Abstract Rudolph Giuliani's book, "Leadership", is the personal account of the former mayor of New York's journey to becoming an effective leader. This paper explains how the book opens with an account of the minutes and days that followed the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Though he had landed a contract and was close to finishing the book prior to September 11, 2001, the attacks provide a backdrop for his illustrating the leadership and management techniques that he used, not only as mayor, but as a corporate lawyer and U.S. attorney. It shows how the book focuses mainly on what leadership skills worked for him as Mayor of New York City. The book is about leadership skills that can be applied to any type of business, whether government, private, or publicly held.
From the Paper "In the book, Guiliani illustrates through personal experiences many issues that a manager comes face to face with. He advocates a delicate balance between hands-on leadership and micromanagement. While Guiliani's time spent in New York City's City Hall, was not without controversy, both political and personal. He does recount his struggle with prostrate cancer, but he steers away from the personal and tabloid-like aspects of his life, while citing facts and figures to back up the controversial moves he made as mayor. The issues he covers are many, including his process of combating crime, making sweeping social changes and making New York City a place where citizens want to stay and tourist want to visit."
Abstract This paper performs a close reading of Christina Rossetti's poem, "Goblin Market," arguing that the the two central characters of the poem, sisters Lizzie and Laura, represent the dichotomy of Victorian female sexuality. Ultimately, the poem is deeply ambivalent about the demands of society upon expressions of gender and sexuality.
From the Paper "Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" is ostensibly a poem about two sisters who are nightly tempted to buy fruits from the goblin-merchants; it is on one level a simple moralistic tale about the near-deadly consequences of yielding to temptation and the virtues of resisting it, and, in the end, about the importance of loving one's sister. Yet reading the poem it is impossible not to be struck not only by the obvious and jolting sexual imagery but by the overwhelming sense of sensuality merged with horror that pervades the entire work. Laura and Lizzie come to be not just two sisters with different reactions to the "Come buy" cries of the goblins, but representatives of the two prevailing models of Victorian femininity. Lizzie is the "proper" feminine ideal: modest, domestic, and possessing enormous amounts of self-restraint. Laura is the illicit woman: lustful, rebellious, and wantonly unrestrained. But though Rossetti does ultimately advocate Lizzie's model, she does not condemn Laura so much as sympathize with her, and her dichotomy is not as clear-cut as it might appear at first. Rossetti probes deeply into the nature of desire in a repressive Victorian context, in a society where female desire is both hidden and exploited. It is a system which forces conformity and sublimation of desire in order to ensure survival and enable some kind of contentment; by the end of the poem Laura has essentially become Lizzie. However, in examining this repression of desire and the constructed sexuality and gender roles that necessitate it, the poem questions these institutions and concludes that they are ultimately destructive for all involved."
Tags: 19th, century, laura, lizzie, poetry, repression, victorian, female
Abstract The book, "Is there no Place on Earth for Me?", is an account of Sylvia Frumkin, a pseudonym used to identify a young woman, who began suffering from schizophrenia in her teens. The paper shows how her struggle was chronicled through a series of interviews later and turned into a narrative by Susan Sheehan. It also shows that the book is a subtle condemnation of the mental health system in America and the insensitivity of the circle of individuals around the woman, who were supposedly trying to help her.
From the Paper "The second part of the book details Frumkin's experiences with institutionalization in greater detail. Sheehan does not stint with her critique of the mental health care profession, which she describes in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest terms. Most specifically, Sheehan focuses on Creedmoor's overuse of electroshock techniques and hydrotherapy, both of which have since been shown to be largely ineffective in dealing with schizophrenia, the inadequacy of the facilities counseling, and the experimental "let's see" approach to medication, which often resulted in patients being used as guinea pigs for medications with debilitating side effects."
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the antisocial behavior of the character of Miss Emily. It explains that she is a vengeful woman who kills out of revenge for a secluded family life, a rapidly changing environment, and a psychosis of mind. Miss Emily in Faulkner's tale is a victim, who kills out of revenge for a life of scrutiny and perceived injustices.
From the Paper "In the work Emily demonstrates much anti-social behavior perhaps as a result of the critical eye most of society turned upon her during her life. According to one observer, "Faulkner shows the tragedy that results from our adherence to social rules that constrain, rather than liberate, our true selves" (Bernardo, 2003). Miss Faulkner kills out of revenge for a life of despair, out of a need to preserve control over a society that would attempt to control her, and out of a desire to keep her inner world from changing as the world around her changed without moderation. Miss Faulkner was vengeful that society expected her to control to certain social norms that did not match the morality with which she was raised. This fact was part of the reason she kills Homer in the work."
Abstract This paper briefly describes how "Reservation Blues" represents a motivating piece of literature because it demonstrates how Native Americans were not afraid to confront the difficulties of life to accomplish their greatest desires and to succeed. Focus is placed on the relationship between the two main characters in the novel, Chess and Checkers, and how they were influenced by white culture.
From the Paper "Alexie brings the subject of a love-hate relationship to the so called "whites" that Chess and Checkers portray early on in his novel. They all seem to face the same problem of trying to live in a white mans society while facing the stereotypes such as alcoholism, drugs, and a poor education. His use of stereotypes in different areas, makes it seem as if he is discriminating against Native Americans and making the Whites a bigger power. Alexie also uses mental, spiritual, and emotional struggles to show how the love-hate relationship that Chess and Checkers have toward the White Americans have been very influential on them. In Chapter 2, early on in the story, Alexie brings in the two white girls, Betty and Veronica, that join the band then leave because of issues with the Indian girls, Chess and Checkers, who are then turned into singers for the band. "Two white women, Betty and Veronica, had somehow found their way onto the reservation and showed up at every rehearsal"(Reservation Blues, pg 41)."
Abstract This paper explains that, although purpose of this epic book, "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali", is to tell a story for entertainment, it also teaches about the history of Africa, proving that Africa does have a history, and it does have culture and adventure. The author points out that the theme of religion is complicated by the references to both animal gods and magical powers and to Islam. The paper relates that the book depicts a male-oriented society in Western Africa, where women are the child care givers and tend the animals and the gardens, while men are the hunters, managers of family matters, and keepers of the structure of the house.
From the Paper "Having more than one wife is another aspect of the gender culture in their ancient society. Polygamy was practiced amongst the kings in this book. Sogolon and her children lived in an old hut outside of the palace because the queen mother Sassouma Berete kicked them out after the king died. Against the king's wishes, her son Dankaran Touman was proclaimed king instead of Sundiata. Having many wives created a conflict when more than boy was born by more than one of the king's wives. The king's first wife was bitterly jealous and was the reason for Sogolon and her children having to go into exile. The queen mother took on almost a male gender role in this story because she wanted her son to the king."
Abstract In W. H. Auden's poem, ?Funeral Blues,? the speaker uses well-constructed poetic language and form to convey her attitude toward the subject of death. It explains how Auden manifests an extremely bitter interpretation of hopelessness and eternal sadness on the part of the speaker as a result of losing a loved one. The speaker in the poem is deeply saddened about the loss of her loved one and the fact that it was a force beyond her control. This person has been taken from her life in haste at a most inopportune time, and she feels as though her life has become pointless. It shows how, through Auden's use of tone, language, and structure, he portrays a very well-defined image of death and its effects on the individual, which is by no means desirable.
From the Paper In "Funeral Blues" Auden makes the bitter attitude of the speaker toward the subject of death apparent to the readers through the use of symbols, imagery, personification, and the metaphor. In the first stanza Auden states, ?stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone...?(Auden 1362. 1). The clock being stopped may signify the fact that he who died has run out of time and also to ask those who knew him to stop what they are doing and reflect. The telephone being cut off brings forth the idea of silence. Auden does this to show the deceased the respect they deserve. She believes in honouring the dead with a moment of silence to pay respect. In the second stanza the speaker states, ?let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead.?(Auden 1362. 5). She uses this metaphoric image to convey the pointlessness of her life and also her grief. What point is there for aeroplanes to fly in circles? She is comparing the pointlessness of flying in circles to her life without her partner.
Abstract The famous battle of the American Civil War, Gettysburg, is the subject of Michael Shaara's book, "The Killer Angels". This paper shows how Shaara guides the reader through three days of battle in which many American lives were lost. He portrays the war through the eyes of those who fought in it, and in doing so, sends us a message about the horror of war and the bravery of the men who fought in this one.
From the Paper "The personal and professional relationship between Lee and Longstreet was depicted as being a bittersweet one. The two were polar opposites, each representing the past and future of war. Lee seemed bent on an offensive campaign, while Longstreet believed in a defensive strategy. I sometimes wonder if Lee knew that he would be "untouchable" when it came to responsibility for a defeat, thus was more likely to take the long shot, and take the offensive."
Abstract This paper discusses how Emily Dickinson, as an individual and as a poet, deployed the poetic devices of point of view, tone, and metaphor, in order to convince her readers, and perhaps herself, that death was merely another mode of existence and, therefore, not something to dread. It looks at how, through a review of the poems "I Heard a Fly Buzz" and ?I Felt a Funeral in My Brain,? it explores how she portrays death as another world and state of being, rather than as a termination.
From the Paper "?I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,? similarly ends with an unfinished line, conveying the transported corpse's final descent into the grave, but never reaching the bottom of the ground. This poem's cool tone is equally pronounced as the poem about the fly's buzz, and is even more shocking in its observed "plot" as the speaker of the poem takes the reader through her funeral and the decent into her own grave. As the funeral takes place, beginning first in her brain with the sight of mourners, she, as she sinks into the earth, does not express fear or horror at being buried alive but rather, she accepts what happens,? And hit a World, at every plunge,? observing her entrance into something not fully describable, because it is so different from what she has left."
Abstract This paper examines how the increased use of technology in today's workplace has had a largely negative effect on workplace stress and reviews two articles on the topic. The applicability of each of the articles in relation to a type of organization similar to the law/claims group of a public utility is also analyzed, giving recommendations. The two articles are Michael C. Dennis's "Technology and Stress in the Workplace", which focuses closely on the newly emerging impact of technology-mediated stress in the credit industry, and the State of Utah's article,"Workplace Stress".
From the Paper "The State of Utah's article can be applied to a public utilities law/claims group type of organization. Employees in such an organization are likely to share the feeling that workplace stress is an ingrained feature of office life. Further, these employees likely share the impression that there is little that can be done to combat technology-fueled workplace stress. Importantly, the characteristics of those who deal well with workplace stress can also be applied to employees in the field of public utilities."
This paper emphasizes the racial injustice that characterized the South in the 1960s. It discusses the life story of Anne Moody, the author of this autobiography, and the many hardships she encountered.
Abstract This paper focuses on the life of Anne Moody, the author of "Coming of Age in Mississippi." It discusses many of the civil rights in which African- Americans were neglected in the 1960s. The major issues addressed in the paper is the issue of "race" in the post-modern United States during the 1960s and Moody's struggle to survive in a country full of hate and neglect.
From the Paper "Coming of Age in Mississippi, by Anne Moody, is a stark testimony to the racial injustice that characterized the southern United States until the civil rights movements of the 1960s brought lasting changes to the region. The southern world into which Moody was born in 1940 was one ruled by whites. Her autobiography is filled with incidents that serve as a reminder of this overwhelming truth. Anne Moody's development and life are greatly shaped by the tremendous amount of racial discrimination and prejudice that African Americans face in the South at the time she is growing up. Moody's unearthing of the perception and implication of race is the underlining principle of her autobiography. Moody's racial "coming of age" enlightens her to the real truth of all races and oppressed people in the southern world."
Abstract This paper focuses on the symbolism of the character, Beloved, in the book of the same name by Toni Morrison and looks at how slavery's legacy is represented through Beloved's interactions with Sethe and Paul D. Examples that are discussed include Beloved's affect on Paul D's "rusted tin can" heart and how this is representative of slavery's legacy and Beloved's progressing physical state throughout the novel and how it is symbolic of Sethe's ability to cope with her past.
From the Paper "As Sethe delves further into her past, Beloved's control over her grows stronger. The relationship becomes more parasitic, with Sethe constantly trying to cope with her horrific past and the gruesome crime she committed. She repeatedly tries to justify her actions to Beloved, like when she says, ?I"ll explain to her, even though I don"t have to. Why I did it. How if I hadn"t killed her she would have died and that is something that I could not bear to happen to her" (200). It seems as if the presence of Beloved forces Sethe to fully disclose her past and, consequently, Sethe learns how to accept it."
Abstract This paper describes the battle between good and evil in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". It compares instances in the book to instances today to show that the battle between good and evil will continue forever.
From the Paper "Conflict moves society. Without it, life would be bland, and motivation would be diminished. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the struggle between good and evil is at the heart of the story. The tale of a troubled schizophrenic, it shows that man will forever be battling between the two conflicts. An amicable elderly doctor, Henry Jekyll drinks a potion and morphs into Mr. Hyde, the personification of evil. Not only does it display the struggle between good and evil, but this novel also proves that it's a time-tested matter. Written in 1886, this novel's values parallel what occurs today and what occurred before it was written. Because even though many parts of society change over time, there will forever be the struggle of good versus evil. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde proves this by having Dr. Jekyll in the midst of the struggle. To prove this, one must look at Dr. Jekyll's addiction to becoming Mr. Hyde, Jekyll waking up as his evil self, and the doctor's indecision over which identity he really is. The aforementioned, coupled with modern day equivalents confirm that the battle between good and evil will forever wage on."
Abstract In the turn-of-the-century era depicted in the novel, "Ragtime", by E.L. Doctorow, racism and oppression of lower social classes dominates social realities in the city of New York. This paper explores racial and social inequality through specific examples from the story. It explores the various characters and their relation to the themes of racism and oppression.
From the Paper "Father also shows his racist mentality when first confronted with Coalhaouse Walker. In contrast to Mother, who believes she is complementing Coalhouse when she sees him as different than other Negroes, Father thinks he has ?no awareness of his race or his place in society.? Father viewed Coalhouse's proud character almost as a form of disrespect towards the white majority and he was perplexed by the idea why a Negro would be proud, "apparently it didn"t occur to him to integrate himself into the fashion of his race.?"
Examination of the book, "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures," by Anne Fadiman.
Abstract This paper discusses the role of ethnocentrism in the book. "Ethnocentrism" is the belief that your culture is "better" or "superior" to other cultures and that cultural standards are universal. It is often the wedge that keeps people from many cultures from blending into a cohesive unit, and in "The Spirit Catches You," it is quite common to see how the Hmong, with their culture of beliefs and superstitions, and American doctors, with their medicines and science, would clash and never see eye to eye.
From the Paper ""The Spirit Catches You" is the story of a Hmong family, the Lees, and their young daughter Lia. Lia is diagnosed with epilepsy, which the Hmong call "the spirit catches you and you fall down" disease. The story graphically illustrates two cultures that meet head on - with each one having absolutely no understanding of the other. The Hmong's entire culture is built on a series of beliefs and superstitions that they use nearly everyday to combat illness and appearance. For example, the author notes early in the book, "Although the Hmong believe that illness can be caused by a variety of sources - [...] by far the most common cause of illness is soul loss" (Fadiman 10). Thus, the Hmong use spiritual and holistic approaches to their daughter's health problems because it is all they know. The American doctors, on the other hand, want the Hmong to use American medicines and treatments, and the Hmong have no idea what these treatments are, or how they will benefit their daughter. What happens as the two cultures collide is a comedy of errors and misunderstanding, except that it is not funny, and Lia pays the price in the end."
