Abstract This paper depicts the emotional and psychological struggle the author goes through in "The Broken Cord" by Michael Dorris which is about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Abstract This paper analyzes D.W. Griffith's 1919 silent film "Broken Blossoms" starring Lillian Gish. It discusses the film's cinematic techniques and narrative, its editing and camera placement. The paper explores the use of intertitles. The author also expands on the storyline and structure of the film.
From the Paper "D W Griffith's silent film "Broken Blossoms" is an allegorical melodramatic tragedy about a teenager who lives with an abusive father and is loved by a gentle young Chinese man. All three characters come to tragic ends. Shot in a Hollywood studio the ..."
Abstract This paper examines the 'broken windows' theory of the causes of crime. The paper explains that 'broken windows' criminology theory maintains that a lack of respect for the physical environment and the law leads to even more socially disruptive criminal activity. The paper points out that the 'broken windows' theory was one of the most highly publicized components of the law-and-order New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's attempt to wage war on crime during the 1990s. The paper then looks at how the theory attempts to attribute the causes of neighborhood decay to ignoring the "little problems" like graffiti, litter, shattered glass, which "creates a sense of irreversible decline" that leads law-abiding residents to abandon their residences and non-criminal prospective residents to stay away from apparently decaying communities.
From the Paper "However, the presence of committed activists and the joint efforts between the communities and law enforcement may have been one of the causes of the decline in crime, not the more rigorous policing of minor offenses in and of itself. The drop in crime in New York City has a complex array of causes, economic and demographic, as well as sociological and political, and the 'broken windows' enforcement policies may not be the cause of the drop."
This essay is a critique of the book "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of America", edited by Miguel Leon-Portilla; showing its unique manner in relating historical events.
Abstract This paper presents a critique of this book which tells the Aztec peoples? account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The paper examines the way in which, throughout history, the conquest has been told from the viewpoint of the conquistadors ?- the Spanish victors. "The Broken Spears" was the first book to tell the story of the conquest from the Aztecs? perspective. The writer shows the difference between "The Broken Spears" and other history accounts whereby this book is not about historical data gathering but, rather, is of the storytelling and human emotion behind the Spanish conquest.
From the Paper "Hernando Cortes? army arrived in Mexico in the early 16th century and defeated the Mexicans in relatively short order.
Cortes had originally been sent to Mexico by the Cuban governor to search for gold, but when he was asked to withdraw and return to Havana, he gathered 11 ships and 600 troops and made his way to Mexico.
"Previous Spanish expeditions had been sent to Mexico as early as 1517, but Cortes was a very powerful, persuasive leader and was able to rally the troops, so to speak. Also, the Indians turned out to be very susceptible to the Spaniards? superior weapons, as well as the new European viruses such as smallpox, chicken-pox, and measles. Of crucial importance was the Aztec leader's (Moctezuma) indecisiveness about Cortes? motives and confusion as to whether Cortes? arrival was a spiritual arrival or a spiritual sign ? a major mistake. Finally, the Mexican Indians were internally divided and there was much internal resentment about the Aztec domination in Mexico. Therefore, the Tlaxcaltecs and others ? the Aztecs? enemies ? became the Spaniards? allies."
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of 'Broken Windows' by Wilson and Kelling. According to this paper, the 'broken windows' theory is the basis of what is known today as the 'zero tolerance' policy. This paper explains how the above mentioned theories show the common criminal that the residents of the neighbourhood no longer care about the level of dilapidation.
From the Paper "In 1982, an article titled "Broken Windows" appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, positing a new approach to neighborhood safety and crime prevention. In this article, authors Wilson and Kelling describe the sociological and psychological conditions of big-city urban decay and offer a solution they call the "broken windows" theory. The theory, known today as the "zero tolerance" policy, claims that a single broken window indicates to criminals that citizens "no longer care" about their neighborhood (Wilson and Kelling 31). Wilson and Kelling link community apathy and neighborhood dilapidation to crime. While they admit that their sociological evidence does not support this link directly (29), they claim that neighborhood fear and perceived safety is, in fact, directly responsible for crime and, more specifically, for crime prevention (31). "
Abstract This paper provides a detailed look at the Broken Windows Theory. The writer of this paper provides the reader with an overview of the theory as well as some examples of where the theory would apply. In addition the writer argues that the theory is correct and if minor offenses were more harshly judged and punished then larger crimes would be deterred.
From the Paper ?As we go through history we see crime that is becoming increasingly violent. We have children killing children, people climbing clock towers and taking aim at innocent residents and serial killers seem to be on the rise. We also have gang related violence occurring each day as well as robberies and stabbings. Car- jackings have become a past time it seems and those who are victims of it are often brutally beaten before they lose their car. Everywhere we turn violent angry crimes seem to be more accepted than ever before.?
Abstract An in-depth study on how children from broken homes are affected emotionally, physiologically and from a behavioral point of view. The paper explores issues such as children with single-parent homes vs. two-parent homes, the benefits of friends and extended families, single parent attitudes towards children, effects on academic education and emotional behavior, socioeconomic effects, step-parents and single fathers.
From the Paper "Today, single fathers seem to be more familiar with these roles in home management and childcare than mothers. Furthermore, the tie and connection between single fathers and children as well single mothers and children have now become new focal points for self-direction. Both single parents have set the criteria for organization of more traditional spheres of work and social life such that now single fathers develop close relationships with their children and have a greater appreciation of responsibility in being the primary parent.
However, the fact remains that no mater how good mother or a father can be as a single parent, the negative and adverse effects of children's development proofed through various studies concludes that there's a price to be paid for removing one of the traditional pairs, and the old-fashioned concept and belief that to have a mother and a father is still a pretty good idea."
Abstract This paper reviews Stephen Rodnesky's "A Broken Covenant" about wealth disparity, which he believes, is caused by national tax policies since the 1980?s. The paper author repeatedly stresses that, although Rodnesky presents an enormous amount of statistical evidence that could have been overwhelming, everything is explained clearly and the tone of the book, while serious, is easy-going, understandable and convincing. The paper states that Rodnesky has some suggestions for interested readers such as letting their representatives know that they are not satisfied with the current tax structure.
From the Paper "I must admit that I approached "A Broken Covenant" with a certain degree of cynicism. Many books of this type are more polemic than objective; the writing is frequently murky, stilted and/or convoluted; and there can be a tendency to become very "creative" with the facts in order to make a particularly convincing point. However, in this case I was pleasantly surprised. A Broken Covenant is very well written, and there is an attitude of reasonable discussion, not ranting or melodrama."
Abstract This essay discusses the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the context of Miguel Leon-Portilla's "The Broken Spears". The paper argues that the Spanish helped the Aztecs change their lives for the better. More than anything else, The Aztecs benefited from the Spanish conquest in that it had a civilizing influence.
This paper reviews and analyzes Michael Dorris's non-fiction book "The Broken Cord" which focuses on the legal, medical and social ramifications of fetal alcohol abuse.
Abstract This paper examines the negative connotations and societal undertones surrounding single parenthood and the traumatic effects of fetal alcohol syndrome as detailed in "The Broken Cord," the non-fiction book written by Michael Dorris. This paper discusses complex issues such as ethnicity, adoption and the human limitations of medical understanding.
This paper also details the author's struggles in adopting his own son Adam.
From the Paper "The first major issue presented in the book is the negative connotations and societal undertones surrounding single parenthood, and particularly, single fatherhood. Despite that the book was written in 1989, society has not progressed much since Dorris encountered the ramifications and implications surrounding this issue when he decided to adopt Adam in the 1970s. He notes that his family had historically been comprised of single parents, but admitted that it was generally women, and therefore, mothers who had raised the children."
Abstract This paper examines the book titled, "Broken Spear", and explains that the author of the book discusses many factors that show that the Aztecs were solely at fault for their own destruction and that the influence and invasions by the Spaniards only played a small part in the destructive events. The paper explains that, according to the book, the Aztec religion contributed to the eventual destruction of the Aztec civilization.
From the Paper "The Aztecs viewed the Gods of the Spaniards very differently. In the Broken Spear, the author talks about how the Spaniards forced the Aztecs into worshiping their one God or they would be killed. The Spaniards forced their God onto the Aztec Indians and this God was something very new and very different. The Aztecs were accustomed to worshiping several different Gods which related to the land around them. They were not used to worshiping only one God who controlled everything. Nevertheless, when the Aztecs did not accept the Spanish God, much blood shed occurred. This also shows how religion played a part in the overall destruction and demise of the Aztec empire."
Abstract This paper explains that Leon-Portilla's book "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico" is an excellent illustration of how the naivete of one culture and the rapacity of another usually collide to produce wide-spread tragedy. The author points out that the writer's objectives were to give a voice to the forgotten victims of the conquest of Mexico, which history had denied them, and to present the surviving Aztec accounts of this conquest as being great works of literature, which rival anything found in the western tradition. The paper relates that the significance of Cholula was to undermine the civilizational confidence of all Aztecs who heard about it, to constitute massive loss of native life, to re-affirm the efficacy and might of the Spaniards and to reinforce among the Aztecs the desirability of aligning themselves with the Spaniards rather than joining with their Mexican brethren in opposition to the new arrivals.
From the Paper "The massacre at Cholula had many negative effects upon the Aztec peoples - leaving aside the obvious loss of life. Most notably, the massacre revealed the penchant of the Aztec peoples of Mexico to conspire against one another by feeding Cortes and his minions half-truths or outright fabrications about a bitter rival; this sort of rumor-mongering on the part of the people of Tlaxcaltecas, suffice it to say, stirred Cortes to march on Cholula, killing all present there. Moreover, the brutal defeat of the Cholultecas was compounded by the fact that their idol Quetzalcoatl had not served them in any way during the battle."
Abstract The "Broken Windows" theory was developed by James Wilson and George Kelling in an article of the same name, appearing in "The Atlantic Monthly" in March of 1982. In the article, they stated the importance of preventive policing, explaining that in disorderly neighborhoods marked by incivilities such as broken windows, beat-up cars, and transient passers-through, crime was more likely to occur. This paper provides an examination of Wilson and Kelling's "Broken Windows Theory," including description, support and criticism of the theory, as well as an evaluation of literature concerning the topic.
From the Paper "Elderly people, for example, live in fear of crime despite the statistics that show they are the group least likely to be victimized (Wilson and Kelling, 1982). In neighborhoods where there are strangers and disorderly people, the fear of a confrontation may take precedence in the mind of resident despite any evidence to the contrary. As Wilson and Kelling describe, because they fear crime, they may change their habits, perhaps avoiding areas they used to visit or breaking ties with the community, still living there but keeping to themselves."
Abstract Over nearly half a century since the American Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, the segregation and racism, defined by the color lines, have been broken down in the South. The paper defines the color lines of the South. It shows that the Outer Color Line was designed to keep blacks from enjoying any of the same rights white people did even though they were citizens. The Intermediate Color Line, based on economics, was drawn to further prevent blacks from shrugging their status as second class citizens. Finally, the paper shows that the Inner Color Line was a line drawn so that even if equality could be reached and the only difference in the two groups was skin color, blacks and whites could still not intermingle. The paper discusses how the lines were broken down by the Civil Rights Movement over a period of 20 years. Finally, the paper discusses the role presidential elections played in removing these lines from the American South's society. A graph is included in the paper.
From the Paper "Based solely on the color of their skin, a sharp line was drawn between two groups of people. On one side of this, those with white skin were placed. On the other, people with black skin could be found. This line, one drawn to show the superiority of whites, was separated into three lines for blacks. The first line, or the outer line, was a thickly drawn line designed to keep blacks the second class citizens in the nation. The intermediate line was drawn to keep whites and blacks from intermingling. Finally, an inner line was drawn to show that even if skin color was the only separation, blacks and whites could not have friendships. In the 1950s and 1960s, these lines began to crumble when the Civil Rights Movement took them head on."
Abstract The paper presents the hypothesis that children's emotions are misdirected in cases where homes are dysfunctional or where the family is broken and that these mal-adaptations contribute to problem behavior. The paper provides an observation of an eight year old male with divorced parents and his dysfunctional ways of expressing emotion. In this way, the paper illustrates the relationship between a child's emotional development and living in a divorced or broken home situation.
From the Paper "Childhood development is something that occurs in all walks of life, regardless of whether or not the environment is 'normal' or not. The development of children is therefore dependent on the environment into which they are socialized as well as the inherent personality they might have inherited. The study of normal childhood development has been widely studied, but there are differences in the way that children from broken homes develop emotionally. The two schools of thought that study the development of children are that of acquired knowledge and social theory, both have opposing ideas of how the children acquire knowledge about the outside world. Problem behavior of children from broken homes manifest themselves in a number of ways that are not considered 'normal', by virtue of the fact that they are exposed to dissention in the home and at times, outright conflict."
