George Orwell’s vision Essay

George Orwell’s books are not conventional. They use extremely vivid and alarming descriptions to support thought-provoking subjects, and their endings are far from happy. I felt a strong sense of despair at the end of both 1984 and Animal Farm, even though I found them gripping and fascinating. George Orwell, being a socialist, was strongly opposed to totalitarian rule, and his books are clearly a warning as to how political movements can backfire. The books are influenced by events of his time, the most obvious being the Russian Revolution symbolised by Animal Farm. There are hardly any lasting aspects in either 1984 or Animal Farm that are pleasant; the themes of both books are worrying. I think that one of the worst aspects of George Orwell’s vision is the systematic perversion of our feelings, emotions and instincts. In my opinion, the worst action of ‘The Party,’ the ruling political power in 1984 is the way it frowns upon love, a natural human instinct, and tries to completely suppress it. This is a cold, tyrannical act that destroys such a pure, selfless instinct. Love brings joy that – as Winston Smith, the main character in 1984, experiences – makes life worth living. Without love, Oceania’s inhabitants are reduced to a pointless, miserable, isolated existence. I think the most depressing event in the story of Winston Smith is how the Party crushed his love for Julia so completely, accentuated by the powerful unconditional nature of their love for each other before. Consequently, the Party, and its figurehead, ‘Big Brother,’ condemn sexual intercourse with fierce and active distaste, evident in the formation of ‘The Junior Anti-Sex League. ‘ Sex, the most intimate, loving act two people can share is seen as a threat to the Party’s power, and is only acceptable in absolutely necessary circumstances – to create a child – and is devoid of all sentiment. Because it is detested by the Party, making love becomes an act of political rebellion, which destroys the fact that it should be an expression of love. One of the nastiest yet most haunting descriptions in 1984 is Winston’s recollection of his visit to a prostitute in an attempt to satisfy his sexual instinct. His visit is ‘brief’ and ‘coarse’ and he admits that ‘it was really the paint that appealed to me,’ not any real desire to be intimate with the woman. In 1984, love within families is corrupted, as children spy against their parents and report them for the slightest incident. Family values – essential to nurturing a child with care – are destroyed; even when Winston’s acquaintance, Parsons, is betrayed by his own daughter, he ‘doesn’t bear her any grudge. ‘ In Orwell’s dystopia, love plays no part, except in utter submission to Big Brother, and it is the concept of existing in a life so absent of love and affection that disturbs me. If I had to exist without love, I believe I would lose my will to live. Another instinct, essential to harmonious, happy human life is that of trust. Again, the Party endeavour to totally control and pervert this instinct. Trust is the exact opposite to fear so cannot be practised when fear presides. Fear seeps into every aspect of life in 1984: fear of betrayal to the thought police; fear of what could happen to you if you committed a ‘crime’ and were caught; fear of your own thoughts wandering. Living in such a fragile community, where everyone is scared into solitude, and having children spy on people, corrupts the general principles of loyalty and human decency to such a level at which I would no longer want to associate with such people. Children, the embodiment of innocence and dependence, being routinely perverted, taken advantage of and coaxed into turning against their own providers, their parents, is a concept I find abhorrent. The manipulation of innocent and defenceless children is immoral, disgusting and disturbing. In 1984, the only trust allowed to exist between two parties is that of the individual for Big Brother. With a horrific act of total submission and resignation, people blindly accept all Big Brother tells them, completely disregarding information from their own senses, whilst subconsciously being aware that what Big Brother tells them is untrue. If I had to exist in Oceania, I would find that aspect the hardest to accept, as I feel a reassurance in knowing I can believe and trust whatever my senses tell me. With that knowledge removed, I’d be lost, confused and scared, as I would have lost my grip on reality – which keeps humans sane. As Winston thinks, ‘if the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event that it never happened- that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture or death’. In Animal Farm, another frighteningly harsh story by George Orwell, perversion of trust is also a prominent theme. Just like the citizens of 1984’s Oceania, the farm animals are too trusting for their own good. I grew sadder and more anxious each time the animals ‘believed every word’ of what their selfish leaders – the pigs – told them. To me, it is very poignant the way the animals are so unsuspicious and grateful towards the pigs, who repeatedly use them. The most trusting and devoted animal on the farm was the old carthorse, Boxer. Boxer trusted the pig leader – Napoleon – to such an extent he created the slogan ‘Napoleon is always right! ‘ In total disregard of this trust bestowed upon him, Napoleon sent the horse to the slaughterhouse. I was shocked when, at the end, the animals simply accepted the pigs’ superiority and power. What distresses me most is the despicable way in which the pigs take advantage of the innocent animals, who have blind faith in them. I am even more upset knowing Animal Farm is based on genuine events: the sheer trust the proletariat had in Stalin, after the Russian Revolution, which Stalin twisted to benefit himself. The civilization of 1984 is ‘founded upon hatred,’ an unnatural human emotion. O’Brien tells us Oceania is progressing towards a state where ‘there will be no emotions except fear, rage, triumph and self-abasement. ‘ I find this devastatingly selfish and cruel, as it terminally oppresses the sole desire of mankind: to be happy and enjoy the process of life. The most dehumanising and evil event in the lives of the citizens of Oceania is ‘Hate Week,’ It is not only the atmosphere of contagious compulsive contempt which enables ‘Hate Week’ that disturbs me; it is the way in which hate, the most hostile and dangerous feeling, can be generated on such a large scale with absolutely no reason. In the middle of ‘Hate Week,’ the enemy changes, but the proceedings continue without the blink of an eye. It scares and disgusts me that Orwell can see such a strong emotion directed at a target, regardless of why the target is hated. Winston realises that ‘the fear, the hatred and the lunatic credulity which the Party needs in its members can only be kept at the right pitch by bottling down some powerful instinct and using it as a driving force. ‘ The Party has twisted and corrupted natural instincts to benefit themselves. In my opinion, the manipulation of human emotions, instincts and feelings is the most dishonest, corrupt way of gaining power. It is chilling to imagine the uncompromising, omnipresent, omnipotent power that would be required to enable such an atrocity. I would find it so hard never to be able to feel and love, and I would see no point in existing if I could not. Without our feelings we are no more than machines. The mere contemplation of having to exist without joyful emotions fills me with despair. I would truly prefer to die than to live intoxicated with misery and depression, without hope for a better life. I share Winston’s sense of helplessness and injustice when O’Brien tells him ‘If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever. ‘

Britannica online

The early explorers are reported to have found wild cotton growing in the lowlands of Mississippi river and its tributaries that was generally regarded as the birth of cotton culture in America (Hunter p. 1918,pg1-50). The cotton growing in South and U. S gain precedent with the invention of the cotton gin in 1973 by Ely Whitney. The machine enabled quick processing of cotton as the cotton fiber would easily be separated from the seeds.The new revolution in agriculture came with slavery, since the success of plantation farming based on labor intensive techniques was directly linked to how a landowner was to procure workers(Britannica online. 2008). In Georgia, the whites bought slaves in large numbers. So, this expectation of a bumper cotton crop in the region ,not only changed the state's agricultural practice but also resulted in enslavement of thousands of people (New Georgia Encyclopedia). This geared up to a hike of demand for slave on the international slave trade.And as a resu lt, slavery and cotton had a great influence on the states that left indelible marks on international scene. The demand for cotton in domestic U. S resulted in developed, vast transportation networks that connected the farms,rivers and on to major ports. Though during the early days before the cotton boom of 18300s, the class difference was fused, the whites worked together with blacks, who comprised most the slavery gang of the plantations. Countries in central Georgia were transformed from slave to free labor. The ready market provided by Britain textile industries for the U.S cotton earned the country much foreign exchange. By 1920s, cotton products contributed to more than 50% of the U. S exports(Gieser James. 2004. New Georgia Britannica,). Cotton generally controlled agrarian economy of the south. The large southern cotton plantations were much profitable. The high earnings from cotton industry not only provided the economy with required foreign exchange but also resulted in a beefed power and influence on foreign affairs as the case of the south confederates. They became confident in power and influence of the king cotton,because it contributed to more than half of the U.S exports before the civil war. The southern confederates boasted that the importance of cotton would result into diplomatic recognition on the international scene and from the federal government, a recipe of the civil war (Gieser James. 2004. New Georgia Britannica). The overall growth of cotton production in Georgia between 1825 and 1860 was about 10 % and the southeast parts of the country were much preferred because they were seen as the great cotton regions that could yield the country a lot of sales from the high production that was accepted.The sustained increase in cotton production in the south of Georgia between these years led to change in population of America tremendously. In 1850 the US was seen as the greatest exporter of cotton and did a lot of manufacturing of cotton pr oducts that was more than the Great Britain industry(Hunter P,1918,pg 1-50). The cotton exports to Britain, marked the new era of industrial revolution in great Britain, this spread rapidly to other places and to U. S after the civil war in the country.There was sprout of new cities like Dallas and Phoenix that were transformed to modern urban bases,they grew rapidly as market and collection centers and manufacturing plants. Phoenix provided market for cotton needed for use in clothing,tires and fabric industries. However, the cotton farming in the south and U. S had a negative contribution to the spheres of life, in that,the immigrants from Europe and Africa flocked American cities to seek employment opportunities in manufacturing plants. This resulted to a surge in population and the creation of a class economy, where the whites were mostly employers for black slave gang.This, magnified economic slavery in states. The boast of power and influence by the confederates especially the southern confederates, was a precursor to the country's civil war and subsequently had a great influence on the political scene of the states. Political movements were formed that resulted in democratic struggles in the country. This marked the birth of democracy and the end of dark era of slavery in the states. Although cotton farming in South and USA depicted her negatively as a result of slave trade activities, it had a tremendous influence on economic,social and political scenes of the countries.It led to expanded sphere of influence by the U. S as she dominated cotton market. Most of the cities like Dallas and Phoenix expanded tremendously as a result of growth of cotton manufacturing plants. On social scene, the manufacturing firms provided employment to millions of people including the slaves as the gap between the slaves and white farmers was covered, during the cotton boom of 1830s Moreover, the labor laws were changed that allowed free interaction between the black slaves and their white lords.Reference:Britannica online. (2008) King cotton. http://www. britannica. com/eb/topic-318402/King-Cotton Gieser James C (. 2004) New Georgia Encyclopedia. Published on5/26/2004land and resources http://www. georgiaencyclopedia. org/nge/Article. jsp? id=h-2087 Hunter, P. (1918): cotton growth and spread in other parts of the world. State board of entomol. Bull, pp, 1-50.

PPACA and its Impact on Medical Surgical Nursing Assignment

PPACA and its Impact on Medical Surgical Nursing - Assignment Example It has empowered the average US citizen, annulled some longstanding lawsuits, socialized medicine and changed the way that health insurance companies operate, preventing the USA from being dragged into further debt. It also has a number of repercussions for the medical and surgical profession in the USA. Key Elements of the Article The article specifically comments on five aspects that affect the medical and surgical area of the nursing profession: 1. Reauthorization of Title VIII Workforce Development Programs: The funding will be reduced for grants that were previously available for racial and ethnic minorities in the workforce, as part of workforce diversity for those having associate diplomas or degrees to enter bridge or degree completion programs. It will also reduce provision for grants to train nurses in primary care in nurse managed health clinics, federally qualified health centers and grants for State partnerships to reduce healthcare workforce issues. These have been redu ced to the levels available in 2004 or 2008. 2. Increased Funding for Nurse Managed Clinics: A significant part of the Law concerns itself with community care. This is usually administered in an acute setting. The new emphasis is on prevention and management of chronic disease. Funding is being debated. In this case, there will be a higher demand for advance practice nurses and many even induce some nurses to enter private practice, contingent on the AMA enhancing NP privileges. The AMA presently feels that extending NP privileges to staff will invade physician turf and 28 State legislatures are contemplating extending this role. It will give the Registered Nurse an excellent opportunity to get the additional education and licensing needed to become an NP. 3. Demonstration Provision for Graduate Nursing Education: This reform also helps graduate nursing students by increasing funding for clinical education. This is in line with the advice of the Institute of Medicine Report 2010 tha t the education, training, roles and responsibilities of nurses should meet the present requirements of increased health care in the USA and the current improvements in the system. Nurses should be engaged with senior professionals to increase their responsibility and role in redesigning healthcare in the USA. In fact it is recommended that nurses undertake a residency program that increases the value of transition from education to practice. Opportunities for additional learning should be sought out by attending annual conferences and participation in free continuing nursing education options such as some programs offered by the American Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) as a benefit of membership with them (Hertel, 2011). 4. Creation of the National Healthcare Workforce Commission: Under the envisaged changes as a result of this legislation, the expansion of healthcare available to individuals will likely result in an expansion of the nursing workforce. Acute inpatient and outpatient care, home care, palliative care, preventive care, transitional and chronic care among other facets will require more nurses giving more nursing care. The National Healthcare Workforce Commission has been created to monitor the need as well as the growth of the base of nursing professionals and to make recommendations on funding. Hopefully the Commission itself will not be made a victim of budget cuts

Use of digital technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Canadian public economics policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Canadian public economics policy - Essay Example Government spending has been used to determine the size of a government because it constitutes a large part of GDP, such that increasing it will effectively increase GDP. Furthermore, because government spending increases inflation as a result of increased money supply; increases deficits by choosing not to increase revenues vis--vis spending; and increases debts by choosing to borrow funds to finance spending, it makes a logical measure of the size of government. While this observation is theoretically sound, the actual effect of government spending is inconsistent. First, with regard to tax breaks and subsidies, because of its varying effects on the behaviour of businesses, the effect of government spending varies as well. For example, Canada's Five Year $100 billion Tax Reduction Plan should lead to a decrease in the size of government. However, because it makes Canada's business climate more competitive, it may induce corporations and business owners to move operations to, or increase operations in Canada, leading to an increase in the size of government instead. Second, it will also have varying effects on other components of GDP. ... as pensions and loan guarantees that are not always accounted for, but nonetheless exists, government spending is rendered an unreliable measure of the size of government.(375 words) Question 2 A debt management policy utilizing government bonds indexed to inflation is one way governments illustrate credibility in fighting inflation by intentionally removing incentives to inflate. In this respect, the Canadian government is committed to fighting inflation because as part of its debt management policy, it issues security bonds, indexed to the country consumer price index (CPI). A government's credibility in fighting inflation through indexed bonds can be illustrated through the differences between conventional and indexed bonds. With regard to the use of conventional bonds, a government debt's real value decreases in accordance to increases in inflation because as borrower, it will only have to pay a particular amount, based on nominal terms, regardless of changes in a currency's purchasing power caused by inflation. Since government financing through bonds indicate an implied obligation to pay in the future, conventional, nominal bonds eventually decreases in real value as the purchasing power decreases through yearly inflation. While these risks can be reduced through setting nominal interest rates that forecast possible increases in inflation, they are not secured from its unexpected sharp rises or declines. Thus, if inflation increases sharply, governments will require fewer resources to pay for its bonds transferring the loss in real value to the bond holder. Contrary to conventional bonds, indexed bonds, by linking their nominal terms to inflation specifies a more stable value for bondholders because the burden caused by inflation is placed on the

Global Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Global Management - Essay Example The median household income is $48,617 (City of Arlington, 2011). In terms of religious affiliation, 36% are Southern Baptist, 22% are Catholics, 13% are United Methodists and 29% comprises the other religions. Arlington has ten public elementary/middle schools and ten private elementary/middle schools. It has ten public high schools and seven private high schools. The workforce of Arlington is large, well-educated and diverse (Arlington Chamber of Commerce, 2008). The land area of Arlington is 99.5 square miles and the city’s property tax rate is 0.6480 per $100 valuation (City of Arlington, 2011). The city is in the middle of Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and is eight miles from the DFW airport. It abides by the business-friendly traditions of Texas (Cluck, 2011). Over 100 square miles is allotted to business which includes five business parks (Cluck, 2011). In terms of the industries present in the area, as of 2009, the most common industry is construction which comprises 13% of the total industry in the area (Onboard Informatics, 2011). Other industries include accommodation and food services; administrative and support and waste management services; professional, scientific and technical services; educational services; finance and insurance and transportation equipment (Onboard Informatics, 2011). Like the other areas in Texas, the people of Arlington also celebrate varied cultural heritage festivals because of the diversity of its population in terms of background and culture. Since Texas used to be a part of Mexico, a lot of the Mexican traditions have been adapted by the Texans. Among the festivals celebrated by the Texans are Cinco de Mayo celebration. The German heritage has also influenced Texas; thus, the celebration of the Oktoberfest. Other festivities celebrated by the people of Texas are Charro Days, Riofest and Port Isabel’s Day of the Dead. A major consideration in

Fed Undertakes QE3 with $40 Billion Monthly Mortgage Backed Securities Assignment

Fed Undertakes QE3 with $40 Billion Monthly Mortgage Backed Securities Purchase - Assignment Example My understanding is that the essay seeks to address the purchase of mortgage securities by the Fed; therefore the reason behind this purchase should come out before how the purchase was undertaken. The economic meltdown should first be explained, followed by the initial two quantitative easing programs and finally the QE3. The effects of the QE3 should then be addressed thereafter. The reasons behind the failure of the previous two QEs should also be stated so that the factors that led to the undertaking of the QE3 can be clearly illustrated. The essay should be a roadmap leading the reader to an inevitable conclusion, not properly ordering your ideas could obscure the meaning of the essay. After reading the essay, one can clearly see the efforts of the Fed in jump starting the economy after the economic downturn and that these efforts seem to be finally working. The paper however leaves one with the question of whether the Fed’s undertaking will work in the long run. Although the program has proved to be fruitful since its announcement, the QE3’s limitations and misgivings should also be included in the essay. In this aspect, the paper does not seem to be complete, as the aftermath of the program, both in the short term and long term, is an area that could be expanded upon. Although the essay is persuasive as it is detailed, the source of the information is not given, which brings about doubt as to the accuracy of this information due to the lack of evidence. The works cited during the writing of the paper should be stated at the end of the