Christians Should Not Take Part In Sport Or Shopping Essay Example for Free

Christians Should Not Take Part In Sport Or Shopping Essay The important thing about this statement is that it can be argued two ways. Many people would see sport or shopping as a chore therefore related to work. Others would argue that it is a leisure activity and it is not work. With this in mind the church instated a law saying that all Catholics must attend mass on a Sunday. The Catholic Church itself has no laws or restrictions about shopping or playing sport on a Sunday. By tradition Sunday was the holy day separated and set aside by the fact the mass going was essential to the days activities. In The Old testament there is a saying in the book of Ecclesiastes saying there is a set and provide time for everything which basically means people should balance out there time between things. In todays society were everything is on the move and rushed priorities should be examined and people should use the gift of time wisely. God himself as many believed set down the day of worship. Sunday has three main important events, which coincide with this day. One: Jesus rose from the dead on this day.  Two: Sunday was the first Day of the week and the first day of creation.  Three: Jesus sent down the Holy Spirit On The Pentecost.  Sunday is also a day of celebration when Catholics come together to give praise to God and to thank God for what he has given all of them.  Sport nowadays has become big business for all involved. Among all the big names in sport no one objects to playing on Sundays because of all of the money involved. This is just a small list of all the sports that are being played on Sundays Although sport is played on money for reasons other the money many include because of TV rights and because of sponsors. Christians should not take part on sport on Sunday because sport is seen as work in the churchs eyes. Many values are expressed in sport such as sportsmanship, fairplay etc.  Shopping is the second of the changing faces of Sunday is becoming the most popular one. Many family lifestyles revolve around the parents work and therefore many parents only get to see their children at the weekends. The weekend is often regarded as the days to get the shopping done and many rely on Sunday heavily. Since seven day shopping was legalised in 1977, many have taken advantage over the law. Teresa Murray head of the N. Ireland Region Of Shopping Centres said Sunday Shopping has become like a leisure pursuit for families and has become an important trading day for people in business. Business provides a service and depending on the demand it either succeeds or fails and on Sunday nowadays shopping has become a demand so in order to make money business open for the maximum hours allowed which is six. Many working families dont have much time to spend so end up using Sunday to spend time with there children or getting tings that they could get during the week such as grocery shopping. All the added time spend on Sundays has increased the employment needed for Sundays. Bob Gourley head of N. Ireland Shop Workers Union said they had been opposed to the Sunday trading laws and had in fact boycotted them for many years but however hard they try Sunday trading has become a reality. Our workers only work on Sunday where it is done by agreement

Heart of Darkness Essay Example for Free

Heart of Darkness Essay Kurtz is the man who Marlow searches for through the Congo. Marlows search develops into an obsession and when the search has ended, he only finds a shadow of a man that was once Kurtz. Kurtz was a man who had achieved great things in his life, inspiring each person he had come across and was expected to accomplish more. He came into the Congo with great plans for civilizing the natives, however he became greedy, which ended up being the subject of his own demise. I had immense plans I was on the threshold of great things. Kurtzs main characteristics were his ability to talk passionately to people and inspire them with his words. He had a charisma that made people feel that he was some kind of a genius. Kurtz was a very talented human being, gifted in many areas. He could not be pinned down to a specific talent. He was seen as a great musician to his cousin that Marlow visits, a brilliant politician and leader of men to the journalist and a genius and humanitarian to his intended. Marlow views him as a universal genius. Kurtz is a round character, who is explored deeply and at times, almost to deep. He is neither the protagonist nor the antagonist, but he is a complex main character within the novel. In places where Kurtz is described, there is imagery of darkness and foreboding evil. Kurtz was an exaggeration of the white people who had come to Africa for money. Kurtzs greed for ivory became extreme and even made him violent and aggressive. He was the idea of the self-made man that was the American dream. It was thought that any man could travel and be wealthy materially and spiritually. He was living that dream for a while, before it swallowed him whole. His ego inflated and he believed himself to be a superior being such as God. He let himself be worshipped among the natives and encircled himself with darkness and evil. Hence, his ideals had changed from his journey through Africa. And he soon became one of the natives. Releasing himself from civilization and restraint. When Marlow finally reached Kurtz, Kurtz had become hollow. Kurtz had reached insanity. He was no longer the great man he had once been. He was hollow at the core. Through conversing with the natives and immersing himself with them, Kurtz lost his restraint, which he had learned through civilization. By taking part in native ceremonial gatherings, he had lost his soul and he had succumbed to darkness. How many powers of darkness claimed him for their own. The reason for his behaviour was his greed for ivory. He gave up his soul only for the sole purpose of money and success. However, his actions are justified as Marlow expresses that leaving a man in a jungle with nothing but himself and the desire to make money, will make him go mad. Without restraint from his own culture, Kurtzs basic instincts were released. Kurtzs appearance had dramatically altered as well. He was extremely thin and had a baldhead; he had also lost the ability to walk. From being a God to the natives, he soon comes to despise them. He sees them as rebels, which is why he has stuck heads on sticks outside his hut. Exterminate the brutes In the end, Kurtz dies just after he has come to realize that he has become the heart of darkness. He is an embodiment of evil and he highlights this by saying, The horror! The horror! Kurtz was an imperialist who was a symbol of colonization, and a symbol of the jungle.

Maybank BHD Financial Performance Analyis

Maybank BHD Financial Performance Analyis CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Production or gain from a financial institution is depending on some issues whether the external control or the internal control. External control refer to the environment in our country like economy growth and inflation that effect the purchasing power of customer as the price of goods increases, customer demand will increase too. The Malaysian economy actually moves together with strong financial system. Strong financial system of a country will contribute to economic growth. Economic growth of a country like Malaysia is measured in terms of real GDP. According to Travel Document Systems (1996) ,since independent on 1957 until 2005, Malaysian economy had grew by 6.5% per year automatically it become the best country in Asia at that time. Banks nowadays struggled to maintain a good performance in order to fulfill its objectives of satisfying their customers, employees, depositors and government according to Askari Commercial Bank ( 2006 ). The evolution of financial system in Malaysia has been significant. 7.2 per cent economic growth registered by the country last year was the highest achievement over 10 years and was driven by the two stimulus packages as well as the management of countrys financial and banking system by Bank Negara said the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (2011) . 1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY Profit is the major focus of why everybody struggles to make sure their business going well as profit is the important sources of funds. This paper will measure financial performance of Maybank Bhd and determinant of data by identifying the profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. It is important to understand the profitability of commercial bank after considering certain factors that may contribute to the profitability. The research is based on the performance of Maybank from 2001 to 2010. 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT A financial institution is a profit-seeking organization owned by shareholders who expect to gain return with the risk associated that they have to face. There are many factors that contribute to bank profitability. According to Bankers Journal Malaysia, for Malaysian Banks, more than 80% of their total income is attributed to interest income. Previous studies have also found that interest income and non-interest income have a positive effect on bank profitability. However besides those banking characteristics of internal variables, there are some external variable that may affect the banks profitability performance that cannot be overemphasized like inflation and GDP. Earlier studies by Al-Hajji, Mohsen (2003) have found positive relationship between the GDP and bank profitability. When GDP increases, profitability of the bank will increase too. Adverse result was found about relationship between inflation and bank profitability. This study will answer the question of how interest income, non-interest income, GDP and inflation rate relate with bank profitability also how is well is the performance of Maybank Bhd during the period of study. RESEARCH QUESTION Dependent and independent variables are studied to find solution about the profitability performance of Maybank Berhad. Factors affecting performance of Maybank Berhad can be comprises into external and internal factors. The criteria that will be evaluated are interest income, non-interest income , interest expenses, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and inflation rate. The intent of this study is to examine the effect of all this factors towards performance of Maybank Berhad. This research problem leads to questions concerning relationship between selected criteria. In this research, there are few question were asked as listed below : 1.3.1 To what extend inflation rate effect the performance of Maybank Berhad? What are the relationship between dependent variable and independent variables ? 1.3.3 What is the factor that most effect profitability ratio of Maybank Berhad? 1.4 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY The main objective of this study is to study the factors attributes to the profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. comprises of interest income, non-interest income ,Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and inflation rate. The study also will determine the profitability performance of bank for 10 years period. Apart from that, there are few supporting objectives to support the main purpose were listed below : To study the relationship between internal variables and bank profitability. To identify whether bank cost and bank revenues will contribute to profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. To determine which factors contribute the most to profitability of Maybank Bhd. To analyze the trend of Maybank profitability over 10years and identify Maybanks strength and weaknesses using certain profitability ratios. SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY Bank profits refer to the return on invested capital and it is important to company as well as the shareholder. Bank profits can be considered as benefit to depositors as it shows stronger, safer and efficient banking system in the increases in revenues and services improvements. Indirectly borrowers also will get the benefits since the bank lending rate depends of ability of banks capital accounts. This paper will focus on some categories as follows: Facilitate researcher to find out the major factors contributing to the profitability performance of commercial banks especially Maybank Bhd. To assist the researcher to be more alert on how to manage and overcome problems that could come together with independent variables and provide guides on how to improve profitability performance. Also provide information on banks profitability strength and weaknesses that could be use by the customers as an evaluation of banks performance. The researcher may also view the performance trend of Maybank Bhd. during this 10 years from 2001 to 2010. 1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY This research paper will focus on the financial performance of Maybank Berhad based on banks profitability. The factors that will be evaluate are divided into 2 which are external factors (Gross Domestic Product, and inflation) and internal factors ( interest income, non-interest income ). 1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY The limitations of this study is the data only for 10years starting 2001 to 2010. Furthermore the data come from secondary data and sometimes may be adequate or accurate. Besides most of the data were gathered from journals, BNM – Maybank annual reports , and articles. 1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.8.1 Profit According to Wikipedia, profit  can be considered as the difference between the purchase  price  and the  costs  of bringing to market whatever it is that is accounted as an enterprise or in a simple word it means money gained in business. 1.8.2 Interest Income Companies sometimes keep their cash in short-term deposit investments such as certificates or deposit with maturities up to twelve months, savings account, and money market funds. The cash placed in these accounts earn interest for the business, which is recorded on the income statement as interest income. Interest income will fluctuate each year with the amount of cash a company keeps on hand and the general level of interest rates as set by the Federal Reserve. (Source: Joshua Kennen – Investing for beginners guide ) 1.8.3 Operating profit The profit earned from a firms normal core business operations. This value does not include any profit earned from the firms investments (such as earnings from firms  in which  the company has partial interest) and the effects of interest and taxes. It is also  known as earnings before interest  and tax (EBIT). (Source:http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/operating_profit.asp) 1.8.3 Profitability Analysis Analysis that assigns revenues and costs to major customers or groups of customers rather than to organizational units, products, or other objects. The results may direct organizational resources toward more profitable uses. It is an application of segmented reporting in which a customer group is treated as a segment. It is especially helpful when combined with an activity-based costing approach that determines which activities are performed for each group and assigns costs based on appropriate drivers. (Source : http://www.answers.com) 1.8.4 Inflation Inflation is An increase in the amount of currency in circulation, resulting in a relatively sharp and sudden fall in its value and rise in prices: it may be caused by an increase in the volume of paper money issued or of gold mined, or a relative increase in expenditures as when the supply of goods fails to meet the demand. (Source : Websters New Universal Unabridged Dictionary) 1.8.5 Financial Ratios Ratios that measure a firms ability to meet its short-term financial obligations on time, such as the ratio of current assets to current liabilities. (Source : The Free Dictionary by Farlex ) 1.8.6 Gross Domestic Product Gross domestic product (GDP) refers to the market value of all goods and services produced within a country in a given period. It is often considered an indicator of a countrys standard of living. Gross domestic product is related to national accounts, a subject in macroeconomics. ( Source : http://erbwikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product ). Interest Expense Interest expense is a non-operating or other expense for the cost of borrowed money or other credit. The amount of interest expense appearing on the income statement is the cost of the money that was used during the time interval shown in the heading of the income statement, not the amount of interest paid during that period of time. (Source : Accounting Couch) SUMMARY In this chapter, we have discussed about the influence of factors affecting profitability performance of Maybank Berhad and the question that need to be answered in this paper. This research examined the bank profitability which focused on both the returns on bank assets and equity, net interest rate margins and net operating margin. High performance comes from effort given by bank management to produce high profit while facing risk related. Firm need to generate income as much as possible as banking institution is a profit-orientation company. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW INTRODUCTION Bank performance depends on the profitability measurement of banks financial statement. It is recognized that the growth of the banking system is dependent on a strong and stable economic development. PREVIOUS STUDY This paper deals with performance of commercial bank, focuses on Maybank Berhad. Some of previous study that relate with this research are Masood et al. (2009) revealed that in case of calculating profitability in terms of ROE or ROA the most significant internal and external factors affecting Saudi banks are capital adequacy ratio, earning assets to deposits ratio, operational efficiency, growth rate in GDP, and banking sector development. He finds also that variables to do with credit risk, inflation rate and interbank offered rate are insignificant and have a low effect on all indicators of profitability. The results in the speech by Tan Sri Dato Ali Abu Hassan Bin Sulaiman, Governor of BNM, (23 September 1998), he stated that since the onset of the financial crisis, BNM had instituted a number of measures , amongst others included tighter loan classficication policy for non-performing loans and a limit on lending for the purchase of shares. Since then, the financial crisis advers ely affected the real economy, resulting in real GDP contracting by 4.8% during the first half of 1998. Year 1998 was a difficult year for the banking system while 1year after that was the recovery year in the performance of banking system. (BNM 1999 Annual Report Press Conference). Haslem (1968) defined profitability as the capacity to gain or profit, or to return a profit or income. Profit is the measured for productive capacity of a company. According to Orl and Yolalan(1990), profitability performance evaluation of a banks should be linked to decision model so as to associate the result obtained with the decision. Meanwhile, according to Bashir and Hassan , (2003) on their study on the factors influencing the profitability of Islamic banks in eight Middle Eastern countries for the period 1993–1998, they find that the higher leverage and large loans-to-asset ratios lead to higher profitability. This study also indicates a positive relationship between macroeconomic variables, stock market development and profitability of banks. Ben Ben Naceur and Goaied (2006) they find that macroeconomic indicators like inflation, GDP, and market concentration ratio have no impact on banks interest margin and profitability. However, financial structure variables (stock market capitalization divided by total assets or GDP) do have a positive effect on the return on assets. Staikouras and Wood (2003) said that macroeconomic indicators (variability of interest rate, growth of GDP) had a negative impact on profitability. Chance and Lane [1980], and Sweeney and Warga [1986] find little evidence that supports the interest rate sensitivity of bank or financial institutions stock returns. On the other hand, studies such as Lynge and Zumwalt [1980], Booth and Officer [19851, Scott and Peterson [1986], and more recently Chaudry and Reichert [1999] suggest that the stock returns of financial institutions are highly sensitive to changes in interest rates.  Different result from Kosmidou and Pasiouras (2007) which they examine how a banks specific characteristics and the overall banking environment affect the profitability of commercial domestic and foreign banks operating in the 15 EU countries and they found that the main determinants of profitability measured by ROAA, macroeconomic conditions (inflation, growth of GDP) and financial market structure (stock market capitalization to total assets or to GDP, total assets to GDP) are statistically significant and related to both domestic and foreign banks profitability. Apart from that, Bourke (1989), Heggested (1977) using the consumer price index (CPI) as a proxy for inflation both of them made a research on relationship between profit and inflation and the result, both studies found that inflation had a significant relationship with profit. Earlier study from Revell (1980). believed that inflation could be a factor in the causation of variations in banks profitability. For studied on total expenses, items that fall within the control of bank management can be broadly divided into 3 categories: staff expenses, provision for loan losses, and other general expenses. Expenses, such as payment for income tax, are considered statutory expenses and hence beyond the control of management. Devinaga Rasiah (2010) . THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK In this study, 4 factors were chosen to be evaluated. They are return of unit trust fund, risk level of unit trust, diversification level and last but not least is risk-adjusted level. Below is the relationship between dependent variable and independent variables. Title : Investigation of The Financial Performance of Maybank Berhad Bank interest income Bank Non-Interest Income GDP Inflation rate Bank Profitability Interest Expense DEPENDENT VARIABLE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY AND DATA 3.0 INTRODUCTION This study will analyze the relationship between dependent variable (profitability of Maybank Bhd) and independent variables (interest income, non-interest income, inflation rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ).This study will covered 10 years data from 2001 until 2010 and will be done using Statistical Package For Social Science (SPSS). Furthermore, hypothesis will be tested whether it can be accepted or rejected. This will provide more understanding view among variables. The advantage of using profitability ratios is that they are inflation invariant that is they are not affected by changes in price levels. This is useful in a time series analysis such as this, where the real value of profits may be distorted by the time varying inflation rates as stated by Devinaga Rasiah (2010). 3.1 DATA COLLECTION Data was collected using annual reports of Maybank Bhd. The data collection was compiled from the financial statement also the balance sheets from Maybanks annual reports for 10 years.. All the data will be evaluate accordingly to see the relationship between the dependent and independent variables also to test the hypothesis. Besides some of the data comes from Internet website like video on news and some articles which contain information about Maybank Bhd. 3.2 SAMPLING FRAME 10 years data was chosen as to see the latest profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. 10 years data is enough to show the flow of performance of bank to see whether it has consistent performance or not and factors which relate the most to banks performance can be determine. 3.3 SOURCES OF DATA The data on Maybank Berhad financial statements and balance sheets were collected using secondary data which come from: (BNM) Bank Negara Malaysia Annual Reports (2001 until 2010). Bursa Malaysia Internet Website. Library books, articles and magazines. 3.4 VARIABLES AND MEASUREMENT The variables used in this study can be categorized into two main types which are, the dependent and the independent variables. 3.4.1 Dependent Variables The dependent variable for this study is the profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. 3.4.2 Independent Variables There are 4 independent variables in this study which are interest income, non-interest income, inflation rate and Gross Domestic Product(GDP). RESEARCH DESIGN Research design involves a series of rational decision making choices. Various issues regarding the topic will be describe here including purpose of study, types of investigation to be make, time horizon and so on. 3.5.1 Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to determine the profitability performance of Maybank Bhd from 2001 to 2010. Besides, this study attempt to analyze the factors relates with the performance of Maybank Bhd. and what are the factor that has the highest impact on Maybank Bhd performance. 3.5.2 Types of Investigation This study involved the multiple regression study on the data from range of 2001 until 2010. This model was chosen because this study has more than 1 independent variable.. 3.5.3 Unit of Analysis Unit analysis for this study are interest income, non-interest income, inflation rate and GDP. 3.5.4 Time Horizon This study will use range data from 2001 until 2010 of Maybank Bhd. 3.7 DATA ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT This study use SPSS, multiple regression study as the statistical tool as to measure how all these variables will influence profitability performance of Maybank Bhd. The multiple regression study will be used to analyze the relationship between dependent variable, which is the profitability of Maybank Bhd and independent variables which includes interest income, inflation rate, GDP and non-interest income. Multiple Linear Regression Model: General Functions: P = f( Inflation rate, interest income, Non-interest income , GDP, e ) Specific Form of Equation: P = a + b1X1 + b2X2 + b3 X3 + b4GDP + b5INF + Where; P = profitability a = Constant b1, b2, b3, b4 = Coefficient Beta value X1 = interest income X2 = non- interest income GDP = Gross Domestic Product INF = Inflation = Error 3.8 HYPOTHESIS STATEMENT There are 5 hypotheses in this study which are: Hypothesis 1 H0: There is no significant relationship between inflation rate and bank profitability. Hypothesis 2 H0: There is no significant relationship between GDP and bank profitability. Hypothesis 3 H0: There is no significant relationship between Interest Income and bank profitability. Hypothesis 4 H0: There is significant relationship between Non-Interest Income and bank profitability. SUMMARY In this chapter, we have discussed about where the data comes from and how the data will be measures to evaluate the significances between dependent variable and the independent variables. The study is designed to examine 5main areas which are interest expense, interest income, non-interest income, inflation rate, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 10 years data from varieties of secondary sources like Bank Negara Malaysia and internet sources will be evaluated to explain the relationship between profitability performance and factors influence it. .

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Essay -- Christmas Carol Charles

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Charles Dickens wrote his novels during the Victorian times. Britain was a harsh place at this time with the upper and lower classes being clearly separated. Dickens himself grew up as part of the lower classes, and so he knew what it was like. It was very hard for the poor to survive, many of them having no alternative but to go into the workhouses. This seemed to be the worst place to end up, as many people would rather have died than gone into the workhouses. When people went to the workhouses, they were separated from their families, forced to work long hours and hardly fed at all. The workhouse system was the upper classes solution to poverty, but it did not help at all. The lower classes were still living very hard lives. Dickens published 'A Christmas Carol' in 1843 to try to bring the lower classes hard lives to the attention of people who could do something about it; the upper classes. He decided to write a novel because he felt that more people would take an interest in a book rather than leaflet, because the attitude towards helping the poor was not good. In the novel, the main character, Scrooge, is used to personify the upper classes. The three ghosts are used to show that the poor are not all 'idle' and that some are genuinely in need. Before the ghosts came, Scrooge was 'hard and sharp as flint' and solitary as an oyster'. There is a lot of descriptive language used about Scrooge (in the 6th - 8th paragraphs) by Dickens, which gives the impression that Scrooge was bitter, cold and lonely. He believed that if people were poor, it was not his 'business' and he just wanted 'to be left alone'. He refused to give money to the poor at Christmas and sai... ...f they do not change their ways, then the poor people who still have some dignity, who were shown by the 'Ghost of Christmas Present', will also eventually become so desperate, that the seedy, dirty London that is shown by the 'Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come' is what the whole city will end up like. Dickens presents the lower classes realistically; he does not try to make out that all poor people are kind hearted. He tries to make the upper classes realise that the situation of the poor can only get better if they do something to help. He also tries to make the reader feel concerned about Tiny Tim and show the upper classes that they can help; when Tiny Tim is mentioned, it is almost like a personal appeal to the reader to help someone in need. Dickens presents the lower classes effectively and this is probably why the book is still very popular today.

Clone :: essays research papers

Pre-Mature Decision Millions of people pour into movie theatres every weekend to view movies about sports, romance, politics, and Science Fiction. While most of these movies are meant exclusively for entertainment, occasionally people will leave a theatre believing what they had viewed. Science fiction movies do this very well, especially when it comes to the topic of cloning. These movies from time to time have involved cloning machines, where a character walks into the machine and out he comes along with his clone. This might have made the movie enjoyable, but have put the idea of cloning in a bad light. There are many reasons why the public fears cloning, however, most fears are unsupported. People are afraid of cloning just as they are afraid of anything new in their lives. This immature fear led congressional representatives to an immediate ban of all research and practice of cloning. Cloning should have never been banned, the action taken was inappropriate and had absolutely no factual reasoning. The statement that "Humans are not guinea pigs" is one of the most common claims made by those who oppose cloning. However, in all morally relevant respects, this is not true. Every one of us is an experiment; a result of a couple of people getting together in the back of a car, a hotel room, or some dark and secluded part of the house, throwing together the ingredients that created us. In many cases, the people who created us may not have even wanted to form a person by their actions, though they did. In this respect, clones will be far further from being guinea pigs than most people who are conceived through traditional methods. Which means that if the cry "humans are not guinea pigs" really has some sort of moral force, it would argue for prohibiting traditional reproduction long before it will have any applicability to cloning (Fyfe par. 26-30). Another very common fear is that cloning will be used to create armies or slaves. Armies and slaves can be created faster and more cheaply by other means than cloning. This fear of a â€Å"2nd Holocaust† is very frivolous. It is unlikely that clones will ever be mass-produced as some people fear. Women would have to go through having to bear them , not mentioning that someone also has to raise them. This is an important point that much discussion about cloning overlooks.

The Injustice of Slavery: A Peoples Resistance Essay -- Slavery Essays

The Injustice of Slavery: A people’s resistance   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The history of the United States is filled to the brim with an abundance of significant events. Over the course of this nation’s young history there have been numerous social institutions. Many have been a necessity in our development. However, the US was home to one of the greatest atrocities committed on mankind. The institution of slavery is not only the most embarrassing but most sever infraction on the natural rights of man. At times there were in excess of three million black Americans enslaved in this country. It was not the dismal living conditions nor the bleak existence they lived that led them into a resistance of slavery. It was the theft, the unlawful striping of their right to life, liberty, and happiness that justly encouraged their resistance. The dehumanization of the black population in the US during the 19th century was a gross moral departure from the so called equality our nation has always strived for.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No true American can find any sort of conflict in sharing the opinions of our forefathers. The US has its foundation built in the words of the Declaration of Independence. We live in a nation where â€Å"all men are created equal, and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights-among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† In supporting slavery, masters dehumanized themselves and denounced the goals of America. A natural righ...

How does this opening prepare the reader for what is to come in the novel? Essay

Throughout the opening chapter of ‘Lord of the Flies’ there are many events which foreshadow later events of the novel. Golding sets the beginning of the novel at the site of the plane rash, the scar. The scar had been ‘smashed’ and had ‘shaken tree trunks’. The boys’ presence on the island has already imprinted the island. It foreshadows the future corruption the boys will make on the previously uninhabited island. There are also hints of the dangerous side of the island. A bird described as a ‘vision of red and yellow’ – nature’s warning colours for danger – sounded a ‘witch-like cry’ The ‘witch-like’ description of the cry foreshadows the ritualistic, savage and tribal state most of the boys will descend to. The potential danger is also shown by the twigs and thorns having ‘scratched’ Piggy. Additionally, the fruit is obviously inedible and causes Piggy ‘pain’, a further demonstration of the island’s ‘bad’ side. This foreshadows the island’s many features that help contribute to the boys’ future: the pigs descending the choir into savage hunters; the rock and cliff edge contributing to Piggy’s death; its location isolating the boys from civilisation. Another event prepared by the opening is Piggy and Ralph’s relationship. The contrast between the two characters is noticeable from the start. Piggy is shown to be rational and intelligent, an incredibly useful trait in the future. Whilst Ralph shows a childish innocence and optimism – ‘He’ll be back’. Ralph originally ignores Piggy; he is ‘obviously uninterested’ in Piggy’s rambles. However, he gradually begins to respond to Piggy’s questions and he ‘looked interested’. This foreshadows how Ralph and Piggy’s friendship will develop in the novel and how Ralph will come to value and appreciate Piggy’s thoughts and contributions. Additionally, Piggy ‘took off his glasses and held them out to Ralph’. This is a significant moment for many reasons. Firstly, it shows the trust already in their friendship; Piggy is reliant on the glasses to see and, without them, would be vulnerable. Secondly, the glasses come to be of great importance in the novel. They are the only piece of help from the outside World and are a necessity for starting the fires which get the boys rescued in the end. Lastly, they symbolise Piggy’s clear-sightedness and insightful thinking which he gives to Ralph in later chapters when he is chief which proves to be invaluable information for Piggy. The line, said by Piggy: â€Å"I can hardly move with all these creepers† Could be a hint towards the littluns misinterpretation of the creepers being the Beast. The creepers restricting Piggy’s movement could be a reference towards how the boys stayed primarily on the beach, the safest and most civilised place, away from the mysterious and potentially dangerous hidden depths of the forest. In conclusion, I think Golding used a range of significant details in the opening of ‘Lord of the Flies’ which are parallels of events which occur in later chapters. This provides an endearing journey with the boys’ life with ‘no grown-ups’ and no impending rules of civilisation.