The Importance Of Being Ernest Character Analysis English Literature Essay

The Importance Of Being Ernest Character Analysis English Literature Essay The way Wilde characterized the characters in this play, chiefly Jack Worthing, displays these people as uptight and serious that wouldnt put a toe out of line. This initial characterization of Jack would seem to the audience a character that should belong in a drama, but Wilde added to Jack the extra quirk of being found in a handbag, and thus not knowing who his actual parents. Wilde did this first display and to ridicule the Victorian dogma stressing normalcy and their frowning upon that which, seems to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Lady Bracknell, Act I, pg. 134). Wilde uses the circumstances of Jacks abandonment to symbolize both Jacks ambiguous social status throughout the play and to emphasize his mobility within social circles, whether that is up or down. The handbag that baby Jack is perfectly used to symbolize this ambiguity, for this bag was has all the trademarks of normalcy: Thus, this commonplace container contains a baby of uncommon origin. There is no coincidence that this ordinary handbag/baby container is discovered in a cloakroom, for these pieces of apparel can all be worn to conceal ones true form, face, or identity. The Victoria Station has prevalence to this play as well. The western trail, including the Brighton line, led to the wealthier parts of London while the eastern road led to places like Chatham and Dover, which were more impoverished. Wilde uses the fact that the baby Jack is at the intersection of these two lines to literally put him in an identity crisis. Does he come from a poor common family or a rich aristocratic one? Lady Bracknell chose to look on the negative side and judge him as common until proven noble (indecently exposing Wildes contempt for the aristocratic propriety and downright snobbishness). There is however another, more positive way to interpret his discovery at Victoria Station. Trains are all about moving people to the places where they need to be. Wilde uses Jacks presence at Victoria Station to be a comment on his social status, suggesting that he has great social mobility; that he may have success in climbing up the social ladder to a prestigious position. This is foreshadowed by the fact that hes found specifically on the Brighton line, the road that leads to the richer parts of town. And indeed the story of  Earnest  is about Jacks social advancement. In fact, Wilde reveals at the end that Jack is a true member of the aristocracy as part of the Moncrieff family, which makes him a worthy husband for another aristocrat, Gwendolen. So the scene of Jacks orphaning contains aspects, like the ordinary handbag and the cloakroom, to show that he may seem common, but with the hint of an aristocratic background, through which Wilde reveals Jacks true social identity. The most prevalent reason the characters in  The Importance of Being Earnest lie is to get out of social or familial duties, to instead do something more enjoyable. Not surprisingly, only a few characters hold honesty in high regard. However, the viewer can see how hard it is for Wildes characters to set things straight once theyve lied about them. As the situation gets increasingly complicated, Wilde must weave more complex lies for his character to get out of the tangles of their previous lies. Perhaps the most striking thing is that none of the characters ever shows true remorse or guilt about lying. The first examples of lying are the two imaginary people created by Jack and Algernon, which Wilde uses to symbolize the empty promises or deceit of the Victorian era. Not only is the character Ernest anything but earnest for the majority of the play, but he also doesnt even really exist! This makes Jacks creation of him doubly deceitful. Bunbury sounds as ridiculous and fictional a s he actually is. Both of these figments of fantasy allow Jack and Algernon to live a lie; so as to seem as if they uphold these high moral standards, while in reality are gallivanting around without suffering any repercussions. Jack takes it a bit farther since he actually impersonates his so-called good-for-nothing brother. Even when Jack and Algernon are caught in their lies, they never suffer any real punishment. That they can both kill off their imaginary alter egos or friends without much to-do, shows Victorian societys real values; the Victorian era did not value honesty, responsibility, or compassion for the under-privileged (neither Lady Bracknell or Algernon exhibit much pity for Bunbury when he dies), but only style, money, and aristocracy. It is appropriate that the nonexistent characters of Ernest and Bunbury show how shallow are the Victorians real concerns. It seems that Wildes main point in  The Importance of Being Earnest  is to criticize Victorian society by showing how shallow and hypocritical is it. What do aristocrats do all day? Sit around, drinking tea, taking shallow gossip, and even gallivanting around under false pretence. What does Lady Bracknell want to see in Jack, her future son-in-law? Money, property, stylishness, and an aristocratic name. She cares little for his character. As the play goes on and we see just how shallow everyones desires are, and we tend to laugh. Wilde does not allow his tone to get too heavy or dark. Instead, we find the characters in  The Importance of Being Ernest  amusing.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Essays Papers

SIR GAWAIN and the GREEN KNIGHT In the Middle Ages, a time of brave knights and fair maidens, chivalry was alive and well, and honor meant much more than just pride. A man could be expected to be as good as his word, and God was an integral part of his life. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the title character sets off on a month-long quest for the Green Chapel in fulfillment of a promise made a year earlier, knowing full well that it could mean certain death. After the knight's final days at the court of King Arthur are recounted, he sets off in "country wild" where he is "far off from all his friends" (lines 713-14). This lonely road on which he rides reflects the nature of his quest--Gawain's conflict is within himself, and is something which he must deal with on his own. On the long, arduous journey, the brave knight battles countless foes to the point where "to tell but the tenth part would tax [the author's] wits" (719). All manner of fearsome foes are described, from serpents and wolves to wild men and giants. However, he has "borne himself bravely, and been on God's side" (724), and therefore makes it through all these trials intact. The description of the locations where Sir Gawain is forced to sleep on some nights calls to mind the dwelling of Grendel's mother from Beowulf--cold, gloomy, rocky, and generally unpleasant. Gawain bears it all with stoic patience and fortitude, though he is "near slain" by the inclement weather. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Gawain "prays with all his might/That Mary may be his guide/Till a dwelling comes in sight" (737-39). This prayer underlines the parallel between Gawain's plight on this Christmas Eve and Mary's own search for lodging on the night of the first Christmas. On Christmas morning, he arrives in a foreboding forested area, "a man all alone" in a "marsh and mire" where "birds unblithe upon bare twigs/Peeped most piteously for pain of the cold." (The cold loneliness stands in contrast to the warmth and companionship he is to find in Bercilak's castle later on in the story.) Here he again prays mournfully--this time that he may be able to attend the Christmas mass. His first thoughts are not for his own safety, nor for his reputation should he not find the Green Chapel in time.

Images and Imagery of Blood in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Imagery Of Blood In Macbeth Macbeth, the dramatic play written by William Shakespeare has many good examples of imagery, especially blood. The imagery of blood is very important in 'Macbeth'. It symbolizes honor and bravery and also deceit and evil.   The play opens with the weird sisters talking about meeting again and talking about Macbeth. A war has just ended, making Macbeth a Brave hero because he is the general of the Scottish army and they won. Macbeth is the thane of Glamis, and then becomes the Thane of Cawdor. The weird sisters make many predictions to Macbeth, all of which come true. Macbeth makes the last prediction come true by killing King Duncan. In the beginning of the play blood is something of honor and bravery and symbolizes good and victory. The blood on Macbeth's sword after the war shows him to be a brave hero because of the enemy he killed. He is known as "Brave Macbeth" to everyone including King Duncan. His bravery earns him the title of Thane of Cawdor, because the thane of Cawdor was executed for treason. The blood at the beginning of the play earns Macbeth respect and a title. Macbeth is feeling very guilty about the murder of King Duncan and Banquo. " With all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas in carnadine, making the green one red", shows the great guilt that blood represents at this point in the play. What Macbeth means is that with all of the water in the ocean could not wash his hands clean from the deed he has just done. If he where to try and wash his hands in the ocean it would turn it red because there is so much blood on his hands. Not only does Macbeth feel guilty about the Murder of King Duncan but he also feels very guilty about the murder of Banquo. He sees Banquo's ghost and his bloody head. Blood represents a lot of guilt for Lady Macbeth near the end of the play. During the play Lady Macbeth is the one who tries to keep Macbeth sane and keep from breaking. She tells him that he is not a man and things around that nature to try and help he be stronger and stay in control about the murder of King Duncan.

Family Guy and the Good the Bad and the Daily Show

When it comes to the topic of popculture, most American’s will readily agree that TV shows have a great impact on our life and beliefs. Where this agreement usually ends, however is on the question does it make us smarter in the real facts about the American society. Jason Zinger writer of â€Å"The Good, The Bad, and The Daily Show† and Antonia Peacocke writer of â€Å"Family Guy and Freud: Jokes and their relation to the unconscious† both maintain the same view of how harsh comedy is used in both shows.They differ entirely in their portrayal of how the shows comedy is conducted to characterize the life of Americas, Whereas Jason Zinger a psychologist writes about â€Å"The Daily Show how it informs Americans with â€Å"fake† news, but in reality is real news swirled with comedy to emphasize the truth. Antonia Peacocke, a student from Harvard agrees Family guy goes beyond insulting the media, but maintains a reality about society. Both writers agree on n ot blaming the shows for its comedy, but how the public is mature enough to handle the facts.Peacocke expresses how â€Å"McFarland makes an important point: that no amount of television censorship will ever change the harsh nature of reality and to censor reality is mere folly. † (pg). She focuses on the ethos to acknowledge the pride of American society; therefore she explains how people tend to feel insulted when confronted directly. Zinger agrees with peacocke along the same lines how both shows go beyond to explain the American society.Pecocke explains that every show has some educational purposes, and these animate cartoons show â€Å"some aspects of American culture† (pg 303). Haven’t finished need more to add similarities between zinger and peacocke. Many shows have their own way of directing information by educating or entertaining the viewers. Peacocke writes in her article that is all psychological, and that every show has ethic in their show that we can all learn from.In her article she demonstrates us that shows like Family Guy are more than just entertainment, but many people judge this shows as pure comedy and entertainment with no educational purposes. Family Guy shows to their public current life issues, they make these issues entertaining and funny to make their public understand in ways that might offend people but acceptable in society. Peacocke explains how the show makes the public understand though laughter and comedy rather than being judgmental.She further deepens her perspective pointing out shows like Family Guy help people understand the American culture as well as help people understand other ethnicity and other genders through laughter. The news has even found ways to make it entertaining to inform the public of current life issues. Jason Zinger argues that in recent years Americans have â€Å"turned away from mainstream media† (pg) and have turned into alternatives programs to obtain the news. He expla ins The Daily Show informs people in unusual type of way that can be seen as entertaining and educational.According to the article, it argues that many people conclude the show misleads their viewers to think that is a show with no accurate information because of its comedy. Zinger believes that the show is not corrupt â€Å"If uses real news, items , and real stories, whether people tune into to be entertained, to be informed or both †¦ The daily Show shapes people’s perspective on the world† (pg 366). Many shows inform their viewers in a way that can be unusual, thus making the decision whether the source is reliable or not depends on the person.Zinger explains that â€Å"if viewers are tuning into a comedy show to get the latest news I believe that the viewers can distinguish between pure entertainment and the real news† (Pg 367). He opinioned people feel that shows like The Daily Show are misleading the public into having negative thoughts about the cur rent issues because not a lot of information is explained. ; therefore people think this shows only care about ratings. Zinger explains that having these ratings and knowing people tune in more gives the network more reason to give accurate information pg(366).The articles explain how media has found a different way to educate society with information in a new method. Zinger and Peacocke believe every show contains valuable information whether we tune into to obtain news or to relax and be entertained. American Society receives information in many different ways, it all depends where do we want our information. Both authors conclude we gained knowledge in different ways and the media is found its way for it to be entertaining and informative for American society.

Athabasca Assignment

Assignment 1: Using a Database for Strategic Business Development Assignment 1 is worth 5 percent of your final grade for this course. Answer all questions in the Hands-on MIS project â€Å"Improving Decision Making: Using a Database to Clarify Business Strategy† on pages 92–93 of the textbook. Read the assignment instructions in the textbook carefully and follow all instructions. Background: Relational databases are not new technology. Commercially, they gained importance in the early 1980s with the introduction of Oracle’s relational database, and since then they have been an essential tool for most businesses.Databases are critical tools that help to support various business functions in an organization. These information systems help a business to build and maintain competitive advantage. Databases not only support the operational levels of business—they are also used to support the activities of managers. For this assignment, you will be analyzing the data in a simple, one-table database by creating queries and reports in Microsoft Access. The system you are â€Å"developing† will be used by The Queen’s Inn in St. John’s, Newfoundland for strategic business development purposes.Remember that Access, Excel, and even FrontPage, are all tools. This assignment will help you discover how to use a database tool to support a business. You will be analyzing the data in the database and answering the questions in the exercise to create the queries and reports that are necessary to determine what the Inn’s current business situation is. Instructions: * If you have not yet set up your access to MyMISLab, go to the Learning Materials page for the proper steps and codes. It is vital that you set up MyMISLab correctly to ensure you have access to the resources for CMIS 351. Go to MyMISLab and download the Exercise Data File: MIS11ch03 for this assignment from the Assignment 1 folder (after logging in, click Course Content, choose View All Content, then scroll down to the Assignment 1 folder that appears after the 15 Lesson folders). You may download either the 2003 or the 2007 database file. If the data file doesn’t open, check your browser’s pop-up blocker settings or try holding down the Ctrl key when clicking the file name. * After you have downloaded and opened the file, click FILE> SAVE AS>, then SAVE the file to your hard drive according to the following assignment naming standards: ourlastname_CMIS351_assign1. mdb Once the file has been saved, you can open it and start working on your assignment. * Analyze the data in the database and in the application exercise. * To complete this assignment, you will need to do data calculations. Remember to follow good database practice here by not saving your calculations as part of the data table itself (they should appear only in your queries). * Create queries and reports that will provide information to help management at the Quee n’s Inn to be more competitive and profitable.If you look at the original database you downloaded, you will see that it provides suggestions for the three reports that should be created for The Queen’s Inn. These empty templates will give you an indication of what queries and reports you must create for this assignment. * If you need a refresher on using Access databases, see the resources on the Supplemental Information for Access Assignments page. * Write a brief report (1-2 pages) describing what database information (from your analysis) would make the business more competitive and profitable.Your report must include, at a minimum, answers to the four questions in the last paragraph of the exercise on page 93 of the textbook. For this assignment you must hand in: * an Access database with reports and queries as described above (the number of queries and reports will be up to you) OR * if you do not have access to a computer on which you can install Microsoft Access, you may use another database tool. If you do this, you must also submit the following: * an E-R diagram of your database that clearly shows the primary and foreign keys for each table. a screen shot of the first page of the contents of each table. Alternatively, you may create a report that dumps the contents of a table and submit a single page of that report. * queries that you designed to create each report. Show both the query design and the query output. * the reports required in the assignment In either case, you must also submit a Word document containing a report as described in the assignment instructions on page 93. When you are ready to submit your assignment, listen to this message from your Course Coordinator.Marking criteria: You will be marked according to the following criteria. Database| 4 marks| | * implemented correctly * queries are correct| | Reports| 3 marks| | * provide required information * comprehensive * readable (accurate spelling and grammar)| | Written report| 3 marks| | * professional, business-like * relevant * correct (covers required information) | | Once you have completed the assignment, you must return to this Web page and follow the instructions on the right to submit your assignment for marking.

Principles of Ecotourism

Introduction Definition of sustainability. Briefly mentions environmental, experiential, socio-cultural and economic sustainability in relation to ecotourism. Environmental sustainability Importance of environmental sustainability in managing ecotourism and examples of impacts Strategies for achieving sustainability and how they are applied Experiential sustainability Importance of experiential sustainability in managing ecotourism and examples of impacts Strategies for achieving sustainability and how they are applied Socio-cultural sustainability Importance of socio-cultural sustainability in managing ecotourism and examples of impacts Strategies for achieving sustainability and how they are applied Economic sustainability Importance of economic sustainability in managing ecotourism and examples of impacts Strategies for achieving sustainability and how they are applied Conclusion Introduction Environmental sustainability Importance of environmental sustainability *Strategies* for achieving environmental sustainability Accommodating for hundreds of visitors has disadvantages for a site if the wildlife or vegetation isn’t capable to withstand an increased level of exposure. That’s why hardening of a site allows that site’s carrying capacity to be increased e. g. pit toilets, board walks and but still limiting number to ensure minimal impact of that site. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, Australia, have installed board walks along the track for the concerns of environmental degradation and overcrowding. The boarded sections are established in sensitive areas in the national park with significant importance for an ecosystem. The softening of a site refers to soil replacement and replanting of native vegetation to rehabilitate the site as much as possible. There are many businesses that were built with very low levels of impact, because of the extensive research done before the construction of their building. The Couran Cove Resort in Queensland assessed the area for their resort before construction and removed the native vegetation, planning to replant them after the completion of facilities. A number of environmental measures were put in place during the construction of the resort, such as installation of solar powered cabins, identification and mapping of significant trees, strategies to manage acid sulphate soils, and an integrated water management system. As a result of many of these management strategies, the resort has become an industry leader in environmentally sensitive technologies. Visitation quotas and fees are a clever strategy to maintain a high revenue flow for the protected area and continue appropriate management. Zoning and site hardening influence visitation levels in specified areas, so these factors are considered when implementing fees and quotas. The overall number of visitors can be limited through the imposition of quotas and user fees; quotas are formal restrictions on visitor numbers and user fees (entry fees and other fees) increase the latter until visitor demand falls below the carrying capacity threshold. Mt Buffalo National Park in Victoria, Australia charges entry fees for visitors, whether camping or just visiting. These fees are put towards managing the park, including regular maintenance of provided facilities. There are methods to restricting and allowing appropriate viewing or access of wildlife by providing information and education to tourists; informing users about the recreational resource and current level of use. Making the users more sensitive to the potential impacts their behaviours might have on the environment is an effective way to make them aware. Experiential sustainability Importance of experiential sustainability The experience of the tourist is important to be aware of to evaluate the sustainability in the way it is implemented. People learn better when they are actively involved in the learning process and use as many senses as appropriate. Interpretation is effective way to educate tourists because it works with the visitors rather than against them. Such techniques include; visitor centres, education centres, displays and exhibits, self-guided trails and guided tours. These techniques are strategies to inform tourists of the natural environment to which they participate in, to help understand the importance of sustainably managing activities in a site. Strategies for achieving experiential sustainability Socio-cultural sustainability Importance of socio-cultural sustainability Socio-cultural sustainability of ecotourism relates to the stability of social and cultural systems, including the wellbeing of local and indigenous communities. Their involvement is important for tourism to be successful and unique. It is a significant contribution to ecotourism’s global following. Socio-cultural and economic sustainability are linked together to also facilitate the wellbeing and satisfaction of visitors. Strategies for achieving socio-cultural sustainability Economic sustainability Importance of economic sustainability Economic sustainability is associated with socio-cultural sustainability; relating to the stability of social and cultural systems, including the wellbeing of local communities. The impacts of economics in local communities include start-up expenses (acquisition of land, establishment of protected areas, superstructure, and infrastructure), ongoing expenses (maintenance of infrastructure, promotion, and wages), revenue uncertainties, and revenue leakage due to imports and non-local participation. Examples of positive aspects of economics include direct employment, improvement of transportation and communication systems; negative aspects of economics include no local employment opportunities, and leakages may be high. Establishing a protected area requires lots of expenses to be able to maintain the environment sustainably. The development of buildings and infrastructure such as visitor centres and toilets require regular maintenance, which means there needs to be enough income to retain a standard quality. Employing staff can be limited when money is scarce, maybe even overworking employees. For example, the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology in the Great Otway National Park is an ecotourism operation that was established in 2004. The owners of the Conservation Centre opened the business to become involved in conservation projects and research biodiversity conservation. When opening the operation, the owner’s budget was limited and was unable to employ enough staff to keep up with the daily routine activities; such as delivering service to guests and running of education programs. Their only choice was to employ enough to manage the business and providing the services themselves. *Strategies for achieving economic *sustainability Economic sustainability relates to the income of an operation or protected area to maintain the natural environment or site. Such income can come from user fees (public’s willingness to pay), taxation (sales tax, accommodation tax) and donations (lack of resources or money for endangered species). Earth Sanctuaries is a company that operates a network of privately-owned sanctuaries, set up with the aim of conserving native wildlife species. The company has eradicated exotic species from all of its properties, and has erected fencing that excludes feral animals from each sanctuary. To fund its conservation efforts, the company offers a mix of ecotourism products including accommodation, tours, and an environmental education program. These products are managed to provide the ongoing profit needed to run the sanctuaries, and to provide dividends to the company’s shareholders. Conclusion Sustainable tourism is important to be properly managed when utilising the natural environment. The four components of sustainability are environmental, experiential, socio-cultural and economic sustainability, each is critical principle for achieving ecotourism. Each component is linked to another and one cannot function well without the others. Ecotourism is difficult to be completely sustainable for the natural environment, but can be managed to minimise low impact. This is done by the four components between each; they interact with one another’s resources to appropriate management the natural environment; linking together to facilitate the wellbeing of local communities. References

Renting vs Owning a Home

Renting now can make things become easier later. Saving money is what everyone wants to do. Buying a home can not only hurt someone financially but it can put you in a bind that can have you paying a bill for the rest of your life. The economy is on a decline right now so making the decision to buy a home can be a little tricky. Buying a home it is not a one time transaction. Once you have the home you continue to pay bills like your mortgage fees and maintenance. Think about all the money you have to come out of pocket to take care of some of the fees that will come when making a ecision to buy a home. Renting can put things in someone else’s hands to where you can save more money from your monthly payments. When renting an apartment you will never have to worry about fixing the plumbing, sink or dishwasher because maintenance is paid by the landlord. Not having these fees leaves you with more money in your bank account expanding your option for your home when you get to that decision. The decision to rent now and buy later can give you enough time to wait on the economy to get stronger and much better than it is now. Buying a home will be a much smoother process. Rent now and buy later is the best way to go, at this time in our economy. The question whether to rent an apartment or buy a home is probably one of the biggest. There are many people who are on both sides of the fence, as well as many good arguments towards both. There many advantages of renting the price, upkeep, qualifying. People believe renting is better than buying. The first reason is the economy, consider how many people have lost their homes, or are being foreclosed upon right now. Whether it's because of losing a job, investing in the wrong company, or using some kind of lending service that went under after paying all that money into it. Why would you want to put yourself through any of that? The second reason for renting is why you would pay for expensive repairs, when someone else can. When buying a house and something breaks or is damaged, you are entitled to fix it on your own, but with apartments if something breaks down like the dishwasher, or stove or some other major appliance, the landlord must replace it. With renting you don't have to worry about yard upkeep, it is the landlord's job to keep and maintain the grounds. If there is a problem, the landlord has to deal with it, or your only responsibility is to maintain your personal space. Lastly the most important reason why you should rent an apartment is better than buying house. Having the ability to move when you want to especially if you’re single or get offered employment somewhere far, you wouldn’t have to worry about selling. If you get transferred, or lose your job, you’re not locked in to a monthly mortgage payment. In today's real estate market, trying to sell a home could prove very costly. Even if you have to break your lease, it's much better than defaulting on your mortgage. Renting gives great flexibility until you find a place you really want to stay at for a long time. If you’ve read all what I have written, you’ve learned a lot about housing choices! As you explore your own options for buying a home, you will need to learn more about the costs of home ownership, about how much you can afford, and about financing a home purchase.