Craig Ventors First Cell

Cr Craig Ventor first self-imitating, manufactured bacterial cell ROCKVILLE, MD and San Diego, CA (May 20, 2010)†Researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-benefit genomic research association, distributed outcomes today depicting the effective development of the principal self-imitating, engineered bacterial cell. The group orchestrated the 1. 08 million base pair chromosome of an altered Mycoplasma mycoides genome. The manufactured cell is called Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1. what's more, is the evidence of rule that genomes can be planned in the PC, synthetically made in the research center and transplanted into a beneficiary cell to create another self-duplicating cell controlled uniquely by the manufactured genome. This exploration will be distributed by Daniel Gibson et al in the May twentieth version of Science Express and will show up in a forthcoming print issue of Science. â€Å"For about 15 years Ham Smith, Clyde Hutchison and the remainder of ou r group have been moving in the direction of this distribution todayâ€the fruitful finish of our work to build a bacterial cell that is completely constrained by a manufactured genome,† said J.Craig Venter, Ph. D. , organizer and president, JCVI and senior creator on the paper. â€Å"We have been devoured by this exploration, yet we have likewise been similarly centered around tending to the cultural ramifications of what we accept will be one of the most impressive innovations and mechanical drivers for cultural great. We anticipate proceeded with audit and discourse about the significant utilizations of this work to guarantee that it is utilized to support all. † According to Dr.Smith, â€Å"With this first manufactured bacterial cell and the new apparatuses and advancements we created to effectively finish this task, we currently have the way to analyze the hereditary guidance set of a bacterial cell to see and see how it truly functions. † To finish this l ast stage in the almost multi year procedure to build and boot up an engineered cell, JCVI researchers started with the precise, digitized genome of the bacterium, M. mycoides. The group planned 1,078 explicit tapes of DNA that were 1,080 base matches long. These tapes were structured with the goal that the finishes of every DNA tape covered every one of its neighbors by 80bp.The tapes were made by JCVI’s details by the DNA combination organization, Blue Heron Biotechnology. The JCVI group utilized a three phase process utilizing their recently portrayed yeast get together framework to manufacture the genome utilizing the 1,078 tapes. The main stage included taking 10 tapes of DNA at once to assemble 110, 10,000 bp fragments. In the subsequent stage, these 10,000 bp sections are set aside 10 at an effort to deliver eleven, 100,000 bp fragments. In the last advance, every one of the 11, 100 kb sections were collected into the total manufactured genome in yeast cells and develo ped as a yeast fake chromosome.The complete engineered M. mycoides genome was detached from the yeast cell and transplanted into Mycoplasma capricolum beneficiary cells that have had the qualities for its limitation catalyst expelled. The engineered genome DNA was interpreted into envoy RNA, which thusly was converted into new proteins. The M. capricolum genome was either obliterated by M. mycoides limitation catalysts or was lost during cell replication. Following two days reasonable M. mycoides cells, which contained just engineered DNA, were obviously noticeable on petri dishes containing bacterial development medium.The introductory combination of the manufactured genome didn't bring about any reasonable cells so the JCVI group built up a mistake amendment technique to test that every tape they developed was naturally practical. They did this by utilizing a mix of 100 kb regular and engineered portions of DNA to deliver semi-manufactured genomes. This methodology took into accou nt the testing of every manufactured fragment in mix with 10 regular portions for their ability to be transplanted and structure new cells. Ten out of 11 manufactured parts brought about suitable cells; in this way the group limited the issue down to a solitary 100 kb cassette.DNA sequencing uncovered that a solitary base pair cancellation in a basic quality was liable for the fruitless transplants. When this one base pair mistake was adjusted, the primary feasible engineered cell was created. Dr. Gibson expressed, â€Å"To produce an engineered cell, our gathering needed to figure out how to succession, combine, and transplant genomes. Numerous obstacles must be survived, however we are presently ready to join these means to deliver manufactured cells in the research facility. † He included, â€Å"We would now be able to start chipping away at our definitive target of blending an insignificant cell containing just the qualities important to continue life in its least diffic ult form.This will assist us with bettering see how cells work. † This distribution speaks to the development of the biggest engineered particle of a characterized structure; the genome is practically twofold the size of the past Mycoplasma genitalium blend. With this fruitful verification of guideline, the gathering will currently take a shot at making an insignificant genome, which has been an objective since 1995. They will do this by shaving ceaselessly at the engineered genome and rehashing transplantation tests until any longer qualities can't be upset and the genome is as little as could be expected under the circumstances. This negligible cell will be a stage for breaking down the capacity of each fundamental quality in a cell.According to Dr. Hutchison, â€Å"To me the most momentous thing about our manufactured cell is that its genome was planned in the PC and enlivened through synthetic blend, without utilizing any bits of common DNA. This included creating numerou s new and valuable techniques en route. We have amassed an astounding gathering of researchers that have made this conceivable. † As in the team’s 2008 distribution in which they portrayed the effective combination of the M. genitalium genome, they planned and embedded into the genome what they called watermarks.These are explicitly structured fragments of DNA that utilization the â€Å"alphabet† of qualities and proteins that empower the specialist to illuminate words and expressions. The watermarks are a fundamental way to demonstrate that the genome is engineered and not local, and to distinguish the research facility of inception. Encoded in the watermarks is another DNA code for composing words, sentences and numbers. Notwithstanding the new code there is a web address to send messages to in the event that you can effectively disentangle the new code, the names of 46 creators and other key donors and three citations: â€Å"TO LIVE, TO ERR, TO FALL, TO TRIUM PH, TO RECREATE LIFE OUT OFLIFE. † †JAMES JOYCE; â€Å"SEE THINGS NOT AS THEY ARE, BUT AS THEY MIGHT BE. †-A statement from the book, â€Å"American Prometheus†; â€Å"WHAT I CANNOT BUILD, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND. † †RICHARD FEYNMAN. The JCVI researchers imagine that the information picked up by developing this first self-recreating engineered cell, combined with diminishing expenses for DNA combination, will offer ascent to more extensive utilization of this ground-breaking innovation. This will without a doubt lead to the advancement of numerous significant applications and items including biofuels, antibodies, pharmaceuticals, clean water and food products.The bunch keeps on driving and bolster moral conversation and audit to guarantee a positive result for society. Subsidizing for this exploration originated from Synthetic Genomics Inc. , an organization helped to establish by Drs. Venter and Smith. Foundation The exploration distributed today wa s made conceivable by past forward leaps at JCVI. In 2007 the group distributed outcomes from the transplantation of the local M. mycoides genome into the M. capricolum cell which brought about the M. capricolum cell being changed into M. mycoides. This work set up the idea that DNA is the product of life and that DNA directs the cell phenotype.In 2008 a similar group gave an account of the development of the main engineered bacterial genome by collecting DNA parts produced using the four synthetic substances of lifeâ€ACGT. The last get together of DNA parts into the entire genome was acted in yeast by utilizing the yeast hereditary frameworks. In any case, when the group endeavored to transplant the engineered bacterial genome out of yeast and into a beneficiary bacterial cell, reasonable transplants couldn't be recouped. Moral Considerations: Since the start of the mission to comprehend and construct a manufactured genome, Dr.Venter and his group have been worried about the cul tural issues encompassing the work. In 1995 while the group was doing the exploration on the insignificant genome, the work experienced huge moral survey by a board of specialists at the University of Pennsylvania (Cho et al, Science December 1999:Vol. 286. no. 5447, pp. 2087 †2090). The bioethical gathering's autonomous considerations, distributed simultaneously as the logical insignificant genome research, brought about a consistent choice that there were no solid moral reasons why the work ought not proceed as long as the researchers included kept on connecting with open conversation. Dr.Venter and the group at JCVI keep on working with bioethicists, outside arrangement gatherings, administrative individuals and staff, and people in general to support conversation and comprehension about the cultural ramifications of their work and the field of manufactured genomics by and large. Accordingly, the JCVI’s strategy group, alongside the Center for Strategic and Internatio nal Studies (CSIS), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), were financed by an award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for a 20-month study that investigated the dangers and advantages of this developing innovation, as well as could be expected shields to forestall misuse, including bioterrorism.After a few workshops and open meetings the gathering distributed a report in October 2007 sketching out choices for the field and its scientists. Most as of late in December of 2008, JCVI got financing from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to look at ethic

Ict Causes Social Ills

? 1. Subject :REVISIONTOPIC :MEC MID YEAR2009 Q2SKILLS :WRITING ? 2. QuestionInformation and communicationstechnology (ICT) is the reason oftoday’s numerous social ills. What isyour feeling? Backing youranswer with models. Youshould compose at any rate 350 words. [60 marks] ? 3. Definition †¢ advanced items, specialized gadget/application/administration ICT †¢ radio, TV, cell phone, satellite framework, Internet, PC, programming †¢ making inconveniences or enduring the general public and relations betweensocial ills individuals †¢ truancy, savagery, disintegration of culture, sedate maltreatment, digital relationship ? . Layout concur : ICT is the reason for today’s numerous social ills enslavement fixation despondency a state of the condition of being a determined general emotionalenslaved to a propensity distraction, disheartening or potentially practice thought, or feeling withdrawal; incredible misery SNS, web based betting, amusement, SNS, secre cy, internet games style, sports tormenting, provocation ? 5. Test answer MUET Trial 1/2013 ICT is the reason for today’s numerous social ills. I concur. ICT is thecause of today’s numerous social ills since it causes addictions, obsessionsand depressions.First, ICT causes addictions. Web, satellite TV and onlineactivities are on the whole available to anybody with no age, sex, strict orcultural limitation 24 hours every day. Having boundless access to theInternet turns numerous individuals to addicts. Before ICT, there is no onlinegame, web based betting and explicit fixation. For instance, ICTcauses web based game habit which have even caused passings. In Chinaand South Korea, there are instances of youthful guardians dismissed theirnewborn infant while occupied with making new scores online for days.They didnot feed their kid on the grounds that to them, playing web based games is moreimportant . Furthermore, with ICT, betting is done nonstop. So,online betting make s betting available even to the individuals who are faraway from betting settings subsequently making all the more betting addicts. Otherthan that, ICT causes obscene enslavement. With perpetual access to allsorts of explicit materials, individuals transform into addicts right away. Before ICT, explicit materials are not excessively effectively accessible and now,by just checking a specific box to show your age, even small children couldaccess these kinds of inadmissible content.It is clear that ICT givesway to compulsion with its unhindered openness and this leadsto social ills. ? 6. Second, ICT causes fixations. ICT makes individuals fixated withcelebrities of numerous sorts, performers, athletes and open figures. Before ICT,we read about famous people on papers or magazines yet ICT gives moresources. More regrettable, ICT allows and even energizes following. Social networkingsites like Twitter, extols following in light of the fact that a client gets to ‘follow’ anyb ody theywant . It used to be that a stalker needs to truly follow a VIP however nowone can follow anyone, not simply celebrity.Before ICT, following isn't announcedand not openly done. Plus, a pattern used to take some time before reachingour shore yet with ICT it’s simply an issue of seconds. Any pattern is a worldwidetrend with ICT. In this manner, more individuals become style casualties since they areobsessed with anything new. For instance, one who is fixated on fashionmight imitate a design pattern of an icon yet it probably won't be in agreement withour social qualities or significantly climate. What's more, with ICT, fixation gets moreoutlets.Fan discussions and gatherings are made to empower fixation where allobsessed fans accumulate. For instance, during the 60s, teenagers everywhere throughout the world wereobsessed with The Beatles however none of them could beat the fixation teensnowadays have on Justin Bieber. The ‘Beliebers’ wear, eat, drink and re st Bieber. This causes social ills in light of the fact that over the long haul, the enthusiasts may resort tosomething unlawful, for example, taking and cheating to get what they need. Theymight likewise build up a mental issue like ‘Celebrity Worship Syndrome’. They may disregard their responsibility.From this, unmistakably ICTprovides for fanatical conduct and this prompts social ills. ? 7. Third, ICT causes dejections. ICT causes individuals discouraged becausethey to feel second rate. At the point when others display their stunning life on SNS, some willfeel lacking consequently having dismal and self-sympathy. They will attempt to beat theirdepression by going to recreational medications or even vandalism to overlook theirinferiority. With ICT, one knows a lot about others and envy could be thebeginning of misery. A few people are discouraged in light of the fact that they don't feelbelonged.They may experience the ill effects of low confidence since no one enjoys theirFacebook updates or no one remarks on the transferred pictures. Before ICT, onemight feel that at some point, however with ICT, the proof is for others to see too andthis causes more noteworthy despondency. Other than that, ICT makes individuals depressedbecause with ICT, harassing has more noteworthy effects. School menaces keep on bullyeven after school hours. Digital tormenting happens even among office laborers. Tormenting isn't just physical yet for the most part passionate and virtual. Defamations are spreadmuch quicker and contact more individuals therefore reating progressively hurtful impacts. Thevictims experience the ill effects of incredible melancholy since they are distanced in thereal world as well as on the web. A few casualties resort to reckless conduct such asinflicting torment on themselves. Some turn anorexic and bulimic. Some developtrauma. The most dire outcome imaginable is the numerous instances of suicides due to cyberbullying. ICT encourages tormenti ng in light of the fact that cruel comments are done anonymously,with no time limit. It is obvious that ICT causes dejections and this leadsto social ills. ? 8. As an end, ICT is the reason for today’s numerous social ills.ICT causesaddictions, fixations and dejections and these cynicism in the end will leadto social ills. Certainly, ICT has its positive effects yet we must be carefulof its impeding negative effects. We should take preventive measures so thatthe negative impacts won't exceed the constructive outcomes. Social ills are thepublic’s concern and we ought to do our part to check the issues. Errand 1. Recognize the initial articulation, stand, proposal proclamation, subject sentences, elaborations, models, small scale end and end. 2. Search okay with significance of new words you have experienced.

Connective Adverbs However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless

Connective Adverbs However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless Notwithstanding, by the by, and in any case pass on the equivalent unforeseen outcome. Be that as it may, by the by and in any case are increasingly formal and are typically utilized uniquely recorded as a hard copy. These words are known as connective qualifiers. At the end of the day, they acquaint a thought that interfaces with the former sentence. Model Sentences Were experiencing issues with the undertaking. By the by, well completion on time.Weve been buckling down all week. In any case, well need to proceed one week from now too. Here and there its hard to tell whether to utilize an ideal structure (Hes lived here for a long time) or the dynamic immaculate structure (Hes been laboring for three hours). Discover when to utilize either structure previously, present or future. Communicating in English isn't just about utilizing appropriate sentence structure. To utilize American English successfully, you have to comprehend the way of life wherein it is spoken. Here are various significant hints to recall when communicating in English in the United States.

Haitian Cultural Interview free essay sample

In the event that it is discovered that cheating or potentially counterfeiting took place in the composition of this paper, I comprehend the potential outcomes of the demonstration/s, which could incorporate removal from Indiana Wesleyan University. Joseph ElmsApril 9, 2013 Cultural Interview The reason for this paper is to talk about a meeting which occurred with an individual of an alternate culture who has lived in the United States for a time of five years or less. The thought behind the meeting was to increase a more profound comprehension of that person’s culture just as their strict convictions, wellbeing, political perspectives, family, and method of conveying. My meeting occurred at the medical clinic where I at present work, in a lounge after the finish of my day of work with P. O. , a doctor who joined our association in July of 2012. P. O. goes to our office in the wake of finishing a multi year pediatric residency in Chicago. Preceding his pediatric residency, P. O. lived in Haiti where he likewise finished a multi year careful residency, at State University of Haiti Hospital, Port-au-Prince. Socially extraordinary individual: My meeting started after a short discussion with P. O. o examine with him the subtleties of the task and to address any inquiries he may have in regards to the meeting. I messaged P. O. prior in the week to affirm our gathering spot and time, and needed to ensure he was sure about the reason for the meeting, since the entirety of our earlier discussions were examined by means of email. He guaranteed me that he comprehended and the meeting started. I started the meeting with asking P. O. to disclose to me a little about himself, for example, where he was conceived, and to what extent he had lived in the United States. P. O. answered that he was conceived in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, and had lived in the United States for just about 5 years (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). He disclosed to me that directly after his moving to the United States, he and his significant other lived for a brief timeframe in Tampa, Florida with a portion of his loved ones while searching for a spot to live in Chicago. Correspondence: P. O. talks with a solid resounding sound. His articulation and articulation are slurred and regularly hard to comprehend. While he speaks English, it is difficult to comprehend, and I ended up requesting him to rehash himself on various events. He stops frequently all through our discussion, as though he is uncertain of how to convey his musings to me in English. I asked him what language he regularly likes to talk and his reaction was, â€Å"French or Haitian Creole† (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). He referenced that speaking â€Å"French† is viewed as progressively high class and upscale, and to speak Creole is viewed as a lower class language (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). I do review perusing that â€Å"Haitian Creole is the language of the rustic or poor population† and â€Å"French is the official national language and is comprehended and spoken distinctly by the upper or well off class† (Giger, 2013, p. 489). During our discussion, P. O. utilized incessant hand developments and signals when talking and I read that â€Å"Haitians oftentimes use hand motions to supplement their speech† (Giger, 2013, p. 489). P. O. looked at me during the posing of my inquiries, and regularly utilized overstated outward appearances with a large portion of his words. While most Haitians tend to not look (Colin, n. d. , p. 12), I thought about whether perhaps the explanation P. O. did was a direct result of his day by day managing patients, and having been in the nation for a couple of years. Space: Having worked with P. O. all the time, I’ve regularly saw his utilization of individual space when chatting with a patient and got some information about this during the meeting. He reacted by revealing to me that multiple occasions how close he gets to a patient or their family, relies upon how tolerating they appear to him (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). Commonly, he answered that he remains around 2-3 feet from a patient or a patient’s family when chatting with them. At the point when I asked him how close he stands when talking with relatives, collaborators, or others that he knows about, he expressed that he ordinarily stands nearer to them, since he knows how they react. As per Cook Ross (2010), contact for some, Haitians is normal practice and P. O. states that in the event that he touches a patient during his discussion, it is delicate and just to repeat what he is stating or to offer help (P. O. ersonal correspondence, April 4, 2013). Social association: P. O. states that he is in an incredible condition of wellbeing; that he turns out to be every day, and cherishes hitting the dance floor with his better half. He gets a kick out of the chance to â€Å"hang out† with companions, family, and going to shows. He is hitched, has two youngsters, one little girl who is 12, and one child who is 7. His dad spent away a f ew years back, and just his mom is living (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). At the point when I asked him what it was that caused him to choose to turn into a doctor, he disclosed to me that it was a direct result of his dad. His dad was a doctor in the Army; humane and mindful, and somebody he needed to show his life after (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). His connection between his dad and mom was mindful and steady and they generally urged him to look for after his objectives, and be as well as could be expected be. He coexisted incredible with his 4 sisters while growing up and keeps on staying in touch with them (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). I wasn’t precisely sure how to ask P. O. about his confidence in a Supreme Being, for the most part since I had an inclination that I was at that point attacking his way of life. It was clever in light of the fact that I had replicated the inquiries for the meeting and made them sit before me to make it simpler to take notes. P. O. as a matter of fact took the paper from the table and began to recite the inquiries for all to hear and posed to the inquiry regarding his faith in â€Å"Supreme Being† himself. His reaction was that he believes in a more powerful; he is catholic and goes to chapel with his family when possible, however that relies upon what hours he is working at the emergency clinic (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). As we moved toward the subject of political perspectives, he shared that he truly doesn’t have any â€Å"set† sees. He obviously isn’t ready to cast a ballot in the United States yet so he said that he doesn’t feel quite a bit of an effect or have solid sentiments towards legislative issues (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). Time: P. O. is a brief individual and marks himself as a present-situated individual, giving his best to keep a shot timetable however much as could reasonably be expected consistently. He regularly attempts to get 8 hours of rest a night, yet this is all subject to whether he is â€Å"on-call† and the amount he needs to do when he returns home (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2012). Ecological Control: As our meeting proceeded, I began the following area of inquiries with posing to P. O. about his â€Å"locus-of-control† and whether he would see himself as more inside or remotely engaged. He expressed that he accepts that he is all the more inside centered and concurs that â€Å"the capacity to influence change lies within† (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). We quickly examined otherworldly powers, and P. O. referenced that while he actually doesn't put stock in powerful powers, most of the Haitian populace puts stock in some type of â€Å"supernatural force†, and many keep on rehearsing Voodoo. I looked into this act of Voodoo somewhat more after the meeting and discovered that numerous individuals accept that the explanation that Haiti keeps on being so poor is an aftereffect of their Voodoo rehearses. Adam M. McGee says, â€Å"Vodou is much of the time conjured as a reason for Haiti’s proceeded with impoverishment. While insightful contentions have been progressed for why this is false, Vodou is perseveringly tormented by a poor reputation† (McGee, 2012). Subsequent to talking about the issue of Voodoo and heavenly powers, we progressed towards less extraordinary subjects, for example, accommodation in Haiti and how Americans may analyze. P. O. tated that while America is by all accounts inviting, they are in no way like Haiti. He expressed that he and his significant other used to go out in Haiti constantly, and that loved ones would simply travel every which way as they please†¦they were consistently welcome. In the US, on the off chance that you do t hat you could have awful things happen to your home and family (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). We proceeded for a couple of more minutes talking about accommodation in the United States and how it varies from north to south, and afterward changed into how his folks used to treat ailment when it was in their home. P. O. referenced that his mom would utilize natural solutions for him and his sisters every so often when he was more youthful, but since his dad was a doctor, they utilized progressively conventional methods of treating disorder with medication and anti-infection agents (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 203). P. O. expressed that that the main genuine home grown cure that he despite everything utilizes now and again, is a kind of tea blend that he makes when he has an irritated throat (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). I proceeded with my inquiries in regards to his wellbeing and posed to him what his meaning of â€Å"good health† would be? He reacted that â€Å"good health† is only that, it is being in a condition of good wellbeing, while â€Å"poor health† he considers as somebody who is delicate and close to death (P. O. individual correspondence, April 4, 2013). I at that point got some information about what maladies or sicknesses were normal to his family, and he inquired as to whether I met actually or socially. I reacted that I wasn’t sure, so he answered that socially speaking†¦hypertension, heart issues, significant contamination, and diabetes, a

Origin of the Chinese Zodiac Signs

Birthplace of the Chinese Zodiac Signs The very much trodden (no play on words planned) story of the Chinese zodiac is charming, however somewhat trite. The story as a rule starts with the Jade Emperor, or Buddha, contingent upon the teller, who called all the creatures of the universe for a race, or a dinner, contingent upon the teller. The 12 creatures of the zodiac all made a beeline for the castle. The request that they came in decided the request for the zodiac. The request is as per the following: Rodent: (1984, 1996, 2008, include 12 years for each resulting year)Ox: (1985, 1997, 2009)Tiger: (1986, 1998, 2010)Rabbit: (1987, 1999, 2011)Dragon: (1976, 1988, 2000)Snake: (1977, 1989, 2001)Horse: (1978, 1990, 2002)Ram: (1979, 1991, 2003)Monkey: (1980, 1992, 2004)Chicken: (1981, 1993, 2005)Dog: (1982, 1994, 2006)Pig: (1983, 1995, 2007) During the excursion, be that as it may, the creatures engaged in everything from high curse to bravery. For instance the rodent, who won the race, just did as such through cunning and dishonesty: it hopped onto the rear of the bull and just barely came out on top. The snake, obviously likewise somewhat slippery, covered up on the foot of a pony so as to cross a stream. At the point when they got to the opposite side, it frightened the pony and beat it in the challenge. The mythical beast, nonetheless, end up being noteworthy and selfless. Apparently, the mythical beast would have won the race as it could fly, however it had halted to help locals trapped in a flooding waterway cross securely, or it halted to help the hare in intersection the stream, or it halted to help make downpour for a dry spell ridden farmland, contingent upon the teller. Genuine History of the Zodiac The genuine history behind the Chinese zodiac is significantly less fantastical and a lot harder to discover. It’s known from earthenware antiques that the creatures of the zodiac were mainstream in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), however they were likewise observed a lot before from relics from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), a time of disunity in old Chinese history, as contrasting groups battled for control. It’s been composed that the creatures of the zodiac were brought to China through the Silk Road, a similar focal Asian exchange course that carried the Buddhist conviction from India to China. Yet, a few researchers contend that the conviction originates before Buddhism and has sources in early Chinese stargazing that utilized the planet Jupiter as a consistent, as its circle around the earth occurred like clockwork. In any case, others have contended that the utilization of creatures in soothsaying started with roaming clans in antiquated China who built up a schedule dependent on the creatures they used to chase and accumulate. The researcher Christopher Cullen as composed that past fulfilling the profound needs of an agrarian culture, the utilization of stargazing and soothsaying was likewise a basic of the sovereign, who had the obligation regarding guaranteeing congruity of everything under paradise. To control well and with glory, one should have been exact in cosmic issues, Cullen composed. Maybe that is the reason the Chinese schedule, including the zodiac, turned out to be so dug in Chinese culture. Truth be told, improving the schedule framework was seen as suitable if political change was prominent. Zodiac Fits With Confucianism The conviction that everybody and each creature has a task to carry out in the public arena interprets well with Confucian convictions in a various leveled society. Similarly as Confucian convictions endure in Asia today close by progressively present day social perspectives, so does the utilization of the zodiac. It’s been composed by Paul Yip, Joseph Lee, and Y.B. Cheung that births in Hong Kong routinely expanded, resisting declining patterns, to agree with the introduction of a kid in a mythical beast year. Transitory fruitfulness rate increments were found in the monster long stretches of 1988 and 2000, they composed. This is a generally present day wonder as a similar increment wasn’t seen in 1976, another winged serpent year. The Chinese zodiac additionally fills the down to earth need of making sense of a person’s age without asking legitimately and hazard insulting somebody.

Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered by Current SIPA Students! COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered by Current SIPA Students! COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Hello! The Admissions team would like to say congratulations to all Admitted Students! We have been receiving a lot of questions on a variety of topics, from housing options to SIPA’s quantitative coursework. We decided to compile our answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. Feel free to drop other questions in the comment! What is SIPA’s quantitative coursework like? Will I be able to pass macro/micro economics? Samantha: The quantitative coursework for the core courses at SIPA consist of three courses: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Quantitative Analysis (statistics). Usually students take Micro in the fall semester, and Macro in the spring semester. However, Quant can be taken in any of the four semesters, but most students complete it in either of their first two. The workload is going to be a bit heavy, as you have homework, recitation, lecture and exams for all of these quantitative courses, but it’s all doable. You don’t need to be an expert in either of the three areas in order to do well in them, but getting in some practice before hand can’t hurt. In order to prepare yourself for the coursework I recommend completing the summer math tutorial SIPA provides, as well as attending the Math Boot-camp during orientation. However, If you’re still panicked about the fact that you’re going to see numbers and have instantaneously forgotten all the math(s) you’ve ever learned, remember you are going to be ok and I guarantee you will pass. Julia: I would also say that the weekly homework are done in groups so some of the stress is shared. Many students don’t have an economics or statistics background (like me!) so you won’t be alone! The professors are also very approachable and helpful if you are struggling. What is the SIPA community like as a whole? Or for a specific concentration? Dylan: The SIPA community is generally very open and welcoming. Before arriving at SIPA, I assumed that most people would be very competitive and serious. While everyone here cares about their academics and career, I have found the opposite to be true; in general, people are very supportive and friendly. I think one of the other benefits of having such huge incoming classes is that you are always meeting new students. So on top of it being a friendly, collaborative environment, I’ve never really felt like I lacked opportunities to meet new people. I’d say most people end up befriending people within their concentration. Makes sense right? You take a lot of classes with them, you probably end up at the same events, and you naturally share a lot of similar interests. As a USP concentrator, I met most of my USP friends my first semester and we’ve remained close since then. What is the recruitment/job-hunt like at SIPA? Does the Office of Career Services, or SIPA in general, support students? Julia: SIPA students have very diverse interests, so there isn’t a standard way students go through the internship or job search. When I was looking for my summer internship last year, I used the Office of Career Services internship database, which is a detailed account of all the internships previous students have done, to give me an idea what I could be interested in doing. I then applied for internships through the job/internship portal on SIPAlink. I would also say the info sessions that OCS organize are helpful as well. I just went to an ACLU panel discussion last week that was inspiring and exactly I needed to motivate me in my current job search! What is something you wish you knew about SIPA before attending? Dylan: I wish I knew more about cross-registration and dual-degree options at SIPA. That was more me not doing my due diligence on researching SIPA’s program offerings before attending, but it is something all students can do if they prepare in advance. What has been the best/worst part of your time at SIPA? Dylan: The best part has been developing my interest in anti-corruption policy and journalism. I came from a very theory focused Political Science background, and SIPA was the first place where I was able to really dive into policy. Worst time has definitely been the quantitative coursework. I appreciate it and I begrudgingly recognize its importance. But it can be an enormous pain! That being said, everyone who comes to SIPA will pass the core quantitative classes. Do not fear!! Julia: My best time was traveling with other Seeples on student trips. Last summer I went to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and this winter break I went to Israel. It’s a great way to learn more about the politics and history of the region, but also spend quality time with your fellow Seeples. What are the housing options like in the Columbia area? How much can I expect to pay and where should I generally look? Samantha: I would say that most students who do not get Columbia student housing generally live near or north of campus. Most of us live in shared apartments in Morningside Heights, Harlem, and Washington Heights. Living with roommates helps keep the cost down, and living near or north of campus is 1. Convenient and 2. More affordable. While rents vary, I say students usually pay anywhere from $900-$1500 a month in rent. The farther north you go from campus the less expensive apartments become, so if you’re looking to cut costs I recommend looking uptown. The benefit of living near campus is that it is close enough for you to walk to, so you wouldn’t have to pay for transit expenses to get to school like you might need to if you live further north. How do you manage time between classes and internships/work? Dylan: This is a hard question to answer because it really depends on the classes I’m taking and the way assignments are structured for each class. Some weeks, I’ll have no assignments due besides reading for class. During those weeks, I obviously attend classes, work around 15 hours at SIPA Admissions as a program assistant, and do my readings either in the afternoon after classes or in between classes while I’m still on campus. Other weeks, it’ll feel like my professors conspired to absolutely slam me with assignments. In those cases, I’ll usually plan on working 11am 5/6pm-ish on weekends (at least) and then work in the afternoons after classes are finished and in between classes. If I’m particularly stressed with my program assistantship work, I may ask to take a few hours off and make them up at a later date. Most SIPA jobs are understanding and flexible with students.

Symbolism In A Good Man Is Hard To Find - Free Essay Example

In literature, forests have a bad reputation. Little Red Riding Hood gets tricked by a wolf in a forest. Dante starts his descent into hell wandering around in a forest. The Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts gives Harry Potter almost nothing but trouble. Forests are full of creepy fungi, jagged rock, twisted branches, and deceptive little critters. To read almost any book is to understand how purely evil forests are. This is also the case in A Good Man Is Hard to Find, where the forest is where all except the grandmother is taken to get shot. It seems like only good thing to have come out of forests is the Black Forest Cake, when you first start reading. Symbolism and irony are two literary devices that are used commonly throughout the story. We know that the family begins in Atlanta and that they travel a few hours south to the town of Toombsboro. Here, the grandmother persuaded her son to take a detour onto a dirt road. After continuing on this road they run off the road and land in a ditch. The ditch is nearly ten feet below the road and lies between the road and a tall and dark and deep forest. There is forest on the other side of the road too, so the forest looms over the scene on both sides. This part of the story is like a staged play: the site of the action doesnt move, the ditch is the stage, and the forest is backstage, where characters are taken. We only learn what is happening from the noises we hear, which are usually screams or gunshots. As for the time, the era of the story is never explicitly defined, but given the cars and the mention of Gone With the Wind (published as a book in 1936 and released as a movie in 1939), we can guess its the 1940s or later. Since there is no mention of a war going on, and the grandmother says that the way Europe acted you would think we were made of money (44), it is almost certainly after WWII. Since OConnor wrote this story in 1953, I think we can place it in the late 40s or early 50s. We know that the family leaves their home in the morning, and that they leave Red Sammy in the hot afternoon. We do not actually know how late it is when they land in the ditch. The grandmother says it is a beautiful day, but we know from The Misfit that the sun is nowhere to be seen. The story is told in the third person and it centers singularly on the grandmother. She is the character we are told the most about, by far. She is also the only character whose point of view we can access directly. We get to hear her thoughts and feelings, although we never get too much detail. We are usually given a direct, short summary that leaves a lot of room for imagination on the part of the reader. That there is room for interpretation with regard to the grandmothers inner thoughts continues to be a subject of debate. The only other character who is given comparable attention is The Misfit. We only learn about him through the grandmothers perspective. After the grandmother is killed, though, there is a brief switch to The Misfits perspective, although we do not get any further into his head. You know, if we were wicked killers running from the police we would not choose to drive in a big, black, battered hearse-like automobile. (70). Nothing symbolizes menacing death like hearse. Although, this is the kind of automobile Misfit Co. chose to ride around Georgia in. One that looks as if it should be carrying a coffin to a funeral. It is excellent imagery for the story, but quite dumb if you are trying to stay incognito in real life.

Arabica Coffee History and Facts

The Arabica coffee bean is the Adam or Eve of all coffees, in that is likely the first type of coffee bean ever consumed. Arabica is by far the dominant bean used today, representing about 70 percent of global production. History of the Bean Its origins date back to about 1,000 BC in the highlands of the Kingdom of Kefa, which is present-day Ethiopia. In Kefa, the Oromo tribe ate the bean, crushed it and mixed it with fat to make spheres the size of ping-pong balls. The spheres were consumed for the same reason that coffee is consumed today, as a stimulant. The plant species Coffea Arabica got its name around the 7th century when the bean crossed the Red Sea from Ethiopia to present-day Yemen and lower Arabia, hence the term arabica. The first written record of coffee made from roasted coffee beans comes from Arab scholars, who wrote that it was useful in prolonging their working hours. The Arab innovation in Yemen of making a brew from roasted beans spread first among the  Egyptians  and  Turks, and later on, found its way around the world. Taste Arabica is considered the merlot of coffee, it has a mild taste, and to coffee drinkers, it can be described  to have a sweetness, that is light and airy, like the mountains it comes from. Well-known Italian coffee grower Ernesto Illy wrote in the June 2002 issue of Scientific American: Arabica is a medium-to low-wielding,  rather delicate  tree from five to six meters tall that  requires  a temperate climate and considerable growing care. Commercially grown coffee bushes are pruned to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. Coffee made from arabica beans has an intense, intricate aroma that can be reminiscent of flowers, fruit, honey, chocolate, caramel or toasted bread. Its caffeine content never exceeds 1.5 percent by weight. Because of its superior quality and taste, arabica sells for a higher price than its hardy, rougher cousin​ Growing Preferences Arabica takes about seven years to mature fully. It grows best in higher altitudes but can be grown as low as sea level. The plant can tolerate low temperatures, but not frost.  Two to four years after planting, the arabica plant produces small, white, highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of jasmine flowers. After pruning, berries begin to appear. The berries are dark green like the leaves until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy, deep red. At this point, they are called â€Å"cherry† and are ready for picking. The prize of the berries are the beans inside, usually two per berry. Gourmet Coffee Gourmet coffees are almost exclusively high-quality mild varieties of arabica coffee, and among the best-known arabica coffee beans in the world. The gourmet growing regions include the Jamaican Blue Mountains, Colombian Supremo, Tarrazà º, Costa Rica, Guatemalan, Antigua and Ethiopian Sidamo. Typically, espresso is made from a blend of arabica and robusta beans. The robusta species of coffee of beans make up the 30 percent difference of global coffee bean production.

Kwanzan Cherry Tree Profile and Care Instructions

Kwanzan cherry has double-pink, beautiful flowers and is usually purchased and planted for this reason. The upright-spreading form, reaching 15 to 25 feet tall, is quite attractive in many locations including near a patio or as a specimen away from lawn grass competition. The tree makes beautiful flowers and is planted along with Yoshino cherry in Washington, D.C., and Macon, Georgia for their annual Cherry Blossom Festivals. This cherry provides a strong contrast to lighter-colored cherry blossoms, like Yoshino cherry, by showing a pink flower later in April and May. It becomes a larger part of the cherry show as spring introduces flowering later in the Northeastern United States. Specifics Scientific Name: Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’Pronunciation: PROO-nus sair-yoo-LAY-tuhCommon Name: Kwanzan CherryFamily: RosaceaeUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5B through 9AOrigin: Not native to North AmericaUses: Bonsai; container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; trainable as a standard; specimen; residential street tree Cultivars Some cultivars might be locally available including: ‘Amanogawa’(‘Erecta’): Semi-double, light pink, fragrant flowers, narrow columnar habit, about 20 feet tall‘Shirotae’(‘Mt. Fuji’, ‘Kojima’): Flowers double to semi-double, white, ruffled, about 2.5 inches across; ‘Shogetsu’—tree 15 feet tall, broad and flat-topped, flowers double, pale pink, the center may be white, can be two inches across‘Ukon’: Young foliage bronze, flowers pale yellow, semi-double Description Height: 15 to 25 feetSpread: 15 to 25 feetCrown Uniformity: Symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline and individuals have more or less identical crown formsCrown Shape: Upright; vase shapeCrown Density: ModerateGrowth Rate: MediumTexture: Medium Trunk and Branches The bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact; the tree grows mostly upright and will not droop; showy trunk; should be grown with a single leader. Pruning Requirement: Needs little pruning to develop a strong structureBreakage: ResistantCurrent Year Twig Color: BrownCurrent Year Twig Thickness: Medium Foliage Leaf Arrangement: AlternateLeaf Type: SimpleLeaf Margin: SerrateLeaf Shape: Lanceolate; ovateLeaf Venation: Banchidodrome; pinnateLeaf Type and Persistence: DeciduousLeaf Blade Length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inchesLeaf Color: GreenFall Color: Copper; orange; yellowFall Characteristic: Showy Culture Light Requirement: Tree grows in full sunSoil Tolerances: Clay; loam; sand; acidic; occasionally wet; alkaline; well-drainedDrought Tolerance: ModerateAerosol Salt Tolerance: ModerateSoil Salt Tolerance: Poor In-Depth Neither stress-tolerant or highly drought-tolerant, Kwanzan cherry should be located on a site with loose soil and plenty of moisture. Not for an urban parking lot or exposed street tree planting where borers and other problems normally attack. It has some tolerance to salt  and tolerates clay if well-drained. Kwanzan cherry has good yellow fall color, does not bear fruit, but is somewhat troubled with pests. These pests include aphids which distort new growth, deposits of honeydew, and sooty mold. Bark borers can attack flowering cherries, and scale insects of several types can infest cherries. Spider mites can cause yellowing or stippling of leaves and tent caterpillars make large webbed nests in trees then eat the foliage. Kwanzan cherry prefers full sun, is intolerant of poor drainage, and is easily transplanted. However, the useful life of the species is limited to about 15 to 25 years for Kwanzan when on a good site. But it is an enjoyable tree and worth planting.

The Influence of Oscar Wildes Sexuality

Sample details Pages: 23 Words: 6988 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: The Importance of Being Earnest Essay Did you like this example? Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a writer whose homoerotic texts pushed the social boundaries of the Victorian era. Born to a family of unabashed Irish agnostics, the self-proclaimed dandy valued art, fashion, and all things physically beautiful. After receiving a comprehensive education from Oxford, Wilde made a name for himself in London first as a novelist, penning the now famous The Picture of Dorian Gray. A string of successful plays followed, among them The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband. Wilde also published a variety of short stories and essays, but is acclaimed by historians for his pioneering influence over the aesthetic movement, aprogression that opposed the accepted Victorian take on art in everyway, shape, and form. Wilde postulated that art existed solely foritself, only for the sake of being art. His play The Decay of Lyingexemplified this tenet best, personifying his distaste for societys proclivities through a conversation between two people in a park.Though he fathered two sons, Wildes marriage fizzled as his personallife continuously hinted at homosexuality. Wildes inability to keephis private life secret proved to be his downfall; a love affair with aprominent nobleman resulted in Wildes imprisonment and expulsion from British social circles. Victorian Britain became increasingly morally rigid, its period marking a time when Britain was experiencing a growthin imperialism and conservative thought. While serving his term for homosexual acts, Wilde wrote the deeply spiritual De Profund is, inwhich he discussed his aspirations of individuality and freedom from the proprietary values that bound late Victorian society. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Influence of Oscar Wildes Sexuality | English Literature Dissertation" essay for you Create order An avant-garde writer and raconteur, Wildes sexuality had a profound effect on his works, influencing imagery and the nature of his characters in both The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. Wildes sexuality and effeminate nature shaped his relations to aestheticism, which in turn manifested itself in his works moral implications. Wilde frequently employed thinly disguised doubles, representing himself in his work in order to juxtapose anaesthete and a traditionally Victorian society. Wildes aesthetics arestrangely connected to his obsession with Jesus Christ. It is peculiarthat such an unorthodox figure such as Wilde would find so much solaceand inspiration from such a religious source. In De Profundis, Wildes admiration for and comparison with Jesus takes on many levels. Helikens his persecution to Jesus crucifixion, a notion that evokeshubris, especially given Wildes naturally flamboyant disposition.Though not entirely humble, Wildes comparisons are based m ore on parallels drawn between Wildes persecution and the events leading to Jesus martyrdom. Many speculate Wildes eventual baptism and acceptance of Catholicism was a manifestation of imminent deaths madness as the famed author was too radical to accept religion withinthe boundaries of sanity. However, there are critics who contend that Wilde was very much in the mainstream of the intellectual currents of his time, a man clearly aware of what he was trying to achieve in terms of his life and art; in the end, he was willing to accept his newfoundstatus as a pariah, provided he could still create plays and prose. Considered by many to be the most outrageous trial of the century, Wildes fall from grace was so indicative of his progression and the significance of his unique works set in a time between the Victorianera and the modern age (Hoare 4). Wildes persecution reflected aclash of morals and ideals not unlike those faced by the protagonists of his novels. Wildes trial mimicked his imaginative fiction: it was a clash of opposites: of good versus evil, of heterosexualand homosexual, of masculine and feminine, of the safe and thedangerous, of what was seen as morally right or morally wrong (Hoare4). Homosexualitys Influence in The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest Wildes homosexuality had a profound influence over his work. His own experiences and relationships are projected into The Picture of Dorian Gray, and it is widely speculated that the characters Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian are different aspects of Wilde himself. Wilde wrotethat Basil is how I see myself, Lord Henry how the world sees me, and Dorian how I would like to be (Ericksen 101). The controversy behind The Picture of Dorian Gray was based in the extreme homoeroticism ofthe characters interaction; it is easy to see how Wildes writing elicited such a reaction. The male relationships are surely suggestiveenough to stir even the most open-minded in the Victorian era. Wildessexuality affected the structure of the relationships as well, opening the book with the making of a homosexual love triangle involving Basil,Dorian, and Lord Henry. Basils painting is intimately connected with his adulation of Dorians physical beauty. Dorian, in turn, adores LordHenry, a man of stature who int roduces him into a new coterie. LordHenry, in turn, adores Dorians physical beauty but also his relativeinnocence and the opportunity to mold him into the type of Victoriansocialite everyone will adore. The novel opens with Basils overstated obsession with Dorians goodlooks. Basils sentiments, however, are undeniably romantic. As he paints his masterpiece, Basil is described as looking wistfully at the canvas, a smile of pleasure passing across his face as he lingersover the image he created (Wilde 1962, 20). In the case Basils day dreaming was too speculative a conclusion to make, Wilde provided his readers with interaction between Basil and Lord Henry sufficient enough to establish a romantic attraction for Dorian inside Basil. WhenLord Henry walks into Basils studio, Basil plans on keeping hissubjects identity a secret out of jealousy. Basil immensely likesDorian, and has grown to love secrecy as it ensures that he will nothave to share Dorian with Lord Henry (Wilde 1962, 22). Though it islater discovered that Basil is concerned that Lord Henry will corruptDorian with his cynicism and overdeveloped penchant for amorality, Basil is extremely protective of a man who he has befriend ed solely onthe basis of his physical appearance. He describes to Lord Henry how upon seeing Dorian for the first time his face grew pale, knowing hemet someone whose mere personality was so fascinating that [it could]absorb him if he allowed it (Wilde 1962, 24). Wildes homosexuality is significantly influential not just over thecourse of the plot, but also in the development of characterrelationships. Lord Henrys attraction to Dorian Gray is multi-tiered. Half the attraction to Dorian is on account of his youth, a possiblereflection of Wildes relationship with younger men. The other half o fLord Henrys attraction to Dorian is his ability to mold Dorian into alike-minded socialite, a member of his New Hedonist group. However,Lord Henrys attraction, like Basils is undeniably romantic in nature.Though Lord Henry finds Dorian attractive, Dorians hold over LordHenry does not fully take root until after Basil rambles on and onabout his curious idolatry he has developed, and how he couldnt behappy if he didnt see Dorian everyday; Lord Henry takes seriousnotice of Dorian after Basil confides that he finds the young man to beabsolutely necessary to Basils life (Wilde 1962, 27). Wilde developsLord Henry in this way to stress his association with socie ty at large;most people are not loved by everyone unless they are first loved by afew. Society, Wilde argues, will love whom it is deemed fashionable tolove. Following Basils affirmations and affections, Lord Henryobserves the young Adonis [made out of] ivory as wonderfullyhandsome, with his finely curved, scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes,his crisp gold hair; it comes to no wonder why Basil worshipped him(Wilde 1962, 33). The love triangle develops past Basils death; evenDorian finds himself attracted to Lord Henry. A peculiar observation isDorians loss of composure after observing Lord Henrys romantic,olive-colored face and warm expression; Wilde writes that Dorian is indisbelief at his trepidation upon meeting Lord Henry (Wilde 1962, 38).After all, Dorian is not a schoolboy or a girl (Wilde 1962, 39). As Wildes homosexuality became more apparent, he began leading doublelives. One of his lives was socially acceptable, as society perceived him as a married man with two sons. His other life was one spent amongmale prostitutes, renting houses outside London in which he would haveextramarital, homosexual affairs. The incredible restriction Wildefaced was more because of his homosexuality than his maritalinfidelity. In leading his double lives, Wilde designed four charactersin The Importance of Being Earnest to exude differing degrees ofduality. The multiple personas were a reflection of the masks Wildeused as a means of personal adjustment, a prevailing theme among thefour characters (Ericksen 151). The first character is Jack Worthing, aresponsible man typical of the Victorian era. The legal guardian of ayoung woman, Jack finds it to be increasingly difficult to enjoyhimself through the minor indiscretions that provide the average youngman with such entertainment. As a result of his g uarded nature, Jackcreates his double, an alter ego he claims as his younger brother, whomhe names Ernest. When Jack leaves the country and his responsibilities,he becomes Ernest, a mischievous character in contrast to the composed,model citizen Jack. The second character is Algernon Moncrieff, friendto Jack Worthing and first cousin to the woman Jack intends to wed. Algernon also leads a double life, though his double life involves animaginary friend of sort, a man whom he names Bunbury. The thirdcharacter Wilde incorporates is Gwendolen Fairfax, the object of Jacksaffection. Though she accedes to her mothers will in public, Gwendolenrebels in private, pursuing Ernest without her mothers consent.After Jack plans to wed Gwendolen, she mentions she cannot marry a manwhose name is not Ernest; this creates quite the dilemma for Jack, ashe had originally planned to kill Ernest with another fabrication.The final character, Cecily Cardew, is a ward under her guardian, JackWorthing. Tutore d in the country, Cecily longs for a life outside hercountry estate, falling in love with the deviant Algernon. The doubles are a forward testament to Wildes life as a homosexual inVictorian London. As a Jack among his peers and Ernest among hislovers, Wilde is best personified in Algernon, though is present inboth Jack and Algernon as they are constructed on similar principlesand ideas (Ericksen 151). Both Jack and Algernon lead double lives,hence the similar principles and ideas. However, where Jack andAlgernon differ is the nature of their double lives. Jacks alter ego,Ernest, is someone whom he actually becomes upon entering town.Algernon, on the other hand, claims to be visiting Bunbury, hisimaginary ego. Algernon remains the same; the only thing that changesis his behavior. While both Algernon and Jack are sophisticated men ofthe world, only Jack finds the need to change his identity and life ashe shifts social circles (Ericksen 152). Like the socially accepted individuals in Victorian society, Jack isrigid, morally sound, and never deviant. Initially known to Algernon asErnest, Jacks transformation is almost instant as Algernon reveals hisknowledge of Ernest/Jacks deviance with names. Ernest is wistful andmadly in love with Gwendolen until his true ego, Jack, is revealed. Assoon as Algernon shows Jack/Ernest the cigarette case, Jack showshimself, pointing out how ungentlemanly [a thing it is] to read aprivate cigarette case (Wilde 2005, 12). Algernon, now Jacks foilfollowing Ernests departure, retorts with an epigram truly reminiscentof a dandy, stating the [absurdity in] having hard and fast rules(Wilde 2005, 12). The two characters play off each other from the verybeginning, revealing their intentions. Algernon remains the deviant,bored with his surroundings and endless cucumber sandwiches (Wilde2005, 4). Jack leaves to indulge in the sort of behavior from which heis restricted as he is responsible for Cecily. Like Wilde, who has afamily of his own, Jack cannot overindulge without risking social harmto his family. Ernest, then, is a double play on words; in indulgingones earnest, or true self, one escapes the constrictive Victoriansociety of moral and social obligations. Wildes aim here is to escapethe Victorian moral code, returning to the Hellenistic antiquity ofmale relationships. Strangely, most everyone except Jack longs to see or meet Ernest.Algernon himself assumes the identity of Earnest in his quest to meetCecily. Much to Jacks chagrin, Algernon decides to assume the identityof Algernon simply out of curiosity. Algernon has no ulterior motives;he wants to be Ernest just to be Ernest, a reflection of Wildespredisposition toward universal simplicity. Cecily also longs to meetErnest, as she has heard of his antics and looks forward to a relativeseveral degrees less rigid than her estranged guardian. Gwendolen ismadly in love with Ernest partly due to her empathy for Jacksupbringing, and partly because of her obsession with his name. ThroughErnest, Wilde reveals his wishes of acceptance; he wants people todesire his homosexual identity and accept him not in spite of it, butbecause of it. Victorian values were imposed on every part of culture. Because of thegreat successes and advances felt by the 1860s, it was assumed that thethrone had arrived at something new and worth keeping. An increasinglyprudish era, the Victorian, puritanical movement required that all arthave purpose. Whether to emulate a person, place, or event, art neededa reason to exist. It could be veneration of the object, veneration ofthe genre, or even veneration of the artist, but all art, including thewritten word, was subject to the Victorian standard if it was to beaccepted by the general public. Like so many other movements, theVictorians were faced with the concept that art existed for art, thatits sole end is itself and nothing more. While many mistakenly attribute this movement to Wilde, he in fact didnot create aestheticism, he was merely its vehicle (Gaunt 119). As anIrishman, it was only natural that Wilde would be the catalyst for sucha movement. Ireland was still relatively free of the imperialistexpansion, allowing for a medium of trade most of England could notmatch. Wilde, after all, was not from the industrial wastelands ofLiverpool, Manchester, or London. He was from the dingy magnificenceof Dublin (Gaunt 119). Wildes aesthetics are rooted in his education, primarily hispreoccupation with Hellenistic Greece and the old texts involving malerelationships. When searching for the concept of beauty, he might havegotten his ideas from the great 6th century Hellas, where Wildeperceived the triumph of Greece and great civilization was itscreation and representation of a supreme form of beauty (Gaunt 120).The ancient Greeks may have appealed most to Wilde because of the highpremium they put on male-male relationships. Viewed as the most pure ofall loves, homosexual male love was venerated by great leaders as wellas scholars. The king of the gods and Mount Olympus, Zeus, was known tohave a male lover, a young shepherd by the name of Ganymede. Contrary to the Victorians, who had inherited a set of religiousbeliefs based on faith rather than reason, Wilde had no concretereligious beliefs at all (Ericksen 19). The Aesthetic Movement, ofwhich Wilde was soon to become the representative figure, wasessentially a reaction against the ascendance of Philistinism in artand life (Ericksen 19). Wilde was determined to cultivate his ownindividual impressions of the world (Ericksen 19). Though he quicklybecame the most prominent aesthete, Wildes views were not unique. Hehad previously traveled to France, where he met with names such as deGoncourt, Flaubert, and Huysman, who showed him the depth of sufferingas beauty. After Wilde settled in London in the 80s, he began toshowcase his aestheticism, sporting garb such as plum-coloredvelveteen knickerbockers with perhaps a soft loose shirt and a wideturned-down collar (Ericksen 21). Wilde advocated art as having intrinsic, immeasurable value. Unlike theVictorian stance, art did not have to feature a moral code, teach alesson, or exist as a monument to an ideal supporting morals. Art isart, and exists only to exist for itself. For example, paintings of theLast Supper, though beautiful, existed to be a testament to Jesus orChristianity. Wildes Aestheticism would interpret the Last Supper toexist solely for the purpose of being a beautiful painting. The colors,shapes, and figures would be the central focus as they would representbeauty; the connotation behind twelve disciples sitting around asolitary figure would be dismissible. Wildes sexuality ties indirectlyto the concept of art; one of the reasons Wilde advocated theaforementioned moral system was his relation of the system toantiquity. Homosexual union was not a defiled perversion; Wilde arguedthat it was a sign of progress, like aestheticism. Aestheticism andhomosexuality would be placed in the same context a s other time periodssuch as Hellenistic Greece, Classical Italy (Michelangelo), andShakespearean England. The aforementioned periods involve theperfection of the male form; Wilde believed himself to be in line withthe traditions of old because of his Oxford rearing. Hellenisticaesthetic coincided with Wildes sexuality and his aesthetic movementin the shared view that the male form was the most beautiful.Homosexual relationships were therefore considered an act of beauty,the most revered form of affection possible. Wildes The Decay of Lying is a multi-page testament to his belief inarts greater purpose as having no such purpose. Essentially anextended metaphor for the ill consequences of turning art into amathematical measure, The Decay of Lying describes lying and poetryas arts (Wilde 1997, 7). The metaphor continues, equating art with anexaggeration of reality. True art, Wilde argues through theprotagonists Cyril and Vivian, is so abstract that the real becomesunreadable (Wilde 1997, 13). The nature of art and beauty is soabstract that nature and life are meant to imitate it. The dangers of regarding art as a moral calculus are detailed in ThePicture of Dorian Gray. The strange stasis in which Dorian findshimself—the state where his self-portrait shows his aging and thenegative effects of his actions—is a wonderful example of Wildesaesthetics in motion. The story unfolds as Dorian is sitting in frontof Basil; Basil is seen pondering the sheer physical beauty of thescene in front of him. The true aesthetic, Basil seeks out thebeautiful solely because it is beautiful. He becomes enamored withDorian only because of his beauty. On the other hand, Lord Henry findsDorian irresistible because of the potential socialite he sees in amind that has yet to be molded. Basil the aesthete warns Lord Henry,imploring him not to make a cynic out of something beautiful; in thiscase, Basil is ultimately requesting Lord Henry to take caution in hisapproach to Dorian. Basil wants to preserve Dorian the way he isbecause he finds him beautiful, where Lord Henry wan ts access toDorians private time so he can mold something new and different.Dorian becomes a work of art, manipulated by Lord Henry, killing Basil,the aesthete. Later in the novel, Lord Henry gives Dorian a yellow book, one with notitle that is presumably about art and philosophy (Ericksen 115).Dorian becomes obsessed, using it as a Bible with which he leads hiswhole life. In the end, Dorian dies, having gone mad. This is anunequivocal warning from Wilde to those who would pervert the course ofart (Victorians). Wilde shows the reader what happens when art is takenout of context and into a completely inappropriate light. Moreover, itshows how damaging the Victorian approach is; Dorian is unable tochange his ways. Shortly after his inhuman treatment of Sibyl, heattempts to reform, only to find the painting smirking back at him.This is a reflection of the unyielding nature of Victorian society; itis a reflection of Wildes suffocation and inability to move freely,creatively, or inspirationally in the context of British society at theclose of the 19th century. Just like Dorian, Wilde cannot expresshimself freely; though he had a chance in the beg inning of the novel,Dorian did not follow the poor artist Basil. He instead opted toconform to the higher-ranking Lord Henry, whose coterie led Dorian tohis death. Once in the clutches of Lord Henry, Dorian was fullysupplicated to the mercy of his manipulator. Lord Henry almostimmediately changes in his affections for Dorian, the extremedifferences being Dorians perception as an Adonis in the beginningand as an unrecognizable, withered, man who is unidentifiable untilthey check his rings. Wildes third play, An Ideal Husband makes use of the witty banterknown as epigrams to reveal the darker side of Victorian values in atongue-and-cheek fashion. The whole play is an epigram of sorts,exemplifying the imperfections of the Victorian bourgeois by mockinglyportraying the inefficacy of their incorporation into Wildes idealsociety. The traditional Victorian values Wilde mocks in An IdealHusband are devotion, forgiveness, sacrifice, loyalty, moralintegrity, and a composed disposition, all traits that Wilde subvertsin his character portrayals. Though Sir Robert, the ideal husband,finds himself at the disadvantageous end of blackmail, his past doesnot warrant Wilde to present him as vile or duplicitous, as Lord Goringpostulates to Lady Chiltern that every man of every nature [has]elements of weakness (Wilde 2004, 27). The play, however, becomescentered around a conflict caused by [Lady Chilterns] unyieldingmoral rigidity (Ericksen 142). Sir Robert faces a moral dilemma in hiscop ing with Mrs. Cheveleys blackmail. Wilde makes a useful point inthe Sir Roberts circumstances; on one hand, Sir Robert is faced withmaking public his dark and relatively shameful past, thereineffectively nullifying Mrs. Cheveleys threats. On the other, he mustdeal with a Puritanical wife who cannot forgive anyone who has done awicked or shameful deed, including Sir Roberts possible complicity(Ericksen 141). Would an ideal husband accede to the blackmail, thereindenying his wifes request to challenge Mrs. Cheveley? In either event,Sir Roberts relationship is put in jeopardy. He can either lie to hiswife, giving in to Mrs. Cheveley and compromising his marriage, or hecan make his past public domain, marring the perfect public image hiswife so treasures. Ironically, the couples social coterie perceivesSir Robert as the ideal mate, a man who, until his blackmail, was knownfor his impeccable reputation. Even his private life with Lady Chilternwas blissfully free of blemishes. Sir Roberts reputation andrelationship with his wife, however, could have been saved by a simplelie. Had he never revealed the truth to his wife and given in to Mrs.Cheveley, giving in to her will, Lady Chiltern wouldnt have been oneto know the better. An ideal husband in this case would therefore lie;for Wilde, the Victorian moral impetus lies not with adhering to thetraditional values, but rather in maintaining the facade of keepingvalues in general. Ironically, Lady Chiltern learns of her husbandspast all the same, [castigating] him and [rejecting] his please forforgiveness (Ericksen 141). No amount of marital maneuvering can spareSir Robert. In the end, it is Lord Goring who confronts Mrs. Cheveleyabout Sir Roberts blackmail; he is the only empowered character as hespeaks and acts under no false pretenses. While he is far from perfect,chastised by his father for dancing until four oclock in themorning, Lord Goring is Wildes idealist—he is an art lover, whosewitty repartee is surpass ed only by his willingness to fight Mrs.Cheveley. One of Wildes most effective comic devices is his employment ofepigrams, and more comical still is his utilization of Vicomte deNanjacs malapropisms. The French Attachà © in London, Nanjac representsWildes interpretation of those not fortunate enough to be born elite;Nanjac is easily recognized by his adoration of society and hisAnglomania (Wilde 2004, 4). His malapropisms are a reflection of thesad attempts of many to engage in epigramic banter, the object of LordGorings successful use of epigram. A ridiculing character, WildesNanjac is one whose blind aspiration to join a society hampers hisvision and taste, therein earning him the scorn of the more capableLord Goring. Wildes assault on the Victorian bourgeois is personified best by theduality of his characters. Sir Robert, for example, presents a publicmask of absolute personal integrity but has actually built his fortuneand career upon a deception (Ericksen 144). An almost hero, Sir Robertis a manifestation of Wildes implications regarding a relativelyinnocent mans subjugation under society. Lord Arnheim, Sir Robertsformer co-conspirator, first seduces Sir Robert with his doctrine ofwealth, elucidating his view that controlling others is lifesgreatest attribute (Ericksen 142). Mrs. Cheveley displays this best asLord Arnheims theoretical protà ©gà ©e; the two are almost Machiavellianin their manipulation (Ericksen 145). Where Lord Arnheim seduced SirRobert by playing to the discrepancy between his noble birth and modestfinancial holdings, Mrs. Cheveley is absolutely ruthless in herwillingness to wreak havoc on all aspects of Sir Roberts married lifein order to secure her investments. In his surr ender to the wills ofthe two manipulators, Sir Robert becomes an ideal human, one whoseproclivity to err alienates him from society. By succumbing to the twoprominent materialists, Sir Robert embodies Wildes disdain for thefinancial drive of Victorian social coteries; contrary to theart-collecting Sir Robert, the female villain has no pleasures outsidecontrol and exploitation. Wilde addresses the lack of humanity in Victorian society, personifiedby the promulgation of perfection among the social elite. In the firstAct, Mrs. Marchmont and Lady Basildon discuss their unfortunate maritalsituation. Lord Goring notes they are married to the most admirablehusbands in London, to which Mrs. Marchmont responds that theirhusbands perfection is exactly what [they cant stand]; there isnot the smallest element of excitement in knowing [them] (Wilde 2004,10). In this sense, the true Sir Robert, the one susceptible tosuggestion and whose past compromises his future, becomes the idealhusband. Wilde suggests all Victorians wear masks, alternate identitiesthat shield them from being human and enjoying existence. The idealmarriage is manifested best by the speculative union of Mabel Chilternand Lord Goring, who at the plays close reject the common Victorianroles and morals previously discussed. Wildes Victorian surroundings were instrumental in his development ofaesthetics, but were unfortunately not tolerant of his private life. Acontroversial figure, Wilde was homosexual, and had an ongoing affairwith a younger nobleman by the name of Lord Alfred Douglas. LordDouglas father, enraged at his sons homosexual relationship withWilde, accused Wilde of being a sodomite, a grave offense in GreatBritain at the time. Though acquitted in his first of two trials, Wildewas later sentenced to serve two years hard labor on theaforementioned charges. First imprisoned in Londons Wandsworth prison,Wilde was denied pen and paper until his transfer to Reading Gaol,where he eventually wrote De Profundis. While Wilde revealed hisfascination with the figure of Christ [throughout] his literary career,only in De Profundis did he actually make [Christ] a part of hisaesthetic system (Ericksen 156). A dramatic monologue on spiritualityand society, De Profundis features several metaphors likening Wil de toChrist. Wilde felt his unjust imprisonment made him a martyr; uponinitial circulation of rumors regarding his sexuality, Wilde could haveleft London for France, therein spared persecution. Unlike Hamlet, whobecame a spectator to his own tragedy, Wilde the Christ-figureactively sought out what he perceived as his end (Wilde 2003, 28).Where Christ accepted his fate for the benefit of mankind, Wilde was aself-convinced saint and martyr for art and what he perceived to be thethreatened aesthetic movement. Having passed through every mode ofsuffering, Wilde was convinced that his redemption would be realizedthrough his incarceration and subsequent release, upon which his newfound humility would help him rise again (Wilde 2003, 4). Just asmankind would redeem itself through the trial and crucifixion of Jesus,Wilde felt society would be redeemed through his incarceration. Hecontinued, developing his incarceration to salvation, likeninggreatness to requisite sorrow. Wilde admired Jesus for having realizedhis calling as being completed, reaching fulfillment upon its end(Wilde 2003, 19). Marveling at his situation, Wilde mused on theincredulity of a young Galilean peasant imagining that he could bearon his shoulders the weight of the world, including all the worldspast sins as well as what had yet to be done and suffered (Wilde2003, 13). Jesus death and resurrection was that toward which Wildeaspired, conceding that imprisonment was most likely an act ofretribution for the fanciful and carefree life he led previously.Incarceration, then, was Wildes means of atoning for the errant lifehe might possibly have led upon his release. He hoped his relationshipwith Lord Douglas would be forgiven, and longed for societysacceptance. Wilde could claim on [his] side that if [he realized] what[he had] suffered, society should realize what it [had] in turninflicted; with a mutual cognizance shared between Wilde and society,he hoped there would be no bitterness or hate on either side (Wilde2003, 7). Just as Jesus attempted to win over his captors andaggressors through his death and resurrection, Wilde hoped to pacifysocietys enmity by paying his social dues in prison. Wilde evenlikened the course of his lifes events to those leading up to Jesusmartyrdom. For example, Jesus was given direction by God the Father andcondemned by Man. Wilde, in turn, ascribes the two great turningpoints in [his] life as when his father sent [him] to Oxford, andwhen society sent [him] to jail (Wilde 2003, 6). Wildes foreknowledgeof an impending criminal proceeding did not dissuade him, just as thedisciples could not sway Jesus acceptance and willingness to die onthe cross. Neither Wilde nor Jesus could ignore their calling, nomatter the grisly end. As a sinner, Wilde conceded that he had toaccept the fact that martyrs were equally persecuted for the good aswell as for the evil committed (Wilde 2003, 7). However similar to Jesus Wilde would assert himself to be, there weredefinite discrepancies in De Profundis that could testify to Wilde asan admirer of Jesus rather than his attempted emulator. Wildepostulated that Jesus saw Man in the same fashion as the aestheticmovement saw art; Man existed simply to exist. Wilde wrote that Christregarded sin and suffering as being [beautiful] in and of themselves,that such a notion was the dangerous idea that led Christ to hisdemise (Ericksen 157). Just like Christ, Wildes own dangerous ideathat ran against the Victorian grain was what led to his downfall.Wilde also saw his imprisonment as a period of transition. Hisindictment of the Greek gods as deities emulating humans indicatedhislife prior to imprisonment; Wilde labeled the Olympian gods as ableto reach greater heights (Wilde 2003, 17). Each Olympian representeddifferent aspects of humanity that, when indulged by Wilde, resulted inincarceration. In his simile, Wilde indirectly likens himself to eachgods moral flaws. He lauds Zeus for not being able to resist mortalmans daughters and Hera for her pride and peacocks, a catharticevaluation of the Victorian bourgeois who imprisoned him (Wilde 2003,17). Wilde also attributes his former peers to Apollo and Athena, eachof whom failed to forgive. Apollo slaughtered the mortal Niobes sons,leaving Niobe childless for her hubris in claiming her childrenrivaled the offspring of Leto (the mother of Apollo and Artemis);Athena turned Arachne into a spider for having claimed to be moreskilled with the loom than the goddess of wisdom and crafts (Wilde2003, 17). In describing the society that bore him, Wilde becomesimperfect, as his reformation requires penance as a medium of change.By attributing himself and his society to the Greek gods, Wildedifferentiates himself from Jesus. Jesus never required crucifixion toattain perfection—he was born perfect and lived without sin. Wilde, onthe other hand, is punished not on behalf of ano ther (though it can besurmised that his imprisonment kept the young, impressionable LordDouglas out of jail), but for his own social transgressions. Wilde alsoheld great contempt for Lord Douglas, as De Profundis was more ascathing letter from a jilted lover than a philosophical testament toWildes self-improvement. Wilde often lamented his situation, spitefulthat for him, the beautiful world of color and motion [had] been takenaway, while Bosie (Lord Douglas) walked free among the flowers(Gardiner 145). De Profundis becomes conciliatory towards its end,however, as Wilde follows through with his original assessment thatterrible was what the world did to [him], but worse still was what[he] did to [himself] (Wilde 2003, 3). Unlike Jesus, Wilde is somewhatself-hating, embittered by his social persecution despite his greatcontributions in the aesthetic movement. His imprisonment wasultimately brought on by his own charges; following his falling outwith the Marquess of Queensbury (Lord Do uglas father), Wilde pressedlibel charges and lost, opening himself up to legal scrutiny. In theend, it was his own defense that cost him his freedom, unlike Jesus wholived to die, fully cognizant of an inescapable fate. Though heexperienced a form of martyrdom, Wildes self-comparisons to Jesus arelimited, and he shifts from indirectly likening his life and its recentevents to those of Jesus to aspiring to become Jesus-like (in essence,more Christian). Rather than claim to follow in Jesus footsteps, Wildepurports that he has suffered just as Jesus suffered, and in doing sobecame a better man just as Jesus did. Wilde claims to have become adeeper man is the privilege of those who have suffered (Wilde 2003,21). Despite Wildes De Profundis presentation of himself as Jesus,there are a great number of instances that involve his own supplicationbefore and admiration of Jesus as opposed to his presumption ofequality with Jesus. Wilde admires Christ for his refusal to stone MaryMagdalene, b ringing shame on her persecutorsin his statement suggesting that those without sin cast the stones tocondemn her. In his tirade against the Victorian bourgeois, Wilde alsovenerates Christ for advocating the poor; Wilde described prison assomething that earns sympathy from the poor and earns the rich thestatus of pariah (Wilde 2003, 2). The poor, Wilde argued, were asimpler people who were closer to perfection. Jesus, after all, was notborn rich, but the son of a poor carpenter. In the waning years of hisimprisonment, Wilde began to consider his incarcerated state as areturn to simplicity, and in simplicity becoming closer to perfection. Wildes comparison to Christ was perhaps overtaken by the method inwhich he transformed Christ, reinterpreting him as an artisticpersonality (Ericksen 156). It is odd that Wilde would place Jesus onsuch a pedestal, as he remained an avowed agnostic until the twilightof his life. In fact, Wilde goes out of his way to denigrate theChristian faithful to a degree, describing his faith as somethingsuperior because it is tangible, that his gods dwell in temples madewith hands; Wilde asserts that only within [actual] experience is[his] life complete (Wilde 2003, 5). Wildes adulation could also beconstrued as a comparison of himself with Christ as a purely literaryfigure; his assertions were not hubris, but merely the lamentations ofa writer recognizing a universally acclaimed protagonist in the worldsmost renowned tragedy. By placing Jesus in the context of a literaryfigure rather than reading Wildes comparisons from a religiousperspective, the reader is further able to understand the contex t inwhich Wilde worked. Wilde never deified himself, though he did perceivehimself as a defiant artist intensely conscious of his cultural roleas an innovator of art (Erickson 13). De Profundis waivers between theveneration of Christ and the open advocating of agnostics, with Wildeoften professing that agnosticism has its martyrs and should reap itssaints just as Christianity has (Wilde 2003, 5). In this respect,Wilde transcends the figure of Jesus in his simplicity; Jesus deathand the events of his life were a leap of faith, whereas Wildes beliefsystem and his life, cultural contributions, scandals, and downfallwere historically documented. His actual experiences previouslydiscussed were in themselves defined as real in their sorrow. For a manwhose fop and dandy were all encompassing, Wildes redemption wouldnot be nearly as invigorating as that of Christ (Gardiner 15). WhereChrist was promised a seat at the right hand of God Himself, Wildesfuture upon release was one of almost guar anteed estrangement. Wildes homoerotic imagery and context are unique; they served as aneffective device in the establishment of Dorian as both an evilcharacter and one manipulated by another. The homoeroticism, forexample, first serves to establish Dorian in a protective love affairwith Basil, where Dorian is portrayed as innocent, his face bright withthe naà ¯vetà © that can only be attributed to youth. That Dorian is drawnto Lord Henry in a sexual manner makes his fall from grace all the moredecadent, giving the reader the impression that Dorian was stolenaway from the clutches of youthful exuberance. Without the homoeroticsubtext, there would be no logical explanation for Lord Henrysattraction to Dorian, or Dorians willingness to follow Lord Henry.Though Dorian could be portrayed as having left Basil behind so as toaspire to greater social heights, the manner in which Wilde useshomosexual tensions prompts the reader to make different conclusions,ones that are steeped in suspicion and communicated i n whispers. Thetaboo of same-sex relationships is cast aside with the introduction ofSybil, but it remains in the back of the readers mind, solidified byseveral characters effeminate preoccupation with physical beauty.Wildes own sexuality manifests itself in three stages among the threemale characters; first, the image of Basil, the affirmed homosexual wholives a detached life. Second is the image of Lord Henry, the privatehomosexual who is an irrevocable face in the local coterie. Third isthe image of Dorian, who begins innocently, but upon realization of hishomosexuality and his attempt to become assimilated into societyperishes against his own will. Wildes sexuality is thereforeinstrumental in The Picture of Dorian Gray. The Importance of Being Earnest is a reflection of Wildes duality;contrary to Dorian, who cannot exist detached from or assimilated intosociety, Jack is an amalgamation of Basil and Lord Henry. His dual lifeis revealed, but only by another who also wishes to take part in socialduplicity. In The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde communicates theimpetus of self-truth as a panacea for unhappiness. Both Algernon andJack are happiest as Ernest as they are free to act as they wish.Unhampered by the Victorian society that constricts them, the twoerstwhile-Ernests move, speak, and do as they please. The elaboratelengths to which Jack resorts is a reflection of the life Wilde musthave led behind his familys back; when Jack assumes the role ofErnest, he risks crossing his stories, getting his two livesintertwined in the form of Cecily and Gwendolen meeting. Here, Wildessexuality affects both Algernon, the representation of the dandy andfop, and Jack, whose secret life is a metaphor for homose xualityrepressed. Both are hampered by Victorian restrictions; Algernon facedthe shirking of his familial duties, whereas Jack had to remain a modelindividual for his supposedly sheltered ward to follow. Only Jack is inperil of being discovered, however; Wilde attempts to communicate theimportance of being true to ones self, as Jack is the only characterof the two men to assume an entirely new identity. As Algernon uses hisfabricated person as an excuse to leave his surroundings, he is neverput into the same dilemmas as Jack. In the case of The Importance of Being Earnest, Wildes sexual constraint was an important factor inanalyzing the play. Wildes aestheticism was highly influenced by his sexuality. Heapproached aestheticism the same way he approached his male relations,perceiving art simply to observe beauty. Beauty to Wilde is exactlywhat Dorian was to Basil; beauty was a necessity, something Wilde couldnot do without. In his attempts to articulate aesthetics, Wilde mayhave gotten lost in his purpose. Victorian thought was the standardagainst which to rebel, begging the question of Wildes motives. Washis aesthetic perspective a manifestation of a new dimension of hisanti-Victorian sentiment? Wilde often satirized other aesthetics,claiming that he would only attack the unmanly oddities whichmasquerade in its likeness (Gardiner 43). The irony behind Wildessatirizing contention is that determining those who are unmanlyoddities requires the same logical selection process as mandated byVictorian interpretation. For example, a Victorian observing art wouldemploy criterion to evaluate the piece as a decent work of art.Simila rly, Wildes decision as to what constitutes aesthetic thoughtwould require criterion to evaluate the thought or work purported to bepart of the aesthetic movement. While Wildes sexuality was onlyeffectively used to correlate Hellenistic antiquity, it still wasuseful in understanding the shift in perception. Whether or not Wildecame to the conclusion that the Victorian system was inferior,subsequently adopting aestheticism is a different instance than Wildeadopting aestheticism solely to oppose the Victorian system. Moral implications are much more concrete than art interpretation; inAn Ideal Husband, Wilde does not attempt to spoon-feed his audiencehomoerotic suggestion. Instead, Wilde focuses on Victorian society as awhole, portraying it in the superficial light he felt appropriate. ThePuritanical attitudes relayed by Lady Chiltern are portrayed asimpossible standards. The ideal husband is then the imperfect,unpredictable man who concedes to his own weaknesses. This is bestevidenced by Wildes warmer tone toward Lady Basildon and Mrs.Marchmont, an almost sympathetic tone to their plight of drab husbandsand perfect marriages. Wildes sexuality does not traditionally comeinto play. However, when perceiving homosexuality as an imperfectionPuritan society shuns, Wildes sexuality fits well but lacks thecreative outlet to fully present itself as a viable factor. Thoughsexuality was an important part of Wildes works, it was notinstrumental in the proprietary An Ideal Husband. However, Wilde didsuccessf ully present himself in the form of Lord Goring, the dandy ofthe play. Moral implications in An Ideal Husband had little do withsexuality, but had everything to do with Wildes disdain of theVictorian bourgeois social circles. Wilde as a Christ figure is a notion that draws several conclusions.First, it is not Wildes sexuality that likens him to Jesus. Wildessexuality comes into play only as the factor of his persona that earnedhim persecution and eventual prison time. Simultaneously, Wilde as aChrist figure was a feasible notion only in his martyrdom for art;where Christ was nailed to a cross, died, and was reborn, Wilde wasimprisoned, was released, and reborn. Wildes speculation on his newlifestyle post prison-release was one of humility, much in the samemanner as Jesus humility throughout the history of his encounters withhis disciples. A somewhat wanton display of hubris, Wildes Christcomparisons are a bit lofty and overly ambitious. Wilde perceivesChrist from an agnostic point of view, evidenced by his relativeflexibility in putting himself in the same contact as the Son of God.However, both Jesus and Wilde shared parallels, such as the eventsleading up to their incarcerations. Oscar Wildes homoerotic texts, aesthetics, Christ comparisons andmoral implications were largely the result of his sexuality, though itcan be argued equally as effectively that Wildes writing was affectedby anti-Victorian sentiment. Had he been alive now, in an age wherehomosexuality is often as accepted as racial differences, it isunlikely that he would have gained the notoriety that he did while inprison and following his release. Though he died a pauper, Wildesworks were revolutionary in their latent content, the dandy style, andthe fact that they addressed issues such as homosexuality in a timewhere society was becoming steadily more conservative. As with anyauthor, Wildes works are best understood when taking intoconsideration his biography and history, including his sexuality. Ericksen, Donald H. Oscar Wilde. Boston: G.K. Hall Co., 1977. Gardiner, Juliet. Oscar Wilde: A Life in Letters, Writings, and Wit. Collins Brown, Ltd., 1995. Gaunt, William. The Aesthetic Adventure. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Co., 1945. Hoare, Philip. Oscar Wildes Last Stand: Decadence, Conspiracy, and theMost Outrageous Trial of the Century. New York, Arcade Publishing,Inc., 1997. Wilde, Oscar. An Ideal Husband. Champaign: Project Gutenberg Press,2004. Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. Champaign: Project Gutenberg Press,2003. Wilde, Oscar. The Decay of Lying. [online] Available at:www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E800003-009/text002.html Cork: Corpus ofElectronic Texts, 1997. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Champaign: Project Gutenberg Press, 2005.

Essay on The Dystopia in Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids...

The Dystopia in Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale Offred is a Handmaid in what used to be the United States, now the theocratic Republic of Gilead. In order to create Gileads idea of a more perfect society, they have reverted to taking the Book of Genesis at its word. Women no longer have any privileges; they cannot work, have their own bank accounts, or own anything. The also are not allowed to read or even chose who they want to marry. Women are taught that they should be subservient to men and should only be concerned with bearing children. Margaret Atwood writes The Handmaids Tale (1986) as to create a dystopia. A dystopia is an imaginary place where the condition of life is extremely bad, from deprivation, oppression, or†¦show more content†¦The Commanders characters show the reader how even men who do get privileges, such as ownership and the ability to read, are unhappy with the society. Another example is Ofglen. Ofglen is Offreds shopping partner who is a member of Mayday, which is an underground organization dedicated to overthrowing Gilead. Although Ofglen and Offred are shopping partners, they hardly know anything about each other. Ofglen doesnt know if Offred is part of the resistance and asks her during one of their shopping trips. This is the conversation, I thought you were a true believer, [Ofglen] says. I thought you were, I say. You were always so stinking pious. So were you, I reply. You can join us, she says (page 168). This is the conversation where Ofglen tells about her part in the resistance. Ofglen is an important character in Awoods creation of dystopia because she is the one who adds the idea that there are multitudes of people who hate the way the republic is handling things. She is the one who says that there is an underground resistance and that by trying to make a better world, Gilead has actually made things a whole lot worse. 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