Tuesday, January 28, 2020

A Response to Historians in Cahoot by Tristram Hunt Essay Example for Free

A Response to Historians in Cahoot by Tristram Hunt Essay Political speeches are of course meticulously designed not to sound like, well, a political speech. Tristam Hunt had seen through the design of President George W. Bush’s inaugural speech in 2005. In Hunt’s article, â€Å"Historians in Cahoot†, he pointed out the heavy use of the term â€Å"history.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   President Bush had repeatedly mentioned historic events that range from the formulation of the declaration of independence to the tragic 911 attacks. Hunt’s article is seemingly arguing that history could be used as a political tool. People are attracted to history. It could be nostalgia, or it could just be that history is always presented in a packaged form—a packaged form in a sense that the past events are already modified and consequently stripped of the other details. Moreover, history is often accused of being biased.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before the article had actually started, there was a suggestion for reading that suggests that there is a distinction between history as â€Å"inspiration† and history as â€Å"instruction.† Aside from the fact that the suggestion for reading had served its purpose as a guide, it leads the readers to a profound realization about history. There is a hint in Hunt’s article that the Bush administration would pattern its style of governance according to what had already transpired in history—a style of governance which is likely to be leaning to only a small portion of the society.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Market Research :: Business and Management Studies

Market Research Finding out about what consumers want and need, and what makes them buy, is called MARKET RESEARCH. Market research is the process of gaining information about customers, competitors and market trends through collecting primary and secondary data. Why Research the Market? Businesses that are product orientated risk spending large amounts of money launching a product, which could be a failure. Research the market helps reduce this risk. It focuses research and design effort onto products, which have a chance of success in the market place. When the product is launched, a carefully researched product stands less chance of failing. Market research attempts to find the answers to questions a business might have about its market. This information is collected via desk research and field research. The information is then collected and analysed. The business then decides about what to do in the light of the information formed. Desk Research DESK RESEARCH involves the use of SECONDARY DATA. This is information that is available, both within and outside the business: Internal Sources is such as sales invoices, reports and accounts. Government is published statistics, such as consumer spending figures; reports such as Monopolies and Mergers Commission Reports. The Media is reports in newspapers, magazines, on radio and on television. Trade Associations is statistics or reports published by national organizations such as the TUC, the CBI or chambers of commerce, or industry associations such as the Engineering Employers Federation or the National Farmers Union. Research Organisations is reports prepared by specialist market research organizations such as Mintel or Mori; articles published in academic journals such as university journals. Field Research FIELD RESEARCH involves the collection of PRIMARY DATA is information which no one has yet collected. It is collected for the particular piece of research through direct investigation, that is, observation, survey and experiment.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Commentary on ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Essay

In the novel ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams, a scene that often catches the attention of readers is the poker scene. It begins when Blanche and Stella return from seeing a show too early, not wanting to have been a distraction or a nuisance while the men played poker. Stanley rudely dismisses the ladies making sure they know they aren’t welcome to join in, the tension escalates as does the banter and Stanley whacks Stella’s thigh to end the discussion. Mitch and Blanche then meet for the first time as he exits the bathroom and they are both immediately taken with each other. The poker games continues to progress and the ladies listen to the radio and gossip about the men, Stanley becomes unnecessarily agitated by the music and insists that they turn it off. Mitch then deals a hand and leaves to talk to Blanche, he offers a cigarette from a silver case, which he then continues on to explain the significance behind it, being from a girl whom he was once involved with that passed away. They continue to talk and Blanche explains how she was an English teacher and enjoyed her job even though the majority of her students didn’t retain much interest in the English curriculum. Then, the real action begins to unfold; Blanche turns the radio back on, not aware of what her actions will lead up to. Stanley was already at his wits end by the first time he ordered the radio turned off and a second provocation would only lead to trouble. The music begins to play ‘Wein, Wein, nur du allein’ which translates to ‘Wine, Wine, and you alone’ giving the reader auditory imagery. I find this ironic, as I believe Blanche is an in denial alcoholic, perhaps the song suggests that the only think she can really rely on for comfort is alcohol. She then begins to dance, waltzing ‘with romantic hand gestures’, this gives proof of her aristocratic and privileged upbringing for few of lower standing would know how to waltz. As for the romantic hand gestures, Blanche is utilizing her means of coquettish seduction on Mitch (who seems all too happy to be at the receiving end to her tryst) as she desperately clings to the idea of a stable and supportive relationship with a husband (as well as a source of income and roof over her head). This course of action has Stanley very riled up, even more so then before. The first time I read this passage I believed his anger to be unwarranted and simply unnecessary, but by putting yourself in his shoes it is possible to visualize where he’s coming from. Stanley sees himself as a ‘manly man’ completely sure of himself and filled to the brim with testosterone. Now combine that with whiskey, more testosterone, a little friendly competition and the fact that he’s losing, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Stanley prides himself on his authority and control of his friends, so when his winnings start to go south and he begins to loose face among them; something he prides himself upon. Its logical to say that his reaction will be harsh to any form of provocation using it as an outlet to his frustration and anger, no matter how unconscionable it was. As Stanley reacts to the radio being played the visual imagery and his disposition becomes wild, animalistic and primal. He ‘stalks fiercely’ to the radio, snatches it up, shouts an oath and then throws it out the window. In my opinion Stanley gives off a strong sense of Neanderthal attitudes because his actions are so primal and savage. In the next line Stella even accuses him of being such stating ‘Drunk – drunk – animal thing, you!’ I think it is this accusation from Stella that makes Stanley snap, taking his anger and need for violence past the point of no return. Stella was the last string in his anger coming to be so severe, because after his friends winning more then he, taking some authority and control away form him, his wife then blatantly insulting him in front of his friends on top of that had to do it. Even in his approach he is like an animal ‘Stanley charges after Stella’ as if he is predator and she is prey (which in this scenario it is safe to say was the case). His friends make feeble attempts at calming Stanley down, trying not to anger him further and at the same time avoiding his wrath being directed towards them. At this point I think Stella knows what’s going to happen and her threats of retaliation are empty as she warns ‘You lay your hands on me and I’ll – ’ as she backs out of the scene with Stanley in pursuit. A cacophony of noises is then heard as Stanley hits Stella and then as if the limelight has been off Blanche for too long she begins to scream and run around. Bringing attention back to herself, it also has to do with the fact that she has never been put in conditions as such and is useless, thus she must find some way to give herself the importance she craves so badly. Stanley’s men finally step up to restrain him in the throes of the crazed mist of rage he has succumbed to. Even in a condition as his ‘he nearly throws them off’ giving the reader a reminder of the brute force and strength that is Stanley. Then as if hit with an epiphany of great importance, realization hits, he surfaces from his delusions ‘all at once he subsides and is limp in their grasp’. Stella, presumably still in shock and fear from what has occurred claims that ‘[in a high, unnatural voice, out of sight] I want to go away, I want to go away!’ what’s interesting about this line is that her tone brings us back to Stanley’s demeanour before he attacked her, inhuman, very much like an animal which brings one to wonder that if Stella can react as such that maybe they aren’t so different from each other in that they can be both very animalistic at times. Mitch is one of the quieter characters in this play, much more reserved and miles more civilised then any of the other male characters. And after all these things have occurred he finally speaks up, simply stating that ‘Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women’ Now, what I see he’s trying to get across is that all of the previous conflict and violence is solely to blame upon the fact that women were in the same building in which poker was being played, Surely this combination cannot be so dangerous as to inspire domestic abuse? Mitch is wrong on this matter because it is obviously not a dangerous combination; it is Stanley’s overbearing and easily angered personality that makes the situation so volatile. As I said before, Stanley was just a time bomb waiting to go off it was just a matter of someone setting him off (in this case, Stella). After all of this has come to pass, Blanche hastily takes Stella upstairs to the neighbours, Stanley realizes what has happened, that Stella is gone and becomes frantic. Becoming violent and telling his men to ‘Let go of me, you sons of bitches!’ it is unsure whether he is going to become mad with anger once again. His friends see this and hastily make their way out, not forgetting to reclaim their winnings. Tennessee Williams then uses repetition to enforce Mitch’s sexist opinion on the matter by having him state, again, that ‘Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women’ as if the outcome was unavoidable due to this. Our attention is then taken back to Stanley as he continues through this almost heartfelt and emotional realization that Stella has left him, sobbing and crying out for her, this period is brief though and he soon becomes demanding and stubborn with Eunice (the neighbour) in wanting Stella back. When his plight proves useless, it’s as if he’s relapsed back into the desperate, sobbing man he was a moment before, maybe in thinking that this is the best course of action to manipulate Stella into returning. An animalistic reference is made again to Stanley in the description of his actions in that ‘he throws back his head like a baying hound and bellows his wife’s name: ‘Stella! Stella, sweetheart, Stella!’ This continues along with more banter with the neighbour until with one last attempt, as if he is back to his normal self, he cries out ‘[with heaven-splitting violence]: STELLL – AHHHHH!’ After a moment, Stella emerges and the two come together with an unspoken amount of emotion. This passage is extremely intimate and tender, not something that is often witnessed on stage or in books because it takes on such a personal and real feeling. Even as they come together there is still this animosity in the line ‘they came together with low, animal moans’. Stanley is a strong symbol of virility, manhood and all that is masculine but as he kneels half-naked and exposed on the pavement outside their house desperately crying out for his wife it makes you wonder if there is more to him then what the reader thinks. It is a difficult scene to act out in my opinion because the actor must be enticing and terrifying at the same time. Hence, Stella’s unhealthy attraction towards him, even when shouting her name in desperation on the pavement he still remains a dominating force that pulled her towards him. Their reunion at the bottom of the steps is without words – purely physical with a hint of tenderness as Stanley carries her back into their flat. What I think Tennessee Williams was trying to make the reader/audience feel when writing this passage was fear and curiosity at the same time. Fear from what would happen to the characters, namely Stella from Stanley and curiosity for the same reason. What makes this scene so interesting is the conflicting emotions coming from all of the characters, Blanche’s seduction of Mitch and need to feel useful, Stella’s embarrassment and fear of Stanley’s actions, Mitch’s defensiveness of Stanley’s actions, the other friends wariness if not fear of Stanley and Stanley’s anger and frustration at needing to be in control of the situation at all times. Needless to say, it is an incredibly complex situation, which at the same time remains extremely ironic.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

How Is Conquérir (to Conquer) Conjugated in French

The French verb for to conquer is  conquà ©rir.  Its often misspelled  conquir, so dont forget the middle syllable. In order to say conquered or conquering, the verb needs to be conjugated and this lesson will show you how its done. Conjugating the French Verb  Conquà ©rir Verb conjugations can be frustrating for many French students and, unfortunately,  conquà ©rir  is one of the more challenging verbs. That is because its an  irregular verb, meaning it does not follow a common conjugation pattern. However, there are a few verbs that end in -uà ©rir  and each is conjugated the same way. This includes  acquà ©rir  (to acquire),  senquà ©rir  (to inquire), and quà ©rir (to go in quest of). If you study these as a group, each will be a little easier. The key is to find the verb stem. For  conquà ©rir, this is  conqu- and you will add the appropriate ending to match the  subject pronoun as well as the tense. As an example, for the subject pronoun  je  in the present tense,  the infinitive ending -iers  is always added. This forms je conquiers, meaning I conquer. Likewise, -errons  is added in the  nous  future tense to create we will conquer or nous conquerrons. Subject Present Future Imperfect je conquiers conquerrai conqurais tu conquiers conquerras conqurais il conquiert conquerra conqurait nous conqurons conquerrons conqurions vous conqurez conquerrez conquriez ils conquirent conquerront conquraient The Present Participle of  Conquà ©rir Add -ant  to the stem of  conquà ©rir  to form the  present participle  conquà ©rant. Its used as a verb, but can also become an adjective, gerund, or noun in certain circumstances. The Past Participle and Passà © Composà © The  passà © composà ©Ã‚  is a common form of the past tense in French. To form this, begin by conjugating the  auxiliary verb  avoir  for the subject, then add the  past participle  conquis. For example, I conquered is jai conquis and we conquered is nous avons conquis. More Simple Conquà ©rir  Conjugations To begin with, concentrate on the past, present, and future tenses of  conquà ©rir. As you become more fluent, you may also need or see any of the following verb forms. The subjunctive and conditional are used when theres some question or uncertainty to the verb. The passà © simple and imperfect subjunctive are primarily found in formal writing. Subject Subjunctive Conditional Pass Simple Imperfect Subjunctive je conquire conquerrais conquis conquisse tu conquires conquerrais conquis conquisses il conquire conquerrait conquit conqut nous conqurions conquerrions conqumes conquissions vous conquriez conquerriez conqutes conquissiez ils conquirent conquerraient conquirent conquissent To express  conquà ©rir  in short, assertive statements, the  imperative form is used. For this conjugation, skip the subject pronoun and use the verb alone: conquiers instead of tu conqiers. Imperative (tu) conquiers (nous) conqurons (vous) conqurez