A Taste of Honey Play Analysis Essay

A Taste of Honey is a play written by Shelagh Delaney. Shelagh Delaney was born on the 5th of November, 1939 in Salford, Lancashire. At eleven years old she failed to pass the examination that would allow her to enter a grammar school, and she went to a secondary school named Broughton. She was accepted into the grammar school at a later stage as she has proved herself to be intelligent. She was seen to be a ‘late developer but by this time she had lost interest in her academic progress and so therefore did not continue on to higher education. Her first play was A Taste of Honey, which she wrote when she was 18, was accepted by a Joan Littlewood for production by Theatre Workshop Company. The first opening of the play was on the 27th of May at the Theatre Royal in East London. A Taste of Honey was transferred to West London on the 10the of February. For this play she received the Foyle’s New Play Award and an Arts Council Bursary. In the 1950’s England was felling the effects of World War II, so when Shelagh Delaney wrote the play she had experienced World War II. Also because of the World War only lower/ middle class groups would watch the play. Another factor that has caused the play, A Taste of Honey, to be a great success is that it contained issues that were never openly discussed and were consider to be illegal. For example: homosexuality- this was never discussed openly and was considered very bad, racism- Black people or people that were coloured were also considered lower class. The mood, tension and suspense had been built up during the play. In Act 1 Scene 2 Jo meets with her boyfriend and during a conversation he asks her to marry him and she accepts his proposal even though he will be away on his ship for six months and so she will have to wait before he can marry him. She is given a ring by her fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½e which she wears around her neck instead of on her finger. This is because she doesn’t want her mother to see the ring. Back in the apartment Helen tells Jo that she is going to marry Peter. Peter enters and Jo starts to shout at both Helen and Peter, while Helen is defending and attacking both Peter and Jo. Peter, however, is ignoring or criticising Jo and flattering Helen. Helen and Peter leave and Jo’s boyfriend arrives and keeps her company. On Helen’s wedding day Jo is feeling sick and cannot attend her mothers wedding. Helen then see’s the ring around Jo’s neck and starts scolding Jo violently for think of marrying this young. Jo then asks about her father and Helen explains, and then runs off to her wedding. There is a lot that happens in this scene both Helen and Jo plan on getting married. And this has built up a lot of tension. But there moods with each other getting married are not positive. Helen is not happy with Jo considering marriage at such a young age. Jo is also not happy that Helen is marrying Peter but is unable to do anything about it. The timing of this happening is also coincidental as Helen and Jo both were planning to marry at the same time this cause the audience to build up suspense. The scene is ended with Helen leaving Jo behind this will leave the audience thinking of what is going to happen. The scene is ended with suspense so that the audience is egger for the next scene. Act 2 scene 1 begins and Jo’s pregnancy is quite obvious and her boyfriend has not returned. Jo and Geof, a boy she met in a fairground, return to Jo’s apartment. The scene beginning with Jo being obviously pregnant cause’s drama for the audience also Jo’s black boyfriend has not returned from his sale this make the audience think that the boyfriend will never return. Jo is currently living alone and is working in a shoe shop in the day and working at a bar in the evenings to pay the rent. This has set the mood of Jo’s environment to be busy and Jo seems to be very tired. As when she returns from the fair she falls onto her sofa as she is tired, she as says that she has to be up before half past seven. This makes us think that going to work is very necessary for her and she is finding it difficult. Geof, an art student, who had been thrown out of his lodgings, says that the reason he was thrown out was because he was behind on the rent. Jo challenges him and keeps on persisting that he is lying as she knows he is homosexual. She even states that ‘I always wanted to know about people like you’ she offends Geof with her insensitive mocking and curiosity. She finally says that Geof should tell her why he was thrown out (even though she knows why she wants to hear it from Geof) or get out Geof heads for the door to leave and is stopped by Jo begging for him to stay, ‘Geof Don’t go. Don’t go. Geof! I’m sorry. Please stay.’ I think that this shows that Jo wants some company as she is alone and finding it difficult to pay for the apartment. Jo is not threatened by Geof staying in her apartment as he is homosexual and is therefore not physically attracted to her she also says, ‘That’s why I’m letting you stay here. You won’t start anything.’ When Geof is with Jo the mood is peaceful and is not chaotic. Also, Jo’s character is different she is not as aggressive as before. The audience are interested in Geof as they want to know facts about him because of his homosexual personality. It might be that Geof was thrown out because he was homosexual and he doesn’t want to admit that he is gay, also in that period of time homosexuality was wrong. After Jo apologises they start talking and tell each other that they like each other and they are becoming closer and their relationship develops. There mood has changed and they are now talking about each other and asking questions about there past. Geof brings up the subject of the baby and Jo’s mother, he thinks that Jo should tell her mother about her pregnancy. Jo replied ‘Why?’ this shows that she still doesn’t think that her mother should have nothing to do with Jo’s baby. Geof then goes on to ask what kind of woman is she and Jo replies by saying ‘†¦she’s rich†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Geof says that she should be interested in her mother’s money as she will be needing it later for the baby, as the baby will be costing Jo more money then she can afford. When Geof says that she will need baby clothes a cot and a pram, Jo replies by saying, ‘I’m not planning big plans for this baby or dreaming big dreams.’ This shows that Jo has thought that she will look after the baby with the barest amount of money. Jo’s character is strange in comparison to other mothers. Most mothers will be hoping for the best for their children. Jo, however, is not interested; she has no idea to look after a child as she has never been looked after by her mother very well. I found it strange when Geof says, ‘You’re feeling a bit depressed, Jo.’ He was telling Joe how she felt and this shows that Geof is already having feelings for Jo. When Geof offers Jo a cigarette she declines it, she said she only smoked to annoy her mother. I think that this shows that Jo did things to annoy her mother to get revenge. Jo’s character to towards her mother does not change through out the play. Geof asks Jo about her black boyfriend when Jo answers the questions she is giving false answers. I think that she has forgotten about the boy and has moved on with her life. Geof sings two nursery rhymes; this lightens the mood and shows that Geof is still childish and young in heart. When Geoffrey and Jo go to bed Jo says, ‘You’re just like a big sister to me.’ This shows that Jo has no sexual attractions towards Geof and sees him more like a friendly sister who looks after her. Jo comments on the children’s appearance, ‘†¦look at those filthy children.’ I think this is because as she is pregnant she is thinking about children and looking at other children on the streets. She then says that is there parents fault, but then says, ‘His mother ought not to be allowed.’ Jo is referring to her own mother in a way as Jo was treated badly and sometimes thinks that her mother should not of had her. Geof is homosexual but still tries to kiss Jo and even asks to marry her. Jo declines, is it shown that Jo likes Geoffrey but she is not sexually attracted to him. I think that the reason Geof asked Jo to marry him is because he want to be normal or a least be treated normal. So if he gets married people won’t think that he is homosexual and as Jo has a baby it will save him the trouble. Geof knows that if he stays with Jo his life is heading nowhere, but he wants to stay with Jo, ‘I’d sooner be dead than away from you.’ Geoffrey has grown a strong feeling for Jo and visa-versa, however, Jo likes him as a big sister. Helen enters the room and the mood has changed, that tension between Jo and Helen is now strong. Helen is not surprised that Jo is in bed, she thinks that Jo should still be going to work in her condition. Helen’s character is still expecting much of Jo even when Helen is sick she would ask Jo to do the work. Jo doesn’t even welcome her mother politely, ‘What blew you in?’ Helen assumes that Geoffrey is Jo’s boyfriend. While Helen and Jo argue Geof enters defending Jo but is shut up by both the ladies. Even with Jo in pregnancy Helen is still as violent she is throwing threats at Jo, ‘I’ll give you such a bloody good hiding in a minute†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Then Helen knows that she was right and told Jo not to get married at such an early age but gets into a mess none the less. Helen then says that she didn’t come to argue but actually came to give money but Jo doesn’t want it even when she needs it not from her mother anyway. Helen does care about her daughter but doesn’t show it although she does show it more then Jo, ‘Look at your arms. They’re like a couple of stalks!’ she doesn’t want her daughter to be unhealthy. When Peter enters, the mood changes everyone is concentrating on him and want him out of the room. It is obvious that Peter is not in love with Helen and it maybe that she is not in love with Peter it might be that she only married him for his money. When Drunken Peter enters he insults the other three, when he sees that Helen is giving his money away he is angry with Helen, ‘Giving my money away again?’ Peter then takes his money back from Helen and therefore contradicting Helens offer of a home to Jo. When Peter leaves he calls Helen to com with her but she says no. Helen is unsure of her choice so asks Jo if she should stay with her and Jo replies no. I can see that Helen was unsure to make her decision and when she ask Jo and she said no she yelled out yes to Peter. When Peter asked Helen if she’s coming she replied no, however, Peter still insists that Helen come with her. I think that even when he has lost interest in Helen he doesn’t want to let her go, this is just like him and his money. Helen’s last act of affection is shown, she tells Geof to make sure that she goes to the clinic regularly. As soon as Helen leaves the mood has changed, it is back to that ‘jokey’ mood with Jo and Geof. This is shown when Geof says that at least Helen left her some money but Jo says that Peter took it back but she has a cigarette for him. Geof replies, ‘Oh, smashing†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ I have noted that their moods change and they are back to their original state. This scene is one of the most relevant scenes in the whole play; it shows the relationship between Jo and Geof from when it first started to when they have a strong bond. It also is the first scene with homosexuality init so this is very appealing to the audience. It also is the scene when Helen finds out that Jo is pregnant and is therefore quite dramatic. This scene is very significant to the play as without this the scene it would not be as effective.

Compare and contrast Act One and Act Two Essay

Throughout act one and act two, there is a huge amount of drama, comedy and sarcasm. Combining to form a carefully formed section of this immensely funny play. In these two acts there are examples of; love, arguments, deceit, ‘death’ and engagement; all this within the space of two days in the lives of young aristocrats. In act one; the scene is set in the â€Å"morning-room in Algernon’s flat in Half-moon Street. The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished†, immediately displaying Algernon’s extravagant nature. In Act two, the scene is set in the â€Å"garden at the Manor House. A flight of grey stone steps leads up to the house. The garden, an old-fashioned one, is full of roses. Basket chairs, and a table covered with books, are set under a large yew-tree†. The obvious differences in the scene settings is due to the fact hat act one is set in the town and act two is set in the country. Compared to Algernon’s â€Å"artistically furnished† flat, the country house appears to be much more contemporary, with a much calmer atmosphere. In act one, there are many introductions of the characters. Algernon, Jack, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen and Lane are all revealed to the audience. The events throughout the scene result in, for almost everyone a smile, or even a giggle due to the blunt and sarcastic nature of the characters. The first conversation in act one is between Algernon and Lane; his butler. The relationship between these two characters goes against the audience’s expectations; they appear to be of equal status, not as a relationship should be between an upper class aristocrat and his butler in that time. In this conversation, Algernon is immediately portrayed as arrogant and cynical; and Lane is seen as sly and subversive. Lane then exits and Jack comes into the room. Jack is portrayed as much more withdrawn then Algernon; he is also not as arrogant and cynical. The conversations between Jack and Algernon are always humorous, because they are always so childish and they talk about such pointless things, never about everyday conversational topics such as money and work. Their conversations are always decorated with epigrams and repartees, making them enjoyable to read and watch. This argumentative relationship between Jack and Algernon is maintained throughout act one and act two. It will be humorous to the audience that Jack and Algernon argue so much, but yet they are still friends (or brothers as revealed in act three). There is a certain amount if irony and humour in this dialogue. The irony is that in act one, especially in this conversation, Algernon is very cynical about love and marriage, but by the end if act two, he is in love with Cicily and engaged to be married, therefore contradicting all his previous beliefs. The humour in this conversation is, for example [JACK puts out his hand to take a sandwich. ALGERNON at once interferes] then Algernon says, â€Å"please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches. They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta†, he then [takes one and eats it]. This is comical because Algernon has just gone against what he has just said, but he doesn’t seem embarrassed by it at all. Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen interrupt in the middle to Algernon’s argument over Jack’s cigarette case and his imaginary brother ‘Ernest’. Throughout acpt one and act two, Lady Bracknell is portrayed as a very superficial woman whose only joy in life is to have dinner parties and a high social status; she is very cynical about her society. Gwendolen, her daughter and Algernon’s cousin is very much her mother’s daughter, although she refuses to believe it and Jack is blind to it. Gwendolen is a very manipulative woman and always seems to want to find new things to annoy her mother, [to Jack] â€Å"And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative† she said this because she knew that it would annoy her mother immensely. She also hates to be wrong and tries hard to prevent this from happening, making her seem sometimes overbearingly arrogant. Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the music room, leaving Jack and Gwendolen alone together. Jack breaks the silence by commenting on the weather; which is quickly dismissed by Gwendolen as an obvious excuse to talk about something else. There is an immediate example of humour at the beginning of this conversation because Jack addresses Gwendolen as Miss Fairfax, and she calls him Mr Worthing when Jack is planning to propose to her. Gwendolen is immediately a completely different person around Jack then she was around Lady Bracknell. She becomes very dominant, and also arrogant, † I thought so, in fact I am never wrong†. Jack seems very nervous around Gwendolen and uses more naturalistic language then the other characters, for example pauses and hesitation. Jack’s speech is mostly not as fluent as the other characters; his nervous behaviour is very similar to Algernon’s attitude around Cecily in Act Two. After much hesitation, Jack confesses his true feelings to Gwendolen; she then says unexpectedly, † Yes, I am quite aware of the fact†, creating a comic effect. Jack then stares at her in amazement while Gwendolen informs him â€Å"even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you†; this in itself will completely go against the audience’s expectations and produces a comic effect because, obviously, you cannot actually love someone before you have met them. She then produces a sense of dramatic irony by telling Jack that really the only reason that she loves him is because of his name-Ernest (which, at the time wasn’t really his name at all). The mode of address changes at this point, Jack and Gwendolen start to call each other by their first names. Jack also asks Gwendolen if she would still love him if his name was Jack; in response to this, she states, very confidently â€Å"I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any women who is married to a man called John†. This again is dramatic irony, because the audience know that Jack is actually his real name at this point in the play. Jack then proposes to Gwendolen†¦although Gwendolen actually accepts before he has even asked. Almost immediately after Gwendolen had accepted Jack’s proposal, Lady Bracknell interrupts them, presenting a comic effect because Gwendolen had said before that her mother always comes into the room at the most awkward of moments. Gwendolen informs her mother that she is engaged to Jack. In response to this, Lady Bracknell decides that it is her duty to interview Jack to discover whether or not he is suitable for her â€Å"simple, unspoiled† daughter. The interrogation between Lady Bracknell and Jack produces a huge comic effect on the audience; especially at the beginning when she has a [pencil and notebook in hand ]. Throughout the interview, Lady Bracknell questions Jack about aspects of his personal life, for example; his income, his properties (one of which she was not happy about, but was willing to change), his hobbies, and amusingly whether he knows everything or nothing, she seemed content with Jack’s answer that he knew nothing; stating that, â€Å"Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit, touch it and the bloom is gone† – an epigram. Lady Bracknell is very dominating over Jack, much like Gwendolen was in the previous scene. Jack appears very nervous and unsure around her, as if he doesn’t want to say the wrong thing to jeopardise his chances of marrying Gwendolen, this nervousness is shown by his constant hesitation and continuing to tell Lady Bracknell pointless facts in order to prevent an awkward silence. Jacks attitude changes around Lady Bracknell towards the end of Act Three, when he has control over the situation of Cecily’s engagement to Algernon. Jack is more relaxed around Lady Bracknell then because he has something that she wants; therefore he has the upper hand. The interview appeared to be going quite well until Lady Bracknell enquires after Jack’s parents. Jack then confesses to Lady Bracknell that he isn’t actually sure where his parents are because â€Å"the late Mr Thomas Cardew† had found him as a baby in the cloakroom at Victoria Station. Lady Bracknell’s response to Jack’s past is very amusing for the audience, she looks straight at Jack and says, † You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter – a girl brought up with the utmost care – to marry into a cloakroom, and form an alliance with a parcel. Good morning, Mr Worthing!† She then [sweeps out in majestic indignation ]. Lady Bracknell’s attitude also produces dramatic irony because she finds out later in the play that in fact Jack is her nephew. Algernon comes into the room and immediately comments on Jack’s attempted proposal to Gwendolen, Jack rejects this obvious sarcasm and begins to insult Lady Bracknell by calling her a Gorgon, regardless of the fact that he does not even know what a gorgon is, but he is sure that Lady Bracknell is one. This is humorous because the audience know that there is no such thing as a gorgon, and the fact that Algernon is happy about Jack insulting his aunt also goes against the audience’s expectations. This scene is also comical because Jack cannot see that Gwendolen is a lot like her mother. This dialogue shows Jack’s naive personality in that Algernon is calling Jack a fool, only Algernon and the audience can see it, Jack is completely unaware that Algernon is insulting him. Gwendolen enters and she talks to Jack alone; she asks him the address of his country house where he is going to stay until Monday, and Algernon who is standing in the corner notes down the address on his shirt cuff. There is one particular event that occurs in this scene that is not fully addressed in the play; Algernon’s debts. When Jack and Gwendolen have gone outside, [LANE presents several letters on a salver to ALGERNON. It is to be surmised that they are bills, as ALGERNON, after looking at the envelopes, tears them up. ] Algernon then calls in Lane and informs him that he is going Bunburying. At the end of Act One there is a slight cliff hanger and an example of dramatic irony, [ALGERNON lights a cigarette, reads his shirt cuff and smiles ] the audience knows that Algernon is planning to visit Jack’s country house and see Cecily posing as ‘Ernest’, Jack’s ‘brother’. But Jack does not know this. The Second Act takes place in Jack’s country house. The first scene opens with Miss Prism and Cecily in the garden. Miss Prism is Cecily’s teacher, she believes herself to be very knowledgeable, but she is not very good with her words, and often speaks nonsense, producing a comic effect for the audience. Cecily is shown to be very much like Gwendolen, she appears to be very innocent but she can also be quite arrogant â€Å"but I felt instinctively that you had a headache†. Cecily is obviously educated because she uses more advanced language. Miss Prism is trying to get Cecily to do her German, but Cecily argues that German â€Å"isn’t at all a becoming language. I know perfectly well that I look quite plain after my German lesson†. This shows Cecily to be very influenced by the trends of the time. Dr Chasuble interrupts Cecily’s lesson, and Cecily informs him that Miss Prism has a headache so it will do her good to go for a walk, that way she will be able to get out of her lesson. The relationship between Chasuble and Miss Prism is often used for comedy throughout Act Two and Act Three because it is obvious to the audience that Miss Prism and Chasuble have feelings for each other, but because of the social expectations of the time, they could not display their affection for each other (apart from the fact that neither know that the other has feelings for them). The three of them talk about Jack, and immediately he is seen as a completely different person in the country then he is in the town. In Act one, Jack is seen to be living entirely for pleasure, although he is more serious then Algernon, he does not appear to have any real responsibilities. However, in the country he is shown to be much more serious, and Miss Prism and Cecily do not believe that he has any pleasure or fun in his life. Miss Prism and Chasuble go for a walk together to the schools, leaving Cecily alone to do her work, which she doesn’t even start. At this point, Algernon is introduced to Cecily as Mr Ernest Worthing by the merriman. Cecily was nervous to meet ‘Ernest’ because she had â€Å"never met any really wicked person before. I feel rather frightened. I am ever so afraid he will look just like every one else.† This assumption produces a comic effect because ‘wicked’ people rarely look any different to normal people. When Cecily first meets ‘Ernest’ she is unusually confident and surprises Algernon by her forward manner, and Cecily tells him that Jack is planning to send him off the Australia, Algernon responds to this by saying, † The accounts I have received of Australia and the next world are not particularly encouraging. This world is good enough for me, Cousin Cecily.† This is amusing for the audience because Algernon does not seem very worried that Jack wants to send him to Australia. Algernon then asks Cecily if she will help reform him at the same time as flirting with her; she responds by saying, â€Å"I’m afraid I’ve no time this afternoon†. This has a comic effect because to completely change someone is obviously going to take more than one afternoon. The final comical aspect of this dialogue is when Cecily says; † Oh, I don’t think I would care to catch a sensible man. I shouldn’t know what to talk to him about†. Dr Chasuble and Miss Prism return from their walk just as ‘Ernest’ and Cecily pass into the house. They are talking about Dr Chasuble’s love life, Miss Prism believes that â€Å"men should be more careful; this very celibacy leads weaker vessels astray†, she thinks that Chasuble should get married because that way he would not be a temptation for women. Just as they were wondering where Cecily is, Jack comes into the garden, [dressed in the deepest mourning, with crà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½pe hatband and black gloves ]. He tells Miss Prism and Chasuble of the death of his brother Ernest; this produces dramatic irony because Jack does not know that Algernon has come to the house posing as his brother. The comedy effect for the first part of the scene is Jack’s exaggerated mourning for his ‘dead’ brother. The conversation then leads on to christenings, and Jack displays his wish to be christened, his attitude to christenings is very casual; † Oh, I thought I might trot round at about 5 if that would suit you†. This has a comic effect on the audience because christenings are not supposed to be casual affairs, and do not usually take place for a grown man. Cecily then enters, very excited announcing to Jack, Chasuble, and Miss Prism that Jack’s brother was here; Jack immediately says â€Å"what nonsense! I haven’t got a brother† because according to him ‘Ernest’ had died in Paris of a severe chill. Cecily then returns hand in hand with Algernon; this entrance has a very comical effect on the audience because of the look of sheer horror on Jack’s face when he sees that Algernon is pretending to be Ernest, and he had just made a fool out of himself by saying that his brother had died. But he cannot say anything to Algernon when they were around Cecily, Miss Prism and Chasuble because they would all find out that he had been lying the whole time about his brother and they would not have as much respect for him as they had before. Miss Prism and Chasuble decide then that it would be best that the two ‘brothers’ (a sense of irony there because in act three the audience find out that Algernon and Jack are in fact brothers) were left alone together, and Cecily follows them back into the house. Jack, who cannot believe that Algernon has done such a thing is astounded when the merriman informs him that Algernon’s luggage has been unpacked in the room next to his. Jack immediately orders a dogcart for Algernon, who seems completely oblivious to the fact that Jack has just insulted him. As usual, Jack and Algernon begin to argue, Jack tells Algernon that he does not want him to call Cecily a darling, and Algernon comes up with a childish reply and tells Jack that he does not like his clothes and, that being in mourning for a man who is actually staying at his house is â€Å"grotesque†. Jack tells Algernon that he does not want him staying in his house for a whole week and to this, Algernon replies; â€Å"I certainly won’t leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most unfriendly†, completely contradicting what he had said before and producing a comic effect on the audience. Algernon sees Cecily and tells her that he has to leave, she replies, â€Å"It is always painful to part from people who one has known for a very brief space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced to is almost unbearable†. This goes against the audience’s expectations and produces a comic effect, because usually it would be more difficult to part with someone that you had known for a long time then to part with someone that you had just met. In this scene, Algernon proposes to Cecily, but she informs him that they had actually been engaged for the last three months (only in her head though, producing a comic effect). This is a parallel of events because Cecily claims, like Gwendolen, to have loved Algernon before she had even met him; which is obviously impossible. Another similarity in this scene is when Algernon says to Cecily; â€Å"I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly†. This utterance does not make any sense because you cannot love someone devotedly and hopelessly at the same time, he is talking nonsense because he is so nervous around Cecily; much the same way that Jack was around Gwendolen in Act One. The final parallel of speech is when Cecily tells ‘Ernest’ that she loves him for his name, like Gwendolen did in Act One, ‘Ernest’ asks Cecily whether she would love him if he was called Algernon, she immediately tells him, like Gwendolen, that she does not like that name, only the name ‘Ernest’ â€Å"inspires absolute confidence†. Algernon almost immediately tells her that he has to â€Å"see him [chasuble] at once on a most important christening – I mean on most important business† Algernon was thinking out loud, like Jack did in Act One. There is a great deal of comedy in this scene, especially from Cecily. The main example is when Cecily tells Algernon of their ‘engagement’. Throughout the three months that Cecily had decided that she was engaged to Jack’s ‘brother’; he had bought her gifts and written her letters. Also, according to Cecily, she had even broken off their engagement once saying that â€Å"It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn’t been broken off at least once.†. She had even written it in her diary; â€Å"Today I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I feel it is better to do so. The weather still continues charming† this is comical within itself because if someone had broken off their engagement, the last thing they would be thinking about was the weather. Algernon leaves the room to go and see Chasuble, and the merriman announces to Cecily that Miss Fairfax has come to visit, and wishes to see Jack, but because he is busy Cecily invites her in for tea. Almost immediately, Gwendolen tells Cecily; â€Å"I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong.† This produces a comic effect because you cannot like someone so much when you have just heard his or her name. There is also a slight parallel of speech because in Act One, Gwendolen says â€Å"I am never wrong†, this is similar to what she said to Cecily, this again displays her arrogant nature. Cecily and Gwendolen immediately start to call each other by their first names, however, the atmosphere seems a bit tense. Gwendolen and Cecily talk about Lord Bracknell, and Gwendolen enquires after Cecily’s parents, Cecily tells her that she has â€Å"no mother, nor, in fact, any relations†. Gwendolen seems surprised at this; producing echoes of her mother’s reaction to Jack’s past in Act One. Gwendolen tells Cecily; â€Å"I have liked you ever since I met you†, this produces a comic effect because she hasn’t known Cecily long at all, it also shows how superficial she can be. She also tells Cecily that she â€Å"can’t help expressing a wish you were – well, just a little older than you seem to be – and not quite so alluring in appearance† when informed that she was Mr Worthing’s ward. She then asks Cecily if she may speak truthfully, Cecily knows that Gwendolen is just about to insult her, but she doesn’t seem to care, and she tells her that she wishes that Cecily was 42 and more than usually plain for her age. There is an example of dramatic irony when Gwendolen says; â€Å"disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception†, this also has a comical effect because the audience know that this is not true, but Gwendolen believes it so much. At this point, the plot begins to unwind; Gwendolen reveals that she was talking about Ernest (Jack) and Cecily tells her that she is not Ernest’s ward, but his older brother’s. Gwendolen asks why Ernest (Jack) had never told her that he had a brother, and Cecily explained that it was because they had not really been on speaking terms. Cecily then tells Gwendolen that she is engaged to be married to Ernest (Algernon). To this Gwendolen [quite politely rising ] says; â€Å"My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr Ernest Worthing (Jack) is engaged to me.† Cecily responds to this by; [very politely rising ] and saying; â€Å"I am afraid you must be under some misconception. Ernest (Algernon) proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago†. She then shows Gwendolen the entry in her diary to prove it, and Gwendolen shows the entry in her diary to prove that Ernest (Jack) had proposed to her the previous day. Gwendolen then states that because Ernest had proposed to her first, she had the prior claim, and Cecily said that this as not true because he had clearly changed his mind. This argument produces a comic effect and a sense of dramatic irony; it is comical because although the two women are very angry with each other, they cannot show their true feelings because it was not seen as lady-like behaviour. The dramatic irony in this dialogue is that the Audience knows that there are actually two people pretending to be Ernest, but Gwendolen and Cecily do not know this. The conversation continues between Cecily and Gwendolen, but they are being sarcastic and spiteful to each other whilst pretending to be polite. An example of this is when Cecily asks Gwendolen if she wants sugar in her tea; Gwendolen says no because â€Å"sugar is not fashionable any more† then [CECILY looks angrily at her, takes the tongs and puts four lumps of sugar into the cup ]. Cecily then asks Gwendolen if she wants cake, or bread and butter, Gwendolen says that she wants bread and butter because â€Å"cake is rarely seen at the best houses nowadays† then Cecily [cuts a very large slice of cake and puts it on the tray ]. Gwendolen becomes very angry at this deliberate attempt to annoy her and tells Cecily; â€Å"From the moment I saw you I distrusted you. I felt that you were false and deceitful. I am never deceived in such matters. My first impressions of people are invariably right†. This produces a comical effect because Gwendolen has just contradicted herself from what she said to Cecily when she first met her, but she still tries to make out that she has been right about her all along. The climax of the play occurs when Jack comes into the room and interrupts Gwendolen and Cecily. Gwendolen embraces him and asks Jack whether he is engaged to Cecily; Jack obviously denies this and Cecily reveals that the â€Å"gentleman whose arm is at present round your waist is my guardian, Mr John Worthing†. Gwendolen says â€Å"Jack! Oh!† and pulls away from him. Algernon then walks into the room, and Cecily asks him if he is engaged to be married to Gwendolen, and he says no. Gwendolen then reveals to Cecily that â€Å"the gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr Algernon Moncrieff† Cecily says â€Å"Algernon Moncrieff! Oh!† and pulls away from him. There are two examples of symmetric speech in this section of the scene; the first is when both Jack and Algernon say to Gwendolen and Cecily â€Å"What could have put such an idea into your pretty little head†. The second example is the identical way in which Gwendolen and Cecily reacted to the news that both their fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s had different names then they had thought. This produces a comic effect because this is the climax of the play, and all of the deceit is being revealed to Gwendolen and Cecily. The relationship between Gwendolen and Cecily drastically changes as [the two girls move towards each other and out their arms round each other’s waists as if for protection. ]. They ask Jack and Algernon if what they have heard is true, they both say that it is, even though â€Å"it is very painful for me [Jack] to be forced to speak the truth†. This confession goes against the audience’s expectations producing a comic effect because normally people may find it painful to tell a lie then to tell the truth. Gwendolen and Cecily decide that they are going to resign to the house because they have just found out that they are both not engaged to anyone, and â€Å"it is not a very pleasant position for a young girl suddenly to find herself in.† Jack and Algernon are left alone in the garden and the girls retire to the house. The last section of Act Two is the conversation between Algernon and Jack. They talk about Gwendolen and Cecily and how they feel about them. However, Jack makes it very clear that he is not sure that Algernon and Cecily will actually marry, and Algernon states that he thinks it very unlikely that Jack and Gwendolen will marry. The conversation soon sways onto the christenings and Algernon advises Jack that; â€Å"If you are not quite sure about your ever being Christened, I must say I think it rather dangerous your venturing on it now. It might make you very unwell†. This produces a comic effect because it is completely impossible that being christened will make you unwell. The Act closes on Jack and Algernon arguing over the muffins that are being served on the table, showing their almost childish relationship. In conclusion, there are many similarities between Act One and Act Two, this could be part of what makes it so comical. The characters have developed the plot up to the climax, there is only the end to be revealed. In Act Three all of the deceit and the mysteries will be solved.

Changing Rights and Freedoms Essay

The rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people changed significantly between the years 1945 and 2000. The Australian government put in place polices of protection, assimilation, integration and self determination which disempowered Aboriginal people and severely affected their rights and freedoms. The policy of protection effected many Aboriginals rights and freedoms. They were treated unfairly, procrastinated on every move they made and were forced to be educated in the â€Å"white ways†. As white people were â€Å"protecting† Aboriginal people this policy was mainly brought about; racism, discrimination and loss of Aboriginal culture. This meant that at anytime any Aborigine could be separated from their families and moved onto a mission or reserve, would need permission from the government to marry a white person, could not vote and traditional dancing and ceremonies were often forbidden. Through the policy of protection Source C can relate through the quote, † When we were growing up, you weren’t allowed to do a lot of things†¦ Any time you did anything you’d go before the superintendent†. As these words were said by Noel Blair we can say that this policy had a very negative effect on the Aboriginals Rights and Freedoms. The Policy of assimilation also changed the Rights and Freedoms of Aboriginal people. This policy of assimilation meant that aboriginal people were encouraged to give up their tradition lifestyle and to absorb the culture of â€Å"white people†. The Stolen Generation was a major cause to this assimilation where children were forcibly removed from their homes and families, moved into institutions and finally adopted into a white persons home. Another aspect of the Assimilation policy was that Aborigines had the lack of right in Citizenship and were not recognised as citizens. After the Second World War they were counted as citizens if they applied for a certificate. As Aborigines were thankful to be Citizens, any Aborigine having that certificate or wanting to vote had to give up the Indigenous community. In Source D it is stated that, † As part of the policies from 1913 to 1969 many thousands of Aboriginal children were taken from their parents†. This shows the insecurity Aboriginal people had on their lives and families. As the rights of Aborigines continued to change, Assimilation was replaced by the policy of Integration in 1965. For the first time Aboriginal people had the right of way to say how their lives were run. This was a positive for Aborigines which gave them a drive to change the inequalities being experienced by Aboriginal people. This changed aboriginals for the better and allowed them to vote in Federal elections in 1962, the Freedom Rides of 1965 and the 1967 Referendum. Source B shows us an article of ‘Memories of Patricia O’Shane’, 4this source is a good example of Aboriginal people fighting for their rights and not having specific laws or restrictions on them. As the Aboriginals were finally allowed to vote in Federal elections in 1962, the Freedom Rides of 1965 and the 1967 Referendum, these were some major gains for them during this time. In 1972, the government introduced the policy of self-determination. This was a policy aimed at having Aboriginal communities taking part in decisions that affected their lives. During this time Aboriginal people continued to fight for their lost rights and freedoms. Self-determination was a major step towards Aboriginal people having the same rights and freedoms as those enjoyed by white Australians. One of the main reasons self-determination became fore front of the government policy was because the Whitlam government recognised that a multicultural society was much more achievable and beneficial for Australia, Also wanting all groups of culture to be treated equally. As people wanted to destroy Aboriginal culture, the Federal government encouraged people to accept it and schools began to teach Aboriginal culture and history to both indigenous and white children. In conclusion we can see that the Aboriginal government practiced policies which controlled and restricted the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people. Through their place polices of protection, assimilation, integration and self determination we were able to look into the minds of the Aboriginal people and to see how their lives effected them and their culture.

Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Employment Relations - Essay Example Workplaces have been using flexibility like outsourcing and casualisation which have a less direct relationship between employer and the worker. The employers prefer flexible labour policies as it allows them to adjust to match the changing demand patterns, thereby enabling the employers to exercise internal numerical flexibility. They are able to attain external numerical flexibility when they outsource particular functions. Employers benefit as they save on costs by engaging labor on just-in-time basis. Outsourcing helps to avoid capital investment and the funds can be used for other investments. By contracting out, the employers also gain as they are able to de-unionize the unionized workforce. Most importantly, through outsourcing, employers gain from the highly specialized skilled workforce that can be available. The employers may have to compromise on quality as the flexile workers have less experience and expertise. The flexible workers are less likely to receive training as t hey are not integrated into the human resource system of the organization. Co-ordination and delivery of services also pose problems in outsourcing out work. Employees benefit as it serves to provide temporary employment to many who do not want full-time employment and also serves a springboard for those who are looking for stable employment.

Ethics in Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Ethics in Financial Management - Essay Example In the article discussed in this paper we see how a person in power takes advantage of his position for personal gain. Henry M. Paulson was the Treasury secretary during the Bush Administration. He was also a major shareholder of Goldman Sachs. Mr. Paulson wanted to make it seem as if his ethical standards were implacable. He sold all his shares of Goldman Sachs and vowed not to get involved in any issues associated with the investment banking sector since he had many friends and colleagues in the industry. Getting involved in issues associated with the investment banking sector would constitute a conflict of interest ethical violation. A conflict of interest occurs when a person has a conflict between his private interest and the individual public obligations (Answers, 2009). The Treasury secretary was in the middle of the entire bailout package scandal. When the government allocated $85 million dollar of the bailout money to the American International Group (AIG), Mr. Paulson’s former employer, Goldman Sachs, received millions of dollars in debt collection from AIG as a consequence of the b ailout package deal. Even though Henry Paulson claims he did nothing wrong and that his actions were not unethical in any way because he was simply doing his job as secretary of treasury, many Wall Street experts believed Goldman Sachs received preferential treatment during the entire process. During the AIG bailout package took place Mr. Paulson spoke the CEO of Goldman Sachs over two dozen times (Morgenson & Van Natta, 2009). The amount of phone calls exceeds by a lot the conversations the governmental official had with any other Wall Street executive. Mr. Paulson claimed he received an ethics waiver. To me this waiver seems like a cheap excuse because the treasury secretary’s actions were clearly an ethical violation since his former employer was receiving preferential

Qatar Exchange Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Qatar Exchange - Term Paper Example This sector currently has a total of eighteen firms listed in the Qatari stock exchange thus presenting it as one of the most successful sectors in the Qatar market. The consistent growth of this sector has always been attributed to the higher lending associated with higher scale of infrastructural projects. The slated 2022 FIFA world cup in Qatar has also stimulated a high growth in the investment projects making the sector the best performing at the moment (Qatar, 2014). The Insurance sector: this sector has 12 firms listed on the stock exchange market and is rated as one of the best performing sectors in the Qatar’s economy. This sector has been receiving annual growth rate of at least 11.3% from the year 2008 outlining how well the sector is performing. Due to the weakening demands on major expensive claims such as personal accident claims and health insurance, the growth has maintained a steady rise making the sector among the very best performing (Qatar 2010 Phase 1). The services sector: this is another very well performing sector in the Qatar’s stock market with a total of 15 firms listed in the stock exchange market. The net profit realized by this sector grew to 21.0% in the first quarter of 2014. The single largest contributor to this was the Qatar fuel company posting a 12.3% rise in their own net profit. The industry and Hotel sector: this sector has 17 firms listed in the Qatar stock market. Even though the profits from this sector reduced by 7.3% in the first quarter of 2014, it is still able to contribute 27.2% of the of the Qatar’s total market profit. This drop is mainly attributed to the extended planned closing, the general increasing costs and the product price deflation (Qatar 2010 Phase 1). The individuals of firms that are interested in trading in the Qatar Exchange in form of buying and selling of the shares listed must first of all follow the laid down

Top Origin and Destination Locations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Top Origin and Destination Locations - Essay Example Unemployment: the unstable conditions in Mexico due to lack of stable economy has led to an increase in the number of people unemployed yearly. This has facilitated the increase in the number of the Mexican citizens who migrant to USA to seek better employment opportunities. However, this is ironical due to poor skills the immigrants have in handling the jobs available. This leads to most of the immigrants finding themselves jobless even after migration to USA (Alexander, pg6). Wealth: Most of the people in USA are admired due to the perception that the people live in comfort and luxury. This has been a key factor that pull people to migrant to USA to seek these luxuries and comfort those citizens of the USA tend to enjoy (Alexander, pg5). Employment: USA for a long period of time has been acquiring employees from Mexico due to industrious nature of the Mexican citizens. Again the unemployment in Mexico has further contributed to their curiosity to migrant to USA to seek these opportunities for them to prosper in life in terms of wealth generation and happiness. In conclusion, the USA government tends to employ most of the Mexican due to their hand working character. Poverty: The level of poverty in Michigan is very high. This has resulted from poor governance and economic hardships in the state. Most of the cities in this state are very insecure and this discourages investment back into the state. Violence: This state has experienced lots of violence in form of murder, rapes, assault by the police and armed robbery. This has led to lose of hope for people living in this state propelling them to look for better places to live like Texas near Dallas. Texas is a state in USA blessed with lots of industries. The natural oils and gas are produced in this state creating lots of job opportunities for people. Besides employment opportunities, lots of income is generated in this

Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Communication - Essay Example The profession of teaching is essentially based on communication as the entire process of teaching takes place on the basis of communication. In the retail industry, communication provides an efficient possibility for consumer attraction as the on-spot demonstration and feedback based on the communication constructed, helps to effectively develop a relationship with the customer. Similarly in the domain of law and criminal justice, communication is the optimum source of professional execution. The court-room proceedings and ramifications depend on the expertise and excellent logical communication of the prosecutor. As an example, it can be stated that once a minor was accused and punished for certain unlawful activities executed by the minor. In such cases, the major responsibility should be with the socio-economic condition of the accused or the association and the pedlar that are responsible for such crime. Poor communication and ignorance of greater and true reason operating for the apparent crime failed to attract the eyes of the jury in the case. It is evident that effective communication could have played a vital role in such a case of criminal justice to save the minor. Auckland University of Technology, (No Date). Marketing, Marketing Communications, Retailing and Sales. Study Areas. Retrieved Online on September 09, 2010 from

Incventive plans and organisational objectives Essay

Incventive plans and organisational objectives - Essay Example Basing incentives on the traditional plans such as promotion may not necessarily result in meeting of the company’s objectives. The incentives can be either in the form of momentary or non-momentary rewards (Bohlander, 2010). Monetary rewards include salary increments and bonuses, while non-monetary include recognition and promotion. How incentives plans help or do not help in achieving the organizational objectives Research has shown that incentives based on performance results in immense success in, attainment of the company goals. Such an incentive plan harmonizes the company’s preferences with the individual employees’ preferences. In hiring new worker, this kind of plan can be particularly useful in screening out only the beast employees who are merited to do a certain job. It acts as a motivator pushing the worker to increase their job input. Another benefit accrued to performance-based incentives is that workers tend to give better results in situations wh ere their performance is assessed individually compared to team assessment (Bohlander 2010). Workers tend to be loyal to such companies and show a desire to work in such firms or longer period. A firm that uses performance based incentives attracts competent workers who are not afraid of being put under the spotlight. An incentive plan may fail to fulfill its intended objective if the employees are not made to understand the intention of the incentive. They should honestly communicate the objectives of the plan. This will integrate the employees in the plan, by making clear communication. The rewards obtained from its implementation should exceed the cost. The most effective incentive plan is self-sustaining. An incentive plan may fail depending on the type of incentive used. Not all incentives work for everyone. The management should settle for an incentive plan that favors the majority of the workers (Caruth & Handlogten 2001). Failure to sufficiently differentiate between high an d low performance may result in the incentive plan not achieving its purpose. For instance, if the incentive given to the higher performers has minimal difference to the one given to the average performer, the high performing workers may feel that the company does not recognize their effort. This would result in the workers being demoralized and demotivated: the opposite of what the company intended to achieve by coming up with the plan. The incentive should measure up to the effort the workers put in the job. The employees who show less effort should receive less reward compared to the higher performers. Another reason why an incentive plan may fail is if it is inflexible. For it to be fruitful, it should first be introduced on a trial bases targeting a small group. This is to ensure it is effective and correcting the flaws that it may have before it is implemented. The plan should be constantly modified to meet the needs that may arise (Caruth & Handlogten 2001). The timing may al so ensure the success or failure of the plan. For it to be successful, the timing of the issuing of the reward should be tied to the qualifying event. The basic salary should be harmonized with inflation as well as to the increase in responsibilities. The company should also identify the persons eligible for the incentive plan. This is because

No Country for Old Men Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

No Country for Old Men - Essay Example When he is having a conversation with anyone, the camera follows the other character mostly when he/she says something of value or to show what is the effect of Chigurh’s personality or speech on him/her. The character of Sheriff Ed Tom Bell also has a lot of strength. In my opinion, his character is second to Chigurh. His appearance is anticipated at any time because the movie opens up with him narrating in background voice. His first appearance is not shot from a lower angle or an angle that shows his importance. He is shot from a very common angle and his importance can be construed by his wife telling him to â€Å"be careful†. His answers to his wife show that he is an experienced Sheriff and has been in such situations a lot of times before. He can easily be shown as being tired of his job and feeling that he is not good enough for the police work anymore. The feeling of helplessness and knowing that he has a very limited capacity to do things has made him quite cy nical. The camera rarely leaves his face whether he is in a conversation or not. The camera has to be kept on him in such a way that his facial expressions and feelings are recorded properly. In a scene where his subordinate laughs at his remark, the camera still focuses on him a lot to show that he is not amused. The character of Llewelyn Moss can be regarded as the second most important character. If not, this character is very much poised with the character of the Sheriff. Although he runs away with the money that did not belong to him, he still manages to get the sympathy of the audience. Llewelyn told his wife that he â€Å"will return†. This makes the audience expect that he might survive at the end of the movie. But he is killed in the most common manner as any character in the movie does. It is surprising that some of the minor details of his activities are followed by the camera, but his killing is not shown, hence nil dramatizations in his death. Unlike, Chigurh, Ll welyn depicts a lot of feelings ranging from pain to the worry of his wife’s safety. He is also a compassionate person as despite knowing about the danger to his life, he takes water to the dying Mexican gangster/driver, albeit, he was too late. Prior to that, the camera focuses on him from the ceiling as he lies on the bed and records the feelings of restlessness that the thought of the thirsty Mexican brings to him. He is careful and as circumspect as his wits allow him to be but he makes some critical mistakes that lead to his death. The movie uses very less music and even the most intense moments are free from dramatic melody in order to depict reality. This has shown realism in the movie. â€Å"Critics and theorists have championed film as the most realistic of all the arts in capturing how an experience actually looks and sounds† (Giannetti and Leach, Page 3) The time when Chigurh asks the shopkeeper at the gas station to call the coin, it is obvious that he is w agering on killing him. This is a critical moment but no music is used. The sounds used are natural and real. In this movie, the rarity of music enables the audience to expect the un-expectable at any moment. In the beginning, when Lelwelyn walks to the scene of the crime and away from it, the contact of his feet with the ground can be heard very clearly. Also, the time when he is in the motel, the sound of the creak of the wooden floor due to

The legacy of the renaissance Essay Example for Free

The legacy of the renaissance Essay The legacy of the renaissance can be described and defined in many ways and through many great people. For example, one of the main figures of the renaissance was Leonardo Da Vinci born in Italy during the year1452; he was during his time and is still today considered a true renaissance man. Da Vinci dabbled in almost every aspect of the arts and science. He is most famous however for his painting (Mona Lisa) finished in 1506, but he also worked on designs for weapons and sculpted as well as the study of human anatomy. Leonardo Da Vinci died on May 2nd 1519. And it is said that King Francis was at his side when he died, cradling Leonardos head in his arms. Another great figure of the renaissance was the Architect (Andrea Palladio) born in the year 1508, Palladio was a master architect and is often described as the most influential and copied architect in the Western world. Palladio used classical architecture to influence his style and that is what makes him a key figure of the renaissance period. Since the renaissance was based on classical ideals. By the 1540s, Palladio was using classical principles to design a series of country villas and urban palaces for the nobility of Vicenza. One of his most famous is Villa Capra, also known as the Rotunda, which was modeled after the Roman Pantheon. Palladio also designed the Basilica in Vicenza, and in the 1560s he began work on religious buildings in Venice. Palladio died in the year 1580 but left behind a legacy of architectural works and design plans in a book he published called (The Four Books of Architecture) were widely translated, and Palladios ideas spread across Europe and into the New World. American statesman Thomas Jefferson borrowed Palladian ideas when he designed Monticello, his home in Virginia. A final figure during the renaissance was the sculptor Donato di Niccolà ² di Betto Bardi universally known as Donatello, he was born in Florence around the year 1386 and during his time he created many famous works. One of his most famous is the statue (Saint George) a vigilant marble made for the guildhall of Orsanmichele. Although this is an early piece, it still follows the renaissance tradition of a return to classical themes. During his life Donatello created many beautiful and highly influential works that would later inspire such great artists as (Michelangelo) through the 16th century. Donatello died in the year 1466 in Italy but left behind a true legacy of renaissance art for generations to come. The leaders of the Reformation were, Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, Thomas Cromwell, Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer and John Knox. The reformation was set in the ideal of building a new Church and new religion. The idea was good but the men who lead this reform were not fit be called human. If you look at the methods they choose to enforce their ideals of religious reformation you will find them to be nothing more than the sick and twisted methods of mad men. Such methods as torture, hangings and drowning were used and condoned in the name of religion and God. Consider the fact that Aldof Hitler studied the writings of Martin Luther and implemented many of Luthers ideas into his own sick design for genocide of the Jewish race it is easy to say that the reformation was again, a good idea but being lead by mad men. The only good thing to come out of the reformation was the Counter Reformation the Catholic Church was not totally unprepared for the reformers. They had been fig hting opposition, heresy and resistance for over 400 years. SO when the reformation began the church was preparing its own form of attack or anti reformation. The Counter Reformation movement birthed many groups such as the Modern Devotion and the Oratory of Divine Love were organizations that included both clergy and lay people and encouraged a return to simple ethical living and piety, principles that had been championed by Desiderius Erasmus. But the movement that most concerned the Catholic Church was that of the (Protestant church) the Protestant church was growing beyond the Catholic Church and posed a serious threat to the power that the Catholic Church held. From this concern came The Council of Trent The council of Trent was formed in 1545 and lasted for almost 20 years, until 1563. During this time the council worked on the problems in three separate sessions. It was a major undertaking and the outcome was a much needed reform of the Catholic Church but it was still on their terms. Although many issues were addressed and resolved by the council it was too little too late. The Protestant Church had grown too strong and beyond the reach of the Catholic Church. Although the Catholic Church would remain a major religion, it would in a few short centuries no longer be the leading religion in the western world.The Baroque Age was during the years 1600-1750 A.D. During this time period many great advances in the arts were made but none greater the ones made in music. The word  Baroque comes from two words. The first being the French word baroque meaning (irregularly shaped pearl) the second being the Portuguese word barroco also meaning (irregularly shaped pearl) the Baroque Age was after the Renaissance and in a way was a backlash to the simplicity and ideals of the renaissance period. The Baroque age saw a trend in extravagance, bold ornamentation and flamboyance. There were three major movements during the baroque age. The first being Florid Style. This style was brought to life by the influence of seventeenth-century popes and is easily recognized by identifying its name florid with the style. Think of florid the word. Flowers, bright colors and rich textures and shapes all come to mind. This was the florid style. Second is the Classical style. This style of art had a very secular focus and identified itself with Absolutism which at the time was the view of Louis XIV also called the sun king. If you think absolutism you can envision straight clean lines, simple geometric shapes and everything coming together in perfect seamless unison. This style would also influence modern art and artists. The third style of baroque art was the Restrained Baroque. This style again, is easily envisioned by simply thinking about its name. Although most restrained baroque art was being done in the northern regions of the world such as the Netherlands, examples can be found in some regions of Italy as well. Some famous artists who practiced this style were, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Jan Vermeer and Anthony Van Dyck. The Scientific revolution lasted from 1600 to 1715 with its climax between 1685 and 1715. During this time period many great changes took place. First, the changes in astronomy and physics were largely influenced by the new theory that the sun centered the universe as opposed to the old view that the earth centered the universe. This became the official view 1543 and involved an international community of scholars. The result was called Heliocentrism Once this was established as fact; people now began to see the universe in a whole new light. Mathematical calculations were now though to be able to unlock the mysteries of nature and mankind. Many key figures of the time such as Nicolas Copernicus, Sir Isaac Newton and Johannes Kepler all made valuable contributions to the scientific revolution and how it was shaped. There were also conflicts that resulted from this revolution however. The Church, both Catholic and Protestant agreed that this new  theory was dangerous and went against the Holy Scripture. The church felt that if the earth was no longer at the center of the universe then neither was man and his place in the divine scheme of things was then reduced. So it was denounced and condemned as a false system. It was not until 1822 that the Roman Catholic Church accepted the theory as true. Also, sects within the Protestant church slowly began to adapt and accept the theory as true. Thomas Hobbes was born in 1588 in England and theorized that man was incapable of existing without rule over them and in order to for humanity to exist in a civil society they must be ruled by one individual and give up their sovereignity. John Locke was born 1632 in England as well but Locke theorized that people were basically good in nature and could govern themselves but needed a government to protect them instead of ruling them. Both had different points of view on humanity and how a structured system should work but both Hobbes and Locke agreed that a Social Contract was needed in order to keep things balanced. Locke and Hobbes views influenced the Enlightenment but in different ways. Lockes views influenced the Enlightenment by helping give way to such ideas as better public education and a more liberal government. I can not find how Hobbes views influenced the Enlightenment with the exception of reinforcing the ideals of oppression and fascist rule over the people. The resulting views of government based on these theories were both for the greater good of the people based on Lockes theory and for the greater good of the government based on Hobbes views. Works cited. (1) Western Humanities Vol. II fifth edition (2) (The Panorama of the Renaissance) Edited by: Margaret Aston, Abradale Press (3) Various internet research sites.

Progress Report Essay Example for Free

Progress Report Essay In this Assignment you will proofread the Progress Report listed below. Next, you will identify the 10 mistakes that are listed in the report. The mistakes could be misspellings, incorrect abbreviations, or misuse of a medical term. Please list them in the chart below under the heading â€Å"Medical Terminology Error.† After you have listed the errors, you will need to identify the correct term or abbreviation. Please list them in the chart below under the heading â€Å"Correct Term.† At the end of the project be sure to list all applicable references and cite them in APA format. Main Street Hospital and Medical Center 6000 North Tree Street Branch, Pennsylvania 12345 – (555) 123-4567 PATIENT NAME: Susan SunshineMEDICAL RECORD:5555555 DATE OF DEATH:04/04/1954DATE OF ADMISSION:07/31/2013 PROGRESS NOTE CHIEF COMPLAINT: Severe lower abdominal pain and the inability to void for the past 12 hours. PRESENT ILLNESS: Sam Samuel is a 75-year-old Asian-American man who came into the emergency department at 3 am stating that he was in great pain and could not urinate. He had not been seen by a physician for several years but claimed to be in good health except for â€Å"a little high blood pressure.† The patient reports urinary frequency, noicturia x2, hesitancy, intermittency, disuria, and diminished force and caliber of the bladder system. In addition, he complained of intermittent pain in the right posterior lumbar area, radiating to the right flank. He also has post-void dribbling and the sensation of not having completely emptied the bladder. Earlier today, he had hematuria at the end of urination and several bouts of ND. MEDICATION ALLERGIES: None CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Benadryl 25 mg. dailys, at bedtime. PHYSICAL EXAM: Temperature 98.6 ® F. Blood pressure 140/90. Pulse 98. Respirations 24. Palpation of the abdomen shows a suprapubic mass approximately three fingerbreadths below the umbilicus, dull to percussion, and slightly tender. IMPRESSION: Renal Pelvis distention caused by urinary outlet obstruction, probably from benign prostatic hyperplasia. PLAN: Indwelling Foley catheter for relief of urinary obstruction. Imaging to include a CAT scan, kidney ultrasound and IVR. Urinary consult. Labs to include white blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUA) and urinalnysis.

Encountering God And Excuses Excuses Religion Essay

Encountering God And Excuses Excuses Religion Essay Theres a story of a Scottish discus thrower from the nineteenth century. In the days before personal trainers, he developed his skills by himself in the Scottish highlands near his village. He made his own iron discus from a description he read in a book. What he did not know was that the discus used in competition was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. The discus he made was solid metal and weighed three or four times as much as the ones used by his would-be competitors. This committed Scotsman marked out in his field the distance of the current record throw for all of Britain and trained day and night to be able to match it. For nearly a year, he labored under the self imposed burden of the extra weight. He became very, very good. He reached the point where he could throw his iron discus the record distance, maybe farther. He was ready. He traveled south to England for his first competition. When he arrived at the games, they handed him the regulation wooden discus, which he p romptly threw like a tea saucer, like wed throw a Frisbee. He set a new record, a distance so far beyond those of his challengers that no one could touch him. He thus remained the uncontested champion for year after year after year. From that moment on his life had a defining image: Train under a great burden and you will be so far beyond the rest of the world you will be untouchable. Each one of us has a story that tells us who we are. Every life is defined by a narrative. There was a time when our culture had such a defining story. The hours of the day were marked by the ringing of church bells. We lived Anno Domini in the year of our Lord. Our role models were the lives of the saints. When we left we said, God be with you, which we have today compressed into our word, Goodbye. But todays role models are movie stars and sports celebrities. Our greeting is Have a nice day. Oh, once in a while a story will come along, like the terrible tragedy or a terrorist threat, and pull us all together for a moment or two. Or we find a kind of togetherness in cheering for a sports team. I dont know about you, but I yearn to hitch my itty bitty life to some grand story that makes every moment throb with meaning and purpose and excitement and adventure. Ive found that story for me in the pages of this book the Bible. This book tells me the hunger in my heart corresponds with the reality of the universe. Thats why I like the name of our radio programme Word Alive. Theres a God who wants to enlist you and me to join him in loving, redeeming, and restoring the world. And this God comes to you the same way he came to an aimless wanderer named Moses centuries ago. To meet this God is to discover why youre alive and on this planet. So how big an adventure are you up for today? Are you ready to stop watching other peoples reality shows and star in one of your own as one of Gods everyday heroes? Lets step into Gods story today as we continue a series of messages on the foundational event of the Bible, God leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. Jane Thank you for joining us for todays Word Alive with Dr. Derek Stringer and Im Jane Moxon Ill be commenting from time to time. Derek has been teaching from the life of Moses and explaining how we can encounter God today and get His direction for our lives making it significant and of value. Heres Derek Derek And thanks for your help Jane. Have you ever been reluctant to take a call? I think weve all have been there, especially now that many of us have caller ID on our phones. Have you ever gotten a call, looked at the ID and then were reluctant to take the call? I am so thankful for the ex-directory in England because I think every salesman in the country knew when I sat down for a meal. They would decide thats the time were going to call Derek Stringer. Incidentally, someone has come up with a list of twenty responses to use with these telemarketers. I like several of them, but one is my absolute favourite and one of these days Im going to get up the courage to do it. It suggests: Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask him if he will give you his home phone number so you can call him back. When the telemarketer explains that they cannot give out their home number, say, I guess you dont want anyone bothering you at home, right? When he says, Yes, then you say, Me neither! Lets face it weve all had calls at times that we just didnt want to take, and we were reluctant to answer. I want us to consider the fact that sometimes were reluctant to answer the call even when we know that its God whos doing the calling. I want to talk a little bit about what it means to be called by God. Jane As we study Gods call of Moses at the burning bush, we understand that God doesnt call us the same way that he called Moses, but he does call us. Derek In fact, you may recall that the Greek word for church is ekklesia. It literally means, the called out. We are the called out people of God. Peter said, You areà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. I know that this broadcast will reach people who make no claim to be Christians. And I want you to understand that God is calling you this very day, calling you to make the decision to become a child of God. Many who listen to this broadcast are Christians whom God is calling to greater heights of service. There are things that God wants you to do for him. There are people that God wants you to talk to. God is calling you to proclaim the praises of Him who brought you out of darkness and into the marvellous light. As we look at the call of Moses, I want you to consider how God is calling you. Jane Were going to look at the first part of Exodus 4. Derek When I say Moses, what comes to mind? The old Hollywood Movie with the piercing blue of eyes of Moses Charlton Heston standing before the throne of Pharaoh Yul Brenner? When we glamorize Moses we create distance between ourselves and him. The more distance you put between yourself and any Bible character, the less help the character provides us in our life before God. The real Moses? He was probably a lot more like Charlie Brown. In one of my favourite Peanuts cartoons Lucy says, Life, Charlie Brown, is like a deck chair. Like a what? he says. Havent you ever been on a cruise ship, Charlie Brown? Passengers open up these canvas deck chairs so they can sit in the sun. Some people place their chairs facing the rear of the ship so they can see where theyve been. Other people face their chairs forward. They want to see where theyre going. On the cruise ship of life, Charlie Brown, which way is your deck chair facing? Charlie thinks a minute and says: Gee, Ive never been able to get one unfolded. Ever feel like that? Like people all around you are going somewhere in life and you cant even unfold the deck chair? Yet as the curtain rises on the man who will become the most important person in the Bible, second only to Jesus, Moses is a foot-dragging loser. Moses had it made in Egypt, then killed a man and fled for his life. Ever since, hed been going nowhere. What do you say to someone 80 years old who doesnt know what he wants to be when he grows up? (Someone has said the reason adults are always asking children what are you going to be when you grow up? is because we dont know ourselves and were looking for suggestions.) Moses was tending his father-in-laws sheep not even his own in the desert of Midian. He squinted out across the parched landscape in search of shrubs for the hungry animals and noticed a bush on fire that did not burn up. As he came closer to investigate, suddenly a voice spoke to Moses out of the fire. Moses mouth fell open at a bush ablaze with God: I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians. Jane Youll recall from our past couple of lessons that Moses is at the burning bush. Derek God has revealed to Moses his sacred name I AM, Yahweh and God has announced that he has chosen Moses to go to tell Pharaoh to let His people, the Hebrews, go. Jane Then Moses answered and said, But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, The LORD has not appeared to you.' So the LORD said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod. And He said, Cast it on the ground. So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the LORD said to Moses, Reach out your hand and take it by the tail (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. Derek Furthermore the LORD said to him, Now put your hand in your bosom. And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. And He said, Put your hand in your bosom again. So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. Jane Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. And the water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land. Derek Then Moses said to the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. So the LORD said to him, Who has made mans mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. Jane But he said, O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send. So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs. Derek God comes to Moses with a job to do. I want you to understand that when God has a job he wants you to do, he doesnt ask you; he tells you. He doesnt extend an invitation; he gives a commission. God said to Abraham, You go to this place I will show you. He said to Elijah, Go, present yourself to Ahab. Jesus said to his disciples, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. But now the call of God comes to Moses and Moses doesnt want to answer the phone. And I can understand a little bit of what Moses is thinking. Have you ever been asked to go back to the place of your absolute greatest failure? I would imagine that everybody can think of a place or think of a person that frankly you wouldnt mind if you never saw that place or that person again. Because it brings back a memory of a time when you blew it on a scale you dont even like to think about. And when we dont want to do something, we tend to make excuses, and thats exactly what Moses does here. Lets look at some of his excuses and as we do so, were going to notice that were still making the same excuses today. The first excuse Moses made was, I dont have any credibility. Jane He said in verse one, What if they dont believe me and they say, The Lord did not appear to you? DS Now Moses question may seem to be valid, but its actually a denial of Gods clear promise because if you look back in chapter 3, verse 18, God said, The elders of Israel will listen to you and Moses says, in essence, Yes, but what if they dont? Now that shows you what failure can do to a mans thinking. If we have tried and we have failed, it has a way of inhibiting us, it has a way of paralyzing us for years to come. In Moses mind, he was certain that he was damaged goods. There was no way that he could ever go back to the Hebrews and effectively exercise any authority in their eyes. He says, Lord, youve got the wrong guy. Ive got no credibility with those people. Now God graciously recognizes what Moses is worried about and the difficulty hes facing. So what God says is, All right, Moses, heres what were going to do. Im going to give you some authenticating miracles so that you can be convinced that you do have my credibility and you can be a man they can listen to. The first thing God says is, Take that staff and throw it down. So he did. It became a snake and the Bible says that Moses ran away from it. Now theres finally one thing that Moses and I have in common. If we see snakes, we both run away from them. I do not understand people who want snakes for pets. Snake experts will tell you that most snakes are not poisonous, and you can tell the pit vipers theyre the poisonous ones they have these little pits behind their snouts. I remember hearing that for the first time and thinking, You idiot! I dont ever intend to be close enough to the face of a snake to see if hes got pits! You dont take any chances. You see a snake, you run. Now God knows exactly what hes doing with Moses. Hes got to deal with Moses fear. So that thing becomes a snake. And then what did he say next? Pick it up by the tail. You dont do that to snakes! But God said, Pick it up by the tail. And Moses obeyed. And it turned into a staff. Jane Then God said, Put your hand in your cloak. Derek And Moses did, and when it came out it was covered with leprosy. You need to remember you couldnt cure leprosy in those days. Leprosy was fatal. You dont think Moses was afraid? Whats God doing? Hes teaching Moses, Listen, the things that you think are deadly are nothing in my hands. Like Pharaoh. The things that frighten you dont need to frighten you. You dont need to be afraid. And God says, Moses, you dont need to promote your authority. You just need to report and represent my authority. God has all the credibility he needs to deliver people from their bondage. You and I dont need to worry about credibility. Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking, Theres nothing I can say that will change this persons life. Who am I that he should listen to me? Folks, the authoritys not ours. Its Gods. Were just his ambassadors. We need to go and tell people what God said they need to hear, and Gods got enough credibility to take care of both of us. Jane Paul said to the Thessalonians, For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. Derek And so, the second excuse. He said to God, I dont have the ability. Jane Verse 10, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. Derek Its strange that Moses should say that, because Stephen said in his sermon in Acts 7 that Moses was powerful in speech. So either Moses didnt want to admit his ability, or Moses had forgotten about his ability, or maybe after 40 years in the desert, he felt like he lost that ability. But at any rate, Moses is absolutely persuaded, God, youve got the wrong man. I dont have the gifts. I dont have the ability. And it sounds as if Moses is being very humble. Lord, Im just not good enough. Jane He said the same thing back in chapter 3 when God said to Moses, Im going to send you to Pharaoh, and Moses responded in verse 11, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? Derek Now that sounds very humble, doesnt it? I hear Christians say the same thing all the time, Id love to teach a church class, but Im just dont have the ability. Id love to do this or do that, but I just dont feel qualified. And that sounds so very humble. After all, doesnt the Bible say we shouldnt think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think? I want you to learn something. Be careful not to confuse the virtue of humility with a spirit of inadequacy that causes us not to do Gods will. Now were supposed to deny self. So if youre talking about a humility that denies self, thats good. But if youre talking about a humility that denies Gods ability to use you, thats not real humility. But thats what we often do. We often refuse the call of God under the guise of humility, when thats not what it is at all. When Moses says, I dont have the ability, this is not Moses being humble. This is Moses displaying a lack of faith. And again, Gods patience with his servant is amazing to me. Jane So God says to Moses in verse 12, You go, and I will help you speak and Ill teach you what to say. Derek Well I want to make three quick points here about our feelings of inadequacy. First of all, God is aware of our weaknesses when he calls us. When Moses said to God, Im not eloquent, Im not a very gifted speaker, do you think God went, Oh, I forgot. Somebody pull up the file on Moses. If you say, God, you shouldnt choose me because Ive got a lot of weaknesses, well then who in the world is he going to choose? Who doesnt? Jane Paul wrote, We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Derek Lets admit it, were all clay pots. Lets just admit our inability, dont hide it, but lets not be paralyzed by it. God knows our weakness when he calls us. Second point God never abandons us after he commissions us. You can search the scriptures all you want, but youre not going to find one time in the Bible where God gives a call and then he says, Now youre on your own. When he said to Abraham, Go to the land he said what? He said, that I will show you. Jane When Jesus said, Go into all the world he said what? He said, I will be with you always. Derek This whole matter of saving the Israelites doesnt depend on Moses eloquence or his lack of it. It depends on the presence and the power of God. God says, Moses, you may not have all the answers, but youve got me, and thats all you need. Third thing If God commands you to do something, if God calls you to do something, he will empower you to do it. God does not ask the impossible, it just seems that way if you try to do it without God. But and this is very important God usually chooses to supply the ability only after youve stepped out on faith to answer the call. You say, God, I cant do that because I dont have the ability. God says, Well, Ill give you the ability. And we want to say, God, you give me the ability, and then Ill go do it. God says, No, thats not how it works. You go do it, and Ill give you the ability. Let me give you an example of what I mean by that. I wonder how many times Ive stood outside a hospital room knowing that someone inside was suffering, needing a word of comfort. And if I waited outside that room until I felt adequate, I would never go in. But I pray, God help me to say what needs to be said and you step in by faith and you find that when you act by faith, God will not let you down. But if you wait outside the door and say, Im not going in until I have something profound to say youll never go in. And so, what God often does is to say, I know you dont have the ability, I know youre just a clay pot, but if youll obey me, if youll step out in faith, then I will not let you down. I believe the key to self-confidence is to have the right view of God-confidence. Paul said, I can do all things. now thats self-confidence. But thats not what he said. He said, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Its not humility to deny that God can use you. Rather, its a blatant insult to his grace. Now Gods been patient with Moses. Moses has had some legitimate concerns. Lord, I dont think I have any credibility. God says, Ill deal with that. But Lord, I dont think I have the ability. God says, Ill deal with that, too. Then look at what Moses said next: Lord, please send someone else to do it. After all the legitimate concerns are met, Moses finally just blurts out the truth. What he said was, I dont want the responsibility. Its a good plan, Lord. The Hebrews need to be delivered. Pharaoh needs to be confronted. Its a great plan, but find somebody else to do it. By the way, have you ever noticed that all of us want to serve God, but most of us want to do it in an advisory capacity? Were quite willing to sit back and tell God how it ought to be done. Now God has been willing to work through all the specific objections that Moses has had, God has been patient, but the Bible says that finally the Lords anger burned against Moses. And I think the reason that God was angry is because basically Moses was saying, God, you told me youre going to be there for me, you told me youre going to give me the authority I need, you told me youre going to be speaking through me, but I just dont think thats going to be enough. But even in his anger, God was gracious to Moses and gave him Aaron. Jane Let me ask a question why do you think God was so patient with Moses, and why is God so patient with us when we act the same way? Derek Now one answer is obviously because he loves us. But I think theres another answer. I think its also because he loves the people whose prayers hes calling on you and me to answer. Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever thought about the fact that the reason that God is calling you is because somebody else has been calling God? Back in Exodus chapter 2, the Hebrews were calling out to God, and God was concerned and he heard their prayers, so God turned to Moses and said, Ive a job for you to do. And I wonder how many times God has called you and said, OK, Ive got a lot of people praying for someone to help them, someone to teach them, and so Im calling on you to do something about it. Ill give you the ability. I just want you to go be my messenger. And you were reluctant to answer the phone. You had all sorts of excuses ready as to why you couldnt do it. Be assured that God is patient, but dont take his patience as an inability to see through our flimsy excuses. Moses said, Oh, come on now, be sensible, not me, Im a terrible speaker. Theyd never listen to me. And God said, Oh, for crying out loud, OK, Ill use your brother to help with the speaking. And Moses led Gods people out of disintegration. And Jonah said, Oh, come on now, be sensible, not me. Im not the type. And after a rather unexpected vacation in the fish just thinking things over, he talked to Gods people and led them Gods way. And Zechariah said, Oh come on now, be sensible, not me. My wife and I are too old to have any kids. And God said, Oh shut up. And he did shut up. For nine months. And John was born, and the way for the Christ was opened up. And I heard a child say, I cant serve God. Im too young. And I heard a boy say, I cant serve God, Im not good enough. And I heard a woman say, I cant serve God, Im not skilled enough. I wonder if God ever gets any new problems? What is it that Gods calling you to do? I heard once about a fellow that was going to preacher training school. They were sending them out on weekends to preach in different churches. He was asked to preach at this one country church with just a few old people but he felt it was beneath his considerable skills. He made the mistake of actually making that comment out loud. It seems there was a young lady who overheard him and she said, You know, the worlds a better place because Michelangelo never said, I dont do ceilings. Think about it. This worlds a better place because Noah never said, I dont do animals. Because Abraham never said, I dont do travelling. Because Ruth never said, I dont do mothers-in-law. Because David never said, I dont do giants. Im glad Paul didnt say, I dont do correspondence. Im glad Jesus never said, I dont do crosses. And I think the world would be a better place if God didnt hear, I dont doà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ quite as much. Jane Paul wrote, We have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. Derek Gods only option is to use clay vessels. Thats all hes got. And thinking about the audience for Word Alive, Id say theres nothing but clay vessels that listen. Its simply a matter of whether or not were willing to allow God to work through us. I love the story that is told of the famous Polish pianist, Padarewski, who went on to become prime minister of Poland. He was touring the United States, and was going to give a concert one night. There was a mother who was trying to get her little boy interested in the piano, so she bought tickets to hear this master pianist. The show was supposed to start at 8:00 and prior to that people were standing around and visiting. This mother didnt realize that her son had slipped away. Imagine her shock when she heard and saw her son at the piano playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. As the story is told, Padarewski walked out in his tux, sat down beside the boy and whispered, Dont stop playing. He put his left hand out and played some bass notes, put his right hand out and started playing, and he made this beautiful sound out of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I want you to see that this describes so well what God does with you and me. God says, What do you have in your hand? A staff? Give it to me. And when God calls, you just give him whatever youve got in your hand. And once you allow God to use your life, he does things with it you would never dream possible. Maybe you need to respond to God and say, OK, here I am. I want to follow you. I want to serve you. I want to dedicate my life to you. No more excuses, no more delays. Just what do you want me to do? Jane Dr. Derek Stringer is our Bible Teacher here on Word Alive and this is a Good News Broadcasting Association production. Derek My thanks to Jane Moxon and my thanks to you for being with us today. Please join us again next time as we continue to explore the life of Moses and how we can encounter God today. Jane Thats Derek Stringer and Phil Critchley has been our Producer. From all here at Good News Broadcasting Association we send you our greetings. Good-bye and God bless.

Willingness of US to go to war :: essays research papers

What I am going to talk about tonight affects all of us. Not just us sitting in this classroom, but it affects everyone on this world. Whether you’re in the U.N. or live in North Korea. America†¦ and their willingness to go to war, for the preservation of their economy and their security. Now, this talk is not anti-American, I have American relatives and I don’t hate them. But what I do hate is this free world democracy spiel which the government are always belching out about. How is America a free democracy with free pres when the country’s inhabitants are so Ill-informed about the rest of the world! The media vilifies the Arab states e.g. Iran, Iraq, Syria even when it was America who installed the dictatorships in the first place for fear of single Islamic entity forming, and they support Israel who are in the process of genocide against Palestinians. The media scares people into thinking that they could be attacked at any moment – even people in rural areas with no landmarks of significance are quaking in their boots for fear of the bearded turban wearing Islamist blowing up their Wal-mart or something! The average American is so scared and ill-informed that they even voted George W. Bush into power for a second term even though there is sufficient evidence to prove that his first victory was fixed. Disenfranchised African Americans, people without criminal records, honest, hard working people were denied their vote. Is this racism The Bush Administration has perfected the art of the fear and consumption tactic. Americans, for fear of their lives from the evil Arab, or the manic ethnic minority (as influenced by shows like cops and world’s scariest police chases) will arm themselves to the teeth and even join the army to fight overseas for what they are brainwashed to believe is liberation. Iraq – Saddam was indeed a brutal dictator, but bombarding a densely populated area with missiles is not the way to remove a man from power. What kill the victims and the killer will follow? Weapons of mass destruction – If there were any at all, wouldn’t you have thought the US would have been able to track them down anyway? I mean where else would Iraq get WMD’s from? Iran? The same Iran they were in a million plus casualty war with in the 80’s? America is the world’s largest economy, generates  ¾ of the world’s turnover, produces the most weapons of mass destruction and has the biggest army in the world.