Walker IIi V. Texas Division, Sons Of Confederate Veterans...

In Walker III v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans (2015), attorney Scott Keller argues on behalf of the petitioner—Walker III (Walker)—and attorney Roger George represents the respondent—Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). The case concerns the constitutionality of a decision made by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board (the DMV Board) to reject the specialty license plate designs submitted by SCV and its members, and addresses possible violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendment. Four contentions surround the issue: the form of speech embodied by the specialty license plate program; State control over the content of specialty license plates; specialty license plates as a limited public forum; and, ultimately, the potential violation of the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of â€Å"viewpoint neutrality.† Justice Breyer delivers the opinion of the Court, affi rming the plates as government speech. However, Justice Alito, joined by the Chief Justice, Justice Scalia, and Justice Kennedy, Justice Alito dissents, concerned with. the Court’s broad interpretation of government speech. Speaking for the petitioner, Scott Keller cites Summum as precedent and asserts that messages displayed on Texas license plates are, in fact, government speech. Dismissing the claim that specialty plates represent government speech, Roger George, for the respondent, contends the State created a billboard opportunity forShow MoreRelatedThe Confederate Flag : Controversy Or Logical Solution?1717 Words   |  7 PagesThe Confederate Flag: Controversy or Logical Solution? The Confederate flag has been a topic of controversy in the United States for many years. It and other symbols of the Confederacy are parts of many state flags in the South and it is even flown at several state buildings throughout the South. To some the Confederate flag is a historical symbol and is believed to be a way of remembering the Civil War that almost tore the nation in two, but to others it represents fear and hatred due to its useRead MoreTheu.s. V. Texas Division, Sons Of Confederate Veterans, Inc.2555 Words   |  11 PagesUnited States Supreme Court John Walker, III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Board, et al., Petitioners v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., et al. Appealed from the United States Court of Appeals 5th Circuit Statement of the Case This case seeks to protect the right to â€Å"free speech,† as is granted to through the 1st amendment, and affirmed by the (insert court here), in regards to specialty or vanity license plates. The 1st amendment reads as follows: Congress shallRead MoreTexas Division, Sons Of Confederate Veterans897 Words   |  4 PagesIn Walker III v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans (2015), the Supreme Court concerns itself with the constitutionality of a decision by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board (the DMV Board) to reject the specialty license plate designs submitted by SCV and its members, and the Court addresses possible violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendment. Attorney Scott Keller appears for Walker, the petitioner, and attorney Roger George represents the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV)Read MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesApplications 239 3 The Group 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Foundations of Group Behavior 271 Understanding Work Teams 307 Communication 335 Leadership 367 Power and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi BRIEF CONTENTS 4 The Organization System 16 Organizational Culture 511 17 Human Resource Policies and Practices 543 18 Organizational Change and Stress Management 577 Appendix A Research in Organizational Behavior ComprehensiveRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesOthers 323 Managing Conflict 373 PART III GROUP SKILLS 438 8 Empowering and Delegating 439 9 Building Effective Teams and Teamwork 489 10 Leading Positive Change 533 PART IV SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS 590 591 Supplement A Making Oral and Written Presentations Supplement B Conducting Interviews 619 Supplement C Conducting Meetings 651 Appendix I Glossary 673 Appendix II References 683 Name Index 705 Subject Index 709 Combined Index 713 iii This page intentionally left blank

The Gap Between Africa And Afro America - 1099 Words

The gap between Africa and Afro-America and the gap between the living and the dead and the gap between the past and the present does not exist. It s bridged for us by our assuming responsibility for people no one s ever assumed responsibility for. Slavery may be buried within the history books in our libraries, but America itself is not free because it is still afraid of reading about slavery and shies away from the topic. Contemporary readers have a responsibility to take the leading role in remembering history of American slavery. The internationalization of contemporary English means that reading is the best tool for doing this and bridging the gap (Bennett and Royle, 238). The history of American slavery is not told in the acts of the slave masters but rather in the stories of the slaves themselves. Where the gap between Africa and Afro-America was bigger in the mindset of the society than it was on the physical world. (Bennett and Royle, 243). The society that only considered the existence of a single race. It was a time when the fate of a person was determined by the color of their skin. Individuals who stood against the tide of the society and chose to be defined by who they were and not the color of their skin. This is the type of stories being told in the books by Bennett and Royle and the book The Beloved. Slavery is part of American history that has been referred to as the worst thing that has ever happened to America. These parts of our history has beenShow MoreRelatedThe Afro Bolivian Community Of Kalakala1249 Words   |  5 Pagesstuffing them into a bag that was tied around her waist. The voice of Jorge Medina, an afro-Bolivian advocate echoed from the radio next to her. â€Å"The government has taken significant steps to recognize the Afro-Bolivian population in the census, but more work still needs to be done. In many of rural areas Afro-Bolivians still do not have access to quality education and even learning their history in schools. Many Afro-Bolivian farmers do not have clean water in their homes or do not have bathrooms.†Read MoreMultilateral Relations Between Africa And Africa1407 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction Africa, once regarded as ‘good for nothing but exploitation’, however, the block has gradually gained modest relations, and aspiring to cultivate a multifaceted partnership with major global political players in all directions from Left-Right, East–West, North-South, and South-South. The two major partners forged their own cooperation are Peoples Republic of China and United States of America and the partnerships they created are known as Sino - Africa relations named ‘Forum on China-AfricaRead MoreEssay about Ebonics3741 Words   |  15 Pagescorrect version of Afro-American English. I intend to show that – and comment on how – racialism and competition affects a society and how this, in the case of Ebonics, is actually happening in todays America. Nuuk February 1997 Ral Fleischer THE QUESTIONS ASKED I will attempt to answer the following questions about Ebonics; - what is Ebonics? - what are the underlying reasons behind Ebonics? - who is prospering from Ebonics? What is Ebonics? Most people outside of America have at most butRead MoreThe Effect of Western Civilization and Culture in Africa5094 Words   |  21 PagesAfro Asian Journal of Social Sciences Volume 1, No. 1 Quarter I V 2010 ISSN 2229 – 5313 THE EFFECTS OF WESTERN CIVILISATION AND CULTURE ON AFRICA Dare Arowolo (Lecturer, Dept. of Political Science Public Administration, Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria) ABSTRACT The central argument of this paper stems from the submission that colo nialism, slave trade and missionary are the platform upon which Western civilisation and culture thrive and are sustained. While insisting that Western civilisationRead MoreCultural Codes : Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Essay1391 Words   |  6 PagesHave You Been?† by Joyce Carol Oates, Oates describes the lifestyle of a fifteen year old girl named Connie. Connie is obsessed with her appearance and social life and is often scolded by her mother due to the ignorance of her mother and generational gap. In â€Å"How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie† by Junot Diaz, the story highlights common stereotypes that the narrator picks out about girls that he is attempting to date. Stereotypes are often the first impression before the firstRead MoreRacism And Racism1404 Words   |  6 Pageseven after the debunking of stereotypes, myths and pseudo- scientific research and their conclusions. This phenomenon in society began to produce himself which led to racially disparate life outcomes. ! Historically the process of colonization of America by Western civilization had been integrally connected with the phenomena of Modern Slavery. While the reasoning behind the slave- trade would appear to be strictly economical, the need to rationalize the slave-owning in growingly liberal and humanisticRead MoreCultural Analysis Brazil2706 Words   |  11 Pagesstringent than the United States. In this paper it will be my intent to provide analysis and review the current business culture and relations that take place between the U.S. and Brazil. Although there is already a significant oil trading relationship that exists, the question is, can there be any other successful global business dealings between the two countries. In addition as I am in dealings with Brazil on a daily basis and will travel to visit multiple times during the year I am providing perspectiveRead MoreEssay about Cultural Conformity1473 Words   |  6 Pagesclassification or status. For centuries, discrim ination has been a big issue in many countries over race, socioeconomic status, appearance and ethnicity. Racism continues to exist primarily not only in the United States, but also in Europe and South America, with attempts to block minorities from any opportunities. In Rick Bragg’s memoir, All Over but the Shoutin, Bragg reveals the influence of racism on the modern world. The effects of these unjust social practices can be felt throughout humanity todayRead MoreThe History and Patterns of Interracial Marriage and Families in the United States1229 Words   |  5 Pagespolarized view of either cultural conservatism or egalitarianism. But the public at large has still yet to overcome the taboo, part of the reason behind the currently small rates of interracial marriages. Even though, since the courts decision, America has seen an increase of interracial marriages as well as interracial offspring of those marriages. Occurrences of these multiracial Americans has led to a cha nge in government data collection, such as the census, allowing for self-identificationRead MoreCultural Conformity and Race Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pagesthose who felt were at a higher social class, through isolation and racial exclusion that continues to extend beyond the borders of the United States today. The sense of alienation and loss of self-worth can still be felt in Afghanistan and South America. After September 11, 2001, the terrorist bombings on the World Trade Center’s raised questions towards the Muslim-Islamic community. For a while, many Americans lived in fear against their eastern neighbors. Some people continue to stereotype Muslims

he Development Of Hr Practitioners Sample Guide

Question: Discuss about the Human Resource (HR) for The Development of Hr Practitioners? Answer: Introduction Hr Human Resource (HR) is a department within an organization that has the responsibility of screening, hiring and training of new recruits that fill the job vacancies in the organization and administering programs for the welfare of existing employees. The main objective of the HR department is to enhance the productivity of the employees, resolve any conflict that arises within the workforce and increase the Return On Investment (ROI) for the company. Apart from hiring training, this department is also responsible for performance management, appraisals, promotions, monetary non-monetary compensation, employee satisfaction, conflict management, foster innovation, enforcement of company policies/ procedures and firing of employees. The HR department is involved in Human Resource Planning (HRP) while maintain a balance between the employees and the job positions in order to avoid a condition where there is shortage of employees or where there is surplus manpower. HR professionalism To understand the HR professionalism and to conduct myself as the HR professional, the study of the CIPD HR professionalism map is done. In the CIPD HR map, the core behaviors that are needed for the effective HR professionals are explained. It gives the outlines of the skills, knowledge, and behavior that an HR professional needed to be successful by dividing them into 8 behaviors, 10 professional areas, and professional competences 4 banks (Gareth Bell, 2013). Credibility and integrity are two fundamental attributes of professionalism. HR professional should exhibit several qualities like integrity, situation analysis, strategic decision making, leadership, initiative, commitment, involvement etc. I will be working with Vodafone. Vodafone is a telecom company that is headquartered in London. Vodafone has its network in 26 countries. The organization has over 1 lac employees. The organization has retail stores and also provides online services to its customers. The company offers postpaid and prepaid services (Ulrich et al., 2013). CIPD is a professional benchmark for HR professionals. It ensures knowledge of latest practices and theories and best practices to be followed in the field of HRM. HR professional areas and behaviors Following are the different professional areas and behaviors related to HR professionalism: 10 professional areas - Insights, strategy and solution, HR leads, Good employee relations, Learning and talent development, Employee engagement, Resourcing and talent planning, Performance and rewards, Organization design and development, Service information and delivery (Biswas and Islam, 2012). 8 behaviors- Courage to take challenges, curiosity for new ideas, decisive thinker, ability to influence, personally credible, pro-active, collaborative, driven to deliver. The qualities needed to become an effective HR professional An HR profession should have the following qualities (refer diagram 2) to rise the ladder of success: Talent development: It is the responsibility of the HR team to recruit the right candidates for the job openings in the company. Once an employee gets on-board, HR department need to develop a training program in order to enhance his efficiency. It is important to monitor the performance of employees and recognize their talent and hard work. Flexible: The most important role of the HR professional is being reactive, as the unexpected can happen anytime (Segon, 2014). There are situations like breach of code of conduct, issues related to discrimination and harassment, issues related to inter-department conflicts etc. Each situation should be handled very tactfully. Integrity: The behavior of HR professional should always exhibit honesty and truthfulness. This behavior is seen in the CIPD code of conduct and ethics of the profession (Brimberg and Drezner, 2015). Other employees of the organization look at the HR department for the high behavioral standards. Code of conduct should be followed while dealing with situations. Confidentiality: HR professional has access to a great deal of information that should not be disclosed such as payment records, disciplinary records, medical records, previous employers reference. Corporate social responsibility: There is a necessity to have ethical behavior not only on the personal level also on the organizational level. The eternal stakeholders and employees also expect ethical behavior from the organization (Ellwood, 2011). The HR professionals should exhibit ethical behavior so that they become role models for others. Communication skills: An HR professional should have excellent communications skills and credibility to influence the employees of the organization and should be confident enough to put across his point. Team management and leadership: It is very important for an HR professional to be able to work as a team member and a team leader (Schroeder, 2012). For a team to function properly, a team should be a right size and everybody should be given a clearly defined role. There has to be proper communication between team members and there should be group norms applicable to each team member. HR professionalisms four concentric circles There are four concentric circles that refer to HR professionalism: (2.1) First circle related to HR professionalism The first circle refers to self-management. An HR professional has to improve his knowledge regarding various issues that will increase his personal credibility. The HR professional should have in-depth knowledge of company's rules, policies and code of conduct. He should have a sound decision making ability and ability to take feedback in a constructive way (Bailey, 2011). After making an assessment, I have realized that I should understand all the company policies and code of conduct so that I can be a guide to others in Vodafone. (2.2) Second circle related to HR professionalism The second circle refers to team management. While leading a team it is very important to make impartial decisions, coordinate with other team members, motivate the team, have well-developed plans and delegate tasks in order to meet deadlines. After making an assessment, I have realized that I need to work on my team management skills. In a company like Vodafone, it is very important to have good interpersonal skills, ability to make quick and rational decisions and delegate work to team members. (2.3) Third circle related to HR professionalism The third circle refers to the ability to manage higher authorities. An HR professional should have excellent communications skills and credibility to influence the higher authorities (Ellwood, 2011). Confidence, passion, pro-activeness and the ability to accept challenges are some of the key qualities that an HR professional should have. After making an assessment, I have realized that my pro-activeness and the ability to take initiatives will help in managing higher authorities in Vodafone. (2.4) Fourth circle related to HR professionalism The fourth circle refers to the ability to manage the entire organization. Good interpersonal skills, sound knowledge of company protocols, ability to convince others and rational decision-making are the key qualities that an HR professional should have. Recruitment, training and development, job designing, performance and rewards, motivation and job satisfaction are the areas where HR professionals are involved (Segon, 2014). I have realized that Im good at making rational decisions but I need to improve my communication skills in order to manage people from different departments in Vodafone. Two scenarios where involvement of HR advisor is required An HR advisor needs expertise to advice employees of the company on various laws, company policies and code of conduct that needs to be followed. Recruitment, training and retention of employees is also taken care of, by the HR advisor. (3.1) Scenario 1- Lack of support from immediate seniors The employee's boss does not support him in his learning phase rather pressurizes him to deliver his targets on day one and threatens him that if he will not meet his targets, his performance appraisal will get affected. The boss also threatens that if he does not deliver the expected results his profile or territory will be changed (Bailey, 2011). In such a scenario, the intervention of the HR advisor is required. When a new employee joins an organization, he should be given considerable time to adjust and learn the processes/ technology related to his job position. The HR advisor should interact with both the parties- new employee and his boss to find a way out (Ellwood, 2011). It is important to understand the needs and requirements of the employee in order to enhance his efficiency. The manager should be issued a warning for his rude behavior to his juniors. An HR professional should possess qualities like situation analysis and conflict resolution to handle such a solution. (3.2) Scenario 2- Case of harassment and bias For example, there is a manager who made an indecent proposal to a female employee which she declined. As a revenge the manage always finds faults in her work, humiliates her in-front of other team members, makes deadlines more stringent for her and delegates work to her that is not relevant to her role in the organization (Zheltoukhova, 2015). This is a case of harassment and bias. The employees should be made aware of whistleblowing. They should be made aware that if they encounter any situation that is against the ethics, they should report the incident to their manager or HR professional. A warning letter should be issued against the manager for his behavior. Approach towards CPD CPD (Continuous Professional Development) is an important part of professionalism because of the following matters: there is need of up to date knowledge in the professionalism; new challenges are faced that need new skills; need for the development of progress; requirement of the professional life; intrinsic motivation (Gray, 2014). For the personal development plan, I need to know what my role in the organization is and where I want to reach. For this, I have to focus on the current role and the need of the development that is needed for the achievement of the goal. For this consideration of current, evolving and future role is necessary and also the reflection on the current role is necessary (Ireland, Cure and Hopkins, 2009). The reflection on the current role and development can be done through the self-assessment. It is important to ask for a feedback. (4.1) Three development needs for CPD With the analysis of my strengths and weakness, I have discovered that meeting deadlines, improving communication skills and team work are my development needs that I need to work upon for the achievement of goals (Zheltoukhova, 2015). Thus my top three development needs are: multitasking in order to meet deadlines, improving communication skills and team work. (4.2) Initiatives towards development needs In order to work on the development needs, I have taken the following initiatives: In order to improve my communication skills, I am attending various seminars and tutorials on language proficiency, body language and personality development. I have attended a course on time management and implementing all my learnings in the practical tasks. Setting priorities at work: It is very important to prioritize the tasks at hand. We should distinguish between important work and urgent work. The best way to manage time is to make a to-do list. After completing the list, rank the tasks in order of their priority. Use of a planning tool: A personal planning tool can be used to enhance productivity. We can use diaries, white board, stick notes, calendars etc. to write down the tasks to be completed along with their schedule. It is important to review the planning tool on daily basis. Tasks with the highest priority should be marked or highlighted. Use of PDA: Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) can be used to keep a record for all meetings and appointments (Hirsh, 2010). The technique of color coding can be used to distinguish between business meetings and personal appointments. Tasks can be prioritized and deadlines can be assigned to each task. Work in organized manner: It is very important to work in an organized way to get rid of clutter. Delete all the unwanted information from your desktop/laptop and diaries. All the files and documents should be stored in an organized way so that time is not wasted in sorting out information from files and documents (Hirsh, 2010). Delegate tasks to people who can handle them efficiently and have the appropriate skills to handle a task. Managing time schedules: At this time the person should take up challenging activities and complete them without any interruption (Hempel, 2004). A person should manage time in such a way that he can create a balance between work life and professional life. Breakdown of task: It is always advisable to break a task into smaller tasks with specific and realistic deadlines. This will help in proper utilization of time. Manage external factor: There are external factors that may hamper time management and time scheduling like an unexpected phone call, unexpected visitor, sudden family obligation etc. It is important to keep a check on these factors and stay away from factors that result in time wastage in order to stay focused. In order to be an efficient team leader and team player, I'm working on my interpersonal skills, ability to make quick and rational decisions, work delegation and ability to motivate the team members. I am attending seminars and reading articles on team work/ team management. (4.3) Performance measurement against development plan Performance measurement tools are used to measure the performance against set objectives. In industries various tools like KPIs, performance appraisals (360-degree feedback, management by objective, forced distribution, performance ranking), dashboards, six-sigma, benchmarking, rating scales, self-assessment, balanced scorecard are used for performance management (Ireland, Cure and Hopkins, 2009). 360 Feedback has been used to measure performance related to deadlines, communication skills and team work. As per the feedback obtained from juniors, seniors and co-workers, there is improvement in communication skills and team work but deadlines have not been met for some assignment. As per the graphic rating method, on a scale of 1-5, communication skills have been rated as 4, team work has been rated as 4 and meeting deadlines has been rated as 3. 1 stands for poor and 5 stands for excellent. Appendix Figure 1: CIPD HR Professional Map Figure 2: Qualities required to become a competent HR professional Figure 3: CPD Cycle Figure 4: CPD for the last 12 months Figure 5: PDP plan References Bailey, M. (2011). Policy, professionalism, professionality and the development of HR practitioners in the UK.Jnl Euro Industrial Training, 35(5), pp.487-501. Biswas, H. and Islam, M. (2012). Ergodic theory of one dimensional Map.Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 47(3). Brimberg, J. and Drezner, Z. (2015). A locationallocation problem with concentric circles.IIE Transactions, 47(12), pp.1397-1406. by Gareth Bell, I. (2013). HR at the heart of SME performance: an interview with Dr Jill Miller, Research Adviser, CIPD.Human Resource Management International Digest, 21(5), pp.43-45. Ellwood, F. (2011). Understanding the importance of a personal development plan.Dental Nursing, 7(3), pp.160-163. Gray, D. (2014). Evaluating CPD provision: is it a qualification or a CPD course?.Veterinary Nursing Journal, 29(6), pp.210-212. Hempel, P. (2004). Preparing the HR profession for technology and information work.Human Resource Management, 43(2-3), pp.163-177. Hirsh, W. (2010). Thought leaders share their views on the HR profession and its direction for the future.Strategic HR Review, 9(5). Ireland, B., Cure, R. and Hopkins, L. (2009). Perfecting your personal development plan.Vital, 6(2), pp.40-41. Schroeder, H. (2012). Developing a skills assessment tool for specialist jobs.Strategic HR Review, 11(3). Segon, M. (2014). Managing Organisational Ethics: Professionalism, Duty and HR Practitioners.Journal of Business Systems, Governance Ethics, 5(4). Ulrich, D., Younger, J., Brockbank, W. and Ulrich, M. (2013). The State of the HR Profession.Human Resource Management, 52(3), pp.457-471. Winkler, V. (2008). CIPD HRD conference and exhibition, London, UK, 14-17 April 2008.Strategic HR Review, 7(5). Zheltoukhova, K. (2015). New ways of working: what is the real impact on the HR profession?.Strategic HR Review, 14(5), pp.163-167. Bibligraphy Bailey, M. (2011). Policy, professionalism, professionality and the development of HR practitioners in the UK.Jnl Euro Industrial Training, 35(5), pp.487-501. Brimberg, J. and Drezner, Z. (2015). A locationallocation problem with concentric circles.IIE Transactions, 47(12), pp.1397-1406. Ellwood, F. (2011). Understanding the importance of a personal development plan.Dental Nursing, 7(3), pp.160-163. Gray, D. (2014). Evaluating CPD provision: is it a qualification or a CPD course?.Veterinary Nursing Journal, 29(6), pp.210-212. Hempel, P. (2004). Preparing the HR profession for technology and information work.Human Resource Management, 43(2-3), pp.163-177. Hirsh, W. (2010). Thought leaders share their views on the HR profession and its direction for the future.Strategic HR Review, 9(5). Schroeder, H. (2012). Developing a skills assessment tool for specialist jobs.Strategic HR Review, 11(3). Ulrich, D., Younger, J., Brockbank, W. and Ulrich, M. (2013). The State of the HR Profession.Human Resource Management, 52(3), pp.457-471. Winkler, V. (2008). CIPD HRD conference and exhibition, London, UK, 14-17 April 2008.Strategic HR Review, 7(5).

West Side Story With Romeo And Juliet Essay Example For Students

West Side Story With Romeo And Juliet Essay What would Romeo and Juliet be like if Juliet hadnt died? What if Paris killedRomeo, instead of vice versa? What if instead of occurring several centuriesago, it took place on the streets of New York City during the 1950s, with abunch of fresh-faced youths posing as street toughs and dancing and singingtheir hearts out? Well, just take a look at West Side Story, and you will haveyour answers. It is impossible for anyone familiar with both texts to not notethe obvious major similarities between the two plays. From the opening scenes inboth, up through the rumble in West Side Story/death of Mercutio in Romeo andJuliet, the plays mirror each other (Poelstra). It isnt until the last part ofWest Side Story, where Tony, our modern-day Romeo, dies and Maria, TonysJuliet, doesnt (unlike the two star-crossed lovers of Shakespeares work), thatthe major difference between the two works becomes apparent. Granted, instead oftension between feuding families, West Side Story offers prejudice betwee nraces, as illustrated between street gangs, the Jets and Sharks. Some of thecharacters in West Side Story are carbon copies of those in Romeo and Juliet:Maria (Juliet), Tony (Romeo), Bernardo (Tybalt), Lt. Schrank (Prince), and Anita(Nurse). Others appear to be a composite of characters, namely Riff, acombination of Benvolio and Mercutio, and Doc, who appears to fulfill the roleof Friar Laurence (possessed somewhat of a peacekeeping nature: Youcouldnt play basketball?, he asks, when informed of their upcomingwar council ) yet, at the same time, it is implied inthe film version, not the play that he is a pharmacist, and there was, afterall, an apothecary in Romeo and Juliet . The tomboyish Anybodys, a Jet wannabe,would best fit into the role of Balthasar (although Docs character fits intothis role marginally as well), since it was she who aided Tony in escaping afterthe rumble, which resulted in the deaths of Riff and Bernardo, as well as laterinforming the other Jets that Chino, th e Paris of the Sharks, had a gun and washunting down Tony. In the opening act of Romeo and Juliet, Sampson and Gregory,servants of Capulet, harass Balthasar and Abraham, servants to the Montagues. We will write a custom essay on West Side Story With Romeo And Juliet specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bearit, boasts Sampson (I.i.48-50). In the opening scene of West Side Story,several Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang led by Bernardo, harass A-rab (notice thesimilarity in name to Abraham), a white dude, a Jet, and therefore, an enemy ofthe immigrants. In no time at all, other Jets, led by Riff, rush to A-rabsside. No words are exchanged between the gangs, since it is, after all, amusical, and they basically just jump around in exaggerated fashion. Nevertheless, the scene, like the opening of Romeo and Juliet, sets the stagefor the remainder of the production. It is here where Lt. Schrank and hisfaithful compatriot, Officer Krupke, happen on the scene to break apart apotential rumble just like Escalus, Prince of Verona, did in Romeo and Juliet:If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit ofthe peace (I.i.103-4). Or, as Schrank would phrase it, I got a hotsurprise for you: you hoodlums dont own the streets (Laurents 6). Following the altercation between the gangs, it is decided by Riff that the timehas come to take care of the Puerto Ricans once and for all, clean em upin one all-out fight! (Laurents 10). Riff will challenge them at the danceat the gym later that night. But, he wants his old pal Tony, who founded theJets with him, in as his Lieutenant (Laurents 12). So, he goes to fill in Tony,who has made a sincere effort to forsake the gang life by becoming gainfullyemployed at Docs candy store. This is where another parallel occurs: just asBenvolio talks Romeo into attending the ball at the Capulets, Riff talks Tonyinto attending the dance at the gym. Prior to the dance, a sweet-facedseventeen-year-old gal, fresh up from Puerto Rico, prepares for her first bigsocial event in America. Here, even the exact act and scene (I/iii) are the sameas in Romeo and Juliet, where Lady Capulet and the Nurse speak to Juliet of herpossible impending marriage to Paris. The dance, where Tony and Maria firstmeet, i s comparable to the Capulets ball, where Romeo and Juliet firstencounter one another. At the Capulets ball, it seems to be Romeo who fallsin love at first sight, since he spots her before she eyes him: What ladyis that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight? (I.v.44-5). Afterexchanging a few words, Juliet becomes smitten with the loquacious youth, yetshe doesnt reveal this until the balcony scene. Tony and Maria, on the otherhand, notice each other at the very same moment, falling head over heals inlove. Shortly thereafter, Bernardo is upon them in an icy rage (Laurents31), telling Tony to Go home, American. Bernardo then reveals thatMaria is his sister. Couldnt you see hes one of them? Bernardoasks Maria (Laurents 32). No; I saw only him, she replies. Julietsexclamation at such a revelation was much more poetic: My only love sprung frommy only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth oflove it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy. (I.v.140-3) B ernardo ordersMaria to go home, after which he approaches Tony, who is still intoxicated bythe lingering image of his new-found love (Laurents 35). Riff sidelinesBernardo, mentioning the possibility of a rumble. They agree to meet at Docscandy store at midnight for a war council. Act Two, Scene Two, of Romeoand Juliet, better known as the balcony scene, is reflected in West Side Storyin Act One, Scene Five, or the fire escape scene. Romeo refers to Juliet asthe sun (II.ii.3), calling for her to rise . . . and kill theenvious moon (II.ii.4). During the fire escape scene, Tony and Maria singthe song Tonight: Tonight, tonight, The world is full of light, Withsuns and moons all over the place. Tonight, tonight, The world is wild andbright, Going mad, shooting sparks into space. (Laurents 42) This momentexemplifies the Shakespearean impact perhaps better than any other in West SideStory, since even the Bards imagery is swiped for use in song. Not to mention,before parting, both parties a gree to meet the following day: Romeo and Julietat the hour of nine (II.ii.169) and Tony and Maria atsundown (Laurents 44). In scene seven of Act One, Tony meets Maria at thebridal shop. Anita catches them together. You will not tell? Mariainquires. Tell what? Anita replies. How can I hear what goeson twelve feet over my head? (Laurents 76); Anita is supportive of theirlove, as is Juliets nurse, who acts as an intermediary between the younglovers. Following Anitas departure, Tony and Maria go through a mock weddingceremony, mirroring the real one Romeo and Juliet prepare to undertake, aided byFriar Laurence. Both these instances occur before true tragedy strikes. Thebeginning of act three in Romeo and Juliet features the death of Mercutio by thehand of Tybalt, who, in turn, is slain by Romeo. Likewise, the rumble under thehighway in West Side Story culminates with the deaths of Riff and Bernardo (Laurents94). In both instances, the young romantic lead tries to talk the others out of harming one another. Tony, at the entreaty of Maria, tries to stop the violentproceedings, only to be taunted by Bernardo. It doesnt take guts if youhave a battle. But we havent got one, Nardo, Tony smiles (Laurents 91). .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .postImageUrl , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:hover , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:visited , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:active { border:0!important; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:active , .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343 .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8c7ad368489e4360b081892184859343:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Photosynthesis EssayThe taunting escalates, despite Tonys valiant efforts, and Riff soon hauls offagainst Bernardo, just as Mercutio had drawn against Tybalt. Both episodesresult in deaths: Mercutio and Tybalt; Riff and Bernardo. Following the rumble,the similarities between West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet dwindle. Onesimilarity would be the Nurses grief for Tybalt (III.ii.61-63) paralleling thatof Anitas for Bernardo (Laurents 127), but most interesting of all would be themanner in which Romeo and Tony learn of the deaths of Juliet and Maria,respectively. In Romeo and Juliet, Balthasar delivers the news to Romeoregarding the death of Juliet: Her body sleeps in Capels monument, andher immortal part with angels lives (V.i.18-19). Romeo then approaches theApothecary: . . . let me have a dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear aswill disperse itself through all the veins that the life-weary taker may falldead . . . (V.i.59-62). Doc, likewise, is the provider of poison to Tony,for it is he who delivers the news (falsified by Anita) of Marias death, alongwith the money Tony and Maria were going to use to flee the city (Laurents 138). That was no customer upstairs, just now, Doc tells him. Thatwas Anita. (Pause) Maria is dead. Chino found out about you and her and shother. Come, cordial and not poison, go with me to Juliets grave; forthere must I use thee, speaks Romeo (V.i.85-6). Tony pursues the samemeans to an end, only he expresses it in laymans terms: Chino? Chino?Come and get me, too, Chino (Laurents 139). While roaming the streets,searching for Chino, Tony spots Maria, alive and well. Just as they are about toembrace, a shot rings out, and Tony falls via Chinos violent hand, Mariacatching him as he stumbles (Laurents 141). However, whereas Juliet, upondiscovering Romeos death, ends her life by falling upon Romeos dagger(V.iii.169). An anguished Maria doesnt end hers, although she speaks of it withChinos gun in hand, she asks, How many can I kill, Chino? How many andstill have one bullet left for me? (Laurents 143). Whereas Romeo andJuliets love was one intended to last an eternity, attaining a spiritual rea lmwith their deaths, that of Tony and Maria was restricted to the material world,ending with Tonys death and . . . forever lost (Poelstra). Even so,the relationships in both plays reflect the intolerance, misunderstanding,and mistrust that seem to be ever-present in human society. Perhaps thismakes the themes of love and fear, that abound in both plays, all the morerelevant to our modern, commercialized, technological and, to some extent, stillsegregated society, and, therefore, a more accessible vehicle for todaysaudience (Poelstra). West Side Story allows the basic elements of a story fourcenturies old to be retold in a fairly modern-day setting (after all, streetgangs are more prominent now than ever before). A retelling that has garneredits own wide audience appeal over the past four decades, showing that certaintales can stand the test of time more than once, provided the content andcontext effectively reflects the world within which it occurs. BibliographyWorks Cited Laurents, Arthur. West Side Story. (A musical, based on a conceptionof Jerome Robbins; music by Leonard Bernstein; lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.) NY:Random House, 1966. Poelstra, James. Romeo and Juliet vs. West SideStory. (17 July 97). Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. The CompleteWorks of William Shakespeare, Volume I. Ed. W. G. Clark and W. Aldis Wright. NY:Nelson Doubleday, Inc., 247-277.

Using the French Expression Oh làlÃÂ

Using the French Expression Oh l l The French phrase oh l l isnt so much an expression as an interjection. It can indicate surprise, disappointment, commiseration, distress, or annoyance. The phrase is used to express any moderately strong reaction to something that was just said or done, for example: Oh l l ! Jai oublià © mon portefeuille! Oh no, I forgot my wallet! You can strengthen the phrase by adding more  ls, but you need to do so in pairs. Using and Misusing Oh l l A native French speaker might use the expression as follows. Suppose this person is passing through Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is near Paris. Imagine that the man is looking at souvenirs and knocks over a small Eiffel Tower made of glass, causing it to shatter. He might exclaim: Oh l  l l  l l  l!  (Note how he inserted four extra  ls- two pairs of two- to heighten his expression of annoyance or mortification.) Another example might be a French native speaker playing poker. Suppose the card player draws an ace to give her four aces, generally a winning hand. She might use the phrase as follows:   Oh l l l l ! (a beat) l l! Note that in English, this expression is often used in to talk about something risquà ©. It tends to be misspelled in these occurrences and mispronounced as ooh la la. It is also usually said fairly slowly and with the first word comically elongated. That is not the way to use the expression correctly in French. Pronouncing and Defining Oh l l Click the link for [o la la] to bring up a sound file that will let you hear how to correctly pronounce the phrase. Click the link a couple of times, listen carefully, and then repeat the saying until you are able to pronounce it correctly. Though the phrase does, indeed, translate as Oh dear, Oh my, or Oh no, its literal translation is Oh there, there. That would make little sense in English, hence the generally accepted, and more emotional, translations. Using  Oh l l in Conversation According to The Local, there are many ways to correctly use this versatile interjection: For example, you show someone your new ring and they say, Oh l l cest trop jolie!  (Oh my god it’s so pretty!) It is high, light and happy. The Stockholm-based website devoted to European languages and culture, including French, warns that you should not use the phrase for particularly negative situations, such as  a car barreling  through a pedestrian crossing nearly knocking  you over, a biker ringing his bell at you, or someone cutting in front of you in line at the grocery store. There are other  French phrases  that are more appropriate for those kinds of situations. But the expressive phrase is really a useful one to employ if you are visiting France: (There are) moments when Oh l l l l l l  is really the only way you can express your frustration/anger/hanger (hunger anger). It is satisfying. If you live in Paris long enough, says the website, it will become an automatic part of your vocabulary, adding that at this the point, youll know youre really turning Parisian.

Everything You Need to Know About The Cask of Amontillado

Everything You Need to Know About The Cask of Amontillado SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips As you prepare for the AP Literature exam, one of the things you’ll have to do is become an expert in a few literary works that you can use on the composition portion of the exam. We recommend that you choose four to five notable works with different genres and themes to make sure you can write an amazing student choice essay. (Actually...practicing analyzing literature will help you on the whole exam, not just the written portion, so it’s a win-win situation!) But just because these works have to be â€Å"notable† with â€Å"literary merit† doesn’t mean they need to be boring, too! That’s why we’re talking about Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† as a good choice for your AP exam. Not only is it widely recognized as an excellent piece of literature, it’s got a little of everything: horror! Suspense! A surprise twist! And as an added bonus...it’s short. To bring you up to speed, we’ll start with â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† summary, then we’ll jump into character and thematic analyses. By the time you finish this article, you’ll be able to write fearlessly about â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† on your AP exam. A photograph of Edgar Allan Poe. Historical Background: Who Was Edgar Allen Poe? Critics consider Edgar Allan Poe to be the father of the detective story (thanks to â€Å"Murders in the Rue Morgue,† which predates the Sherlock Holmes stories by more than 50 years!) and a pioneer of the American short story. But despite his literary success, Edgar Allan Poe’s life was marked by tragedy. Orphaned just a year after his birth in 1809, Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan (who weren’t blood relatives). Frances Allan and Poe fought often, usually over money, and Poe would flirt with poverty throughout his life...especially after he was cut out of John Allan’s will. Poe tried to go to college but couldn’t pay for it, so he dropped out. This was a blessing in disguise, since it kicked off Poe’s writing career. Fueled by both his passion and the death of his older brother, Poe moved back to Baltimore to become a full-time writer. There, he married his cousin- Virginia Clemm- who was just 13 at the time of the marriage. (Poe was 26!) By all accounts, the couple was happy until Virginia’s death thirteen years later. Poe would never recover from her death and would pass away two years later, shortly after turning 40 years old. Poe’s life might have been short, but his writing has lived on. Although Poe was a poet, literary critic, essayist, short story writer, and novelist, he is most well-known today for his grisly stories of terror and the macabre. Most of Poe’s works fall into the Gothic genre, which is characterized by a sense of terror, doubt, and the uncanny. The genre was incredibly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Poe’s writing would make him one of the best-known writers of Gothic horror. Here's what amontillado looks like! The Cask of Amontillado Background â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is one of Poe’s most famous short stories, and it was originally published in 1846 in Godey’s Lady Book, the most popular periodical in the United States at that time. Though scholars aren’t 100 percent sure what inspired Poe’s short story, many believe it’s based on a story he heard while stationed at Fort Independence in Massachusetts in 1827. At that time, Fort Independence had a statue of Lieutenant Robert Massie, who had been killed in a sword duel following a card game, on the premises. As legend has it, after Massie’s death, other soldiers took revenge on his murderer by getting him drunk and permanently sealing him in a vault...alive. A more popular theory is that Poe wrote â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† in response to his personal rival, Thomas Dunn English, who had written a scathing critique of one of Poe’s novels. â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† skewers elements from English’s novel, 1844, including making references to the same secret societies and subterranean vaults featured in English’s work. Others believe that â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† was inspired not by a person, but by a widespread fear of being buried alive. Because medicine was in its infancy, sometimes coma victims were assumed to be dead and were buried accordingly, only to awake in their coffins days later. People started inventing easy-open coffins, burial vaults with windows, and even coffins with breathing tubes attached to save people who were prematurely buried. And of course, the fear of being buried alive- only to die in your own coffin- is echoed in the plot of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Regardless of what inspired Poe to write â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† the fact remains that this short story remains one of his most famous and enduring works of Gothic terror. The Cask of Amontillado Summary Now that you know a little bit about the background of Poe’s short story, let’s take a look at the plot of the text. (You can find a free, legal copy of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† online by clicking here.) The Story Begins Poe’s short story actually takes place in two time periods. The bulk of the events occur on the night of Carnaval, which is a Western Christian celebration that takes place before Lent. Carnival is a celebration of excess- of food, drink, and fun- before the restriction of the Lenten season sets in before Easter. (In the United States, the Carnival season is better known as Mardi Gras.) But the story is told in retrospect by the narrator, Montresor, fifty years after the event to an unknown listener (only referred to as â€Å"you† in the story). That means that there are actually two different time frames happening in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Setting the Trap Readers learn that Montresor is planning to take revenge on his one-time friend, Fortunato. Readers never learn exactly what Fortunato has done to Montresor to push him over the edge, only that Montresor feels he is the victim of a â€Å"thousand injuries† and one unnamed â€Å"insult† he must avenge. Readers also learn that Montresor has hidden his rage in order to convince Fortunato that they are still friends- which is all part of his plan. On the night of Carnival, Montresor puts his plan into action. He knows that Fortunato considers himself a wine connoisseur, so Montresor isn’t surprised that Fortunato is already drunk when he finds him in the middle of the Carnival celebration. Montresor tells him about a pipe, or about 130 gallons, of Amontillado he bought. (Amontillado is a fine sherry wine.) But now that he has the wine, Montresor is afraid that he was duped. He tells Fortunato that he was on his way to find Luchresi- another wine connoisseur- to help him determine the wine’s authenticity. Entering the Vaults Montresor’s ploy works. Montresor knows that Fortunato is full of himself, and the idea that someone could judge the Amontillado pricks his ego. As a result, Fortunato insists on checking the Amontillado himself. Montresor half-heartedly tries to dissuade Fortunato, telling him that going into the catacombs, or underground vaults where generations of the Montresor family are buried, will worsen Fortunato’s head cold. Fortunato waves off Montresor’s concerns, saying that he â€Å"shall not die of a cough,† and he follows him into the vaults to taste the Amontillado anyway. As the men venture further into the dark, underground passageways, Montresor makes sure that Fortunato keeps drinking. Fortunato asks about the Montresor family’s coat of arms, and Montresor tells him that their family motto is â€Å"Nemo me impune lacessit,† or â€Å"no one attacks me with impunity.† Fortunato is so drunk that he misses the warning in Montresor’s words, and instead asks whether Montresor is a member of the masons, a fraternity with an elite membership. Montresor says yes and holds up a mason’s trowel, implying that he’s a literal mason instead. Fortunato thinks Montresor is joking, and by the time they arrive at the niche where Montresor says he’s stored the Amontillado, he’s too drunk to notice that there’s no wine inside. He doesn’t even resist as Montresor chains him to the wall. The End of Fortunato Montresor then reveals the bricks and mortar he has stored in the vault, and he begins to wall up the opening to the niche...with Fortunato chained inside. The process is a long one, and Montresor describes Fortunato’s fearful cries and attempts to pull free from the chains. But Montresor is determined, and he throws a lit torch into the niche with Fortunato before he finishes walling him in alive. By this point, Fortunato is panicked. He’s screaming for help, but the pair are so far underground that there’s no one to hear him. He tries to appeal to Montresor’s logic, saying that he’ll be missed by â€Å"Lady Fortunato and the rest.† Montresor is unmoved, finishes sealing up the vault, and leaves Fortunato there to die. Montresor finishes his story by telling the listener that there Fortunato’s bones remain, fifty years later. mninha/Flickr â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Character Analysis Read on for an in-depth analysis of the major characters in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Fortunato Fortunato’s name means â€Å"the fortunate one† in Italian, which is ironic given that he ends up bricked within the Montresor catacombs and left to die. This is just one example of the dramatic irony that permeates the short story. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that one or more of the characters don’t know. In this case, readers know what Montresor plans to do, but Fortunato remains ignorant. This creates tension in the short story. As a reader, you want to yell at Fortunato to run away, but you can’t. The thrill of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† comes from knowing exactly what will happen and being powerless to stop it. Other than the fact that he seems to have wronged Montresor somehow, readers learn very little about Fortunato directly. Everything we know about his character we have to infer from Montresor’s descriptions of Fortunato and his actions. For example, we know Fortunato thinks he and Montresor are friends, and they likely were at one point. But we also know that Fortunato is â€Å"rich, respected, admired, beloved,† and happy, according to Montresor, at least. But he also seems to be egotistical and self-indulgent; he drinks to excess, has no qualms talking badly about other people (like Luchresi), and thinks he’s the best wine connoisseur around. Ultimately, whether or not Fortunato’s character flaws are enough to warrant Fortunato’s fate is up for readers to decide. Montresor Montresor is the main character of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† and the story is told in first person from his perspective. Like Fortunato, readers know very little about Montresor’s backstory outside of what they can infer from the text. For example, Poe implies that Montresor seems to come from money- he lives in a palazzo, which is basically an Italian palace, which has its own crypt. But Montresor’s actions tell readers even more about his character. First, he’s driven by revenge. He doesn’t take insults lightly, and he’s able to nurse a grudge to an extreme degree. He’s also witty- he makes double entendres about Fortunato’s death that the latter never catches- and knows how to plan ahead, too. But most importantly, he lacks remorse. At the end of the story, Montresor ends with an exclamation, â€Å"In pace requiescat,† which means â€Å"rest in peace.† Montresor is proud of what he’s done...and even prouder that he hasn’t been caught. As a result, his final wish for Fortunato comes across as sarcastic rather than sincere. All of this together makes readers question Montresor’s role in the story. At the beginning, he seems like he’s the protagonist: he’s a man who’s been terribly wronged looking for revenge. But by the end of the story, it’s not clear whether Montresor is the story’s hero...or its villain. Luchresi Luchresi never appears in the story, but he plays a vital role in Montresor’s plan. Luchresi is clearly one of Fortunato’s rivals, if not in reality, then at least when it comes to his expertise in wine. Montresor plays this rivalry to his advantage. He keeps mentioning Luchresi’s name to motivate Fortunato and keep him interested in the Amontillado, especially since he’s drunk and his attention keeps wavering. (Keep in mind that Luchresi is an innocent bystander in all of this- Montresor is just borrowing his name and reputation.) Poe uses the mention of Luchresi’s name to remind Fortunato- and the readers- what’s happening. Unnamed Listener Like we mentioned earlier, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a story told in retrospect. An older Montresor is speaking to an unnamed listener, recounting how he killed Fortunato in revenge. Readers know nothing about the listener, only that he’s Montresor’s audience in telling the story. But from an analysis standpoint, the listener is important. It reminds us that Montresor is telling this story to someone else, and in doing so, trying to communicate his personal perspective. It makes readers question whether Montresor is telling the whole truth, too. Was Fortunato really as bad as Montresor says he was, for example? Because the story is told from Montresor’s perspective- and likely with an agenda in mind- readers are left wondering if Montresor’s account is totally accurate. Brandon Heyer/Flickr The 3 Key The Cask of Amontillado Themes â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado" is considered one of Poe’s best short stories, and with good reason: it melds tension, horror, and surprise together masterfully. But what are the messages of Poe’s story? Let’s look at three of major themes of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† below. The Unreliability of Perception Think of a time that you did something you knew your parents would punish you for. When you explained the situation to your parents, how did you do it? More than likely, you tried to downplay your actions (without lying!) to make the consequences a little less severe. This is a good example of how perspective matters. For your parents, what you did is a serious offense. But if you could just offer a different perspective on things, maybe you won’t be grounded for quite so long! In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† readers are presented with Montresor’s perspective of the story. He tells readers he’s been wronged- for what, he doesn’t say- and paints an unflattering picture of Fortunato. Even though Montresor says he’s rich and well liked, Fortunato’s actions make him seem like a stuck-up, overindulgent idiot. But is that accurate? Because we only get Montresor’s side of the story, it’s hard to know. It’s up to the reader to decide how reliable, or trustworthy, Montresor is as a narrator. Do we believe him and his argument that killing Fortunato was the only way to have his revenge? Or is Montresor just a cold-blooded killer? By making the readers ask these questions, Poe draws attention to the idea that people’s individual perspectives on a situation aren’t necessarily 100 percent accurate. The Danger of Pride Although Montresor is responsible for Fortunato’s death, the latter has a hand in sealing his own coffin, too. Even though he’s drunk and sick, the mention of Luchresi’s name triggers Fortunato’s massive ego. The idea that anyone could be better than him- especially Luchresi, who can’t â€Å"tell Amontillado from sherry†- drives him to follow Montresor into the catacombs. Despite wanting to kill Fortunato, Montresor gives his victim many chances to turn back. Montresor cites Fortunato’s cough, saying that it might be best to ask for Luchresi’s help instead. But each time, Fortunato says he wants to push forward because he cannot stand Luchresi getting credit for determining whether the Amontillado is authentic. It’s his pride that makes him want to beat Luchresi, but in the end, it’s his pride that makes him lose. The Power of Revenge Perhaps the scariest aspect of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is how far Montresor goes for revenge. In many ways, what Fortunato has done to warrant Montresor’s wrath is immaterial; Poe is more interested in how revenge drives a man to extremes. In this case, it’s clear that Fortunato’s perceived wrongs have dominated Montresor’s thoughts and actions. His plan to kill Fortunato is highly premeditated: he’s clearly put a lot of thought into how he will do it, right down to making sure he has bricks and mortar handy to entomb Fortunato alive. This is not a spur-of-the-moment, in-the-heat-of-passion action. No, Montresor has thought long and hard about his plan. Given this, Poe shows readers how powerful the need for revenge can be. Not only can it drive people to extremes, it can warp their sense of reason, too. After all, short of murder, what insult could Fortunato have delivered to warrant such a gruesome death? Could it be that Montresor’s desire for vengeance, rather than Fortunato's actions, are what allows Montresor to justify murder? Ultimately, because the whole story is written from Montresor’s perspective, Poe doesn’t give readers any clear answers. But in doing so, Poe also shows how the truth is often obscured by people’s perceptions and motivations. Now What? It’s great that you’re preparing for the composition part of the AP Literature exam, but don’t forget that there’s a multiple choice section, too. Get the skinny on the multiple choice section- and how to ace it!- here. One of the best ways to practice for any exam is to take practice tests. Did you know that there are practice exams for AP tests, too? Here’s a list of practice tests for the AP Literature exam that you can take to help you study smarter. Now that you’re well on your way to taking an AP English exam, why not try your hand at some other AP tests? Here’s a comprehensive list of all the AP classes and tests you can take to help earn credit for college. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Ashley Robinson About the Author Ashley Sufflà © Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. No spam ever. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: '360031', formId: '2167ba30-e68e-4777-b88d-8bf3c84579af', formInstanceId: '2', submitButtonClass: 'btn-red-light btn', target: '#hubspot-container2', redirectUrl: 'http://ww2.prepscholar.com/blog-subscribe-thank-you', css: '.post-bottom .hs-form.stacked label {display:none;} .post-bottom .hs-form.stacked .field div.input {padding-top: 55px; padding-left: 300px;} .post-bottom .hs-input {width: 220px} .post-bottom .btn-primary, .hs-button.primary {margin-top:0px; padding-left:350px} .post-bottom .hs-form-field {margin-bottom:5px}' }); $(function(){ $(".exclusive-tip-form #hubspot-container2 label").hide(); }); function replace_tag(a, b){ $(a).each(function(index) { var thisTD = this; var newElement = $(""); $.each(this.attributes, function(index) { $(newElement).attr(thisTD.attributes[index].name, thisTD.attributes[index].value); }); $(this).after(newElement).remove(); }); } $(function(){ replace_tag($(".posts-by-topic h3"), "h2"); }) Ask a Question BelowHave any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! Search the Blog Search jQuery(function(){ var $ = jQuery; var url = 'http://google.com/search?q=site:' + location.protocol + '//' + location.hostname + ' '; var $searchModule = $('.hs-search-module.855b32a6-6cb7-45-afec-0a8a7354ea38'); var $input = $searchModule.find('input'); var $button = $searchModule.find('.hs-button.primary'); if (false) { $input.val(decodeURIComponent(location.pathname.split('/').join(' ').split('.').join(' ').split('-').join(' ').split('_').join(''))); } $button.click(function(){ var newUrl = url + $input.val(); var win = window.open(newUrl, '_blank'); if (win) { //Browser has allowed it to be opened win.focus(); } else { //Browser has blocked it location.href = newUrl; } }); $input.keypress(function(e){ if (e.keyCode !== 13) return; e.preventDefault(); $button.click(); }); }); Improve With Our Famous Guides SATPrep ACTPrep For All Students The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section: Score 800 on SAT Math Score 800 on SAT Reading Score 800 on SAT Writing Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section: Score 600 on SAT Math Score 600 on SAT Reading Score 600 on SAT Writing Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? 15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section: 36 on ACT English 36 on ACT Math 36 on ACT Reading 36 on ACT Science Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section: 24 on ACT English 24 on ACT Math 24 on ACT Reading 24 on ACT Science What ACT target score should you be aiming for? ACT Vocabulary You Must Know ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA How to Write an Amazing College Essay What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For? Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide Should you retake your SAT or ACT? When should you take the SAT or ACT? Michael improved by 370 POINTS! Find Out How Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Looking for Graduate School Test Prep? Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: GRE Online Prep Blog GMAT Online Prep Blog TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Arbitration Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Arbitration Law - Assignment Example to consider before getting into an agreement such as this one and the relevant alternative methods of solving disputes that may arise between the parties to a contract such as this other than arbitration2. In addition to that, this report shall guide you through a practical approach into the identification of pitfalls that may come with the drafting of such a clause in a contract aside from providing the benefits that can be gained according to the law over the counter-party that arise from drafting the standard dispute resolution clause3. While drafting a standard dispute resolution clause, the author should ensure that the content is not ambiguous and can be clearly understood by both parties4. It is important to note that the courts in England will seek to implement the agreement as agreed upon by both parties on the dispute resolution mechanism. In the event that such information is not clearly stipulated in the dispute resolution clause resulting from the clause being poorly written, both parties to the contract may find themselves in unfamiliar grounds in trying to seek a way out of their dispute5. The dispute resolution clause should not be confused with the governing law clause because the dispute resolution clause provides the forum that both parties to the contract wish their disputes to be resolved in any case they arise. Parties to the contract specify the methods of solving their disputes in the standard dispute resolution clause6. These methods range from arbitration to reference to litigation and even mediation. Reference to litigation, also known as Jurisdiction Clause, is done through the courts. The jurisdiction clause is added when parties to a contract want a certain court, or a specific number of courts, to determine their case. However, including the jurisdiction clause into the contract in a situation where the parties have settled on an alternative forum as their most preferred is outlawed7. This clause is one of the considerations to be