Teachers: Unsung Heroes of the World

DEDICATION * * * This reflection paper is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the world—TEACHERS; To all morally upright and just individuals whose sense of integrity and humility are rooted deeply within them; To Mr. Books who never fails to inspire me with his words and wisdom; To my parents and my mentor, EXPERIENCE, for making me understand at an early age the essentialities of life here on earth; And to my Creator, You are beyond the superlative degree of adjective. You are the Minerva and the hair of Samson in my life. You have always been there leading me along the path that I have chosen! I salute you all! – K. A. P. C. * * * Introduction The writing technique that I used in this paper was a little different than those that I have written before, specifically during my undergraduate studies. In here, I made use of chapters instead of uninterrupted, paragraph by paragraph account. The reason is as simple yet complicated as to how a raindrop is able to produce rainbow with different colors from a single beam of sunlight or how a prism bends white light into different colors. As to this paper, each chapter reflects the unforeseeable and offensive truths that The Story of Teddy Stoddard implies, which are often hard to swallow by many people maybe because of pride or blindness. These paper includes both reactions and reflections. Commonly as it has always been, the story of Teddy Stoddard was no different with a lot of movies that I have watched and stories that I have read and heard before—all of which had communicated the same genre as the former. It is but an ordinary ripped page, no rarity or unfathomable terminologies, existing behind the great literary masterpieces of the world. But with its simple approach and language to whomever the reader may be, paired with its emotional quality, is like one of my favorite movies—Titanic. I can watch it over and over and cry to my hearts’ content time and again. On a profound understanding of the story, I was able to nod my head as each word of the story mumbled deeply within me as if letting me know that there is more to teaching as there is more to life. The story does not only happen in real-life teaching where some teachers tend to act like Mrs. Thompson but as well as in many other fields of profession and even in congregation of ordinary people. Let me discuss first, in a broader perspective, the story’s implication to human and life before I discuss the minutest details of its implication to the teaching profession and to me as a teacher. Chapter 1 Myths of the World Ever wonder why the world is becoming evil? Or why in spite of many sound philosophies and theories of education the world continues to move forward to its downfall? Why almost all men, especially educated men, are more foolish than a beggar on the street? Simple. A beggar is the happiest man in the world when somebody drops a coin in front of him, but to a man who knows a thing, a coin will do him no good unless that coin happens to be gold. We only worry on things that concern us or have direct effects in our lives. Those that do not seem to matter in their diminutive, powerless forms are taken for granted—consider Teddy’s case for instance. Nero, Alexander the Great, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Hussein, Bin Laden and many others who are like them—weren’t these men, who had been leaders of their own dominions, able to earn a degree in college? Unfortunately, none of them was able to show genuine compassion towards their subjects, was able to leave something behind that future generations can make use of. It is not very often that people thank Hitler or Hussein for what he did because not many are born with mental retardation. (But of course, Teddy’s gratefulness to Mrs. Thompson was a different matter. ) It is very obvious to notice that only a few people in the past —Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Ghandhi, Mandela, and others—were able to show what real compassion means. As for Einstein, he’s a genius. Yet there is a fine line between genius and insanity. Had he only made use of his common sense, world leaders of today will stop accusing each other on issues about the use of nuclear weapons. Einstein’s actions were enough proofs that, even to genius, common sense is not very common. Thus, our first myth is: Not everything that glitters is gold. 1 Even other metals or â€Å"rusty† metals can reflect light and can have shiny appearance if furnished well. What and whom am I talking about? Find it out The Story of Teddy Stoddard. When I heard the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death, I did not believe it in an instant. What if it were a mere propaganda of Obama’s administration? What if Bin Laden’s look-alike were the one who got killed? Or did he really have a look-alike? From the book that I find no time to finish reading, entitled The Road Less Traveled, Scott Peck discussed what he termed as scientific tunnel vision—that is, according to him, â€Å"patients [people] are able to see only a very narrow area directly in front of them. They cannot see anything to the left or to the right, above or below their narrow focus. † I would strongly agree that, too often, a lot of people in this world, including I, have this kind of vision. We find it too difficult to look beyond the surface of things. Our perception of the world is no more than skin deep or subjective like that of Mrs. Thompson’s. Thus, the second myth is to see is too believe. 2 We are realists or materialists most of the time in the sense that what we see is independent to what we think. An object continues to exist independently of the mind. Mrs. Thompson were aware of the presence of Teddy. He comes to school, takes exams, et cetera. Yet, Mrs. Thompson ignored to use her mental faculty to the most logical and sensible manner that she could to diagnose the problem of Teddy. It’s like when a man and a woman were seen by somebody moving out a motel. It is not hard to imagine what would immediately come in the mind of the observer. It is a prejudice akin to judging the book because of its worn-out cover. Having been explained that ‘seeing is believing’ is not always reliable, it is to be rejected. What we hear or see is not what we should always believe in. At times, we need to be idealists. There are times when we need to be rationalists, or skeptics or moralists, so on and so forth. There are even times when we need to be generalists. Remember this overused line: â€Å"Together we stand, divided we fall†? Adopting only one philosophy in life is discriminatory but it surely will lead us somewhere although our vision will be much like that of a tunnel. As for me, too much is enough. If these â€Å"too much† ideas being introduced to us at any given time anywhere in the world will solve human strife, it should have started a long time ago. Sadly, it did not. Sometimes, I feel disoriented into thinking how men, through the ages, are able to move forward, leaving the world behind at its deterioration. Or how a teacher is to be promoted whose responsibilities to his pupils he failed to accomplish. Nonetheless, everything comes and goes, and all that remain are unfinished businesses. At the end of the day, when exhaustion from every day work pays me a visit, I just sit and try to remember one thing that I learned from The Little Prince: â€Å"What is essential is ‘invisible’ to the eye. † It amazed me how Mrs. Thompson was able to realize her mistake and was able to understand the concept of â€Å"invisibility† on the latter part of the story. He that never changed any of his opinions never corrected any of his mistakes; and he who was never wise enough to find out any mistakes in himself will not be charitable enough to excuse what he reckons mistakes in others. † -Shakespeare- No matter how intelligent, how good, how rich or how respected a person is, it is an undeniable fact that he often commits false accusations and hypotheses. It’s our n ature as humans. Even philosophers and men of God cannot escape this inevitable â€Å"offense† because whatever their beliefs are, they too, commit mistakes. Luckily, we can bail out of this â€Å"offense† because of Alexander Pope who once wrote metaphorically, â€Å"To err is human. . . † but it didn’t just end there. He further added, â€Å"To forgive divine. † Thus, forgiveness itself cures mistakes. But there is an exemption: Laws are created because not every mistake can be excused by a simple sorry. Here comes the concept of pride. From this, the third myth arises: â€Å"Everybody can forgive†. Why is that? The sentence seems to be lacking. Nobody forgives unless he forgets. We will remain prisoners of our own hatred unless we forgive and forget. But doing both things is as hard as judging oneself. The good things about the story were Mrs. Thompson’s humility as a teacher to correct what she had done wrong and Teddy’s disregard of anger towards Mrs. Thompson. In all of these things that I have written, one thing in life, for sure, is universal that applies to all men: We see unrighteousness when we are right; we do not see righteousness when we are wrong and, there is no such thing as â€Å"between right and wrong†. It is a necessity , therefore, to evaluate ourselves continuously. It might appear as a science-related issue as to how Mrs. Thompson metamorphosed from unrighteousness to righteousness. An â€Å"ugly caterpillar† once she might had been, she later transformed into a â€Å"beautiful butterfly† who was able to touch the life of a unique wild flower named Teddy. Thus, we can never tell what type of impact we may have on another's life by our actions or lack of actions. Whatever and whoever we are, let us not stop remembering that the best gift we could give or receive is touching a life and making a difference on someone’s life. As Gandhi said: â€Å"We must become the change we want to see in the world. â€Å" So the last myth is: Butterflies are beautiful to look at especially on their colors. It’s a paradox. Why? Because a butterfly is a camouflage of a caterpillar that it once had been. A caterpillar can live without being a butterfly, but it is impossible that a butterfly will appear without being a caterpillar. The underlying fact about it is that it CHANGES—from ugliness to beauty (like Mrs. Thompson). Same principle applies to humans. But most of the time, the reverse happens. â€Å"Are we caterpillars who get fat by obtaining nourishment from leaves until they finally run out r are we butterflies who add beauty to flowers every time we perch on them? † -Kristel- Like a butterfly, each of us has/had bones in our closet and we act according to norms as a camouflage of our little â€Å"secrets†. True? Hell, right! Freud was a genius with his concept of id, ego and super ego! â€Å"All humans have behavioral problems. A person with behavioral problem is not normal. If you’re normal, then you’re not human. † (Kristel, 2011) Chapter II â€Å"What Does It Take To Be Human? † In light of my twenty-one years of existence, the world has shown and taught me so much that it can offer. Though most of the time, asking how and why things behave in ways I cannot understand is like dragging myself into a labyrinth. My own logic often convinces me that doing such a thing is just putting myself into a dilemma. People and books can give answers but their answers often lead to another chapter which makes it become very obvious that life really is an indecipherable puzzle. A lot of life’s opportunities, difficulties, persons who are dear to me have come and gone in my life—opportunities that caused me to have regrets, challenges that taught me the importance of humility and loved ones who made me cry. Through all of these I realized that whether we take life seriously or not, it has never been easy to take. Life is difficult and it will always be that way. But once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. Life, aside from its being difficult, is finite as well. This is the greatest truth in the world. Because of this truth, we, humans, have tried everything to outdo earth’s rotation by shortening ten years of men’s consistent labor to its half. This was made possible because the birth of industrialization gave humans the need to invent. Destiny dictated our triumphs. But is it a triumph or a failure that the birth of machineries is able to overpower Time? The answer is evident. Because of our obsession to change the world, we forget to change our attitudes. I guess the reason why a lot of people, specifically people in the past who often â€Å"defy† and critique norms, die poorly and unlamented is not because their beliefs are right but because society’s attitude towards them and their attitudes towards society fail to have a point of tangency (like in Geometry) thereby they are excluded in the â€Å"system†. Human weakness is power and too often, as power strengthens esponsibility weakens (in Physics, it is termed as inverse proportionality). Spider Man said: â€Å"Great power comes great responsibility† but when one is greater than the other, there arises masters and slaves. After I read The Story of Teddy Stoddard, I came into deep deliberation of what it takes to be human and trust me, I do not know if people would agree, for we all have our own way of thinking, that to be human is to become conscious that we are not in power to rule but we are responsible to serve. This would be more realistic if action would speak louder than words. CHAPTER III What Does It Take To Be Teachers? First and foremost, teaching had never been in my list of one-of-many things that I dreamt of doing someday. Well, truthfully, I believe that none of them really have been brought into realization. My first love was architecture but my true love is writing. Life really is not everything. Things that we do not expect happen as if they were to tap our backs to say â€Å"Hey, learn from us! †. When I was just a little girl, though living was as tough as it is now, I was always wondering what I would be someday. First, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. I was in grade school then when I thought of it. My sister and I used to pretend that we were teachers. We used to write on a mini chalkboard that our mum bought for us using varied colors of chalk. I have always been the one pretending as teacher and she was my pupil. As years past, when I finally entered fifth grade, I thought of becoming a journalist instead. My classmates often think of becoming like that so I decided to do the same. The feeling was similar when at one time I terribly ached for sweet candy because my playmate happened to have one. Things happened too swiftly before I realized that I was already a high school student. A year before my senior year, I was so sure of taking architecture in college. I discovered that I have a talent in designing houses and decorating their interiors. It has always been my passion to draw houses and appreciate the beauty of them whenever I go to places. It was on my last year in high school when I wished of becoming a writer and at the same an architect, and a teacher, and . . . and . . . well, I wasn’t quite sure right on that very moment. I lost my momentum. Perhaps I have been so engrossed of thinking over what I would be like. It was like trying to become ten different persons all at once though I knew that I was just an average. I mean, I was just a nobody way back in high school and up until now. Thin. Pimpled face. Shy. Unpopular. Out-of-style. Hermit. And other disgusting adjectives that one would happily attach to my name. I found that my previous ‘detention centers’ were too tight and were ‘pains’ in my ass. College life was different. I found freedom, comfort, appreciation, and friendship. I have the difficulty liking my course because I was forced to take it. I mean, nobody forced me to. It was I, myself. During that time, I feel like there’s nothing else to choose from so I took it anyway. My parents were not able to send me to prestigious college or university in the city because of lack of money. Architecture was, thus, forgotten. But in spite of that, I was learning wonderful things each day in college. I was beginning to be comfortable with the new environment and the people around. But I still could not accept the fact that I would soon be graduating despising the course that I have taken. But, but . . . things really happen for a reason, you know. God has His way of sending blessings in disguise. Even though I failed to fulfill my greatest dream, I somehow feel that I am leading on the right track though too often a few destructions shake my momentum. Sometimes I think that God put me into this profession because He wants me to learn and unlearn things in life. Or why I took the life that a few people in the world would buy. Or why I am making life difficult when on the other side is a greener pasture to walk on. Mother understands me for the decision that I have made, though father is not as understanding as her. I know that deep within them they want to see in me the daughter that they wanted me to be —happy, the one that would take them out of poverty, earning a much higher salary, self confident, and candid. I do not know. All I know is that when we hold on to our principle, we will be like a tree fixed on the ground—full of nourishment to give away yet never moving forward up to its death. Up to this day, I as well do not know the reason why I teach until I read The Story of Teddy Stoddard. I admire Mrs. Thompson because she was able to make a big difference on Teddy’s life. Someday, I wish I could do the same thing not only by being a teacher but by being human on this planet that I am living in. Now that I’m in the teaching profession, I am beginning to realize what it’s like to be human and to be a teacher. Some people may raise their brows on us making us feel so sick, others may say bad things about us as if they had never been bad all their lives. As for me, humility really matters. Within the four months of being in my line of work, I can say that there is more to teaching than meets the eye. Teaching is difficult. So far, it is what I can say. Difficult to the point that aside from everyday teaching, I meet a lot of people with different personalities wherein sometimes a person who doesn’t know how to control emotions or does not comprehend right from wrong may probably just burst out. Thank God, I am learning a lot with people who are as imperfect as I am. (Am I this bad Sorry. Hehehe! Peace! I’m not just in good mood today. OOO) I guess you have heard someone said: â€Å"Politics is not dirty. The ones who make it dirty are the people involved in it. † Same thing happens in teaching even with Mother Earth, but I do not want to discuss it further. For crying out loud, I am too judgmental! Peace every one! I, too, make mistakes! A lot of moral lessons can be taken from the story. I am beginning to have an extraordinary motivation to write as many pages as I can though my time is running out (it’s not that I’m going to die soon . . . L. O. L! just busy). I believe that there are many Mrs. Thompson in the world who transformed from being caterpillars to being butterflies. Some may even remain as caterpillars. I, well, I do not know what I am. Sometimes I am a caterpillar, sometimes a butterfly. I cannot run away from being a caterpillar especially when anger hits me. Anger is a state of mind. How can I escape from anger without losing my mind? But I am the type of person who, most of the time, does not speak out what I want to say (In teaching, we must be careful with the command of language. Everyone has his own interpretations). As an escape, (heheh) I write everything down on a sheet of paper. At least, through it, there’s an indirect communication. I can even delete words that seem not quite good to the reader. It’s not because I want to please everybody because that is hypocrisy. It’s just that people will not be satisfied unless they have scrutinized every inch of us. If enough were not enough, trust me, scrutiny won’t end. (What am I doing right now? Am I not scrutinizing? L. O. L! OOO) From time to time, we must weigh things up. We are never always right neither always wrong. Acceptance is a key to a contented and harmonious living. The Story of Teddy Stoddard tackles the concept of acceptance. In connection to teaching, a lot of teachers say, and too often I try to agree, that once we are in the system, we have to face facts, to accept things as they are. No but’s, but that’s how the world works. Many people have tried to reverse its working, but they all ended being ridiculed and condemned. What’s the relevance of all these things that I’ve written into taking Master’s degree units? I do not know, but one thing for sure is I know: as I continue learning, I am ‘knowing more and more about less and less’. It’s a cliche, but literally cleared my mind up (deep sigh). . . Thanks be to God! You’re my everything! Chapter IV Insights Gained From Mrs. Thompson and Teddy: Relevance to My Growth as a Teacher and as a Person Today, teaching for me is perceived as art with passion. It has its intricacies that a truly devoted and passionate individual can only see. It is mastered so as to get the best out of the worst from the learner. It is not merely an act of inculcating ideas to young learners that may turn these young individuals to become mere copycats of the indoctrinator. Asking thought provoking questions elicits active and creative reasoning. Teaching is not telling the individual the what’s, the why’s, and the how’s of life. Teaching is just giving the learner facts that will guide him to find the answers for himself. â€Å"Teach with passion,† this I heard several times from a former teacher. Love to teach. Be passionate. Let the child feels you are a part of the process. With your guidance he will discover the facts of life. Be enthusiastic in teaching no matter how insignificant the topic may be. Passion and love for teaching make one an effective teacher. No amount of master’s degrees can equal a committed teacher who has loved to teach and has mastered the art of teaching. It is not in the amount of accolades or recognition a teacher received that define success. It is through the eyes of these young minds that benefited from your guidance. A tyrant teacher is remembered indifferently but a good teacher is admired forever. We pass this life only once. Leave an impact so others may continue the work started like what Mrs. Thompson did! Chapter V My Philosophy in Life My philosophy in life is simple: Life itself is a philosophy. Never take it easy. *** End â€Å"It is hard to fill a cup which is already full. † â€Å"A little learning is a dangerous thing: -Mother of Neyteri, Avatar- Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. † -Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism

Interpretation of the poem, “Sa Aking mga Kabata“ Essay

The first stanza speaks that Rizal wants us to love our own language and it is a gift from above that was given onto us to be grateful of. It is a blessing that like any other nationalities we were gifted of. We are aware that Rizal was motivated to write this poem during the time of Spanish supremacy because we were under their colony. He addresses us to love our language for it is our step towards liberty. As Rizal correlated it to a bird that can freely fly up in the sky, it has a will to fly wherever it wants to go and whatever it wants to do. But if this bird is in a howl like us, Filipinos, who cannot stand for what we believe is right, we will never experience independence. The next stanza implies that a nation that loves a God-given language also loves freedom. â€Å"For language is the final judge and reference upon the people in the land where it holds and sway.† A Filipino who loves his native tongue will definitely fight for his freedom seemingly like a bird â€Å"lumilipad nang pagkataas-taas para sa mas malawak na liliparan†, a person who preserves the marks of its liberty, as man preserve his independence. Language is not merely a communication tool but as an expression of one’s identity, of one’s individual and social consciousness. Without a common identity, there could be no real sense of nationhood. Love and use of one’s native tongues was one of the badges of a true patriot . In the succeeding stanza, Rizal compared the person who doesn’t love his native tongue from a putrid fish. Just like a fish which originally lives in water, stinks every time it goes out of its place. Like some of the Filipinos that we could observe, we could see that when they have reached a foreign country and adapted the foreign language and culture, they tend to forget their own. And as they have adapted that culture, they will be so haughty to despise and scorn their own fellowmen. They hide and cover their identity for being a Filipino even though it’s very discernible. They just make themselves look foolish and shameful. And with the last two lines from the third stanza, Rizal addressed to us that our own language must be cherished and should not be forgotten because it’s a very valuable possession of our own country. Fascination when we discovered that Rizal was just an eight-year-old lad when he wrote this poem. At a very young age and a boy who grew up speaking several languages, it is very inspiring to hear someone say these lyrics with such great nationalism with great love of his own tongue. Reflecting our past, we saw ourselves unconsciously patronizing foreign languages. We wanted to be those whites who have slang tongues. Where have our native tongues has gone? We were gaining colonial mentality without our awareness. The bad news is, we allow it to happen. And what Rizal was trying to resound is that even our very own Finally, the last stanza implies that we, just like the other nations existing, have its own exceptional characteristics that we can be greatly proud of, those distinct qualities of being a Filipino such that the blood itself that runs through your veins, the culture, and your innate YOU is a certified Filipino that you can never obliterate. Sad to say, the cornerstones established by our forefathers to come up with a better country is now into annihilation†¦Annihilation caused by the influx of challenges doomed to spoil what we have Reason: Jose Rizal was then eight years old when he wrote this poem because he wanted to reveal his earliest nationalist sentiment. In the poetic verses, he proudly and pompously asserted that a people who trully love their native language will definitely srtive for liberty like the bird which soars to freer space above. Indeed, he is a great hero! was dedicated to the Filipino Youth. Interpretation of â€Å"My first inspiration† The word â€Å"inspiration† has two levels of meaning: the conventional one we use every day and the root meaning rarely used in modern language but always present as a connotation of the other: (1) Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity, and (2) The act of breathing in; the inhalation of air into the lungs. This poem speaks to (2) in the first stanza: the breathing in of sweet aromas on what is declared to be a â€Å"festive day.† The second stanza moves to the sweet, musical sound of birds singing in the woods and vales on such a day. The third stanza, of course, begins to merge the two images in a subtle way: the birds â€Å"start† to sing (or are startled into singing) by the sound of the wind blowing. The wind would supply them breath for singing, but it also seems to â€Å"inspire† their singing, as in (1) above; that is, it stimulates them to a high level of activity. In the fourth stanza, the spring of water tunes its murmur likewise to the sound of the breezes (zephyrs) as it flows along among the flowers. Hence, in this first half of the poem we have music of birds and brook â€Å"inspired† by the wind; that is, the very air we breathe. And also we breathe the fragrance of the flowers (among which the brook flows), for it is borne on the wind. The imagery of these first four stanzas is, thus, neatly tied together, giving us a sense of the festivity of a beautiful spring day in nature. The poem could be complete at this point; it would be a sweet little nature poem, a song. But the poem moves in a different direction now. Why does this day seem so much brighter, more beautiful than others? Why is morning brighter today? The next two stanzas answer this question. The poem, it turns out, is addressed to the speaker’s mother, and it is her day of â€Å"blooming† (birthday, probably). The perfume of the flowers, the songs of the birds, and the sound of the bubbling brook all celebrate her day, they â€Å"feast† in her honor. They wish her all the best: â€Å"Live happily ever after.† Now the poem becomes more fragile, more understated. For one’s â€Å"dear mother† is also one’s inspiration–there at one’s first breath in life, there to move one toward creative acts or ideas. But to say that in so many words would be trite and sentimental. So in the last stanza the speaker acts out the feeling. Joining the music of the brook (and of the birds and the winds), the speaker will play upon a lute. The mother is asked to turn from Nature to Human art, from the birds and the brook to the sound of the lute expressing emotion wordlessly. And what is the â€Å"inspiration† that moves the lutist to play? Why, â€Å"the impulse of my love.† The speaker’s love for the mother. The mother’s love reflected in her child. This is the first sound of music, which is inspired by the mother/child love; but, indeed, the whole poem–the music of its verses–has already been inspired also in the same way. I think you should be warned, however, that is not THE interpretation of Rizal’s poem (indeed, it is an interpretation of a translation, which may or may not accurately reflect the original–especially with its carefully, but somewhat laboriously rhymed stanzas, ABBA). Therefore, this is MY interpretation. There will be as many as there are readers, and one’s written interpretation never adequately conveys one’s experience of the poem–which will always be beyond words. It is, furthermore, merely AN interpretation. There will be as many others as there are readers. I am curious: what is YOUR interpretation. That’s what’s important to you. I hope mine may have been helpful to you, but it cannot be definitive. Reason: Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration)-was dedicated to his mother on her birthday.He was delighted to see his mother, Doà ±a Teodora Alonso, released from prison that same year so he dedicated the poem to her. Interpretation of â€Å"My last Farewell† Interpretation The first stanza speaks about Rizal’s beautiful description of his Fatherland. He used the biblical Eden to describe the Pre-Hispanic Philippines which is an imaginary time of purity and innocence. He adores the beautiful country that he and others are fighting for. He said that he is glad to give his life to Filipinas even though his life was brighter, fresher, or more blest than it is now – pertaining to the time when he wrote the poem. The second stanza speaks about the men who gave their life to his beloved country. Rizal said that their dedication and patriotism to the country is without second thoughts. It doesn’t matter how one struggles, that all struggles, all deaths, are worth it if it is for the good of the country. The third stanza speaks about Rizal’s love of liberty. The image of dawn that Rizal used in the first line signifies the liberation that he adores. In the third and fourth line, he says that if the colour of liberation lacks his blood, he must die for the country to attain freedom. The fourth stanza presents the flashback of Rizal’s love for the patria that started when he was young. He was young when he saw the martyrdom of the GOMBURZA and promised that he would dedicate himself to avenge one day for those victims. His dreams were to see his country in eminent liberation, free from sorrow and grief. The fifth stanza repeats Rizal’s dream of complete liberation. â€Å"All Hail!† signifies that he is positively welcoming the dawn of freedom after his death. He also repeats what he has said in the third stanza that it is his desire to dedicate his life to the Patria. The sixth stanza describes the image of Rizal’s grave being forgotten someday. The grassy sod may represent the country’s development, the growth of liberty, and that with the redemption of the country, he becomes forgotten. Rizal does not say here that he wants monuments, streets, or schools in his name, just a fond kiss and a warm breath so he could feel he is not forgotten. In the seventh stanza, Rizal says he wants to see or feel the moon, dawn, wind, and a bird over his grave. The moon’s beam may represent a night without its gloom like a country without its oppressors. The imagery of dawn has been repeated here and its radiant flashes represent the shining light of redemption that sheds over his honour. Only the wind will lament over his grave. The bird does not lament him but sings of peace, the peace that comes with liberation and the peace with which he rests below. In the eighth stanza, the metaphor of the sun drawing the vapors up to the sky signifies that the earth is being cleansed by the sun like taking away the sorrows and tears that has shed including his last cry. Line 3 reminds us to remember why he died – for the redemption of the country. And he wants to hear a prayer in the still evening – evening because he may also want to see a beam of light from the moon which he stated in the stanza 7, and that it is before the dawn. Prayers he stated that will make him rest in peace in God’s hands. Rizal said in the ninth stanza that he also wants his fellowmen to also pray for others who also have died and suffered for the country. Also pray for the mothers, the orphans and widows, and the captives who also have cried and have tortured, and again, for his soul to rest in peace. The tenth stanza says that Rizal’s tomb is on the graveyard with the other dead people. Rizal says that in the night, he does not want to be disturbed in his rest along with the others and the mystery the graveyard contains. And whenever we hear a sad song emanating from the grave, it is he who sings for his fatherland. In the eleventh stanza, Rizal says a request that his ashes be spread by the plough before it will no longer take significance. His ashes represent his thoughts, words, and philosophy making it his intellectual remains. The symbolic ashes should be spread all over Filipinas to fertilize the new free country long after he is forgotten. The twelfth stanza again speaks about being forgotten but Rizal does not care about it anymore. Oblivion does not matter for he would travel far and wide over his beloved fatherland. He keeps his faith with him as he sings his hymn for the nation. Rizal says goodbye to his adored Fatherland in the thirteenth stanza. He gives goodbye to his parents, friends, and the small children. He gives everything to Filipinas. Now, he satisfies his death by saying he will be going to a place where there is peace – no slaves, no oppressors, no killed faith. He is going to a place where God rules over – not the tyrants. Finally, in the last stanza, Rizal cries his farewell to all his fellowmen – his childhood friends, and his sweet friend that lightened his way. In the last line, he repeats that â€Å"In Death there is rest!† which means that he, being ready to be executed, is happy to die in peace. Reason: As the name (which Rizal himself did not give) suggests, this patriotic poem was Rizal’s final farewell to the land he so adored before being executed by firing squad. Since he arranged to have it delivered to his sister Narcisa he did intend that it should be published. Presumably it was intended to serve as a rallying cry to his fellow patriots who opposed the Spanish subjugation. Rizal dedicated this poem to his dear fatherland Jose Rizal talks about his â€Å"Goodbyes† to his dear Fatherland where his love is dedicated to. He wrote it on the evening before his execution. Interpreation of to â€Å"the Filipino youth â€Å" In the poem Rizal praises the benefits that Spain had bestowed upon the Philippines. Rizal had frequently depicted the renowned Spanish explorers, generals and kings in the most patriotic manner. He had pictured Education (brought to the Philippines by Spain) as â€Å"the breath of life instilling charming virtue†. He had written of one of his Spanish teachers as having brought â€Å"the light of the eternal splendor†. In this poem, however, it is the Filipino Youth who are the protagonists, whose â€Å"prodigious genius† making use of that education to build the future, was the â€Å"Bella esperanza de la Patria Mia!† (beautiful hope of the motherland). Spain, with â€Å"Pious and wise hand† offered a â€Å"crown’s resplendent band, offers to the sons of this Indian land.† In the poem Rizal praises the benefits that Spain had bestowed upon the Philippines. Rizal had frequently depicted the renowned Spanish explorers, generals and kings in the most patriotic manner. He had pictured Education (brought to the Philippines by Spain) as â€Å"the breath of life instilling charming virtue†. He had written of one of his Spanish teachers as having brought â€Å"the light of the eternal splendor†. In this poem, however, it is the Filipino Youth who are the protagonists, whose â€Å"prodigious genius† making use of that education to build the future, was the â€Å"Bella esperanza de la Patria Mia!† (beautiful hope of the motherland). Spain, with â€Å"Pious and wise hand† offered a â€Å"crown’s resplendent band, offers to the sons of this Indian land.† â€Å"A la juventud filipina† was written by Rizal when he was only eighteen years old, and was dedicated to the Filipino Youth. Dr. Jose Rizal composed the peom, To The Filipino Youth, to the youth of the Philippines. He wanted the Filipino youth to use their abilities and skills to excel not only for their success but also for the success of the country. Dr. Jose Rizal wanted us to develop our talents and use them to help those who are in need. Interpretation of â€Å"They ask a verses† He wrote this because he was actually asked for verses. He reminisced his childhood days. It can be seen in the poem how he missed the Philippines very much and how painful it is for him to leave his motherland.

Death of a naturalist Essay

In the poems presented, the main theme of parent and child relationships can be clearly illustrated. For example, Catrin which is composed by Gillian Clarke emphasises the theme of how powerful the bond is between parents and children. This point can be clearly addressed as Clarke provides the perfect metaphor ‘Red rope of love which we both fought over. ‘ The use of such a graphic metaphor highlights how humans have an instinctive need to protect their children. Furthermore, by a mother remembering such a graphic event at child birth in particular the vocabulary ‘red rope’ shows how bearing a child is one of the great duties of life. Furthermore, this moment of becoming a mother addresses the theme of how important children and parent relationships are. However in contrast, Seamus Heaney who wrote Digging isn’t addressing the point of child birth with the use of quite graphic vocabulary. Instead Heaney highlights the main theme of parent and Child relationships with tradition with the use of the metaphor ‘I’ll dig with it’. The use of presenting this quote as the last line emphasises how he respects his father’s ability to provide. Which on line fifteen is sophisticatedly composed ‘By God, the old man could handle a spade. ‘ This quote highlights how he idealises his father suggesting that Digging is another poem based on the instinct between the bond of parents and family. In huge contrast to both these poems, Johnson who presents On my First Sonne addresses the poem as an epitaph. The use of the structure being an epitah highlights the theme of parent and child relationships. This particular theme can be highlighted as it emphasises the emotions of a parent bidding farewell to his seven year old child. The quote which can highlight my point is ‘Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy. ‘ This quote emphasises the theme quite clearly as it uses the words ‘child of my right hand, and joy’ these words highlight that there is a strong bond between poet and child which is the main theme of child and parent relationship. However, even though it uses the following theme like the other poems. There is a contrast from Clarke and Heaney as this is a poem mourning the relationship which Jonson treasures ‘my right hand, and joy. ‘ Just like Jonson’s poem, The affliction of Magaret also deals with loss. However, instead of mourning the death of a child it presents a mother who laments the loss of her son at sea. This poem relates to the theme of parent and child relationships as it shows just like Catrin the duties of a mother. Implying that by the pain and suffering of any mother at child birth such as Magaret you start to worry and assume the worst. ‘Where art thou, my beloved son, Where art thou, worse to me than dead? ‘ This quote highlights the worry of a mother and that like Clarke and Johnson it emphasises the parent and child relationship through mourning like Johnson and by her past memories as her attitude of her son just like in Catrin. In all of the poems mentioned there is a frequent use of poetic techniques to present the way a poem is. The use of enjambment, can change the tempo of a poem and create and overall effect and theme. This point can be emphasised by Heaney ‘He straightened up to drink it, and then fell to right away. ‘ The use of this particular quote emphasises how enjambment speeds up the tempo. This also shows to the reader in between lines that Heaney idealises his grandfather as stronger and better than any other on Toner’s Bog. This point of idealism can again be addressed On My First Sonne as Johnson uses the term ‘his best piece of poetrie’. Emphasising just like in Digging that he has respect for his son and family. Even though as a reader it must emphasised this poem is an epitaph for a son that has passed away. However, when relating back to the original point of enjambment On my First Sonne uses the quote ‘will lament the state he should envie? ‘ This quote presents a sombre tone and expresses the grief of a man. This view contrasts with Digging and Catrin ‘strong long brown hair’ depicting the child in a good view much like the other three poems. This again emphasises the struggle of children and that bringing a child into an adult will always be a struggle for an adult and that it has its rewards. This contrasts to My First Son and Affliction of Magaret ‘I question things, and do not find’ or ‘one that will answer to my mind and create the effect of eternal grief’, as Margret has heard no word from her son. The Affliction of Magaret also becomes intertwined with Catrin because they are both forms a mother’s point of view. Furthermore, they show an over exaggeration of there ideas ‘as you may ask may you state in the dark, for one more hour,’ in Catrin and ‘seven years alas! To have received no tidings to an only child’ From the Affliction of Margaret both poems show the characteristics of motherly fears and begin to portray them to the reader. Therefore, we tend to emphasise with the poems and feel their emotions such as anxiety. In all the poems I as a reader can highlight certain grammar techniques such as similes and metaphors. For example in Digging, ‘ the squat pen rests’ and in Catrin ‘the red rope of love’ both create using grammar techniques to make the emotions of love an connection. In Catrin it creates a joyful mood by the use of the metaphor. However, in My First Sonne and Affliction of Margaret they use metaphors in an entirely different effect. In the Affliction of Margaret it uses the quote ‘seven yeeres thowert lent to me, and an incommunicable sleep. From this quote it shows My First Sonne and Affliction of Magaret show sadness and death. This helps create a sombre mood overall. Similes are also used in all four poems ‘snug as a gun’ from Digging as it suggests that Heaney finds poetry comfortable but by writing he makes those around upset and lose face just like the use of a gun. However, in Catrin there is also the use of metaphors to create no comfort like Digging. The use of the extended metaphor that calls child birth a ‘struggle’ and a ‘fierce confrontation’ suggests that parenting is hard and although the struggle of child birth appears hard, parenting is a simply a continuing process ‘still I am fighting you off. ‘ In conclusion this essay has highlighted different issues such as idealism. Furthermore, I have shown the huge contrasts when the poet explores parent relationships. Like in Oh my First Sonne it deals with an epitaph. Whilst in Catrinit deals with the beauty of child birth. Lastly, the affliction of Magaret deals with the death of a child.

Healthcare Informatics - The reassurance of Measles and the World Research Paper

Healthcare Informatics - The reassurance of Measles and the World Health Organization - Research Paper Example Besides, a detailed analysis of the issues in making better decisions especially on the selection, implementation and support of systems by various health organizations and departments would be taken into concern. Moreover, the discussion would also focus on assessing the current strategic procedures of the healthcare institutions for planning and managing informatics projects that ensures to meet clinical, compliance and financial needs of the organizations. Identification of Information Systems Technologies, Processes and Theories Applicable to a Healthcare Problem With reference to the empirical description of World Health Organization (WHO), measles has been identified as one of the highly transmittable viral diseases which affect mostly the children. However, according to the observation made by WHO, there does not lay any specific and appropriate treatment process for combating with measles and most of the patients suffering from this disease generally recover within two or thr ee weeks from its inception (World Health Organization, 2013). ... Moreover, the intervention of Computer Stored Ambulatory Record (COSTAR) system and Regenstrief Medical Record System (RNRS) also enables the physicians towards reassuring the recovery of measles at large. In order to determine the theories applicable to a specific healthcare problem, the integration of Health Evaluation through Logical Processing (HELP) can be regarded as one of the major aspects for the contemporary clinics to effectively address medical problems. The integration of this process enables the institutions to improve medication management along with reducing treatment costs of the clinics and the patients as well (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2002). Analyzing Issues important for Decision Making on the Selection, Implementation, and Support of Systems The selection, implementation and adequate support of systems of healthcare informatics have been recently observed to play a decisive role for different healthcare organizations. The organizations in this present healthcare industry are likely to select and implement the most appropriate technological aspects in order to increase the efficiency and accountability of their range of healthcare facilities. However, the decision making based on the aforesaid important often face various issues that have been analyzed in the following. Issues Important in Making Decisions The selection of appropriate technological features including infrastructure elements and other required tools along with applications in healthcare service often face with various sorts of issues. In this context, the selection of advanced technological elements can significantly create issues associated with convenience and costs that are incurred during the treatment process. In

Increase in prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Increase in prices - Essay Example However inflation cannot always be termed as "bad" if seen in terms of higher money incomes. The higher prices of everything would result in higher receipts for resource suppliers and hence a growth in their income levels. Inflation usually results in the standard of living to decline because it now costs more to buy the same amount of goods and services. However there are some cases where the rising prices do not necessarily mean declining living standards. Following are some of the factors: Nominal Income: If the economy is suffering from a period of rising prices and at the same time there is a commensurate rise in the level of income, this would not lead to a decline in living standards. This is because the increase in prices is offset by the proportionate increase in income, resulting in an unchanged consumption pattern. This is assuming everything else is constant. Real income: This is the income that is adjusted for inflation. In cases where the nominal income is rising but the rate at which it is growing is less than the inflation rate, it would not lead to a boost in the standard of living. This is because the inflation will erode the purchasing power of money and people will be spending the extra income in the purchasing of the same amount of goods and services. ... Since almost all countries are plagued by inflation, people look at their real income to determine their purchasing power rather than the nominal income. Tax structure: In an economy where there is a favourable tax structure, the spending patterns are high. This is due to the fact that even though inflation is prevalent, people still have more of the disposable income left over after their regular purchases. The spending patterns have a multiplier effect and in turn lead a general boom in the economy. The excess spending means people are demanding more goods and services signalling to the producers to produce more. Since the level of production needs to be increased, producers would demand more labour and more production would thus lead to an increase in the national income of the country. To sum it up, tax breaks given to the people will not lead to a decline in the standard of living even in the presence of rising prices. Labour: If the economy has more of the skilled labour as compared to the unskilled workforce and the labour productivity is high, this would also result in a higher standard of living. This is attributed to the fact that since the labour is skilled it would demand higher wages for each extra output it produces. Since the employers would want to retain the skilled labour, it would have to pay higher wages otherwise the labour would find jobs elsewhere. The higher wages would cause more spending and this would maintain or boost the standard of living even though the economy might be in the grips of inflation. Interest rate: The level of interest rates in an economy is an important factor in determining the spending patterns of the consumers. If the interest rate is low, then borrowing is

Why we should learn English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Why we should learn English - Essay Example There are over four hundred million native English speakers worldwide and over five hundred million, opt for English as a foreign or second language. Although the percentage of people using English the world over is just about 15% of the world’s population, the importance of learning English stems from the fact that it has become the most useful lingua franca for people around the world. English is the main language of international business and diplomacy. It is considered the language of communication in international conferences, scientific and medical conclaves and the official language at world bodies like the United Nations. In today’s world of electronic communication and Information Technology, the use of English has assumed even greater importance. Most data processing is done in English as are satellite transmissions and telex messages. News and information available at the click of a mouse or on television is mostly in English, and Face book and Twitter are ot her examples of how exchange of ideas especially among today’s youth, is carried out in this universal language. Education is another field where the English language is very important. Top universities in the world use English as the medium of instruction. International students therefore need to learn the language in order to gain admissions to such world class learning centers.

Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations - Essay Example It is worth making note of the fact that, this covers about ninety nine percent of technological developments in human prehistory...the period extends from hominines like australopithecines who lived about two and a half million years ago to the end of Pleistocene who lived about ten thousand years ago. It is this stage that preceded Mesolithic period. There are so many events that necessitated human evolution namely; the desire to eat cooked food that, led to the invention of fire. The need to find more food that prompted mankind to procedurally better his tools both for hunting and cultivation. The need to protect them not only led to the development of weaponry but also made fire relevant for scaring wild animals (Lubbock, 2002). The desire to acquire items that they did not produce necessitated the commencement of trade or commerce. The unpredictable climatic conditions led to the start up arithmetic to study the stars for hindsight on seasons, the study on weather and climate and arithmetic. This period is distinct with the development of human technology. It began at about ten thousand and two hundred BC, in some parts of the Middle East and later on in other parts of the world. (ASPRO chronology) to between four thousand five hundred and two thousand BC Traditionally regarded as the final part of the Stone Age, this period followed the end Holocene Epipaleolthic period underpinned by the commencement of agriculture which led to the Neleolithic revolution. This period ended with the wide spread of metal tools in the copper age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age (Toth & Schick, 2007). Neolithic period is termed as a progression of cultural, behavioral and cultural elements and transformations such as, man’s adoption of wild fruits and his attempts to start domesticating crops and animals. The on set of Neolithic culture is regarded as Lavant. The culture is said to have developed from the

Compare one of the two indian captivity narratives, of either mary Essay

Compare one of the two indian captivity narratives, of either mary rowlandson or mary jemison with the film the searchers - Essay Example The story begins when the Jemison was kidnapped from outside her home in Pennsylvania. She did not speak for several days, and the first time she uttered a word, she said â€Å"I want to die† (Jemison 13). After arriving at Fort Duquesne, she again spoke only to tell her captors her name (Jemison 21). However, in the course of her silence, Jemison slowly began to accept the Seneca culture. She began speaking in Seneca language and comforted two sisters who lost their brother in a combat against the English (Jemison 25-6). The two small events started her immersion in the tribe’s culture, and it was even furthered by her marriage to a Delaware member, Sheninjee. She built a family with her spouse, and even before her son Thomas was born, she is almost completely immersed in the Indian-American culture (Jemison 31). She felt contented with her life there, and even when she was widowed, she pursued a second marriage within the tribe, even proclaiming to an escaped slave th at she is â€Å"one of the Indians and she is a Seneca† (Jemison 44).

The Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde - Essay Example He reveals the hypocrisy of the member of his society through the contradicting actions of the same person. Without law there is no crime. Law is about norms and the societal standards of what is considered good or bad in a particular community. This is a society in which the doctor was highly regarded. He was respected by all and this can be verified by the attitude of Utterson who is even concerned by what the doctor had written in his will. It is common knowledge that for every right and privilege that one enjoys there is attached responsibility. The doctor was overwhelmed by the responsibility attached to his title. He was supposed to be gentle, genuine, intellectual and a gentleman as such. Deep inside, he wanted to engage in activities that can be considered wild and may not well have been compatible to his title and status in the society. He is unable to engage in these wild dreams because of his conscious which dictates his action according to the expectations of the society of his status. As a result, he is unable to engage due to guilt. To be able to satisfy his fantancy and at the same save face for his original personality, he sets up a concoction that changes his personality at will and engages in his dreams. In His induced personality, Edward Hyde is reckless and is not as caring as is expected of a physician. In this state, he tramples upon a little girl and the scene is witnessed by Enfield. This indicates his hypocrisy in his original personality. As a physician, he would not have been expected to undertake such an act. Hyde is a major suspect. Through all the acts that Hyde is able to accomplish without the suspicion leading to the â€Å"Good Doctor† we are able to see that as much as the doctor enjoyed evil deeds likewise he enjoyed the prestige associated with the personality that ironically he felt bound to. In anonymity of the strange personality and secrecy of not being known as the culprit the doctor’s

Biology Discussion 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biology Discussion 4 - Essay Example g carried out across the world to establish the role of probiotics especially of intestinal lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus, in enhancing immunity, aids in overcoming constipation, common cold, supports in combating cancer of colon and also to check the antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), together with other diseases of intestine encompassing irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance, to influence cholesterol levels, blood pressure, minimizing inflammation, reducing the incidence of peptic ulcers. Besides the impending advantages, probiotics are also known to portray some serious side effects encompassing lactobacillus septicemia, obesity etc ("Probiotics"). Lactobacillus is the most dominant organism in the vaginal microflora. As the vaginal microflora directly influences the establishment of infants gut microflora soon after the birth it directly implicates the kind of response child exhibits towards environmental conditions as well as allergies. Evidence suggests that diet during pregnancy may affect the establishment of vaginal microflora. During summer season the consumption of water is more as compared to the winter where consumption of rich food more of solids and heat providing food is taken in. During the course of birth the fetus passes through the vaginal canal and hence first exposure to microbial world takes place. Depending on this exposure, microbial flora in the gut gets established (Thoma et al, 2011). Probiotics mainly contains Lactobacillus besides other microbes and probably respond in a different manner towards established intestinal microflora for the children born between January and June as compared to the childr en born between July and December. Thoma, M. E., Klebanoff, M. A., Rovner, A. J., Nansel, T. R., Neggers, Y., Andrews, W. W., Schwebke, J. R. "Bacterial vaginosis is associated with variation in dietary indices". J Nutr. 141(9): 1698-704.

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scene 1 Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scene 1 Essay William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is known to be as one of the most prominent and recognized plays to every have been written. The authors capability has created a magnificent play, relating it with happiness and tragedy, love and hate, and this play will be used now and in many years to come. The extract that will be analyzed in this commentary is quite significant therefore it will have plenty of ideas and meanings that will be extracted and explored from the text. The events that have lead up to this scene can be seen as tension builders because the reader is now beginning to suspect that something may go wrong at some point in the play. Firstly, Benvolio fears meeting the Capulet family, knowing that a fight will surely occur. Previous to this, Romeo and Juliet are now planning to get married, which creates more tension because the reader knows that their marriage will not last for long. In this extract, Mercutio taunts Tybalt, looking for a fight between each of the characters, but Tybalt refuses because he is looking for Romeo, whom he was to slay and murder. However, once Tybalt has found him, Romero refuses to fight, and Mercutio is disgusted with his decision. The reader knows the Mercutios rage is building and that he will in any moment commence a battle throughout the Verona streets. The authors purpose of this extract is to in other words, basically tell the reader that there will soon be a tragedy amongst them. To do this, the author has used language that gives the reader a better idea of what is occurring throughout the play. Firstly, the author uses words, repetition, insults and humor to reveal masculinity throughout the scene. The words that are used can be related to diction because the author uses specific words in order to produce this diction and create an even better tension build scene. The author uses words like fiddlestick, occasion, rat catcher, hate, injuries that allow the reader to predict to upcoming events that will take place in the play. Dramatic irony is also a very important theme throughout the extract. The reader is convinced that they know what is going to occur, but the characters have no idea what events are to come. The author also uses a term that is known as identity name. This term is related to each character that has a specific meaning in the play. In the extract, Mercutio represents instinct and passion. Tybalt represents aggression and violence and Benvolio represents peacekeeping. A very important part of the extract is when Romeo enters the scene. This is because it marks the beginning of his fall and death in the play. The tone throughout the scene can be seen as aggressive and violent. The writers attitude is quite poor because Mercutio and Tybalt will be coming to their deaths at any moment. In conclusion, the author utilizes many meanings and ideas that can bring the scene to life, creating a more realistic and interesting way of seeing the many different terms he uses in order to produce this play.

Strategic planning Essay Example for Free

Strategic planning Essay 1. What is the difference between strategic planning and tactical planning? Strategic planning is the process of determining an organizations primary objectives and finding and implementing steps that will achieve the objectives. Tactical planning is setting short-term actions that are needed to compete larger strategies. 2. what is the difference between a business plan and a marketing plan? Business plan is a detailed plan setting out the objectives of a business, the strategy and tactics planned to achieve them, and the expected profits, usually over a period of three to ten years. Marketing plan is a strategic plan at the functional level that provides a firm’s marketing group with direction. The strategy for implementing the components of marketing; creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging value. 3. what is the purpose of a marketing plan? It is a road map that improves the firm’s understanding of its competitive situation. It helps the firm allocate resources and divvy up the tasks that employees need to do for the company to meet its objectives. 4. what are the two elements of every marketing strategy? 1)product strategy-product development strategy – creating new products or services for existing markets. 2)market strategy-market penetration strategy – selling more of existing products and services to existing customers. 5. how would you describe first-mover strategy? A market innovator, not a follower – Corporate level strategy theorizing that being the first organization to offer a product in the marketplace will be the long-term market leader. 6. what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a first mover? Three advantages of being first: technology leadership, control of resources, and buyer switching costs. The disadvantages: later entrants can overcome advantages, must heavily entice customers to try new type of product ( high education expense), some first movers may become complacent with changing customers needs. 7. how would describe second-mover strategy? Corporate level strategy theorizing that closely observing the innovations of the first movers, and then improving on them can help an organization gain advantage in marketplace. 8. what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a second mover? Advantages: ability to observe competitors’ successes and failures. Lower risk in product development and less controversy. Revising rather than creating and competitor surprise, and stealing market share rather than creating it. Disadvantages: persuading customers to â€Å"switch,† communicating your value add.

The Impact of ICT in Contemporary Diplomacy

The Impact of ICT in Contemporary Diplomacy HOW HAVE THE CHANGES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AFFECTED THE ROLE OF THE MODERN DIPLOMAT? INTRODUCTION It is no longer news that the revolution of Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) has revised the practice of conventional diplomacy. Lees evident, however, is the extent of the impact of revolutionized ICT on the role of modern diplomats, and how this will either aid diplomatic roles or augment them. In addition, ICT has contributed immensely towards two important elements in the conduct of diplomacy; namely space and time. Communication tools and environments have paved way towards the compression of space and time in the international political environment. For example, the attack of the twin towers in New York in September 2011 was transmitted around the world instantaneously; however, â€Å"the transmission of the news of the independence of America in (1776) to Southern America, took about the same time it took to reach England by ship†( Abeyaoonasekera and Ransinghe, 2012 p.2 ) This is the ability of ICT to narrow space and time differences between states. This essay aims to illuminate this narrative by examining the revolution of ICT in the 21st century focusing on aspects that concern modern diplomats in their functional and strategic roles. Whilst evaluating the role of revolutionized ICT in contemporary diplomacy, this essay specifically discusses the utilisation of ICT as a positive too, in diplomats achieving international relations objectives. ICT has not only created equality between players in the international political environment but it has also brought awareness to the general public. In the end, I will highlight the enormous opportunities available to diplomats and their representing countries on capitalizing on ICT. THE ICT REVOLUTION The end of the cold war brought a pragmatic restructuring and advent of two important factors: the increase in the size of the members in the state centric world system and the astronomical development in science and technology. Development in science and technology have become drivers in the international political system and knowledge of such trend in major field has become an essential prerequisite to effective international negotiation and conduct of relations by diplomats. As a result, ICT is now an unavoidable part of everyday life as well as integral element to large scale economic, social and political restructuring. Nevertheless, strategic advancement in ICT has changed the communication environment. Ranging from the first satellite, Anik 1, a Canadian satellite evolved in 1972 (Pierre, C. 2003), to internet (Formerly known as ARPANET) in 1983 and then the establishment of the World Wide Web in 1991. It has evolved to the point where instant messaging has become the norm. However, the Global system for Mobile Communication (GSM) has provided a new platform to effective and efficient communication. In addition, the World wide web, has replaced radios, telephones and televisions and has compelled them to include themselves in making the world wide web the primary source of information and communication in the world. File sharing; video conferencing, audio and visual streaming have transformed the simple presentation of information to be more complex but yet interactive, efficient and speedy. The technologized world of today has empowered citizens to constantly evaluate, and upgrade their socio, political and economic bonds. However, business communications and transactions are largely conducted using ICT. This is an era where digital signatures are gradually replacing conventional ones; where paper documentation has also taken precedence over traditional filing. Governments are catching up to the ‘digital frenzy by including information in the public domain, allowing citizens to obtain public services on line. THE EFFECTS OF ICT ON TRADITIONAL DIPLOMACY CHALLENGES A year after the transatlantic war was over in 1886 with the completion of the transatlantic cable between the United States of America and Europe, the United States formed a telegraph office to deal with the new method f communication such as telegraph in international affairs. This development in communication, accelerated diplomacy and restraine the independence excersied by diplomats, thereby centralising foreign plicy. Treaties and gareements were no longer formulated across green tables amngst diplomats with surplus tim (Gottemoelle, R. 2012). As at today, diplomats are still in the ‘catch up’ phase, whilst citizens have embraced the new technologically advanced environment. Nevertheless, the world wide web, the internet, digital imagery have changed the environment in which diplomacy operates. The three factors that enhanced the transformation of the environment in which diplomacy operates are : shrinking costs, increase in capacity, speed of application ( Grant, R. 2004). Advancements in ICT has revised conventional diplomacy, so much that the new diplomacy is known as ‘Public Diplomacy; has been pushed forward as a useful business tool in the international arena connecting diplomats not only with their counterparts but also extending to new activists such as citizens, NGOs, Journalists, etc directly communicating with them in a more sophisticated manne using tools such as image building, reputation management and multiparty dialogue to meet their foregin policy ends which may or may nt result into a compromise. Nevertheless, there is the certainty that the advent of 21st century ICT has reconstructed access to information which has automatically compelled foreign missions and diplomats to adapt to the new system and its practices, in order to protect their national interest. Conventionally, diplomats have been forced to explore methods beyond those encoded in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Missions 1961. Diplomats ae constantly trying to deal with the consequences of the development of ICT, forcefully changing their method of diplomatic conduct to adapt to the fast rising media and non-state actors who have complicated the diplomatic profession, which is now operating in a multi polar international system. Whilst citizens and the corporate world at large, have several primary roles such as collecting information, representing their home country†¦etc. THE EFFECT OF ICT ON THE ROLE OF MODERN DIPLOMATS THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ICT ON THE ROLE OF MODERN DIPLOMATS Being one of the earliest forms of international relations in the state, diplomats play the following roles; negotiator, mediator, information manageing, and messenger. In addition, diplomats also act in recncialiation, conflict resolution and preventive diplomacy. This section of the essay, examines these roles in details and how ICT has either contributed or augmented the service delivery. INFORMATION GATHERING Information is an essential aspect of diplomacy. Most if not all actions in iplomacy are taken based on information. Information dealt with by diplomats is highly sensitive and confidential. As a result, diplomats have the responsibility to negotiate with the sensitivity and confidentiality of information. However, ICT plays a vital role provides necessary tools to ensure efficient management. The economic, political, and social conditions and giving feedback to the headquarters remains a key role and function of a diplomat. However, this has transformed in the technologized age. Prior to this, diplomats, had the responsibility of collecting newspapers and transporting them to the foreign missions. But the information age has enabled diplomats to adopt sensitivity to local and cultural relations to provide analytics of crucial information filtered out of media and other important actors such as NGOs an the public at large byy fllowing online information dissemination and social media tols. Fact finding is no longer as tedious and difficult as it use to be. Information on demographics, is available at the beck and call of a diplomat through internet services such as goggle scholar, Wikipedia, CIA WORLD FACT Book etc. The traditional ‘diplomatic bag’ has been replaced by the use of the ‘intranet’ which can be customized to suit the extreme confidentiality levels necessary in diplomatic communications with access limitations for different level of the heierarchy. Collecting information and data from various sources via the internet and distributing and disseminating it through a structured intranet has and will compress the time and the cost factors that are involved with diplomatic information management. MEDIATION In circumstances, where a face to face dialogue will not be condiuuycive, ICT can help by not only saving time but costs and lives in most cases. Computer led communications can create a safer and non-cnfrontatinal channel of dialogue between groups. An example of this is when the Unite States institute of peace mediated an ICT led peace intitative to put a halt to a 14 year civil war in Liberia enaging Gyude Bryant, the leader of the National Transitinal Goovernment of Liberia in a virtual town hall meeting with Liberian Diaspora on the prospects of peace for the country (Radunovic, 2010). Negotiation Negotiation is an essential role of a diplomat. Bilateral and multilateral negotiaations have gained insight from ICT advancements reaping benefits from the time, space and even cost compressions that have taken place. In a post-recession era where overheads of ministries have dwindled and budgets have been e-concentrated on militarization, ICT has and will be tremendously helpful in the negotiation process. Before the actual negotiation, ICT can play a major role in re negotiation and preparation by creating new channels of information both internal and external that helps There are many situations that take place before actual negotiation between two or more parties, and the use of ICT has made each phase of the prcess mre productive. CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY AND RECONCILITION Effective information sharing acts as the key to conflict resolution, reconciliation and preventive diplomacy. ICT through main stream media platforms and new media can play a big role in supporting diplomats in conflict resolution, reconcialiation and revention efforts. Most especially in situations where engagement of international actors, local activists, citizens and diaspora is necessary for the efforts to succeed, ICT can be used to create awareness and publicity for policy initiatives adpted to address core issues, to create open discussions and receive feedback on ‘state thinking’ amongst non-state actors. The Si Lankan government’s intiative through the Ministry of external Affairs is a good example where e-diplomacy has been employed to educate the Diaspora and the international community on efforts taken in reconciliation and prevention of the re-escalation of the armed conflict which ravaged the country for over thurty years. ICT AS A BOOSTER OF SOFT POWER IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Cyber pwer can be used to produce preferred outcomes within cyberspace or it can use cyber instruments to poduce preferred outcomes in other domains outside cyberspace (Nye, J, S. 2012). An enormous number of people are beginning to rely on ICT fr information ad communication. The diplomat’s audience is no longer confined to his external counterparts and internal cllegues. He is force to interact with ndviduals supplying their own souces a blogs to terrorists producing and web publishing graphic videos of killings ( Grant, R. 2004). The following are situations where ICT can be sed in achieveing two major elements of Public diplomacy RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AMONGST KEY DIPLOMACY PLAYERS A diplomats relationship is no longer exclusive. Diplomacy has lost its exclusivity and ability to operate in insular, protected circles. Influence is no longer in a single direction i.e from diplomats to citizens. Diplomacy has become more democratized (Grant,R. 2004). Therefore, diplmats should embrace this democratization and expand their utreach and use ICT tools to manage the ld and new players in the system. Virtual deks and netwoks connecting key players such as the academia, NGOs, corporate, citizens and the Diaspora, active participation/interactions in the ‘blogsphere’ and social media can induce confidence and trust and credibility amongst the new players such as NGOs, corporate, citizens and the Diaspora, active participartin/interactions in the ‘blogsphere’ and social media can induce confidence and trust and credibility amongst the new players such as NGs and citizens wh have immense mobiliing power in the public domain. ADVANCEMENTS OF POLICY GOALS ICT has been used for advocacy amngst players such as NGOSs, interest groups etc. It is a well knwn fact that the ‘Arab springs’ which took overthrew regimes and the policy fabric of the Middle Eastern world was ably supported by new media tools. Similarly, foreign policy gals cn be lobbied by government through the use of ICT tools. The ‘CNN EFFECT’ which became popular during the Gulf war era has been put forward as an example where media has been the driver of foreign policy of one major state (Piers, R.. 2010) . ICT can be used not onlyl as a river, but also as a ‘producer’ of consent aimed at achieving policy goals of a government. (Saddiki, S. 2006) . CONCLUSION Evolution of ICT’s poses fundamental challenges to conventional diplomacy such as breaching confidentiality, promoting openness and transparency, and reducing hierarchy. Despite this, the business case for ‘virtuality’ in diplomacy and diplomatic relations is compelling in that it is more efficient and acts as a leveraging tool. The use of ICT in international relations is especially beneficial to developing countries and countires that are in post conflict resurgence situatins. Furthermore, GSM phones to satellite televisions, emails to the Wi-Fi(internet), to voice and video conferencing over skype have not only revised the way and manner diplomats view the world around them and redefined the manner in which the international environment is being conducted, there has also been an astronomical shift in the international environment. This shift has not only affected the conduct of diplomacy, but also the context in which diplomats carry out their roles. Primarily, an increase in the number of non-state actors, the involvement of citizens in both foreign and domestic foreign policy making all have an effect on the traditional state as it reduces the power of autocratic states. Notwithstanding, modern diplomats are advised to adapt quickly to the new hi-tech communication environment. Furthermore countries such as Nepal an Sri Lanka can use ICT to attract and build networks with Diaspora who have immigrated to other countries due to the country situation and encourage returnees and build broken bonds with them. Moreover, news can be presented in a more authenthic fashion with the se f new media platforms rather than the run of the mill press conferences and statements ssued in connection. ICT can not only be used for its functional benefits but also strategically as an advertisement platform of a ountry;s competencies, socio political and economic ideals and realities As mentioned earlier, diplomacy has been democratized by the onslaught of technological advancements . This democratization should be seen as an advantage and not otherwise. In essence, democratization coupled with the decentralization of information has helped forecast events in the international sector gearing diplomats to formulate responses beforehand rather than ‘fire fighting’ during and in the aftermath of an event. Considering all this determinant factors and obvious changes, it is important that diplomats take note of the technological developments and get in to line with the information environment created y them to prevent redundancy in the ICT age. Developing countries, ought to take a step and reassess and analyse the training programmes made available for diplomats in ICTS. In addition, developing states such as Sudan, ought to see ICT should be seen as ‘a blessing in disguise’ that will strengthen their diplomats to overcome either socioeconomic or political challnges that are thrown their way in the path of development.

A Journey Through Writing :: essays research papers

Writing is and essential part of communication in our society. Soon after children are taught the letters that make up our English language, they are taught the basics of formatting them into effective writing. On the job, usually no matter what it is we usually can’t escape the written application, and we almost always find ourselves in a position which warrants the use of food communication skills. Among theses common forms of writing, others are integrated within the daily lives of people around the world. Some people choose to keep journals as a permanent hardcopy of their existence, and others like to write professionally. No matter what the occasion, there are always a few basics that can make your writing better understood, and more openly accepted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this essay I will explore some of the various writings that I have done, and compare and contrast them to some of the more formal writing laws that have been bestowed upon the craft. The coy bought the bat. Such a simple sentence that I have written so many times in the past in my more youthful days. Sentences like this at the time seem like redundant practice exercises, and they are. But when we grow up (literally speaking) and face the real world, we come to appreciate the process greatly. In that sentence we have all the basics or written communication, and then some. Amongst the noun and subject and so on, you find alliteration for example. Alliteration, when used correctly can be a powerful way to enhance your writing, and make it seem more sophisticated. And that’s what everyone wants to do right, come off as intelligently as possible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let’s explore that in a little more depth. When I am writing on an assignment, or some other formal; type of writing, the style is usually much different. For example I don't try to use fancy techniques and a whole lot of jargon to sound good, I just write. On the flip side, I don't like using poor language and slang terms in formal writing. It just seems to be more appropriate the way that I do it. But, there is a limit. For instance, the more technical terms and jargon that you insert the more people that you exclude and possibly turn off from your work. Most likely if you are looking in a dictionary or a thesaurus all of the time, other people will have to do the same, and most would rather not go through the trouble.

Kaleidoscope Essay -- Descriptive Essays

Kaleidoscope â€Å"Some are transformed just once / And live their whole lives after in that shape. / Others have a facility for changing themselves as they please.† -Ovid It finds its way into my hands—the small kaleidoscope—a trinket my grandfather passes along to me after finding it at the bottom of his toolbox one afternoon. â€Å"Hold it up to the light, Lauren,† he advises me, upon witnessing my attempts to unlock the kaleidoscope’s magic by aiming it towards the shadowy pavement. With hands clasped, eyes squinted, and head cocked, I finally spot the colored chips, a glittering lattice of blue, green, and yellow, stagnantly arranged and defined. â€Å"Turn it, now,† my grandfather orders, smiling. Suddenly, the clear composition unravels. It becomes a moving color war, triangles and rectangles interacting, skirting around one another to form patterns that linger only fleetingly before changing again. I gasp, intrigued. â€Å"That’s the beautiful part,† my grandfather observes. â€Å"It’s beautiful when it’s turning.† The challenge of cleaning out my desk drawers in preparation for the move to New York results in my stumbling across an old coloring book. I leaf through the pages, startled by the number of pictures I’d left only partially colored. With quick, shaky movements, it seems as if I had simply jumped from shading one image to the next, as if there were something complete about leaving the figures incomplete. Sitting at my desk, fourteen years older, I laugh at my rendition of Big Bird, whose characteristically yellow feathers I had made blue and whose feet (I suppose I had decided) were altogether undeserving of color. And yet I get a sense that thi... ... of wholeness, but the acceptance that I’ll always be a work-in-progress that creates the satisfying illusion of completeness. Although ignorant of his own words, my grandfather has gotten it right: It is beautiful when it’s turning. We, as human beings, are not able to ossify what we perceive to be our â€Å"identity†; it will be forever changing—a kind of surreal, confounding, and complex reflection of our human experience. We possess innumerable facets, like little tubes of color that remain separate until some creative force removes all the caps and mixes them together. It is that mà ©lange that initiates a masterpiece of identity—a masterpiece that is ever changing and never quite finished, but fulfilling in its progression. And it is precisely this understanding that makes the next stroke of the brush a little bit clearer, the portrait itself a bit more revealing.

Samson, Gregory, and the Herdsmen in Romeo and Juliet and Caius Marius

Samson, Gregory, and the Herdsmen in Romeo and Juliet and Caius Marius Throughout Shakespeare’s plays, there are minor characters that often occur for only one scene. These characters have a short dialogue which seems rather meaningless to the play; however, these dialogues usually foreshadow or summarize events and themes of the play. Although they have little effect on the movement of the play, they give insight into the underlying themes of the play. Comparing these minor characters and their scenes in three different versions of Romeo and Juliet (the Shakepeare edition, the Garrick edition, and Otway’s adaptation, Caius Marius) show the differences in the focus of each version. In the Shakepeare and Garrick versions, the minor characters are Samson and Gregory who appear as the play opens. In Otway’s version, the minor characters are the herdsmen in Act IV. Samson and Gregory in the Shakespeare Edition Samson and Gregory appear in Act I, Scene I of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Their playful dialogue sets the tone of the play and addresses one of its key issues, that of the feuding families. This feud leads to the fighting which takes place throughout the play, the first of which is begun by Samson and Gregory, servingmen of Capulet. In the play, most everyone has accepted the fighting between the Monatgues and Capulets, even Romeo battles, but some see the problems with the fighting while others merely fight blindly. Although Samson and Gregory both start the first brawl of the play, the two characters display the aforementioned difference of opinions on fighting. The first to speak, Samson, sees the fighting as something that he must do and he brags about his skill as a tyrant. He begins by saying, "On my word,... ...light key themes of the play. The Shakespeare version highlights the feud as a source of turmoil and distress. The Garrick, by omitting many passages, emphasizes the fighting instead of the reasoning behind the feud. The Otway, on the other hand, focuses on political strife and reflects the Exclusion Crisis and the threat of civil war in England at the time by reflecting these ideas in the feud. These small, but key passages, are important tools for gaining insight into the themes of the plays. Works Cited Canfield, J. Douglas. "Thomas Otway." Dictionary of Literary Biography. Ed. Paula R. Backsheider. vol 80. Rochester: The Gale Group, 1989. Hedgcock, Frank A. A Cosmopolitan Actor: David Carrick and His French Friends. Buffield and Company, 1912. Wallace, John M. "Otway’s Caius Marius and the Exclusion Crisis." Modern Philology. 85 (1998): 363-372.

Barker, Social Contract(Rousseau)

In Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau draws some interesting conclusions and makes some very interesting points about the dynamic that human beings have to go through when dealing with each other. His main points in the book have to do with the fact that men are not meant to be held down, nor or they meant to be restrained in any way. Instead, men were meant to run free and be able to make their own decisions as much as they possibly can.I think that this book takes the completely complicated question of human nature and breaks it down in a way that is a little bit easier to understand. The first and most prevalent point in the book is about how people are not meant to be held down or restrained. According to the thoughts of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, freedom and liberty are things that help both people and societies thrive and survive. More than anything else, people desire this type of freedom because it makes them feel like they can do what they were meant to do.In my opinion, thi s is a driving force for societies. Because of human nature and how we are wired, people are not meant at all to be held down and they are not meant to have to conform to what society tells them to conform to. When a society feels like they are being held down or enslaved by another group of people, it is just a natural thing to want to break free of that oppression and spread their wings. This book also takes an interesting look at the role of government and how it impacts the way people treat each other.Like many of the prevalent thinkers of his time, Rousseau holds onto the opinion that big government is a limiting factor instead of being something that has a positive impact on the people it purports to help. With that in mind, government should be limited as much as possible, especially when there is a chance that some sort of corruption exists underneath the surface. I think this is a cynical way to look at life, but given the circumstances that were around for Rousseau and man y of his fellow thinkers, it is easy to see where one might be compelled to think this way.I don’t think that it is necessarily healthy to hold onto this opinion in terms of today’s government, but there are some very interesting lessons that can be gleaned. This book takes the opportunity to touch on a number of political topics and how they affect people and it does not miss. The author obviously has a healthy fear of big government, which was extremely important during his time. I think that the consideration of force among peoples is an extremely important consideration, as well.Individuals can either conform to force as it confronts them or they can take the forces in their way and direct them. I think that it is difficult for most people to grasp having unnecessary force being put on them. As the author wrote in the first part of the book, men were not made to be enslaved, so that is not a natural thing for them to have to put up with. This understanding is essen tial to getting to know human beings and further, understanding society at large.

Beginning of Israel’s History Essay

2006 The Lord said to Abraham, â€Å"I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed† (Genesis 12:2-3). Such promise was made when Abraham had no son hence it was made in reference to the Jewish nation. Willmington (1985) summarized the early history of Israel this way: It is generally known that the nation Israel began with the call of Abraham in Genesis 12, that Moses led its people out of Egyptian captivity, and that Joshua brought them into Canaan. After this the nation floundered under the Judges, fluorished under [the father and son kings], David and Solomon, and fragmented again under wicked King Rehoboam. It finally suffered exile at the hands of Assyria and Babylon, only to be returned and restored to the land by God during the days of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Israel’s Exiles. The northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) were exiled to Assyria in 722 B. C. and to Babylon in 587 B. C. , respectively. These exiles definitely entailed great hardships to the people who were forcibly removed from their homeland to settle in a new territory. Lamentations and weeping were not far from their midst, as the psalmist pictures weeping in Babylon, â€Å"by the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept [†¦]. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill† (Psalm 137†1-4). Going back to the question posted earlier – if Israel is indeed the chosen nation of God, how could such exiles along with the perils of insecurity and uncertainty happen to them? The answer is both political and theological as evidenced in the Biblical accounts of the exile. Politically, the exile was the result of anti-Babylonian policy adapted by the later kings of Judah. Theologically, both Israel and Judah have the tendency to forsake the Lord and adopt the customs of their heathen neighbors. Such Assyrian and Babylonian captivities that Israel experienced were in line with the prophesy of Moses that if proven disobedient, â€Å"the Lord will scatter [Israel] among the people [†¦],† yet, if they would turn to God, He would be merciful to restore them, â€Å"for the Lord [their] God is a compassionate God; He will not fail [them] nor destroy [them] nor forget the covenant with [their] fathers which He swore to them† (Deuteronomy 4:27-31). As fulfillment of the Lord’s promise, in 536 B. C. , Cyrus issued a decree that permitted the Babylonian exiles to â€Å"rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel† (Ezra 1:1-4). This action of Cyrus was predicted by Isaiah about 150 years earlier, â€Å"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, [†¦], it is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My Shepherd! And He will perform all My desire. ’ And he declares of Jesuralem, ‘She will be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid† (Isaiah 44:24-48). It is noteworthy from these Biblical accounts that only the true God can predict the future with total accuracy. Moreover the decree fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophesy, â€Å"[†¦] ‘I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord [†¦]† (Jeremiah 25:12). The Medes and Persians captured Babylon in 539 B. C. According to the NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (1989): The exile served to emphasize the fact that God was in no sense confined to Palestine. He providentially cared for His people in Babylon (cf. Ezekiel 11:16). The experience far away from the land, city and house where the Lord had chosen to dwell, brought to the fore the monotheism of Israel. Their suffering, coupled with face-to-face contact with the realities of false religion, purged the people once and for all of idolatrous desire. Many exiles following the decree of Cyrus remained in the Persian Empire, with the result that in due time Judaism became international in scope. The chastening of Israel is not only evident in the Old Testament accounts. Willmington (1985) cited that, in Jesus’ time mighty Rome ruled over the Holy Land and, four decades after His ascension, [†¦] On September 8, A. D. 70, by God’s judgment, the Jewish Temple in Israel was burned and destroyed by Titus, the Roman general. On October 6, A. D. 1973, by God’s grace, the Jewish state of Israel was saved from destruction from the Egyptians and Syrians. The following is but the briefest summary of those swift-moving, often sorrowful, and always eventful years between [A. D. 70 and A. D. 1973]. These nineteen centuries can be historically divided into ten main periods: Roman Period (A. D. 70-325); Byzantine Period (325-614); Persian Period (614-634); Arab Period (634-1072); Seljuk Period (1072-1099); Crusaders Period (1099-1291); Mameluke Period (1291-1517); Turkish (Ottoman) Period (1517-1917); British Period (1917-1948); and Independent Period (1948-present day). Israel as a Declared Nation A land, a law, a language, and a Lord was given to the nation of Israel when God chose them. But because of Israel’s disobedience to God, God allowed them to be dispersed among the nations as prophesied in Deuteronomy 28. But what God promised in Jeremiah 31:10, â€Å"[†¦] He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock†, He fulfills. After wandering and being dormant and dead for nearly nineteen long centuries, Israel was once again established as a nation in her beloved land in 1948. And at that time, with a population of only 650,000, Israel defended itself against 40 million Arabs in six Arab states that vowed to destroy them. Outnumbered 1001 to 1 in military equipment, Israel won the war, and has won two thereafter. Some of the key paragraphs in the proclamation of Israel’s freedom read as follows: The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and national identity was formed. Here they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance. Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world. [†¦] Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to rally to our side in the task of immigration and development and to stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of generations – the redemption of Israel (http://stateofisrael.com/declaration). Conclusion Today, though much of the south of Israel’s land is desert, it has a fertile plain along the country’s Mediterranean coastline, which makes Israel as one of six nations that produce enough food to feed themselves and others. The Law of the Sabbath is the law of the land for everyone in Israel, though only 5% of the 6,276,883 population estimated in 2005 make-up the God-fearing Orthodox Jew. Furthermore, Hebrew is the official language, the only dead language that has ever been restored to life in the history of mankind. With a land, a law, and a language revived after two millenia, Israel still has one problem – they still reject the Lord, the very God who has made them as His chosen nation. Perhaps, this fact points out to the primary cause of Israel’s exiles and constant struggle for peaceful coexistence with neighbors dedicated to its destruction. Therefore, the next time someone asks what makes Israel the target of various terrorist organizations, and why is it the most disputed strip of real estate on planet earth, the one who understand the nation of Israel can point the answers to both of Israel’s Biblical narratives and historical texts. Works Cited Declaration of Israel’s Independence1948. Tel Aviv. 14 May 1948 (5th of Iyar, 5708). 11 March 2006 . NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible. J. D. Douglas and Merill C. Tenney, eds. Michigan: Thje Zondervan Corporation. 1989. Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, expanded ed. Chicago: Moody Press. 1995. Willmington, H. L. Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. , 1985.