The House on the Lagoon by Rosario Ferre Essay Example for Free

The House on the Lagoon by Rosario Ferre Essay Rosario Ferre is one of the most noted and famous Puerto Rican writers who have made their mark in the world of literature. Her books illustrate the political and social conditions of her native land. In this paper, we attempt to review and understand her book ‘The House on the Lagoon’ which is extremely famous and provides an interesting insight into the Puerto Rican conditions and the views of the writer as a supporter of feminism.   Ã¢â‚¬ËœThe house on the Lagoon’ was nominated for the National Book Award in 1995. The story revolves around Isabel and Quintin Mendizabal who are a quintessential Puerto Rican couple belonging to the privileged section of this society. The wife, Isabel, has a streak of independence and she feels suffocated in the typically bourgeois environment. She wishes to fulfill her long cherished dream of becoming a famous writer. For the fulfillment of this dream she decides to write a novel based on the life and family history of her husband and herself. However, the husband suddenly discovers the less than flattering description of his family that his wife wishes to make public by getting it published. He is obviously shaken and tries to alter the version that his wife has written in order to make it more appreciative of his family.   The story appears to be simple on the surface. However, while reading it, so many undercurrents appear that it becomes a delightful experience to discover the countless nuances. Many special features and styles of writing adorn the book. The most famous, the most talked about and perhaps the most exciting is the concept of two distinct narrative voices. In the beginning, the book proceeds as a simple family history being retold by a woman. However, a few chapters into the book, suddenly we discover that the narration switches over to the woman’s husband Quintin, who discovers that his wife is writing a novel. Surprises do not cease here. We are treated to another surprise as we discover that the book we are reading i.e. ‘The House on the Lagoon’ is the book that the husband is so incensed on finding. Thereon the narrative continues to switch from Quintin to Isabel and vice versa and this turns out to have far reaching consequences on the novel as a whole.   The double narrative allows for a more democratic unfolding of the story than a single narrative. It allows us to find out Quintin’s reactions to his wife’s narration of his family history. It puts in more animation into a mundane story of family history. Their arguments keep the narration alive and keep the reader guessing at reality and the next sequence of events. Also, there is a marked difference in the ways Quintin and Isabel approach the novel. Quintin, as we are told, has been a student of history in Columbia. To him, misinterpretation of facts and misinterpretation of history is a gross error and in addition, he is extremely embarrassed by the way his family is portrayed in a bad light by his wife. On the other hand, Isabel feels that her main objective is to gain literary fame and she is not concerned with being historically, socially or politically correct. While reading the book, we are thus treated to Isabel’s views and then we read her husband’s comments and views on her writing. This allows for a multiple perspective presentation and the nature of characters becomes more engrossing than the story that they are both trying to tell in their own way.   It has been argued that the dual narrative serves certain higher purposes than simply telling us the dual viewpoints on the story. The dual narrative has been construed as a metaphor for colonization[1]. Rosario’s books usually deal with the conflicts plaguing her native land Puerto Rico, the major one being whether to remain independent or become a part of the US. In the book, through dual narrative, Rosario attempts to bring out this conflict. Isabel, the writer’s alter ego, represents Puerto Rico while her husband represents the dominating influence of the US. Thus multiple perspectives enable the writer to demonstrate Puerto Rico’s quest for identity and her constant struggle against foreign dominance.   Another interesting characteristic of the book is the imagery that is used to illustrate certain finer points[2]. Right from the first scene, where there is a confrontation between the boy serenading Isabel and her fiancà © Quintin, we have a glimpse into the strong characters that we will encounter further on in the book. It also illustrates that Quintin has a violent streak. The relationships between the characters are brought out later in the book. Especially evident is the marital discord between Quintin and Isabel over the issue of her novel which Quintin feels paints his family black. Later in the book, we are provided with another extremely vivid scene which portrays the reason why Isabel is so haunted by her past. Isabel’s mother was forced to have an abortion by her grandmother. This abortion was probably botched and the description of the scene from the child’s point of view sends shivers down the readers’ spine. The gory details such as the pool of blood, the unconscious mother and the dropping of the doll are all images which haunt the reader as much as they must have haunted the young girl. It not only tells us of Isabel’s miserable past but also provides us an understanding of the person she is in the present and why. It also helps us to identify with her dream of making it big as she wishes to escape the drudgery that her female ancestors went through.   Also noteworthy in the novel is the daydreams that Isabel indulges herself with. Her past is so woebegone that she tries to absorb herself in passionate pursuits of her dreams and reveries. These reveries lull us into a false sense of security until the silence before the storm breaks with a shattering incident. This sense of the unexpected renders the narrative far from banal. The most interesting of her happiness and indulgence appears towards the end of the story when she enrolls into a ballet school to fulfill her passion. This dream, like that of becoming a famous writer, reveals Isabel’s desire for fame. She enjoys her dancing lessons immensely and we are again forced to expect some happiness coming her way. However, our hopes are shattered brutally by the public display of pedophilia as the curtain opens at the wrong time during her stage performance. Again, Isabel finds herself abused and unhappy. The ending of the story is thus somewhat tragic and in sync with the mood of the whole story.   In conclusion, it must be said that a subject as ordinary as the relation of family history is made extraordinary by the excellent style of Rosario Ferre and her unique writing style including the double narratives, the imagery and the reveries. Her strong characters help us understand human psyche and also provide insight into the actual political and social problems of Puerto Rico through the characters. In the end, the novel turns out to be more than a story of marital discord or a narration of family history. It helps us to understand history, politics, sociology, psychology and also literature. Few novels are able to achieve such high purpose. WORKS CITED â€Å"The House on the Lagoon†, Luke Lecheler, http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Critique/review_fiction/house_on_the_lagoon_the_by_rosario_ferre.html â€Å"Rosario Ferre † http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Bios/entries/ferre_rosario.html â€Å"Reading Guide: The House On the lagoon†, Penguin Group USA, http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/house_on_the_lagoon.html [1] â€Å"Rosario Ferre † http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Bios/entries/ferre_rosario.html [2] â€Å"The House on the Lagoon†, Luke Lecheler,   http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Critique/review_fiction/house_on_the_lagoon_the_by_rosario_ferre.html

John Nash, A Beautiful Mind Essay -- Mental Health, Schizophrenia

WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? The modern definition of schizophrenia describes it as a long-lasting psychotic disorder (involving a severe break with reality), in which there is an inability to distinguish what is real from fantasy as well as disturbances in thinking, emotions, behavior, and perception (Cicarelli, p. 557). SYMPTOMS Schizophrenia includes several symptoms. One common symptom is delusions, which are false beliefs that the person holds and that tend to remain fixed and unshakable even in the face of evidence that disproves the delusions (Cicarelli, p. 557). Other common symptoms include speech disturbances, in which people with schizophrenia make up words, repeat words or sentences persistently, string words together on the basis of sounds, and experience sudden interruptions in speech or thought. The thought patterns of those with schizophrenia are also significantly disturbed, as they have difficulty linking their thoughts together in logical ways (Cicarelli, p. 557). Individuals with schizophrenia may also experience hallucinations, in which they hear voices or see things or people who are not really there. Hearing voices and emotional disturbances are key symptoms in making a diagnosis of schizophrenia. An emotional disturbance known as flat effect is a condition in which the person shows little or no emotion. For example, emotions can be excessive and/or inappropriate - a person might laugh when it would be more appropriate to cry (Cicarelli, p. 557). A person with schizophrenia might also exhibit disorganized and extremely odd behavior. For example, some forms of schizophrenia are accompanied by periods of complete immobility, whereas others may involve weird facial grimaces and odd gesturing. Attention is al... ...nly suffered from auditory, not visual, hallucinations. There is also a seen in the film in which Nash is being presented with pens from faculty members. In reality, no such custom exits. â€Å"A Beautiful Mind† is a remarkable movie that sheds light on a complicated and debilitating disorder, in which the person seems to have no control over. It is enlightening and heart warming, I would highly recommend this movie. I must admit, the first time I watch the movie, I went into it not knowing anything about schizophrenia and when it was over, I still felt like I didn’t fully understand the disorder; however, the second time I watched with the knowledge of what schizophrenia is and all of the various symptoms and I find it astonishing that Nash was able to overcome the disorder by sheer willpower over his own mind, as he chose to ignore the voices in his head.

Microeconomics: concepts, analysis, and applications Essay

Southwest Airlines is an organization in the Airline industry and it has remained to be a competitive leader in this industry since its inception. It is the America’s largest low-fare carrier and domestically it serves huge number of customers than any other Airline. This organization operates more than three thousand flights daily. Southwest Airlines operate under an environment with intense competition; however, its marketing strategy has helped the organization to have a competitive advantage over its competitors. In all southwest Airline marketing communications, it positions itself in America as the only short-haul, low-fare, point-to-point, high frequency carrier that is fun to fly. Once the organization enters into a particular market the following changes are experienced; economic mini-boom occurs, tourist traffic increases and air fares go down. Airline industry is highly volatile, however southwest airline has remained relevant in the industry and also profitable eve ry year meaning that it has been profitable for a period of 31 years. For most of year 2000, the organizations 9 billion dollars market capitalization is more than the combined market capitalization of every other Airline in United States. Southwest airline market strategy has ensured cost efficiency thus increasing the profit margins for the organization. Some of the most marketing strategies adapted by this organization include: using smaller airports which are less congested thus saving time, flying one type of aircraft only, and eliminating seating assignments and meal service. Even though southwest airline has been using these same marketing strategies, no other airline has been able to clone southwest’s success productively (Freiberg & Freiberg, 1996). In order to secure its market position successfully, southwest airline has been forced to be extremely cost-efficient. In this regard, southwest has designed a business model which uses short-hauls, single aircraft type, hub -and -spoke versus point-to-point, secondary airports all aimed at reducing the costs. Most organizations in the airline market utilize information technology like a platform aimed at sharing information from a given unit of business to another. However, southwest airline upholds a different approach. Southwest has strengthened the on-site operations agents’ roles who are entrusted with the responsibility to turn around every flight of southwest as fast as possible. In the airline market the operations agents have a responsibility for handling 3 to 5 flights at any one time but southwest strategy ensures that their operations agents are responsible in handling one flight turnaround. Southwest has established a culture where even pilots are willing to assis t in loading luggage so as to help in getting away in time thus saving time. This demonstrates flexible job boundaries existing throughout the whole organization where any individual is very ready to pitch in wherever needed (Lauer, 2010). Avoiding delays is the key to profitably running an Airline with turning around the planes. In the airline industry market, in a case where a delay is experienced in the airline market, they try assessing whether this was as a result of led by the ramp agents, baggage handlers, refuellers or any other functional department. However in Southwest airline delays are recoded to be team delays. Through being less precise concerning the delay cause and assessing performance through metrics which matter to the consumers. In this regard southwest focus more on learning ways of avoiding a repeat of such instances in the future compared to accountability. Airline industry in United States has experienced high price in regard to intra-Texas air travel and southwest was envisioned and was able to respond to this issue through coming up with the suitable solutions. Southwest provides a travel product which is in built around flights which are targeted to particular ticket pricing and demographics that is simplified in order for the passengers to realize what they actually getting for their money paid. Before the entry of southwest Airline into the airline market, passengers and business travelers were used to be pampered, paid full price however in the end they ended up being disappointed. Southwest strategies usually gave insomnia to other normal executives from the Airline industry. Southwest strategy shows an organization which is very unusual and very devoted towards their consumers and employees (Lauer, 2010). A niche exists in the Airline market where southwest Airline has extensive potential of future growth. Southwest has been built on foundation of strategic management. This strategy has helped this organization in taking it into a new level of superiority and expanding of the airline’s market. Therefore southwest possess an agg ressive strategy, planned to be a constant success (Lauer, 2010). There are definitive and clear boundaries between employees working in diverse functional areas in most Airlines. Most workers are able to interact well with their fellow peers however ignore those others who are below them in the organization hierarchy. In cases where there are delays employees tend to blame those who are lower in hierarchy than them for the delay. However, in south west they have created a culture where all employees treat others with respect despite of their levels in the organizational hierarchy (Lovelock, 1992). All employees acknowledge the distinct responsibilities played in keeping planes flying by different functional departments. Therefore everyone’s contribution to the organization contributes to the success of the organization and thus every individual is respected and acknowledged. This respect by all employees of the organization helps in appreciating the contribution of one another to the organization and there is a tendency to act productively in achieving the larger organizational goals (Bahreini & Willis, 1988). Southwest Airlines has utilized the following ten relationships in generating extraordinary performance; investing in front-line leaders, outstanding business relationship, hiring and training for relationship excellence, using conflicts in building relationships, using broad performance metrics, bridge work-family divide, creating the positions which span boundaries, partnering with the unions, build the supplier relationships, highly flexible job descriptions and using highly flexible job descriptions. These all ten organizational relationships are exceedingly complementally; however they only generate benefits when they are all utilized and implemented. In this regard these relationships work in unison and not in isolation. Substantial benefits of these relationships can be realized only all ten are present. This in turn realizes both negative effects and positive effects. The negative effects will be that it will necessitate making various changes on many fronts concurrently to a ttain it. On the other hand, the positive effects are that an organization which follows lead of southwest airline company and establish strong organizational relationships can accomplish great success. However, the outcomes of using the ten relationships as in the case of southwest can be both long lasting and impressive. Therefore, any company can improve efficiency and quality of its performance through adapting these relationships to its own specific needs (Tadajewski & Brownlie, 2008). Leadership in southwest Airlines is a distribute process. Senior management team is popular in the public arena however most of the actual work is performed by the supervisors who with frontline employees on a daily basis. Southwest Airline in reality has more supervisors per frontline worker compared other all other Airlines, and the organization succeeds at training these supervisors in providing leadership on issues occurring on daily basis. Supervisors in Southwest present the bulk of the organization’s counseling and coaching. Southwest also makes a conscious and deliberate effort of hiring employees who are excellent in working as a team (Lauer, 2010). This organization also endeavors at enhancing team building skills through offering their employees training for relational competence. In other organizations, there is an attempt of retaining and attracting high performers, but southwest instead of hiring the elites it gives high priority while hiring to those individuals who are capable of integrating with other team members smoothly. Therefore, this organization recruits individuals who uphold right attitudes and then offer them with the necessary experience and skills they require to succeed. Southwest has distinct labor relations and this has helped to eliminate occurrences of employees strikes in the organization. An Airline industry is an oligopolistic market where every seller supplies a huge portion of entire products which are sold in the marketplace. Since the cost of setting up a business is normally very high the number of the organizations entering in this market is usually low. Organizations in this market are able to control over the prices that they charge. Therefore, when one organization offers fair prices than others, then its competitors also usually introduces similar promotions. Southwest has been facing excess competition from other airlines however through exemplary marketing strategies an Airline that paying for jet fuel using a personal credit card and borrowing tools has grown to be a record-breaking profitable Airline company. Southwest was one of the factors that led to end of the airline industry regulation, therefore getting rid of the barriers facing those entering the industry and also encouraging competition. Southwest was primarily responsible for keeping, Love, midway and Hobby airports open (Stone, 1980). Southwest is still the leader in the airline industry and it is a no-frills carrier. In this regard, this Airline offers no reserved seats, no catering and no first-class. The primary goal of this organization is making air travel affordable to those individuals who could not afford it previously and not profit maximization. Southwest makes profit on average if only the last five seats on a plane are filled. This Airline as a regional carrier is unique. Southwest is popular among the passengers since they carry their customers’ non-stop from point A to point B. southwest provides no interline connections with the other airlines, except for Icelandic Air connections. This helps in wise use of time since airplanes are not delayed by ticket counter lines or connecting travelers. Their strategies have also helped in reducing the unemployment rates in United States. This is because in a case where an airplane spends exceedingly twenty minutes at the gate this will increase the loca l rates of unemployment (Pride & Ferrell, 1995). In conclusion, southwest employs marketing strategies which helps in ensuring that the organization is the most popular among the passengers. The southwest also has a culture of respecting all their stakeholders despite their hierarchy or role in the organization. All southwest employees’ works as a team and they are very motivated which improves their job satisfaction and productivity in the organization. All these marketing strategies highly contribute towards the success of southwest Airline Company. References Bahreini, M. H., & Willis, J. F. (1988). Microeconomics: concepts, analysis, and applications. Redding, Calif.: CAT Pub. Co.. Freiberg, K., & Freiberg, J. (1996). Nuts!: Southwest Airlines’ crazy recipe for business and personal success. Austin, Tex.: Bard Books. Lauer, C. (2010). Southwest Airlines. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Greenwood. Lovelock, C. H. (1992). Managing services: marketing, operations, and human resources (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Pride, W. M., & Ferrell, O. C. (1995). Marketing: concepts and strategies (9th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Stone, M. (1980). Marketing and economics. New York: St. Martin’s Press. Tadajewski, M., & Brownlie, D. T. (2008). Critical marketing: contemporary issues in marketing. Chichester, UK: Wiley. Source document

The Role of Conventions in the UK Constitutional Law Free Essay Example, 1750 words

In describing the role of Conventions in UK constitutional law, Barnett has stated: More than any other area of legal study constitutional law in the United Kingdom involves far more than a learning of legal rules. Indeed it may be said, without exaggeration, that the non-legal rules and practices (such as conventions) are at least as important if not more important on many occasions as the legal rules. For instance, a convention is equivalent to a legal rule, in that constitutional actors are obliged to act in accordance with the unspoken codes of conduct characterized by conventions and a failure to do so can attract criticism as unconstitutional conduct. Conventions not only are followed but have to be followed. Conventions are equivalent to an established or correct way of doing things that are based upon some precedent form of conduct; however, conventions impose an obligation to act in accordance with the established practice and will attract criticism if not adhere d to. For example, in 1909, the House of Lords violated the existing convention by rejecting a budget passed by the House of Commons on the grounds that the Commons by convention, could not introduce a bill attacking the Lords, who were their peers, and their wealth, which was adequate justification for the House of Lords to reject the budget. The House of Commons, however, disputed the existence of any convention that limited their rights to include the wealth of the Lords in their bills. We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Conventions in the UK Constitutional Law or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page