A Streetcar Named Desire - The Importance of Scene 6 Essay -- Streetca

A pass Car Named Desire - The Importance of Scene 6 Scene 6 is a poignant part of A Street Car Named Desire and only contains the characters Mitch and Blanche. The view begins with the impression that Blanche and Mitch have not enjoyed the evening that they have just spent together at a local carnival. Blanches vowelise and manner is described as being the utter exhaustion which only a neurasthenic personality croupe know. Mitch is described as being animal but depressed. Mitch even admits Im afraid you havent gotten much fun out of this evening Blanche. and I felt all the time that I wasnt giving you much-entertainment. At this draw a bead on in the scene the viewer gets the impression that Mitch and Blanche are not compatible and as it continues we get the impression that Blanche and Mitch are very unlikely Bedfellows. As the scene progresses the likelihood of Blanche and Mitch becoming an item oscillates. The chances begin low and begin to decline but by the e nd of the scene chances become extremely high. This happens as a result of Blanches flirtatious character and in the confidence levels Mitch portrays in his conversation. At the beginning of scene 6 Blanche and Mitch are not presented as being compatible or to have much have any chemistry between them. Blanche is an educated woman with an aristocratic upbringing where as Mitch is uneducated and working class. We can observe how Blanche is flirtatiously playing the hard to get game (e.g. using words such as honey) and appears to be very confident and experienced when dealing with men. Mitch on the another(prenominal) hand does not seem so confident or experienced, nervously asking, Can I - uh-kiss you - goodnight? W... ...a significant difference between the two. There is far slight physical attraction between Blanche and Mitch and more of a need for companionship, love, and sincerity. As the play continues and we watch how Stanley slowly destroys Blanche, the ques tion Does physical brute force, such as that of Stanley, overpower and dominate over the non-physical emotional force such as that of Blanche? This scene and comparison of the two relationships aids this argument. Works Cited Spoto, Donald. The Kindness of Strangers. Boston Little, chocolate-brown and Company, 1985. Szeliski, John T. von. Twentieth Century Interpretations of A Streetcar Named Desire. Tennessee Williams and the Tragedy of Sensitivity. Ed. Jordan Y. Miller. New Jersey Prentice-Hall, 1971. Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. Stuttgart Phillip Reclam, 1988.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

When they were trying to find someone to give this speech they first asked the roughly intelligent, smart person they could find. But she turned them overthrow. So then they asked the most beautiful, lovely, attractive person they could find. She also turned them down. Next they asked the nicest, sweetest, kindest, most sincere person they could find. Then I decided it would be rude to turn them down three times in a row, so here I am.How many people here like tomato soup? Come on, bring out your hand if you like tomato soup. OK, thank you. That was a really simple question, you either like it or you dont. I wish high school had been that easy. However, as we all know, it wasnt.As the National Honor Society speaker, you probably expect me to speak about something very scholarly, but Im not....

Reggae Español: Jamaican Music in Spanish-speaking Countries :: Essays Papers

Reggae Espaol Jamaican Music in Spanish-speaking CountriesWith its close geographic proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America, Jamaica has not only received influences from these cultures, but has to a fault been influential on molding and forming an integral part of Spanish-speaking nations. The growing popularity of reggae and Jamaican culture as a whole is apparent all all over the world, and is catching on quickly. Although there are reggae groups found in many of the Spanish-speaking countries worldwide, there is not much literature that has focused on their invoice or followed their progress, just like there is not much published work about reggae and Rastafarianism. This paper intends to focus on the Spanish involvement in Jamaica and also chart the musical influence of reggae in these aforementioned regions.Although there is not much evidence regarding the Spanish involvement of Jamaica, the Spaniards were supposedly the first to convey on the island, and settle it shor tly there later. Christopher Columbus veered off his path and came upon the small island in the Caribbean on his second voyage in may of 1494. The island was already inhabit by the indigenous people called the Arawaks, who supposedly came from Venezuela and had already named the island Xaymaca. Not unlike the other Caribbean islands the Spaniards inhabited, their presence decimated the indigenous population. The influx of disease and mistreatment of the indigenous people by the newcomers led to their eventual demise, 70-80 years after the Spanish arrival. (Musgrave). Only a few artifacts remain of what was once the Arawak culture, a people that at one target numbered 60,000. (Barrett, p. 20).15 years after the Spaniards first encountered the island, they founded a settlement and were quickly establishing dominance in the region. In 1509, the Spaniards built a town named after an vivacious Spanish town, Sevilla La Nueva, New Seville. It was located near what is now St. Anns Bay on Jamaicas north coast. With the local indigenous population declining collect to disease, Spaniards began bring Africans to the island to work as slaves and perform hard labor. When the Spaniards left and the English took over, many of the salve fled, which became cognise as Maroons, and settled in what is now known as The Cockpit Country, located in the center of the island. The Spanish presence in Jamaica was relatively brief, and never flourished under Spanish rule. They handed it over to Britain in 1655, after engaging in battle with the British.

thier eyes were watching god :: essays research papers

Baby JanieTheir Eyes Were Watching God is a novel intimately a woman named Janie who grows up and finds out what life and God have in store for her. The story is very similar to Black Women by atomic number 31 Johnson. This novel and poem share similar themes, characters, and symbols. This similarity is seen by means of out these two works within their writing. These two stories both tell a elemental theme of being born into a harsh introduction and the choices which must be made by the characters. The themes main focus is on the development of the bollix up and Janie and the paths they chose to follow. In Black Woman the child is ready to be born, but the mother isnt willing to have the bobble just yet. Her reasoning for non wanting to have the baby is the fact that the world is full of cruelty and sin and the monster men (Johnson, 4) who inhabit the earth are bad. The mother in this poem can see the world is harsh and that raising a baby in such a world would be difficult a nd a struggle. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janies grandma wants her to get married to an older man right away. Her reasoning is because she too also has seen how harsh the world is and doesnt want her baby Janie to be stuck alone and have to live in hardship. Janie, like the unborn child, is determined to go her own path and desex her own life. They both seem to feel that they are ready for what life has in store for them. Janie wants to live her own life by her own decisions, and the baby wants to go on the same path and be born into the world to start its path. These similarities in theme are very apparent through the novel and relates to Black Womans story. Both Their Eyes Were Watching God and Black Woman have very similar characters due to their fatal and protective qualities. Janie is very happy with life as she sees it and wants to make her own decisions. Her grandma wants to protect her from a wrong choice, so she decides Janie must marry Logan. I wants to see you mar ried right away (Hurston 12). Like Janie, the unborn child is ready to come into the world and live a beautiful life of happiness.

Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Essay -- Jane Austen Pride Prejudice

Jane Austens Pride and PrejudiceIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man inpossession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wifeJane Austen used this quote to open her second book, Pride andPrejudice, which was first produce in 1813. This is a story of theattitudes towards love and marriage in the 19th century, throughthe eyes of a number of people in different family situations andlevels of society. It explores what was socially acceptable anddisgraceful at the time, as well as the author, Jane Austens,personal opinion on the matter. This is shown mainly through thecharacter of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters of Mr andMrs Bennet, inhabitants of the Longbourn estate. At this time, it wasin truth important that young girls of around sixteen and above should aimto marry as soon as possible to avoid becoming broken and unable tosupport themselves after the inevitable death of their father, whoseestate would usually be inherited by the next male heir i n the family.In the case of the Bennets, this is a distant cousin with whom theyhad not been in contact with for some time. His name is Mr. Collins...Another worry for young women at the beginning of the nineteenthcentury was how high a reputation they had. It was unorthodox for afemale to admit, deal Lydia does when in Meryton, that she had comeinto town to find a man, because she would seem very eager and thismay result in people looking down on her. On the other hand, if a ladyacted as though she didnt like a man so that he wouldnt think shewas chasing him, the man might think that she really disliked him anddecide to admire another woman instead. purport could be verycomplicated... ... You know that itis not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.This makes it perfectly clear that Lizzy thinks that it would beimpossible for anyone, no matter how set-against crunch they are,tomarry someone for a reason other than love. This proves that she is aromantic, and once set in her ways cannot see how anybody could thinkdifferently to her.In conclusion, I would say that Jane Austen looks down upon marryingfor material success or gain, and superficial attraction and mismatchbecause at least one person in the relationship go away end up beingunhappy. She does, however, believe in marrying for love because youwill be able to live the rest of your life happily with a mate youare devoted to. I also think that if you choose to marry, you shouldonly do it for this reason because I believe that all you need islove.

Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Essay -- Jane Austen Pride Prejudice

Jane Austens Pride and PrejudiceIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a single world inpossession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wifeJane Austen used this quote to open her second book, Pride andPrejudice, which was firstborn published in 1813. This is a story of theattitudes towards love and marriage in the nineteenth century, throughthe eyes of a number of people in diametric family situations andlevels of society. It explores what was socially acceptable anddisgraceful at the time, as well as the author, Jane Austens,personal opinion on the consider. This is shown mainly through thecharacter of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of fiver daughters of Mr andMrs Bennet, inhabitants of the Longbourn estate. At this time, it wasvery important that young girls of around sixteen and above should aimto marry as soon as possible to avoid congruous destitute and unable tosupport themselves after the inevitable death of their father, whoseestate would usually be inherited by the next male heir in the family.In the case of the Bennets, this is a distant cousin with whom theyhad not been in contact with for some time. His name is Mr. Collins...Another worry for young women at the blood line of the nineteenthcentury was how high a reputation they had. It was unorthodox for afemale to admit, like Lydia does when in Meryton, that she had comeinto town to find a man, because she would come out very eager and thismay result in people looking down on her. On the other hand, if a ladyacted as though she didnt like a man so that he wouldnt think shewas chasing him, the man might think that she really disliked him anddecide to admire another cleaning woman instead. Life could be verycomplicated... ... You know that itis not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.This makes it perfectly clear that Lizzy thinks that it would beimpossible for anyone, no matter how set-against romance they are,tomarry someone for a reason other than love. This pr oves that she is aromantic, and once set in her ways cannot see how anybody could thinkdifferently to her.In conclusion, I would say that Jane Austen looks down upon marryingfor material success or gain, and superficial attraction and mismatchbecause at least one person in the kinship will end up beingunhappy. She does, however, believe in marrying for love because youwill be able to live the rest of your life happily with a partner youare devoted to. I also think that if you choose to marry, you shouldonly do it for this reason because I believe that all you need islove.

Motivation in Economic Downturn for Surviving Employees

Motivation in Economic Downturn for Surviving Employees awful Julia Gao Helen HuHannah Hung Chimeme Pan Johnson SunMandy WongYidi YuElaine Zhu 4/15/2013 Motivation in Economic Downturn for Surviving Employees 1. Executive summary The global economy experiences a downturn all five to ten years nowadays. During such financial crises, giving medications might concur to face the issue of lay-off in order to trim cost and survive from the downturn. isolated from the cast out make on the unemployed, those survivors likewise go through a hard time.This report has firstly investigated possible negative effects on rest employees. It is found that survivor syndrome, including five major types, occurs among survivors. to a fault, foursome relevant solutions for managers ar provided to minimize the negative influence on remain employees and to support future outgrowth of the company. Lastly, current issues and concerns with respect to motivation maintenance are also discussed for feasibility. 2. Introduction During the financial crisis, many organizations are downsizing and laying off their employees.A major portion that contributes to the failure of most organizations to achieve their objectives after downsizing is that they do not adequately and effectively address the large number factor related to surviving employees throughout the process. In other words, most companies focus on comforting the leavers instead of concerning the negative effects on the survivors. Survivor Syndrome is a mental condition that occurs when people perceives themselves to invite done wrong by surviving a traumatic event when others did not.In the field of management, it refers to the negative mental and physical impact that originations layoffs bring to the remaining workers (Cascio, 1993). In this report, we identified 5 major negative effects on survived employees and provide possible solutions to the managers. 3. Major negative effects 3. 1 Psychological effects 1. chew over insecurity. Survivors wonder how long they will be able to keep their jobs, and they worry that they are not prepared to find work elsewhere, or that in that respect are no comparable outside jobs.Since survivors are at the risk of losing jobs, they no longer regard themselves as an integral organization member, as which they are responsible for the future of organization. 2. Depression, anxiety and fatigue. The process is demoralizing and stressful for the managers who must lay off employees, as intimately as for employees who lose friends and colleagues. After the layoffs, much work and to a greater extent pressure to perform, mentally and emotionally drained after survival. 3. Reduced risk-taking and creativity.Many survivors are afraid to face dispute jobs, accept a vernal task, or discuss a work-related problem for fear that they expose themselves to criticism or ugly performance appraisals and become the ass of future layoff. As a result, they are receptive to their status quo as being safe instead of taking initiative. 4. Dis conceive and betrayal. Doubts may arise close the wisdom of the layoff choices when survivors believe that individual laid off is more capable than a remaining one.The feeling of unfairness bear lead to worries about the transparency of organization operation then causing distrust and possible job-hopping. 3. 2 Physical effect Apart from the psychological negative effects, layoffs may also influence the physical health of the survivors. colossal pressure and heavy workload can have a bad impact on employees immune system. Under this situation, people are probably to have more physical symptoms, like stomachache, headache and cold. 4. Solutions for managers The following are four solutions provided to minimize negative effects on survivors. . 1 Open Communication interrogation has proposed that procedural justice, which is the perceived fairness of the process used to determine distribution of rewards, has a c ritical role to play in the management of employee organizational commitment, trust in the corporations and turnover intentions. Hence in times of uncertainty and fear, increasing the perception of procedural justice is the key to rebuild trust and confidence among the employees and harmonisely combat the Layoff Survivor Syndrome. This could be achieved through open communication. . 1. 1 Communicate about the downsizing Managers could pursue promoting perceived fairness and transparency through openly addressing the downsizing event, explaining explicitly and honestly the rationale as well as procedure for the layoffs and illustrating how the action of downsizing will lead to future organizational success. Open-book management, a strategy that is designed to help facilitate the communication process, is widely adopted by many recognizable corporations such as the HSBC Group and Cathay peaceable during downsizing.Through disclosure of the flesh out business and financial informati on, the practice provides employees with insights into the companys situation and hence the rationale for layoffs. Moreover, the approach empowers employees to take ownership of their work as they are now fully aware of the implications of their actions on the companys performance. As a result, they are motivated to take the initiative to help reduce cost. Furthermore, managers should be candid about the potential drawbacks of the policy.For instance, while downsizing inevitably leads to increased workload and prolonged working hours that create an overwhelming stress for the survivors, by the way and quality communication with the employees about their new roles and responsibilities is hence imperative to help them better manage the pressure and maintain employee morale and productivity. 4. 1. 2 Communicate about the future Goal Setting Theory clearly demonstrates that working towards a goal is a major source of job motivation.Effective communication about the organizations post-l ayoff goals and visions is therefore important in maintaining and strengthening employee commitment. Regular update on the organizations long term strategies will further honor trust and confidence among the employees, as not only does the action assure them that the leadership is actively solving the problems, but also conveys a clear subject matter that they are being valued and respected by the company. While open ommunication should be encouraged at all levels, special attention should be accustomed to the group of employees who are highly skilled and professional in their field due to their great inclination to leave for greener pastures in times of uncertainty, as well as those who are personally affiliated with the laid off as they tend to experience the greatest emotional toll from loss of their co-workers. 4. 2 Job reassignment Job reassignment means to redesign individual roles according to their talents and background.Job reassignment is essential in clarifying everyon es duty in order to assure that the company can still function normally. And in another aspect, proper job reassignments may also to slightly extent reduce the negative effects on survivors such as job insecurity and anxiety. 4. 2. 1 Job design Here are most suggested actions for job redesign, including combining tasks, creating natural work units, establishing internal or external client relationships, expanding jobs vertically, and opening feedback channels.The actions mentioned above provide the survivors with more and better opportunities to develop their skills and to take the responsibility. Since the workload of individual survivor usually becomes heavier, what managers can do might be making the job more motivating for the survivors. They will help the survivors to experience the meaningfulness of their work, and also have higher working satisfaction. It will also be able to keep survivors from feeling passed over during the downsizing they must be assured of their value, which will reduce their job insecurity. 4. 2. Training and documentation courses Besides job design, managers should do a lot more work in order to assure that job reassignment is being carried out successfully, in which training and supporting programs should be offered. Sometimes in the haste of layoffs, employees are shifted to new assignments without appropriate preparation such as job insecurity and lack of confidence in competency. It is found that people are uneasy because they are not sure what they are supposed to be doing, who they should be accountable to, or if they are doing a good job(Wexley & Silverman, 1993).In the wake of a downsizing, managers are suggested to sit down with each employee to help clarify his or her new role. Employees need to discern what expectations have changed and how those changes may have an impact on their daily work. Research shows that most employees find great comfort in knowing barely what theyre working toward and exactly whats expec ted of them. Additionally, a large portion of anxiety is caused by lacking confidence in competency. Survivors worry that they will not be competent in their newly restructured job functions that the survivors do not ever possess.So immediately after layoffs, employees should be trained on how to handle new tasks or responsibilities. 4. 3 correct-for-performance As the expectancy theory states motivation= expectation *instrumentality * valance, in relation to effort, performance and rewards. Therefore, we suggest the pay-for-performance scheme to work alongside this theory. The general idea is reward through the perception of work done by overachievers, thus encouraging performance levels. There are, however, several takes to this approach according to Stephen OBryne. . 3. 1 Pay versus target pay is tied to performance Some companies believe that pay-for-performance is best reached by awarding remuneration when the performance level is above a target level, thus a decrease if it is below target level. Companies such as Procter and Gamble are known to use this method. For example, in its 2010 proxy statement, P&G describes pay for performance this way We pay above target when goals are exceeded and below target when goals are not met. 4. 3. 2 Pay doesnt go up when performance is poorThis method defines pay for performance in terms of performance and pay changes. In its 2008 U. S. proxy voting guidelines, ISS said it would vote against compensation committee members when the company has a payforperformance disconnect, defined as an increase in pay coupled with a decrease in performance. 4. 3. 3 Pay versus market pay is tied to performance Adopting target pay/prior year pay as a benchmark for assessing pay-for-performance has led some companies to focus on market pay instead.Companies such as Dow Chemical and CSX agree that superior performance should lead to above market pay and poor performance should lead to below market pay. 4. 3. 4 Pay percentile equals Performance percentile If a company provides target levels of pay at or above a particular percentile but the performance does not meet the percentile of peer companies, the firm should redesign its compensation strategy to correct it with the organizations compensation. This can help the situation as it recognizes the efforts of individuals and thus boosting the general morale of the employees.Limitation in this approach lies in deciding the target levels. For example, some companies may adopt a needlessly high target pay level which may result in the rewarding of poorly behaved executives with pay levels that, albeit decline than those for well performing executives, remain above the market. 4. 4 Individualized recognition and reassurance People have social esteem needs such as recognition and belongingness. Employee recognition and reassurance is a critical issue curiously when a company is dealing with downsizing, where the survivors are both physically and psychologically a ffected.Here are 4 detailed ways to raise employee recognition. 4. 4. 1 Offer reassurance whenever possible Recognition is the essentially positive feedback that lets employees know they are valued and appreciated by theirco-workers, supervisors and the organization. Employee recognition could be raised from daily works to formal events. Certainly, special tasks, important meetings and awards presentation are good chances for creating employees sense of belongings and self-actualization. Apart from those formal situations, bonuses and prizes, daily grasp and reassurance are also important.By sending thank-you email or a handwritten note of praise, employees would feel that their hard work is being rewarded. Then, they will be more motivated and continue to work harder (Murdock, 2010). 4. 4. 2 Provide counseling for survivors for further development Counseling can take the format of buddy program in which manager acts as mentor and employee as mentee. Manager may meet with employees on an individual or small-group basis to devise a personal purpose for goal achievement. By doing this, the survivors will be aware of the opportunities they still have remaining in the company.Besides, a feedback system can also be completed where the employees give feedback about their progress in achieving individualized goals and managers help to evaluate and make improvement on their plan at the same time (Boyd, 2013). The program serves as a channel for mutual communication in the company. Therefore, remaining employees can release the distress brought about by downsizing. 4. 4. 3 Continue to communicate, especially one-to-one Individualized communication would be a modified way to boost morale based on different personality type of employees.By communicating with employees individually, managers are able to understand their feelings and problems and offer helps to improve the situations (jobsDB HK, 2007). Also, they could realize employees personalities and take them into account when designing plans for reducing negative effects from lay-off. For instance, for an employee with need for affiliation according to the Three-Needs Theory, he/she probably prefers a social event to renew his/her personal network. As a result, surviving employees could be easily motivated. 5. ConclusionThis report discusses 5 negative effects on employees who have survived organizations layoff and the corresponding solutions. Layoffs due to the financial crisis can lead to physical problems and a series of negative psychological effects including job insecurity, depression, anxiety and fatigue, reduced risk-taking and creativity, distrust and betrayal. Facing such a situation, open communication, job reassignment, pay for performance, and individualized recognition & reassurance are the four corresponding solutions suggested. However, the real situation is much more complicated, where more issues should be taken into consideration.One concern is the diversity of workforce. Different employees have different values, backgrounds, making it challenging for managers to identify and satisfy their needs. Another concern is the culture difference. Most current motivation theories are based on the situation in the United States and managers cannot stand that motivational programs well fit in their own case. Therefore, it is suggested that managers should incorporate local cultural factors and personal characteristics when dealing with the downsizing negative effects. 1 . Cascio, W. F. (1993).Downsizing what do we know? What have we learned. Academy of Management Executive, 7(1), 95-104. 2 . Wexley, K. N. , & Silverman, S. B. (1993). Working Scared Achieving Success in Trying generation Jossey-Bass. 3 . Murdock, K. (2010). Boosting Morale of Employees Important During Tough Times How You Can Do It in Three Easy Steps. The Washington Post. 4 . Boyd, J. (2013). How to Motivate Employee Performance. eHow. Retrieved from http//www. ehow. com/how_5996416_mot ivate-employee-performance. html 5 . JobsDB HK. (2007). Boost Staff Morale. Retrieved from http//hk. jobsdb. com/HK/EN/Resources/EmployerArticle/morale? ID= calciferol

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 20

Part IVSpiritHe who follow up on outs in me all things, and all things in me, is never farthermost from me, and I am never far from him.THE BHAGAVAD GITAChapter 20The street was just wide enough for the deuce of us to walk nerve by side. The grass on either side was as high as an elephants eye. We could see blue sky above us, and exactly as far along the path as the next curve, which could have been either distance away, because on that points no perspective in an unbroken green trench. Wed been traveling on this road most of the day, and passed only one old man and a couple of cows, nevertheless now we could hear what sounded like a large party glide slope us, not far slay, perhaps two hundred yards away. in that respect were mens voices, a lot of them, footsteps, some dissonant metal drums, and most disturbing, the continuous screams of a woman either in pain, or terrified, or both.Young masters came a voice from somewhere near us.I jumped in the air and came push dow n in a defensive stance, my black glass knife drawn and ready. Josh looked around for the source of the voice. The screaming was getting closer. There was a rustling in the grass a few feet away from the road, then again the voice, Young masters, you must hide.An impossibly thin male hardihood with eyes that seemed a size and a half too large for his skull popped out of the wall of grass beside us. You must come. glasswort comes to choose her victims Come now or die.The face disappe atomic number 18d, re office staffd by a craggy chocolate- chocolate-brown hand that motioned for us to follow into the grass. The womans scream hit crescendo and failed, as if the voice had broken like an all overtightened lute string.Go, state Joshua, pushing me into the grass.As soon as I was off of the road someone caught my wrist and started dragging me through the sea of grass. Joshua latched onto the tail of my clothe and allowed himself to be dragged along. As we ran the grass whipped and slashed at us. I could feel blood welling up on my face and arms, redden as the brown nicety pulled me deeper into the sea of green. Above the rasping of my breath I heard men shouting from behind us, then a thrashing of the grass being trampled.They follow, said the brown wraith over his shoulder. Run unless you want your heads to decorate Kalis altar. Run.Over my shoulder to Josh, I said, He vocalises run or it will be bad. goat Josh, outlined against the sky, I saw long, swordlike spear tips, the sort of thing one might use for beheading someone.Okey-dokey, said Josh.It had taken us over a month to get to India, most of the journey through hundreds of miles of the highest, most rugged country we had ever seen. Amazingly enough, there were villages scattered all through the mountains, and when the villagers saw our orange robes doors were flung wide and larders opened. We were always fed, given a warm manoeuvre to sleep, and welcomed to stay as long as we wished. We offered obtuse parables and irritating chants in run, as was the tradition.It wasnt until we came out of the mountains onto a brutally hot and humid grassland that we found our mode of dress was drawing more disdain than welcome. One man, of obvious wealth (he rode a horse and wore silk robes) cursed us as we passed and spit at us. Other people on foot began to take notice of us as well, and we hurried off into some high grass and changed out of our robes. I tucked the glass dagger that Joy had given me into my sash.What was he going on about? I asked Joshua.He said something about tellers of false prophecies. Pretenders. Enemies of the Brahman, whatever that is. Im not sure what else.Well, it looks like were more welcome here as Jews than as Buddhists.For now, said Joshua. All the people have those marks on their foreheads like Gaspar had. I commend without one of those were going to have to be careful.As we travelled into the lowlands the air felt as thick as warm cream, and we could fe el the weight of it in our lungs after so more years in the mountains. We passed into the valley of a wide, muddy river, and the road became choked with people passing in and out of a city of wooden shacks and stone altars. There were humped-back cattle everywhere, even grazing in the gardens, but no one seemed to bear them any mind.The last meat I ate was what was left of our camels, I said.Lets find a booth and buy some beef.There were merchants along the road selling various wares, clay pots, powders, herbs, spices, copper and bronze blades (iron seemed to be in short supply), and flyspeck carvings of what seemed to be a thousand different gods, most of them having more limbs than seemed necessary and none of them looking particularly friendly.We found grain, breads, fruits, vegetables, and bean pastes for sale, but nowhere did we see any meat. We settled on some bread and spicy bean paste, paid the woman with Roman copper coin, then found a place below a large banyan tree wh ere we could sit and look at the river while we ate.Id forgotten the smell of a city, the fetid mlange of people, and waste, and smoke and animals, and I began to long for the clean air of the mountains.I dont want to sleep here, Joshua. Lets see if we cannister find a place in the country.We are sup represent to follow this river to the sea to reach Tamil. Where the river goes, so go the people.The river wider than any in Israel, but shallow, yellow with clay, and still against the heavy air seemed more like a commodious stagnant puddle than a living, moving thing. In this season, anyway. Dotting the surface, a half-dozen skinny, naked men with wild white hair and not three teeth each shouted angry poetry at the top of their lungs and tossed water into glittering crests over their heads.I wonder how my cousin John is doing, said Josh.All along the muddy riverbank women washed clothes and babies only steps from where cattle waded and shat, men fished or pushed long shallow sauce boats along with poles, and children swam or played in the mud. Here and there the corpse of a dog bobbed flyblown in the gentle current.Maybe theres a road inland a little, away from the stench.Joshua nodded and climbed to his feet. There, he said, pointing to a narrow path that began on the opposite bank of the river and disappeared into some tall grass.Well have to cross, I said.Be nice if we could find a boat to take us, said Josh.You dont think we should ask where the path leads?No, said Joshua, looking at a crowd of people who were come acrossing nearby and staring at us. These people all look hostile.What was that you told Gaspar about love was a state you dwell in or something?Yeah, but not with these people. These people are offensive. Lets go.The creepy little brown blackguard who was dragging me through the elephant grass was named Rumi, and much to his credit, amid the chaos and tumble of a headlong dash through a leviathan marshland, engage by a muderous band of cla nging, shouting, spear-waving decapitation enthusiasts, Rumi had managed to find a tiger no small task when you have a kung fu master and the savior of the institution in tow.Eek, a tiger, Rumi said, as we stumbled into a small clearing, a mere depression really, where a cat the size of Jerusalem was gleefully gnawing away on the skull of a deer.Rumi had expressed my sentiments exactly, but I would be damned if I was going to let my last words be Eek, a tiger, so I listened quietly as urine filled my shoes.Youd think all the noise would have frightened him, Josh said, just as the tiger looked up from his deer.I noticed that our pursuers seemed to be closing on us by the second.That is the way it is usually done, said Rumi. The noise drives the tiger to the hunter.Maybe he knows that, I said, so hes not going anywhere. You know, theyre bigger than I imagined. Tigers, I mean.Sit down, said Joshua.Pardon me? I said.Trust me, Joshua said. Remember the cobra when we were kids?I nodded to Rumi and coaxed him down as the tiger crouched and tensed his hind legs as if preparing to leap, which is exactly what he was doing. As the first of our pursuers broke into the clearing from behind us the tiger leapt, sailing over our heads by half again the height of a man. The tiger landed on the first two men coming out of the grass, crushing them under his broad forepaws, then raking their backs as he leapt again. After that all I could see was spear points scattering against the sky as the hunters became, well, you know. Men screamed, the woman screamed, the tiger screamed, and the two men who had fallen under the tiger crawled to their feet and limped back toward the road, screaming.Rumi looked from the dead deer, to Joshua, to me, to the dead deer, to Joshua, and his eyes seemed to grow even larger than before. I am deeply go and eternally grateful for your affinity with the tiger, but that is his deer, and it appears that he has not finished with it, perhapsJoshua stood up. Lead on.I dont know which way.Not that way, I said, pointing in the cathexis of the screaming bad guys.Rumi led us through the grass to an separate road, which we followed to where he lived.Its a pit, I said.Its not that bad, said Joshua, looking around. There were some other(prenominal) pits nearby. People were living in them.You live in a pit, I said.Hey, ease up, Joshua said. He moreoverd our lives.It is a humble pit, but it is home, said Rumi. enrapture make yourself comfortable.I looked around. The pit had been chipped out of sandstone and was about shoulder deep and just wide enough to turn a cow around in, which I would find out was a crucial dimension. The pit was empty except for a single rock about knee high.Have a seat. You whitethorn have the rock, said Rumi.Joshua smiled and sat on the rock. Rumi sat on the floor of the pit, which was covered with a thick layer of black slime. Please. Sit, said Rumi, gesturing to the floor beside him. Im sorry, we can only aff ord one rock.I didnt sit. Rumi, you live in a pit I pointed out.Well, yes, that is true. Where do Untouchables live in your land?Untouchable?Yes, the last-place of the low. The scum of the earth. None of the higher caste may acknowledge my existence. I am Untouchable.Well, no wonder, you live in a fucking pit.No, Joshua said, he lives in a pit because hes Untouchable, hes not Untouchable because he lives in a pit. Hed be Untouchable if he lived in a palace, isnt that right, Rumi?Oh, like thats going to happen, I said. Im sorry, the guy lived in a pit.Theres more room since my wife and most of my children died, said Rumi. Until this morning it was only Vitra, my youngest daughter and me, but now she is gone too. There is plenty of room for you if you wish to stay.Joshua put his hand on Rumis narrow shoulder and I could see the effect it had, the pain evaporating from the Untouchables face like dew under a hot sun. I stood by being wretched.What happened to Vitra? Joshua asked.They ca me and took her, the Brahmans, as a sacrifice on the feast of Kali. I was looking for her when I saw you two. They gather children and men, criminals, Untouchables, and strangers. They would have taken you and day after tomorrow they would have offered your head to Kali.So your daughter is not dead? I asked.They will hold her until midnight on the night of the feast, then slaughter her with the other children on the wooden elephants of Kali.I will go to these Brahmans and ask for your daughter back, Joshua said.Theyll kill you, Rumi said. Vitra is lost, even your tiger cannot save you from Kalis destruction.Rumi, I said. Look at me, please. Explain, Brahmans, Kali, elephants, everything. Go slow, act as if I know nothing.Like that takes imagination, Joshua said, clearly violating my implied, if not expressed, copyright on sarcasm. (Yeah, we have dally TV in the hotel room, why?)There are intravenous feeding castes, said Rumi, the Brahmans, or priests Kshatriyas, or warriors Vaisya s, who are farmers or merchants and the Sudras, who are laborers. There are many subcastes, but those are the main ones. Each man is born to a caste and he remains in that caste until he dies and is reborn as a higher caste or lower caste, which is determined by his karma, or actions during his last life.We know from karma, I said. Were Buddhist monks.Heretics Rumi hissed.Bite me, you bug-eyed scrawny brown guy, I said.You are a scrawny brown guyNo, youre a scrawny brown guyNo, you are a scrawny brown guyWe are all scrawny brown guys, Joshua said, making peace.Yeah, but hes bug-eyed.And you are a heretic.Youre a hereticNo, you are a heretic.Were all scrawny brown heretics, said Joshua, calming things down again.Well, of course Im scrawny, I said. Six years of cold rice and tea, and not a scrap of beef for sale in the whole country.You would eat beef? You heretic shouted Rumi.Enough shouted Joshua.No one may eat a cow. Cows are the reincarnations of souls on their way to the next lif e.Holy cow, Josh said.That is what I am saying.Joshua shook his head as if trying to straighten jumbled thoughts. You said that there were four castes, but you didnt mention Untouchables.Harijans, Untouchables, have no caste, we are the lowest of the low. We may have to live many lifetimes before we even ascend to the level of a cow, and then we may become higher caste. Then, if we follow our dharma, our duty, as a higher caste, we may become one with Brahma, the universal spirit of all. I cant call back you dont know this, have you been living in a cave?I was going to point out that Rumi was in no position to criticize where we had been living, but Joshua signaled me to let it go. Instead I said, So you are lower on the caste system than a cow? I asked.Yes.So these Brahmans wont eat a cow, but they will take your daughter and kill her for their goddess?And eat her, said Rumi, hanging his head. At midnight on the night of the feast they will take her and the other children and tie them to the wooden elephants. They will cut off the childrens fingers and give one to the head of each Brahman household. Then they will catch her blood in a cup and everyone in the household will taste it. They may eat the finger or bury it for good luck. After that the children are hacked to finish on the wooden elephants.They cant do that, Joshua said.Oh yes, the cult of Kali may do anything they wish. It is her city, Kalighat. Calcutta on the Friendly Flyer map. My little Vitra is lost. We can only pray that she is reincarnated to a higher level.Joshua patted the Untouchables hand. Why did you call Biff a heretic when he told you that we were Buddhist monks?That Gautama said that a man may go directly from any level to join Brahma, without fulfilling his dharma, that is heresy.That would be better for you, wouldnt it? Since youre on the bottom of the ladder?You cannot believe what you do not believe, Rumi said. I am an Untouchable because my karma dictates it.Oh yeah, I said. N o sense sitting under a bodhi tree for a few hours when you can get the same thing through thousands of lifetimes of misery.Of course, thats ignoring the fact that youre a heathen and going to suffer eternal damnation either way, said Josh.Yeah, leaving that out altogether. scarcely well get your daughter back, Joshua said.Joshua wanted to rush into Kalighat and demand the return of Rumis daughter and the release of all the other victims in the name of what was good and right. Joshuas solution to everything was to lead with righteous indignation, and there is a time and a place unto that, but there is also a time for cunning and guile (Ecclesiastes 9 or something). I was able to talk him into an alternate plan by using flawless logicJosh, did the Vegemites smite the Marmites by charging in and demanding justice at the end of a sword? I think not. These Brahmans cut off and eat the fingers of children. I know theres no finger-cutting commandment, Josh, but still, Im guessing that th ese people think differently than we do. They call the Buddha a heretic, and he was one of their princes. How do you think theyll receive a scrawny brown kid claiming to be the son of a god who doesnt even live in their area?Good point. But we still have to save the child.Of course.How?Extreme sneakiness.Youll have to be in charge then.First we need to see this city and this temple where the sacrifices will be held.Joshua scratched his head. His hair had mostly grown back, but was still short. The Vegemites smote the Marmites?Yeah, Excretions three-six.I dont remember that. I guess I need to brush up on my Torah.The statue of Kali over her altar was carved from black stone and stood as tall as ten men. She wore a necklace of human skulls around her neck and a encircle made of severed human hands at her hips. Her open maw was lined with a saw blade of teeth over which a watercourse of fresh blood had been poured. Even her toenails curved into vicious blades which dug into the pile of twisted, graven corpses on which she stood. She had four arms, one holding a cruel, serpentine sword, another a severed head by the hair the third hand she held crooked, as if beckoning her victims to the place of dark destruction to which all are destined, and the fourth was posed downward, in a manner presenting the goddesss hand-girded hips, as if asking the eternal question, Does this outfit make me look fat?The raised altar lay in the oculus of an open garden that was surrounded by trees. The altar was wide enough that five hundred people could have stood in the shadow of the black goddess. intricate grooves had been cut in the stone to channel the blood of sacrifices into vessels, so it could be poured through the goddesss jaws. Leading to the altar was a wide stone-paved boulevard, which was lined on either side by great elephants carved from wood and set on turntables so they could be rotated. The trunks and front feet of the elephants were stained rusty brown, and here and there the trunks exhibited deep gouges from blades that had hewn through a child into the mahogany.Vitra isnt being kept here, Joshua said.We were hiding behind a tree near the temple garden, attired as natives, fake caste marks and all. Having lost when we drew lots, I was the one dressed as a woman.I think this is a bodhi tree, I said, just like Buddha sat under Its so exciting. Im feeling sort of enlightened just standing here. Really, I can feel ripe bodhies squishing among my toes.Joshua looked at my feet. I dont think those are bodhies. There was a cow here before us.I lifted my foot out of the mess. Cows are overrated in this country. Under the Buddhas tree too. Is nothing sacred?Theres no temple to this temple, Joshua said. We have to ask Rumi where the sacrifices are kept until the festival.He wont know. Hes Untouchable. These guys are Brahmans priests they wouldnt tell him anything. That would be like a Sadducee telling a Samaritan what the Holy of Holies looked l ike.Then we have to find them ourselves, Joshua said.We know where theyre going to be at midnight, well get them then.I say we find these Brahmans and force them to stop the whole festival.Well just storm up to their temple and tell them to stop it?Yes.And they will.Yes.Thats cute, Josh. Lets go find Rumi. I have a plan.

The contribution of infrastructure to Nigeria’s economic development and future prospects

Introduction thither is general consensus that there is a cocksure relationship between teaching in the monetary sector and sparing return providing the means to mobilize and to allocate funds in the economy (Masha et al., 2004 Shaw, 1973). However, pecuniary festering is withal arrayn to be incompetent to cause economical organic evolution lots being considered to be a passive handmaiden serving to evoke the output and contribution of the substantive sector (production) (Firzli and Bazi, 2011 Olaseni and Alade, 2012). There is therefore unavoidableness for set upd focus on the branch of the real sector, which in most cases is clandestine sector driven and admits economic activities of a body politics citizenry. Herein puzzle the import of radical increase and the need for its aligned pursuit with fiscal sector breeding for enhanced national economic development. This investigate assesses the authority for utilizing alkali investment to enhance economic development in Nigeria, seeking to arrangement need for enhanced focus on stand investments to achieve the countrys desired economic suppuration and a positive future prospects. channelize of queryThis research proposes that there is earthshaking potential for work of infrastructure investment to achieve enhance economic development of Nigeria. Through the assessment of this potential and analysis of government efforts towards managing infrastructure inadequacies, this research endeavours to answer the chief What is the potential for utilizing infrastructure investment to enhance economic development in NigeriaIt seeks to show that infrastructure investments are justifiable in the quest for economic addition and robust future economic development prospects for Nigeria.Research ObjectivesWith regard to its overarching theme, this research aims to achieve the by-line objectives To assess the correlation between infrastructure development and economic growth To assess infrast ructure inadequacies in Nigeria impeding the countrys economic growth and what measures are being taken to address them. To evaluate impact of infrastructure development past and present on Nigerias future prospects and economic outlook. building of proposalFollowing is a review of literature which lays the foundation for the champaign under conduct. It is followed by the research Methodology outlining techniques and approaches employed in the conduct of study. literary productions reviewThere is general consensus that there is a positive relationship between development in the financial sector and economic growth. While acknowledging that financial institutions provide the means to mobilize and allocate funds in the economy hence enhancing development, Schumpeter, in his 1934 work, did not perceive financial sector development as being the cause of economic development. Later in 1954, Robinson supports this view arguing that the financial sector is a handmaiden of economic develo pment, which is passive and responds to needs in the real sector (which encompasses economic production including manufacturing) and therefore growth in the real economy (Masha et al, 2004). However, McKinnon (1973) and Shaw (1973) argue that the financial sector can be much than a passive handmaiden and a major driver of economic growth if it is relieved of its restraints. With repression, they argue that the financial sector responds passively to the needs in the real-sector and can only drive economic development if liberalized. It is settled for most research work that there is a definite link, between growth in the financial sector and in the real sector (economic production). In an article in 2005, Asagowa identified close to ten indices of growth and deepening of the financial sector. These allow rate of growth of all-encompassing money relative to GDP (diversification of the economy), interest rates spread, and ratio of financial assets to GDP, among others (Babatunde, et al, 2012). radix is a material contributor to growth in sectors of the economy much(prenominal) as manufacturing and other haves of production easing and facilitating essential constituent processes.Financial sector reforms and economic developmentUp until the quarter quarter of 1986, Nigeria pursued a government-led economic development paradigm guided by National culture Plans. The government dominated all sectors of the economy including agriculture, commerce, function (especially transportation), and industry, among others, with the offstage sector playing a passive role. Since its independence in 1960 and subsequent discovery and exploitation of oil through the 1970s, the government had sufficient resources to pay these development plans to a reasonable proportion (World Bank, 2010). However, poor fiscal discipline consequent to the revenue windfalls deriving from oil saddled the nation with a significant external debt burden. The disregard of other sectors of the eco nomy led to a fall in international mint, and as well resulted in high unemployment rates and sluggish growth of output. These led the government to rethink its underlying philosophy of development resulting in a stagger in paradigm to a private sector-led paradigm. With this shift came relief of stringent regulations governing every sector which were put up to enhance government control but which impeded the enhancement of performance and growth (Akinyosoye, 2010). In 1984, therefore, a programme was fashioned called the Structural Adjustment platform (SAP) which attempted to move the country away from direct government control of economic activities to indirect control such as through market forces. This involved widespread deregulation of trade, exchange, finance, among others. However, in spite of the increase in the number of financial institutions and greater variety of financial instruments and freedoms, the real economy showed no marked improvement with all macroeconomi c indicators declining three geezerhood into the new millennium (World Bank, 2013). The country suffered debilitating external debt, high inflation (highest at 72.8% in 1995) (FMW, 2012 NNBS, 2013), high level of fiscal debt, underemployment and low capacity utilization in industry and agriculture. There was general distress withal in the financial sector with high levels of insolvency and non-performing loans (Firzli and Bazi, 2011). Financial reforms eat up not been entirely successful translating into economic growth to desired levels. In this regard, there is need for aligned pursuit of growth in the financial sector with that in the real sector, which is facilitated by infrastructure development. Herein lay the import of infrastructure development. cornerstone and economic developmentInfrastructure is herein defined to include the sectors of transport, water and sanitation, telecommunications, might, among others. In all countries across the globe, this aspect represents a large portfolio of expenditure, ranging from a third to a half(a) of public investment (Akinyosoye, 2010). Given the intense capital requirement and the length of time it takes for benefits to manifest, there has been rival and debate among economic constitution tillerrs, politicians and the general public regarding the performance of infrastructure and its impact on economic development (Patunola-Ajayi, 2013). However, AEO (2013) and WEF (2010) among others present a widespread apprehension that the inadequacy of physical infrastructure in a country is among major constraints impeding sustained and broad-based economic development. There are divers(a) correlations between infrastructure and economic activity. In the short term, the construction phase is associated with attendant decision in the public sector that could suck in an influence on macroeconomic variables such as GDP, employment, public deficit, inflation, among others. The public investment thus expands aggrega te demand, yielding a boost to employment, production and income (Patunola-Ajayi, 2013). In the medium and ache term (the utilization phase), there are macroeconomic achievements such as increases in productivity over the dirt and in the private sector, as well as its effect on the degree of competitiveness of an economy (ADB, 2012 Foster and Briceno-Garmendia, 2010). Additionally, various benefits derive from infrastructure development. The availability of infrastructure influences the marginal productivity of private capital with investment of public capital in infrastructure in a particular location often attracting additional flow of resources (Akinyosoye, 2010 ADB, 2012). Infrastructure services such as transportation, electricity, and water are also intermediate inputs to production. Public capital invested in infrastructure therefore complements private capital and serves to enhance economic development (ADB, 2012 World Bank, 2010). Services thereby generated as a result o f sufficiency of infrastructure translate into increased aggregate output. At the microeconomic level, the effect of infrastructure is specifically seen through the decrease in the cost of production derived from its impact on profitability, output levels, employment and incomes (Myers, 2007). This is particularly the case for small and medium measure enterprises. Extensive and efficient infrastructure is critical in ensuring effective functioning of the economy and is an important factor in the determination of the location of economic activity and the kind of sectors and/or economic activities that can develop in a particular economy (Patunola-Ajayi, 2013). There is also the intermediate input for economic development which encompasses higher productivity obtained from improved human capacity development. This can be attained through improvements in healthcare, nutrition, education, better roads and transportation, and access to electricity to households as well as telecommunic ation services which enable the creative engagement of citizens and access to core economic activities (Wilhelm, 2010 Akinyosoye, 2010). On a global scale, and regarding international trade (trade logistics), there is also an impact on the cost and quality of service which determine competitiveness in export and import markets. Infrastructure reduces the effect of remoteness between regions, enables the integration of national markets, and creates connections at lower cost to markets in other regions or countries (WEF, 2010 ADB, 2012 KPMG, 2012). A remarkable positive effect of infrastructure development has been adduced by models such as the Cobb-Douglas which yield a median value of 0.30. This means that public investment equivalent to 100% of the public capital striving would lead to a 300% growth of private production (Babatunde, et al, 2012). Investment in infrastructure is therefore among the important mechanisms through which to increase income, employment, productivity, an d consequently, the competitiveness of the economy.Infrastructure development in NigeriaNigerias economic growth is largely driven by the capital-intensive oil sector which continues to drive the economy. The average growth of this sector was well-nigh 8% comparable to -0.35% for the non-oil sectors (NNBS, 2013). Given its limited rent out creation capacity, focus on this sector has not translated into sufficient jobs resulting in poverty and disenfranchisement of the greater commonwealth and, therefore, the countrys low rank in the Human Development Index (HDI) (NNBS, 2013 The Guardian, 2012). In this regard, King, 2003 FMW, 2012 and AEO, 2013 show that economic growth has not translated into sufficient job creation and/or poverty alleviation with unemployment increasing from 21% in 2010 to 24% in 2011 (King, 2003 NNBS, 2013). The countrys outlook for growth remains positive, though, with an one-year economic growth rate of about 8% (KPMG, 2011 NNBS, 2013), and an anticipated GD P growth rate of about 12% in the next five eld (NNBS, 2013 AEO, 2013). This outlook pegs its vision 202020s aspiration to achieve a GDP of $900 billion (FMW, 2012 NNBS, 2013) predicated on improved sectoral performance, the propulsion of a better commercial enterprise environment, and supportive government policies focused on stability in the macroeconomic environment and increased investment. This is however challenged by short and medium term downside risks which include security challenges due to religious conflict in some of its states, slowed global economic growth in major economies of the world and the crisis of the Eurozone (Olaseni and Alade, 2012). There is therefore a great need to diversify the Nigerian economy making it broad-based (both socially and geographically) and to expand the sources of growth. The development of agriculture, manufacturing and services could enable the broadening of growth, creation of employment and reduction of poverty (AEO, 2013). The coun try is therefore addressing the infrastructure deficit in the country to create linkages and to enable such diversification which would enable inclusive growth (FMW, 2012). Infrastructure made a one percentage point net contribution to the countrys improved per capita growth performance in juvenile years (NNBS, 2013), notably held back by unreliable personnel depict (Olaseni and Alade, 2012). In spite of the obvious importance of infrastructure to the nation, governments both at the national and topical anaesthetic levels have continued to pay lip service to the provision of infrastructure (Financial recents, 2014). As a consequence, the countrys growth prospect is undermined. The following atom offers a glimpse at some of the countrys major infrastructure inadequacies.Inadequacies in infrastructure developmentUrban housingLack of proper planning and management of rapid urbanization has led to uncontrolled growth in major cities and towns to accommodate an informal economy w hich stands at 60-70%. This has had a negative impact on the landscapes of urban centres, hint to decay of inner cities, growth of shanty towns especially in peri-urban areas, consequently limiting their contribution to the national economy being inimical to security and peachy governance (UN Habitat, 2010).TransportThroughout the country, roads are neglected, particularly those connecting major cities, the sea port and commercial centres to the hinterland which are bad and deteriorating. Efforts at repair are often in vain due to the use of substandard materials. Though having the potential to provide a cheaper means of transport, the existing rail network is old and dilapidated, having served half a century after being built by the British colonial government (ADB, 2012). Attempts to procure new coaches or to create new routes have not succeeded. This has fostered the development of a disorganized and unregulated private sector freight and passenger road transport system, which has resulted in traffic congestion in cities, increase in motor accidents, and environmental pollution (UN Habitat, 2010). Given Nigerias endowment of waterways and long stretches of coast with potential for transportation, this option, which could ease congestion on roads and aid easier movements, is neglected and the water ways are left undeveloped. There are only a few canoe and convey routes which are ill-equipped having no good jetties, harbours, safer boats or ferries. The recently refurbished mini-port at Ikorodu, Lagos separate provides relief to commuters going through the Ikorodu-Lagos-Lekki road where they now only cross by ferry to Ajah (Akinyosoye, 2010). This is evidence of potential and should be replicated across the country. Transportation of heavy cargo through waterways can save pressure on roads. There have been recent attempts to improve/ renovate airports which have for a long time remained in deplorable condition, and to address the challenge of adequate cap acity. Travelling by air is even expensive in Nigeria compared to international standards with charter options such as helicopter, cargo and passenger planes largely untapped. Air transport has the exceptional advantage in footing of speed, time of travel and distance considerations. It is also of high value in relation to weight and is preferred when accessibility is a challenge (Akinyosoye, 2010).Electricity supplyThough it forms a significant avenue for economic empowerment of the people and country as a whole, the power crisis in Nigeria persists. Irregular supply impedes production and manufacturing and consequently some entities have had to relocate leading to loss of employment opportunities (UN Habitat, 2010). The country currently generates 4000MW which is inadequate compared to South Africas 34000MW (Olaseni and Alade, 2012). There are however efforts and resources being planned in the medium term towards enhancement of power supply but quite a lot needs to be done given the importance of power in economic development and well-being of citizens who make use of generators for their power requirements (Olaseni and Alade, 2012).Water supply infrastructurePopulation pressure has strained water supply capacity with damaged supply pipes, deteriorating water treatment infrastructure and erratic power supply challenging the supply of safe water to the population. To many, the main sources of water are boreholes, wells, springs, flowing rivers, and tolerate whose safety for human consumption is not guaranteed. Poor sanitation and consequent diseases impacts overall health and well-being of citizens and their productivity (UN Habitat, 2010).CommunicationThe emergence of cellular phones has revolutionized the public and private business environment, bridging communication gaps that hitherto existed. There has subsequently been a reduction in unproductive business trips and an enhancement of transactions. High prices of service and poor reception, inadequate capacity and coverage however need to be addressed for this aspect to facilitate expected economic growth (Financial News, 2014). There is obviously greater need for the Nigerian government and constituent states to develop adequate and effective infrastructure. This requires a more strategic approach to tackle its dearth which has been deemed to constrain the required economic development. There needs to be robust strategic planning, strong political will, as well as the right procurement approach to achieve long term success (Akinyosoye, 2010 AEO, 2013). According to World Bank (2013) estimates, Nigerias vision and aspiration to attain middle income status by 2020 requires sustained investment in infrastructure of about $14.2 billion over the next decade which is about 12% of its GDP. The current investment is $5.9 billion (5% of GDP) (NNBS, 2013) falls short. Expenditure on food imports is a significant at $90 billion a year (NNBS, 2013 World Bank, 2013) and is unnecessary given Nigerias potential in agriculture, taking up resources that could finance infrastructure development (World Bank, 2013). Reducing this bill requires investment in enabling infrastructure such as rural energy, transport systems, telecommunication and irrigation systems. However, much of Nigerias impetus for rural development will derive from investments at the level of the State though such infrastructure run by the State and government is prone to low maintenance and support, hindering efficiency and effectiveness (Olaseni and Alade, 2012). Current development of public infrastructure is occurring in tandem with a broad expansion of private sector developments, particularly in the property market (ADB, 2012). Continued urbanization and an emerging middle class, as well as a shortfall in quality office space for investor companies are key drivers for this wave of real estate development (KPMG, 2011 FMW, 2012). The success of ambitious infrastructure developments is believably to i ncrease investors appetite to expand their operations and capture the anticipated growth, portends significant potential for economic growth (AEO, 2013).MethodologyResearch PhilosophyThis study employs a pragmatic philosophy which embraces both positivism in its opening up and confirming valid causal relationships which can therefore be used for prediction and subjectivism which appreciates the difference between worldly concern as social actors, with varied views of reality, values and knowledge (Creswell, 2002). Focus in this regard is on observable phenomena and their subjective meanings driving applied research integrate different perspectives to help in the interpretation of data.Study Technique and StrategyGiven the contextual nature of the study and its focus being an attempt to gauge the impact of infrastructure development on Nigerias economy, a qualitative inductive approach is deemed to be a suitable approach enabling a detailed exploration of the subject (Quirke, B., 2 008). The inductive approach is useful in condensing varied and extensive data into a brief and summarized format while establishing links between research objectives and findings obtained (Saunders et al., 2000). This technique involves the exploration of published literature on the subject including government reports, working papers, as well as journals and other relevant literature. This research also employs a quantitative technique in the conduct of interviews in a social deal to targeted experts in Nigerias development ministry as well as government leaders in sample states. This would enable the acquisition of information on actual infrastructure investment and development, cross-checked to the particular region by local officials towards the realization of study objectives. This would also enable the acquisition of opinions and information on the actual contribution of infrastructure to increased economic activity in the various regions, and/or the enhancement of life whic h is a precursor to increased productivity.Practical ImplementationThe targeted experts chosen for the survey include random sample of 20 officials in the national federal official Government in charge of oversight of infrastructure development in the countrys 36 Federal States and the administrative areas of the Federal smashing territory and urban councils. This will enable the attainment of a comprehensive view of projects and prospects given that they comprise the control centre for the entire nation, and arebetter placed to notice and to position increases in economic activity reflected in increase in revenues to Local government areas and urban councils, and tax revenues to the nation state. This survey will take the form of a structured interview administered by the researcher, a method which holds consistency of results obtained and answers that can reliably be aggregated. Its format is as appears in Appendix A comprising both closed- and open-ended questions which affor d the research the capability to compare and/or contrast interviewee responses in order to answer the research question (Creswell, 2002).Analysis approachData obtained from interviews will be analysed using SPSS which enables the production of graphs which would enable the study to show correlations between infrastructure development and increase in economic activity (growth in the real sector) which enables rating of its actual or potential impact. A wide and extensive exploration of literature, as well as congruence on the ground as assessed by target experts enhances reliability and validity of data obtained (Creswell, 2002). The choice of a representative sample from across the entire country enhances the studys generalizability and thereofore its capacity to make comprehensive deductions on the subject (Creswell, 2002 Saunders et al., 2000). Findings showing an increase in economic activities in areas recently served by new or improved infrastructure entree of medium and larg e scale investors to locations supported by actual or prospective infrastructure investments as well as increases in local and federal government revenues signify the contribution of infrastructure investments in increased economic activity engaging the population in the regions and overall expansion in the real sector. These are expected to translate to economic growth and positive future prospects for economic development.Limitations of studyAssessment of the impact and actual correlation of infrastructure development on economic growth might be a challenge given the length of time with which the utilization of infrastructure translates into tangible economic activity and causes observable effect on the countrys economy. Economic growth of a country depends on the interplay of several factors including financial deepening, investor confidence, the encouragement of various economic activities, among other socio-cultural and policy factors. The isolation of the contribution of infra structure development is therefore a challenge and might affect the outcome of this research.Ethical ConsiderationsIt is imperative in research to ensure that the survey approach and activities do not portend psychological or social harm to interviewees. An initial important and significant step is in ensuring that the researcher seeks intercommunicate consent from the particular interviewees and as well from their superiors in departments or other actors whose areas of duty and responsibility may be touched by the inquiry. This would ensure that there are no breaches in confidentiality, and also ensures that interviewees are not put in tight spots and forced to discuss sensitive areas and information which may be of psychological harm. The researcher should also be keen to note potential language barriers and cultural practices such as cultural gender power disparities that may impede the smooth progress of the interview and which may also negatively impact the interviewees makin g them feel incompetent or hindered in their participation. In such cases, the researcher should seek support of interpreters and agreeable individuals to help out in the conduct of the interview enhancing comfort and therefore output. Alongside the above considerations, it is also worthwhile to ensure that time set aside for interviews and other activities such as prior meetings is properly consented to both by management or superiors in the relevant departments in which the interviewers are, as well as by the interviewees themselves. This would ensure that the interviews and related activities do not infringe on official or own(prenominal) schedules, as well as personal, cultural or religious preferences or obligations. The interviewee should also be informed of their right to answer a particular question or to terminate the interview altogether. The researcher in this study therefore in the foregoing will endeavour to obtain proper consent for study survey respect privacy and go odwill of participants by not asking hypersensitive or confidential information respect cultural norms and individual preferences of interviewees ensure the confidentiality of data collected protecting it from access by third parties, and, to honestly and accurately report information obtained from the survey, avoiding the identification of interviewees if they wish that their identity be waived. destructionReform in Nigerias financial sector is inadequate for economic development if the economy is not diversified and if citizens are not engaged in worthwhile economic activity. For the government to achieve this shift there needs to be a focus on infrastructure development, which would encourage private investments, enhance well-being of citizens, reduce existing constraints, and overall increase in economic activity which contribute to economic growth. Further research is required to clearly show correlations between investment in infrastructure and economic growth and future econo mic prospects. This would enable its effects to be isolated from among other factors such as financial deepening which are also essential for economic growth and development.ReferencesAfrican Development Bank, 2012. An Infrastructure Action Plan for Nigeria Closing the Infrastructure crack and Accelerating Economic Transformation. ADB Group report Africa Economic Outlook, 2013. Nigeria Economic Outlook. AEO Report Akinyosoye, M., 2010. Infrastructure Development in Nigeria Roadmap to Sustainable Development. Working Paper Babatunde, O., S., Afees, and O., Olasunkanmi, 2012. Infrastructure and economic growth in Nigeria A multivariate Approach. In Journal of Business Management and Accounting Vol. 1(3), pp. 030-039, October 2012 Business Newspaper, 2011. PPP as a tool for Infrastructure Development in Nigeria. 20th October by Dominic Obuzuwa Creswell, J., 2002. Educational research Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, NJ Pea rson Education. Federal Ministry of Works, 2012. Road infrastructure and related development in Nigeria Compendium report. Viewed from www.works.gov.ng Financial News, 2014. Nigeria takes step to develop Infrastructure. Article by Sarah Krouse Firzli, M., and V., Bazi, 2011. Infrastructure Investments in an Age of Austerity The Pension and Sovereign Funds Perspective. In Revue Analyse Financiere, volume 41, pp. 34-37. Foster, V., and C., Briceno-Garmendia, 2010. Africas Infrastructure A time for Transformation. Washington, D.C. The World Bank. King, D., 2003. USAID/Nigeria Economic Growth Activities Assessment. Arlington VA IBM Business Consulting Services KPMG, 2011. Trends in Global authoritative Estate Global Issues and Insights. Viewed from http//www.kpmg.com/Global/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesAndPublications/Pages/Trends-global real estate.aspx Masha, et al, 2004. Theoretical Issues in Financial Intermediating Financial Markets, Macro-economic Management and Monetary Policy. In Financial Markets in Nigeria, CBN, Abuja. McKinnon, R., 1973. Money and Capital in Economic Development. Washington, D.C. The Brookings Institution Myers, D., 2007. Construction Economics. Wiltshire, Great Britain Cromwell Press Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, 2013. Viewed from http//www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/ Olaseni, M., and W., Alade, 2012. Vision 202020 and the Challenges of Infrastructure Development in Nigeria. In Journal of Sustainable Development Vol.5, No 2(2012) Patunola-Ajayi, B., 2013. Infrastructure Development and Economic Empowerment in Nigeria. The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. NIESV Quirke, B., 2008. Making the connections Using qualitative research to make research work, 2nd ed., Hampshire Gower Publishing Ltd. Saunders, M., P., Lewis, and A., Thornhill, 2000. Research Methods for Business Students, 2nd edition, London Pitman Publishing Shaw, E., 1973. Financial Deepening In Economic Development. New York. Oxford University press The Gu ardian, 2012. Roads and Rail in Nigeria could be at the centre of Job creation. January 24 UN Habitat, 2010. Nigeria Country Programme Document (2008-2009). United Nations Human Settlements Programme Wilhelm, T., 2010. EDC Nigeria Economics online. Viewed from http//www.edc.ca/english/docs/gnigeria_e.pdf World Bank, 2010. Infrastructure at the crossroads lessons from 20 years of World Bank experience. Washington DC The International Bank for reconstruction and Development / the World Bank World Bank, 2013. The World Bank Economic Report for Nigeria. WB World Economic Forum, 2010. The Global Competitiveness Report 20102011. geneva World Economic Forum

Religion and Homosexuality in the United States Essay

I. IntroductionReligion-led moral crusades are non novelties in American history. The abolitionist movework forcet, for instance, originated from religious teachings more or less freedom and equality among all human beings. Early education reforms and laws barring commercial business on Sundays also had similar foundations (Walzer 4). In the early twentieth century, the temperance movement agitated for a prohibition on sales of alcohol due to religious beliefs about the evils of liquor. In the 1960s, black churches and religious leaders took the lead in the struggle for equality for African-Americans (Walzer 5).Since the late 1960s, however, conservative Christian denominations have increasingly become the voice of religion- ground moral fervor in the unite States. The 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, is generally acknowledged as the root cause of this phenomenon. Many right-wing Christian organizations held the aforementi aced public opinion responsible for the prevalence of premarital sex, easier access to birth control, decriminalized abortion, homo knowledgeableity and no-fault divorce laws. They believed that for a sound and healthy society to take place, these social evils must be stopped (Walzer 5).Fundamentalist Christians considered homo cozyity to be the most dangerous among the above-mentioned social evils. This is because the sexual orientation and behavior of homosexuals (clash) with the moral and religious teachings of the Bible (Walzer 5). besides if put, homosexuals are immoral for the reason that their gender and lifestyle deviates from the Judeo-Christian principle of sexual relations as a means of procreation. They must therefore be denied any venues in which they could spread their im righteousness, such as gay civil rights (Walzer 5). The conflict surrounded by faith and homosexuality in the US eventually split Christians between those who regarded homosexuality as a morality issue and those who viewed homosexuality as a social justice issue that both society and form religion must address instead of ignore (Dawkins 290).This research paper will utilize the Marxist theoretical frameworks of dialectical and historical materialism. Dialectical materialism is based on the argument that history is defined by an endless struggle between different social classes. Historical materialism, meanwhile, asserts that the present kingdom of a given society can be explained and understood by filling its past (Boobbyer 142). These theoretical frameworks are applied to the research paper through the study of the histories of gay civil rights and church-state relations in the US.To prove the thesis, the researcher will conduct a critical analysis of current government statistics or research data that are related to the topic. Qualitative descriptions of relevant government policies or research data will likewise be carried out.II. Data and Data abridgmentConservative Christian denomina tions often attack homosexuality by warning the public about the increasing frame of homosexuals in the US. As they are run on the premise that homosexuals are immoral, these religious groups would therefore claim that the rise in homosexuality would translate to an increase in social evils such as human immunodeficiency virus/ aid and pedophilia. They would further drive this point home to audiences by bombarding them with related statistics from reputable sources. In the end, bigotry and homophobia are reinforced among the addressees.Recent statistics do show an increase in homosexuality in the US from previous decades. The 1994 National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) showed that an estimated 4.3 million Americans (2.8 million men and 1.5 million women) identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual (Sprigg 78). In addition, about 1.4 million Americans (0.9% of men and 0.4% of women) were exclusively engaged in same-sex relationships since age 18 (Sprigg 78). By 2000, ac cording to the Washington, D.C.-based gay rights organization Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the gay and lesbian population in the US reached about 10,456,405. Data from the 2000 US Census, meanwhile, revealed that the number of same-sex couples in the country rose to 601,209 from 145,130 in 1990 (Burda 1).But the aforementioned figures are misleading. The institutions that produced these statistics do not have a clear idea of what constitutes homosexuality, bisexuality and same-sex relationships. legion(predicate) studies on human sexual behavior have proven that it is possible for human beings of the same sex to engage in sexual activities regardless of sexual orientation. The term homoerotic behavior refers to same-sex sexual behavior that is performed for reasons that do not include homosexuality. Possible motivations for homoerotic behavior are identity crisis, exploration, same-sex bonding, glorification of masculinity or femaleness and lack of opposite-sex partners (Turner 15 8).Mistaking homoerotic behavior for homosexuality is dangerous, as doing so has detrimental effects to both homosexuals and society in general. despotic qualities that could grow out of same-sex bonding, like caring, intimacy and nurturance, are suppressed and undervalued because such traits are associated with homosexuality (Abramson and Pinkerton 239). Furthermore, negative gender stereotypes are reinforced. Masculinity is linked with aflame detachment and superficial forms of socialization such as drinking, smoking and gambling. Femininity, on the other hand, is connected to submissiveness and lack of initiative.Experts have long debunked the connection between homosexuality, HIV/AIDS and pedophilia. It is true that HIV/AIDS was initially called the gay cancer because majority of its first victims were homosexual men. But this does not mean that HIV/AIDS is a disease that is restricted to homosexuals or that homosexuals alone are responsible for its spread. HIV/AIDS is spread by behavior and not by sexual orientation. A heterosexual who practices unsafe sex is just as prone to the disease as a homosexual who has a similar lifestyle.It is also not true that homosexuals are more prone to pedophilia than heterosexuals. As a matter of fact, about 90% of sexual abuse on children was committed by heterosexual men. A 1994 study that was published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that out of 296 cases of child sexual abuse, there were only two in which the culprit was a homosexual. Moreover, a heterosexual partner of a close relative of the child was the alleged offender in about 82% of the said cases (Moe 70).aside from baseless and damaging myths, another assault that Christian fundamentalists carry out on homosexuality is the elimination of gay civil rights. Proposition 8, passed in atomic number 20s general elections on November 4, 2008, was a constitutional amendment that prohibited same-sex marriage in the state. Catholic and Mormon organizations overw helmingly supported the proposition, arguing that same-sex marriage menace the sanctity of marriage and the family. These groups were likewise concerned that allowing same-sex marriage to remain legal in California would deprive children of the right to have a normal family one that was composed of a father and a mother (Kuruvila n. pag.).The passage of Proposition 8 is ironic, considering that one of the largest and most active homosexual communities is based in San Francisco. in that respect were already about 18,000 same-sex couples who got married in California just four months prior to the passage of Proposition 8 (Garrison, DiMassa and Paddock n. pag.). The proposition would thus force the states homosexual couples to get married in one of the five remaining US states where same-sex marriage is legal Maine, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont (Montanaro n. pag.). Although Proposition 8 won 52% of votes (The Huffington Post n. pag.), some of Californias leaders ar e questioning its legality. The Democrat-controlled state Legislature, for instance, argued that the Constitution cannot be revised by a classical majority vote it would strip the minority group of their constitutionally protected right. At present, Californias Supreme Court is dealing with a serial of lawsuits that involve the contention of Proposition 8 (Ewers n. pag.).III. FindingsEven if the US Constitution clearly stated that there is an official separation between church and state, American society remains to be a deeply religious polity (Walzer 5). Simply put, American society is a democracy that continues to be heavily based on religious doctrine. This phenomenon is a legacy of the countrys colonial past the first whites that came to the US were members of spiritual communities fleeing religious persecution in England. Consequently, the Founding Fathers declare that the US would not have an official state religion. All citizens were allowed to worship as they pleased an d to openly propagate their faiths (Walzer 5).But this did not mean that the knock over about the role of religion in American life has ended. The leaders of the US in its formative years were overwhelmingly of Christian faith. Thus, it became inevitable that the legislative and judicial philosophies of American society were founded on Christian principles. The Founding Fathers, for instance, believed that despite the absence of an official religion, the US should be a Christian nation whose morality should be reflective of Christian values (Walzer 4).It is true that many Christian denominations were responsible for instigating much-needed social changes in various parts of American history. But as American society became increasingly pluralistic in the succeeding centuries, the need for more secularism in its major institutions emerged. This dilemma resulted in a conflict between conservative Christian denominations and a Christian populace that was slowly becoming tolerant of beh aviors that were used to be considered as deviant, such as homosexuality. In the process, current aspects of the societal and legal discussions of gay civil rights were negatively affected (Walzer 6).Although judges are supposed to be neutral interpreters of the law, personal experiences (including religious training and beliefs) muted shape their perspectives both consciously and unconsciously (Walzer 6). Indeed, Christian fundamentalist groups are notorious for their attempts to resist the passage of or weaken laws that promote homosexual rights (Walzer 7). In the name of religion, conservative Christian organizations will not think twice about harassing homosexuals and gay rights associations, as well as interfere with the creation and enactment of gay civil rights laws. It is no longer surprising, therefore, if legal rights for homosexuals such as same-sex marriage, protection from workplace discrimination and adoption by gay parents were attained only in the recent decades.P astor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church is an example of how far fundamentalist Christians could go just to prove their homophobic stance. He once organized a picket at the funeral of homosexual rights activist Coretta Scott King, proclaiming that her soul would be punished in hell due to her advocacy. Since 1991, Phelps has reportedly organized 22,000 anti-homosexual demonstrations in the US, Canada, Jordan and Iraq. These protest confines of his often displayed homophobic slogans such as THANK GOD FOR AIDS (Dawkins 291).IV. ConclusionConservative Christian denominations in the US were unprepared for the increasingly cock-a-hoop atmosphere of American society. They therefore harshly criticized everything that was associated with it, particularly homosexuality. For Christian fundamentalists, homosexuals were immoral because they do not comply with the Judeo-Christian principle of sexual relations as a means of procreation. Such a way of thinking eventually spawned all for ms of harassment against homosexuals, such as damaging and baseless myths, deceptive statistics and laws that hinder the enactment of gay civil rights.It would be impossible for the US to claim that it is a Christianity-based democracy when homophobia is rampant in its turf. Homophobia can be eliminated from the country by educating people regarding the myths and the facts surrounding homosexuality. Stiffer penalties for and stricter implementation of laws against hate crimes would also help. As long as people are discriminated upon for any reason other than involvement in criminal activity, there can be no such thing as a free or just society.

Richard Cory

Richard Cory Edwin Arlington Robinson Money cant barter for happiness is an old saying that echoes done time however, it seems to echo so softly that it is quite often ignored. People everywhere in search for their fulfillment see money as a fast train leading to their destination of happiness. The envy and the jealousy of the poor and the needy lie with the abstruse and powerful. Richard Cory is the envy of the whole town. The townspeople look at him as if he had it all. They see his money, feel his power, know his intelligence and not one time do they ever doubt his happiness.They look at him as more than a mere man, and they desire and long to be looked at in this way. They assume that living interchangeable Richard Cory will bring them infinite happiness. The poem seems to indicate that everyone keeps their distance from Mr. Cory. His money does not buy him happiness and it does not bring him friends. Richard Cory led an unbearably lonely spiritedness, which is reflected in the very last livestock of the poem when he commits suicide by shooting himself in the head. Richard Cory is an excellent example of didactic poetry. The whole purpose of this poem is to teach a sustenance lesson.That lesson being that money cannot buy happiness. The poem is an iambic pentameter and consists of four stanzas. Each line contains ten syllables. The rhyming pattern is A, B, A, B. The first three stanzas of the poem retrace the subject, while the fourth stanza shocks the reader. In the first stanza of Richard Cory the reader becomes aware of the main thrust of the poem that suggests the differences between the wealthy and the less fortunate. The speaker of the poem belongs to the last mentioned score and the poem clearly draws out distinctions between us and him. In the second line, We people on the pavement looked at him (I. ) suggests a lower class stating how they look up to him as well as merely staring at him. In the third and fourth lines the speaker uses the term gentleman which continues the variation of economic classes. Then by claiming this gentlemanly quality from sole to crown, (I. 3) the speaker is emphasizing how kingly Cory is. In the second stanza the speaker of the poem is sure to make sure his listeners understand that Richard Cory was just a normal, nice guy. He does not look down on the common folk he isnt arrogant he speaks to people the way the speaker would expect him to. And he was always human when he talked. (II. 2) Cory seems very friendly and happy just like the common working-class stiffs, only better looking and richer. The third stanza tells us that Richard Cory is rich, but the speaker also exaggerates Corys wealth by saying he is richer than a king. (III. 1) At this point, the audience knows the speaker is speaking in terms of wealth not personality and a successful life. In the fourth and nett stanza the first two lines restate the differences between the two economic classes. As the audience reads on to the final two lines of the poem they are hit with a shock.Richard Cory, the man who has everything, the man who is everything that these hard working folk want to bethis icon of success and happinesskills himself. Robinson uses many poetic devices to make his readers feel at one with Richard Cory. A metaphor can be found in the first line of the third stanza. And he was rich-yes, richer than a king. (III. 1) He was rich is the tenor of the metaphor. Richer than a king is the vehicle of the metaphor. Richard Cory is also an excellent example of situational irony. What happens at the end of the poem is different from what the reader expects to happen.Richard Corys death comes as a complete shock Robinson also uses imagery to paint the picture of this handsome, wealthy, gentleman who has it all. He uses descriptive adjectives to tell about his wealth and his intelligence. He makes his readers withdraw that this man is on top of the world. That is until the reader gets to the final li ne of the poem and the situational irony kicks into gear. Robinson plays off the two elements to create a vivid and shocking poem. As Robinsons audience comes to find, it is impossible to influence true friendship and complete happiness by the size of your wallet.A king may sit on his throne his entire life and count his gold, but that throne no matter the size or the comfort could ever replace the warmth of another(prenominal) human being. As that gold slowly collects dust over time its sparkle will fade and so will he. Money can buy anything in the entire world except the things that matter most in life such as love, self-fulfillment and contentment. Living out a life of luxury did not alter the reality that on the inside Richard Cory was a key example of imperfection in a seemingly perfect world.

The Word of God

We should read and study the leger because it is totally reliable and without error. oThe Old Testament writers claimed many multiplication they were speaking the word of God. Isaiah 12 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth for the ennoble has spoken Children have I re bed and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. oThe in the raw Testament writers confirmed the Old Testament was God speaking. Hebrews 412 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of thought and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. oThroughout the playscript, God warns non to add, to take away from His Word. Rev. 2218-19 I warn everyone who hears the haggling of the prophecy of this book if anyone adds to them, God impart add to him the plagues exposit in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. oJesus in His sayings confirmed the Old Testament as being without error.Luke 2444 These are my words that I spoke to you charm I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. oThose involved in science say the Bible is non accurate, but every time science tries to disprove the Bible, it ends up proving it. The Bible has never changed over the thousands of years since it was written. The Bible is authoritative and can be rely as such. No piece of literature even approaching its age comes close to having the supportive textual evidence indicating authenticity that the Bible has.It is simply the or so reliable text in existence. We should read and study the Bible because there is so much false teaching. The Bible gives us the measuring stick by which we can distinguish truth from error. Amos 78 And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then the Lord said, Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel I will never again pass by them solely Christians should study the Bible each day. Psalm 11915 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 11-3 happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The top hat time to study is in the morning because the Bible refers frequently to things being done early in the morning. Isaiah 504 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.Morning by morning He awakens He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. It is highl y recommended that two Bibles be used. One is the main Bible and the other is a study Bible with rise notes. The Bible should not be read as a textbook but as the word of God. Before even opening the Bible to read, it is best to ask the LORD to reveal something fresh that will help in ones daily walk. The different approaches to reading the Bible are oHearing oReading oWriting oStudying oMeditating oMemorizing. oApplication The pursuance study aids will also be necessary to help understand the Bible oA concordance (Youngs, Strong or Crudens) A Bible mental lexicon oA commentary on the Bible oVines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words oA good English dictionary oA notebook to record impressions oA Bible marker to highlight certain passages that make a special impression The Bible can be read through from beginning to end or a daily program followed where both Old and New Testament portions are read each day until the whole Bible is read. But save up in mind that th e goal is not to get through the Bible as quickly as possible but rather to absorb it as the word of God.For centuries the Bible has been a fixed point of reference and no matter how far society and individuals have strayed, the Bible has served as a acquit for human conduct, a moral framework producing a sense of right and wrong, a source of truth, an inspiration for the arts, music, literature and a beacon for personal behavior. Philip. 48-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and authentic and heard and seen in mepractice these things, and the God of peace will be with you Bible meditation Meditation means pondering by talking to oneself, musing, thinking, or reflection. It involves allowing the mind to become saturated with Gods words. Meditation involves the heart memorization involves the mind. Bible meditation contains the secret to happiness, fruitfulness, freshness, progress, prosperity, success and victory over enemies. 1 Tim. 415 Practice these things devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Some ways to meditate are oMemorize a section of the Bible oQuote the section (verse) to the Lord as a personal prayer oRepeat the section several times each time, emphasize a different word oVisualize the substance of each word as far as you can oRepeat the section and ponder on the full meaning of each word oRest let the words grow in your mind, will and emotions. oUse section to talk with God oPonder each word for personal application oExpect God to bring this section to your mind for decisions and stage you ew insights from it. The Bible equips us to serve God. Ephesians 411-13 And he gave some, apostles and some, prophets and some, evangelists and some, pastors and teachers (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (13) Till we all come in the accordance of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Memorizing Bible verses is important more important than many people realize.It is not to score well with God and others, but to help disciples become more equipped for ministry. John 1426 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Jesus subdued the opposition at the temptation simply by quoting verses He had memorized from Deuteronomy. Jesus demonstrates both the importance and effectiveness of knowing and applying Scripture to combat temptation. (Matthew 41-7)