Paradise or Hell Conflicting Images of the Post

The peculiarities of the post-colonial world have been discussed in many historians, sociologists, and political scientists. However, they can also be examined by looking at literary works that describe the experiences of colonizers and those who were colonized.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Paradise or Hell? Conflicting Images of the Post-Colonial World specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper will focus on the novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe and Margaret Atwood’s poem Progressive Insanities of a Pioneer. These works show how colonial forces can impact community and how people can perceive the world that is new and probably hostile to them. Although these novels differ significantly in terms of genre and themes, they can both show us that post-colonial world combines the images of both paradise and hell. Overall, these authors show that these communities could have become a much bett er place to live if settlers and native people tried to understand the values and ideas of one another. This problem is still relevant to contemporary societies that try to overcome the legacies of colonialism. In the opening chapters of his novel, Chinua Achebe portrays a village that is not affected by Western culture and civilization. The action begins just before the arrival of European missionaries. For instance, this is how the author describe the nature, â€Å"he loved this season of the year, when the rains stopped and the sun rose every morning with dazzling beauty. And it was not hot either because the cold and dry harmattan wind was blowing down from the north† (Achebe 2).Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Such a description can imply that it is an idyllic community that is not affected by any external forces. It may be an exaggeration to call it paradise, but such associations can arise. It reminds readers of such things as peace and freedom. However, at the same time, they can see that violence is imbedded into the culture of this community. For example, one can mention Ikemefuna, a boy, who was taken as a hostage and subsequently killed by Okonkwo for the alleged crime of his father. This boy became attached to Okonkwo, but the laws of this tribe obliged Okonkwo to kill this boy. To some degree, this hostility between the two villages mirrors contemporary ethnic conflict in Nigeria. As it has been noted by Rotimi Suberu, Nigerian population is comprised of many ethnic groups that may differ in terms of religion, language or income level (12). This is one of the reasons why ethnic conflicts occur in Nigeria. The main tragedy is that in many cases, innocent people such as Ikemefuna suffer from these hostilities. These examples show that Chinua Achebe gives a conflicting portrayal of the community in which his characters live, and it does combines the elements of paradise and hell. Furthermore, the problems that the author refers to in his novel may manifest themselves in contemporary Nigeria. In turn, Margaret Atwood focuses on the experiences of British colonizers in Canada. At first glance, it seems that the opening lines of her poem describe the sensation of freedom, happiness, and serenity.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Paradise or Hell? Conflicting Images of the Post-Colonial World specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is how the author describes the feelings of this individual, â€Å"He stood, a point on a sheet of green paper proclaiming himself the centre with no wall, no borders†. (Atwood, 60) Yet, the readers can also notice that this person is by no means happy. The first thing that he says is â€Å"let me out† (Atwood, 60). Such an outcry is hardly compatible with the idea of paradise. One can see that the coloni zer desperately tried to protect the fruits of his labor and feared virtually everything. In fact, he believed that even nature was hostile to him.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Furthermore, Atwood intentionally uses the personal pronoun â€Å"he† in order to emphasize the idea that Canadian colonizers built a patriarchal society in which women were denied access to any positions of power. Apart from that, one can notice that native people are not present in this poem, and their voices are silenced. Overall, Margaret Atwood describes the complex and rather conflicting experiences of British settlers in Canada. These people were trying to establish a new society that could become a better place to live. However, at the same time, they felt rather insecure in these lands. Thus, to some degree, this poem may describe a promised land, but it is full of fear and anxiety. This is the main paradox of colonial experiences. These literary works have other details that refer to the images of paradise and hell. In his novel, Chinua Achebe describes people who adopt a very respectful attitude toward nature and animals. Igbo people tended to describe and explain various natural phenomena with the help of animal stories. Moreover, some of the animals were even revered such as the royal python (Achebe 138). It was inconceivable for Okonkwo that Europeans missionaries could dismiss this tradition. To a great extent, this cultural practice can conjure up such an image as the Garden of Eden in which people did not separate themselves from other animals and lived in harmony with one another. The main tragedy is that they did not show similar respect to the dignity and life of other people. Again, one can mention the innocent boy Ikemefuna who was killed only because he was a member of a different tribe. Thus, it is clear that this tribal society had many flaws even before the arrival of European settlers. However, colonization made the situation worse because it completely dehumanized local people. Chinua Achebe shows that Europeans did not attach much importance to this tradition, beliefs, and value system of the local people. In their opinion, such beliefs were typical of the so-called uncivilized nations. The problem is that the world described by the author is full of hostility and violence that are aimed against the outsiders. Everything that did not reach their standards of conventionality was rejected. Both Africans and European settlers did not even try to understand the values of one another. Certainly, one cannot argue that the culture of Igbo people was perfect, but it could not be dismissed entirely as it was done by European missionaries. This is one of the reasons why post-colonial world is still ridden with conflict. Margaret Atwood’s poem gives readers a different insight into this problem. The thing is that she does not even mention those people who lived in Canada before the arrival of British settlers. A person, whom she describes, believes that he is the centre of the world. It does not occur to him that there could be other people living in this land. It should be noted that this person lives in an environment that was utterly new to him. For instance, Mary Atwood writes, â€Å"Things refused to name themselves; refused to let him name them† (60). On the whole, this quote suggests that colonizers did not even try to talk to local people in order to learn more about this place. Settlers could believe that local were either too primitive or hostile to them. Thus, one can say that the newly created community was very segregated. More importantly, native people were practically excluded from this community, and their presence was disregarded. The problem is that nowadays Native Canadians are underrepresented in public life. So, despite the fact that Margaret Atwood focuses mostly on the life of colonial society, her poem points to the challenges faced by the post-colonial society. These authors also show how damaging the impact of colonialism can be. Okonkwo, the main character of Achebe’s novel resists changes that are brought by European settlers. He believes th at new customs, traditions, especially religion will deprive him of his social status and respect of other people. This is why he commits suicide when Igbo people refuse to support him in his struggle against European missionaries. The person described by Margaret Atwood feels extremely insecure and alienated. His attempts to create an orderly life eventually lead to insanity. Thus, one can say that in both cases, colonialism produced damaging effects on individuals. The legacies of these experiences are palpable nowadays. Certainly, colonial and post-colonial societies could not become an earthly paradise; however, many of their internal flaws could have been eliminated if Europeans and local people tried to accept the humanity and dignity of one another. Unfortunately, this was not done. Surely, one cannot say that post-colonial countries resemble hell, but conflict, injustice and inequality are almost inseparable from them. In part, these social problems are the legacies of colon ialism. Overall, these literary works can be related to the field of post-colonial studies and some of its theories. One of them was developed by Edward Said in his book Orientalism. In particular, this author argues that Western scholars, especially historians often overlook the experiences of those people who were colonized (Said 125). In his opinion, very little attention is paid to their values and perceptions. In fact, they were considered to be primitive and irrational. The popularity of Chinua Achebe’ novel can be partly explained by the fact that he was one of the first authors who gave voice African people. This novel enabled readers throughout the world to see how Igbo people viewed their colonial experiences and how they responded to them. Edward Said also believes that Western colonizers immediately labeled non-western communities as backward, wild and unenlightened (Said 12). As it has been noted before, the folklore of Igbo people included a great number of anim al stories and colonizers perceived it as a sign of backwardness. Additionally, European settlers could not accept the idea that other nations could have different political structures. For example, they believed that tribal communities were essentially primitive. People can long debate whether this argument is right or wrong; yet, the main issue is that Europeans immediately tried to impose their political structures on native people and in this way they disrupted local communities. Apart from that, according to Edward Said Westerners could not accept the way of thinking and lifestyles of the local people (Said 125). For instance, they could not understand people who attached very little attention to property rights and land ownership. In part, this idea is reflected in Margaret Atwood’s poem. British settlers could not imagine the world with â€Å"no walls† or â€Å"no borders† (Atwood 60). The life of aboriginal people was not acceptable for them. More import antly, they became convinced that these communities were primitive or at least underdeveloped. Later, these beliefs were advanced with the help of propaganda. Thus, these two works should the perceptions of aboriginal people and colonizers. Admittedly, these experiences differed immensely, but the main issue is that they did not even try to communicate with one another. The main problem is that such misunderstanding is typical not only of colonial world, but also of the post-colonial societies. The communities that are influenced by the legacies of colonialism still struggle to reconcile the interests and views of Western-European settlers and native people. Such works as Things Fall Apart and Progressive Insanities of a Pioneer can help both sides better understand this conflict. This discussion suggests that the world described by Chinua Achebe and Margaret Atwood may seem serene and peaceful at first glance. However, by taking a closer look at this world, one can see that it is f ull of hostilities, violence, and insecurity. The authors describe different cultures and countries, but in each case, people are alienated from one another. More importantly, they realize that their conventional lifestyle is threatened. Maybe, it is an exaggeration to call these experiences hell, but they have a very adverse influence on them. Okonkwo commits suicide because he is no longer a leader of the community, while the unknown settler described by Margaret Atwood is driven into insanity. The main problem is that native people and colonizers did not make any effort to understand one another. Unfortunately, this problem often manifests itself in the modern, post-colonial world. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart, New York: Anchor, 1994. Print. Atwood, Margaret. Selected Poems, 1965-1975, Berkeley: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1987. Print. Said, Edward. Orientalism, New York: Vintage Books, 1979. Print. Suberu, Rotimi. Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nigeria, New Yo rk: US Institute of Peace Press, 2001. Print. This essay on Paradise or Hell? Conflicting Images of the Post-Colonial World was written and submitted by user DamageC0ntr0l to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Didion Essays

Didion Essays Didion Paper Didion Paper Joan Doing On Keeping a Notebook In On Keeping a Notebook, Doing writes about the Importance In keeping a notebook to record events and personal feelings. She makes It vital to write In the moment that these events, thoughts, and feelings occur. Although, the point Sins to be accurate or persuasive but rather personal to reflect and reveal what she discovers about herself In the process while still applying rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos, and logos In her essay. Her notebook Includes personal experiences written erratically, versus to writing In a diary dally. Some of the entries Jotted down have little to no significance to her life and this format enforces the effects to writing In a notebook the same way any average person would. Some of these stories are questionable to her and are used to make a point of how writing in a notebook isnt about finding a meaning but keeping in touch with yourself in the end. Dingos writing structure is informal to the way its written with random stories ND using casual language that is easy to understand as if she were speaking to the reader. This makes for the persuasive method of ethos that enables the reader to trust her writings to make a point in using the notebook usefully and efficiently. She asks the reader questions throughout the essay that makes the reader think about how a notebook comes in handy. Why did I write it down? In order to remember, of course, but exactly what was it I wanted to remember? How much of it actually happened? Did any of it? Why do I keep a notebook at all? It is easy to deceive oneself on all those scores. (76). As she continues to keep the reader questioning, she successfully resumes authority over the reader when she adds in another personal entry. Doing does not make against any argument, but comes to avoid it as she successfully attempts to inform the reader that Sometimes even the maker has difficulty with the meaning,(79) while bringing in playful sarcasm to her explanations, . Yet there it is in my notebook, labeled FACT. 79) causing the reader to respect her point of view. Overall, what she tries to get across to the reader Isnt to record, analyze, or conclude but to keep bits of mindful thoughts. Doing By lexicons In On Keeping a Notebook, Doing writes about the importance in keeping a notebook to record events and personal feelings. She makes it vital to write in the moment that these events, thoughts, and feelings occur. Although, the point is nt to discovers about herself in the process while still applying rhetorical devices of ethos, ethos, and logos in her essay. Her notebook includes personal experiences written erratically, versus to writing in a diary daily. Some of the entries Jotted down have little to no significance to her life and this format enforces the effects to writing in a notebook the same way any average person would. Some of these stories are explanations, Yet there it is in my notebook, labeled FACT. (79) causing the reader to respect her point of view.

I dont know a topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

I dont know a topic - Essay Example â€Å"Zephry† tells about a romance that the protagonist dreams of, though is not yet real. He dwells upon what would happen if heaven should deny him this love. As the poem starts off, this wanted love is beautiful, and the protagonist wants nothing more than to be loved by this being. He imagines how perfect it all would be. Then he realizes what life would be like if the other person did not love him back. At the end of the poem, he makes it clear that if he does not get the love that he wants, he will be nothing more than a slave to his heart and his need for love. â€Å"A Mad Heart† discusses the author’s need to obtain a certain cup, one that holds within it spiritual and religious truth and understanding. However, this need is felt more out of envy and lust, rather a need to simply have such a marvelous thing. The author, though, understands what it would be like if someone else had gotten the cup, and begins to realize that it is probably best that he not be the one to receive it. If he felt differently about the reason that he wanted the cup, it would make more sense that he would be the one to be given it. Without it, though, he learns that he needs to restrain such irrational feelings. â€Å"Last Night I Dreamed† is about the author being taken to heaven in the place of Adam, who is missing. In short, the author died, replacing the original man in heaven. The author was found amongst sin, claiming that he and God have an agreement that must be met. The poem contains on in a way that suggests the essence of life flashes before the eyes of the author, comparing a human life to that of a moth who has gotten too close to the light and now has scorched wings that no longer function as they should. After the author awakes, he realizes the importance of living a life worthy of getting into heaven. â€Å"All My Pleasure† tells about the author’s love for the woman he is with, and how he wishes it to not be taken. When he

Wal-Mart Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Wal-Mart Finance - Essay Example In US, Wal-Mart operates over 4,300 stores and also operates the Sam’s Club chain. Wal-Mart Stores US have different subsidiaries namely Wal-Mart Discount Stores in 692 locations, Wal-Mart Supercentres in 2933 locations, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets in 183 locations, SAM’s CLUB in 609 locations and small format stores. In Argentina, Wal-Mart has 4 subsidiaries with 64 retail chain units. Wal-Mart has 10 subsidiaries in Brazil with 484 units in their retail chain. Wal-Mart Canada has 2 subsidiaries with 325 units of retail outlets. In Chile, there are 285 units in their retail chain under 6 subsidiaries. In China Wal-Mart have 6 subsidiaries under which there are 338 units. In Costa Rica Wal-Mart have 4 subsidiaries with a retail chain of 183 units. Under Mexico y Centroamerica there are 3 subsidiaries also performs business in El Salvador with 78 retail chain units. In Germany, Wal-Mart had 85 stores which were taken over by Metro and now Wal-Mart has no operational ac tivities in Germany. (Wal-Mart abandons German venture) In India Wal-Mart have 6 retail chain units under the subsidiary called as Best Price. Mexico y Centroamerica also operates at Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua with 177 units, 58 units and 62 units of retail outlets under them. In Mexico Wal-Mart have 1789 retail outlets under 6 subsidiary of Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica. ... idiaries of Wal-Mart in the various nations mentioned above were under taken by Wal-Mart with the help of acquisitions, some of them are Asda, the Seiyu Ltd., Seiyu Group, etc. (International Operations) For Wal-Mart if we divide the geographic region of operation as International and US market. Then it will be evident that, the Net Sales value of Wal-Mart in US exceeded over $260 billion and 3,804 retail units for the year of 2010-11. The operating income also increased by 3.1% to $20 billion (approx). While the consolidated net sales figure of Wal-Mart in the 15 countries they are operating net sales value amounted to $109 billion and 4,557 retail units for the year 2010-11. The net sales also grew by 12% and the operating income increased by $5.6 billion. The net sales value of Sam’s Club was $49 billion and 609 retail units for the year 2010-11. The increase in net sales was 3.5% over the previous year. (Wal-Mart 2011 Annual Report, 4-9) b) Wal-Mart’s Foreign Exchan ge (FX) Risk Management Policy Is centralized or decentralized? A firm opts to take risk for maximizing their profit on their areas of unique expertise. While, a firm with non-financial activities tries to minimize their foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk (Wallace, 2). Wal-Mart as a retail management chain operates in US and 15 other countries. As per the Foreign Currency Translation policy of Wal-Mart â€Å"The assets and liabilities of all foreign subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The income statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated using average exchange rates. Related translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other accumulated comprehensive income.† (Reimer, 774) This shows that all the financial transaction systems are

Pricing Strategies Essay Example for Free

Pricing Strategies Essay When designing a marketing plan each and every component is of prime importance. The marketing plan basically consists of four components or as we call them, the four P’s. The product, price, packaging and the place all combined together can make the product successful. They are all interdependent. The Segway is a new invention in the market and is the first of its kind product. Products of this sort are priced high because it is not long before competitors enter the market and take away the profit share for the firm. Pricing is important because it helps position the product in the minds of the consumers; it forms an image which helps attract the target market. If the product is overpriced than the target market will not purchase it and the expected sales level will not be achieved, the same will happen if it is underpriced. The main issue with the pricing of Segway was that the product was catering to a different sector and this sector could not afford to spend so much on the piece of transportation. The price at $4500 was considered to high for a product such as this (PistonHeads. com, n. d). One of the reasons for the failure of Segway in the early years was the price that the company was charging. Customers did not see why the product was priced so high and the utility that they would gain out of it. The market that the product was catering to is the people who walk to work; they either do it to get the exercise or don’t have money to spend on taxi fare. For those who want to exercise, buying the Segway would be useless as the whole point of exercise would be lost and for the others, the product was too expensive a buy. Also, initially when the product was launched, the market for such a technological product was at its initial stages. The concept did not exist and people did not get used to idea. Today when gas prices are rising, people would consider this option of transportation. The sales in recent times have been growing as people can not afford to put gas in their cars. From this we can conclude one thing and that is, when purchasing an item there are many external factors that influence the customers decision. People are getting used to the idea of spending this amount as they realize that maintenance of a car would cost them the same amount. (Whiteman, 2008) The marketing strategy that I would have adopted would have been different, assuming that it did not cost much to product the product. I would have priced the product high but not this high; initially it would have been around the $3000 margin but after a few months this would have come down and more versions of the same product would have been introduced. Also, the best way to market this product was to let the target market demonstrate it and like every other vehicle, take it for a test drive. Once people use it they would realize the ease of use that the Segway would give them. This is an invention and the customers don’t realize its need until or unless they have I in their lives, just like the microwave oven or the cell phone.

Blood Work :: essays research papers

The fictional novel I decided to read was called Blood Work written by Michael Connelly. The book is pretty much about a FBI agent, retired because of his recent heart transplant surgery, he is living a retired life on his boat by himself when a girl named Graciela Rivers shows up. She tells the main character, Terry Mcaleb that his new heart is from her recently murdered sister, Gloria Torres and asks Terry to come out of retirement to find out who murdered her sister.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I really liked this book because it had a very interesting story line with many twists and turns along the way. The story follows Terry in his search for Gloria’s murderer. Along the way he gets many leads such as 2 previous unsolved cases of people murdered in cold blood for no apparent reason. Throughout the book almost all of the leads that were talked about turned out to be useless I found this to be a waste of space. But after the bulk of the book is done Terry makes the connection between the other murders that all of the victims had a rare blood type, the same rare blood type which made it so difficult for him to find a heart for his surgery. After this point the books story starts to pick up again and it all comes together when he finds out that all 3 of the murders were committed by one of the serial killers he never caught as an FBI agent known as the code killer. The code killer killed all of these people specifically so that their organs would b e put up for donation and Terry would get a new heart, the killer wanted him to live because of him. The book comes to a really good ending where all of the loose ends are tied up.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What I did not like about this book was all of the wasted space and time. The book itself had a really good story but could have been told much better. I found that after the problem was stated at the start of the book it all just turned into Terry going after the same useless leads over and over again. The author could have left all of that out of the book and it would have been much more exciting instead of getting the feeling of dragging on until near the end when it picks up again.

Life Changing Essay

In life, we all know something that has changed the way we perceive people and events. Most meaningful events that have changed our perception can be our experience that we have gone through and learned from. Life-changing experiences play an important role on our development. Whether adults or children, we are affected by our experience which could impact us immensely. Personally speaking, my previous experience have affected me significantly. One is my first job experience, the other is my first-time experience of living in a brand-new country. Firstly, my first job experience greatly affected me. I remember that I was working at a Taiwanese restaurant. It was a really busy restaurant with five to eight employees. My manager told me that being a good waiter, it is important to smile and have a good attitude. I was not doing a great job on my first day of work. I was not really happy, because I made a lot of mistake, including messing up customer’s orders, no smiling, and a bad service attitude. I was judged by my manager. However, I believed that practice would lead to improvement and I never gave up, keep learning and practicing the working skills. After that, I became a mature and efficient waiter. In addition to above experience, communication and co-operation are also what I learned on my job. For example, when I served my customers for the first time, I was too shy to talk. But the most important thing for a waiter to know about is customers’ needs and expectations. Lack of communication with customers will not achieve this. After working for one month, I learned how to communicate with my customers. Furthermore, co-operation between co-workers is also important. I learned how to work with other waitresses/waiters and understood more about teamwork. For instance, my manager would allocate the tasks to us and every waitress/waiter needs to be aware of his/her responsibilities. The most difficult moment of co-operation is during the business hours, because employees need to be more understanding of each other. Secondly, living in a new country is my other significant experience. I lived in England for two years. When I first arrived in England, I lived with a host family in Oxford. Language and unfamiliarity with the city are the biggest problems that I faced. My most unforgettable moment is my first day of going to school in Oxford. I could not speak English and I felt lost in a new area. At that moment, body language was my only tool to help me find my school. I still remember that I was thinking about taking a bus  school, but I didn’t know where the bus station was. I tried to use my body language to ask a passer-by. It was fortunate that a gentleman understood my body language and my school address. After that, he brought me to the school. My first experience in England positively affected me. Looking back, my first job experience made me grow up and come outgoing. It also taught me about work co-operation. Before my first job, I did not like talking, I was shy when I was talking to people. But now, I am never shy of talking. Moreover I can say that right now I understand more about how to co-operate with my people, because I learned on my first job. The advantage of my England’s experience is that I learned a new language, I became independent and my adaptability became stronger. Previously, I could not speak English, but now I can fundamentally communicate with people in English. Also, â€Å"living by yourself, supporting yourself, paying your bills, and having total freedom over your domain is truly life-changing. It changes your perspective on solitude — it’s nothing to be afraid of, and can be pretty great — and shows you that you are capable of managing things by yourself if the need ever arises.† ( from THOUGHT CATALOG, 7 life-changing experiences every girl deserves to have, BY SOPHIE MARTIN, Mar.11, 2014 ). I believe that when you travel to new country and live by yourself, it will definitely make you become independent. Lastly, my adaptability became stronger since I lived in England. A strong adaptability make me more easily integrate into a new environment. In conclusion, life changing experiences are really important to us. In my case, my first job experience and my first-time experience of living in a brand-new country are what led to change in my life. Co-operation skills, independence, adaptability and language skills are what I learned. Obviously, people can definitely learn something through their life experience. These experiences are our life lessons that lead to our future.