How Kreon acts as a foil to Oedipus in Sophocles “Oedipus the King” Essay Example For Students

How Kreon acts as a foil to Oedipus in Sophocles â€Å"Oedipus the King†? Essay In ‘Oedipus The King’ by Sophocles it has been well established over time that the protagonist, Oedipus is a fairly complicated character. His actions throughout the play show him as a man with great strength and knowledge, whilst also consuming paranoia and pride, which is ultimately his hamartia. Oedipus’ complex character is accentuated by highlighting his flaws. How did the author do this? He created a foil in the play in order to not only highlight Oedipus’ flaws, but also to vary the personality of his character in the eyes of the audience and readers throughout the course of the play. There are multiple differences between Oedipus and Kreon, but do their characters really contrast with each other and complicate the plot? The conflicting personalities of the two disclose the plot and reveal the past and background of Oedipus. It is immediately made clear that Oedipus is impatient and proud of his achievements in wit and knowledge. In contrast, Kreon is much more modest, focused and calm. There are several incidents throughout the course of the play where this is highlighted by Sophocles. In the first scene of the play itself, their differences are easily noticed. When Kreon returns from Delphi, he replies to Oedipus’ questions diplomatically, knowing fully well the boundaries established, in order to reveal information in front of the citizens of Thebes. He keeps the answers short â€Å"His words are hopeful† â€Å"All we need is luck† (Sophocles. 27), along with his request to speak with Oedipus â€Å"privately† (Sophocles, 27) which sh ows Kreon as a moderate and level headed person. Oedipus is shown quite the opposite, ruling with his emotions as he statesâ€Å"I grieve for them, for their sorrow and loss far more than I grieve for myself† (Sophocles, 27) This portrays Oedipus, in two lights, one where he is shown as an actual leader who believes that the citizens of his kingdom should be aware of the reasons of the trouble that they are being faced with and cares for his citizens sharing their â€Å"sorrow† (Sophocles, 27). Whereas, the other interpretation of his actions would be that he is a ruler who is unfit to sit on the throne of Thebes, he is too trusting of all his people and doesn’t know how to differentiate between the boundaries of privacy of state and his emotions that can ovewhelm him while he ruled the city of Thebes. Oedipus’ urgency is clearly highlighted in the scene where he jumps to conclusions because of his anger. In the scene after his quarrel with Tiresias, Oedipus accuses Kreon of treason and treachary when he asks Tiresias â€Å"Are these your own lies, prophet- or Kreons?† (Sophocles, 41) Kreons reactions to Oedipus’ accusations are extremely important because it contrasts the thought processes of the two. Whilst Oedipus acts without thinking, is rash, rude and stubborn in his opinions of Kreon, calling him a â€Å"murderer† (Sophocles, 47)in a fit of rage, â€Å"You’re the bandit, you’re the killer.† (Sophocles, 47), Kreons answers are well thought out and sensible, like a memorized speech â€Å"I have come to face those charges, I resent them bitterly†, â€Å"His accusations pierce me, wound me mortally† (Sophocles, 46). These quotations show the contrast between the thought processes of the two, not only in the actions t hat they take but how they conduct themselves in public. Kreon’s calm nature is such that would assure the audiences to believe him and take his word, as he manages to reveal just enough emotion while still displaying logic. Kreon manages to attract the audience and his readers to his plea, making them believe him over Oedipus despite their endless loyalty towards him. In this argument between Oedipus and Kreon, Kreon shows great respect in his language towards Oedipus and also when Tiresias is mentioned. .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .postImageUrl , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:hover , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:visited , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:active { border:0!important; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 { 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; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:active , .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .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; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04 .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3fe18d8a4fbfd814daa56b17a08d2f04:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Property and furniture EssayHe is confident because he knows that he is not in the wrong and is not ready to apologize for the actions he didn’t take. Kreon is shown to be a very clever man, his answers are not only well thought out but the dignity with which he portrays himself is such that Oedipus could never obtain. This is made clear when Kreon states â€Å"I don’t know. And when I don’t know, I don’t speak† (Sophocles, 49). This quotation shows that he holds his moral dignity to utmost regard. He is shown to think and speak extremely rationally in retaliation to Oedipus’ accusations. This is made specifically clear when he del ivers a speech to Oedipus infront of the citizens of Thebes. In his speech he makes a clear and â€Å"sane† argument about how he has â€Å"no hunger† for the power of a king and how it isn’t â€Å"royal power† he wants but â€Å"It’s advantages† (Sophocles, 49 and 50). His words have the ability to attract the audience and readers through his modest argument claiming that he had all the advantages of the king without the stress and worries of one because he was a man who â€Å"knows his moral limits and accepts them† (Sophocles, 50) In contrast to Kreon, Oedipus’ brashness, at times, would seriously frighten the audiences and make them pity him. He is impatient, concludes and accuses Kreon without any evidence and seems to only work on his own beliefs. Through this conflict, in contrast to Kreon, Oedipus is stubborn and extremely excited. According to the punctuations used by Sophocles, he uses more exclamation marks in Oedipus’ dialogues with which it is assumed that he is screaming â€Å"Thrones are won with money and men, you fool!† (Sophocles, 47) Through this argument between the two, it is made clear that unlike Kreon, who has the ability to be accused and still not act rashly, Oedipus’ ego is severly hurt in the process. He believes that he is above the rest and assumes that Kreon and Tiresias think he is â€Å"Cowardly or stupid† (Sophocles, 47) Due to his hurt ego, he often steps down to sarcasm towards Kreon and Tiresias, for instance when Oedipus remarks â€Å"Then why didn’t our wonderful prophet, our Theban wizard denounce me as the murderer then?† (Sophocles, 49) Oedipu s becomes competitive, showing not only is he accusing without evidence, but that he is also insecure about his throne, despite all the pride he shows on the exterior unlike Kreon, who feels secure in his ability to share the power without the responsibility. Oedipus actually takes pride in being the man who holds the responsibilities for the citizens of Thebes. These incidents clearly show multiple instances where Kreon can be and is established as a foil to Oedipus. Kreon unquestionably complicates the character of Oedipus, by not only being the man who puts the pieces together throughout the play but also sets the dominoes falling. He is one character in this play who manages to create the conflict as well as initiates the action of the play. He is the one who ultimately leads Oedipus to walk into the trap of his own prophecy, through his subtlty, modesty and composure. Oedipus’ character is also complicated due to his overly emotional personality when dealing with a crisis situation, unlike Kreon who knows the difference between state and personal affairs. Oedipus is not only a complicated character because of his obvious fate but also because of his emotions. His restlessness in order to convict Kreon of crimes he did not commit shows that Oedipus has trouble facing the cold and hard truth, along with several other incidences thr oughout the play. Oedipus’ lack of faith in the gods, in contrast to Kreon’s undying faith, shows that Kreon was more reasonable of the two. This was an era in which gods were reverred. Kreon believed and respected the wishes of the gods and believed the prophecies made by Tiresias whereas Oedipus ridiculed them. .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .postImageUrl , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:hover , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:visited , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:active { border:0!important; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af { 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; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:active , .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .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; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue86a4c0ecd6fb79cd80b5f5e7bfe15af:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Drama Unit Conflict EssayDespite the complication of Oedipus’ character, it is still questionable if he would still be as complicated if it weren’t for Kreon. Through this play, it is very often noted that if Sophocles hadn’t used Kreon as a foil, the actions that take place with Oedipus such as the truth about his birth parents being revealed would seem rather bland as his emotions wouldn’t be as effective as they are because of Kreons lack of the same. In addition, if it weren’t for Kreon, the plot would never have moved forward. Sophocles created Kreon, specifically as a foil to contrast the differences of two rulers and what these rul ers’ decisions could do to the society they governed. He complicated the plot by using Oedipus as the ‘perfect’ ruler in the start only to bring him down later to set contrast. That being said, this play would not have had the effect it does if it weren’t for the complication of the plot that was added along with the complication of character through the use of Kreon.

The Potato Famine Essay Example For Students

The Potato Famine Essay We are talking about one of the greatest tragediesOf the nineteenth century.-Ian GibsonIrish-American. To some, this term merely designates one of the many ethnic groups which can be found in the United States; but to those who are Irish-American, it represents a people who faced a disaster of mammoth proportions and who managed to survive at great cost. The Great Hunger of 1845 changed, or more often, destroyed the lives of millions of Irish, causing them to seek refuge from poverty and starvation in other, more prosperous countries. However, not all countries would accept these victims of the Potato Famine. After an immense burst of Irish immigration to Great Britain, the British Parliament began to halt Irish migrants from entering the country. Thus, the only other land promising prosperity, liberty and an abundance of food was the United States. The potato crops failure caused millions to come to America hoping for a better life. Some never made it to America, others dispersed in to Canada, and some died upon arriving in the new land. However, they all contribute to the rich story found herein. We will write a custom essay on The Potato Famine specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Emigrants, by definition, were people who could somehow find enough money to pay the passage, very often both for themselves and their families, to Great Britain or America. The average Irish immigrant was from a rural area, most often from the provinces of Connacht and Munster (Akenson 36). This immigrant could read (three-fourths of all migrants were literate). This immigrant and his family dispersed into one of the large cities. Few wished to become American farmers after the famine, for it brought back memories of the old life (Bence-Jones 106). Many had dangerous jobs and experienced a poor quality of life. This immigrant settled somewhere along the Eastern seaboard. This created a strong social and political impact, because many Irish stayed together after the trip to America (Akenson 35). Due to this immigrants rural history, he became and unskilled laborer, or domestic servant. And, because of their poor state of destitution, the average American associated this average Irish immigrant with the decline of the United States (36). While the poor immigrant defined the average Irish-American, more migrants actually came from wealthier famine-affected countries in the north and east of Ireland (O Grada, Black 47 113). Thus, the famine produced a radical shift in the regional origin of Irish immigrants. Those who were very wealthy probably would not have been drastically affected by the famine whereas those who migrated the most. However, the poorer element from counties such as Clare, Kerry, and Mayo had weak representation in the area of migration after 1846 (114). Everything that happened in Ireland during nineteenth century has indeed been overshadowed by the catastrophe which overtook the country between 1845 and 1851. The Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1851 was one of the great catastrophes of the nineteenth century and divides modern Irish history. It was a disaster which poisoned Anglo-Irish relations for many generations to come, and had profound effects not only in Ireland itself, but in England and North America as well. Nineteenth-century Ireland was the most densely populated country in Europe: in 1800, its population was 4.5 million, and by 1841, it had risen to eight million (Kinealy 15). Yet much of this population existed in condition of sorrow and misery lay in the dependence of the peasantry on just one staple crop, the potato; in western countries like Mayo and Galway, nine-tenths of the people ate nothing else (MacManus 602). Here was a disaster waiting to happen, made worst by the rapid rise in population in the first half of the century which forced the peasants to subsist on smaller plots of land (O Grada, The Great Irish Famine 63). The authorities of Ireland were not blind to the peril, for there had been a serious blight of the potato as far back as 1817 when thousands had died, and in 1824, a government commission had identified chronic overdependence on the potato crop as a potential menace to the population (Kinealy 45). In 1844, there had been another serious blight when half the potato crop had been lost, so that the special hardiness of Irish peasants had allowed many to survive (Percival 120). Hopes were high in the summer of 1845, however, when there was every sign of a fine, healthy crop of potatoes. But the weather that summer was curious and, in retrospect, sinister. Summer heat was mingled with thunderstorms, mists, and big variations in temperature unusual in Ireland (Kinealy 44). So a superstitious peasantry wondered what lay in store for them. The first rumors of blight came from Cork in June, but as late as August peasants and farmers still expected a bumper crop of what they call praites (66). By mid-September, all this had changed. The whole potato plant was changed into a filthy, odorous black mush, all the more appalling because the crop had seemed so healthy. Desperate people, seeing a years supply of food disappearing before their eyes, cast about for an explanation, and came up with bizarre ones which made the moon, fog, frost, easterly winds, and even the electricity from the summer storms responsible (O Grada, Black 47 79). The true villain in this tragedy was a humble fungus called Phytophthora infestans, brought to Ireland by ship from America which, unknown to peasantry, infested first the soil and then the potato plants. Because they did not, and could not in the state of existing scientific knowledge, know this, the peasants attempted to save their crops by hauling them out of the ground to dry or cutting away seemingly healthy bits to eat (Bence-Jones 106). In their ignorance this was understandable, because the leaves of the plant had black spots with a whitish mould underneath, and they could not know that once the fungus had established itself, both potato and stalk were doomed. Equally incomprehensible was the sinister speed with which the blight spread, so that by early 1846 every county in Ireland was affected. In fact, wind, rain, and insects carried the fungus spores to other potato plants (Kinealy 58). .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .postImageUrl , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:hover , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:visited , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:active { border:0!important; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 { 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; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:active , .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .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; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0 .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2307fe6b9f5621213a1161ac3fc9edc0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Drug Abuse and Reprocussions Thereof EssayThe impact of the total blight of the potato crop on the Irish population was devastating. In desperation, people tried to find other materials to eat. Mussels and other seafood were more vehemently seized at the coast, and sheep stealing increased markedly (O Grada, The Great Irish Famine 63). Some lucky ones caught wild game; others tried eating plants. But nothing could fill the gap left by the stricken potato. In Irelands dire emergency, the Catholic archbishop of Dublin called for prayers in all Catholic churches that God would ease the calamity upon them. The British authorities were not unaware of the extent of the problem in Ireland. However, from the outset, the British government was completely unprepared for the massive scale of disaster. The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, was a reasonable man, and thus he ordered a scientific commission to inquire immediately into the causes of the blight (MacManus 603). This produced useless advice for starving Irish, and it also contributed to the quick depletion of Britains Irish relief fund. Peel reverted to more practical measures, but ones that were entrapped in the bleak economy theory of the day. This was called political economy, and was the most extreme form imaginable of market economies; it meant that in no circumstances might the government interfere with the market, and no doctrine could have been less suited to the Irish crisis of the 1840s (Bence-Jones 106). This system forbade the giving of food to the starving Irish because such an action would be an interference with natural market laws, and interfere with prices so that merchants would hold back from the market. Nonetheless, Peel knew that by the beginning of 1846, a quarter of the population was on the verge of starvation, and something had to be done (Macintyre 228). However, none of Peels, nor any other British administrators, actions had any major effect on the starving Irish. The British dealt with the crisis by conducting misdeed after misdeed, misspending after misspending, and blunder after blunder. The funds designated for helping the Irish did anything but that: they were used for futile attempts of reviving the potato crop and employing Irish farmers to do frivolous, useless work. To make matters worse, Parliament put into effect harsh laws upon the poor in Ireland. These laws include the Vagrancy Act, which stated that if one was found idly wandering with no means of support, he was imprisoned. Also, the British foreclosed many houses with no justification, which caused many people to be sent to jail in lieu of the Vagrancy Act. Realizing that staying in Ireland was, in effect, digging their own graves, droves of Irish fled the country, looking for a better place (MacManus 606). There was a strong British influence in the migration of the Irish. In December of 1846, British Prime Minister Lord John Russell, evaluated that nothing can effectually and immediately save the country without an extensive emigration. (Percival 119). Emigration to Britain became overwhelmed and began to send the Irish back. This was devastating to the poorest of the migrants because it was extremely cheap to travel to Great Britain. While Britain was sending boats full of Irish back home, America continued to accept them (125). This is why so many migrated directly to the United States; they knew that they would be accepted without question. Two contributing factors caused the Irish-Americans to be the slowest in making the transition between laborer and non-laborer in the U.S. Firstly, because they arrived with little or no means of living and support, due to the ravishing famine (O Grada, Black 47 109). Secondly, most of the skilled workers were the first to migrate, and were accepted by Great Britain. The Potato Famine greatly altered the patterns in which the Irish migrated. Between 1821 and 1851, 42% of all U.S. immigrants were Irish (Akenson 36). The number of immigrants prior to the famine was small. 700,000 arrived in the U.S. between 1820 and 1840, which averages about 35,000 every year (Bence-Jones 105). The famine caused these statistics to greatly increase: 1,700,000 immigrated in the next 20 years (Bence-Jones 105). By 1850, 26% of New Yorks population was Irish. In 1851, four years after the height of the famine, immigration had reached a peak of 216,000 people in one year (105). By 1855, Irish-Americans made up one-fifth of Bostons population (105). Long-term effects can be seen by the fact that by 1860, 5% of the American population had Irish ancestry (Akenson 35). The Great Famine also had an effect on the demography of migration. In 1846, 6.1% of all Irish immigrants were farmers. From 1846 to 1851, 11.2% were farmers (O Grada Black 47 110). The famine also altered family migration. 50.8% of those reaching New York in 1846 traveled with at least one other person having the same last name, compared to the 57.9% who reached New York between 1847 and 1851 (108). Another unique aspect of the famine-inspired immigration is the ratio of male/female immigrants. There were equal numbers of Irish men and Irish women who migrated to the U.S. between 1846 and 1851 (Akenson 35). This is because the only escape for women was emigration: this was their only means of getting a job or getting married. Both of these occurrences would ensure the womans financial stability. .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .postImageUrl , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:hover , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:visited , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:active { border:0!important; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 { 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; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:active , .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .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; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6 .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua0c50b9009f21d838c725f29460527e6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Academic CHeating EssayDespite these astounding numbers, not all migrants were fortunate enough to experience life in the new world. 6,100 people died on the voyage across the ocean. 4,100 people died on their arrival to the world of promise and prosperity. 5,200 people would die after being admitted to a U.S. hospital. And 1,900 people would die in the city or town in which they planned on building their new life (MacManus 610). Not all immigrants arrived in America by direct passage. There were many backdoor entrances to the U.S. made by Irish. Canada was controlled by Britain at the time, and was more that happy to allow Irish to travel downriver from Canada for free. The British went so far as to offer free passage across the ocean to Canada in order to not only rid Canada of Irish, but also the motherland itself (Akenson 37). Despite the fact that millions of people migrated from Ireland because they thought of it as a solution to the famine, it actually was not. Emigration was not an effective form of disaster relief because it did not target those who were at greatest risk of dying (111). This is because those were at the greatest risk of dying were usually the poorest of the peasants. By the time they realized they had to leave Ireland, it was already too late for them. They were without land, without money, without food, and without energy. Statistics show that for emigration to have been a truly effective remedy during the famine, the out migration from the poorer counties would gave to have been much higher (O Grada, The Great Irish Famine 121). The famine triggered off a population decline that lasted in Ireland as a whole until the 1900s and in many rural areas until current times. This is often seen as the famines most important legacy. The famine certainly provided the spur, but the persistence of population decline is perhaps better explained as the consequence of how low living standards were in Ireland prior to 1845. The post-1845 exodus was due to the pull of outside forces in the sense that it persisted despite rising living standards at home (130). The famine meant that emigration peaked earlier in Ireland than in other countries participating in the great trans-Atlantic voyage. The Irish outflow was so greatremoving one third to one half of each rising generationthat it provoked repeated warnings of depopulation (134). The Irish emigration rate declined more or less steadily in the post-famine century, and the proportion of those born in Ireland living abroad had peaked by the turn of the century (Perceval 138). In the end, however, the Potato Famines effect on Irish migration had positive long-term results (Solnit 31). Although the great majority of the famine immigrants remained poor, later generations were better equipped and found that previous generations had paved a more receptive environment for them (MacIntyre, 112). In American cities they could attend flourishing Catholic churches with large Irish congregations; they could read Irish newspapers and seek work with city councils dominated by Irish politicians. Some new arrivals went into business and prospered. Many men joined the city service departments, the police, the fire service, while many women became teachers (MacManus 44). Irish people gradually became accepted as respectable American citizens. The prejudice diminished, and then slowly disappeared. Ironically enough, the United States was the cause of the Potato Famine, yet it was also a solution. What if that fate-altering American ship never traveled to Ireland, thus not introducing the fungus to the Irish potato crop? Irish-Americans would not be the same, and would have little power in todays world. Not only was the famine immigration important to Irish contemporaries because it was their only chance of survival, but it was also important for Irish contemporaries of present because the original Irish-Americans suffered in order to make their descendents lives better today. WORKS CITEDAkenson, Donald Harman. The United States and Ireland,Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1973. Bence-Jones, Mark. The Remarkable Irish, New York: DavidMcKay Company, Inc., 1966. Kinealy, Christine. The Great Calamity: The Irish Famine,Boulder: Roberts Rhinehart Publishers, 1995. MacIntyre, Angus. The Liberator: Daniel OConell and the Irish Party, New York: The MacMillan Company, 1965. MacManus, Seumas. The Story for the Irish Race, Old Greenwich: The Devin-Adair Company, 1979. OCathaoir, Brendan. Famine Diary, Dublin: Irish AcademicPress, 1999. O Grada, Cormac. Black 47 and Beyond, Princeton UniversityPress, 1999. . The Great Irish Famine. Cambridge University Press, 1999. Percival, John. The Great Famine: Irelands Potato Famine,New York: Viewer Books, 1995. Solnit, Rebecca. A Book of Migrations. New York: Verso, 1997. Somerville, Alexander. Letters from Ireland During the Famine of 1847, Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1994.

Aspects of Social Class Mobility in lower class †Sociology Essay

Aspects of Social Class Mobility in lower class – Sociology Essay Free Online Research Papers Aspects of Social Class Mobility in lower class Sociology Essay The term â€Å"class† and â€Å"class social mobility† came into wide use in early 19th century, replacing term of rank or order as hierarchical groups in society after the industrial and political revolutions of last 18th century. Social mobility refers to a change in social position over time. This may involve a change in job or occupational, social class or status, educational level, income level, or wealth. Today, the boundaries between classes are loosened and people in various classes have been able to do what they want to enjoy, even buy luxuries. Consequently it may be difficult to distinguish people’s status in terms of the things they have, clothes they wear, a color of their skin (Scott. J Leonhardt. D, 2005). However, it is still true that our society is affected significantly through the influence of the class. Some believe that it is easy to raise their class through large scale mobility and it loose class structure rendering a culture more uniform. On the other hand, some argue that they experience difficulties of mobility to move up to upper class under inequality. According to the New York Times’ survey (2005), 66% of Americans think that rising living standards in America have generated significant changes in the class system compared to their parents’ generation. A general diminution of class differences has resulted from higher standards of living, greater social mobility, and more opportunities. Today, the ranks of the elite and upper class are opening more and many people are taking up its position based on their effort and good education. In fact, the New York Times’ survey (2005) on ‘income by education’ shows clear tendency that higher education brings much more income than lower education level. For example, Bill Clinton spent poor childhood in a small town with his stepfather who was a gambler and an alcoholic. However he was a great student in school and do his best. He won a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford in England. After attending Oxford, Clinton obtained a Juris Doctor degree fro m Yale Law School and finally became a president of the U.S.A. So, most people commonly believe that good education and hard work are more important than wealthy background, which let them raise economic status and move to up to upper class (Scott. J Leonhardt. D, 2005). Some believe that they have equal opportunity as people who wealthy backgrounds because they have various opportunities to get scholarships and loan when they are eager about better education. Liebau(2005) notes that race, gender, religion, and even sexual preference, are not the stumbling blocks that they might have been just 50 years ago. People belonging to various groups believe that the American dream works. On the other hand, some people believe that it is still difficult to achieve mobility by overcoming a poor background. On Liebau’ article(2005), she reported, â€Å"Americans have limited social mobility and limited prospects because of income inequalities. Because income inequality is greater, there is a wider disparity between what rich and poor parents can invest in their children†(para5). Therefore, the lower class, which consists of about 20% of the population, are under a lack of wealth, power, and educational opportunities, compared to the higher class. Lower class people are arguing that, generally, they are poorly funded for college education by the government; less provided with Internet service, and that they suffer from low literacy and lack other employment skills, and so on. They are complaining about the rising cost of Medical insurance and education tuition which have resulted in paying more money to George W. Bush government and interrupt their economic al mobility. Also, sometimes those who attempt to rise or maintain a high position are kept back by invisible factors, such as racism, gender issues, and unequal opportunities and most of these people think it is still working significantly though all social class. Recently, inequality seems to be increasing between highly educated and poorly educated people and most American sense that they live within an extremely complicated system of social classes. People tend to think that social class is either equal or unequal with focusing on a narrow aspect of the phenomenon. Therefore, they may have various aspects and complains about these complicated social classes. Nevertheless, they still believe that the class system has changed, since extensive welfare and greater social mobility have resulted from changes in society structure. Because society cannot be a perfect well organized system, equality and inequality take place anytime anywhere. Therefore, American dream would be achieved when people are really eager for a faith of mobility with hard work and good education. [108.01 class] Why do international students come to America? They also believe American dream is working†¦. Reference: Fussell, P. (1992). A touchy subject. Class: A Guide Through The American Status System. Retrieved January 29, 2006, from pbs.org/peoplelikeus/resources/essays6.html Liebau, P. C (2005). Class in america. Carol Platt Liebau. Retrieved January 29, 2006, from http://carollienbau.blogspot.com/2005/05/class-in-america.html Scoot, J., Leonhardt, D. (2005, November 29). Does class still matter?. New Youk Times, 10-13. Social Structure of the United State. (2006, January 15). Wikipedia. Retrieved January 29, 2006, from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Social_structure_of _the_United_States Tse, A., Werschkul, B. (2005). How class work. New York Times. Retrieved February 5,2006, from nytimes.com/packages/html/national/20050515_CLASS_GRAPHIC/index_01.html Research Papers on Aspects of Social Class Mobility in lower class - Sociology EssayStandardized Testing19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesHip-Hop is ArtPETSTEL analysis of IndiaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfResearch Process Part One

Expert Interview with Steve Frederick Should You Get a Career Coach

Expert Interview with Steve Frederick Should You Get a Career Coach Steve Frederick has a unique perspective on hiring; as an executive career coach for Lucrative Careers, he helps people find the jobs that better fit their lives, one client at a time. He discussed hiring and careers with us in this interview. What’s the role of a career coach?First, helping clients to find their way in a rapidly-changing job market. He or she helps the client to get in touch with what they want to do, to find where they can do it and to get the satisfaction and the money they need.Second, assisting the client in marketing him or herself. Many people have been busy working, and they haven’t had to articulate what it is that they do. But unless they do that well, both verbally and on paper, their chances of getting hired drop precipitously. I once spent a whole hour with an engineer to get just one one-minute story about an accomplishment into plain English.Third, provides training in how to network effectively: How do I get in to see the people I need t o talk to; what do I say while I’m there; and how do I get them to refer me to others?Fourth, helping clients to use their time effectively. The longer the search goes on, the more expensive it is in dollars, energy expended and negative impact on self-esteem. One woman, for example, had been out of work for a year, despite being very accomplished and personable. She also had been â€Å"networking† like crazy. She was keeping Starbucks profitable with all the coffees she had scheduled. We found, though, that she was just randomly talking to people she met at job search groups. In the year that she had been out of work, she hadn’t talked to anyone in her industry.Fifth, support to help clients keep going when things get tough. It’s a very difficult process that can be brutal on people’s self-esteem. Many times, people get discouraged; some want to give up.Sixth, accountability to keep the process moving. It’s easy to be â€Å"busy† wit hout getting the important things done.Seventh, salary negotiation help to ensure that clients get paid well.Eighth, guidance to get off to a good start in the new job.Ninth, advice in office politics.Who should get a career coach? Is it for those new to the workforce? Getting back into it?Many people do fine without a career coach. On the other hand, many people benefit mightily. This includes people who:Are new to the workforce; most colleges teach next to nothing about how to actually get hired.Want to do something different, but don’t know what it is.Know what they want to do, but aren’t sure how to get there.Are in transition and frustrated that they’re not getting traction.Haven’t had to look for a job in some time.Are afraid they’ll lose their jobs.How can career coaching help find and keep a job?Finding a job: by giving them the tools they need to communicate about themselves effectively and the techniques they need to get in to see the peo ple who can help/hire them. Many people spin their wheels in job search. Here’s just a few things they do: have boring marketing materials that don’t communicate their value, go around asking people if they know of any openings, talk about themselves in clichà ©s, and not use their network to get beyond the people they already know.Oftentimes, we’ve been able to delay or prevent firing. Just one way we do this is helping clients to:Have conversations that repair damaged relationships with the boss. After testing the waters to see if this is a safe conversation, simply putting the cards on the table, saying, â€Å"This isn’t working. Can I have some time to look for another job? I’ll make sure I get everything done well, but wonder if I might have a flexible schedule to allow me to explore for other opportunities.†What do you see as the future of careers? Will we still go to an office, or will we be a nation of freelancers?I think people wil l always be working together. I would surely hope that we won’t ALL be reduced to sitting in rooms at home, pounding on keyboards all day long. That works for some, but others will wither and die.

Writing to evaluate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Writing to evaluate - Essay Example Recently, it has two international editions have been added due to its popularity. Cosmopolitan magazine is the market leader in its niche for three reasons: usefulness in giving practical tips, universal appeal, and over-all presentation. Many women find Cosmopolitan as a useful guide for their needs. For example, young adults like college students look for practical tips on choosing make-up products as well comparing evaluation of current beauty products. However, Cosmopolitan does more than that by suggesting local products than can be a substitute for expensive ones. In addition to, the magazine occasionally inserts samples products from some very willing companies due to its wider readership. Another evidence of Cosmopolitan’s usefulness is its articles that features practical tips for working women. Cosmo shares helpful advice on dressing up for an interview, answering interview questions, dealing with gossips in the workplace, handling a difficult boss, and even comparing advantages and disadvantages of an office relationship. In addition this, smart and savvy fashion suited for a career woman is also presented in the glossy pages of the magazine. They also like the humor and the career tips and consider Cosmopolitan a â€Å"Great Magazine for Adult Women† with lots of â€Å"Sexy Advice†. That is why 87% of 53 members of this forum referred this magazine to family and friends. ( viewpoints.com ) Cosmpolitan has a universal appeal to all readers since it also presents articles that women from any race, color or age can identify with. Aside from articles about career, Cosmopolitan also features interesting articles about relationships that all women find helpful. All kind of relationships are explored here including affairs and homosexual ones. In fact, Cosmopolitan has been engaged in controversial issues such as birth

Works and Oppinions of Sir William Arthur Lewis Research Paper

Works and Oppinions of Sir William Arthur Lewis - Research Paper Example W. Arthur Lewis’ most famous input to development economics was his revolutionary work on the movement of labor from a conventional to a contemporary industrial region in circumstances of limitless supplies of labor. His famous piece of writing, â€Å"Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour†, written in 1954, contributed to the foundation of development economics as a specific area of study. It concentrated on the methods of shifting excess labor from conventional movement to a contemporary industrial region in environment of unrestricted supply of labor. In his model, earnings in the contemporary industrialist sector are not verified by the output of labor, ‘but by its opportunity cost’2. A conventional non-industrialist operational atmosphere - variously included peasants, artisanal manufacturers as well as domestic servants - increased by residents demands in addition to the entry of females into the labor force, gives the industrial zone with limi tless supplies of labor, on a salary fairly over the survival point. As one observes development in the segment, employment increases and share of earnings in national income increases as well3. Ultimately, as excess labor is drained, the income rate increases. At this time, the economy traverses the borderline, from a dual to a single incorporated labor market, and actual earnings increases with growing output, in reference to conventional expansion models. Lewis’ model gives an idea about lesser incomes and scarcity in a labor surplus economy will carry on so long as the opportunity cost of labor to the industrial sector continues to stay low. It as well served as an argument for government-directed industrialization plans during the years 1950s and 1960s, something Lewis disagreed all the way through his involvement with the United Nations. Lewis pressed on the case for industrialization by indicating the comparative benefit of labor surplus nations in industrialized activ ity. â€Å"Presented in The Industrial Development of the Caribbean in the year 1951, his argument was based on the success of Operation Bootstrap in Puerto Rico, where he had advocated the production of manufactured goods for domestic, regional and metropolitan markets. It was a radical position at a time when the agrarian economies of the West Indies had been historically structured to provide agricultural and other primary commodities to the colonial powers†4. The blow of the ‘Great Depression’ on the West Indies was a determining power on Arthur Lewis. Lewis did not intend to be a doctor or a public prosecutor - the two conservative ways to increasing social mobility. He noticed that he would like to be an engineer, â€Å"but neither the colonial government nor the sugar plantations would hire a black engineer†5. At 18 years of age, he takes admission at the London School of Economics (LSE) to get a Bachelor of Commerce degree. There, he comes across e conomics, a subject matter he noted, neither he nor any person in St. Lucia had ever heard of previously; it appeared, though, to be homework for employment in trade or public management. London, during 1930s and 1940s, was the academic centre of anti-colonial efforts as well as the assembly ground of individuals, afterwards many of whom would turn out to be potential leaders of the recently autonomous states of Africa and Asia. Within London, meeting associates ‘anti-imperialists from all over the world’, started a organized study of the British colonial realm in addition to its. Lewis dealt with the crisis of

Problem of Personal Identity Essay Example for Free

Problem of Personal Identity Essay I. Introduction In this paper, I will investigate the Problem of Personal Identity. The particular scenario I will respond to is: Suppose that sometime in the future a crazy scientist creates a perfect clone of you. The clone has a qualitatively identical body to yours and has the same memories as you as well as same voice, character, and so on. How would yo convince a court of law that the clone is not really you? What theory of personal identity would help you to make your case (Rauhut, 2011, p. 125)? First I will clarify key terms, and then I will apply those terms in my analysis of the question. Then I will close out by reflecting on my conclusion and some insights I gained about the Problem of Personal Identity. II. Conceptual Clarification Qualitative identity is a state of identity by looking the same or having the â€Å"same properties† (p. 107). An example of qualitative identity is two cars that look the same, as in same red paint, same build of car body, same type and brand of tires, etc., but are not one and the same vehicle since there is more than one. In other words, two objects or persons can look very similar but be two different objects or persons. Numerical identity is the condition of being the same if and only if it is truly â€Å"one and the same† object or person (p. 108). For example, I have a glass of water that I set on the table. It is the only glass of water on the table and there is no one else around to put another glass on the table, thus when I come back to pick it up, it must be the same glass of water I had originally, and is numerically identical. In other words, if two objects or persons look very similar and even function very similar, they can only be numerically identical if they are one and the same object or person, and there is only one of the object or persons being described. The body theory is â€Å"often referred to as animalism;† identity conditions that â€Å"we are around as long as our physical bodies are around† (p. 114). The body theory is based on numerical identity, stating same body, same self. Even though the body may change through time, it is still numerically the same body and thus the same person that experiences through the body. For example, a childhood friend comes back to visit after a longtime of not seeing her. She does not look the same, but-though you probably wouldn’t do this upon seeing her again-her DNA and fingerprints match the friend you knew before, so they must be the same person. Memory theory is the theory that our psychological collection of experiences of different life stages enables us to be sure we are us. In other words, â€Å"we are connected to the past as long as the past is somehow resent within us, and we will be connected with or present in the future as long as we recall this present† or â€Å"as long as my memories are around, I am around† (p. 119). For example, the friend who comes to visit you remembers many of the things you both experienced together, and so you assume she is indeed the same friend you knew before. III. Analysis In this section, I will investigate the scenario of convincing a court of law that a cloned version of me is not really me. First I will briefly discuss the theories of personal identity and the arguments that may form to disprove that the clone is not me. I will then discuss my decisive theory which best supports my case, the body theory, and my reasoning for this. The memory theory would ultimately disprove that I am a separate person then my clone because the clone shares my numerically identical memories. The memories are ultimately one and the same, and remembered by us both. Memory theorists would argue that as long as my memories are around, then I am around, and the body is irrelevant. As the clone also shares my personality or character that formed from those remembered experiences, it causes the theory to be even more convincing. However, there are some issues that come into play, to include the problem of false memories. While my clone remembers all that I experienced, and remembers how each experience felt, these memories occurred before the clone existed. I can have memories of being Napoleon, but that does not mean I am Napoleon. Beliefs of reincarnation may come into play with these issues of memories before our physical existence, but with a clone, the case can be made with the help of the body theory and related science. The body theory best supports my case to prove my clone is a separate person from myself because of the science relative to the creation of my clone. We may be qualitatively identical and even have very near exactly replicated DNA, but small variations make all the difference. A cloned version of myself comes much later then my own self came into being, and thus must have been â€Å"speed-aged†, causing my clone to have a much shorter lifespan than I myself will have (Think quest, 2011). Since clones are a natural concept as well, as identical twins and triplets are basic clones, DNA can also be looked at for variations. Even Siamese twins, who are virtually one body, have variations in the DNA of their separated parts, showing they are indeed two different bodies even though those bodies are connected. The immune system of a cloned being is also less stable than the original being that has been copied; this issue appears to be caused from the â€Å"speed-aging† process, and the cloning of antibodies (Think quest). The main feature of our two beings, myself and my cloned self, that cause us to decisively be two very different persons, is our age and true physical experiences. The physical experience of the memories we share and when they occurred makes our character. Remembering being 5 years old does not make us five years old if we were grown in a lab and â€Å"seed-aged† to five years old in less than a week. Remembering my mother also does not make my cloned self my mother’s daughter. My mother knows only one of me, and would probably have a heart attack if suddenly two of me called her â€Å"mom†. If my original body is lost, my mother would mourn my loss rather than accept I am still here since my clone may still be here. IV. Reflection Insights into the Problem of Personal Identity gained include the science that makes the case for the body theory. Though the body theory essentially was the deciding theory in court to prove my clone is not myself, the memory theory has valid points of why the clone may in fact be myself in a different body. It is essentially logically possible, as it shows in movies, for me to switch bodies with someone and experience new memories without my body. While I did not discuss the soul theory, I also understand how one could argue the nonphysical form of self could continue on when the body dies and perhaps even later be reincarnated into a new body with past memories that body did not experience. However, that is for a different discussion and further investigation. These new insights can be applied in my everyday life, and my continuing to question what makes a person themselves. This will also enable me to better understand the reasoning behind various theories of reincarnation, scien tific study and the concept of cloning, and even the religious aspects to what makes a self that may be different from my own beliefs.