Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon and Green Beret by Ho Thien Essays

Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon and Green Beret by Ho Thien Essays Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon and Green Beret by Ho Thien Paper Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon and Green Beret by Ho Thien Paper Essay Topic: Literature Both these poems are based around the theme of war, however they are set in different periods of time. Suicide in the Trenches deals with the stresses that war can inflict and how tragic it can sometimes be. It focuses on the life and death of a soldier boy. Throughout the poem the poet emphasises the simplicity of the boy. The poem has a simple layout and rhyme scheme, Sassoon is probably trying to suggest the simplicity of the soldier boy and how simple the life of a soldier in the trenches would have been. Green Beret is more recent and is based on the Vietnamese war. It tells the story of a Vietnamese boy who is being threatened with the death of his father to give information about the Vietnamese people. Throughout the poem the poet suggests how the brutal actions of the soldiers only seem to make the resistance force greater. Both of these poems differ from each other but they both show the tragedies involved in war. The poets in both poems use different methods to show their ideas. In Suicide in the Trenches the poem is structured in quatrains and the poems layout is very simple. I think that Sassoon used the quatrains and a simple layout to emphasise the simplicity of the simple soldier boy. I also think that he may have used this layout to imitate the life of a soldier, as soldiers are thought to be orderly and neat. Sassoon uses a title which prepares us for a poem containing grown up men, however, when we read the first line we get the image of a young boy. This shows us that the young boys involved found the war it so dreadful that some even took extreme measures to get away from it. In contrast, Thien uses a narrative approach and relates to events in order as though it was a story. The first long stanza focuses on what happened and the last short stanza focuses on how the resistant forces werent defeated, suggesting how brave the boy was for keeping quiet. I think that Thien finally revealed the silence of the boy so that the reader remained intrigued in the poem and it kept up the suspense. Green Beret is in free verse and both stanzas are unevenly spread. I think that this is because Ho Thien wants us to know that the Green Beret soldiers may be unfair and that the boy and the Vietnamese people are very much in charge of their own decisions and that they wont give information away about their people, no matter what consequences are involved. At the end of the poem Thien even compares the Vietnamese people to fierce animals, like tigers across the High Plateau. I think that Thien uses tigers so that we get the impression that the Vietnamese are like predators and that they are quiet when the move making it very hard for the Americans to find or detect them. The lengths of the poems also vary dramatically. Green Beret is rather long, which is probably because the poet wants us to know that the war went on for a long time and that it may have been very awkward for the Americans to get information. In the second stanza we get the impression that the brutal actions by the American forces only makes the resistant forces stronger and when the poet mentions wall of steel we can imagine how strong the resistant forces must be. Whereas, when we look at Suicide in the Trenches we can see that its much shorter indicating that suicide was part of life in the trenches. It also gives us the impression that the soldiers would have got over these tragedies quickly and that suicide was part of everyday life. The rhyme scheme and rhythm are significantly different when we compare both poems. In Suicide in the Trenches the rhyme scheme is rather straightforward; aabbcc (This again shows the simplicity of the soldier boy. ) The rhythm functions to make the poem easy to read and remember. However, when we reach lines seven and eight, the rhythm changes; He put a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of him again. I think the poet used these two lines to emphasise the brutality and the harsh reality of war. I also think it shows how desperate war really was. In both poems the poets use the language differently. In Green Beret Thien gives a sense of realism by adding dialogue, it also gives a true sense of how Green Beret spoke. When he commands kill the old guy in front of the boy we see how heartless and unsympathetic that Green Beret really is. The poet describes the boy as frail and slight, this shows that the boy may be quite malnourished and that he may be rather vulnerable. At the end of the poem Thien describes the Vietnamese army as tigers. He probably used this particular word as tigers are a sneaky and strong type of an animal and perhaps he wanted the reader to know that they are strong and quite a formidable force. Thien also uses repetition like eyes. I think that he uses eyes so much through the poem as eyes can show a persons emotions very effectively. When we find out that the boy has the eyes of a hurt animal, we take the boys side and we feel sympathetic towards him. When we look at Thiens choice of verbs they really stand out and put a strong image in the readers head. Thien uses verbs like commanded and roared, I think that Thien used these verbs as they show the brutality of Green Beret and that he is rather ruthless. In the poem Green Beret speaks to the boy in broken English, tell us where or we kill father. I think this is to show that Green Beret thought that the boy was stupid or inferior and by communicating to him this way he would understand what he is saying. By way of contrast, when we study the language used by Sassoon there are no similes, metaphors and very few adjectives used. I think that Sassoon used this technique as war is already brutal and by using very few of these words is presents war as it is and how desperate it was. I think that both of these poems were written for a wide audience; children to adults and they are to show the true horrors of the war. Green Beret was to show the things going on during the Vietnam War, and it almost exalts the Vietnamese people and shows that they werent so weak after all. As we see that the little boy is willing to let his father be killed for the people of his country. On the other hand, Suicide in the Trenches outlines how horrific war can be and it shows that war is fought mentally as well as physically. In conclusion, both of the two poems have a lot of differences but they are still very alike each other as they both still portray the harsh brutality of war. But the two poets have used different techniques and methods to present their ideas and they have the same sadness in their tone. I think that both poets have been very effective with the techniques used as both poems contain a lot of strong emotions. I personally preferred Green Beret as I thought it gave a convincing insight into the war and it showed how brutal it was. It also showed how one small boy could save all his people and how mentally strong he was. Although I thought that Suicide in the Trenches was more effective as it portrayed a lot of emotion and it gave a much different view on war and showed the different mental stresses it contained and how desperate war really was and is.

Thelma & Louise Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Thelma & Louise - Research Paper Example She works as a waitress and has a boyfriend named Jimmy. On the other hand, Thelma is a housewife under the dominion of her husband. Despite their differences, the audience learns that they have organized a weekend road trip, but Thelma has to seek permission from her dominant husband. In the first scene of the film, the director depicts two different women in kitchens (Lanouette 2). Louise is in a commercial kitchen that appears huge and large with multiple processes going on. Thelma appears in her household kitchen, but that depicts a high level of disorganization. In addition, the kitchen appears highly messy. Moreover, the director depicts Louise dressed in white while Thelma wears a loosely hanging bathrobe. The director uses these different illustrations to introduce the evident differences between the women at the onset of the film. The conversation between Thelma and her husband Dareel serves to highlight to the audience that she is a voiceless housewife, having to bear with the suppressive nature of her husband. Thelma’s tone of addressing her husband reflects her passive nature since she struggles to impress her husband through her tone and choice of words. She struggles to find the right words to seek his permission, but she fails, and decides to leave for the trip without his consent. On the night prior to the trip, the director depicts the women packing, but in different ways. Louise is seen packing in an organized manner, having clear ideas on the items that she needs to pack. Louise’s apartment exhibits effective lighting and multiple mirrors. On the other hand, Thelma exhibits disorganization in the way she packs, clustering clothes, and items into her bag. In this scene, the director also emphasizes on the spatial opposition that is evident in the entire film. The effective use of costumes and props in the film serves to introduce the spatial opposition (Pramaggiore and Wallis 94). When the two women start their trip, they begin t o share the same space in the car. Previously, they had not shared any space, and their attitudes were different. At the onset of their trip, they exhibit different attributes. Louise is in control of her life, and makes decisions that define her moves(Lanouette 4). Thelma has just made the first defining decision of embarking on the trip without her husband’s consent. Since spatial opposition is minimal in the shared car, and the scenes that follow depict the many changes that occur between the spatial settings of the women. Thelma exhibits an emerging desire to make her personal decisions when she suggests that they stop at Silver Bullet, a club where the passive Thelma indulges in a flirty dance with a stranger Harlan. The club space defined by music, waitresses, and revelry serves to highlight a percentage of the transformation that occurs in Thelma. As the plot progresses, she seems to be pursuing more freedom. At the club, Harlan decides to take advantage of Thelma, and drags her to the parking where he intends to rape her. The lighting at the parking appears dim suggesting to the audience that something undesirable was about to happen(Pramaggiore and Wallis 95). The director also ensures a level of tension that ensues before Louise gets to the parking lot where the ordeal is transpiring. The vulnerability of Thelma is evident from her

Chilhood Obesity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chilhood Obesity - Essay Example Many doctors today refer to obesity as the â€Å"new American epidemic.† an estimated 60 million Americans living within the US are obese. It is further estimated that slightly over 70% of people over the age of 25 have an overweight problem. Obesity is a fast-growing health concern in the USA, with about 13% of all the American children suffering from the disease. The statistics seem to rise every year for chilren By trying to understand the rise in childhood obesity, one gets to know more about obesity itself. According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, children with a BMI of over 30 are the most prone to obesity. There are other institutions which suggest that any child whose body weight exceeds the normal body weight for their age and height by at least 20% is obese. Whatever the exact definition of the condition is, obesity implies excess body fat. Why exactly has obesity become such a serious concern in the United States? You thought an extra pound or two can’t really harm a child, didn’t you? Yes, an extra pound can cause a child serious health problems. Obesity can affect a child both psychologically and physiologically. Some of the psychological risks involved include anxiety problems, depression and anxiety problems. The physiological risks, on the other hand, include diabetes type 2, hypertension and heart ailments. About 45% of the latest cases of juvenile type-2 diabetes are associated with obesity at childhood.

Employment Communication Essay Example for Free

Employment Communication Essay Employment communication is the communication between employees in an organization which is said to be the most essential aspect that should be put into consideration for a better coordination among the taskforces within an organization, this means that the employees are put in a position to communicate with their employers either in a formal way or informal way to pass information. Through this the employees are enabled to express their grievances, health matters, working environment and legal matters through communication to their employers. A healthy and supportive work environment is found to be the most crucial factor in creating robust employment relationships. Discussion Individuals with strong employment relationships tend to have helpful and friendly co-workers, interesting work, assess their workplace as both healthy and safe, are supported in balancing work with their personal life, and have reasonable job demands. High levels of employee trust and commitment are linked to perceptions that their employer cares about them. If the employees are not satisfied with these aspects then they can call for a meeting with the managerial personnel and this is said to be a formal way of communicating with the authority. (Palmer and Akin, 2006) Communication is also used in the delivering of the resources needed to do the job well this can be done through the provision of training, equipment and information thus indicating to employees the firm’s commitment to employees needs who therefore required to accomplish their tasks. Resources are also likely to make workloads more manageable and enable workers to be more productive in their duties. Through training one can communicate to the employees on what is expected to be done to accomplish their tasks and the policies required to accomplish all tasks. (Dale, 2001) Employment relationships clearly matter for individuals and employers. The strong employment relationships positively influence job satisfaction, skill use and development, workplace morale, and worker absenteeism. In general, strong employment relationships contribute to the quality of work life and the performance of the organization to be of high esteem. On the other hand, perceived problems with pay and job security are more important influences on willingness to work effectively than it is for the strength of employment relationships (Palmer and Akin, 2006) Strong employment communication is associated with the more effective use of human resources and skills. The employees who have strong employment communication have more opportunities in their job to develop and use their skills and abilities in a free environment that they have ways of expressing their thoughts and feelings. This supports the creation of human capital that is so important for both individual well being and healthy organizations goals. . (Yeung, 1997) In this case we find that this communication is usually affected by many factors such as the organizational change which is said to may affect the employees negatively bringing up informal way of expressing their disapproval. Downsizing and restructuring are associated with reduced levels of trust, commitment, communications and worker influence. The employees may down their tools in protest or may also resist change through strike. The changes should be effectively communicated before they are put in place so that the employees are not caught unaware of the changes being effected. Employers or the authority should take charge to convince the employers on the benefits the changes will put in place from the existing organization structure, policies and procedures. (Yeung, 1997) Conclusion There are several ways to address this communication problems being experienced between the employers and employees, but first we have to create an employment relationship that addresses this issues. Employment relationships must be created so that communication is enhanced. The strength of employment relationships matters for individuals. This puts trust, commitment, communication and influence on their list of job selection criteria hence there is not much that individual workers can do short of changing employers or becoming self employed to improve their work environment. Those employees in weak employment relationships desire better communication fairness, respect, recognition, and a more supportive work environment. They also need more opportunities for meaningful input and participation. These are the issues they want employers to address first. The employers have no doubt that creating a supportive and healthy work environment nurtures positive employment relationships. This entails looking into the physical, social and psychological aspects of the workplace everything from workloads to respect and the resources needed to do an effective job. The most important issue is how the work is organized. Trust is associated with restructuring and downsizing also low levels of commitment. Most workplaces are organized to give more scope for participation so as to have stronger employment relationships. The content of the job is also an important issue especially providing skilled and interesting tasks so that the goals of the organization can be effectively communicated. Policies and measures should be put in place to address this communication issues so that the employee’s grievances or conditions can be addresses at ease. With policies the employee’s issues will certainly reach to their employers who will know how to address them than going to extreme reactions like calling for strikes or the workers having to lay down tools. The strict consequences or measures put in place will also prevent them from resolving the issues in a violent way but do it in a formal way. For example employees may face a sack from work if he goes contrary to this ways of addressing the issues. A relational perspective on work points toward the goal of creating cohesive, prosperous, and personally supportive workplaces and communities through effective communication means. We can therefore conclude that defining characteristics of a good job, the qualities of trust, commitment, communication and influence is important means for employment relationship between the employer and his employee. Thus both formal and informal ways should be set up to ease communication and flow of information in employment is an organization or business.

Essay --

To: Dr. Rick Wilson, Director of International Market Assessment From: Cierra Smith Date: March 11, 2014 Subject: HW #2: The Fostering of a More Favorable FDI Environment Overview Whether it be for the purpose of liberalization, promotion for a favorable environment, or some other associated motive, reports have recognized annual global increases in countries partaking in activities related to foreign direct investment. Indeed, there have been particular increases in investment policies, regulations and restrictions, in developed, developing, and transition economies respectively. In this manner, countries are able to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives for a more fostered regulatory environment. Although regulatory environments can be typically rewarding, there lies risk for the less favorable concept of investment protectionism. Investment Trends Overall, analysts have noticed a dramatic increase in the adoption of various investment trends, predominantly policies involving the liberalization and privatization for the sake of services, investment promotion and facilitation, and domestic and foreign investments. With regards to liberalization and privatization, China raised foreign investment ownership by 16 percent. Similarly, India raised foreign investment ownership by a staggering 25%, and in addition, liberalized several industries comprising of FDI. Correspondingly, European and Asian regions have reportedly sought out the trend of industrial promotion and facilitation measures for the purpose of magnetizing foreign investors and promoting investment. For example, China simplified procedures regarding capital flows and currency exchange quotas for foreign firms, and Pakistan sanctioned acts promoting the z... ...of these investment restrictions. In an attempt to avoid such casualty, there lies a proposition for a more defined implication of â€Å"investment protectionism† and its measures involved. One might suggest a possible addition onto the current investment publications and reports, or rather technical assistance promoting a sizable amount of regulation with regards to FDI policies (in addition to general investment restrictions). Additionally, UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD), consisting of investment policymaking principles, national investment guidelines, as well as design options, has the capability to function as a reference. Taking such action, as well as using such resources can foster a more hospitable investment environment, whilst still taking into account the government’s Utilitarianism intents. Cierra Hofstra Student

Buying a Laptop

There are many things to consider when making any large purchase. It is very important to have an understanding of the product you wish to purchase, as well as a realistic estimate of how much you are willing to spend. I have recently been doing research about notebook computers, and have visited many websites to weigh the pros and cons of different brands. Ultimately, I am looking for a computer that is the best value for what I need. Since I like to play games and watch movies, I need a computer with specific features. However, given that I am a student, I have limited funds available.I approached this endeavor with an expectation of spending about $1,300 before tax. The most important features that I need are a fast processor, a lot of memory, and a good graphics card. All three components are essential to both gaming and watching DVDs. Portability is not really an issue for me, since I do not intend to carry it around too often. Given this fact, I am able to get a larger screen, which is a great for the purposes I need the computer for. My first inclination was to try discount websites, mostly because I anticipated lower prices.I first visited www. tigerdirect. com and viewed some of their portable computers. Before I started to get approximate costs, I decided to view the customer service section of their website. I was immediately concerned with their 15% restocking fee for returns. I don't like the idea of losing money if the product doesn't work out. I also briefly entertained the idea of purchasing a computer from e-Bay. However, I decided against that since there is not much recourse if a product turns out to be misrepresented or has issues.I then turned to www. walmart. com, and looked at what they had to offer. I like the idea of being able to go into my local store to physically see what the computers look like. Also, they carry a range of brands. Upon further examination, I discovered that the only 17†³ portables available were made by HP. I looked at the HP Pavilion DV9005US; it has an AMD processor, which I am not particularly fond of. However, I am very impressed with the 1 GB of memory, as well as the 100 GB hard drive. It also has a great graphics card. It has a 17†³ LCD monitor.The price with a 3 year warranty was about $1,200 before tax, which is certainly within my budget. However, since accidental damage is not covered I was a little leery. Next, I tried www. dell. com. I enjoyed being able to customize my own computer. The model that really caught my attention was the Inspiron E1705. The computer I configured has a Intel Duo processor, which I would prefer over the AMD, 1 GB of memory and an 80 GB hard drive. I am not concerned by the slightly smaller hard drive because I can always use the CD-RW to store data.It also has a 17†³ monitor. What really pleased me was the 3 year warranty-which includes accidental damage! It is slightly over my original budget though. Before tax, the total is $1,386. The overage is of course, less than $100. So, after careful consideration, I have decided that the Dell computer offers me a better value for my money. Even though it is more expensive, the accidental damage insurance means that I can properly protect my investment. I hope to never need it, but it is nice to know that if something does happen to it I can have it repaired.Another big factor in my decision is the fact that Dell is a reputable company. I know people who have Dell computers, and they seem very satisfied. I also like the fact that I can return the computer if I decide I don't like it, which makes up for not actually being able to see the computer before I buy it. Works CitedElectronics: Laptop Computers. Walmart. 18 November 2006. < http:// www. walmart. com/catalog/catalog. gsp? cat=4070&fromPageCatId=3951&catNavI d=3951>Home Page. Dell. 18 November 2006. Home Page. Tiger Direct. 18 November 2006.

What Makes People Virtuous - 732 Words

What makes ppl virtuous...... Virtue is defined as the quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and responsibility (Pg.73) While studying what makes a virtuous person their character rather than actions are studied. Honesty, courage, moderation, compassion, wisdom and loyalty are a few examples of the characteristics of a virtuous person. (pg.82) Virtue is the moderate option. For example a person can be greedy or a person can give everything they have away, but the person who takes care of themselves and others in virtuous because they are being responsible for themselves and others. In relation to what constructs a virtue is the origin of virtue in a person. Virtue is not born in a person, rather†¦show more content†¦Virtues can be taught through the family or by guardians. When a child is young he/she does not know much about the world. What they do know was taught through experience and being reprimanded or rewarded for the action committed. In other words, the child learned through reinforcement. Virtues can be taught this way, a child must learn the middle path rather than vices. Virtue ethics strives to create a good person and combine reason and emotion. (Pg.86) AShow MoreRelated Aristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics Essay1496 Words   |  6 Pageshappiness. Aristotle states that activity is an important requirement of happiness. He states that a happy person cannot be inactive. He then goes on to say that living a life of virtue is something pleasurable in itself. The virtuous person takes pleasure in doing virtuous things. T he role of virtue is an important one for Aristotle. Without virtue, it seems one cannot obtain happiness. Virtue acts as a linking factor to happiness. Aristotle states that the human function is the life activity ofRead MoreEssay about Socrates Views on Virtue and Happiness1049 Words   |  5 Pageshappiness before he discusses virtue and its relation with happiness. 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