Business Plan For Dazzling Brides Bridal Wear Marketing Essay

Business Plan For Dazzling Brides Bridal Wear Marketing Essay In Singapore, there are quite a number of bridal shops and boutiques that are locally owned, such as a single unit operations and new business ventures that are increasing in numbers daily. However what sets Dazzling Brides in a different way from other bridal business is that it is a bridal boutique that carries in house designer and collaborated with Swarovski to deliver classy wedding gowns to future brides at a reasonable price. There are a number of factors that influences the decisions of customers. Some of the factors that will play significant influence in customers decisions making in the wedding industry are analysed based on a couple of factors. In the wedding industry, these factors will significantly play a major role in any decision taken by brides. The wedding industry can be a competitive industry for entrepreneurs. Anyone keen in the business need not have to have a store to engage in the bridal business and can do so on a freelance basis. Ease in engaging freelances to assist in the wedding planning process is of ample quantity in the market. When it comes to wedding gowns, there are many substitutes that a bride can do to save cost such as renting their wedding gowns or even sewing it themselves. However these forces did not hinder the plan to set up Dazzling Bride as the strong passion of providing bride- to- be a lifetime experiences that is memorable has been the core reason of setting up a bridal boutique by a group of friends. Weddings are an interesting industry to be involved in as it is an event that never seems to die as the world is evolving no matter how unpredictable the economy can be. What is interesting is the way wedding gowns has evolve and most educated females are looking for wedding gowns that are exclusive and has the capability to make them look dashing. In addition to that, a positive incline in the number of marriages in Singapore has ignited our believed even more that the wedding industry will prosper and this will generate great potential profit to the business. This is one factor that we found to be a positive outlook for the bridal business as there are 24,596 registered marriages in 2008 in comparison of 26,081 in 2009 (Refer to appendix 1). 3.2 Environmental Analysis The Singapore government is actively facilitating singles in Singapore to find a life partner by providing opportunities for them to mingle. In the recent speech by DPM Wong at the Population Community of Supply 2011, comprehensive description on how the government has participated actively in encouraging Singaporeans to get socialize and examples on support available was emphasized. This is made possible through the social development network such as the Social Development Unit (SDU) and the Social Development Service (SDS) in assisting singles to find love between graduates and non graduates. The government has also provided Singaporeans with a broad-based package of support so as to encourage marriage by increasing the maternity and childcare leave, increasing the baby bonus cash gifts and co savings and also increasing childcare subsidies to parents. All these gestures shows the full support of Singapore government in promoting marriages and this is an important political and soc ial assurance for Dazzling Brides business venture as with such support the business will have the ability to acquire greater market share over the long run. Economically, Singapore has performed well in 2010 and this will lead to increment in salary resulting in more disposable income that will encourage many brides to spend more for a wedding gown that is exclusive and a wedding ceremony that will have deep impression to them and guest (refer appendix 2). The stability of Singapore economy status with the expected economy growth of 4.0 to 6.0 per cent in 2011 (refer appendix 3) has also encouraged great influx of immigrants and expatriates and this group of people will have the opportunity to be part of the exclusive customer of Dazzling Brides too. With the growth in population due to increase in trend of immigrants getting married locally (refer appendix 4), and regard Singapore as home or workplace the potential of Dazzling Brides to be involved in this group of customers wedding day will be on the high note. Aside from assessing the political, economically and social outlook, technologies used by Dazzling Brides will be top notch where the photos taken and videos recorded for indoor or outdoor shooting will deliver the best look for the brides with simple touch-ups, colour treatment and album layouts that enhances a bride beauty accompanied by a wedding gown that will complement a look of a lifetime. 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE VENTURE (1540) 4.1 Define the Business 4.1.1 Reason for entering venture / Defining Venture Bridal shop services defined for life-style needs is a growing and thriving industry yet to reach its full potential; therefore, Dazzling Brides is created with a passion for bridal services, wedding gowns and to make ones dream comes true on the most glorious day of their life. Our commitment is to provide a personalized service to help one with their wedding during this period. We strongly believe that wedding should be memorable and our  goal is to provide bridal services as comprehensive as possible to allow individuals thoroughly enjoy their special day. 4.1.2 Mission statement At Dazzling Brides, we are committed to provide superb customer  satisfaction as our number one priority. Our mission is to  provide comprehensive, professional and stress-free  bridal services at an affordable rate. Our bridal boutique with a touch of class as well as pragmatism forms the hallmark of our design. Our distinctive selection of luxurious, classic, stylish and sophisticated gowns by professional designers aims to reflect ones personality and unique  style. Our pre-wedding photography is a contemporary and natural in which most couples seek. Everyone at Dazzling Brides will remain deeply committed in bringing our brides the finest to make ones wedding a lasting memory. Location Analysis Dazzling Brides will be located at 2 Tan Quee Lan Street, Primero Place. It is located in Bugis Street and just a stone throw from major shopping centres like Iluma at Bugis, Bugis Village, Albert Complex and Parco Bugis Junction (Onezine, 2010). Other amenities include hotels, backpacker inn, restaurants, and Raffles hospital. Primero Place is highly accessible as it is strategically located near to vicinity like Bugis MRT, taxi stands and four bus stops nearby. For added convenience, over 1000 parking lots are available outside Primero Place and nearby vicinities like OG Albert, Parco Bugis Junction and Shaw Towers. It is also close to schools like Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Singapore Management University. With many shopping centers, accommodation, amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, boutique shops, cinema and restaurants / steamboat eateries around, there will be a continuous high influx of customers (generally the younger crowd / couples). Located near Primero Pla ce, there are three bridal shops but Dazzling Brides is differentiated by concentrating on personalization Made to measure gowns and suit and a one-stop service bridal shop that caters almost everything and settle everything in house (except album printing) for a more personalized feel (Business Finder, 2011; Streetdirectory, 2011; ShowNearby, 2011) * (Refer to Appendix 5a-d for Map and more information). Formation Dazzling Brides will occupy two former offices (750 sqft @ $3600 monthly each) on level two via rental. One office will be used for indoor photoshoot and the other will be bridal showroom. As both units are well maintained with partial furnishing, minimum renovation (estimated $10,000) to meet the unique requirement of a bridal shop will be done and Most renovations will be free-standing and can moveable (Refer to Appendix 6 for pictures). Description of the unit (Real Estate Listings Singapore, 2011) Shop House with Lift Access False Ceiling, Lightings, Electric ports, Telephone ports Individual Air Conditional One Partition Room Timber Flooring Attached Washroom with Shower Facilities Attached Shelves And Show Case 4.4 Key players These key players in the bridal industry provide exclusive and unique arrangements and unique designer wear for ones wedding day. Ted Wu: For the flawless bridal gown, Ted Wu is the answer. Ted Wu is associated with dazzling bridal gowns with intricate fabric designs and elegant style with Peranakan embroidery and superior beadwork on the beautiful silk organza. Divine Couture: This bridal shop provide one of the best bridal services in and it offers an extensive range of stylist, glamorous gowns and evening wear. For its gowns, main focuses are on subtle embroiders, lush silks and elaborate bead work. Amanda Lee Weddings: With an exquisite designer wear range using lush fabrics and gorgeous color, it has transformed the bridal scene and becoming one of the best and a leading name in Singapores bridal industry. My Dream Wedding: One of the key bridal players in Singapore that provides one stop custom bridal services in wedding photography, gowns and themes. The Wedding Present: Looking after every aspect from designer gowns, suits, car decoration and floral bouquets and service, it is a one-stop bridal shop that cater to personalized needs / services in a fuss-free manner (Compare Infobase, 2009). Product and Services Dazzling Brides extensive product and services include: Bridal Gown / Evening Gown / ROM Dress / Groom Suit (jacket and pants) / Tea dress / Bridesmaid Dress Flower Bouquet / Bridal Car Decoration Make-up and Hair-Do Photography services including studio, outdoor shoot Wedding album and photo frame Portrait with canvas and frame Accessories General consultation services Dazzling Brides is pioneered by a team of talented and innovative consultants, in house designers and photographers to turn your fairytale into reality. We believe in making ones special day unforgettable. Specialize in customized made-to-measure gowns and suits lovingly made with materials specially imported from Japan, Hong Kong and parts of Europe. With simplicity and elegance as our hallmark, the design style is always strong on innovative tailoring techniques and carried hands sew embellishment. Another trademark of Dazzling brides gown is the creative use of crystals by Swaroski for the elegance and allure touch. Legal Structure Dazzling Brides is incorporated by three directors (shareholders) with passion for the bridal industry. The company is deemed as a legal entity separate from its members and directors and profits are subjected to corporate tax rates. A Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) will be formed whereby individual shareholders personal assets are protected and own liability is limited to value of the shares; members also have limited liability. In a bridal business, there are many aspects to each deal so to prevent clients from suing the directors, limited liabilities is important to safeguard personal assets. Set up costs consists of fees for company name approval @ S$15 per name and registration fees @ S$300. Official procedures to comply consist of personal assets are protected of company secretary, auditor (exempted for the first three years of business); annual returns must be filed and there are specific rule for general meeting, appointment of directors and shareholders resolutions etc. T he company will have perpetual succession unless business is closed by winding up or striking off (Spring Singapore, 2009). 5.0 SWOT ANALYSIS Dazzling Brides competitive edge is that it is located geographically in heart of the city and is accessibly convenient for patronizing by customers. It has a very spacious area that has ample space for brides family and friend. Space constraint will be eliminated with smartly arranged decor so as to create an ambience of freedom where bride can move with ease while trying their wedding gowns. Not only that, a sitting area will also be provided so as to make family members and friends feeling comfortable too as they are very much responsible in providing positive or negative feedback to customers purchasing power. Dazzling Bride will carry high end wedding gown by in house designer and each designer will be allocated a designated section in the shop space. For example if a customer is looking for designer A wedding gown, they will be able to see this entire designer options grouped in one segment. On top of that, Dazzling Brides will also collaborate with Swarovski closely so as to provide brides a glittery experience look to their expectations. These are some strong quality that Dazzling Bride possess that will ensure a smooth flow of process from meeting up with wedding consultants, selection process, fitting, photographers selection and many more. Sales staff hired by Dazzling Bride will be employed based on their experience in the retail industry and has the necessary knowledge and skills so as to ensure that customers will feel supported at all times in every detail of their wedding preparation. The key criteria required will be sale personnel that have high tolerance and patience level and are creative in their selling capability. Dazzling Brides is a new business venture and this may seem to be a slight pinch nevertheless with great determination, sincerity and passion of its consultant, in house designers, talented photographers and dedicated service staffs, Dazzling Brides will be able to deter any hiccups that might occur. It has been a trend for brides to have their wedding photos taken overseas, for example in Malaysia, Taiwan and many other counties where packages are attractively price. However Dazzling Brides is confident that with wedding gown designs that are exclusives and unique in line with great service and a holistic approach of making the bride-to-be experienced a memorable event; the thought of engaging in overseas packages will be greatly eliminated as every step will be conducted at home. This form of convenience will allow brides an opportunity to have more time to concentrate on other wedding preparation that can be massive. Marketing Plan Wendy 7.0 ORGANIZATION PLAN 7.1 Human Resource Plan As marriage is serious matter as it happens only once in a lifetime so everyone in Dazzling Bride must take customers wedding day seriously. Hence, it is of paramount importance that everyone shares the same values and fit with the companys culture. Regardless of positions, we will be very selective and, there will be a set of guideline that the candidates must fulfill during selection. On the job training will be carried out by management to help with individuals learning process and to improve them as time evolves. In this fast moving fashion lifestyle industry, it is vital to stay updated on latest desired item in the market. Thus, we will encourage all to expose to the latest MTV, magazines, bridal shows and exhibition to gain insights. There will be challenging but achievable objectives to optimize potential. While on the job, their performances will be observed and if they fail to meet standards, they will be terminated within 2-3 months. Rewards and remuneration will be tied t o performance (incentives trips and bonus) (Refer to Appendix X for detailed human resource plan). 7.2 Structure In order to be successful and to uphold the standards of top quality bridal products and services, we will cultivate a culture so that everyone is motivated and will put in 101% effort. Fostering people with strong professional skills and characteristics People with a dream (Flexible and daring to make decision), common value, and strong commitment with cohesive attitude. Fun working environment to pursue dreams, encourage innovation/creative, to grow and contribute to goals with minimal politics. Processes, systems and decisions open and transparent. Honest, ethical and socially responsible business behavior. Culture that allows opportunity for changes, growth, good communication and company that truly cares. Incentives to encourage collective success. In addition, we have a defined organization structure (Hisrich et al., 2010) that layout key personnel, roles and responsibilities to direct efforts at all levels. This helps to maintain a strong strategic fit with its mission and provide clear business direction. The organization structure help management to stay on top of happenings and ensure that there is continuous review of operation and capital budgets, exploring opportunities for growth and expansion, supporting day to day activities, ensures business objectives are made, resolving conflicts, ensure proper use of assets and develop network of information sources (Refer to Appendix X for detailed organization chart). 7.3 Equipment / Procurement Equipments to be purchased will consist of office, stock, indoor photo-shoot and showrooms equipments OFFICE SHOWROOM INDOOR SHOOT Fax / Phone Cash Register Sewing Machine Camera Calculator Signage / Banners Shelves/Racks Tripod Desk / Chairs Bags Scissors / Pins / Measuring Tape / Sewing Kits Studio strobes (lighting) + Stands Computers Chairs and Tables Stationery Backdrop and Props Copier NETS/ Credit Card Terminal Decoration Reflector Filing Cabinet Dye Set-Up Stereo Dressing table Misc. Supplies Filing Cabinet Telephones Changing Room (Portable) Forms/Contracts Telephone Installation Mirror STOCK Hangers Vacuum Cleaner / Cleaning items Racks / Hangers Bridesmaid dress samples Iron / Steamer Window Display Fixtures Evening Gown / ROM Dress / tea dress samples Mannequins Coffee Maker and Supplies Crinolines / Can Can Sofa Curtains Accessories samples Business Cards Changing Room (Portable) Jewelry Mirrors Shoes Groom suit samples Bridal gown samples Flower bouquet samples Portrait, wedding album and photo frame samples 8.0 Financial Plan TBA 9.0 EXPANSION PLAN/ EXIT PLAN 9.1 Expansion Plan At the end of the third to fourth year of operation, Dazzling Brides vision will be to expand organically by not only providing new range of beautiful exclusive wedding gowns for purchases or rent. We will consider opening up another shop that will provide extended services for a wedding industry and diverse our business model to cater to other services. We will provide brides to be with a venue to conduct their wedding ceremony with live bands packages if needed, transportation for bride and families, wedding decoration and source out gifts for guest and even catering services. Aside from that we will also extend our business by collaborate with the Indians and Malay community so as to provide the necessary wedding needs. In addition we would also participate in Singapores Bridal Bazaar Fair where the latest wedding gowns range will be showcase. 9.2 Exit Plan However if the expansion plan were to come in short or if Dazzling Brides fail to generate positive income we will decide to sell the business as a management buyout (MBO) where new group of management will still be able to continue the business in a different management style and elevate the business further. 10.0 Milestone (Summary) TBA Appendix 5a: Map of Bugis Street and Primero Place (Extracted from Streetdirectory, 2011) Appendix 5b: Primero Place (Extracted from Streetdirectory, 2011) Appendix 5c: Analysis of Primero Place General and Accessibility (extracted from ShowNearby, 2011) Appendix 5d: Analysis of Primero Place Parking and Transportation (extracted from ShowNearby, 2011) Appendix 6: Pictures of the offices (Real Estate Listings Singapore, 2011) Job Specification for Bridal Designers, Photographer, Coordinators, Seamstress and Make Up Artist (Stone, 2005): JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Bridal Designers x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: To advise clients on the design of the gown. Design and develop bridal gowns and suits in accordance to the needs of customers. Source merchandise / materials and liaise with suppliers. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Diploma or Degree in Fashion Design/ Fashion Marketing/ Fashion related. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge: Minimum 2 years experience. Well versed in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Has good fashion sense, market foresight and capable to conduct material sourcing. Personal Qualities: Pleasant personality and meticulous in work attitude. Passion for bridal fashion, creative thinking, and a team player. Able to handle stress and customer oriented. Excellent English / Mandarin communication skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 2000 to 2300 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Photographer Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: 1 to 2 years  in bridal and lifestyle photography. The right candidate will need to have highlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨developed creative skills both with the camera and in Photoshop. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian preferred. Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Personal Qualities: We require somebody who is a good in communication; works well with people and is able to meet deadlines with quality work. Studio and outdoor lighting and knowledge are needed. Fluent English and Mandarin with high levels of social energy is a must, as there will be high demands for clients interaction and teamwork. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays) and keen to travel. Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1500 to 2000 with attractive benefits and travel allowance. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Coordinator x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Experience: Attending to customers and establish good rapport with clients. Co-ordinate appointments and follow up between internal departments and customers. Perform daily administrative duties (ordering inventories, coordinating with printers, florists etc) to meet the needs of the operations. Other ad-hoc duties when required. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Diploma  holders with 1 to 2 years  of sales co-coordinating administrative experiences. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge: Well versed in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and Microsoft office. Able to communicate with customers independently and able to handle artwork. Personal Qualities: Pleasant personality and meticulous in work attitude. Good organizational competence with excellent follow-up skills. Presentable, pleasant personality and Service-oriented in achieving customer satisfactions. Excellent English / Mandarin communication skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1800 to 2100 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Seamstress x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Experience: 1 to 2 years  experience in sewing / measurements (textile). Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Personal Qualities: Willing to learn and can communicate with basic English and Mandarin. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1300 to 1500 with attractive benefits. JOB SPECIFICATION Position: Make-up Artist x 2 Date: 20 March 2011 Selection Criteria Skills, Abilities, Knowledge and Experience: 1-2 years strong experience in MakeUp Artistry. Singaporean / PR and Malaysian (female) preferred. Qualifications: Professional Makeup Certification. Personal Qualities: Willing to learn and can communicate with basic English and Mandarin. Willing to travel and good interpersonal skills. Special Requirement: Keen to work irregular hours (including Weekends / Public Holidays). Remuneration: Salary range from SGD 1800 to 2000 with attractive benefits and travel allowance. Organization Chart Outsource Audit Committee and Secretary Managing Director (Plans / Analysis and Management) (Photographer) Associate Director (Financial Matters) (Designer) Associate Director (Human Resource and Administration) (Make-up Artistry / Consultant) Bridal Designers x 2 Gown design and material sourcing Photographer Indoor, outdoor shoot and artwork Make-up Artist x 2 Indoor, outdoor shoot and actual day Make-up Seamstress x 2 Sewing, Alteration and Measurement Coordinator x 2 Serving customer, coordination of operation

Miami is a Commuter’s Nightmare :: Traffic

Miami: A Commuter’s Nightmare Several surveys have shown the city of Miami to be one of the least preferable cities in which to drive. Every morning there is an exodus of Biblical proportions, as thousands or cars tightly pack into highways six lanes wide. More discouraging about driving in Miami is the mind-numbingly slow pace with which traffic moves. Moreover, bumper-to-bumper traffic causes many minimal damage accidents that ironically have larger, more negative, effects on traffic congestion than they actually should. Other factors such as construction and aggressive drivers create more hazardous conditions for commuters. The roads and highways of Miami are a world of danger that creates the unpleasant experience it is to drive in Miami. The most noticeable inconvenience of driving in Miami is traffic congestion. In fact, because the highways are cluttered with a significant amount of vehicles carpooling is encouraged. For this purpose, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were formed. Each weekday, a simple twenty-minute drive turns into an eternal wait for forward progress. With each minute that goes by cars advance less than twenty feet. And while the traffic may open up in some areas, in its entirety I-95 remains congested during the morning and evening hours, as seen in the image where cars on the South Florida Highways line up bumper-to-bumper. The cause for such highway clutter varies, but it is interesting to note the difficulty in explaining highway driving conditions. It is uncertain as to whether the accidents cause traffic congestion or the traffic congestion causes accidents. Either way, the main roads and highways commuters take to work are crowded with drivers. Furthermore, I-95 passes through several c ommercial districts in the lower Miami area. Many large trucks and commercial vehicles, as well as passenger vehicles, drive to work at these commercial areas. The weekday traffic congestions on the Miami roadways are, in large part, a major inconvenience to commuters, all with intent to arrive early to work. Car accidents pose as the second most noticeable inconvenience for commuters in Miami. In many occasions traffic accidents cause a hold-up of traffic. Take for example, the oil taker explosion on I-95 on November 6, 2006. A massive tanker truck, carrying loads of fuel, flipped over the highway over pass and onto NW 135 Street, a street that runs through one of the busiest commercial areas. The accident occurred on a Monday morning, while the rest of Miami was commuting to work.

Civil War and Reconstruction Essay

Born September 28, 1941 in Eunice, Louisiana James L. Roark is a Stanford educated historian who has written countless texts on American History and the impact of the American Civil War, to include The American Promise: A History of the United States (2008), No Chariot Let Down: Charleston’s Free People on the Eve of the Civil War (2001) and Black Masters: A Free Family of Color in the Old South (1986). He is a currently a Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of American History at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and working on a documentary on the Confederate States of America . Though I may not have expected it to be so, this award winning literary piece was actually quite thought provoking and well-written in a way that reaches far beyond similar works of its time. Roark eloquently presents a well thought out and well written series of arguments organized in subsections relying dominantly on the use of primary sources, along the lines of diary entries and personal letters, to display the thoughts and examine the philosophy of Southern planters. He presents the well-researched examination of the impact of Reconstruction and all of its components from secession to emancipation. Though their thoughts and understandings, their ideologies ma have been centralized and immensely focused on the idea f the plantation, the way in which Roark presents their thoughts and opinions allows the reader to open their minds about the process of Reconstruction in a way that allows them to think freely about the institution of slavery in a different way. In the days of its practicing the institution of slavery was presented and lived in tune vision, it was a way of life that was so widespread that there was no way to see around it and thus no one ever ventured to look. It was a system of hatred and oppression, yes, but it was above all a way of life, making it difficult for many to have imagined life in any other way, thus making southern planters quite nervous to have their system of living threatened by Union efforts at Reconstruction. The planters, slave masters shared a sense of unity amongst a class of people whom they believed to be untouchable because for them, their lives as slave masters was all that there was to their identities and without it, how would they continue to exist. How would they be able to go on having had their way of life threatened and attacked. I enjoyed the way that Roark broke down the process of Reconstruction for the reader in a way that allowed them to more fluidly follow the path secession. He sets forth three periods in his analysis and presentation: the planters decision to secede, the effects of the Civil War on the planter’s way of life-on their plantations, and the period of adjustment required to cope with a new world and a reformed system, thrust upon them by emancipation. Not altogether sadly, the southern planters had made the mistake of forming the thought and eventually believing that the American government was put in place to support and protect them, to prevent such happenings as emancipation. When they realized that this was in no way true is when they began to recognize, but not at all accept defeat. Over time some were able to cope and others were not, ultimately relocating to an area that better suited their understanding of the world. The saddest of truths revealed by Roark in this work is the actual mental processes of the slave owners. They honestly felt that slavery was the best way to go and that there could or should be nothing else but slavery. There was no evidence of guilt on the part of these individuals, no conscious thought or understanding of the hatred and innate inhumane treatment that was eroding the intended and to that point completely false American system of democracy. All that mattered to these people was the fact that this was and had always been the way that they had lived their lives and that way of life was being threatened by outsiders whom they felt simply could or did not understand the way their system of living worked. These people were fully committed to their lifestyle at all costs and on every level. The institution of slavery was for many all that they knew making it impossible for them to conceive of anything else. They did not feel that they lived in a land that would take the essence of their existence, the ownership of other human beings, away from them and had absolutely no understanding of how others lived outside the institution of slavery because for them slavery was all there was and all that there could ever be. It was the base upon which their entire life, their reason for being, was founded. Nothing else could be conceived because nothing else existed, they couldn’t’ even understand poverty and how poor whites were able to function economically forced to live outside f the institution of slavery. Roark presents a type of homeland versus homestead view of the American lifestyle and way of functioning. From reading this work one can deduce that all Americans were either on one of two sides – they either erred on the side of the Union and sought unity for their nation as a whole or they erred on the side of the Confederacy and sought the maintenance of their current living situation. Either you were willing to turn away from the life that you had always known for sake of nationwide unity or you were dead focused on maintaining the life you had always known and did not feel should be interrupted. Some may find fault in this homeland versus homestead view but what must be understood is that these were peoples lives they may have been living immorally, this I do not deny, but these were their lives nonetheless and the reader must therefore attempt to understand the rationale behind the division of understanding that is relayed to them within the pages of this work. There may be aspects of your life with which others ay find great fault, but it is your life nonetheless and your story thus bears interest in being told. I do not in any way agree with the institution of slavery but I do understand that prior to reading this work a great deal of the literature that I have read about the institution of slavery over the years has come from the standpoint of the enslaved not portraying the ideas or thoughts of those who relied on that enslavement. I am never one to make excuses especially for improper behavior, hatred and moral relativism, but I am one who prefers to have both sides of every story, no matter how ignorant the one side may be. With this having been said it is clear that although I do not approve of the southern planters views or understandings of the way that the world works, I was able to appreciate the manner in which those understandings were portrayed to the reader by the author of this work. In his use of extensive quotes and personal accounts Roark adds a great deal of in depth analysis of the southern planters’ thoughts and position to the reader for review. In my opinion this puts literature at its finest to honestly present the material and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions and form their own ideas of the material. It is my belief that the reasoning for the slaveholders story never having been told is that there is in literature as in every other aspect of culture a division between the minority and majority standpoint as viewed by the public and unfortunately it is not all too often that the minority standpoint is presented to the authors’ readership. Slave owners were greatly outnumbered by the slaves that they took ownership over; they were able to control these people with the numbers of individuals involved being greatly imbalanced. I, again, do not condone such acts or behaviors, but that fact that thousands of slave owners could take captive and keep hundreds of thousands of people enslaved bears note. They should ever had owned other human beings but it is important to find out why they owned other human beings; what was their thought behind the ownership and forced labor of another man. There were instances throughout history were men were enslaved for payment of debt or loss of battle, but the American institution of slavery was not one of those such instances. This was the forced capture of innocent peoples and the enslavement of those people for the acquiring of free labor. Thus it bears note to question and present what could have possibly lain on the minds of such individuals that would perform these immoral acts. These people viewed slavery as necessary for the furthering of the American agricultural agenda. No place else could you acquire labor for free and they felt that enslaved labor was not necessarily the only kind but it was the best that no money could buy. They honestly didn’t’ feel that they should have had to pay for the labor put to use by force on their lands, they probably figured that they had paid enough having purchased the slaves in the first place. What bears great note is the understanding of these planters’ views of the world – they honestly did not see anything morally wrong or corrupt with what they were doing. They looked upon the ownership of human beings as business as usual. It was nothing out of the ordinary because it was how they had always lived their lives. This is why they had such difficulty imaging and accepting the idea of emancipation even in the partial state in which it was enacted, because to them there was no other way but slavery to bring out all the work that America needed done. Emancipation, they felt was thrust upon them, and it challenged not only everything that they knew, but all that they believed could be possible. They lived their lives based on an innate thought of African Americans as inferior beings and thus could not on any level imagine the states of America (because they were not yet united) putting these inferior beings in a position of liberation, the removal of legal and physical restraint, and giving them any of the rights these slave owners believed were set aside for whites only. For these southern planters the very thought of this was inconceivable. Roark presented the battle over emancipation as the revolutionary transformation and struggle that it was intended to be, unable at the time to present the shortcomings that would result from the somewhat failed attempt at liberation of the African American people. There is no presentation of the actual outcome of emancipation because that is not what this work is about. The focus of this work was to underline the deep-seated issues that southern planters had with the very idea of slavery being abolished, it’s not about how they would later and not long after form a new system of oppression that would keep African Americans enslaved for decades following the intended emancipation. Yes, the slave owners would emerge victorious over the attempt at destroying their way of living because of the fact that the American government failed to redistribute lands to freed peoples, ensuring that the class of planters would still have all of their power because they still ha all of the land. It was not as if the Africans brought to this country and enslaved could now return home, but although this is a very great point, it was not the purpose of this work, and as such this piece should appreciated for the task that Roark set out to accomplish having been just that, accomplished. Prior to Masters Without Slaves: Southern Planters in the Civil War and Reconstruction there was no study exclusively dedicated to the exploration of slave owners’ view of the world in the days leading up to and surrounding American Reconstruction. There was no one to offer us a glimpse into the social and moral values (or lack thereof) of the class of slave owners present in America at that time which is undoubtedly and without question one of the most critical moments in our nation’s history. Roark presents the attitudes of the slave owners at the very thought of emancipation and the difficulties that they endured in attempting to adjust to and make a comeback from the acts implemented as a division of Reconstruction. These slave owners were pointed out and told explicitly that their way of life was absolutely wrong and not just that it had to be changed but that it was going to be changed in the very near future whether they liked it or not. This work chronicles their reaction to that knowledge and their planning of a comeback for what they initially perceived as a defeat but later found to be a bright new opportunity. The institution of sharecropping was not altogether the same as the institution of American slavery, but it was not a far cry from the same oppression that slaves had experienced for years. Roark must be commended for his obvious talent for portraying the truths that not many would desire to recognize and for doing so in such an eloquent manner. He has taken the thoughts of slave owners at the time of American Reconstruction and put it in the face of the reader for consideration of the slave owners’ thoughts on emancipation and their return from defeat of their lifestyle. The unfortunate truth is that all positives have a negative and along those lines just as there was so much that I enjoyed and appreciated about this work there were also aspects of this piece which I found either fell short or remained unsettled. The greatest issue that I believe may be found in this work as far as I am concerned is that Roark created only one group of planters. There was no distinction presented between ideologies or ideals, he in many ways formed a race, a collective and representative sample consisting all al southern planters. There was no distinction made in the possibility that maybe planters had different ideals coming from different areas of the country. I can understand is view of this matter because for e and clearly for Roark tyranny is tyranny and there can be only two cases of oppression- the oppressor and the oppressed, but from a literary standpoint I do believe that a greater distinction could have been made between the classes of planters and that it would have added a lot to the work. There were also some points in the work that were touched on very lightly in comparison to how the themes and ideas could have been developed thus taken some of the effect way from the work itself. Thing like the beginning of the work when Roark speaks about secession, I believe that portion of the work could have been more well developed and if it had been would have likely added a great deal of affect to the already substantial quality of the work. Roark adds exquisite detail to most other portions of the work so to have lightly grazed upon the subject of secession makes the work, in many ways, appear unfinished and imbalanced. You cannot ask for everything, for every element of a literary work to be present and in perfect condition, but I do feel that this could have added a lot to the aesthetics of the piece. Yet even lacking in these two somewhat vital elements the book still does not lose its focus in exposing the reader to the thoughts of slave owners in the days leading up to Reconstruction. In this fashion, Roark did much to accomplish all that he set out to do. He presented the reader with an unbiased account of southern planter ideologies as based on their own words and thoughts of how they viewed their lives. The author does not add anything to their views or take anything away that could jeopardize the quality of his work. The book was written professionally in the manner expected of Stanford graduate and life-long historian with Roark being careful not to allow his personal views or ideas concerning the institution of American slavery to cloud his presentation of the evidence, leaving the ultimate decision whether or not to judge completely up to the reader. Roark’s distant relation of the materials sets him apart from other historians by making the presentation of the content more interesting and easy to follow. All-in-all a quality experience and fine read. I would recommend this work to others. Bibliography Roark, James L. â€Å"James L. Roark Department of History Faculty Webpage†. Emory University Department of History. Retrieved: 20 April 2009

The Puritan Views Of Puritans - 860 Words

The Puritans led their lives according to a strict moral code, centered around religion, which they had followed and conformed to. In addition conformity, Puritans believed, was crucial to uniting the community, and therefore resulted in anti-individualistic beliefs. However, when they deviated from the religious code they were threatened with banishment from the community and often experienced public shaming. Also the Puritans, whom had come to the colonies seeking religious freedom for themselves, cultivated a society that was intolerant of the practice of religious freedom for others. The Puritan influence enabled conformist tendencies based around a religious moral code which did not tolerate for deviation of Puritan beliefs that ultimately sacrificed individualism. The banishment of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams, due to beliefs that differed from the Puritan’s, exemplified the intolerance of individualism as accounted for in The Journal of John Winthrop. Roger Williams had been â€Å"condemned† (Winthrop 106) by â€Å"the most judicious ministers† (106) who ordered that Williams should be â€Å"convented at the next court to be censured† (106). Ordering Williams to be censured demonstrated the Puritan leaders demand of conformity, as the leaders censured him for his presumption that did not follow their anti-individualistic views. In fact, Williams had â€Å"drawn above 20 persons to his opinion,† (Winthrop 107) conveying others had similar opinions, that allowed forShow MoreRelatedPuritans View Of The Puritan Society1154 Words   |  5 PagesPuritans were a society of people that saw themselves as perfect. As John Winthrop said, â€Å"We must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of the people are upon us† (Roark, 77). He meant that they should be an example for the rest of the world and demonstrate what Sainthood really looks like. 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Two groups, which vary a great deal when reflecting upon their world-views are the Native Americans and the Puritans. While one group holds one set of standards and beliefs to be true, the other group abides by a completely opposite set of ideas. The Native American religion functions using its’ own world –view. Unlike in Western religions, the Native American religion does not have certain places in whichRead MorePaper on Puritans and Sex622 Words   |  3 PagesPuritans and Sex Essay In The Puritans and Sex by Edmund S. Morgan, the author explores some of the stereotypes and misconceptions about the puritans and their thoughts on sex. Many people believe that the puritans thought that sex was something to be frown upon and was a necessary evil. However after reading this article your opinion may be changed. The Puritans and Sex should be read by students of an American history course because it offers deeper insight of the puritans’ view of sex. TheRead MoreRole Of Puritan Women1187 Words   |  5 PagesLooking back to the Puritan society, the equality between males and females is one of the most controversial faults of the time. The Puritans did not view men and women as equal. The Puritans thought of women to be inconsequential in comparison to men. The authorities of this time gave specific rules and expect the public to follow the rules, or they would receive punishment. However, in modern-day American society, men and women have several of the same roles. Women have a different position today;Read MoreThe Impact of Puritans on the Development of America and Its Influence on Modern Society1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe Impact of Puritans on the Development of America and its influence on modern society The Puritans came to America in search of greater freedom for religious liberty. They felt unable to worship and practice their theological perspectives as long as they were under the umbrella of the Church of England. 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The reader can view these punishments from the reaction at two distinctly different mind sets. One of these is the mindset of the Puritans. The Puritans are extremely religious and one can see that in their harsh decision making and social life with sinners. The other mindset is one of the Narrator. Unlike the puritans, the narrator views people and objects with more of a personal connection, how anRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter And Young Goodman Brown1206 Words   |  5 PagesInfluenced by his Puritan background, Hawthorne focused on individuals and their relationships within their community. Works by Nathaniel Hawthorne such as The Scarlet Letter and Young Goodman Brown focus on the issues and hypocrisies of a Puritan society. Hawthorne explores the view that many fundamentalist religious groups have in regard to the alienation of members of a society who have been judged as sinful, while also uncovering the hidden evil in everyone, including the most honorable of preachersRead MoreThe Importance Of Sin And Evil In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown1171 Words   |  5 PagesIn the short story, Young Goodman Brown written by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses some of the puritan activities towards Goodmans dream, such as secrecy of sin and evil. The story introduces, a young and innocent man, Goodman Brown bid farewell to his wife but his wife did not want him to leave, so he left just for the day. He begins his walk into a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest (Hawthorne 1300) and was approached by a man also known as the devil. Throughout the trip

Illegal Immigrants - 1201 Words

Illegal Immigrants With the rise of illegal immigrants, the United States has had difficulties solving the issue for a long time. Hence, there’re many factors for the causes and solutions from different branches and the government. â€Å"Amnesty?† and â€Å"Why blame Mexico?† are two articles that discuss the reasons for millions of Mexicans risking their lives to come illegally to the U.S. and indeed illustrate the writer’s perspectives and ideas for those people. In â€Å"Amnesty?†, John F. Kavanaugh, a Jesuit professor of philosophy, presents the illegal immigrants problem based upon the morality of a Judeo-Christian country. The writer begins by a sensational example of an illegal Mexican named Marà ­a. She is a productive woman, a mother of†¦show more content†¦So overall, we reject having illegal immigrants in theory but in reality want them to stay to do our work. This is a conflict situation but also the comprehensive warrant that Reed wants the readers to recognize and understand. He also proves how poorly our law is obeyed. For instance, if a restaurant is caught hiring illegals, there’ll be $1,000 a day fine. This amount is very small compared to the benefits a restaurant would get from hiring illegals. On the other hand, the business smuggling illegals into the U.S., happen everyday by the border guards. The controlled immigration system is corrupt because of the flow of money. While the border guards could g ain up to approximately $300,000 per day, tax-free, from this activity, it’s nearly impossible to ask someone to refuse such a paycheck. In additional, there are legal Latino and Mexican-American communities that are starting to grow and vote. Hence, they shall try to protect these illegal immigrants, who are also their countryman, as much as possible. From Reed’s point of view, he doesn’t think that the issues caused by Mexico but rather by America. He gives us the example of Mexico’s policies to convince us that they are reasonable and that we should at least give ourselves a second thought about our policies. Mexico’s policies for foreigners are generally friendly and open for citizenship, but still under control and require immigrants to reach certainShow MoreRelatedIllegal Immigrants : An Illegal Immigrant959 Words   |  4 PagesAn illegal immigrant defined, by law is a person of a foreign nationality immigrating to the US without the permis sion of the government. Many people view people who do come to the US without that permission as an â€Å"Illegal Immigrant†. And many of those people are viewed by other as criminals, but what makes them criminals. But what if someone was forced to come to the US when they are kid does that still make them an Illegal Immigrant. Should those kids still be labeled as an illegal immigrant, evenRead MoreIllegal Immigrants : Illegal Chinese Immigrants1535 Words   |  7 PagesIn the story of Forbidden Workers - Illegal Chinese Immigrants in New York, we are given a look at American Society from the perspective of an illegal immigrant who is taken advantage of because of their status and the vulnerable position that they are put in because of it. Peter Kwong provides a broad, but subjective, analysis of American life, labor laws, and other key points in immigration. However, while the message Kwong conveys with this interesting and informational work, it is hindered byRead MoreIl legal Immigrants1298 Words   |  6 Pages27, 2012 The Benefits of Illegal Immigrants Are illegal immigrants or undocumented immigrants beneficial to America’s economy? Most illegal immigrants have a positive impact on the United States (U.S.) economy. Illegal immigrants have a positive impact on the United States economy because they increase our tax revenue, they add to our social security, and they also increase our employment rates.† In 2000, statistics revealed 8.7 million illegal immigrants resided in the United States†Read MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1100 Words   |  5 PagesIllegal immigration Over the past few years illegal immigration has become a bigger problem. Statistics reveal that more and more immigrants are entering the country illegally by crossing the borders. If something is not done soon, this may get out of hand and be to gone far not to handle. The number of illegal immigrants have gone up over the past years drastically In 2011, there were 40 million immigrants in the U.S. Of that 11.1 million were illegal. Although the number of illegalRead MoreIllegal Immigrants Should Be Illegal1456 Words   |  6 Pagesmillion illegal immigrants live in America† (Watkins). According to the recent study, â€Å"The Percentage of immigrants living in the U.S.A. is almost fourteen percent†(Wooldridge). This problem is an issue to the U.S. and will be an issue to all of the nations including europe, asia, etcetera. if it is not fixed. Reason is that the immigrants get more government help or welfare some may call it, than the registered citizens of America. Studies show that 51 percent of homes led by immigrants are gettingRead MoreAn Illegal Mexican Immigrant Immigrants1505 Words   |  7 Pagesfurtively, preferably beneath the protective cover of darkness, jumping fences, eluding guards and dodging two hundred -ton l ocomotives in a perilous dash for the most elusive of prizes, a free ride to the north. According to Jose Flores, an illegal Mexican immigrant seeking work in the United States says, â€Å"To be truthful, I have no idea of precisely where this train goes, other than it takes us to el norte† (Griffin 363+). 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Illegal immigration is defined by United States Department of Homeland Security as â€Å"†¦ all foreign-born non-citizens who are notRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1286 Words   |  6 Pagesanalysis of illegal immigration in the United States reveals one challenge facing the banks and other institutions: whether to provide banking and other services to the illegal immigrants or to treat them as criminals because they are illegal and therefore, not to provide them with banking and other services. The articles, â€Å"Crossing the Line† by Stein and â€Å"Illegal Immigrants – They’re Money,† by Rodriguez discuss the impact of illegal immigration in the United States and how the illegal immigrants shouldRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration964 Words   |  4 Pages Attention Step (quotation, question, or story) About four months ago in government class, we had a class discussion. The topic was illegal immigration. One student said that America should send the illegal immigrants back to their country because they are taking American’s jobs. He stated that he would send his dad back to Mexico because he is an illegal immigrant. Going around the circle that we created, everyone gave their opinions, most disagreed, but some agreed with the student. When it wasRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1073 Words   |  5 Pagesdecades, the rise of illegal immigrants has been both good and bad. The topic of illegal immigration has recently been brought up frequently by politicians, seeing the economic problems that have occurred. An â€Å"illegal† immigrant is somebody who enters a country without following the proper legal requirements to make them a citizen. Illegal immigration is not only taking place in the United States, but all over the globe. The United States has s een the most amount of illegal immigrants by far. A 2010 Census

Essay on Africa - 515 Words

Europe tried to take many countries, Africa being one of them. The European countries had an effect on Africa today throughout all the primes. Europe had an effect on the African way of life, that in some ways were good, and in some ways bad. Imperialism is defined as the extension or rule or influence by one government, nation, or society over the political, economic, or cultural life of another. European nations decided they wanted land in the mostly unexplored continent, and they took it, without the consent of the African people. Europe brought Christian ideas into Africa. Religion was changed from what it would have been to Christianity today. If you look at most of the countries in Africa such as Angola, Congo, Ghana or Zimbabwe†¦show more content†¦European Imperialist Policies made Africa lose history of their culture and brought racism to Africa. Europeans wanted to change Africans to be more like them, changing their religion, changing their life style and making them slaves. Slavery led to the loss of culture because after a while Africans began to think of themselves as lower class; since that’s what they were treated like. The Westernized minority, influenced by European culture and Christiani ty, first rejected African traditional culture. Slavery lead to people hating Africa, Africans and the African culture. Which leads to the Africa culture and traditions being diminished. Why would anyone want to practice a certain religion or traditions if they were labeled as wrong, or unethical. Traditionally, the majority of Africans have been farmers and herders who raised crops and livestock. When Europeans started colonizing they demanded agricultural and mineral products. Safer technology and ways of farming were learned and brought to Africa. European technology and crops were introduced and a modern exchange economy started. The technology was starting to grow, there were new machines and easier ways to do things Africans never thought of. Africa today has changed a lot from European countries and the imperialist policies. The Europeans tore into the African continent and succeeded in destroying the African way of life. Thousands of people wereShow MoreRelatedRelationship Between Africa And Africa987 Words   |  4 PagesAfrica could have developed trade relations with any other country but why with Europe? During the fifteenth (15th) century Africa developed a very unique relationship with Europe ¹. Before Africa and Europe established their trade relationship, the African s economic status was way ahead of Europe s.1 It was said that â€Å"The West African empire of Mali was larger than Western Europe and reputed to be one of the richest and most powerful states in the world.†2 Africa was known for its gold, whichRead MoreMultilateral Relations Between Africa And Africa1407 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction Africa, once regarded as ‘good for nothing but exploitation’, however, the block has gradually gained modest relations, and aspiring to cultivate a multifaceted partnership with major global political players in all directions from Left-Right, East–West, North-South, and South-South. The two major partners forged their own cooperation are Peoples Republic of China and United States of America and the partnerships they created are known as Sino - Africa relations named ‘Forum on China-AfricaRead MoreScramble for Africa835 Words   |  4 PagesEuropean powers were involved in Africa since the mid-1500s but had restricted their area of influence to only the coastal regions of Western Africa, where powers such as Great Britain established hubs for their highly profitable slave trade (David). Over a period of nearly three hundred years, European ships had transported more than 11 million people from Africa to different areas of the world, including America afte r the slave trade was abolished in Europe, and sold them into slavery (David)Read MoreThe Scramble for Africa1154 Words   |  5 Pages What was the Scramble for Africa? The Scramble for Africa was a period of time where major European countries fought over and colonized land in Africa, stretching from South Africa to Egypt. The scramble for Africa began shortly after the slave trade, and ended at WW1, and is a strong representation of the ‘New Imperialism’. The first country to act was Belgium, who colonized Congo at 1885, but soon, other countries such as Portugal and Great Britain joined in in order to not miss out. FirstlyRead MoreHunger in Africa905 Words   |  4 PagesSummative Task HUNGER IN AFRICA Christine Mande HEOR-02 Mr.Dragan January 18th 2013 Hunger is one of the most common problems in the world. It is such a dangerous thing. It kills more people in a year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Many countries struggle with famine and they don’t have much help either. Countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Sudan are some of the countries that suffer from hunger more than others do. In Africa there are 60% of people whoRead MoreThe And Its Effects On Africa1550 Words   |  7 Pages â€Å"In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face.†Ã¢â‚¬â€Steve Biko. The continent that the rest of the world looks down upon is struggling for a different reason than you may think. Though the white-washed, western world often believes Africa to be a land of inferior civilizations, inferior people, or inferior culture, all of these small civilizations that have spanned the continent for thousands of years cannot be blamed for any economic disadvantagesRead MoreThe Blessing Of Africa838 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"THE BLESSING OF AFRICA† God had deposited great wealth in Sub Saharan Africa and its lands holds the largest amount of the world’s wealth and treasures. Africa produces and export 60 percent of the world’s mineral resources, and supplies the largest amount of world’s precious stones. The nation of Africa is rich in metals, diamonds, gold, cobalt, beryllium, chromium, manganese, lithium, radium, oil, vanadium, metric tons, phosphate, copper, dolerite, granite, lead, bauxite, aluminum ore, QuartziteRead MoreColonization in Africa991 Words   |  4 PagesEuropean colonization effected Africa negatively, as it resulted in the continent being taken advantage of, people and resources exploited, and their economical standpoint being very low. By looking at Africa’s experience with the Berlin Conference and the effects it had, we can see how greatly the continent was negatively influenced. The Berlin Conference brought King Leopold II into Africa, but the world did not know that it would result in genocide of about 5,000 people in Sierra Leone. ContinuingRead MoreTransatlantic Trade Between Africa And Africa2039 Words   |  9 Pagestransatlantic slave trade occurred throughout the world and lasted well over four hundred years. Oversea trade between Africa a nd the Portuguese, along with other European kingdoms, formed, which began what is known as the transatlantic slave trade. Along with a variety of goods, copious amounts of slaves, roughly twenty-five million, were traded between the continents of Europe and Africa. Driving the trade were politics, economics, religion, business, and a desire for profit. Along with the majorityRead MorePoaching in Africa1243 Words   |  5 Pages Endangered animals all over Africa are on the verge of extinction due to human greed. It is very difficult to even fathom how many animals are lost each year to poaching. Animals are being stripped for their parts and left for dead. Poaching has completely exhausted animal populations in Africa, which damages the environment, and is affecting people all over the world both socially and through international relations. Poaching is a growing activity in Africa and it is dangerously depleting animal

Dead Stars-Paz Marquez Benitez free essay sample

It serves as a literary time machine for readers as it enables them to understand how courtship, marriage and fidelity were viewed through the early 1900 standards. It renders a sound comparison between the past and the present, the existing modern culture and the fading, almost obsolete tradition. Although the comparison and contrast provides a good critical foundation, another highly significant aspect of this short story involves the main character, Alfredo Salazar, which, always applies to whatever era, hence the focus of this paper. His confusion, weakness and unreasonableness are innate flaws of humans. Perhaps one of the many reasons why this work is timeless is that readers never fail to see a part of them in Alfredo Salazar’s character, making the short story a rich source of serious ruminations on society, love and humanity. People oftentimes give high regard to the society in which they belong. They try to adhere to the norms, traditions and culture of their society, though sometimes the conformity would require them to sacrifice a part of themselves – an opinion, an emotion or a decision. We will write a custom essay sample on Dead Stars-Paz Marquez Benitez or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, there are cases wherein the established norms and rules of society are the ones which should prevail. In Dead Stars, the main character, Alfredo Salazar, was torn between making two important decisions – to marry or not to marry. But just like other dilemmas, the crossroad in which he found himself in was not to be solved without harming anyone. He was engaged to Esperanza, his fiancee of four years. Theirs was undoubtedly a love that was true. But for some reasons, apparently on Alfredo’s part, a change of heart has taken place. He has fallen for Julia Salas, the sister-in-law of the judge whom his father had a meeting with. After spending several afternoons and conversations, he found himself slowly getting attached to her that he started losing concern for Esperanza. In the end, however, he married his fiancee and though their marriage was not an unhappy one, he still could not take the possibilities of a future with Julia off his mind. Until one day, their paths crossed again and he realized one painful truth that led him to liberation at last. Human emotions are very intricate and delicate both at its lowest and highest. And so is love. When Alfredo was still passionately attached to Esperanza, he was overwhelmed. Taking the conversation of Alfredo’s sister, Carmen, and his father, Don Julian into consideration, readers can deliberately conclude that he was indeed in love. . . . â€Å"Papa, do you remember how much in love he was? † â€Å"In love? With whom? † â€Å"With Esperanza of course. He has not had another love affair that I know of,† she said with good-natured contempt. â€Å"What I mean is that in the beginning he was enthusiastic – flowers, serenades, notes and things like that. ’ The excerpt was a good manifestation of how change in men occurs. But since change is men’s â€Å"wine and bread† according to Angela Manalang-Gloria, it is as essential as living itself, and therefore the most important things to be considered after the transition are the causes, the way one deals with change and the consequences. Alfredo was aware of the cause of his change as what is shown in the following paragraph: Why would men so mismanage their lives? Greed, he thought, was what ruined so many. Greed – the desire to crowd into a moment all the enjoyment it will hold, to squeeze from the hour all the emotions it will yield. Men commit themselves when but half-meaning to do so, sacrificing possible future fullness of ecstasy to the craving for immediate excitement. . . Another significant reason as to his emotional wanderings could be the length of time n which he was engaged o Esperanza. As what Don Julian had philosophize, couples who were engaged for so long become too comfortable and familiar with each other that the spark of love that was felt at the time the romance was just starting to blossom would expectantly cool down – that it â€Å"argues a certain placidity of temperament – or of affection – on the part of either, or both†. Another factor to be considered was the contrast of Alfredo and Julia’s personalities. Alfredo was â€Å"calm and placid† while Julia was lively and full of vitality. The difference between them must have excited him as he saw in her the things he lacked. However, though aware he was of the possible reasons why he, as well as men, or even humans in general, succumb to acts or thoughts of subtle infidelity, his attitude towards what is moral and not becomes shadowed in the attempts to justify his own behavior. Stances about the argument he had with Esperanza regarding the latter’s anger toward Calixta’s cohabitation with he man she’s not married to, may vary. But again, one’s act was expected to adhere with what is the established morality in a certain society. Because of what seemed as a liberal notion, Alfredo was trapped in a situation where he has to defend himself and in the process, what was manifested was his greed. â€Å"One tries to be fair – according to his lights – but it is hard. One would like to be fair to one’s self first. † But the wedding materialized; He chose not to break his word probably in order to save himself, Esperanza and Julia from social ridicule. He felt that his moral and social obligations were already fulfilled upon choosing not to cause humiliation to them all. The way in which he chose to deal with his internal change was to consider the way in which the society will view the people involved. But perhaps he felt that in doing so he has deprived himself of fairness. So he became distant and unreachable to Esperanza although he stayed with her and treated her gently. He has developed the skill in being unaffected and somehow mastered the art of being detached. After several years, he was sent by his profession in search for the elusive Brigida Samuy and into the hometown of Julia Salas. Upon seeing her and finding out that she never married, he started to notice that she lost something, even doubted if the loss was his. As he tried to find the answer, a great realization dawned on him. . . . So all these years – since when? – he had seen the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. Therefore, the love he thought he felt for her during the short summer they shared was not the love that was enough to break an engagement. Nor was it love in its strictest definition. Instead, it was desire that sprung from the coldness that slowly crept in his relationship with Esperanza due to their long-time familiarity with each other. It was excitement that was ignited by boredom and â€Å"the last spurt of hot blood. † Alfredo symbolizes the greed and indecisiveness of men when it comes to dealing with the matters of the emotion. He had entertained the pull of an anonymous feeling. Anonymous since he never really ventured to understand it but he clung to it anyway. And in the process he lost a part of himself and deprived that part to Esperanza as well. Had it not been for chasing the lights of an illusive love that was long dead, or worse, never was, would Alfredo be happier in his marriage? Is it fair to say that he has wasted the milestones of a blissful marriage with a woman he loved first all for the sake of an impossible whim? Considering the disappointment he manifested upon realizing what he lost, the answer, is yes. Dead stars is a short story by Paz Marquez Benitez, written in 1925. It is a story about a game of love. A game between three lovers trapped in a situation that might change their life forever. Alfredo Salazar is a lawyer and the main character in the story. He is the love of the life of Esperanza. They have been together for four years and meant to get married in May. Their relationship in the beginning was full of enthusiasm, full of love and happiness. But like other long term relationships, their feelings for each other changes as time goes by. Esperanza was beautiful, elegant, reserved, and distinctly not average type of a woman. She loves her Alfredo so much and trusted him with her whole heart. After their four years of engagement, Alfredo thought of finding his real wants. When Alfredo tried to do some neighboring with his dad Don Julian, he met Julia Salas, their neighbors sister-in-law. She was just a visitor in town and been there for only six weeks. They found good company between themselves and as they knew it, it became a weekly habit for Alfredo to visit her after every Sundays mass. Julia is the average type, not so beautiful but still it interests Alfredo so much. As they grew their new friendship, Alfredo found new happiness and starts to fall for her. One day, his family invited Julias family in their coconut plantation near their beach. Its a chance for them to have some quality time together, but this is also the time to say goodbye. Julia is planning to leave the town and go back home. It breaks the heart of Alfredo and made him more confused than ever. He is thinking of choosing Julia over his fiancee Esperanza, but what people will say is what he thinks matter most. He married Esperanza after Julia left the town, he was not unhappy and realizes that everything have fallen back into place. After eight years of marriage, Alfredo still cant get over Julias memories. His thought of Julia is hunting him, and those what-ifs dilemma. Would he be happier if he chose Julia instead of Esperanza? One day, he had the chance to come to the homeland of Julia in Santa Cruz. He doesnt know the exact place where Julia lives but she mentioned the street one time they were chatting, Calle Luz. He tried to find a woman sitting in the window, and his right, he found her. Theres nothing much changed, he missed sitting and chatting right next to her, but he found something missing. Everything about her seems to be just the same since she left, but theres something in her that Alfredo cannot find anymore. He never knew until he realizes that the magic is gone. The love he ever knew he has for Julia is gone. After all those years that he knew he loved her, was just like looking at a star. A star he ever wanted to touch, to feel and the thing he wanted for the rest of his life. But this star is too far from his reach, it brights from a far but dies when youre near. It was all a dream, he thought hell never wake but its been years since he woke up. After all, it was loving a dead star, its already dead but still you see the light. Paz Marquez Benitez made her mark in Philippine literature because her work Dead Stars is considered the first modern Philippine short story. She presented the story under the perception of Alfredo Salazar, how he sets his mind, how confused he is and how he made his decision. She focused the story mostly between Alfredo and Julia because its the only complication. Everything changed since they met and back to normal when they fell apart. She intends to tell the readers how to handle such situation thats too possible to happen to anyone. She knows how Filipino reacts in the past times, like they were very conservative and traditional, and it really affects every decision we make as seen by the society. The author also shows how hard it is to choose between two things you love and like, you want and need, you should and not, and its all when love and fate collide. The story Dead Stars is a wonderful story about love that could inspire readers from every generation. The setting and date of the story was from a long time ago but we could still relate it somehow in our time today. The Filipino traditions that the author showed in the story, can still be seen in our modern life. The society and their affection for ones act, is still happening anywhere in the Philippines. We still couldnt make our own decisions without thinking what this so-called society will say. It could be a good or bad thing to ask or at least think of what people might say. Good, because everyone around us might be affected on every decision we make, and we should care about their feelings about the situation. Bad, because you are not being true to yourself and youre not free to listen to your own mind and heart, which is the very important source of every decision. For me, if I were Alfredo, I would do what my heart tells me and choose whom I really love no matter what the cost is, in the end. I believe that time doesnt matter, even if I love someone for a long time, it doesnt mean that I will love him forever. Everything in this world is just temporary and Im ready to accept my fate if after all this feeling will just fade. In the situation of Alfredo and Julia, where he fell in love with a span of only six weeks, it could be the love that will last forever. If he chose Julia, he could have been happier, because its true. He love her even though shes not so beautiful, he love her because of the reason love itself.