Psychedelic Music, Its Origins, and Its Effects on Music Today Essay

Psychedelic Music, Its Origins and Its Effects on Music Today Psychedelia in music has been around for a long time and has changed much of the popular music of today. The dictionary definition of psychedelic is, â€Å"of or noting a mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified sensory perception, sometimes accompanied by severe perceptual distortion and hallucinations and by extreme feelings of either euphoria or despair.† It started in the 1960’s with the discovery of LSD and use of other psychedelic drugs. Psychedelia did not only affect music, it affected people, cities, and the way people think. LSD, which was the catalyst for psychedelic music, was discovered on April 16, 1943, by Albert Hofmann. For months he had been studying ergot, a fungus that grows on rye, and synthesizing lysergic acid for possible use to help migraines. On his twenty-fifth try, he made LSD-25, and after his work he began to feel dizzy. He assumed he had the flu, so he went home. â€Å"I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense kaleidoscopic play of colors,† Hofmann wrote in his biography LSD, My Problem Child. â€Å"After some two hours, this condition faded away.† He then knew that it was not the flu that made him dizzy, so he tried LSD again and got the same results. After this, he and his staff began to use LSD on themselves and soon LSD was used in psychotherapy. Now that LSD was created, psychedelic music would soon follow (DeRogatis 2-4). The birth date of psychedelic rock music, as far as it can be known, was in 1966. Many bands started making songs with psychedelic references. In May of 1966, the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, which was inspired by their experimentation... ... constantly-changing names, but ravers do not care. Ravers do not focus on the performing artist like at rock concerts, they just listen to the beat of the music, and dance (DeRogatis 431-439). Psychedelic music has expanded people’s minds since the 1960’s. It has given people a way to express themselves, and it has helped people to relate to each other. Psychedelic music revolutionized the way music is recorded, played, and listened to. Without psychedelic music, modern music would not be the same. Works Cited â€Å"Jimi Hendrix Biography.† Biography. 2006. 6 May 2007 search/article.do?id=9334756>. DeRogatis, Jim. Turn On Your Mind. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation, 1996. Scaruffi, Piero. â€Å"The History of Rock Music: 1966-1969.† History of Rock Music. 2002. 6 May 2007

Kant and the Morality of Anger Essay example -- Philosophy Papers

Kant and the Morality of Anger Introduction This essay does not comprise a defence of retributive punishment, neither does it imply a rejection of deterrent punishment. The writer suggests that one possible reason for the tendency to advocate punishment of offenders with ever increasing severity can be discovered in the concept of the 'morality of anger'. It is this explanation of the phenomenon that forms the principal burden of the arguments used in this essay. The salient characteristics of the two theories of punishment, which find expression in English law, will be found below [1]. In the absence of any definitive public policy an unresolved tension exists, which derives from attempts made to reconcile the two theories, with some degree of balance, in sentencing practice. Actual sentences in the English courts are often a compromise between the demands of retribution and deterrence. Any uncertainty that may exist about which theory is being used, in particular circumstances, leads to actions which cannot be completely justified by either theory [2]. Crime and Punishment in Kant's Civil Society According to Kant's moral theory an exacting principle of respect for humanity, in the form of the person, can be reconciled with the absolute necessity of punishment, because punishment, within a properly constituted civil society, is a legitimate and necessary response to crime — punishment must comply with the moral law as a 'categorical imperative [3]. Kant's theory of retributive punishment is of particular importance, because it is one of the most coherent and consistent of the retributive theories, and has not lost its relevance in contemporary discussions [4]. Kant's civil society rest securely on th... ...Foundation Course The Open University 1986, Units 13-15 pp. 68-76 Feinberg, Joel Harmless Wrong Doing, The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law Oxford 1988, pp. 159-165 Guyer, Paul (Ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Kant Cambridge 1992, Essay 10, 'Autonomy, obligation and virtue: An overview of Kant's moral philosophy', pp.309-341, also Essay 11, 'Politics, freedom and order: Kant's political philosophy,, pp.342-366 Hoffe, Otfried Immanuel Kant New York 1994 Honderich, T Punishment, The Supposed Justifications Oxford 1989, pp. 208-237 Paton, H J The Categorical Imperative London 1947 Rawls, John A Theory of Justice Oxford 1972 pp. 251-257 Singer, Peter A Companion to Ethics Oxford 1993 Essay 32, 'Crime and Punishment', C L Ten pp. 366-372 Sorell, Tom Moral Theory and Capital Punishment Oxford 1987 Walker, Nigel Why Punish? Oxford 1991

Essay --

Good morning/afternoon everybody. Today, I am here to discuss the overall wealth of America, in hopes to better justify our economy. It is to my understanding that as of this moment, the United States and its economy stands fairly well, increasing total tax revenue by 13%, from $2,482.241 (two trillion four hundred eighty two billion) in 2012, to $2,806.386 in 2013. In addition, we were able to decrease our budget deficit by an additional 27%, with a final deficit standing at $811.851. Although our standings are settled at a decent position, there are ways we could execute even greater; and that is through the improvement of health and human services, the return of our nation’s military from the Middle East, education, alternative energy, and the regulation of taxes. One of the major focuses of our proposal is the improvement of health and human services. Prior to my election, there has been concern about this department due to the recent government shutdown. From October 1 through October 16, the United States entered this shutdown, and reduced most routine operations after Congress failed to enact funds for the fiscal year 2014. The principal factor to this shutdown was The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. What this law required was for all Americans to have health insurance—regardless if they truly need it or not—so the total costs towards Medicare and Medicaid spending would decrease. However, it is not worth disrupting government funding to undercut healthcare costs. Congress has one key duty in the Constitution, and that is to pass spending bills that fund the government. With no compromise, our government may experience another one of these disastrous events. To fix this predicament.. . ...ity that continues to be a problem is the amount of alcohol and cigarette users here in the states. The adverse health affects from alcohol consumption accounts for an estimate of 75,000 deaths, while cigarette smoking accounts for an estimate of 443,000 deaths each year in the United States. To promote a healthier lifestyle, in addition to internalizing the externality, we will be placing a $0.10 tax on alcohol and a $0.50 tax on cigarettes, in hopes to reduce demand and utilization. However, if alcohol and cigarette users continue to be unresponsive to the change in price, consumers would still continue to purchase these products, and it would eventually benefit the government in terms of raising money with minimum waste, for it would raise revenue with minimal distortion. In other words, as a result of this tax raise, we will be increasing revenue $5.323 billion.

Core Competencies Essay

Hamric, Hanson, O’Grady & Tracy (2014) define competencies as â€Å"a broad area of skillful performance.† Competencies include activities implemented by advanced practice nurses while providing direct patient care and the processes, knowledge and skills used in all aspects of advanced practice. There are seven core competencies associated with the advanced practice registered nurse. In addition to the seven core competencies, nurse practitioner education and nurse administrator education have additional competencies needed to become proficient in each of those roles (The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) 2011; The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), 2012). While there is overlap of some of the competencies the nurse executive role and the nurse practitioner role each have specific skills needed to attain expertise in each role. Nurse executives plan, direct, coordinate and supervise health care delivery. He or she must have expert knowledge regarding patient care delivery, marketing, management, ethics, and human resource management, as well as additional knowledge. Due to the wide range of knowledge needed, nurse executives need to attain expertise in many areas. AONE has outlined five competencies and detailed the skills needed for each (2011). According to AONE communication and relationship-building is a competency that must be mastered in order to cultivate relationships and establish rapport and includes skills such as relationship management, effective communication, influence of behaviors, shared decision making and ability to work with diversity. The professionalism competency includes ethics, evidence-based clinical and management practice, advocacy, and personal and professional accountability (AONE, 2011). The nurse administration works at the executive  level so professionalism must be maintained. Nursing leadership must be upheld by mastery of skills like foundational thinking skills, change management and succession planning. The business skills competency can be met by the nurse administrator upon mastering business management, human resource management, marketing and strategic management and information management and technology (AONE, 2011). The health care system which the nurse executive manages can be a large complex system, such as an acute care hospital that has a level I trauma center, a pediatric unit, labor and delivery unit, cardiac intensive care, and neonatology. Because of this complexity competency of health care environment knowledge must be mastered and includes the skills of clinical practice knowledge, delivery models, health care economics and policy, governance, patient safety, quality improvement and case management (AONE, 2011). According to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2012), upon graduation from a nurse practitioner program the graduate must possess mine competencies without regard to the population of focus. By mastering these competencies the nurse practitioner will have the skills and knowledge needed to practice independently. NPs provide direct patient care so the competencies and skills needed differ slightly from the competencies needed for nurse administrator. The practice inquiry competencies and the quality competencies are similar in that they both involve using knowledge gained from clinical practice to improve health care quality. Quality competencies include using best evidence to improve clinical practice, evaluating access to care, cost, quality and safety, organizational structure, financing, marketing and policy decisions and their impact on health care quality. Practice inquiry competencies involve applying clinical investigative skills, practice inquiry, analyzing clinical guidelines, generating knowledge from clinical practice and providing leadership while applying new knowledge. The technology and information literacy competencies are related to information literacy skills, literacy in information systems, integrating technologies into clinical practice and the delivery of health to improve health outcomes (NONPF, 2012). To function effectively the NP must understand health care policy and regulations. He or she must be competent in the evaluation of policy and its implication on health care delivery and outcomes and must promote access, quality and equality. All of these skills  fall under the policy competencies (NONPF, 2012). Health delivery systems competencies relate to the development of health care systems, the organizational structure and functions or health delivery systems and applying that knowledge to improve health care d elivery (NONPF, 2012). Along with a clear understanding of policy the NP must have expert knowledge of the independent practice competencies. NONPF list the independent practice competencies skills as the ability to function as a licensed practitioner, exhibiting accountability, managing previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients and providing patient-centered care while observing cultural diversity and respecting patient decisions. There are some overlapping competencies within the NP and the nurse executive role. Both professions contain a leadership competency and both advanced practice nurses are expected to participate in professional organizations and to initiate change. The NP competency includes advocating for improved access, quality and cost effective health care while the nurse executive competency includes staff support and adapting leadership style (AONE, 2011; NONPF, 2012). The NP scientific foundation competency and the nurse executive knowledge of health care environment competency have areas of overlap such as the use of research to improve practice and decision making and evidence-based practice, and outcome measurement. The nurse executive skill of expert practice of ethics is outlined under the professionalism competency. Hamric et al. (2014, p. 101) state the transition from student to professional APN can be rife with behavioral, attitudinal and value conflicts. Hamric et al. further state that there are phases an APN moves through during role implementation. The first stage laying the foundation, occurs when graduate NPs sit for certification examinations for their specific roles, and look for available positions. The second stage generally last up to three months after the first position and consists of anxiety related to low confidence and low competence. One strategy to facilitate role implementation for all APNs is to develop a structured orientation plan. Although there are numerous practice setting and roles the nurse executive and the NP both benefit when clear expectations, needs, values, goals policies and procedures of the specific agency are made available upon hire (Hamric et al., p. 102). References Hamric, A. B., Hanson,C. M., O’Grady, E. T., Tracy, M. F. (2014) Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach, 5th Ed. [VitalSource Digital Version]. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders. The American Organization of Nurse Executives. 2011. The AONE Nurse Executive Competencies. Retrieved September 11, 2014 from http://www.aone.org/resources/leadership%20tools/nursecomp.shtml The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. 2012. Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies April 2011, Amended 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2014 from http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Research on Pulau Ubin in Singapore

HH2001 Singapore: The Making of A Cosmopolitan City-State Research Paper Ong Wei Xiu Janine U1230453D Introduction The purpose of this essay is to find out how Pulau Ubin played a significant role in the development of Singapore since the late 1800s until today. I shall begin by giving a brief introduction of Pulau Ubin and go on to elaborate about how the island played a significant role in helping Singapore’s development in various aspects. This topic shall be investigated according to two main categories – granite quarrying and adventure island.I will then conclude the essay by commenting about whether Pulau Ubin will continue to play a significant role in Singapore’s development in the near future. Brief Introduction On Pulau Ubin Shaped like a boomerang, Pulau Ubin is the second largest offshore island of Singapore. Measuring a distance of about 7 kilometres across and about 2 kilometres at its breadth with area of around 10 square kilometres, the island lie s towards the northeast of the city-state in the Straits of Johor.It is a stone island mainly â€Å"composed of igneous rocks of granite that are believed to be more than 200 million years old. † Since the founding of Singapore by the British, the island has been known for its vast resource of granite. The first two lighthouses of the country were built with granite from Pulau Ubin. Subsequently, granite was fashioned for various purposes throughout the city-state’s history, including the building of the iconic HDB flats on mainland Singapore.The exposure to sea, abandoned quarry lakes and secondary forests make Pulau Ubin a â€Å"natural choice for training†. The trend of adventure training on the island took flight when the Outward Bound School set up its first site on the island while answering the government’s call for the creation of a â€Å"rugged society† that could withstand the rigours of sudden nationhood in 1967. Other adventure campsite s and facilities were later developed around the island to cater to the needs of outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Granite QuarryingAfter the British founded Singapore, vast amounts of granite were found on Pulau Ubin. Works began in 1848 to extract the granite for building Singapore’s first lighthouse located in Pedra Branca, a small island 56 kilometres to the east of mainland Singapore. Captain James Horsburgh, a hydrographer who surveyed and chartered seaways and large bodies of water, realised that as Pedra Branca was a small rocky island that was not easily recognizable from a distance and it made the island a hazard for ships passing by.Hence, John Turnbull Thomson, a British civil engineer, built the Horsburgh Lighthouse (named after Captain James Horsburgh) in 1847 using bricks and mortar. However, it was not strong enough and could not last. Thomson then turned his eyes onto the granite stones of Pulau Ubin and had it fashioned in 1848 by stonebreakers and cutters to b e used for the construction of the lighthouse. This helped Singapore to also claim ownership of the island that was often disputed for by the surrounding region.Subsequently, a second lighthouse located in Pulau Satumu, the Raffles Lighthouse, was also built using granite from Pulau Ubin to mark the southernmost tip of Singapore’s territory. It proved to be of huge importance as it served as a safety marker for â€Å"one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes† in the â€Å"narrowest section of the Singapore Strait. Apart from these two lighthouses that helped to mark out significant territorial points of Singapore, the granite from Pulau Ubin was also used for the construction of the Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia over a pan of 5 years from 1919. With more quarrying works to be done because of the large amount of granite needed by the British to build infrastructure on mainland Singapore, population started to rise on Pulau Ubin. Soon, the island became a major supplier of granite for the building industry. The local Malays also tapped onto the resources and started â€Å"selling polished granite slabs, stone tombs and granite grinders. † The British constantly saw the need for an in-depth study about the vast amounts of granite that could be extracted for construction and roadworks.They eventually came up with a â€Å"[r]eport on the availability of granite on Singapore and the surrounding islands† in 1950 to find out exactly where and how much granite could be extracted on the various parts of Singapore (of which, more than twice the number of areas identified were from Pulau Ubin). There are a total of five granite quarries on Pulau Ubin. Despite having quarries like Aik Hwa Granite Quarry which produced about 160 to 180 tonnes of granite per month and support up to 40 percent of what was needed for the construction works in Singapore, there was a shortage in granite supply in the early 1990s.This caused the grani te suppliers to think of ways to increase their productivity. Resources Development Corportation (RDC), one of the quarries on Pulau Ubin, even looked into installing a new crusher plant. Eventually, all the quarries on Pulau Ubin and mainland Singapore was made to close down by the Public Works Department (PWD) in order to protect the natural environment as well as to free up the land â€Å"for better economic use. † Adventure IslandIn 1967, Dr Goh Keng Swee, the then-Minister for Defence and Interior asked for the setting up of an Outward Bound School (OBS) to build a â€Å"rugged society† in light of the challenges faced by a young nation that was just denied of being a part of a large domestic market. By putting participants through trainings on land and at sea, OBS hoped to train and help them to realize the value in themselves and others, as well as discover their strengths in order to be free from fear and self-doubt.The ‘rugged nature’ of the wild terrains on Pulau Ubin was a natural choice for it to become an optimal site for OBS. Having the capacity to train 23,000 people (comprising children, youths and adults) a year and having been â€Å"pivotal in the training of young Singaporeans to meet the changing needs of society†, OBS has made an impact in the nation of Singapore through running its range of programmes on its two Pulau Ubin campsites.Apart from bringing out the best in the people of Singapore, the experience of training in OBS was also vital in training budding leaders of the country. Singapore’s current Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong (the son of the then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew), had much to testify for when he spoke of his fond memories of how he blended in with everyone else, realized that he could â€Å"push himself to the limit, and do things [he] never thought he could do† during an OBS’ course back in 1967.He went on to praise the OBS for being â€Å"one of the best Outwar d Bound centres in the world†. All these could not have been possible, if not for the initial efforts of volunteers who passionately set up the logistics and ran the courses ceaselessly on Pulau Ubin. The Ministry of Education (MOE) also realized how Pulau Ubin was an ideal location to place two major campsites for promoting a rugged lifestyle in training student cadets from National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC).Dr Tay Eng Soon, the Senior Minister of State (Education) then, announced the plans to build these two sites back in 1990, citing that the reason for doing so was to get children â€Å"out of their flats and come closer into contact with nature, as Singapore is now highly urbanised. † The government had plans of developing Pulau Ubin as an â€Å"Adventure Island† since 1990. The island was suitable in supporting an array of outdoor activities, residential amenities and adventure facilities while putting disturbance to the natur al environment to the minimum.Singaporeans have also demonstrated an interest towards a life of adventure on the island of Pulau Ubin, creating a kind of ‘top of mind awareness’ about the island being the iconic site for adventure-enthusiasts currently and in the future. Conclusion Having put down its status as one of the major granite suppliers for Singapore since the 1990s, Pulau Ubin has transformed its image from being an island that churns out tonnes of granite for construction on the mainland to being an ideal sanctuary away from the bustling city with a holistic variety of adventure activities waiting to engage the city dwellers of all ages.Whether it is the experience of being a part of the nation-building process during the heydays of granite quarrying or the memories forged by having attended various camps and outdoor activities conducted on the island, Pulau Ubin seems to have played a significant role in the development and progress of Singapore as a nation, as well as in the hearts and minds of Singaporeans in general. However, the future of Pulau Ubin may not be anything like its past.In the government’s concept plan presented in the parliament, there seems to be plans of linking Pulau Ubin to the mainland through MRT line extensions as well as developing the island in light of the situation of land scarcity on mainland Singapore. Though these were just some of the hints gathered from a book by the Government’s Concept Plan back in the 1990s, one cannot deny that Pulau Ubin has always maintained an important status in the minds of the state’s planners, and will probably always be, in the years to come. Reference: The Causeway, A Great Engineering Work Completed.. † The Straits Times, June 27, 1924. Alexander, FES. Report on the availability of granite on Singapore and the surrounding islands. Singapore: Government Publications Bureau, 1950. Chua, Ee Kiam. Pulau Ubin: Ours to Treasure. Singapore: Simply Gree n, 2000. Boonzaier, Jonathan. â€Å"Raffles remains beacon of light in Singapore Strait. † Trade Winds, April 13, 2013. Yum, Shoen Liang. â€Å"Govt should study further its plan for Ubin and Tekong. † The Straits Times, The Sunday Times edition, sec.Forum, March 02, 1991. â€Å"Granite quarry owners seek to resume blasting. † The Business Times, June 18, 1990. â€Å"Granite suppliers step up production to meet demand.. † The Business Times, , sec. Business Times Singapore, September 13, 1990. â€Å"Keep Ubin as it is, says Chok Tong after touring ‘Adventure Island'. † The Straits Times, The Sunday Times edition, October 09, 1990. â€Å"Long-term development plans for Tekong and Ubin revealed. † The Straits Times, The Sunday Times edition, sec. Home, February 25, 1991. Of Courage and Character.Outward Bound Singapore: The first 40 years. Singapore: People's Association, 2007. â€Å"Two big campsites to promote the rugged life on the c ards. † The Straits Times, The Sunday Times edition, sec. Home, June 01, 1990. Waller, Edmund. Landscape planning in Singapore. Singapore: Singapore University Press, 2001. http://books. google. com. sg/books? id=L5kLBHwUwfEC;pg=PA48;lpg=PA48;dq=hdb quarry;source=bl;ots=EEUo_IR_5h;sig=twpNwCT89Xnc30TpJrtKsk3zxxI;hl=en;sa=X;ei=d8dqUbvvMu-ViQeC8oD4DA

Halfway House Essay

The crisis of identity and breakdown of communication in human relations and resultant tragic effect of boredom and despair constitute the theme of Rakesh’s play, Aadhe Adhure, which is by far is best play, devastatingly exposing the fragmented personalities and broken images in a disintegrated society. †Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬â€ N. Choudhuri, (Hindi Drama, Contemporary Indian Literature) Mohan Rakesh’s  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Halfway House†Ã‚  can be viewed as an exploration of meaning and identity in the turmoil of changing social and familial structures. Although the play seeks to construct the search for identity within the unfulfilling, incomplete nature of bourgeois existence as a universal non-gendered experience along Existential lines as its primary concern, it eventually deals with many questions on a broader socio-economic context on Realist lines. In the Prologue itself, the theme of exploration of identity is introduced, when ‘the Man in a Black Suit’ exclaims,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Who am I? †Ã‚  Immediately the declaration takes an Existential tangent as the fruitlessness of such a search for meaning is asserted with the speaker claiming,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"This is a question I have given up trying to face.   He establishes the absurdity of identity by calling himself  Ã¢â‚¬Å"amorphous†Ã‚  and  Ã¢â‚¬Å"undefined†, as someone who like all of us puts on a new mask and gives a new meaning to himself for different occasions –  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The fact is that there is something of me in each one of you and that is why, whether on or off stage, I have no separate identity. †He then asserts that no matter what the circumstance, what the situation and the gender, man’s search for identity and meaning in life would always remain an absurd, indescribable, undefined and irrational oddity. Even the characters of the play are seen to engage in a constant search of meaning and identity in life. In his essay,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Uncertain circumstances, Undefined Individuals: A study of Halfway House†, S. G. Bhanegaonkar points out that modern psychology does not regard escapism as a symbol of weakness but as a sensitive individual’s desire to search for meaning which he does not find in the conditions he is placed in; and hence, the characters of ‘Halfway House’  can too be seen as being in a relentless quest for identity that transcends the turmoil of their fragmented existence. It is in sync with R. L. Nigam’s theory, of the main characters of play being involved in a  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœself-made’  phenomenon of  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœthe soul’s search for an alternate sanctuary’  in the absence of the sanctuary of home which‘stood for a source of solace and moral stay to the individual in moments of crises. ’ The search for identity and meaning in Halfway House is best articulated through the character of Savitri who seeks fulfilment and reason in marital bliss – â€Å"Why does one get married? In order to fulfil a need†¦. an inner†¦. oid, if you like; to be self sufficient†¦. complete. †Ã‚  Since her own husbands fails to fulfil this inner emptiness, Savitri seeks marital happiness beyond conjugal relations in men who possess the qualities she had always aspired for in Mahendranath. Dilip Kumar Basu observes,â€Å"The desire to look for â€Å"completeness† in the â€Å"other† may look like Everyman’s essential and unreasolvable problem, and may vaguely place her in the centre of an Absurdist drama where the search may be considered tragic/ridiculous.   Although the concept of Savitri seeking meaning in life being defined in terms of her relations with men seems problematic in itself, the play tries to trick us into the generalisation that this is nothing but an existentialist quest for meaning in life. She is reported to be overwhelmed by Juneja’s power, affluence and sense of reason. Shivjeet’s intellectual prowess, his university degree and numerous trips abroad enamoured her. Jagmohan’s understanding nature, sense of humour, modernism, elite lifestyle and masculine pride held immense appeal for her. She was supposed to be attracted to her now son-in-law, Manoj too, as his influential status had charmed her sufficiently. Savitri moves from one man to another in search of the perfect partner. The play tries to portray this search as an illusion, an Absurdist attempt by denying Savitri the happiness she is looking for and making her realise that all men are the same and they all of them as in Kirti Jain’s wordsâ€Å"want to evade responsibility and to exploit her. † Mahendranath is shown to search for a new identity and reason behind his existence through his relationship with Juneja. The economic crisis and his losing the identity of being the bread-earner of the family had altered his position in the house into a non-entity and affected his mind and heart adversely  Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. silent acceptance, perpetual snubs, constant insults, is all that I deserve after so many years. †Ã‚  He greatly resents his loss of control and influence in the family and is immensely unhappy to be regarded  Ã¢â‚¬Å"only as a stamp of respectability to be used only when the need arises. † Under such circumstances of changed power equations, Mahendranath earches for meaning in new relations build on a sense of understanding and mutual respect, as is the case with Juneja. From Savitri’s perpetual insults and accusations and its subsequent repercussions in giving him an inferiority complex, Juneja’s friendship offered Mahendranath the alternate sanctuary of solace and comfort in the midst of an emotional and economic crisis within the family. He began to define himself in terms of his non-utility and unsuccessfulness, and thereby sought solace in temporary acts of rebellion involving leaving the house and seeking meaning and mental peace in his companionship with Juneja. Moreover due to his own lack of conviction and inability to take independent decisions, Mahendranath looked for identity assertion through psychological dependence on others and in the early years of his marriage through a patriarchal control and restriction of Savitri’s autonomy. The fact that Mahendranath finally returns in the end using his own judgement, abandoning Juneja’s advice, establishes the futility of his search and once again, reiterates the Absurdist stance the play tries to partially incorporate. Ashok and Kinni explore the dynamics of identity on their own in their own world so as to escape from the fearful existence of their wrangling parents. Ashok searches for his identity in an amorphous world, detached from reality and need, in the realm of idleness, impulsivity and romance. For no apparent reason at all, he quits his job at Air Freeze and instead spends his time either in lazing around uselessly or in courting a girl working in the Udyog Centre. The everyday animosity between his parents distorts his sense of ‘home’ and thereby he looks for meaning and identity in an alternate world free of the pressure of shouldering family responsibility and of the tensions within the family. Even the talk he has with Binni about the  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœair’  in the house echoes these sentiments about the search for meaning. The youngest character Kinni on the other hand, searches for an identity through her emerging adolescent sexuality and awareness of this sexuality, in the absence of a secure support mechanism at home, both economically and emotionally. Given the emotional instability in her house and the complete negligence with which she was treated, Kinni sought to define herself in terms of her rebelliousness, growing sexual knowledge, stubbornness, ill-mannerisms and arrogance. In the last scene, Kinni trying to get out when the door is locked from inside and others trying to get in when she locks it from inside is again symbolic of a futile quest for identity and meaning in life, for even her defiance and obstinacy fails to make things any different for the little girl. Binny too is shown to be in a relentless and shifting quest for a sanctuary, an identity. She elopes with Manoj not in an impulse of love and romantic urge but in search of an abode away from home where she presumed she would find peace and protection. But however, when she experiences her husband’s strict conservatism and fails to find any meaning   in Manoj’s restrictive control within their conjugal relation, she looks for answers in a sense of defiance –  Ã¢â‚¬Å"He likes my hair long, so I want to cut it. He doesn’t like me to work, so I want a job. †Ã‚  But this again proves futile as she realises she is unable to execute her rebellious tendencies against the sub-ordination by her husband. Ultimately, she just returns to her maternal home in search for that mysteriousâ€Å"something†Ã‚  in their house that is the  Ã¢â‚¬Å"cause of all her trouble†Ã‚  and that which refuses to desert her. However, Binni is never shown to exactly unravel this mystery  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœcause’  thereby manifesting the absurdity of the entire process of finding meaning in life. However, when their search for meaning in life and the subsequent despair and suffering is regarded only along existential lines, it thus forecloses the possibility of ever addressing the cause of the dilemma. All the characters’ quest for an identity beyond the home, the search for an alternate sanctuary besides being analysed as a technique of Absurdist Theatre can also be seen in terms of the alienation that comes with urbanization, the breakdown of joint family and the new emerging power-plays and conflicts within the nuclear family with no viable support system outside. The fact that Savitri never explores the arena of identity as an independent individual woman, a single working woman; but instead always defines herself in terms of fulfilment in her various relations with different men raises important questions about the status of women as an autonomous individual in society. To quote R. L. Nigam,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The one solution which could have lead to joy and fulfilment, and was available to her all the time, would need for its success, a regenerated society in whose value-system personal fulfilment and interpersonal responsibilities have been harmonised. In the present social scenario, that solution would not work. † Morever, Mahendranath and Savitri not finding meaning in their relationship can also be seen as the virtual breakdown of marriage as an institution. In our fast-changing society and in the face of belated individualism of its members, the values and regards on which family and marriage have so far rested are fast losing their meaning and significance. Assertion of personal rights and freedoms within a group-unit (family) which necessarily involves inter-personal adjustments produces a situation of crisis because there are no principles to guide these adjustments, which necessarily involves inter-personal adjustments produces a situation of crisis because there are no principles to guide these adjustments which, in present context cannot be thought of in terms of surrender of one or the other party. All relations in the family need to be redefined with new structures of familial division of labour and the rise of the working women. As O. P. Sharma Prakash puts it,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Halfway House is the crisis of dignity of the individual. Modern man demands individual dignity as well as honour of is choice†¦.. It represents the modern sensibility in all its intensity, form and dimensions. †Ã‚  The fact that Manoj blames  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœsomething’  in Binni’s maternal house as the cause of all trouble and then prevents her from working establishes that the‘something’  is in reference to her mother’s promiscuity which leads him to infer that letting women out of the house would always come with the threat of her infidelity. Moreover, Mohan Rakesh’s juxtaposition of a monogamous husband with a woman whose defining feature is her promiscuity ironically at a time when the  Ã¢â‚¬ËœHindu Marriage Act (1955)’came into force outlawing polygamy to protect the rights of Hindu women reflects the extent of male anxiety generated by women’s emancipation, whose right to work meant the dissolution of the public-private dichotomy necessary for the maintenance of the family as a private sphere. This anxiety is further elaborated in terms of portraying Kinni as an uncared neglected kid, who returns to a home without the mother and feels lonely and alienated. Mahendranath’s despair too needs to be identified not just in terms of the emotional crisis that he faces with the breakdown of familial relations and absence of mutual respect, but also the economic crisis which ultimately appears as the root of all problems. Mahendranath loses his position in family, when the roles of provider and receiver are changed, when economic equations of earner and acceptor are altered and redefined in terms of sex and gender. Their current poverty seems to be the result of typical-middle class lifestyle of living beyond one’s means, and the search or identities only arises when existing identities run into conflict with changing economic denominations of labour division within the family itself. Thus, Mahendranath’s yearning for meaning in life has new economic arrangements within the familial space and sheer inability to solve the economic crisis, triggering it. Even Ashok’s arrogance and refusal to submit to influential people, Dilip Kumar Basu feels can be analysed in the backdrop of  Ã¢â‚¬Å"1969 youth revolts in Paris, and things happening in our country.   The young man’s indifference to work is thus to be constructed as a larger question of youth rebellion and mobilisation, than just mere laziness and irresponsibility or a mere existentialist search for identity. Hence, in conclusion, it can be said that although Mohan Rakesh’sâ€Å"Halfway House†Ã‚  deals extensively with the question of identity and meaning in life, to situate it solely in an Existentialist dimension and accord it the distinction of being the primary concern of the play, would unfairly downplay many other socio-economic themes that the play encompasses.

Different Propaganda Means in World War II Essay

1. Introduction a) General Background We know that propaganda used in war had effects on the outcome of the war from GCSE Modern World History second edition that propaganda means used in war had contributed to the war efforts which directly affected the outcome of the war. Many propaganda means such as movies and songs flourished during this era and even until today. b) Rationale of Research Our paper aims to show how the propaganda means helped to contribute to the war effort by â€Å"blinding† the civilians from facts, so that they would continue to support the government in their war efforts and not lose poise in the war. The sources that we have selected were produced and used at the period of war and thus are eligible as a primary source. c) Research Questions * How does propaganda affect the outcome of war? * How effectual is each different mean of propaganda? d) Scope of Research We will only be looking at the 4 different means of propaganda stated: o Chaplin’s (1940) movie- â€Å"The Great Dictator† o Almanac Singer’s (1942) song- â€Å"Round and Round Hitler’s Grave† o Clampett’s (1942) cartoon- â€Å"Any Bonds Today† o Smith’s (1942) propaganda poster about war bonds We will also bring in historical knowledge that we obtained from the books and websites indicated in the bibliographical section. e) Limitations of Research Our paper will only discuss how propaganda is effective in the primary sources that we will be using. We will only mention how effective each of these sources are, bringing in historical background to support our view. Our paper will only be discussing on these specific sources mentioned and not propaganda as a whole broad topic. 2. Literature Review Chaplin’s and Clampett’s movies plus Almanac Singers’ song criticised the Axis Powers. They were anti-Nazi Propaganda and were efficient in spreading propaganda. Clampett’s cartoons and Smith’s poster appealed to the Americans to support the war through buying war bonds. Chaplin’s movie shows that Hitler is uncivilized, as seen in a cake fight whilst discussing war issues with Italy-an ally. Clampett’s cartoon shows that the Axis Powers were uncooperative when they stepped on the ‘Dove of Peace’. Almanac Singer’s song lyrics (Appendix 2) was insulting, â€Å"Wished I had old Hitler /with a rope around his neck† and continues about dancing round Hitler’s grave. The first movie was produced to ridicule Hitler with very little purpose except for a speech (Appendix 3) because America was still a neutral country during 1940, but in Europe war had commenced. All resources made use of either audio or visual. It was the era whereby poems were no longer effectual and popular means of expression. Hence, propaganda was conveyed in posters, songs aired on radio and movies in theatres worldwide. Audio and visual aids provided a lucid picture of happenings and task definition enabling the government to easily persuade the people to do their biddings. The movies were directed by famous people (such as Warner Brothers, Charles Chaplin), whom civilians thought were trust-worthy and thus easily swayed. Moreover, most propaganda accentuates the importance of war bonds in the War. Bugs Bunny in â€Å"Any Bonds Today† (Appendix 6) was saying that without the bonds, we ‘can’t make tomorrow’s plan’, which is to win the war. Even in this song there is a propaganda poster (Appendix 5) on war, patriotism and to procure war bonds (Appendix 4). Smith’s poster was specifically on war bonds but just in a different form. The poster illustrates the repercussions without war bonds and shows a Nazi shadow cast over children. Therefore, buying bonds will safeguard them from the Axis. Patriotism resulted in exceedingly successful recruitment and maintenance of peace in the country. Patriotism prevented war at home while combating enemies. It was evoked through a poster signifying victory (Appendix 5), shown as the backdrop of Clampett’s movie and also through criticising and making Axis Powers look inferior. Hence, Allies gain confidence. Not all movies were totally censored by the government and thus contained more truths. However, animated cartoons were still successful. The audience were predominantly children and upon listening to the catchy tunes and vivid pictures, persuade their parents into buying bonds for their well-being. The success of war propaganda for bonds reaped 185 billion dollars – enabling the vast expansion of arms. Chaplin’s speech gave Germany hope that ‘when dictators die, liberty will return to the people’; this helped alleviate tension in Europe. The song (Appendix 2) was performed by a band formed by the government for propaganda purposes. Their songs were highly popular at that era and helped stir patriotism in the Americans. All the propaganda, even if not asking to acquire war bonds, was useful in convincing the people that the Axis were inferior to the Allies. 3. Research Methodology We have evaluated the germane resources that we can access and selected four sources that we will be using in our paper. These sources are primary sources as they were produced and released during World War II. After the selection of the resources, we analysed each of the sources individually to detect the characteristics of each source. We also accessed the impact they had at that time derived from historical knowledge. We then look at critics’ standpoint of these sources and found out that reviews and critics on these sources were scarce and extraneous to our paper and we decided to prohibit these critics, as most did not have any relevance to our paper. Subsequently, we look at all the sources and list down their similarities and differences from the examination of each source. 4. Results & Analysis All the sources that we have used proved to be valuable in showing us the influence these propaganda tools may even have on us. These sources were used by the Allies to convince the civilians that the Axis Powers are the â€Å"unscrupulous guys† and they are to remove these threats. Chaplin’s â€Å"The Great Dictator† and Almanac Singers’ â€Å"Round and Round Hitler’s Grave† were aimed at Hitler and the purpose of the movie was to destroy Hitler’s reputation. These sources ridicule Hitler and persuaded the people to despise and condemn him. Clampett’s cartoons and Smith’s poster applied more to the persuasion of the civilians to buy war bonds to help to lighten the burden the economy have to take. These sources use patriotism to persuade the civilians to help to buy war bonds. 5. Conclusion a. Has our research proved our hypothesis correct / wrong? Our research has proven our hypothesis correct. Our research had shown that propaganda helped to collect the necessary resources needed for war, which is money and manpower. In World War II, propaganda means had evolved into sophisticated structure where many factors are included. Propaganda became an essential tool that would be necessary in war, as it would help the government to haul support from the civilians in order to get enough resources for war. b. Questions for further research 1) Why did poems lose popularity as a form of propaganda means in World War 2? 2) How did movies gain popularity as propaganda means in the war? 3) Why were Audio Aids more effective than Audio-Visual Aids in the war as a propaganda tool? 6. Bibliography a) Books: Lowe, Norman (1997) Mastering Modern World History third edition. New York: Palgrave Publishers Ltd Tate, Nicholas (1999) A History of the Modern World 1917-1952 fifth edition. Singapore: Federal Publications Pte Ltd Walsh, Ben (2002) GCSE Modern World History second edition. London: John Murray Publisher’s Ltd b) Websites: http://www.graham.day.dsl.pipex.com/ww2001.htm http://www.apcpapercollect.com/propaganda.htm http://www.hitler.org/speeches/ http://www.hitler.org/writings/programme/ http://www.earthstation1.com/Tokyo_Rose.html http://www.playwinningpoker.com/articles/mz/war1.html http://www.warfoto.com/entertain.htm http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope/uso.html http://www.nauticom.net/www/harts/homefront.html http://www.a2zcds.com/cds/history/world_war_2.htm http://www.ingeb.org/WWII.html http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/ww2era.htm http://www.archives.ca/05/0534/053402_e.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/32_f_roosevelt/psources/#a http://www.42explore.com/worldwar2.htm http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~hansenb2/materialsWW2.pdf http://www.historyguy.com/day_of_infamy.html http://journals2.iranscience.net:800/www.internet-magazine.com/tesla.liketelevision.com/default.htm http://members.home.nl/ww2propaganda/index.html http://www.virtualology.com/virtualwarmuseum.com/hallofworldwarii/ http://www.oldeagle.nu/post/ http://www.hitler.org/speeches/ http://www.hitler.org/writings/programme/ http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/powers_of_persuasion/powers_of_persuasion_home.html http://home.nc.rr.com/tuco/looney/lists/war.html http://www.teacheroz.com/WWIIpropaganda.htm http://members.aol.com/FenixFlyte/chaplin.html http://propaganda.ww2.klup.info/ http://www.graham.day.dsl.pipex.com/ww2001.htm http://www.apcpapercollect.com/propaganda.htm http://www.hitler.org/speeches/ http://www.hitler.org/writings/programme/ http://www.earthstation1.com/Tokyo_Rose.html http://www.playwinningpoker.com/articles/mz/war1.html http://www.warfoto.com/entertain.htm http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope/uso.html http://www.nauticom.net/www/harts/homefront.html http://www.a2zcds.com/cds/history/world_war_2.htm http://www.ingeb.org/WWII.html http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/ww2era.htm http://www.archives.ca/05/0534/053402_e.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/32_f_roosevelt/psources/#a http://www.42explore.com/worldwar2.htm http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~hansenb2/materialsWW2.pdf http://www.historyguy.com/day_of_infamy.html http://journals2.iranscience.net:800/www.internet-magazine.com/tesla.liketelevision.com/default.htm http://members.home.nl/ww2propaganda/index.html http://www.virtualology.com/virtualwarmuseum.com/hallofworldwarii/ http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/tuner.php?channel=608&format=tv&theme=guide http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/vip/alacart.php?channel=687&p=5&theme=guide http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/FilmonVideoVid.html http://www.bcdb.com/bcdb/detailed.cgi?filmtml3&p=s http://looney.toonzone.net/miscelooneyous/tvtitles/tvtitles1.html http://www.kidscastle.si.edu/channels/history/articles/historyarticle22.html http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues02/feb02/war_bonds.html http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/powers_of_persuasion/word_document/bugs_bunny_video_description.txt http://wso.williams.edu/~dgerstei/chaplin/nazi.html http://www.splicedonline.com/95andbefore/chaplin1_dvd.html http://www.aicgs.org/resources/daad/1995010.shtml c) Acknowledgements: Many thanks to our mentor Miss Foo Yang Yann for helping us out in many areas of our paper. d) References: Clown Ministry (2003). Text of Charlie Chaplin’s speech from The Great Dictator, aka â€Å"Look up, Hannah†. http://www.clown-ministry.com/Articles/Poetry/chaplin-great-dictator.html, last accessed 7 Aug 2003. Florit, Luis A. (2003). The Speech of The Great Dictator. http://w3.impa.br/~luis/chaplin.html, last accessed 7 Aug 2003. Geer, Goopy (2003). Goopy Geer’s Rare Cartoons Page – War Cartoons. http://members.fortunecity.com/goopygeer2/, last accessed 7 Aug 2003. Helfert, Manfred (2003). Round And Round Hitler’s Grave (Woody Guthrie/Millard Lampell/Pete Seeger). http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/3448/round.html, last accessed 7 Aug 2003. National Archives and Records Administration (2003). NARA | Exhibit Hall | Exhibit Hall Main Page. http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/, last accessed 7 Aug 2003. Rotten Tomatoes (2003). The Great Dictator (1940): Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Charlie Chaplin. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheGreatDictator-1008790/, last accessed 7 Aug 2003.