Thomas Paine, Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

The Purpose and Function of Foil Characters

The Purpose and Function of Foil Characters Have you ever been reading a novel and find yourself wondering, â€Å"What’s eating this guy?† or, â€Å"Why doesn’t she just dump him?† More often than not, a â€Å"foil† character is the answer.      A foil character is any character in literature that, through his or her actions and words, highlights and directly contrasts the personal traits, qualities, values, and motivations of another character. The term comes from the old jewelers’ practice of displaying gemstones on sheets of foil to make them shine more brightly. Thus, in literature, a foil character literally â€Å"illuminates† another character. Uses of Foil Characters Authors use foils to help their readers recognize and understand the important qualities, characteristics, and motivations of the various characters: In other words, to explain why characters do what they do. Foils are sometimes used to explain the relationships between a plot’s â€Å"antagonist† and â€Å"protagonist† characters. A â€Å"protagonist† is the story’s main character, while an â€Å"antagonist† is the protagonist’s enemy or opponent. The antagonist â€Å"antagonizes† the protagonist.   For example, in the classic Lost Generation novel â€Å"The Great Gatsby,† F. Scott Fitzgerald uses narrator Nick Carraway as a foil to both protagonist Jay Gatsby, and Jay’s antagonist Tom Buchanan. In describing Jay and Tom’s contentious shared love for Tom’s trophy wife Daisy, Nick depicts Tom as an Ivy League-educated athlete who feels entitled by his inherited wealth. Nick is more at ease around Jay, who he describes as a man who â€Å"had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Sometimes, authors will use two characters as foils to each other. These characters are called â€Å"foil pairs.† For example, in William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Julius Caesar,† Brutus  plays foil to Cassius, while Antony’s foil is Brutus.   Foil pairs are sometimes the story’s protagonist and antagonist, but not always. Again from the quill of Shakespeare, in â€Å"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,† while Romeo and Mercutio are best friends, Shakespeare writes Mercutio as Romeo’s foil. By poking fun at lovers in general, Mercutio helps the reader understand the depth of Romeo’s often illogically desperate love for Juliet. Why Foils Are Important Authors use foils to help readers recognize and understand the traits, attributes, and motivations of the other characters. Thus, readers who ask, â€Å"What makes him or her tick?† should be on the lookout for foil characters to get the answers. Non-Human Foils Foils are not always people. They may be animals, a structure, or  a subplot, a â€Å"story within a story,† that serves as a foil to the main plot.   In her classic novel â€Å"Wuthering Heights,† Emily Bronte uses the two neighboring houses: Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange as foils to each other to explain the events of the story. In chapter 12, the narrator describes Wuthering Heights as a house where : â€Å"There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness: not a light gleamed from any house, far or near all had been extinguished long ago: and those at Wuthering Heights were never visible†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The description of Thrushcross Grange, in contrast to the Wuthering Heights, creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere. â€Å"Gimmerton chapel bells were still ringing; and the full, mellow flow of the beck in the valley came soothingly on the ear. It was a sweet substitute for the yet absent murmur of the summer foliage, which drowned that music about the Grange when the trees were in leaf.† The foils in these settings also help in the development of the foils in the characters, as the people from Wuthering Heights are unsophisticated, and are foils to those from Thrushcross Grange, who display a refined disposition. Classic Examples of Foil Characters In â€Å"Paradise Lost,† author John Milton creates perhaps the ultimate protagonist-antagonist foil pair: God and Satan. As the foil to God, Satan exposes both his own negative traits and God’s good traits. Through the comparisons exposed by the foil relationship, the reader comes to understand why Satan’s stubborn resistance to the â€Å"will of God† justifies his eventual expulsion from paradise. In the Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling uses Draco Malfoy as a foil to Harry Potter. Though both protagonist Harry and his antagonist Draco have been empowered by Professor Snape to â€Å"experience the essential adventures of self-determination,† their inherent qualities cause them to make different choices:  Harry chooses to oppose Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters, whereas Draco eventually joins them. In summary, foil characters help readers to: Understand the traits and motivations - â€Å"axes to grind† - of other charactersTell good intentions from evil, strength from weakness,   or true ability from empty braggadocioUnderstand â€Å"who† protagonists and their antagonists are, and why they are enemies Perhaps most importantly, foils help readers decide how they â€Å"feel† about the characters.

Critically discuss the view that anti-globalisation arguments Essay - 7

Critically discuss the view that anti-globalisation arguments seriously undervalue the benefits that globalisation has delivered for all countries 02084 - Essay Example The concepts of globalization is supported by the long established concept of capitalization and on contrary to that the anti globalization movement is deeply against the existence and establishment of capitalization in the world irrespective of any of it’s from. At present, the escalating development and progress in international business, the trend of globalization at economical level is almost irreversible. This era is known as the era of global integration of economies which is growing quite swiftly. Where there are some benefits related with the advent of globalization, there are certain disadvantages which are prevailing in the world, redefining the social and cultural aspects of the world. Against which, there is a movement which support and advocates the concept of anti globalization (Petras, & Veltmeyer, 2001). The anti globalization is referred to as a disputed term which is related with the network of international social movement that has gained the attention of media after the protests against WTO (World Trade Organization) in Seatle. According to Britannica the term is neither completely reactive nor defensive. It is instead a proactive movement that advocates the global democracy and global justice. The main gist of anti globalization movement is to promote the democratic globalization or alternative globalization (Engler, 2007; Fuchs, n.d.). As the name suggests the movement opposed the globalization as well as the capitalism. The philosophy behind the anti globalization believes that the organizations and the individuals can attain the personal, social and economic objectives without creating adverse consequences for the society that are linked with capitalism (Tomlinson, 1999). The movement for anti globalization aim towards the efficiency of the economy and the decency of individuals being human in opposition to the prevailing corporate competition and

Feedback and Me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Feedback and Me - Essay Example For instance, if customers are not impressed with quality of service, this is the time to improve and appeal to the clientele (Friedrich, 2012). Feedback is critical in enhancing performance. Without feedback, it would not be easy for me to evaluate performance. How would I know whether I am on the right path? Feedback then becomes the best platform through which I gauge my performance (Sadri & Seton, 2011). I have been criticized severally, told that what I am doing is either right or wrong. Without feedback, there is no direction for my business; there is no reference point. I have had to change my business strategies based on the feedbacks I get from customers and employees. In other words, feedback is paramount for any business. A 360-degree evaluation, for instance, comes in handy in helping me to know what my seniors are thinking about my performance; what my junior are thinking about my performance; and what my peers are thinking about my services as well as leadership styles (Peepers, 2001). Such an assessment would help one to know the expectations of people and improve accordingly. Timely and effective communication is critical in performance management. When employees are given feedback on their progress at work, they will surely improve as nobody wants to fail (Namhata, 2011). In my many years of doing business (I run a food outlet in a busy street), I have learnt that feedback works best when it centers on a particular goal. To be on the safe side, I establish performance expectations of employees as well as goals. This enables me to get objective, tangible, and powerful feedback that helps to gauge future expectations. It also helps to alleviate conflicts between the workforce and me. I remember and instance when I told the workforce I work with that they had exceeded expectations. This was a way of telling them that they were effective and that they were doing such a wonderful job (Namhata, 2011). Feedback should be timely. Employees should

The Davao Death Squad

The Davao Death Squad Davao City would be a good example of an ideal city, a city that has been under the hands Mayor Duterte for about 10 yrs. Under his name, the Davao City has improved in terms of crime rates, discipline and other aspects. While he was the mayor of the city, it was said that he was involved in the death squad that was responsible for killings that was happening then. The Davao Death Squad is an active vigilante group in Davao City, Philippines. Reports have shown that they have been responsible for the summary killings that were happening in Davao City for the past few years. Reports said that they were responsible for executing drug traffickers and all criminal actions in Davao City. Rodrigo Duterte being the mayor at that time was a prime suspect of the death squad. He was said to be liable of the killings of the squad. Drug dealers, criminals with intense crime, and other illegal trading were assassinated. Many of the victims purportedly had criminal records, giving rise to suspicions that the so called Davao Death Squad were behind their deaths. If the Davao Death Squad would continue, crime rate would be lower, innocent lives would be protected, and the value of life would be strengthened. Counterclaims Promotes death penalty In fact, death penalty is a good way to control the crime rates and illegal transaction. If there is death penalty, there would be no death squad. Death squad aims to assassinate illegal citizens who commit crime in the city. If there is death penalty, the death squad would have no use because the death squad is promoting death penalty. So both are on the same side and are on the same page. Life is indeed precious, and I believe the death penalty helps to affirm that fact which makes the death squad in the same line with death penalty. Decline of Tourism Ever since the Davao Death Squad has been investigated, the tourism of Davao City was not affected. The Death Squad is not something that every tourist should know about Davao City. Davao City is well known for its peace and order. It is known to be in good hands of Mayor Duterte. If people would come visit Davao, theres nothing to worry about being assassinated by the Death Squad unless if that person is bringing illegal transaction in the city. Actually, it was stated that the tourism of Davao City has increased since 1998 to 2004. If the tourism of Davao would decrease, the death squad has nothing to do with it. The fact that the death squad promotes peace and order, it attracts tourist knowing that the city is safe from crime and illegal deals. Claim Controls the crime and illegal trading The Davao Death Squad has been active ever since the crime rate in Davao City was high. When the death squad became active in the community, criminal activities were less. Knowing that it terminates those who are involved in illegal transactions, it controls the crime and illegal transactions that are happening in Davao City. The death squad assassinates those who are poisoning the city with heavy crime and illegal activities With this kind of scheme, it alarms every citizen of Davao City to be aware of this vigilante group. Fear will help control crime and the illegal transactions of the city. Criminals would just continue to do their thing when sanction is very low like going to jail and still be released soon. The probability of the people to stop and to avoid illegal transactions would be high, knowing that they will be a target of assassination if they would ever proceed with illegal activities. If the death squad will be continued, it would intimidate the criminals and illegal sectors that are within the city thus it controls the crime. Claim Strengthens the value of life through serious justice It strengthens people in the notion that Davao is a city where justice is being taken seriously, however to an excessive point, some may argue. Human rights dont necessarily stand for peace. The death squad only takes down the social deviants. As stated in the reports, the killings of the death squad where all criminal suspects that were involved in a major issue. The individual criminals were just taken to jail, but once an individual is making a lot of mess in the society as a whole, knowing that theyll just get out of jail and do evil things all over again, will be assassinated. Justice is what every city aims to have but justice can never be taken seriously with no serious punishments that would abolish the crimes and illegal entries. Mayor Duterte remains to be a powerful figure of Davao city. He aims to have peace and order in the city. Sources have stated that other higher officials have agreed that Duterte has improved the peace and order of the city in his hands. Nobody knows if he is involved in the death squad but what we know is the death squad has helped Duterte improve the peace of the city. Mayor Duterte explained his perspective in an interview that if you are doing an illegal activity in the city, if you are a criminal or part of a syndicate that preys on the innocent people of the city, for as long as he is the mayor, you are a legitimate target of assassination. Whoever is behind all this, or if it may really be Mayor Duterete, he is justifiable in his conquest for peace. It strengthens the value of life because it has a higher regard for the value of a persons life. Nothing would intimidate the criminals, no other than the death squad. It is similar to how the penalty goes if a person commits a crime. It is by stating the highest penalty for committing a major crime like, taking away of human life, that we establish the highest value of human life. Claim Protects innocent lives There was a woman who works at a gym as a trainer. One early morning, she was walking her way to work when she walked by a small street at the corner, she passed by a small store where there were groups of men who were drunk. The woman was abused with the drunken men. She was then stabbed many times until the woman lost her life. The next week, the drunken men were reported to be assassinated by the death squad. If the drunken men were not put to death by the death squad, it is not an assurance that those men would not kill an innocent life again. Once someone is involved in a serious crime, theres always a time when they will do it again. Innocent lives are at risk if these criminals are outside claiming to be innocent. If guilty lives are being protected, we are bringing innocent lives in the line. If these criminals are put to jail, knowing that they did a serious criminal once, great chance is that theyll do it again after being set out of jail. If these criminals are put to death, there is this assurance that they wont do the same mistake again. First of all, there would be no death squad if crime was taken seriously in the society. Sad to hear that the justice system of a society fails to function which results to the death squad. It could be possible that the public is no longer satisfied with the security system of the city. One of the best ways to guarantee the protection that a society would want is to give surety that convicted murders do not slaughter again. VI. Conclusion Although some may argue that the Davao Death Squad is immoral, they should face the fact that it promotes serious justice and peace in the city. The death squad remains to be a powerful tool in controlling crime, strengthening the value of life, and protecting innocent lives. The death squad has been proven to control the crime rates in the city. It shows that the city does not promote illegal transaction within the borders of the society. There is a higher probability that criminals would get intimidated of the death squad that would avoid them from doing crime. The death squad strengthens the value of life through serious justice. It gives a higher regard for the value of a persons life. By means of stating the highest penalty for committing a serious crime, we establish the highest value of human life. The death squad shuts down criminals to protect innocent lives from harm. It gives that assurance that these criminals will not kill again. The Davao Death squad would have a big im pact in promoting peace and order of Davao City.

Adhd and Sleep Patterns

ADHD and Sleep Patterns The purpose of this research is to explore the sleep patterns of children with ADHD symptoms that have been reported by parents. The hypothesis according to O’Brien et al. (2003, p. 334) is that â€Å"domains of neurobehavioral function would be selectively affected by sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). † The null hypothesis according to this research is that multiple sleep disorders are more relevant in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, symptoms. Some of the disorders are: obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, spontaneous arousals, rapid eye movement, and periodic limb movements. Data Collection The data used for this research was collected by O’Brien et al. (2003) using various methods. Questionnaires were distributed to the parents who were enrolling children into first grade. Out of the 11,983 surveys distributed, a total of 5,728 usable responses were available to sample, a total of 47. 6%. From these samples, the researchers found that 11. % of the children were reported snore often, and 7. 3% of those children who snored were reported by parents to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. O’Brien et al. (2003) selected 83 children whose parents had reported them to show symptoms of ADHD to receive a sleep evaluation in a medical center, along with a control sample of 34 children with no reported signs of ADHD. After conducting the sleep tests, O’Brien et al. (2003) reported that 5% of â⠂¬Å"children with significant ADHD symptoms, and 7% of children with mild symptoms† (p. 57) had high periodic limb movements. It was also found that rapid eye movement was more prevalent in the high-symptom ADHD group. According to the study, â€Å"5% of children with significant ADHD symptoms, and 26% of those with mild symptoms† had indications of sleep apnea (O’Brien, 2003, p. 554). Conclusion According to research, children with many ADHD symptoms are no more at risk for rapid eye movement during sleep than children with no ADHD symptoms. Research also confirms that children with ADHD symptoms have a higher risk for other sleep disorders. This research cannot confirm that children with ADHD have higher rates of periodic limb movement. O’Brien et al. states â€Å"an unusually high prevalence of OSA was found† in children with ADHD (p. 561). O’Brien et al. (2003) rejected the null hypothesis of children with ADHD having a higher risk of all possible sleep disorders. Research has validated that children with ADHD have a higher risk of some sleep disorders but not all. More studies need to be done on children who have been medically diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to evaluate any sleep disorders better. Reference O'Brien, L. , Holbrook, C. , Klaus, C. , Bruner, J. , Wang, M. , Tuell, A. , et al. (2003). Sleep and Neurobehavioral Characteristics of 5- to 7-Year-Old Children With Parentally Reported Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatrics, 111(3), 554. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Ready To Eat Breakfast Cereal Industry Essay

Restrained competition amongst themselves through â€Å"unwritten agreements† to limit the in-pack premiums (free toys, gifts, e tc) -Refrain from trade dealing-offering discounts to retailers for special treatment or special promotions -Refrained from widespread fortification of their brands because it was believed to not be in the long run interests of the industry (vitamin fortification) FTC also argued the big three took specific actions to make new entry ventures unprofitable -prevented entry into the RTE cereal industry by encouraging super markets and other retailers to adopt a shelf space plan that ensured the big threes products received the most valued center aisle position Caught off guard with the introduction of natural cereal brands Industry environment in the 1990’s Technology Processes utilized in creation of many children’s cereals took substantial engineering expertise and production experience to master. -Standard plant was estimated to req. a capacity of 75 million pounds per year to achieve minimum efficient scale -employed 125 people -req. capital in excess of 100 million -a singly plant could produce many brands of cereal because the main source of scale economies was in bagging -Spent about 1% of gross sales on R&D (slightly higher than the food industry average) 2 PROBLEMS that have persisted over the 100 years of making cereal 1. It was difficult to keep cereal crispy in milk, and in cereals like Raisin Bran, the flakes tended to become soggy in the box because they absorbed the moisture of the fruit 2. NOT easy to combine things with varying water activity characteristics a. A typical solution to this problem was to coat the fruit with a thin layer of fat to trap the moisture thus preventing the flakes from getting soggy in the box Even tried to alter the shape of the cereal to prevent mild absorption and preserved the crispiness Distribution Prime shelf space and its importance! -Slotting Allowance: securing shelf space for a new brand required pmt to grocers -larger cereal firms had more flexibility than new entrants in shuffling their allocation of space among brands(sometimes replacing a failed brand with a new introduction) Introduction of supercenters-Large 125,000 sq. foot stores that combined a supermarket, a general discount retailer, and specialty retailers under one roof They really increased non-supermarket sales of food from 5% in 1993 to 20% by 2000 Supercenters helped shelf space! Significantly less entrenches than in supermarkets and thus allowing start-up value oriented brands to obtain a market presence AND†¦..DID NOT require slotting allowances INTERESTING FACT- Big three accounted for 75.6% of sales in food stores, they only had a 41.3% mkt share in mass merchandisers Advertising, Promotions and Pricing Advertising/ sales ratio fell from 1960s. Especially intense though around a new product introduction RTE cereal industry historically had rounds of price increases usually initiated by Kellogg and then followed by other manufacturers of branded cereals Known as the process of â€Å"price up and spend back† In addition to being amongst most advertising intensive industry, the RTE cereal industry was the top issuer of coupons -Coupon use grew a lot, by 1994 the average value of redeemed coupons had climbed to 87 cents In addition to coupons, other forms of trade promotions were become prevalent such as: -per case discounts to retailers and cash payments for special in store promotions and cooperative advertising, -Buy One Get One promotions-one of the most costly -Might gain 2-3% market share with aggressive price promotion for value sensitive customers -Neither coupons nor forms of trade promotions were believed to stimulate the total cereal demand dramatically -mostly led to stock piling and brand switching by customers -price promotion spiral drove RTE cereal prices up 15.6%! From 1990-1993 -development of new brand took 2-4 years on average and expenditure of 5-10 MM -Brand extensions perceived to be more likely to succeed than new brands and thought to offer economies of scale in advertising and were technologically simpler to develop and produce because the basic process was already in use -Rapid innovation and introduction of new cereal brands led to increased product failure Co-branded cereal in 1994 was very popular -Several companies also attempted to extend the reach of RTE cereal into snack food Competition Kellogg was the clear leader with 35.2% mkt share in 1993 -Had great diverse assortment of products (toaster pastries with pop tarts, frozens waffles with eggos, and granola bars