The Life Of Frederick Douglass And Harriet Ann Jacobs

Frederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs There are those in America who believe that it is time we move past the deep complex feelings towards the cultural repercussions of slavery. Much like the modern-day, Germans feel in their association with the murders and tragedies after World War II, many Americans – especially white American – want to feel an understandable disassociation from the white Americans who propagated slavery. Thus calling this unbearable reminder of the past â€Å"white guilt† and marginalizing slavery as a mistake of a much more ignorant time. Many Americans object to the ongoing studies of the conditions that caused slavery (Bardis, White Guilt). This is a tremendous mistake, and the memoirs of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs exemplifies why it is essential that this time-period is studied and be understood by all current and future generations of Americans. Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl portray very different aspects of this shameful time in history. The life of a slave was not a static or universal lifestyle, and those held in bondage led extremely different lives. While much of this could be attributed to the region, work available, or specific plantations, the biggest difference highlighted by comparing Douglass and Jacobs, is the difference in experience based on gender. Both Douglass and Jacobs are extremely expressive writers whoShow MoreRelatedGender Specific Slavery During The Period Of The Civil War1198 Words   |  5 Pagesreformer and writer Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave he writes of rebelling against his physically abusive owners and triumphantly gaining freedom. In writer Harriet Ann Jacobs narrative Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Jacobs writes of rebelling against her sexually abusive owner and gradually attaining her freedom, yet claims to still be uns atisfied. Douglass’ triumphant outcome in his narrative argues that the reason behind Jacobs’ unsatisfied outcomeRead MoreEssay on Out of the Silence1445 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermine the path of the future. The personal stories of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs are two excellent examples of the slave narrative genre in American literature. To be sure, bondage and oppression had a lasting and profound effect on both genders; however, men and women experienced slavery in different ways. By comparing and contrasting â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave† and â€Å"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,† we gain very different insights into theRead MoreThe Humiliating Nature of Enslavement, Sexual Savage Exploitation, and Degradation in Autobiographical Narratives of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs2068 Words   |  9 PagesThe humiliating nature of enslavement, sexual savage exploitation, and degradation in autobiographical narratives of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs In the age of Romanticism, slavery and the slave trade provoked sharp criticism and controversy and played a very significant role in shaping public opinion and causing moral opposition to injustice and tyranny. Since Columbus’s journey opened the doors of the Atlantic passage to African Slave Trade, slavery became man’s greatest inhumanityRead More Comparing Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Incidents in the Life2158 Words   |  9 PagesComparing Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl What provokes a person to write about his or her life? What motivates us to read it? Moreover, do men and women tell their life story in the same way? The answers may vary depending on the person who answers the questions. However, one may suggest a reader elects to read an autobiography because there is an interest. This interest allows the reader to draw from the narratorsRead MoreThe Life Of A Slave By Harriet Jacob Essay1505 Words   |  7 Pagesbad slaves were treated is because of three autobiographies, Incidents in the Life of a Slave by Harriet Jacob, Autobiography of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, who had a huge impact during the times of slavery, and Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. Because of these three autobiographies historians can accurately explain how bad slavery was. A very helpful source of the time of slavery was Harriet Ann Jacobs. She is part of the reason on why people know so much about slavery. Her storiesRead More Interracial Figures of the American Renaissance Essay2691 Words   |  11 PagesInterracial Figures of the American Renaissance      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This essay examines Cora from The Last of the Mohicans, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Ann Jacobs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The American Renaissance marks a period of social injustice and the fight of the minority to bring about social change. Women and African-Americans (who were freed or escaped from slavery) begin to gain a voice through literacy, and use that voice to start the movement to abolish slavery and gain women rights. The development of literacyRead MoreThe Rich Cultural Practices Of Africa966 Words   |  4 Pagesreceived the name Gustavas Vassa by his captive against his will. As he went from master to master, they named him whatever they chose, as if he was a pet, going from Olaudah to Jacob to Michael to Gustavus. When Equiano’s master told him he would be called Gustavus Vassa, he refused and told his master his name was Jacob, he recalls the scene from his childhood while he was on board a slave ship, â€Å"When I refused to answer to my new name, which at first I did, it gained me many a cuff; so at lengthRead MoreIncidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl Essay1513 Words   |  7 Pages Harriet Ann Jacobs once said that slavery is a curse to the whites as well as to the blacks. As for the colored race ‘it needs an abler pen than mine to describe the extremity of their sufferings, the depth of their degradation.’ Her book ‘Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl’ is one of the most important fugitive slave narratives. She wrote during the same time as Frederick Douglass, although she was hesitant to publish her story. She was a part of the abolitionist movement and was a former slaveRead More Essay on Traditions in Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl3753 Words   |  16 PagesA Medley of Traditions in   Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl       Though considerable effort has been made to classify Harriet Ann JacobsIncidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself as another example of the typical slave narrative, these efforts have in large part failed. Narrow adherence to this belief limits real appreciation of the texts depth and enables only partial understanding of the author herself Jacobss story is her own, political yes, but personal as wellRead MoreIncidents in the Life of a Slave Girl1927 Words   |  8 PagesIncidents in the life of a slave girl - essay During the antebellum South, many Africans, who were forced migrants brought to America, were there to work for white-owners of tobacco and cotton plantations, manual labor as America expanded west, and as supplemental support of their owner’s families. Harriet Jacobs’s slave narrative supports the definition of slavery (in the South), discrimination (in the North), sexual gender as being influential to a slave’s role, the significant role of family support

William Shakespeares Macbeth Essay examples - 1678 Words

William Shakespeares Macbeth During Shakespeares Macbeth, Lady Macbeth shows herself to be a controversial figure, battling with her will and conscience. The first we see of Lady Macbeth is in the opening of Act 1, Scene 5, where she is reading a letter from her husband, Macbeth, out loud. The letter from Macbeth reveals what has happened, but he has chosen to mainly write about the prophesy of the weird sisters, and the possibility of him seizing the throne in the near future. I have learned by the perfectst report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge, shows that Macbeth thinks that what the weird sisters had told him were true, as perfectst report means most reliable†¦show more content†¦The soliloquy used is a major convention. An audience would understand that the soliloquy represented the character thinking out loud. The words that are spoken are therefore the characters thoughts and attitudes. Often there would be no other actor on stage, but if there were any other characters present, it would be understood that they did not hear the speech. After the soliloquy, an attendant (messenger) enters to tell Lay Macbeth the news of King Duncan will arrive that night. Her first reaction could have given away her plot to kill Duncan as she exclaims, Thourt mad to say it. She thinks its strange as she has just been plotting against the king, and then news comes saying that the king will be staying. She sees it as the perfect opportunity to make Macbeth king, and her queen. She then covers herself up by saying is not thy master with him, who weret so would have informed for preparation. In another soliloquy, Lady Macbeth summons the spirits of darkness to take away her womanliness and to fill herself with bitterness and cruelty, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Women have been often thought as naturally more gentle than men, but Lady Macbeth is thinking about murder, and so she calls on the spirits to take away this natural femininity and kindness. She wants to makeShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth749 Words   |  3 Pages1. Macbeth, the tragic hero in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, suffers from the fatal flaws of insecurity and indecision, allowing him to easily be manipulated, which causes the audience to feel sympathetic toward him. After Macbeth has heard the prophecy from the three witches and he has been named thane of Cawdor, he is led to a strong internal conflict: â€Å"If good, why do I yield to that suggestion / Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair†¦ / Shakes so my single state of man that function / is smother’dRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth1401 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth At the beginning of the play, before Macbeth is introduced, the impression given is that he is a very good man indeed. It is as if he was a local hero and could do no wrong. The sergeant refers to him as brave Macbeth and Duncan says O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! Duncan, the king, rewards Macbeth with the title, thane of Cawder, and the previous, treacherous thane having been sentenced to death. People speak of MacbethsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth2461 Words   |  10 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth In Macbeth, look at the following scenes: Act one, scenes one, two and three, Act two, scene two, Act four, scene one and Act five, scenes three, six and seven. What did Macbeths character, words and actions show about changes in his character? Why are these scenes important to the plot and structure of the play and how the themes are presented? The play Macbeth is about a man whose rise to power and fall are influenced by his ownRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth Essay757 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth Macbeth was a â€Å"butcher†, however he became that way as a result of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth was a fiend-like queen whose evilness declined after the murders. In the end of the play, however, Macbeth’s transformation was complete and he was a butcher. Main Body Topic 1 ================= Macbeth’s transition from good to evil by Lady Macbeth:  · Ambition was his only reason for killing the king – â€Å"I have no spur To prickRead MoreEssay on William Shakespeares Macbeth1483 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth During the Elizabethan era, the great chain of being reigned. Women were low on this chain of power, and men were on top. In fact, women were below horses; you couldn’t live without a good horse, but, you could live without a wife. Lady Macbeth was a woman before her time, she was caught between being today’s ambitious, powerful modern woman and a fragile creature of the Elizabethan era. In the first four acts of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is vicious, overly ambitiousRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth Essay770 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth â€Å"This dead butcher† is not an accurate description of Macbeth. Macbeth did not give an impression of a â€Å"butcher† since he was affected by the death of Duncan. He had contemplated on the positive and negative points about killing Duncan before he committed the act of treason. However his ambition to be king and Lady Macbeth’s persuasiveness and mocking had overridden his sense and logic which caused him to commit this crime. He was consumedRead MoreEssay on William Shakespeares Macbeth647 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth In the tragic play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide, to kill King Duncan. In the play, we see the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth transform in their personality after murdering the King. Macbeth begins the play as a noble soldier, gradually changing into an ambitious murdering man. Similarly, Lady Macbeth is ambitious but she beginsRead MoreEssay William Shakespeares Macbeth671 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth William Shakespeare lived in an era where women possessed few political and private rights. Women were subjected to the will of men as men were thought to be greater morally, physically and intellectually. Shakespeare, as he was living in this hierarchical and patriarchal world, was subjected to this value system. His powerful and tragic play Macbeth, reflects aspects of this world but also challenges the very basis of its foundations withRead MoreThe Letter in William Shakespeares Macbeth1609 Words   |  7 PagesThe Letter in William Shakespeares Macbeth Lady Macbeths reaction when she reads her husbands letter is powerful and dramatic.  · As soon as shes finished reading, she has decided she will make sure Macbeth is king Its as if she and her husband are thinking exactly the same thing. She does not hesitate for a moment.  · Lady Macbeth invites the spirits of evil to enter her She knows she has to steel herself, that the murder will need evil power, andRead MoreThe Downfall of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Macbeth1399 Words   |  6 PagesThe Downfall of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Macbeth William Shakespeares Macbeth has been a theatrical favorite since Elizabethan times. Its timeless themes of ambition, fate, violence, and insanity collaborate to produce a captivating plot. The audience traces the disintegration of a tragic hero and his willful wife. Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeares most forcefully drawn female characters, plays an important role in the play Macbeth. She has a profound influence over the action

A History of a Modern Empire How Bill Gates Built Microsoft Free Essays

INTRODUCTION : The invention named Microsoft is found by a Harvard College Student named Bills Gates. The legender was born in a successful business family on October 28, 1955, William Henry Gates iii was his father and they were settled at Washington. Microsoft Windows Operating system was initially just an additional optional to the MS-DOS operating system. We will write a custom essay sample on A History of a Modern Empire: How Bill Gates Built Microsoft or any similar topic only for you Order Now Microsoft Corporation is a big name in the software companies. We are going to discuss some of the financial ratios with the same company for the Fiscal year 2010. The operating system of windows is one of the highly favourable systems for the users who are using personal use of computers. Microsoft Corporation is also making software for the different other applicability like Microsoft Office, Windows Media Player and Internet explorer which are generally given with the operating system itself or are solely sellable as well. That is not the end, along with that; the company is the manufacture and seller of mice, keyboards, and many other things. As per one news article, Microsoft Corp. revenue of $16.20 billion for the Sept. 30, 2010, a 25% hike from the similar period of the previous year. Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $7.12 billion, $5.41 billion and $0.62 per share, which represented increases of 59%, 51% and 55%, parallely, when matched with the previous year. The previous data showed the difference of $1.47 billion of revenue, because of the effect of $ 0.12 diluted earnings per share, which was because of Windows 7 upgrade Option program and the sale of Windows 7 to OEM s and retailers before that available generally in the year 2009. In 2010, Office 2010 is going well with the growth in revenue of 15% in first year in the market. Microsoft is looking ahead with the growth for further more with Xbox 360 with the increasing selling in the first quarter. Financial Analysis : Any firm, when starts the business, their intention is clear to make profit. Here through different ratio, we can analyse that the company is going in which direction in the future. There are different applications of the ratios for any organisation and their uses are different for the firm’s owners, employees and the public. Ratios can be classified in given main areas. 2)Liquidity based Ratio 3)Asset management ratio 4)Gearing/Financial stability ratio 5)Cash Efficiency Ratio We are going to discuss some of them below with reference to Microsoft Corporation Financial Fiscal year data for September 2010. 1) PROFITABILITY RATIO: This ratio shows company’s transfer capacity from product to its sell. It gives an overall efficiency of the company for generating the shareholders returns, so provides useful information to the company. Let us calculate formula for the same. Gross Profit Margi This is a type of profitability ratio which represents the cost of goods sold at a sales percentage. The ratio shows the control of the company over its cost of its inventory and operational costs. If the gross profit margin is bigger, it’s better for the company. The formula for Gross Profit/Net Sales For this example, its, 24098/62484 = 0.39% Net Profit Margin This ratio is used more frequently when a simple ratio analysis is used. It shows the companies income after paid off all the expenses. The calculation for net profit margin is: Net Income/Net Sales For this example, its, 18760/62484 = 3.00% Return on Equity: This ratio seems to be the main one for the all financial ratios for the investors of the company. It provides the return on the investors money invested in the company. Thus can be decisive for the investors whether to invest or not. The calculation for the company is: Net Income/Stockholder’s Equity 18760/46175 = 0.41% Current Ratio: This ratio shows the balance changes that the net working capital ratio will not be able to show with reference to the assets against the current liabilities. The formula for the same is : Current Assets/Current Liabilities 55676/26147 = 2.13% It discloses the business ability of the company, but it should be supported with the other ratios as below. Quick Ratio (Acid Test Ratio): This ratio is very useful for the company as it shows that how quick company can convert their current assets into the cash. This shows the current company’s sufficiency. This ratio is pre minded by considering all assets are equal liquidity. And the account receivables are more should be considered as liquidity than the stock. The sales can be considered when amount is received against the credits. Cash + Marketable Securities + Accounts Receivable (net) = Quick Ratio Current Liabilities 5505+62+13014/26147 = 0.71% Efficiency Ratios: Efficiency ratio shows the efficiency of the company to change their inventory, assets, receivables, sales or account payables. It helps company to find out the meetigants for short term and long term obligations. As it takes into account the principle that we can pay you when we are paid. FIRST EFFICIENCY RATIO The ratio includes the days sales outstanding calculation, which shows the cash and receivables are going to be occurred when. This is considered the test of the company’s efficiency, as it shows the conversion capacity of the company from receivables to cash. The calculation takes current receivables, total credit sales period and the number of day’s period into consideration for the formula. The formula for the same is Days outstanding = Current Receivables/Total Credit Sales X No. of Day =13014/24098*60 = 32.40 days Solvency Ratio: Solvency ratio refers to company’s capability to meet their long term obligations. It gives an idea for the investor whether to go for the investment in the company or not. The formula for this is Solvency Ratio = (After Tax Profits + Depreciation)/ (long term liabilities + Short term liabilities) =18760+2673/13791+9564 =9.18% Higher the ratio of solvency, higher company’s capacity to meet its long term obligations. Gearing Ratio: Gearing ratio compares the certain owner’s equity to borrowed funds, as it calculates leverage and shows the extent to which a company is funded with its own fund against creditors’. Higher the leverage ratio, more risk to the company. debt-to-equity ratio shows company’s equity against debt which shows company’s risk. The formula is : (total debt / total equity) =39938/46175= 0.85% The company has more equity than debt that means company is in the good position. How company can improve? Company is running so smoothly on the basis of financial statement we can say that company is creating a good amount of cash than it is needed to meet its debtors. The major problem since 2009 company is facing is the credit periods instability, it run through 50 to 200, for some of the debtors. So if it is in the control its better for the company. One other problem with the company is in the recession time, it has been heard first time from the company in its history that it layoff its staff. Because of recession, there was a drop of 0.5% sale of the company in last quarter and hence fore company decided that. So for re-improve the sale they might need some more funding as its more laptops are used now a days, they need to initiate some more upgraded technique than windows 7, of course it will capture a good market as new windows 7 is upcoming, but company need to take into consideration the computer users converting them to laptop users. Conclusion: As from above case, we can conclude that the ratio analysis is the tool for the company to measure its financial conditions against market and the competitors. It is always useful for the company to look at the change of the every small change as it’s a company which is changing probably every day the market updating and the situations. The Microsoft Corporation is the pioneer and it has achieved that stage from where to sustain and maintain that level, it need a good effort in the information technology to be at the same stage. As the competition is at the ear that it cannot be underestimated the potential of any new comer as the competitors like Intel and others are coming up with something new every day. Ratio analysis is handful tool for the company from company, investors and employee’s point of view as it gives the summary of the company’s operating ability, liquidity and profitability. The company like this has a niche area to check as it’s a well established company and do not need to check for a broad idea. But for the new coming firms, it is very much essential to keep a strong control over its ratios as it is the best the way to establish good reputation and development in the market in such a competitive era. References: http://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar10/10k_fr_bal.html http://mbadox.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/fin_rat.pdf Managerial Economics And Financial Analysis By S. A. Siddiqu Financial Ratio Analysis: A Handy Guidebook Charles K. Vandyck Fundamentals of financial management By Eugene F. Brigham, Joel F. Houston http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gearingratio.asp http://www.scribd.com/doc/17318817/Financial-Ratio-Analysis-Formulas http://basiccollegeaccounting.com/table-summary-of-financial-accounting-ratio-analysis/ http://www.microsoft.com/investor/EarningsAndFinancials/Earnings/PressReleaseAndWebcast/FY11/Q1/default.aspx http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=enbiw=1920bih=979gbv=2tbs=isch%3A1sa=1q=financial+ratio+analysis+imagesaq=faqi=aql=oq= How to cite A History of a Modern Empire: How Bill Gates Built Microsoft, Essay examples