English Written Task Essay

Prescribed question: How and why is a social group represented in a particular way? Title of the text for analysis: Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe Part of the course to which the task refers: Part 3: Literature – text and context Key Points: †¢ Define masculinity in Okonkwo’s viewpoint †¢ Explore how Okonkwo never shows his emotions because of fear †¢ Describe the struggle of Okonkwo’s strength †¢ Discuss the importance of Okonkwo’s reputation of Umuofia †¢ Explain why Okonkwo emphasized on his masculinity Critical Response In Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, interpretations of masculinity were challenged. Masculinity commonly means the characteristics related to men. Okonkwo, a strong wrestler and leader, had his own attributes of what manliness was. According to Okonkwo’s definition of masculinity, men were presented as strong. Anything that did not demonstrate strength was considered as weak, which was not in his definition of masculinity. While masculinity meant having qualities of a man, Okonkwo was represented to show how he perceived a man truly defined through the factor of fear and why he displayed manliness in this approach. Okonkwo was afraid of showing emotions, because revealing any sentiments showed flaws. Okonkwo liked Ikemefuna and treated him as if he was his own son. However, Okonkwo did not show any emotions towards Ikemefuna. He thought showing affection was a sign of weakness. Due to his fear of imperfection, Okonkwo felt the emotions inwardly. The only real emotion he ever brought to life was anger. â€Å"The only thing worth demonstrating was strength.† (Achebe, 1994, p. 28) Showing emotions such as happiness or sadness was a portrayal of tenderness, which Okonkwo hated. If Okonkwo showed any emotion at all, it would be evidence that he was weak. In one scenario, Okonkwo had to choose his reputation of a strong male authority or his devotion to Ikemefuna, the one he thought of to be his son. This huge struggle to prove Okonkwo’s strength was questioned when he was forced to kill Ikemefuna. Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna when Ogbuefi Ezeudu ordered him to not touch the boy. (Achebe, 1994, p. 57) The man cleared his throat, drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. He heard Ikemefuna cry ‘my father, they have killed me!’ as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak. (Achebe, 1994, p. 61) Okonkwo was afraid people would think that if he did not kill Ikemefuna, whom he loved, he would seem weak. His character to show others that he was not weak was a greater importance than his attachment for the boy. He wanted to be brave and keep his reputation as a wrestler and a leader of Umuofia. There was one instance that Okonkwo went against his definition of being manly. This showed the vulnerability of Okonkwo, which showed why he was afraid of being weak. Okonkwo became depressed after the death of Ikemefuna. He did not sleep and did not eat any food. (Achebe, 1994, p. 63) Okonkwo was compared to a â€Å"shivering old woman,† (Achebe, 1994, p. 65) showing that only woman showed their emotions. If a man could not get over the death of someone he loves, he was nothing more than a woman, who was generally the one that mourned the death of another. Being depressed over a death was a sign of gentleness, which Okonkwo did not desire. Shivering implies weakness because when people shiver, they shake, are unstable, and are not usually strong enough to hold themselves together. So, Okonkwo could not control himself in this situation. It also showed fear and a loss of composure, two things that a man should never express. The use of the word ‘old’ also showed how fragile he was becoming in this instance. It was a similar idea when Okonkwo thought he was old because old people in general were weak; as people get older, their heart and muscles were degenerated, so the quality was not durable. There was a reason why Okonkwo emphasized his masculinity. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, was poor, weak, lazy, a failure and a coward. Unoka was in a lot of debt. He loved gentleness and idleness. He did not like the sight of blood. (Achebe, 1994, p. 6) In contrast, Okonkwo entered upon to be strong and hardworking, not wanting to be gentle or idle. The strong wrestler was not scared of blood at any moment, showing he was a strong individual that can deal with death of others. (Achebe, 1994, p. 67) From then on, Okonkwo wanted to show Umuofia that he was not similar to his father in any way; he wanted to be better than his father because he did not want to be known as a son of a borrower who did not give money back to the lender. As a result, Okonkwo worked to not be a failure like his father. He changed how he behaved as a man to be successful. (Achebe, 1994, p. 4) Okonkwo worked hard to have a title in Umuofia and to supply money for his family. Masculinity was shown in the fear of weakness because Okonkwo represented masculinity through his behavior. Masculinity was depicted in Okwonko’s fear of weakness. In some parts of this novel, Achebe showed the reader the wrong ways to be a man by showing what was weak, causing the readers to believe the complete opposite of how a man should truly act. Okonkwo was afraid of being weak because it would directly contradict his idea of how he should act as a man. He strived for strength and power. By showing his aversion of weakness to the readers, it gave Okonkwo’s definition of masculinity. Okonkwo viewed masculinity as strength, bravery, successful, and feelings of anger. Works Cited Achebe, C. (1994). Things fall apart. New York: Anchor Books.

Contract Definition Paper Essays - Contract Law, Contract

Contract Definition Paper Essays - Contract Law, Contract Contract Definition Paper Brian Olson Business Law 8 January 2001 A contract is a binding agreement made between two competent parties that can be written verbal or implied. The purpose of a contract is to create an agreement that can be supported by the law (Wests Encyclopedia). As we enter the new millenium, and with the increase in the number of businesses (including e-commerce), we need to know more and more about contract law. Knowledge of contract law can also protect consumers and businesses from misunderstandings. The six elements of a contract are: binding agreement, competent parties, form required by law, legal in purpose, consideration, and genuine assent. Binding Agreement A binding agreement is a contract, verbal or written, between parties that is bound by law. When two competent parties make an agreement, it is considered binding. A binding agreement must have an offer and an acceptance. An example of a binding agreement would be if Kelly told Jamie that she would buy her car for $6,000 and they both agreed to it. This agreement is legal in purpose, supported by consideration, is in the form required by law and is made by two competent parties who gave genuine assent. Competent Parties To make an agreement a legal contract, both parties have to be competent. All adults are assumed to be competent. Its important for people who are making contracts to be of sound mind. This means that the people involved cannot be under the influence of any substances or be mentally ill. Convicts and enemy aliens are also considered to lack capacity. Capacity means the ability to understand ones actions and the effects of those actions. It is legal for minors to enter into contracts, but they cannot be bound by law because younger people have limited experience and are more vulnerable than adults (Mietus 163). The purpose of competency is so people dont take advantage of those who are not competent when entering into contracts. When an adult makes a contract with a minor, the minor is the only one who can disaffirm the contract. The adult is bound by law (Mietus 163). An example of a contract that cannot legally be bound would be if John wanted to buy Ryans car for $2000 and Ryan refused. Later that day, John took Ryan out to a bar and offered him several drinks. John offered to buy Ryans car again and Ryan agreed because he was under the influence of alcohol. Due to Ryans lack of competency, this contract is void. Consideration Consideration is the promise or action that one person (the promisor) gives in exchange for the promise or action of the promisee (Mietus 198). A promise of giving without receiving is not a legal contract and would be called lack of consideration. An example of lack of consideration would be if grandpa said he would pay for your college tuition if you get straight As in high school and then decides not to do it. That promise would not be legally binding because he is not getting anything in return. Both parties must get something in return for the contact to be legal. An example of consideration is if two competent parties traded a pen for a watch. Each party is giving and receiving something of value, which is called consideration. One of the exceptions to consideration is promissory estoppel. An example of this would be if your dad said he would buy you a brand new car if you paid your way through law school. Because you suffered an economic loss to hold up your end of the bargain, the other party could be legally bound by promissory estoppel. Another exception to consideration are charitable contributions. For example, if I told Red Cross that I was going to donate $500 per year, then I could be legally bound to do so. Genuine Assent Genuine assent exists when consent is not clouded by fraud, duress, undo influence or mistake (Mietus 212). For example, if Billy pulled out a gun and got Ed to agree to sell his bike for $5, Ed is under duress and is not giving genuine assent to sell the bike. Genuine assent must be communicated clearly in some way (written, verbal or strongly implied). An example of not

True History of the Kelly Gang essays

True History of the Kelly Gang essays Ned Kelly, the narrator of this fictional account of his life, was a real-life outlaw in the outback of Australia. He lived during the 19th century, and wreaked havoc with his gang, but captured popular attention. Many saw him as a modern-day Robin Hood, who tried to care for his poor relatives by stealing from the wealthy and powerful while evading the inept police for years. Some historians saw him as a brutal and violent man, but Carey's portrayal makes him seem more like a man who was part victim and part determined youth who hated the police, and thus sealed his fate. To make the book more realistic, Carey employs narration that is at times illiterate and yet imaginative. He attempts to portray Ned as what he was, a semi-educated man with the capacity to dream and look forward to the future. For example, Ned "writes" early in the book, "Tis not poverty I hate the most nor the eternal groveling but the insults which grow on it which not even leeches can cure" (Carey 8). His sentences are sometimes difficult to decipher until the reader gets into the rhythm of the book, but one the cadence becomes clear, the reader is caught up in the vivid descriptions of outback life, and the difficulties these settlers had to face. Carey portrays Ned as a kind man who is a victim of circumstance, prejudice against the Irish, and the British colonial rule of Australia at the time. He does not enjoy killing, but can certainly theorize why outside forces consistently influence his actions. When he kills Strahan at Stringybark Creek he says, "What choice did I have' This were the ripe fruit of Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick" (Carey. 250). Kelly is a national folk hero in Australia, and this book only enhances his image. Carey seems to idealize the man whose legend has never died down under, and this book is certainly sympathetic to Kelly and his notorious gang, using the langu...

Using the Latin Supine for Verbal Nouns

Using the Latin Supine for Verbal Nouns The supine is a Latin verbal noun. Since it is a noun it has a declension, but it only appears in the accusative and ablative singular. To decline the supine, use the fourth declension. Since you only need the accusative and ablative singular, the only endings you use are -um and -u. The tricky part, if you dont have a dictionary, is figuring out the stem to which to add the -um (used for purpose with verbs of motion; translated like an infinitive) or -u (used with adjectives and sometimes verbs). This depends on the conjugation to which the verb belongs. If you have a dictionary, the fourth principal part is usually the supine, but with an  us ending. To Form  the Supine for Verbs in the 1st conjugation - remove ending but keep thematic vowel (a); add a -t- and then add the 4th declension endings (either -um or -u), as in paratum.2nd conjugation - remove ending and thematic vowel (e); add -it- and then add the 4th declension endings (either -um or -u), as in habitum3rd conjugation, you must deal with irregularities. The supine of mittere is missum, but the supine of capere is captum. Although this may not be entirely predictable, the supine is usually used as the fourth principal part in the dictionary entry for the verb, so it should be familiar.4th conjugation - remove ending but keep thematic vowel (i); add a -t- and then add the 4th declension endings (either -um or -u), as in auditum. Examples of the Supine Venerunt visum they came to see.Mirabile dictu wondrous to say. Can you figure out why you would probably not use the supine to say they walk to work using  4th declension nouns?

Private Security Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Private Security Laws - Essay Example The peace officers that have been employed by the government entities have a separate set of rules and requirements then the ones who are being employed by private security officers. The peace officers belonging to any kind of private investigation business or private security business that are engaged in this business, with the consent and knowledge of chief executive officer who belongs to the law enforcement agency of the peace officer, may be exempted from the requirements and rules which are applicable to other security officers in the state of Maryland (Security Officer Law & Legal Definition, 2013). The private security officers are employed by the private security companies to protect the physical property as well as the lives of humans. They are obliged by law in the state of Maryland to enforce rules and procedures of their employers, prevent trespassing to the property of customers and employers, control access and prevent the damage or loss of the employer’s property or asset. They are also responsible for managing the flow of traffic by allowing only authorized visitors and employees and deter any kind of criminal activity on the property of their clients. The responsibilities of private security officers may differ from police officer and other government security officers in the state of Maryland, as they do not have the same authority and duties as public law enforcement officers. The private security officers in Maryland are permitted to exercise the arrest authority, while most of them may have a similar arrest authority like any normal citizen of state. Priva te security officers may also have same power and authority of arresting as the Sheriff Deputies while they are on the property that they have been paid to protect (Licensing Information, 2014). Â  Private security companies and the officers who work for them are always

Fourth Latern Council of 1215 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fourth Latern Council of 1215 - Essay Example The first Lateran Council was convened during 1123 BC that confirmed the Concordat of Worms. The second Lateran Council was convened during 1139 and formulated several tenets such as invalidation of the clerical marriage, regulation of clerical dress and excommunication of the people who attacked clerics2. The third Lateran Council was convened during 1179 and continued reforms in church with condemnation of simony, limitation of papal  electees  to the  Cardinals  and forbiddance of promotion to  the episcopate  before thirtieth year of the age. The fourth Lateran Council was convened during 1215 and continued with reform measures such as papal primacy, transubstantiation and conduct of clergy.3 The council was also concerned about distinguishing people of other religions such as Muslims and Jews from the Christians in  public area,  and they suggested the differentiation of the dress as a resolution of the issue.   The fifth Lateran Council that was convened during 1512 to 1517 continued with further reform of the Church. The fourth Lateran Council was summoned by Pope Innocent III during 1215 to resolve many issues that concerned Roman Catholic Church. These issues included the disaster at the Crusade wars, to strengthen the faith and continue reforms in the church. 4 Pope Innocent III himself worded the goals of the fourth Lateran Council as the plantation of the virtues, eradication of the vices, reformation of the morals, correction of the faults and removal of heresies. The other goals included the establishment of the peace, settlement of the discord and getting rid of the oppression. He also wanted to persuade Christian people and princes to aid the cause of Crusades. 5 There were many reasons why Pope Innocent III summoned the Fourth Lateran Council. The Christian society and Roman Catholic Church were in considerable turmoil due to moral issues. In addition to

Should Morbidly Obese Kids Be Taken from Their Parents Essay

Should Morbidly Obese Kids Be Taken from Their Parents - Essay Example This paper provides the summary and response to the article written by gaelle faure, â€Å"Should Parents of Obese Kids Lose Custody?† published on Time.com on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 (faure) Western world is facing the critical question,† Should morbidly obese children be taken from their parents?† at present. Reports from Scotland, California, New Mexico, Texas and New York, as well as Canada have shown that because of a childs obesity the parents lost the custody of their children. Because of child privacy laws, many such incidents have been kept as secrets whereas only few of them have been published. The above issue has first appeared in public debated issues, two years before with a British television documentary about Connor McCreaddie, an 8-year-old who weighed more than 200 lbs. and was at risk of being taken from his mother by authorities. It is an accepted fact that removing children from their parents remains a last resort, but obesity experts are increasingly debating whether doing so can boost a childs chances for a healthier life. Childhood obesity can cause physical problems like Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol orthopedic problems, and mental problems due to hypertension, sleep apnea and early puberty. The major reason for over weight is overeating itself. Even though, parents have a major role in making their children obese, other issues like genetic predisposition and socioeconomic status and environmental factors, like whether children have access to parks and playgrounds are also major reasons for child obesity. As per Tam Fry, chairman of Britains Child Growth Foundation, if the parents refuse to address the child obesity issue, then they should be put in the care of professionals — with the provision that parents may visit, till the steps are taken to alter the familys diet so that the child may eventually return to a