The Kugelmass Episode By Woody Allen - 2537 Words

The Kugelmass Episode â€Å"The Kugelmass Episode† is a very amusing short story, with humor resulting from the employment of devices such as satire and irony along with a network of absurdities and incongruities. In the story, Woody Allen takes the reader on a journey through time and literature. Professor Kugelmass is a middle-aged teacher at City College in New York City, who is unfulfilled and bored with his life. Wanting to have an affair to escape his unhappy marriage, he seeks the help of a magician-entertainer who can transport him into any piece of literature. From there on out, Allen provides a hilarious look at what happens when living out one’s fantasy becomes a reality. Throughout the novel, there is an obvious disparity between anxious, balding Kugelmass and the glamorous and romantic life that he wishes to lead. It begins with Kugelmass’ description of his family: he had â€Å"two dull sons† and a wife that â€Å"let herself go and swell up like a beach ball† (Allen 348). His judgment toward his family is comical because he is so disgusted by his wife who has â€Å"let herself go† when in reality he is aging and doing the same. There seems to be an incongruity between how Kugelmass sees himself and how others see him. This first dialogue in the story that involves Kugelmass belittling his wife effortlessly serves the purpose of creating a distance between the reader and the main character so that he/she is able to laugh at his mishaps throughout the story. The reader must notShow MoreRelatedThe Kugelmass Episode843 Words   |  4 PagesMWF 10-10:50 3/8/13 In the story The Kugelmass Episode, Woody Allen takes the reader on an exciting journey through time and literature that keeps you begging for more. Professor Kugelmass is a middle-aged teacher at City College in New York City. He seems to be unfulfilled and bored with his life as a whole. The real world is far too drab for his liking and so he sets out to change his life but ultimately ends up turning his world upside down. Allen uses colorful dialogue to first disconnect

Succubus Revealed Epilogue Free Essays

We were married at sunset. Some might not consider that an auspicious time, but for me, it was a perfect compromise. I had wanted to be married in the daytime, outdoors, with sunlight streaming everywhere. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Revealed Epilogue or any similar topic only for you Order Now Seeing as Cody and Peter wanted to attend, however, the sun presented a little difficulty. And since Peter had essentially acted as wedding coordinator for me, it seemed kind of mean to exclude him. So, we held the ceremony at sunset, and the vampires were able to show up for the reception the instant the sun sank below the horizon. The wedding was held on the grounds of a beachfront resort on Puget Sound. We stood on a grassy hill, facing west toward the water. It was high summer, and everything was bathed in orange and gold. The bridesmaids (all Mortensen girls) wore red dresses that looked as though they’d been designed with the sunset in mind and carried white clusters of stephanotis. Our only nod to decorations was an ivy-strewn arch that the officiant stood in front of. With so much beauty around us, nothing else had seemed necessary. I repeated my vows while holding Seth’s hands. Each word I spoke was infinitely powerful, and yet I wouldn’t really remember any of them until later. For those minutes, my whole world was focused on his face, on the amber gold of his eyes and the way the light played off his hair. Love burned within me and between us, making everything else a fog of indistinct details. There was only Seth and me. Me and Seth. There was a dreamlike quality to it all. The moments seemed suspended in time. And yet, afterward, when I looked back, it was as though the entire ceremony had taken place in the blink of an eye. We had a couple hundred people who had gathered to watch us. They all rose from their folding chairs and clapped when we kissed, and I found myself unable to stop grinning when I looked out into that sea of happy faces. The reception was held on the same grounds, just a little ways from the ceremony. We’d gone to a bit more work with the decorations here. The tables were draped with white linens and bedecked with flowers and candles that created little twinkles of light in the evening shadows. Large torches were set up along the boundaries as well, their flames flicking rapidly as wind picked up from the water. A jazz band set up nearby and began to play, providing background music for dinner. They had a space for dancing afterward too, though I didn’t dance nearly as much as I’d expected to at my wedding. There were too many people to see, too many people to thank for their support. So Seth and I walked around hand in hand, going from group to group of those we loved. â€Å"I knew those Asiatic lilies would be a good call,† Peter told us conspiratorially, admiring one of the table arrangements. â€Å"The Oriental ones are bigger, but I feel like these complement the roses so much better.† â€Å"You’re a regular flower whisperer,† said Hugh, knocking back a drink. He held up his glass to Seth and me in a mock toast. â€Å"Honestly, your best bit of planning was the open bar.† â€Å"Because it certainly wasn’t the band,† remarked Doug, strolling over to where my little group was standing. â€Å"Geez, Kincaid – † He paused and reconsidered. â€Å"Geez, Mortensens, why didn’t you hire me? Nocturnal Admission could’ve totally rocked this place out.† I smiled, happy that Doug had come. I honestly hadn’t been sure if he would. â€Å"Because I wouldn’t want to burden you guys with the strain of playing family-friendly music for three hours.† â€Å"Very considerate,† he said. He glanced around, nodding grudgingly. â€Å"Aside from that – and the fact that the bridesmaids are all under eighteen – I gotta admit, you put on a pretty good spread.† â€Å"Thank you,† Peter and I said in unison. â€Å"I kind of agree with Doug about the band,† said Cody. â€Å"I asked them if they’d play ‘The Chicken Dance,’ and they said no.† â€Å"I could’ve done a bitchin’ cover of that,† said Doug solemnly. â€Å"It’s not so much a failing on the band’s part as it was a request of ours to not play it,† said Seth. â€Å"Sad,† said Doug. He slung an arm around Cody. â€Å"Want to go make a bar run with me?† When Cody nodded, Doug glanced at the rest of us. â€Å"Refill anyone?† â€Å"No, thanks,† I said. Doug shook his head. â€Å"Married for an hour, and you’re already picking up his good habits.† He and Cody walked off, having an intense discussion about â€Å"The Chicken Dance,† judging from their pantomimes. I leaned my head against Seth, content with everything and everyone in the world. â€Å"You did a beautiful job, Peter,† I said. â€Å"Seriously. It all turned out great.† Considering how underappreciated Peter always felt, I would’ve expected him to revel in the praise, but he actually turned modest. â€Å"Ah, well. You guys are the main attraction. I just provided the – â€Å" He stopped speaking, and as one, he and Hugh glanced off beyond the edge of the torches, into the darkness. â€Å"What is it?† I asked. They exchanged looks. â€Å"Carter,† said Peter. I followed their gaze, unable to see anything beyond the lit perimeter. It had been very easy to become human again, but there were still a few things I had trouble shaking. The loss of my immortal senses was one. Even now, it was weird to be standing with Peter and Hugh and not feel them. Their night vision was no better than mine – well, actually, I supposed Peter’s was – but it wasn’t their eyes that had alerted them to Carter’s presence. â€Å"I think he wants to see you,† said Hugh gently. I stared off at where they indicated, uncertain what should I do. â€Å"Go,† said Seth softly. â€Å"You should talk to him.† I looked up at him, into those eyes so full of love, and forgot about Carter for the space of heartbeat. It was still too unbelievable to accept sometimes that this was my life, that Seth was my husband. I pressed my lips to his in a quick kiss. â€Å"I’ll be right back,† I said. I picked my way through my guests, finding it difficult not to stop and talk to the many well-wishers. When I was out of the safety of the tents and tables, the wind hit me, whipping my hair and veil around and playing with my skirts. My dress had a sweetheart neckline and full skirt with many tiers and layers. I’d wanted a princess dress for my wedding day and had gotten one, though it made this walk a little awkward. I soon spotted Carter, standing so perfectly still among some trees that he might have been one. â€Å"Mrs. Mortensen,† he greeted me, when I reached him. â€Å"Congratulations.† He wore worn gray suit pants, a longsleeved white shirt with the first couple buttons open, and loosely knotted gray and pink silk tie. A jacket matched the pants and looked like it was two sizes too big. I nodded in approval. â€Å"Nice of you to dress up,† I said. â€Å"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything so formal.† â€Å"I should’ve checked with Peter to find out your colors,† said Carter, running a hand through his hair. It didn’t look like it had been brushed for the occasion. â€Å"Sorry if I clash.† I smiled. â€Å"You look great. Thank you for coming.† â€Å"Well,† he said. â€Å"We left off kind of abruptly.† â€Å"That we did,† I murmured. This was the first time I’d seen him since the trial. â€Å"Jerome’s not with you?† â€Å"No. You won’t be seeing him anymore. Well.† Carter paused a moment. â€Å"Let’s just say, I hope you won’t be seeing him anymore.† â€Å"I plan on staying off Hell’s radar,† I said honestly. He nodded, turning serious. â€Å"That’s good. That’s kind of why I’m here. I’ve got two gifts for you. Gifts of information.† â€Å"You were checking my registry,† I said. â€Å"How sweet.† We didn’t have much light, but I swore, I could see his gray eyes twinkle. â€Å"You said you’ll stay off their radar, but believe me, they’re going to still have their eyes on you. Hell doesn’t lose many souls the way they lost yours. If they can get it back, they will. They’ll try. I know how close you are to them. . . .† His gaze drifted back toward the reception. â€Å"To Hugh, Peter, and Cody. But it’d be better for you – and for them – if you stayed away from them. If you moved away from them, to someplace where you don’t know any of the local immortals.† I stared in astonishment. â€Å"Are you saying one of them might try to get my soul? They’re my friends.† â€Å"I know, I know. And I don’t think they would, exactly, but it’s an ugly position for them to be in. You should really think about leaving Seattle. You’ll make it easier on everyone if you just remove that temptation.† â€Å"I love Seattle,† I said, turning back to look across the dark water. â€Å"But I love Seth more. I’ll talk to him. Andrea’s been doing better, so we can go. I don’t know where, but we’ll figure it out.† I sighed and looked back at him. â€Å"Is your other piece of information less depressing?† The smile reappeared on his lips. â€Å"Yes. It’s a big secret.† He leaned toward me and said in a stage whisper, â€Å"You’re going to have a baby in December.† A matching smile came over me. â€Å"That’s no secret. Not to me, at least.† Seth and I had known for a little while and had decided to keep it under wraps until after the wedding. We weren’t going to be able to hide it much longer. I was three months pregnant, and without shape-shifting, I was subject to the rules of nature. It was a wonder I still fit in this dress. â€Å"Okay,† said Carter. â€Å"Then try this: it’s a girl.† I felt my smile grow. â€Å"That I didn’t know.† Or did I? A sudden flashback to the dream Nyx had shown me played through my mind. I hadn’t thought about it in a very long time. Why did I need to? I was living my own dream. But in a flash, I saw it again, me holding a small girl as we waited outside for her father to come home. And it was snowing†¦. You should really think about leaving Seattle. â€Å"What are you thinking?† asked Carter, studying me. â€Å"I’m thinking there might be a short list of places I’ll be moving to.† I shivered, both from the cold and the memories, and he draped his worn suit jacket over my bare shoulders. â€Å"I’m moving too,† he told me. I blinked away from my memories. â€Å"You are? Where? Why?† He chose to answer the last one. â€Å"Because my job here is done. Time to go on to another.† It took me a moment to follow. â€Å"You don’t mean . . . I was your assignment? I’m why you came to Seattle?† He answered with a shrug. â€Å"But . . . no,† I protested. â€Å"There must be other things you do here, right? Other angelic tasks?† â€Å"Weren’t you enough?† he teased. I was still in disbelief. Carter had been in Seattle for as many years as me. Surely there must have been more to it. Admittedly, no one in Hell ever really understood how the angels worked on their assignments. They didn’t have the same level of micromanaging as my former employees. â€Å"I’m just one person. One soul. All your work and energy . . . I mean, it can’t all have been just for one soul. An angel can’t be solely dedicated to that.† â€Å"Well,† he said, clearly enjoying my confusion. â€Å"It was actually for two souls, since you and Seth were both saved. But even if it wasn’t, it still would’ve been worth it. Do you know the price of one soul, Georgina? It’s beyond rubies and diamonds, beyond any mortal reckoning. If it had taken me centuries, if it had taken a dozen more angels to help me, it all would have been worth it.† I lowered my head, feeling tears come to my eyes. I thought about how often I’d disparaged Carter, how many times I’d scoffed at the silly, hard-drinking persona he put on. Yet, no matter how much I dismissed him, Carter had always been there in the background, always showing interest in Seth and me. He’d protected me and given me advice, and I spent most of my time mocking him. â€Å"I’m not worthy of that,† I said. I might be human now, but I understood how powerful a heavenly creature Carter was. â€Å"I don’t deserve that much regard.† He reached out and tipped my chin up. â€Å"You do, Georgina. And if you don’t believe me now, then strive to be. Live your life. Be kind. Love those you know. Love those you don’t know. Be worthy of your soul.† A tear escaped, rolling down my cheek and probably messing up my mortal mascara. â€Å"Thank you, Carter. Thank you for everything.† â€Å"There’s nothing to thank me for,† he replied. With a sigh, he glanced up at the starry night. â€Å"I should be going. And your guests are probably looking for you. I’m sure they’ve been banging on glasses with their spoons this entire time.† â€Å"Wait – before you go . . .† I hesitated. Carter had already told me so much, but I had to know one other thing. â€Å"What happened to Roman? Is he dead?† Carter’s amused expression faded. â€Å"Ah. I don’t know.† â€Å"Carter – â€Å" â€Å"I mean it,† he said. â€Å"That’s the straightest answer you’ll ever get from an angel. I don’t know. I don’t think his outcome was good, but I don’t know for sure.† I swallowed back more tears. â€Å"He shouldn’t have gone.† â€Å"It was his choice, Georgina. He wanted to make a point to Heaven and Hell . . . that, and well, there’s more. He did it out of love, and that’s no small thing. A sacrifice born of love is almost as powerful a thing as a redeemed soul. Both of them are blows to Hell.† â€Å"I wish . . . I wish I could’ve said good-bye. Told him how grateful I am.† â€Å"I think he knows,† said Carter. â€Å"I think he knew exactly what he was getting into and deemed it worthwhile. The best way to thank him now is to do what I said. Live your life to its fullest. Take care of your husband and daughter, and let your soul shine.† I nodded. â€Å"I will. Thank you.† I almost asked about Yasmine too but had a feeling the answer would be the same: she’d made her decision. I could only be responsible for my fate, not everyone else’s. â€Å"Bless you, daughter of man,† Carter said, his eyes luminous and almost silver now. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and caught my breath. His lips were both burning hot and icy cold. A sense of peace and power flooded me, and for a moment, it was as though I were right on the edge of comprehending all the beauty in the world. I opened my eyes. He was gone. I stood alone on the windswept hill, with the moon starting to shine on the water. In the distance, I heard the laughter and chatter of those I loved and sensed the warmth they held. Picking up my skirts, still wearing Carter’s jacket over my shoulders, I headed off toward my husband and the rest of my life, off to be worthy of my soul. How to cite Succubus Revealed Epilogue, Essay examples

The Power Of Music Essays (1156 words) - Cognition,

The Power Of Music In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my suc cess thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always receive d praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addition to being ambitious and motivated enough to put my heart into even mundane, low-level tasks, I am also extremely organized. This is one characteristic that has always received praise. I pay particular attention to detail, which I believe has contributed to my success thus far. I take pride in my work, and I look at it as a representation of myself. In addi tion to being ambitious

American Politics in Transition essays

American Politics in Transition essays For the United States, as for most states in the world, the 1980s and 1990s were a time of change and challenge. During this period the effects of change both within the US and internationally acted as push factors in many areas of life, including economics and politics. This sudden change was primarily due to global shocks and recessions, increased foreign economic competition, the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union, the development of revolutionary new technologies, the achievement of post-industrial society within the US, slower rates of domestic economic growth, and the demographic changes within American society. By the Mid 1980s important developments had occurred within interest groups, political parties. By 1990s national debates were being held in regard to Americas future in the post-Cold War world, Americas economic competitiveness, culture, morality and the states relationship with society. Five major things must be taken under account when discussing American politics in transition. 1) the basic nature of the American political system, 2) the sources of political change since the late 1960s, 3) the conservative renewal and the new conservative agenda, 4) the Reagan-Bush legacy in politics and public policy 5) the new political and economic constraints in the era of divided government, and 6) the public policy environment of the 1990s. At the core of American political culture I support for the values of liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism and laissez-faire. The nature of this society with also has glorification of the individual, and the rejection of conservative theories of organic society, hierarchy, and natural aristocracy. Being an American means accepting this liberal Democratic creed (laissez faire), while those who reject it are considered to be un-American. ...

P.T. Barnum Biography

P.T. Barnum Biography P.T. Barnum, often called The Greatest Showman on Earth, built a collection of curiosities into one of the worlds most successful traveling shows. However, his exhibits were often exploitative, and had a darker side. P.T. Barnum Fast Facts Full Name: Phineas Taylor BarnumBorn: July 5, 1810 in Bethel, ConnecticutDied: April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport, ConnecticutParents: Philo Barnum and Irene TaylorSpouses: Charity Hallett (m. 1829-1873) and Nancy Fish (m. 1874-1891)Children: Frances Irena, Caroline Cornelia, Helen Maria, and Pauline Taylor.Known For: Created the modern concept of the traveling circus as grand spectacle, promoted a number of hoaxes to entertain the public, and is credited with saying Theres a sucker born every minute. Early Years Born in Bethel, Connecticut, to Philo Barnum, an innkeeper, farmer, and shop owner, and his wife Irene Taylor, young Phineas Taylor Barnum was raised in a household that embraced the rigid conservative values of the Congregational church. The sixth of ten children, Barnum greatly admired his maternal grandfather, who was not only his namesake, but also a bit of a practical joker in a community that had only a few socially permissible forms of entertainment. Academically, Barnum excelled in school subjects like math, but hated the physical labor that was demanded of him on his fathers farm. He helped Philo out by working in the shop, but when his father died in 1825, teenage Barnum liquidated the family business, and went to work for a general store in a neighboring town. A few years later, at 19, Barnum married Charity Hallett, with whom he would eventually have four children. Around the same time, he began dabbling in investments in unusual speculation schemes, and was particularly interested promoting entertainment for the masses. Barnum believed that if he could only find one truly amazing thing to exhibit, he could be a success- as long as the crowd believed theyd gotten their moneys worth. Somewhere around 1835, a man walked into Barnums general store, knowing of Barnums interest in the odd and fantastic, and offered to sell him a curiosity. According to Gregg Mangan of Connecticut History, Joice Heth, an African American woman alleged to be 161 years old and former nurse to founding father George Washington, drew crowds of curious onlookers willing to pay for the chance to hear her speak and even sing. Barnum jumped at the opportunity to market her performances. P.T. Barnum got his start as a showman by purchasing a blind, nearly paralyzed, elderly African American woman for $1,000 and then working her for ten hours a day. He marketed her as the oldest woman alive, and she died less than a year later. Barnum charged spectators to view her autopsy, at which it was announced that she was no more than 80 years old. The Greatest Showman on Earth After exploiting Heth and marketing her as a curiosity, Barnum learned in 1841 that Scudder’s American Museum was for sale. Scudders, located on Broadway in New York City, housed a collection of some $50,000 worth of relics and rare curiosities, so Barnum pounced on the opportunity. He rebranded Scudders as Barnums American Museum, filled it with the oddest things he could find, and blasted the American public with his extravagant showmanship. Although he is credited with saying Theres a sucker born every minute, theres no evidence that these words came from Barnum; what he did say was the American people liked to be humbugged.† Barnums particular brand of humbuggery included marketing exotic, imported animals displayed alongside fakes. There was the so-called Feejee Mermaid, which was a monkeys head sewn onto the body of a large fish, and a giant, working replica of Niagara Falls. In addition, he created his traveling freak show, using real people as exhibits, and often creating elaborate, false backstories to make them seem more exciting to the crowds. In 1842, he met Charles Stratton, a four-year-old boy from Bridgeport, who was unusually small at just 25 tall. Barnum marketed the child to audiences as General Tom Thumb, an eleven-year-old entertainer from England. Barnums traveling spectacle gained momentum with the addition of Stratton, who was drinking wine and smoking cigars by the age of five, as well as Native American dancers, Salvadoran children who were marketed as Aztecs, and a number of people of African descent whose exhibits were rooted in racial prejudices of the time. Barnum took his show to Europe, where they played to Queen Victoria and other members of royalty. Barnum with Charles Stratton, who used the stage name Tom Thumb. Bettmann   / Getty Images In 1850, Barnum managed to convince Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale to come perform in New York. Lind, who was devout and a philanthropist, demanded her $150,000 fee in advance so she could use it to fund education programs in Sweden. Barnum went heavily into debt to pay Linds fees, but made the money back fairly early into her successful tour. Barnums promotion and marketing was so overwhelming that Lind eventually opted out of her contract, the two parted ways amicably, and both made a lot of money. The Darker Side of the Show Although Barnum is often portrayed as a delightful showman, much of his success was rooted in the exploitation of others. In addition to Stratton and Heth, Barnum profited from exhibiting a number of other individuals as human curiosities. William Henry Johnson was introduced to Barnums audiences as the man-monkey, found in the wilds of Africa. Johnson, an African American who suffered from microcephaly, was born to poor parents who were former slaves, and who allowed a local circus to display Johnson and his unusually small cranium for money. When his agent got him a role with Barnum, his fame skyrocketed. Barnum dressed him in furs and renamed him Zip the Pinhead, and billed him as the What is It? Barnum claimed Johnson as a missing link between civilized people and a naked race of men, traveling about by climbing on tree branches. A woman holds conjoined twins who were part of Barnums exhibit. Hulton Collection / Deutsch / Getty Images Annie Jones, the Bearded Lady, was another of Barnums most popular sideshows. Barnell had facial hair from the time she was an infant, and as a toddler, her parents sold her to Barnum as the Infant Esau, a reference to the Biblical figure known for an impressive beard. Jones ended up staying with Barnum for most of her life, and became one of the most successful bearded lady performers of all time. Isaac Sprague, the human skeleton, had an unusual condition in which his muscles atrophied, worked for Barnum several times through his adult life. Chang and Eng Bunker, well-known today as conjoined twins, had been circus performers earlier in their lives, and came out of retirement in North Carolina to join Barnum as a special exhibit. Prince Randian, the living torso, was brought to the U.S. by Barnum at age 18, and demonstrated amazing feats for audiences who wanted to see a man with no limbs do things like roll a cigarette or shave his own face. In addition to these types of acts, Barnum hired giants, dwarves, conjoined infants, people with extra and missing limbs, and several physically and mentally disabled individuals as exhibits for his audiences. He also regularly produced and promoted blackface minstrel shows. Legacy P.T. Barnum Monument, Bridgeport, Connecticut, circa 1962. Archive Photos / Getty Images Although Barnum built his success on promoting the freak show, which was rooted in the fears and prejudices of nineteenth century audiences, it appears that later in life he had a slight change of perspective. In the years prior to the Civil War, Barnum campaigned for public office and ran on an anti-slavery platform. He admitted to having engaged in the purchase and sale of slaves, and to having physically abused his slaves, and expressed regret for his actions. Later, he became a philanthropist, and donated a large sum of money to Tufts University for the establishment of a biology and natural history museum. Barnum died in 1891. The show hed founded had merged with James Baileys traveling circus ten years prior, forming Barnum Baileys Circus, and was eventually sold to Ringling Brothers, nearly two decades after his death. The city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, honored Barnum with a statue in his memory, and held a six-week Barnum Festival every year. Today, the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport houses over 1,200 of the curiosities that traveled around the country with Barnums show. Sources â€Å"About P.T. Barnum.†Ã‚  The Barnum Museum, barnum-museum.org/about/about-p-t-barnum/.Barnum, P. T./ Mihm, Stephen (EDT).  The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by Himself: With Related Documents. Macmillan Higher Education, 2017.Cunningham, Sean, and Sean Cunningham. â€Å"P.T. Barnums Most Famous Freaks.†Ã‚  InsideHook, 21 Dec. 2017, www.insidehook.com/article/history/p-t-barnums-famous-freaks.Flatley, Helen. â€Å"The Darker Side of How P.T. Barnum Became ‘The Greatest Showman.’†Ã‚  The Vintage News, 6 Jan. 2019, www.thevintagenews.com/2019/01/06/greatest-showman/.Mansky, Jackie. â€Å"P.T. Barnum Isnt the Hero the ‘Greatest Showman’ Wants You to Think.†Ã‚  Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 22 Dec. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-pt-barnum-greatest-humbug-them-all-180967634/.

Gender Stratificaiton in the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gender Stratificaiton in the Workplace - Essay Example Gender Stratification is a global phenomenon, which touches almost all countries, though the level of it differs among the countries. All countries being from Asia, Europe, Africa, America and all parts of the world have either suffering from the subject, or find that once had came across it. In Canada, Sociological analysis conducted in the year 1973 and 1984 has shown that there was income inequality between sexes; the analysis further stated that â€Å"The income gaps between males and females are also large. The income gaps between Anglophones and Francophone tend to be much smaller than between class categories and gender groups in 1973, and more so in 1984. The greatest improvement in income disparities seems to come from less discriminatory pay structures and exploitation, not from human capital and individual characteristics†. (Class, Gender and Ethnic Income Inequalities in 1973 and 1984: Findings from the Canadian National Surveys) Canadian Women in recent years were living in poverty, due to low income they received in the working places as a result of Gender Stratification. The result was that, not only the women in that nature suffered from the tragic, it’s also included their families. While for that reason, the Canadian government and the United Nation put hand on deck to curtail poverty among women. The United Nation on its part stated that poverty will never come to end unless women are given opportunity to work and earn like their male counterpart. Another typical example that ought to be sighted as relating to the above subject describes how women were segregated in Canada, especially in the area of Ontario, where analysis made since 1999 shows that there was a disparity. There was a highest gap in earning between males and females, especially in the Pharmacy Industry. Investigation also testifies that women were earning less than their male counterpart in that sector because they are only remaining as employees. Meanwhile, since the primary focus of this essay is to make assessment on how gender stratification changed in Canadian working place in the last few decades, the remaining pages of set aside for this essay should focus on that aspect. The important point that ought to be discuss on this aspect initially, over the changing in Gender stratification in the past few decades, which include that some countries across the globe have changed to recognized the need for equality between males and females, which is in line with the International Convention that took place in the year 1979, which at the end of it, members that participated endorsed the compulsory application of social justice between men and women. During that convention, a bill was passed, which is tagged "international bill of rights for women", is the second most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. Many countries have also enacted legislation and established organizational structures on a domestic level to promote gender equality". (Gender Equality in the Labor Market). The Canadian International Development Agency, (CIDA) has also played vital roles in recent years toward ensuring the Gender Equality in Canada, through its policy on gender equality. The body has vowed to

Sterilisation of a disabled person Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sterilisation of a disabled person - Essay Example Such as stomach cramps, that she was suffering. Sarah also highlights that fact that Amanda has no realistic prospects of ever having children hysterectomy i.e. remove the daughters womb so as "to improve her quality of life† a number of gynaecologists are backing Sarah’s demands however various disabled rights group are horrified by he prospects of doctors removing Amanda womb "just because she is disabled they argue that she has "just as much right as anyone else to grow up with her body intact to have the opportunity to choose whether to give birth to her own children’s. Her human rights would be violated". 1) Introduce the relevant issues. I.e. is it appropriate to sterilise a minor without their consent. Briefly look at the relevance on the effect on the carers looking after someone disabled. Look at the nature of the operations it’s not without risk? And it’s not reversible. Also briefly look at the disabled rights. Brief mention on human rights also. 2) Main body of the assignment. Criticise the law. Also its â€Å"best interest test† critique it. Convenient arguments if the court declare it to be lawful, the whose convenience is it for. Absence of consent could also be discussed. Human rights on Eugenic( population) The issue of the sterilisation of children who are mentally handicapped has always been an emotive topic and one that is very controversial. Despite protestations by the parents of the handicapped child that they are acting in the best interests of the child many see this as a violation of the right of the woman to reproduce. In Re D (A Minor) (Wardship: Sterilisation) [1976] 1 All ER 326 an educational psychologist who had been concerned with the child’s welfare applied for a wardship order which was duly granted by the court. In this case the child’s mother had asked a hospital to sterilise her daughter as she was concerned that her daughter who had