Hardships And Struggles In Sonnys Blues

Hardships And Struggles In Sonnys Blues Hardships and struggles come along as a part of being human. It is how one deals with these struggles and hardships that can either make or break a person. James Baldwins Sonnys Blues is a story that shows how people can react to the blues and how they can handle their own inner turmoil. It is a story that tells of the suffering the characters shared, the ideas that separate them and the music that finally brings them together. Yet the inner story is one of the narrators evolution from a man living in fear to a man who is finally able to embrace his pain and in this way rise above it. In James Baldwins Sonnys Blues, all of the main conflicts and struggles of the story sum up and are given resolutions in a matter of one paragraph (located on page 168 paragraph 3) creating a stylistic centre, summary and solution for the story. These main conflicts include: the internal conflict Sonnys brother goes through to keep his promise to his mother of watching out for Sonny, Sonnys struggles ( both internal and with substance abuse), and the race-related problems occurring in Harlem at the time the story takes place. In this essay, the importance of this one paragraphs impact to the entire story will be proven. It contains the resolutions to the main conflicts that accumulate throughout the story and creates a sense of overall hope when the majority of the story is about losing hope and the characters downfalls. In this paragraph, Sonnys problems are surely not solved, however it is obvious that he comes to an understanding with himself and is heading to the better place in his life. Sonny, the central character in this story, struggles not only with a deadly addiction with substance abuse, but also an inner struggle self doubt not only due to a likely case of clinical depression, but his brothers criticism over his career choice certainly doesnt aid matters. Statements like Sometimes, you know, and it was actually when I was most out of the world. (165) when Sonny was talking to his brother about his mental state is just one example which proves that Sonny was in and out of reality from time to time due to the depression. The heroine addiction is a positive for Sonny and is a tool that he uses to get out of the trap of the streets. Sonnys heroine problem only seems to be a conflict that his brother has todeal with as to how to help Sonny. The concern that his brother has about it seems to f ade away once he starts to understand Sonnys perspective on life. This sense of understanding is established in the designated paragraph. By the end of the story, Sonny is finally taken seriously as an artist by his brother and is applauded by all after his performance. Seeing Sonnys internal struggle and defiance to take his life seriously and become something of himself, his brother, through a series of events, starts to become detached from Sonny. The narrator, Sonnys brother whose name is never mentioned, has promised his mother to always look out for Sonny and let him know [hes] there (156). The significance of the chosen paragraph shows the rekindling aspects and a sense of understanding of his relationship with Sonny as he watches him perform. After years of criticizing his brothers ambition of become a famous jazz artist, the narrator appreciates and recognizes his brothers talent as an artist by calling his playing beautiful because it wasnt hurried and it was no long a lament (168). He feels as though he is fulfilling his promise to his mother to watch over Sonny by understanding the struggles and hardships hes been through better. Sonnys brother says I had heard what he had gone through, and would continue to go through until he came to r est in earth (168). The everlasting conflicts between these two brothers are obviously not resolved, nevertheless, the narrator has just begun to understand Sonny and sympathize with his struggles in this paragraph indicating an improvement their relationship. Another problem that both Sonny and his brother grew up with was the racial segregation in Harlem. The segregation is first introduced in the story when the narrators mother speaks to the narrator about the hardships their family has seen because of this segregation. She speaks of how the narrators uncle had passed away when killed by a Caucasian man, and how this had affected his father deeply. Till the day he died he werent sure but that every white man he saw was the man that killed his brother (156). This specific paragraph gives hope to this situation and the narrator believes that change is occurring and that [Sonny] could help [them] to be free if [they] would listen (168). In this paragraph the struggle for African Americans in Harlem and all around America at that time is not nearly resolved, however theres a resolution. It is the music that brought them together and the music that liberates the African Americans at this time. James Baldwins Sonnys Blues is a story that deals with many complications and struggles concerning family-related disputes, addiction, obligations, and segregation. In the end, none of these problems are completely resolved but are on the track of resolving themselves. In the case of the relationship between Sonny and his brother, it is clear that the relationships has had its ups and downs, however an effort is being in patching up their relationship and the brothers beginning to understand and appreciate each other more. As for Sonny, he himself admits that the struggle of addiction continues until the very end. However, Sunny finds a sense of self by the end of the story; he is an applauded jazz artist. The issue of the racial segregation in Harlem continues, but the narrator decides that the freedom of the African Americans lies in their music. This one paragraph doesnt reflect all of the struggles the characters have encountered throughout the story, but it shows the change that has occurred and also shows signs of hope. This one paragraph mirrors the moral of the story. The world wait[s] outside, as hungry as a tiger, and that trouble stretch[es] above us, longer than the sky (168). Troubles will meet us wherever we go, it is how we deal with these problems that can make or break us.

Personal Communication: Texting and Driving Essay

More than 1 trillion text messages were sent worldwide last year. Texting while driving has become more common in today’s society than it has ever been. As a community, we have been bombarded with new technologies, such as iPhone’s, cell phones, tablets, etc. According to the National Safety Council it is estimated that 11 teen deaths happen per day, at least 1. 6 million car accidents, 6,000 deaths and half a million injuries occur each year all in result of texting while driving. Texting and driving should be completely banned and made illegal because it is distracting, harmful and deadly in most situations. As the years progress the constant expansion of technology has facilitated society to move forward. These constant growths have allowed us to communicate faster and more efficiently. Walking can often be tedious and time consuming; driving has allowed us to reach our destination a lot faster. Texting became a more efficient way of communication because in comparison to phone calls it speeds up the communication process. People who use cell phones on a daily basis attempt to combine texting and driving to make their communication with work, friends and family even faster put themselves in harmful situations. Texting and driving is a very contentious issue in today’s society. It is not out of the ordinary to see someone while driving glancing down at his or her cell phone, which in conclusion causes the driver to not have full attention on the road at all. When first taught to drive you learn to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. These simple rules are being disobeyed on a daily basis. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) distracted driving is a growing public safety hazard. Specifically, the dramatic rise in texting volumes since 2005 appeared to be contributing to an alarming rise in distracted driving fatalities (Fernando 1). In 2011 alone statistics showed that over 6,000 deaths and over a half a million injuries occurred solely due to distracted driving. Studies have shown that approximately 1 in 6 fatal vehicle collisions resulted from a driver being distracted while driving (Fernando 1). These types of tragedies should not just become overlooked; people should be severely punished for texting and driving or doing any type of distracted driving at all. When someone takes on the act of distracted driving they are not only putting their own lives in danger, they are also putting the life of a completely innocent stranger in a large amount of danger as well. When driving it is not hard to lose focus of what is happening on the road in front of you. Someone who is texting while driving takes his or her eyes off the road for at least five seconds. Driving for five seconds is enough time to cover over 100 yards. Just imagine the remarkable destruction that could be done driving across that amount of road with unopened eyes. That is the danger that you put yourself in by just sending one text message. It should be illegal for people to take on the act of any type of distracted driving. For someone to respond to a message their eyes have to be looking down at their phone, completely off the road. When texting and driving you are missing one of the main components that it takes to drive and that is vision. Without vision, it is impossible to have a safe ride. Texting while driving will take that completely away. No matter how good of a driver you claim to be, without vision anything could happen at any given time. No matter how quick you think you are at texting, there is always that slim chance that when you look down you could be the number one cause of a serious car accident and cause not only cause harm to yourself but you could also cause serious harm to others as well. Eyes are key factor when it comes to driving a motor vehicle and when they are not on the road that can cause many dangerous and harmful situations to become created. Even if you think you can send a text message without looking at your phone, do not even try it because it is not safe what so ever. Focus is also a main component in driving as well. When on the road the driver needs to be fully aware of his or her surroundings, they need to be able to see the road and hear what is going on around them. Anything could happen at any point in time and having complete focus is crucial. When a text message is being written the drivers attention is solely focused on what message is being relayed in that text, not on what is happening on the road in front of them. Without complete focus, it is impossible to have a safe ride. Being a teenager, I come face to face with the urge to text and drive on a daily basis. Focusing on the road alone is already hard enough as it is, I could not even imagine the immense distraction that using my phone while driving would cause. No status update or text message is worth my life or one of the passengers in my cars life so I completely refrain from doing it. Texting while driving has always made me feel uncomfortable when being a passenger in someone’s car. No matter what anyone says, the distraction that has been brought forth by using any type of electronic device while in control of a motor vehicle is tremendous. Texting and driving is not the only type of distracted driving that is prevalent in today’s fast growing society. Another leading cause of accidents and dangerous driving extends far beyond texting. Accessing the internet while on a cell phone while driving increased from 29% in 2009 to 43% in 2011 (Professional Safety). Using the internet while in control of a vehicle can be far more distracting and complex then just sending a text message. Reading social media networks while driving increased from 21% in 2009 to 37% in 2011. Updating social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram increased from 20% in 2009 to 33% in 2011 (Professional Safety). These â€Å"simple tasks† becomes a lot more risky when put in the mix of operating a motor vehicle. On January 12th 2012 Taylor Sauer’s made a fatal mistake. While making a four-hour drive from her college Utah State University she was messaging a friend on Facebook very frequently discussing the Denver Broncos Football Team. Moments later, Sauer going more than 80 mph crashed into a tanker truck. She was killed instantly, investigators saw no signs that she applied brakes before the fatal crash occurred. After checking her cell phone records it was clear to authority that she was posting on the web every 90 seconds during her drive. The parents of Taylor are still grieving over their 18-year old daughter’s death and urge state legislators to pass a ban on texting and driving in Idaho (Inbar). Just several days ago, the city of Beaufort banned texting and driving and distracted driving in general. The city claimed that studies have shown that minors utilizing a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle pose a special danger to other vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians on the roadway and whereas, City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens and residents of Beaufort to prohibit the use of cell phones by minors operating a motor vehicle in the city. The order also prohibits the use of a cell phone by anyone under the age of 18 while driving. If caught the operator of the vehicle will be fined between $50 and $150 dollars (Hawkins). Hopefully this will cause a significant cut in the distracted driving that takes place in our home town and make our road ways a safer place for us to travel. Distracted driving is a very serious crime and should not be disregarded. An 18 year old boy by the name of Aaron Deveau, was just recently found guilty of motor vehicle homicide by texting. Aaron was the first resident of Massachusetts to be convicted of these chargers. ABC News claimed that on February 20th 2011 while Deveau was in the process of sending a text message his truck swerved across the center line of Haverhill, Massachusetts and crashed head on into Daniel Bowley. This crash caused the death of Bowley who was a 55 year old resident of New Hampshire and the father of three children. On June 6, 2012 Deveau was sentenced to a year in prison and also the loss of his license for 15 years for causing a fatal crash by distracted driving (Davis 1). Unless a complete emergency has been brought upon you, there is not excuse for using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. This habit is completely un-acceptable and needs to be brought to an end. Distracted driving causes serious accidents, major injuries and deaths. No text is worth your, or somebody else’s life no matter what. Death and injuries are devastating and can cause immense pain to your friends and family. So next time before you go to send that text while driving just think to yourself, is it worth it?

Doubt in Macbeth Essay

Doubt in Macbeth The play Macbeth contains doubt in many different ways. In the beginning of the play, we are struck by a very insecure Macbeth. He is indeed curious about what would happen if he were to take Duncan’s place and become the king of Scotland. If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well †¨It were done quickly. If th’assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch †¨With his surcease success: that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, But here upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions which, being taught, return To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against The deep damnation of his taking-off, And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other. (1.7.1-28) We find Macbeth really struggling whether to kill Duncan is the right thing to do or not. He does feel that murdering a man is a great sin, and the fact that this man, Duncan, is someone who trusts him, and also someone that Macbeth himself has showed loyalty to, makes it even worse. /I am his kinsman and his subject/ (1.7.14). Even though this is the case, Macbeth is not completely reluctant towards the idea of killing Duncan. I find that what really haunts him is that it’s more than just the act of murdering Duncan; it is the aftermath that bothers him. What he really is afraid of is that him doing a bad deed, will do come back to him in the end. The thought of becoming king is however tempting, but he is insecure about whether or not this ambition of his is enough to justify the murderer of another human being. This shows very much self-doubt, and in this particular quote Macbeth is really dealing with some ethical problems. On his one shoulder, is the angel telling him tha t it is not the right thing to do, but there’s also the devil who feels that perhaps it could work out. Although, he the angel takes over and he decides that his motives are not enough to kill Duncan. Something that is very interesting is how fast he changes his mind about this. As soon as he announces his decision to the one that I find is the one who is really willing to do anything in order to become the Queen of Scotland, his wife Lady Macbeth that is. Her doubt lies more in the ambitions and morals of her husband, because they are /are too full of the milk of human kindness/ To catch the nearest way/ (1.5.13). It is as if she feels that she is more of a man than her husband is. When Macbeth tells her he will not be murdering Duncan, knows him well enough to know which buttons to push in order to get what she wants. She questions his manhood immediately, and even though he at first stands up for himself by saying /I dare do all that may become a man:/Who dares do more is none/ (1.7.50-51). Lady Macbeth does not experience the antagonist, protagonist discussion in her head that Macbeth does. Her ambitions and morals are a lot clearer, and her single-mindedness ends up being wha t really convinces Macbeth that murdering Duncan is what he must do. This makes Macbeth characteristic of being incredibly full of self-doubt even more obvious. He is easily persuaded by his wife, into doing something that he deep down knows will end up leaving him with feelings of guilt and anxiety. M: One cried ‘God bless us’ and ‘Amen’ the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List’ning their fear. I could not say ‘Amen’, When they did say ‘God bless us’ Lady M: Consider it not so deeply. M: But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’? I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ in my throat. (2.2.32-39) Macbeth has murdered Duncan. Before killing him, he expressed a worry of this giving him bad karma. In this particular quote, I find that his worry has almost developed into paranoia. It is almost as if he starts to question his belief, and whether or not he can rely on God for guidance, the way he may have done before. He realizes most certainly that this deed will be on his conscience for the rest of his life, and I think that wishes he had not done it. His wife on the other hand still shows no signs of doubt, regret or any other feelings one may expect to feel after a murderer. However, I feel that she must doubt the action too. If she had been completely convinced that it was what they had to do, she could have done it herself. In Scene 5 of Act 2, she claims she cannot commit murderer because she is a woman. The era in which this play takes place is definitely different in many ways from the way we live today, but I believe that would not have been impossible for Lady Macbeth to murderer Duncan herself. I believe that it is an ethical dilemma for her as well, she wants to be Queen, but she doesn’t want a murderer on her conscience. Therefore she decides that she can persuade her husband to do it. Out, damned spot! Out, I say!- One: Two: why then, ‘tis time to do’t.- Hell is murky.- Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him? (5.1.36-41) Lady Macbeth’s doubt and regrets regarding the murderer really become obvious. She’s sleepwalking, and she is filled with guilt and doubt in whether or not she will actually be able to let go of the crime committed. Earlier on, as mentioned, she was the one convincing Macbeth that the blood, or the guilt that is, would go away /with a little water/ (2.2.65). Now she is not so sure anymore, saying /Here’s the smell of blood still. All the/ Perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand/ (5.1.51-52). She feels doubt that she will ever be able to live her life as she did before, even though she is now the queen. Is a title really enough to protect her and her husband from what they have done? She is starting to realize that they have created a hell of their own, filled with regret, doubts, sleepless nights that will never end. I feel a lot of desperation in this part of the play, as the consequences of her actions is catching up to her, and her soul is eaten b y doubt. Doubt really is one of the great themes of Macbeth. Throughout the novel one finds both small and large elements of doubt. Besides from the quotes and parts that I have chosen to analyze, there are a lot more to find. There is a doubt going around about who committed the murderer, and if there is such cruelty and hunger for power as it seems Macbeth has. What it all comes back to, is his self-doubt and that I really believe is a message from Shakespeare. One must trust their instinct, or a lot of things could go terribly wrong.

Whistle Blowing (Human Resource Management) Free Essay Example, 1750 words

Whistle-blowers help in encouraging transparency and honesty. Whistle-blowers in the Pfizer drug case helped in encouraging honesty among employees. Kopchinski, one of the whistle-blowers, saw the need to protect the lives of people. He found it necessary to be honest and transparent by bringing into light the misgivings of the drug. Transparency and honesty helped in averting health problems. Organizations that encourage whistle-blowing promote effective and transparent structures (Devine 67). Organizations that have effective structures help in serving the society and create a positive image. The society demands honesty and transparency from organization that serve it. Whistle-blowers, thus, help in creating transparency within that organization. The whistle-blower system is different from a general top down monitoring system in some ways. A top-down monitoring system refers to how an organization divides its systems to gain an insight in its integrative sub-systems. Information is, thus, shared from within the sub-systems. A whistle-blower system is different from a top-down monitoring system because it is open for all people who want to report information. Top down monitoring system is only open to people working within a sub-system. We will write a custom essay sample on Whistle Blowing (Human Resource Management) or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now A whistle-blower system helps in safe guarding the interests of the organization or public (Arszulowicz 145). A top-down monitoring system advocates for monitoring within a sub-system. This means that the greatest initiative is to protect and safeguard interests within a subsystem. Encouraging Whistle Blowing Whistle-blowing has its own disadvantage. Whistle-blowers are often victims of retaliation. They are considered as villains by organizations and end up being blacklisted by other organizations. Encouraging whistle blowing has its own negative side effects (Secunda 99). There is, however, need to prevent fear of retaliation by employers and encourage whistle-blowing. One of the ways of preventing fear is by maintaining secrecy. Maintaining secrecy implies ensuring confidentiality of the information. Information gathered from whistle blowers should be treated as confidential. Whistle-blowers should also be shielded from the media which may expose their identity and personal life. Encouraging transparency and honesty in employees is another way that can help in preventing fear of retaliation. Employees should be encouraged that whistle-blowing helps in serving a common good. Employees should be taught the need to promote the welfare of the public.