Metamorphosis of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw Es

The Metamorphosis of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw    The benefits of acquiring an education are not limited to the academic aspects often associated with it. Part of the edification it bestows includes being enabled to reach new insight, being empowered to cultivate a new awareness, and being endowed with a new understanding of life and of self. In Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, Eliza Doolittle experiences this type of enlightenment as the result of undergoing a drastic change in social status. With the sponsorship and guidance of Colonel Pickering, Eliza, a common street flower vendor, receives phonetic instruction from Professor Henry Higgins and is transformed into an elegant and refined "duchess" (817). Eliza Doolittle is highly emotional and has dauntless pride; however, her level of confidence increases as she gains a new perception of herself and a new outlook on life through the instruction she receives. Although in the beginning of the play Eliza Doolittle possesses a dignity of self that has persevered despite the lowliness of her social status as a "draggletailed guttersnipe" (817), she has little confidence and a low sense of worth. By describing Eliza's emotional states throughout the play, Shaw illuminates the evolution of Eliza's character. In the opening act when Eliza receives the impression that she is being "charged" for "taking advantage of [a] gentleman's proximity" to persuade him to "buy a flower," Shaw describes that she becomes "terrified" and claims, "I ain't done nothing wrong . . . I've a right to sell flowers . . ." (806). Eliza's initial feeling of fear points to a momentary sense of self-doubt in her character; however, her solid pride leads her to make a declaration in def... ...f" as she "sweeps out" (864). Too proud to be bossed around, Eliza is confident enough to stand her ground and defend her dignity without being timid. Although it was in Eliza's sensitive nature to "fetch slippers," now she "won't care for anybody that doesn't care for [her]" (860). Eliza Doolittle continually manifested pride and a touchy sensitivity; however, once educated, the drastic change of experiencing a substantially improved social standing caused the development of visual confidence in her character. Armed with self-esteem, Eliza had the necessary force in her character to face adversity without doubting herself or relying on the strength of others. Works Cited Shaw, Bernard. Pygmalion. Introduction to Literature: Reading, Analyzing, and Writing. 2nd ed. Ed. Dorothy U. Seyler and Richard A. Wilan. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1990. 800?64.

God and Man in Dracula Essay

The cycle of films produced at Universal Studios in the early 1930s represents, in important ways, the advent and elaboration of the twentieth century horror genre. Among the many themes introduced in films such as Dracula (1930), The Mummy (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) is that of God and Man. In this paper, I intend to explore this theme by closely investigating the creation of the bride that takes place near the end of Bride of Frankenstein. Although a variety of narrative codes operating in this scene illuminate the film’s meaning, it is the fine line between God and Man that deserves critical scrutiny. The creation of the bride scene opens up with the kites being released into the oncoming storm in hope of catching the electricity from a lightening bolt. We then cut to a low angle shot of Frankenstein running down the stairs towards the laboratory. After reaching the bottom, he runs to a giant electrical machine, the view tilted so as to give the feeling of anticipation as he holds the switch and bites his lip. Dr. Pretorius is shown from a low angle, with light splayed across his face and dark machines looming in the background giving him an almost god-like status. The next shot is a high-angle shot of Dr. Frankenstein, making it seem like he’s cowering in submission, a slave to Dr. Pretorius. With various close-ups of machines crackling and sparking with electricity, we again come upon Frankenstein, looking around, waiting to throw the switch that would begin the process to start life in the dead. By this time he has fully accepted the fact that he is a part of this great misdeed. We then come to an extreme close-up of Frankenstein’s face, underlighting of his face, a serious look on his face like he knows he is meddling with the work of God. Dr. Pretorius then runs to the four large switches and dramatically clicks them on in a shower of sparks (a close-up of the switches hitting their connectors reveals a shower of sparks). A close-up of his face disappears when an electric explosion occurs right behind his head, illuminating the screen. His face reappears looking down upon the creation, wanting it to come alive, disregarding the fact that he is going against God and nature in his actions. Machines crackling and sparks flying from various angles, briefly looking at Dr. Frankenstein’s face again. A tilted shot of Dr. Frankenstein gives the impression that he’s lying down on the machine, trying eagerly to look at the reaction of the body. Cut to a close-up looking up at Dr. Pretorius, then back to Dr. Frankenstein with a top-view, going back to the master/slave relationship between the two. Explosions rock the laboratory, smoke rising to the roof in showers of spark. An eye-level full shot of the laboratory reveals arcing electric bolts and sparks showering the tables with fire. We then have a low-angle view of Dr. Frankenstein which then changes to a high-angle view as he yells upwards, â€Å"it’s coming up! † His gloves and white jacket, coupled with the pale make-up and dark lips gives him an almost sinister look. The body then ascends the wall of the laboratory, the camera placed about halfway up the wall and follows it all the way till it passes by and reaches the top. After seeing part of the contraption disappear through the roof, we cut to a extremely long shot of the whole tower with the machine rising above the roof, after which the camera cuts to a full shot of the body being hooked up to various wires by Dr. Pretorius’ workers. The most critical arrangement of shots then occurs the moment before life is given to the body. The camera cuts back to the lab with an aerial close-up of Dr. Frankenstein who has shadows cast across his face from underlighhting. The same for Dr. Pretorius as we cut back and forth between the two. As the shots go back and forth, the lighting on their faces gets gradually brighter making their eyes seem to sink back into their heads and disappear, leaving only empty sockets. This plays into the theme that they are no longer controlled by God or nature, but by evil. The section ends with Frankenstein appearing on the roof after awakening from his slumber.

Communism And The Soviet Union - 1681 Words

Have you ever had a case of the hiccups that you just couldn’t seem to get rid of? You tried all the tricks in the book, from holding your breath, to standing upside down, but those pestering hiccups still stuck around? In a sense, many Eastern European countries had a persistent case of the hiccups, during the early 1990s, which they were trying to shake. Except this wasn’t your average case of the hiccups, these hiccups were called communism. Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, most post-Soviet satellite states began making the transition to become liberal democracies. However, the transition from communist governments to democratic governments was not necessarily a smooth one for most of the Eastern European countries. Decades of oppressive Soviet rule and deep-rooted communist parties made ties to the Soviet Union especially hard to cut. Ukraine, in particular, struggled mightily to break away from the Russian communists, and that struggle is still continuing today. In the form of a corrupt government and pro-Russian supporters in South and Eastern Ukraine, roadblocks were created on the Ukrainian road to democracy that they are still trying to maneuver. In analyzing the challenges posed to Ukraine in their continuing transition to a liberal democracy, it is important to start in 1990, when Ukraine officially declared independence. This declaration included principles of self-determination, democracy, and the priority of Ukrainian law over Soviet law.Show MoreRelatedCommunism And The Soviet Union1782 Words   |  8 PagesAfter World War II, the Soviet Union wanted to create more communist nations, especially along their western border, to prevent themselves from being vulnerable to attack from the West again as they had been from Nazi Germany. Countries like the United States and Great Britain did not want the Soviet Union to spread communism but some Eastern European countries that had been victims of the Nazi regime saw communism as a good way to prevent another fascist regime from rising. Combined with the factRead MoreCommunism And The Soviet Union Essay1672 Words   |  7 Pageseastern bloc popularly known as the United Social ist Soviet of Russia (USSR) and the western bloc dominated by United States and European countries. Now the Soviet Union supported socialist economic ideology and was prepared to ensure that the socialist countries remained socialist-by all means. On the other hand, United States and allies were for capitalism and were determined to spread it as far as possible. They detest socialism and communism because it was against building of business empiresRead MoreCommunism And The Soviet Union1853 Words   |  8 PagesOn December 26, 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was officially dissolved. While the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a sign that the Cold War was soon to be over, the breakup of the Soviet Union truly symbolised its end. After a bitter era of global fighting between capitalism and communism, each led by the United States and the USSR respectively, it appeared that, for better or for worse, capitalism had prevailed. Today, it looks like this indeed was the ca se. The People’s RepublicRead MoreCommunism And The Soviet Union979 Words   |  4 Pagesdistain for communism and the Soviet Union; they fanned the ideological flames between capitalism and communism rather than putting them out. Directly after the war the US created the Marshall Plan, where they gave $13 billion to European states. In President Truman’s speech ‘The Truman Doctrine’ he talks about Greece and Turkey and threatens if aid is not given, Greece’s democracy will be under threat by armed men supported by communists. This was a strategic ploy to prevent communism, by allowingRead MoreCommunism And The Soviet Union1314 Words   |  6 PagesCommunism in Eastern Europe was an ideology that took hold of the region for more than forty years. Each state fell into the Soviet sphere of influence after the end of World War II, and from then on until 1989, communism was the absolute norm for all of Eastern Europe. Though communism was the only fo rm of government found in the region, each state was unique in how it carried out its policies as some were more lenient than others. As time progressed through the Communist Era, there were changesRead MoreCommunism And The Soviet Union2261 Words   |  10 Pagestyrannical and bloodthirsty dictator who led the Soviet Union, wanted to spread Communist rule through Eastern Europe, China, and Korea, which the United States opposed. The world split between democratic countries backed by America and Communist countries supported by the Soviet Union, and birthed a conflict called the â€Å"Cold War,† because, as opposed to a â€Å"hot† war, there were no direct military confrontations between the main enemies. Stalin and the Soviet Union’s plan of world control caused AmericansRead MoreThe Fall Of Communism And The Soviet Union Essay2058 Words   |  9 PagesPrior to Putin’s 2001 State of the Nation address, Russia was dealing with the overwhelming effects of economic and political reform. The fall of Communism and the Soviet Union left Russia in a fragile state. When Putin references â€Å"the period of disintegration of the Statehood† he is referring to the lack of stability and legitimacy in Russia’s era of reformation in the 1990s that threatened the very existence of the nation. The sources and indicators of this disintegration can be found through anRead MoreCommunism And Marxist Ideologies And The Soviet Union912 Words   |  4 Pages After World War II the Soviet Union led by Stalin maintained a strong presence and influence in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically, Poland through the communist Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR). In this paper I aim to address the reason why communism and Marxist ideologies were unsuccessfully received in post war Poland. I will be arguing *that Marxism was made into a tool of oppression by the Soviet Union, and therefore became illegitimate in itself. I intend on arg uing this theory byRead MoreCommunism in the Soviet Union and Why It Failed1561 Words   |  7 PagesCommunism in the Soviet Union and Why it Failed Communism is defined as a system of political and economic organization in which property is owned by the community and all citizens share in the enjoyment of the common wealth, more or less according to their need. In 1917 the rise of power in the Marxist-inspired Bolsheviks in Russia along with the consolidation of power by Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, the word communism came to mean a totalitarian system controlled by a single politicalRead MoreThe Soviet Union Responsible For The Consolidation Of Communism1776 Words   |  8 PagesESSAY PLAN To what extent was the Soviet Union responsible for the consolidation of communism in Eastern Europe in the period 1945-1953? Introduction During the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet Union was primarily responsible for the consolidation of communism in Eastern Europe. †¢ It was in the spring of 1948 that the Soviet Union had aggressively pushed for the imposition of Communist rule in most East European nations o Eastern Europe under Communist rule was comprised of Czechoslovakia

Main Ideas Of The Kite Runner Novel - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1713 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/06/14 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: The Kite Runner Essay Did you like this example? The novel begins with a flashback in order layout for the reader about Amirrs life before he had moved to San Francisco. Amirrs flashback allows the reader to understand that in the winter of 1975, everything had changed and shaped him into who he is today. It states how he has been trying to avoid his past, but it always finds a way to claw out. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Main Ideas Of The Kite Runner Novel" essay for you Create order In addition, he received a phone call from Rahim Khan: a person who brings the narrator memories of past and his sins. Finally, you learn that the narrator has a friend named, Hassan, who he recalls saying that he would do anything for him. Hassan is Alirs son who grew up serving Amirrs family. The two boys grew up together with Amir living in Babars mansion and Hassan in a mud shack. Hassan has an almost perfectly rounded faced which is compared to a Chinese doll. He has a flat broad nose and slanting narrow eyes compared to bamboo leaves and sapphire. In addition, he has a low set of tiny ears and a cleft lip: a birth defect. Hassan has a mother named, Sanaubar, who had banned him for a group of singers and dancers. His first word is Amir which is important because it shows his relationship with the protagonist. He had come to Amirrs life because Ali and Baba had grown up together after Alirs parents were killed by a car accident. For example, Babars father took in Ali, who is now an orphan, and raised him as his own. Like Baba and Ali who grew up to be childhood playmates, Hassan and Amir are similar. Amir lives with a more wealthy lifestyle, in contrast, Hassan is a servant. To be a Hazara is to be a mice-eating, flat-nosed, or load carrying donkeys. This is because of their history when the Hazara were oppressed by the Pashtun. They were killed with unspeakable violence when trying to fight back. The Pashtun took away their land, burned their homes and sold off women. Hassanrs family, Hassan, Ali and Sanaubar are Hazaras. To be a Pashtun is to be the more dominated and stronger group within the Muslim religion. They had oppressed and persecuted the Khazars killing them. Therefore with their history, they feel more superior as they are known to be the majority group in their country. Amirrs family including his mother Baba and himself are Pashtun. Later in the story, the reader finds out by Assef is a Pashtun. Amir describes his home as this beautiful house in the community of Wair Akbar Khan district with a lot of details to back up his reasoning. Leading up to the house a is a wide entryway lined with rose bushes. The house has marble flooring and gold tapestries. Amir bedroom is located upstairs along with Babys room and his smoking room. He elaborates this description to show how everyone considers it a beautiful house. In addition, a big house usually correlates with parents working hard in order to earn such wealth, therefore shows the lack o f bond between Amir and Baba. The details of his family photo shows the relationship between Amir and Baba. Baba is next to his smiling wife in one photo and then not smiling in the next photo when he is holding his son. Later on in the book, Amir makes the connection that he has caused Baba to dislike him before he stole his mother life away when she was giving birth. Amir is holding Rahim Khanrs pinky finger in the photo which shows that he has a more stronger and closer relationship with his dadrs best friend. Sanaubar is Hassanrs mother and Alirs wife. She is a beautiful yet a notoriously unscrupulous nineteen years old women. Like her husband, she is a Shia Muslim and an ethnic Hazara too. Ali and Sanaubar got married because they were first cousins. However, they were nothing alike. Ali was a strong religious man who followed the Koran while Sanaubar tempted men into doing sinful things. In 1964 on a cold winter day, she gave birth to Hassan in a small shack but later left him to join a clan of singers and dancers. In contrast to Amirrs mother who died when she has giving birth to her son. Ali is Hassanrs father as well as a servant to Baba and Amir. The neighborhood children call him Babalu which means the Boogeyman to mock him. They call him this because Ali face and his walk due to the effect of polio caused some of the younger children to be scared. Amir feels like he is not worthy to his father and his feelings were confirmed when he had overheard his father conversation with Rahmid Khan. For example, Baba stated that if he had not seen the doctor pull him out, he wouldnt believe that Amir is his so n. Baba is disappointed that Amir did not inherit his athletic ability, but rather his mothers interest in literature. Baba is also disappointed that Amir can not stand up and fight for himself. Amir also feels the need to fight for his fatherrs attention. Anything he says to his father, his father seems to take no interest in. In addition, when Baba invited Hassan to go on a trip to the lake, Amir lied to his father that Hassan had the runs in order to be able to spend time alone with him. He wanted to spend time alone with him because Amir has a jealousy feeling when being around Hassan and his father. Hassan was more athletic in throwing rocks down the river and was rewarded with Babars arm him, making Amir jealous. His feelings about his father are also present when he states that it was an honor for him to hold his fathers hat when it blew off because it showed to the crowd that that was his father. Zahir Shahrs (the king) cousin is Daoud Khan. He is responsible for the night shots on July 17 1973 that destroyed the Afghanistanrs monarchy. When the king was away, Daoud Khan decided take over and become the new president so he ended his cousinrs forty years reign with a bloodless coup. This new republic had lead to people like Assef to believe that this leader would save Afghanistan from the Hazara and allows the Pashtuns to take over their rightful place. Baba is Amirrs father and a husband to Sofia Akrami: the most respected women in Kabul. His life revolved around trying to prove many people wrong that had doubted him. Many expected him to study law because his dad was a judge; however, Baba decided to not only run his own business and he becomes the richest merchants in Kabul. In addition, since Sofia is royal in blood, many doubt that Baba would be able to marry such a women. He perceived the world in black and white and decided which is what color. What he believes to be a sin is not drinking, but theft. Stealing away something from someone just stems or branches out to other sins that comes along with theft. He doesnt believe in such religious people like Mullah Fatiullah, referring them to bearded idiots who recited the Quran but doesnt understand a word. In addition, Baba states that they would be in a dangerous situation of Afghanistan where to fill under a self righteous religious monkey. Baba gave Hassan for his birthday a plastic surgery procedure. For example, when Hassan had walked in the house, he was greeted by an Indian man dressed in a brown suit and red tie named Dr. Kumar from New Delhi. This present suggest that Baba has a care and showed sympathy Hassan. Baba states that although it is a weird gift, this gift was a long term gift that would last forever. While Hassan believed that it was not going to hurt, Amirrs reaction was that Hassan was being fooled. Amir related to his past experience with a painful surgery when he got circumcised. In addition, he had hope that he has some kind of scar in order to get such sympathy from his own dad. Once the swelling had stopped the following winter it was ionic for Hassan to smile because it was that winter that Hassan was no longer smiling this foreshadowing a situation. Assef is known to be the neighborhood bully in the Wazir Akbar Khan section. He is the son of Mohammed: Babars friend and an airplane pilot. Assef has a German mother and an Afghan dad therefore his physical a ppearance of being blonde and blue eyed makes him stand out. Hers famous stainless-steel brass knuckles because of his earned reputation among the kids for savagery. In addition, he was the one that had came up all the names for Ali. HIs political vision is to get rid of all the Hazara with the new president. He wants the Pashtuns to rightly take back the country. He uses Hitler to help create his political perspective but unlike Hitler he believes that the new Afghanistan president can succeed. Wali and Kamal are Assefrs friends who obeys Assefrs orders. Assef and his friends encounter with Amir and Hassan lead to Hassan threatening them. For example, after many rude comments especially towards Amir, Hassan pulled out his slingshot and threaten them to go away. Although Amir could tell that he was in fear, his voice was convincing enough for the boys to walk away. However, Assef threaten that although he is a patience person, he will be back. He commented that his return will be when Amir is alone so they can face each other without the help of Hassan. This foreshadows that Assef will return again in the story when Hassan is not there by Amir side to protect him as he always does. Amir thinks its ironic that he can finally smile normally because it was that following winter when Hassan had no longer smiled. Amir wants to tell Assed that they arent friends rather Hassan to him is only a servant. Despite almost bursting this out, Amir knows that he treats Hassan as more of a friend, he treats him as a brother but he also acknowledges that he always leaves Hassan out.

The Synecdochic Motif in Sherwood Andersons Winesburg, Ohio

The Synecdochic Motif in Winesburg, Ohio The sum of the parts of the vignettes of townsfolk of Winesburg, Ohio is greater than the whole novel. Winesburg, too, is only one town in all of Ohio, which is one of a host of states in the U.S. This magnification is at the heart of the novel, in which synecdoche is the main lens through which Sherwood Anderson allows us to regard the grotesques. This narrow aperture of perception does not compromise full characterization, but instead forces the reader into searching for subtle connections within and across the sketches. The opening story, Hands, launches the titular synecdochic motif whose pairings Anderson systematically and symmetrically deploys. Discounting the final†¦show more content†¦The paradox features an impossible or illogical state of being for the hand, but one that exists nonetheless. Anderson cues us to the paradoxs importance by showing Wing Biddlebaum rubbing his hands together and looking up and down the road (5). The gesture has little to d o with his vision at the moment, but suggests that the reader similarly look both ways when reading through the book and exercise his depth perception. We take note of the perplexing admixture of human emotion under the surface of a simple handshake: He put out his hand as though to greet the younger man and then awkwardly drew it back again (141). The relationship between the two men†¹that of a doctor greeting a dead patients son†¹is summed up by the handshake, a formalized mode of greeting in a situation that requires the tact of more informal tactility. The ambivalence that meets a person when thrust into society, of desiring intimacy but fearing the proximity, is the central motivation of the grotesques, as voiced by an eighteen-year-old George Willard, who later recants his vows with angry, forced aloofness: With all his heart he wants to come close to some other human, touch someone with his hands, be touched by the hand of anotherÃ…  He wants, most of al l, understanding (145). But such an understanding is difficult when the paradoxes reveal their irreconcilable and incomprehensible origins. Insecure about his baldness, Wings hands futilely

Digital Fortress Chapter 22 Free Essays

string(50) " the extent of it,† Becker said sheepishly\." David Becker strode over and stared down at the old man asleep on the cot. The man’s right wrist was wrapped in a cast. He was between sixty and seventy years old. We will write a custom essay sample on Digital Fortress Chapter 22 or any similar topic only for you Order Now His snow-white hair was parted neatly to the side, and in the center of his forehead was a deep purple welt that spread down into his right eye. A little bump? he thought, recalling the lieutenant’s words. Becker checked the man’s fingers. There was no gold ring anywhere. Becker reached down and touched the man’s arm. â€Å"Sir?† He shook him lightly. â€Å"Excuse me†¦ sir?† The man didn’t move. Becker tried again, a little louder. â€Å"Sir?† The man stirred. â€Å"Qu’est-ce†¦ quelle heure est-† He slowly opened his eyes and focused on Becker. He scowled at having been disturbed. â€Å"Qu’est-ce-que vous voulez?† Yes, Becker thought, a French Canadian! Becker smiled down at him. â€Å"Do you have a moment?† Although Becker’s French was perfect, he spoke in what he hoped would be the man’s weaker language, English. Convincing a total stranger to hand over a gold ring might be a little tricky; Becker figured he could use any edge he could get. There was a long silence as the man got his bearings. He surveyed his surroundings and lifted a long finger to smooth his limp white mustache. Finally he spoke. â€Å"What do you want?† His English carried a thin, nasal accent. â€Å"Sir,† Becker said, over pronouncing his words as if speaking to a deaf person, â€Å"I need to ask you a few questions.† The man glared up at him with a strange look on his face. â€Å"Do you have some sort of problem?† Becker frowned; the man’s English was impeccable. He immediately lost the condescending tone. â€Å"I’m sorry to bother you, sir, but were you by any chance at the Plaza de Espana today?† The old man’s eyes narrowed. â€Å"Are you from the City Council?† â€Å"No, actually I’m-â€Å" â€Å"Bureau of Tourism?† â€Å"No, I’m-â€Å" â€Å"Look, I know why you’re here!† The old man struggled to sit up. â€Å"I’m not going to be intimidated! If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times-Pierre Cloucharde writes the world the way he lives the world. Some of your corporate guidebooks might sweep this under the table for a free night on the town, but the Montreal Times is not for hire! I refuse!† â€Å"I’m sorry, sir. I don’t think you under-â€Å" â€Å"Merde alors! I understand perfectly!† He wagged a bony finger at Becker, and his voice echoed through the gymnasium. â€Å"You’re not the first! They tried the same thing at the Moulin Rouge, Brown’s Palace, and the Golfigno in Lagos! But what went to press? The truth! The worst Wellington I’ve ever eaten! The filthiest tub I’ve ever seen! And the rockiest beach I’ve ever walked! My readers expect no less!† Patients on nearby cots began sitting up to see what was going on. Becker looked around nervously for a nurse. The last thing he needed was to get kicked out. Cloucharde was raging. â€Å"That miserable excuse for a police officer works for your city! He made me get on his motorcycle! Look at me!† He tried to lift his wrist. â€Å"Now who’s going to write my column?† â€Å"Sir, I-â€Å" â€Å"I’ve never been so uncomfortable in my forty-three years of travel! Look at this place! You know, my column is syndicated in over-â€Å" â€Å"Sir!† Becker held up both hands urgently signaling truce. â€Å"I’m not interested in your column; I’m from the Canadian Consulate. I’m here to make sure you’re okay!† Suddenly there was a dead quiet in the gymnasium. The old man looked up from his bed and eyed the intruder suspiciously. Becker ventured on in almost a whisper. â€Å"I’m here to see if there’s anything I can do to help.† Like bring you a couple of Valium. After a long pause, the Canadian spoke. â€Å"The consulate?† His tone softened considerably. Becker nodded. â€Å"So, you’re not here about my column?† â€Å"No, sir.† It was as if a giant bubble had burst for Pierre Cloucharde. He settled slowly back down onto his mound of pillows. He looked heartbroken. â€Å"I thought you were from the city†¦ trying to get me to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He faded off and then looked up. â€Å"If it’s not about my column, then why are you here?† It was a good question, Becker thought, picturing the Smoky Mountains. â€Å"Just an informal diplomatic courtesy,† he lied. The man looked surprised. â€Å"A diplomatic courtesy?† â€Å"Yes, sir. As I’m sure a man of your stature is well aware, the Canadian government works hard to protect its countrymen from the indignities suffered in these, er-shall we say-less refined countries.† Cloucharde’s thin lips parted in a knowing smile. â€Å"But of course†¦ how pleasant.† â€Å"You are a Canadian citizen, aren’t you?† â€Å"Yes, of course. How silly of me. Please forgive me. Someone in my position is often approached with†¦ well†¦ you understand.† â€Å"Yes, Mr. Cloucharde, I certainly do. The price one pays for celebrity.† â€Å"Indeed.† Cloucharde let out a tragic sigh. He was an unwilling martyr tolerating the masses. â€Å"Can you believe this hideous place?† He rolled his eyes at the bizarre surroundings. â€Å"It’s a mockery. And they’ve decided to keep me overnight.† Becker looked around. â€Å"I know. It’s terrible. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.† Cloucharde looked confused. â€Å"I wasn’t even aware you were coming.† Becker changed the subject. â€Å"Looks like a nasty bump on your head. Does it hurt?† â€Å"No, not really. I took a spill this morning-the price one pays for being a good Samaritan. The wrist is the thing that’s hurting me. Stupid Guardia. I mean, really! Putting a man of my age on a motorcycle. It’s reprehensible.† â€Å"Is there anything I can get for you?† Cloucharde thought a moment, enjoying the attention. â€Å"Well, actually†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He stretched his neck and tilted his head left and right. â€Å"I could use another pillow if it’s not too much trouble.† â€Å"Not at all.† Becker grabbed a pillow off a nearby cot and helped Cloucharde get comfortable. The old man sighed contentedly. â€Å"Much better†¦ thank you.† â€Å"Pas du tout,† Becker replied. â€Å"Ah!† The man smiled warmly. â€Å"So you do speak the language of the civilized world.† â€Å"That’s about the extent of it,† Becker said sheepishly. You read "Digital Fortress Chapter 22" in category "Essay examples" â€Å"Not a problem,† Cloucharde declared proudly. â€Å"My column is syndicated in the U.S.; my English is first rate.† â€Å"So I’ve heard.† Becker smiled. He sat down on the edge of Cloucharde’s cot. â€Å"Now, if you don’t mind my asking, Mr. Cloucharde, why would a man such as yourself come to a place like this? There are far better hospitals in Seville.† Cloucharde looked angry. â€Å"That police officer†¦ he bucked me off his motorcycle and then left me bleeding in the street like a stuck pig. I had to walk over here.† â€Å"He didn’t offer to take you to a better facility?† â€Å"On that godawful bike of his? No thanks!† â€Å"What exactly happened this morning?† â€Å"I told it all to the lieutenant.† â€Å"I’ve spoken to the officer and-â€Å" â€Å"I hope you reprimanded him!† Cloucharde interrupted. Becker nodded. â€Å"In the severest terms. My office will be following up.† â€Å"I should hope so.† â€Å"Monsieur Cloucharde.† Becker smiled, pulling a pen out of his jacket pocket. â€Å"I’d like to make a formal complaint to the city. Would you help? A man of your reputation would be a valuable witness.† Cloucharde looked buoyed by the prospect of being quoted. He sat up. â€Å"Why, yes†¦ of course. It would be my pleasure.† Becker took out a small note pad and looked up. â€Å"Okay, let’s start with this morning. Tell me about the accident.† The old man sighed. â€Å"It was sad really. The poor Asian fellow just collapsed. I tried to help him-but it was no use.† â€Å"You gave him CPR?† Cloucharde looked ashamed. â€Å"I’m afraid I don’t know how. I called an ambulance.† Becker remembered the bluish bruises on Tankado’s chest. â€Å"Did the paramedics administer CPR?† â€Å"Heavens, no!† Cloucharde laughed. â€Å"No reason to whip a dead horse-the fellow was long gone by the time the ambulance got there. They checked his pulse and carted him off, leaving me with that horrific policeman.† That’s strange, Becker thought, wondering where the bruise had come from. He pushed it from his mind and got to the matter at hand. â€Å"What about the ring?† he said as nonchalantly as possible. Cloucharde looked surprised. â€Å"The lieutenant told you about the ring?† â€Å"Yes, he did.† Cloucharde seemed amazed. â€Å"Really? I didn’t think he believed my story. He was so rude-as if he thought I were lying. But my story was accurate, of course. I pride myself on accuracy.† â€Å"Where is the ring?† Becker pressed. Cloucharde didn’t seem to hear. He was glassy-eyed, staring into space. â€Å"Strange piece really, all those letters-looked like no language I’d ever seen.† â€Å"Japanese, maybe?† Becker offered. â€Å"Definitely not.† â€Å"So you got a good look at it?† â€Å"Heavens, yes! When I knelt down to help, the man kept pushing his fingers in my face. He wanted to give me the ring. It was most bizarre, horrible really-his hands were quite dreadful.† â€Å"And that’s when you took the ring?† Cloucharde went wide-eyed. â€Å"That’s what the officer told you! That I took the ring?† Becker shifted uneasily. Cloucharde exploded. â€Å"I knew he wasn’t listening! That’s how rumors get started! I told him the Jap fellow gave away the ring-but not to me! There’s no way I would take anything from a dying man! My heavens! The thought of it!† Becker sensed trouble. â€Å"So you don’t have the ring?† â€Å"Heavens, no!† A dull ache crept through the pit of his stomach. â€Å"Then who has it?† Cloucharde glared at Becker indignantly. â€Å"The German! The German has it!† Becker felt like the floor had been pulled out from under him. â€Å"German? What German?† â€Å"The German in the park! I told the officer about him! I refused the ring but the fascist swine accepted it!† Becker set down his pen and paper. The charade was over. This was trouble. â€Å"So a German has the ring?† â€Å"Indeed.† â€Å"Where did he go?† â€Å"No idea. I ran to call the police. When I got back, he was gone.† â€Å"Do you know who he was?† â€Å"Some tourist.† â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"My life is tourists,† Cloucharde snapped. â€Å"I know one when I see one. He and his lady friend were out strolling the park.† Becker was more and more confused every moment. â€Å"Lady friend? There was somebody with the German?† Cloucharde nodded. â€Å"An escort. Gorgeous redhead. Mon Dieu! Beautiful.† â€Å"An escort?† Becker was stunned. â€Å"As in†¦ a prostitute?† Cloucharde grimaced. â€Å"Yes, if you must use the vulgar term.† â€Å"But†¦ the officer said nothing about-â€Å" â€Å"Of course not! I never mentioned the escort.† Cloucharde dismissed Becker with a patronizing wave of his good hand. â€Å"They aren’t criminals-it’s absurd that they’re harassed like common thieves.† Becker was still in a mild state of shock. â€Å"Was there anyone else there?† â€Å"No, just the three of us. It was hot.† â€Å"And you’re positive the woman was a prostitute?† â€Å"Absolutely. No woman that beautiful would be with a manlike that unless she were well paid! Mon Dieu! He was fat, fat, fat! A loudmouthed, overweight, obnoxious German!† Cloucharde winced momentarily as he shifted his weight, but he ignored the pain and plowed on. â€Å"This man was a beast-three hundred pounds at least. He locked onto that poor dear like she was about to run away-not that I’d blame her. I mean really! Hands all over her. Bragged that he had her all weekend for three hundred dollars! He’s the one who should have dropped dead, not that poor Asian fellow.† Cloucharde came up for air, and Becker jumped in. â€Å"Did you get his name?† Cloucharde thought for a moment and then shook his head. â€Å"No idea.† He winced in pain again and settled slowly back into his pillows. Becker sighed. The ring had just evaporated before his eyes. Commander Strathmore was not going to be happy. Cloucharde dabbed at his forehead. His burst of enthusiasm had taken its toll. He suddenly looked ill. Becker tried another approach. â€Å"Mr. Cloucharde, I’d like to get a statement from the German and his escort as well. Do you have any idea where they’re staying?† Cloucharde closed his eyes, his strength fading. His breathing grew shallow. â€Å"Anything at all?† Becker pressed. â€Å"The escort’s name? There was a long silence. Cloucharde rubbed his right temple. He was suddenly looking pale. â€Å"Well†¦ ah†¦ no. I don’t believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His voice was shaky. Becker leaned toward him. â€Å"Are you all right?† Cloucharde nodded lightly. â€Å"Yes, fine†¦ just a little†¦ the excitement maybe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He trailed off. â€Å"Think, Mr. Cloucharde.† Becker urged quietly. â€Å"It’s important.† Cloucharde winced. â€Å"I don’t know†¦ the woman†¦ the man kept calling her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He closed his eyes and groaned. â€Å"What was her name?† â€Å"I really don’t recall†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Cloucharde was fading fast. â€Å"Think.† Becker prodded. â€Å"It’s important that the consular file be as complete as possible. I’ll need to support your story with statements from the other witnesses. Any information you can give me to help locate them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Cloucharde was not listening. He was dabbing his forehead with the sheet. â€Å"I’m sorry†¦ perhaps tomorrow†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He looked nauseated. â€Å"Mr. Cloucharde, it’s important you remember this now.† Becker suddenly realized he was speaking too loudly. People on nearby cots were still sitting up watching what was going on. On the far side of the room a nurse appeared through the double doors and strode briskly toward them. â€Å"Anything at all,† Becker pressed urgently. â€Å"The German called the woman-â€Å" Becker lightly shook Cloucharde, trying to bring him back. Cloucharde’s eyes flickered momentarily. â€Å"Her name†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Stay with me, old fella†¦ â€Å"Dew†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Cloucharde’s eyes closed again. The nurse was closing in. She looked furious. â€Å"Dew?† Becker shook Cloucharde’s arm. The old man groaned. â€Å"He called her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Cloucharde was mumbling now, barely audible. The nurse was less than ten feet away yelling at Becker in angry Spanish. Becker heard nothing. His eyes were fixed on the old man’s lips. He shook Cloucharde one last time as the nurse bore down on him. The nurse grabbed David Becker’s shoulder. She pulled him to his feet just as Cloucharde’s lips parted. The single word leaving the old man’s mouth was not actually spoken. It was softly sighed-like a distant sensual remembrance. â€Å"Dewdrop†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The scolding grasp yanked Becker away. Dewdrop? Becker wondered. What the hell kind of name is Dewdrop? He spun away from the nurse and turned one last time to Cloucharde. â€Å"Dewdrop? Are you sure?† But Pierre Cloucharde was fast asleep. How to cite Digital Fortress Chapter 22, Essay examples

Business of Law

Question: Describe about the Australian Consumer Law. Answer: Introduction Australian Consumer Law provides uniform protection to all consumers as well as to the small businesses in all sectors and jurisdiction. Australian Consumer Law sets out the principles and the standards that a business enterprise needs to observe while carrying out their business transaction with the consumers. It prohibits unfair trade practices in respect of small business as well as the consumers. The Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015 amended the Australian Consumer Law and was enumerated in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010[1] and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001. The primary objective of this Bill was to protect the interest of the small business from unfair trade contracts and by safeguarding its bargaining power in the market. Discussion In Australia, consumers are given adequate protection from unfair trade practices since 2010 whereas, protection towards the small business were quite realized lately by the government. A small business refers to the organization that employs less than twenty employees or has less than prescribed threshold for a multi-year contract of $100,000 0r $250,000[2]. The government selected the transaction value threshold of the small business after consultation with different stakeholders. The purpose was to provide protection to the small business when they engage in day-to-day trade and transact with the consumers. The principles will also encourage the small business to conduct large contract with due care and diligence for the fundamental success of their business[3]. The ACCC plays a significant role in communicating the small business promptly and evidently. It also provides them guidance while dealing with their individual matters. It also advises them on alternative dispute resolution processes. As ACCC has a unique center of attention on small business, franchising, business liaison and business associations, it enables an effective competition in the sector of small business, encourages fair-trading, and strengthens its position in the free economy[4]. The business practices must not limit competitions. The small business must be aware of their rights and obligations when they deal with the whole sellers, other business organizations, and suppliers. The small businesses are protected from anti-competitive behavior and false or misleading claims under the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC has protected the collective bargaining of the small business by offering a streamlined process for the parties to seek authorization arrangements of collective bargaining. Few such unfair trade practices are to enter into a contract that will permit either of one party to terminate or limit the performance of the contract or penalizing the other party for the breach of any provisions or vary the terms of the contract at its own will without any negotiations or taking due advantage of the bargaining power of the other party[5]. The court is empowered to strike down any terms of the contract that appears to it as unfair. The small business must enter into the contract having standard forms in consistent with the new unfair contract terms laws. Any such unfair contract terms shall be held void in the eyes of the law[6]. However, the small business must not enter into any unfair trade practices and must treat their consumers honestly and fairly. They are not supposed to sell banned products to the consumers. They must meet the requirements as seller under the Australian Consumer Law such as they must not engage in misleading and deceptive trade practices. The business organizations must not engage in unconscionable trade practices particularly, which are unfair and oppressive. The High Court noted that the aim of the law was to protect the competitive process and not protect the interest of a particular person. If any competition is sufficiently proved harmful, then such competitors can be eliminated[7]. It is often seen that small business becomes the victims of misuse of market powers. They face different competitive issues compared to the large business houses. Thus, they are included under the competitive laws and are provided protection from harsh competitions. As the small business lacks the sophisticated modern means to attain information on the trade laws and lacks resources, they are also vulnerable as the consumers. They too need to be protected from unfair trade practices and unconscionable conducts in the marketplace. Thus, they are also protected under the Consumer Law[8]. The small suppliers need to be protected from the big supermarkets so that their legitimate needs are not shadowed. In the competitive market, they must be safeguarded so that the competitive process does not worsen their condition. In ACCC v Coles[9], the Federal Court ordered Coles to pay pecuniary penalties of $10 million for engaging in unconscionable trade practice with the suppliers. Coles is one of the famous supermarkets in Australia. Therefore, it provides good access to the customers. Coles had demanded high payments from the suppliers, which it was not supposed to do. It also withheld money from them illegally. Therefore, the threatening of Coles was alleged to be deliberate, serious and repeated misconduct as it misused the bargaining powers. The conduct was not done in good faith and conscience and was against the accepted standard norms of trade. Conclusion Thus, we see that small business being vulnerable and unconscious of the standard trade practices must be protected in the same ways as the consumers. Therefore, they are protected under the Consumer Laws. As they have weak bargaining power compared to the big business organization, they are often exploited. The Australian Courts imposes heavy penalties as deterrence on those who exploits the small business by inducing unfair trade practices and engaging in misleading and deceptive trade practices. ACCC acts as a watchdog to safeguard the interests of the small business consistently. They also provide valuable advice to the small business so that they can protect themselves from any exploitations. Under any competitive laws reviews the legitimate needs of the small business are always given due consideration. Thus, we can say that the future small businesses are adequately protected and safeguarded under Australian Consumer Law. References ACCC,. "Court Finds Coles Engaged In Unconscionable Conduct And Orders Coles Pay $10 Million Penalties". ACCC,. "Small Business".Www.Accc.Gov.Au. Last modified 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016. ACCC,. "Unfair Contract Terms".Www.Accc.Gov.Au/. Last modified 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016. ASIC,. "Unfair Contract Terms Law".Asic.Gov.Au. Last modified 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016. "COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010 - SCHEDULE 2The Australian Consumer Law".Austlii.Edu.Au. Last modified 2016. "Federal Register Of Legislation".Www.Legislation.Gov.Au. Last modified 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016. "SMALL BUSINESS AND THE COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT".Www.Accc.Gov.Au. The Conversation,. "Why The Australian Consumer Law Can Help Small Business".Theconversation.Com. "Treasury Portfolio Ministers".Bfb.Ministers.Treasury.Gov.Au/. Last modified 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016.