A Literary Analysis of the Sweet Hereafter Essay

In the final section of the novel, The Sweet Hereafter, Banks seems to be using the demolition derby setting as a place for everyone to meet and see just exactly how things have changed in the town of Sam Dent since the tragic bus accident that happened the previous winter. It serves as a place that can be compared and contrasted with how the townspeople act this year versus the previous years. It is also a place where most everyone in the town comes annually. It may be told through Dolores’ perspective but she gives the reader an idea of exactly how different of an experience it is for her this year from last year. She also eludes through her narration how specific people are different this year. The most significant change in a person that I was able to notice was the change in Billy Ansel. Dolores commented on how he was drunk when she saw him at the demolition derby. He was carrying a flask with him and had a woman with him that was, as Dolores commented, â€Å"Not the sort of woman you’d expect to see in Billy Ansel’s company† (233). Dolores described the way Billy used to be by saying that he â€Å"had been a noble man; and now he was ruined† (235). I could tell differences in Billy as well. The first thing that tipped me off about how he was acting was that he was cursing profusely. Before all of this happened he would curse, but at the demolition derby it was like he couldn’t go for an entire sentence without cursing. Russell Banks did a very good job of changing the dialogue that came about in a conversation with Billy Ansel. It really gave me a sense of giving up. It seems to me that Billy has given up. He no longer is trying to be the pillar of strength that he used to be. He doesn’t hide the fact that he is a drunk and he doesn’t seem to care very much about the woman he is with. These are some very big changes in Billy. He is clearly a wounded and beaten man. I think that Dolores summed it up perfectly when she said, â€Å"I looked across to Billy Ansel and realized that what frightened and saddened me most about him was that he no longer loved anybody. All the man had was himself. And you can’t love only yourself†(237). Another reason why I think that Banks put Dolores at the Demolition Derby was to give her a chance to reflect upon all the other lives that were affected by the tragic accident. She goes on for two pages about all the people who  were different now. The Walkers were getting a divorce, the Lamstons were on welfare, the Bilodeaus and Atwaters were in jail for dealing drugs, and the Ottos were isolating themselves from the world. Because Dolores was in this situation with all the townspeople shunning her, it served as the perfect time and place to wrap up exactly what has become of the survivors and the families of the victims. Overall, the county fair and demolition derby was the perfect place to end the novel. It brought everyone together again because it was an annual event that the whole town attended. It served as a comparison to the past years when it would be in town. When you go to an event every year such as this you tend to know what to expect. This year Dolores had no idea and that scared her. The whole time she was there she was making then and now comparisons of the people who she saw. The reflections and comparisons are a perfect way to show exactly how affected by the accident the people of Sam Dent were. It seems to me that this town has given up just as Billy Ansel did. Dolores says, â€Å"All over town there were empty houses and trailers for sale that last winter had been homes with families in them. A town needs its children, just as much and in the same ways as a family does. It comes undone without them, turns a community into a windblown scattering of isolated individuals† (236). This is the way that I see this town as well. It definitely resembles what I would think that a windblown scattering of isolated individuals would look like. Clearly this accident has affected the whole town in a way that might never be repaired. And the last section that takes place at the demolition derby was a place for them all to come together and show each other exactly how different it all was.

Ideology vs. united church of Canada’s advertisement Essay

Ideology is a ‘Representation’ of the Imaginary Relationship of Individuals to their Real Conditions of Existence — Louis Althusser, 1970 Many companies use advertisement as their way of attracting customers. They tend to create ideological perspective within their advertisements to show their stand on the society’s standards. Most of the time, advertisements are made for women. If men and babies’ needs were advertised, women are still part of it. It shows that in the ideology of the society, women are the determiner or the decision-maker of what should be use as a necessity or luxury. This is what advertisement for, it radicalize the essence of what is important and necessary. Advertising is significant because, in consumer capitalism, individuals depend on it for meanings — a source of social information embedded in commodities that mediate interpersonal relations and personal identity. Advertising should therefore be conceived as an important institution in the consumer society because it produces â€Å"patterned systems of meaning† which play a key role in individual socialization and social reproduction. However, in the context of ideology and advertisement as a whole, advertisements are made because we want to prove something or we want to impose a law on a certain aspect of the society. Through this, we could be able to spread our ideas and perspectives towards different issues and arguments that exist in the society today. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze a certain advertisement in connection to the Ideological State Apparatus of Louis Althusser to determine its meaning and rationalization. The chosen advertisement is a child advertisement. The advertisement showed a picture of a baby with a medical wristband stating â€Å"WARNING: some re-assembly of priorities and beliefs may be required. † This advertisement suggests that parenthood is not an easy thing. As parents, people tend to view life more seriously. Once a baby is born, everything will change not according to plan but according to responsibility. Wandercafe. ca stated in the advertisement that â€Å"parenthood changes everything – including how you view the world. † Most often, this scenario happens if the baby is a wanted child because if it is not, parents tend to disregard their responsibility towards their children especially the fathers. Nevertheless, being a parent is a gift from God as we all know. In the perspective of the society and our culture, we view parenthood as a form of required responsibility. Once a child is born, we need to settle our priorities as based on the needs of the child and would not focus on our necessities and luxuries. In poor families, even if the parents could not eat, as long as their child has its milk, problem would not exist. This situation shows that parents can do everything and anything just to make their child safe and healthy. This is what the advertisement is trying to impose – parenthood is an obligation that should be taken into consideration because it requires re-assemble of priorities and beliefs. In the perspective of ideology and advertisement, this advertisement can be said as part of the Ideological State Apparatus (ISA). According to Louis Althusser (1970), an Ideological State Apparatus is a certain number of realities which present themselves to the immediate observer in the form of distinct and specialized institution. Because the advertisement came from the people of the United Church of Canada, it can be said as a religious Ideological State Apparatus. He also stated that the distinction of ISAs from (Repressive) State Apparatus is that the Repressive State Apparatus functions ‘by violence’, whereas the ideology State Apparatus function ‘by ideology’. This is the fact that the (Repressive) State Apparatus functions massively and predominantly by repression (including physical repression), while functioning secondarily by ideology. (There is no such thing as a purely repressive apparatus.)†¦ In the same way, but inversely, it is essential to say that for their part the Ideological State Apparatuses function massively and predominantly by ideology, but they also function secondarily by repression, even if ultimately, but only ultimately, this is very attenuated and concealed, even symbolic. (Althusser 1970) Advertisement has different impact to society and its institutions such as education, culture, and religion. In the chosen advertisement, these three factors exist as they give contribution to the perspective and ideology of the ad. It was seen through different aspects and reasons. In the institution of education, this advertisement educate people especially parents to become aware with their responsibilities and obligations towards their child or children because it was the most important thing that should be taken into account. When it comes to culture, it shows the stand of the society when it comes to parenthood because this is part of the culture – parents should abide by the rule of the law that they should love their children for they have conceived them. In the religious institution or the church, this advertisement shows what is right in opposition to evil. Church stated that parents should do their obligations not by their choice but by the rule of the church because it was the teaching of God. In the pre-capitalist historical period which I have examined extremely broadly, it is absolutely clear that there was one dominant Ideological State Apparatus, the Church, which concentrated within it not only religious functions, but also educational ones, and a large proportion of the functions of communications and ‘culture’. It is no accident that all ideological struggle, from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, starting with the first shocks of the Reformation, was concentrated in an anti-clerical and anti-religious struggle; rather this is a function precisely of the dominant position of the religious Ideological State Apparatus. (Althusser 1970) In the chosen advertisement, Church is dominant and ‘repressive’ in some angle because it tried to impose a law or a rule. It was shown in the medical wristband of the baby. Using the word â€Å"warning† is an implication of notice that there must be an action to consider. The ideology of the advertisement is actually true when it comes to responsibilities of the parents but the Church overpowers the parents on what they should do and act. Though it was just a simple warning, capitalism can be seen based on its attack and point of justification. As a whole, the advertisement means more than what it wanted to say. The ideology of the church can be said as a form of repression or simply a justification of what is true as based on the standard of the society. Advertisement has different meanings based on the perceiver. It was the audience’s obligation to perceive the advertisement on their own context and ideology. Ideology is innate for all of us. It should not be taken for granted because it is an armor of our thinking, rights, and stand towards the rules and laws of the society. Culture, education, and church are underlying institutions that we need to consider in analyzing a certain advertisement because these factors are the most important aspects of humanity whether we oppose or consider their specificities from the past, present, and future civilization. Works Cited Althousser, Louis. Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses. La Pensee, 1970. 27 November 2007 http://www. marxists. org/reference/archive/althusser/1970/ideology. htm Wandercafe. ca. baby. 27 November 2007 Harms, John and Kellner, Douglas. â€Å"Toward A Critical Theory of Advertising. † Illumination. (n. d. ) 27 November 2007 .

Quality Management (2) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Quality Management (2) - Essay Example In the gradual process that led to its eventual improvement and landmark accomplishments, AS had to address the following challenges to its operations: In finding solutions to the above problems, AS made effective use of quality strategic planning in linking its corporate objectives with customers’ needs. Guided by its long-term strategic goals, AS then modified its organizational structure, relying on teams to fuel productivity. Managerial support, sound incentive programs, and an over-all corporation culture of information sharing and integration has made AS succeed as a model in TQM application. Total Quality Management was formally introduced in the post-war era by W. Edwards Deming, Joseph M .Juran and Philip B. Crosby, with the theories they established on management for quality in manufacturing systems. Since then the tenets of TQM have been adopted for application in services and commercial operations. Companies have met with either success or failure, depending on the manner they have incorporated these principles in their processes. For the purposes of this study, focus will be drawn on Boeing Aerospace Support, a large multinational organization which, despite its size, complexity, and product technicality, has continued to serve its customers well, maintain excellent employee motivation, and enjoy a progressively robust performance. Boeing Aerospace Support (also known as AS) is a subsidiary of the Boeing Company, which in turn is the largest aerospace company in the world. Boeing Aerospace provides products and services, among them aircraft maintenance, modification and repair. It also undertakes training for aircrews and maintenance staff, in a bid to reduce life-cycle costs and improve the effectiveness and safety of their aircraft. A huge part – ninety-seven percent – of Aerospace’s business is for military customers. The company has a workforce of 13,000 employees; it has its headquarters in St. Louis,

Pasta Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pasta - Essay Example Considering that pasta is made from healthy items like wheat and corn and that it is relatively cheaper, â€Å"total U.S. consumption rose 0.4 percent by volume, according to The Nielsen Co (cited in The Associated Press). With the inflation speeding up through out the American grocery stores a few years back, pasta suddenly became the top priority of American public concerning food. Chief executives of many pasta companies in US claim that the way sales of other goods got reduced, pasta sales did not reduce as commodity prices jumped up which shows that American people certainly do not know what to do without pasta (Twiddy). Availability in a wide variety of attractive shapes makes pasta a favorite item of the American cuisine presently. Nutritional value, great taste, and economical value majorly contribute to pasta’s popularity in America. According to the American Pasta Report, â€Å"77% of the 1,003 Americans surveyed said they eat pasta at least once a week, while a third eat it three or more times a week† (New Taste Dimensions Foods, Inc). Concluding, pasta remains highly popular food item in America because it is everything what any food item is required to be since it is cheap, tasty, and nutritious. The interesting thing about the research is that pasta pairs quite harmoniously with recession as well, which I did not know before. The Associated Press. â€Å"Forget the carbs, pasta pairs well with recession.† Msnbc.com. 21 Jan. 2009. Web. 01 Dec. 2011.

Gender Identities, Stardom and the Italian Popular Music Essay

Gender Identities, Stardom and the Italian Popular Music - Essay Example This "Gender Identities, Stardom and the Italian Popular Music" essay outlines the gender stereotypes in the music industry specifically in Italian one. It is obvious that stardom is linked to the notion of spectacle which means that it is not possible to achieve stardom without doing something spectacular. The relationship between music and spectacle is a difficult one as the lyrics alone may not create powerful attraction. Te singer has to tactfully perform in order to create spectacle. The singer has to evolve as a performer to manipulate the viewers with the use of specific gestures and language. Music making is a craft and artists tend to use different criteria to gain the attention of the audience. One of their techniques is to manipulate their appearances to attract the viewers that are playing with their gender. They often do it by adopting features similar to their opposite sex. Contrary to Jackqueline Warwick, who argues that pop stars are feminine, a phenomenon that may be restricted to male pop stars but not to female artists. In the case of female pop stars, they tend to imitate masculinity in their performances to become the centre of attraction. Gender criterion has played a vital role in the construction of stardom. Male and female singers get different reception from the audience due to their gender identities because the conventional and widespread perceptions about the roles of men and women have made some specific boundaries for the performances and approached of men and women when they perform in media.

Discussion Questions Week 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Discussion Questions Week 1 - Essay Example Implementation of a new technology into an organization needs careful consideration mainly because its introduction is designed to affect the various existing processes and may create conflicting interests and adversely affecting the performance of the organization. It is therefore, advisable to have an established process which would take cognizance of interrelated and diverse processes and create conducive environment that would facilitate easy implementation of the new technology and helps to streamline the various existing and new processes that are introduced while introducing new technology. SDLC process is an integral part of management information system serving as the centralized monitoring system that coordinates and supports the rest of the functions and user requirements in order to help the organization to achieve all its strategic goals and objectives. Hence, the initial phase of feasibility study is the most important phase as it is the decisive factor that decides the appropriateness of the new technology for the organization. The rest of the implementation phases are equally important as they help to adapt to a new system smoothly and efficiently, promoting understanding. Though all the phases of pre and post implementation processes of new technology are important, it is important to understand that new technology always disturbs the existing organizational system and its culture. Hence the introduction of new technology may not always be received with enthusiasm and full acceptance. It often inculcates insecurity among the staff and misunderstanding about various aspects of the new technology may promote conflicts within the organization. Hence, before introducing new technology, dissemination of information is an important phase that must be included prior to the introduction of new technology. This would not only help alleviate most of the insecurities and anxiety of its people but they

The Vietnam War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Vietnam War - Research Paper Example The war resulted in over 2 million civilian casualties and came to an end with the defeat of South Vietnam and (but) eventually the country was unified (Pillai). The roots of the war date back to the colonial rule of Vietnam by the French. During World War II, the Japanese defeated the French and took control of Vietnam after which despite several attempts the French failed to reimpose their colonial rule. After a 9 year struggle (from 1946 to 1954) of the Vietnamese Army for independence against the French colonial rule, the Geneva Accords of 1954 divided the country into North and South Vietnam. After the partition, North Vietnam was supported by China and The Soviet Union and South Vietnam was obviously supported by the United States. United States President Dwight Eisenhower and Vice-President Richard Nixon justified their support for the South Vietnam by putting forward the Domino Theory, which said that if one country falls to communism the others in the region would follow suit and then communism would spread rapidly across the world (Domino Theory). The war took off when a Pro-American Ngo Dinh Diem came to power in South Vietnam. He was anti-communist and was a perfect candidate to be supported by the United States for their plan to establish an anti-communist government in the South. Diem was popular amongst the Catholics in Vietnam but he faced serious resistance by the non-Christians Vietnamese. To keep Diem in power, the U.S started sending exorbitant amounts of military aid to protect Diem’s regime.... It was fought between the North Vietnam (Communist) and South Vietnam (United States). The war resulted in over 2 million civilian casualties and came to an end with the defeat of South Vietnam and (but) eventually the country was unified (Pillai). The roots of the war date back to the colonial rule of Vietnam by the French. During World War II, the Japanese defeated the French and took control of Vietnam after which despite several attempts the French failed to re-impose their colonial rule. After a 9 year struggle (from 1946 to 1954) of the Vietnamese Army for independence against the French colonial rule, the Geneva Accords of 1954 divided the country into North and South Vietnam. After the partition, North Vietnam was supported by China and Soviet Union and South Vietnam was obviously supported by the United States. United States President Dwight Eisenhower and Vice-President Richard Nixon justified their support for the South Vietnam by putting forward the Domino Theory, which s aid that if one country falls to communism the others in the region would follow suit and then communism would spread rapidly across the world (Domino Thory). The war took off when a Pro-American Ngo Dinh Diem came to power in South Vietnam. He was anti-communist and was a perfect candidate to be supported by United States for their plan to establish an anti-communist government in the South. Diem was popular amongst the Catholics in Vietnam but he faced serious resistance by the non-Christians Vietnamese. To keep Diem in power, the U.S started sending exorbitant amounts of military aid to protect Diem’s regime. This marked the American military presence in the region which increased dramatically over time. It is popular belief that Diem

Ethical Issues of companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ethical Issues of companies - Essay Example In simple words, there is more harm than gain from whistle-blowing in the current setting. As a result, this action is wrong under the utilitarianism framework. This framework states that only those actions should be taken which gives greater good to the society than the costs. In this case, there are more costs associated with the action than the benefits and hence I should be passive and let how things move on until I decide to whistle blow, which is not an option at the moment. If we look at the risks associated with whistle blowing, they are loss of jobs for employees, company's reputation at stake, my job in jeopardy and the chance that the company may lose market share against the major competitor. The gains from the action will be people would be aware about Delectable's nonexistent quality control and this can lead them into making a better choice. However, weighing the two options, one feels that there are greater risks than gains and hence I should not whistle blow. A2) the attitude of workers is purely materialistic at the moment. They are paid on piece rate and hence they want to produce as much goods as possible while ignoring the quality of what they manufacture. The policy of quality control won't be effective in the current company's culture as workers are just trying to make more goods as they are paid on the basis of how much they produce and because quality control may hinder the speed of their work, the policy won't be as effective as it will be in other settings. There are a lot of issues that the management needs to readdress looking at the attitudes of workers and supervisors on the factory floor. First of all, the management needs to incorporate in people that the workers should respect the people from higher level of hierarchy instead of blocking their work. This can be done by the management by showing them their authority and by firing those people who do not cooperate with the top brass. The main pressure is that the workers a re not willing to cooperate and the situation can only improve if either the authority is delegated to the quality control department or the management itself fires or threaten people who are hindering the efforts of the quality control department. PART B B1) The government and state faced a major challenge in the form of underfunding to deal with the health and safety issue. There is hardly any possibility that the current staff of 60 can see 16000 food businesses in Georgia. Similarly, Delectable employs thousands of people and government will be threatened to take any action against the company as it would mean loss of jobs and unemployment. However, government can counter the problem by staffing more people in order to keep check and balance on most of the businesses in the state. The government should try to encourage people and organizations to fund FDA by telling them it would improve the general condition of the food businesses in the country and ensure that their offerings are hygienic and comply with quality and control standards. Government can also encourage the businesses to act in a socially responsible way. This can be done by giving tax holidays to company where there is no quality cases recorded reported against the compa ny. The government can also levy stricter rules on food businesses which could levy harsh penalties on these business and can ask them disclose the quality and contr

Training and Development Initiatives in an Organization Essay Example for Free

Training and Development Initiatives in an Organization Essay Training and development refers to the process to obtain or transfer knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) needed to carry out a specific activity or task. It includes not just factual and explicit KSAs but also incorporates KSAs that are often difficult to articulate. Training and development will assist employees in the use of new technologies, and communicate and function better in improvised work systems. In order to meet the current and future challenges, training and development assumes a wide range of learning actions, such as training of the employees and knowledge sharing, which would then expand individual and organizational effectiveness. Thus, this would then allow the organization to fully utilize employee’s tacit and explicit knowledge and expands individual, group and organizational effectiveness. Why is Training and Development Important? Organizations are experiencing great, rapid changes due to new technologies, corporate restructuring, continuous rising competition and globalization. These factors have increased the importance of learning and capitalizing on human capital in order to have a sustained competitive advantage over the competitors. Tracey (2003) defined human capital as ‘the people that staff and operate an organization as contrasted with the financial and material resources of an organization. ’ Tracey (2003) also states that human resources refer to the organizational function that ‘deals with the people who manage, produce, market and sell the products and services of an organization. A comprehensive training and development program helps in the consideration of the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed to achieve organizational goals and to create a competitive advantage. (Peteraf 1993) Training and development process has assumed a strategic role in organizations. (Stavrou et al. 2004; Apospori et al. 2008). Apospori et al. (2008) had deduced that there is a considerable impact of training on employees’ performance. With the right training and development strategy, rganizations can benefit though enhanced innovation, efficiency, productivity and improvement in the quality of products and services they will be able to provide to their customers. This will yield higher financial gains and it will definitively enhance the organization’s reputation and allow the organization to compete competitively in its industry. Organizations that are consistently and extensively creating new knowledge implements it quickly within its organization through the adoption of new technologies. These activities determine a learning organization, which realize that creation of new knowledge through training and development is becoming the key to success (Vemic, 2007). Training and Development Initiatives: How and why the relationships are expected? Given that human capital play an enormous role in an organization’s competitiveness, training and development initiatives are designed in a way that will help the organization successfully implement its strategy and reach organizational goals. Training is regarded as critical to employee skill acquisition and has been shown to improve productivity at organizational and individual levels (Bartel, 1994). Training and development does increase employment duration and continuity (Gritz, 1993) and managerial advancement. Organization managements have also realized that training and development is an imperative procedure that can contribute to employees’ increased work morale as well as increased motivation and job satisfaction. With an increased motivation and job satisfaction, this would ultimately improve employees’ performance in the organization. Studies have also shown positive relationships between training and development strategies and employees’ performance and work morale (Vemic, 2007). This is especially so as the relationship between the organization and the employee has changed tremendously over the years. There is a greater importance and value attached to employees’ contributions. In today’s society, employees play a key role towards establishing a successful organizational performance. Training and Development has Positive Impacts on Employee’s Work Morale/Motivation Studies have also found that the success of training and evelopment is directly related to the degree of employees’ motivation (Colquitt, LePine and Noe, 2000). This is because employees’ motivation/work-morale is derived from the training and development opportunities, which allow them to enhance their skills and move up the corporate ladder. Employees consider training and development a non-monetary incentive or a form of reward for an employee. (Fischer and Nunn, 1992) In addition, when employees are selected for training and development programs, it increases employees’ post-training organizational commitment, self-efficacy and training motivation. Employees tend to feel a higher job satisfaction and empowerment in their workplace. Thus, the higher the training motivation, the more the employees are willing to participate in future training and development programs and the better the employee’s work morale/motivation becomes (Tharenou, 2001). Training and Development has Positive Impacts on Employees’ Performance Training and development allows organizations to achieve management objectives, resolve issues and align cultures to their mission and values. With training and development, employees learn new skills and knowledge, such as specialized skill training, which not only increase safety and productivity but also leads to improved employees’ performance. Studies have also found that it increases efficiencies in organizational processes and an increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods. In Chart’s (2000) Exploratory Benchmark Survey, 70% of the respondents have agreed that training and development has a positive impact on their work performance and organization’s ability to improve occupancy and overall financial profitability. In addition, well-trained employees are also happier with their jobs and are more likely to stay, hence increasing the retention rate in the organization (Berta, 2001). Theoretical Gap: Training and Development can have Negative Impact on Employees’ Performance and Work Morale However, training and development can also have negative impact on employees’ performances and work morale. In every organization, there are underrepresented groups who have fewer hours of training and development than others. Some are even deprived of training and development opportunities. For example, research has found that women are likely to gain fewer hours per year of training and development than men because they are at lower managerial levels. It could also be due to the fact that mostly female employees are having additional responsibilities from their families. Similarly, those with disabilities and from non-English-speaking backgrounds are found to have less training and development opportunities. Secondly, studies have also suggested that employees who are not selected for training and development programs will feel a high and intense level of deprivation in the organization. When employees are deprived of training and development opportunities, they tend to reflect on the loss and the valence of the outcome. This reflection leads to thoughts about how their outcomes could have been different if they were given the opportunity to participate in the organizations’ training and development programs (Epstude Roese, 2008). This would then lead to the recognition and resentment of this deprivation. Deprived employees will then start evaluating the unfairness and their disadvantaged situation. As a result, it further decreases their intention to participate in future training and development initiatives, as they feel resentful. Therefore, deprived employees may perceive unfairness in the organization’s structure and this will negatively affect and impact on their work performance and work morale/motivation. Lastly, training and development can also have negative impact on employees’ work morale/motivation especially when employees have participated in the training and development courses but there is no sense of self-efficacy in the workplace and employees feel alienation. In this case, employees’ work-morale/motivation is measured at a higher level such as the responsibilities given to the employees, the avoidance of routine tasks and the employees’ participation in organization’s decisions and strategic planning. Instead of feeling motivated after training and development, if the employee is not given the recognition or the desired opportunities to take up distinguished leadership roles in the organization, they become resentful, which will then affect their work morale and result in negative work performance (Pettigrew, 2002). Conclusion Overall, this research takes a step towards better understanding of the extent to how training and development initiatives in an organization can impact on employees’ performance and work morale/motivation. As the global economy becomes increasingly knowledge based, the acquisition and development of human capital has become increasingly essential to firm’s sustainability and success. Organizations often carefully select workers who are willing and eager to participate in training and development initiatives. However, organizations must have a better understanding about what their employees want to learn and improve in (Maxey, 2002). In addition, organizations should also provide equal and fair advancement opportunities to all employees within the organization, regardless of factors such as gender and work experience. Based on the above analysis, future research should focus on employees’ motivation for training and development. This would allow organizations to better identify the various reasons their employees are motivated to attend training and development programs. With a better understanding in this area, organizations can utilize these motivational factors to increase employees’ willingness and desire to participate in training and development programs. As such, this can then improve their work-morale and work performance. In addition, future research should focus on how to establish a fair training and development procedures as these procedures are important cues to employees about their worth within the organization and it also communicates respect and value to their employees (Smith Tyler, 1996).

The Kite Runner Essay Example for Free

The Kite Runner Essay The kite runner is a novel about change. Change is defined as passing from one phase to another. In this novel, it is shown that change is inevitable and no matter how hard you try to suppress the past it will always re-surface. Khaled Hossieni portrays change through settings, relationships and the character of Amir. The techniques used to depict these changes are the three-part structure, emotive language and descriptive language. Change in the setting is powerful as it shows the significant impact on the life of the narrator. The change of settings in the kite runner gives historical perspective and introduces the culture of Afghanistan, where ethnicity, religion and class play a major role in the conflicts of the story. The novel begins with the time and place of ‘December 2001’ in San Francisco. Evidence is shown in the quote â€Å"I went for a walk along Spreckels Lake on the northern edge of gold gate park. It then immediately dates back to an â€Å"overcast day in the winter of 1975† to an event that occurred in an alley when he was twelve years old. This event is important in the novel as it foreshadows a major aspect that has been affecting Amir for the last 26 years. This is shown in the quote â€Å"I became the man I am today at the age of twelve† and the quote â€Å" I knew it wasn’t just Rahim khan on the line. It was my past of un-atoned sins†. The use of unatoned sins provides us that the book will reveal what amir had done in his past life that was so sinful. The three-part structure shows change as a circle of life and how life has many rises and falls. This is shown through the use of dates and jumping of years. Change in relationships in the novel is powerful as it establishes the themes of the novel. Amir and Baba’s relationship introduces an aspect in the novel of how delicate their connection to each other is and how easily it can transition to a negative relation. Amir grows up used to getting what he wants except for the only thing he is deprived and he wants so desperately is baba’s affection. Amir takes the burden of blaming himself as to why Baba doesn’t give him affection because he killed his mother during childbirth. While Baba doesn’t give him affection because he wishes amir was more like him. The quote â€Å"I’ve never laid a hand on you, amir but if you ever say that again†¦.. You bring me shame† is very powerful as it displays how sensitive amir and baba’s relationship is that just by amir asking a question it has ruined their connection to each other. The use of emotive language shows the change of amir and baba’s relationship when you compare it to the end of the book when Baba realizes that Amir is finally happy. Evidence is shown in the quote â€Å"I could see his internal smile, as wide as the skies of Kabul on nights when the poplars shivered and the sound of crickets swelled in the gardens†. The Change in character in the novel is powerful as it displays how issues in the novel conflict to how a person’s life can be changed for better or for worse. In the beginning of the novel, amir is reminiscing back on how he had become such a troubled adult and how he had been scared to stand up for others. Throughout the book we see that amir is basically a good boy, doesn’t get into trouble and is also a good man when he grows up to become an adult, he takes care of his father, has a job and also takes care of his loving wife. But he does make a lot of mistakes in his quest to receive his father’s love and affection. This is discovered in a quote from chapter 7 â€Å"maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba†. The relationship between Baba and Amir effect Amir’s life to the extent that he is willing to sacrifice his relationship with Hassan and Ali by placing his birthday money and a watch that was given to him by his father under Hassan’s mattress to frame Hassan of stealing it just so he could be with Baba. But to his surprise, Baba doesn’t get rid of Ali and Hassan but forgives Hassan for stealing. The birthday money and the watch is significant in the novel as it reappears later in the story when Amir goes back to Afghanistan and stays at poor families house and gives the children of the poor family his watch and leaves some money under his mattress the next morning. The reoccurrence of the watch and money is important in Amir’s change of character, as it has showed us that he has become selfless by putting the money under the mattress but for the right reasons. The use of descriptive language shows the change of Amir’s character when compared to how evolves from being selfish to selfless. This can be identified in the quote â€Å"I remember Wahid’s boys†¦ I realized something: I would not leave Afghanistan without finding Sohrab†. In conclusion the change in setting is shown through the significant impact of the life of the narrator as he tries to run away from his past by moving to America but was ineffective as it resurfaced and he had to redeem himself by going back to Afghanistan to suppress his unwanted memory of Amir being ‘asseffed’. The change in relationship of Amir and Baba is shown through the significant use of emotive language throughout the novel. It introduces an aspect in the novel of how their relationship is poor, as they couldn’t get along with each other. The change in character of Amir in the novel is displayed through the use of descriptive language. It gives the audience a characteristic view of how Amir changes from being a coward to being courageous and saving Sohrab from Assef at the end of the book.

History of Border Patrol in the US

History of Border Patrol in the US Introduction Turn on the television today and one of the stories popular in the media is President Trump’s border wall which is aimed at curbing crimes. One of the crimes in question is illegal immigration primarily along the southern border.   To members of Congress, Mexico presents a threat to the United States. Although, in a broad sense, this can be perceived as unfair, or even unjust; however, from a perspective of breaking U.S. immigration laws, there is a justifiable reason for the perception.   Every year the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) apprehends millions of individuals who enter the United States illegally. Of those â€Å"apprehensions 90% were made along the United States–Mexico border† (Guerette, & Clarke, 2005, p 161).   The Southern Border has been the focus of political debate for years. Since the early 90’s, border enforcement along the border has increased dramatically in terms of manpower, and budget. The amount of money spent on border patrol has the annual budget of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has increased from â€Å"$363 million to more than $3.8 billion† (The Cost, 2007, p. 1).   Ã‚  Operating with over sixty thousand employees, Customs and Border Patrol has the important task of securing the homeland by enforcing laws and depriving access of weapons and terrorists access to the U.S.   Impressively the agency can accomplish this mission without disrupting international travel and trade (About, 2018).   The following paper focuses on a brief history of Customs and Border Patrol and their role in diverting illegal immigration, and methods used to keep America safe. A Brief History Even though it was the early 1900’s, the United States still had an influx of immigration.   Men apart of the U.S. Immigration Service defended the border to deter unlawful border passing. This was not a permanent mission as patrols were only conducted when man power and assets were available (Border, 2017). Understanding something needed to be done to keep track of these individuals, Congress passed the 1907 Immigration Act.   This law required all immigrants and non-citizens to enter the United States at designated ports of entry. The law tightened down border measures by making it mandatory each person had to be inspected and receive authorization by a border inspector that they are clear to enter (Hernandez, 2010, p 1).   However, the very foundation of the Customs and Border Patrol began in the late 1700’s when Congress introduced several acts aimed at applying Tariffs.   The agency was authorized by the President to enforce health and quarantine laws in 17 96. In 1798, authorization was given to deport foreigners who were deemed dangerous. In 1819, all ships arriving into the United States were required to be inspected by customs officials called collector of customs. Immigration was rapidly evolving and customs services had to keep up.   In 1853, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to patrol by riding horses along the borders; primarily locating individuals who were trying to dodge custom collections or come into the country illegally.   With Congress increasing the number of tariffs it was evident that more people were required to enforce the laws (Timeline, 2018). Congress was passing new immigration laws at an increasing rate and needed them enforced at the border.   Spanning just a few decades, laws were passed to ban â€Å"lunatics, idiots, convicts, those liable to public charges† (Hernandez, 2010, p 36). A few years later, Congress deemed epileptics, anarchists, and women who were prostitutes were not to be admitte d into the United States. In 1917, Congress had banned all people of Asian descent from entering the United States. In In 1924, Congress decided with it was time to tighten the border security and created the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The agency was tasked with administering migration laws by averting unsanctioned boundary exploitations by patrolling designated regional limits. They were given law enforcement powers with the ability to detect and arrest people who were deemed to be illegal (Hernandez, 2010, p 2). The outfit was later renamed Bureau of Customs and held that name to the early 1970’s. It was then renamed Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol (1789, 2013).     Today their mission is much the same. They are responsible for securing the boundaries of the nation and upholding laws dealing with citizens and immigrants entering the United States. The mission of U.S. Customs and Border Patrols is never-ending.   Role in Immigration   When people think of immigration they tend to automatically think of illegal immigration. The Border Patrol plays a key role in both legal and illegal immigration.  Ã‚   To individuals who have not encountered, nor have experience with the U.S. immigration process, this can be daunting and confusing.   Foreign individuals can enter the U.S. for either short-term or long-term periods depending on visa status.   Border Patrol plays a crucial role in screening and determining if these foreign individuals may enter the U.S.   Each year there are over 200 million entries under the visa waiver program alone. Border Patrol must accomplish their mission of immigration screening without deterring tourism and future investors.   Border Patrol in 2017 alone, processed over four hundred million travellers’ through U.S. ports of entry. This equated to over two hundred million people by land; a hundred million by air; and eighteen million by sea. Interestingly, even if a visa has been issued to the individual, it is ultimately Border Patrols decision on whether to admit the individual.   In an average year, 8 million people with visas come to the United States; however, Border Patrol rejects around 2 million of these individuals (Aiden, 2012, p 111). Even with all these rejections, illegal immigration is a continuous and growing problem today that has been going on for years. The late 80’s was the time period in the United States that saw a vast increase in illegal immigration from Mexico, primarily fueled by an economic crisis that halted the growth of the economy and reduced the number of jobs available in their homeland.   (Alden, 2012, p. 110). Illegal immigration was so serious that apprehensions rose from â€Å"1 million annually in the 80’s to over 2 million at the end of the 90s† (Alden, 2012, p. 110). Initially the problem was just viewed as annoying; however, that perception quickly evolved into concern on the basis of security. States such as California were concerned with the increase in illegal immigrants and reached out to Congress for assistance.   This led states such as California, Arizona, and Texas to engage in an escalation of the force of armed personnel along the southern border (Alden, 2012, p. 110).  Ã‚   Of all the immigrants coming to the United States, over four hundred thousand individuals were caugh t trying to enter the country illegally outside the official port of entry (Immigration, 2015, p1).   Ã‚  These people who do not come in the official ports of entry give Border Patrol a run for their money. Border Patrol has a much harder job to perform as individuals who are not tracked slip under the radar.  Ã‚   According to Ngai (2010), â€Å"it is now estimated that over 12 million people in the United States, over a third of the foreign-born population, is not in legal immigration status† (pg. 93).  Ã‚   The United States has never been more proactive under the current administration in dealing with the problem with illegal immigration.   In 2017, over 700,000 Mexicans were deported from the U.S. This number is enormous and for good reason, as â€Å"one hundred thousand removals is the worldwide total† (Ngai, 2010, p 98).   Congress have prioritized this issue and increased Border Patrols budget immensely.   The spending alone has tripled from 2003-2006 with an annual budget of just under 4 billion dollars.   Honestly, the agency needs every cent as they are tasked with enforcing immigration laws and patrolling over 700 miles along the southern border. With the extra funding, drones have been utilized with infra-red and heat technologies.   The number of CBP agents has also tripled to a congressionally mandated 21, 500; the number of ports of entries increased by thousands, and the number of ICE agents has tripled since 2016 (Cost, 2017, p 2).   Ã‚  Unfortunately, even with all this attention to the southern border, it is not enough to deter immigration. On an average day, there is over 3 deaths along the border as a result of attempting to enter the U.S. illegally (The cost, 2017, p 1). Furthermore, congress has become more proactive in deportation and removal of illegal immigrants. So much that funding for the Customs Enforcement agency increased by eighty percent. With the increase in funding, more agents were added to the mission with â€Å"the number of apprehensions more than doubled and the number of interior removals increased by three-fold† (Amudeo and Lopez, 2017, p120). The increase in captures is identified as an increase in information sharing between apprehension and deportation of unauthorized immigrants which has since been a standard in every jurisdiction. One may ask why are so many people from Mexico attempting to risk everything and come to the United States? The answer is follow the money.   The wages in the United States are over four times high on average than those in Mexico.   Over the years, Border Patrol has changed immensely. As immigration laws change, they must adjust and enforce the new laws. As new Presidents come into office they also must accommodate their beliefs.   The modernization of immigration enforcement has smart borders at the ports of entry in Canada and Mexico. Computers make life easier to include immigration enforcement. President Trump has a border wall on the table with Congress allocating over 2. 5 billion for border security to include construction of a physical wall which is seen as the most extreme version of an enforcement strategy to â€Å"to reduce illegal immigration in the United States† (Aiden, 2017, p 483).   Today the Border Patrol has close to sixty thousand agents along the southern border. With the recent approval by President Trump to deploy the National Guard to defend the southern border, the security of the nation is increased.   Deterrence has also played a valuable part in border security to thwart illegal immigration. With the U.S. ending the era of ‘catch and release’ it lets knows people who are considering committing the act that their actions can result in jail time and felony prosecutions. One argument however with the change in protocols and the multibillion-dollar wall is whether they will work, or if it’s even worth it. When the President approved the Consolidated Appropriation Act, construction of approximately 100 miles of new border were began. Even with the high-tech wall, its effectiveness is still challenged. Statistics have shown that Mexico â€Å"ceased to be the route of choice for those seeking to enter the United States and remain illegally. Increasingly, the easiest path into the country has been to arrive on a legal visa and then simply remain after the period of admission has expired.† (Aiden, 2017, p 487).   The main perpetrators of illegal immigration are in fact visa overstayers.   Employment in the United States of ille gal immigrants has been a sensitive issue with the citizens of this country. Big penalties exist for citizens who do not verify the eligibility of their workers. Congress has mandated the use of the networked database called E-Verify. Anyone who wants to work in the United States needs to have a background check and be entered in the E-Verify work authorization system by employers. This program confirms eligibility within minutes. Border Patrol after 9/11 On the morning of September, the 11th 2001, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol functions were put to the ultimate test. In the midst of chaos, the organization stepped up with other federal agencies to secure the nation. Operation Safe Passage was formed requiring an increase in Customs officers at all important ports of entry. This was a daunting time. Agents were working over 18 hours a day. Seven days a week to inspect flights and cargo from ships coming into the United States.   Within days, things intensified with President Bush and Congress creating the Homeland Security office as well as the Homeland Security Act which required provided Border Patrol with more power to enforce customs, immigration and agricultural laws. The changes entailed seizing contraband, greater powers in determining admissibility, apprehending illegal immigrants, and â€Å"protecting our agricultural interests from pests and diseases and collecting duties and fees† (Remembering, 2017).   The Customs and Border Patrol is a multi-facet organization that constantly is on the lookout for child exploitation, goods and drugs smuggling, and the detection and prevention of terrorism. With any one of the millions of visitors coming to the United States each day, it seems like a relentless never-ending task.   Luckily for the citizens of the nation, Border Patrol is equipped with the manpower, technology and undying patriotism of defending the nation and constitution of the United States. Just months after the heinous terror attack, Border Patrol implemented the Container Security Initiative Program which focused on determining the safety of containers from foreign ports before they reached the United States. This was accomplished by sending Agents to host countries and working closely with foreign governments.   This program proved to be so successful that it now is operating at over 80 ports in multiple countries (CSI, 2014).   Ã‚  The Customs and Border Patrol has many hurdles to overcome. They have the unique job of staying vigilant while at the same time, appear welcoming. Challenges   Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles Customs and Border Patrol encounters is enforcing immigration laws, identifying threats and potential terrorists with minimal interruption to economic incentives. According to Stana (2003), â€Å"Achieving the balance between security and commercial needs is greatly affected by commercial and border and immigration control Workload† (p 1).   On any given day Border Patrol must select and examine any shipment deemed high risk; however, at the same time must clear the cargo in an efficient and timely manner. Time is money and when that money equates to trillions of dollars per year, Customs and Border Patrol has a very serious task indeed.  Ã‚   The continuous stress knowing that if they missed one weapon of mass destruction or let one individual who was able to perform grave damage is a realism the agents must face.   The Agents must be aware that their actions can disturb potential investors coming to the United States and affect tourism. They must be able to perform their vital task without disrupting the smooth influx of positive reinforcement to the nations delicate economy.  Ã‚   Arguably Trumps’ Border wall imposes such a restriction. If it is not done correctly, â€Å"it could result in a small investment in terror into massive disruption of daily life that has a clear and adverse effect on the U.S. and overall global economy† (Flynn, 2004). To offset some of these problems, Border Patrol partners with other agencies and private sector entities with the purpose of fortifying international supply chains. The increased trust between agencies also adds to the information sharing and reporting with PCII protections in place for the private sector.   With increased trust, comes increased reward and is the foundation of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) network. As discussed earlier, increased security and detection can slow down the economy. The CTPAT works on trust and strict provisions. Border Patrol enters an agreement with partners of the supply chain ultimately exposing security gaps and allowing for the implementation of corrections.   This program is essential as it significantly reduces the number of Customs and Border Patrol examinations, shortens the waiting times at the port of entry, and a plethora of rewards as being a trusted partner of the Customs and Border Patrol.  Ã‚   With over twenty thousand partners, this program has been an enormous success aiding in the U.S. economy at the same time as keeping the nation safe (CPAT, 2018). Before this program cargo was inspected upon arrival. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol is the lead agency to protect the nation from threats that may come into the ports.   Programs such as the ones mentioned positively affect the economy by streamlining processes.   By being more efficient helps bolster economic needs of the nation; however, there are other ways they help the economy. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are constantly on alert for people and goods smuggling. Smuggled goods enter the U.S. with no duties paid which allows for criminals to sell them at a much cheaper price. This lack of regulation leads to the loss of revenue to the government as no tax is paid. Legitimate business struggle to compete with knock off which ultimately leads to job loss.   Items such as medications which have not been FDA approved can be harmful to the population as their ingredients cannot be guaranteed. Smuggling is such a serious problem. In 2014, over 80 % of the 80,000 firearms seized in Mexico were from the United States. Furthermore, billions of dollars are smuggled across the border into Mexico which can depreciate the currency. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are America’s front line on tackling this issue. Modernization   With the implementation of networks between agencies, and information sharing abilities, the U.S. Border security has become ‘smarter’.   Biometric technology which is comprised of retina and finger print scanners are being utilized at all ports of entry which confirms if an individual is legally allowed to enter the United States, and if they are a known threat.   With such technology in place, combined with increased border agents and drone technology; this all is an effort to divert anyone thinking of committing illegal immigration. Technology such as facial recognition is being introduced in pilot programs to test their effectiveness at ports of entry and even in moving vehicles. Kiosks assigned with passport scanning abilities are being implanted in some airports. When entering the port of entry into the United States, it is not uncommon to see individuals utilizing their smart phones with their electronic passport application opened.   U.S. Customs and Border Patrol also use an application themselves to detect illegal activity and improve the safety of officers (Powerful, 2018).    Conclusion   It can not be overstated the importance of the role the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol plays in the physical and economical safety of the nation. The agency has come along way from its horse patrolling days with only a few men; however, its mission has stayed the same- to protect the United States. When ever Congress deemed it necessary to create a new law, the Customs and Border Patrol were there to implement and regulate them.   The threats in the world do not remain static, the agency knows this and adjusts accordingly. Modernization of techniques and technology have allowed the Customs and Border Patrol to stay vigilant and streamlined.   In 2018 alone, over 32, 000lbs of cocaine has been seized, 290,000lbs of marijuana, 360 gang members apprehended, and 289,000 people have been turned around at the border (CBP, 2018).   Considering that it is only 4 months into 2018, the agency has worked extremely hard this year alone.   As long as America is a prosperous nation it will be targeted by people who are in less fortunate situations. This reason alone is why it is doubtful illegal immigration will cease. The same logic can be applied to smuggling. People will always try to exploit the system. Fortunately for the law-abiding citizens of the country, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is there step up to the plate and protect the borders. References About CBP | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about Alden, E. (2012). Immigration And Border Control. Cato Journal, 32(1), 107-124. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/921128623?accountid=8289 Amuedo-Dorantes, C., & Lopez, M. J. (2017). The Hidden Educational Costs of Intensified   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Immigration Enforcement. Southern Economic Journal, 84(1), 120-154. doi:10.1002/soej.1220 Border Patrol History | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/history CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics CSI: Container Security Initiative | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2014). Cbp.gov.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/csi/csi-brief CTPAT: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/ctpat Flynn. Stephen. E (2004). Rethinking the Role of the U.S. Mexican Border in the Post-9/11 World. (2018). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.cfr.org/report/rethinking-role-us-mexican-border-post-911-world Guerette, R. T., & Clarke, R. V. (2005). Border enforcement, organized crime, and deaths of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   smuggled migrants on the united states Mexico border. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 11(2), 159-174. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/10.1007/s10609-005-6716-z Hernandez, K. L. (2010). Migra: a history of the u. s. border patrol. Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu Immigration Enforcement Along U.S. Borders and at Ports of Entry: Federal, State, and Local Efforts. (2015). Pewtrusts.org. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2015/02/immigration-enforcement-along-us-borders-and-at-ports-of-entry Ngai, M.   (2010). The civil rights origins of illegal immigration. International Labor and Working Class History, 78(1), 93-99. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy2.apus.edu/10.1017/S0147547910000141 Powerful app speeds detection, heightens awareness | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/spotlights/powerful-app-speeds-detection-heightens-awareness Remembering Two 9/11s | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13    April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/history-leads-to-the-present/remembering-two-911s Stana, Richard (2003). Homeland Security: Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Gao.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-03-902T The Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Border Security. (2017). American Immigration Council. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/the-cost-of-immigration-  Ã‚  Ã‚   enforcement-and-border-security Timeline | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/timeline 1789: First Congress Provides for Customs Administration (2013) Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April    2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/1789-first-congress-provides-customs-  administration History of Border Patrol in the US History of Border Patrol in the US Introduction Turn on the television today and one of the stories popular in the media is President Trump’s border wall which is aimed at curbing crimes. One of the crimes in question is illegal immigration primarily along the southern border.   To members of Congress, Mexico presents a threat to the United States. Although, in a broad sense, this can be perceived as unfair, or even unjust; however, from a perspective of breaking U.S. immigration laws, there is a justifiable reason for the perception.   Every year the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) apprehends millions of individuals who enter the United States illegally. Of those â€Å"apprehensions 90% were made along the United States–Mexico border† (Guerette, & Clarke, 2005, p 161).   The Southern Border has been the focus of political debate for years. Since the early 90’s, border enforcement along the border has increased dramatically in terms of manpower, and budget. The amount of money spent on border patrol has the annual budget of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has increased from â€Å"$363 million to more than $3.8 billion† (The Cost, 2007, p. 1).   Ã‚  Operating with over sixty thousand employees, Customs and Border Patrol has the important task of securing the homeland by enforcing laws and depriving access of weapons and terrorists access to the U.S.   Impressively the agency can accomplish this mission without disrupting international travel and trade (About, 2018).   The following paper focuses on a brief history of Customs and Border Patrol and their role in diverting illegal immigration, and methods used to keep America safe. A Brief History Even though it was the early 1900’s, the United States still had an influx of immigration.   Men apart of the U.S. Immigration Service defended the border to deter unlawful border passing. This was not a permanent mission as patrols were only conducted when man power and assets were available (Border, 2017). Understanding something needed to be done to keep track of these individuals, Congress passed the 1907 Immigration Act.   This law required all immigrants and non-citizens to enter the United States at designated ports of entry. The law tightened down border measures by making it mandatory each person had to be inspected and receive authorization by a border inspector that they are clear to enter (Hernandez, 2010, p 1).   However, the very foundation of the Customs and Border Patrol began in the late 1700’s when Congress introduced several acts aimed at applying Tariffs.   The agency was authorized by the President to enforce health and quarantine laws in 17 96. In 1798, authorization was given to deport foreigners who were deemed dangerous. In 1819, all ships arriving into the United States were required to be inspected by customs officials called collector of customs. Immigration was rapidly evolving and customs services had to keep up.   In 1853, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to patrol by riding horses along the borders; primarily locating individuals who were trying to dodge custom collections or come into the country illegally.   With Congress increasing the number of tariffs it was evident that more people were required to enforce the laws (Timeline, 2018). Congress was passing new immigration laws at an increasing rate and needed them enforced at the border.   Spanning just a few decades, laws were passed to ban â€Å"lunatics, idiots, convicts, those liable to public charges† (Hernandez, 2010, p 36). A few years later, Congress deemed epileptics, anarchists, and women who were prostitutes were not to be admitte d into the United States. In 1917, Congress had banned all people of Asian descent from entering the United States. In In 1924, Congress decided with it was time to tighten the border security and created the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The agency was tasked with administering migration laws by averting unsanctioned boundary exploitations by patrolling designated regional limits. They were given law enforcement powers with the ability to detect and arrest people who were deemed to be illegal (Hernandez, 2010, p 2). The outfit was later renamed Bureau of Customs and held that name to the early 1970’s. It was then renamed Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol (1789, 2013).     Today their mission is much the same. They are responsible for securing the boundaries of the nation and upholding laws dealing with citizens and immigrants entering the United States. The mission of U.S. Customs and Border Patrols is never-ending.   Role in Immigration   When people think of immigration they tend to automatically think of illegal immigration. The Border Patrol plays a key role in both legal and illegal immigration.  Ã‚   To individuals who have not encountered, nor have experience with the U.S. immigration process, this can be daunting and confusing.   Foreign individuals can enter the U.S. for either short-term or long-term periods depending on visa status.   Border Patrol plays a crucial role in screening and determining if these foreign individuals may enter the U.S.   Each year there are over 200 million entries under the visa waiver program alone. Border Patrol must accomplish their mission of immigration screening without deterring tourism and future investors.   Border Patrol in 2017 alone, processed over four hundred million travellers’ through U.S. ports of entry. This equated to over two hundred million people by land; a hundred million by air; and eighteen million by sea. Interestingly, even if a visa has been issued to the individual, it is ultimately Border Patrols decision on whether to admit the individual.   In an average year, 8 million people with visas come to the United States; however, Border Patrol rejects around 2 million of these individuals (Aiden, 2012, p 111). Even with all these rejections, illegal immigration is a continuous and growing problem today that has been going on for years. The late 80’s was the time period in the United States that saw a vast increase in illegal immigration from Mexico, primarily fueled by an economic crisis that halted the growth of the economy and reduced the number of jobs available in their homeland.   (Alden, 2012, p. 110). Illegal immigration was so serious that apprehensions rose from â€Å"1 million annually in the 80’s to over 2 million at the end of the 90s† (Alden, 2012, p. 110). Initially the problem was just viewed as annoying; however, that perception quickly evolved into concern on the basis of security. States such as California were concerned with the increase in illegal immigrants and reached out to Congress for assistance.   This led states such as California, Arizona, and Texas to engage in an escalation of the force of armed personnel along the southern border (Alden, 2012, p. 110).  Ã‚   Of all the immigrants coming to the United States, over four hundred thousand individuals were caugh t trying to enter the country illegally outside the official port of entry (Immigration, 2015, p1).   Ã‚  These people who do not come in the official ports of entry give Border Patrol a run for their money. Border Patrol has a much harder job to perform as individuals who are not tracked slip under the radar.  Ã‚   According to Ngai (2010), â€Å"it is now estimated that over 12 million people in the United States, over a third of the foreign-born population, is not in legal immigration status† (pg. 93).  Ã‚   The United States has never been more proactive under the current administration in dealing with the problem with illegal immigration.   In 2017, over 700,000 Mexicans were deported from the U.S. This number is enormous and for good reason, as â€Å"one hundred thousand removals is the worldwide total† (Ngai, 2010, p 98).   Congress have prioritized this issue and increased Border Patrols budget immensely.   The spending alone has tripled from 2003-2006 with an annual budget of just under 4 billion dollars.   Honestly, the agency needs every cent as they are tasked with enforcing immigration laws and patrolling over 700 miles along the southern border. With the extra funding, drones have been utilized with infra-red and heat technologies.   The number of CBP agents has also tripled to a congressionally mandated 21, 500; the number of ports of entries increased by thousands, and the number of ICE agents has tripled since 2016 (Cost, 2017, p 2).   Ã‚  Unfortunately, even with all this attention to the southern border, it is not enough to deter immigration. On an average day, there is over 3 deaths along the border as a result of attempting to enter the U.S. illegally (The cost, 2017, p 1). Furthermore, congress has become more proactive in deportation and removal of illegal immigrants. So much that funding for the Customs Enforcement agency increased by eighty percent. With the increase in funding, more agents were added to the mission with â€Å"the number of apprehensions more than doubled and the number of interior removals increased by three-fold† (Amudeo and Lopez, 2017, p120). The increase in captures is identified as an increase in information sharing between apprehension and deportation of unauthorized immigrants which has since been a standard in every jurisdiction. One may ask why are so many people from Mexico attempting to risk everything and come to the United States? The answer is follow the money.   The wages in the United States are over four times high on average than those in Mexico.   Over the years, Border Patrol has changed immensely. As immigration laws change, they must adjust and enforce the new laws. As new Presidents come into office they also must accommodate their beliefs.   The modernization of immigration enforcement has smart borders at the ports of entry in Canada and Mexico. Computers make life easier to include immigration enforcement. President Trump has a border wall on the table with Congress allocating over 2. 5 billion for border security to include construction of a physical wall which is seen as the most extreme version of an enforcement strategy to â€Å"to reduce illegal immigration in the United States† (Aiden, 2017, p 483).   Today the Border Patrol has close to sixty thousand agents along the southern border. With the recent approval by President Trump to deploy the National Guard to defend the southern border, the security of the nation is increased.   Deterrence has also played a valuable part in border security to thwart illegal immigration. With the U.S. ending the era of ‘catch and release’ it lets knows people who are considering committing the act that their actions can result in jail time and felony prosecutions. One argument however with the change in protocols and the multibillion-dollar wall is whether they will work, or if it’s even worth it. When the President approved the Consolidated Appropriation Act, construction of approximately 100 miles of new border were began. Even with the high-tech wall, its effectiveness is still challenged. Statistics have shown that Mexico â€Å"ceased to be the route of choice for those seeking to enter the United States and remain illegally. Increasingly, the easiest path into the country has been to arrive on a legal visa and then simply remain after the period of admission has expired.† (Aiden, 2017, p 487).   The main perpetrators of illegal immigration are in fact visa overstayers.   Employment in the United States of ille gal immigrants has been a sensitive issue with the citizens of this country. Big penalties exist for citizens who do not verify the eligibility of their workers. Congress has mandated the use of the networked database called E-Verify. Anyone who wants to work in the United States needs to have a background check and be entered in the E-Verify work authorization system by employers. This program confirms eligibility within minutes. Border Patrol after 9/11 On the morning of September, the 11th 2001, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol functions were put to the ultimate test. In the midst of chaos, the organization stepped up with other federal agencies to secure the nation. Operation Safe Passage was formed requiring an increase in Customs officers at all important ports of entry. This was a daunting time. Agents were working over 18 hours a day. Seven days a week to inspect flights and cargo from ships coming into the United States.   Within days, things intensified with President Bush and Congress creating the Homeland Security office as well as the Homeland Security Act which required provided Border Patrol with more power to enforce customs, immigration and agricultural laws. The changes entailed seizing contraband, greater powers in determining admissibility, apprehending illegal immigrants, and â€Å"protecting our agricultural interests from pests and diseases and collecting duties and fees† (Remembering, 2017).   The Customs and Border Patrol is a multi-facet organization that constantly is on the lookout for child exploitation, goods and drugs smuggling, and the detection and prevention of terrorism. With any one of the millions of visitors coming to the United States each day, it seems like a relentless never-ending task.   Luckily for the citizens of the nation, Border Patrol is equipped with the manpower, technology and undying patriotism of defending the nation and constitution of the United States. Just months after the heinous terror attack, Border Patrol implemented the Container Security Initiative Program which focused on determining the safety of containers from foreign ports before they reached the United States. This was accomplished by sending Agents to host countries and working closely with foreign governments.   This program proved to be so successful that it now is operating at over 80 ports in multiple countries (CSI, 2014).   Ã‚  The Customs and Border Patrol has many hurdles to overcome. They have the unique job of staying vigilant while at the same time, appear welcoming. Challenges   Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles Customs and Border Patrol encounters is enforcing immigration laws, identifying threats and potential terrorists with minimal interruption to economic incentives. According to Stana (2003), â€Å"Achieving the balance between security and commercial needs is greatly affected by commercial and border and immigration control Workload† (p 1).   On any given day Border Patrol must select and examine any shipment deemed high risk; however, at the same time must clear the cargo in an efficient and timely manner. Time is money and when that money equates to trillions of dollars per year, Customs and Border Patrol has a very serious task indeed.  Ã‚   The continuous stress knowing that if they missed one weapon of mass destruction or let one individual who was able to perform grave damage is a realism the agents must face.   The Agents must be aware that their actions can disturb potential investors coming to the United States and affect tourism. They must be able to perform their vital task without disrupting the smooth influx of positive reinforcement to the nations delicate economy.  Ã‚   Arguably Trumps’ Border wall imposes such a restriction. If it is not done correctly, â€Å"it could result in a small investment in terror into massive disruption of daily life that has a clear and adverse effect on the U.S. and overall global economy† (Flynn, 2004). To offset some of these problems, Border Patrol partners with other agencies and private sector entities with the purpose of fortifying international supply chains. The increased trust between agencies also adds to the information sharing and reporting with PCII protections in place for the private sector.   With increased trust, comes increased reward and is the foundation of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) network. As discussed earlier, increased security and detection can slow down the economy. The CTPAT works on trust and strict provisions. Border Patrol enters an agreement with partners of the supply chain ultimately exposing security gaps and allowing for the implementation of corrections.   This program is essential as it significantly reduces the number of Customs and Border Patrol examinations, shortens the waiting times at the port of entry, and a plethora of rewards as being a trusted partner of the Customs and Border Patrol.  Ã‚   With over twenty thousand partners, this program has been an enormous success aiding in the U.S. economy at the same time as keeping the nation safe (CPAT, 2018). Before this program cargo was inspected upon arrival. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol is the lead agency to protect the nation from threats that may come into the ports.   Programs such as the ones mentioned positively affect the economy by streamlining processes.   By being more efficient helps bolster economic needs of the nation; however, there are other ways they help the economy. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are constantly on alert for people and goods smuggling. Smuggled goods enter the U.S. with no duties paid which allows for criminals to sell them at a much cheaper price. This lack of regulation leads to the loss of revenue to the government as no tax is paid. Legitimate business struggle to compete with knock off which ultimately leads to job loss.   Items such as medications which have not been FDA approved can be harmful to the population as their ingredients cannot be guaranteed. Smuggling is such a serious problem. In 2014, over 80 % of the 80,000 firearms seized in Mexico were from the United States. Furthermore, billions of dollars are smuggled across the border into Mexico which can depreciate the currency. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are America’s front line on tackling this issue. Modernization   With the implementation of networks between agencies, and information sharing abilities, the U.S. Border security has become ‘smarter’.   Biometric technology which is comprised of retina and finger print scanners are being utilized at all ports of entry which confirms if an individual is legally allowed to enter the United States, and if they are a known threat.   With such technology in place, combined with increased border agents and drone technology; this all is an effort to divert anyone thinking of committing illegal immigration. Technology such as facial recognition is being introduced in pilot programs to test their effectiveness at ports of entry and even in moving vehicles. Kiosks assigned with passport scanning abilities are being implanted in some airports. When entering the port of entry into the United States, it is not uncommon to see individuals utilizing their smart phones with their electronic passport application opened.   U.S. Customs and Border Patrol also use an application themselves to detect illegal activity and improve the safety of officers (Powerful, 2018).    Conclusion   It can not be overstated the importance of the role the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol plays in the physical and economical safety of the nation. The agency has come along way from its horse patrolling days with only a few men; however, its mission has stayed the same- to protect the United States. When ever Congress deemed it necessary to create a new law, the Customs and Border Patrol were there to implement and regulate them.   The threats in the world do not remain static, the agency knows this and adjusts accordingly. Modernization of techniques and technology have allowed the Customs and Border Patrol to stay vigilant and streamlined.   In 2018 alone, over 32, 000lbs of cocaine has been seized, 290,000lbs of marijuana, 360 gang members apprehended, and 289,000 people have been turned around at the border (CBP, 2018).   Considering that it is only 4 months into 2018, the agency has worked extremely hard this year alone.   As long as America is a prosperous nation it will be targeted by people who are in less fortunate situations. This reason alone is why it is doubtful illegal immigration will cease. The same logic can be applied to smuggling. People will always try to exploit the system. Fortunately for the law-abiding citizens of the country, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is there step up to the plate and protect the borders. References About CBP | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about Alden, E. (2012). Immigration And Border Control. Cato Journal, 32(1), 107-124. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/921128623?accountid=8289 Amuedo-Dorantes, C., & Lopez, M. J. (2017). The Hidden Educational Costs of Intensified   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Immigration Enforcement. Southern Economic Journal, 84(1), 120-154. doi:10.1002/soej.1220 Border Patrol History | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/history CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics CSI: Container Security Initiative | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2014). Cbp.gov.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/csi/csi-brief CTPAT: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/ctpat Flynn. Stephen. E (2004). Rethinking the Role of the U.S. Mexican Border in the Post-9/11 World. (2018). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.cfr.org/report/rethinking-role-us-mexican-border-post-911-world Guerette, R. T., & Clarke, R. V. (2005). Border enforcement, organized crime, and deaths of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   smuggled migrants on the united states Mexico border. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 11(2), 159-174. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/10.1007/s10609-005-6716-z Hernandez, K. L. (2010). Migra: a history of the u. s. border patrol. Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu Immigration Enforcement Along U.S. Borders and at Ports of Entry: Federal, State, and Local Efforts. (2015). Pewtrusts.org. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2015/02/immigration-enforcement-along-us-borders-and-at-ports-of-entry Ngai, M.   (2010). The civil rights origins of illegal immigration. International Labor and Working Class History, 78(1), 93-99. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy2.apus.edu/10.1017/S0147547910000141 Powerful app speeds detection, heightens awareness | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/spotlights/powerful-app-speeds-detection-heightens-awareness Remembering Two 9/11s | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13    April 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/history-leads-to-the-present/remembering-two-911s Stana, Richard (2003). Homeland Security: Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Gao.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-03-902T The Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Border Security. (2017). American Immigration Council. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/the-cost-of-immigration-  Ã‚  Ã‚   enforcement-and-border-security Timeline | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2018). Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2018, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/timeline 1789: First Congress Provides for Customs Administration (2013) Cbp.gov. Retrieved 13 April    2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/about/history/1789-first-congress-provides-customs-  administration

Free Essay: Metamorphosis of Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Metamorphosis of Dimmesdale in Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many characters that transform; one of them is Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale committed a great sin of the puritan society, he slept with another mans wife and Hester Prynne became pregnant. Hester was punished for her sin but Arthur Dimmesdale had not admitted to it, so he lives with this guilt and it is much worst for him because he is a puritan minister. Dimmesdale inflicts punishment upon himself because of his adulterated sin. Dimmesdale transforms throughout the novel always in the same place "The Scaffold." The town is all out to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne some of the women are suggesting other punishments and the women are telling us about Hester and Dimmesdale. People say," said another, "that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation." (Page 49) Reverend Dimmesdale is seen as a godly man. A man who does not commit sin and in his own mind at this point he feels fine and does not have any guilt. Dimmesdale at this point in the novel is seen as godly and throughout the novel is seen as godly even at the end after the last scaffold scene. Consequently enough, Dimmesdale is trying to convince Hester to reveal the man who has sinned along with her , so the man can be relieved of his guilt, some what ironic because he is the man who has sinned along side with her. "What can thy silence do for him, except it tempt him--yea, compel him, as it were--to add hypocrisy to sin? Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee and the sorrow without. Take heed how thou deniest to him--who, perchance, hath not the courage to grasp it for himself--the bitter, but wholesome, cup that is now presented to thy lips!" (Page 65) This is the first scaffold scene Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is not showing any signs of guilt at this point, he is still fairly the same and has not began to inflict punishment on himself or so it appears. Dimmesdale in the first scaffold scene seems fairly normal and has not begun to transform himself but by the next time we see him at the scaffold he is taken a turn for the worst.

The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider :: Essays Papers

The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider Historically, the relationship between heresy and spell-casting is difficult to define.1 For example, H. A. Kelly points out that sorcery and heresy were not formally linked in England.2 They were regarded as separate crimes, although burning (especially after the 1401 Statute passed by Parliament) could be the punishment for both crimes. Certainly, English romances from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries do not explicitly relate sorcery and heresy. Popular attitudes, though, often would link the two in the late Middle Ages, and this coupling could be accompanied by the issue of gender. As Kramer and Sprenger, two Jesuit inquisitors, wrote in 1486: since [women] are feebler both in mind and body, it is not surprising that they should come more under the spell of witchcraft. For as regards intellect, or the understanding of spiritual beings, they seem of a different nature from men ....3 Yet, as Malcolm Lambert explains, heresy stems not just from deviation from orthodox religious belief but also from deliberate actions against ecclesiastical authority and refusal to recant when ordered to do so.4 Exploring the links among sorcery, heresy, and gender in popular literature, such as Middle English metrical romances, can demonstrate how the individual and collective perceptions of these issues changed from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.5 Thus three questions arise about spell-casting women in Middle English romances: have the heretical implications of these women's actions been ignored? Considering no authority intervenes to inform them that they are defying religious doctrines, can these politically powerful women even be viewed as heretics? And finally, how do the political and religious circumstances of the historical community impact these fictional women and their potentially heretical actions? For the purposes of this paper, discussion will be limited to the female spell-casters found in metrical romances which contain imposed physical transformations and which were composed in England from the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century. Shape-shifting (i.e. voluntarily changing one's own form) and changing into an inanimate object such as a stone or tree are not included. The following romances contain imposed-changed body forms and are listed in general chronological order: TIME PERIODS AND TEXTS (GENDER) SPELL-CASTER I. Early to mid fourteenth century Lybeaus Desconus(M) 2 magicians Cheuelere Assigne(F) hero's grandmother William of Palerne(F) transformee's stepmother The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider :: Essays Papers The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider Historically, the relationship between heresy and spell-casting is difficult to define.1 For example, H. A. Kelly points out that sorcery and heresy were not formally linked in England.2 They were regarded as separate crimes, although burning (especially after the 1401 Statute passed by Parliament) could be the punishment for both crimes. Certainly, English romances from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries do not explicitly relate sorcery and heresy. Popular attitudes, though, often would link the two in the late Middle Ages, and this coupling could be accompanied by the issue of gender. As Kramer and Sprenger, two Jesuit inquisitors, wrote in 1486: since [women] are feebler both in mind and body, it is not surprising that they should come more under the spell of witchcraft. For as regards intellect, or the understanding of spiritual beings, they seem of a different nature from men ....3 Yet, as Malcolm Lambert explains, heresy stems not just from deviation from orthodox religious belief but also from deliberate actions against ecclesiastical authority and refusal to recant when ordered to do so.4 Exploring the links among sorcery, heresy, and gender in popular literature, such as Middle English metrical romances, can demonstrate how the individual and collective perceptions of these issues changed from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.5 Thus three questions arise about spell-casting women in Middle English romances: have the heretical implications of these women's actions been ignored? Considering no authority intervenes to inform them that they are defying religious doctrines, can these politically powerful women even be viewed as heretics? And finally, how do the political and religious circumstances of the historical community impact these fictional women and their potentially heretical actions? For the purposes of this paper, discussion will be limited to the female spell-casters found in metrical romances which contain imposed physical transformations and which were composed in England from the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century. Shape-shifting (i.e. voluntarily changing one's own form) and changing into an inanimate object such as a stone or tree are not included. The following romances contain imposed-changed body forms and are listed in general chronological order: TIME PERIODS AND TEXTS (GENDER) SPELL-CASTER I. Early to mid fourteenth century Lybeaus Desconus(M) 2 magicians Cheuelere Assigne(F) hero's grandmother William of Palerne(F) transformee's stepmother The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider :: Essays Papers The Female Spell-caster in Middle English Romances: Heretical Outsider or Political Insider Historically, the relationship between heresy and spell-casting is difficult to define.1 For example, H. A. Kelly points out that sorcery and heresy were not formally linked in England.2 They were regarded as separate crimes, although burning (especially after the 1401 Statute passed by Parliament) could be the punishment for both crimes. Certainly, English romances from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries do not explicitly relate sorcery and heresy. Popular attitudes, though, often would link the two in the late Middle Ages, and this coupling could be accompanied by the issue of gender. As Kramer and Sprenger, two Jesuit inquisitors, wrote in 1486: since [women] are feebler both in mind and body, it is not surprising that they should come more under the spell of witchcraft. For as regards intellect, or the understanding of spiritual beings, they seem of a different nature from men ....3 Yet, as Malcolm Lambert explains, heresy stems not just from deviation from orthodox religious belief but also from deliberate actions against ecclesiastical authority and refusal to recant when ordered to do so.4 Exploring the links among sorcery, heresy, and gender in popular literature, such as Middle English metrical romances, can demonstrate how the individual and collective perceptions of these issues changed from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.5 Thus three questions arise about spell-casting women in Middle English romances: have the heretical implications of these women's actions been ignored? Considering no authority intervenes to inform them that they are defying religious doctrines, can these politically powerful women even be viewed as heretics? And finally, how do the political and religious circumstances of the historical community impact these fictional women and their potentially heretical actions? For the purposes of this paper, discussion will be limited to the female spell-casters found in metrical romances which contain imposed physical transformations and which were composed in England from the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century. Shape-shifting (i.e. voluntarily changing one's own form) and changing into an inanimate object such as a stone or tree are not included. The following romances contain imposed-changed body forms and are listed in general chronological order: TIME PERIODS AND TEXTS (GENDER) SPELL-CASTER I. Early to mid fourteenth century Lybeaus Desconus(M) 2 magicians Cheuelere Assigne(F) hero's grandmother William of Palerne(F) transformee's stepmother