Animal Ethics and Environmental Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Animal Ethics and Environmental Ethics - Essay Example There are two model approaches, through which the environmental ethics conception of wild animals is viewed. Both approaches place attention on the problems facing the endangered species, though they advocate for different rationales, in the area of giving animals preference, as opposed to the protection of the ecosystem at their detriment. First: is the anthropocentric view to wild animals, which seeks to guard endangered species from the destructive activities of humans. The second approach is the eco-centric model, which places attention upon the existence and the effects of wild animals, within the intrinsically valuable ecosystem (Des Jardins, 1993, p. 4-6). Discussion The key problem with adopting a perspective, which is informed, primarily, by intrinsic environmental ethics is that, such an approach, fails to fully consider the sentience of the wild animals benefitting from the ecosystem. The concept of consciousness or sentience is based on the fact that their interests shoul d be felt and perceived. Through failing to adequately recognize the sentience of these creatures, for instance, the kangaroos, the policy and laws in operation pay insufficient regard to the ethical needs of kangaroos as conscious beings. However, the notion that there is a conflict between animal rights and environmental ethics chiefly relies on a number of misconceptions about these animals and their effects on the ecosystem. For instance, in the case of the kangaroos, the misconceptions are evident, in the conception of their impacts in the areas of total grazing demands, populations, and sheep replacement. As evidence, Fisher Et al (2003, p. 1801-1808) argues that the effect of Kangaroos is immense on rangelands environs, where pressure on grazing land is evident. This is a misconception, mainly because the pressure on grazing land is not caused by kangaroos alone, but other animals like sheep as well (Des Jardins, 1993, p. 19-21). The moral status of animals is one major quest ion in this debate, mainly because; the question of the distinctiveness of humans, which earns them moral status is raised – and not that of the non-human entities in question. Answering this question is of great importance, among philosophers and the defenders of the rights of animals. In part, answering this question will aid humans to better understand the nature of human beings and the rightful scope of the moral obligations of humans. Some proponents of the debate argue that answering this question will help distinguish the value of humans as opposed to that of other parties of the natural world. However, this approach is considerably aimed at propagating the rightfulness of certain human activities towards the non-human creatures – especially, those that cause discomfort, suffering, pain and death to these entities. The other group – on the other hand – is of the opinion that answering the question will help humans justify granting moral considerati on to these nonhuman entities, namely animals and plant life. This is based on the philosophical consideration that despite the differences between humans and nonhuman animals; these differences do not justify denying these nonhuman entities moral consideration. However, the basis of moral considerati

The Power of Religion Essay Example for Free

The Power of Religion Essay In a very rapidly evolving economy and society the power of religion, culture and politics are making a major effect on the world that everyone today calls home. The power of religion, culture and politics relate to the post colonial literary lens and can be synced into creating the definition of what the post colonial literary lens means. In the New York Times bestseller written by John Updike titled Terrorist, the post colonial lens is evident throughout the novel as there is a continuous struggle of religion, culture and politics. The power of religion and culture is shown as individuals are willing to risk their lives for their own religion. In the United States of America members of the Muslim religion are not always treated as equally as the average American and this creates a struggle. The effects and struggles are shown throughout the novel from three of the main characters Ahmad Mulloy, Jack Levy and Shaikh Rashid. Ahmad Mulloy is an eighteen year old boy who is about to graduate high school and is strongly influenced by his Muslim religion and background beliefs. Jack Levy is the guidance councilor at the school that Ahmad attends and sees the intelligence in Ahmad when others do not including Ahmad himself. Shaikh Rashid is the leader of the local mosque that Ahmad attends frequently for advice and to pray. Through these three very different characters the post colonial lens is shown in different ways. At the beginning of the novel it is evident that the Muslim religion is not welcomed and appreciated in the American society of Patterson, New Jersey where Ahmad has been raised. Ahmad has a hatred for his mother Teresa Mulloy who raised him from a child, but on the flip side he idolizes his absent father who left Ahmad and his mother when he was only three years old. The power of the Muslim religion on Ahmad is present right from the beginning of the novel as he has sexual impulses towards another girl at his high school named Joryleen. The power of the Muslim religion on Ahmad can be seen when â€Å"Ahmad knows it is a sin to be vulgar towards his own god and that is why his sexual impulses for Joryleen dissipated,† (Updike, 18). Ahmad had sexual impulses towards a fellow schoolmate Joryleen who he had a crush on but God instructed him to repress them as it is a sin to have thoughts like this occupying your head. The power of religion is shown as he forces himself to give up thoughts that make him happy and excites him because it is not welcomed by the God in which he finds himself in the arms of. Moving through the novel Ahmad who is a very intelligent young adult has a desire to be a truck driver as he is convinced that it is a practical skill of good merit. Ahmad is also very frightened by the thoughts that continuing his academic studies in high school will strengthen his occasional religious doubt. While Ahmad is sitting in class his thoughts are doubtful, â€Å"sitting in class listening to his fellow classmates discuss what they are doing on the weekend, he realizes that he is not doing as much to keep up with his religion as he did in the past,† (Updike, 64). Ahmad has been in school and is realizing that the effects of an American public high school is changing his views on his religion and in his mind he believes he is betraying his God and this frightens him. He realizes tha t he needs to get out of school because it is manipulating him into a non-Islamic minded American like all of the others. He decides to drop out of school and become a truck driver and focus more on his religion and practicing the Muslim religion and this is why he begins going to a local mosque frequently. Moving on towards the ending of the novel Ahmad has become a very big believer in the Muslim religion and it is overpowering his thoughts on what is politically right and right in his religion. Ahmad’s involvement in the local mosque that he attends has got him involved in a terrorist plot against American infidels or non-Muslims. Shaikh Rashid who is the leader of the mosque Ahmad visits frequently begins going through the terrorist plot â€Å"Ahmad you will be driving the truck that is going to be used to blow up the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River,† (Updike, 196). Ahmad is willing to risk his life by blowing himself up in the blast of the Lincoln Tunnel for the Muslim religion he believes in and stands so strongly behind. The power and impact of others and God on Ahmad is evident in showing how the power of religion is used and shown in the novel as not many people are willing to go to the extent of killing themselves to prove that they are true to their religion and beliefs. Throughout the novel Ahmad goes from losing his beliefs in the Muslim religion to realizing that his religion is what sets him free from everybody else and it is what he cares so strongly about. Moving throughout the novel and after Ahmad had realized that he needs to put more focus into his Muslim religion he meets a man named Shaikh Rashid. Shaikh is Ahmad’s imam at the local mosque that Ahmad begins to attend and his visits become more frequent as he gets closer to Shaikh. This man worked as Ahmad’s imam and mentor and this kept Ahmad going back and back to the mosque more frequently as he liked to associate himself with Shaikh. A good time in the novel where this is shown is when Ahmad left school to go to the mosque, â€Å"the streets were empty as everybody was in class learning and as Ahmad was about to learn more about himself,† (104). Shaikh was a great mentor for Ahmad and this is shown as he would give up going to school to further his beliefs in the Muslim religion. Shaikh agrees with Ahmad’s decision to give up going to school and focus on his religion because he also agreed that by continuing the opportunity of going to school it wou ld further corrupt his mindset on the Muslim religion. This would occur because Ahmad would have more American based beliefs pushed into his mind every day at the public high school he was enrolled in. Continuing deeper into the novel Shaikh found Ahmad a job with a furniture company called Excellency Home Furnishings and at this point Ahmad began trusting Shaikh more and more as he was helping him move on from high school. Shaikh announced the news to Ahmad about him finding him the job at Excellency Home Furnishings and this lead to Ahmad being more independent and without his mother. Ahmad shows this when he says, â€Å"My mother has tried to strip me down of my true Muslim desires for her own comfort,† (141). Shaikh has made Ahmad believe that his mother was a bad influence on him as it is evident that she did not put any focus into his background and where he came from. Ahmad does not feel the need for his mother anymore and begins being more independent because his mother is the only person in his life and she does not believe in the Muslim religion. To Ahmad this means that it is just him and the people he knows from the mosque now as he sees them as more caring towards him than his own mother. The power of Ahmad’s religion has pushed him right out of his mother’s arms and into the arms of fellow Muslims at the mosque. Shaikh turns out to be a very manipulative person and has mentored Ahmad for his own benefit and the job at the furniture company just turns out to be part of the plan. Shaikh manipulates Ahmad to participate in the terrorist bomb plot to blow up the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River. Shaikh has gotten Ahmad taken over by the Muslim religion and says, â€Å"Already you have lived longer than many martyrs in Iran and Iraq,† (195). Shaikh has used the power of religion to manipulate Ahmad into participating in the terrorist plot and sacrificing his own life. The power of the Muslim religion has taken Ahmad fully over and it had been pressured upon him by Shaikh who is also a strong believer. Ahmad has felt let down by both of his parents and feels as if there is no life left in him; this is his calling to be a true Muslim and to prove that he is a pure believer. Shaikh used the power of religion to get a young adult to sacrifice his life for something that he himself was to coward to do alone. Throughout the novel Shaikh uses the power of religion to manipulate a young adult to do things he never would have done on his own. The power of the Muslim religion is proven when Ahmad follows through on the sacrifice of his life even after he finds out that is was staged. Lastly, the power of religion on Ahmad can also be seen through the interactions with the guidance councilor of the high school where Ahmad was attending. Jack Levy is an American Jew who had abandoned practicing his religion earlier on in his life. Jack in the novel showed that he cared for Ahmad quite a bit after visiting his mother to try and get her support in pushing Ahmad to further educate himself at the college level as he is very intelligent. Jack comes across as a nice and caring guy as he is trying to help Ahmad make the right choice in his life as shown when he goes to talk to his mother Teresa Mulloy â€Å"hello Ms. Mulloy, I am Jack Levy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (176). Jack and Ahmad’s mother both agreed into trying to push Ahmad towards going to college but Ahmad disagreed. He thought about what abandoning his religion got Jack and it got him nowhere, he became one of many Americans who is in an unhealthy marriage and lives every day of his life facing coming home to an o bese wife. To Ahmad he cannot abandon his religion because putting more belief into it has changed who he is and how he does things. He is not risking of getting this happiness and freedom that he sees in the Muslim religion taken from him by going to college. Moving on into the conflict between Jack and Ahmad, each of them learn more about each other and many things come as surprise to both of them. One of the things that Ahmad learns about Jack is that he has been having an affair with his mother for the past three months. Ahmad learns this when Jack tries to have an honest conversation with him and says, â€Å"I have been having an affair with your mother for the last three months,† (213). This is the last string for Ahmad as he sees that Jack abandoning his religion has turned him into a sinner and a cheater as he cheated on his wife. The last thing that Ahmad wants is to turn out like Jack and share the same American non-Islamic beliefs. At this point Jack realizes that what he has just told Ahmad has pushed him further away and his mind more on continuing his religious practice. The power of the Muslim religion on Ahmad has him unwilling to turn into and die a sinner and thus is why he continues in his terrorist plot. Coming towards the end of the novel Ahmad is not looking back and has no regrets. He continues his trek to blow up the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River. Nothing can stop him at this point and this is seen when â€Å"Ahmad while approaching the meeting point in the bomb-laden truck does not see his accomplices,† (274). On the day of the planned terrorist plot Ahmad’s accomplices are not at the planned meeting place but the mission must continue in Ahmad’s mind. Ahmad avoids being arrested by federal agents and continues his suicide mission alone as he has no intentions of turning around. Jack hears about this planned plot and tries to stop Ahmad but is ignored as Ahmad drives past him. At this point for Ahmad it is sacrificing his life because to him it is the right thing to do as his God is telling him to do it. He had two choices to continue the mission or to stop and turn out like the other American non-Islamic people and he did not want to turn out like them. The power of religion upon Ahmad is very evident and Jack Levy is used to show that nobody could stop Ahmad as the power of his beliefs caused him to get involved with criminal activity but it is what the Muslim God wanted for him. Finally, the aspects of the post colonial lens such as the power of religion, culture and politics are very evident in this novel. The power behind the belief in the Muslim religion is shown through Ahmad as the novel progresses and it is evident that no religion should be challenged. The struggle of American non-Islamic citizens on a true believer of the Islamic Muslim religion is seen throughout the novel. Evident characters in the novel that fall victim to these struggles are Ahmad, Shaikh and Jack. Ahmad was the biggest person in the novel that was influenced by the Muslim religion and proves that religion is very powerful as shows the willingness to sacrifice his life for his God. Shaikh is the main person involved in Ahmad’s life as he taught him a lot about himself and motivated him also. Although seen the motivation not always to be a good thing in his mind it was right, he strongly believed that. Jack is the one who saw well in Ahmad but failed to be able to help him because at this point Jack was only fueling Ahmad’s terrorist plot activity. Throughout the novel the power of religion surprises everybody and it is proof that nobody should challenge another person’s beliefs because it is infuriating and this is shown through Ahmad’s activities towards the end of the novel. Works Cited Updike, John. Terrorist. New York: The Random House Publishing Group. 2006. 310.

Approaches to Research Methodology

Approaches to Research Methodology RESEARCH METHODOLOGY INTRODUCTION This section will explain the concept of research methodology, including an outline on the main methodological approaches and philosophies that exist; following this, the research strategies that will serve to address the objectives of this research topic will be explained. According to Saunders et al. (2009), three characteristics exist for carrying out research: Systematic collection of data. Systematic interpretation of data. A clear reason for investigation exists. Therefore, individuals generally undertake research because they want discover new things in a systematic manner, and hence expand their knowledge about a particular subject. Research in the business and management field is crucial as it serves to provide solutions to problems that exist in businesses. There are particular qualities that are required for carrying out good research including good communication, intellectual, organizational and IT skills. The researcher may already have these skills, or may need to develop them over the course of the research (Collins and Hussey, 2003). Research methodology is the process used to provide solutions to research problems in a systematic manner (Kumar, 2008). It is multidimensional and is the rationality behind the research methods chosen for the investigation. Research methodology provides the platform for the researcher to explain and evaluate the research strategies implemented. APPROACHES TO METHODOLOGY One can choose to take either a deductive or an inductive approach to undertaking research, both of which would influence the manner information and results are collected and distributed. The deductive approach to research involves developing a theory based on knowledge and understanding which is already in place, therefore is scrutinised and faces the risk of being unaccepted. Whereas the inductive approach begins with data collection followed by analysis of results and forming conclusions and theories based on the results (Saunder et al, 2009). In this kind of research approach, the flow of processes begins with observation and ends with findings and forming theories, which can be further integrated into knowledge that already exists. From this, it is planned that this current research will undertake an inductive approach, which will first involve data gathering, and following analysis, form conclusions as to how to enhance the management of information systems in NHS hospitals. In research methodology, research can be undertaken over two different time periods, using a cross-sectional or longitudinal method for data collection. Cross-sectional relates to research carried out and is based on the current time and place. Longitudinal, on the other hand, concerns research carried out over a certain long period of time (Kumar, 2008). Judging from the topic area and the time constraints, this research will adopt a cross-sectional style. RESEARCH PHILOSOPHIES According to Saunders et al. (2009), there are three main categories of research philosophies, which are positivism, interperpretivism and realism: Positivism this assumes that knowledge has a free value and is directly gained from experience. An important aspect of this viewpoint is that research is carried out in an independent and objective manner away from any kind of influences, and is based on quantitative data from the utilisation of a structured methodology. Interpretivism this adopts a naturalist approach which places emphasisim on social constructionism and focuses on the underlying multiple social structures of knowledge. It is concerned with the attitudes of research subjects and views on the world. This type of philosophy supports the adoption of certain research techniques such as observation and interviews which in turn would enable to gain knowledge from different perspectives. Realism this is similar to the positivist theory, as it also adopts a scientific approach to the concept of knowledge development. It argues that a reality exists independent of the human mind, and that there are certain social forces that influence their behaviours and interpretations; therefore the intention of such approach is to be aware and understand these social forces. Collis and Hussey (2003) state that the choice of research philosophy to adopt largely depends on the nature of the research, therefore there is no ‘correct strategy. Having defined the three main philosophies, it is clear that one would be able to incorporate the three of them into one research strategy. However, the philosophy that will be adopted for this research is the realist approach, which is essentially a combination of the positivism and interpretivism philosophies. This would involve the collection, interpretation and analysis of data, and establishing any social processes that might influence the behavior and actions of individuals. RESEARCH STRATEGIES In order to address the objectives of the research topic, one has to implement certain research strategies that will enable the collection of the necessary data. Numerous research strategies are available including experiment, case study, survey, grounded theory, action research, ethnography and archival research (Saunders et al., 2009). The choice of the research strategy must take into consideration certain important aspects about the research topic, including the research questions and objectives, existing knowledge about the topic, the amount of time available and also the availability of other useful sources (Saunders et al., 2009). PRIMARY RESEARCH This involves the use of different techniques to collect current information. This is an important way to gain an insight into the research topic and it enables the addition of certain information and ideas to the available literature surrounding the topic. This is done using a variety of methods, as illustrated below: SECONDARY RESEARCH This involves collecting relevant information relating to information systems in the NHS, including details about their roles, impacts and management, with particular reference to the London Ambulance Computer Aided Dispatch system. This requires the review and examination of a number of materials including journals, books, the internet and newspapers. The researcher will undertake both primary and secondary research to thoroughly investigate the research topic. For primary research, the case study strategy will be chosen as the research strategy for this study, which is explained in more detail as follows. CASE STUDY STRATEGY Given the nature of the research topic, a case study has been chosen as the research strategy to be implemented in this research. According to Robson (2002), a case study enables the researcher to focus on a specific situation and explore a single phenomenon, by collection of data using a variety of methods. This research strategy has the ability to provide answers for the ‘why?, ‘what and ‘how? questions (Saunders et al, 2009), and it will enable the researcher to gain a thorough understanding of the chosen topic area. RESEARCH METHODS For the purpose of this research topic, both qualitative and quantitiative measures will be used for collection and analysis of data. The research methods chosen will be in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires are an effective technique of collecting data in which individuals are asked to answer a pre-set list of questions in a specified order (Creswell, 1994). The questionnaire will be structured, predetermined and standardised; it will contain a mixture of closed and open-ended questions that will serve to address the research objectives. An advantage of using such research method is that it enables access to a great number of people over a large area. Furthermore, a questionnaire is a reliable research method as the questions are structured and predetermined, which means that they cannot be altered and consequently minimizing bias. However, at the same time, this structured approach will also mean that respondents are unable to answer freely and expand on thei r responses. Additionally, there is the potential of a threat to validity as respondents may not understand the question clearly and therefore give an answer to a question which is not intended by the researcher. Still, however, it is important to ensure that the questionnaire is well-constructed and easy to follow; because one needs to ensure a good response rate from the sampled population which is essential for gaining accurate information that would be helpful for the research. The second research method that will be used is a semi-structured interview. This will be carried out face to face with certain staff members working for the NHS, such as hospital managers and paramedics. The aim of the semi-structured interviews is to provide more focus on the research topic by gaining reliable information from key staff members who are familiar with the topic area, and hence generate valuable information for the research. The semi-structured approach to questioning will enable the researcher to alter the style of questions appropriately depending on the individual being interviewed. Therefore, interviews provide greater flexibility compared to questionnaires, and are a relatively better tool in ensuring higher response rates. Nevertheless, both of the research methods when combined will enable the researcher to explore the complexity and gain valuable insight into the research area. For the purposes of this research, a specific sampling method will be utilised, in which the researcher will select key people to include in the research study provided that those chosen can offer relevant information related to the topic; a technique called ‘purposive sampling (Saunders et al., 2009). The sample will be selected from three Northwest NHS Foundation Trusts, including St. Marys hospital, Chelsea and Westminister hospital and Hammersmith hospital. The key staff who will be included are hospital managers, paramedics, doctors and nurses. The researcher will aim for a combined sample size of 70 individuals based on questionnaires and interviews. ETHICAL ISSUES The main ethical considerations that must be acknowledged by the researcher when conducting the methods for data collection are centered on the periods of gaining access to the hospitals and interviewing the staff. The researcher will need to respect certain ethical values such as the anonymity, confidentiality and personal privacy of the person being interviewed when collecting information during interviews. Moreover, the researcher must obviously gain an informed consent from every person prior to starting the interview or handing over the questionnaire. SUMMARY In summary, this research of management of information systems in the NHS will assume an inductive and realist approach, to be implemented in a cross-sectional method, using a case study strategy employing both semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. In addition, secondary research will be undertaken in order assist in addressing the research objectives.

Comparison between Female Characters in Beowulf Essay -- Beowulf Compa

Comparison between Female Characters in Beowulf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf, the Old English epic tells the story of one brave hero and his battles against evil monsters. The poem deals with mostly masculine elements like fight descriptions, depictions of armor and long inspiring speeches. However, the women characters in the epic also have important roles and they are far from being superficial, as it may seem at first. There are several female figures in Beowulf; this paper will focus on three of them- queen Wealhtheow of the Danes, queen Hygd of the Geats and Grendel?s mother. These characters have many parallels between them but in a way some are the ?alter-ego? of the others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wealhtheow is the perfect hostess and devoted queen and wife. Her first appearance in the poem demonstrates her official duties as the queen: ?Wealhtheow came in, Hrotgar?s queen, observing the courtesies. Adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrotgar?So the Helming woman went on her rounds, queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troop (lines 612-623). As a queen, Wealhtheow has a role to fulfill and she does it with grace. She welcomes the guests; offers mead and creates a peaceful atmosphere in the mead-hall. The figure of Grendel?s mother is quite the opposite in this aspect- she is the ?anti- hostess? and far from being graceful. This creature does not greet the man who arrives to her dwelling; she fights Beowulf desperately and only a divine interference saves his life: ?It was hard-fought, a desperate affair that could have gone badly; if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal? (lines1657-1658). One can claim that these manners of Grendel?s mother are quite masculine. We find that she fights well and has the qualities of a great warrior if she was almost able to overcome Beowulf and she takes upon herself the manly duty of avenging her dead son. Beowulf himself says to Hrotgar that: ?It always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning? (lines 1384-1385). Taking vengeance for warrior?s death is noble but Grendel?s mother?s attentions are condemned by the poet ? she cannot be noble and she cannot act upon warrior?s code of honor; this notion comes from the fact that she is not really human and more impor... ...at queen does not trust her son to be a successful sovereign and she does not try to secure his future on the throne. Unlike Wealtheow and Grendel?s mother Hygd?s primary concern is to her people, not her son: ?There Hygd offered him throne and authority as lord of the ring-hoard: with Hygelac dead, she had no belief in her son?s ability to defend their homeland against foreign invaders? (lines 2369-2372). After a closer look in Beowulf one will find that the women roles in the poem are quite central and significant. They enrich the narrative by developing the plot and enlighten their men?s intentions. Nevertheless the women in the poem have their own will and power- political or physical. Thought some share similar qualities women characters are not patterned or superficial; these women are defined by dominant male figures but nonetheless they have their own significant features and depth. Works Sited: Anonymous. Beowulf. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 7th Edition. Vol. I. (pp.32-99). Ed. Abrams, M.H., New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. ?Germanic History and Culture?, Germanic Heritage Page, The Anglo-Saxon Domain www.anglo-saxon.demon.co.uk .

Doris Lessing’s “To Room 19” Symbols

Women in patriarchal societies are brought up to have certain values, like to have a desire to be good mothers and good wives. However, as much as they try to do these things, they find that their passions and instincts are put down and this leads to misery and insanity. Women have voiced their concerns about the problems of being a woman in a man's society for years. Feminist literature existed before feminism as a movement did. Finally, in the 20th century, this led to the second and third waves of feminism criticizing the limitations of patriarchal and sexist society for women.Doris Lessing in her story â€Å"To Room Nineteen† uses many symbols to explain how women in patriarchal society feel oppressed and unfulfilled. Here I would like to discuss the symbols I consider to be the most important. These symbols are the snake eating its own tail , the devil, poison and the shell. When the narrator begins to explain Susan's life, she describes how ideal and cloudless it seemed to be. She shows that marriage of the Rawlings was â€Å"grounded in intelligence† and how much things finally turned out to became a â€Å"failure of intelligence†(251) .This transition is used to explain how women in a patriarchal society feel, how despite all their efforts they end up being unhappy. The narrator, speaking about Rawlings, provides the analogy of a â€Å"snake biting its tail†(253). Chris Sheridan in his article â€Å"Ancient Wisdom for Modern Problems† states that traditionally symbol of snake eating its own tail used to symbolize â€Å" the eternal cycle of life†, â€Å"wholeness† or infinity. Yet, in Lessing’s story the snake eating its own tail is a symbol of endless futility and absurdity of their life.â€Å"Matthew's job for the sake of Susan, children, house and garden – which caravanserai needed a well paid job to maintain it. And Susan's practical intelligence for the sake of Matthew, the children, t he house and the garden – which unit would collapse in a week without her† (253). Susan feels that all of her work is basically meaningless, that like in the Red Queen's race they are just running as fast as they can in order to stay in the same place.She realizes that her life is basically just maintenance and survival with no further hopes. Theorist Denis Kandiyoti in his work â€Å"Bargaining With Patriarchy† says that women in male dominant society, women like Susan end up â€Å"bargaining with patriarchy†, realizing either consciously or unconsciously that they can't have everything they want so they take what they can get in a patriarchal society (274-276). â€Å"Women strategize within a set of concrete constraints, which I identify as patriarchal bargains.Different forms of patriarchy present women with distinct ‘rules of the game' and call for different strategies to maximize security and optimize life options with varying potential for act ive or passive resistance in the face of oppression† (Kandiyoti, 274). This bargaining with patriarchy can be seen in the fact that the â€Å"snake biting its own tail† normally and traditionally is a symbol of infinite possibilities, however here it becomes a symbol of vain hopes and of limitations. Susan's life is not infinite; it is dreary with gloomy prospects.The compromises that Susan has to make are a part of reasons that make Susan go to her insanity. She tries to find a way of living with her husband's infidelities or with merely taking care of her children, but these bargains fail and she is unable to be happy. Susan's feeling, that her life has no meaning or point, is also a feeling of dishonor. Susan feels shame at her thoughts that all of these are pointless for her. After all, this is everything society is telling her she should have! She feels ungrateful that she isn't happy, but can't resolve that feeling. Susan is far from alone in this.As Anna Sandiou points out in her article â€Å"To Room Nineteen. What Doris Lessing Has to Say About Women†, that literature like Lessing's was part of the beginning of a feminist movement that identified problems like Susan's as not as being personal failure but on the contrary being general problems of the society. â€Å"While Susan’s madness can be explained as the result of the clash between her impulsive, complex personality and the orderliness of the Victorian Angel, it can also be seen as resulting from the conflict between her private wishes and the public expectations that were placed on her, and on women in general.† (Sandoiu)The common social problems of women are why neither one of them, Susan or Matthew, can look at any part of their marriage and say, â€Å"For the sake of this is all the rest† (253). Matthew does everything in his power to make Susan happy, asking her how her day was (â€Å"not as interesting, but that was not her fault†), and tryin g to support her because â€Å"both knew of the hidden resentment and deprivations of the woman who lived her own life†¦ and is now dependent on a husband† (254). Matthew does cheat on her, but Susan and Matthew end up agreeing that this is natural (255).All of this, however, makes Susan feel that she was being â€Å"poison[ed]† by â€Å"resentment† and that â€Å"she was a prisoner† (263). As the narrator explains, â€Å"She must tell Matthew – but what? She was filled with emotions that were utterly ridiculous, that she despised†¦ † (264). Like many women, Susan was trying her best to be happy and grateful in a situation that she emotionally hated. The symbols of poison and prison, both slow and dreadful, are used to emphasize how Susan can be suffering even as she seems good on the outside.Her entire family with a kind of surprise, which she despises, treats even those things that Susan negotiates to make herself feel better. Sh e wants a room to herself to calm down and do her own tasks, but even this idea annoys her. â€Å"Many serious conversations took place between Matthew and the children about not taking Mother for granted. Susan overheard the first†¦ and was surprised at her irritation over it. Surely she could have a room somewhere in that big house and retire into it without such a fuss being made? † (266).Susan finds herself annoyed that the process of expressing her feelings and finding a way to be little happier must be such a big deal. Her anger is represented in her guilt as â€Å"devils of exasperation† that forces her to hide in the garden (267). â€Å"Devil† is a very important symbol. Matthew explanation that â€Å".. family sometimes get on top of a woman† annoys her deeply because she does not allow herself to believe that the problem isn't the woman, it's the family(267) . Susan is unable to explain the true cause of her feelings, so she finds that they become â€Å"devils† (267).As Anna Sandiou puts it, â€Å"Susan wonders whether something is wrong with her, the term ‘wrong’ pointing to how hard she is on herself and how little she is able to accept her emotions†. Susan struggles with the guilt of perception of her personal failing. She is incapable to accept that she does not have a personal failing, that she is simply unhappy because the patriarchal society doesn't allow the happiness for women. This is what leads her to her suicide. â€Å"To Room Nineteen† clearly demonstrates the emotional weight of those â€Å"public expectations† imposed on women like Susan who just want to be good, smart, and free.â€Å"A woman who wants to be a woman in a different way than that society has prepared for her†(Sandiou) The symbol of the devil continues to be important throughout the story. When her room ultimately became a family room again, she â€Å"howled with impatience, with rage† and prayed to God to keep the devil away (267-268). She imagines the devil as â€Å"young-looking†, â€Å"energetic†, almost a sexual object (268). Her shame, her struggle, and her fight against her emotions causes her to see the devil. Moreover, in her growing suffering she realizes that â€Å"there is a danger because I’ve seen him.He is lurking in the garden and sometimes even in the house, and he wants to get into me and to take me over† (268). We may say that the idea of demonic possession is a symbol of the passions that are being repressed by the demands of Victorian patriarchal society. And the attractiveness of the devil may represent unfulfilled sexual desire and passion for having a better life, which her society is not allowed her to have. The fact that the demons are certainly the symbols of her passions becomes clear in the final scene of the story, when she begins to plan her suicide by gas.â€Å"The demons were not here. They were gone f orever, because she was buying her freedom from them. She was slipping already into the dark fructifying dream that seemed to caress her inwardly†¦ † (288). Susan's denial of her passions leads her life to be so unworthy that she can't fight against suicide anymore. A very critical symbol that is used, though it is mentioned only once, is the idea of a â€Å"shell† (279). â€Å"She was surprised no one saw through her, that she wasn't turned out of doors, as a fake. On the contrary, it seemed that the children loved her more† (279).Like a real shell, Susan's persona is actually loved more because it is never about her or her happiness, such as Matthew tries to make her happy in his own way. It is about others' happiness. The persona, the shell, is not seen through because no one wants to see through it. No one really wants to peel the shell and see the actually angry, desiring woman underneath who wants something more from her life than what she has gotten. Eventually, when Susan kills herself what has been remained – a body, a shell. Her existence as a mother and a wife was more important to others than her actual feelings or desires.She felt so much guilt and shame about her true self that she had to end her life to keep the illusion. Therefore, when she removes her shell in the final moments as she is considering suicide, she is able to free her true self and no longer has to see the demons. We may consider the shell is in part a symbol of â€Å"alienation† (Quawas, 107). As Rula Quawas explains it in her article â€Å"Lessing’s ‘To Room Nineteen: Susan’s Voyage into the Inner Space of â€Å"Elsewhere†, â€Å"Doris Lessing draws extensively on women's inner, private experiences and their departure from the unsatisfactory reality of life in an alienated and alienating society† (107).Also, she claims that Susan is a woman who † discards the various garments and social roles she ha s worn and adopted, retreats into her room and experiences her own ‘elsewhere'† (107). It seams to me that one of the great taunts of the story is that the hotel room far from her family is so important to her as â€Å"her† own room that Susan is willing to wait in a hall full of disinfectant in order just to be in there, while the room that she tried to make for herself in her house became just another part of her prison and eventually another family room.It ends up that Susan wears the â€Å"shell† and this shell is a symbol of her alienation, and her final death symbolizes, reflects the impossibility of the freedom for women in patriarchal society. In conclusion, I would like to repeat that the story is â€Å"about a failure in intelligence†. However, we have to admit that nothing is intelligent about patriarchy. Patriarchal society oppressed women, didn't treat them seriously and the most accepted roles for a woman were only a wife and a mother. No one in a patriarchal society could really tried to understand the needs of any real woman. Susan happened to be unable to live in those circumstances.All of the symbols in the story are about the transformed ideas: The ‘snake eating its own tail† becomes a symbol of infinite hopelessness instead of infinite possibility; her own passions becomes to be viewed as devils because they are socially inconvenient and can not be accepted by society; the good life that she is living becomes a shell covered her pain; her entire existence becomes to be an existence of a poisoned prisoner. The symbol of the snake eating its tail, the devils, the poison and the shell all help the reader to reinforce the fact that this pain is a deeply social one.

How does Priestly show tension is at the heart of the Birling family? Essay

Tension is an element that has been intricately woven at the heart of the Birling family. The Birling’s are a family of two generations; the older assertive and callous generation and the younger ambitious generation with not yet fully sculpted minds. The lack of understanding and empathy for the younger generation (Eric and Shelia) feeds the tension at heart:- ‘Because you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble-that’s why.’ This quotation reflects on Eric’s sense of distance between himself and his farther whilst implying that Mr Birling is rather out of touch with his children. This incoherent relationship therefore amplifies the tension that neither father nor son are prepared to confront. Inspector Goole plays a large role in surfacing the tension in the families differentiating views and beliefs on responsibility for the death of Eva/Daisy. As Shelia and Eric develop a sense of maturity and acceptance for their actions they begin to further undermine their parent’s authority and ideas:- ‘Mother I couldn’t possibly go. Nothing could be worse for me. We’ve settled all that. I’m staying here until I know why that girl killed herself.’ There is a prominent contrast in the way Shelia addresses those of the older generation at the begging of the play to the Shelia the audience become accustomed to towards the end which again conveys the tension due to Shelia’s lack of obedience. Sheila also adopts the Inspectors blunt language: ‘I’m staying here until I know why that girl killed herself.’ Regardless of the idea that women of the time were thought to need protection from all things disturbing or unpleasant Shelia does not hesitate to bring attention to the solid fact that she is well aware that Eva/Daisy ‘killed herself’. Priestley’s use of stage directions is another technique used to accentuate the tension that inhabits the heart of the Birling family. The audience at the beginning of the play encounter subdued lighting which therefore creates a relaxed atmosphere shrouding the true feelings of the family which are hinted to suggest something is not quite right. The intensity of the light grows at the arrival of the inspector to indicate a turn of events. A combination of an array of techniques at Priestley’s disposal allow him to capture and reveal the taboo tension between the individual characters that is hidden behind euphemisms and gender roles.