The first World War Essay Example for Free

The first World War Essay How do Owen and Sassoon shows us that it is not sweet and honourable to die for your country? In the early 1900s it was believed by many people in Britian that it was sweet and honou rable to die for your country this is mainly due to the fact that there had not been a major European conflict in a hundred years. War was believed to be glamorous and soldiers were seen as gallant and were highly respected for fighting for the Great British Empire. But during the First World War many soldiers discovered how tragic and horrific war could really be. Civillians like Jessie Pope created crude war verses to pressure men into enlisting without having any direct experience with the truth of war. Who would much rather come back with the crutch Than lie low and be out of the fun? Some of the soldiers from the First World War wrote poetry to describe the realities of war. Two of the famous poets from the period were Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Siegfried Sassoon was born into a wealthy Jewish family in 1886 in which he lived the pastoral life of a young squire. When Sassoon joined the army it was said that he reacted very bitterly and violently to the realities of war. Sassoon earned the name of Mad Jack after a fellow officer died. This was due to the near-suicidal exploits against the german lines. Sassoon was admitted into a military hospital for shell shock where he met Wifred Owen. Wilfred Owen was born in 1893,at the age of sixteen Owen failed to attain entrance to the university of London and started writing poetry. Then he spent a year as a lay assistant to the Revd. In 1915 he joined the army and was placed in the Artists Rifles. In 1917 he was posted in France and saw his first action. Later on in the year he was diagnosed with Shell shock or neurasthenia and was sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital. Owen and Sasson met in the hospital and discussed their veiws on the War and poetry. Both Owen and Sassoon objected to the social pressure both official and unofficial that were put on young men to join the army. Although it was said that Sassoon mentored and influenced Owen in writing poetry,Owens style is very different to Sassoons. Owen shows us the realties of war by writing detailed long poems about the situations the soldiers were put through during the First World War. Sassoon on the other hand wrote short poems about the after affects on the soldiers and the relatives after the war. This is shown in such poems that Owen wrote as Exposure in which Owen describes the psychological and physical affects soldiers were put through during winter warfare. The soldiers in this poem are waiting for something to happen this is called stale mate. At this point in time the soldiers feel that the cold is more dangerous to them than the war Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knive us. . . . I think that this goes against most peoples usual idea of warfare because most people imagine warfare as non stop fighting, and they think that the most dangerous things to soldiers are guns and bults. In this poem Owen uses comparisons to connect weather and war like iced winds that knive us. Also Owen uses the personification of the clouds to show us that the freezing winter weather conditions attacked them like the actual enemy would Attacks once more in ranks on shivering ranks of grey. In this poem Owen uses para rhymes such as Like twitching agonies of men among its brambles. Northward, incessantly, the flickering gunnery rumbles, . Owen uses para rhymes to keep a rhythm to the poem but so that it still keeps with the saddness of winter warfare. I think these para rhythms work well because as well as them giving the poem a rhythm they give the poem a structure. Later on in the poem the soldiers begin to hullucinate We cringe in holes,back on forgotten dreams ,and stare sundozed, they do this because they are in stalemate and the waiting is almost sending them insane . They hullucinate about a normal spring day Deep into grassier ditches. So we drowse ,sun-dozed ,Littered with trickling where the blackbird fusses,. This shows us that some if not all of the soldiers are having to dream of a happier place to give the situation they are in some sort of hope,hope that they will once again be home. Also in this stanza Owen asks the question Is it that we are dying? when I read this line I get the impression that they were almost hoping for this in some way. Then the soldiers go home and find the doors and windows locked Shutter and doors ,all closed then they return to reality and the daydream ends. Owen ends this stanza with we turn back to our dying this makes you realise that they have no hope of of escaping the realities of war. Owen also describes why the soldiers are fighting. The reasons are they wanted to sustain their way of life for their children and they felt it was their duty which is understandable. But the reason which I thought was strange is that they had no reason not to. That gave me the impression that Owen was almost trying to say that because they had no reason for them to join the army their lives were wasted. The soldiers in this poem that have died from the winter are buried by the burying party, later on in the poem they are described as half known facesand All their eyes are ice,. I think Owen describes them as half known faces because they are dead so they are not really people anymore. They are described as Their eyes are ice, because people say the eyes are the gate way to the soul and because they are dead they have no soul anymore. I think these phrases work well because it give us great imagery and shows us that some of the soldiers didnt die peacefully. Throughout this poem Owen expresses his anger towards the people who died unnecessarily as a result of winter weather conditions in the First World War. Sucide in the trenches was written by Sassoon, it describes what being in the trenches could do to the most positive of people. In this poem Sassoon uses simple rhymes, phrases and adjectives to bluntly describe how a young soldier took his own life. In the first stanza the soldier is described as I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy , he may have been described this way because he was uneducated and a very positive person. Then in the second stanza he explains things that contributed to his collapse With crumps and lice and lack of rum crumps are the constant loud noise of the shell bursts with deafened some soldiers. However, the main thing in this stanza was In winter trenches, cowed and glum, in this line Sassoon tells us that the soldier is in winter warfare, we have already seen the effect of winter wafare in Owens poem Exposure . Then in the end of the second stanza Sassoon shocks you by describing the soldiers suicide very bluntly He shot a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of him again. when I read this line it made me sit up and think. Sassoon uses asteristiers to give you a moment to think. Then he attacks you with You smug-faced crowds with kindeling eye . Then he ends this stanza in saddness which I think works very well due to the contrast with the rest of the poem Sneak home and pray youll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. In this last stanza Sassoon is expressing his anger mainly towards the people back in Britian who pressure the soldiers into going to warfare without having any idea of the realities of war.

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: News Media Fantasy versus Reality Essay

Abstract: The purpose of this research paper was to investigate the news media’s depiction of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The coverage provided by the newspapers was compared to that of scientific journals to access their validity and insight. The reactions the coverage evoked on the public were also studied. The paper specifically addressed the media’s portrayal of the oil company versus that of environmental groups. It was found that the news media did not include the benefits the oil company had had on the people and economy of Alaska. It was also found that up until 1989, many Alaskans were opposed to environmental groups. Next, the paper followed the role the media played on the public’s emotions and subsequent government policy. In addition, the use of exaggerated statistics in the wake of the spill are examined and corrected. Finally, the debate over the recovery of the area is tackled. And while the debate remains open, the apparent discrepancies in data are discussed.       Introduction: On March 27, 1989 the supertanker Exxon Valdez ran ashore in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil. The oil soon spread into the waters of south-central Alaska from the sound of Kodiak Island to the Kenai Peninsula (refer to Figure 1 for a map of the area). Almost immediately, news media arrived at the site reporting images of oil-stained beaches and wildlife to the masses. News coverage centered around the environmental devastation which would result from the spill. The coverage, for the most part, reinforced stereotypes of Alaska, as a pristine wilderness and Exxon as a greedy, irresponsible oil company. These images stressed the negative consequences of the spills and ignored ... ...nd, Alaska. The Condor 102 (4), 723-737. Lance, B. K., Irons, D. B., Kendall, S. J., and McDonald, L. L. (2001) An evaluation of marine bird population trends following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prine William Sound, Alaska. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42 (4) 298-309. Leo, Roger. â€Å"Spill is a Slipery Subject; Ten Years Later, Exxon Won’t Admit the Disaster Continues.† Worcester Telegram & Gazette [Worester, MA.] 28 March 1999: D12. Leo, Roger. â€Å"Still Paying Price for Exxon Spill; Some Species Continue to Suffer.†Worcester Telegram & Gazette [Worester, MA.] 30 April 2000: D9 Shabecoff, Philip. â€Å"U.S. Asks Exxon for $20 Million to Access Spill Damage in Alaska.†New York Times [New York] 18 January 1990: B4. Wiens, J. A. (1996) Oil, seabirds, and science: the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. BioScience 46 (8) 587-598.

Economic inequality Essay

Application and evaluation question  Candidates are required to demonstrate understanding of SOL by applying the data given to assess the change in level of SOL in Singapore. They are also required to identify limitations of data given in assessing non-material aspect of SOL and suggest possible indicators to provide a more comprehensive measurement of SOL in Singapore. Schematic Plan (to be done in 2-3 minutes) Thinking Process Introduction (GIST) Define SOL, provide an overview of the essay Provide the thesis – Show how the data given support a rising SOL Analyse how economic growth can translate to rising SOL Analyse how a low inflation rate is necessary for increasing SOL Analyse how the creation of more jobs can lead to a rising SOL Provide the anti-thesis – why the non-material SOL should be examined and analyse how stress level can affect non-material SOL Analyse how income disparity can affect the SOL of Singaporean despite evidence of economic growth Analyse how negative externalities can affect the non-material SOL Reiterate your stand and conclude General Statement (Key idea) Interpretation (Definitions, clarify concepts / question) Scope (Set up directions for the answer) sTand (State the stand) Standard of living (SOL) is a measure of the welfare of a populace. It is comprised of material aspects such as quantity of goods and services consumed and non-material aspects such as amount of leisure time and access to necessities of life. To determine whether the standard of living in Singapore has been rising over the years, it is necessary to examine changes in both the material and non-material aspects. While the information given in the preamble seems to suggest an improvement in the material aspect, there is a lack of information to prove that there is a corresponding improvement in the non-material aspect. Nonetheless, given the positive data in the preamble and taking into account the government’s constant effort to improve the non-material aspect, such as pollution level, we can reasonably conclude that the standard of living in Singapore has been increasing to a large extent. Body (PEEL) PEEL – 1 State the Point (P) As mentioned in the preamble, the Singapore economy grew by 9.2% in the third quarter, this is likely to lead to an improvement in the material well being of Singaporean in general. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) The 9.2% economic growth in the third quarter of 1993 means that real Gross Domestic Product in third quarter of 1993 increased by 9.2% over the previous year. Since GDP is the total value of the final output produced within a country, this would meant that national output and hence national income increased by 9.2%. This increase means people are enjoying more income which allows them to purchase more goods and services to satisfy their wants. For example, now more people can afford to buy luxury goods such as cars. Link back to Question (L) This increases their welfare and hence the SOL increases. PEEL – 2 State the Point (P) As mentioned in the preamble, the inflation is low at the rate of 2.4% per annum, this is likely to translate to an increase in material standard of living. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) As discussed above, the economy grew at 9.2% and that would translate to higher income for the average consumer. A low inflation rate of 2.4% ensures that the increase in the income of the average consumer is higher than the increase in the prices of the goods and services he consumes. As such, for the average consumer, his real purchasing power increases and he is able to consume more goods and services as compared to before. Link back to Question (L) This means that his welfare and SOL is improved. PEEL – 3 State the Point (P) As mentioned in the preamble, 19000 jobs were created, this is likely to lead to an improvement in SOL for Singaporeans. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) With the creation of these 19000 job opportunities, many previously unemployed workers would be able to find jobs and start to earn an income. These people who were previously unemployed would now be able to afford more goods and services, such as more meals or entertainment in clubs, with the income they now earn and hence enjoy a higher material standard of living. At the same time, as unemployment rate goes down, the labour market becomes increasingly saturated and companies may be willing to pay a higher wage to attract workers. With a higher wage, workers are now able to consume more goods and services than before. Link back to Question (L) As such, the welfare and SOL of the average Singaporean is likely to improve. PEEL – 4 State the Point (P) However, it is insufficient to only look at the material aspect to determine if the SOL in Singapore has been rising over the years. It is also necessary to examine changes in the non-material SOL for a comprehensive analysis of the level of SOL in Singapore. One possible indicator would be the stress level of the average Singapore worker. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) The high economic growth of 9.2% reported in the preamble could have come about as a result of longer working hours. For instance, there is an increasing number of 24 hour coffeeshop in Singapore and existing employees are paid to work longer hours. As workers work longer hours to produce more goods and services, they experience a higher level of stress. At the same time, majority of the 19000 jobs created might be in the sales and retail sector where the stress to perform is extremely high. As such, the stress level of Singaporean may have gone up. Link back to Question (L) / Evaluation If the stress level of the average Singaporean worker has increased over the years, then the non-material SOL, and hence the overall SOL, of the average Singaporean may have worsened. However, to address that, the government has been encouraging companies to have a healthy work-life balance to promote families togetherness. Work days for most companies have been limited to 5 days week. As such, it is likely that the increase in stress level is limited and the average Singaporean still enjoy a rising overall SOL. PEEL – 5 State the Point (P) Another possible way to examine whether the average Singaporean’s SOL has risen is to examine whether the gains from the economic growth is distributed equitably. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) If the income disparity has widened, it would mean most people gained less  benefits from the economic growth while the rich gained the most. This would mean the income of the majority has changed little and hence their welfare increase is limited or negligible. Hence on the whole, the SOL may be unchanged or has even decreased in an extreme case. Link back to Question (L) / Evaluation On further analysis, this may be an unlikely scenario for Singapore. The government has had attempt to close the income gap through financial benefits such as GST credits and fundings for Comcare, the Edusave merit bursary and the likes to ensure the poor’ s finances are enhanced. In fact, recently the income disparity in Singapore has eased according to the Gini coefficient which assigns a value of 1 to the most unequal income distribution and 0 to the most equal. Singapore currently hovers around 0.430. As such, it is likely that most Singaporean would be able to enjoy the fruits of the economic growth and experience an increase in SOL. PEEL – 6 State the Point (P) Finally, it is also important to examine the impact of negative externalities in assessing the change in the non-material SOL of Singaporeans over this period. Explain the point with clear causal links (E) Elaborate the point with examples (E) It is possible that more pollution and traffic congestion may have arrived due to the increase in national production (hence output). These increase in negative externalities worsens the living environment and exacts a cost (in the form of healthcare cost) for example on the people. Hence the net benefits from the economic growth may be eroded. Link back to Question (L) / Evaluation However, the government of Singapore has had a track record of developing a clean and conducive living environment for all. It has strict laws on pollution and efficient policies on tracking traffic congestion like ERP and promoting public transport. Hence a rise in social costs is unlikely to be significant compared to countries such as China and Thailand. As such, the impact of negative externalities is likely to be limited and the overall SOL of Singaporean is likely to have increased. Conclusion Summarise and Reiterate (SR) All in all, it can be safely concluded that there is a rise in living standards in Singapore to a large extent in spite of a lack of data on the non-material aspect of SOL. This is because of the track record of the government which has worked to increase the SOL of Singapore since 1965 effectively and dramatically. However, it is still best to include other indicators such as the PSI (to see the level of pollution), the Gini coefficient and MEW. These will help to give a better estimate of the change in the SOL. Ultimately, SOL is too broad a concept to be measured by any single indicator.

Supermarket in Califorina and Constantly Risking...

â€Å"A Supermarket in California† and â€Å"Constantly Risking Absurdity† Allen Ginsberg’s poem â€Å"A Supermarket in California† and Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem â€Å"Constantly Risking Absurdity† describe the struggle within to find beauty and self worth. Where Allen Ginsberg is lost in the market, desperately trying to find inspiration from Walt Whitman, Lawrence Ferlinghetti portrays the image of the poet frantically trying to balance on a high wire, risking not only absurdity, but also death. Both of these poems deal with their poet’s struggle to find meaning and their fears of failure. Where Ginsberg fears he will never find Whitman’s dream, Ferlinghetti fears falling off the high wire and being submitted to absurdity and death.†¦show more content†¦A society, as Tyrus Miller claims, is â€Å"an era of anti-Communist witch hunts, preprocessed food, television advertising, and nuclear bombs.† Ginsberg is inspired by Walt Whitman’s dream of a diverse society. Although he is inspired, Gi nsberg clearly lacks the confidence in himself and modern America to achieve this dream. He has many fears and displays them in numerous ways. The supermarket itself is a clausphobic environment, where store staff and imaginative detectives closely survey every move of the poet as he searches. In Whitman’s poems, there is an image of work and production, while Ginsberg’s poems show spending of money and consuming. In â€Å"Song of Myself† by Walt Whitman, he describes a butcher boy cutting meat in a market. While Ginsberg’s poem centers around a supermarket, where everything is prepackaged and ready to buy. This accentuates Ginsberg’s fear of a non tolerable society. His run in with Garcia Lorca, a Spanish poet who also admired Walt Whitman, is one of shock and fright. Garcia Lorca was killed by rebels during the Spanish Civil War, a fellow poet who died searching for Whitman’s dream. His discovery of Garcia is one of disbelief, â€Å"and y ou, Garcia Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?† Garcia’s presence in this poem is intended to show the fate of those who fall off the high wire, foreshadowing the fate of Ginsberg if he does not