Making monstor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Making monstor - Essay Example In the book Monsters of Our Own Making: The Peculiar Pleasures of Fear by Marina Warner is divided into three chapters. The first section, â€Å"Scaring† discusses the monster in this book which is the bogeyman. The chapter looks at the question â€Å"who eats and who gets eaten† the author uses this to explore the characters of monsters. Warner also explores fear that is brought about by the world. The monster in this chapter is Erlking also regarded as the King of the Alders who woos a boy riding with his father in the dark forest. The boy recognizes the danger facing him but his father does not see any form of danger. He uses every trick to attract the boy. The story end up with the death of the boy when they reached home. Erlking is the monster in this book because he is being persistent to get what he wants, in this case, something that will cause harm to the other person. The Erlking keeps requesting the boy to go with him with his words keeping on deepening each time (Warner, pg. 23). The Erlking even uses false promises that the daughters will be the boy’s lovely attendant with the aim of getting the boy. He eventually gets impatient and indicates that if the boy is not willing, he will use force. He finally seizes the boy. The deep voice also indicates that the creature is not natural and that it has supernatural powers. This Erlking is regarded as a monster because it instills fear on people. Forcefully taking a boy or boys who are moving through the forest is an act of spreading fear among people throughout the region. This character brings the aspect of death because a reader assumes that people taken face death which brings fear to all young people. It also brings fear among parents who face the tragedy of losing their children to the Erlking. He is a cold blooded creature that every person fears (Asma). Erlking is monstrous because he possesses the power to

SERVQUAL Model Summary and Evaluation

SERVQUAL Model Summary and Evaluation 1.1 Introduction Service quality has taken into consideration in providing and accomplishing customers satisfaction recently (Hishamuddin Fitri Abu Hasan, Azleen Ilias, Rahida Abd Rahman Mohd Zulkeflee Abd Razak, 2008). Besides, there is a very obvious trend towards a growing concern that customers satisfaction is one of the valuable assets in building up a brand image (Srivastava et al., 2001), so brand image is very crucial in service industry, by which this element is critical in influencing customers perceptions and thus their loyalty to a company. Simoes and Dibb (2001) stated that brand image plays an important role in service industry due to the strong brand image persuades customers with a sense of acceptance and trustfulness. Research finding based on Bloemer et al. (1997) and Jones et al. (2002) also pointed out that there is a direct relationship between service quality towards customers perceptions, which in turn contributes to the brand image of a product or company. Based on the findings from Parasuraman et al. (1994) and Zeithaml et al. (1996), service quality is directly related to customer satisfaction and loyalty and thus on brand image, by affecting customers perceived value (service quality à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ perceived value à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ customers satisfaction à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ customers loyalty à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ brand image of a company). At first, there will have a brief explanation pertaining to the principle of the SERVQUAL model in this literature review; by which the dependent variable and independent variables of this research will be discussed in detail, followed by the findings from the previous research and studies. Lastly, this literature review will be ended up with a conclusion. 1.2 Theory of SERVQUAL Model Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry (1985) developed service quality model which is named as SERVQUAL model or PZB model. They had conducted focus group interview in order to develop the first version of SERVQUAL model. They had created ten dimensions of the service quality by determining the similar criteria in the evaluation of customer. The ten dimensions of service quality included tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, competence, access, courtesy, communication, credibility, security and understanding. In this research, Parasuraman et al. (1985) stated that the overlapping among these ten dimensions of service quality maybe occurred and suggested that further research should be conducted. Therefore, SERVQUAL model was further developed and emerging the modified version of SERVQUAL model. In 1988, Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry had conducted an empirical study to measure the service quality towards the customers perceptions by using the ten dimensions as a basic structure. The results indicated that some variables in these ten dimensions were overlapped with each other. In the ten elements of service quality, tangibility, reliability and responsiveness remain constant while the remaining seven determinants were categorized into the last two dimensions which are assurance and empathy (Parasuraman et al., 1988). As a result, there are five service quality dimensions in the modified version of SERVQUAL model that affect customers satisfaction and thus brand image: Tangibility is related to the physical environment, facilities and the employees appearance. Reliability is the ability to carry out the services consistently and accurately. Responsiveness is the willingness of the employees in helping the customer to solve the problem. Assurance is the adequate knowledge that the employees possess and the ability of the employees in entrusting the confidence. Empathy is associated with the organization provide the caring and individualized attention to their customers. Buttle (1996) mentioned that SERVQUAL model is been used widely in measuring customers perceptions towards various types of services. Due to this reason, we are likely to choose SERVQUAL model to measure customers perceptions on brand image in our study. 1.3 Dependent variable 1.3.1 Brand image Service quality has significant effect on customers perceptual toward brand image, due to the statistics shown that strong brand image is needed to distinguish from competitors brands or products (Boltan and Drew 1991). At the same year of 1991, Schiffman and Kanuk also stated that customer will perceive brand that match and suit their images. As a result, service quality added value to customers by helping them differentiates the brand from competing brands. This means that customers perception of service quality is be associated brand image and customers are more likely to purchase the brand that provides the superior service quality. Keller (1993) supported the previous findings and stated that brand image is the customers perception that held in customer memory. Strong brand image is set in customers mind through their consumption experiences and their perceptions towards service quality provided by the product or company. In the year of 1996, Agarwal and Rao continued the study and mentioned that brand image is based on superior and favorable brand rooted in consumers memory. In 2003, Keller repeated the theory and reinforced that brand image refers to strong, positive and favorable brand association in memory which result in a positive effect, attitude and overall perceived quality. Holbrook and Batra (1987) stated that the perceive quality affect the brand loyalty and thus also influence the images of a brand. Meanwhile, service quality is clearly defined as the customers judgment about a brands excellence or superiority (Zeithaml, 1988; Aaker and Jacobson, 1994). Dobni and Zinkhan, (1990) assumed that brand image is refer to the reasoned and emotional perceptions consumers attach to specific brands. Zeithaml (1988) suggest that brand image is built through consumers consumption experiences with the excellence or favorable of service being provided. Therefore, the service quality perception is core dimension that help to create a high value of a strong brand image in which directly influences consumers purchase evaluation. According to Alba and Hutchinson (1987) and Walker et al. (1987), although brand image, brand attitude and service quality act independently, however, under some conditions, three of dimensions are interrelated with each other. Keller (1998) supported the brand image is multidimensional, by which it includes the attitude and behavior according to the brand and the perceived service quality. The process in order to develop a trusted brand image is based on the customers experiences towards the brand through both direct and indirect interaction with the brand (Keller, 1993 and Krishnan, 1996). Direct contact with brand involves usage; trial and satisfaction in consumption while indirect contact with brand involves advertising, word-of-mouth and brand reputation. In 1996, another researcher Meldan also mentioned the introduction of innovative products and services quality is to improve the positive perception of brand image. She supported the theories which were held by Park, Jaworski, Macinnis in 1996 and Fatt in 1997, by which they stated the service quality is very important in influence the image of a brand through the level of customers familiarity, experience and trust of a brand. Based on these theorie s, Aydin and Ozer (2005) concluded there is reciprocal relationship between both customers perceptions and brand image. There are five dimensions of brand image being identified by Aaker (1991) which included perceived service quality, brand awareness, brand association, brand asset and customer base. However, perceived of service quality have the most significant impact toward brand image among those five dimensions. Keller (1993) indicated that the service quality may improve brand image by enhancing customers loyalty and thus increasing the probability of brand choice as well as reducing the competitive marketing. Service quality can affect the brand image of particular products or companies directly and indirectly (Kirmani and Zeithml, 1993). The study held by Kirmani and Zeithml in 1993 shown that the dimensions of service quality tangibility, reliability and empathy are basic clues for in constructing a strong brand image (Bailey and Ball 2006). 1.4 Independent variables 1.4.1 Tangibility Tangibility is one of the dimensions in the SERVQUAL model. It can be defined as the physical evidence in the service industry (Parasuraman et al., 1988). It is the physical facilities and equipment, employees appearance, physical representations of services and the physical environment. Wakefield and Blodgett (1999) also mentioned that physical environment will significantly influence the customers perceptions towards brand image. Same theory goes to the size or the number of facilities and equipment provided by a company in judging customers perceptions (Umbach, 2002). One of the examples to support the dimension of tangibility can be seen in servicescape, by which it is the physical places where services are delivered (Chua, Mohhiddin Othman, Boo, Muhammad Shahrim Abdul Karim, and Sridar Ramachandran, 2009). It can be said that tangibility has a significant impact customers perceptions towards brand image. However, services is intangible, therefore, customers can only see and experience the tangible services provided by the company, such as the facilities and equipment, as well as the appearance of the employees. Those of the tangible services are known as clues (Zeithaml, Parasuraman, and Berry, 1992). The clues are the capabilities of the company and the quality of the environment. Berry (1980) stated that the way of managing the tangibles services will directly affect customers satisfaction, due to the reason that those tangibles services are critical elements in shaping brand image. According to the research finding of Kayaman, R. and Arasli, H. (2007), there is a significant relationship between service quality and brand image. They were mentioning that tangibility is associated with the physical characteristics provided by the company. This variable serves as a key element by which it may be able to attract more and more customers and thus gain competitive advantage over the competitors. Besides, element of tangibility is able to deliver both direct and indirect result on brand image. As a result, most of the companies nowadays are likely to formulate and implement strategies that are useful in grabbing potential customers and maintaining current customers by using eye-catching physical structures and providing a unique and comfortable environment for the services delivered. 1.4.2 Responsiveness Another independent variable that will affect customer perceptions towards service quality is responsiveness. The meaning of responsiveness is the willingness to help the customers, to provide prompt and well service to the clients, problem resolution when the customers faced and complaint handling (Reichheld and Sasser, 1990). Responsiveness should be expanded and this is because they believed that this variable is very important (Parasuraman et al, 1988). Previous studies suggest that the responsiveness is critical not only as a measure of service quality but can use as a best tool for uncovering areas of service quality strengths and weakness (Kettinger and Lee, 1997, 1999; Pitt, Watson, Kavan, 1995; Van Dyke et al., 1997). By knowing the strengths and weaknesses, the organization will enhance the service quality in order to increase the brand image in this competitive market (Bedi, 2010; Kassim and Abdullah, 2010; Kumar et al., 2010). Furthermore, good customer service is part of the responsiveness. Employees responsiveness takes customer service a step further (Lovelock, 1983). By using technology, including websites, email and telephone systems, it enables the customers to quickly get the information that they need is one of the aspect for responsiveness (Lovelock, 1983). It generally refers to being responsive to the service subscribers (Heeter, 1989). The employees also have to prepare the aptitude and desire to provide the customers with effective resolutions on the first contact whenever possible (GroÈnroos, 1982; Oliver, 1981). A high level of responsiveness, representing and expressing as a trust cue, can convey the trustworthiness to the customers (Corritore et al., 2003). There is a significant relationship between the service quality and customers perception on brand image (Moliner and sanchez, 2003). Attachment theory suggests that beyond knowing who or what a brand stands for, strong attachments only mean when the brand is responsive to the consumer needs. In fact, psychologists argue that responsiveness is one of the critical element that keep relationships is going (Bebko and Prokop, 1996). Employees should quickly respond to the customers request at the same time, eliminating all the unnecessary errors and cannot make the customers to spend lots of time to wait (Guseman, 1981; Levitt, 1981; Murray and Schlacter, 1990). A responsive brand fulfills consumers relevant needs or goals. The goals can be many and varied for depending on the consumer and the situation (McDougall and Snetsinger, 1990). They may include broad level needs, such as needs for status, stimulation, belongingness or individuality, all the way down to situation specific goals (Parasuraman et al., 1985, 1988; Zeithaml et al., 1990; 1993). Of course, being responsive means that there must be something in the product and the marketing behind it that creates the perception that the brand uniquely in order to achieve these needs and goals (Anderson and Zeithaml, 1984; Garvin, 1982; Tse and Wilton, 1988). Hence, it is crucial for all the employees to exhibit a courteous and friendly behavior when delivering services to the customers in order to increase their satisfaction towards the brand image (Firdaus Abdullah, Rosita Suhaimi, Gluma Saban Jamil Hamali, 2011). 1.4.3 Reliability According to Word Net, reliability indicated the trait of being dependable or reliable. Reliability indicates the employees are able to provide the services accurately, consistently and dependably (Parasuraman et al, 1988, LeBlanc Nguyen, 1997). In another way, reliability also means that the services are correctly performed and defined as the consistency of the services performance. Besides, reliability means the organization keeping their promises, trustworthiness toward the services quality of employees to avoid anything goes wrong. In product and service industry, it plays as a key component that will influence the customer behavior towards brand image and thus on their purchase intention. Therefore, different services that provided to the customers will bring different level of customer satisfaction based on the services provided by the product (Yuksel, 2001). Reliability is the driving force of the responsiveness of customers behavior (Antreas A. Spiros and Vlassis, 1999). It means that reliability of services is interrelated with the customers satisfaction and perception once the services are provided and performed (Antreas A. Spiros and Vlassis, 1999). It is associated with the services quality environment and delivery systems that work well with good quality of service which include staff attitude, knowledge and skill (Walker 1990). For example, it provides the service at the designated time. Parasuraman et al. (1991) predicted that reliability is concerned with the result of services as compared to other variables in SERVQUAL model. This theory is supported by Glaveli, Petridou, Liassides and Spathis (2006), by which they strengthened the element of reliability considers as the service providers ability to provide accurate and dependable services in which included items such as personnel training, interruption of service, absence of e rrors and punctuality. Berry et al. (1985) argued that reliability is the most important factor in guaranteeing both customers satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This assumed that managers and employees need to provide a reliable service and reduce unreliable service to the customers in order to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. In 1990, Zeithaml et al. also held that service reliability is one the most significant variables in the SERVQUAL model. As a result, most of the organizations are likely to include the issues of reliability in setting their mission statement and the standard of services to be provided (Malhotra, Ulgado, Agarwal, Shainesd Wu, 2005). So, both employers and employees must aware to the importance of reliability and find ways to improve the reliability of services. Reliability is one of the important dimensions that will lead to customers satisfaction through customers perceptions and thus affect the image of the brand (Patrick, Karl J., John E. 1996). A consistent measure is needed when working out with employees so that services can be performed adequately. In addition, the frequently changing of work procedures will improve the service performance as well. Again, this ensures customers perceptions towards service quality and consequently building up a strong brand image towards a product or a company. The administration and examination of departments have provided the reliable and accurate services also known as the reliability services (Muhammed Ehsan Malik et al., 2010). It held true when the brand image of an organization which is associated with excellence reliability services is considered as one of the means to attract customers purchase intention through good brand image. The study from Parasuraman et al. (1991), Muhammed Ehsan Malik et al. (2010), Ham and Hayduk (2003) proved that reliability has the strongest impact on consumers judgment, as among the five determinants of services quality. This philosophy was again proved by Hishamuddin Fitri Abu Hassan et al. in the year of 2008. 1.4.4 Assurance Another dimension in SERVQUAL model is assurance. Assurance shows the knowledge that the employees posses and how the employees conveys the trust and confidence (Parasuraman et al., 1988). Assurance can also be known as the organization offers the credible and secure service to its customers (Donnelly, Wisniewski, Dalrymple Curry, 1995). Initially, according to the research findings of Parasuraman et al. (1985), there were ten dimensions that regrouped to the five dimensions of service quality. In those five dimensions, there are three original determinants which are tangibles, responsiveness and reliability while another two determinants were assurance and empathy which, were derived from the other seven dimensions of service quality. Assurance is derived from the competence, courtesy, credibility and security of the service. This is because those four dimensions have overlapped with each other and the new dimension of assurance is formed. According to the research findings of Aydin and Ozer (2005), there is a significant relationship between customers perception about service quality and brand image. They were mentioning that assurance has a significant positive impact on brand image. Employees give an expression of the service quality in customers eyes (GroÈnroos, 1994). It means employees give the customers the greatest concept of what the brand really is. Employees competence and abilities in delivering the service performance is also very important so that the customers know their roles and willingness in performing those services otherwise their inevitable frustration will destroy the brand image (Davies, 1996). Not only the actions or behaviors of employees but also the morale of employees influences the service quality and it will impact upon customers perception on the brand image accordingly (Schneider and Bowen, 1993). Besides, a strong brand image is a part of brand strength measurement model that based on how the customers putting trust on a particular brand over other competitors (Lassar et al., 1995). One of the high-level associations that consumers can accommodate a brand is credibility (Keller, 2003 b). The importance is also supported by another statement from Aakers study (1997) on the basic brand personality factor analysis, and she state that sincerity was the highest eigenvalue factor. In Olivers service quality theory (1980) states that the customers will judge that the service quality is low if the service performance does not meet or either exceed their expectations. Ultimately, customers are willing to commend the specific brand to other people when their perception of service quality is high (Parasuraman et al.s, 1988, 1991b). This is supported by the statement from cf. Keaveney (1995) that there is a positive correlation between high customers perception on brand image and word-of -mouth communication. In short, a strong brand not only increases the customers trust so that they are better in observing and understand the intangible but it also reduces customers perceived monetary, social and security risks Simoes and Dibb (2001). 1.4.5 Empathy Empathy is one of the dimensions which out of five dimensions of SERVQUAL model that is created and derived from the accessibility, communication and understanding. Parasuraman ct al., 1988 said that empathy is originate from approachability, communication and understandable in the ten dimension of service quality as well as the essential of caring given to the individual special attention and caring to the customers. Besides, approachable services that are provided by organization are also known as empathy to meet or identify the needs of specific customers (Donnelly et al., 1995). In order to improve the empathy in service quality, one of the approaches is by collecting the feedback from customers after they experienced the service performances (Soutar MeNeil, 1996). For psychology today, what is empathy and how its related to our livelihood? Empathy means the capability to be comprehensive to another peoples condition, point of view, feelings and perceptions. When we are facing or experiencing the feeling of empathy, then we are able to catch out someone internal feelings of empathy. Some people especially with mentally disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and so forth, they have intimate link with the ability to empathize. (Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, 2010). According to Bowman and Narayandas (2001), the value perceptions of loyal customers are normally related to empathy and sincerity due to they are devote for creating the sense of interactive fairness. Individualized attention offered by the organization to meet the customers need also consider as empathy (Salvador-Ferrer, 2010). Shoeb (2011) summarized that the willingness of organization in listening to what customers had said is the empathy services that organization has provided to individual pleasantly as well as concerned with the individual by treating them well and respecting them. It can be said that empathy services concerned with how the employees approach and behave towards the customers. Hanaysha et al. (2011) mentions that there is a moderately and optimistically relationship between the empathy and customers perception on brand image. There is another research shows that there is a significant relationship between the empathy with the satisfaction (Nawaz. et. al., 2011). It means that empathy reflects how does the organization treats and cares the individual by identify their needs and wants as everybody must be treated fairly by providing the same services. 1.5 Conclusion At first, we had proposed our title of The Impact of Service Quality towards Customer Perceptions on Brand Image. The purpose for our research is used to identify the new knowledge that have not done by the previous studies. The concept of the service quality and brand image had been review in this study. In this research, SERVQUAL model is used as the applications in our study. This model is essential in our study as our research framework is derived from this model. Based on the findings, we found out that five dimension of the modified version of service quality model have the strongly impact on brand image. Service quality has the strongly correlated with the brand image. This research study is to increase our understanding of service brand from the customers perspective. Moreover, it provides the people especially service marketers the understanding of the associations that may exist and how they impact on the brand image. By understanding these associations and the inherent ris ks associated with service procurement, they will be able to manage the brand strategies well and to make better branding decisions.

The Many Mothers of Alfred Hitchcock Essay -- essays research papers

When looking at the works of Alfred Hitchcock there are many recurring themes. Wrong man, classic Hitchcock villains, and the use of staircases are just three of the many attributes you see when watching a Hitchcock film. My favorite, however, would have to be Hitchcock’s portrayal of the mother. Whether she is there for comic relief as we see in Shadow of a Doubt, or as the root of all evil as you see in Strangers on a Train and Notorious, the mothers he creates are far from ordinary. Either their naà ¯ve nature or pure hated for others help to link these movies to one another. Notorious, which was produced in 1945 but not released until 1946, has an extraordinary mother figure. She is a skinny frail woman with a heart of lead. She is controlling and evil at heart and seems to be the cause of all trouble yet never gets any of the blame. When they discover that the girl is working for the FBI, the mother takes matters into her own hands and convinces her son to do away with the girl. You never see her saying much, yet you can see what she is thinking as she stares with those vacant eyes of hers. You can actually see the evil which is inside of her with one look in her eyes. She is by far one of the scariest and uncaring mothers we have seen thus far. The mother in Strangers on a Train (produced in 1950, released in 1951) has a slightly less aggressive role. Even though she is less active in what Bruno does now that he is grown, she is still the reason and cause for the way h...

Macbeth: Blood Imagery Essay

Guilt is a frustrating feeling; it evokes regret, self-punishment, and shame. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not know it, but every time they murder, their guilt increases, and they step closer to their downfall. Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood in Macbeth to illustrate the inevitable guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how their roles change by the end of the play. In the beginning of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth try their best to hide their conscience. Macbeth commands the stars to â€Å"hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires† (1.4.57-58). If the stars hide their light, Macbeth’s dark desires will be hidden and he will feel no guilt. Lady Macbeth speaks to the spirits and orders them to â€Å"unsex me here / And fill me . . .top-full / Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood, / Stop up the access and passage to remorse† (1.5.42-45). Lady Macbeth calls the evil spirits to get rid of her female qualities, to make her a man, and to hide her conscience so she will feel no guilt. Both of them know that once they feel guilt, they will be doomed and found guilty. After killing Duncan, Macbeth feels extreme guilt, while Lady Macbeth seems to experience no guilt at all. Macbeth looks down at his bloody hands and mumbles, â€Å"This is a sorry sight† (2.2.28). He regrets killing King Duncan, a man of great virtues, and wishes that he could undo his evil act. Macbeth feels so guilty he forgets to leave the daggers with the guards. He refuses to go back because he is â€Å"afraid to think what I have done; / Look on’t again I dare not† (2.2.65-66). Macbeth believes his conscience will never let this horrendous act go. He exclaims to Lady Macbeth, â€Å"Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red† (2.2.76-79). Macbeth feels that all the oceans in the world will not wash away his dishonor for killing the king. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth does not feel any guilt. Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth and snaps, â€Å"My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white. . . . A little water clears us of this deed† (2.2.80-85). Lady Macbeth cannot believe that a little thing like killing King Duncan could make Macbeth so fearful. When it is time to murder Banquo, Macbeth plans it out himself. This is a huge change from King Duncan’s murder, when Lady Macbeth had to plan it out and then convince Macbeth to go through with the plan. While Banquo is being murdered, Macbeth is hosting a banquet for the lords. When Banquo’s ghost steps in, Macbeth wonders how Lady Macbeth can â€Å"behold such sights, / And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks† (3.4.137-138) while Macbeth’s cheeks are drained of color from fear. Even though Macbeth planned out this murder, and seemed as though his guilt is gone, it still is in his conscience and he despises thinking about it. Lady Macbeth, however, keeps the natural ruby of her cheeks and has no fear of these murders. With so much guilt already, Macbeth realizes there is no point in turning back. He says, â€Å"I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er† (3.4.165-167). Macbeth is so close to being king that he might as well go through with it. Macbeth’s attitude seems to change quite a bit. At this point, Macbeth seems to have â€Å"reset† his conscience and has no problem with killing more people. Speaking to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth says, â€Å"We are yet but young in deed† (3.4.173). Macbeth hints to Lady Macbeth that more killings are on the way, and that he is no longer afraid to murder. No matter how hard Lady Macbeth tries, the guilt catches up with her. Macbeth has now become immune to murders and doesn’t seem to feel any guilt. When Macbeth is finally king, Lady Macbeth starts sleepwalking. â€Å"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One—two— / why then ‘tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! . . . . Yet who would / have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?† (5.1.31-32, 34-35). Lady Macbeth is experiencing the guilt from killing Duncan by continuously washing her hands in her sleep. Lady Macbeth also mutters, â€Å"Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the / perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!† (5.1.45-47). This again represents Lady Macbeth’s disgrace as she cannot get the guilt out of her head. Soon afterwards, Lady Macbeth cannot take all this guilt anymore and takes her own life. Macbeth does not seem to feel any guilt anymore. Towards the end of the play, before Macbeth dies, he pronounces, â€Å"Ring the alarum bell! Blow, wind! Come, wrack! / At least we’ll die with harness on our back† (5.5.56-57). Macbeth wants to fight to the very end. From the use of blood imagery, readers can see the inevitable guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. By the end of the play, the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have been switched; Macbeth seems to be much stronger than before, while Lady Macbeth has slowly shriveled away to nothing from all the guilt. As Macbeth said, â€Å"They say blood will have blood† (3.4.149). Each time the Macbeths murdered another person, they stepped closer to their downfall without realizing it. Blood imagery provides us knowledge of the main characters and helps us understand the idea of guilt in Macbeth.

Black Power Movement

America has seen itself change over and over again. America is the home of the free and the brave. However, this beautiful nation has not always been like this. America has had to go through many ups and many downs to beautify. Racial discrimination has played a huge role in American society. Even today, there are still racial inequalities. These racial inequalities are not as bad as they were in the early and mid nineteen hundreds though. Two of the biggest reasons that positive steps have been made towards eliminating racial inequality is the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Power Movement.These two events helped shape who Americans are today. While these two events did not totally eliminate racial discrimination, they were huge rolls in shrinking it. These two events have many things in common, but also many differences. Without the Black Power Movement and the Harlem Renaissance, America would not be where we are today. Even though African Americans were enjoying the new terrain in the United States, they could tell that there was still something missing. They did everything in their power to help stop against racial discrimination.They created new culture and went out of their ways to be viewed as a regular American. They referred to themselves as â€Å"New Negro’s† because they defined themselves by a sense of racial difference. They believed that they were living a totally different life and a whole new culture. Discrimination continued so the African Americans left the south to head to bigger and better cities with more opportunity. Many African Americans headed to New York and mainly Harlem. While here the â€Å"New Negro’s† started an uproar of their culture called the Harlem Renaissance.This event started in Harlem, the upper portion of Manhattan. The event turned Harlem in to a center of art and creativity. The Harlem Renaissance gave birth to many important African Americans. Multiple novelists and artists were born. The â€Å"New Negro’s† began to explore American blackness in America during the nineteen twenty’s and it’s origins from Africa. One of the first noticeable events of the Renaissance came after a man named Charles Johnson organized a civic club dinner.Johnson constructed this dinner for the releasing of a book that had been written by a black author that Johnson believed had potential. The dinner was a total success and white people enjoyed the book. For the first time in history, white operated publishing houses published books that were written by Negros. Better than that, some white people started to promote the books as well. The Harlem Renaissance also helped influence black musicians to perform in front of white people. The Harlem Renaissance for the first major step that Americans took on the way to becoming civilized.The Renaissance gave birth to music, art, literature, and dance throughout Harlem and America. This wonderful event however came to an end in the mid nineteen thirty’s. The great depression played a role in ending this marvelous event. Financial needs became more important than the expression of art and music. Many Blacks artists from the Renaissance had to leave Harlem to find jobs in other places. Even with having to move some of the African American writers art continued to still be published. The Black Power Movement played out in a far more violent way than the Harlem Renaissance.More than 300 race riots broke out between nineteen sixty four and nineteen sixty nine. These riots really put the gap between a great society and the reality of an African American in to perspective. More and more violence was spread throughout Harlem when a fifteen year old Black boy was shot by a white police officer in nineteen sixty four. In August of nineteen sixty five things went from bad to worse. In just five days, more than one thousand fires had been burned, and thirty four lives had been taken in Los Angeles.The Bl ack Power Movement developed a saying. Stokely Carmichael said, â€Å"What we are gonna start saying now is Black Power! †. This saying was interpreted in many different ways. The most common interpretation cam from the Black Panthers though. The Black Panthers were initially started to protect the black neighborhoods from the white officers. The group was formed in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The Panthers also started schools and tried to promote peace. However, they ended up becoming known for their violence.Because of the Black Panthers violence, the Black Power saying became known as hostile to both blacks and whites. The Black Power Movement also sparked the freedom of speech movement at the University of California at Berkley in nineteen sixty four. Americans had not seen anything like the protests at Berkley and these protests lead to â€Å"counterculture†. Counterculture was all about rock and roll music, drugs, and sex. Countercultur e gave us bands like The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Students then rebelled even further to demand that dorms should be a mix between male and female.The Black Power Movement brought a whole new outlook to America. Although there was a lot of violence going on during this time, America took positive steps as well. Americans are still affected by this movement today. The Black Power Movement slowly came to and end in the early nineteen seventy’s, yet we still feel the effects today. The Harlem Renaissance and Black Power Movement have many things in common, yet have just as many differences. Both of these crucial events blossomed very important black and white people.The Harlem Renaissance focused more on the art of music and literature, while the Black Power Movement was more about the reality of an African American. They both had a huge impact on Americans, whether the impact was positive or negative. These two events were very different as well. The violence in the Har lem Renaissance was nothing compared to the violence in the Black Power Movement. The Black Power Movement killed multiple people while the Harlem Renaissance did the complete opposite. The Harlem Renaissance sparked more of an art and literature movement.Without the Black Power Movement and the Harlem Renaissance, America would not be where we are today. These two events are major in American History. America is known as the home of the free and the brave. However, America has not always been this way and even today we still suffer from racism and segregation. Racial inequalities played a huge role back during this events. If there was no racial inequalities none of these events probably would have happened. America is shaped the way we are today because of the events of our country’s past.Works Cited http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/harlem-renaissance.jsp

Comparison of the Poems Mental Cases and Disabled By Wilfred Owen Essays

Comparison of the Poems Mental Cases and Disabled By Wilfred Owen Essays Comparison of the Poems Mental Cases and Disabled By Wilfred Owen Paper Comparison of the Poems Mental Cases and Disabled By Wilfred Owen Paper Essay Topic: Poetry The Red Badge Of Courage I will compare the poems Disabled and Mental Cases for my essay. I will look at the language that Wilfred Owen uses to convey the pain and hurt that war causes. I will also endeavour to examine how the poet expresses his outrage at the effect of the war in both poems. I will make a comparison between them. Wilfred Owen was born in March 1893. He taught on the continent until 1915, when he enlisted after visiting a hospital for wounded soldiers. He said that he wanted to help, either by leading the soldiers or writing to let the world know about their plight. He achieved both. He was killed at the front line in March 1917 aged 28, just 7 days before the armistice. Both poems take a look at the stark realties of the war. In Mental cases he looks at the demolition of mens minds, due to the horrors they witnessed, and experienced, while in the war. Disabled investigates the consequences of the war for a young handsome soldier. In both poems he takes a sympathetic stance towards the casualties. In Mental Cases the Victims of war are explored by looking at the physiological traumas. In Disabled it is mainly the physical consequences that are examined. Although the notion of unseen scars that change and destroy lives always flows through his work. The use of striking language through out the poems evokes horror in the reader. It leaves brutal and harsh imagery, which I feel lingers in your minds eye. Both works start with a line involving endings of the day. A strong metaphor Wilfred Owen uses for the end of life. Why they sit here in twilight Waiting for the dark Both create visions of a life that is over, forfeited. Lives waiting, longing, for the calm repose of death. This is not the average Depiction of the war that most poets of this genre used. Most WW1 poetry was recording events for prosperity; they were pro-motherland heroic chronicles. They encouraged serving and protecting your country, Making sure that the women left at home were safe, a glamorous part that all who were left behind would worship you for doing. Great propaganda for the warmongers and politicians of the time. Siegfried Sassoon was another poet who shared Owens views. In fact he encouraged Owen in his writing and introduced him to like minded writers, like Robert Graves. Graves displayed his feelings about war in a more distant but still factual way. Wilfred Owen set out to change the perception of the whole world. No sides were taken in his works; he confronted the reader with the real war, the dehumanising effect, the senseless agonys and hurt that war brings. Owen uses techniques of speech and present tense to lend urgency to his work. He constantly uses all senses, sight, sound, touch and smell. Another of the ways the author enforces the content of his work is by using alliteration rarely especially in mental cases. It would make the pace and rhythm too fast and detract from the sombre message it conveys. Owen uses onomatopoeia to strengthen the visions of horror that that he is portraying. A good example of this is in line 16 of Mental cases Batter of guns and shatter of flying muscles The sound of lives being torn apart, broken and wasted. Baring teeth that leer like skulls teeth wicked? This simile forces the image of men that are lucky to be alive. Or maybe, unlucky, depending on your opinion. My personal opinion is unlucky. The use of colour features strongly in both poems, but in distinctly different ways, in Mental cases Black is used to show us the darkness in these poor tormented soldiers minds, the darkness of blood in their dreams and the lack of light in their lives. In Disabled although colour is essentially imagining death and isolation, it also reiterates the fun and brightness of times past, times that will never be experienced again. I will look at the impact of all these techniques in Mental cases next. The imagery conjures up the casualties of a living hell. A hell thats trapped the victims inside their own minds. A hell that there is no escape from. Who are these? That sit they here in twilight? A strong question that starts the first of three stanzas. Who are they, who are they, and what are they? Purgatorial shadows Our first poignant introduction to the world of the soldiers condemned to an abyss of perdition. Commissioned to endure anguish and misery by the government they trusted. Colour is used throughout the poem; Twilight, shadows, blood black. It creates the impression of darkness, lost hope, and a living death that cannot be escaped. It encourages the slow mournful flow of the text. The use of men as animals in mental cases is symbolic. The connotations derived from this sets the readers mind in to a pitying spiral of horror. Owen uses simile and metaphor, Drooping tongues from jaws that slop their relish Shows men that have had their humanity wrenched from them. We see men that are in an ever lasting spiral of mental torture. A sadness and torment thats unbearable. Unimaginable, unbelievable. Soldiers that have had their humanity wrenched from them. The darkness of being trapped in a place akin to hell for what must seem like an eternity. A life where: Dawn breaks open like a wound that bleeds afresh Ensnared with ghosts nightmares revisited for company. Men who have lost, had their humanity ripped from them, and are reduced to the most basic of animal responses. Ever from their hair and through their hands palms We see the broken shells of men acting out compulsive actions, trying to remove the memories, the realities of times past. Memory fingers in their hair of murders The ever fresh torments of the carnage and deaths witnessed. The awareness of self preservation that lead to some of the horrors. Yet again the injustice and unfairness of war, is shown in the lines Treading blood from lungs that had loved laughter Always they must see these things and hear them Owen shows us some of the many haunting memories these men must endure, forced to turn there backs on other humans; wade through the maimed and dying in order to survive. These must be the worst horrors as its not just what the officialdom has ordered them to do, but what was essential for them to stay alive. Macabre words and imagery is strong throughout this poem, Wading sloughs of flesh these helpless wander This approach makes a distinct impression on me the reader. I also feel it echoes Owens intense opposition to the war. The final verse brings all the others together. The first stanza, with its rhetorical questions, making the reader ask how the men became the poor creatures that we see. The last line, the last question, Sleeping, and walk hell; but who these hellish uses ellipsis to clarify the question. The second verse illustrates the answers for us, giving us the knowledge that the combat they were sent into has caused the wrecks of men that we are visiting in the poem. Shocking emotion content is used to show us the humanity taken from them, the fact that they are human, real people not just statistics. Rucked too thick for these mens extraction A forceful end line to allegorize the grotesque carnage of war. By the last verse we know the cause and effect of war on these soldiers. Snatching after us who smote them, brother A sharp reminder of the combined guilt of the world, the responsibility we should feel for these men. This is reiterated in the last line, Pawing us who dealt them war and madness An arrow of words shooting the blame at us. Now I will look at the poem Disabled. Disabled is a much more straight forward poem, most people find physical wound easy to understand than mental scars. The opening line uses colour to set the scene, just like mental Cases does. He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark In his ghastly suit of grey The sombre bleak tone hits you straight away. The usage of deep despairing shades, of dark and grey implies the isolation of the soldier. We are introduced to a soldier that is obviously disabled Legless, sewn short at elbow. Straight forward so far but then we are given an insight into his mental turmoil, Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn, How unfair that he cant have fun, he cant run around and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. There is also a religious reference; Owen used religion in a lot of his works. We are given a glimpse of memories in the second verse. Memories that are strong and clear to him, memories that perhaps mock him and his affliction. About this time town used to swing so gay He is remembering the time when the town was a happy, warm carefree place for him. Then we have good use of alliteration And glow lamps budded in the light blue trees This is linked with another piece of alliteration And girls glanced lovelier as the air grew dim The use of colour to sets the scene of a balmy summers night, open to all sorts of possibilities, especially of a romantic nature. Then we are reminded of reality, we leave behind the memories of warmth and joy. These times belong to imagination and dreams only. Before he threw away his knees We see the soldier feeling that his loss was needless, the pomp and allure of patriotic duty seems far away, faint and faded. Now he will never feel again how slim girls waists are Gives us an insight into his physiological scars as well as physical. He knows that he cannot physically put his arms around a girls waist, but he also realises that no girl would want him now. All of them touch him like some queer disease We quickly realise that the soldier is a young man, a striking, handsome and popular boy. We see that he can but only yearn for what he will never again have, a life he took for granted, with the optimism of youth, and he knows that. He is condemned to women looking away from him, dismissing him as the look towards whole men. He cannot encircle girls waists; the sacrifice of his arms ensures that. He knows that it is natural to want strong husbands and fathers, providers not invalids wholl drain them financially and physically. We are told what a good catch he was before he went to war; we know that he was very fresh faced and handsome because an artist was desperate to be allowed to reproduce his likeness. But now war has ravaged his looks and prematurely aged him For it was younger than his youth, last year He knows that in the short space of a year his life has gone, has been wasted on some one elses ideals and morals. No more does he have a sexual or loving life to look forward to, And a leap of purple spurted from his thigh. The implications of this line are defiantly of a sexual nature, mimicry of ejaculation. Very erotic but we swap blood for semen. The irony is intense, the loss of limbs against the natural progression of creating new life. We are given a view of his carefree attitudes pre war, and his physical prowess. A blood smear down his leg After matches carried high The injury sustained during the match being carried like a badge of honour, more irony considering his present injuries. The sense of celebration because of his victory in battle is in stark contrast with the present day. Now we come to this carefree handsome young mans signing up. His reasons are youthful vanity, Someone said hed look like a god in kilts He is also looking back with hindsight wondering why he could have been so misled and brain washed into doing it. We also realise that hed drunk a peg, and thought it would impress the girls. But we also find out that he was underage Smiling they wrote his lie The authorities knew he was too young when he enlisted, but the conscripting crew didnt care. The lack of maturity and real understanding of what the war would be like didnt bother them at all. The fifth verse backs up his propaganda inspired reasoning, His visions of the glamour and benefits he would reap from the war. He wasnt really aroused by the enemy just aroused by the heroics and effects this would have on his life. We join in the celebrations awarded to him for going to war; we hear the Drums and cheers But the homecoming was a different story altogether. Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheers goal We are treated to a referral of the football match, but in comparison his welcome was very hollow. The battle of sport brought him more recognition, than when his broken body came home from the battles of war. We learn about the harsh unrelenting ungratefulness of human nature, because although the football victory was a much lesser achievement, he gets a lacklustre welcome home from the war. Outrageous as this attitude is it happened. The final stanza leaves the reader with a bitter taste. We see this young active vigorous man reduced to relying on the pity of others. He has become passive and is in total dependency on the whims of his carers, helpless. He has to wait for others to do the normal things in life that he cannot do for himself any more. Tonight he noticed how the womens eyes, Passed from him to the strong men that were whole Repeating again the losses that he was tricked into living with. More irony, he now has to rely on the women to put him to bed that he once would have had no trouble wooing into his bed. Why dont they come? A pitiful closing of a forgotten soldier, the soldier unwanted and ignored by his peers and government alike. So in summery now that I have juxtaposed these works, I find that both of the poems are strong and moving, both very visual and the impact makes the suffering endured very familiar to the reader, the horrors that are brought to light become only to real. We can all wonder how we would react to the pitiful maimed soldier in disabled, and maybe, too please his Meg She didnt stick around to be with him. Has she left him for a stronger man, a whole man? Has she let her eyes pass from him to the strong men that were whole? The embarrassment and pain that this attitude causes are the more of an injury to the soldier than his loss of limbs. More unseen scarring, whereas the scars in mental cases are all too obvious. And the blame for both is laid at our door, for we have Dealt them war and madness. Wilfred Owen expresses disgust for war using memorable and understandable imagery. We are to blame, we didnt fight against going to war, and we let the politicians seduce us. Snatching after us who smote them, brother he didnt have to beg Both of the poems are a shocking reminder of the effect to normal people that war freely gives out. In both works we are shown the pointlessness and damage of war, the cruel truths gathered from Owens own experiences. We are made to realise that the greatest suffering is not had by those killed on the battlefield, but by those who survive. Both poems show this the bitterness runs strong. In disabled the scars seem on the surface, Owens is very direct in his portrayal of this, He sat in a wheeled chair but then we begin to glimpse the unseen damage the constant haemorrhage of self, All of them touch him like some queer disease. The use of alliteration in Mental cases shows the scars much clearer, Multitudinous murders they once witnessed A hard hitting and numbing statement, Not only does it yet again point out the immorality of war, but leads use in to introspection of how we would cope if we had endured the same officially sanctioned terrors. We are left to contemplate the collective guilt.

Free Essays on Grandfathers Love

A Grandfathers Love When your young you really don't think about death or anyone close to you dying. You just expect everything to always stay the same. When I was young I was never faced with death or the concept that someone important to me would leave. I have learned that many experiences in life can teach you. This experience is one of them. When I was seven years old my great grandfather was told that he had bone cancer. Of course I didn't know what that meant I just knew that he was very sick. He lived with my great grandmother in the Sequoia Mountains so I didn't live very close to him but emotionally I felt very close. About six months later my family and I went to visit for Thanksgiving. I walked in the front door of his house and saw him lying in his recliner. His face was pale white, and he looked so sick. Even the feeling of the room felt different. It didn't seem like the warm house that smelled of my great grandma's famous raisin bread. Instead it felt cold and smelled of vomit. This was the first time I realized how seriously sick he was. I always thought of him as being this strong super hero type but when I saw him lying there he looked so fragile and helpless. I was even afraid to give him a hug. Later the next day my aunt arrived from Texas to visit for Thanksgiving. My mom asked me if I could go outside for a while and I asked why and she told me that she needed to give my grandfather a bath. As soon as I walked out the door tears dripped down my cold face. He really was helpless. I walked for at least an hour just thinking. As I walked I found this perfect pinecone and decided to bring it home. I remember handing him the pinecone and saying, "since you can't go hiking anymore, I thought that I would bring the outdoors to you." That week I spent all my time with him. Sometimes I would read to him and sometimes he would read to me. We would watch old Elvis movies on TV all day because there was an Elvis maratho... Free Essays on Grandfather's Love Free Essays on Grandfather's Love A Grandfathers Love When your young you really don't think about death or anyone close to you dying. You just expect everything to always stay the same. When I was young I was never faced with death or the concept that someone important to me would leave. I have learned that many experiences in life can teach you. This experience is one of them. When I was seven years old my great grandfather was told that he had bone cancer. Of course I didn't know what that meant I just knew that he was very sick. He lived with my great grandmother in the Sequoia Mountains so I didn't live very close to him but emotionally I felt very close. About six months later my family and I went to visit for Thanksgiving. I walked in the front door of his house and saw him lying in his recliner. His face was pale white, and he looked so sick. Even the feeling of the room felt different. It didn't seem like the warm house that smelled of my great grandma's famous raisin bread. Instead it felt cold and smelled of vomit. This was the first time I realized how seriously sick he was. I always thought of him as being this strong super hero type but when I saw him lying there he looked so fragile and helpless. I was even afraid to give him a hug. Later the next day my aunt arrived from Texas to visit for Thanksgiving. My mom asked me if I could go outside for a while and I asked why and she told me that she needed to give my grandfather a bath. As soon as I walked out the door tears dripped down my cold face. He really was helpless. I walked for at least an hour just thinking. As I walked I found this perfect pinecone and decided to bring it home. I remember handing him the pinecone and saying, "since you can't go hiking anymore, I thought that I would bring the outdoors to you." That week I spent all my time with him. Sometimes I would read to him and sometimes he would read to me. We would watch old Elvis movies on TV all day because there was an Elvis maratho...

Foods Role in the Evolution of the Human Jaw

Foods Role in the Evolution of the Human Jaw You may have heard the old adage that you should chew your food, especially meat, at least 32 times before you try to swallow it. While that may be overkill for some types of soft food like ice cream or even bread, chewing, or lack thereof, may have actually contributed to the reasons human jaws became smaller and why we now have smaller numbers of teeth in those jaws. What Caused the Decrease in Size of the Human Jaw? Researchers at Harvard University in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology now believe that the decrease in size of the human jaw was, in part, directed by the fact that human ancestors began to â€Å"process† their foods before they ate them. This does not mean adding artificial colors or flavors or the type of processing of food we think of today, but rather mechanical changes to the food such as cutting meat into smaller pieces or mashing fruits, vegetables, and grains into bite sized, small jaw friendly amounts. Without the large pieces of food that needed to be chewed more times to get them to pieces that could be swallowed safely, the human ancestors’ jaws did not have to be so large. Fewer teeth are needed in modern humans compared to their predecessors. For instance, wisdom teeth are now considered vestigial structures in humans when they were necessary in many of the human ancestors. Since jaw size has considerably gotten smaller throughout the evolution of humans, there is not enough room in some people’s jaws to comfortably fit the extra set of molars. Wisdom teeth were necessary when humans’ jaws were bigger and the food needed more chewing to be fully processed before being able to be swallowed safely. The Evolution of Human Teeth Not only did the human jaw shrink in size, so did the size of our individual teeth. While our molars and even bicuspids or pre-molars are still larger and flatter than our incisors and canine teeth, they are much smaller than the molars of our ancient ancestors. Before, they were the surface upon which grains and vegetables were ground into processed pieces that could be swallowed. Once the early humans figured out how to use various food preparation tools, the processing of the food happened outside of the mouth. Instead of needing large, flat surfaces of teeth, they could use tools to mash these types of foods on tables or other surfaces. Communication and Speech While the size of the jaw and the teeth were important milestones in the evolution of humans, it created more of a change in habits besides just how many times food was chewed before swallowed. Researchers believe the smaller teeth and jaws led to changes in communication and speech patterns, may have something to do with how our body processed changes in heat, and could even have affected the evolution of the human brain in areas that controlled these other traits. The actual experiment performed at Harvard University used 34 people in different experimental groups. One set of groups dined on vegetables early humans would have had access to, while another group got to chew on some goat meat- a type of meat that would have been plentiful and easy for those early humans to hunt and eat. The first round of the experiment involved the participants chewing completely unprocessed and uncooked foods. How much force was used with each bite was measured and the participants spit back out the fully chewed meal to see how well it was processed. The next round â€Å"processed† the foods the participants would chew. This time, the food was mashed or ground up using tools the human ancestors may have been able to find or make for food preparation purposes. Finally, another round of experiments were performed by slicing and cooking the foods. The results showed that the study participants used less energy and were able to eat the processed foods much more easily than those that were left â€Å"as is† and unprocessed. Natural Selection Once these tools and food preparation methods were widespread throughout the population, natural selection found that a larger jaw with more teeth and oversized jaw muscles were unnecessary. Individuals with smaller jaws, fewer teeth, and smaller jaw muscles became more common in the population. With the energy and time saved from chewing, hunting became more prevalent and more meat was incorporated into the diet. This was important for early humans because animal meat has more calories available, so more energy was then able to be used for life functions. This study found the more processed the food, the easier it was for the participants to eat. Could this be why the mega-processed food we find today on our supermarket shelves are often high in caloric value? The ease of eating processed foods is often cited as a reason for the obesity epidemic. Perhaps our ancestors who were trying to survive by using less energy for more calories have contributed to the state of modern human sizes.

Monetary policies and how they affect various sectors of the economy Term Paper

Monetary policies and how they affect various sectors of the economy - Term Paper Example A proper monetary policy is essential for the growth of the economy. The rate of interest and the inflation rate in the economy are the major factors which would determine what monetary policy would be implemented in the economy. The rate of interests existing in an economy is under the control of the central bank. The monetary policy is governed by the principles of demand and supply. In order to control to taper the amount of liquidity in the economy the central bank would increase the rates of interest of the bonds. As a result people would cut down on their spending and would park their funds in the bonds. This is done because the opportunity cost of spending would be very high. The aggregate demand as a result would come down and therefore the total production of the economy would come down. This would lead to a reduction in the amount of liquidity in the economy. On the other hand when the central bank wants to increase the amount of liquidity it reduces the rates of interest. As a result the people stop keeping the money in the banks and start spending. Thus the amount of liquidity in the economy increases. Thus through the conduct of the monetary policy the central bank not only controls the money market in the economy but also influences the commodity market. This happens because the aggregate demand of the economy would depend on the amount of money that the individuals have with them for spending. The central bank however does not come into direct contact with the general public. However, they regulate the money supply through interaction with the commercial banks. The inductive effect falls on the common people (Mankiw 482). The apex banks generally change the short term interest rates more frequently which affect the long term rate of interests. The central bank would take the help of various tools to tackle the monetary policy of the country. These tools have been explained subsequently. Open Market Operations The most popular tool used by the cen tral bank of a country is through the buying and selling of the bonds and government securities. This method helps the bank to increase or decrease the amount of liquidity in the economy depending on the inflationary pressures. The short term interest rates are manipulated by the central banks and thereby influencing the supply of money in the economy. When the central banks want to increase the amount of liquidity in the economy it goes to the open market and buys the government securities. The cash going out of the fund of the central bank actually comes out into the economy thereby increasing the monetary base. On the other hand when the central bank wants to reduce the money supply it sells the bonds or the securities in the market and the money comes into the possession of the central bank. The monetary base of the economy gets reduced and thereby liquidity is controlled by the central bank (Arnold 311). The chief reasons for conducting such open market operation are to control the level of inflation in the economy. However, the government takes the help of the debt instruments for conducting this technique. These instruments are generally the short term ones. Changes in Reserve Requirements Every bank operating in an economy has to maintain necessary reserve requirements with the central bank of the country. Being the apex body of all the banks the central bank is the regulatory controller of the commercial ba

Mischeif and miscarriage in the criminal justice process Assignment

Mischeif and miscarriage in the criminal justice process - Assignment Example 397). Nevertheless, the advancement in the legal practice and in the administration of public affairs makes it possible to have criminals released from confinement allowed the freedom to participate in their social and economic lives without much deterrence. Such a process is sustainable on the basis that such persons are given corrective services while in their homes or with the society (Cohen 2002; p. 41)1. Prisons have served as a useful institution of isolation of criminals. It is however useful to have criminals effectively observed because they are in a different state of social cognition characterized by many altered feelings about social order, governance and public life. Prisons have ceased to deliver their corrective capacity as a result of the challenges in the economy today and therefore better methods should be gradually tested and ratified that will ensure more of the criminals are free in the society and are engaged into more meaningful work. Supervision in the community will offer the best option for correction due to the fact that there are technologies to monitor or aid the monitoring of criminals and that may assist in their correction. The community approach will also create an environment for the other civilian to be familiar with the restrictions that are attached to criminal activity and hence facilitate psychological adjustment and abhorrence for crime. The condition that crime must be established beyond and reasonable doubt in a litigation process is a very high bar to attain in many litigation processes. Due to these high standards, it is meaningful that the program is obtained that will manage the loopholes for which many criminal have evaded justice through the criminal justice system (Ramsey, Latessa, & Travis 2003; p. 3). Suffice it to mention therefore, governments should seek to collaborate widely with many institutions in the process of administering justice. In the United States, the Megan’s law was

The role of IT in generating competitive advantage for a business Assignment

The role of IT in generating competitive advantage for a business organisation of your own choice - Assignment Example he term information and communication technology (ICT) as people use and communicate to other people through a network connection (Laudon, & Laudon, 2010). Most organizations use ICT to interact with clients and become competitive in the market. The computer is made up of the hardware, which is the visible and physical part of a computer and the software that includes a set of commands that are understandable to the computer as well as the provision of instructions expected to be done by the computer. The basic principle of the computer is that information or data enters through the computer through an input device that is then processed and transmitted through an output device. Some of the output devices include interfaces like the screen or other electronic device like a storage device or computer network. For businesses to be successful and be effective, it is important for organizations to install information technology. Some of the business applications include databases, transactional systems like the real time order entry, web servers for example, the Apache. In addition, there are systems that manage customers and enterprise resource planning systems. Moreover, computer servers run business applications by interacting with client users and other servers across different networks (Kangas, 2003). In an organization, the IT department is tasked with the management of the organizations IT infrastructure and assets. The IT team relies on the specialized IT knowledge and skills to support the equipment and organizational activities. This paper will look at how Pfizer pharmaceutical company located in New York and spread across the globe is using IT to have a competitive edge over other pharmaceutical companies. Two cousins, Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, incorporated Pfizer pharmaceutical in Brooklyn New York in 1849. The company is dedicated on improving the lives of human beings. Moreover, it is dedicated to do research and revolutionary processes and

Urban tourism development Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Urban tourism development - Research Paper Example siness related things but people also move to cities for leisure purposes and to observe and learn about the different cultural activities at different cities. The main elements which attract the tourists towards the cities are theatres, cinemas, museums, art galleries, parks, night clubs, casinos, organized events like Christmas, shopping, markets, accommodation and festivals etc. So in short urban tourism refers to the utilization of town spectacles (like construction, monuments, and parks) and artistic amenities (such as museums and performances) by guests. Studying urban tourism involves seriously relaxation activities and transitory populations. A good quantity of developments in recent previous decades has led tourism to appear as a large industry with huge amounts of money involved in it. As industrial built-up deserts intense urban areas, entertainment plays an extended role in numerous city economies. The magnetism and accommodation of tourists has become a vital concern for community and private city elites. The considerable but transitory population of tourists to the city has an amazing influence on the local political affairs, investment options, and the built-up of environment. Tourist demand for travel to cities has deeply improved over the last few decades (Theobald & William, 1998). It is an important fact that tourism plays a critical role in the UK’s economy. It is accepted as the fifth major industry in UK. Keeping in view the importance of tourism industry UK especially London has made major improvements and to date London offers attractions like Trafalgar square, British Museum,  Zoo, National Gallery and the  London  Dungeon, to name just a few. `London for fun` is the eventual and absolute tourist heaven. London is amongst the cities which are most commonly visited by the travelers in year 2009 (London overseas factsheet, 2009) A special tourism known as cultural tourism has made its place in the past few decades. In cultural tourism

National Political Convention Project Research Paper

National Political Convention Project - Research Paper Example The analysis will be the framework for state and urban fusion centres to conduct a study on the threats posed by terrorism activities. In addition, the analysis will help to thwart any attacks that Al Qaeda wishes to coincide with US national biennial political campaigns. It will give recommendations after studying the past attacks by Al Qaeda. In late 1998, Al Qaeda targeted US embassies in both Kenya and Tanzania. It was a successful mission for the group. Then there was the bombing of American consulate in Pakistan. Al Qaida planned to kill 5000 people in Mumbai, but they managed to kill a less number. The worst attack was in September of 2008. It was the biggest terrorism attack in the worlds history. History indicates that Al Qaeda always launch their surges on the day preceding every biennial US election, since 2000 Al Qaeda has a cyclical pattern of conducting attacks on America, six weeks preceding the elections. There was a partially accurate pattern since 2000 to 2008. Experts have provided forewarning about the attacks. The forewarning is accurate and indicates the timings and locations of the attacks. The experts predicted accurately the 9/11 attacks and the failed plot to send bomb parcels to the US. With the attacks, the experts predicted a possibility of the attacks in 2012, to ensure there is an election rigging. There is sufficient evidence to prove the attacks. The terrorists in New York, targeted financial institutions, in the city. Furthermore, there were catastrophic attacks in Washington. Government and military buildings were the main targets. All these attacks happened six days before US national biennial elections. The terrorists were from Yemen. They are a branch of Al Qaeda. In addition to the attacks in American soil, the terrorist bombed New Delhi and Tel Aviv (Riedel, 2010). All these pattern of attacks shows the US is vulnerable to future attacks. The attacks happen during the election

The Bedrock of our Lives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Bedrock of our Lives - Essay Example Indeed, in the fast-paced movement of the modern world, we need family to keep us grounded and give us a place to call home. First of all, our family has been with us from the start and has seen us through our development in life. Before we could get started in our careers, before we become successful people in whatever fields of endeavour we explore, before we meet all our friends, our family was there to guide us through the early stages of our life. That means that they accept us no matter what, despite our shortcomings. We all have heard stories of young people who left their homes to rebel against their parents, blaming them for some imagine grievance, and believing that they can make it in the world. Some of them fare well, earning money and establishing themselves in a good career. Some, however, find themselves involved in all sorts of vices and moving in the wrong crowd. Either way, at some point in their lives, they will find themselves drawn back home – a place of f amiliarity and safety, a place that has accepted them for who they are. The truth is that family reminds us of a more innocent time in our lives, it takes us back to our childhood when things were so much simpler and safer. The second point that I make when I say that family is most important is that a large part of a person’s emotional state is determined by whether or not he or she has a happy family. It is easy to take our families for granted when we are successful, when we are surrounded by friends, when we immerse ourselves in other preoccupations. The truth of the matter is, however, when we lose our families or when family relationships break up, it is one of the biggest causes of depression and even suicide. In an important study conducted by Jerry Jacobs and Joseph Teicher entitled â€Å"Broken Homes and Social Isolation in Attempted Suicides of Adolescents† (1967) it was found that that after looking at the life-histories of patients who had attempted to com mit suicide and comparing it to the life-histories of those who had not committed suicide, a great proportion of those in the former group come from broken homes or had unhappy family relationships. So you see, this means that while it is easy to take family relationships for granted when our family is stable and whole, when the links that bind are broken, it causes a great sense of personal devastation – indeed, to the point that it can drive one to commit suicide. It is clear therefore, that more than any other thing, family is the most important thing in life. Thirdly, our families have our back, no matter what. That is the power of relationships within the family. One may have plenty of friends to spend good times with, but how many people will stick by your side during the bad times? If, in the middle of the night, you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being arrested and thrown to prison, chances are, the first person you would call is a family member. That i s because of the absolute certainty we have that our family is going to be there not only in the good times but also in the bad. They cheer for us when we are at our best, and give us steady and unconditional comfort when we are at our worst. They say that life is a competition: we are constantly competing with other people for a variety of things, be it a job promotion, academic honors, winning affection from the opposite sex. Some people, therefore, will want to bring you down in order to get ahead. Our families, however, are our safe haven from the mini-olympiads playing out in the

National Political Convention Project Research Paper

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Business - Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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Concealed Carry Laws Debate

Concealed Carry Laws Debate Mark Derham The study of crime in all its forms by scholars is a mainstay of academia. Research on this topic spans across a wide breadth of related issues, but the main concern of this essay is crime and the effect concealed handgun laws have on it. These laws provide citizens a legal means by which to carry a concealed handgun by having them undergo a background check through their local law enforcement agency to ensure they have no criminal history and are not suffering from a mental health illness (Lott and Mustard 1997).This particular issue was brought to the forefront of the academic debate by Lott and Mustard (1997) in an attempt to apply empirical, quantitative analysis to the issue to assist in the formulation of public policies regarding handguns and the right-to-carry. Following the publishing of Lott and Mustard (1997), numerous other scholars joined in the debate on concealed handgun laws and the effect such laws have on the crime rate (see Bartley and Cohen 1998; Black and Nagin 1 998; Ludwig 2000; Plassman and Tideman 2001; Ayres and Donohue III 2003; Plassman and Whitley 2003; Moody and Marvell 2008; etc.). What has resulted is a collection of work showing a divide amongst scholars and a debate on whether or not concealed handgun laws have a negative, neutral or positive effect on crime rate and the proper method for analyzing the available data. School shootings, gunmen attacking innocent civilians in public areas, and other forms of gun violence continue to put people on high alert when it comes to the issue of guns, their availability, and the ease in which one can lawfully carry said guns. These forms of crime in relation to gun laws also continue to play a big role in local, state and national elections, with party lines having already been drawn at all levels. As a result of the national attention crime receives and the impact it has on political debates, it is critical to understanding the issue of crime, and how local, state and national laws impact crime levels. With this information in mind, this essay is specifically concerned with the following question: why does the crime rate vary? With such a question, it is expected that there are numerous reasons that variance is to be found, and several variables will be set up and reviewed to determine their effect on the crime rate. The literature surrounding concealed carry laws is extensive due in large part to Lott and Mustard (1997) providing a spark for other scholars to join the debate. The results in the literature also reveal that scholars are deeply divided on the effects concealed carry laws have on the crime rate, and the methods by which researchers believe this issue should be addressed also widely vary. While there are not necessarily key findings due to the divide amongst scholars, there are several generalizations that can be gathered from the literature. First, crime data can be difficult to interpret due to inconsistency in reporting and classification of crimes over time (Lott and Mustard 1997; Ludwig 2000; Ayres and Donohue III 2003). Second, the independent variables used to control for other factors that affect the crime rate can have a significant impact on the end results, which comes as no surprise (Ludwig 2000; Ayres and Donohue III). Third, the unit of analysis used to study the issue has been shown to have a significant impact on the results due mainly to crime reports and different independent variables affecting different regions (Ayres and Donohue III; Black and Nagin 1998; Lott and Mustard 1997; Ludwig 2000). Fourth, the majority of the literature maintains even when lower violent crime rates cannot be attributed to concealed carry laws, there is also little evidence of higher violent crime rates as a result of these laws (Bartley and Cohen 1998; Black and Nagin 1998; Lott and Mustard 1997; Ludwig 2000; Moody and Marvell 2008; Plassman and Tideman 2001; Plassman and Whitley 2003). With such variance over all aspects of concealed handgun laws effects on crime rate, there is also a large variance in the results that scholars have achieved. Lott and Mustard (1997) originally determined that concealed handgun laws reduce murders, rapes, and aggravated assaults; property crimes increase when the laws go into effect; and the laws deter all types of crime with murder, rape, and aggravated assault being the most affected. Bartley and Cohen (1998) found a reduction in violent crime rates and no substitution effect for property crimes. Plassman and Tideman (2001) saw a deterrent for murder, rape and robbery in ten of the states they analyzed, but also recognize the potential for an increase in crime for the other half of states they reviewed. Plassman and Whitley (2003) conclude the laws do reduce murder rates, and Moody and Marvell (2009) also conclude there is generally a reduction in overall crime. Thus, even amongst the scholars that see a positive effect on conceal ed carry laws, the results are varied on what the precise effect is. The other side of the debate generally recognizes that the laws maintain a neutral effect on overall crime, although, Ayres and Donohue III (2003,2009) argue that their model shows an increase in crime once concealed handgun laws are put in place.They also reject the majority of the literature supporting a reduction in crime based on issues with the original data sets utilized by Lott (2000). Once the data sets are extended to include the years up to 2000 and corrections are made to original coding issues, the results of previous studies (Lott 2000; Plassman and Whitely 2003) are reversed (Ayres and Donohue III 2009). Once the data sets extend up to 2006, the issue becomes more complicated and only shows an increase in aggravated assaults with no significant results for murder and robbery (Ayres and Donohuee III 2009b).Black and Nagin (2008) argue in their analysis that there is too much sensitivity for the model and sample size and qualify this by showing that Lott and Mustardâ€⠄¢s (1997) results are dependent on Florida being included in the analysis. Once Florida is removed from the sample, there is no deterrence effect for murder and rape and assaults are unaffected. They conclude that Lott and Mustard’s results should not affect public policies due to the sensitivity of the analysis (Black and Nagin 2008). Finally, when analyzing only homicide rates and attempting to control for unobserved variables by using juveniles as a control group, there is a positive effect for concealed carry laws, but it is not significant (Ludwig 2000). Once again, the varied results complicate the overall analysis and provide questions on the overall reliability and accuracy of the results. The data used to study this issue were derived by pulling statistics and information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and then supplementing that data with state reported statistics obtained through various state agencies for conviction rates, sentencing length, and concealed handgun permits issues (Lott and Mustard 1997). This data pool is criticized to an extent due to the known issues with the UCR data being a victim of non-reporting, incomplete reporting, and under reporting (Ludwig 2000). However, there appears to be an agreement that this is the best available data since the majority of the available literature utilized Lott and Mustard’s data to conduct their own analysis (Ayres and Donohue III; Bartley and Cohen 1998; Black and Nagin 1998; Lott and Mustard 1997; Ludwig 2000; Moody and Marvell 2008; Plassman and Tideman 2001; Plassman and Whitley 2003). There has also been work completed to supplement Lott and Mustardâ⠂¬â„¢s data by including additional years of statistics up to 2006 (Ayres and Donohue III 2009b; Moody and Marvell 2008). There is also the issue of obtaining data regarding a state’s concealed handgun permits. Since there only six states that had any reportable data available regarding the number of concealed handgun permits issued, there was also agreement that a dichotomous value was required to assess the status of a states concealed handgun laws (Ayres and Donohue III 2003; Bartley and Cohen 1998; Black and Nagin 1998; Lott and Mustard 1997; Ludwig 2000; Moody and Marvell 2008; Plassman and Tideman 2001; Plassman and Whitley 2000). This continues to be a contentious point amongst scholars since there is no measure for the number of issued concealed weapon permits by state. The unit at which the studies were analyzed varied, and there is some level of debate as to which unit of analysis is best able to interpret the available data. Lott and Mustard (1997) argue that the county is the best unit of analysis based on the heterogeneity of states and the effects this carries over to state level analysis. Additionally, they argue that the city level isn’t appropriate due to the lack of time-series data once the laws are put in place (Lott and Mustard 1997). However, the county as the unit of analysis is rejected by several other scholars. Black and Nagin (1998) use the county as their unit of analysis but reject Lott and Mustard’s results based on their acceptance of all counties, which results in the dropping of a large amount of data due to some crimes not being present in all counties each year. Thus, Black and Nagin (1998) set a population limit on the counties being accepted into the analysis. On the other hand, Plassman and Tideman (2001) find that limiting counties by size results in a loss of significant value to the models and instead use the state to discover a significant variation in results across multiple states. Finally, Ayres and Donohue III (2003, 2009b) run models utilizing both state and county levels to test for reliability and accuracy of the available data. Additionally, the state level data was able to be extended using the UCR through 2006. Utilizing county level data is dangerous due to the sheer inaccuracy of it, amongst other issues (Ayres and Donohue III 2003).What is clear from each of these studies is that the unit of analysis can certainly vary, and it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each before moving forward. The methods used by scholars are the true dividing force in the debate over concealed handgun laws. There seems to be little agreement on which methods produce the most accurate results and each subsequent scholar that joins the debate finds a new method to interpret the available data. The only consensus that is to be found in the literature supports a cross-sectional, time series study. Following that, the models used to analyze the data vary widely. Lott and Mustard (1997) utilized a least squares regression model along with Black and Nagin (1998) and Bartley and Cohen (1998). Plassman and Tideman (2001) found this causes unreliable results since the least squares method is not suitable for the low levels of occurrence for some of the crimes. They argue that a Poisson-lognormal model is much more accurate based on the available data (Plassman and Tideman 2001). Ludwig (2000) utilizes only the homicide data, due to the unreliability of other nonviolent crime data, to run a differen ce-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) model at the state level. Ayres and Donohue III (2003) also reject the least squares regression model based on the re-running of the analysis with their additional data sets and instead favor a hybrid model that incorporates state trends, state post-law dummies, and state post-law trends. This latter model has also been rejected due to the restriction of Ayres and Donohue III’s post passage analysis to only five years. When the model was extended by one more year, the results shifted completely (Moody and Marvell 2009).This is also dangerous since there was only one to three years worth of data available for the 25 states originally reviewed, so extending the analysis an additional year could have caused errors in the results (Ayres and Donohue III, 2009). The available research on right to carry laws and their effects on the crime rate show that there is much disagreement surrounding the available data, at what level the data should be analyzed, measures utilized, and models used for the regression analysis. As a result, there is still room to provide input into this issue and no true key findings amongst scholars exist, though, general findings can be surmised. With regard to the data, there will always be inconsistencies with how crime is reported and provided to the public in the UCR. Regardless, this is the best available source for crime data and the real debate should be on what level that data is analyzed and how to control for the inaccuracy of the available data. All of the research has used either state or county level data due to the lack of city level data prior to 1985. The measures utilized also show a discrepancy amongst research as to the most appropriate variables necessary to account for other factors that affect cri me. This is certainly a problem all of its own due to the demonstrated effects on results of removing certain variables and accounting for others. Thus, more work is necessary to discover the most appropriate variables to control for during the analysis. Finally, a host of models have been used to run regression analysis with each finding differing results. This calls into question the reliability of the results and the need for additional research. With this information in mind, this study will approach the issue of the crime rate in a quantitative method. The dependent variable will be the crime rate since the issue at hand is what causes variance in the crime rate. The units of analysis will be states and time represented over a calendar year. Treatment and control states will be utilized to account for other factors that can be expected to impact crime rates. The primary variable this article will analyze is the presence of concealed handgun laws. The second variable this study expects to affect crime rate variance is the metropolitan population percentage of a state. With the dependant and independent variables having been established, there are two hypotheses this study puts forward. First, if concealed handgun laws are in place, then the crime rate should be reduced over time. Second, if a state’s metropolitan population percentage decreases over time, then the crime rate should decrease over time. Thus, for the independent variable of concealed handgun laws, this study expects to see a positive impact to the crime rate. For the metropolitan population percentage variable, it is expected that a lower percentage over time will have a positive impact to the crime rate, and a higher percentage over time will have a negative impact. Works Cited Aikens, Steven and Slider, Gary. 2014. â€Å"US State Pages.† Accessed on March 3, 2014.http://www.handgunlaw.us/. Ayres, Ian and Donohue III, John J. 2003.â€Å"Shooting down the More Guns, Less Crime Hypothesis.†Stanford Law Review 55 (April): 1193-1312.  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­. 2009. â€Å"Yet Another Refutation of the More Guns, Less Crime Hypothesis – With Some Help From Moody and Marvell.† Econ Journal Watch 6 (January): 35-59. – ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚ ­. 2009b. â€Å"More Guns, Less Crime FailsAgain: The Latest Evidence from1977 – 2006.† Econ Journal Watch 6 (May): 218-238. Bartley, William A. and Cohen, Mark A. 1998. â€Å"the Effect of Concealed weapons Laws: An Extreme Bound Analysis.† Economic Inquiry 36 (April): 258-265. Black, Dan A. and Nagin, Daniel S. 1998. â€Å"Do Rightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Carry Laws Deter Violent Crime?† The Journal of Legal Studies 27 (January): 209-219. Lott, John R. and Mustard, David B. 1997. â€Å"Crime, Deterrence, and Rightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Carry Concealed Handguns.† The Journal of Legal Studies 26 (January): 1-68. Lott, John R. 2000. More Guns, Less Crime. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Ludwig, Jens. 2000. â€Å"Gun Self-Defense and Deterrence.† Crime and Justice 27: 363-417. Moody, Carlisle E. and Marvell, Thomas B. 2008).â€Å"The Debate on Shall-Issue Laws.†Econ Journal Watch 5 (September): 269-293. Plassman, Florenz and Tideman, Nicolaus. 2001. â€Å"Does the Right to Carry Concealed Handguns Deter Countable Crimes? Only a Count Analysis Can Say.† Journal of Law and Economics 44 (October): 771-798. Plassman, Florenz and Whitley, John. 2003. â€Å"Confirming More Guns, Less Crime.† Stanford Law Review 55 (April): 1313-1369.