.You have to consider carefully before you become sexually active.Don’t do anything that would make yourself regret.We are all responsible for ourselves! Shirly Zhou Per.3

Identifying Quantifiable goals for the monitor, control and effectiveness of the marketing plan Essay

In order to evaluate, monitor, and control the effectiveness of the marketing plan, identifying quantifiable elements are detrimental to V-Techs financial gains and holdings. Marketing campaigns are the most costly measurement to the company and the launch of V-Techs Virta Window new product line in its marketing practices needs to show financial accountability. The focus of controlling and effectiveness to quantifiable elements reside in the metrics analysis of: 1. Revenue 2. Sales 3. Lead generation 4. Sales feed back 5. Return on investment 6. Customer retention Once the elements of V-Tech’s marketing campaign is identified, quantifiable goals can be set to counter financial loss and actionable measures can be taken to offset the losses for exchange of returnable gain. To begin identifying the elements of concern, V-Tech accounting management will look at: A. Product B. Place C. Price D. Promotion The product is an innovative technological breakthrough, meant to create real time life and learning experiences for its target audience. The product has little competition but may be hard to catch on in the marketplace and cause resistance within consumers. Quantifiable marketing goals that would need to be set: Be flexible to understanding that new products may need a longer campaign run. Placement metrics track the impact of consumer awareness and the impact of individual campaigns ability to reach marketing goals. Calculating metrics for analysis will determine if the whole of the marketing plan is bringing in more profit than it cost to run. Placement of the products marketing geographical and economic stature is an important  quantifiable element. A metric analysis of location placement will measure the buying power and behavior of the consumer by geographic location. If the product is not selling well in placement, location factors may be that the target areas do not have the right selling class. Geographical metrics indicate a target audience income, medium house hold income, pay scale and if the economics of the area are depressed or thriving for businesses and product buying. The goal would then be to move the marketing campaign into better location areas where purchasing is a stronger asset for the product. Measuring the metrics of geographic locations can also help the company keep a competitive advantage as more technology companies advance to offering consumers a similar product. By being better able to understand consumer behavior by geographic V-Tech will have a higher ROI(return on investment) strengthen their marketing campaigns that keep customer retention, loyalty and target a larger audience base. Pricing by far may be the most important aspect in finding quantifiable controlling elements. A new product of technology changes the whole atmosphere of the market place from how it is developed to the price of manufacturing and distribution. The marketing of V-Techs new product is to reach a broad base of a consumer audience over affordability. This may cause a huge financial loss for the company. The campaign of the marketing needs increasing without the extra-added expenditures to cover the cost of loss and turn a profit. The reasoning behind quantifiable control is marketing the product to show value, and to measure financial gains where the product and marketing campaign will exceed profit and generate profit growth. The goals would then be to do a review of past sales to compare to sales of the new product and build on the strengths that previous campaigns have generated. A metrics analysis can be done in order to find out how many people clicked on an ad from online, what the numbers of new sales are and the percentage of new leads generated. From measuring sale metri cs, the company will be able to tweak the marketing campaign, generate a new marketing design, or repeat the campaign until the marketing goals meets its value. The company will also be able to determine the effectiveness of its Public relations effort in relation to its marketing efforts. A cost saving measurement to the company and the marketing campaign would be to get out in front of the face of the audience. Increase web activity, broaden the scope of social media awareness and depth in which marketing the product can help exceeded sales goals. The promotion of V-Techs product quantifiable control elements are to measure consumer awareness and set goals if the product is failing in brand awareness, website traffic, and not generating the sales lead expectations. Taking advantage of sending out Brand Ambassadors to area store locations and increasing trade market showings will promote and target the customer audiences awareness of the new product, how it is designed and will demonstrate why the consumer has a need to purchase the product. Social media marketing is limitless for brand awareness, in where a campaign can go to reach a borde r target buying audience. The quantifiable elemental goals are to take advantage of the use of the internet’s effectiveness of marketing to cost with web videos, direct coupons to the consumer, customer loyalty incentives, package discounts on education and parental sites. Identifying the quantifiable elements that help to control a marketing plan is an invaluable asset to V-Tech technologies and its new product launch. The analyzed metric data sets timely goals to which the company can redefine its control of marketing execution to increase sales and profits. The wealth of information extracted from the identification process takes on a new format that will find strengths and weakness of the consumer target audience, and will help to keep a competitive advantage as new companies move in the territorial locations of the innovative technology that V-Tech Windows will bring to a new market place.

College textbook price Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

College textbook price - Essay Example argument on the digital concept whereby she believes that the internet has created a platform for students to download their books online at a cheaper price. On the contrary, the article College Textbook Prices at Twice the inflation confirms that college textbooks are increasing at a high rate and publishers have largely contributed to the high prices of textbooks. Additionally, the article outlines that college students are investing heavily on textbooks because of innovation of new technology that has been a major factor. The aim of this paper is to discuss two articles that disagree with each others and in doing will summarize and compile information of each article with its view on textbook prices. Spors verifies that technology has enhanced positive impacts in learning by giving students an opportunity to shop online. As a result, many students can evaluate different prices of textbook and find the best at a cheaper price. Some sites assist students to land the cheaper textbook and foreign online booksellers that have cheaper textbooks. Through the internet, students can download different books at a cheaper price than purchasing. With these evidences, Spors affirms that most students cut their spending costs by shopping online and downloading books. The article by an anonymous author, College Textbook Prices at Twice the Inflation Rate differs from Spors’s article because it reports that an average college student spends nearly $900 per year on textbooks (Spors 1). Additionally, Spors continues to verify that development costs for technology is the major cause for heightened prices by 186% since 1986 and 6% per year. This is because many publishers rely on technologic al tools such as computers and other lab equipments, which accounts for them increasing the textbook prices. Spors seems to be addressing the 21st generation that relies much on technology. The author’s exigency for addressing this topic is to show his audiences how technology has been

The Souls of Black Folk Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Souls of Black Folk - Research Paper Example The book begins with an introduction, which is extremely beautiful and catchy, â€Å"Herein lie buried many things which if read with patience may show the strange meaning of being black here at the dawning of the Twentieth Century. This meaning is not without interest to you, Gentle Reader; for the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of color line. I pray you then, receive my book in all charity, studying my words with me, forgiving mistake and foible for the sake of the faith and passion that is in me, and seeking the grain of truth hidden there†(p.1). The first and second portion of the book sheds light on the history of the Black folks. Moreover, it also highlights the flaws of the government that resulted in the form of disorder largely in the south. The manner that Dubios adopts to explain how the previous leaders did not manage things properly is excellent. For example, the third section of the book discusses Booker T. Washington, a black leader who is severely condemned for not providing quality education for the Blacks. Dubios mostly emphasizes on the need for education, the fourth and the fifth portions of the book deal with edification only. In his opinion, He disagrees to the notion of black people not acquiring university education. I found this line very inspiring when he says, â€Å"Progress in human affairs is more often a pull than a push†¦..thus it was no accident that give birth to universities centuries before the common schools, that made fair Harvard the first flower of our wilderness†(p. 53). These words indeed have weight because university qualification is usually considered important for only the upper class. However, this remark by Du Bios could also be criticized by many people, because du Bois was the first black person who acquired a degree from Harvard. Hence, some theoretical issues like these that could be raised by people like scholars or researchers. Secondly, race is another

Information management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Information management - Term Paper Example Just like other projects, IT projects are also business project and should have a well-defined structure. The projects must have realistic plans, the entire organization must be interested in the end results, the project team must communicate to the organization management and the projects must have realistic expectations. The projects must be projected to solve the specific problem of its implementation, failure of which it will lose its meaning and structure. Failure to solve the business problem and poor strategic vision for the project will lead to failure of the project (enterprisecioforum.com). Failing to plan well is planning to fail. Details such as resources, technical solution, and management models are required for proper planning. Proper planning of the IT/IM project prevents poor performance by ensuring that the project delivers the desired results. The end results of the project must reflect its initial purpose and give the solution to the specific problems of the project. Humans are known to make mistakes and fail at a certain point because they are not perfect. Humans are not perfect and so make mistakes, use shortcuts, and have limited permission to all the information they require at every step in the process to make an ideal decision. Limited information, wrong information, unclear structure and wrong decision making can lead to poor projects execution which can intern lead to failure of the project. Every organization has competing interests and priorities among various stakeholders.

Economics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Economics - Research Paper Example A recession comprises of a period of contraction: downfall in the above variables that spans for more than a few months. The US is currently in the recovery stage while a great number of states within the US are actually going through expansion. The US economy saw an increase in the annual rate of GDP and the unemployment rate fell as thousands of jobs were created. However, despite the growth in GDP, the job growth rate is slow. By the third quarter of 2013, the real GDP rose by 4.1 percent showing promising signs (Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), 2013). While the revenues of American companies have also risen by a large fraction, they are only hiring carefully to fill positions strictly required by them thereby reducing costs in an uncertain external environment. Considering the historical trends from the NBER (2013) data, the US economy is experiencing an economic expansion and should be turning into a contraction by the year 2014. Although the data presents a drop in the unemployment rates nevertheless the rate is still high. Therefore, even if the US markets are doing well, a large number of Americans still remain unemployed. Thus, the forecasters are predicting a declining economy in

SHORT STORY with the essence of the television series LOST and Essay

SHORT STORY with the essence of the television series LOST and MANIPULATION - Essay Example Caroline was busy admiring the 4-karat diamond on her freshly manicured ring finger when Brett passed her a glass. The couples were heading towards their first vacation on the Voss Islands (the most talked about getaway spot at their club) Connor and Kaleigh, living together for 9 months, were intrigued when newlyweds Brett and Caroline moved into the new mansion next door. They never really had 'friends' within the gated community, just a few acquaintances, tennis partners, business partners, but not actual friends. It took only about a week until Kaleigh met Brett in health center one morning, and a few hours until they four of them were on Connor's terrace having cocktails and cucumber sandwiches. Fast forward through a few galas, banquets and club outings and we find our couples on Connor and Kaleigh's sailboat, heading for the remote Voss Islands. Linus was watching the 12 monitors at his station eagerly as he begged his sponsors off the island for some more funding. Back on the beach, Kate was busy contemplating who she loves more, hero Jack, or bad boy Sawyer. Growing angry, Linus sent one of him men to capture Jack as he headed into the forest. Kate's expression would soon grow graver. Night had fallen on the beach and Linus' henchmen hid behind large bamboo leaves waiting to hear Jack's footsteps draw nearer, waiting for Jack to come within their range. The tension was building and, inexplicably, Jack began to feel slight fear enter his mind "Honey, let's go, pack up your stuff, we're here!" yelled Connor. "Yes, dear," said Kaleigh in a monotone voice. She took off her headphones and closed her portable DVD player. "Wow Kaleigh, you really weren't kidding about this place, it's EXQUISITE! exclaimed Caroline. "Isn't it" said Kaleigh. Brett jumped off first, and reached out for Caroline's hand as she stepped down from the boat in her white sundress and straw hat. "Babe, I love it, it's going to be great," she whispered to Brett. Kaleigh was next. She held Brett's hand as he gazed into her brown eyes. For a moment, Brett felt as if he was drowning in those eyes, entrapped by her gaze. Kaleigh smiled, knowingly, and broke the gaze, freeing Brett. "Connor, I'm going to go show Caroline the spa, won't you check us in and get the keys" asked Kaleigh. "Definitely hun..."Connor said and he and Brett watched their wives walk down the beach. "Is she something, or is she SOMETHING!" said Connor with a smirk of satisfaction on his face. "Yeah she's gorgeous Con," replied Brett. "Oh don't get me wrong Brett, Caroline's a looker too, but there's just

Flexography or Solvent Recovery (choose just one of these two topics) Research Paper

Flexography or Solvent Recovery (choose just one of these two topics) - Research Paper Example Additionally, there is wealth of information about the topic. This paper therefore, aims to review various literatures on the applications and importance of flexography, in information technology and the main steps followed in the process. According to Johansson colleague, flexography is described as a printing process which uses flexible relief plate (86). It is claimed to be the updated version of an older printing process which was known as letter press. The process is claimed that it can print on any substrate. Various researchers also argue that this process is well suited for printing large areas of solid color. The paper will conclude by summarizing all the key points that have been outlined. The analyses of these points will be made so as to determine the various applications of flexography in graphic information technology. The paper will also summarize the importance of this method, in information technology that makes it very popular than any other printing

Explain and Evaluate Two Approaches to Explaining Moral Development Essay Example for Free

Explain and Evaluate Two Approaches to Explaining Moral Development Essay Moral development is what we consider to be right, wrong, good or bad. It is developed from infancy through to adulthood and is the principles we use to determine what is right or wrong, fair or unfair. Each individual has their own understanding of what morality is, however generally this is determined largely by the culture or society we live in and the rules that we conform to within this society. In psychology there are many theories around the beliefs of moral development, and how morality is developed from childhood to adulthood. The reason for the different theories is due to the methods, ways of study adopted by the psychologists to study human behaviour. These theories allow us to compare and gives us the opportunity to take into consideration all views and ideas and not to settle for just one argument or approach around this subject. (http://www.sid.ir/en/VEWSSID/J_pdf/97420082403.pdf) The aim of this assignment is look at the two different approaches to moral development, firstly the cognitive explanation to moral development by Jean Piaget. Then moving on to the social learning theory, and Bandura’s contribution to how morality develops. Criticisms of these theories will be discussed and evaluations based on the two studies will be made. Piaget was the first psychologist to study cognitive development in children. His work dates back to 1932 and his findings stated that morality develops through childhood and adolescence. He believed that children pass through different levels of morality according to their cognitive development. Piaget conducted a number of experiments and from these tests concluded that children up to the age of three or four could not make moral judgements as they were not able to understand rules at this age. He stated, if the children were unable to understand the rules and that they were breaking then they were unable to make moral judgements. He believed that once children could understand the rules, and that they were breaking them then this was the age that moral development began. From his research, this started at the age of about eight years old. Woods B, (2004 pg.72) Piaget believed that moral development in children of this age takes place in two stages. Stage one- heterononmous morality described as morality imposed from outside. This is when children see the rules as been made by parents, teachers or God and that they are unchangeable. Morality at this stage is based on moral punishment, you do something wrong and you will be punished. This stage is described by Piaget as the pre-operational stage of development where the child is only able to make his judgement based on the consequence of the action. The second stage- Autonomous morality described as morality which is based on the child’s own rules is apparent when the child is able to decentre and distinguish the intent behind the action along with the consequence of the action. It is the stage at which children are able to understand that rules are flexible to change and according to the situation. Woods B, (2004 pg.72) From Piagets experiments he was able to conclude that morality is based on the amount of cognitive development, how intelligent one is. The strengths of Piaget’s theory are that whilst conducting his experiments he did focus on children alone as learners. He contributed hugely to our understanding of education and believed that this was the key to saving our society. Piaget’s moral theory was described by his experiment with children that involved rules whilst playing a game of marbles. Children under the age of five showed they had no rules, children aged between ages 5-10 saw the rules as fixed and children 10 and above realised the rules and also adopted them by mutual consent. Moral dilemmas were also presented to children by Piaget to develop his theory further. He gave children a pair of stories where there first child deliberately caused a small amount of damage due to his actions. The second child caused much more damage but his actions were a result of an accident. Piaget asked the children to describe which character deserved to be punished in his attempt to understand children’s reasoning in their answers. His conclusion from his experiment was that younger children focused more on consequences, whilst the older ones took into consideration intent. From Piaget’s theory we have a greater understanding on the influence of mental processes on behaviour, we have greater understanding on perception and thinking. Along with the above, Piagets theory has had practical benefits such learning skills to improve memory and improving problem solving skills. Dwyer D Charles C (2006 pg318) Both of the above experiments have been criticised. Other theorists have claimed that games of marbles do not represent a childs entire perception of morality. Piagets use of moral dilemmas has also been criticised. It has been claimed that younger children only focused on consequences because the story was narrated, however the results may not have been the same if the stories were watched on video. Younger children may have been better able to consider intentions if they were. Other theorists conducting similar research found that, although younger children had some conception of intent, they still preferred to judge in terms of consequences because they found this easier. Piagets theory has also been criticised to be culture specific. It has been said that it is based on moral universals. It has been claimed that the moral development of children in non western cultures may differ from that of the children Piaget investigated. (http://everything2.com/title/Piaget%2527s+theory+of+m oral+development) Critics of Piaget’s theory have also stated that his research was not very scientific, that his findings were biased as he worked alone. Researchers conducting scientific experiments need to have two or more observers; Piaget observed and noted his findings alone. He was criticised for making generalisations with his findings by being culture specific and not taking into account background, tradition and upbringing of each child. An example of this is using clinical interviews to study the thinking of children. His sample size was criticised for being too small and did not give much consideration to social understanding. Due to all the criticisms above regarding Piagets work we can evaluate his theory as weak hence leading to errors in his conclusions. Haralambos M Rice D. (pg 522). Social learning theory approach to moral development is based on the idea that moral development happens as a result of observing and imitation. Albert Bandura 1977 studied this concept and came up with findings that concluded that children learn through recognition, reward and punishment. Social learning theorist, focus particularly on observational learning, imitation, recognition and reward. Woods B, (2004 pg. 126) Bandura conducted a number of experiments observing children’s behaviour towards an inflatable doll also called a Bobo doll. The children were separated into groups and the first watched an adult behaving aggressively towards this blown up inflatable doll. This was the aggressive model conditioning. The second group of children, the adult played with the other toys and was the non aggressive model condition. Along with a control group, which included children from the group who had witnessed an adult being violent and aggressive towards the Bobo doll. This group was then left in a room with a number of toys but not allowed to play with them in an attempt to build up the children’s frustration. The children were later left in a room and results were noted. The children who witnessed the adult being aggressive towards the Bobo doll imitated this behaviour and those from the non aggressive model displayed lower levels of aggression and violence, hence showing that children learn through imitation. (http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/a/bobo-doll-experiment.htm) Bandura also believed that children learn from their social environment, this he believed provides models of behaviour and expectations of appropriate behaviour. He believed that children learn through observation, imitation and reinforcement which are all closely linked. Woods B, (2004 pg. 126) Along with Piaget’s theory, Bandura’s theory also has its criticisms. Bandura’s social learning theory takes into consideration cognitive learning but concentrates more upon the idea that morality is developed through positive reinforcement, imitation and the social environment. Woods B, (2004 pg. 71) When evaluating Bandura’s, experiment in attempt to understanding moral development, it is important to point out that the experiments were conducted in a laboratory and hence the results may not be true in the real world. Critics have also pointed out that there may be selection bias as the children in the experiment were all from the same socio economic background, making the results invalid and not true to society. The long term effect of this experiment is not known as the results were noted immediately, and the reality is very different to an experiment. Even though the children displayed violent behaviour towards the doll this does not prove that they would be violent towards another person. The children could also have demonstrated this behaviour to please the adult, again making the findings of this experiment inaccurate. (http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/a/bobo-doll-experiment.htm) The aim of this essay was to explain and evaluate Piaget and Bandura’s theory. Both the theorists have contributed to understanding of moral development in today’s society and both equally face criticisms to their work. The main aspects that have been pointed out and open to attack are that both Bandura and Piaget have given little consideration to feelings, culture and religious beliefs. There sample was small not allowing general conclusions and findings to be widely acceptable. There experiments have been attacked for not being scientific. They failed to recognise that moral development has different content and meaning in different cultures and moral judgement is hugely influenced by society’s common law and traditions. Parents role and child nourishment are vital in how children and adolescents develop morally. Both Piaget and Bandura failed to take these important points into consideration when conducting their research. Piaget has studied cognitive development and his contributions are invaluable in the development of today education and the human development theory. Bandura looked more at social learning model one is amongst one of the most influential psychologists of our time. (http://www.sid.ir/en/VEWSSID/J_pdf/97420082403.pdf)

Mental illness Essay Example for Free

Mental illness Essay Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper, relays to the reader something more than a simple story of a woman at the mercy of the limited medical knowledge in the late 1800s. Gilman creates a character that expresses real emotions and a psyche that can be examined in the context of modern understanding. The Yellow Wallpaper, written in first person and first published in 1892 in the January edition of the New England Magazine, depicts the downward spiral of depression, loss of control and competence, and feelings of worthlessness that lead to greater depression and the possibility of schizophrenia. The beginning emphasis will be on the interaction and roles of the husband and wife in The Yellow Wallpaper, which are based on the male dominated times of the late 1800s. The main character, a woman whose name is never revealed, tells us of the mental state of mind she is under and how her husband and his brother, both physicians, dismiss it. You see, he does not believe I am sick! And what can one do? If a physician of high standing, and ones own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression a slight hysterical tendency what is one to do? The doctors seem completely unable to admit that there might be more to her condition than just stress and a slight nervous disorder even when a summer in the country and weeks of bed-rest have not helped. It might be thought that it is a simple matter of a loving husband being overprotective of his ill wife, but this assumption is quickly washed away by his arrogant atti tudes, combined with his callous treatment of her that only serve to compound the problem. At first he meant to repaper the room, but afterwards he said that I was letting it get the better of me, and that nothing was worse for a nervous patient than to give way to such fancies. John treats his wife in a manner that gives her reason to doubt herself and her capabilities. Her husband John has explicitly forbidden her to do certain things, although we are never told why; but it can be assumed that it is because of her frailty that some of these activities have been taken away from her. As such being prohibited to work and not being able to contribute to the household as a proper wife and new  mother she begins to feel helpless. So I am absolutely forbidden to work until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas. Additionally, she has been told not to write: There comes John, and I must put this away he hates to have me write a word. With no creative outlet her mind starts to find things upon which to dwell, things that only she can see. Virtually imprisoned in her bedroom, supposedly to allow her to rest and recover, she slowly starts to go insane. Without compassion or an outlet for her creativity, her mind turns inward and focuses on her now increasingly shrinking universe. She has no say in the location or the decor of her room. I dont like our room a bit. . . But John would [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u7t0TuAnKU] not hear of it. She is not allowed visitors, It is so discouraging not to have any advice and companionship . . . but he says he would as soon put fireworks in my pillow-case as to let me have those stimulating people about now. In large part because of this oppression, she continues to decline. I dont feel as if it was worthwhile to turn my hand over for anything and Im getting dreadfully fretful and querulous. However by keeping her a prisoner in a room with offensive wallpaper and very little to occupy her mind, John almost forces her to dwell on her psyche. Prison is supposed to be depressing, and she is pretty close to being a prisoner. The story does hint to the fact that John knows he could have done more but simply does not seem to want to be bothered with the effort of such an endeavour for his wife. He never acknowledges that she has a real problem until the end of the story, at which time he fainted. John could have obtained council from someone less personally involved in her case, but the only help he sought was for the condition of the house and the baby. He obtained a nanny to watch over the children while he was away at work each day: It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. He also had his sister Jennie take care of the house. She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper. There is one instance, however, when he does talk of taking her to an expert for assistance, John says if I dont pick up faster he shall send me to Weir Mitchell in the fall. Nevertheless she took that as a  threat since Dr. Mitchell was even more domineering than her husband and his brother. Perhaps, if she had been allowed to come and go and do as she pleased her depression might have lifted, I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me. It seems to her that just being able to tell someone how she really feels would have eased her depression, but her husband would not hear of it because of the embarrassing consequences it could bring to the family name. Thus, John has made her a prisoner in their marriage where her opinions are pushed aside, and her self-worthiness questioned. She does have a rebellious spirit in her and the fact that this spirit is being crushed is the final nail towards her insanity. Her desperation is almost like someone being buried alive and screaming knowing that there are people just above but who seem not to hear or care. Her reaction is to seek to prove her husband wrong, John is a physician, and perhaps . . . perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster . . . While putting on an appearance of submission, in actuality she was frequently rebelling against her husbands orders. She writes when there is nobody around to see her, and she tries to move her bed, but always keeps an eye open for someone coming. As her breakdown approaches she actually locks her husband out of her room, I have locked the door and thrown the key down into the front path. I dont want to go out, and I dont want to have anybody come in, till John comes. I want to astonish him. This forces him to see that he has been wrong, and, since she knew he could not tolerate hysteria, to eventually drive him away. While there is supporting evidence that her husbands treatment of her was a major contributing factor to her madness, the possibility also exists that her madness was caused by an internal illness which, given the level of medical knowledge, her husband was unable to deal with appropriately. As mentioned in the beginning of this essay, Gilman creates a character that has real emotions and a real psyche that impresses upon the reader that she is slowly deteriorating into a mental illness known as schizophrenia (a disintegration of the personality). This illness, however it manifests itself within the personality of someone is usually highlighted through a variety of symptoms. The leading character exhibits these symptoms sporadically throughout the story. To begin with, one of the more obvious of her symptoms is her irrational obsession, displayed by relentless thoughts of and about, the yellow wallpaper that wraps the walls in her room. It is a room that she feels captured by and her obsessions start from the beginning of the story. I never saw a worse paper in my life, she says. It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study Taken in isolation, this kind of observation might appear to be harmless to the uninformed observer, but as her obsession with the wallpaper grows, so does her dementia. At one point she describes lying on her bed and follow[ing] that pattern about by the hour . . . I determine for the thousandth time that I will follow that pointless pattern to some sort of conclusion. Interconnected with the first symptom of irrational obsession is that of thought processing disorder. This disorder can range in severity from a vague muddiness of thinking to a complete breakdown of ones mental processes. The first real clues that she is having trouble controlling her mental state of being comes into focus when she states, I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes . . . I take pains to control myself before him, at least, and that makes me very tired She tries to discuss her feelings rationally, but this only brings a stern reproachful look at which she gives up and returns to her room. Again her condition is revealed a few pages later when remarking that, It is getting to be a great effort for me to think straight. Soon, other noticeable changes in her mental state start to take shape. She slowly begins to show symptoms of paranoia, yet another unfortunate schizophrenic trait. She speaks of how happy she is that her baby is not exposed to the same torturous existence that she has to endure in her room with the yellow wallpaper. Of course I never mention it to them any more I am too wise, but I keep watch of it all the same Even the mistrust of her caretakers is further evidenced when she says, The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look When catching Jennie looking at the yellow wallpaper, she thinks to herself, But I know she was studying that pattern, and I am determined that nobody shall find it out but myself? This type of  paranoia is a firm indication that her psychological state is continuing to deteriorate towards complete schizophrenia. Another in the list of common symptoms of schizophrenia that the protagonist exhibits is hallucination. Of these hallucinations, one is when she sees people walking in the paths that she views from her bedroom window. As her condition worsens, she begins to have other hallucinations, this time focused on the yellow wallpaper itself. This is noticed when she exclaims, At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it [the wallpaper] becomes bars! The outside pattern, I mean, and the woman behind it is as plain as can be. In addition to her mental hallucinations, she starts to also have ones where she can smell things as well, the only thing I can think of that it is like is the colour of the paper! A yellow smell. The climactic stage of her hallucinations comes when she realizes, that woman gets out in the daytime! It is at this point that her deranged thought processes become a coping mechanism to help her deal with her mental state of being. She passes into a full schizophrenic state and transforms from a helpless, self-pitying woman, to one who feels, in her mind at least, that she has broken free of her shackles. She feels that she has gained a sense of control, no matter how false that sense may be, as she says, I dont want to go out, and I dont want to have anybody come in, till John comes. I want to astonish him. Much has changed by the end of the story, so much in fact that in the end it is she who is metaphorically and literally creeping over John, who has fainted after seeing her in a deranged state of being. This is in contrast to their interactions up to this point when it was John who usually dictated and condescended her. The fact that the protagonist in this story is schizophrenic is supported by various bits of evidence. However, the question that remains to be answered is why a diagnosis of schizophrenia is important to interpreting The Yellow Wall-Paper. Schizophrenia is a logical choice in that it explains why the protagonist behaved in the way that she did. For her to overcome her submission to an environment that has sought to oppress her, she had to discard the personality within her that was meek and mild. This is a common defence mechanism of the mind in order to deal with situations it perceives to be uncontrollable. It is quite  possible within the realm of psychological study that the combination of the stress of childbirth, post-natal depression and the mental strain of having to repress her emotions triggered the schizophrenia. This terrible condition may have resulted from the bonds she felt would not allow her to express herself as a human being, mother and wife, a freedom that she so desperately needed. Her slide into madness, as a way to deal with her entrapment, is similar to a caged animal that, when backed into a corner, will fight for its life.

Female Sexualization in Magazines

Female Sexualization in Magazines Over the past three decades, contemporary women’s magazines have significantly increased their sexual content, offering frank advice about sex and relationships (Kim Ward, 2004). The message it sends across is prizing sexually assertive women. Thus, it gives the readers instructions on aggressive ways to attract men and to be able to fulfill their own sexual desires (Durham, 1996). One particular magazine is Cosmopolitan magazine which is known for being racy, intended for the â€Å"fun, fearless female†(Streitmatter, 2004). Sexual agency and desire is highly promoted to young women. Likewise, the stereotypical male sexual role is described as being primarily sexual and out of control. In Cosmopolitan, much of women’s sexual agency and aggressiveness happens within the context of a relationship (Durham, 1996). Walsh-Childers et al. (2002) commented that in some adult-focused magazines, sex is presented as a fun, casual and risk-free activity. A noticeable lack o f emphasis on sexual health, contraceptives and STD prevention is observed (Kim Ward, 2004). Me’nard Kleinplatz (2008) comment that in the magazines, although there is a strong emphasis for female readers to be sexually active and be in the service of men (Durham, 1996), they are cautioned not to be too overtly sexual. They are encouraged to dress and interact with men in a way that promotes sexual desirability but are discouraged from showing desire themselves (Durham 1996, 1998; Garner et al. 1998). These magazines, then, can be seen as part of a ‘cultural apparatus that purports to assist women to be heterosexually attractive, to be coy, alluring, â€Å"sexy,† and flirtatious, in order to â€Å"find true love† and to â€Å"catch a man,† and then to maintain his interest’ (Overall, 1999, p. 298). On the other hand, men’s sexuality is promoted to be aggressive, animalistic, insatiable, urgent and uncontrollable (Firminger 2006; Garner et al. 1998; Ward 2003). The concept of â€Å"great sex† is depicted in three women’s magazines, namely Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Self (Duran Prusank, 1997) as only occurring in the context of an intimate, caring and long-term heterosexual relationship. These magazines teach sexual techniques such as sensual touching, sexual positions, forbidden games, etc. to enhance sexual and erotic intimacy in those relationships. Duran Prusank (1997) also contend that great sex involves uncontrollable chemical or magical elements while it is ongoing. Me’nard Kleinplatz (2008) observe that in popular adult-focused magazines the subject of sexual techniques was predominant. In every issue, a wide variety of information about new and exciting sexual techniques or on improvements that can be made to old familiar ones in order to achieve â€Å"great sex† is available. Readers are provided with information on how to kiss, touch, perform oral or manual sex and several orgasm-inducing sexual intercourse positions. Sexualities of men and women have been compared in contemporary magazines. Discourses have emphasized that male sexuality is driven by a strong biological ‘need’ for coital sex, and have identified this as the ‘male sexual drive’ (Weeks, 1986; Hollway, 1989). As opposed to female sexuality, male sexuality is emphasized with sexual prowess and prime importance is given to the penis, erection and orgasm (Kilmartin, 1999; Tiefer, 1995). On the other hand, female sexuality has been characterized as passive, responsive to the needs of their male partners’ sexual needs and associated with reproduction. Although their sexual needs come from the same biological drive, women are less easily aroused than men and are more emotional during sex (Jackson, 1984). Farvid Braun (2006) conclude that contemporary adult-focused magazines are ‘obsessed with male sexuality’. It was a central focus in accounts of female sexuality which is mostly oriented toward the fulfillment of men’s sexual pleasure. The magazines depicted men in contradictory positions – one, as the target of women’s desires and the other, as a source of much stress, anxiety and even trauma for women (Farvid Braun, 2006). This positions men as having much power over women because of the great emotions they elicit in a wide spectrum. When women’s magazines invite male authorities to offer their insights and experiences to the women readers, it becomes a portal for women to understand men better. Men’s perspectives help women by guiding them on how to behave, dress and engage in sexual practices in accordance to how men prefer. In a significant way, it guides women to understand their male partners better and learn ways to please the m. Mass media’s dominant representation of women is that they exist for men’s satisfaction of their sexual fantasies (Wood, 1994). Cleo and Cosmopolitan magazines encourage women to be as ‘sexual’ as they can be, making them available to satisfy men’s sexual fantasies and desires. Although being able to provide sexual satisfaction for men may be a source of pleasure and power for women, it also reflects that women are reliant on men for their own self-image and power (Machin Thornborrow, 2003). Thus, repeatedly reading articles on how to give pleasure to men may promote women’s insecure sexuality (Farvid Braun, 2006). The message of contemporary women’s magazine is that society may condone men’s inappropriate sexual behaviour. The stronger sexual drive of men have made them conclude that the penis is ‘extrinsic to the self’ (Kilmartin, 1999, p.180) and can have a ‘mind of its own’ (Hollway, 1989). Shifting the responsibility of certain sexual indiscretions such as infidelity or cheating on their spouses/partners on the penis makes it an unfair and shallow justification. Potts (2001) commented that such distinction of the penis as the culprit constitutes a ‘hegemonic masculine subjectivity’ where ‘men tend to distance themselves from the [sexual] behaviours of their bodies’ and thus ‘they may also exonerate themselves from responsibility in sexual matters’ (p.154), including inappropriate, risky, or even coercive sexual practices. Sex is promoted as a way to keep a man interested in a woman enough to stay in a relationship. Farvid Braun (2006) observe in Cleo and Cosmopolitan magazines that the ability of some women to provide great sex to men is essential in fulfilling not only men’s sexual needs but women’s relational needs as well. Cleo magazine advocates women to leave an impression where it counts†¦ in bed. It contends that men love women who are not only good in bed but enjoy it too, and it leaves men craving for more. A memorable sexual performance of a woman is depicted as more important than her personality in terms of keeping a man interested. Another message that comes across is that while men can enjoy sex anytime they want, women need to work on sex in competing with other women their men have had sex with or with potential sex partners. This implies that although great sex can be a deterrent against infidelity, it also means that since men have strong sexual drives, that they are potential cheaters (Farvid Braun, 2006). That is why women should gain expertise in the sexual pleasing of their men so that they will not find a need to ‘stray’. On the other hand, women are not characterized as having strong sex drives and if they cheat, it is pictured in more severe ways, within more elaborate and negative scenarios. Women’s infidelity is more condemnable and less forgivable than men’s infidelity. Blame is assigned to the woman and is not likely caused by sexual or relational shortcomings of the partner she cheated. Another gender difference in infidelity is that women are seen as victims of their male partner’s cheating, but men are seen as seekers of revenge for being cheated on by a female partner (Farvid Braun, 2006). Cheating is still considered always ‘wrong’ despite the seemingly loose morals propagated in the magazines and monogamous heterosexual relationships are promoted as central to the identity and well-being of women (Farvid Braun, 2006). Increased Sexualization in Popular Modern Music Genres Heavy metal music, described as the overtly violent and sexually explicit segments of rock and roll music (Lynxwiler, 1988) earned the wrath of Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and targeted a media campaign against it (Gore, 1987). The organization portrayed heavy metal music as dangerous to young minds because it emphasized the use of drugs, encouraged adolescent sex, endorsed sexist/ pornographic values, instrumental in delivering occult messages and caused violent, lawless behavior (Markson, 1990). Such claims created much controversy that it received national attention when Congressional hearings were held to determine if indeed heavy metal albums and other forms of popular music must be evaluated for their influence in proliferation of â€Å"porn-rock† in the United States (Gray, 1989). The hearings did not produce great changes however, more and more organizations concerned with â€Å"child victims† such as conservative parental, religious and feminist groups pushed for the regulation of heavy metal music (Bayles, 1994). Still others began their own uprising against rap music (Binder, 1993). Jones (1997) claims, that as a matter of definition, rap and hip-hop music are often used interchangeably. However, Powell (1991) defined hip-hop as the beat of the music and rap as the narrative representation, the talking over the beat. Hence, the use of explicit violence and sexual lyrics may be blamed down to rap. Powell (1991) described â€Å"commercial rap† as hip hop or dance rap. Hardcore rap, or gangster rap is the one that raises much controversy. Researchers have suggested that hip hop and rap music, rooted in Black culture can be tools through which Black youth may negotiate their identities to develop an authentic Black identity (Clay, 2003). They see the music as reflective of their lives and to assert that music relates to empowerment, cultural connection and positive identity development (Sullivan, 2003; Berry, 1994). Critics of hip hop and rap, however, have argued that Black youth may be very susceptible to the influences of hip hop role models who promise money, power and status to men who show disrespect for women (Squires, Kohn-Wood, Chavous Carter, 2006). Mahiri and Conner’s (2003) ethnographic study of African American middle school students manifested resistance in the negative images emanating from rap and hiphop. This study suggested the use of rap and hiphop images related to social and gender roles as a point of reference from which participants could verbally evaluate, compare and contrast their own beliefs and attitudes. Adolescents in the study of Squires, Kohn-Wood, Chavous Carter (2006) believed that certain women can be â€Å"nasty† and may â€Å"choose† to be abused, and that abusive men may be products of their environment. Still, they showed dissatisfaction with the representations of Black men and women in hip hop. Their criticisms revolved around women’s individual behavior and style and how outsiders might stereotype Black men as thugs for emulating hiphop fashion. Such perceptions of gender roles based on hiphop seemed to extend to the participants’ evaluations of women’s and men’s responsibility and choices with regards to real world sexual aggression and violence (Squires, Kohn-Wood, Chavous Carter, 2006) The problematic aspects of rap music is usually focused on its most acrimonious strain which is gangsta rap. Narratives in such strain are extremely troubling in their glamorization of violence,, materialism, misogyny and sexual transgression (Mahiri Conner, 2003). However, Dyson (1996) argued that the vulgarity expressed in gangsta rap are strongly linked to dominate cultural constructions of â€Å"the other’ and market-driven strategies for rampant economic and human exploitation. Therefore, Dyson noted, the debate about gangsta rap should be situated in a much broader critique of how these narratives essentially mirror ancient stereotypes of Black identity and sexual proclivity throughthe society’s circulation of â€Å"brutal images of black men as sexual outlaws and black females as â€Å"ho’s† (1996, p. 178) Feminists argue that popular media contributes to coerciveness and sexual assault toward women as seen by the dominant presence of violence against women in all forms of media (Linz Malamuth, 1993). Adolescents have been resorting to popular entertainment for information about sex, drugs, alcohol and violence (Kaiser Family Foundation, 1999). Their preference for the more popular and accessible music videos has provides them with such information. Analysis of Music Television (MTV) has shown that men appeared nearly twice as often as women and engaged in significantly more aggressive, dominant behavior and women were shown as engaging in more implicitly sexual and subservient behavior. They were depicted to be frequent objects of explicit, implicit and aggressive advances by men (Sommers-Flanagan, Sommers-Flanagan, Davis, 1993). It is usual for women in these videos to be used as decorative objects, and only a few videos show men and women are treated equally (Vincent, Davis Borus zkowski, 1987). One study of media and sexuality revealed that exposure to MTV among college females was the most powerful predictor of sexual permissiveness (Strouse Buerkel-Rothfuss, 1987). Likewise, in video games, a more sexist orientation and graphic violence against women is getting prevalent. Overall, content in various media such as television, video games, music videos communicates that women are to be objectified, sexualized, dominated, assaulted and even killed (Bretthauer, Zimmerman Banning, 2006).

The African Country of Mozambique :: Geography

The African Country of Mozambique Mozambique is a country located on the southeast coast of Africa. It covers 308,642 square miles and has a population of about sixteen million. Maputo is the capitol, largest city, and chief port. Mozambique was governed by Portugal from the early 1500's until 1975 when it became independent after a ten year struggle against Portuguese rule. Mozambique is now controlled by Frelimo (the front for the liberation of Mozambique) the nations only political party. The president of Frelimo is also the nations president. Mozambiques highest governmental power lies with the parties central committee which is made up of fifteen members appointed by Frelimo. This party appoints the two hundred and ten members of the peoples assembly,(Mozambiques legislative body).This group meets twice a year. It's permanent committee handles legislative matters between sessions. Most Mozambicans are black Africans. Other groups such as Arabs, Europeans, and Pakistanis make up less than one percent of the population. Most blacks belong to groups that speak one of the Bantu languages. The largest of these groups, the Makua-Lomwe, accounts for forty percent of the population. The countries official language is Portuguese but few blacks can speak it. Some Mozambicans speak English when conducting business activities. Most Mozambicans are farmers with extremely simple techniques although farmers in some areas of the country use modern techniques. Fifty five percent of the people of Mozambique practice traditional African religions. Of this large group, many are animists who believe that everything in nature has a soul. Others worship spirits of their ancestors. About thirty percent of the population is Christian, mostly Roman Catholic. Many of the remaining are Muslim. Only about twenty five percent of Mozambiques people fifteen or older can read or write but the government has begun programs to help improve education. Almost one half of Mozambique is covered by a flat plain that extends inland from the coast. Land rises steadily beyond the plain and high plateaus and mountains run along much of the western border. Sand dunes and swamps line the coast. Grasslands and tropical rain forests cover much of the country. Many sizable rivers flow east through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, there basins have extremely fertile soil. Cashew trees and coconut palms grow throughout the country. Animal life in Mozambique includes crocodiles, The African Country of Mozambique :: Geography The African Country of Mozambique Mozambique is a country located on the southeast coast of Africa. It covers 308,642 square miles and has a population of about sixteen million. Maputo is the capitol, largest city, and chief port. Mozambique was governed by Portugal from the early 1500's until 1975 when it became independent after a ten year struggle against Portuguese rule. Mozambique is now controlled by Frelimo (the front for the liberation of Mozambique) the nations only political party. The president of Frelimo is also the nations president. Mozambiques highest governmental power lies with the parties central committee which is made up of fifteen members appointed by Frelimo. This party appoints the two hundred and ten members of the peoples assembly,(Mozambiques legislative body).This group meets twice a year. It's permanent committee handles legislative matters between sessions. Most Mozambicans are black Africans. Other groups such as Arabs, Europeans, and Pakistanis make up less than one percent of the population. Most blacks belong to groups that speak one of the Bantu languages. The largest of these groups, the Makua-Lomwe, accounts for forty percent of the population. The countries official language is Portuguese but few blacks can speak it. Some Mozambicans speak English when conducting business activities. Most Mozambicans are farmers with extremely simple techniques although farmers in some areas of the country use modern techniques. Fifty five percent of the people of Mozambique practice traditional African religions. Of this large group, many are animists who believe that everything in nature has a soul. Others worship spirits of their ancestors. About thirty percent of the population is Christian, mostly Roman Catholic. Many of the remaining are Muslim. Only about twenty five percent of Mozambiques people fifteen or older can read or write but the government has begun programs to help improve education. Almost one half of Mozambique is covered by a flat plain that extends inland from the coast. Land rises steadily beyond the plain and high plateaus and mountains run along much of the western border. Sand dunes and swamps line the coast. Grasslands and tropical rain forests cover much of the country. Many sizable rivers flow east through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, there basins have extremely fertile soil. Cashew trees and coconut palms grow throughout the country. Animal life in Mozambique includes crocodiles,

Taking the Test :: Essays Papers

Taking the Test Many essays have been written that one could describe as touching, or something one could easily relate to. A very good example is â€Å"Taking the Test† by David Groff. He writes about taking an AIDS test, and records all his feelings and emotions as he waits for, and receives, what could be something that may lead to a death sentence. This essay is enjoyed by many people, because it is touching, it is easy to relate to the pressure, and stress that is connected with taking a test, and it is a new, recent subject that could, or does, affect people now. This essay is very touching. The reader feels very sympathetic towards the man taking the test. Even more so because the author announces that he is gay. The way he describes his emotions and feelings, fear, confusion, and loneliness, is very moving. He notices very small things because he almost believes he is infected, and it makes everything that much more precious. The way he makes everything sound very beautiful, as he describes it, is understandable, despite the fact that he is awaiting his sentence, â€Å"life or death,† because even though HIV does not mean death, it means an inevitable pain, and suffering, if not physically, then mentally, and if not for you, then for the loved ones. Had he told the reader the outcome of the test, the reaction to the story would have been different. If he was positive, the reader would become overly sympathetic, overlooking the reason for the story which was not sympathy, but to teach a lesson, â€Å"As long and as well as you can, live, live.† (Groff 75) Had the author been negative, the reader would have pushed the essay away, again overlooking the lesson, and thinking that the author worried for nothing. Groff pushes all the right buttons, keeping his audience begging for the outcome of the test. A reason that this essay is touching to many readers is because it is easy to relate to. Many people understand the pressure and stress that is connected with taking a test, even if it is a pop quiz in math. Unfortunately, many people know how it feels to take, and fail, an AIDS test. Many people know someone close to them who has taken the test and â€Å"failed.

Is there anything to admire in the character of Macbeth? Essay

Is there anything to admire in the character of Macbeth? And how does Shakespeare influence our thoughts and feelings towards him as the audience? As the audience, our opinions of Macbeth change throughout the play, from a perception of a character who is heroic and a loyal servant, to a cruel and evil â€Å"butcher†. Shakespeare uses many varied methods to portray the character of Macbeth to the audience, and influence their thoughts and feelings. The opening scene is of three witches who feature throughout the play. They would have terrified an audience of the time as it was written and performed around the time of the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ and when the threat of being bewitched by a witch was very real to them. When supernatural and inexplicable things happened, women were often persecuted as witches and executed. This unfounded fear is what Shakespeare uses to get his audience hooked, and from there he is able to reel them in. The weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters introduce Macbeth to us, ‘there to meet with Macbeth.’ As they say this they are predicting the future, a skill that witches were believed to have. At this point the audience are surprised to see that the main character is being linked to witches and therefore evil. The last line of their scene, ‘fair I foul and foul is fair,’ this line has alliteration, which enforces the line, making it stick in the memory. Also it is juxtaposition of foul and fair, they are opposites of each other, and yet they are being used together to describe the weather. This is also the first line of Macbeth, this strengthens the link between him and the witches, so before the plot has begun, this gives the audience preconceptions of him being sinful and malicious. The line also conveys an element of pathetic fallacy as it describes the strange weather, and also reflects the ‘strange’ and ‘confusing’ rhymes of the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters. Shakespeare keeps referring to them to show the overall mood and directions of Macbeth during the play. After Macbeth’s meeting with the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters, he writes to lady Macbeth, this is when the audience first meet her, and so the way Shakespeare conveys her character in this scene is important as it is how the audience will view her for most of the play. The letter tells both lady Macbeth and the audience how the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters prophesised his future as thane of both Cawdor and Glamis, and also that he will be king, ‘hail king that shalt be.’ Contrary to the ethics of the time Macbeth seems to treat his wife with the kind of equality he would only show other thanes. However, it begins to become apparent that Lady Macbeth has a great deal of control over him. He calls her his, ‘dearest partner in greatness.’ This shows the audience that Macbeth would be willing to do a great deal for her. We see them contrast each other again when they meet to discuss the murder of king Duncan. It is lady Macbeth who initiates the plan, ‘O never shall sun that morrow see.’ Again showing her dominance over Macbeth, but also a very ambitious, evil side. Macbeth shows doubts and loyalty to his king, ‘we will speak further-‘ this restores some feelings of respect for Macbeth in the audience, as he is defying his wife, and showing his loyal side. But Shakespeare also uses it to make the audience wonder whom Macbeth values and loves more, his wife, or his king and country. â€Å"I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed.† When he says this, it shows that he seems to be more loyal to his king, but he is won over by his wife. At this point we as the audience admire him for his devotion to his king, and to his wife, it shows him to be a human and have human feelings, Lady Macbeth reveals her true self to the audience in a soliloquy. She links herself to ‘spirits who tend on mortal thoughts.’ And she asks that they ‘unsex’ her, to make her more masculine and therefore able to carry out the tasks that Macbeth is too weak to do. ‘Take my milk for gall.’ This symbolises a theme of black versus white, darkness and light and good and evil that runs through the play. It shows how Lady Macbeth could be seen as a fourth witch in the play, and is helping the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters cast their spell on Macbeth. She also feels as though it is her committing the murder, and controlling Macbeth, ‘My keen knife.’ This shows how she wants to more masculine, and feels that if she weren’t a woman she would be stronger than Macbeth. Perhaps she feels that he is an extension of herself, at this point the audience would begin to pity Macbeth as they feel he is being submissive to his wife, who is using her persuasive techniques to overpower him in order to make Macbeth carry out her plans, because she feels too female and weak to do them, she is using Macbeth, simply as a body to perform her evil deeds. Shakespeare shows this by using â€Å"we† when Lady Macbeth talks about the crime Macbeth is about to commit, â€Å"We’ll not fail.† His use of the word â€Å"we† makes Lady Macbeth appear to the audience as though she feels that it is her who is committing the murder and that she is controlling Macbeth. Macbeth realises that Lady Macbeth is taking advantage of his love for her and tries to take control of the situation. He shows his loyalty to his king and country as he tries to stop the deed, ‘We will proceed no further in this business.’ But again lady Macbeth shows her dominance and cunning, calculated plans, she throws his better judgement right back at his face and taunts him into submission. ‘Live a coward in thine own esteem.’ She questions his masculinity, ‘then you were a man.’ She uses words such as â€Å"coward† to describe Macbeth to make him feel guilty that he is letting her down, that he is not being the man she wants him to be. She is manipulating him by using his love for her to her own advantage. She even uses her femininity to her advantage and to further taunt his manhood when she says she would have, ‘dashed the brains out’ of her own child, rather than break a promise as he is doing. This is another point at which the audience feels a great sympathy towards Macbeth as a â€Å"woman† is bullying him to murder against his own will. In a 1600s society, when the play was first written and performed, women were considered as second class, weaker both mentally and physically, therefore if a man were seen to being weaker than his wife, the audience would pity him. Shakespeare is using Lady Macbeth’s difference to other women, as a tool to show Macbeth’s vulnerability, a quality that requires sympathy and pity from an audience, and so they would place the blame on Lady Macbeth instead of Macbeth, as it seems as if he isn’t responsible for his own actions. Macbeth buckled to is wife’s pressure and began to plan Duncan’s murder, he begins to hallucinate about a dagger, ‘A dagger of the mind, a false creation.’ Even in his ‘heat oppressed’ vision Macbeth appears to be aware that it isn’t real and that it has something to do with witches, ‘Pale Hecate’s off’ rings, and withered murder.’ Here Shakespeare is using the theme of good and evil as Macbeth battles evil in his mind. It must have been confusing for him as he is fighting against himself, and so either way, he cannot win. We as the audience pity Macbeth here because he has been won over by his wife’s evil ways, we see that he has a weak mind, but we still admire his self knowledge that it is only a hallucination, it is as though he knows he is being taken advantage of, but cant do any thing to prevent it. Evil presides and he goes on to murder King Duncan, perhaps with some regret that he gave way to his wife’s assertiveness. ‘I go and it is done†¦that summons thee to heaven or hell.’ Heaven juxtaposes hell; they are two opposites that are used by Shakespeare to show the underlying theme of good and evil in the play. The way Macbeth questions where Duncan will go after his death, suggests that he knows that Duncan is a good person. Perhaps he is beginning to realise that he is quite the opposite, that he juxtaposes Duncan. This shows that he knows Duncan’s death to be untimely, as he suggests that it might go to heaven for he did not deserve to die. Shakespeare again uses confrontations between the Macbeths to make the audience feel empathy towards Macbeth, as he seems confused and bewildered by what he has done, and Lady Macbeth still berates him. ‘Infirm of purpose.’ She still feels that she is the stronger one in their relationship and feels more worthy of the royalty promised to Macbeth. She believes that Macbeth feels remorse for his actions because he is not evil as she is. He shows his remorse in the form of delusions, ‘Me thought I heard a voice cry, ‘sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep.’ At this point we feel for Macbeth as he is clearly distressed, we feel that his suffering is as a result of the bullying prevailed on him by Lady Macbeth, therefore we feel sympathetic towards him. Again, Shakespeare uses the theme of good and evil, this time represented by blood and water. Macbeth asks, ‘will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?’ this shows that he feels as though his bloodstained hands will give him away, he wants to hide the fact that he is a murderer, although this is what he does in battles. At this point we might feel that he is only doing what comes naturally to him, he kills in battle all the time, â€Å"his brandished steel which smoked with bloody execution.† but when it was someone that he knew and respected, and it was off the battle field, he felt distraught and remorseful. This makes the audience respect his morals, but dislike him slightly because he didn’t heed to them. After Lady Macbeth has taken back the daggers, she uses the blood now on her hands to goad Macbeth, ‘my hands are the colour of yours, but I shame to wear a heart so white.’ Lady Macbeth knows that she is more evil and capable of murder than Macbeth was. It is the fact that Shakespeare constantly compares Macbeth to Lady Macbeth. This makes the audience like Macbeth more than his wife. When the two are compared it is always when she is being portrayed as an evil woman, like the witches, he seems to be much more naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and innocent. It is through such comparisons that Shakespeare is able to make his audience feel that Lady Macbeth takes advantage of her husband’s weaker points, and that he is blind to this. We feel sympathetic towards him because he doesn’t know what is happening to him. The power that Macbeth receives when he is crowned seems to unleash him from Lady Macbeth’s powers. He plans the murders of Banquo and his son Fleance without Lady Macbeth’s knowledge or consent. He pretends that all is normal and hides behind a mask of normality. He ironically tells Banquo, ‘fail not our feast’ even though he knows that he will be dead before it. He tells Lady Macbeth to ‘be innocent of the knowledge.’ He is trying to protect her and also show her that he can be evil with out her help. It seems like some of Lady Macbeth’s devious, calculating side is coming out in Macbeth. Shakespeare is using Macbeth’s role reversal here to make the audience start to respect him as he is taking his rightful place as the more dominant partner in their relationship. It is now him who is giving the orders to her, and not the other way round as we have previously seen, â€Å"And so I pray be you.† And â€Å"So prithee go with me.† Although these are orders and directions, he gives them in such a way that the audience see that he is kinder and more caring than his wife. This dominance seems short-lived, in what has become known as the water shed or turning point at the play. After Banquo has been killed Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at his banquet Shakespeare uses the fact that only Macbeth can see Banquo to heighten tension and suspense in the scene. ‘Never shake thy gory locks at me!’ the rest of the banqueters are worried about Macbeth, ‘Gentlemen, rise, his highness is not well.’ And do not wish to see him in a weakened state. Lady Macbeth however, tries to cover up for him, ‘sit worthy friends. My lord is often thus,’ So again, Lady Macbeth is more dominant and has to take control of the situation Macbeth has created in his fits. The ghost leaves, but then enters again to the horror of Macbeth. This re-entrance of Banquo creates tension in this scene as he instils yet more fear and anger in Macbeth. ‘Avaunt and quit my sight!’ Macbeth remains angry and confused after the ghost leaves. ‘Blood will have blood.’ Lady Macbeth shows a more caring motherly side as she tries to calm him, ‘You lack the season of all natures, sleep.’ However, by saying this, she is ironically reminding him that believes that he has â€Å"murdered sleep.† Macbeth goes to see the witches again, this shows that he is a slave to them, and craves their input. They take control from Lady Macbeth and she becomes the delusional one. The witches play a trick on him and predict his future, saying that ‘none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.’ They also say, ‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to Dunsinain hill shall come against him.’ This makes Macbeth feel immortal and he becomes more willing to obey the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters. The new confidence they have given him when they told him his future has given him the self-belief that he is invincible. There has been building hatred towards Macbeth among the Thanes and lords; Lennox and an unnamed lord talk about the tyranny of Macbeth and his murderous ways. ‘That had he Duncan’s sons under his key- As, an’t please heaven, he shall not.’ They both refer to him as, ‘tyrant’ this shows how they no longer hold respect for him as bold warrior and king. ‘Macduff is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid.’ Macduff is the first of many Thanes to escape to England to help them overthrow Macbeth. We have a sense here that Shakespeare is using Macduff to contrast with Macbeth it is like he is the good where Macbeth is the evil. Macduff says, â€Å"Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils to top Macbeth.† This shows how the rest of Scotland may be feeling about Macbeth’s tyranny. When Lennox tells Macbeth this news, he greets it with anger and disgust, he reacts by sending murderers to Macduff’s castle to ‘give to th’ edge o’th’sword his wife, his babes and all unfortunate souls.’ At this point the audience may still feel sympathy for Macbeth even though he is acting like a ‘butcher’ it would seem easy to place the blame on the witches, as it is them who are ultimately controlling him, giving the self-assurance that makes him feel like he can do as he pleases without consequence. When news of the ‘slaughter’ reaches England the rebels feel even more hatred to Macbeth. As Macbeth has grown stronger, Lady Macbeth has weakened and becomes ill. It is as though he draws his new strength from her, as though they are one person. Lady Macbeth is now more delusional than Macbeth ever was, ‘All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.’ This relates to an earlier scene in the play where Lady Macbeth used the blood on her hand to taunt Macbeth, but now it is he who is coping better with the guilt of murder. The Macbeths have grown apart, and so when, in her madness she kills herself, all Macbeth can say is, ‘she should have died hereafter.’ Here the audience would think that Macbeth was becoming heartless and uncompassionate. But subsequently he shows that he knows that he has lost all that he had. He prepares to go out to fight Macduff, and admits his deepest thoughts to his servant, ‘Seyton I am sick at heart.’ This line shows an underlying theme of sickness in the play, for Lady Macbeth has died of a sickness of the mind, and it seems now that Macbeth will die of a sickness of the heart, he has given up hope on life and is willing to enter into his consequences, be it heaven or hell. Also, ‘As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have, but in their stead, curses.’ These lines evoke a great sorrow in the hearts of the audience, as they see how underneath it all he is as human as us all and he is hurt that he has lost everything. This shows the audience how he is reformed, but it is all too late, they would feel really very sorry for him at this point, and admire his bravery to stand up and stare imminent death in the face, ‘cheer me ever or disseat me now.’ Shakespeare uses a soliloquy of Macbeth’s to voice the morals of the play in just one simple sentence. ‘Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’ This is Shakespeare’s view on life, that it is meaningless, especially when you let others control you, and don’t live for you. Shakespeare is perhaps showing how he doesn’t respect or admire the character of Macbeth but that he sympathises and pities him. When Macbeth realises there is nothing left for him, and he only has himself to blame there is something to admire in his character. The fact that he acknowledges his inevitable death, but doesn’t try to justify his actions shows the audience that underneath it all there always was an admirable person, it wasn’t until his wife died that this side of him came out. Maybe this is because Lady Macbeth had a strong hold over him and he could only break free and show his true self when she had gone for good. Overall the audience only really admire him at the end of the play when his last soliloquy shows that he is a truly brave individual, â€Å"cheer me ever or disseat me now.† This shows that in his impending death he still wanted to go out fighting like the man he used to be, rather than take his own life, as his wife does. It is this final comparison between the two that we can finally see his brave side. Laura Barnes MACBETH ESSAY: Is there anything to admire in the character of Macbeth? And how does Shakespeare influence our thoughts and feelings towards him as the audience?

High school diploma Essay

Did you know that education in school is really important? Many parents believe that education is important because it leads to a degree which grants you a good job. With an education you can get a steady pay check. With that pay check you will get away to financial independence as an adult. Why is Education So Important? he first thing that strikes me about education is knowledge gain. Education gives us knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life. It helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life. People debate over the subject of whether education is the only thing that gives knowledge. Some say, education is the process of gaining information about the surrounding world while knowledge is something very different. They are right. But then, information cannot be converted into knowledge without the catalyst called education. Education makes us capable of interpreting things rightly. It is not just about lessons in textbooks. It is about the lessons of life. Did you know that education in school is really important? School and education help people you understand beyond the world around them. Education helps ones immediate family, area, region, country, culture, race, or civilization. These different subjects open up information and knowledge. An important aspect of education is learning how to learn in order differentiate fact from fiction. Education is important because it equips us with all that is needed to make our dreams come true. Education opens doors of brilliant career opportunities. It fetches better prospects in career and growth. Every employer of today requires his prospective employees to be well educated. He requires expertise. So, education becomes an eligibility criterion for employment into any sector of the industry. We are rewarded for exercising the expertise required for the field we venture. We are weighed in the market on the basis of our educational skills and how well we can apply them. Education brings about economic wealth, political stability and social prosperity; all these are hallmarks of a prosperous society. It can therefore be said that education playas an important role if a society is to be successful. Tertiary education is an important aspect in the development of any society that considers or aspires to be modern. It is by far the best investment that a nation or an individual can make in its youth or oneself respectively. Educated people are in a better position to contribute to the development of their country; these educated individuals get employment opportunities that give them satisfaction and also earn some form of respect among their work mates. It also plays an important role in the integration of a society in that by interacting with people from various areas, it will raise different issues that people in rural areas are facing thereby promoting knowledge and understanding of these areas Life is nothing without education? Life without education is like living in the streets. Without education you’ll become lost. You will not have a guaranteed future. You will no go home ridding your favorite car to your â€Å"Own’ home. By learning your basic alphabets you’ll work your way through to have a professional career. Therefore with out Education to school you will not learn at all. Life is never without education. In societies without formal schools, parents pass skills on to children. Education starts before you ever go to school and goes on after you finish school. That said, formal education is a great way to ensure that every child knows what is most necessary to live in a particular society. Without education you will be an illiterate person your children in the future will come up to you and you’re not going to know how to answer them with a right answer. Education will help build your own perspective. Schools are the place you school of started how to pronounce and count. Importance of education is needed in order to succeed in today’s world. In order to receive education you must go through some process. Your first process is to graduate from high school with your diploma. The next step is to attend college to obtain a degree in a trade that you would like to pursue. Without education you wouldn’t get good pay or promotion that you deserve. However, some people feel that they can get by in life without education, sadly that is not true. If you would like at the graphic at the bottom you will see that the higher the education you have the more money you can make. Education is important to have in today’s society. Importance of education able you to have a good job security and knowledge of your field supporting the hard work a person put into there education. Overall, school is the basic start that will drive you to your future. With knowledge you’ll get the sense of pride that you know must of the things. Education will help brighten your children’s future. 66% of the US population has a high school diploma or high. You should be amongst these people.

BlackHawk War And Seminole War

Two monumental wars began because of these disagreements, the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War. With these two wars the Tribal Indians classical fought on the grounds where they didn't feel it was right they as the land owners would be kicked off their rightful land because the government wanted it for their own use. The Second Seminole War was lead by an Indian named Solaces (Hatch, 2012). Solaces was the son of a white man and Indian women.Solace's father would beat his mother in front of him often until one day she chose to run (Chance, 2003). Solaces was captured one time after running which gave him a greater hatred for the ones he called â€Å"The White Man† (Chance, 2003). In 1819 Spain had turned Florida into the Unites States and the Native Americans that had fled south Were Once again caught in U. S territory who they knew would try to relocate them away from their home. Solaces was a part of one of the tribes, the â€Å"Seminole† tribe that was goin g to have to move towards the Mississippi.Solaces did not want him or his people to have to move, so when there was a meeting that was going to be held most of the other tribes signed their treaties agreeing to move their tribes out of Florida, but the Seminole tribe refused to move, Solaces stated as he stood up at the meeting with a knife in his hand â€Å"This is the only treaty I will make with the whites† (Hatch, 2012). From that point on it was a war between the government and the Seminole. For years the Generals could not take over the Seminole Tribe.The tribe was strong like their leader Solaces and the tribe knew the area well to know how to take advantage of anyone coming to hurt them or their people (Hatch, 2012). The Seminole Tribe fought many small wars and never lost until their leader got very sick with malaria and became very weak (Hatch, 2012). Solaces had two leaders under him which guided and ran the troops, but the tribe depended on Solace's strength and w hen he got weak so did all of his Indian Army.Towards the end of the war a General Hernandez was allowed to come to the Seminole camp, the Seminole hung its white flag at half mass as it's flag of truce, but since the Seminole had such a stubbornness to them when it came to the Generals and their Army, General Hernandez had his men silently surround the camp and when given the sign they took it over and the invincible Solaces was captured and imprisoned (Hatch, 2012). A year later Solaces died and when he died about only 100 Seminole were left in Florida (Hatch, 2012).The Blackjack War also happened during the sass's. Black Hawk himself as one of the Auk Indians. Two chiefs had agreed to a treaty that the Auk Indians would leave the land east of the Mississippi and let the government have it. Back Hawk and other Auk Indians did not believe these chiefs had the right to give this land away (Wisconsin, 2014). A quarter century later settlers began to start taking over the land with no respect for any treaties at the time and the Auk Indians thought it was futile to resist the overwhelming white forces (Wisconsin, 2014).Black Hawk decided to lead 1,200 Auk's in the hope of reoccupying their home and land (keep in mind Black Hawk didn't hind the treaty was real and thought it was fraudulent because of who had did the signing) and if anything bad Was to happen the British would come to his aid (which they did not) (Wisconsin, 2014). In 1832 for 16 weeks Black Hawk and his followers had plans. The warriors would fight and the non- combatants would try to find ways across the Mississippi River to safety.Many died from hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and were buried on the trail (Wisconsin, 2014). Troops were able to attacks when the Auk's Indians reached the banks of the Mississippi near the mouth of the Bad Axe River Wisconsin, 2014). In the end Black Hawk left his followers to surrender and only 150 Indians survived out of the 1,200 that began with Black Hawk. The two tribes didn't want to just give up land they believed was there, but who can blame them.Imagine if someone came into your home and said they were going to take it and you had to move with your family. These two tribes suffered a great deal and the families all suffered with so many dead. There is one big difference between the two wars though. Each tribe had one main leader Solaces and Black Hawk. Solaces did retreat as did Black Hawk, but Black Hawk just ended up giving up on his followers completely where Solaces didn't. Solaces tried to finally work with the military and come up with a treaty for his followers.Solaces didn't just give up and walk away from his followers in hopes they make it. Regardless of all the history, all the Indian tribes were treated unfairly and were always bullied by the government to due whatever the government thought was best (which was always best for the government, not everyone involved). The Tribes did fight and did try to stand their ground and h old onto their land. In the end the tribes just weren't strong or big enough to fight off he militias and troops involved against them and lost both battles.

Plato and Justice with Today’s Perception Essay

Plato’s Justice for individuals and states, and the rule of law. In the Republic, Plato posits that justice is preferable to injustice. Thrasymachus claims that injustice without recourse or consequence is the most rewarding experience. Glaucon adds the analogy of the ring of Gyges, and Adeimantus describes how appearance is often more important than reality. Plato is then faced with the rebuttal of their arguments. To illuminate his logic, he utilizes several interrelated geometrical models that tie the virtue of the soul and the functions of individuals, classes, and states together. Through these models he illustrates the organic conservative argument whereby the individual is the microcosm of the soul, and the state is a macrocosm of the soul. Plato asserts that if justice is good for the state, and the individual is analogous to the state, then justice is good for the individual. Given that justice on the state level was a widely accepted concept in Athens, it was more efficient for Plato to utilize this particular syllogism to prove his point to Thrasymachus. Plato ?s argument is only valid if he can prove that justice is good for the society or state, and that the organic conservative argument is true. In type The Philosopher Kings hold the highest virtue in wisdom. To become wise they must gain knowledge of the ultimate good through the Forms. The Forms are objects of knowledge, which sit atop a geometric progression which must be traversed in a linear fashion. The first level of knowledge contains images, shadows, pictures, desires, and emotions. Belief exists in the visible realm, where perception of objects provides the basis for belief. Contemplation of simple mathematical Forms yields linear reasoning. The final stage is the comprehension of the Forms and the capacity within human nature to comprehend the true nature of reality. Here the philosopher kings become aquianted with the concepts of equality, beauty, truth, and the Form of the ultimate good. These rulers must apply their knowledge in best method of governing possible. In particular, they must promote utmost efficiency of every participating individual in the state, as well as maintaining justice. Plato best describes his argument here: As in a well-organized state, the justice of an individual human being emerges only from the interrelationship among its separate components (Republic 443d). The application of Plato?  ¦s model of government in the early Middle Ages was certainly lacking, The working of the separate components of the Christian state was far from fluid. The divine line of rulers rarely had any knowledge of the Form of the Good like Plato is philosopher kings. Knowledge of the Form of the Good is essential to the application of Plato’s republic. Thus the logical progression towards a rule of law method only leaves one asking why it took so long to make that change. Certainly the kings and the papacy were aware of the inflexibility of a Romanesque and Platonic rule of law, but this was still a vast improvement over the biases and inefficiencies of the early statesman like kings. I would argue that a tyrannical model of government offers the best true description of what was practiced by early Christian medieval governments in Europe. In early medieval politics, the republic method of rule by statesman was the preferred Form of governance. The royal families constituted the effectual guardian class. The power to rule was based on a perceived line of divinity, which often received validation from the Catholic Church and the Papacy. Pagan undertones and social structures in Germanic communities also contributed to an environment of superstition and strict adherence to the ideal of Christianity, particularly the divine lineage and rights to rule. This is evidenced in the reluctance in medieval times to look for a king outside of the divine line even when the line offered no suitable rule It has been objected that hypothetical agreements cannot bind people; only actual contracts or agreements can impose obligations and commitments (Dworkin, 1977, 150ff). In response, Rawls says that the OP is to be used â€Å"to help us work out what we now think† (CP, 402); â€Å"it incorporates conditions†¦we do in fact accept,† (TJ 587/514) and is a kind of â€Å"thought experiment. for the purpose of public- and self-clarification† (JF, 17). Hypothetical agreement in the original position does not then bind anyone to duties or commitments he/she does not already have. Its point rather is to explicate the requirements of moral concepts of justice and enable us to draw the consequences of considered certain moral convictions that we all presumably share. Whether we in turn consciously accept or agree to these consequences and the principles and duties they implicate once brought to our awareness is irrelevant to their justification. For surely it can matter little to the justification of moral principles whether or not existing people actually do accept or agree to them. The point rather of conjecturing the outcome of a hypothetical agreement is that, assuming that the premises underlying the original position correctly represent our most deeply held considered moral convictions, then we are committed to endorsing the resulting principles and duties whether or not we actually accept or agree to them. Not to do so implies a failure to live up to the consequences of our own moral convictions about justice. For example, suppose principles of justice were to impose a duty to practice impartial benevolence among all people, and thus a duty to show no greater concern for the welfare of ourselves and loved ones than we do towards billions of others. This principle demands too much of human nature and would not be feasible—people simply would reject its onerous demands. But Rawls’s stability requirement implies more than just ‘ought implies can. ’ It says that principles of justice and the scheme of social cooperation they describe should evince â€Å"stability for the right reasons† (PL, xliii; CP, 589). Recall here the higher-order interests of the parties in the exercise and development of their capacities for justice. A just society should be able to endure not simply as a modus vivendi, by coercive enforcement of its provisions and its promoting the majority of peoples’ interests. Stability â€Å"for the right reasons† requires that people support society for moral reasons of justice; society’s basic principles must respond to reasonable persons’ capacities for justice and engage their sense of justice. Rawls regards our moral capacities for justice as an integral part of our nature as sociable beings. He believes that one role of a conception of justice is to accommodate human capacities for sociability, the capacities for justice that enable us to be cooperative social beings. So not only should a conception of justice advance human interests, but it should also answer to our moral psychology by enabling us to knowingly and willingly exercise our moral capacities and sensibilities, which are among the moral powers to be reasonable. This is one way that Rawls’s conception of justice is â€Å"ideal-based† (CP 400-401 n. ): it is based in an ideal of human beings as free and equal moral persons and an ideal of their social relations as acceptable and justifiable to them (the ideal of a well-ordered society). This relates to the second ground for the stability condition, which can only be mentioned here: it is that principles of justice should be compatible with, and even conducive to, the human good. It speaks strongly in favor of a conception of justice that it is compatible with and promotes the human good. First, if a conception of justice requires of many reasonable people that they give up their pursuit of the particular interests that constitute their conception of the good (as Rawls argues against utilitarianism), this conception could not gain their support and would not be stable over long periods of time. Moreover, assuming that the exercise and development of the moral powers are fundamental interests of citizens, a conception of justice should enable citizens to adequately exercise and fully develop these capacities. It must then engage their sense of justice, and (ideally for Rawls) they should be able to find that acting on and from principles of justice is worth doing for its own sake.. For Rawls, it speaks strongly in favor of a conception of justice if acting for the sake of its principles is experienced by citizens as an activity that is good in itself. For then justice and exercise of the sense of justice are for those persons intrinsic goods and a precondition for their living a good life..