The Salience of Moral Character essay

The Salience of Moral Character essay The Salience of Moral Character essay The Salience of Moral Character essayI have found that the article â€Å"The Salience of Moral Character† by Jon Garthoff is informative and interesting to read and analyze. I agree with many ideas presented by the author in the article. In the article â€Å"The Salience of Moral Character†, Jon Garthoff discusses the nature and role of two notions – moral obligation and first personal moral judgment, which refer to morality. I really appreciate the author’s work, his style of writing and language, the structure of the article, and other aspects of his work, which contribute to revealing the significance of the issue discussed by Jon Gathoff. Morality has always been recognized as an important issue to study because moral ideals lie in the basis of human nature. The author of the article suggests that moral rights are understood as â€Å"corresponding to rules of moral salience which occasion explicit judgment whenever a morally competent person in a stat e of nature considers killing someone, invading his person, or taking his things† (Gathoff 20). The major goal of the author is to prove the fact that the rules of moral salience play an important role in human life, as these rules ensure the appropriate action-guidance that is accomplished not by natural moral rules, but by some different type of rights that are suitable for a particular social environment or context.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I agree with Jon Gathoff that the following notions are crucial in understanding morality and moral cognition: â€Å"moral rules†, â€Å"rules of moral salience†, â€Å"maxims of action†, â€Å"moral worth†, â€Å"moral character†, â€Å"conflicting rules† and â€Å"social rules†. The author’s statement â€Å"The Ten Commandments and other prescriptions drawn from canonized religious texts are treated by many as paradigms of moral content, and guiding oneself by this sort of prescription is treated by many as a paradigm of moral judgment† is true (Garthoff 1). People highly value the Bible and try to use its principles to live honestly. I believe that an individual code of conduct depends on both religious and social rules. Moral thinking helps people to act in a proper way, without committing crimes or demonstrating aggression.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Besides, I agree with the author of the article in his evaluation of moral theory. He writes, â€Å"Since rules are commonplace in ordinary moral thinking, a moral theory must illuminate the proper place of rules in moral thought† (Garthoff 1). I believe that morality is based on the established moral rules and principles that should be formulated and observed by all members of our society.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, the author provides much evidence to support his arguments. He uses the writings of the outstanding philosophers, R oss and Kant, whose philosophic thought helps to explain the wrongness of making false promises; committing immoral actions, etc. Moral rules should be produced to direct all domains of human life. Kant’s moral theory has nothing common with Barbara Herman’s rules of moral salience, which allow human beings to be focused on occasion deliberation. I believe that the author’s flow of thought is clear and comprehensive. He gives explanation to some atypical situations, which require atypical decisions. In this case, â€Å"routine action may be inappropriate† (Garthoff 4).In conclusion, I can say that I enjoyed reading this article because it allowed me to ponder over some significant issues our society face today.   The article also allowed me to provide critical reflection upon some important points of the research on morality. Jon Gathoff presented many comprehensive points that could help students to be focused on future research more profoundly.

Show, Dont Tell The Simple Guide for Writers

Show, Dont Tell The Simple Guide for Writers Show, Dont Tell: What You Need to Know You’ve heard it a thousand times from writing mentors, and you’ll hear it a thousand times more: Show, don’t tell. But what does it mean? If you struggle with the difference between showing vs. telling, you’re not alone. Once you’ve got it, it seems simple. But until you do, this maxim causes as many questions as anything in the writing world.    Is it really that important? You bet it is. If you want your writing noticed by a publisher or an agent- and for the right reasons- it’s vital you master the art of showing. So let’s see if I can solidify the concept in your mind right here, right now. I want to supercharge your showing vs. telling radar- and make it simple. Need help fine-tuning your writing?  Click here to download my free self-editing checklist. The Difference Between Showing vs. Telling When you tell rather than show, you simply inform your reader of information rather than allowing him to deduce anything. You’re supplying information by simply stating it. You might report that a character is â€Å"tall,† or â€Å"angry,† or â€Å"cold,† or â€Å"tired.† That’s telling. Showing would paint a picture the reader could see in her mind’s eye. If your character is tall, your reader can deduce that because you mention others looking up when they talk with him. Or he has to duck to get through a door. Or when posing for a photo, he has to bend his knees to keep his head in proximity of others. Rather than telling that your character is angry, show it by describing his face flushing, his throat tightening, his voice rising, his slamming a fist on the table. When you show, you don’t have to tell. Cold? Don’t tell me; show me. Your character pulls her collar up, tightens her scarf, shoves her hands deep into her pockets, turns her face away from the biting wind. Tired? He can yawn, groan, stretch. His eyes can look puffy. His shoulders could slump. Another character might say, â€Å"Didn’t you sleep last night? You look shot.† When you show rather than tell, you make the reader part of the experience. Rather than having everything simply imparted to him, he sees it in his mind and comes to the conclusions you want. What could be better than engaging your reader- giving him an active role in the storytelling- or should I say the story-showing? Show, Dont Tell Examples Telling: When they embraced she could tell he had been smoking and was scared. Showing: When she wrapped her arms around him, the sweet staleness of tobacco enveloped her, and he was shivering. Telling: The temperature fell and the ice reflected the sun. Showing: Bills nose burned in the frigid air, and he squinted against the sun reflecting off the street. Telling: Suzie was blind. Showing: Suzie felt for the bench with a white cane. Telling: It was late fall. Showing: Leaves crunched beneath his feet. Telling: She was a plumber and asked where the bathroom was. Showing: She wore coveralls carried a plunger and metal toolbox, and wrenches of various sizes hung from a leather belt around her waist. â€Å"Point me to the head,† she said. Telling: I had a great conversation with Tim over dinner and loved hearing his stories. Showing: I barely touched my food, riveted by Tim. â€Å"Let me tell you another story,† he said. Is Telling Ever Acceptable? Yes, it’s a mistake to take show, don’t tell as inviolable. While summary narrative is largely frowned upon, sometimes it’s a prudent choice. If there’s no value to the plot/tension/conflict/character arc by showing some mundane but necessary information, telling is preferable. For instance, say you have to get your character to an important meeting and back, before the real action happens. Maybe he has to get clearance from his superiors before he can lead a secret raid. Rather than investing several pages showing every aspect of the trip from packing, dressing, getting a cab to the airport, going through security, boarding the plane, arriving at his destination- you quickly tell that this way: Three days later, after a trip to Washington to get the operation sanctioned by his superiors, Casey packed his weapons and camo clothes and set out to recruit his crew. Then you immediately return to showing mode, describing his visits to trusted compatriots and getting them on board. Why the Book Is Usually Better Than the Movie    The theater of the reader’s mind is more powerful than anything Hollywood can put on the screen. Well-written books trigger the theater of the mind and allow readers to create their own visual. Your writing can do the same if you master showing rather than telling. Need help fine-tuning your writing?  Click here to download my free self-editing checklist. Have another question about showing vs. telling? Ask me in the comments.

Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Methods - Essay Example The phenomenon for luxury goods has changed as there has been the emergence of ‘new luxury’ products that are commonly consumed by the middle class. Conversely, ‘old luxury’ products include brands like Dolce and Gabbana, HUGO BOSS and Louis-Vuitton are not as widely consumed as the ‘new luxury’ among the middle income young consumers. In a nutshell, the ‘new luxury’ products stand out among the consumers due to their emotional appeal and superior performance (Silverstein and Fiske, 2008: 35). This paper studies the online behaviour of male consumers between the ages of 25-28 regarding luxury. This section of the population has been observed to be mainly shopping for fashion clothing, electronics, fragrances, entertainment and cosmetics in the online market. Statement of the Problem In the past, luxury brands were for the few privileged shoppers, but now with the invention of online shopping and affordability consumption of these pr oducts has increased among the young males (GoMo News, 2013). Recent studies reveal carried out in the UK market that spending on luxury products has increased by 50 percent in the past ten years as compared to the7 percent increase in spending on basic goods (Keane and McMillan 2004: 30; Frost and Sullivan,2012). In addition to, the rising trend of online spending has resulting to numerous challenges and opportunities to the luxury brands (Goldsmith, 2002: 25; Eroglu et al., 2003: 140). It is therefore imperative for luxury brand mangers to get a comprehensive understanding of why consumers buy luxuries. It is important to note that consumers mainly in the age bracket of 25- 28 years buy to impress (Fan and Burton, 2002: 26; Martin and Turkey, 2004: 464). There has been an emerging view that there are two types of luxury good consumption, personally oriented and socially oriented and they should be considered in the online sales and marketing. The current study seeks to get an unde rstanding of the online behaviour of male consumers between the ages of 25 to 28 regarding luxury shopping. Aims and Objectives Consumer behaviour towards online shopping for luxury goods is highly dependent on age and gender. This is because the older generation views luxury differently from the younger generation due to the effect of the internet (Hauck and Stanforth, 2007: 175). This paper studies on the behaviour for male online shoppers between ages 25 to 28. Past studies have overlooked the motivational factors affection the consumer behaviour in the purchase of ‘new luxury’ goods (Twitchell, 2003: 43; Parker and Schaefer, 2004: 176). The study will analyse the deep motivation factors including image, fashion and media. The paper looks at the shopping tendencies for male shoppers between the ages of 25 to 28 years for luxury goods in the online market and the motivational factors behind their decision making. Objectives To study how the gender and age affects the shopping tendencies of online male shoppers. To study the motivational factors affecting the purchase of luxury products by online shoppers in the UK. To give an understanding of the various internal psychological processes decision making with regards to the consumption of luxury goods. Research Questions Do age and gender impact on the consumers’ perception of luxury products? Why do people in this age bracket opt for the ‘

Law - an evaluation of cross examination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law - an evaluation of cross examination - Essay Example In the case of witnesses in sexual offences cases, the prior sexual history of the complainant may not be allowed to be included in cross examination, unless sit contains issues of substantive fact and probative value. The cross examination is conducted by the opposing counsel and in the case of experts, submitting themselves to a cross examination means that their reputation and credibility will be at stake.1 It is necessary that the responses provided are very accurate because a slight variation can be equated to a lie by a cross examining attorney through suggestion.2 Experts are often subjected to rigorous cross examination because the final outcome of a case in several instances may rest upon the testimony provided by the expert witness. Counsel use several tactics in order top elicit evidence from the witnesses through the process of cross examination. One such tactic is to read aloud a statement from a document and ask the witness if it is correct. If the witness agrees, then s/he is agreeing to the statement contents as well as the attorney’s recitation of it.3 This can sometimes serve to allow the cross examining counsel’s perception of events to be thus recorded and may influence the final outcome of the case. While cross examination in general is very important, two of the most contentious areas have been cross examinations on bad character of defendants and cross examination of prior sexual offences, both of which are discussed below. When a plaintiff is being cross examined, the opposing attorney may not be allowed to include any questioning dealing with the prior character of the plaintiff, unless it is an issue of defamation.4 It is the Plaintiff who adduces evidence rather than the defendant and the general rule established in law is that prior evidence on a person’s character will be considered irrelevant and not allowed in

Oedipus the King Essay Example for Free

Oedipus the King Essay Man is the marionette in the hands of destiny. It is the circumstances and fate which bring tragic incidents in his life. The Aristotelian tragedies are generally based on this attitude. According to Aristotle tragedy is the representation of action. Common meaning of tragedies is the poignant end of the play. Here we are going to discuss about the two different tragedies which took place in different era. The first tragedy is the tragedy of â€Å"King Oedipus† which happened approximately 2000 years before and the second tragedy is the tragedy which belongs to the modern era. It is Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman. † They are different from each other but apart from a long gap of about 2000 years, but yet some resemblances are there in them. We are going to discuss on the resemblances and differentiations. Let us consider â€Å"King Oedipus† first According to the rule of Aristotelian plot â€Å"Oedipus the King† is divided into two different parts, one is simple plot and another is complex plot. In simple plot the changes in the fortune of King Oedipus take place without Peripety and discovery. It is a journey from ignorance to knowledge. He has to confront with the consequences of the miserable truth. At first he is not ready to accept the fact but at the end the circumstances compel him to accept the reality. The protagonist, along with the other characters, totally becomes helpless in the hands of destiny. He is a king but the qualities of normal human beings are present in him. The tragedy takes place because of the sin he has committed inadvertently. According to the opinion of Aristotelian tragedies the hero of the play is neither perfectly good nor entirely bad. Oedipus thus is the man of ordinary weaknesses. He has had all the eminence but here he has shown falling into ruin from this distinction and it is unfortunately not because of any deliberate sin but because of the error committed by him in his ignorance. Like the protagonist the other characters in this play are also good but not perfect. For example Laios, father of King Oedipus who is of course a good soul but still he commits a sin of attempting the murder of his son at the infant stage of his life because of the fear that his son would one day kill him. Laios had the feet of this child bound and pinned. Someone tossed it in a mountain wilderness. So there. Apollo didnt cause this boy to be his fathers killer. Laios didnt bear the terror he feared from his son. Thats what the words of prophecy defined. (Line 717, Scene 3, â€Å"Oedipus the King†) The theory of tragedy of Arthur Miller is based on the life of an ordinary man. Miller was rejected by many critics because his tragedy was not based upon the Aristotelian concept of tragedy where the tragic hero is always a king or a prince. On the contrary the hero is a common man and so according to the critics he is unable to arise the tragic sentiments. But it was the belief of Miller â€Å"that the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were. On the face of it this ought to be obvious in the light of modern psychiatry, which bases its analysis upon classific formulations, such as the Oedipus and Orestes complexes, for instance, which were enacted by royal beings, but which apply to everyone in similar emotional situations. † (an essay by Arthur Miller, â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man†) With the same viewpoint Arthur Miller has depicted the tragic story of a very simple ordinary man, Willy. Willy is an ordinary person by occupation as well as by nature. Not only Willy but rests of the characters are the exact mirror image of the ordinary man in the modern society who is constantly pursuing the materialist happiness. According to Miller it is not only the kings that can be the tragic heroes but the common man can also play the role of a tragic hero. As far as the issue of morality is concerned both plays are somewhat similar and somewhat reverse to each other. Morality plays a very important role in both of this play but still it defers from one another. Many people believe that Oedipus is an immoral person but it is not a premeditated immorality. Oedipus’ tragic fall, which later leads to tragedy was absolutely not his sin. He slays his biological father and marries to his biological mother. It is actually the height of immorality but at the time of committing this sin Oedipus was totally unaware about the reality. In short he is the immoral man by his predestined actions. The concept of morality is deliberate in Miller’s â€Å"Death of Salesman. † Here the hero of this play Willy Loman flouts all the rules of morality. He is charlatan, flirt and a liar. The lack of morality finds there in the Loman’s family itself. He goes on deceiving his wife by keeping illicit relationship with another woman. He goes on deceiving his son and wife by making his false image and by pretending to be an important person. They dont need me in New York. Im the New England man. Im vital in New England. (Act 1, Part 1, pg. 4, Death of Salesman) But it is an illusion. Pride is there in both Oedipus and Willy but pride of Oedipus is at least genuine unlike to that of Willy which is just a fake. The heroes of both of the plays have to pay a lot and both of them have suffered a lot due to the mistakes they have done either ignorantly or deliberately. Both Oedipus and Willy in the end succeed in getting the sympathy of the audience. I dont say hes a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. Hes not the finest character that ever lived. But hes a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. Hes not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person. (Act 1, Part 8, pg. 40) Apart from being an ordinary man Willy like Oedipus deserves the sympathy of the audience.

Reality in Wallace Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar Essay

Reality in Wallace Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar For Wallace Stevens, reality is an abstraction with many perspective possibilities. As a poet, Stevens struggles to create original perspectives of reality. Wallace Stevens creates a new, modern reality in his poetry. Actually, Stevens decreates reality in his poetry. In The Necessary Angel, Stevens paraphrases Simone Weil’s coinage of decreation as the change from created to uncreated or from created to nothingness. Stevens then defines modern reality as, â€Å"a reality of decreation, in which our revelations are not the revelations of belief, but the precious portents of our own powers†(750). Stevens relates, through poetry, a destruction of traditional reality leading to a realization that the meaning of a poem is not truth, always recognizing that the poem is the poets perception of reality. This perception of reality is based on experience, historical context, and poetic skill, among others. â€Å"The Man with the Blue Guitar† is a long poem that al lows Stevens to change perspectives and create abstract realities. Parataxis in such a long poem allows for the decreation of reality and the relation of imagination. In his book, The long poems of Wallace Stevens: An interpretive study, Rajeev S. Patke describes varied progression within â€Å"The Man with the Blue Guitar† as â€Å"an indefinite improvisatory series. In such a series the unitary sections lose their independent status as poems, and their masks and metaphors become stages in the continual play of metamorphosis which is the true life of Stevens’s poetry†(241). Imbedded in Patke’s description of â€Å"the true life of Stevens’s poetry†, is the parataxis that a sectioned poem provides. Each movement from section t... ...ique and presentation of Stevens’s concepts may be confusing and/or contradicting, but the overall presentation allows for the full realization of different perceptions and their comparison and contrast all lead back to Stevens’s purpose for poetry. This purpose being to relate experience while recognizing that each experience/perception/reality/dream is unique and insightful. In a long poem with many sections, an overall theme or fiction may not be attainable or seen as contradictory. The value of this poem lies in the realization and acknowledgment of different perspectives, and the acceptance an evolving world. Work Cited Patke, Rajeev. The Long Poems of Wallace Stevens: An interpretive study. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985. Stevens, Wallace. Collected Poetry and Prose. New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc. 1997.

Team Analysis

Analysis of Team A Learning teams give individuals an opportunity to work together to achieve a goal or assignment. Our learning team members completed the charter to become familiar with individual strengths, areas they would like to improve and skills they can offer to the team while completing assigned tasks. The expectations we have to be successful are stated in the charter, along with methods to manage conflict if it occurs. Evaluating the team member’s self-assessments along with their contribution to the team charter will provide a basis to improve the performance of Learning Team A. Team Charter Becoming familiar with team members is the primary method to know the best way to manage the performance of a team. Completing the team charter provided the foundation for team members to express their thoughts and processes of an effective team. As a learning team we established some ground rules: necessity of a team leader, checking in with team frequently, expressing problems early on. Overall, the expectations appear to be similar among all team members: encouraging communication with team members, sharing equal responsibility for the assignments, requesting and accepting assistance when needed from other team members in order to complete an assignment on time. When these expectations are not met it could result in conflict. When conflict occurs, professionalism and a direct approach will work best to manage the situation; we agree this will allow the team members to resolve the matter and continue with assignment. Self-assessments We shared our results from the self assessments on trust, listening and personality types. The assessment on trust demonstrated how most of us have trust issues, except Michael appears to be more trusting of others, within the group. This indicates the need for us to ensure we communicate to our fellow team members our intentions and follow through, in order to build trust among each other to maintain adequate performance. Listening skills were also an assessment we performed individually; most of us were surprised to see we were not as good listeners as we thought. The scores were in the mid 40s, indicating we will need to make a concerted effort to listen to team members when communicating. Although, we are communicating in a virtual forum, it is still important for us to be aware of our weaknesses as listeners so when communicating online we avoid potential setbacks in our team performance from miscommunication. As for the Jungian personality type assessment, all the team members felt that it closely depicted them. Being aware of individual attributes or strengths will help to enhance the team’s performance by knowing what they can contribute. Larry is observant, cool, unpretentious and highly motivated. Although, we have not delegated a leader yet, I would choose him to lead our team. His personality will compliment the other personalities within the team and therefore facilitate the work that needs to be done. Michelle and Richard were assessed as problem solvers and highly conceptual, I see them as the team members that can address the problems that might delay completion of an assignment. Possibly, Michelle and Richard can ensure the assignment is broken down or develop a method to complete. Michael appears to have the personality that is out-going and a visionary. These skills compliment those of Michelle and Richard by providing innovative ideas, for instance, preparing presentations. My personality assessment represents a realistic and logical manner in which I deal with situations. This will provide the team some assurance I will keep team members informed of the assignments and progress of our team. Overall, I think we have a balanced group of personalities to ensure optimal performance as a team. Conclusion Learning team A will work together to complete assignments; the team charter defines the methods we will use to improve performance. Relying on the strengths and skills of the team members will improve the efficiency of the team. As a team, we are individuals with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses;

A political conflict Essay

For colored citizens prior to the Civil War, freedom was a distant dream as the age-old human history of slavery heightened within the American heartlands even after the Declaration of Independence. When the American nation proudly held a new constitution, it was supposedly a determined effort to uphold a balance of power symbolizing the freedom from political, cultural and moral oppression yet colored individuals were treated as less civilized citizens and slavery was reinforced by and among the rich landowners capable of maintaining numerous slaves. As slavery provided free labor and flourishing the slave trade, African black slaves exported from Africa increased the slave population in the United States by 4 million (US 1860 Census). The Quakers of Pennsylvania as an antislavery force that gained strength throughout the country paved the way for the gradual abolition of slavery in the US northern states. New York and New Jersey became the last Northern states to abolish slavery (Grant 2001). A political conflict however ensued as slavery supporters insisted lifting any barriers to slave trade while sanctioning the acceptance of slavery based on the biblical scriptures as â€Å"God’s plan to Christianize† the Africans (Hartz 1955). Slavery for the supporters was seen as an economic, social and cultural life which actually lengthened the arguments for the continued adherence to slave labor. Divisive means were also used to promote scientific experiments to demonstrate the superiority of the whites and the inferiority of the blacks (Colley 1859), where anatomical proportions of the brain justify blacks doing hard labor which upon careful contrast does not measure up to the actual inequalities committed within the period. As the debate on slavery grew, disrespect for the law also rose. Sooner than expected, the American slaves who were ill-treated began to resort to acts of violence like burnings barns, arson and even murder. The famous acts of rebellion in Saint Dominique (1790’s) and Virginia (1800’s) paved the way for the 1831 rebellion that killed sixty whites in Virginia tougher slave codes and prohibitions for the slaves that was heavily emphasized in William Lloyd Garrison’s The Liberator as provided by Tocqueville. No amount of compromise could weed out the institution of slavery except upon the culmination of Lincoln’s election in the 1850’s and the legal implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment (Zinn 2001). II. Blacks living in free states Blacks actually lived a precarious existence within the Free states prior to the Civil War as many were still considered slaves. Many of the free blacks, who were skilled craftsmen, were tolerated because of their abilities as their earnings contributed to the general economy yet none of the free blacks ever rose higher than the status of small tradesmen, builders or nautical employees as they soon became a source of revenue as property taxpayers (Toqueville 1969). Forten, a free black girl from the Northern states gained education in Salem and observed that runaway slaves in Boston were treated as mere slaves and returned to their masters instead of being set free (Forten 2000). Although conditions were far better for the Blacks in the Northern states, very few blacks had their voices heard. Segregated facilities still existed in the North and they were usually denied entrance to the best hotels and restaurants (Jordan 1995, 218). Although schools in New England were usually integrated, those in the Midwest were generally not and economic discrimination continued as the Blacks fought to compete with large numbers of recent European immigrants for job opportunities and almost always lost (Cartmell 2004). During this same period, Norfolk’s free blacks frequently helped enslaved African-Americans to buy their freedom, and in a few instances became slave owners themselves (Toqueville 1969). Harsh laws soon prevailed as freedoms enjoyed by free blacks were soon curtailed because they were still unable to vote. The blacks were often stereotyped as unruly citizens that soon led other free blacks to move further north and help their relatives escape from increasing mistreatment. III. Blacks in the Army In the battle for the emancipation of slavery, slaves contributed to their freedom by laboring and rallying behind the scenes. At the onset of war, the free Black Virginians supported the Confederacy even though they were treated as inferiors and lived in a state of fear. Many were motivated to work with the Confederate States with the hope that someday restrictions against them would be lifted while anticipating a post war gratitude from the white counterparts they fought with (Jordan 1995, 216). The efficiency of the army during the Civil War also saw slaves working as cooks, nurses, hospital attendants, blacksmiths, etc and not getting any pay while free blacks however who served the army were paid the same rate as privates (Cartmell 2004, 176). Less than a dozen African Americans actually served in combat, one of those who did was Holt Collier who served as a sharp shooter and cavalryman of the Texas Brigade (Cartmell, 2004). Thus suffice for us to say that the Blacks fought behind enemy lines as soldiers and were inspired by their involvement yet many were denied enlistment. IV. Blacks who remained in the confederate states Prior to the Civil War, black slaves in Louisiana enjoyed certain privileges that addressed their needs as slaves like being able to sue their masters for abuse (Edge and Downs 2003). Free Blacks were free to own property and conduct business while enjoying liberties absent from other Southern states while slaves were permitted to celebrate their African culture at the markets (edge and Downs 2003). In Virginia, Blacks were criticized for being indifferent to the success of the Southern rebellion as a few free blacks pretended to be slaves in order to gain urban employment like Jim Butler who worked at Richmond’s Exchange Hotel (Jordan 1995, 215). For most Blacks during the period, social injustice prevailed distressingly as slaveholdings in the vast majority of the Southern states continued. Treatment bordered from harsh to inhumane as slavery allowed the master to punish the blacks who failed to perform his duties as related in Stampp, â€Å"Now, I speak what I know, when I say it is like ‘casting pearls before swine’ to try to persuade a negro to work. He must be made to work, and should always be given to understand that if he fails to perform his duty he will be punished for it (Stampp 1956). Slave overseers were authorized to whip the non compliant slaves while free blacks were monitored well by patrols. Escapees were either maimed of killed as slaves were at risk of loosing their family members to punishing masters according to Stampp. Slave-breeding was encouraged to encourage the economic interest of Southern planters for easy access to black workers to retain whole black families to work for them (Loveland 1986). As a backlash to the Southerners who mistreated their black slaves, many Southern blacks fought for the Confederate cause as a patriotic duty in part and as slaves in full. Yet for many who knew and acknowledged the Northerners cause, most Black soldiers in the Confederate states fled to the Northern lines and fought with them. The slave’s knowledge proved important in winning the war as their familiarity became an advantage for the Northern regiment. V. Life after the war When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, it heavily marked the end of slavery and thereby freeing nearly four million slaves in America (grant 2001). But the history of unfair treatment of the US on its own people easily portrayed hypocrisy on its citizens as Blacks remained objects of racial discrimination. It goes into reason that politicians used their might to support the rich sectors’ relevant refusal to grant equal rights to blacks. Another point of discussion was the political agenda behind the support for the anti-slavery campaigns when civil rights and voting rights became an important issue. Granting the Black community access to their own rights would naturally mean higher pay for the earners and lower profits for the capitalists. While supportive of the anti-slavery, political leaderships, not wanting to loose the support of their corporate and rich allies despite knowledge of unfair treatment would seek to ignore such acts. Such was the extent and tentacles of power used for gains that demean the spirit of the Declaration of Independence (Hartz 1955). V. The fight for equality for the next 100 years As a wave of democracy rose to deafening heights, Black struggle for acceptance rose to free them from the binding ties of slavery (Markoff 1996, 163). Although slavery was emancipated, marginalized sectors continue to insist on freedom from mockery and racial segregation based on skin color (Loveland 1996). Struggles continued as schools in the South refused to adapt to integration that led to riots commandeered by the blacks held in opposition against the whites who refused desegregation and tolerate intimidation and murders led by its famous Ku Klux Klan movement (Zinn 2001). Few of the KKK’s activities received massive media attention until the murder of a 14 year old Emmet Till in 1955 that led to a confrontation against issues of racism. As women gained equal rights in 1960’s, racial discrimination slowly ebbed that gave way to several centuries of struggle fr the blacks to gain a state of freedom. VI. Conclusion Why slavery had to be ended by extreme force? If it were probably left to the government the rights of the ordinary slaves would have been left as it was. Heavy opposition and criticism did not bring an end to slavery. Even the national government who endorsed anti-slavery Republicans into office to resolve the issue was most of the time indecisive. The slave- owning southerners and the anti-slavery northerners could not see eye to eye on the ultimate extinction of slavery. In the 1850’s open hostilities were already brimming on several states which finally triggered hostile actions. Although many favored and sought some sort of a compromise, the stronger point of rejection for one was triggered by fear that a conspiracy is threatening to bring down the American republic. Disagreements arise to a crescendo as political parties split and Lincoln’s war goals came into light to solve the problem by means of force when no alternative action could be seen to solve the conflict. Greed for power was the root of such warfare nurtured among many that sought to restrict freedom and pursued rampant acts of discrimination. Such tentacles of power used for corporate gains demean the spirit of independence in this nation’s history. Bibliography Cartmell, Donald. 2004. The Civil War Up Close: Thousand of Curious, Obscure and Fascinating Facts. Career Press. Colley, Thomas. 1859. Civilized America. Bradbury and Evans. Edge, John T. and Downs, Tom. 2003. New Orleans. Lonely Planet. Forten, Charlotte L. 2000. A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War: The Diary of Charlotte Forten, 1854. Capstone Press. Grant, Donald L. 2001. The Way It was in the South: The Black Experience in Georgia. Atlanta: University of Georgia Hartz, Louis. 1955. The Liberal Tradition in America: An Interpretation of American Thought Since the Revolution. New York: Harcourt. Jordan, Ervin L. 1995. Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia. Virginia: University of Virginia. Loveland, Anne C. 1986. Lilian Smith, A Southerners Confronting the South: A Biography. Baton Rouge: Lousisiana State University. Markoff, John. 1996. Waves of Democracy: Social Movements and Political Change. Pine Forge Press. Stampp, Kenneth M. 1956. The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South. Survey Tocqueville, Alexis. 1969. Democracy in America, eds. J. P. Mayer, trans. George Lawrence. New York: Harper Collins. Zinn, Howard. 2001. People’s History of the United States. New York: Harper Collins.

Announcing the Winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award

Announcing the Winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award ServiceScape is pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Short Story Award: Connor Sassmannshausen. Connor is an American author based in Australia. She writes everything from drama to sci-fi and fantasy. Along with short stories and novels, she also writes screenplays and works on film sets.Connor Sassmannshausen is the winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award.You can find her winning submission below. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did and we look forward to reading more of your short stories for our 2019 Short Story Award.Of Damsels and MobstersBy Connor SassmannshausenOrion sat at the bar in his favorite club, waiting for his girl to take the stage. Well, his was a bit of a stretch, or a lot of a stretch. Ruby was one of the many performers in The Grimm, the hottest jazz club on this side of town. And she had no idea he existed. Didnt stop him from dreaming, though.She wasnt like the other girls. She kept her sleeves long, but her skirt was just as short as the res t. And her voice was like an angel, and god, there she was. Her blood-red hair was all done up in finger waves, he thought they were called, with a headband that may as well have been a halo. Her dress sparkled in the stage lights, as she began to sing.He ordered another drink but quickly returned his gaze to his girl.As the night wore on, he drank a number of drinks, waiting for Ruby to finish her set. Finally, she stepped down from the stage and cut through the crowd to the bar. Orion threw back what remained of his whiskey and made his way over to her.He stopped beside her, as she took the drink the bartender gave her. He made himself lean against the bar, trying to be suave. His hand missed the bar, and he stumbled, catching both himself and her gaze. He could feel his cheeks flame with embarrassment, and she laughed at his expense.Well, now that Ive made a complete fool of myself, he said, straightening his jacket, I guess I cant do any worse.I bet you still could. Ruby smiled into her drink. But you have my attention, so, I guess thats what you were going for.He rubbed the back of his neck. Im Orion, and I†¦um†¦I really liked you singing.Most people who vie for my attention like my singing, or my voice, or my hair, or my eyes, or my legs.Your legs?You would be surprised what men say when theyve had too much to drink. Especially when they think they deserve my attention, or that my attention means Ill fall into bed with them. So, what do you want from me?Orion opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He willed words to flow.Well?I†¦um†¦I hadnt thought this far. Honestly didnt think youd give me the time of day.Her laugh rang in his ears, a more beautiful sound than hed ever heard. He expected her to walk away, but she slid onto the stool beside him, keeping her eyes on him. I guess you might be worth a bit of my time.He laughed, nervously, and he knew he sounded ridiculous. How was she going to take him seriously unless he pulled himsel f together? He flagged down the bartender and ordered another whiskey. He drank half before turning back to Ruby and her amused smile.I have to say, youre a first for me. She finished off her own drink and set the glass aside. And the nerves are adorable.He bristled at her words. He wasnt adorable. What kind of man wanted a woman to think hes adorable? He should be strong, confident, sure of himself†¦ but, hadnt she said others had been like that, and shed never given them a glance. He looked her over, realizing hed been standing there, silent for longer than he should have, and his cheeks burned once again. Ill just go. He turned away, only to stop when her hand grasped his arm.Arent you even going to ask a girl to dance? She picked up his whiskey, throwing it back. God, that was beautiful.She slid her hand down his arm to take his hand. The world seemed to fall away, as she led him onto the dance floor. He tried to steady his shaking hands as he pulled her against him. She ei ther didnt notice or pitied him enough to keep quiet.A new song began, a much slower melody floating through the air. Ruby led more than he did, but he couldnt bring himself to care. The woman of his dreams danced in his arms when countless other fellas had tried and failed.Are you going to ask me on a date? Ruby asked him, lifting her gaze to meet his.Huh? was his intelligent response, and again, he felt his cheeks flush.She laughed, stepping closer. Alright, then, Ill take the lead, again. So, she had noticed. Take me out to dinner. Monday night Im free. Pick me up outside the club. Ill wear something nice.No sooner had he nodded, then she disappeared into the crowd.Well, that hadnt gone as planned.Orion walked through the streets early the next morning, off to visit his mama for Saturday breakfast. The memory of last night was clouded by the many drinks hed consumed, but he still remembered her.Ruby had spoken to him, to him, had danced with him, had demanded a date when hed been too shocked to get the words out. God, he hoped it wasnt the drink messing with him.He saw a couple of men walking toward him, side by side, decked out in long coats and trilbies atop their heads. Normally, they wouldnt have caught his attention, but something about them set him on edge. He paused as they didnt shift to the side, but separated to allow him to move between them. He hurried his steps to pass between them, but hands like iron grasped his arms and pulled him down the alley. He stumbled over the garbage and uneven ground until his back hit brick.I dont know what you want, fellas, he said, straightening his jacket, but you got the wrong guy.One of the thugs pointed a finger in his face. Youre the one taking Ruby Blakesley out on Monday. How could they possibly know that? Then again, there had been dozens of people at The Grimm last night. Someone had to have overheard.And if I am? He tried to sound confident when really he was terrified. The Wolf requires your services.H is blood ran cold. The Wolf was the biggest, baddest mob boss in the city. No one who ever saw the man made it out alive, save those in his service. He was ruthless, bloodthirsty, and no one crossed him. His men were always around and appeared when they were needed, while he remained shrouded in mystery. Despite the horrible reputation, women and children were known to garner his good will, and abusers were likely to meet a poetic end.So, what had Ruby done to anger The Wolf?I just want to take a girl on a date, Orion told them. I dont want trouble.You stepped into trouble the moment you laid eyes on her. The gangster shoved a gun into his face, a Colt if his very limited view of the barrel was correct. You can take her on your little date, you take her to Grannys Diner on Fifth. After, you tell her to wait outside, while you take a leak. Well take it from there.What did a sweet girl like her do?The two gangsters laughed, and the second spoke for the first time. Sweet? How do you th ink a girl like her ends up singing at the hottest club in the city? Shes got debts she aint paid up. And she aint easy to find outside of being on that stage. Wed take her there, but the owners in good with the boss. Cant hurt his business. Sides, the news of a singer going missing will be all the buzz, which means more business.Well make this choice easy for you. The first gangster waved his gun in Orions face. You either hand her over and well let you live, or we kill you, then, get her anyway. Well give you a couple days to think it over. But if she aint outside Grannys on Monday, well have our answer.And they left him there. What was he going to do?He stayed in the alley for a few minutes, calming down, trying to figure out what to do. Best he could think of at the moment was getting to his mamas for breakfast, else she send half the neighborhood searching.Before he knew it, his feet had taken him along the well-traversed path to his childhood home, without realizing hed taken a single step. His mama barreled out the front door, with a shrill cry of joy. He forced a smile onto his face, as she kissed his cheeks. It had only been a week since they last saw one another, yet she always acted like hed been gone for years.Mama tugged him inside forcing him into a chair in the sitting room with Gran and Poppy. Orion sighed, tipping his head back and closing his eyes. Gran chuckled, and Orion looked over at her.I know that look, she said.What look? Orion asked.Youve got a look of a man in love. She dazed him with a smile. Your Poppy had that same look with me. What sort of trouble is your girl in?Orions back stiffened. What makes you think shes in trouble?Poppy let out a sharp bark of laughter. No young man looks so troubled and in love if the gal aint in trouble, boy. Your gran, she was always in trouble, attracting the wrong sort of fellas. I got myself punched a few times standing up for her, but she was always the one I wanted. They shared a glance that held so much love and affection, Orion looked away.Orion stood outside The Grimm Monday night, waiting on Ruby to make an appearance. When she stepped around the corner, he couldnt take his eyes off her. She was in a dress far different than any shed worn before. The pale yellow made her hair seem all the brighter as it framed her face. Gone were the jazz star, the sparkles, and the finger waves. Shed always seemed so worldly inside the club, but out here, dressed like that, she was the picture of innocence. Had he not already made his decision regarding The Wolf, she would have done it for him.She sent him a dazing smile, one he couldnt help but return, despite his nerves. Where are we headed? she asked, taking his arm.Its a surprise.Alright, lead on.They walked down the street, and she told him all about the area, most of which he already knew, but he humored her. He led her away from Grannys Diner, away from the danger, to a place called The Woods. Upon seeing it, her face lit up wit h a smile. Ive always wanted to come here.He opened the front door for her, letting her step inside first.Dinner went well, in Orions opinion. Ruby never stopped smiling, and he didnt make a complete fool of himself. They walked down the street, taking in the bustling evening. Even on a Monday, the jazz bars were abuzz with patrons, and music floated through the air.Ruby stopped on the sidewalk, taking his hands as she smiled up at him. I had fun, tonight. Would you want to do this again?He was about to answer when gunfire erupted. A car drove by, with two gunmen firing out the open windows. At them. Orion all but threw Ruby down behind a parked car, covering her as best he could.Once everything was once again quiet, he peeked out, seeing no sign of the gangsters. He pulled Ruby to her feet, ignoring her terrified babble, as he dragged her through the streets. They made it to his apartment, which would get any number of rumors spread about them, but he didnt care so much as wanting her safe.He pushed her gently into a chair, wracking his brain to recall what to do for someone in shock. He wrapped her in a blanket, before telling her he was going to the kitchen, but it fell on deaf ears. He dug through his cabinets, hoping for some tea, but he knew he never bought any, and hed run out of coffee the other day. Hot water would have to do.He returned with a cup of hot water for Ruby, forcing it into her hands. I need you to drink this.After a few sips of water, she blinked up at him. What was that?Why is The Wolf after you?She gulped another mouthful of hot water. I dont know. Her gaze followed the mug.The two thugs that approached me seemed to think you owe him something. When she didnt answer, he continued. For getting you the job at The Grimm. Again, no answer. And they seemed pretty intent on having you, or killing you.Her wide eyes lifted to his. How do you know that?They tried to get me to hand you over tonight.She set the mug on the table and put her head i n her hands. When my father died, they told me I inherited his debt. And in order to pay it off, they got me the job at The Grimm. I never gave them anything. You know the stories, The Wolf never harms women and children. I thought Id be alright, theyd just let it go.What kind of debt?I dont know. I never asked.Orion stood, extending his hand. Let me get you something to change into. He dug through his drawers, pulling out the most comfortable sleepwear he owned. Ill let you get changed. He turned to leave but stopped when she took his wrist.She stepped toward him, kissing him hard. Hed dreamt of this more times than was decent, but he pushed her back gently. This isnt a good idea.She pulled away, a look of hurt on her face. Do you want me now?He smiled, tugging her closer again. Im still here, arent I? I just dont think its smart to kiss you when youre not thinking straight. Youre in shock. I dont want to take advantage of that. He kissed her forehead. Get some sleep. Ill be on the couch if you need anything.The next morning Orion woke to a crash in the kitchen. He hurried in to find Ruby picking up a pan lid from the floor. When she saw him, she jumped.I didnt mean to startle you, he said.She laughed. I didnt wake you, did I? I was trying to make breakfast before you got up.He looked her over. She was still dressed for bed, but her hair looked as flawless as ever. Her giggle brought him out of his thoughts.You should do something with your hair.He felt his face burn, and he hurried to the bathroom. Sure enough, one side was sticking out at all angles. He hurriedly tamed it and went through his morning routine.When he made his way back into the kitchen, Ruby had scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and toast waiting for him. He sat down across from her.So, what are we going to do about last night?Which part, the kiss or being shot at by The Wolfs men?Both, really.She reached over and took his hand. Thank you for stopping. Not many men would have. But I hope a secon d date is coming, despite all this.His heart leaped. Id like that. But there were more pressing matters.As for The Wolf? She picked up her fork, starting on breakfast.I dont know. He followed her lead, starting on the food she prepared. You could go to the police.She gave a humorless laugh. Everyone knows half the citys police are in The Wolfs pocket. Ill either have to deal with The Wolf or get out of town.Orion stepped into Rubys apartment, looking around for any sign of intruders. She pushed past him. I need to change and pack.He sat on the couch, as she busied herself in her room. When she came out again, she was dressed in strange fashion, but not a hair out of place. She wore a black pantsuit, with a red belt around her waist and a white jacket. She sat her bag on the floor and tore through the kitchen, looking for something. She tugged out a ragged-looking book, with a smile. As she turned back to her bag, she knocked a glass off the counter, and it shattered on the floor.Ori on stood quickly. Ill clean it up. You finish packing.He found a hand broom, sweeping the shards of glass into the dustpan. He was about to stand when the sound of a gun being cocked right behind him froze him in place.Get up slowly. The voice belonged to a man.Orion stood, keeping his hands out to the side. When he turned around, he found four gangsters in the apartment. One had an arm around Rubys stomach, pinning her arms, while he covered her mouth with his other hand, keeping her quiet.Were gonna go for a little ride, said the man with the gun pointed at Orion. No funny business, or well shoot you.Orion did as he was told and was loaded into the back seat of a car, trapped between his captors, while Ruby was taken to another car. It was a long ride, but he knew the streets. They doubled back a couple times, likely to confuse them. Why, he didnt know. Everyone knew where to find The Wolf. Soon enough, they pulled through the gate of The Wolfs manor, with its sprawling yard and g ardens. His escorts ordered him from the car, and they hustled him inside, where Ruby was shoved into his arms.They were led through the giant house, and, in any other situation, Orion would have marveled at it. But his attention was locked on the woman he held against his side. They stepped into a study of sorts, with a desk of dark wood and an extravagant chair. The doors slammed shut, leaving them with a number of guards.The door opened again, and another man entered. Well, well, Miss Blakesley, its wonderful that you decided to accept our invitation.Orion tightened his grip on the woman beside him. It wasnt so much an invitation as a kidnapping.The man, The Wolf, settled his gaze on him. Yes, the enamored suitor, who dont know whats good for him. You shoulda just handed her over to us, and you coulda gone on with your life. What will your mama think when you disappear? Or your precious Gran and Poppy?Orion bristled. Leave them out of this.The Wolf shook his head. They aint a par t of this, but you are. Ill give you one last chance, kid. You can leave, now. I got no quarrel with you. You walk away and leave little Ruby to pay her debt to us.Orion tugged Ruby farther behind him. The Wolf pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head. Orion gulped, taking a shaky breath. The Wolf pulled the trigger, and the gun clicked on an empty chamber. The Wolf grinned and put the gun down on the desk. He poured two glasses of what looked to be whiskey before he turned back to them.He took a sip out of one. I think he passed.Ruby stepped around Orion, taking the glass The Wolf held out. Better than I expected. She rounded the desk, straightening the papers. She glanced up at Orions look of confusion. She shrugged off the jacket, to reveal her whole arms to him for the first time. Over her left shoulder and upper arm lay a tattoo of a wolf. She sat in the chair, leaning back. Men like women with a pretty face. I needed someone who would stay when whats beneath isnt so pretty. Orion finally found his voice. So, everything was fake? It was all a show? A test?And you passed beautifully. Blood-red lips pulled back into a smile with a flash of teeth, so different from the flirty ones hed become accustomed to at The Grimm. The smile of The Wolf. So, about that second date?

10 Things You Dont Know About Albert Einstein

10 Things You Dont Know About Albert Einstein Most people know that Albert Einstein was a famous scientist who came up with the formula Emc2. But do you know these ten things about this genius? He Loved to Sail When Einstein attended college at the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, he fell in love with sailing. He would often take a boat out onto a lake, pull out a notebook, relax, and think. Even though Einstein never learned to swim, he kept sailing as a hobby throughout his life. Einsteins Brain When Einstein died in 1955, his body was cremated and his ashes scattered, as was his wish. However, before his body was cremated, pathologist Thomas Harvey at Princeton Hospital conducted an autopsy in which he removed Einsteins brain. Rather than putting the brain back in the body, Harvey decided to keep it, ostensibly for study. Harvey did not have permission to keep Einsteins brain, but days later, he convinced Einsteins son that it would help science. Shortly thereafter, Harvey was fired from his position at Princeton because he refused to give up Einsteins brain. For the next four decades, Harvey kept Einsteins chopped-up brain (Harvey had it cut into 240 pieces) in two mason jars with him as he moved around the country. Every once in a while, Harvey would slice off a piece and send it to a researcher. Finally, in 1998, Harvey returned Einsteins brain to the pathologist at Princeton Hospital. Einstein and the Violin Einsteins mother, Pauline, was an accomplished pianist and wanted her son to love music too, so she started him on violin lessons when he was six years old. Unfortunately, at first, Einstein hated playing the violin. He would much rather build houses of cards, which he was really good at (he once built one 14 stories high!), or do just about anything else. When Einstein was 13-years old, he suddenly changed his mind about the violin when he heard the music of Mozart. With a new passion for playing, Einstein continued to play the violin until the last few years of his life. For nearly seven decades, Einstein would not only use the violin to relax when he became stuck in his thinking process, but he would also play socially at local recitals or join in impromptu groups such as Christmas carolers who stopped at his home. Presidency of Israel A few days after Zionist leader and first President of Israel Chaim Weizmann died on November 9, 1952, Einstein was asked if he would accept the position of being the second president of Israel. Einstein, age 73, declined the offer. In his official letter of refusal, Einstein stated that he not only lacked the natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people, but also, he was getting old. No Socks Part of Einsteins charm was his disheveled look. In addition to his uncombed hair, one of Einsteins peculiar habits was to never wear socks. Whether it was while out sailing or to a formal dinner at the White House, Einstein went without socks everywhere. To Einstein, socks were a pain because they often would get holes in them. Plus, why wear both socks and shoes when one of them would do just fine? A Simple Compass When Albert Einstein was five years old and sick in bed, his father showed him a simple pocket compass. Einstein was mesmerized. What force exerted itself on the little needle to make it point in a single direction? This question haunted Einstein for many years and has been noted as the beginning of his fascination with science. Designed a Refrigerator Twenty-one years after writing his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein invented a refrigerator that operated on alcohol gas. The refrigerator was patented in 1926 but never went into production because new technology made it unnecessary. Einstein invented the refrigerator because he read about a family that was poisoned by a sulfur dioxide-emitting refrigerator. Obsessed Smoker Einstein loved to smoke. As he walked between his house and his office at Princeton, one could often see him followed by a trail of smoke. Nearly as part of his image as his wild hair and baggy clothes was Einstein clutching his trusty briar pipe. In 1950, Einstein is noted as saying, I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs. Although he favored pipes, Einstein was not one to turn down a cigar or even a cigarette. Married His Cousin After Einstein divorced his first wife, Mileva Maric, in 1919, he married his cousin, Elsa Loewenthal (nee Einstein). How closely were they related? Quite close. Elsa was actually related to Albert on both sides of his family. Alberts mother and Elsas mother were sisters, plus Alberts father and Elsas father were cousins. When they were both little, Elsa and Albert had played together; however, their romance only began once Elsa had married and divorced Max Loewenthal. An Illegitimate Daughter In 1901, before Albert Einstein and Mileva Maric were married, the college sweethearts took a romantic getaway to Lake Como in Italy. After the vacation, Mileva found herself pregnant. In that day and age, illegitimate children were not uncommon and yet they were also not accepted by society. Since Einstein did not have the money to marry Maric nor the ability to support a child, the two were not able to get married until Einstein got the patent job over a year later. So as not to besmirch Einsteins reputation, Maric went back to her family and had the baby girl, whom she named Lieserl. Although we know that Einstein knew about his daughter, we dont actually know what happened to her. There are but just a few references to her in Einsteins letters, with the last one in September 1903. It is believed that Lieserl either died after suffering from scarlet fever at an early age or she survived scarlet fever and was given up for adoption. Both Albert and Mileva kept the existence of Lieserl so secret that Einstein scholars only discovered her existence in recent years.

Snow White Movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Snow White Movie - Essay Example There are differences, in that the heroine in this effort is passive, a bit stupid and disloyal. This is in contrast to later heroines, in particular Belle from Beauty and the Beast. These are just a few of the similarities and differences between the early efforts put forth by Disney and the later ones. This paper will examine these similarities and differences, as well as many more. Discussion The imagery surrounding Snow White is considerably different than the imagery surrounding princesses in later Disney incarnations. The first, considerable difference between this animated feature and later features, such as The Little Mermaid is that the animals are less anthromorphized in this feature than in later ones, and the inanimate objects do not come to life, as they do in later features. For instance, in this feature, the animals do not talk. Thus, there is no talking, singing crab like in The Little Mermaid, and the dishes do not come to life and sing, such as in Beauty and the Beast. This aspect gave the movie a bit less of a fantasy quality than later movies, and lent a slightly more believable air to the proceedings. The story could have possibly happened in real life, except that the animals would not be as accommodating as they were in the feature, and, of course, the magic pr acticed by the Evil Queen would not be possible. But, since the animals and inanimate objects stay mute, the cartoon is not as much in the realm of the fantastic as the later Disney efforts. Because the animals did not talk, nor did the inanimate objects, the feature also seemed to be missing much of the humor which marked the later efforts. Some of the funnier characters in Disney films were the different animals that populate the worlds – such as the crows in Dumbo and Thomas O’Malley Scat Cat friends in The Aristocats. Another aspect to these characters, specifically the crows in Dumbo and O’Malley’s friends in The Aristocats is that these characters were unmistakably based upon African-Americans. The crab in The Little Mermaid was unmistakably Hispanic. In this way, the later features were able to subtly introduce characters of color, even though the main characters were white, or, as in the case of The Aristocats and Dumbo, animals who are based upon Caucasians. Snow White did not have any characters whom were indisputably based upon different ethnicities, as could have been the case had the animators decided to inject a few animal characters into the story, therefore the story is considerably less multi-cultural then later efforts by the studio. Another curious aspect of the story was the way that the dwarfs were introduced and handled. When the dwarfs were first seen in the diamond mine, and in their trek to their home, they were indistinguishable from one another, for the most part. The exceptions to this were Doc, who was set apart by the fact that he wore glasses; Dopey, who was set apart because he was bald and had no facial hair; and Grumpy, who was well-defined from the beginning as a grump, therefore he stood out. The others did not embody their respective names – Happy, Sneezy, Bashful and Sleepy. It would have been more effective if the viewer could have more of an introduction to these dwarfs to show exactly why and how they got their name. For instance, if Sneezy would have been sneezing in the mine and on the way home, he would have been more easily distinguished from the others. If Happy would have been seen doing a â€Å"happy dance,† then he would have been better defined. If Bashful would have been turning red early on, the viewer would have known who he was. And, if Sleepy would have been

Book Revew Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Book Revew - Essay Example Acknowledging that her information is strung together by a lifetime of personal interest in the field and journalistic information gathering during her career as a writer for the New York Times, Dean’s book promises an overview of the issues involved and a reasoned plea for restraint in building up the beaches. In the final analysis, though, this book delivers high-quality information presented in a readable style that conveys not only the problems facing the nation’s beaches, but also the significance of this problem to the rest of the world. As an attempt to convince Americans not to build on the beaches, thus contributing to the erosion problem, the book is a success. Dean pulls her readers in by starting the book with an account of the devastating effects of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and how the city responded. After outlining the city’s natural sense of vengeance against the uncaring ocean and its Herculean efforts to place it out of harm’s reach, she then outlines the long-term effects the sea wall and raising of the city have had on the coastline itself. Interspersing personal stories regarding coastline studies and devastating storms or other issues caused by erosion with factual and explanatory information regarding what these studies actually mean creates a solid argument against the process of building on the beach or attempting in any way to protect those buildings once constructed. Although she claims no scientific or special expertise on her own part, Dean’s work is widely recognized as a credible source for a number of other volumes including American Disasters by Stephen Biel (2001) and The Earth Around Us: Maintaining a Livable Planet by Jill Schneiderman (2003). As she outlines storm after storm and lost town after lost town, Dean continues to highlight the involvement of human encroachment on the