The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Essay Example for Free

The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou EssayThis novel is the autobiographical description of a young African American girl growing up in the South. She was left with her grandmother Annie along with her older brother Bailey while her parents went their own ways. She experience segregation, discrimination, rape and molestation. Towards the end she became pregnant by a boyfriend, yet still completes high school. The story ends with her sleeping close to her new born son. Through every last(predicate) of these things, she learned that to be a black female you have to be strong. Obviously, a major theme that is addressed throughout the story is racism. She has observed her grandmother experience it and she experienced it herself. Her thoughts on how to deal with white folks was less passive than she felt her grandmothers approach was. Another theme was displacement. As a descendant of slaves, she felt that she, among many other African Americans, are struggling to find their place in this society. Her opening line What you looking at me for? I didnt come to stay reflects that she feels like she doesnt belong where she is, and is on her way to where she does belong.African American dialect is used throughout the book, in particular in dialogue. She tells the story in first person and gives her commentary on the events of her life as well as descriptions of the significant occurrences of her life. The novel had a informal style, as if she was in the room talking to you. She reflects on her memories and describes her emotions, and the effect certain situations had on later events in her life. It seems to be a chronological account.It is evident that she believes that blacks should house up for themselves. This is a society where there are many disadvantages for African Americans, but the challenges can be overcome with strength. She views life as a ephemeral journey with lesson after lesson to be learned along the way.

Apply a Marxist Essay Example for Free

Apply a Marxist EssayIf was released in 1968 by director Lindsay Anderson. It is a film from a Marxist military position based on a privileged boys boarding school in the 1960s, and the rebellion against the traditional functionalist system enforced there. Lindsay Anderson was a Marxist born in India in April 1923 whose father was a Scottish army officer. Educated at Cheltenham College, he announced there his intention to rebel and spent the rest of his biography carrying out this aim. The film If reflects this as it shows a group of boys known as the Crusaders form a rebellion against not only the strict regime of the school, scarcely society itself. The film is structured into episodes under different headings to describe the different areas of interest such as college, term time, ritual and romance, discipline and resistance. Andersons film shows Marxist, Functionalist and feminist perspectives throughout and their ideals in correspondence to the issues included. The sch ool system is strict and teaches the boys to conform to the norms and values of a capitalist society. They tell the boys to help the house and the house leave alone help you which encourages the boys to obey the rules.6th form students who follow all the rules are made into whips who are then able to set and enforce rules which can likewise allow them to punish those who do not follow the system. The system does not allow individuality or creativity and privileges are given to those who conform. The school has assemblies, which interact the students into the same norms and values, and imposes discipline. The army within the school system shows a form of social control and authority and the boys are expected to involve themselves in reconstructions of war situations in order for them to train.This coincides with the element of team games which encourage competition. The Catholic faith is present within the school although the priest is corrupt and is shown to abuse the boys sexua lly in lessons, their confessions are also hypocritical as a student confesses to having sexual thoughts and is told that he is sinful to do so. The functionalist perspective is shown largely in the system as the elite pupils dominate everything and also that education is shown to shape beliefs and moral values and is a major mechanism for role allocation. The students are taught to cooperate with those who are uncomplete their kin nor their friends.

Public Examination Should Not Be Abolished Essay Example for Free

Public Examination Should Not Be Abolished EssayWhile several(prenominal) states ar implementing some form of standards-based reform, there is very little experimental evidence to prove that standards, assessment, and high-stakes accountability programs are effective in improving public schools. In many states, such as California, attempts to implement standards-based reform are inconsistently or carelessly aligned with quality research. The following are some of the shortcomings of standards-based reform. 1. Recent reports on the standards-based reform movement in New York provoke that in many schools the careless implementation of standards and assessment whitethorn have negative consequences for pupils. Vague and unclear standards in several subject areas in several states complicate matters and do not serve as concrete standards defining what students should know and be able to do. 3. Top-down standards imposed by the federal or state government are also problematic. The y impose content specifications without taking into account the different needs, opportunities to learn, and skills that may be appropriate for specific districts or regions. table 1 Advantages of SBA compared with external scrutinyinations Point Characteristics of SBACharacteristics of Exams Scope Extends the range and diversity of assessment collection opportunities, task types and tax assessors Much narrower range of assessment opportunities less diverse assessment one exam per year Authenticity Assessment done by students own teacher less possibility of cheating as teacher knows student capabilities assessments more likely to be realistic Removes assessment entirely from teaching and learning stressful conditions may lead to students not demonstrating real capacities ValidityImproves lustiness through assessing factors that cannot be included in public exam settings Limits validity by limiting scope of assessment, e. g. difficult to assess interaction skills in exam environmen t Reliability Improves reliability by having more than one assessment by a teacher who is familiar with the student allows for multiple opportunities for assessor denunciation/standardisation Even with double marking, examiners judgments can be affected by various factors (task difficulty, topic, interest level, tiredness, etc) little opportunity for assessor reflection / review blondness honor is achieved by following commonly-agreed processes, outcomes and standards teacher assumptions about students and their oral language levels is made explicit through collaborative sharing and discussion with other teachers Fairness can only be achieved by treating everyone the same, i. e. setting the same task at the same time for all students. FeedbackStudents can receive constructive feedback promptly after the assessment has finished, hence improving learning The only feedback is usually a grade at the end of the course no opportunities for interaction with assessor no chance to ask how to improve Positive washback (beneficial influence on teaching and learning) Ongoing assessment encourages students to work consistently provides important data for military rank of teaching and assessment practices in general Examination is purely summative, and does not serve any teaching-related purpose effects on teaching and learning may even be negative may encourage teaching to the test and a focus on exam technique, rather than outcomes.Teacher and student say-so Teachers and students become part of the assessment process collaboration and sharing of expertise take place within and across schools Teachers play little to no quality in assessment of their students and have no opportunity to share their expertise or knowledge of their students students treated as numbers Professional development Builds teacher assessment skills, which can be transferred to other areas of the curriculum Teachers have no opportunity to build their assessment skills get little or no feedback o n how to improve as teachers

Analysis of the Engineering Industry

Analysis of the engineer IndustryExecutive summeryIn the naming below, the plan persistence is critically analyse by studying its characteristics, identifying and analyzing its key areas and its current position and how it is affected by micro and macro environmental factors. All these abstract is d adept by development analytical tools like Porters Five Forces framework, PESTEL analysis, Industry Life-Cycle analysis, drivers of change within the industriousness, etc.The mechanical manufacture after carefully analyzed, important hereafter long scenarios subscribe been made demonstrating on how the sedulousness will act and perform in innovative long term run based on the present analysis and trends in that particular attention. in any case, one most likely situation has been identified, with relevant reasons, which the industry will most likely to face in the future.The entire assignment is based on the applied science industry in Indian markets being considered as the support to conduct appropriate researches.Introduction to the industryThe industry is one of the biggest and most refined in India and similarly in the world which provides the latest engine room not merely to the fast growing multinational companies but also to the global market. Some of the worlds biggest design companies largely depend on the automotive industry of India. It is a diverse industry with a number of segments, and can be broadly categorized into two segments as follows(1) Heavy technology(2) Light applied scienceThe engineering sector is relatively less fragmented at the top, as the competencies required are high, while it is highly fragmented at the set about end (e.g. unbranded transformers for the retail segment) and is dominated by smaller players.The engineering industry in India manufactures a wide range of carrefours, with effectual engineering goods accounting for bulk of the growthion. Most of the leading players are engaged in the production of he avy engineering goods and mainly shits high-value products using high-end technology. Requirement of high level of capital investment poses as a major entry barrier. Consequently, the small and unorganised firms yield a small market presence.The light engineering goods segment, on the different hand, uses medium to low-end technology. Entry barrier is low on account of the comparatively lower requirement of capital and technology. This segment is characterized by the dominance of small and unorganized players which manufacture low-value added products.Classification of the Engineering Sector in Indiahttp//www.dnb.co.in/Engineering/images/Classification.gifSource http//www.dnb.co.in/Engineering/overview.aspPortors five forces frameworkFollowing are the external environment of engineering industry by analyzing the Porters 5 forceshttp//2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2CekjGxczE/S05y_FXRRhI/AAAAAAAAAHM/RZqdnnXkpHM/s400/porter.jpgSourcehttp//2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2CekjGxczE/S05y_FXRRhI/AAAAAAAAAHM /RZqdnnXkpHM/s400/porter.jpgThe five forces are as follows1 The threat of new freshmansThe threat of new entrants for engineering industry in India it is a very low threat Factors to examine for this threat of new entrant in India is include all barriers to entry into this market such as upfront capital requirements, brand equity (a new firm may present none), legislation and government policies, (safety) ability to distribute the product .2 The bargaining power of buyers/customersCustomers consider both purpose and price the engineering companies are attempting to produce engineering products that compete in various price segments. In India bargaining power is lower which is creating a more favorable situation for the engineering industry but not the buyers. The quantity a buyer purchases is ordinarily a good factor in determining this force, even in the engineeringwhen buyers only usually purchase one at a time, they still possess considerable power (Car freaks, 2008-10). Howe ver, this may be different in other markets.3. The threat of exchangeIn Singapore the threat of substitute is high because of the numerous other forms of tran genetic mutationation substitutes are available, but none of them offer the utility, convenience, independence, and value afforded by bid cars. Substitutes such as rental cars, Sport bike industry, Rental Sport car clubs like Luxe athletics club in Singapore Millionaire asia singapore, 2010). (For details please refer Appendix no 4)4 The bargaining power of supplierThe bargaining power of supplier is low in Singapore because of the approachability of substitutes and the amount of competition in the sport car industry. Suppliers dont have a great deal of influence in the terms of supplying the sport cars parts. The sport car industry which refers to all the suppliers for the parts, such as tires, components, electronics, and even the assembly line workers. Some suppliers are small firms who rely on the carmakers, and may o nly have one carmaker as a client. So this force can be tricky to evaluate in the sport car industry in Singapore market (For details please refer to appendix no 5).5. The competitive rivalry within an industryIn Singapore sport car industry competition between existing automobile companies is high because sport car carmakers are engaged in fierce competition. Prices, ad campaigns, and product developments keep them on the edge of innovation and profitability. Margins are low and pressure between rivals is high. This may cause the sport industry earning lower profits when the cost of the competition is high (Car freaks, 2008-10).PESTEL ANALYSISSourcehttp//www.business.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/06030A45-6CCF-45BC-8F2C-F2833D5D44B4/6514/entrepreneurguide.pdfWell use the PESTEL to analyze the macro-environmental changes and influences on the engineering industryPoliticalMajority of the companies like, etc. have their manufacturing plants in India because of cheap labour and low cost of prod uction. But these countries are usually politically unstable and can create hindrance for the companies.EconomicEconomic retardent such as the recent recession can have negative impact on production and gross revenue of the engineering companies. Also other economic factors like the economic policies of European Union member countries make it tougher for the industry participants to penetrate the engineering market.Socio-culturalThe social and cultural restraints and obligations immediately affect the buying image of people, the brand loyalty, female share of the market, etc. also the companies now-a-days thrive to keep up with corporate social responsibility to maintain their Public relegation status.technicalThe technology keeps changing and varying from place to place. Techonology plays a vital part in the engineering industry. The engineering manufacturing companies have to keep abreast with the changing technology so as not to give a competitive edge to competitors by speed ing up their change of products and designing ability.EnvironmentalMany industry participants have become aware of environmental hazards and are putting in efforts to do their bit for environment and the society with activities likeLegalCompanies in the engineering industry in India face many legal matters usually pertaining to labour wages, working conditions, etc. or that of contract manufacturing and copying of products or ones related to wiliness agreement.Structural drivers of change for Engineering industryI have identified some of the drivers of changes that have impact on the engineering industry.The following are the morphologic drivers which bring about changes in the industryTechnologyTechnology is the most vital driver of change in engineering industry. Introduction of internet has sky-rocketed the sales for the companies. Also it helps the RD departments to come out with new engineering products quickly and efficiently.Industry driverlamborghini_headquarters_italySour cehttp//www.egmcartech.com/wpcontent/uploads/2008/05/lamborghini_headquarters_italy.jpgRelated and supporting industries are extremely important because engineering product manufacturers live and die by creative and innovative design engineering (Automotive industry, 2010). India offers support to other industries such as, steel, rubber, petroleum, oil gas, transportation industries. Indias infrastructural facilities helps to setup a engineering industry in form of power supply, machinery, capital, raw materials and labour which will raise foreign direct investments have led to the rapid gain in terms of engineering goods production and exports (European foundation, 2004).Mergers and Take-overs-t=1usg=__vO8BPfXSsu76pCVOchvBejU2hUg=Source http//www.vr-fullerton.com/images/223069.jpgOne of the most significant drivers of developing in the engineering industry is the trend of mergers and acquisitions. such(prenominal) buyouts and mergers enable manufactures to build up their techno logy and service scale up to the mark, the two factors essential to gain competitive edge. Outsourcing of design and engineering functions, leading to growth in companies offers high value-added Services.Life cycle sample for the industryCUsersVishikadDesktoplife cycle.bmpSource Adopted from (Johnson et al., 2008)The Engineering industry as per the life cycle model sh ingest above is currently at the Shakeout stage for the following reasonsThe buyers are becoming more selective of their purchases due to brand loyalty and performance according to their own preferences taste.Also as far as the competitive conditions are concerned, the major engineering products manufactures have started innovations and sales promotion activities to attract more and more buyers towards companys product range.The engineering companies also exhausting to shakeout their industry rivals by acquisition or merger processes with other engineering manufactures. This way they can have their monopoly over the engineering markets as well as minimising the competition within the engineering sector.Scenarios for Long term future of the industryThe following scenarios based on the research on Indias engineering industry that indicates the possible long term future of the industry(1) Scenario Increase in sales, product diversification advanced RDThe attitude of selling the products into engineering market is changing day by day. Engineering companies trying to connect with the customer directly. This will done by opening up showroom or signing contracts with large MNCS like Also the engineering product makers will focus on advanced RD whereby, they not only focus onperticular group of buyers. Also the companies are diversifying their products more too international engineering product manufactures.This scenario will benefit the industry in the following mannerIt will help engineering companies to connect with their buyers and thus understand their likes, dislikes and expectations, preferenc es about companies offering.The companies can get direct feedback on their products so that they can improve on overall performance of the company..Most credibly ScenarioThe most likely scenario applicable in the future is the 3rd scenario. Following are the reasons supporting my conclusionThe companies can alter their engineering products, design as per the customer reaction to their previous products. This can be done by feedbacks and data collected which wont be lost or manipulated as itll directly go to the company.The companies are already starting to do intense and advanced RD to introduce new technological aspects The customers are always keen on trying out new exciting products and the failure of such products is very rare.Also the Engineering industry is growing at a rapid pace. All other industries are now trying to sell their products at retail prices which is the same the Engineering industry is going to do in the future.ConclusionIn India the future of engineering indu stry seems encouraging. In terms of the expected surge in global demand and rise in foreign investments. Several trends such as developed markets, globalization, technology advances, regulation and environmental consideration, and market fragmentation and product diversification will result in the rapid growth of this Engineering industry in India.

Introduction to Crime and Punishment

Introduction to Crime and penaltyTheories were developed to sponsor to beg off and understand certain events, behaviors and/or situations. Over the years, sociologists pose created these theories in hopes of explaining why things happen in order. For instance, social conflict theories try to explain why friendship creates conflict due to inequalities that are present in everyday life. In Karl Marx and Engels, economic determinism, economic activity shapes and defines all political, cultural, social and technological aspects of society. It proposes that laws and norms are do in the interest of powerful members of society. This conflict theory proposes three propositions. The first proposition explains that the more inequality the more conflict. The second explains that those who receive less needed resources question the legitimacy of social order, and the third proposition says that those who are getting fewer resources will organize and expose conflict to the public. Marx a nd Engel saw that unjust developing of one social class and social solidarity could be regained if we overthrown capitalism.In the interactional theory, developed by Terrence Thornberry, suggests that abandoned behavior is a result of a blood between an individual, peer groups, social structures, weakened bonds and learning environment. This theory is broken into three different stages in a life course. The first stage is delinquent behaviors are developed during childhood, primarily because of a dysfunctional family, school failure and association with delinquent peers. The second stage is during mid-adolescence where they are no longer influenced by family, but their peers. The third stage is during adulthood where their delinquent behaviors are shaped by their place in society and his or her own family.According to Durkheim, Punishment is an expression of social solidarity. He believed that punishment serves positive functions in society. There are three parties that help enac t punishment. The controller is the person that administers the act, the controlled is the person universe penalise, the one who committed the crime, and the onlookers which is the general public. Durkheim saw punishment as a moral education. Punishment is an essential part of moral order in society and it helps limit the spread of deviance and disobedience.The two theories that I found interesting were Marx and Engels economic determinism and Durkheims punishment as a moral education. I agree with Marxs topic of the inequality of power in society and how it influences deviant behavior among people who beart get the resources that they need in society. When an individual seem to non have the resources, they go somewhat getting it an otherwise way. This relates back to Robert Mertons strain theory that focused on the emphasis of the American Dream. Those who cant obtain it, find other ways, such as stealing or selling drugs. The conflict theory explains that inequality causes m ore conflict. Those who receive less needed resources would organize and come by to open it up to the public. Capitalism is considered the root of conflict because it is taken to be the source of unjust inequality. I agree that we should overthrow capitalism and form a just social solidarity, like communism, as Marx and Engel suggests. This way everyone is on the same level of social class and has the opportunity of receiving the same resources needed in society.In Durkheims, punishment as a moral education, I agree that punishment is essential for social order. For most children, when they are born they are taught morally adept from wrong, such things like, stealing, lying or fighting. This is reinforced with punishment that can range from time-outs to physical beatings. As a result it ensures that whenever the child has an urge to do something wrong, they greet the consequences. Personally, for as long as I can remember I have always been reprimanded by my parents whenever I di d something I knew I wasnt suppose to. So as a result at any time I felt like misbehaving I would avoid it so that I wouldnt get punished for it. The same idea relates to when an individual thinks about committing a crime, they know that punishment will be a result of that.Like many other theories they arent concrete. They are developed to make genius of why and how certain things happen in society, but there are some criticisms that can be made about them. Durkheim says that punishment is a positive function in society. It reinforces social solidarity and strengthen common values. Although I agree, I question whether he believes punishment of criminals has more of a positive function than reforming criminals? I do believe that some criminals deserve to punished for their actions, but I also believe that developing systems or policies where we can help an individual, that has committed crime, become a better person in society. There are circumstances where an individual had to comm it a crime not because they wanted to but because they had to. For instance, a mother that is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her family, steals food from the grocery store because she has no money. In a technical sense she has committed a crime of stealing, but Im sure if she had the money she wouldnt steal. Instead of punishing her by putting her into a correctional institution, why not help her find a job where she can have steady income. This way she is able to provide for her family and we dont have to separate her from her kids.

Significance Of The Sermon Of The Mount Religion Essay

Significance Of The treatment Of The Mount Religion EssayIn this essay, I am going to explain the significance of the discourse of the Mount and how it relates to the rest of the teachs of saviour. I go forth start by defining the import of the term harangue of the Mount, the significance of the oratory of the mount and the structure of the Sermon of the Mount in Matthew 53 7 27. Furthermore, I will discuss the key theological themes in the Sermon of the Mount. I will solve by reflecting on the centrality of the Sermon of the Mount to the other teachings of Jesus in the gospels.WHAT IS THE SERMON OF THE MOUNT?The term The Sermon of the Mount originated from the title of Augustines commentary on Matthew 5 7, De Sermone Domini in Monte, which was published in 391 396 AD.Matthew 5 7 became well known as the Sermon on the Mount in the 16th Century. The juvenile term of Matthew 5 7 is Sermon on the plain. This term is used mainly to differentiate between Lukes shorter vers ion of the sermon of the mount from Matthews version. in that location are two versions of the Sermon on the Mount Matthews versionMatthew 5 3 727 which consists of 106 verses. Lukes versionSermon on the plain Luke 620-49.1THE significance OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNTETHICAL TEACHINGThe gospel of Matthew provided the Jewish Christians with evidences to ascertain their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus in the gospel of Matthew introduced the country of heaven. Hence, the sermon of the mount is of huge significance because it expounds the ethics of the Kingdom of heaven which was introduced by Christ Jesus. Therefore, the sermon of the mount summarised the code of conduct in this new kingdom of heaven. Furthermore, the sermon of the mount set the standards of discipleship in the kingdom of heaven. In this sermon, Jesus showed his disciples how to live the life of the kingdom. This kingdom way of living lays great emphasis on the inner life which is in contrast to the outward wo rkings of religious activities of the Sadducees and the Pharisees.2In addition, Jesus stated that, the ethical conduct of the disciples mustiness exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees before they can enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 520). Henceforth, the disciples of Jesus are called to a superior ethical conduct which is by the fancify of God. This ideal character ofDiscipleship in the kingdom of heaven is achievable by the infusion of the gift of righteousness in the spirit of the New Testament believer.THE twist OF THE SERMON OF THE MOUNTThe Beatitudes forms the main introduction of the sermon of the mount. The central section of the sermon is from Matthew 517 to Matthew 712. This section opens and closes with Reference to The virtue and The Prophets. The sermon ends by an epilog in Matthew 713 27.3THE KEY THEOLOGICAL THEMES OF THE SERMON OF THE MOUNT1) The Beatitudes (Matthew 53 12)The Beatitudes are named from the Latin term Beatus meaning blessed. These are t he rewards from the blessings and responsibilities of discipleship. The Greek term means happy, fortunate4. In Matthew, there are nine beatitudes and four in Lukes version of the Sermon on the Mount. The word Makarios is at the beginning of the beatitudes. It means happiness which is as a result of God given salvation5. Jesus revealed in the beatitudes, the essential nature of confessedly happiness. This happiness is achieved by relying and depending wholly on God.6Andrew Perriman points out that the beatitude described a marginalized group within Israel that will benefit from future turn of events. His cerebration established the eschatological dimension of the rewards of true discipleship in the kingdom of heaven7Matthew 514 states You are the light of the world. A city that is set a hill can not be hidden. In John 812, Jesus said I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not pass in darkness but shall have the light of life This teaching in the Sermon of The mount has a direct comparison with Jesus teaching in the gospel of John. Jesus expects His disciples to shine in the midst of the darkness of this world. Hence, as Jesus is the light, the disciples will eventually become the light of the world.2) The Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5 17 20)The new ethical standards put forward by Christ deals with the motives behind the actions of men. In accordance with Christs Standard, sin begins in the mind and in the will of men8In addition, Jesus said he has come to fulfil the Law and the Prophets. His ethical instructions reveal how the Law of the Torah will operate infra the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled in the inner life of motives behind the actions of men. The kingdom of heaven is within the lovingness of the New Testament believer. This kingdom is expected to produce corresponding actions that reflects the inner life of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.3) The Antitheses (Matthew 5 21 48)The structure of the sayings of Jesus within Matthew 5 21 48, have the same pattern You have heard that it was said (by God) to those of old but I say to you The style of Jesus words repeats itself in six paragraphs. Three of the six paragraphs have similar parallels with Lukes Sermon on the Plain. The phrase but I say to you seems to suggest that the sayings of Jesus is in aspiration to the scripture of the Torah. Therefore, Matthew 5 21 48 is often referred to as the Antitheses. Matthew is known for the antithetical structure of his writings. However, this antithetical style of writing can also be found in Luke 6 27 But I say to you who hear . According to Davies and Allison, the antithesis has two primary functions It shows the kind of attitude and behaviour that is ask by Jesus in the life of His disciples. The demands of the ethical standards of Jesus surpassed those of the Torah without contradicting the Torah. For example, one can abstain from committing adultery and still lusts in his heart94) The rosy hold and the Greatest commandment (Matthew 712, Luke 1025 28, Matthew 22 34 40).Whatever you wish that others do to you, do so to them. This statement has been known as the Golden Rule since the 18th century. There are various parallels to this statement in Greco Romans, oriental and Jewish writings. The Golden Rule in Matthew 7 12 according to Jesus is Law and The Prophets. That is, it sums up the whole essence of the Law and The Prophets in the Torah. The teaching of Jesus on the two greatest commandments in dog 12 28-34 love God and love your neighbour as yourself. In Matthew 2240, Jesus said on this two commandments hang all the Law and The Prophets. The Golden rule and the love commandments are the very essence of the scriptural teachings of Jesus. Furthermore, the Golden Rule in the sermon of the mount is the bedrock of all the teachings of Jesus as it is revealed in the gospel account of Luke, Mark, and John. In summary, the Golden rule in the sermon o f the Mount has direct relationship to the major teachings of Christ in the gospels.10THE EPILOG TWO WAYSThe epilog of the Sermon Of the Mount contains a series of contrasts. It starts with the contrast between the gate and the way which leads to death or life. There are other examples of contrast between two ways in Deuteronomy 1126, 3015, Jeremiah218 and many Jewish and Christian writings. The Epilog summarizes the picture of the beauty in the life of anyone who makes the right decision in life.11CONCLUSIONIn this essay, I have attempted to show the significance of the Sermon Of the Mount and its relationship with the other teaching of Christ in the gospels. I approach this essay by exploring the theological themes in the Sermon on the Mount. The Golden Rule in the Sermon on the Mount is the foundation of the Law and the Prophets. This rule parallels with the two greatest commandments, which is Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. In con clusion, the Sermon on the Mount summarizes the totality of the ethical teachings of Christ in the gospel.

Learning about America in the Dominican Republic :: Personal Narrative Essays

Exactly one week after graduating from high school, with thirteen years of American education behind me, I boarded a plane and transfered for a Caribbean island, I had fifteen days to spend on an island surrounded with crystal blue waters, white sandy shores and luxurious ocean resorts. With beaches to play on by day and casinos to play in during the night, I was told that this country was an exciting new tourist destination. My days in the Dominican Republic, however, were not filled with snorkeling lessons and my nights were not spent at the black jack table. Instead of visiting the ritzy East Coast, I traveled inland to a mountain community with no running water and no electricity. The bus torment to this town called Guayabal, was long, hot and uncomfortable. The mountain roads were not paved and the bus had no air conditioning. Surprisingly, the four-hour ride flew by. I had plenty to think about as my mind raced with thoughts of the next two weeks. I wondered if my host family would be welcoming, if the teenagers would be friendly, and if my work would be hard. I mentally prepared myself for life with out the everyday luxuries of a flushing toilet, a hot shower, and a comfortable bed. Because Guayabal was with out such basic commodities, I did not expect to see many reminders of home. I thought I was going to leave behind my American ways and immerse myself into another culture. These thoughts filled my head as the bus climbed the rocky hill towards Guayabal. When I finally got off the bus and stepped into the town-square, I realized that I had thought wrong there was no escaping the influence of the American culture.In a way, Guayabal was an example of what author Mary Louise Pratt refers to as a contact zone. Pratt defines a contact zone as a place where cultures meet, clash, and grapple with each other, often in contexts of highly asymmetrical relations of power (Pratt 76). In Guayabal, American culture and American consumerism were clashing with the Hispanic and Caribbean culture of the Dominican Republic. The clash came from the Dominicans desire to be American in every sense, and especially to be consumers of American products. This is nearly impossible for Dominicans to achieve imputable to their extreme poverty. Their poverty provided the asymmetrical relation of power found in contact zones, because it impeded not only the Dominicans ability to be consumers, but also their ability to learn, to work, and to live healthily.