Fredricksons various models in the story of Stephen Cruz by Studs Essay

Fredricksons various models in the story of Stephen Cruz by Studs Terkel - Essay Example For Stephen Cruz, who was taught and brought up by his father to work hard in whatever he does and avoid taking things that he does not deserve, is seen in the story being told to fall in the line and learn the way of doing business as the dominant and powerful group does. The Civil Acts of 1964 is used in this story to signify the way policies and legislations are used to assimilate minority groups. Fredrickson’s one way assimilation methods is apparently used in this story as the minorities are being accepted and employed to and by the dominant group, but they still play a subordinate role and are not allowed to fully enjoy the freedoms nor fulfill their American dream (Fredrickson, 335). As Stephen Cruz rises up through the corporate ladder slowly with his sheer hard work, he continues to discover that maybe the American dream he is working on is not meant for him. This is because he discovers that the dream and the relations between the minority-weak and dominant-powerful, are to the advantage of the later. This relation is described by Fredrickson as group separatism. Although the method of doing so might not be as direct as it may be perceived to be, through taking advantages of various legislations and policies to their (dominant group), can be seen as a way to separate the dominant and the minority. The dominant and powerful in America continue to get stronger and wealthy and the expense of the minority. This separates the two groups even further and no equally is presented.

English Language Learner Essay Example for Free

English Language Learner Essay The United States still represents to the rest of world a land of opportunities. Immigration occurs when people from all part of the world make their way here to start new lives, find their new jobs or build new homes. Some leave their country to flee from oppression and injustice. Some want a life to escape poverty. Now the English Language Learners in America school constantly growing percent of all U.S student-There are more than five million children who are English Language Learners (ELLs). Research show that Bilingual Education is beneficial to people who learning English to support their English Language also native language and to retain. The Bilingual Education is more effective to English Learners research that students who are educate in Bilingual classrooms do as well as or better than the groups of English sold literacy skill, cause of their thinks are just would cover their miserable life by money, that’s all they have to do. The challenge faced by English Language is an obstacle to their education success in this country. Amount of students who participating to learn English are enrolled in U.S. public schools (pre-K-12) increased by 8.5 percent, from 46.0 million in 1997-1998 to mostly 50 million in 2007-2008. In them, at least 10.7 percent or more than 5.3 million children were English Language Learners (ELLs). Over the time, the number of ELL increased by 53.2 percent, from 3.5 million to 5.3 million) in the same period, this statistic was show that there is no signal to stop and might be grow up in the future. The nation’s ELL student (about 1.5 million children) mainly lived in California, state with the largest amount of student in need of English instruction. Behind California, the three states also contained an amazing number of ELL enrollment: Arizona (166,572), New York (213,000), and Texas (701,800). All English Language Learners are definitely struggling to learn English sometime, they were fail to understand what is the teacher talking about, and may become unpleasantness when they have an idea but cannot transmit wholeness express their thoughts in English. That’s might be a biggest problem for ELLs who would like to speak English well but don’t want to learn English. Meanwhile, many students experience another kind of struggle, when they go home, they speak different language in which their parents  communicated. But a lots immigrant students of ELL have a habit of fluency in English and so want to give up their native language. They pressure to speak English at school; they are expected to speak their native language at home. In the education process, there is â€Å"English-only Laws do not help Immigrant gain fluency in English â€Å". Some individually consider that being not only of English Language Learners (ELL), but of American communities as a whole. The governments do not promote English as official language so much as they make discrimination to different kind of language. However, ELLs should not receive English-only laws, instead achieve literacy, it makes disconnect to immigrant who want to keep their tradition. Beside of that, an obstacle for all students of ELLs that they must to receive the same program such as student spokes of native English when they are during education process, many trammels as reading literature in English cause most literature is culture bound. Students who desire to speak English fluency must struggle for several year before they understand everything that is said i n their classroom, and that is discrimination for all ELLs as they received entire subjects with not their language such as mathematics, science, social study, language art,†¦ while their literacy skills do not well at all. Bilingual Education – consider that such as education in an English-language school system in which students with little fluency in English are taught in both their native language and English. Research show that Bilingual Language is the effective choice and definitely benefic for English Language Learners. It not only helping to advantage of ELLs to become solid literacy skills with both language, Bilingual Education also support to students develop ability of communication with international. The review found that almost K-12 students show who have been educated in bilingual classroom, enroll in programs that have high level of bilingualism probably do as well as or might be better than comparison group of English Learners in English-only program. English Learners want to improve their English as well as they could be, but they also receive a lot of challenges from English. As you are learning any new language, it takes a lot of dedication, practice and time. But all of that will pay off when you are able expressing yourself in an exciting way. You have to know what is your first step will going to be, then just keep going and expand all experience that you have become perfectly. Also, the English teacher should  purposefully select words and sentence structures that will help students learn rather than hinder their success in class or practice for them to listening, specific is talking to improve their pronunciation. Eventually, English Language Learners could be received a lot of challenges by English Language as they struggle to fit into a new society, learn a new language, improving the achievement of communicate ability with international. However, English has been the common world-wide language, and it will be in the future. For this reason, English Language Learners must be insist that practice and policy by based on the best evidence we have and not on politics or predilections.

Crime Prevention Technology

Crime Prevention Technology Over the years, government agencies have sought ways to combat crime. Our Criminal Justice System is in a state of crisis due to prisons being over crowded. It is better to prevent a crime than to punish the individual for a crime once it has affected more parties. It is evident with the number of crimes reported in the media, instead of reducing the number of crimes taking place, it is increasing. That itself shows the urgency nations attention on crime prevention. Research indicates that certain individuals in society are more prone follow and maintain a criminal career. Furthermore, there appears seems to be with an obvious pattern among the individuals who have been jailed for committing serious crimes. For example men from disadvantaged backgrounds, with disloyal personalities and poor impulse control are regarded as having high risk personality to commit crime. As a result, it is important that Sri Lankan Criminal Justice System recognizes these high risk individuals and implement certain preventative measures to discourage them from a criminal path. 3. Today it has become important more than ever to control these individuals who are seriously damaging the nations will. As indicated by research, there appears to be a strong link between the seriousness of the act (ex, rape, armed robbery and murder etc.) committed by an individual and the number of times these individuals have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Therefore, it is easy to assume that the re-offending rates in Sri Lanka would be significantly higher. Hence, it is essential that the governing bodies work towards bringing down the rates of re-offending in Sri Lanka. With the help of modern technology this may become a more attainable goal. AIM 4. To indicate the role and importance of technology to prevent crimes and through that maintain law and order in Sri Lanka EXPLANATION ON CRIME 5. Crime could be defined as a breach of laws for which a countrys Criminal Justice System may ultimately enforce a guilty sentence. Crimes can be classified into felonies, misdemeanours and infraction. a. A felony is considered to be the most serious type of crime and it includes the issues related to assault, murder, rape, robbery etc. b. A Misdemeanours are less serious than felonies. It is therefore distinguished by the length or gravity of the punishment issued to the individual. These include simple assaults, Driving under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (more commonly known as DUI) and disorderly conduct in public. c. Infractions are the least serious type of crime. It includes common traffic offences, breaching speed limits. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND TECHNOLOGY 6. Advancement in technology appears to be a double edged sword as it has created a whole new spectrum of crime and this same technology helps the law enforcement combat, prevent to or capture these criminals. For example, in addition to dealing with crimes such as murder, robbery, rape law enforcement agencies are forced to deal with internet crimes such as internet hackers, internet stalkers, internet viruses and the use of the internet to cheat are the example of a few. On a positive aspect this same technology could be utilized to increase the power and range of the law enforcement agencies. For example, technology could be used to prevent certain types crime from happening to ultimately capturing these criminals who have committed the crime. 7. Surveillance videos, fingerprint technology and DNA evidence could also be used in a court of law to help send to prison and punish these individuals without relying solely on human witnesses. There were many experiences and so many stories where that human memory has had devastating influences on certain individuals who were wrongly confined. On a positive note, most of these wrongly accused have since been released from confinement with the help of modern technology such as DNA evidence and fingerprint evidence. WHAT ARE THE CRIMES IN SRI LANKA 8. According to the Sri Lankan Police website, during the year 2010 home invasions, theft and robbery, knife attacks, homicide attempts to commit suicide and grievous harm are among the crimes that predominately committed by the Sri Lankan population are probably indicative only of reported crime as culturally Sri Lankans are less likely to report personal crimes such as domestic assaults, rapes and childhood sexual assaults because of the disgrace attached to these crimes. For example, often people are either too afraid or too ashamed regarding the circumstances and therefore are less likely to seek help and support from authorities. USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO CURB CRIMES IN SRI LANKA AS AT PRESENT AND AREAS TO IMPROVE 9. Technology is already being used to obtain evidence and capture criminals. However, we do not use technology that much, to prevent crimes in comparison to post criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies rely heavily on fingerprinting technology and the Sri Lankan Criminal Justice System had recognizes these advancements in technology. For example, DNA, fingerprinting, through telephone call details, surveillance cameras, digital photos and videos are now recognized in a court of law. FINGERPRINT TECHNOLOGY 10. Fingerprint technology has been used for more than a century and the FBI in America have used fingerprinting technology as far as 1924 in criminal investigations. Even though, Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies didnt use fingerprinting technology that far back in time, but they have relied on this technology for the past few decades of time. 11. Fingerprinting technology is a relatively cheap and it is still considered to be one of the most reliable forms of evidence in a court of law. A persons individual appearance may change with time, but it is impossible to change an individuals fingerprint. That is the main motive for them to rely on this old technology this much. 12. As Sri Lanka is a developing country we are lack with many resources to use and same goes with expensive technology, even which are readily available to use in the first world nations. Fingerprinting technology is relatively low cost, therefore Sri Lanka doesnt need to depend on foreign countries and we have the technology too. That compels us to use it more as it is readily available within the country. 13. Currently, the Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies are in the process of storing fingerprints of criminals who are recognised by the court of law and these fingerprints are stored in databases for easy access and for future reference. The government has recognised the importance of fingerprinting technology. As a result they are in the process of introducing National Identity cards that have an individuals thumb print coupled with other information to help minimise identity theft and for easy identification. BIO METRIC TECHNOLOGY 14. DNA, infrared technology, face recognition are used widely in Western countries. These advanced technologies are used to help basically in preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information or restricted buildings and areas. At present Sri Lanka does not process the resources to use these mentioned technologies even though requirement highly exist. 15. However, DNA technology is used in Sri Lanka mainly to help identify individuals at a crime outlook. It has also been used in the past to confirm an individuals identity. A highly publicised example where DNA was used was during the 2004 Tsunami to identify the biological parents of an infant as several families claimed the infant belonged to them. 16. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka lacks the financial resources to use them on a regular basis. Currently what practise is, after collecting and securing DNA evidence it is sent to a foreign country to obtain the results. This can often be very expensive and highly time consuming. CLOSE CIRCUIT TELEVISION 17. Close Circuit Television or more commonly known as CCTV is relatively new in Sri Lanka. CCTV has the potential to help control criminal and disorderly behavior in community. Research conducted in this area states that CCTV cameras help prevent crime by increasing the chances of getting caught and by further obtaining the evidence required to convict these individuals. Further it would help monitor offenders behaviors and patterns. 18. CCTV cameras may help citizens be cautionary through its presence. For example, research indicates that individuals are likely to be hesitant of committing a crimes commonly happening, such as shop-lifting when they are made aware that all their behaviors and actions are being monitored. Sri Lankan banks and money handling agencies use CCTV to help reduce bank robberies. If a robbery does take place, with its information security personals can activate their contingency plans in preventing robbery is been succeed and even filing so CCTV can then be used to gather evidence. 19. There are five disadvantages in using CCTV, for example it is costly and it can be time consuming to go through the surveillance tapes once a crime has been committed. However, a good surveillance system may help cut down the number of crimes committed. Furthermore, CCTV cameras will help law agencies recognize, catch and convict individuals. It would also help further because, if an individual is caught on camera then there would be no argument as to what is being done. It would become extremely difficult for their layers to argue or make excuses for their behaviors when caught in the action. MOBILE POLICE VEHICLES 20. With the development of the communication, with in a matter of seconds, individuals can inform authorities about a crime, details relating to incidents, regarding a person or any other related issues through a phone. With the introduction of mobile police vehicle system use of that technological advantages have become very effective both for preventives and passive criminal counter actions. 21. It had been used in the past to combat terrorism, because of its rapid and effective accessibility. Same as that it will be effective provided with some improvements to the system. USE OF MEDIA 22. Media plays a vital role in counter criminal activities. We have experienced during the war against the LTTE how effectively it can be used. There were occasions when suspected persons photographs and details were flashed on the screen on televisions, almost immediately and sometimes within a day, the information reached the authorities through vigilant civilians. 23. With the use of media, the authorities could use the population of over 20 million citizens of Sri Lanka to help observe and then report if any criminal activities take place. As it is impossible for governing agencies to monitor everywhere due to the lack of man power and resources it will be an added advantage. Therefore media could be used to distribute current information to the public and authorities could then use information reported by the citizens. 24. As mentioned previously, when it comes to personal crimes from a cultural perspective individuals are less likely to inform authorities. Television programmes such as Thiththa Aththa and Gahaniya use the media to encourage individuals to report and discuss these sensitive issues. On the opposite side of things, the same information that is used to help understand the circumstances of an incident, then it can be used by a criminal to cover his or her tracks. DIFFICULTIES FACED IN USE OF TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY 25. According to recent data, Britain is monitored by 4 million Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras making them the most watched nation in the world. British governing body insists that the use of CCTV cameras should be viewed as being beneficial and protective. Sri Lanka does require a large amount of CCTV systems if it is to cover the required places effectively in entire country. 26. A very basic camera system may cost about Rs. 100,000. As it is very expensive, it prevents Sri Lanka from using the required number of CCTV cameras. This same cost factor affects the use of other effective technologies such as use of DNA or Bio metric technology. LACK WITH KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE AND SKILL PERSONAL 27. Lack of skilled personals and professional knowledge has become another limiting factor in use of modern technology. Sri Lankan education system does not recognise the importance of technology in combating crime with the use of Bio metric technology. 28. There is a huge brain-drain as most educated individuals in this area of expertise are likely to leave Sri Lanka for lack of employment. For example, even if these individuals have the knowledge, as Sri Lanka lacks the infrastructure, required equipment as well as the technology to maintain the level required to have a functioning Bio metric system. This then compels Sri Lanka to depend mainly on foreign technology and expertise. KNOWLEDGE LAPSES AMONG THE CITIZENS 29. Sri Lanka is still a developing country. The ageing populations as well as the citizens in the rural areas in Sri Lanka are not aware of the available technology. For example, our grandparents would not be comfortable using a mobile phone. Even though the younger generation is aware of the benefits computers offer, in comparison to India, Sri Lankas IT literacy rate is comparatively low. 30. Another complication arises in trying to introduce National Identity cards with the thumb print. Even if this technology was introduced, citizens need to be made aware of the basic functions and the methods to use them. LACKS IN INFRASTRUCTURES FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 31. Infrastructure requirement for sensitive scientific subject like bio metric or commonly known as DNA are not available in the island, for that matter we are totally depended on other countries. This is leading to have more issues with time factor, economic factor and therefore tendency of using these technologies will always with some limitations. 32. Not only the infrastructure, more importantly we do not even have the required equipments. For example we are in a process of introducing an identity card with finger print and with many other details. But to achieve the purpose those authority that are going to check the identity on the ground must be equipped with required mechanism to use the technology. If not having all required data, if those authorities happened to go with manual identification the entire purpose cannot be achieved. TRAINING ISSUE 33. As discussed above, the level of IT literacy is relatively low in Sri Lanka. It would be extremely expensive to train individuals from the beginning and it would also be very time consuming. 34. Training would only be beneficial if the individual chosen is able to understand and remember what is expected of them. However, at the moment it is important to recognize individuals with some basic knowledge and interest in computers. This will help eliminate individuals unsuitable for the training programs. SUMMARY 35. As same as any other field influence of the technology is a factor which is unavoidable for both crime and counter criminal activities. It is well understood that it is better to prevent a crime than to punish the individual for a crime once it has affected more parties. But the available technology that, which we are equipped with is been basically used for post criminal activities. However as at today there is urgency in use of technology for preventive mashers too. Because we are with enough details on that, certain individuals in society are more prone follow and maintain a criminal career. Furthermore, there appears seems to be with an obvious pattern among the individuals who have been jailed for committing serious crimes. 36. Fingerprint technology, DNA or bio metric technology, Circuit Television or more commonly known as CCTV and mobile police vehicle system are used in Sri Lanka in counter criminal activities with many difficulties. Media also plays a vital role in counter criminal activities and again it is a double edged weapon which plays negative role too. 37. Sri Lanka is a developing nation who has many difficulties in case of economy. There for the cost factor is being recognized as the main barrier in using technology against crime. Lack of skilled personals and professional knowledge, lack the infrastructure, lack equipment as well as the technology, training issues are the other difficulties faced by the authorities. 38. Having being identified the areas where, more attention of the authority is highly essential now we have to up lift the awareness of the society to get the proper use of technology in order to achieve our ultimate aim by maintaining countries low and order. RECOMMENDATIONS 39. Sri Lanka is a developing nation. Therefore, we only have access to limited resources. Hence, it becomes important to identify the requirements to prevent crime. It is true that justice cannot be determined by Rupees and cents, however, any changes to the system must be considered with concern for its cost effectiveness. For example, even if certain technologies have been used successfully in Western Countries, it does not necessarily mean that the same technology would be appropriate to use in Sri Lanka. 40. As average citizens may not be aware of the technology available, it may help to have a national wide education programme through the use of media and many other means. This has to be done before introducing any technology which may lead to confusion among the citizens. 41. At the school level children are to be taught about technology and the benefits of computers as we need to train the next generation. In turn this knowledge of the children can be used to educate their families on the same aspect. 42. Sri Lanka needs to enhance its databases. It would be beneficial to recognize and train individuals in computing skills. These individuals could then be used to help collect the most relevant data and help store them accurately for future references. 43. On the other hand the governing body needs an eliminating programme to recognize potential individual that would be of value to them in the future after the training is completed. It is important to realize that as we lack the skill levels and the resources to train these individuals, the governing agencies to need help from foreign countries. The initial cost would expensive but in the long run it would benefit Sri Lanka 44. New technology that such as CCTV is likely to become an essential tool when controlling criminals and their behaviors in time to come. However, it is important that law agencies do not only rely on CCTV cameras to attain this goal. For example, if the police force is aware that a certain area has CCTV cameras installed, they are less likely to frequent that particular area. If an individual gets assaulted in an area that has CCTV, the police may not be able to get to that area in time to help the victim. It is true that, the police could use the video to help catch the criminal after the crime has been committed but unfortunately, this may be of little consolidation for the already victimized individual. 45. If we were to increase the number of patrol cars used, we should focus on the crime-ridden areas. This would help maximize the man power and resources used. It may also help if the patrol cars have access to a cellular phone. These vehicles are to be equipped with GPS to gain more advance passion over counter parties. This way, if a crime is reported, the dispatch centre would then be able to direct the closest patrol car to the area. 46. In response to personal crimes such as rape and domestic assault, media could be used to reach out the average citizens still living in the rural areas. It might help to encourage the younger generations to reach out to their elders regarding this matter. If people are made aware that these issues could be resolved with help, more victims may come forward without worrying about being made ridiculed by their peers. It may also help to start these educational policies at school levels and encourage children to speak to their parents and relations. This may then promote gender and social equality in Sri Lanka.

The Holocaust Essay -- History German Jew Nazi Genocide Essays

The Holocaust †We are the children of the holocaust. We are both Germans and Jews. We are the children of the victims. We are the children of the oppressors. We started out on opposite sides but the memory of the holocaust will join us forever. We shall never let the victims be forgotten, for if we do, we will forget that the perpetrator can be in all of us.† This poem expresses quite well the sensation that most individuals feel when they hear the word â€Å"Holocaust.† Although they may not have been there, or known someone who was, they may still feel an underlying sadness or anger due to the events that took place during World War II. I myself am neither a Jew nor have German decent, and I too become emotional at just the thought of such a devastating occurrence. It is in this sense that I will discuss how the Holocaust has affected not only the Jewish world, but other peoples as well. In 1933, the Nazi party began their reign in Germany, under the malevolent dictator Adolf Hitler; his role as â€Å"prime minister† of the county lead to the temporary suspension of civil rights for communists and Jews. The first concentration camp, known as â€Å"Dachau† was erected, which contained over two hundred communists, and all books that included ideas and concepts contrary to Nazi belief were burned. Jewish newspapers were not allowed to be sold in the streets, and as Hitler’s power became more and more apparent, he gained the title of Fuhrer, or â€Å"Leader of Germany.† His charismatic ways charmed many people into believing that his ideas were conceptually sound, and within only a few years, the Jewish people were stripped of their liberties, including their right to vote. In 1938, on Kristallnacht the Nazi regime terrorized Jews throughout both Germany and Austria; over 30,000 Jews were arrested, having their licenses revoked, car registrati ons taken away, and securities and jewels stolen as well. Upon the acclimation of World War II in 1939, when France and Britain declared war on Germany, Hitler ordered that all Jews must wear a yellow Star of David, in 1940, he began the deportation of all German Jews to the country of Poland (Morretta). Once in Poland, the Jews were forced to reside in ghettos and concentration camps; in 1942, the â€Å"Final Solution† planning had begun by Hitler and his Nazis regime, and by 1943, eighty five percent of all of the Jewish people that ... ... the Holocaust itself, as devastating as it was, may have happened for the Jewish people to acquire a larger capacity than others for forgiveness and understanding. This idea rings true for every other human being in the world as well, because once again, â€Å"We shall never let the victims be forgotten, for if we do, we will forget that the perpetrator can be in all of us.† 1 This poem was written by Rudi Raab, and is from The Acts of Reconciliation Project, where Germans and Jews met to build a common ground. 2 â€Å"The Night of Broken Glass† 3 An elaborate plan of mass genocide in which the Nazi officials would annihilate all European Jews. 4 This poem was written by Rudi Raab, and is from The Acts of Reconciliation Project, where Germans and Jews met to build a common ground. Works Cited Feig, Konnilyn. Hitler’s Death Camps: The Sanity of Madness. New York, Holmes & Meier, 1979. Jacobs, Alan. â€Å"Auschwitz/Birkenau.† http://www.remember.org/jacobs/index.html. 1996. Morretta, Theresa. â€Å"History of the Holocaust: Timeline.† http://www.remember.org/educate/mtimeline.html. 1997. Watts, Franklin. "Auschwitz and the Allies." Voices of History 1942-43 .New York, 1943.

Ethan Frome Vs. The Awakening Essay

Is independence an intangible dream? Are people truly individuals, or merely products of their environment? Edith Wharton and Kate Chopin explore the question in Ethan Frome and The Awakening, in which the protagonists are led by outside forces to challenge societal conventions. Employing the use of characterization, symbolism, and metaphor, the authors demonstrate that attempting to do so can lead to one’s destruction. The main characters in Frome and Awakening fill necessary roles and share similar attributes. Ethan is described as a loner, quiet, and uncomfortable interacting with people in town, even with Mattie, the woman he loves. He cowers in the formidable presence of his bitter wife, unwilling to defend himself against her wrath. Similarly, Edna feels out of place in both the relaxed Creole environment and stiff Victorian society. In many instances, she does not even understand herself and can’t explain her behavior to family or friends. Both characters struggle to escape their surroundings. Ethan dreams desperately of leaving Starkfield behind for the West while Edna builds her own dream house in favor of the â€Å"gilded cage† in which her husband placed her. The â€Å"villainess† of Wharton’s novelette is Zenobia Frome, Ethan’s wife. She is characterized repeatedly as embittered, inscrutable, and sickly. Her marriage to Ethan is loveless and she prefers nursing her many illnesses than keeping the company of her husband. Leonce Pontellier is Edna’s controlling partner, intent on molding her into his ideal wife. He despairs over Edna’s abandonment of convention, the absence of proper adulation toward him and lack of motherly devotion. To Leonce, Edna is a possession, an expensive commodity â€Å"‘You are burnt beyond recognition,’ he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage.† Mattie Silver in Frome and Robert Lebrun in Awakening play crucial roles in their respected stories. They are interlopers in unhappy marriages and possess all the qualities that Ethan and Edna long for. Mattie is the teasing, laughing cousin of Zeena. Her sparkling personality stands in sharp contrast against the Fromes’. She is associated with light and brings happiness into Ethan’s bleak world. Robert Lebrun is the flirtatious Creole Edna falls in love with. His appeal is his careless sensuality and his careful attention of Edna and her whims. Although neither relationship is consummated, Mattie and  Robert are symbols of life without constraint, of what could be if the chains of society were cast off. Symbolism is found in many every day occurrences and items within Ethan Frome and The Awakening. Edith Wharton’s use of snow and dreariness underlies the repeated symbol of death and decay. Most of the story takes place in the depths of winter, when life drains from plants and trees, when water stops flowing, and when living creatures hibernate. Even people, to escape winter, bury themselves inside small huts and houses. Although performing the basic functions of one alive, Zeena has cut herself off from the world. Figuratively, she is dead. After the smash-up, Mattie and Ethan entomb themselves with her in their small, meager shack. Another repetitive symbol is the color red. It constantly is in conjunction with Mattie; a ribbon in her hair, a scarf about her neck. â€Å"†Ã‚ ¦through her hair she had run a streak of crimson ribbon. This tribute†Ã‚ ¦transformed and glorified her. She seemed†Ã‚ ¦more womanly†Ã‚ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  The bold color often appears when Ethan is feeling particularly passionate about his love for Mattie. It is a signature of her vitality and youthful energy. The antique pickle dish of Zeena’s becomes an important symbol after it breaks. The fragile glass represents the Fromes shattered marriage, carelessly handled by Mattie. Ethan attempts to conceal the ruined dish by carefully placing the pieces next to each other, hiding it back on the shelf as if nothing is wrong. Zeena, with her discovery, places more value on a material object than on the relationships disintegrating around her. She mourns the destruction of an antique rather than her true loss: her marriage. Symbolism within The Awakening is a constant reminder of society. Madame AdÃÆ' ¨le Ratignolle is often described as the perfect society woman. She is beautiful, a loving mother, an adoring wife, and completely subservient to her husband’s opinion. Madame Ratignolle would do anything for her children. In contrast, Edna claims that she would sacrifice her life for her children, but she would not sacrifice herself for them. While AdÃÆ' ¨le is the symbol for ev erything Edna should strive to be, she also serves as a figure of what Edna hopes to break free of as the story progresses. The Awakening opens with a parrot shrieking in two different languages. It is explained that the parrot possesses knowledge of a little French â€Å"a little Spanish, and also a language which nobody understood.† The  parrot symbolizes Edna and her life; forever caged in a role that does not suit her strong willed character. She acts (or â€Å"sings†), in ways that bewilder her peers. When Mademoiselle Reisz put her arms around Edna and felt her shoulder blades to see if her â€Å"wings were strong† she said â€Å"the bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth.† This serves emphasize the â€Å"caged bird† theme as well as foreshadow Edna’s eventual fate. The most important piece of symbolism is the sea. The water simultaneously draws and repels Edna; she fears it, yet is seduced by its’ hypnotic flow. Edna was unable to swim because she was afraid of abandoning herself to the sea. For her, learning to swim was a symbol of her sexual awakening and her desire to rebel against social conventions. She wants to swim â€Å"where no woman had swum before† but in her daring, swims further out than she intends and fear seizes her once again. Sledding is an activity in which the rider may submit to gravity and the elements, or steer to alter course. This winter sport serves as an extended metaphor in Ethan Frome. In agreeing with Mattie’s suicide plan, Ethan decides to steer and drive into the elm. As an endeavor fraught with danger, the sleigh ride serves as metaphorical sexual encounter. The structure is such that it imitates the intimate act. However, the end has unforeseeable and tragic consequences when the intended suicide goes wrong. Clothing during the Victorian era was restricting, binding: like cages. Throughout The Awakening Edna sheds more and more clothing through each scene, metaphorically removing herself little by little from society. In the beginning she is fully clothed but slowly trades the confining cloth for â€Å"simple muslin† dresses open at the throat, â€Å"light, commodious wrappers† and, finally, at the end, she stands naked upon the seashore. Rejected by Robert, who refuses to enter an affair with her, Edna enters the foaming waves to find liberation in suicide. Before the salty water closes over her, she spots a bird with a broken wing sinking into the surf. The bird symbolized Edna’s failure to achieve the goal that had driven her throughout the novel. Freedom in death is the only choice society will allow her to make. The inability to reconcile their desire for individual happiness to their need for social acceptance ultimately led Ethan and Edna to seek happiness through death, answering Edith Wharton and Kate Chopin’s question of whether people can disentangle themselves from the confining clutches of their environment. None can truly escape societal expectations. One is pressured to concede their individuality for conformity. Defiance leads to a life of ostracism and unhappiness.

How to Use French Double Negatives

How to Use French Double Negatives Grammarians insist that two negatives make a positive. While this may be true in English, in French two negatives usually make a stronger negative. Double negation is very common in French, particularly informal French. However, there are some rules and regulations when using double negatives in French. Double Negation With N e... Pas When ne... pas is used in a double negative with rien, it negates rien so that the meaning is not nothing:Ce nest pas rien.Its not nothing Its something.Ne... pas cannot be used with aucun, jamais, or personne.Wrong: Je nai pas aucun ami.Right: Je nai aucun ami.I have no friends.Wrong: Je ne veux pas jamais grandir.Right: Je ne veux jamais grandir.I never want to grow up.Wrong: Je nai pas vu personne.Right: Je nai vu personne.I didnt see anyone. Double Negation With​ ​Ne... Jamais and Ne... Plus Jamais and plus can be used with one another and with the negative words aucun, personne, and rien.On ne voit jamais aucune perfection.One never sees any perfection.Literally, One never sees no perfection.Je nai jamais blessà © personne.I have never hurt anyone.Literally, I have never hurt no one.Je nai jamais rien volà ©.I have never stolen anything.Literally, I have never stolen nothing.Je nai plus aucun argent.I dont have any money any more.Literally, I dont have no money any more.Je ne peux plus jamais lui parler.I can never talk to him again.Literally, I cant never talk to him again.Je ne vois plus personne.I dont see anyone any more.Literally, I dont see no one any more. Ne... Pas Que Ne... pas que is a special case. The negative adverb ne... que means only, so ne... pas que means not only:Il ny avait que des hommes.There were only men. vs.Il ny avait pas que des hommes.There werent only men.Je ne regrette quune chose.I regret only one thing. vs.Je ne regrette pas quune chose.I dont regret only one thing.