Film review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Film survey - Essay Example Katniss replaces her more youthful sister in the games and in view of her aptitude in bows and arrows can endure a portion of the most exceedingly awful assaults by her kindred rivals. Moreover, she has an affection enthusiasm for the type of Peeta who, before they get into the field, proclaims his adoration for her in a meeting. All through the film, we see an adjustment in the character of Katniss as she turns out to be progressively self-assured and sets out to challenge the authority of the legislature of Panem through different activities. It is through these activities that Katniss can drive the hand of the administration to change the standards of the game with the goal that people can fill in as groups. The film has been intended to pick up the enthusiasm of people from all strolls of society. The achievement of The Hunger Games and the influx of intrigue it has created have propelled the improvement of two continuations. Prior to its official discharge, this film produced a ton of enthusiasm among the planned crowd in view of the distinction in idea from different movies that had as of late originate from Hollywood. It tends to be said that the idea whereupon the film is based is exceptionally one of a kind and uncommonly: not many movies have been made utilizing a similar idea. This movie utilizes a vibrating suddenness that is barely ever found in crafted by Hollywood chiefs, and this can be said to carry the film nearer to the real factors of life. It has some mercilessness that is elusive in numerous contemporary movies, and this makes it exceptional. At the point when the film was discharged, it didn't disillusion the individuals who had anticipated that it should have the cha racteristics that were extraordinary and fun, and simultaneously made the film a genuine picture to watch. It takes a gander at the connection between a dictator state and its residents from another viewpoint that many would think about inconceivable. This film is, along these lines, deserving of the reverence that

The Ethics of File Sharing Software Essay -- Computers Technology Soft

The Ethics of File Sharing Software Presentation The reason for this paper is to examine the moral issue that document sharing programming makes when used to move duplicate composed material. It is challenged that the very presence of this product advances robbery. The paper will concentrate on the makers of the record sharing programming, realizing that the client utilizes their item wrongfully. The product makers (Kazaa, Grokster, Morpheus, and so forth) are guaranteeing that they can't control what the end client does with its item. Truth be told, this point has been maintained by an ongoing court administering. As music and films are presently accessible only in computerized positions (CD and DVDs), the simplicity of duplicating them to PCs is simple. What's more, with the Internet, the capacity to share by means of Napster, or Kazaa, is similarly as simple. How File Sharing Works[i] Document sharing ubiquity expanded with the introduction of Napster. It permitted clients to interface with one another through a focal server. Napster spearheaded the idea of distributed record sharing (P2P). With Napster, distinct individuals put away records that they needed to share (commonly MP3 music documents) on their hard circles and shared them legitimately with others. Clients ran a bit of Napster programming that made this sharing conceivable. Every client machine turned into a little server. By introducing Napster programming, your PC turns into a little server in the Napster universe. You would now be able to contact the fundamental Napster server for your solicitation, however in the event that your solicitation was not accessible on the primary server, at that point an inquiry is led on all the PCs associated with the Napster principle server around then. The melody or document is downloaded straightforwardly from the inhabitant PC. Napster advanced into this methodology after I... ... Alpha Books, 2002) James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003) James Fieser PhD., Bradley Dowden PhD., The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2003, University of Tennessee at Martin, 17 November 2003 http://www.utm.edu/inquire about/iep/ [i] Marshall Brain, How File Sharing Works, Nov. 2003 <http://computer.howstuffworks.com/record sharing.htm> [ii] Ibid [iii] Ibid [iv] Claudia Roda, Usenet (Usegroups), Sept. 2003 <http://www.ac.aup.fr/~roda/cs100/Ch0701WhatIsHowItWorks.shtml> [v] David Bruce Ingram, PhD, Jennifer Parks, PhD, The Complete Idiots Guide to Understanding Ethics, (Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2002) 138 [vi] James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003) 92-93 [vii] Ibid 77 [viii] Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness, (New York: Penguin Books, 1961) 27

Socialism Characteristics, Pros, Cons, Examples and Types

Socialism Characteristics, Pros, Cons, Examples and Types In the early to mid-20th century, socialism was all the rage. Several countries adopted socialist ideas in some form or the other. Unfortunately, many countries that experimented with socialism failed â€" Cuba, Cambodia, Chile, Hungary, North Korea, Venezuela, the Soviet Union, and many others â€" leading to the decline of socialism.Surprisingly, socialism is experiencing a resurgence in the 21st century, in part due to the growing economic disparity and due to the influence of socialist politicians like Jeremy Corbyn in the UK and Bernie Sanders in the United States. According to a poll by Gallup, majority of you people today have a positive view towards socialism.Despite the resurgence in the popularity of the socialist ideology, there is a lack of understanding of what exactly socialism is. The term has been misused and overused to the point where it has almost lost its meaning.As more and more people gravitate towards the socialist ideal, let’s take a look at what exactly socia lism is.WHAT IS SOCIALISM Socialism is essentially a political and economic system of social organization where the means of production and distribution are collectively owned by the society, as opposed to capitalism which advocates for private ownership of the means of production.Means of production include things such as factories, land, raw materials, machinery and so on. The collective ownership may be effected through the state or through cooperative unions.One of the most common misconceptions about socialism is that individuals are not allowed to own personal items. While socialism advocates against private ownership of means of production, it doesn’t prohibit the ownership of personal items.Therefore, if the country adopts socialist ideology, you don’t have to worry that the state will take away your television or your book collection. These are personal items.Since the means of production under socialism are owned by society as a whole, the value derived from these mean s of production also belongs to the society collectively. Each person receives their share of the value created by the means of production based on their contribution.Before profits are distributed, a percentage is deducted to cater for common needs such as education, health, transportation, defense and welfare for those who cannot contribute directly to production, such as children and the elderly.WHERE DID SOCIALISM COME FROM?Socialism rose to prominence in the mid-19th century in opposition to the economic inequality brought about by early capitalism. By the turn of the 19th century, the industrial revolution and the resulting industrial capitalism had led to very inhumane working conditions.There were no rights for workers, extremely low wages, extremely long working hours, and zero safety provisions. As the elite class of capitalists grew richer and richer, the working class were wallowing in extreme poverty.Socialism rose as a reaction to the injustices of early capitalism. On e of the first people to advocate for socialism was a Welsh mill owner and idealist known as Robert Owen, who used is wealth to create utopian communities based on socialist ideals. Unfortunately, his socialist experiments ended up in failure and cost him a huge chunk on his wealth. Still, the idea of socialism did not die. Instead, it took root by the mid-19th century, thanks to the rise of trade unions and the writings of a German philosopher named Karl Marx.Karl Marx used systematic analysis to show the shortcomings of capitalism and the exploitation and alienation that resulted from it. According to Marx, workers were the source of wealth, yet, through capitalism, this wealth went to the hands of a few instead of trickling back to the workers.Through his writings, he advocated for a revolution which would see the working class collectively own the means of production. Following Marx’s writings, various countries started experimenting with various versions of socialism.PRINCIPL ES OF SOCIALISMSome of the principles of socialism include:Public OwnershipThis is the core tenet of socialism. In a socialist economy, the means of production and distribution are owned, controlled and regulated by the public, either through the state or through cooperatives.The basic motive is not to use the means of production for profit, but rather for the interest of social welfare.Economic PlanningUnlike in a capitalist economy, a socialist economy is not driven by the laws of supply and demand. Instead, all economic activities â€" production, distribution, exchange and consumption â€" are planned and coordinated by a central planning authority, which is usually the government.A socialist economy relies on the central planning authority for distribution of wealth, instead of relying on market forces.Egalitarian SocietySocialism rose as an opposition to the economic inequality brought about by early capitalism. As such, it aims for an egalitarian society where there are no clas ses. Ideally, all the people within a socialist economy should have economic equality.Provision of Basic NeedsIn a socialist economy, the basic needs â€" food, shelter, clothing, education, health and employment â€" are provided by the government without any discrimination. This is one of the greatest advantages of socialism.Provision of basic needs by the government can, however, result in the masses thinking that they cannot survive without the government, creating a perfect environment for the rise of authoritarian governments.No CompetitionTypically, when you want to buy a car, you are spoilt for choice. There are different brands and different models with varying features and prices.It’s up to you to choose one the best one for you. The same applies for many other products.In a socialist economy, there is no competition in the market since the state is the sole entrepreneur. The state only focuses on provision of necessities, which results in limited consumer choice.Price Con trolYou might be wondering how prices are regulated in an economy without any market competition. In socialist economies, the prices of products are controlled and regulated by the state.The states sets both the market price for consumer goods and the accounting price which helps managers make decisions about productions of goods.Social WelfareAnother major reason behind the rise of socialism was to protect the working class from exploitation. Under socialist systems, there is no exploitation.The state takes care of the working class through employment protection, minimum wages and trade union recognition rights.WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM? If you listen to conversations around the topic, you will notice that many people use the terms socialism and communism interchangeably. But do these terms mean the same thing?Though often confused, socialism and communism are two distinct philosophies with distinct differences. The confusion between the two terms stems from the fact that both socialism and communism seek to establish equality among all members of the society, both advocate for public ownership of resources and that both depend on individual contribution to the society based on one’s ability.That said, there are some very big differences between the two systems.First, socialism is a liberal system. The central authority in charge of the economy (whether this is the government or a cooperative) is popularly elected, giving the people a say on the running of the economy.Communism, on the other hand, is more authoritarian. The people do not have any say over the running of the economy. Second, socialism advocates for the distribution of wealth produced by the economy according to an individual’s productivity. Workers earn wages that they can spend on whatever they want.This gives people an incentive to work harder. Under communism, wealth is distributed according to the government’s assessment of an individual’s needs. There is little incentive to achieve more or innovate. As a result, communism is often characterized by low production, limited advancement and mass poverty.Finally, socialism and communism differ based on their approach to ownership of property. Under socialism, the means of production are publicly owned, while individuals retain the right to own and enjoy personal property. For instance, an individual can own a television but cannot own a factory that produces televisions.Under communism, everything is publicly owned. Individuals are only given the right of usage, while ownership is ultimately retained by the state. You can think of it as living within a military barracks. You might be assigned a house to live in and a vehicle to commute with.While you have the right to use and take care of both items, they do not belong to you. If you leave the military, the military will take control of the house and car and assign them to another soldier.TYPES OF SOCIALISMThere are various types of s ocialism, each emphasizing different aspects of socialist ideology and each advocating for different methods of turning capitalism to socialism.However, all forms of socialism share social ownership as a common element. The major types of socialism include:Market SocialismThis is a type of socialism where the means of production is owned by workers. Goods produced are distributed among the workers, while any excess production is sold on the free market.In this kind of socialism, production and consumption are controlled and regulated by market forces instead of the state.Democratic SocialismThis type of socialism results from the merging of the democratic system with socialist goals. A government that is chosen through popular election manages the means of production.Authoritarian State SocialismThis is an extreme type of socialism where all means of production are owned and controlled by the state.Authoritarian state socialism advocates for strict obedience to state by the people, even if that means they should forego their rights. Marxism-Leninism is an example of authoritarian state socialism.Revolutionary SocialismThis is a socialist doctrine that believes that it is impossible to instill social change peacefully. Revolutionary socialism believes that the transition from capitalism to socialism can only be effected through a revolution.Utopian SocialismThis term is used to refer to the first wave of modern socialist thought as pushed by the works of people such as Robert Owen, Charles Fourier, Henri de Saint-Simon and Etienne Cabet.Their ideology is referred to as utopian because it is more of a vision than a concrete plan. Utopian socialism cannot be achieved in reality.Libertarian SocialismThis term refers to anti-authoritarian socialist philosophies that believe centralized state ownership and control of the economy is not necessary for socialism to be achieved.Religious SocialismThis refers to forms of socialist ideology that are based on religious val ues. Many religious values about human society are aligned with socialist ideas and have been used to advocate for socialism.Any form of socialism that developed within a religion can be termed as religious socialism.Green SocialismThis is a type of socialism that merges socialist thought with green politics. Green socialism advocates for preservation of natural resources.Fabian SocialismThis type of socialism advocates for achievement of democratic socialism through gradual reforms and other peaceful means, rather than through revolution.BENEFITS OF SOCIALISMSocialism has a number of benefits which made it an appealing economic system at a time when capitalism was rife with injustices and exploitation. Some of the benefits of socialism include:Social JusticeThis is perhaps the greatest advantage of socialism. Socialism advocates for elimination of economic inequalities and the even and equitable distribution of the national income. Under socialism, everyone gets their fair share of the national wealth. All the people are given equal opportunities and exploitation is eliminated.Production Based On NeedOne of the major downsides of capitalism is that production depends on the purchasing power of the tiny elite. The super-rich ride in Lamborghinis and travel in private jets while the poor cannot afford a meal. Socialism prevents such scenarios. Under socialist economies, production is directed to ensure that the basic needs of the masses are met first.Egalitarian Distribution Of Wealth And IncomeSocialist economies are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all. There is no exploitation. Wealth is distributed to workers based on their input to the economy. This prevents situations where a few members of society piggyback on the efforts of workers to create and amass wealth for themselves.Rapid Economic DevelopmentUnder a socialist economy, there is a central authority in charge of planning for the use of resources and making quick decisions. Resources ar e used fully and there is minimal wastage. This leads to fast economic growth of socialist states. A good example of this is the development that was made by the USSR in its early years.Balanced Economic DevelopmentWith the economic planning that is central to socialism, development can be carried out in a balanced manner within the entire country. Instead of having development focused on certain areas, economic planning ensures that all regions are developed, including backward areas. Similarly, planning ensures that all sectors of the economy develop at par with each other.Economic StabilitySocialism also minimizes the risk of economic instability. Under capitalism, economies often undergo fluctuations, which can lead to wastage of resources and high levels of unemployment. This is very unlikely in a socialist economy. Since the economy is well planned, and owing to the fact that there is no private investment, economic fluctuations are a rare occurrence in socialist economies.Eco logical ConservationOne of the biggest problems with capitalistic economies is that there is great disregard for natural resources. Private enterprises care more about profits than the future of the world. Socialism, on the other hand, is not driven by profit. Since the economy is controlled by a central authority, this authority can plan for the future and put in place measures to ensure that the country’s natural resources are conserved and utilized efficiently.Minimal Exploitation And Class StrugglesOne of the main objectives of socialism is to create a classless society where all members are equal. There is no rich class that can exploit the poor. There is no discrimination and no favors accorded to some members of the society because everyone is equal. This eliminates the class struggles that are a major part of capitalistic economies.Social WelfareAnother advantage of socialism is that it caters for the needs of all members of society. All the basic needs of an individual ar e catered for by the state. Imagine a situation where the state provides you with food, a house, clothing, healthcare, education and employment. If you get involved in an accident while performing your duties, the state cares and provides for your family as you recover. In such an economy, people can dedicate themselves to work without a lot of worry about tomorrow, which leads to increased productivity. Compare this to capitalist societies where a person might be employed yet doesn’t earn enough to get house to sleep at night or to pay for healthcare when he falls sick.DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIALISMDespite its numerous advantages, socialism is not all virtue. Socialism also has its disadvantages, some of which ultimately led to the fall of some economies that were purely socialistic. Some of the disadvantages of socialism include:No Suitable Basis Of Cost CalculationIn a capitalistic economy, the cost of production and the subsequent pricing of products is determined by market forces . In socialistic economies, on the other hand, market forces are not at play. Since the means of production are owned by the government, which also doubles as the sole entrepreneur, the means of production do not have a market price. This creates a situation where there is no suitable basis of calculating the production costs for goods and services.Lack Of IncentiveSocialism advocates for communal wellbeing over personal gain or self-interest. Since socialism is against the accumulation of wealth for yourself, it gets to a point where additional effort on your part does not result in any gain for yourself. Without the motive for profit, workers lack the incentive to work hard and be innovative. This ultimately leads to low productivity and decreases the rate of economic development.Lack Of Economic FreedomThrough social ownership, socialism takes away people’s freedom to enterprise, which in turn takes away people’s free choice of occupation. Unlike in capitalistic economies whe re you are free to choose your occupation, workers are assigned jobs by the planning authority in a socialistic economy. The workers cannot change their jobs without the consent of the planning authority.Lack Of Consumer FreedomCapitalistic economies provide consumers with choice. You don’t like Coca-Cola? You can drink Pepsi. Feel like a Ferrari is too expensive for you? Well, you can go ahead and buy a Mercedes, or a Chevy. Basically, you have freedom of choice. Under a socialist economy, you don’t have such choice. The planning authority determines the products that will be produced as well as the prices for this products. If you don’t like a product or its price, there is not much you can do. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it situation.EXAMPLES OF SOCIALISMToday, it would be hard to point to countries that are purely socialist. Still, there are countries that identify as majorly socialist, though they also incorporate some little forms of capitalism or communism.Some examples o f such communist countries include:Before its collapse in 1991, the U.S.S.R was a socialist state. All the means of production were controlled by the state. If you wanted milk in the morning, you got it from the government. The cow and the land were owned by the state. Owning a cow for commercial purposes would be treated as a crime.Cuba is another prominent example of a socialist nation. The government controls the economy, all levels of education, the national health education, housing, subsidized food programs, utilities, and even entertainment. The country does not have a stock exchange, which is a major indicator that the country is not capitalistic. 80% of the workforce in Cuba works in state facilities.North Korea is another country that is majorly socialist. Its economy and several social programs are ran by the state. Just like Cuba, North Korea does not have a stock exchange.China cannot be termed as purely socialist, though it still has some aspects of socialism. While th e country has abolished state-run healthcare, many regions in China are socialist. Capitalism is only allowed in specific geographic zones known as Special Economic Zones. Anyone who wants to own their own business in China has to move to these Special Economic Zones.Countries like Turkmenistan, Laos, Zambia, Belarus, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Syria are also considered to be socialist, since their governments are strongly involved in different sectors like healthcare, social programs and the media.WRAPPING UPLately, the term socialism has become increasingly popular, though many have been misusing the term without a proper understanding of its real meaning. Socialism is an economic system of social organization where the means of production are socially owned, rather than being privately owned.Socialism was brought into mainstream popularity by the writings of Karl Max. There are various types of socialism, each emphasizing different aspects of socialist ideology and each advocating f or different methods of turning capitalism to socialism.Like all other economic and political philosophies, socialism has its benefits and disadvantages.Today, while socialism has lost its place as a major economic ideology in the world, we still have a number of countries that practice socialism, either fully or partially, including countries like Cuba, Chin, North Korea, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Dantes Inferno, Up on Your Feet Passage Essay - 566 Words

Dante Says Up (A critique on Dante’s The Inferno, Up On Your Feet Passage) As the great Norman Vincent Peale once said, â€Å"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.† In Dante’s The Inferno, he creates a vivid image of what his version of hell looks like. Hell isn’t the typical hell, which they talk about in movies. You have to put everything else away when you start to read about Dante’s The Inferno. In Canto XXIV, circle eight, the passage, â€Å"Up On Your Feet,† lives. This passage is a passage that is full of inspiration, and drives a person to be their very best. In Dantes, The Inferno, specifically the â€Å"Up On Your Feet,† passage (pg.207) can be critiqued in many ways, three of these†¦show more content†¦You are the only person that is control of your body. No one can make you do anything that you don’t want to do. It is your own fault if you make the bad choices, but you have to have the strength the choose the right ones. Once you know that you are strong enough to pick the right choices then you are strong enough to do anything. Lastly, within the â€Å"Up On Your Feet,† passage the final thing you see in the passage while critiquing it is understanding. Understanding that no one is exactly perfect. Everyone is fighting their own battles just like you. â€Å"There is a ladder long enough to climb: this much is not enough.† Basically what this line within the passage is trying to say is that, everyone has their problems, and once you face one problem another one is coming. Life is a never ending string of problems, but with those problems comes a million blessings. The understanding within this passage that Dante says is the words that everyone wants to say, but is too scared to say. Facing your fears is one of the scariest things that you will ever have to face, but once you conquer your fear, its also the most rewarding. Overall, there are many things that you could critique about the â€Å"Up On Your Feet,† passage. First, in the â€Å"Up On Your Feet, passage, there are many lines that go within the inspiration category during the critique. Next, self drive is an extreme theme within this passage of Dante’s The Inferno while you are critiquing the passage itself. Thirdly, withinShow MoreRelatedEssay on A Critique of Lines 46-57 of Dantes Inferno706 Words   |  3 PagesThe ‘Up on your feet’ passage is a famous excerpt from Dante’s Inferno. It is quite inspirational, for good purpose; the passage is half directed at Dante the pilgrim, and half at Dante the poet (his self). He needed just as much inspiration to finish writing the dang thing as his fictional self needed inspiration to make it through hell. That is where Virgil’s brief monologue comes in. Through his words, he is able to hype Dante up enough to want to finish writing Inferno, and make it throu gh hellRead MoreDante Alighieri and his Divine Comedy Essay596 Words   |  3 PagesItalian poet in the Middle Ages. The Divine Comedy, of which Inferno is a part, is considered the greatest literary work in the Italian language and a masterpiece. Inferno is the story of Dante the pilgrim’s journey from the dark wood of error through Hell, led by Virgil. This is Dante the pilgrims opportunity to recognize his sins; he is given the opportunity to see how the error of his ways will be punished if he does not change. In Dante’s Hell, the punishment of the sin is reflected by the natureRead MoreDante Alighieris Road to Success Essay850 Words   |  4 PagesAlighieri’s famous text The Inferno outlines many moral ideas. In this tale, a man named Dante the Pilgrim takes a voyage into Hell with Virgil. They go through many different levels and circles of Hell that each represents an important sin or crime. Though it is a highly controversial book, there is one specifi c passage that is important to finding success. In this quote, Virgil is speaking to Dante who has tired along his path through the seventh circle of Hell: â€Å"‘Up on your feet! This is no time to tireRead MoreDantes Inferno, Cantos 24 Essay549 Words   |  3 Pages Dante’s Inferno is a classic text that has survived the centuries that have worn it down. It tells the journey through the nine circles of Hell for Dante the pilgrim. One of the famous passages given within the tale is Virgil’s motivational speech to Dante in Cantos 24. It goes as thus; â€Å"Up on your feet! This is no time to tire!† my Master cried. â€Å"The man who lies asleep will never waken fame, and his desire and all his life drift past him like a dream, and the tracesRead MoreDantes Inferno and The Afterlife Essay1819 Words   |  8 Pagesperson can interpreted it in a slightly different way and allegories are most often personalized by a reader. Dante’s Inferno allegory is present throughout the entire poem. From the dark wood to the depths of Dante’s hell he presents the different crimes committed in life as they could be punished in death. One of the first punishments we observe comes from the fifth circle of Dante’s hell, the wrathful and the sullen, as the author expresses his thoughts of the fitting consequence with each sinRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book East Of Eden 1661 Words   |  7 Pagesintended to be an allegory for or a retelling of the first few chapters of the Book of Genesis, from Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden through the story of Cain and Abel. â€Å"East of Eden† is also the final phrase of the final biblical passage about Cain and Abel, which is an important aspect of this story. Genre: Historical fiction Date of original publication: September 1952 Author: John Steinbeck Setting: The story begins in Connecticut but is focused in Salinas Valley, CA. The storyRead MoreSatan, Beelzebub, El Diablo And The Old And New Testament1713 Words   |  7 Pagesbegin to understand what the devil does and what the world thinks of him it is important to first find out who he is and if he is even real. While the bible does not often speak of his origins it does give some insight in Isaiah 14:12-15, You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But youRead MoreHell: What We Think We Know2123 Words   |  9 Pagesis a subject that turns many people off to organized religion today. After all, who wants to spend their Sunday mornings listening to a preacher rant and rave about the â€Å"Hell fire and brimstone† of Hell or â€Å"burning i n Hell† or if you don’t change your ways you will spend eternity in Hell. Most want to be entertained and walk out of church feeling all warm and fuzzy. Therefore, clergy mostly ignore the subject or gloss over it even though they believe Hell exists because of their extensive study

The Greek Tragedy of Oedipus the King - 971 Words

A Greek tragedy is one with a tragic outcome that is an inevitable result of the key characters personal flaws. It is a calamity he or she was destined to. However, is it possible that a hero’s laudable qualities could lead to his or her catastrophic fate? Oedipus demonstrates several admirable qualities that are portrayed throughout Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Compassion, diligence, and justness are three qualities that contribute to the internal struggles that Oedipus faces resulting in his appalling downfall. Taking a deeper look into understanding these virtuous qualities will depict how it led to Oedipus’s horrendous demise. Firstly, it is shocking to hear that having compassion for others could be negative. In fact for Oedipus,†¦show more content†¦He identifies with how profoundly distraught the city of Thebes is, and yearns to bring substantially more suffering onto whomever committed such a horrendous act. Oedipus wants the murderer to â€Å"drag out / his life in agony, step by painful step† (282-283). Immense irony is seen during these passages of condemning since at this point in the drama, Oedipus is unaware that he is only afflicting himself. However, his desire for justice continues. In lines 313-314, Oedipus announces his yearning for equality when he states, â€Å"may our champion, Justice†¦ / fight beside us to the end!† It is clear that Oedipus portrays justness early on in his search for resolution of the plague, but his justness will only come to harm him in future events. Moreover, his demand for justice does not cease when he learns that he is the curse. Out of habit, it is easy to assume that Oedipus would do everything in his power to not be blamed for the death of Laius. Conversely, once he fully comprehends the reality, Oedipus punishes himself in a justly matter by removing his own eyes. Oedipus states that, â€Å"how could I look my father in the eyes / when I go down to death?† ( 1502-1503). Oedipus desire for justice is so enormous that instead of taking an easy way out by killing himself, Oedipus blinds himself from the world, because he believes that there is shame in keeping his eyes, and that he has committed â€Å"crimes toShow MoreRelatedOedipus Tyrannus, A Tragic Hero. Summary: . Context. Oedipus1391 Words   |  6 PagesOedipus Tyrannus, a Tragic Hero Summary: Context Oedipus Tyrannus is a Greek tragedy that was first performed as a play in 429 BCE. The setting of the play is in Thebes, one of Greece’s city states that is suffering from a tragic plague. King Oedipus’s brother in-law; Creon, reports back from the oracle of Apollo that the plague would only be lifted if the murderer of his predecessor; King Laius, is found and brought to justice. Before the whole city of Thebes, Oedipus vows to apprehend and punishRead MoreEssay on Oedipus: The Reign of a Tragic Hero1266 Words   |  6 PagesThe time period of Greek theater’s popularity was a very influential time in our world’s history. Without knowing what Greek theater was all about, how can someone expect to truly understand a tragic play and the history it comes with? The history behind the character of Oedipus, in the play Oedipus the King, is very complicated. His intricate past dealing with prophecies, family members, and murder is the main focus of the story. Th ere are many characteristics that complete Aristotle’s definitionRead MoreOedipus : The King Of Thebes And Tragic Hero Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesOedipus: The King of Thebes and Tragic Hero Ancient Greek Literature encompasses an assortment of poetry and drama to include the great masterpieces of tragedy. In Classic Literature, tragedies were commonly known for their elaboration of a protagonist fitting the classification of a tragic hero. This type of a tragic hero often collectively described as a character of noble birth, facing an adversity of some nature and a fate of great suffering. The characteristics of what encompassed a tragic heroRead MoreOedipus The King : A Tragic Hero870 Words   |  4 PagesModern day drama has roots in the beautifully structured Greek theatrical culture. In the sixth century, ancient Greece, and more specifically Athens, overflowed with artistic talent. The Dionysian Festival materialized from Athens and this is where we first saw comedies and tragedies on stage. The Greek, as with many other cultures, honored their gods and did much to please and placate them. The Dioynsia Festival, which honored their god Dionysus, is proof of this. Sophocles, the well-known playwrightRead MoreAnalysis Of Oedipus The King 1696 Words   |  7 PagesAnnjeanette Wiese HUMN 1110 1 October 2014 Fatalism in Oedipus the King Tragedy has always been considered the highest form of literature; Oedipus the King is written by Sophocles who is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians, it fully represents the enduring charm of the ancient Greek tragedy, leaving the reader endless thinking. Through Oedipus’ misfortune, Sophocles tries to reveal the cause of their tragedy is ubiquitous and ever-present fate, rather than people themselvesRead MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles889 Words   |  3 PagesSophocles’s Oedipus the King, fate is primary theme in the play. The influence of fate goes beyond the play but how Greeks viewed fate entirely. Also, Oedipus somewhat represented the Athenian political system and the people of Athens by his leadership. And lastly, having the play unfold, one is able to sympathize with Oedipus and strike pity and fear rather than disgust from his sins. The power of fate in Oedipus the King was one that shaped the entire story. In the beginning of the play, Oedipus heardRead More Oedipus the King Essay1073 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus the King The ancient Greeks were famous for their tragedies. These dramas functioned to â€Å"ask questions about the nature of man, his position in the universe, and the powers that govern his life† (â€Å"Greek† 1). Brereton (1968) stated that tragedies typically â€Å"involved a final and impressive disaster due to an unforeseen or unrealized failure involving people who command respect and sympathy. It often entails an ironical change of fortune and usually conveys a strong impression ofRead MoreOedipus the King: A Greek Tragic Hero Essay516 Words   |  3 Pagesof Greek drama. In his work, Poetics, he defines a tragic hero as â€Å"...The man who on the one hand is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls because of some mistake; one among the number of the highly renowned and prosperous.† Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is clearly shown by the main character in the Greek tragedy Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Oedipus, the protagonist in this Greek tragedy, isRead MoreUnderstanding Fate in Oedipus Tyrannos1196 Words   |  5 PagesThe Greeks were one of the most powerful empires of early civilizations with the well documented conquest, legends, gods, etc. One of their most significant things left of their empire, is their theatrical style, none bigger than Tragedy. The Greek Tragedy was their basis of Drama and is still studied today. Their view of the world and life could be personified in the plays and by the personages. It is the case in the play Oedipus Tyrannos. The play, written by Sophocles, represents the typical GreekRead MoreAncient Greek Theater1235 Words   |  5 PagesCheese’s, or not letting you hang out with that dreamy hunk Bryan on Saturday. For Oedipus, killing his parents was not something petty he threatened when he got too w orked up, but rather his fate. This suspenseful and masterful plot, conceived by the legendary playwright Sophocles, was one of the many groundbreaking works to come out of fifth century BC Greece. Works of ancient Greek theater, particularly Oedipus the King, embodied the spirit of innovation that fifth century BC Athens was known for.

The Twilight Saga 2 New Moon Chapter 9 THIRD WHEEL Free Essays

string(25) " in the mood for action\." TIME BEGAN TO TRIP ALONG MUCH MORE QUICKLY than before. School, work, and Jacobthough not necessarily in that ordercreated a neat and effortless pattern to follow. And Charlie got his wish: I wasn’t miserable anymore. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 9 THIRD WHEEL or any similar topic only for you Order Now Of course, I couldn’t fool myself completely. When I stopped to take stock of my life, which I tried not to do too often, I couldn’t ignore the implications of my behavior. I was like a lost moonmy planet destroyed in some cataclysmic, disaster-movie scenario of desolationthat continued, nevertheless, to circle in a tight little orbit around the empty space left behind, ignoring the laws of gravity. I was getting better with my bike, which meant fewer bandages to worry Charlie. But it also meant that the voice in my head began to fade, until I heard it no more. Quietly, I panicked. I threw myself into the search for the meadow with slightly frenzied intensity. I racked my brain for other adrenaline-producing activities. I didn’t keep track of the days :hat passedthere was no reason, as I tried to live as much in the present as possible, no past fading, no future impending. So I was surprised by the date when Jacob brought it up on one of our homework days. He was waiting when I pulled up in front of his house. â€Å"Happy Valentine’s Day,† Jacob said, smiling, but ducking his head as he greeted me. He held out a small, pink box, balancing it on his palm. Conversation hearts. â€Å"Well, I feel like a schmuck,† I mumbled. â€Å"Is today Valentine’s Day?† Jacob shook his head with mock sadness. â€Å"You can be so out of it sometimes. Yes, it is the fourteenth day of February. So are you going to be my Valentine? Since you didn’t get me a fifty-cent box of candy, it’s the least you can do.† I started to feel uncomfortable. The words were teasing, but only on the surface. â€Å"What exactly does that entail?† I hedged. â€Å"The usualslave for life, that kind of thing.† â€Å"Oh, well, if that’s all† I took the candy. But I was trying to think of some way to make the boundaries clear. Again. They seemed to get blurred a lot with Jacob. â€Å"So, what are we doing tomorrow? Hiking, or the ER?† â€Å"Hiking,† I decided. â€Å"You’re not the only one who can be obsessive. I’m starting to think I imagined that place† I frowned into space. â€Å"We’ll find it,† he assured me. â€Å"Bikes Friday?† he offered. I saw a chance and took it without taking time to think it through. â€Å"I’m going to a movie Friday. I’ve been promising my cafeteria crowd that I would go out forever.† Mike would be pleased. But Jacob’s face fell. I caught the expression in his dark eyes before he dropped them to look at the ground. â€Å"You’ll come too, right?† I added quickly. â€Å"Or will it be too much of a drag with a bunch of boring seniors?† So much for my chance to put some distance between us. I couldn’t stand hurting Jacob; we seemed to be connected in an odd way, and his pain set off little stabs of my own. Also, the idea of having his company for the ordealI had promised Mike, but really didn’t feel any enthusiasm at the thought of following throughwas just too tempting. â€Å"You’d like me to come, with your friends there?† â€Å"Yes,† I admitted honestly, knowing as I continued that I was probably shooting myself in the foot with my words. â€Å"I’ll have a lot more fun if you’re there. Bring Quil, and we’ll make it a party.† â€Å"Quil’s gonna freak. Senior girls.† He chortled and rolled his eyes. I didn’t mention Embry, and neither did he. I laughed, too. â€Å"I’ll try to get hin a good selection.† I broached the subject with Mike in English. â€Å"Hey, Mike,† I said when class was over. â€Å"Are you free Friday night?† He looked up, his blue eyes instantly hopeful. â€Å"Yeah, I am. You want to go out?† I worded my reply carefully. â€Å"I was thinking about getting a group†I emphasized the word†together to go see Crosshairs.† I’d done my homework this timeeven reading the movie spoilers to be sure I wouldn’t be caught off guard. This movie was supposed to be a bloodbath from start to finish. I wasn’t so recovered that I could stand to sit through a romance. â€Å"Does that sound like fun?† â€Å"Sure,† he agreed, visibly less eager. â€Å"Cool.† After a second, he perked back up to near his former excitement level. â€Å"How about we get Angela and Ben? Or Eric and Katie?† He was determined to make this some kind of double date, apparently. â€Å"How about both?† I suggested â€Å"And Jessica, too, of course. And Tyler and Conner, and maybe Lauren,† I tacked on grudgingly. I had promised Quil variety. â€Å"Okay,† Mike muttered, foiled. â€Å"And,† I continued, â€Å"I’ve got a couple of friends from La Push I’m inviting. So it sounds like we’ll need your Suburban if everyone comes.† Mike’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. â€Å"These are the friends you spend all your time studying with now?† â€Å"Yep, the very ones,† I answered cheerfully. â€Å"Though you could look at it as tutoringthey’re only sophomores.† â€Å"Oh,† Mike said, surprised. After a second of thought, he smiled. In the end, though, the Suburban wasn’t necessary. Jessica and Lauren claimed to be busy as soon as Mike let it slip that I was involved in the planning. Eric and Katie already had plansit was their three-week anniversary or something. Lauren got to Tyler and Conner before Mike could, so those two were also busy. Even Quil was outgrounded for fighting at school. In the end, only Angela and Ben, and, of course Jacob, were able to go. The diminished numbers didn’t dampen Mike’s anticipation, though. It was all he could talk about Friday. â€Å"Are you sure you don’t want to see Tomorrow and Forever instead?† he asked at lunch, naming the current romantic comedy that was ruling the box office. â€Å"Rotten Tomatoes gave it a better review.† â€Å"I want to see Crosshairs† I insisted. â€Å"I’m in the mood for action. You read "The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 9 THIRD WHEEL" in category "Essay examples" Bring on the blood and guts!† â€Å"Okay.† Mike turned away, but not before I saw his maybe-she’s-crazy-after-all expression. When I got home from school, a very familiar car was parked in front of my house. Jacob was leaning against the hood, a huge grin lighting up his face. â€Å"No way!† I shouted as I jumped out of the truck. â€Å"You’re done! I can’t believe it! You finished the Rabbit!† He beamed. â€Å"Just last night. This is the maiden voyage.† â€Å"Incredible.† I held my hand up for a high five. He smacked his hand against mine, but left it there, twisting his fingers through mine. â€Å"So do I get to drive tonight?† â€Å"Definitely,† I said, and then I sighed. â€Å"What’s wrong?† â€Å"I’m giving upI can’t top this one. So you win. You’re oldest.† He shrugged, unsurprised by my capitulation. â€Å"Of course I am.† Mike’s Suburban chugged around the corner. I pulled my hand out of Jacob’s, and he nude a face that I wasn’t meant to see. â€Å"I remember this guy,† he said in a low voice as Mike parked across the street. â€Å"The one who thought you were his girlfriend. Is he still confused?† I raised one eyebrow. â€Å"Some people are hard to discourage.† â€Å"Then again,† Jacob said thoughtfully, â€Å"sometimes persistence pays off.† â€Å"Most of the time it’s just annoying, though.† Mike got out of his car and crossed the road. â€Å"Hey, Bella,† he greeted me, and then his eyes turned wary as he looked up at Jacob. I glanced briefly at Jacob, too, trying to be objective. He really didn’t look like a sophomore at all. He was just so bigMike’s head barely cleared Jacob’s shoulder; I didn’t even want to think where I measured next to himand then his face was older-looking than it used to be, even a month ago. â€Å"Hey, Mike! Do you remember Jacob Black?† â€Å"Not really.† Mike held out his hand. â€Å"Old family friend,† Jacob introduced himself, shaking hands. They locked hands with more force than necessary. When their grip broke, Mike flexed his fingers. I heard the phone ringing from the kitchen. â€Å"I’d better get thatit might be Charlie,† I told them, and dashed inside. It was Ben. Angela was sick with the stomach flu, and he didn’t feel like coming without her. He apologized for bailing on us. I walked slowly back to the waiting boys, shaking my head. I really hoped Angela would feel better soon, but I had to admit that I was selfishly upset by this development. Just the three of us, Mike and Jacob and me, together for the eveningthis had worked out brilliantly, I thought with grim sarcasm. It didn’t seem like Jake and Mike had made any progress towards friendship in my absence. They were several yards apart, facing away from each other as they waited for me; Mike’s expression was sullen, though Jacob’s was cheerful as always. â€Å"Ang is sick,† I told them glumly. â€Å"She and Ben aren’t coming.† â€Å"I guess the flu is making another round. Austin and Conner were out today, too. Maybe we should do this another time,† Mike suggested. Before I could agree, Jacob spoke. â€Å"I’m still up for it. But if you’d rather to stay behind, Mike† â€Å"No, I’m coming,† Mike interrupted. â€Å"I was just thinking of Angela and Ben. Let’s go.† He started toward his Suburban. â€Å"Hey, do you mind if Jacob drives?† I asked. â€Å"I told him he couldhe just finished his car. He built it from scratch, all by himself,† I bragged, proud as a PTA mom with a student on the principal’s list. â€Å"Fine,† Mike snapped. â€Å"All right, then,† Jacob said, as if that settled everything. He seemed more comfortable than anyone else. Mike climbed in the backseat of the Rabbit with a disgusted expression. Jacob was his normal sunny self, chattering away until I’d all but forgotten Mike sulking silently in the back. And then Mike changed his strategy. He leaned forward, resting his chin on the shoulder of my seat; his cheek almost touched mine. I shifted away, turning my back toward the window. â€Å"Doesn’t the radio work in this thing?† Mike asked with a hint of petulance, interrupting Jacob mid-sentence. â€Å"Yes,† Jacob answered. â€Å"But Bella doesn’t like music.† I stared at Jacob, surprised. I’d never told him that. â€Å"Bella?† Mike asked, annoyed. â€Å"He’s right,† I mumbled, still looking at Jacob’s serene profile. â€Å"How can you not like music?† Mike demanded. I shrugged. â€Å"I don’t know. It just irritates me.† â€Å"Hmph.† Mike leaned away. When we got to the theater, Jacob handed me a ten-dollar bill. â€Å"What’s this?† I objected. â€Å"I’m not old enough to get into this one,† he reminded me. I laughed out loud. â€Å"So much for relative ages. Is Billy going to kill me if I sneak you in?† â€Å"No. I told him you were planning to corrupt my youthful innocence.† I snickered, and Mike quickened his pace to keep up with us. I almost wished that Mike had decided to bow out. He was still sullennot much of an addition to the party. But I didn’t want to end up on a date alone with Jacob, either. That wouldn’t help anything. The movie was exactly what it professed to be. In just the opening credits, four people got blown up and one got beheaded. The girl in front of me put her hands over her eyes and turned her face into her date’s chest. He patted her shoulder, and winced occasionally, too. Mike didn’t look like he was watching. His face was stiff as he glared toward the fringe of curtain above the screen. I settled in to endure the two hours, watching the colors and the movement on the screen rather than seeing the shapes of people and cars and houses. But then Jacob started sniggering. â€Å"What?† I whispered. â€Å"Oh, c’mon!† he hissed back. â€Å"The blood squirted twenty feet out of that guy. How fake can you get?† He chuckled again, as a flagpole speared another man into a concrete wall. After that, I really watched the show, laughing with him as the mayhem got more and more ridiculous. How was I ever going to fight the blurring lines in our relationship when I enjoyed being with him so much? Both Jacob and Mike had claimed the armrests on either side of me. Both of their hands rested lightly, palms up, in an unnatural looking position. Like steel bear traps, open and ready. Jacob was in the habit of taking my hand whenever the opportunity presented itself, but here in the darkened movie theater, with Mike watching, it would have a different significanceand I was sure he knew that. I couldn’t believe that Mike was thinking the same thing, but his hand was placed exactly like Jacob’s. I folded my arms tightly across my chest and hoped that both their hands fell asleep. Mike gave up first. About halfway through the movie, he pulled his arm back, and leaned forward to put his head in his hands. At first I thought he was reacting to something on the screen, but then he moaned. â€Å"Mike, are you okay?† I whispered. The couple in front of us turned to look at him as he groaned again. I could see the sheen of sweat across his face in the light from the screen. Mike groaned again, and bolted for the door. I got up to follow him, and Jacob copied me immediately. â€Å"No, stay,† I whispered. â€Å"I’ll make sure he’s okay.† Jacob came with me anyway. â€Å"You don’t have to come. Get your eight bucks worth of carnage,† I insisted as we walked up the aisle. â€Å"That’s okay. You sure can pick them, Bella. This movie really sucks.† His voice rose from a whisper to its normal pitch as we walked out of the theater. There was no sign of Mike in the hallway, and I was glad then that Jacob had come with mehe ducked into the men’s bathroom to check for him there. Jacob was back in a few seconds. â€Å"Oh, he’s in there, all right,† he said, rolling his eyes. â€Å"What a marshmallow. You should hold out for someone with a stronger stomach. Someone who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit.† â€Å"I’ll keep my eyes open for someone like that.† We were all alone in the hallway. Both theaters were halfway through the movie, and it was desertedquiet enough for us to hear the popcorn popping at the concession counter in the lobby. Jacob went to sit on the velveteen-upholstered bench against the wall, patting the space beside him. â€Å"He sounded like he was going to be in there for a while,† he said, stretching his long legs out in front of him as he settled in to wait. I joined him with a sigh. He looked like he was thinking about blurring more lines. Sure enough, as soon as I sat down, he shifted over to put his arm around my shoulders. â€Å"Jake,† I protested, leaning away. He dropped his arm, not looking bothered at all by the minor rejection. He reached out and took my hand firmly, wrapping his other hand around my wrist when I tried to pull away again. Where did he get the confidence from? â€Å"Now, just hold on a minute, Bella,† he said in a calm voice. â€Å"Tell me something.† I grimaced. I didn’t want to do this. Not just not now, but not ever. There was nothing lett in my life at this point that was more important than Jacob Black. But he seemed determined to ruin everything. â€Å"What?† I muttered sourly. â€Å"You like me, right?† â€Å"You know I do.† â€Å"Better than that joker puking his guts out in there?† He gestured toward the bathroom door. â€Å"Yes,† I sighed. â€Å"Better than any of the other guys you know?† He was calm, sereneas if my answer didn’t matter, or he already knew what it was. â€Å"Better than the girls, too,† I pointed out. â€Å"But that’s all,† he said, and it wasn’t a question. It was hard to answer, to say the word. Would he get hurt and avoid me? How would I stand that? â€Å"Yes,† I whispered. He grinned down at me. â€Å"That’s okay, you know. As long as you like me the best. And you think I’m good-lookingsort of. I’m prepared to be annoyingly persistent.† â€Å"I’m not going to change,† I said, and though I tried to keep my voice normal, I could hear the sadness in it. His face was thoughtful, no longer teasing. â€Å"It’s still the other one, isn’t it?† I cringed. Funny how he seemed to know not to say the namejust like before in the car with the music. He picked up on so much about me that I never said. â€Å"You don’t have to talk about it,† he told me. I nodded, grateful. â€Å"But don’t get mad at me for hanging around, okay?† Jacob patted the back of my hand. â€Å"Because I’m not giving up. I’ve got loads of time.† I sighed. â€Å"You shouldn’t waste it on me,† I said, though I wanted him to. Especially if he was willing to accept me the way I wasdamaged goods, as is. â€Å"It’s what I want to do, as long as you still like to be with me.† â€Å"I can’t imagine how I could not like being with you,† I told him honestly. Jacob beamed. â€Å"I can live with that.† â€Å"Just don’t expect more,† I warned him, trying to pull my hand away. He held onto it obstinately. â€Å"This doesn’t really bother you, does it?† he demanded, squeezing my fingers. â€Å"No,† I sighed. Truthfully, it felt nice. His hand was so much warmer than mine; I always felt too cold these days. â€Å"And you don’t care what he thinks.† Jacob jerked his thumb toward the bathroom. â€Å"I guess not.† â€Å"So what’s the problem?† â€Å"The problem,† I said, â€Å"is, that it means something different to me than it does to you.† â€Å"Well.† He tightened his hand around mine â€Å"That’s my problem, isn’t it?† â€Å"Fine,† I grumbled. â€Å"Don’t forget it, though.† â€Å"I won’t. The pin’s out of the grenade for me, now, eh?† He poked me in the ribs. I rolled my eyes. I guess if he felt like making a joke out of it, he was entitled. He chuckled quietly for a minute while his pinky finger absently traced designs against the side of my hand. â€Å"That’s a funny scar you’ve got there,† he suddenly said, twisting my hand to examine it. â€Å"How did that happen?† The index finger of his free hand followed the line of the long silvery crescent that was barely visible against my pale skin. I scowled. â€Å"Do you honestly expect me to remember where all my scars come from?† I waited for the memory to hitto open the gaping hole. But, as it so often did, Jacob’s presence kept me whole. â€Å"It’s cold,† he murmured, pressing lightly against the place where James had cut me with his teeth. And then Mike stumbled out of the bathroom, his face ashen and covered in sweat. He looked horrible. â€Å"Oh, Mike,† I gasped. â€Å"Do you mind leaving early?† he whispered. â€Å"No, of course not.† I pulled my hand free and went to help Mike walk. He looked unsteady. â€Å"Movie too much for you?† Jacob asked heartlessly. Mike’s glare was malevolent. â€Å"I didn’t actually see any of it,† he mumbled. â€Å"I was nauseated before the lights went down.† â€Å"Why didn’t you say something?† I scolded as we staggered toward the exit. â€Å"I was hoping it would pass,† he said. â€Å"Just a sec,† Jacob said as we reached the door. He walked quickly back to the concession stand. â€Å"Could I have an empty popcorn bucket?† he asked the salesgirl. She looked at Mike once, and then thrust a bucket at Jacob. â€Å"Get him outside, please,† she begged. She was obviously the one who would have to clean the floor. I towed Mike out into the cool, wet air. He inhaled deeply. Jacob was right behind us. He helped me get Mike into the back of the car, and handed him the bucket with a serious gaze. â€Å"Please,† was all Jacob said. We rolled down the windows, letting the icy night air blow through the car, hoping it would help Mike. I curled my arms around my legs to keep warm. â€Å"Cold, again?† Jacob asked, putting his arm around me before I could answer. â€Å"You’re not?† He shook his head. â€Å"You must have a fever or something,† I grumbled. It was freezing. I touched my fingers to his forehead, and his head was hot. â€Å"Whoa, Jakeyou’re burning up!† â€Å"I feel fine.† He shrugged. â€Å"Fit as a fiddle.† I frowned and touched his head again. His skin blazed under my fingers. â€Å"Your hands are like ice,† he complained. â€Å"Maybe it’s me,† I allowed. Mike groaned in the backseat, and threw up in the bucket. I grimaced, hoping my own stomach could stand the sound and smell. Jacob checked anxiously over his shoulder to make sure his car wasn’t defiled. The road felt longer on the way back. Jacob was quiet, thoughtful. He left his arm around me, and it was so warm that the cold wind felt good. I stared out the windshield, consumed with guilt. It was so wrong to encourage Jacob. Pure selfishness. It didn’t matter that I’d tried to make my position clear. If he felt any hope at all that this could turn into something other than friendship, then I hadn’t been clear enough. How could I explain so that he would understand? I was an empty shell. Like a vacant housecondemnedfor months I’d been utterly uninhabitable. Now I was a little improved. The front room was in better repair. But that was alljust the one small piece. He deserved better than thatbetter than a one-room, falling-down fixer-upper. No amount of investment on his part could put me back in working order. Yet I knew that I wouldn’t send him away, regardless. I needed him too much, and I was selfish. Maybe I could make my side more clear, so that he would know to leave me. The thought made me shudder, and Jacob tightened his arm around me. I drove Mike home in his Suburban, while Jacob followed behind us to take me home. Jacob was quiet all the way back to my house, and I wondered if he were thinking the same things that I was. Maybe he was changing his mind. â€Å"I would invite myself in, since we’re early,† he said as we pulled up next to my truck. â€Å"But I think you might be right about the fever. I’m starting to feel a little strange.† â€Å"Oh no, not you, too! Do you want me to drive you home?† â€Å"No.† He shook his head, his eyebrows pulling together. â€Å"I don’t feel sick yet. Just wrong. If I have to, I’ll pull over.† â€Å"Will you call me as soon as you get in?† I asked anxiously. â€Å"Sure, sure.† He frowned, staring ahead into the darkness and biting his lip. I opened my door to get out, but he grabbed my wrist lightly and held me there. I noticed again how hot his skin felt on mine. â€Å"What is it, Jake?† I asked. â€Å"There’s something I want to tell you, Bella but I think it’s going to sound kind of corny.† I sighed. This would be more of the same from the theater. â€Å"Go ahead.† â€Å"It’s just that, I know how you’re unhappy a lot. And, maybe it doesn’t help anything, but I wanted you to know that I’m always here. I won’t ever let you downI promise that you can always count on me. Wow, that does sound corny. But you know that, right? That I would never, ever hurt you?† â€Å"Yeah, Jake. I know that. And I already do count on you, probably more than you know.† The smile broke across his face the way the sunrise set the clouds on fire, and I wanted to cut my tongue out. I hadn’t said one word that was a lie, but I should have lied. The truth was wrong, it would hurt him. I would let him down. A strange look crossed his face. â€Å"I really think I’d better go home now,† he said. I got out quickly. â€Å"Call me!† I yelled as he pulled away. I watched him go, and he seemed to be in control of the car, at least. I stared at the empty street when he was gone, feeling a little sick myself, but not for any physical reason. How much I wished that Jacob Black had been born my brother, my flesh-and -blood brother, so that I would have some legitimate claim on him that still left me free of any blame now. Heaven knows I had never wanted to use Jacob, but I couldn’t help but interpret the guilt I felt now to mean that I had. Even more, I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knewknew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chestwas how love gave someone the power to break you. I’d been broken beyond repair. But I needed Jacob now, needed him like a drug. I’d used him as a crutch for too long, and I was in deeper than I’d planned to go with anyone again. Now I couldn’t bear for him to be hurt, and I couldn’t keep from hurting him, either. He thought time and patience would change me, and, though I knew he was dead wrong, I also knew that I would let him try. He was my best friend. I would always love him, and it would never, ever be enough. I went inside to sit by the phone and bite my nails. â€Å"Movie over already?† Charlie asked in surprise when I came in. He was on the floor, just a foot from the TV. Must be an exciting game. â€Å"Mike got sick,† I explained. â€Å"Some kind of stomach flu.† â€Å"You okay?† â€Å"I feel fine now,† I said doubtfully. Clearly, I’d been exposed. I leaned against the kitchen counter, my hand inches from the phone, and tried to wait patiently. I thought of the strange look on Jacob’s face before he drove away, and my fingers started drumming against the counter. I should have insisted on driving him home. I watched the clock as the minutes ticked by Ten. Fifteen. Even when I was driving, it took only fifteen minutes, and Jacob drove faster than I did. Eighteen minutes. I picked up the phone and dialed. It rang and rang. Maybe Billy was asleep. Maybe I’d dialed wrong. I tried again. On the eighth ring, just as I was about to hang up, Billy answered. â€Å"Hello?† he asked. His voice was wary, like he was expecting bad news. â€Å"Billy, it’s me, Belladid Jake make it home yet? He left here about twenty minutes ago.† â€Å"He’s here,† Billy said tonelessly. â€Å"He was supposed to call me.† I was a little irritated. â€Å"He was getting sick when he left, and I was worried.† â€Å"He was too sick to call. He’s not feeling well right now.† Billy sounded distant. I realized he must want to be with Jacob. â€Å"Let me know if you need any help,† I offered. â€Å"I could come down.† I thought of Billy, stuck in his chair, and Jake fending for himself â€Å"No, no,† Billy said quickly. â€Å"We’re fine. Stay at your place.† The way he said it was almost rude. â€Å"Okay,† I agreed. â€Å"Bye, Bella.† The line disconnected. â€Å"Bye,† I muttered. Well, at least he’d made it home. Oddly, I didn’t feel less worried. I trudged up the stairs, fretting. Maybe I would go down before work tomorrow to check on him. I could take soupwe had to have a can of Campbell’s around here somewhere. I realized all such plans were canceled when I woke up earlymy clock said four thirtyand sprinted to the bathroom. Charlie found me there a half hour later, lying on the floor, my cheek pressed against the cold edge of the bathtub. He looked at me for a long moment. â€Å"Stomach flu,† he finally said. â€Å"Yes,† I moaned. â€Å"You need something?† he asked. â€Å"Call the Newtons for me, please,† I instructed hoarsely. â€Å"Tell them I have what Mike has, and that I can’t make it in today. Tell them I’m sorry.† â€Å"Sure, no problem,† Charlie assured me. I spent the rest of the day on the bathroom floor, sleeping for a few hours with my head on a crumpled up towel. Charlie claimed that he had to work, but I suspected that he just wanted access to a bathroom. He left a glass of water on the floor beside me to keep me hydrated. It woke me up when he came back home. I could see that it was dark in my roomafter nightfall. He clumped up the stairs to check on me. â€Å"Stillalive?† â€Å"Sort of,† I said. â€Å"Do you want anything?† â€Å"No, thanks.† He hesitated, clearly out of his element. â€Å"Okay, then,† he said, and then he went back down to the kitchen. I heard the phone ring a few minutes later. Charlie spoke to someone in a low voice for a moment, and then hung up. â€Å"Mike feels better,† he called up to me. Well, that was encouraging. He’d only gotten sick eight hours or so before me. Eight more hours. The thought made my stomach turn, and I pulled myself up to lean over the toilet. I fell asleep on the towel again, but when I woke up I was in my bed and it was light outside my window. I didn’t remember moving; Charlie must have carried me to my roomhe’d also put the glass of water on my bedside table. I felt parched. I chugged it down, though it tasted funny from sitting stagnant all night. I got up slowly, trying not to trigger the nausea again. I was weak, and my mouth tasted horrible, but my stomach felt fine. I looked at my clock. My twenty-four hours were up. I didn’t push it, eating nothing but saltine crackers for breakfast. Charlie looked relieved to see me recovered. As soon as I was sure that I wasn’t going to have to spend the day on the bathroom floor again, I called Jacob. Jacob was the one who answered, but when I heard his greeting I knew he wasn’t over it. â€Å"Hello?† His voice was broken, cracking. â€Å"Oh, Jake,† I groaned sympathetically. â€Å"You sound horrible.† â€Å"I feel horrible,† he whispered. â€Å"I’m so sorry I made you go out with me. This sucks.† â€Å"I’m glad I went.† His voice was still a whisper. â€Å"Don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault.† â€Å"You’ll get better soon,† I promised. â€Å"I woke up this morning, and I was fine.† â€Å"You were sick?† he asked dully. â€Å"Yes, I got it, too. But I’m fine now.† â€Å"That’s good.† His voice was dead. â€Å"So you’ll probably be better in a few hours,† I encouraged. I could barely hear his answer. â€Å"I don’t think I have the same thing you did.† â€Å"Don’t you have the stomach flu?† I asked, confused. â€Å"No. This is something else.† â€Å"What’s wrong with you?† â€Å"Everything,† he whispered. â€Å"Every part of me hurts.† The pain in his voice was nearly tangible. â€Å"What can I do, Jake? What can I bring you?† â€Å"Nothing. You can’t come here.† He was abrupt. It reminded me of Billy the other night. â€Å"I’ve already been exposed to whatever you have,† I pointed out. He ignored me. â€Å"I’ll call you when I can. I’ll let you know when you can come down again.† â€Å"Jacob† â€Å"I’ve got to go,† he said with sudden urgency. â€Å"Call me when you feel better.† â€Å"Right,† he agreed, and his voice had a strange, bitter edge. He was silent for a moment. I was waiting for him to say goodbye, but he waited too. â€Å"I’ll see you soon,† I finally said. â€Å"Wait for me to call,† he said again. â€Å"Okay Bye, Jacob.† â€Å"Bella,† he whispered my name, and then hung up the phone. How to cite The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 9 THIRD WHEEL, Essay examples

Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Performance

Question: Discuss about the Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Performance. Answer: Introduction Corporate governance mainly refers to the procedures and the relation that controls and directs the corporation. Distribution of the rights and the responsibilities of the different participants in the corporation are identified by the governance structure and values (Tricker 2015). The CEO is mainly the top executive who has the responsibility to deal with the operation and the management of the business. He is primarily responsible for managing the executive team that oversees the top-line directors and the managers. The board of directors, on the other hand, has the responsibility to ensure that Qantas meets the contracted mission necessities (Wu et al. 2015). The Separate Roles, Duties, and Responsibilities The board of directors of the Qantas Airways mainly consists of the majority of the independent Non-Executive Directors and the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman needs to be an independent non-executive director who should be an Australian citizen. The boards of directors are responsible for appointing as well as removing the Chief Executive Officer that is the CEO. The primary responsibility of the board is to ensure that Qantas has a suitable corporate governance structure that mainly aims to generate and protect the values of the shareholder (Bainbridge 2015). The responsibility of the board of directors is also to ensure that the Qantas Management is familiar with the legal and other obligation to all genuine stakeholders. The stakeholders are the group that includes the customers, suppliers, workers as well as the regulators of the government. These stakeholders are likely to feel a social, environmental, economical as well as the financial impact of the measures of Qantas. The Strategic direction is required to be set by the Qantas board of directors. The board of directors manages the oversight of the Qantas Group that includes the control and the responsibility. The board of directors monitors the performances of the Executive management. The boards of directors are also responsible for approving the structure of the compensation (Van den Berghe 2012). Figure: The Board of Directors (Source: African Development Bank 2016) The responsibilities of the different board of directors and the CEO are as follows: Independent Non-Executive Director The name of the Independent Non-Executive Director is Maxine Brenner who was appointed in the year 2013 by the Qantas Board. She is mainly the member of the Compensation Committee as well as the Audit Committee. She is primarily responsible for assisting the board in regards to the financial reporting and the audit administration. This especially includes the reliability of the financial reporting of the Qantas Group. She is also responsible for assisting the Board regarding the compensation structure of the Non-Executive Directors. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) mainly receives the equity incentive awards from the Independent Non-Executive Director (Boxer et al. 2014). Jacqueline Hey was also appointed in the year 2013 by the Qantas board. She is mainly the member of the Audit Committee. As a result, her primary responsibility is to look into the efficiency of the enterprise-wide risk management structure of the Qantas group. She also deals with the observance with the legal and the regulatory requirement. Professor Michael L'Estrange, also the member of the Independent Non-Executive Director was appointed in the year 2016 by the Qantas board. He is the member of the Health, safety as well as the environment and the Security Committee. As a result, he is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling the approach, plan and the monitoring of the responsibilities of the corporate governance. This is mainly in regards to the Qantas group that comprises of the health, safety, environment, business flexibility and the security matters. William Meaneywas appointed in the year 2012 by the Qantas board, and he is mainly responsible for the compensation structure and the health, safety as well as the environment and the security measures. This is because; he is the member of the Compensation Committee and the health, safety, environment and the security committee (Boxer et al. 2014). Pula Rayner is also the member of the Independent Non-Executive Director, and he was appointed in the year 2008. He is the member of the Compensation Committee and the Nomination Committee. As a result, besides assisting the board in the compensation structure, he is also responsible for the diversity obligation and the progression of the CEO. Todd Sampson is the member of the Remuneration Committee and the Qantas Board appointed him in the year 2015. Hence, he deals with the compensation and the incentive structure and the tactical policies related to human resources. Recommendation: The board of directors should provide a capitalist leadership to the company within a framework of practical and effective control that facilitates risk to be reviewed and managed. The board of directors should set the strategic objectives of the company that will ensure the required human resources in place (Fernndez-Gagoet al. 2016). The Audit Committee recommends the acceptance of the Annual Risk Management Statement by the Board. The Nomination Committee recommends a term of office for the board members of one or two years. The recommendation of the safety, health, environment and the Security Committee is to be referred to the board for approval (Abernathy et al. 2013). The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) The Chief Executive Officer that is the CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce was appointed in the year 2008. He is the member of the Safety, Health, Security, and the Environment Committee. As a result, he is responsible for reviewing and mentoring the operational risk that comprises of the safety, health, security, environment and the business flexibility. The Committee is also responsible for undertaking the measures of the risk committee (Custodioet al. 2013). The role and the responsibility of the CEO of Qantas include recommending the strategy of the company that will be supported by the yearly business policies. The CEO should act as the decision maker, thus making a recommendation to the board. The CEO must support the board during orientation and self-evaluation. Conclusion It can be concluded that the responsibility of the board of directors is to ensure that the Qantas Management is familiar with the legal and other obligation to all genuine stakeholders. The board of directors should provide a capitalist leadership to the company within a framework of practical and effective control that facilitates risk to be reviewed and managed. Introduction The corporate governance is a structure that deals with the rules and procedures by which authority are controlled by corporations. The framework and the practices of the corporate governance are vital to determine the cost of capital in the international capital market. The Australian Institute of Company Directors is a non-profit membership organization for directors. AICD has seven state divisions and an international business unit. Good Corporate Governance Is Positively Associated With High Investor Returns The company in Australia needs to be equipped to compete internationally. This, in turn, will help to maintain and promote the confidence of the investor in both Australia and overseas. Australia starts from the position of strength as far as corporate governance is concerned (Busheeet al. 2013). The Coca-Cola Company is dedicated to good corporate governance, which encourages the long-term interests of shareowners, reinforces Board and management responsibility and helps build communal trust in the Company. The board of directors has established the effective governance in the company. The corporate governance materials of the Company, includes the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. However, the mining company in Australia stood out as the worst sector for corporate governance. As a result, the long-term interests of the shareowners were not encouraged. The principles and the recommendation of the corporate governance are as follows: It is important to lay a solid foundation for the management and oversight Under this principle, the companies should ascertain and reveal the respective roles as well as the responsibilities of the management and the board. The structure of a company must be designedin such a way that it becomes possible for the company to facilitate the board to provide a tactical guidance and efficient oversight of management. The structure should be intended to clarify the individual roles and the responsibilities of the members of the board and the senior executives (Tricker 2015). Recommendation: The companies should set up the measures that are reserved to the board and the measures that are delegated to the senior executives. The companies should reveal the procedures to estimate the performance of the senior executives. It is important to structure the board to add value It is important for the companies to possess a board of a dynamic composition, size and obligation to sufficiently discharge the responsibilities and the duties. An effective board is one that assists the effectual release of the responsibilities imposed by law on the directors and adds value in a manner that is suitable to the particular circumstances of the company. The board must be structured in such a way that it has a proper perceptive of the present and up-and-coming issues of the business. The board should also be able to persuade the enhanced performance of the company. The majority of the board members should consist of independent directors. An independent director is mainly a non-executive director. He is not the member of the management, and he is free of any business that could significantly impede with the independent exercise of their decision. The chair should be an independent director. The chair is mainly responsible for leadership of the board. The chair also facilitates the decisive contribution of all the directors. The same individual should not exercise the role of both the chair and the executive officers. The responsibility should be clearly divided among the individuals. The board should establish a nomination committee. The investors are promoted by the re-appointment of the board of directors. The companies should also reveal the procedures that will help to evaluate the performance of the board. Figure: Corporate Governance (Source: Van den Berghe 2012) It is important to promote ethical and responsible decision-making The companies should not comply with the legal obligation to make the legal and the moral decision. Good corporate governance will ultimately have need of the individuals with honesty. The confidence of the investors will be enhanced if the companies clearly eloquent the acceptable practices for directors and the employees. The company should elucidate the standard of the moral behavior that is required for the board and the senior executives (Ferrell and Fraedrich 2015). Recommendation: The companies should set up a code of conduct and unveil the code or a summary of the code. This should be done to establish the practices that are mainly required to sustain confidence in the reliability of the company. The overview of the code should also establish the accountability and the liability of the individuals to report the unethical practices. The companies should establish a plan regarding diversity. The plan should mainly include the necessities for the board to ascertain the measurable objectives to accomplish gender diversity. To achieve the gender diversity, it is important for the company to reveal the assessable objectives in each manual report (Christensen et al. 2015). The promotion of the female employees should be disclosed in each manual report by the company The safeguard of integrity in financial reporting The companies should possess a framework that will help them to validate independently and safeguard the reliability of the financial reporting. As a result, the company requires putting in place a structure of review that in turn will help the accurate presentation of the economic position of the company. An audit committee should be established by the board The audit committee should consist of the non-executive directors and a majority of independent directors. The audit committee should have an official contract. A timely and a balanced revelation should be made The companies should promote a timely and a balanced disclosure about all the resources that matter to the company. The companies should ascertain written policies that are designed to make sure compliance with Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rule (Reddy Sharma 2014). The rights of the shareholders should be respected the companies should respect the rights of the shareholders. The shareholders must be empowered if the company communicates effectively with them. A communication policy should be designed by the company to promote effective communication with the shareholders. The companies should recognize and manage the risk The companies should create a sound system that should be related to the omission of risk and management and internal control (Safari et al. 2015). Recommendation: The companies should establish the measures that will lead to the omission of risk and management as well as the administration of the material risk related to trade. To design and implement the risk management, the board should design and put into practice the risk management. Compensate fairly and correctly - It should be ensured by the companies that the level and composition of compensation should be sufficient such that the relationship to performance remains clear. Recommendation: A compensation committee should be established by the board If the companies can follow these recommendations, in that case, the companies will be able to align a good corporate governance to maximize their investor returns. The progress of the key capital expenditure, as well as the management of the capital, are supported and monitored by the board of directors. The corporate governance practices must progress in the context of developments both in Australia and overseas. The companies should not comply with the legal obligation to make the legal and the moral decision. Conclusion It has been concluded that the companies in Australia needs to be equipped to compete internationally. The companies must respect the rights of the shareholders. The companies should possess a framework that will help them to validate independently and safeguard the reliability of the financial reporting. The companies should also make clear the standard of the moral behavior that is required for the board and the senior executives. Bibliography Bushee, B.J., Carter, M.E. and Gerakos, J., 2013. Institutional investor preferences for corporate governance mechanisms.Journal of Management Accounting Research,26(2), pp.123-149. Christensen, J., Kent, P., Routledge, J. and Stewart, J., 2015. Do corporate governance recommendations improve the performance and accountability of small listed companies?.Accounting Finance,55(1), pp.133-164. Ferrell, O.C. and Fraedrich, J., 2015.Business ethics: Ethical decision making cases. Nelson Education. Reddy, K. Sharma, U. 2014, "Institutional antecedents of principle-based corporate governance practices: A case study of publicly listed companies in Fiji",Journal of Accounting Organizational Change,vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 49-82. Safari, M., Mirshekary, S. Wise, V. 2015, "Compliance with Corporate Governance Principles: Australian Evidence",Australasian Accounting Business Finance Journal,vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 3-19. Tricker, B., 2015.Corporate governance: Principles, policies, and practices. Oxford University Press, USA. Van den Berghe, L., 2012.International standardisation of good corporate governance: best practices for the board of directors. Springer Science Business Media. Abernathy, J.L., Herrmann, D., Kang, T. and Krishnan, G.V., 2013. Audit committee financial expertise and properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Advances in Accounting,29(1), pp.1-11. African Development Bank. 2016.Governance Structure - African Development Bank. [online] Available at: https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/africa50/about-us/governance-structure/ [Accessed 30 Jul. 2016]. Bainbridge, S.M., 2015. The Board of Directors. InThe Oxford Handbook of Corporate Law and Governance. Boxer, R., Perren, L. and Berry, A., 2014. SME managing director and non-executive director trust relations: The dynamic interplay between structure and agency.International Small Business Journal, p.0266242614550010. Custdio, C., Ferreira, M.A. and Matos, P., 2013. Generalists versus specialists: Lifetime work experience and chief executive officer pay.Journal of Financial Economics,108(2), pp.471-492. Fernndez-Gago, R., Cabeza-Garca, L. Nieto, M. 2016, "Corporate social responsibility, board of directors, and firm performance: an analysis of their relationships",Review of Managerial Science,vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 85-104. Tricker, B., 2015.Corporate governance: Principles, policies, and practices. Oxford University Press, USA. Van den Berghe, L., 2012.International standardisation of good corporate governance: best practices for the board of directors. Springer Science Business Media. Wu, L.Z., Kwan, H.K., Yim, F.H.K., Chiu, R.K. and He, X., 2015. CEO ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility: A moderated mediation model.Journal of Business Ethics,130(4), pp.819-831.