Scarlett Letter Essay

Scarlett Letter Essay Scarlett Letter Essay Feminist of Her Time The time period that The Scarlett Letter was based off of was the mid 17th century. During this time period in England the religion was based out of the Church of England. This religion had stemmed off of the Roman Catholic Church which had been developed some 200 years earlier. However, many of the Catholic Church practices were not followed through on in the Church of England. Some of these practices included the emphasis on works and the veneration of the saints. This story begins with a group called the Puritans which was a stem from the Church of England. The Puritans had come to the New World and based their religion off of Calvinism. These Protestant Christians believed in predestination which meant that before a person was even born God had chosen their fate. Nathaniel Hawthorne begins his story in the town of Boston, Massachusetts. A religious community of Puritans has formed where they have a peaceful place to separate sin out of their daily lives. Hest er Prynne, Hawthorne's main character, was developed as a feminist in this story. She was one of the first literary feminists that was able to gain fame in the judgemental time period of the The Scarlett Letter. Hawthorne sets Hester up as a very independent woman from the very beginning when the reader finds her taking accountability for her actions. She is described as a very vibrant character who is secure in the decisions she had made. "Those who had before known her, and had expected to behold her dimmed and obscured by a disastrous cloud, were astonished, and even startled, to perceive how her beauty shone out, and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped" (Hawthorne, 53). This is one of the very first examples of how the townspeople view Hester when she first steps out holding her new born child. This passage shows Hester to be a strong young woman that does not stand in front of her fellow townspeople as a person filled with shame but rather a p erson who will admit to what she has done and do it in a very dignified way. A few pages later Hawthorne clearly exemplifies Hester as an independent woman when she refuses to admit to who the father of her child is. Hester not only is willing to accept her punishment but holds her strong character by accepting the punishment on her own as if it were an act done completely by herself. Hester could be compared to any modern feminist by her brave decisions and her admirable actions. She shows to be a very tempered woman when she is forced to abide the laws made by the male authority of that society. As shown in the first chapter Hester refuses to let her shame or guilt show through in a society that had developed a woman's role as a role solely for procreation. Even though she has gone through such traumatic events, she refuses to let them affect the life of her daughter. "Of an impulsive and passionate nature, she had fortified herself to encounter the stings and venomous stabs of pu blic contumely, wreaking itself in every variety of insult. She longed rather to behold all those rigid countenances contorted with scornful merriment, and herself the object" (Hawthorne, 56). Hester Prynne is not defined by the opinion of the people around her but by her opinion of herself. This is another example of how Hester may be viewed as a feminist due to her passion to follow her own rules and live her life the way she chooses to. She refuses to conform to society and simply be a pretty face to look at. Following Hester's independence at the stand, she could also easily be compared to a modern feminist by her act of rebellion. She had been forced to wear the letter "A" on her chest which stood for her sin of adultery. This sin is meant to be looked at as a dark and dreary sin which Hester should never forget. Hester decides to embroider her "A" with a scarlett red color with gold thread. "On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate

The Nuremberg Trials

The Nuremberg Trials The Nuremberg Trials were a series of trials that occurred in post-World War II Germany to provide a platform for justice against accused Nazi war criminals.   The first attempt to punish the perpetrators was conducted by the International Military Tribunal (IMT) in the German city of Nuremberg, beginning on November 20, 1945. On trial were 24 of Nazi Germany’s major war criminals, including Hermann Goering, Martin Bormann, Julius Streicher, and Albert Speer.   Of the 22 that were ultimately tried, 12 were sentenced to death. The term â€Å"Nuremberg Trials† would eventually include this original trial of Nazi leaders as well as 12 subsequent trials that lasted until 1948.   The Holocaust Other War Crimes During World War II, the Nazis perpetrated an unprecedented reign of hatred against Jews and others deemed undesirable by the Nazi state.   This time period, known as the Holocaust, resulted in the deaths of six million Jews and five million others, including Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), the handicapped, Poles, Russian POWs, Jehovah’s witnesses, and political dissidents.   Victims were interned in concentration camps and also killed in death camps or by other means, such as mobile killing squads.   A small number of individuals survived these horrors but their lives were changed forever by the horrors inflicted upon them by the Nazi State. Crimes against individuals deemed undesirable were not the only charges being levied against the Germans in the post-war era. World War II saw an additional 50 million civilians killed throughout the war and many countries blamed the German military for their deaths. Some of these deaths were part of the new â€Å"total war tactics,† yet others were specifically targeted, such as the massacre of Czech civilians in Lidice and the death of Russian POWs at the Katyn Forest Massacre.   Ã‚   Should There Be a Trial or Just Hang Them? In the months following liberation, many military officers and Nazi officials were held in prisoner of war camps throughout the four Allied zones of Germany.  Ã‚   The countries that administrated those zones (Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States) began to discuss the best way to handle the post-war treatment of those who were suspected of war crimes.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of England, initially felt that all those who were alleged to have committed war crimes should be hanged.   The Americans, French, and Soviets felt that trials were necessary and worked to convince Churchill of the importance of these proceedings.   Once Churchill assented, a decision was made to move forward with the establishment of the International Military Tribunal that would be convened in the city of Nuremberg in the fall of 1945. The Major Players of the Nuremberg Trial The Nuremberg Trials officially began with the first proceedings, which opened on November 20, 1945.   The trial was held in the Palace of Justice in the German city of Nuremberg, which had played host to major Nazi Party rallies during the Third Reich.   The city was also the namesake of the infamous 1935 Nuremberg race laws levied against Jews. The International Military Tribunal was composed of a judge and an alternate judge from each of the four main Allied Powers.   The judges and alternates were as follows: United States – Frances Biddle (Main) and John Parker (Alternate)Britain – Sir Geoffrey Lawrence (Main) (President Judge) and Sir Norman Birkett (Alternate)France – Henri Donnedieu de Vabres (Main) and Robert Falco (Alternate)Soviet Union –Major   General Iona Nikitchenko (Main) and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Volchkov   (Alternate) The prosecution was led by U.S.   Supreme Court Justice, Robert Jackson.     Ã‚  He was joined by Britain’s Sir Hartley Shawcross, France’s Francois de Menthon (eventually replaced by Frenchman Auguste Champetier de Ribes), and the Soviet Union’s Roman Rudenko, a Soviet Lieutenant-General.   Jackson’s opening statement set the somber yet progressive tone for the trial and its unprecedented nature.   His brief opening address spoke of the importance of the trial, not only for the restoration of Europe but also for its lasting impact on the future of justice in the world.   He also mentioned the need to educate the world about the horrors perpetrated during the war and felt that the trial would provide a platform to accomplish this task. Each defendant was permitted to have representation, either from a group of court-appointed defense attorneys or a defense attorney of the defendant’s choosing.   Evidence vs. The Defense This first trial lasted a total of ten months.   The prosecution built its case largely around evidence compiled by the Nazis themselves, as they had carefully documented many of their misdeeds.   Witnesses to the atrocities were also brought to the stand, as were the accused.   The defense cases were primarily centered around the concept of the â€Å"Fuhrerprinzip† (Fuhrer principle).   According to this concept, the accused were following orders issued by Adolf Hitler, and the penalty for not following those orders was death.   Since Hitler, himself, was no longer alive to invalidate these claims, the defense was hoping that it would carry weight with the judicial panel.   Some of the defendants also claimed that the tribunal itself had no legal standing due to its unprecedented nature. The Charges As the Allied Powers worked to gather evidence, they also had to determine who should be included in the first round of proceedings.  Ã‚   It was ultimately determined that 24 defendants would be charged and put on trial beginning in November 1945; these were some of the most notorious of Nazi’s war criminals. The accused would be indicted on one or more of the following counts:1.   Crimes of Conspiracy:   The accused was alleged to have participated in the creation and/or implementation of a joint plan or conspired to assist those in charge of executing a joint plan whose goal involved crimes against the peace. 2.   Crimes Against the Peace:   The accused was alleged to have committed acts that including planning for, preparation of, or initiation of aggressive warfare. 3.   War Crimes:   The accused allegedly violated previously established rules of warfare, including the killing of civilians, POWs, or malicious destruction of civilian property. 4.   Crimes Against Humanity:   The accused was alleged to have committed acts of deportation, enslavement, torture, murder, or other inhumane acts against civilians before or during the war. Defendants on Trial and Their Sentences A total of 24 defendants were originally slated to be put on trial during this initial Nuremberg trial, but only 22 were actually tried (Robert Ley had committed suicide and Gustav Krupp von Bohlen was deemed unfit to stand trial).   Of the 22, one wasn’t in custody;   Martin Bormann (Nazi Party Secretary) was charged in absentia.   (It was later discovered that Bormann had died in May 1945.) Although the list of defendants was long, two key individuals were missing.   Both Adolf Hitler and his propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, had committed suicide as the war was coming to an end.   It was decided that there was enough evidence regarding their deaths, unlike Bormann’s, that they were not placed on trial. The trial resulted in a total of 12 death sentences, all of which were administered on October 16, 1946, with one exception Herman Goering committed suicide by cyanide the night before the hangings were to take place.   Three of the accused were sentenced to life in prison. Four individuals were sentenced to jail terms ranging from ten to twenty years.   An additional three individuals were acquitted of all charges. Name Position Found Guilty of Counts Sentenced Action Taken Martin Bormann (in absentia) Deputy Fhrer 3,4 Death Was missing at time of trial. Later it was discovered Bormann had died in 1945. Karl Dnitz Supreme Commander of the Navy (1943) and German Chancellor 2,3 10 Years in Prison Served time. Died in 1980. Hans Frank Governor-General of Occupied Poland 3,4 Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. Wilhelm Frick Foreign Minister of the Interior 2,3,4 Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. Hans Fritzsche Head of the Radio Division of the Propaganda Ministry Not Guilty Acquitted In 1947, sentenced to 9 years in work camp; released after 3 years. Died in 1953. Walther Funk President of the Reichsbank (1939) 2,3,4 Life in Prison Early release in 1957. Died in 1960. Hermann Gring Reich Marshal All Four Death Committed suicide on October 15, 1946 (three hours before he was to be executed). Rudolf Hess Deputy to the Fhrer 1,2 Life in Prison Died in prison on August 17, 1987. Alfred Jodl Chief of the Operations Staff of the Armed Forces All Four Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. In 1953, a German appeals court posthumously found Jodl not guilty of breaking international law. Ernst Kaltenbrunner Chief of the Security Police, SD, and RSHA 3,4 Death Chief of the Security Police, SD, and RSHA. Wilhelm Keitel Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces All Four Death Requested to be shot as a soldier. Request denied. Hanged on October 16, 1946. Konstantin von Neurath Minister of Foreign Affairs and Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia All Four 15 Years in Prison Early release in 1954. Died in 1956. Franz von Papen Chancellor (1932) Not Guilty Acquitted In 1949, a German court sentenced Papen to 8 years in work camp; time was considered already served. Died in 1969. Erich Raeder Supreme Commander of the Navy (1928-1943) 2,3,4 Life in Prison Early release in 1955. Died in 1960. Joachim von Ribbentrop Reich Foreign Minister All Four Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. Alfred Rosenberg Party Philosopher and Reich Minister for the Eastern Occupied Area All Four Death Party Philosopher and Reich Minister for the Eastern Occupied Area Fritz Sauckel Plenipotentiary for Labor Allocation 2,4 Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. Hjalmar Schacht Minister of Economics and President of the Reichsbank (1933-1939) Not Guilty Acquitted Denazification court sentenced Schacht to 8 years in a work camp; released in 1948. Died in 1970. Baldur von Schirach Fhrer of the Hitler Youth 4 20 Years in Prison Served his time. Died in 1974. Arthur Seyss-Inquart Minister of the Interior and Reich Governor of Austria 2,3,4 Death Minister of the Interior and Reich Governor of Austria Albert Speer Minister of Armaments and War Production 3,4 20 Years Served his time. Died in 1981. Julius Streicher Founder of Der Strmer 4 Death Hanged on October 16, 1946. Subsequent Trials at Nuremberg Although the initial trial held at Nuremberg is the most famous, it was not the only trial held there.   The Nuremberg Trials also included a series of twelve trials held in the Palace of Justice following the conclusion of the initial trial.  Ã‚   The judges in the subsequent trials were all American, as the other Allied powers wished to focus on the massive task of rebuilding needed after World War II. Additional trials in the series included: The Doctor’s TrialThe Milch TrialThe Judge’s TrialThe Pohl TrialThe Flick TrialThe IG Farben TrialThe Hostages TrialThe RuSHA TrialThe Einsatzgruppen TrialThe Krupp TrialThe Ministries TrialThe High Command Trial The Legacy of Nuremberg The Nuremberg Trials were unprecedented in many ways. They were the first to attempt to hold government leaders responsible for crimes committed while implementing their policies. They were the first to share the horrors of the Holocaust with the world on a large scale. The Nuremberg Trials also established the principal that one could not escape justice by merely claiming to have been following orders of a government entity. In relation to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Nuremberg Trials would have a profound impact on the future of justice. They set the standards for judging the actions of other nations in future wars and genocides, ultimately paving the way for the foundation of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, which are based at The Hague, Netherlands.

Crash Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Crash - Essay Example To start with, Jean Cabot is racist and prejudiced against African Americans and Latinos alike: seeing two African-Americans she becomes worried while Latino locksmith is perceived by her as a criminal. Officer Ryan expresses hatred and disdain for African-Americans, such as when he tells Shaniqua that she took a place that could belong to more competent and smart while people. Owner of a gun store throws ethnic unfair accusations at Farhad. In addition, a young African American man Anthony is prejudiced against white people and beliefs that the society is unfavorable for people like he is. Subsequently, one can see that racism is present in diverse people: those who are well off, immigrants, politicians, law-enforcement, and other. Although being conscious and angry about stereotypes that white people may have about them, Anthony and Peter confirm them and deliberately behave as stereotypes. They are furious realizing that Jean treats them like potential criminals, but steal her car . Similarly, Anthony is angry with a waitress who did not offer them a cup of coffee assuming that they would not pay her, thereof, they confirm the stereotype and leave her no money. Among protagonists should be mentioned officer Ryan. He is prejudiced against African Americans, believing that most of them are criminals and considers Caucasians more intelligent. He explains that his father lost a job because of a preference being given to an African American manager. At the same time, Ryan is caring and attentive son and shows bravery saving Christine after the car accident. Also, throughout the film Jean’s attitude is highly prejudiced: she hires minorities, but neither trusts them nor respects. She expresses her white privilege and behaves like a stereotypical well-off woman who does not work. An interesting case makes Anthony since he is an example of reversed racism – a prejudiced belief that all white people are racists. In contrast to

Public Policy and Opinion Polls Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Public Policy and Opinion Polls - Coursework Example It should be noted that their views do not necessarily reflect those of the people but ought to, at least ideally. Policy content, on the other hand, is a result of actions and beliefs held by the political elite who birth political processes and set them in motion. Decision-making, political procedures and institutions are heavily dependent on the political elite echelon (Dye, 2010). The overall effect of this are laws which are meant to serve and govern the people but which they really have no say over. This is because national opinion polls, though dubbed inaccurate, on several occasions show a sentiment which differs from that held by those who stand for political process (Dye, 2010). This phenomenon is shows an antagonistic trend between policy content and the public. We ought to be concerned because political processes ought to have the interest of the common man as its central motive. This is true, at least on most occasions. A conclusion can thus made that political processes have a huge influence on decision making procedures, especially those concerning policy

The UK Corporate Governance Code operates on a comply or explain Essay

The UK Corporate Governance Code operates on a comply or explain basis. You are required to discuss whether this leads to better disclosure or allows companies to operate in any way they choose - Essay Example There are three main principles of ethics in an organization, which are namely; standardization, realistic and driven by business managers. The principle of standardization ensures that the business management formulates uniform policies that govern the entire business without fear or favor. The principle of realistic enables the business to see achievable goals. Meaning, they have to be realistic and genuine. Lastly, the top managers of the organization have to support the business. It is worth noting that ethical issues are responsibilities of all the stakeholders and shareholders (Brink 2011, p. 4) Ethical issues and corporate governance are very important tools of business operations. The following paragraphs will highlight the ethical issues that confront businesses. Fair working conditions; it is the right of the workers to enjoy good working conditions. This means that the conditions must be able to meet the value of service delivery. Unscrupulous employers overwork employees and pay them low salaries. This behavior is vanishing gradually because workers get information as their right day by day. It is because of this that the workers threaten to accuse employers shall they infringe their rights. Consequently, the employers have since become socially responsible (Jose 2008, p. 55). Lately, technology has become a requirement in organizations. Low technological advancement in an organization slows down productivity. Besides, it is unethical because without technology workers use a lot of physical effort. To cab this menace, the organizations have to improve and modernize corporate governance. They can do this through shareholders, stakeholders, and managers. It is socially responsible for the senior officers to form part of the activities (Prabakaran 2010, p. 30). Safety and health of workers is, and should remain a responsibility of all within the organization. It is socially irresponsible to overlook this matter. Some workers work from

Management Report on the Analysis of the Strategic Situation of ARM Essay - 1

Management Report on the Analysis of the Strategic Situation of ARM Holdings - Essay Example The main objective of the report is to understand the strategic initiatives that ARM Holdings takes to gain a formidable stand in the microprocessor market in United Kingdom. Herein the paper focuses on the business and gross environment of the company in regards to the United Kingdom market for microprocessors and then endeavours to understand the strategic initiatives taken by the company in that regard. The paper focuses to understand the strategic position of the company in regards to its different competitors operating in the United Kingdom market. In the second phase the company focuses on the analysis of the industrial and macro environment of the company in regards to the United Kingdom market to understand its relative position in the enhanced market. The paper moves on to discuss the strategic elements incorporated by the business corporation to sustain its competitive and business position in the market. Here the paper incorporates separate strategic tools to evaluate the position of the company in the United Kingdom microprocessor market. After conducting the evaluation of the strategic position of the company in the United Kingdom region in regards to other competitors and general and specific business environment the paper tends to draw effective recommendations. In regards to recommendations it is stated that how the company can help develop on its business and gain a la rger market in the region.

The Use of Semiotics in Understanding and Interpreting Images Essay

The Use of Semiotics in Understanding and Interpreting Images - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in the society today, an audiovisual culture has developed and is slowly superseding the reading and writing culture. Images are seen in cinemas, magazines, posters, books, newspapers, TVs, clothes and on computer screens. This develops a need for understanding and interpreting the meanings of images. Ideologies, myths, and connotations are mostly embedded in images making it difficult to understand. To achieve this, semiotics is used in analyzing the innate understanding and meanings behind images seen in the society today. This is because semiotics puts an emphasis on the communication of visuals and the kind of system that dominates the images being presented. Semiotics is an apparatus that is associated directly with the existing culture or trends in a society. Fashion today and the images presented by what people put on from clothes, shoes, hairstyle, and jewelry may be difficult to understand. This is because of the many features that it has. However , the images created by what people put on convey a lot of information about the characters, attitude, and moods of individuals. Advertisements also use images which carry a lot of message about the product being advertised. In the society today, advertisements are mostly used to introduce fashion to the society which keeps on changing over time. The semiotics theory explains that advertisements involve images that trigger emotions, feelings, moods, and attributes. This is achieved by the use of objects which create images in the minds of people. Adverts use images which connect objects with the real life to clearly pass the message needed. Advertisements are mostly used to signify, represent people and use objects that are most desired by people.