Thursday, October 31, 2019
Business Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Business Law - Assignment Example Peter accepted the price of $ 190 and Mary took the bicycle away. The case scenario deals with the conditions surrounding the formation of valid business contracts. A contract is defined as an agreement between two parties that creates legal obligation to the two parties to perform or abstain from performing a certain obligation or action (Farnsworth, 1991). A contract must entail an offer by one party and acceptance of the offer by the other party. The advertisement placed in the local newspaper by Peter is not an offer but an invitation to treat. Peter is inviting interested persons to make an offer for the purchase of the bicycle. Accordingly, advertisements are classified as invitations to treat since the seller can refuse to sell the item at price if it is mistakenly marked (Blum, 2007). The advertisement is displayed to a larger number of people with an undefined way of selecting whom to sell the bicycle. For instance, the advertisement does not clarify whether to sell the bicy cle to the first person to accept the labeled price. It this case, the advertisement is geared at generating interests and prolonging negotiations towards the formation of the contract (Stone, 2005). After the invitation to treat, Jonathan makes an offer to through a telephone to purchase the racing bicycle at a price of $ 160. However, rules of contract stipulate that the subject matter of contract must be present at the time of making the offer. According to the Uniform Commercial code,
Monday, October 28, 2019
Two Different Countries Essay Example for Free
Two Different Countries Essay Britain and china are both historical counties, therefore, there were many social change which caused by different reasons. However, even if those reasons were different, the results are the same which are these two countries made the some achieved. Britain is caused â€Å"the developed revolution†on the other hand, china developed due to â€Å"the reform and open policy.†This essay will illustrate the cause and consequently effects of rapid social change in Britain and china. The technology and science are significant in the Britain. In 1765, the spinning jenny (Mary. B) was appeared in Britain, therefore, the first machines which can instead of the hand labour, after that since 1800, the Britain is the first country used the steam engine (Mary.B) which was improved by James Watt, these events start the Britain become the first industrial revolution country. Those things effect the some countries who studied the British way. There are European, America, Canada and Japan. Therefore, those countries rapid their social change quickly in technology and economic. The watt’s contributed not only in the steam engine, but also to invent the barometer which is benefit for the second times industrial revolution. Moreover, the industrial revolution started in to Britain created by new technology and made UK pay attention on industrial. The rapid of social change in china is due to the political changes, because Chairman Mao holds the Seclusion the door which is means limited foreign trade and maritime industry. This cause led the china in past time was poor and stopped social development. After that, in 1978, Deng Xiaoping put forward the â€Å"reform and open policy â€Å"(Zhang.TY, 2009), in this times, Deng used the developed country’s technology to improve the market system and economic development, make the china have an international trend. No more time, the amazing that china becomes the GDP country in the top2 of the world. Therefore, this political change make china from the poor society to affluent society, it is means Chinese can have a comfortable level of living. Comparing the china and UK, they both have some similar and different points. In the past time, china used the food stamp (ROAP) to exchange the food; the Britain had the ration book (Mandy, B,1930) that if someone who wants to get the food, their name must show in the book. These two case shows that in the past time was no more food can support the people , therefore, government put the this two way made some people can have food. Moreover, it is shows that government is more power can control in the past time. China and Britain both have stronger government, therefore, government used this way to that people can’t have enough food so that to promote people want to development the technology to produce the food and agriculture. In addition, it is can make the people to cooperation, because in Britain, people who have name in ration book, someone no have, maybe the no food people will get some value to exchange the food, therefore, it is become the teamwork, if a country have a good cooperation , the economic will developed together and easy got the achieve. On the other hand, some poor country why can’t development, because they don’t like team work, like isolate, this country maybe become the poor people more poor, rich people difficult to continue rich. This situation shows the society can’t rapid change higher standard of living. However, china and UK both are stronger in cooperation so that the technology and economic will increase quickly in this two country . UK and china not only cooperation by itself, these two country always have team work which is have a trade between this two country. As we know that china is the bigger industrial country and UK is a bigger investment country, due to they are cooperation so that they were open the door to accept each other and begin communication. In the communication with china and UK, the rapid of social change effects is by the internet, transport and education. Internet make this two country can sent the message as soon as to receive it; the transport is too convenience, in the past time, Marco polo (Amber, E, S, 1997) travel around the china used the 17 years, nowadays, we only used 30 days by airplane; education also change a lot, in the past time, Chinese education is feudal, Man is superior to woman and woman no have power, such as limited to outside and must take care the children in the home. Because Deng Xiaoping have been go abroad, therefore, he used the reform and open policy to change people’s live, it is means the foreigner education is more worthwhile that people to study, due to rapid social change, the economic growth quickly that more and more Chinese students go abroad to learn the new knowledge and turn back to development the china and share the education make the social change become the Everyone is equal thinking and plan the development. In the conclusion, UK and china are similar to economic growth quickly when they change the policy; both of them focus on the technology, when they change the policy, the technology developed quickly of each country. The trade of Britain and china was play the cooperation role, not only developed by itself and developed together, such as in education, in technology and in the policy. All this things due to they are have the good policy, UK is used the industrial revolution, china is used the reform and open policy. Each policy make these two country become high level live and higher economic country that rapid the social change. Reference: Mary Bellis, 1764: Increased Yarn and Thread Production During Industrial Revolution. Available at: http://inventors.about.com/od/indrevolution/ss/Industrial_Revo_3.htm ï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01 March 2011) Mary Bellis, 1712: Newcomen Steam Engine and the Industrial Revolution. Available at:http://inventors.about.com/od/indrevolution/ss/Industrial_Revo.htmï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01March 2011) Zhang Tuya , 2009: the reform and open policy needed in china. Available at: http://www.focusire.com/archives/280.html ï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01 March 2011) ROAP: Agricultural Policy and Food Security in China. Available at: http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/AB981E/ab981e0c.htmï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01 March 2011) Mandy barrow, 1930: Introduction to Rationing in Britain during World War 2. Available at: http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/war/rationing.htm ï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01 March 2011) Amber E Stiner, December 2, 1997: Marco Polo Travels in China. Available at: http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/china/MarcoPolo.htmlï ¼Ë†Accessed: 01 March 2011)
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Estate Management Essays Professional Codes Of Conduct
Estate Management Essays Professional Codes Of Conduct Critically discuss the contribution which codes of conduct issued by professional bodies such as RICS can make to the behaviour and conduct of their members who are either employees in privatepractice or employees in organisations. Individually and,in association, collectively, the professions strike a bargain with societyin which they exchange competence and integrity against the trust of client andcommunity, relative freedom from lay supervision and interference, protectionagainst unqualified competition as well as substantial remuneration and highersocial status. Professional codes of conduct, when rigorouslycommunicated and enforced, contribute substantially to the proper behaviour andconduct of members of the organisations which issue them. Rueschemeyers introductoryreference (1983, cited in Eraut, 1994) to the bargain that professional organisationsstrike with society furnishes a context for critically evaluating the conceptof professional codes of conduct which can be considered to at least partiallyformalize the bargain with society as well as the effects of these codes onthe behaviour and conduct of members of professional organisations who areengaged in private practice or who are employees of other organisations. To establish afoundation for the analysis, the professional organisation will be compared andcontrasted with other types of organisations, and the concept of codes ofconduct will be explored. The focus will then shift to a discussion of theeffects of codes of conduct issued by professional organisations on memberbehaviour. Finally, conclusions will be presented. The Professional Organisation: Comparisonand Contrast with Other Organisations Robbins(1998) defines an organisation as: A consciously coordinated socialunit, composed of two or more people, that functions on a relatively continuousbasis to achieve a common goal or set of goals. Daft (1998) describes organisations as (1) social entities that (2) are goal directed, (3) aredesigned as deliberately structured and coordinated activity systems, and (4)are linked to the external environment. Organisations are formed for a varietyof reasons including those that are started for public and private purposes,for pursuing business and social goals, and for profit or non-profit results. A professionalbody meets the criteria for an organisation as identified by Robbins andDaft. The professional body is a specific type of organisation, usually non-profit, that exists to further aparticular profession, to protect both the public interest and the interests ofprofessionals (LaborLawTalk.com, n.d.). The ASEP Newsletter (1998) claimsthat professional organisations are formed and exist for the purpose ofrepresenting the profession, adding that this type of organisation consistssolely of members who are, or intend to be, working in the profession, or havebeen allowed special membership status. A fuller description of these types of organisations is offered by the Canadian Security Administrators (2004), which states in this quoted extract that a professional body: .                    admits members primarily on the basis of their educationalqualifications; .                    requires its members to comply with the professional standards ofcompetence and ethics prescribed by the organisation; and .                    has disciplinary powers, including the power to suspend or expel amember. Theconcept of profession is important to the understanding of professionalorganisations. A profession can be described in terms of its features whichinclude representation by a professional organisation, adherence toprofessional ethics and standards, and self-regulation of such functions aseducation, training, and certification or licensure in the profession. (ASEPNewsletter, 1998). Professions are generally identified by occupationalgroup (e.g. doctors, attorneys, surveyors, nurses, consultants, writers, lawenforcement officers). Membership in a professional organisation is often arequirement to legally practice in the profession (LaborLawTalk.com, n.d.). Aprofessional body differs from other types of organisations in that most othersare comprised of members from a variety of professions. These memberscoordinate their individual competencies to achieve an organisations ends. Asingle organisation may have as its members people from such diverseprofessions as doctors, lawyers, clerks, labourers, and engineers. Thisarrangement is certainly necessary, but it has one drawback. A typical organisation is very insular with regard to specific professions. For example, engineers may only interact with other engineers within the organisation. They have little opportunity to exchange knowledge about their profession with engineers in other organisations. On the other hand, a typical professional body, through its focus on a single profession, provides a forum for this type of exchange. One ofthe many professional bodies is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS) which promotes itself as the largest organisation for professionals inproperty, land, construction, and related environmental issues worldwide withthe purpose of promoting best practices, regulation and consumer protection tothe public and to businesses. RICS, which claims 110,000 members worldwide, isthe leading source of property related knowledge, providing independent,impartial advice to governments and global organisations. (RICS Rules ofConduct, 2004) Codes of Conduct: The Concept Codes of conduct in professional organisationsprovide a type of social control of expertise, according to Eraut (1994). Thesecodes help to protect clients against incompetence, carelessness, andexploitation. Eraut traces codes of conduct to nineteenth century Britain andthe United States where, at the time, government control was not adequatelyprotecting clients. He claims that experts agreed that a measure of controlmust be vested in the professionals themselves to be effective and, thus, theprofessional organisation was born. A Code ofConduct is a written guide that says how people should behave. It setsstandards of behaviour it says what you should do and should not do. (Crime andMisconduct Commission, n.d.) Organisations establish codes of conduct tocorrect errors of personal equation, according to Miner (2002). Shafritz(1998) describes the term code of conduct through its component words: code,which he defines as laws, regulations, rules, standards, statutes, and conduct,which he defines as bearing, behaviour, demeaneor, and deportment. His fulldefinition for code of conduct is a: specifically identified list of behaviorsthat [has] been deemed appropriate or inappropriate enough to have beenincorporated into either laws or regulations or policy statements. He addsthat a code of conduct narrowly defines what one is to do in a given positionor set of circumstances. The term code of conduct isfrequently used interchangeably with the term code of ethics, but thetwo have different meanings according to Shafritz (1998). Codes of conductoffer specific directions on behaviours expected under various conditions;codes of ethics furnish a set of aspirational standards by which to live andwork. Codes of ethics are designed to inspire. Codes of conduct are designedto require. Organisations that have instituted codes of conduct include for-profit businesses, industry groups, unions, special interest groups, government agencies, schools and universities, and professional bodies. Not unexpectedly, a code of conduct for a professional body outlines the acceptable or desirable behaviours and practices of a particular profession such as doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, and ethicists (EthicsScan Canada Ltd., n.d.). Steadman et al. (1994, cited inEraut, 1994), identified four sets of values affecting conduct: legal values,values of the profession, values of individual professionals, and (foremployees of organisations) values of the employing organisations. The firm Deloitteand Touche (2003) offers comprehensive guidance for developing codes ofconduct. In stating that there is no pre-packaged verbiage for a code ofconduct, the firm suggests that it be written in positive, rather than negativeterms, to help promote positive reception by the intended audience and thus amore like positive outcome in terms of conduct. The code of conduct should: .                    employ simple language, be concise, and be readily understood; .                    not be written in legalistic terms but, rather, in terms ofexpected behaviours; .                    apply to everyone in the organisation; and .                    be revised as needed to reflect changes. Deloitte Touche recommends more than fifty topics that may be included in codes ofconduct. Some of these that may particularly applicable to codes of conduct forprofessional organisations include client service, confidentiality, compliancewith professional standards, independence, conflicts of interest, licensure,fraud, personal conduct, and privacy. In addition, and importantly, the firmrecommends that, in addition to stating expected behaviours, codes of conductshould include enforcement and implementation mechanisms that address thenotion of accountability and discipline for unacceptable behaviour. The RICS,which was highlighted earlier, has a comprehensive, 56-page code of conductcontaining many of the topics recommended by Deloitte Touche withsections focused on personal and professional standards, conduct ofprofessional activities and business, practice details and co-operation,conflicts of interest, impartiality, and independence (Royal Institution ofChartered Surveyors Rules of Conduct, 2004). In addition, and as suggested by Deloitte Touche, the RICS has issued a 28-page supplement to the code of conduct specifying disciplinary rules. These rules state the constitution of disciplinary bodies, possible contraventions (initial processes, rights, and powers), and powers of disciplinary bodies. (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Disciplinary Rules, 2004). Professional Codes of Conduct: Effects onMember Behaviour and Conduct Lindsay, Irvine, and Lindsay (1996, citedin Messick, 1999) write: failure to seriouslymonitor, measure and reward (punish) the performance of individuals on theethical plane will leave codes of conduct operating in a vacuum, of littleuse in actually promoting ethical behavior. But what mechanisms take place in shaping thedesired behaviours of members of professional organisations? Operantconditioning and social learning theories help to explain how codes of conductcan help in encouraging desired behaviours. Operantconditioning, which contends that behaviour is a function of theconsequences of the behaviour, suggests that desired voluntary behaviour leadsto a reward or prevents a punishment; in social learning peoplelearnthrough observation and direct experience (Robbins, 1998). Codes of conduct,by specifying the desired behaviours as well as associated rewards andpunishment, guide those affected into behaving as desired (operant conditioning).The enforcement of the code of conduct against those who violate its rules, andthe publicity of the consequences, serves as a model to others on properbehaviour (social learning). Reinforcement is essential to obtainingdesired behaviours. There are four reinforcement methods available to shapedesired behaviours through reinforcement: positive reinforcement, negativereinforcement, punishment, and extinction (Robbins, 1998): .                    positive reinforcement involves following abehaviour with something positive; .                    negative reinforcement involves terminatingor withdrawing something unpleasant; .                    punishment involves creating anunpleasant condition to eliminate an undesirable behaviour; and .                    extinction involves eliminating areinforcement that maintains a behaviour. These reinforcementmethods can be applied by professional bodies in encouraging desired behavioursamong their members. For instance, an organisation could offer annualrecognition to those members who have exhibited highly-desirable behaviours(positive reinforcement). The organisation could impose, then later withdraw, asanction against a member who violated a minor rule (negative reinforcement).The organisation could expel a member who flagrantly violated a major rule(punishment). And, finally, a professional organisation could cease referringpotential clients to members who have violated conduct rules (extinction). In addition to enforcement, a code ofconduct must be rigorously promoted to be effective lest it becomes justanother dust-collecting document on the shelves of those for whom thebehavioural messages are directed. Over time, if conduct rules are not rigorouslypromoted, the expected behaviours can become less and less important in makingdaily decisions on proper behaviour. EthicsScan Canada Ltd. (n.d.) recommendsthat codes of conduct be promoted continuously. For example, members should be required to acknowledge annually, in writing, that they have read and understand the code of conduct. A suggested method for promoting a code of conduct involves discussing it as part of annual performance appraisals or scheduled meetings. These meetings might include introducing case studies followed by discussions of proper behaviour and problems that might occur. Members of professional bodies can beself-employed or employees of other organisations. Whilst codes of conduct mayserve as the sole behavioural guidance for self-employed professionals inprivate practice, employees of other organisations may be subject to two setsof conduct codes one presented by the professional body and one by theiremploying organisations. When the conduct specified in these codes is aligned,employees typically will not experience conflict; however, when the employeesexpected conduct as required by their employers differs from that expected bytheir professional bodies, a conflict exists and employees face potentialdilemmas. For instance, in some cases, professional organisations sanction members who do not adhere to their professional codes of ethics, yet the same members face disciplinary action from their employers if they should disclose information about a breach of public interest (Guy, 1990, citing Dozier and Miceli 1985; Archer, 1986). This dilemma could result in an employee deciding to violate either the rules of his or her employer or those of the professional body. To aid employees facing this type of dilemma, both the employer and professional body should have experts available for consultation. Conclusion Properly written, promoted, and enforced,codes of conduct can be powerful tools in helping to ensure desired behavioursfrom members of professional bodies. Nevertheless, whilst beneficial, codes ofconduct cannot be viewed as a total solution for ensuring the proper behaviourof members of professional organisations. Shafritz (1998) writes: Codes of conductdo not represent professional assurancesabout high moral standards. Rather, they provide direction to those whoseconduct they govern. Codes of conduct are minimalistic prohibitions againstunquestionably subversive or criminal acts. The primary benefit of codes ofconduct lies in augmenting government laws and regulations in promoting desiredbehaviours in the professions. In closing, it may be that professional organisationsare in the fore among organisations in terms of success with codes of conduct.According to Miner (2002), [b]usiness can well learnfrom the professions when it comes to maintaining standards. Professionalbodies seem to take quite seriously the role they serve in ensuring thatclients of professional bodies are protected against incompetence,carelessness, and exploitation. References Archer,Lawrence (1986) The moral minority. Canadian Business 59:56-59, 1986.Cited in Guy, 1990. ASEPNewsletter (1998)What is a profession? March 1998. CanadianSecurities Administrators (2004) Acceptance ofcertain foreign professional boards as a professional organisation, January 19, 2004. Crime andMisconduct Commission (n.d.) Developing a code of conduct. Availablefrom: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/OTRT8.html[Accessed: August 5, 2005]. Daft,Richard L. (1998) Organisation theory and design. Cincinnati, Ohio:South-Western College Publishing, 1998. Deloitte Touche (2003) Guidelines for writing a code of ethics/conduct.Deloitte Touche Corporate Governance Services, 2003. Dozier,Janelle Brinker and Miceli, Marcia P. (1985) Potential predictors ofwhistle-blowing: A prosocial behavior perspective. Academy of ManagementReview 10:823-36. Cited in Guy, 1990. Eraut, Michael(1994) Developing professional knowledge and competence. London: FalmerPress, 1994. EthicsScanCanada Ltd. (n.d.) What is a code of professionalconduct? Available from: http://www.ethicscan.ca/resource_centre/faqs/page05.html[Accessed: August 5, 2005]. Guy,Mary E. (1990) Ethical decision making in everyday work situations.Westport, Connecticut: Quorum Books, 1990. LaborLawTalk.com(n.d.) Professional body or professional organisation. Available from: http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/professional_organisation[Accessed: August 4, 2005]. Lindsay, R. M., Irvine, V. B., and Lindsay, L. M. (1996)Instilling ethical behavior in organisations: A survey ofCanadian companies. Journal of Business Ethics, 15: 393-407, 1996.Cited in Messick, 1999. Messick,David M. (1999) Sanctioning systems, decision frames, and cooperation. AdministrativeScience Quarterly, December 1, 1999. Miner, JohnB. (2002) Organisational behaviour: Foundations, theories, and analyses.New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Robbins,Stephen P. (1998) Organisational behavior: concepts, controversies,applications. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International,Inc., 1998. RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors (2004) Disciplinary rules. London:RICS, 2004. RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors (2004) Rules of conduct. London:RICS, 2004. Rueschemeyer,D. (1983) Professional autonomy and the social control of expertise, inDingwall, R. and Lewis, P., eds. The Sociology of the Professions: Lawyers,Doctors and Others. London: Macmillan, 1983. Cited in Eraut, 1994. Shafritz,Jay M. (1998) International encyclopedia of publicpolicy and administration: A-C. Volume 1.Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1998. Steadman,S. et al. (1994) Ethics in occupational standards and S/NVQs. Researchand Development Report. Sheffield: Employment Department, Methods StrategyUnit, 1994. Cited in Eraut, 1994.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Use of Irony in Othello :: Othello essays
Use of Irony in Othello Shakespeare's plays rely largely on irony. There are three kinds of irony presented in this novel. They are: situational, verbal, and dramatic. Irony plays an important role in Othello. It creates suspense, and adds interest to the story. There are many examples of situational irony in this play. Cassio was the one Iago wanted dead or out of his position. At the end of the play, Cassio was the only one that did not die and Othello actually promoted him to a higher position. In the end Iago never accomplishes what he started to do-- to get back at Othello and take Cassio's place. Both Othello and Iago treat their wives horribly. Both killed their wives even through their innocence. Iago killed his wife because she was working against his plan. Othello killed his wife because he thought she cheated on him when she really didn't. Before he killed her, Iago used his wife in a way that helped him to betray Othello. She was a good friend of Desdemona's and she worked against her friend without knowing it. She took Desdemona's handkerchief because Iago said he wanted it. Iago then placed the handkerchief in Cassio's room to make him look guilty. Also, throughout the play, it seemed that Othello was the only one who didn't know the truth. Shakespeare uses situational irony well to make the story more interesting. The verbal irony in this novel can sometimes be humorous because of how ironic it is. Othello often said things that were actually the opposite of Iago: "O, thou art wise! 'Tis certain"(IV.I.87), "Honest Iago . . . "(V.II.88), (II.III.179) & (I.III.319), "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter"(II.III.251-52). These lines are just a few of the ironic that Othello says to Iago. They show the trust that Othello mistakenly puts in his "best friend." Most things Iago says are ironic and he's always lying. Othello still considered him his best friend but Iago was the only one Othello trusted although he was constantly lying. He says, "My lord, you know I love you"(III.III.136). This is a blatant lie - Iago does
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Briefly outline the main features of the ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘The Woman in Black’
The Gothic genre became popular in the mid-eighteeth centuary when ‘The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Warpole was written. Emily Bronte was influence by ‘The Bridegroom of Barna', published in the nineteenth centuary when writing ‘Wuthering Heights'. Today, the equivalent of the Gothic novel a horror novel by writers such as Steven King. â€Å"The Woman in Black' is a modern novel with Gothic influences. The main features of the Gothic novels were the main character, usually an anti hero: dark, demonic and motivated by inhuman cruelty. This man usually had mysterious origins and did not value many of society's morals. Later, in the nineteenth centuary when the Romantic movement developed, the Gothic anti-hero became the Byronic hero in many novels. Like the Gothic protagonist, the Byronic hero usually had a mysterious past, as well as dark, good looks and a hatred for society's moral laws. Heathcliff, in Emily Bronte's novel ‘Wuthering Heights', is a good example of a Byronic hero. Another important feature of many Gothic novels is the setting. Gothic novels are usually set in a grim, hostile landscape often on a deserted moor or marsh, as in the case of ‘Wuthering Heights' and Susan Hill's ‘The Woman in Black'. Such grim landscape often mirrors the character of the hero. There are also references to the supernatural in many of these novels, such as the ghost of Jennet Humfrye in ‘The Woman in Black' or the ghost of Cathy in ‘Wuthering Heights'. There is also a strong supernatural element in these stories often linked to the main character. Revenge is usually a strong theme in Gothic novels. The anti hero often seeks revenge against the people around him, perhaps because of some earlier wrong he was the victim of or simply against society in general, because of the alienation he feels he has suffered. For example, in ‘Wuthering Heights' Heathcliff revenges himself against Hindley's son Hareton because of the pain Hindley caused him when he was alive. Other features of Gothic novels include the presence of an ancient retainer, usually an old man. There is also usually a victim, often a fair haired young woman. She is supposed to represent good and the moral values which the anti hero is trying so hard to destroy. The idea of a Gothic anti hero is particular prominent in ‘Wuthering Heights'. In this book the main character is Heathcliff, an orphan who is brought to Wuthering Heights by the old Mr Earnshaw in his childhood. Like most Gothic heroes, Heathcliff has dark, good looks, a mysterious past and an unquenchable desire to revenge himself on the people he feels have wronged him. The story of ‘Wuthering Heights' revolves around Heathcliff's life and his relationship with his ‘soul-mate' Cathy. Heathcliff's looks, and in particular his eyes are described by the housekeeper and narrator Nelly as â€Å"that couple of black fiends, so deeply buried, who never open their windows boldly†. Later in the book Heathcliff is contrasted with Cathy's future husband Edgar Linton: â€Å"The contrast resembled what you see in exchanging a bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful, fertile valley†. This description not only describes Heathcliff's looks but also his charater, bleak suggesting his personality and â€Å"hilly†describing the mood swings he has. Heathcliff's desire for revenge against Edgar Linton, Hindley Earnshaw and, to a certain extent, Cathy, is shown by his actions during the novel. He abuses Hindley's son Hareton, as well as Edgar's sister Isabella and his daughter Catherine. In contrast to ‘Wuthering Heights', ‘The Woman in Black' does not have a clear anti hero. Instead there are two characters who share this role. They are Arthur Kipps and the woman in black, Jennet Humfrye. Kipps is not the traditional Gothic hero because he does not have dark, good looks or a mysterious past. Instead, he is more like Lockwood or Edgar Linton in ‘Wuthering Heights'. The other main character shares some of the traits of the revenger and the victim in many Gothic novels. Jennet Humfrye is a ghost who had lost a child she had out of wedlock and died of a wasting disease. She is now revenging herself on innocent victims. Whilst the idea of revenge is similar to the Gothic hero, Humfrye is a very different character because she is dead and also a woman. She is also not a traditional Gothic victim, because despite being female she has a wasting disease and therefore isn't beautiful. She also does not embody the positives of society, such as chastity until marriage that most Gothic victims do. The setting and atmosphere in ‘Wuthering Heights' and ‘The Woman in Black' is also an important feature of both novels. The setting is one of biggest similarities between the two books as both are set in grim, inhospitable landscapes- ‘Wuthering Heights' on the Yorkshire Moors and ‘The Woman in Black' on a bleak marshland. Another similarity is the houses where the two novels are set: Wuthering Heights and Eel Marsh House. Both houses are bleak and very isolated. Arthur Kipps first describes Eel Marsh House as â€Å"a tall, gaunt house of grey stone†. There is a lot of adverse weather such as storms in both books. This echoes the personalities of the main characters and also helps to add even more tension and atmosphere to the plot. For example in ‘The Woman in Black', when Kipps discovers the nursery has been wrecked, there is a storm going on outside. He is unsure whether the nursery has been damaged by the storm or whether Jennet Humfrye has been there. The intrusion of the supernatural features in both novels. In ‘Wuthering Heights', it occurs at the beginning and at the end of the book, where Lockwood and then Heathcliff encounter the ghost of Cathy. ‘The Woman in Black' is basically a ghost story and therefore the intrusion of the supernatural is a major part of the plot. In both books there is confusion between reality and the supernatural. In ‘Wuthering Heights' this occurs when Lockwood encounters Cathy's ghost. It is quite clear to the reader that Cathy's ghost did actually appear but Lockwood manages to convince himself that he was dreaming, overlooking the broken window and the fact that he never went to sleep. In ‘The Woman in Black', Arthur Kipps is very sceptical about the existence of the woman in black to begin with and does not recognise the ghost when he first encounters her, describing her as â€Å"another mourner, a woman†. There are, however, clues that the woman is a ghost, just like in Wuthering Heights. She is dressed in a very old fashioned dress and disappears very suddenly. I think elements of the Gothic genre are used very effectively in both ‘The Woman in Black' and ‘Wuthering Heights', especially since neither novel is specifically a Gothic novel. I think that the theme of revenge is most prominent in ‘Wuthering Heights' because it is the driving force behind the passion of Heathcliff's character. I think the setting of the story is used to great effect in ‘The Woman in Black' because the adverse weather and desolate marsh add a lot of atmosphere and tension to the plot. I personally prefer ‘Wuthering Heights' because I feel that Emily Bronte has managed to create characters with great depth and has managed to effectively portray the passion between Heathcliff and Cathy. Also, whilst ‘Wuthering Heights' does have Gothic features to it, Bronte does not let them compromise the storyline in any way.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Giselle essays
Giselle essays Giselle is a romantic ballet which displays multiple aspects of youth love: joy, deception and sorrow. Giselle, a weak hearted, innocent, village maiden, is sought after by Hilarion, a gamekeeper, and Count Albrecht whose affection for Giselle has led him to disguise himself as a village peasant. Despite the ballets romantic style origins, it still possesses a number of classical elements and techniques. The scene is set so that Giselles cottage is on the left side of the stage, and the forest hut on the right. Both Hilarion and Albrecht display their affection by standing outside of Giselles cottage, tempted to call her out. At last, Giselle comes out and notices Albrecht, disguised as Loys. Albrecht strips himself of his royal garments and dresses as a peasant. Giselle and Albrecht parade around the stage performing the same moves together rather than having the male, Albrecht, support Giselle through her moves. The convention of repetition is present as they perform the s ame short, small skips with simple footwork which takes them from the back of the stage towards the front while holding each others hands. Her innocence is displayed through the petite, light skips she performs which take her across the stage. Her moves are graceful, performing spins which allow her to smoothly glide from one end of the stage to the other. Midway through the first act, Giselles peasant friends arrive. Giselles mother comes out of the cottage to warn her against dancing. A hunting party which consisted of Duke of Corland and his daughter Bathilde, who was engaged to Albrecht. Both are wearing extravagant red garments which exemplifies their aristocracy and power over the casually dressed peasants. A grands pas de deux was performed by two peasants for the party. The dance incorporated a number of spins by the female as she was being supported by the male dancer. The male dancers solo parts ...
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