Intercultural Communication Essay

Comparison of the light that Catholicism was held in a century ago and its close correlation to the current treatment of Islam as a threat to the US is an important lesson learned from ‘Islam in America’. The close correlation and its replication in history considering that Islam is trying to expand in the US is an eye opener that makes one reconsider his position on the role played by Islam in terrorism and other vices that have been labeled as being closely related to the Islam faith. Another lesson that has been brought out by the article is the fact that more Arabs are Christians. Muslims, Arabs and injustice against America have in recent time been portrayed as being one and the same. Reading the article develops a clear collaboration between what can be considered wayward Islam and Arab Christianity in engaging in acts that are subversive for either Koran or bible dictates. The extreme differences that exist between different Islam groups are also brought out. To any one outside Islam the differences that exists in beliefs thus actions of Muslims and the development that have happened within Islam cannot be developed without having access to such eye opening information. Ida B. Wells, what a woman she was! Surprisingly I had never had of her existence even under black history catalogues. It is amazing how the influence of Wells was inspirational to the development of a number of organizations and uprisings that championed for equality yet her contribution has not even been documented by many writers and literatures. Another lesson from reading the article on her contribution to the liberation of African Americans is that President Lincoln actually placed an ultimatum for southerners to surrender or else lose their slaves. This version of American history is a realization of events within history that have carefully been concealed from the current generation to hide the dismay and inhumanity that past leaders currently held in awe as being great founders of America were involved in. Why is understanding history Important? Understanding the history behind a culture is important in developing a clear picture of events in the current society. Culture is considered a development from history that unluckily is in varied versions (Martin, & Nakayama, 2007); having a deeper understanding of experiences that define a community is thus important in objectively analyzing the different versions and coming up with a personal image. Moreover, without seeking an understanding of history the systems that have been placed to hide the truth may negatively affect one’s perception of events without and within his community (Martin, & Nakayama, 2007). Without understanding the differences that led to the development of different Muslim sects and the fact that they are of different ideologies one may be affected by the negative image that has been created by the media of Islam and terrorism. Without understanding the fact that America has historically been repulsive to entry of new religion one may be duped into believing that controversies surrounding Islam in the current society are a new development in American history. Abraham Lincoln and other great have had considerable effects on the current image of America. Realization that such a great could have made an absurd statement like ‘ surrender now or lose your slaves’ develops an appreciation of the fact that American leaders have had flaws and are not as perfect as modern literature portrays them to be. Appreciation of the role played by individuals whose names are not imprinted in American history or even black history in development that have been attained by African American is developed by Ida Wells’ biography. This develops an appreciation of the effects that individual can have on communities and even generations. Role in Competent Multicultural Communication Perception greatly affects the levels of efficiency that can be attained in human communication. Irrespective of the diversity that has been developed by forces of globalization the history of an individual whether formal or informal will always affect the perception he develops of others (Martin, & Nakayama, 2007). A multicultural communicator must be aware of his culture and the effects that it has on his cognition and others’ to ensure effective communication. An understanding of the differences that exist between cultures and therefore values is important in prior determination of areas of conflict in any given communication. Such information or knowledge is vital in addressing conflict areas in the best way possible. Management of conflicts that are inherent of communication between two communicating parties is affected by appreciation of their perception of each other. Addressing myths like it was the case in demystifying the role played by lynching in reducing African Americans’ role in raping white women and developing a clear difference that exists between Arabs ad Muslims is important in dealing with the negative effect that such have on intercultural communication. Language is part of a culture and unless intercultural communicators are appreciative of the differences in culture thus history has on perception (Martin, & Nakayama, 2007), conflicts in communication and even derivation of meaning that is core to communication becomes constrained.

Circumcision in South African Males vs Phillipino Males Essay

Compare and contrast the attitudes, beliefs and perspectives around a specific health issue amongst two different population groups, and consider the implications of this for clinical or community practice. Introduction A controversial health issue around the world is male circumcision. Male circumcision is the removal of part of or the entire foreskin on the penis and is a controversial topic in many countries and across many different religions. In this essay the beliefs, attitudes and perspectives of South African men will be compared those of Filipino men about medical male circumcision and traditional male circumcision. Traditional circumcisions are usually performed outside of formal medical settings by providers who have a special training but are not health care professionals. Medical circumcision alternatively is performed by a medical professional in a medical setting. According to the world health organisation (WHO), 30% of men worldwide have been circumcised, mostly in developing countries where it takes place for religious and cultural reasons (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2007a). Male circumcision is an important issue, especially in South Africa and the Philippines, as third world countries as it can be uses as a partial preventative measure against HIV infection. Description of population groups The two population groups I chose were South African men and Filipino men. I chose South African men as one of my population groups because while studying circumcision I noticed there was a lot of literature on the topic in relation to South Africa and surrounding nations and the effects it has on preventing HIV transmission. I found this population group interesting because in South Africa even though there is clear benefits in reducing HIV transmission and great publicity around the benefits only 35% of men were circumcised (WHO, 2007a). Furthermore in researching this topic I discovered multiple reasons why men chose to get circumcised, one reason was purely so they weren’t uncircumcised witch I found strange. This was the case in the Philippines, where 90% of all men are circumcised, and most saying there reason for being circumcised was so they weren’t uncircumcised (Lee, 2006). I found this reasoning interesting and decided to explore this culture for my second population group. If circumcision can reduce the chances of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as reduce penile cancer it is important to understand different cultures beliefs and attitudes toward the procedure to encourage circumcision within the culture. It is also good to understand why some cultures have such high rate of circumcision compared to other cultures and countries as it may help develop strategies to promote circumcision countries with lower rates. South Africa In South Africa 57. 2% of circumcised men had traditional circumcisions and 42. 8% were medically circumcised (Connolly, Simbayi, Shanmugam, & Nqeketo, 2008). Amongst this circumcised population, the majority of the medically circumcised men were white (97. 8%) or Indian (92. 8%), compared with traditional circumcision which was mostly Black South Africans (Connolly et al. , 2008). In South Africa, more specifically within the Black South African community circumcision is done for religious and cultural reasons (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009). It is seen as a ritual that marks the passage from boyhood to manhood for the adolescent. The process usually requires boys to spend about a month in induction camps in seclusion away from women and outsiders. If they fail there initiation into man hood they are believed to be stuck as a boy for the rest of their life. The ritual is considered by the community as a sacred custom (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009). Traditionally this ritual involved traditional circumcisions and traditional initiation, however more recently some communities have allowed medical circumcision followed by traditional initiation into manhood. However there is a hostile relationship between men who were traditionally circumcised and men who were medically circumcised. While most men acknowledge medical circumcision is safer and know the benefits it has in helping prevent HIV and sexually transmitted disease, they fear that they will be ridiculed by peers and stigmatised as â€Å"cowards† and not viewed as â€Å"real men† for having the procedure done under anaesthesia (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009, p. 91). They believe that the pain makes the boys courageous, strong men and is a passage into manhood, where they can have a wife and kids. Philippines On the other hand, in the Philippines very few men are circumcised for religious or cultural reasons. Boys are usually circumcised between the ages of five and eighteen with most being circumcised between ten and fourteen (Lee, 2006). Most boys report being circumcised just so they are not uncircumcised, to avoid teasing and stigma in the community. Many Filipino men believe women prefer circumcised males, and therefor to be masculine and have a wife and children it is preferable to be circumcised. Similar to South African beliefs Filipino boys become circumcised because they do not want to be seen as â€Å"cowards† for not having the courage to go through the pain and anxiety associated with the process (Lee, 2006, p. 228). Filipino men also report getting circumcised because it was their parent’s orders or they were threatened with a beating if they chose not to or because it was just normal for a boy his age to and his friends were getting it done. Many men report being nervous for the procedure but excited to achieve the man hood they have anticipated. Most of the Filipino men submit to this social culture because they want to be seen as masculine and not as a coward. It is a social phenomenon, propelled by individuals need to conform and gain acceptance through this procedure by acquiring a range of masculine related traits and opportunities (Lee, 2006). Comparison of population groups While the two countries have different religions and cultural views, the striking similarity between the two population groups is that they both view the practice of circumcision and the pain and anxiety associated with this process as empowering to the men. Fulfilment of this ritual enhances psycho-social health because it frees them of ridicule and stigma as a â€Å"coward† (Lee, 2006, p. 228). Being circumcised means men from both cultures are considered masculine and therefore allows them to carry out tasks that are believed to be masculine such as having a family. However circumcision in South Africa is seen as a rite of passage and a sacred ritual that allows boys to become me and usually occurs later in life around the age of seventeen to twenty-one but even as late as twenty-six (Mavundla, Netswera, Bottoman, & Toth, 2009). Whereas, in the Philippines the procedure is more of a social trend, done because everyone else is getting it performed. It is also performed much earlier, most commonly between the age of ten and fourteen in the Philippines. South Africa have a more spiritual and deeper reasoning for having the procedure done, men display a deeper more conscious reasoning for having the procedure compared to Filipino men, who tend to follow the social trend (Mavundla et al. , 2009). With so many Filipino men circumcised (90%) the social trend hold strong and the even with new information about risks and benefits the majority continue to get the procedure done (Lee, 2009), while in South Africa with more information coming out more people are opting for medical circumcision with over 130 000 medical circumcisions being performed in 2010 (WHO, 2011). There is a growing trend in South Africa to have medical circumcision, whereas in the Philippines the process in considered outside the general realm of medicine and therefore is not performed in medical settings. While they have different culture and beliefs, and go about performing the procedure differently there main motive to be masculine is common amongst both population groups. Conclusion The advantages associated with being circumcised show great potential to help lower the rates of HIV and sexually transmitted disease in South Africa if more men are circumcised. The cultural transition into manhood is a barrier to overcome as medical circumcision is believed to interfere with this process. If however medical circumcision became more of a social norm as it is viewed in the Philippines, more boys would be inclined to have the procedure to fit in with the rest of the community.  The social normality of the process seems to have a greater influence on boy’s preference then cultural or religious reasons, as 90% of Filipino men are circumcised compared to 35% of South African men (Lee, 2006; WHO, 2007a). Guidelines South Africa: * Conducting community based education and information sessions on the health risks and problems associated with traditional circumcision, and how allowing medical circumcision followed by traditional initiation can reduce these risks. Train more male nurses who can perform the circumcision since most nurses in South Africa are female and boys going through initiation are not allowed contact with women because if they see women during this time they fail there initiation into man hood. * Understand the community’s rationale for the ritual circumcision and work with the community to find alternative solutions together, and trying to help reduce the stigma associated with men being medically circumcised with alternative ays to prove their strength. Philippines: * Developing circumcision clinics throughout the Philippines where boys can have the procedure performed in proper hygienic conditions. * Giving boys information about the risks and benefits of the procedure so they can more meaningfully decide to have to procedure done * Explain the procedure, and offer pain medication so that boy don’t have to feel so nervous about what is happening and have a better understanding of what going to happen.

Gender issues in Friel Play Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gender issues in Friel Play - Essay Example The literature discussion in this paper will focus on Friel’s play: Gender issues are as important as memory in Friel’s play, from Helen Lojek’s article the Dancing at Lughnasa and The Unfinished Revolution. The paper will use external literally articles to support the above argument. The paper will use the external article Brian Friel, Dancing at Lughnasa by Suman Gupta while focusing on the topic to assert the truth in the statement. Gender issues command a great influence in social lifestyle as described by Lojek and Gupta their articles. Lojek introduces her article by describing the views she observed in Brian Friel play about gender inequality. Friel (1993:46) observed the women struggle in the Irish Republic and indicated that societal revolution has yielded very little in creating equal opportunity for women (Lojek, 2007:79). The religious paternalism and secularisation that is evident in the society has not revolutionised the women world; instead, it has subjected them to social imbalances where women are symbols of insignificant ideals. The cultural trend in the Irish society promoted legislations that subjected women to roles within their homes. These cultural trends did not only infringe the advancement of women bright within their home boundaries, but also within the whole nation. Preservation of equality in the Irish society was equally hard because of the cultural influence. Lojek (2007:80) observed that despite the constitutional declaration in 1922, women could not rise from the bondage of culture to enjoy the newfound freedom that set them free from the tyrannical gender perception. Lojek (2007:80) pointed on the early work of Friel in which the central focus was the father son relationship. The relationship inspires the play while setting trends for women to follow. Women had limited choices to make especially when it came to making controversial decisions that were outside the home boundary. The play of Friel is a revela tion about the societal perception about how gender is instrumental to civilisation. The society could not make steps without the contribution of women, yet it does not appear in Friel play that the same society acknowledged women efforts. The cultural perceptions created patriarchal system where gender perception characterised the choice that the society made. Concerning this, Friel could not miss to acknowledge the characteristics of the Irish community as described by Lojek in her article. The documentations of gender related issues have given rise constitution amendment, which aimed at transforming the society into a much better place for human survival. The traditional trends in the Irish community promoted the male gender bias as opposed to equality centred community. Gupta described societal inclinations in her article by focusing on human activities shaped by gender perception. In particular, Gupta (2012:242) observed the social trends in Ireland in relation to gender and re marked that the social trends were subject to gender inclination. The same would apply to the views projected by Friel. The society has defined its social chores with respect to gender, thus a woman place would be the kitchen. The same trend was applicable during the world war where male gender was subject war while the female gender was subject to duties within their homes. The correlation that exists between two paradigms is the place of gender in relation an individual position in the society. The participation of women in political activities as well as running church matters is a concern that Lojek has addressed in her article. She posits that women do not participate in political affairs of their countries or geographical origins (Lojek, 2007:83). The same trend seems to apply in churches. Women are critical to the societal growth at whatever level, however, the society does not seem to recognise their role in steering the societal ideals. Politics is crucial to development so cial ideals because it influences

Discuss why Hybrid Cars are negative to the Envirornment Research Paper

Discuss why Hybrid Cars are negative to the Envirornment - Research Paper Example Hybrids, formally referred to as hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), infer automobiles powered by both petroleum products and electricity. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) employ a number of power sources to fuel movement. In the case of HEVs, the automobiles may be propelled by a combination of traditional gasoline or diesel with an electric battery that can be plugged in a peripheral power source (Anderson and Anderson 115). Electricity mainly supplements petroleum products as a prime power source, which in turn, yields fewer emissions and an enhanced gas mileage. The overriding perception within the car market industry is that hybrid or electric cars are environmentally benign. To some extent this is true as there are several benefits to purchasing a hybrid car; however, one should be conscious of some of the potential negative environmental influences of hybrid cars. If one takes the overall environmental cost of a vehicle right from design to its dismantling or recycling, hybrid-electric vehicles do not reasonably match the hype that they are presently getting (Phukidides par.1). Although hybrids are perceived as clean technology by a majority of people, hybrids with an internal combustion engine still generate pollutants to the environment. Similarly, the electricity generated to recharge the batteries and power the vehicles may be produced through â€Å"dirty technology† such as burning fossil fuels. The long-term impacts of hybrid cars to the environment include destructive impacts of battery waste disposals, and landfill contributions. Disposing of the batteries when they have outlived their worth also poses some environmental risks. Moreover, the metal components used in making the batteries may be processed and manufactured with diverse degrees of environmental risks (Anderson and

Polishing a Written Agreement Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10750 words

Polishing a Written Agreement - Thesis Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chapter One Description of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter Two Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Chapter Three The Proposed Intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Chapter Four The Intervention Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Chapter Five Data Collection Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Chapter Six Summary of Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Chapter One Description of the Problem Statement of the Purpose In presenting the purpose of the project, it is important to lay down the premises at the outset. As stated in the abstract, the thesis is about the Keyholder Agreement. It is a bilateral written covenant although there are actually three parties, GE Security, Inc., the key-holder and the Organization to where the key-holder belongs. Owing to concerns about the perception that the Keyholder Agreement has become lengthy or complicated or both after a considerable period of time, it is advisable to review this written contract. Apparently, the purpose of this project is to therefore see if there is a need to either (a) simplify and make clearer the Keyholder Agreement especially to the key-holders, (b) or shorten the Keyholder Agreement,...(Daly, David T. Five Ways to Make a Contract More Understandable: A Lesson from the Mackinac Bridge. Plain Language.[internet]). It is thus pragmatic to use the language and content structure which are best understood by the executing parties without sacrificing the substance of the instrument. In the present case, the subject is the so-called Keyholder Agreement which has to be studied and analyzed in order to arrive at the suggestion of whether or not to revise, modify or amend it. In presenting the purpose of the project, it is important to lay down the premises at the outset. As stated in the abstract, the thesis is about the Keyholder Agreement. It is a bilateral written covenant although there are actually three parties, GE Security, Inc., the key-holder and the Organization to where the key-holder belongs. Owing to concerns about the perception that the Keyholder Agreement has become lengthy or complicated or both after a considerable period of time, it is advisable to review this written contract. Apparently, the purpose of this project is to therefore see if there is a need to either (a) simplify and make clearer the Keyholder Agreement especially to the key-holders, (b) or shorten the Keyholder Agreement, (c) or simplify the Keyholder Agreement, make it clearer and shorten it. At this point, it is pertinent to stress that the subject contract, coming from GE Security, Inc., is on

Henry Hill in Film of Goodfellas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Henry Hill in Film of Goodfellas - Essay Example A crucial example supporting this is the lifestyle that he led, which was full of riches. In addition, he himself claimed that he had always wanted to belong to a gang and it would have been a better achievement than being the President of the United States. In most instances, he had people supporting his actions and encouraging him, which meant that it would not be easy for him to leave the life. In fact, at one time, fully aware of the actions that Hill was involved in, his wife’s mother put up her house as bail so that Hill could leave jail. This is relentless support for crime and heinous actions in the society. This shows a huge difference between the films of the 60s where the gangs had no friends and the family members did not condone their behavior and could even have them arrested. Such actions bring many differences in the films that were produced between the 60s and the 90s. Therefore, Henry Hill is not portrayed as a villain that the audience wanted to see lose but one that was viewed as a hero. In fact, the audience wants them to succeed, when analyzing the storyline critically. Among the motives that prompted him to explore into criminality is money. He always wanted to live a good life and through crime, he managed to make enough to live expensive lifestyles. In addition, he wanted to make a name for himself in a neighborhood that he termed as ‘full of nobodies’. This can be taken to mean that he wanted to enter a social class of the group of people who were rich through the easiest ways available regardless of the morality involved. This depicts a desire for materialism. His main reason was to avoid being poor. This movement into crime seems justified to him because he had very many reasons to justify himself.

Girl Before Mirror by Pablo Picasso Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Girl Before Mirror by Pablo Picasso - Assignment Example Attention is mainly drawn towards the face of the girl in the painting which is a natural focal point. This is emphasized through painting one half yellow and surrounding the head with an oval of white and green that separates it from the rest of the busy pattern in the background while providing adequate visual weight that creates equilibrium in the form of the mirror. The proportions are also modified in such a manner that makes the facial attributes of the girl occupy the whole space of her head. Her head that is depicted as having yellowish hair and her half-yellow expression is portrayed as the lightest part of the picture as it is the main light source. Attention is drawn to the body that has been divided in a vertical manner, through the use of cool and pale hues that are started by darkened shapes and lines. The left half is dressed in a stripped garment, possibly a bathing suit, while the right side is bare. The manner in which the stomach is swollen suggests an element of c hildbearing as well as renewal of life. Her biology is stressed in the image that appears in the mirror as her belly is reflected in a confident manner. Attention is attracted to this part of the painting through a rapid shift in value as since the rest of the mirror image is darkened, the breasts and the belly are lighter. The painting, which is vertically oriented and standing at more than five feet, depicts the image of a girl and her reflection occupying almost the whole working area. The girl in the painting is not scale down.

What are the main barriers to effective interpersonal communication Essay

What are the main barriers to effective interpersonal communication and how might they be overcome - Essay Example (Agricultural Communications, 1999) Emotion is a strong force. When people are emotional, it usually makes communication ineffective because they cannot think clearly. For instance, a person who is very angry might use words that show frustration and anger that might end up delivering the wrong message to the recipient. Moreover, sometimes, the recipient might only hear the words, but miss out the feelings attached to them. For instance, â€Å"I am not bothered† might project unhappiness, fear, boredom, or other similar feelings. It is therefore very important for the recipient to not only hear the words being communicated, but also to combine the words and the feelings together in order to understand the message properly. It is also possible that a person, overpowered by emotions, may have his or her mind made up before the communication even starts (Samson & Daft, 2003). For example, an individual who is angry about a subject and about to start an argument with somebody on that very topic will not be ready to compromise on his beliefs. This will make the other person’s efforts of communication ineffective and communication will fail. Each person is different. Due to the different background of experiences in life, every person has a different and unique way of looking at the world. In other words, everyone has a different perception of things around him or her. When a person receives a message, he has a unique way of interpreting the message based on his learning and understanding. This difference in perception can become a barrier for effective communication. (Agricultural Communications, 1999) This barrier can be characterized by a lack of common experience. This also includes the difference in lack of common linguistics. If the parties are not familiar with each others’ languages and vocabularies, then communication will not be effective. Moreover, it is important to understand that a difference in

Biomedical stent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Biomedical stent - Essay Example The manufacturing of stents is usually conducted in a careful method that a features the use of highly complex and advanced processes in order to meet the requirements. Some of the common methods that are used in the manufacture of stents include the identification of the optimal materials to be used in the manufacture. The choice of material is of supreme value because it determines the effectiveness of the product. A poorly chosen optimal raw material would lead to cases of maladjustment with the results that the stent would be ill suited to perform the kind of task for which it was designed. Laser cutting techniques feature prominently in the manufacture of stents (Shrivastava 25). The use of laser is necessary for the purposes of ensuring precision. The laser cutting processes usually involves the application of complex geometries that are determined by the minute measurements applied within the process. Cardiovascular, peripheral, or neurovascular blood vessels are some of the vessels that often receive the support of stents for purposes of support and scaffolding. Stents also apply in providing solutions to some natural passages gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, which are often prone to diseases and conditions that affect the processes of natural flow within them (Shrivastava 28). Depending on the tasks for which they are created, stents may differ in make, size, and orientation. Stainless CoCr and Nitinol or a combination of the two is some of the materials that are often used in the manufacture of stents. The choice of material used in the manufacture of stents is usually determined by the nature and place of usage. Generally, coronary and peripheral stents are made of stainless while neurovascular, carotid, and biliary stents rely more on Nitinol material for their manufacture (Shrivastava 43). The major differences in these stents are defined in

Use and develop systems that promote communication Essay Example for Free

Use and develop systems that promote communication Essay Learning outcome 1: Be able to address the range of communication requirements in own role. 1.1 Review the range of groups and individuals whose communication needs must be addressed in own job role. Common groups and individuals that are present in the workplace that may have communication support needs could include: Resident’s with DEMENTIA Dementia is a progressive illness that over time will affect a persons ability to remember and understand basic everyday facts, such as names, dates and places. Dementia will gradually affect the way the person communicates. Their ability to present rational ideas and to reason clearly will change. Resident’s suffered from STROKE A stroke is an injury to the brain. The brain controls everything we do including everything we interpret and understand. A stroke can cause problems with communicating if there is damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language. These functions are controlled by the left side of the brain in most people. As the brain controls the opposite side of our body, many people who have communication problems after stroke also have weakness or paralysis on the right side of their body. Stroke can also cause communication problems if muscles of the face, tongue or throat are affected. It may result into communication problems like aphasia/dysphasia (difficulty in speaking), dysarthria (happens when a stroke causes weakness of the muscles you use to speak), and dyspraxia (condition that affects movement and co-ordination. Dyspraxia of speech happens when you cannot move muscles in the correct order and sequence to make the sounds needed for clear speech). Read more: Essay About Effectiveness of Different Communication Systems 1.2 Explain how to support effective communication within own job role. To the staff: Ask people how they prefer to be addressed and respect their wishes. Give people information about the service in advance and in a suitable format Dont assume you know what people want because of their culture, ability or any other factor – always ask. Ensure people are offered time to talk, and a chance to voice any concerns or simply have a chat. If a person using the service does not speak English, translation services should be provided in  the short term and culturally appropriate services provided in the long term. Staff should have acceptable levels of both spoken and written English. Overseas staff should understand the cultural needs and communication requirements of the people they are caring for. Staff should be properly trained to communicate with people who have cognitive or communication difficulties. Schedules should include enough time for staff to properly hand over information between shifts. Involve people in the production of information resources to ensure the information is clear and answers the right questions Provide information material in an accessible format (in large print or on DVD, for example) and wherever possible, provide it in advance. Find ways to get the views of people using the service (for example, through residentsÊ ¼ meetings) and respect individuals’ contributions by acting on their ideas and suggestions. 1.3 Analyse the barriers and challenges to communication within own job role. Barriers in effective communication can become the hurdle in progress of professional life as well as in the personal life. There are various points where the message is misinterpreted in which some are as follows: Material or Physical Barrier: This is the main hurdle or barrier in effective communication at workplace. This barrier in the company comprises large working area which is physically estranged from each other. Other things due to which physical barrier rises may be the organizational environment or noise coming from back. Various things can be included in physical barrier like large working place or working in one section which is physically separate from each other, closed office doors, separate place for people of different rank etc. These points can be concluded in physical barriers to effective communication: Environmental cause: Too much humidity in atmosphere, light in excess, lofty temperature or bad ventilation are some of the environmental barriers in effective communication. Challenging Stimulus: If there is loud music or noise in the background and there is distance between sender and receiver then it becomes very difficult to send the correct message by the sender to the receiver. Subjective strain: Due to bad health, too much mental stress, lack of proper sleep or consumption of medicines, the receiver can never understand the message appropriately. Linguistic Barrier: Different language and vocabulary is another barrier in communication. Language is vague in nature and its words are symbols which hardly represent only one meaning. The meanings of these symbols or words are understood by the sender and receiver in their own way which can result in misinterpretation. If communicator uses difficult or inappropriate words or if message is not explained in proper manner then it can result in misinterpretation. It is the language only that plays vital role in every field so it should be kept in mind that proper language and words are used. In today’s world if you send your message to another person in his language then it will be more effective and in this way the communication can be made effectively. Cultural Barrier: You will find diverse culture barrier to effective communication in this world. This communication barrier arise when two people of any organization belongs to different culture, place or religion. There are many other factors of cultural barrier like age, social position, mental difference or thinking behavior, economic status, political views, values and rules, ethics or standards, motives and priorities. The communication done without mixing any culture will not miss its meaning, but once a culture is mixed up with the communication then it may lose its exact meaning. Emotional barrier: Every person takes the situations and affair in his own way as everyone differs from each other. Many times thoughts of the person become strong base for communication. There are many emotions which can be the cause of effective communication barrier. Examples include anger, fear, or hostility. Apart from these some barriers to effective communication are mentioned below: Sudden reactions: Many times while communicating, a listener makes comment or criticizes the message sender without waiting for the sentence to be completed. So it’s very necessary to be keep patience and speak once the communicator completes his speech. Unfair assumptions: Never make wrong assumptions of the message as it creates great confusion. For example, you incorrectly assumed that your subordinate have understood the thing you have explained regarding any issue. Terror: This emotion makes the person to think slowly. He becomes narrow minded. This makes the negative impact on effective communication skill. Person becomes defensive: Man who cannot communicate effectively just  tries to justify himself every time because he thinks that accepting the mistake means degradation. This kind of attitude is a great obstacle in the effective communication. Being overconfident about self-knowledge: There are number of persons existing in this world that are overconfident about themselves that they have enough knowledge about any subject. But when you talk to such people, you will discover that they don’t have enough knowledge nor such people accept that they can be wrong. This is another hurdle in effective communication. 1.4 Implement a strategy to overcome communication barriers. In our care practice we have a significant number of service users who have communication difficulties due to dementia and post-stroke. The following strategies are identified in order to have an effective communication and be able to understand and meet their needs. 1. Residents with dementia. speaking clearly and slowly, using short sentences  making eye contact with the person when theyre talking, asking questions or having other conversations giving them time to respond, because they may feel pressured if you try to speed up their answers encouraging them to join in conversations with others where possible letting them speak for themselves during discussions about their welfare or health issues, as they may not speak up for themselves in other situations trying not patronise them, or ridiculing what they say acknowledging what they have said, even if they dont answer your question, or what they say seems out of context – show that youve heard them and encourage them to say more about their answer giving them simple choices – avoid creating complicated choices for them using other ways to communicate – such as rephrasing questions because they cant answer in the way they used to 2. Residents suffered from stroke with communication problems. Keep your own language clear and simple. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Don’t rush the conversation. Give the person time to take in what you say and  to respond. Assume the person can hear and understand well, in spite of any difficulties responding, unless you learn otherwise. Stick to one topic at a time using short sentences. For example, instead of saying, â€Å"Your wife called and she will be here at 4pm to pick you up and take you home†, say: â€Å"Your wife called.† (pause) â€Å"She will be here at 4pm.† (pause) â€Å"You can go home then.† Use all forms of communication to help reinforce what you are saying, such as clear gestures, drawing, communication aids. Use adult language and don’t â€Å"talk down† to the person with aphasia. Even if someone understands little or nothing, remember they are not a child. Don’t interrupt them. Watch out for when they are finished, or when they are looking for help. Ask if your help is needed before giving it. If it helps them to remember things, mak e use of a diary, calendar or photos. Lists of words or options to select from can help. If they can’t think of a word, ask how it is spelt. Write down the first letter or syllable as a prompt. Write down key words with a marker pen. Write clearly in lower case and don’t underline. Keep the lists of words to refer back to. If they prefer, guess the word they can’t find and ask if it’s correct. If they are keen to find the right word, give them more time to respond, or guess their meaning and check out if you’re correct. Otherwise, if they prefer and you’ve understood the message, just carry on the conversation. If easier for them, establish the general topic of their message by asking careful questions that only require a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer. Give them plenty of time to respond. Don’t ask too many questions too quickly, as they may feel overwhelmed and become frustrated. 1.5 Use different means of communication to meet different needs. Members of the health care staff use different ways of communication in order to meet the needs and preferences of the service users. Staff should be familiar with the difficulties of communication that a certain resident may have in consideration to their medical condition. They used verbal and non-verbal communication that varies depending on the individual’s needs and difficulties. Below are examples of different ways of communication to meet the different needs of clients. Verbal communication uses words to present ideas, thoughts and feelings. Good verbal communication is the ability to both explain and present your ideas clearly through the spoken word, and to  listen carefully to other people. This will involve using a variety of approaches and styles appropriate to the client you are addressing. Non-verbal communication This refers to the messages we send out to express ideas and opinions without talking. This might be through the use of body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, touch or contact, signs, symbols, pictures, objects and other visual aids. It is very important to be able to recognise what a person’s body language is saying, especially when as a health or social care worker you are dealing with someone who is in pain, worried or upset. You must also be able to understand the messages you send with your own body when working with other people. Written communication -This is central to the work of any person providing a service in a health and social care environment when keeping records and in writing reports. Different types of communication need different styles of writing but all require literacy skills. A more formal style of writing is needed when recording information about a patient. Technological aids- Technology is moving so quickly now that we have many electronic aids to help us communicate. For example, we have computers on which we can record, store and communicate information very quickly and efficiently over long distances. Learning outcome 2: Be able to improve communication systems and practices that support positive outcomes for individuals. 2.1 Monitor the effectiveness of communication systems and practices. To the staff – Two monthly supervisions are being practice in our workplace in order to address the needs and concerns of the members of the health care staff. Work schedules, preferences, relationship with other staff and continuing professional development (trainings, study days, etc) are some of the topics being discussed during supervisions. Meeting are also held on a regular basis. To the service users – Part of the care plan of each client is their communication needs. Changes or difficulties in communication are being monitored or evaluated monthly. This file is accessible to members of the health care staff to familiarize themselves to the mode of communication effective to a particular resident. To families of service users – regular meetings with families of residents is being practiced. Management of the health care staff are approachable to address their needs or concerns with  regards to the care being provided to their family member. 2.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of existing communication systems and practices 2.3 Propose improvements to communication systems and practices to address any shortcomings Evaluation of existing communication system is very important in order to meet the needs of the service users, maintain the high morale of the staff and satisfy the relatives of the residents. The following are the existing communication systems and practices in my workplace. Communication System Scores: 1-5 (1=very poor; 2=poor; 3=adequate; 4=good; 5=very good) Staff Handover (4) – Staff should be provided with adequate information to changes happened to a particular resident in a particular shift. Staff Supervision (4) – Management should not take it personally when providing constructive criticisms. Care plan recording (4) – staff should ensure that files are updated on a regular basis. All staff should be familiarise to the different needs of each resident. Complaints Procedure (4) – Ensure that all service users and family members are aware of the procedure in making a complaint. Call Bell System (4) – Service users to differentiate the normal call button from the emergency button. Telephone Log (4) – Staff should be trained in confidentiality regarding sharing of patient’s information. 2.4 Lead the implementation of revised communication systems and practices Learning outcome 3: Be able to improve communication systems to support partnership working. 3.1 Use communication systems to promote partnership working. 3.2 Compare the effectiveness of different communication systems for partnership working. 3.3 Propose improvements to communication systems for partnership working. In a Nursing Home you communicate with different agencies and departments of the health care in order to meet the optimum level of care that the services users deserved. Liaise with GP’s, dietician, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Clinics and other members of the health care setting contributes in the effectiveness of communication for partnership working. These are the list of problems that are identified with the current system and proposed improvements in order for partnership working to be effective. GP Visits –  Doctors should trust the decision making of healthcare staff because they are more familiar with the behaviour and changes of service users. Medication Ordering – Pharmacists should delete the medications that were stopped from the repeat prescriptions in order to prevent medication errors. Electronic ordering should be considered to Nursing Homes in order to save time and effort. Referral to dieticians, podiatrist, SALT and OT – Preferably nurses should directly refer to these departments in order to save time and decrease the actual waiting time for visits of service users. Learning outcome 4: Be able to use systems for effective information management 4.1 Explain legal and ethical tensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing information. Confidentiality is an important value within the healthcare setting for clients, their families and employees. Important confidentiality issues are trust and client safety. Personal and private information such as health diagnosis, feelings, emotions and financial status must be restricted to people who have an accepted need to know. NMC [online] 2002 confirms that confidentiality is the respect for the privacy of any information about a client/patient. The Value Base ( a system of values to guide the care profession) states that confidentiality of records and information should be discussed with clients if possible, however some information can be kept from a client if it were to cause them to self-harm (physically or mentally). If clients/patients know that personal details and conversations are private it will enable them to feel safe and that trust is present. Clients/patients should be told that other health professionals involved in the care of them have a need to know of some confidential issues to enable better recovery for themselves. It sets rules for and applies to personal information, paper records and computer held records. It covers data held in the respect of any individual including financial and credit information, membership of organisation, medical, health and social services records. Nolan Y, (2001). Good record keeping helps to protect patients and clients by promoting: High standards of clinical care and continuity of care Better communication between health care professionals regarding information of clients/patients. An accurate account of treatment, care planning and delivery. Confidentiality arises when service uses keep information about themselves off the record and determine h ow recorded information about themselves is shared and used. Users of services can control information about themselves by refusing to disclose it at all and this is the most obvious way to do so. Whatever service it is, there will be always a minimum amount of information which the client has to disclose as a condition for receiving the service, hence would- be users of services dont have a real choice about keeping information. However confidentiality policies are important in carework. Most records in health and care are made with a view to the information being shared. This is so that continuity of care is not vulnerable to individual practitioners becoming sick, going on holiday or changing their jobs. Records are an important facility for co-ordinating care. However sharing the information in records raises issues about whom the information should be shared with, what they may or may not do with, and what rights clients have to know how and with whom information about themselves is likely to be shared. The code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives’ (2008) states: You must respect peoples right to confidentiality. You must ensure people are informed about how and why information is shared by those who will be providing their care. You must disclose information if you believe someone may be at risk of harm, in line with the law of the country in which you are practising. Confidentiality is a duty of confidence arises when one person discloses information to another in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be held in confidence. This duty of confidence is derived from: common law – the decisions of the Courts statute law which is passed by Parliament. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of professional practice that protects human rights. This is identified in Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life) of the European Convention of Human Rights which states: Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the  prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. The common law of confidentiality reflects that people have a right to expect that information given to a nurse or midwife is only used for the purpose for which it was given and will not be disclosed without permission. This covers situations where information is disclosed directly to the nurse or midwife and also to information that the nurse or midwife obtains from others. One aspect of privacy is that individuals have the right to control access to their own personal health information. It is not acceptable for nurses and midwives to: discuss matters related to the people in their care outside the clinical setting discuss a case with colleagues in public where they may be overheard leave records unattended where they may be read by unauthorised persons. Legislation All nurses and midwives need to be aware of the following pieces of legislation relating to confidentiality: The Data Protection Act 1998 This Act governs the processing of information that identifies living individuals. Processing includes holding, obtaining, recording, using and disclosing of information and the Act applies to all forms of media, including paper and electronic. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 Regulates the provision of new reproductive technology services and places a statutory ban upon the disclosure of information concerning gamete donors and people receiving treatment under the Act. Unauthorised disclosure of such information by healthcare professionals and others has been made a criminal offence. The National Health Service Venereal Disease Regulations (SI 1974 No.29) This states that health authorities should take all necessary steps to ensure that identifiable information relating to persons being treated for sexually transmitted diseases s hould not be disclosed. The Mental Capacity Act (2005) This provides a legal framework to empower and protect people who may lack capacity to make some decisions for themselves. The assessor of an â€Å"individual’s capacity to make a decision will usually be the person who is directly concerned with the individual at the time the decision needs to be made† this means that different health and social care workers will be involved in different capacity decisions at different times.  The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 These Acts grant people rights of access to information that is not covered by the Data Protection Act 1998, e.g. information which does not contain a person’s identifiable details. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 This Act secures computer programmes and data against unauthorised access or alteration. Authorised users have permission to use certain programmes and data. If the users go beyond what is permitted, this is a crimi nal offence. Disclosure Disclosure means the giving of information. Disclosure is only lawful and ethical if the individual has given consent to the information being passed on. Such consent must be freely and fully given. Consent to disclosure of confidential information may be: Explicit consent is obtained when the person in the care of a nurse or midwife agrees to disclosure having been informed of the reason for that disclosure and with whom the information may or will be shared. Explicit consent can be written or spoken. Implied consent is obtained when it is assumed that the person in the care of a nurse or midwife understands that their information may be shared within the healthcare team. Nurses and midwives should make the people in their care aware of this routine sharing of information, and clearly record any objections. Disclosure without consent The term ‘public interest’ describes the exceptional circumstances that justify overruling the right of an individual to confidentiality in order to serve a broader social concern. Under common law, staff are permitted to disclose personal information in order to prevent and support detection, investigation and punishment of serious crime and/or to prevent abuse or serious harm to others. Each case must be judged on its merits. Examples could include disclosing information in relation to crimes against the person e.g. rape, child abuse, murder, kidnapping, or as a result of injuries sustained from knife or gun shot wounds. These decisions are complex and must take account of both the public interest in ensuring confidentiality against the public interest in disclosure. Disclosures should be proportionate and limited to relevant details.Nurses and midwives should be aware that it may be necessary to justify disclosures to the courts or to the N ursing Midwifery Council and must keep a clear record of the decision making process and advice sought. Courts tend to require disclosure in the public interest where the information concerns misconduct, illegality and gross immorality. Disclosure to third parties This is where information is shared with other people and/or organisations not directly involved in a person’s care. Nurses and midwives must ensure that the people in their care are aware that information about them may be disclosed to third parties involved in their care. People in the care of a nurse or midwife generally have a right to object to the use and disclosure of confidential information. They need to be made aware of this right and understand its implications. Information that can identify individual people in the care of a nurse or midwife must not be used or disclosed for purposes other than healthcare without the individuals’ explicit consent, some other legal basis, or where there is a wider public interest. Information Sharing Protocols These are documented rules and procedures for the disclosure and use of patient information between two or more organisations or agencies, in relation to security, confidentiality and data destruction. All organisations should have these in place and nurses and midwives should follow any established information sharing protocols. Confidentiality after death The duty of confidentiality does continue after death of an individual to whom that duty is owed. Information disclosure to the police In English law there is no obligation placed upon any citizen to answer questions put to them by the police. However, there are some exceptional situations in which disclosure is required by statute. These include: the duty to report notifiable diseases in accordance with the Public Health Act 1984 duty to inform the Police, when asked, of the name and address of drivers who are allegedly guilty of an offence contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1998 the duty not to wit hhold information relating to the commission of acts of terrorism contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000 the duty to report relevant infectious diseases in accordance with the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1998. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984) This Act allows nurses and midwives to pass on information to the police if they believe that someone may be seriously harmed or death may occur if the police are not informed. Before any disclosure is made nurses and midwives should always discuss the matter fully with other professional colleagues and, if appropriate consult the NMC or their professional body or trade union. It is important that  nurses and midwives are aware of their organisational policies and how to implement them. Wherever possible the issue of disclosure should be discussed with the individual concerned and consent sought. If disclosure takes place without the person’s consent they should be told of the decision to disclose and a clear record of the discussion and decision should be made as stated above. 4.2 Analyse the essential features of information-sharing agreements within the and between organisations. These are the usual subjects that are applicable in sharing information within and between organizations: Complaint Procedure – Service users and relatives are informed regarding the proper procedure in filing a complaint. This guideline is posted and accessible in the nursing home. Infectious Disease The care home should produce a written policy that details the roles and responsibilities of the staff during an outbreak of communicable disease or episode of infection. The plan should include details of the roles and responsibilities of senior personnel as follows. The owner of a home is responsible under health and safety legislation for maintaining an environment which is safe for residents, visitors and staff alike. Suitable arrangements and procedures for control of infection would form part of the health and safety requirements. The registered manager should have 24-hour access to advice on infection prevention and control from a suitably qualified and competent individual. It is good practice for the registered manager to produce an annual report on the systems in place for the prevention and control of infection and how these are monitored. The report should contain information on incidents and outbreaks of infection, risk assessment, training and education of staff, and infection control audit and the actions that have been taken to rectify any problems. The person in charge should ensure that appropriate infection control policies and procedures exist, are readily available, are understood by all members of staff and are used within the home. Health and Safety We complete all of the necessary risk assessments and procedures (Fire, COSHH, Premises, Administration of Medicines, Clinical Waste Disposal Handling, Food-Personal Hygiene, Infection Control, Use of Stairs, Use of Wheelchairs, Use of Bathrooms, Maintenance of Showers, Lone Working, Manual Handling, Expectant Mother, Office Safety, Passenger Lifts and many more). We write  Health and Safety policies, review and provide staff training (Specialist Training and Safety Training). Medical Records The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act produced the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information rule which requires health care providers to make reasonable efforts to use, disclose, and request only the minimum amount of protected health information needed to accomplish the intended purpose for which the information is being used, disclosed, or requested. This means the authorized entity requesting the information may not use, disclose, or request the entire medical record for a particular reason unless it can justify the whole record as the amount of information reasonably needed for that purpose. 4.3 Demonstrate use of information management systems that meet legal and ethical requirements.

Aleatoric Music Of The 20th Century Music Essay

Aleatoric Music Of The 20th Century Music Essay compositional and instrumental methods utilized by John Cage. The biographical background, educational influences and examples of the musical compositions of Cage will also be illustrated. This paper continues by describing the various methods and processes employed by John Cage in the formation of music written during the minimalist movement. Contrived instruments, ambient audience noise, non-traditional tone structures and electronic music will be identified and defined. Furthermore, this paper will explore the debate over aleatoric music as art form versus noise. Traditionally, Western music is highly structured and organized- however, music written in aleatory form generally lacks traditional instrumentation, time, and other methods present in Western forms. According to whom one would ask, aleatoric music can be extremely complex, emotional and intellectual. On the other hand, there are those who believe aleatoric music is nothing more than random noise with no structure, rhyme or reason. Over the course of this paper, the reader will be able to discern that aleatoric music is a definitive musical genre. ii Aleatoric Music of the 20th Century: Compositions of John Cage An Art Form, Not Noise Introduction Aleatoric music refers to musical compositions where some aspect of the music is left to chance. The tempo, instrumentation, dynamics, order of the written music, or various other devices can be manipulated. Simply put, aleatoric music is left up to some amount of chance. However, the amount of chance is not immeasurable. In many cases, the composer only allows a portion of the entire composition to chance while the rest conforms to standard Western-influenced counterpoint. The American composer John Cage was one of the foremost composers who utilized aleatory in musical works. He was also the father of the avant-garde in music during the minimalist movement. THESIS: By studying the devices used in Cages compositions, the argument will be clearly made that aleatoric music, while sometimes free in form and function, is clearly a structured art form and not random noise. ii Aleatoric Music of the 20th Century: Compositions of John Cage An Art Form, Not Noise Outline: Aleatoric Music Explicative definition of aleatoric music Overview of aleatoric devices John Cage Early life and education B. Utilization of aleatoric devices in compositions Thesis support Compare and contrast with opposing viewpoint Acknowledge and dismiss opposing view utilizing evidenciary support Conclusion Summarize main points Reinforce the argument that aleatoric music is not random Markham 1 Selena Markham MUS 2930 Dr. Valerie Austin November 22, 2010 Aleatoric Music of the 20th Century: Compositions of John Cage An Art Form, Not Noise Aleatoric music refers to musical compositions where some aspect of the music is left to chance. The tempo, instrumentation, dynamics, order of the written music, or various other devices can be manipulated. Simply put, aleatoric music is left up to some amount of chance. However, the amount of chance is not immeasurable. In many cases, the composer only allows a portion of the entire composition to chance while the rest conforms to standard Western-influenced counterpoint. The American composer John Cage was one of the foremost composers who utilized aleatory in musical works. He was also the father of the avant-garde in music during the minimalist movement. By studying the devices used in Cages compositions, the argument will be clearly made that aleatoric music, while sometimes free in form and function, is clearly a structured art form and not random noise. One of the most prolific composers of music in aleatory, John Cage, was born September 5, 1912 in Los Angeles, California. He was the only child of Markham 2 parents Lucretia and John Cage, Sr. (two other sons passed away as infants). His father was an inventor and his mother worked on and off as a writer for the Los Angeles Times. The couple met in Greeley, Colorado. John Cage, Sr.s father was a Baptist minister who felt music was of the Devil. His mother, Lucretia (her maiden name was Harvey) was considered rebellious because she read books (a practice her family forbade). The young couple fled the restrictive atmosphere of Colorado for the more welcoming state of California. John Cage, Sr. had an avid interest in undersea vessels and, in fact, invented a device that was used in the English Channel to successfully detect German submarines during World War I. The intellect and innovative spirit of his mother and father would serve young Cage well throughout his lifetime. (Rich 142). As early as age eight, the young Cage began to express an interest for music that was slightly outside of the norm. While taking piano lessons with his aunt, the young boy confessed he enjoyed the music of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (Rich 145). When Cage graduated in 1928, his grades earned him the record of having the best academics in Los Angeles High Schools history. From high school, Cage spent two years at Pomona College (Struble 287). While at Pomona College, he studied ministry and writing. (Rich 145). Cage then went on hiatus to Europe for two years. While there, he composed many short works, some using mathematical formulas. Unfortunately, Cage did Markham 3 not save these early works- as he traveled, he would go through his belongings and discard any non-essential items in order to lighten his load (Nicholls 175). He returned to the United States in 1931 and in 1933, John Cage began to study piano under Richard Buhlig, who introduced the composer to serialism, an aleatoric musical device. Serialism is music which has been written with a high degree of organization (Brindle 17). Since Buhlig had premiered serialist composer Arnold Schoenbergs composition Three Piano Pieces, Cage hoped Buhlig would introduce him to Schoenberg. Instead, Cages first published piece, Sonata for Clarinet (1933), brought him to the attention of Henry Cowell, a professor teaching the new music at the New Music Society of California in San Francisco. Though Cage was able to informally study with Schoenberg, Cowell was his primary influence (Lipman 22). The Sonata for Clarinet also shows how Cage used serialism to reproduce the same pitches in retrograde in the last movement from the first movement of the same composition in a highly organized fashion. Ironically, when the Sonata for Clarinet premiered, Cage found himself performing it on piano because the clarinetist was unable to do so (Nicholls 176). Over the course of the next two years (1933-34), John Cage invented a new technique called 25-pitch non-repetitive serialism. In this technique, each voice is limited to a twenty-five note pitch area and no pitch can be repeated Markham 4 until all twenty-five have been played. He also used this technique in three additional pieces he wrote during this period: the Sonata for Two Voices (Nov. 1933), Composition for Three Voices (1934) and Soloà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and Six Short Inventions (1933-34). The use of this technique was generally not harmonically sound with the exception of a few phrases (Nicholls 177). John Cage composed two pieces in 1935 (Three Pieces for Flute Duet and Two Pieces for Piano) that also used the serialism technique. The harmony was paired with a highly chromatic melodic line that made the pieces overwhelmingly contrapuntal. However, these pieces tended to possess a higher percentage of harmonically pleasing subject matter (Nicholls 184). These works also coincided with his introduction to Merce Cunningham, an author, choreographer and Cages lifelong love interest. As a result, Cage began to be interested in how music correlated with dance. John Cage and Merce Cunningham collaborated to organize performances using Cages music and Cunninghams choreography over the course of their lifetimes (Thomson 77). Another interesting device John Cage used in his composition was ambient noise. In his piece 4 33 (1952), a piano or any ensemble is to conduct themselves as if they were preparing to play. However, the instrument(s) or performer(s) never utter a singular sound- for the entire four minutes and Markham 5 thirty-three seconds. The idea is to attune ones self with the ambient noise of the room, the noise entering the room from outside and the natural noises of the people within (Lipman 30). The piece has also been said to be an example of freedom in general (Brindle 122). This work had its premiere by pianist David Tudor in Woodstock, New York, on August 29, 1952, in the Maverick Concert Hall (located near where the 1969 Woodstock Festival was held). Cage (interviewed in the late 1980s by William Duckworth) stated that he listened to the piece every day and that in Indian culture, it is we that turn away from the music. However, the music is always there (Bonds 588-589). An original device employed by John Cage was an invention all his own- the prepared piano. A prepared piano is a grand piano where the inside strings are manipulated by foreign objects to produce a twelve-tone scale. Such was the case with Cages composition Bacchanale (1940)- a percussive piece he was commissioned to write to be performed with a dance group. The work was originally intended for percussion instruments, but was relegated to the prepared piano when it was deemed the concert hall was too small for all of the required instrumentation. Cage required that bolts and weatherstripping be attached to the strings connected to the 12 different notes (Bonds 590). John Cages influence in the realm of electronic music began as early as 1937. His composition Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (1939) was one of the first Markham 6 written in the electronic genre. It consisted of recording oscillatory frequencies on two 78rpm gramophone records (Brindle 99). He also wrote a piece comprised of fifty-one tapes (each twenty minutes long) produced on the computer system of Illinois University (Illiac) that could be played in any order along with seven live harpsichords and a light show of sorts. This piece was written in 1967 and titled HPSCHD (Brindle 125). John Cage began to write pieces titled by the number of performers later in his life. For example, the work titled One (1987) was for one pianist. Another work, titled Five (1988) was for string quintet. These pieces are dubbed number pieces (Moser 31). Even these odd little pieces have a structure- the structure being the amount of time the performer has to perform each measure and the number of musicians required for performance. As illustrated with the devices John Cage used in his compositions, his works are very structured and organized. Cage was one of the total serialists, who felt that music composition could be planned and analyzed with the precision of scientific experiments (Lipman 56). In his own words during a lecture in Darmstadt in 1958: The function of the performerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ is comparable to that of someone filling in color where outlines are given; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ is that of giving form, providing, that is to say, the morphology of the continuity, the Markham 7 expressive content; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ is that of a photographer who on obtaining a camera uses it to take a picture; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ is comparable to that of a traveler who must constantly be catching trains the departures of which have not been announced but which are in the process of being announced (Moser 8). It is clear by reading these words that Cage finds his music to have form, which is a staple of Western music. In addition, his music is generally left up to the interpretation of the performer- definitively not an aspect of Western music. Even still, form is readily detectable within his works regardless of how the stated form is interpreted by the performers. Another argument concerning music in aleatory is that there are no determinate ways to discern the number of possible arrangements. This simply is not true: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the exact number of realizations of an indeterminate score can often be determinedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Moser 11). In conclusion, John Cage lived during an exciting time in American history. Just after his birth in 1912, the United States found itself fully engaged in World War I. The United States truly became a world power during this time. The enlightenment through his well-rounded and educated parents as well as the Markham 8 excitement and innovations of the new century served John Cage well, as he was able to thrive and grow as an intellectual and musician in this environment. Although his music is sounds extremely dissonant and non-harmonic, it exhibits a high amount of structure. Cages earlier works illustrate a mathematical approach to the music- meaning that the music makes sense based on mathematical principles, but not necessarily traditional ideals surrounding musical composition. The influence of John Cages music can certainly be felt today in late 20th century jazz and numerous other works that allow the performers greater freedoms. Take, for instance, the piece recently performed on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Dr. Joanna Hersey premiered a work for her Low Brass Ensemble at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke titled Sails, Whales and Whalers (2008) by Gary Buttery. This work included recorded whale song interspersed with the live music produced by the L ow Brass Ensemble (Hersey Krosschell). Perhaps Gary Butterys composition was influenced in some way by the works of John Cage. There is no doubt that many musicians past, present, and future have been and will continue to be influenced by Cages maverick attitude toward music. Markham 9

the tempest Essay -- essays research papers

Through the use of his magic, Prospero seeks to surpass worldly values and create a utopia, or ideal society. This becomes evident in how Shakespeare portrays the innocence of Ferdinand and Miranda. He insists that Ferdinand not â€Å"Break her virgin knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may.†(Act 4, Scene 1) Prospero’s seeking to create an ideal society also becomes evident in his attempts at making his usurping brother and his court to repent. Thus, he is trying to make right of what has gone wrong in the world. He does this by working with his faithful spirit Ariel and using his magical knowledge to create a world in which he can create his own future and reconcile with his past. When his opportunity arrives to make his enemies repent, Prospero seizes the opportunity and sets out to reverse the events that occurred twelve year previously. â€Å"Hell is empty and all the devils are here,†(Act 1, Scene 1) Ferdinand yelled as he leapt from the burning ship during the tempest. The great tempest that Prospero bade Ariel to create was made by magic. The ship burned but it did not split, break, or sink. The ship was brought safely into the harbor and her crew was magically charmed to sleep. The occurrence of a mighty storm is a pivotal plot-mover, as well as a symbol for transformation. In The Tempest, the storm provides for the arrival of the King of Naples, the usurping Duke of Milan, Gonzalo, and the rest of their party, including Stephano and Trinculo. While the latter two do not...

Symbols of Oppression in the First and Final Passages of Chopin’s The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

Symbols of Oppression in the First and Final Passages of Chopin’s The Awakening The presence of birds in the first passage of The Awakening seems to foreshadow some of the characteristics of the protagonist. It is rather interesting that the parrot is outdoors, while the mockingbird is inside. Perhaps this would represent the presence of opposites in this novel. The parrot seems to be provoking the mockingbird in order to get some sort of response. This seems to point to the presence of loneliness which the protagonist feels. However he is being rather anti social by stating â€Å"Allez vous-en! Alez Vous! Saprisit! That’s all right!† I may be wrong, but I believe that means â€Å"Go Away! Go Away! Damn it† in French. This altercation between the parrot and the mockingbird could point to the presence of a jealous conflict within the characters. On the surface it seems that the parrot is rather agitated that the mockingbird, a bird that is generally found outdoors, is inside while the parrot, a domesticated pet is kept outside. Ironically tho ugh both birds are actually trapped with the parrot being held in the cage and the mockingbird being trapped indoors. The cage symbolizes being trapped whether literally or figuratively. Also the presence of characters that are not understood by their surroundings might shed some light on the inner conflict of the novel. It is also useful to point out that the parrot, a bird which mimics it’s surroundings is being mimicked by a bird which also mimics, such as a mockingbird. The may point to the possible presence of a theme of mimicry in this novel. The final passage possesses symbols which represent freedom and terror. The tone of this passage is one of personal closure for the protagonist. The is an emphasis upon voices throughout this passage, especially with the presence of the voices of her father and sister. It is hard to tell if the protagonist felt any true regret as she sank. It seems more like she is relieved. It is also possible that she felt as though no one could possibly understand her. There is an emphasis upon with masculinity and femininity in this passage. The â€Å"spurs of the calvary officer† clanging across the porch symbolize the strong masculine presence in the novel. It is possible that this strong masculine presence was what oppressed the protagonist, driving her to suicide. Directly after the strong masculine line is a very feminine one, â€Å"There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air†.

Essay Grading :: essays research papers

I was going through a bunch of old magazines and newspapers this week when I came upon an article about some software that was being developed for teachers to use that would grade essays. Over the past weekend I had the opportunity to talk to my aunt who was a teacher and college professor before she retired. She said, â€Å"there is nothing better to assess a student's knowledge of a subject, than an essay especially when compared to a true or false or multiple choice exams†. Unfortunately, grading essays is extremely time-consuming, and sometimes grading can be inconsistent. Now there is a computer program that can grade essays as well as humans according to its developer Thomas Landauer. "From sixth graders to first-year medical students, we get consistently good results," says Thomas Landauer, a psychology professor at the University of Colorado who has been working on the program for 10 years. The program, developed into its present form in 1997, uses "latent semantic analysis," a type of artificial intelligence based on complex mathematical formulas that attempt to mimic the human language function. Developed by Landauer, psychologist Peter Foltz of New Mexico State University and doctoral student Darrell Laham of Colorado, the program can't get bored, rushed, sleepy or forgetful. And this, Landauer says, gives it perfect consistency in grading. To grade text, operators feed the computer general information about the subject to be tested, which can include from 50,000 to 10 million words entered from course textbooks. The program then assigns a mathematical degree of similarity or distance between individual words used by the textbooks and other words in general use. This allows students to use different words that mean the same thing for example, "physician" and "doctor." The program then evaluates essays against sample tests that have already been graded by human instructors and professors. It then takes the combination of words in the student essay and computes its similarity to the combination of words in the essays to come up with a grade. The student can expect a grade similar to the one on the sample essay his work most closely matches. To achieve this, the software uses about a gigabyte of computer memory, or ten times that of the average home personal computer. My computer at home has 128 megabytes of R.A.M (random access memory) so my computer would need about eight times more R.A.M to run this program.

Research Ethics for Social Scientists: Between Ethical Conduct and Regulatory Essay

In this case, the questions of when researchers may possibly feel that they had a responsibility to protect research subjects along with what they can do when faced with criminal behavior are addressed (191). The commentators in this case included ted Palys, john Lowman, Monique marks and Dick Hobbs. On the question of intervening on the violence incidences, Dick Hobbs points out that intervening would be counterproductive but since violence is both emotive and seductive to men intervening would be due to personal relations with one of the fighters but not on the basis of social justice (192). All the commentators were cautious of intervening because they feared it would alter the behavior which they were studying. However, apart from Dick Hobbs the rest believed that it was crucial to report the incidence if someone got seriously injured. On the issue of revealing the information they gathered in the field some suggested they would be willing to do so (Palys and Lowman), others (Dick Hobbs and Marks) argued that they would not since the information was meant for academic purposes only and testifying would elevate research profile and make it hard to perform another research on similar sites (193). All the commentators agreed that the source of funding would not affect their decisions to intervene and testify. However, Marks and Hobbs highly criticized the attempts of directing researchers’ responses to ethical dilemmas since their decisions in the field were not governed by formal codes, but were rather situational and responses cannot be determined outside the field (194, 195).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Conclusion This reading shows that although it may not be their duty, social researchers in criminal investigation have a duty to protect the respondents especially when someone may get injured in the processes. They should do so by reporting such incidences and testify upon what happened for the purposes of social justice. References Mark, I. (2006). Case study 2. Research ethics for social scientists: between ethical conduct and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   regulatory compliance. Sage publications, London.   

Marketing Plan Phase III

Panera Bread would like to announce a new cyber-cafe available at all locations. This product has been upgraded to assist the growing desire for a full service Internet accessibility location. A plan consisting of four-phases has been developed to market the new product. Currently most locations provide free wireless Internet access to their customer base. Panera has the biggest free wireless network in the USA. During the peak hours of business the customers’ will have a limit amount of time to use the Internet; the time limit is 30-60 minutes (Absolute Astronomy, 2011). However with the upgrade the locations will not have to limit the number of computers or a time limit. Phase One – Upgrade the Internet accessibility at all Panera Bread locations †¢ Development of product – One in three households has never used a computer. 18% of American households do not own a computer or have Internet access (Absolute Astronomy, 2011). SWOTT – An analysis of the cyber-cafe will find the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and trends in the market. †¢ Market Research – Panera Bread will distribute a survey to the company’s customer base that will lead to a better understanding of the consumer’s needs for Internet accessibility. Phase Two – Marketing to Consumers †¢ Target Market – Consumers between the age of 18-50 †¢ Consumers – Consumers want to access the Internet for various reasons such as keeping in touch with family, friends, accessing research data, and more. Competitors – Knowing the possible competitors and what they will offer. Phase Three – Expectations of the New Cyber-cafe †¢ Attributes –A larger server and reasonably priced cycle – Expected product life cycle for the cyber-cafe will be approximately 10 years. The reaction expected from competitors will cause a high incentive to duplicate Panera’s new era of cyber-cafes. †¢ Strategy and Price – The basic strategy is to provide a need to the consumers of Pan era Bread. The services cost will be in a price range that everyone can afford. Phase Four – Launching the cyber-cafe * The new improved sever to handle the increase in volume * The product will be put into 10 different locations for testing the new service. With the company following the four-phase plan, the management has high expectations for the cyber-cafe’s success. Panera Bread does not expect the service to start declining for at least six years.

Economic reform in the Soviet Union and Russia Essay

Economic reforms in Russia and the Soviet Union have really never come to be, even after the constant assurances that the government gives its citizens that it is doing everything in its power to bring this to pass. One of the reasons this has been so difficult to achieve is the ‘man exploitation of man’ notion. Having some people live with hardly an income of between $40-$60 a month while others take huge amounts of profits made by years of an average man’s effort and labor not to mention the illegal owning of the country’s natural resources. Russia’s enormous size has also contributed to the delayed reforms. Russia is a large country which stretches across eleven time zones and eighty nine different regional governments. This has made the long distance between the locations promote the difficulty in communication and transportation. The presence of a weak central government in Moscow sometimes makes the officials far away from the capital refuse to carry out the reform programmes. There has been a lot of organized crime which especially grew in the 1990s. The ‘Russian Mafia’ had at one point in 1998 been estimated to control 40 percent of the private companies and 60 percent of state owned enterprises. It was like they had their own economy. This mafia even expanded outside Russia. This affected the economic growth for it rewarded illegal activity over honest business. Mikhail Gorbachev had brought about some economic reforms which unfortunately, yielded little results. There was the alcohol reform which involved the increment of alcohol prices such vodka and beer. Wineries were also destroyed and drinking in public prohibited. This failed due to the blockage of information by the conservatives making the pace of the reforms too slow. It brought about a huge blow to states budget making a huge loss. The glasnost reform which meant greater freedom of speech was introduced. Gorbachev intended to let the media and the public openly criticizes the government decisions. This turned out to be a mistake as the media used it to reveal some of the mistakes the government had done in the past like to severely punish its citizens. The freedom got way out of hand more than Gorbachev had intended which made the citizens change their views towards the government (Katz, 2008). Gorbachev political initiatives were positive for freedom and democracy, but his economic policies brought the country close to a disaster. There were severe shortages of basic food supplies that led to the supply of limited food substances to the citizens. Yeltsin did not do much to help in implementing the reforms. Although he advertised self sacrifice by riding in city buses, visiting factories and stores, talked with commuters, gathered hundreds of officials who were corrupt and gathered information on deficiencies, he resigned in October 21, 1987 claiming that the economic reform was proceeding too slowly. He blamed this on Gorbachev associate claiming that he had been blocking his attempts to improve the lives of Moscow’s common folk. References Katz, A. (2008). The politics of economic reform in the Soviet Union. New York: Praeger

Many of the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’ are lonely Essay

Describe the reasons for their loneliness and explore the different ways they seek comfort. Many of the characters in the novel ‘of Mice and Men’ are lonely because they grew up in an unurturing and unfriendly environment. The reason for this type of negative and depressing attitude is due to the ‘Great Wall Street Crash’. This tormenting economic crash took place at the same time when the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ is set, in the year 1929. Families fell apart as the men were forced to leave behind their roots, and seek employment on ranches in order to bring back stability in their lives again. Relationships were never formed on these ranches as no one had any time nor interest in trying to communicate and bond with the other ranch hands or other residents. The only object the ranchers were attracted to was making money and moving on, therefore there was no stability. Tragically, vast amounts of people committed suicide, as they could not bear to live their lives recounting all their losses. Coincidentally the meaning of the town Soledad is ‘our lady of loneliness’. Loneliness is a spreading disease, which has the power to make the most cheerful people dull and gloomy as they begin to feel isolated. There is no direct cure for loneliness; therefore no one knows how to deal with it. This is the stage where the effected people begin to split into two distinctive groups depending on each individual’s character; the two groups are known as introverts and extroverts. The people that are catogrised in the introvert group suffer the most as they keep all their emotions locked up inside, leading in them taking their anger out on themselves. Whereas the extrovert group has a completely different way of approaching loneliness, they begin to take their anger out on other people in such ways as being aggressive and flirtatious to overcome their feelings. There is a vast comparison between the two groups; if you look at it between characters, which are extroverts and introverts, at one extreme you have Crooks a Negro who is partially crippled, and then you have Curley, a cruel, insensitive extrovert. All humans need to be comforted at the time of need as this is the human desire, therefore, it is not surprising that the characters in this novel also require comfort. Some characters similar to Crooks need friendship-based relationships so that they can communicate with other people. Other characters similar to George and Lennie have their future dream to look forward to and work towards that is their target. The definition of a dream is: ‘Dream n. Train of thoughts, images, or fancies passing through mind during sleep; Conscious indulgence of fancy, reverie, thing of dream-like beauty, charm, goodness, etc.’ (Taken from the Readers Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary, Third Edition) A dream is something you indulge in, to escape momentarily from life. This seems to be the context that John Steinbeck intended his characters in Of Mice and Men to dream in. They are all craving for something – in the case of George and Lennie, that something is land. All the dreams in this novel are similar to the Great American Dream, which is that you can achieve anything if you have the mind and desire to do it. However, most of the characters who have dreams know that their dreams may never become reality, but never the less it still provides comfort for them. Crooks is partially crippled, ‘his body was bent over to the left by his crooked spine’, yet self-dependant Negro, he too is very lonely. Crooks’s personality is quite interesting, as he is very defensive and protective of himself: ‘He kept his distance and demanded that others kept theirs.’ Crooks is very cautious about those who approach him, this is as he does not want to be in any more pain than he already is; he is frightened that someone will not only hurt him physically but harm him mentally as well. He is fully aware of his rights, he knows the limitations of what he is allowed to do and what he has not got the right to do. Crooks is lonely as he has not got anyone to talk to due to the colour of his skin, he does not even know how to act around other guys. All he spends his time doing is reading the ‘battered magazines and dirty books’ which were scattered all around his bunk: â€Å"Books ain’t no good, a guy needs somebody – to be near him†¦A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Later on in the chapter we realise that all Crooks is longing for is companionship, however, it is evident to see that Crooks is a bad communicator: â€Å"You got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me.† Crooks reacts angrily, his anger is and pride is a defense against the harsh treatment he has been subjected to and experienced for most of his years in life. He has been held back without any real conversation for an eminent amount of time, therefore leading to his language being unwelcoming as it is aggressive and defensive. Loneliness has had a negative effect on Crooks as it has made him verbally aggressive and very protective of what is his and his right. In chapter 4, John Steinbeck does a role reverse, instead of a white man tormenting a Negro, a Negro torments a white man, in this case Lennie. Crooks took a lot of pleasure in torturing Lennie the night George went into town, he had pleasure form teasing Lennie by suggesting that George would not bother to return as he better off without the presence of Lennie: â€Å"I said s’pose George went into town tonight and you never heard of him no more†¦Just s’pose that.† Crooks enjoys having the power over Lennie, he uses persuasive and manipulative language to prove his point, for once in all the time on the ranch he has an advantage over a white man. This inspires him, Crooks is feeling good at this point; he feels self-assured as though he can take on anything: â€Å"†¦Now you jus’ get on out, an’ get out quick. If you don’t, I’m gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more.† Crooks builds up his confidence to such an extent that he forgets his status on the social hierarchy. However, Curley’s wife coldly reminds Crooks of his unsuccessful position as a black man; a ‘nigger’: â€Å"Well, you keep your place here nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easily it ain’t even funny.† This racist statement reminds Crooks of his old self, leading to him remembering that he has ‘reduced himself to nothing’, he ‘pressed his body against the wall’, in shame. Crooks achieves comfort from remembering his childhood; Crooks came from a background full of love and care for each other, he knows what the true value of companionship is: â€Å"I remember when I was a little kid on my old man’s chicken ranch. Had two brothers. They were always near me, always there.† Crooks past childhood is full of affection and love in contrast to Crooks now, an isolated and lonely man who is referred to as a ‘nigger’. Crooks is in vast emotional pain as he knows what he is missing out on, however, some people may argue that he is actually quite advantaged as at least he has old memories to refer back to. Crooks also gets comfort from asking to be allowed to join the dream, which George, Lennie and Crooks hold: â€Å"If you would want a hand to work for nothing- just his keep, why I’d come and lend a hand.† Crooks wants things to go back to as he was a child, he wants to revisit the happy days of his life that are now just a vague memory to him. Crooks knows that the only way he can do this is by joining the dream that George, Lennie and Crooks share. However, Crooks soon finds out when George rejects him from sharing the dream that he is destined to be an old isolated Negro. George Milton is one of the main characters in the novel, ‘Of Mice and Men’, he is quiet, modest and clearly a good worker. George is considered as one of the fortunate characters in this particular novel, this is as he atleast had a chance to experience the true value of companionship and unconditional value with his best friend Lennie Small. His companionship with Lennie ‘staves of loneliness’, as well as giving George a role in life; a clear task to look after Lennie. It is evident to see that at the beginning of the novel George feels superior with this role as it gives him a sense of power over Lennie: â€Å" â€Å" George has learnt vastly from his past experiences with Lennie; this allows George to have a two-way relationship with Lennie, one that of a best friend, and another that of a parent. George feels a sense of duty and responsibility towards Lennie as a parent: â€Å"Don’t really seem to be running, though. You never oughta drink water when it ain’t running, Lennie.† However, as the novel progresses George begins to realise what companionship is, ‘we kinda look after each other’, now this role simply makes George feel different from the rest of the ranch hands as it entitles him to a status. Nevertheless, George still recognises that he is still lonely, despite having a companion, it may be more discrete than others may, but he is still lonely. George and Lennie do not interact on an intellectual level; Slim describes George as a ‘smart little guy’, where as Lennie is described by George as ‘dumb as hell’; therefore the comparison on their intellect is eminent. At times George thinks he is talking to himself, as Lennie never really responds to his questions. Therefore Lennie can never really understand George emotionally or physically. George seeks comfort by the companionship with Lennie, they both look out for each other: â€Å"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’†¦ Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! Because†¦because I got you to look after me, And you got me to look after you, and that’s why.† George relies on his companionship with Lennie to get through the unurturing and unfriendly environment of Soledad: â€Å"†¦it’s a lot nicer to go around with a guy you know’ George values and treasures his special relationship with Lennie, he loves him so much that he can even sacrifice him for Lennie’s own benefit. George also seeks comfort by his simple dream, he wants him and Lennie to have land of their own, and they want to be their own managers and look after each other until they grow old: â€Å"Some day-we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres†¦when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with goin’ to work, and we’ll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain comin’ down on the roof†¦Ã¢â‚¬  George’s dream, although extremely similar to Lennie’s, is probably more detailed and complicated. Lennie due to his child-like mentality only thinks as far as ‘tendin’ the rabbits’, whereas George assesses the situation by asking himself if they have got enough money, or when will they be able to achieve the dream, before accepting the dream to become reality. George had made it perfectly clear that the dream that he and Lennie share will only become successful if they both achieve it: â€Å"†¦I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.† George realised that he just got carried away, he knew from the start that the dream was unattainable; all dreams are unattainable in Soledad, as it is such a disturbing environment. Curley’s wife is possibly the loneliest of all characters in the novel, ‘Of Mice and Men’, throughout the beginning of the novel John Steinbeck gives the readers the impression that Curley’s wife is a ‘tart’: ‘She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the doorframe so that her body was thrown forward’ She is portrayed as tarty through her provocative appearance and flirtatious actions. John Steinbeck deliberately does not give her a name, she is only known as Curley’s wife; therefore a possession of Curley. Curley’s wife has been forced to recognise that her sexuality is the only weapon, the only thing that will ever get her noticed: ‘She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up’ This is mainly the reason for why she is dressed in a sexually provocative manner throughout the novel. Curley’s wife’s complaints of loneliness are likely to be sincere, yet she presents them in a manipulative manner that reduces any sympathy for the character. Her ‘craving for contact is immense’, she is longing for someone to have a conversation with her: â€Å"Why can’t I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awfully lonely.† However, it seems that everyone is ‘incapable’ of having a faithful conversation with her without it including any ‘sexual content’. John Steinbeck describes Curley’s wife, as so desperate that to experience the true value of a relationship that she would do anything to obtain it: ‘If anyone- a man or a woman- ever gave her a break- treated her like a person- she would be a slave to that person.’ Curley’s wife is prepared to carry out any instructions, or meet any demands for anyone that would for once be able to trust her and become her friend, she would do it to such an extent that she would even follow them as if she was enslaved to them. Curley’s wife has a different type of dream from George and Lennie’s; instead of having something to call her own, she wants fame, fortune and respect: â€Å"Coulda been in the movies, an’ had clothes- all of them nice clothes like they wear. An’ I coulda sat in them big hotels, an’ had pitchers took of me†¦Because this guy says I was a natural.† Curley’s wife’s dream allows her to escape from her tormenting controlled life and seek comfort from what in her point of view could have happened. Curley’s wife is vulnerable, and innocent, she shows her humanity by consoling in Lennie. However, Curley’s wife seems to have a deep regret that she did not take up either of the men on their offers: â€Å"If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet.† Curley’s wife’s vulnerability shows the most at this point, she is so desperate to get away from her usual lifestyle that she takes the words of a complete stranger to be equivalent of that of a gospel: â€Å"He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural.† Curley’s wife’s dream was shattered when the letter that she was waiting for never came, coldly she blamed her mother, accusing her of ‘stealing the letter’. It is understandable that there never was going to be a letter, the men were just taking advantage of the poor innocent girl. Curley’s wife married Curley on impulse; her hasty marriage to Curley proves to be a failed attempt to escape from her own spiral of loneliness, however, it is now that she has come to realise that what she did was immoral; she feels more trapped now then she ever did: â€Å"I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.† Curley’s failure to satisfy his wife both emotionally and physically is another reason why Curley’s wife is so lonely and has so much hatred built up towards him. When Lennie kills Curley’s wife in Chapter 5, John Steinbeck offers the readers a disturbing image. He describes her with more life and vitality as a corpse than he did as a living character, her ‘rouged cheeks’ and ‘reddened lips’ now after her death give her the appearance of life. In death the ‘meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention’ have gone from her face. This represents John Steinbeck’s first concrete praise for Curley’s wife; he writes for the first time that she appears ‘pretty’ and ‘simple’, a more commendable character as a corpse than as a living human being, as she is not her manipulative self. Therefore, concluding that in a way, some may say that Curley’s wife has achieved her dream as she won her innocence back. Loneliness is a major theme in the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’. It is only the two characters George and Lennie who stave of it by their relationship. However, the disadvantaged characters are the ones who suffer the most, it embitters Candy and Crooks, moreover, it kills Curley’s wife. John Steinbeck describes loneliness as part of a human condition in this particular novel, it is something we as humans are born with leading it to be either something we fight or succumb to all our lives: â€Å"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’†¦ Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! Because†¦because I got you to look after me, And you got me to look after you, and that’s why.† However, throughout the novel John Steinbeck does not offer any answers to get rid of loneliness, it only shows how different characters deal with this problem differently.