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Discrimination, case study of For Troy, living in 1957 where African American
Discrimination, case study of For Troy, living in 1957 where African American
Whether it be skin color or sexuality, discrimination exists and has been a large issue in society. Discrimination is clearly shown in “Fences”, and “The Laramie Project” in that it affects the way the main character or other behaves and or thinks. In “Fences” Troy’s experiences have been tainted by society’s views on African Americans, he wasn’t given the opportunity to move up in the world and follow through with his dreams. This is also a similar situation in “The Laramie Project” in which Matthew Shepard is also discriminated against, but in a more violent manner. Although these two pieces of text come from different times, the issue at hand is still the same.
For Troy, living in 1957 where African American are treated like second class citizens heavily affects him in regards to his job. Troy is a garbage man, he desires to move up to the position of driver, but when he approaches his boss, Mr. Rand, asking him if ” only white fellows got sense enough to drive a truck “(Fences, pg.2), Mr. Replies by telling him to “take it up wit the union”(Fences, pg.3). Although the situation was handled peacefully, Troy’s Friend Bono is worried at Troy could have gotten them fired from just requesting a promotion due to the fact of their skin color. Once he actually acquires this job, he ends up losing his relationship/connection with Bono, because Bono expressed a bit of jealousy that Troy was able to make it to this position, while the others were not. Troy now feels the urge to retire because he feels lonely having no one to talk to, if his friends were also offered a promotion, he wouldn’t be having such thoughts about retiring, but because of discrimination against them, he has no one. This is just one clear way that discrimination is displayed in “Fences”
In addition to Troy just being Discriminated against in his workplace, he was also passed over for a chance to be in the major leagues due to his race. Troy in the novel was described as an exceptional baseball player, Troy though was denied the chance to be an MLB player as he “came along too early”(Fences, pg.10), before the time that Jackie Robinson had changed the whole game of baseball for African Americans. Troy doesn’t think that it is fair that Jackie Robinson was able to become an MLB player as he “done seen a hundred niggers play baseball better than Jackie Robinson”(Fences, pg.10). He sees this as being unfair as he was forced to give up something he loved to do because he was a different race than the players that were allowed to move up in the sport. This affects Troy’s Life dramatically in that the stage directions after his rant about Jackie Robinson show him “taking a long drink from the bottle”(Fences, pg.10). He is drinking to forget about his dreams of making it into the MLB getting shattered. His death at the end of the book also relates to baseball in a way.
The Laramie Project is another piece of text which magnifies the issue of discrimination, but in terms of sexuality. This novel was explicitly written to bring light to the issue of homosexuality and how some people view it and discriminate against those who are homosexuals. The main character, Matthew Shepard, who was a homosexual young man was murdered in the town of Laramie all because of his sexual preference. Throughout the play characters interviewed say that Laramie is not this type of place where they discriminate against gays, but upon closer look and more interviews it became clear that Laramie was the type of place that many had not seen it for. The whole entire city actually was driven by the value of “Live and Let Live”, but this is actually proven wrong when one gay individual was actually interviewed in saying that “And it’s even in some of the western literature, you know live and let live. That is such crap. I tell my friends that —even my gay friends bring it up sometimes. I’m like, “That is crap, you know?” I mean, basically what it boils down to: If I don’t tell you I’m a fag, you won’t beat the crap out of me. I mean, what’s so great about that? That’s a great philosophy?”(Kaufman, 59). After Matthew Shepard’s death, the issue is brought to light and the whole nation is affected and informed on the way gays have been treated.
The play brings to light that even though we may see ourselves as moved on from this whole idea of discriminations against others, it will never be like that. Discrimination exists as a human flaw, one that can never be changed from everyone in the world. Although discrimination will never end, bringing light the situation will cause more people to be accepting and allow for a closer to equal treatment of others. Matthew Shepard’s death was one incident which was one of the first incidents that really caused major attention to the issue of discrimination of gays. Although it’s never to say someone died for a good reason, Matthew Shepard’s death has definitely greatly and positively impacted many communities.
Both of these plays bring great attention to the large problem known as discrimination and show us how we can avoid such issues. Whether it be discrimination based off of race, sexual preference, heredity, or any other form, it is not okay. We must advance into a society that is more aware of the different types of discrimination and one that advances to teach our next generation not to discriminate against anybody and that it’s not ok to do so. Of course as previously stated, discrimination is not something we can get rid of for good but we can do something about it to decrease the rate of discrimination not only in our nation, but worldwide.
Work Cited
Kaufman, Moisés. The Laramie Project. New York: Vintage, 2001. Print.
Wilson, August. Fences. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and
Curbing Local and International Terrorism
Ways of Curbing Local and International Terrorism
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Ways of Curbing Terrorism
The War on Terror, from the beginning, has been both a war of arms and a war of ideas – a war against terrorists and their terror ideologies (Silk et al., 2013). In the short-run, fighting terror involves the application of instruments of national power to kill, capture or influence terrorists; deny terrorists safe hiding places and control of the nation; prevent terrorists from accessing national territories; render potential targets less attractive for terrorists; and cut off sources of terrorist funding and support. In the long-run, victory over the terror war involves the neutralization of terrorist ideas, which can transform the disillusioned and embittered either into murderers or free people living harmoniously in diverse societies (Silk et al., 2013). Effective utilization of these short- and long-run measures will lessen and eventually end local and international terrorism.
Long-term Approach
The lasting solution for winning the fight against terror is the protection of human dignity and freedom through the adoption of effective democracy (Silk et al., 2013). The clearest sign of a free society is elections, which can play a crucial role in advancing democracy. However, elections alone are insufficient. Effective democracies respect and uphold fundamental human rights, which include freedom of religion, speech, conscience, association, assembly, and press. They respond to their citizens and submit to the people’s will. Effective democracies exercise sovereignty and maintain law and order within their borders; peacefully address causes of conflict, protect impartial and independent systems of justice, embrace the rule of law, resist corruption, and punish crime. Moreover, effective democracies limit the government’s reach hence protecting civil societies (Silk et al., 2013). Freedom is indivisible in effective democracies. These long-term measures can neutralize terror ideologies hence winning the battle of ideas.
Short-term Approach
The advancement of human dignity, freedom, and opportunity through effective democracy has been identified as the long-term solution to transnational terror movements today. However, these long-term solutions cannot take place instantly. There is the need to create space and time for the solution to take root. This process calls for the implementation of short-term measures , which can be can be categorized into four priorities of action: prevention of attacks by terrorist networks, prevent rogue states from accessing weapons of mass destruction, prevent rogue states from supporting terrorists, preventing terrorists from controlling weak states from where they launch their attacks (Maras, 2012).
Governments have no higher obligation than protecting their citizens’ lives and livelihoods. The most hardcore of terrorists cannot easily be deterred or reformed; they can only be tracked, captured, or killed (Maras, 2012). This move will help cut them off from the network of institutions, individuals, and other sources of support, which facilitate their operations. Consequently, the network will be disrupted, disabled, and deterred (Maras, 2012). Global coordination will help deny terrorist entries into target states and hinder their movement across borders.
The fact that terrorists access weapons of mass destruction highly fuels terror attacks (Maras, 2012). Aggressive efforts should be taken to deny the access of these materials, expertise, and equipment locally and internationally, incorporating both public and private sectors. This initiative will help immensely in driving international action and focus on ensuring that the international community does everything possible to prevent terrorists from accessing nuclear weapons, knowledge and materials (Maras, 2012).
There is no difference between the real terror perpetrators and the individuals or institutions that harbor and support terrorists. A government that opting to be the friend of terror opts also to be the enemy of justice, peace, and freedom (Maras, 2012). The international community will hold these regimes accountable. The bonds between these rogue states and terrorist enemies can be broken if the world cooperates in disrupting the flow of resources from support states to terrorists while also working simultaneously to terminate state sponsorship of terrorism (Maras, 2012).
Lastly, terrorist enemies are determined to claim certain strategic countries as havens of terror. This notion could enable them destabilize some regions and strike others with ever-increasing violence (Maras, 2012). For instance, the United States’ enemies had put up their sanctuary in Afghanistan before the Operation Enduring Freedom. Today terrorists view Iraq as the base for their war against the U.S. (Maras, 2012). Perhaps this explains why it is vital to help Iraqi and Afghan peoples forge effective democracies. Joint efforts should be taken to prevent terrorists from exploiting under-governed or ungoverned areas as safe havens. Ultimately, these havens should be eliminated.
In conclusion, the war against terror is both a war of arms and a war of ideas. Short- and long-term measures have been identified, which could help win the war against terror, both locally and internationally. Nations should adopt effective democracies where human dignity and freedom are protected and respected all the time. Nations should strive to stop attacks by terrorist networks, stop rogue states from accessing weapons of mass destruction, stop rogue states from supporting terrorists, and stop terrorists from controlling weak states from where they launch their attacks. Emphasis should be put on international cooperation because no individual or state can stop terrorism on its own.
References
Maras, M. (2012). Counterterrorism. New York: Cathleen Sether.
Silk, D., Spalek, B., and O’Rawe, M. (2013). Preventing Ideological Violence: Communities,
Police and Case Studies of “Success.” New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
evaluation on one of the novels put forward by William Shakespeare, known as The Merchant of Venice
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Introduction
The main of this paper is to provide both a library research and personal evaluation on one of the novels put forward by William Shakespeare, known as ‘The Merchant of Venice’. The report shall be divided into three main segments. At the first stage, a brief discourse on the author shall be provided as well as his point of view on the narration of the novel. Additionally, this section shall be comprised of the plot of the novel ‘The Merchant of Venice’. In the second stage, the character, theme and setting of the novel shall be provided in details while at the third stage, a critical reception and my personal response shall be bestowed.
Stage One
William Shakespeare was a man who was born in April 23, 1564 at Stratford upon- Avon. His father John Shakespeare worked on wool and leather. William Shakespeare is extensively acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest playwrights of the English language. His works together with his personality has been adored by several actors, scholars and everyday people across the world. The main reason why William Shakespeare has been admired greatly over the hundreds of years is because he put forward exhilarating stories that up to date are still relevant (Dobson, & Wells 59).
Young Shakespeare grew up under a thatched roof and attended a public school where he was learned Scriptures, Latin and logic. In 1582, William Shakespeare married Anna Hathaway when he was only 18 years old. Shortly afterwards, this couple had their first child Susannah. Later, they had two more children who were twins namely Hamnet and Judith, who were born in 1585. At the age of 11, Hamnet contracted the Black Plague and died in1596 (Dobson, & Wells 60).
There are varying theories that elucidate what Shakespeare did as young man. One of these hypothesis state that, he was ran away to the London. It was in this place that he took up a job as horse attendant for the people who attended theaters. Other people believe that he was a teacher in a local school at Italy. Nonetheless, William Shakespeare is initially mentioned by Robert Greene, who is a playwright, in London at the year 1592. Robert Greene describes Shakespeare as a ‘young upstart Cow’ (Moore 7).
The plays of Shakespeare were widely acknowledged that his business enterprise became the official theater organization of the Lord Chamberlain. The firm also performed frequently for Queen Elizabeth 1. After the death of Queen Elizabeth 1, the new king requested Shakespeare organization to be his is formal theatre company. The king later changed the name of the organization to King’s Men. At intervals, Shakespeare also took small roles in his plays. He together with some of his friends later opened their own theatre famously known as The Globe (Moore 8).
The genesis of his stories was based on his busy bustling life in London where he often referred to the history put forward by Raphael Holinshed known as ‘The Chronicles of England, Ireland and Scotland’. This discourse was first published in 1577. During the course of his career, William Shakespeare wrote over 37 plays. In addition to that, this author has written over 154 renowned love sonnets as well as long poems. His writings were such that, it was comprised of the intensified intimacy of a poet and the sweeping vision imbued by a storyteller. He died at the age of 52, in the year 1616 (Moore 11).
Point of View
All though most works of literature highlight the author’s point of view, they do not all have a narrator and/ or a narrative voice through which stories are tied together. In the novel ‘The Merchant of Venice’, a narrator whose voice or eyes the audience can learn from is not presented. The form style of writing that is utilized by William Shakespeare in this novel is the use of imagery, symbolism and allegory. For instance, the article uses several rings i.e. the turquoise ring that Jessica steals from his father Shylock, which presents a priced possession of Shylock since it was bestowed to him by his late wife. The loss of the ring also illustrates the loss of his prized possession (his daughter, Jessica to the Christians). There is also Portia’s ring which signifies her love and commitment to Bassanio. Other features of symbolism, allegory and imagery of the play is illustrated by various aspects such as the gold, silver and the lead caskets, the lottery, the transforming music sang by Portia, the story of Jacob and Laban, etc. (McMenomy 33).
Plot Analysis
The initial situation of the novel illustrates Antonio’s love for his best friend Bassanio, and the game of caskets stipulated by Portia’s father. As the novel commences everything is in a restless place. In Venice, Antonio is shown to be sad because of losing his ships that was filled with goods. Additionally, it is insinuated that the character is also sad because he perceives that he is about to lose his friend Bassanio, to Portia. At the meantime, Portia is not in her natural mood because she has lost her father. The biggest problem with the demise of Portia’s father is that he has stipulated an awful lottery set up for anyone who wants to woo her. This puts a hurdle for her to choose a suitor of her choice (Harold 23).
The novel is followed by conflict where poor Bassanio needs the help of Antonio in wooing Portia. Since Antonio has lost his goods to the tempest he is forced to turn to Shylock who is money lender hated because he was a Jewish. In order to get the financial assistance, Antonio is forced to sign away a pound of flesh as a form of guarantee on Bassanio’s loan. When Bassanio visits Portia house, he is faced with the dilemma of choosing a casket or never to visit Portia again. Tortured by the levels on uncertainty, he insists on playing the game of caskets as soon as possible. Luckily for Bassanio he is able to choose the right casket and he finally gets a go at Portia (Harold 24).
No sooner had Bassanio won Portia, than he received a letter that divulged the sad fate of Antonio. From the letter, Bassanio learns that his ventures had failed and that Shylock was insisting for a pound of flesh. Unlike the initial time when Shylock seemed to be joking about asking for the pound of flesh as a surety for loan, Shylock seemed enraged. His anger is further fostered by the fact Jessica had eloped stealing more of his money. Having resigned to his fate, Antonio requested his friend Bassanio to go and see him before he dies. This complicates Bassanio’s capacity to go on with the wedding preparations. He thus set forth an expedition to Venice so as to visit his friend. The complication of this scenery is further heightened by Portia, and his maid servant Nerrisa who cross dress themselves as men in disguise to follow Bassanio and see how they could assist them ((Harold 33).
The Duke of Venice offers Shylock 6,000 ducats, which is double the amount of loan he bestowed to Antonio. Shylock insists on a pound of flesh from Antonio preferably from his heart. Since the Duke of Venice is out to protect Antonio, he introduces the court to a visitor known as Balthazar. Portia, who acts as Balthazar, a doctor of law, presents a letter to the court that had been written by the known lawyer, Bellario recommending him to pass justice to the case. Balthazar is accompanied by a law clerk, Nerrisa who is also in disguise. After severally pleading with Shylock to show mercy to Antonio, he grants Shylock the permission to claim the pound of flesh (Harold 37).
According to Shylock, he insists on “specific perfomance” as highlighted by the contract. He stated that the contracted only pointed out a pound of flesh, so he insisted he would take a pound of flesh from wherever he pleased i.e. Antonio’s heart. With the same measure, Balthazar insisted that the contract stated that Shylock could only take a pound of flesh and not blood. Thus, he stated that if Shylock shed a drop of blood from Antonio’s body not only would his goods be ceased but also his land. Shylock ultimately accepts the initial offer of 6000 ducats; Balthazar however refuses to grant this request stating that he had refused the offer in an open court (Harold 39).
Later, half of Shylock’s wealth was granted to Antonio as stated by the Venetian law since an alien (shylock) threatened the life of a citizen. The play ends up when both Portia and Nerrisa reveal their true identities and presenting a letter that accounts their role in the court. The entire drama ends in a relative harmony when all the marriages are consummated (Harold 47).
Stage Two
Character
In novel ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is comprised of several characters. One of these characters is Shylock, who is the Jew who lent money to Antonio for Bassanio’s loan. Similarly, Shylock is Jessica’s father. The second main character is Antonio, who is an affluent Venetian merchant, Shylock’s arch enemy and Bassanio’s best friend. Portia is an affluent and beautiful lady who leaves in Belmont. She is an heiress to her father’s fortune. In the novel, Bassanio is Antonio’s best friend. He asks money from him in order to woo Portia. Jessica is the other character in the novel, who is Shylock’s daughter. She is displayed as the girl who broke his father’s heart by marrying Lorenzo who is a Christian (Kenneth 15).
Lorenzo, is a friend to both Bassanio and Antonio. He is also the man who hit the jackpot when he finally elopes with Jessica. Graziana also known as Gratiano is a party animal who is also a friend to both Bassanio and Antonio. He is also the man who falls in love with Nerrisa, Portia’s maid servant. The Duke of Venice is the character that is used to uphold the law in the novel. Finally, the other character in the novel is Lancelot who is not only a servant but also a clown in the play. Initially, he used to work for Shylock but later transferred to work for Bassanio. In the play he is used to make smart-alecky remarks (Kenneth 15).
Setting
The setting of the novel is illustrated as an exciting cosmopolitan environment for the drama since it was a hotspot for trade. While the Jews had legally been banned for England, Venice had stipulated laws that protected the non-Venetian traders who supported the economic growth of its market. Shakespeare acknowledges the justice of the legal system through his characters e.g. Antonio admits that the Duke cannot harbor the course of law towards Shylock who had lent money to him, and was seeking his bond (McMenomy 33).
Moreover, all the people from all walks of life did business in Venice; Shakespeare’s setting is chock filled with religious strife, particularly between Jews and Christians. This culminates to in a robust legal showdown over whether or not the money lender, Shylock should be granted his pound of flesh for the body of Antonio. Conversely, the author uses Belmont setting to convey an environment that is filled with beauty, wealth and serenity. This provides the characters with a great refuge from the Venice cosmopolitan world (McMenomy 33).
Theme
Like many other plays and novels, Shakespeare uses various themes to develop the content of his stories. In ‘The Merchant of Venice’, one of these themes is race where Christianity and Judaism are not just religions they are structured as racial and national identities. The stereotypes between these two races are heightened by all the conversations between Shylock, the Jewish money lender, and Antonio who was a Christian. These racial stereotypes are deeply unsettling for the 21century audience (John 654).
The second theme grounded on this play is wealth where money is illustrated as a big deal. The plot is of this novel revolves around a Merchant of Venice who is unable to repay his loan and faces the risk of losing his life. Shakespeare uses the theme of wealth to show the different attitudes towards mercantilism, wealth and usury, especially between Jews and Christians (John 654).
The third theme used in the play is friendship. The novel shows an extensive dynamics of friendship, which is a bond that is cherished beyond all other forms of relationships. One of these legendary friendships is highlighted by how Antonio loves Bassanio. Friendship is also shown by Portia and Nerrisa’s endeavors to help their men resolve their dilemmas. Similarly, Shakespeare uses the theme of marriage to unfold the scenes of the drama (Louis 131). While in the modern days marriages are linked to the sentiments of romantic love, Shakespeare does not ground this theme in the same way. For the merchant of Venice, marriage is portrayed as a risky business venture. In the case of pursuing Portia, marriage is displayed as a mythological quest, where suitors were required to choose one of the three caskets to determine their fate. Moreover, marriage in Portia’s case shows a way for a father to convey his wealth to a man of his choice. In the case of Jessica, marriage presents a chance for an unhappy daughter to run away from her father.
The other theme in utilized in the novel is themes of justice. Since the stability of the Venice economy is founded on the businesses conducted by the foreign men such as Shylock, the region highly regards the laws that protect the laws that protect them. Nevertheless, when it comes to the money lender, Shakespeare demonstrates the law as one sided where the law is bended whey Shylock asks for his pound of flesh. Throughout the entire play, Judaism is linked with the Mosaic Law. This law places strict emphasis on justice and pursuing the letter to the law. Christianity however, is linked to the New Testament where emphasis is placed on God’s mercy as well as salvation.
Stage Three
Critical Reception
When the novels written William Shakespeare is compared, ‘The Merchant of Venice’ represents one of the few Shakespearean features that is list understood. One can hardly distinguish whether it is a tragedy or comedy. Again, the novel does not account for the significance of the caskets that was put forward by the Portia’s father. In addition to this the quality of mercy as put forward by the characters is blurred since the predicaments that befalls Shylock is relatively large (Shakespeare 222).
Personal Response
In my opinion, Shakespeare is acknowledged as one of the greatest play writers over a hundred years because of various reasons. In ‘The Merchant of Venice’, the author effectively utilizes various themes and sceneries to bring the drama into an intensified climax. He uses the diversity of people’s characters, attitudes, friendship as well as the environmental settings to illustrate sharp contrasts to each other. Furthermore, Shakespeare uses various imageries, allegories and symbolism to spur the interest of its audience. In the modern world today, this story is relevant as is it shows the varying perspective of marriage, friendship and jurisdiction that affect people in the current world.
Work Cited
Dobson, Michaels & Wells, Stanley. The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001
Harold, Bloom. Interpretations: William’s Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. New York, NY: InfoBase, 2010
John, Hales. Shakespeare and Jews. English Historical Review. Retrieved on 4th May, 2014 from https://archive.org/stream/englishhistorica09londuoft#page/652/mode/2up
Kenneth, Muir. The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare’s Comedies and Tragedy Sources. New York, NY: Routledge, 2005
Louis, Newman. Ricard Cumberland: Critic and Friend of the Jews. Mason, OH: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008
McMenomy, Bruce. Merchant of Venice: Things to Consider When Reading the Novel. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004
Moore, Jane. William Shakespeare: An Overview of His Life, Times and Work. An NAC English Theatre Programme for Student Audience, 2013
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice: With Contemporary Criticism. Ignatius Press, 2009