Individual Identity in Philip Roths The Ghost Writer Essay -- Ghost W

Individual Identity in Philip Roth's The Ghost Writer    The idea of self, an individual authentic unique identity, seems to be constantly questioned and challenged in Philip Roth's The Ghost Writer. We are presented with several portraits of artists, writers and would be writers, whose notion of self is in some significant manner tied to their art. Rather than knitting together a unified (rehabilitated?) concept of self, aesthetic creativity, art, complicates and further problematizes the issue of identity. Art simultaneously undermines and underscores insights provided by a supposedly seamless master narrative. The creative impulses and ideas which inspire an artist to create may have little or nothing to do with the meaning or meanings assigned to the art itself by a virtually endless chain of interpreters. Writers are thus distanced from their texts at the same time an audience, a reader, is constructing an identity for him/herself and for the author based on the text.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nathan Zuckerman, the narrator, is motivated to become a "great" novelist because in part of his romanticized notions of writing and writers. His identity becomes entangled in the works of E.I. Lonoff. Nathan rejects the pleas of his father to place his identity as a member of a family and as a Jew above his identity as a writer. Evoking Joyce's Stephen Dedalus, Roth's Nathan Dedalus places his identity as an artist above other concerns. He seeks a new intellectual/spiritual father in Lonoff. First from Lonoff's writings and then from the personal encounter with Lonoff himself, Nathan hopes that by emulating Lonoff in all aspects, he will become more like the idealized identity he has created as his goal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lonoff... ...sentative of a larger group, concept, or commodity. This fracture first promoted by her writing is a source of both hope and agony.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Amy seeks meaning from within her fragmented existence. Where Nathan is brought to the edge of this discovery as the novel progresses, Lonoff retreats from it. Literature is adept at describing and cultivating a fragmented sense of identity; it can motivate others to actions/extremes never sought by the author. Put simply, art encourages interpretation. As writers, each of these three characters is aware of the fact that unity or singularity of interpretation is rarely (if ever) achieved. When also applied to an individual identity such interpretive freedom/ambiguity can be the source of both strength and despair. The notion of self, though perhaps less whole by the end of the novel, still houses a potential for meaning.

Themes of Love and Obsession in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights Essay

Themes of Love and Obsession in Wuthering Heights      Ã‚   "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff" (81)" These words, uttered by Catherine, in the novel Wuthering Heights are for me the starting point in my investigation into the themes of love and obsession in the novel. Catherine has just told her housekeeper that she has made up her mind to marry Edgar Linton, although she is well aware that her love for him is bound to change as time passes. That she is obsessed by her love for Heathcliff she confirms in the above quotation and by saying that she will never, ever be separated from him. Why does she not marry him then? Well, she has another obsession too: she does not want to degrade herself by marrying him. Instead she thinks that by wedding Linton she can aid Heathcliff to rise.    Heathcliff, who has been ill-treated by his foster brother Hindley, is obsessed by his thoughts of revenge: "I'm trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do!" (64).He comes back after three years, during which time nobody at Wuthering Heights or The Grange have known his whereabouts, and the first person he is eager to meet is Catherine. She reacts with a mixture of fright and passion, and accuses Heathcliff of being cruel as he has not been heard of for such a long time. His joy to see her again is unmistakable: "A little more than you have thought of me," he murmured "I heard of your marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yard below, I meditated this plan: - just to have one glimpse of your face, a stare of surprise, perhaps, ... ...s dream and calls her a minx, Heathcliff cannot control his vehement emotions. When he realizes that his life is coming to an end he carries through his will to be buried in the same grave as the woman he loved so fervently.    My conclusion is that in this novel the themes of love and obsession are interconnected. The love between Catherine and Heathcliff runs all through the story, and that love is the reason for Heathcliff's obsession to have his revenge. He never got over being rejected by her. And he never stopped loving Catherine as long as he lived: "Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" (148).    Work Cited: Brontà «, Emily. Wuthering Heights. Penguin Popular Classics, 1994.   

Interface Culture: New Technology Transforms the Way

Steven Berlin Johnson is known for his reputation of being able to scale what the future holds through a differential paradigm that he sets basing from the present society. His ability to do so has made most of his books a must read especially for those who are enthusiasts of change. Through the researches that he does, he has made it certain that the changes in the world that affects the human society are clearly explained and outlined as to how they positively or negatively affect the human development.Through this, social and technological developments have been widely used as a topic for his books. Steven Berlin Johnson at present continues to startle the world of book-publication with his style of research and writing. He lives with his wife and two sons while he continues to write other books and do several columns for the internet at www.stevenberlinjohnson.com and he is the present editor of the Wired Magazine. He also continues to share his ideas to the young generation by b eing a resident writer in the Journal paper of the New York University Department of Journalism.Among his other works include â€Å"The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Epidemic and Hoe it changed Science, Cities and the Modern World†. This book has also been   one of the best selling published work of Johnson after he launched the â€Å"Interface Culture†.I.About the BookInterface Culture showed that one of the greatest advancements that the human society ever jumped into for the past ten decades was the development of the cyberspace or the Internet. Before the said advancement, it could be observed that seas and mountains have separated the world, and that people were living in two different sides of the world and that communication from both sides was not that easy to incur.However, with the introduction of the cyber world, everything changes. It just happens that with just one click of a button, an individual could already be wired through to the world. Th is is the idea that Johnson point out in his written work. This book has been mainly devoted to help the society see the actual effects that the internet caused the cultures and the personal and behavioral development of people at present.Certainly, it is through this book that Johnson himself tried to outline the future possibilities that could be brought about by technology in changing the actual view of the society as a whole to the reality of culture mixing and global peace as well. It could be noted that through this written work, he naturally gave life to the widely used system of communication. He clearly points out that a world without computers is quite unimaginable for the generation that has just been born today. To them, it would the past years without the existence of computers may have been quite boring an uncivilized. Yes, cyber world has completely changed the views of the society from what is necessary and what is simply a luxury in life.II.Summary of the BookInterf ace Culture focuses of technological advancements of communication, particularly the internet, and how it affects the society at present. The said book by Johnson has been mainly a rhetorical writing that helps the readers understand the reality of â€Å"Interface† and the great impact that it has upon the lives of those who are directly linked to the said technological development.The interface avant-garde has quite been the core idea of the discussion that Johnson has presented in this book. The use of GUI’s (Graphical User Interface) have made it possible for certain individuals, even those who are not specifically involved in the usage of the Internet has caused much individual advancements among people in the society. It is mainly pointed out in this book that the changes that the introduction of the cyber world has radically performed social connection among races around the globe.Among the said advancements, Johnson focused on the social impact of the said Inter face. Cultures from around the world are already wired together and are thus able to learn about each other with just a click of the button. It could not be denied that it is through the Internet that people are educated about what happens on the other side of their own share of the globe.Yes, the world became smaller and the nations became close neighbors. The Internet even surpassed what televisions could provide through actual-time-video-streaming. What happens within other countries could easily be observed by other through the connection that they have. With the Interface culture, anything is possible. Working, studying, researching and other things could already be done anywhere using a computer and the connection that the Internet provides.With the existence of the cyber world, anything becomes possible and everything becomes easy within reach by anybody who is wired to the Interface Culture.III.The Main Theme and IdeaThe Internet is the doorway to interface culture (Johnson, 5). This is the most significant claim that Johnson particularly send to the readers through his book. It is through the wired culture that the society is connected to one another giving them the chance to understand people form all over the world and thus gain a wider perspective of why things happen.It also opens up the mind of the people to the possibility of gaining peace through the wired connection that they have. Although discrimination and things a like has not been removed, it could be observed that cross-cultural relationships has been constantly developing ever since the Internet has been introduced.However, along with the great provisions that the Internet provides the society, it could be noted that there too are those disadvantages that it brings the world. As it could be noted, it is not only the positive things that are presented through the Internet, there also exists several fraud and chaotic reports that are presented through cyberspace. However, it is upon the u sers’ discretion on which kind of reported occurrences he should believe and thus be affected by such. It still remains true that the actual development in the society still lies within the people’s decisions and not through the technological breakthroughs that the Internet makes accessible to the society.IV. The Book’s Relation to RealityWithout any doubt, the book of Johnson clearly gives an actual view of the present society as to how it is directly affected by the development of technology. Certainly, because of the fact that everything in the present society of man is affected by technology and the existence of Internet, it is thus helpful that the realities behind the existence of the said invention is directly presented to readers.As for the author of this paper, the important impact that it brings is simply the fact that the book covers much of the present situation of mankind as directly related to the cyberspace involvement. The said development has be en causing several changes that impacts people’s lives as common individuals. The strong effect that computers along with internet-based communication provide has mainly re-shifted the views of the entire society from traditional to a completely modern perspective of life and living as well.V. Evaluation and CritiqueAs an overall reaction upon the work done by Johnson in his book, it could be observed that his researches proved to be much helpful in helping the readers realize the impact of Interface Culture in their lives.Some may have used the Internet for several years now and yet not realize the fact that they are already a member of an existing society that are wired through the cyberspace. The international connection that the current communication technology provides has been clearly one of the focuses of the book, which helps the readers understand the clear effect of technology in their lives.Johnson has clearly defined what Interface Culture is and has mainly identi fied the need of everyone to both understand and be cautious to what the Internet, or cyber connection gives them access to. Basically, his enthusiasm and his knowledge on the background of the topic that the book discusses has made the book a must-read and a source of informative passages that would be greatly helpful for one to understand the importance of the emergence of technology and its interconnection with communication developments.VI. ConclusionThe present society is living in a â€Å"wired-community† of the cyber world. With a closer look on the idealisms that Johnson portrays in his book, people would realize that indeed, the Internet and computer-technology have been able to take over the most important developments in the human society.The economy, the individual development through education and thing alike has been made available to everyone through the Internet. This is the reason why interface culture has been regarded as the modern way of living. Yes, there are still a lot more to expect in the future, and there is nothing the society could do, but to be prepared on the changes that may happen in the future.BIBLIOGRAPHYSteven Johnson. (October 6, 1999). Interface Culture : How New Technology Transforms the Way We Create and Communicate. Perseus Books Group; Rep Sub edition. ISBN-10: 0465036805.W.Colston Leigh Inc. (2007). Steven Berlin Johnson Biography. http://leighbureau.com/speaker.asp?id=327. (April 3, 2007).

O.M. Scott & Sons Company

DE LA SALLE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS â€Å"O. M. SCOTT & SONS COMPANY† SUBMITTED BY: ESTIMADA, ANNA GABRIELLA C. Executive Summary The O. M. Scott and Sons company was a company which first started to produce weed-free grass, but diversified into other products related to its product line: lawn mowers, fertilizers, and other garden paraphernalia. It encountered the problem of nationwide distribution, finding difficulty in the delivery of its product.The company solve this problem of nationwide distribution by first, increasing its work force to keep up with the voluminous orders. Second, by setting up dealerships which will distribute their products and lastly, establishing a trust receipt payment system in order to assure the quick returns of investments. Problem The company encountered difficulty in the distribution of its products for two reasons: the nature of its agriculturally based products necessitated the quick distribution of pro ducts upon order.The voluminous orders and distances of nationwide coverage rendered the distribution difficult. Corporate Objective In keeping up with the modernization of agricultural products and technology, the company expanded its product line by diversifying into related products and services. From grass, O. M. Scott & Sons started the production of fertilizers, lawn mowers and other products. This diversification assured the company against stagnation. Areas of Consideration Shareholders & Key Officers Sales Force The company’s success can be attributed to the efforts of the sales force since they are the ones who are improving the salesmanship of the dealers in order to be available to their prospective customers. * Dealers The dealer is one of the key players in the company’s sales since the products are made available through them. With the dealership, the company can save money from overhead expenses and other general and administrative expenses from operati ons. * ScottThe owner of the company is considered as one of the key players in the company since he had found ways to cope with the market trend. Market Profile * Product Initially, the company is only selling the country’s first clean, weed-free grass seed in 1868. Scott’s business began to grow rapidly in the local market in Central Ohio. In 1990’s, the company have expanded it’s product range from grass seeds to new chemical weed and garden pest controls and special-purpose lawn fetilizers. * Price * Place & DistributionWhen the company first started, the weed-free grass seed was available upon order over the phone and after some time, the seeds will be delivered to you house. However, as the business expanded, Scott realized that neither him nor his competitors were able to tap the potential market of lawn care. In the company’s case, this was attributed to the distribution system since the customer’s could not buy the products easily. To address this issue, the company opened its products to dealerships wherein the sales force is tasked to train dealers how to do a better selling job with the company’s products. Promotion and Advertising When the business became successful during its initial operations, the company began to advertise extensively, In 1927, the company added a free magazine called Lawn Care, which was widely distributed. Financial Profile * Profitability * The company’s profitability for the next 5 years, as computed in the projected plan, will greatly increase as computed for the gross profit rate and contribution margin rate. There is a yearly increase of 1% for both rates which is a good sign for the company. * Turnovers The turnover rate for the first projected year will not be good since it will take longer for the inventory to be converted to cash. However the succeeding projected years is seen to be improving in terms of the turnover rate. * Capacity Utilization * For the proje cted years, the rate of capacity utilization will improve as it was projected that the rate will increase by 2% yearly. * Financial Leverage * The liquidity of the company will neither improve nor worsen as projected in the plan. There was only a little difference in the yearly computed projected rates.

Macbeth in context Essay

Macbeth is a five act tragic play, which was written by William Shakespeare for King James I in1607. It took the world by storm and today it is one of the best known tragedies available. Since it is so worthy of praise, in this essay, I am going to do a character analysis of Macbeth, the protagonist in this play. I will be evaluating how Macbeth’s ambition and determination to be king, eventually drags him to his downfall. Despite, he is the hero the main character; Macbeth is not introduced in the first two scenes. As William Shakespeare uses this as a theatrical device to create suspense and arouse curiosity in the audience. He does this by introducing other characters in these two scenes always speak about Macbeth. For example, one of the witches says, ‘There to meet with Macbeth’. This makes the audience curious about what they are going to do to him. Furthermore they make the King and bleeding sergeant speak of his bravery and skill, making him liked already. The dramatist Shakespeare additionally uses mythological language to glorify Macbeth. For instance the Bleeding Sergeant describes Macbeth by calling him ‘Valour’s minion’ and ‘Bellona’s bride groom’. Since Bellona is the Roman Goddess of war, Shakespeare is saying that Macbeth is a lover of war and is therefore a good soldier. Valour is courage and by calling him ‘Valour’s minion’ he shows that he is fearless and courageous. The hero, Macbeth, was a victim of circumstance. He is firstly influenced by the three witches in act one scene three. They convince Macbeth that he has the right traits to become a king. This is exceedingly significant as this sets the path for Macbeth’s downfall. Another main influence on Macbeth is none other than his dearly love Lady Macbeth. She does this by questioning his manhood in act one scene seven, ‘and lives a coward in thine own esteem’. Moreover when Macbeth asks her to do it, she convinces him to murder King Duncan by saying why she cannot do it as he reminds her of her own father. During times that the play Macbeth was written, the king was considered a delegate of God. The point that Shakespeare uses King Duncan as a theatrical device is worthy of note. King Duncan description of Macbeth, before his introduction, as, ‘worthy gentleman’ and ‘valiant cousin’, shows that even God is on his side. Getting praise from a demi-god shows the importance of Macbeth in that society and he may even be a role model for people at that time. One main character in the play that shows Macbeth’s real personality is Lady Macbeth. The first time in the play that she does this is when she receives his letter, ‘Tis too full of the milk of human kindnesses. By doing this she shows that under all the heroic traits he is also kind and gentle. So, the audience feel even more amazed at him. Being his closest person, she always knows how to instigate him to do something. She shows this when she convinces him to kill King Duncan. Although this may seem to some people like she is the vamp in play, she is in fact only thinking for the betterment of her husband. This shows she is a loyal wife and thus shows how worthy Macbeth would have to be to get such a devoted partner. As every tragic hero, Macbeth has one human flaw, which in his case is his vaulting ambition. This shows that every person has a flaw, even a hero. For, if it was not for his ambition to be king, then none of the tragedies would have occurred. This gives the audience the moral lesson, which is that too much ambition can in turn harm a person rather than benefit them, but the right amount is good as was shown before when Macbeth was considered good. Even though Macbeth is considered a villain by the audience towards the end of the play, he redeems his honour and pride when he goes to fight, He still dies a hero. His redemption starts when he calls for his armour and says, ‘At least we shall die with our harness on our backs’. The point that even when all odds are against him, he still acts like a true soldier by trying to fight of the army, which is obviously worthy of praise. It is also worthy to note that at this point in time, when he is near his death, he begins to repent for all he has done, and this means that the audience now feels sorry for him and this is how he regained their respect. To conclude, my analysis, I would to praise William Shakespeare for his fine use of descriptive language and theatrical devices, which are expertly thought out to please the audience at the time, and also to glorify his hero, even on his death.

Analyzing Pilgrims From The Orient Form A Literature Perspective

Analyzing Pilgrims From The Orient Form A Literature Perspective Literary Analysis of Pilgrims from the Orient Comprehension: Pilgrims from the Orient is about Jade Snow Wongs youthful years with her parents. Wong was expected to be a perfect girl. She was taught the finest manners that her parents could teach. Wongs father is an entrepreneur and he tried to make a living by having his own business. This man is described as strict, but not talkative. Among his number of attempts of opening new businesses, his most successful business is mass producing denim garments. Wongs mother was dutiful in her tasks. When she was done with one thing, she would start on another. She would waste no time. She lived by the moral of working and saving. Wongs family had to work hard to keep their business alive and this was no exception to Wong herself. Not only did Wong have to work, but she was also expected to learn the English language and her native tongue. Being a girl, Wong didnt have the same privileges as her eldest brother, but Wong was taught that his privileges were his birthright. Knowing this, Wong didnt think much of it and accepted it as it is. Wongs parents had a strong bond with Chinese heritage. None is allowed to show physical affection, talk back, argue, or show gratitude for service. During the Depression, Wongs parents needed more hours of work from everybody, including Jade Wong. Because her father didnt have enough time to buy groceries and her mother had no time to waste on cooking, Wong was assumed both duties. Even with all of the tasks Wong was pitted against, she still managed to finish junior high school. As Wong advanced to high school, she had to work in part-time jobs to earn money to support her own self. During her high school years, Wong was introduced to non-Chinese customs. During these introductions, Wong compared her Chinese life with her American life. She compared the teachers and the ideals of both cultures. By the time Wong had finished high school, she had moved away to work for room and board. Her father, who is conservative about money, had Wong pay for h er own college education. During her college years, Wong took a sociology class. This class Wong had taken deeply impacted her mind. Wong was taught the rights of a human being. Wong was released for a week by her employer which gave Wong some free time. During this period of relaxation, Wong was asked out for a movie date by a Chinese-American boy. While dressing up, Wongs father questioned her dashing preparations. Wong refused to answer while think of her rights. With a thunderous voice, Wongs father forbade Wong from leaving, but she ignored her fathers command. This marks the beginning of Jade Snow Wongs rebellion. Rhetoric: Pilgrims from the Orient is a well picked title for this personal essay. Jade Snow Wongs family is exactly what the title is. The main idea of this personal essay is the fact that customs cant remain stable in a persons mind after many generations of evolution. Although this is not exactly stated, it is inferred. Wong questions her eldest brothers birthright and thinks about what is right and wrong. She disobeys her father in the end signifying that times are changing and people have rights. In the beginning of the essay, Wong capitalizes the D in Daddy. The word daddy derives from the word father. If Wongs father is devoted to Chinese customs, why would he like to be called the informal word of father? Such irony shows that even Wongs father is changing. Wong compares her American life with her Chinese life with various examples. One fine example is the comparison of her teachers. Chinese teachers are strict and non-forgiving. American teachers, however, are kind. This confuses Wong because she was taught to not show physical affection. In the end of the essay, Wong is in a quarrel with her father. The scene is flowing with fire as Wong and her father argue. This shows that Wong will break away from traditional Chinese customs. The customs of China are present throughout the whole essay, but conflict is also present. This makes the thesis of this personal essay is the fact that customs change over a long period of time no matter what. Synthesis: Wong, at first, sees herself as a slave to men. She is to do nothing but serve dutifully to her husband and work hard. Later as she grows up, she learns about her rights as an American citizen. Todays American society doesnt have many restrictions on either gender thus making it equal (to a certain extent). During Wongs college years, she learns about human rights and what is to be a model human. This puts a large question mark on Wongs Chinese customs. Wong doesnt mention which system of culture is best, but she does put down Chinese customs and raise the status of American culture. Although she does this, it is evident that she still has Chinese customs and culture within her and that will never change. Although she did rebel against her parents in the end of the essay, Wong does not hate her parents. Wong is proving that everything cant remain the same. Wong will always be Chinese because thats what she is. This can all be tied together by saying that culture will always be presen t, but not the same.

Dust storm in China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Dust storm in China - Research Paper Example He, indeed, has showed an aversion to industrially produced because of the biological, chemical and industrial pathogens which can cause serious diseases and grave illness. Therefore, he prefers personally foraged food produced in natural setting. But in this industrial age, since industrially produced foods are much cheaper than the foods produced in a natural setting, modern people are in a dilemma whether they should eat those organic/ personally foraged foods which are â€Å"floating on a sinking sea of petroleum† or not. But the question which arises here is: Is Michael Pollan aware of the fact that the nature itself has been polluted with the man-made chemical and biological industry? Natural disasters like dust storm in China have showed ample evidences in support of this claim that nature itself has been severely polluted by chemical and biological pollutants. Therefore, Pollan’s hope to get pollution free food from nature is also diminishing day by day. The Ind ustrial and Chemical Pollutants in the Dust Storm in China Dust storm in China is considered as a natural and meteorological event which occurs normally in the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. It is caused by a gust of wind which blows dust particles, sands and dirt from the dry plains. Dust storm ferries these particles with a geographical process of transportation, called â€Å"saltation and suspension† which involves moving the dust particles from one place to another through the air. It may occur in any part of the world where there are vast dry plains containing loose dust particles on the surface. It also occurs in China. Referring to the occurrence of dust storm in China, Gou and Xie comments, â€Å"North-west China lies in the inner part of the Asia-Europe continent, the climate is dry and there are many winds and desert storms† (1619). But this dust storm in China is far more different from those in other parts of the world in terms of its threat to heal th. Researches show that the dust storms in China are more threatening to human health because of the industrial chemical pollutants they ferry, as referring to the threats posed by the Dust storm, Chiu and his co-authors note, â€Å"However, statistically significant associations were found between ADS events and hospital admissions for primary intra-cerebral hemorrhagic stroke† (778). Because of the recent rapid industrial growth, China is releasing more industrial pollutants to its environment than ever. Though natural particles such as sand, earth particles, etc are less harmful to human health, the industrial pollutants such as sulfuric components, industrial ashes, vehicular lead, carbon monoxide, mercury, Zinc, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, copper, etc are seriously injurious to health. In this regard, they say, â€Å"Many epidemiologic studies have provided evidence of an association between airborne particles and daily mortality†¦Fine particles typically contain a mixture of soot, acid condensates, and sulfate and nitrate particles. They are derived chiefly from combustion of fossil fuels† (Yang et al, 817). Scientists assert that naturally these components remain in composite forms which are not so much a threat to health. But due to the industrial growth of China, these carcinogenic materials are exhumed from the earth and used