Analysis of elizabeth barret browning's work and contemplation poem Essay

Analysis of elizabeth barret browning's work and contemplation poem - Essay Example A lot of her works are in the possession of Moulton-Barrett family but the majority is safely kept in the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library. Elizabeth Browning was greatly enriched by the complex political, social and economic situation of the times as a lot of people she came across were from different ethnic borders and cultural backgrounds. Women poets during the Victorian Age, existed at a time when religion was a critical or vital part of their identities. â€Å"Work and Contemplation† is one of her reflective poems that make her readers to sit back and reflect upon the thoughts of the poet. In the poem the poet speaks of a lady who sits patiently at her spinning wheel spinning the yarn she has gathered. While engaged in her work of spinning, the woman sings an enchanting ballad or a bar Carole, which helps to make her work lighter and much more pleasant to perform. Elizabeth in her poem â€Å"Work and Contemplation† reflects on the aspect that even though the woman is doing a tedious job of spinning her yarn from morning to night, and though she thinks of her song, still she contemplates on the duty before her which is spinning. This can be clearly seen from these following lines in the poem – The poet wants to tell us that the lady has full control as she deftly carries out her work though she is contemplating on the song she sings. She also wants to let us know that it is possible to do both things at the same time as long as it is harmonious. Her Christian thoughts come to fore as she pleads with the reader to purse their work with full contemplation but at the same time let our souls pursue a much higher level of thinking to enjoy some respite such as the sweetness of a song, so our work would be less tedious and much more

Business Model Canvas Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Model Canvas - Assignment Example More so, the Organisation believes in commitment, honour and courage in every aspect of their work (Jamison, 2004). Business model can create an enormous difference between dismissal failure and global leading success. For instance in 1959, the first plain paper copier was a prospective game changer but it was six times more expensive compared to the alternative copiers. As a result, the Company Xerox 914 decided to come up with a new business model. Instead of selling the machine, the Company hired it for ninety five dollars per month and charged a small amount of cents per copy for the number of copies that exceeded 2000 per month. As a result, customers made a large number of copies in the same era, thus the Company generated a large amount of money from the machine. Osterwalder Alexander was so pleased about the idea, thus came up with a Business Model Canvas, which was a simple graphical template that described the nine important components in a business. They include; value propositions, resources, customer segments, customer relationships, business activities, revenue streams, costs, channels and partnerships (Osterwalder, Pigneur & Smith, 2010). In this regard, the Business Model Canvas is a tactical management template that is essential in creating new or documenting the already existing business models (Greenwald, 2012). Business Model Canvas is as very essential aspect in every organisation. In this regard, much emphasis should be placed on its utilisation so as to enhance the efficiency of the organisation, thus attain the stated goals. The United States Marine Corps cannot predict the uncertain event that may be faced by people. Thus, if such occurrences occur, the organisation has the duty to protect the citizen and its interests. In order to achieve the stipulated goals, the organisation ought to put into consideration a number of essential aspects. In this case, the United States Marine Corps

Japanese Industrial Revolution And The Toyota Industries Corp History Essay

Japanese Industrial Revolution And The Toyota Industries Corp History Essay It all begin in 1937 when Sakichi Toyoda became the father of the Japanese Industrial Revolution after he founded Toyota Industries Corp. Who knew that with the partnership with his son Toyota would become the second in line as being one of the most successful and largest car business companies around the world. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question of how did Toyota became more successful over other countries around the world and to determine what other businesses can learn from Toyotas success. We plan to examine the culture of Japan, and the positive and negative effects technology has on the government, the economy, and the educational and religious system. A brief description of the culture of the selected country, e.g. its government, economy, educational and religious systems, and its status as a high-tech or low-tech nation (2 pages) History of Japan By Micheal Gonzales The history of Japan begins with their Asian decedents who are believed to have traveled to Japan through Korea. Japan rests in the Pacific Ocean and is separated by the Sea of Japan from the east coast of Asia. In 1542 a Portuguese ship made the first contact with Japan. This was an accidental finding due to the fact that the ship was off course in the Japanese waters. Japan history is traditionally believed to have started in 400 A. D. when the Yamato clan gained control of other family groups in central and western Japan. At this time, Buddhism was introduced to Japan by Korea. In the 700s A.D. Japan was influenced by China and set up an imperial court and government similar to theirs. Samurai and shotguns were also a distinct class known. (Japan, 2008) Japanese Emperor Meiji transformed Japan from an agricultural country to a modern industrial country after a civil war in 1868. In 1870s the Japanese business flourished. Many shipyards, mills, and railways manufacturing businesses were created. The first Japanese newspaper was published in 1871 (Lambert, 2010). In 1872 Education started in Japan and the western calendar was adopted following year. (Lambert, 2010) In 1878 military dramatically changed by modeling the techniques of the German armies and Britain navy. Japan captured Korea in 1910. In 1941 Japan perceived the United States as a threat so they cutoff oil supply to them and attacked the Pearl Harbor. Japan refused to give in to Truman and Churchill with prompt and utter destruction, but When the United States dropped an atomic bomb into Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered to their allies. The Liberal Democratic Party took power in 1955 and it ruled Japan from from 1955 to 2009. Japans Profile Tokyo is the capital city of Japan: approximated size is 145,882 Sq. Mi. Japan has four main islands; Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Japans official language is Japanese which has similarities to the Turkish and Mongolian languages. Some Japanese citizens are also fluent in Korean and Japanese Sign Language as well as other languages. English, Chinese and the Philippine are just a few languages that immigrated into Japan over time. Government Japan is governed by a Constitutional Monarchy (or head of state); Japanese General, Prince Komatsu Akihito is the 125th  Emperor of Japan and he currently shares political power over the Japan with the Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Economy Japan is third in line after the United States as having the largest economic system. Japan has a capitalistic (free market system) economic system. The foundation of an economic system states (all): Citizens have the right to own private property Citizens have the right to own their own business and to keep the profit Citizens have the right to the Freedom of competition Citizens have the right to the freedom of choice (pg 35 cite). Japans currency is the Yen. The exchange rate for eighty-three yen is equal to one United States dollar. Japanese economy boomed during the 1950s and 1960s . Japanese industry exported huge numbers of electronic goods and vehicles. The Japanese people saw a great improvement in their standard of living. Japan continued a rapid economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s while the rest of the world was in a recession. In the 1990s the period of rapid economic growth ended and a long recession began, although Japan remained a rich country. (Lambert, 2010) In 2000 Japan became the largest car producing nation in the world but lost its position to China in 2009. (Automotive industry in Japan, 2010) Japanese automotive manufacturers include Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Isuzu, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and the Mitsuoka (http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/japanese-car-market). In January 1896 First motor vehicle appeared in Japan was an imported motorcycle from plagiarized Germany. In February 1898 first automobile began to run in Japan French Panhard et Levassor from a French Trader. The first automobile made in Japan was a 1904 Yamabas omnibus, steam engine, and 1905 Yoshidas omnibus, gas engine. (Iwatate, 1995). During the 1960s, Japanese automakers launched new kei cars in their domestic market to keep taxes much lower. Rapidly increasing demand, Japanese automobile manufacture expanded around the world. 2. A brief history of the technologys development (2 pages) The History of Automotive Development in Japan By: Bruce Hudson Japan is one of the worlds leaders in development of automobiles. One of the first automobiles made in Japan was by a man named Komanosuke Uchiyama in 1902. He used a gasoline engine that had been bought by the United States. Japanese automakers have been established as a world class operation. Their innovations in manufacturing systems, management systems and materials are at levels that would not be matched by other nations until the mid 1990s. One of Japan biggest focus was safety. Car safety became an issue almost immediately after the invention of the automobile. Japan continues to make tremendous inroads in the world as the manufacture of automobiles.   Just as Henry Ford mass produce cars to lower the price by interchangeable parts, work flow, division of labor, and reducing wasted effort, these principles are also at work in the way Japanese are mass producing cars today. It seems as though the Japanese can produce products and make them look and work better. Companies in the United States are unable or unwilling to do the same, which is one of the main reasons why car companies in the United States are failing. Companies in the United States could learn a great deal from Japanese automakers. If the car companies in the United States could have adopted the ways of the Japanese work ethics 30 or 40 years earlier, maybe those companies would be in a better situation than they are today. In addition, had they implemented some of Japans ideals, maybe car companies would not be enduring the financial crisis that they are in now.   As an example, General Motors was one of the largest car companies in the United States, and now the government owns more than half of the company. General Motors once reigned as the worlds top producer in the auto industry for 70 years, yet now has gone through bankruptcy, restructuring and new management. Who would have expected such a dramatic change? However, 30 years ago, nobody could have guessed that this would be a global industry and would be significantly linked with the fate of our new civilization at the beginning of the twenty-first century.   The Japanese takes pride in making the best product possible, which is one reason why the people of Japan is one of the worlds best in the development of automobiles. Who would have thought that Henry Ford invention would be out produced and better made by the Japanese car companies? 3. The specific impact (both positive and negative) that the technology has had upon the culture of the country, e.g. upon its government, economy, educational and religious systems (8-10 pages) The Impact of the Technology on the Government, the Economy, Educational and Religious System By: Jennifer Hawthorne and Jamerson Holloway Japan has one of the worlds most dynamic economies. Second only to the US, Japans GDP was a whopping $5.068 trillion in 2009 (Google.com. (2010). Gross Domestic Product Japan. Retrieved 12/3/10 from http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=wb-wdimet=ny_gdp_mktp_cdidim=country:JPNdl=enhl=enq=japan+gdp). Japans economy is very dynamic in the sense that for two consecutive decades after World War II Japans economic growth exploded with rates as high as 10%. Although from 1980s to 2000s Japans economy hasnt performed quite as well. Japans GDP grew steadily at only 0.8% annually. Japan has had to endure major retractions as high as 5%, in 2009, to its GDP in the periods between 2000 and the present. These retractions seem to be in line with the current economic situations facing many of the worlds economies. We are currently under a global economic crisis however; Japan is poised to withstand this test on its countries economic resolve. Post World War II Japan was less concerned with promoting its war machine. With global sanctions in place and limits on Japans military numbers Japan looked to solidify its historic existence by improving its science and technology industries. In the 1960s The Industrial Structure Council was formed by the government. The major objectives of this organization were to execute research and development projects. Japan wanted to be perceived by the world as a science and technology leader. Therefore, Japans objective during the post war period was to recognize technological innovations and exploit these innovations thus increasing its competitiveness and generating economic growth. Japan realized that it had to identify the weaknesses within its industry. If Japan was going grow into the economic powerhouse it dreams of becoming it will have to own the patent rights of its technological discoveries. Because of its sponsorships of the engineers technology research and development, many of these discoveries were owned by the Japanese government. Japan wanted to develop new technologies, not just in the private sector but sheared with government assistance. Japan was especially interested is high risk and high cost technologies. The Japanese government was very instrumental with the advancement of technology early on and lawmakers allocated billions of dollars in government funding in pursuit of many of Japans technological endeavors. The Japanese realized that the pay offs for development of these long term investments would be exponential. Eventually the private sector took over the research and development supports of new technologies yet Japan still asserted i tself as the chief benefactor. Japan has invested heavily in biotechnical research and was the world leader with its robotics technology. The oil crisis of the 1980s caused Japan to look at the countries dependency on foreign oil. Japan realized that this dependency posed an enormous threat to its sovereignty as a nation. The Japanese government was very instrumental in providing the funding needed to pursue clean and alternative energy source technologies. The government provided its full support with its energy conservation efforts. To protect its sovereignty it had to employ a diversified energy plan and develop the technology which would provide itself with the protections for full self sufficiency. Japan was been supportive of these high cost long term research and development endeavors because they realized that many of the technological discoveries would have massive implications within society and the reward versus the risk would be extremely great for the patent holder. During the 1970s Japanese technology dotted the technology landscape the world over. Japanese innovations were being utilized all over the globe. The Japanese were instrumental with leading research and development in aeronautics, mass production of durable goods, super express train motorization, and seismic and earthquake engineering. Japanese innovations in steel technology production nearly decimated the US steel industry. However Japans automobile industry would prove to be the crown jewel of its technological superiority. The history of automobile manufacturing may have roots in the US but the Japanese took the technological aspects of automobile technology to the next level. Japan is the 10th most populated country on the planet. Tokyo, with over 29 million residents, is the most densely populated area on Earth. The Japanese have the highest life expectancy rate of any group or country on Earth. With a population of over 125 million and a labor force of over 65 million, findings support the fact that Japan has a 51% employee to population ratio and only a 5.6% unemployment rate. It is a Japanese tradition to expect more from less. The Japanese not only examined current technologies and how to improve them, but they also looked at their individual selves and studied ways on how to self improve. The Japanese society is living and working longer and that gives the Japanese a competitive edge. Japan wanted to have a society of people where self motivation, drive and dedication to the countries core beliefs were the morale for its technological competitive superiority. Kaizen is a method or philosophy where continuous incremental improvements can be monitored and analyzed to discover where there may be needed improvement. The Japanese discovered that continuous improvements along with incremental adjustments over long periods of time resulted in measurable improvements in the production process. Teamwork, discipline, morale, quality and input are the five founding elements within this kaizen technology tool. Total quality management along with the Kaizen philosophy is the technology the Japanese instilled upon itself to expose inefficiencies and make adjustments to put itself at a more competitive position. Using this precise and formulated technique the Japanese made tremendous improvements on its production process technologies. Japan continues to be a world leader in its process production ratios. Japan is a highly motivated society of people. The Japanese worker has a longer work week on average than the US worker. Their dedication and disciplines are evident at all levels of society. The Japanese consistently lead the world in education. This nation ranks among the highest in the world. Japanese students at the university level out perform their peers in mathematics and science. This desire or pursuit of achievement is embedded in the very culture of Japanese society. And the Japanese as a people reap the bounty of these efforts. After their defeat at World War II the Japanese conditioned themselves to be a much more disciplined society. Japans philosophy was it took no more than it needed, and would produce much more with less. This philosophy is what fueled the Japanese. Its the cornerstone of their societal beliefs. The Japanese are a very competitive society and this is evident with a research report by Yuko Harayama titled, Japan Technology Policy: History and a New Perspective. (Harayama, Y. (2001). Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japanese Technology Policy: History and a New Perspective. Retrieved 11/25/10 from http://www.rieti.go.jp/jp/publications/dp/01e001.pdf). Produced in 2001, this report shows the actual action plans to how the Japanese planned to propel itself atop the science and technology world. This next report examines the will of the Japanese people, JILPT Research Report No. 76, Japanese Automotive Industrys Labor-Management Relations and International Competitiveness From Production, Production Technology and R D Perspectives Summary. (Akiko, O., Atsushi, S., Mitsuru, Y., Mitsuo, I., Naoki, M., Yoshinori, T. (2005). Japanese Automotive Industrys Labor Management Relations and International Competitiveness From Production, Production Technology and R D Perspectives Summary. JILPT Research Report No. 76. Retrieved 12/3/10 from. http://www.jil.go.jp/english/reports/documents/jilpt-research/no76.pdf). This latter study was conducted in 2003 and its shows the continued resolve of the Japanese people to continually examine ways to be more productive. Japan has provided the world with great instruments of technology. This island nation has been instrumental in the development of technologies which have enhanced our global existence, challenged our minds and brightened our future. Japan has taken the lead in developing technologies which help us better to understand seismic activities, improved aerodynamics and environmental protection. Japans contribution to the world economy explains why its the second largest economy behind the US. Two of Japans most successful companies are Toyota and Honda. These two automobile companies have proven in the global marketplace that technology and innovation go hand in hand with consumer needs. The two automobile manufacturers collectively represent nearly 1/3 of the total global automobile market. That shows the will and determination of a people and a country with a long tradition of innovating technologies. The Japanese can be proud of their many technological achievements. Toyota is truly a star performer for the Japanese. It is one of the best selling automobile brands in history. Toyotas reputation for durability and product longevity also leads the way with innovative automotive technology. For the past five years its popular Prius model has had the highest mpg rating by the EPA. The car company is doing its part to protect the environment by introducing and mass manufacturing the first plug-in hybrid vehicles. Toyota has been testing the durability of these hybrid electric vehicles in real world markets for several years and was the first automobile manufacturer to bring this product to the market. As global sentiment reflects changes in our consumption habits, Toyota is proving that you can do so much more with less. Its hybrid electric technology will define the next generation and help us reduce our carbon footprint. Toyota is convinced that the way of the automotive future is t heir plug-in hybrid technology. Japan Religion Amazingly enough religion does not play a great role in the life of the Japanese. Everyone has the choice of what religious views they want. Japanese have a very broad range of religions such as; Shinto, Buddhism, Confucian, Taoist, and even Christianity. Japan religion has a history that goes back over two thousand years. Shinto was most popular in the prehistoric times and centered around sacred powers. At the beginning of the Kamakura period, the most typical Japanese forms of Buddhism began. This occurred because Japanes court society was disrupted and people longed for assurance in faith and protection in a time of confusion and the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities. Christianity entered into Japanes religion by Fracis Xavier from 1506-1552. Within a hundred years Christianity rapidy became accepted by most and then destroyed.Christians were forced underground to continue their faith. Whith the threat joined with Christianity, all foreign influences were closed to Japan and Buddhism became formalized. The Association of Shinto Shrines (independent of the government) came from Japans defeat in the Second World War. This once again allowed new religions and practices to develop. Most of the spiritual heritage of Japan has been lost between the changing of modern life. Today, there is full religious freedom in Japan, allowing any religion or belief to be practiced. Japan Education In Japan, almost all students progress, voluntarily, to the upper secondary level at the elementary and lower secondary levels. Private education is most popular in the upper secondary and university levels. Following the end of World War II, Japans education system plays a huge role in Japans recovery and rapid economic growth. German and French models were used to design the Japanese education system because experts found them to be most suitable and most benefitial to the students. After World War II, in 1947, the Fundamental Law of Education (also known as The Education Constitution) and the School Education Law were enacted. The Law mandates six years of elementary school, three years of junior high, three years of high school, and two to four years of college. In Japan, the school year starts in April and has three terms. They are alloted short holidays in spring and winter and one month summer break. Entrance exams are required for most high schools and universities as well as some private junior high and elementary schools. Before a student can even take an entrance exam, they must attend special preparation schools outside of their regular classes. According to the Japanese Educational Reform they focus on three major points: Emphasis on Idividuality (focuses on themselves and helps them become more creative), Emphasis on Life Long Learning (helps them learn at a higher level of thinking), and Emphasis on preparing students with information that will help them cope with change and succeed in society (helps them acquire and apply skills that they learn). With the education levels rising, companies now expect more from their employees. This also allows for higher incomes than before, which in turn allows for a better lifesyle. By having a higher income, the standard of living rises. To reverse roles, because of the rising education levels, employers are expected to provide a lot more. Stable employment, and opportunities for training are of most importance to an employee. For an employee that has no education, they are apt not to say too much about it, but for an educated person, expectations are higher. In reference to education, even the automobile industry is interesting in making sure everyone has one. The Japan Automible Manufacturer Association (JAMA) sponsor advance level language programs around the world. Forbes named Sakichi Toyoda the 13th most influential businessman of all times (Forbes, 2005). What can other business learn from the success of Toyotaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. 4. And the moral and ethical issues brought about by the technology and how the country has dealt with these issues (4-5 pages). Moral and Ethical Issues By: Felicia Funches This paper will focus on the moral and ethical plans and actions in which Toyota has taken to ensure the viability of their Tsutsumi Prius Hybrid automobile plant and its environment in Japan. The specific focus will be the energy used in the plant, the plants manufacturing processes, and the natural environment around the plants. Upon completion of the plants focus to maintain viability we will then look at the plan of action to make as small a footprint on the earth as Toyota can by recycling. Toyotas recycling plans will include the development, production, use, and disposal of the automobile and all of its parts. Upon completion of this paper you will be able to see the broad strokes that Toyota has taken to morally and ethical assist in the environmental fight against global warming, reducing pollution, and waste throughout Japan and the world. Toyota has taken groundbreaking technology and pushed the envelope time and time again. Using the proven kaizen initiatives Toyota has developed the Prius Hybrid automobile plant in Tsutsumi Japan that has defied the way the things are done in buildings and manufacturing processes. The plant was developed to harmoniously exist well into the future with the environment which surrounds it by giving back and not just taking. We first look at the energy used in the plant and its affect on the environment. The plant is situated on as much green landscape as possible and powered by solar panels that sit within the environment and attached to the production buildings. The solar power generated reduces oil consumption by 2,500 two-liter drums per year to provide 2.000kw of power. http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/hybrid/plant/index.html The outside of the plant is also covered by a paint that uses sunlight to create a chemical reaction which cleans the air at a rate of two thousand poplar trees for every area measured at 2,2000m2. The plants manufacturing process is equally situated to be proficient in every aspect of production. The plant used mechanical tools that function like robots to lessen mistakes. It also has incorporated rakuraku seats for employees who work in and outside of the cab of the vehicle. This seat allows them to move freely inside and outside of the vehicle reducing strain and the possibility of injuries do to repeated movements throughout the day. All tools are also kept in the exact same location to ensure ease of use by all employees. There are also recycling centers located at each production line to ensure no waste is left on the floors are the stations. With this streamlined process Toyota has been able to produce a Prius Hybrid every minute. The plants natural environment is also a major concern for Toyota who has set out to ensure the sustainability of their plant long into the future while by reducing their footprint. The plant is situated in way that it has as less impact on the environment as possible while also allowing the environment to gain from its previous processes. The grounds around the plant have trees and plants that are indigenous to the region planted strategically for the purpose of cleaning the air by absorbing nitro-oxides. The trees have been planted to be a forest around the plant. The plant life and vegetation are grown to cover the walls of the plant so that it also blends in with the environment. The trees used are the Evergreen Broadleaf, Camphor, Japanese Cleylera, and the Japanese Blue Oak. The plant is also situated near a river and uses 5,000 tons of water a day. This water is processed and released back into the river five times cleaner than the river water. This is helping to clean the riv er of pollutants and helping to ensure viability of fish and wildlife that drink from these rivers. In looking at the complete process from beginning to end, we see that Toyota is one of the major front runners in the race to improve our environment by creating new ways of sustainability with both it and technology harmoniously working together.

North Korea Surprise Attack :: essays research papers

In 1949, Congress dragged its feet in considering a $150 million dollar aid bill to South Korea. Syngman Rhee had so often talked about invading North Korea that US leaders feared giving him too much in the way of weapons. For this reason, South Korea was sent only rifles, bazookas, and light artillery; tanks an airplanes were held back. Also by 1949, most of the US military had moved out. Only 500 advisors, known as KMAG (the Korean Military Advisory Group) remained in South Korea, under the command of Brigadier-General William L. Roberts. In January of 1950, the House defeated the Korean Aid Bill by a single vote; Korea was scheduled no to get American Aid for the following year, 1950. On June 25, 1950 the North Korean army attacked South Korea, crossing the 38th Parallel. Pentagon officials were stunned, and had no immediate contingency plan ready. Some said little could be done, while others suggested it was the beginning of Stalin's plot to take over the world. Truman and his circle of advisers sat firmly in this latter group. Immediately upon the invasion, these advisors discussed the prospect of sending General Douglas MacArthur, the US commander in the Far East, to lead a military response. The North Korean invaders hoped to take Seoul, the South Korean capital, as quickly as possible. The majority of ROK forces were routed by North Korean troops. Only one ROK division, the 6th, held its ground. John Muccio, the American ambassador to South Korea, quickly reported back to Washington that a "probable" full-scale attack was under way. Meanwhile, Syngman Rhee reacted to news of the invasion by ordering the imprisonment of more South Koreans. The UN was particularly upset about the North Korean invasion, because it had overseen the elections held in 1948, and did not want to see a war undo that election.

Romanticism Resource Page

After reviewing the Romanticism resource page, list three characteristics of Romanticism. Also, identify three authors of the Romantic period. Using the Transcendentalism resource page, list three characteristics of Transcendentalism. How did Transcendentalists feel about nature? What did Transcendentalists feel about the inherent nature of human beings (were humans inherently good or evil)? Transcendentalists believe that individuals â€Å"transcend† by learning from and living in harmony with nature.Thoreau put this philosophy into practice by living alone in a cabin he built himself at Walden Pond for two years (1845 -1847). Thoreau's experiences during this period provided him with the material for his masterwork Walden (1854). The quote below is from Walden. Describe two specific things Thoreau learned about life by translating the lines below in your own words: â€Å"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, an d see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived†¦.I wanted to live deeply and suck out all the marrow of life. † (Walden) Which two great passive resistance leaders were influenced by the premise of Transcendentalism through the works of Thoreau and Emerson? Click on the following link to read Edgar Allan Poe's â€Å"Annabel Lee† Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe After reviewing the Romanticism resource page and the poem, identify two characteristics of Romanticism found in this poem. Identify specific examples (lines) in the poem that represent each of the characteristics you have chosen.After identifying the lines, explain (in your own words) how the lines represent the characteristics of Romanticism. For example: line 3 â€Å"my love was a love† is an example of idealism because†¦ Using the links below, find one quote from Emerson and one from Thoreau that best exemplifies your definition of Tr anscendentalism. Be sure to include your explanation of why each of these quotes relates to your perception of Transcendentalism†¦

To what extent is the true of Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy?

‘Sternly moral and strangely perverse' (Schoenbaum 1955:6), The Revenger's Tragedy explores the ethical complexities of the revenger figure, Vindice, through his determination to take vengeance upon the lecherous Duke. The very nature of revenge tragedy shows an inversion of the morality play, in which the protagonist would face a series of temptations and ultimately choose a virtuous life over one of evil. Revenge plays on the other hand invariably include; secret murders and plots, disguises, violence and catastrophe, all of which are presented in The Revenger's Tragedy, but also within the character of Vindice. He is not, however, the soul revenger in the play. Irving Ribner lists nine different situations which involve revenge (1962:80) and therefore it is not surprising that some critics argue that Middleton's1 work should be more accurately named ‘The Revengers' Tragedy' (Adams 1965:61). In order for Vindice, and the other malicious characters, to exact revenge, they must enter the world of their enemy, to achieve maximum devastation from the inside out; 'embracing evil in a vain attempt to destroy evil' (Ribner 1962:80). Is this, therefore, the real tragedy of the revenger, insofar as the revenger must debase himself to the level of his adversary, in order to punish him? In the opening scene of the play, Vindice holds his dead fiancie's skull in his hand and vows to get his revenge on the Duke who attempted to seduce her and subsequently poisoned her. In terms of a revenge plot, this appears very straightforward – an ‘eye for eye' (Exodus 21:24) vengeance, but this becomes more complex with the sacrifices that Vindice has to make. Initially, he must find an entrance into court which is achieved by becoming pander to the Duke's son, Lussurioso. Having previously left the court after his father's death, merely becoming involved in this society again is a compromise, exposing him to the corruption he so readily criticises. Perhaps the audience is supposed to be impressed at Vindice's restraint, being so close to an enemy and not striking immediately, though it is this determination which ultimately turns him villain from hero. As Bowers states, ‘only rather villainous revengers are presented as waiting such a period. †¦ ] No normal, sympathetic person by Elizabethan standards would harbour his wrath for such a time and withstand the promptings of religion for forgiveness' (1959:136n. ) Being under Lussurioso's command, Vindice's escape from the planned revenge is not so easy and it could be maintained that his fate is sealed from the start; not only must he kill the Duke, but his son as well. Under his guise as Piato, meaning â€Å"plated† (Neill 1996:404), Vindice sinks further into tyranny by accepting money from Lussurioso, and presumably also from the Duke, for his work. Perhaps he had no choice in this acceptance, and therefore again, Vindice's fate is marked. Neill notes the suitability of the name Piato and its associations with the repeated ‘coin' image throughout the play. As a man in disguise, Vindice is the embodiment of the ‘deceptive glitter of the whole court'; he has become the â€Å"blanched† coin, a ‘base metal plated over with silver to improve its appearance' (Neill 1996:404). In adopting this costume, Vindice becomes consumed by the traits he puts upon himself, and poisoning the Duke completes this conversion. Piato and Vindice become, characteristically as well as physically, the same person. Murray warns that ‘the name and the disguise are intended to fool Lussurioso, but we should not be fooled into seeing a contradiction of character where none in fact exists' (1964:214 original emphasis). ‘The crucial transformations in the play are effected by poisoning, figurative or literal' and the literal poisoning of the Duke is reflected in the figurative poisoning of Vindice's mind and character (Murray 1964:196). Although he has now completed his revenge plan, Vindice forgets his original purpose and not content with ‘the death of †¦ his logical victim, must scourge from court all his vicious progeny' (Bowers 1959:133). In losing focus of his initial goal, ‘Puh, 'tis but early yet†¦ ‘ (III. V. 171), Vindice aligns himself with the Duke, whose own aim had been to seduce Gloriana, but resulted in poisoning and ultimately murdering her. Murray argues that Vindice's ‘degeneration' can be followed through ‘subtle changes' in his attitude toward Gloriana and her skull (1965:124). After this episode, Gloriana is hardly mentioned and Vindice has reduced her to a similar level to himself; dressing up her skull, creating falseness, an ironic comparison with Vindice himself, as well the courtiers, having heavily painted or masked faces. This mask image is repeated with the masque at the close of the play, in which Vindice carries out his last gruesome acts in yet another disguise. The movement from simple costume to the masque brutality is a perfect example of the shift in Vindice's character. From this moment he is ‘never shown hesitating at the thought of violence' and as is noted by many critics, ‘no-one else in the major tragedies of the period goes to such extremes of takes such delight in the doing on violence on an enemy' – Vindice embodies the ‘spirit of violence' (McAlindon 1986:140). Through the enjoyment and pleasure of violence, Vindice loses all focus, control and rationality. Murray's argument that ‘[Vindice's] moral perception is blinded at the moment when disillusion cuts through to his sexual obsession, and he is driven to sadistic revenges' (1964:223) is another example of Vindice turning tyrant, by becoming the lecherous man he has despised for so many years. Vindice almost sexualises Gloriana's decorated skull, ‘†¦ methinks I could e'en chide myself / For doting on her beauty' (III. V. 68-9) and he revels in the ingenuity of his revenge on the Duke, though he does not realise that ‘it destroys the moral value of Gloriana's martyrdom, making a whore and a murderess of her' (Murray 1965:218). His lust even extends to his own sister and in trying to tempt her to court, Vindice has some of his most poetic and well-reasoned lines: ‘Why are there so few honest women but because 'tis the / poorer profession? ‘ (II. I. 225-6). McAlindon sees Vindice's plea to Castiza to prostitute herself, as the ‘depth of [his] self-deception' and although of course he is happy when she rejects his offers, the ‘image of a noble self we see in flashes is not restored in the end' (1986:146). The play's moral dilemma is of course that Gratiana and Castiza can enjoy the riches too, if they agree to become corrupted (Salinger 1982:242). In his discussions with Lussurioso, Vindice again displays this side of his personality. The audience cannot help but draw comparisons between Vindice, the Duke and also his lecherous son, in the manner that he describes lust and sexual depravity: ‘I have been witness / To the surrenders of a thousand virgins' (I. III. 49-50). Vindice's arguments seem to flow all too easily, ‘premeditated' (Ornstein 1954:85) perhaps and convince his mother within seventy lines. Nicholas Brooke argues that his decision to carry out this ‘project' has its ‘own perversity', as his rage turns to ‘excitement' and a ‘delight in the paradox' (1979:15) which leads him to a dangerous resolve, ‘to try the faith of both' (I. III. 177). Although his asides show some regret for his actions, ‘Not, I hope, already? ‘ and ‘I e'en quake to proceed' (II. I. 104, 109), Vindice appears to continue his persuasion with little further thought on the matter. Later, when he decides to punish, and almost take revenge, on his own mother for agreeing to Castiza's prostitution, Vindice exhibits some of his most morally disturbing behaviour by Elizabethan standards. Gibbons notes that ‘in a society where parental authority was so strong, a parent's submission to a child was a deep and disturbing breach of custom' (1992:88n) and the image of Hippolito and Vindice either side of their mother, presumably with weapons, is almost a direct parallel of the way in which the brothers handle the Duke: ‘Nail down his tongue, and mine shall keep possession / About his heart' (III. V. 193-4). This can be viewed symbolically where Vindice must, for his own satisfaction, kill the ‘heart' and perform psychological torment, by showing the Duke his wife and son together. It could be argued that it is this image that kills the Duke. As his next target, the murder of Lussurioso must, of course, out do the death of the Duke, despite his reasoning being less substantial. To get his change however, Vindice must now become himself and is hired to kill ‘Piato'. This symbolism releases Vindice of all mental guilt, as it allows him not only to re-enact his killing of the Duke, but also stabbing the image of himself pushes him further into the ‘manic glee' (Brooke 1979:25) of the revenger character. Neill sees this episode as if Vindice were ‘facing the image of his death' (1997:84), a form of premonition to his inevitable downfall and death at the end of the play. For the audience, this image of Vindice killing â€Å"himself† is ironic, and the idea of arranging the corpse in a lifelike way is a shocking mirror of the ‘bony lady' (III. V. 120) Gloriana. With this gesture intended to separate the characters of Piato and Vindice, this actually brings them together as one, though Vindice fails to see this, as does Hippolito who says ‘In thine own shape now I'll prefer thee to him' (IV. I. 60) Vindice constantly makes the distinction between the characters; ‘am I far enough from myself? ‘ (I. III. 1), he asks, when first dressing as Piato, and later he claims his alter ego to be ‘a witch' (V. III. 121). Although this is a popular argument, critics such as Heather Hirschfield disagree, stating that Vindice is enacting a quest for ‘self-disclosure' and is ‘less about obtaining an impossible justice and more about orchestrating scenes that allow him to proclaim his own sinfulness' (2005:113). She argues that by putting himself in situations which allow him to give rise to someone new and pure through self destruction, Vindice is actually not looking revenge at all, merely a passage to a better life. With his final confession, Vindice hopes to attain this cleansing, however this moment of self-revelation ‘shipwreck[s] him on the very sinful self that confession is meant to overcome', and perhaps this is a critique of ‘hollow' Catholic penitence (Hirschfield 2005:113). Irving Ribner agrees with this view, arguing that ‘Heaven is responsible for Vindice's fall, but heaven's instrument is time, which changes all, and reduces life to death' (1962:77-8). It could be said therefore, that the tragedy of the revenger, is not his debasement to the level of tyrant, but his impatience for exacting his revenge, and the ‘failure of his faith in heaven' (Ribner 1962:80). Vindice fails to recognise and embrace the ‘inevitability of divine retribution' and the ‘self-destructive quality of evil' and by believing that he fully understood and was in control of himself, ultimately lost grip on his moral identity (Ribner 1962:75). At times Vindice seems somewhat irrelevant to the plotline in having no ‘clear-cut opponent' and being out of control of the majority of the action. In the masque scene, for example, the deaths of Ambitioso, Supervacuo and Spurio have ‘no indication' that they were anything more than an ‘unexpected accident' (Bowers 1959: 136,7) in which Vindice was simply an innocent bystander. Vindice, however, is not the only revenger in the play and the most notable other is Lussurioso when trying to take revenge upon Piato. He mirrors, albeit unwittingly, the masking and lying that ‘Piato' had displayed, in being untruthful about the reasons he wants revenge. Lussurioso claims that Piato had disobeyed his commands and attempted to seduce Castiza for himself using jewels. Ironically, this is just what Vindice had done, on Lussurioso's behalf, yet he fails to see this paradox, and is simply angered at the falsehood. Supervacuo, Ambitioso and Spurio try to take revenge on each other, as well as their elder brother. Again, they lower themselves to each other's level, climbing over one another in an attempt to become the next Duke. It could also be argued that Antonio has the final revenge, on Vindice, by condemning him to death. Is, therefore, Antonio as guilty as Vindice? Throughout the play he is described as ‘discontented' (I. V. sd) at the death of his wife, rather than grieving, which is a term usually associated with the character of the malcontent; Lussurioso claims that ‘discontent and want / Is the best clay to mould a villain' (IV. I. 48-9) Antonio, like Vindice, is deaf to the truth, condemning Gentleman1 for allowing the Duke to leave the court alone. It is ironic, perhaps, that Antonio's sufferings are so alike to Vindice's yet h e condemns him still. The nature of the relationship between Vindice and Antonio is described by Machiavelli: †¦ hat whoever is responsible for another's becoming powerful ruins himself, because this power is brought into being either by ingenuity or force, and both of these are suspect to the one who has become powerful (1532:15) In punishing Vindice and Hippolito, Antonio protects himself. Again, conceivably Vindice's fate was sealed from the very beginning, in that by allowing Antonio to become Duke as a consequence, he became in danger. It is possible then, that the ‘blazing star' (V. III. sd) looming over the banquet and masque, marks Vindice's fate, rather than Lussurioso's. He knows it is useless to argue against Antonio, who is ‘tainted because he shares [the brothers'] guilt' (Murray 1964:228); ‘Vindice loathes vice, but he has no faith in virtue' (Ornstein 1954:86). Justice seems to be lacking at the end, just as at the beginning of the play and as a result, Vindice's work seems futile. In conclusion, it can strongly be argued that Vindice turns tyrant to punish tyranny and that from this guise he is not redeemable. However whether this is the tragedy of the revenger is still debateable. Perhaps rather, the tragedy is that Vindice could not keep up his performance, his act, long enough to succeed or even take the Duke's seat for himself. In playing himself rather than Piato, and in his confession in the final scene, Vindice metaphorically admits to being taken in by the court that is ‘so given up to evil' and despite an ‘intense awareness of his own sin', he cannot save himself (Murray 1964:192,215). By the close of the play, the audience come to the realisation that ‘those who seek justice are no less corrupted than those who seek sensual pleasure or power' (Murray 1964:228). It is impossible, however to align Vindice with the â€Å"tragic hero† character, as though despite his admittance, he fails to achieve ‘self-knowledge' and ‘he amuses himself and us so much †¦ he seems incapable of suffering and inner conflict' (Ribner 1986:151). Through the enjoyment and gratification in the deaths and violence, Vindice's confession comes to nothing. He does not argue for forgiveness or try and show his regret but merely accepts that †tis time to die when we ourselves are foes' (V. III. 112). Peter Murray argues that Vindice is one of the more ‘believable portraits of neurotic perversion in all of Jacobean drama' and therefore the ways in which he evolves as a character is truly accurate to reality (1964:247). Can therefore, turning tyrant really be Vindice's tragedy, if any other character would have come to the same fate? ‘It is worth remembering that death is what we commonly expect at the end of a revenge tragedy' and Middleton simply alters the normal style of the close of a revenge play. In showing Vindice's lack of self-recognition, the audience would leave the theatre with a ‘particular sense of imperfection' (Ribner 1962:86). The tragedy of the revenger then, is not that Vindice has turned tyrant, but that he represents everyman, and in allowing oneself to be consumed with rage, desire and lust, every one of us would come to the same fate. Vindice does not realise that he has become the butt of his own joke; Lussurioso sought to hire a villain, and he succeeded.