How does Shakespeare build up the contrast between love and hate in Act 1 scene 5 Essay Example

How does Shakespeare build up the contrast  between love and hate in Act 1 scene 5 Paper The play Romeo and Juliet is about the relationship between two young people who are from feuding families. The two lovers are basically doomed from the start, as we can see from the title of the prologue The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Tragedy tells us that it the story will end in disaster, which it does. The prologue gives us an outline of the story telling us a brief history of the two families and what happens to Romeo and Juliet. The first few lines tell us about Two households alike in dignity. Dignity shows us that the two families are dignified, and probably have a good reputation in the city.We also see that they are very alike. Despite the families high standard, their mutiny is an act of rebellion against the prince; their fighting could put the whole city of Verona in danger. After telling us about the two families, the prologue then tells us about the fate of Romeo and Juliet. They were both born from the fatal loins of their parents, loins meaning the reproductive ar ea and fatal meaning anything made from them is doomed. This shows an idea of fate; as soon as they are born they are destined to die.The lovers are described as star crossed, their destiny is all planned out for them. Star crossed has probably got something to do with astrology, something people believed strongly in during Shakespeares time, because people believed that if stars or plants crossed each others path it meant good or bad things would happen. The whole reason why they die is because of their parents strife, the parents hold the grudge against each other strongly, hence the word strife, but Romeo and Juliet dont care about it, they bury their parents strife. On reading the prologue, the audiences will feel that because of the feud the story will end in tragedy as a result.Act 1 scene 5 is important in the play because this is when Romeo and Juliet first see each other and instantly fall in love. To contrast this, it is also where they will see Tybalt at his most furious and threatening. The audience will have a feeling something bad will happen in the scene because Romeo is unwelcome at the ball as a Montague. Romeos premonition of something bad happening will be proved right because of him gate crashing, as we can see from Tybalts anger. Romeos presence at the ball is obviously going to cause trouble, and him wanting to see a Capulet girl wont help much either, Romeo flirting with Juliet increases Tybalts determination to get revenge on RomeoAct 1 scene 5 is all set in the Capulet house, during a ball, so Shakespeare had to create an appropriate atmosphere for it. The atmosphere he creates is jovial, exciting and happy. The constant bustle of the servants creates a fast paced, exciting atmosphere. Wheres Potpan, that he helps not to take away? this develops the idea of the servants bustling about. The atmosphere is made welcoming by Capulet greeting them in a friendly manner, Welcome gentlemen! this make the guests feel accepted and protected in C apulets hands. The audience may feel anxious about the friendly atmosphere suddenly turning sour because of Tybalts reaction to Romeos arrival. The atmosphere is quickly brought back down to stable by Capulet, as he stops Tybalt doing anything brash as he wants his ball to go well.In lines 43-52 Romeo sees Juliet for the first time, and her beauty overwhelms him. He describes Juliet as something extremely precious and bright, that her beauty makes her stand out from the rest of the crowd. Romeo says a list of contrasts which describe her, a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear being one of them. This gives the audience an image of a bright jewel against a black persons skin. This develops the idea of light against dark. This makes Juliet seem like an extraordinary person who stands out well against the mundane crowd.In lines 53-91 Tybalt has just noticed Romeos presence and in return he is furious. He could recognize the masked Romeo because of his typical Montague way of talking in rhyme, as we can see from This, by his voice, should be a Montague. So obviously Tybalt has grown accustomed to the Montagues way of speaking. Tybalts reaction is, again, impulsive and violent, Fetch me my rapier, boy. Tybalt instantly wants to fight, despite all the guests and the chance of ruining his uncles ball. Tybalt thinks the only reason Romeo has came to the ball is to mock the Capulets efforts, this fuels his hatred for Romeo, urging him on to fight. Tybalt uses words which show hate, like villain many times. This shows he thinks Romeo an enemy. This contrasts with Romeos little speech, as he used words that showed love and affection, Tybalts words show hate and loathing.Capulet isnt too happy with Romeos arrival at the ball, but he still doesnt let Tybalt fight him. He tells Tybalt to calm himself down and leave Romeo alone. He goes on to say that Verona brags of him and he is a well governed youth. This suggests that Capulet is not automatically assuming that Romeo is bad, and is giving him the benefit of the doubt. Capulet is acting like this because he doesnt want his ball ruined by a fight, or maybe because he is feeling very friendly. Also, the Montagues are his guests, so he has a duty to protect them anyway. Capulet starts to get angry about arguing with Tybalt, he starts to talk in a hushed voice, -You are a princox go: be quiet or- he is about to threaten Tybalt, showing that he can be just as angry as Tybalt can get, but he still has to attend to his guests.When Tybalt has stopped arguing with Capulet, he storms off threatening Romeo. He says that the intrusion that presently seems so sweet and innocent shall develop into bitterest gall, a strong hatred. Tybalt is saying that because he cannot avenge Romeos intrusion, at the moment, he will get him in the future with a lot more brutality. Tybalt has made the atmosphere very uneasy and the audience may feel a strong hatred linger.After this the play goes back to Romeo and Juliet, so the mood is sw itched back to love from hate. The two lovers are talking to each other in a sonnet. A sonnet is very appropriate in this section, because sonnets were a popular way of writing poetry about love. The lovers may or may not be aware that they are talking in a sonnet, but either way it shows love. Romeo speaks the first quatrain using imagery to describe his and Juliets hand as pilgrims worshipping at a shrine. He flatters her by saying that his unworthiest hand is profaning her hand, the holy shrine, so his lips, the two blushing pilgrims are ready to soften the roughness with a tender kiss.Romeo is hinting that he wants to kiss her hand. Juliet says in her reply, the second quatrain, that Romeos hand shows proper devotion in what is doing, and saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch, she is suggesting that they hold hands instead of kissing straight away. She also says palm to palm is holy palmers kiss; she might be saying that it will still be like a kiss if they just hold ha nds. Romeo and Juliet then share the third quatrain. Romeo starts by asking if saints have lips as well as palmers, again developing the idea of Romeo wanting to kiss her, but this time on the lips. Juliet says they do have lips, lips they must use in prayer. Romeo cleverly turns this into a reason to kiss her, by saying let lips do what hands do! meaning hands touch when they pray, so their lips should touch. So Romeo kisses Juliet on the lips, and they are about to start another sonnet, but the nurse needs to talk with Juliet.The nurse tells Juliet that her mothers craves a word with her. Romeo is curious, about this, so he asks What is her mother? This is when reality breaks in on Romeo and drags him out of his happiness, the nurse replies Her mother is the lady of the house, so she is Lady Capulet, therefore Juliet is a Capulet, his enemy. Romeo has a very shocked reaction to this, he says his life is my foes debt, he thinks that he owes his life to his enemy, who is also his lo ver.Act 1 scene 5 is extremely important in the play because it is the main point of Romeo and Juliets relationship. It is also important because it is the starting point of Tybalts vengeance seeking with the Montages that will result in two deaths, Mercutios and his own. The contrast Shakespeare has built up is very strong, with the sensitive, gentle love between Romeo and Juliet, and the strong hatred from Tybalt. This scene sets out what will happen later on the play, the strong feelings of love and hate and the deaths, and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

West Side Story Essays

West Side Story Essays West Side Story Essay West Side Story Essay Essay Topic: A Dolls House The Winters Tale We Real Cool In the context of 1960s, chain gangs and gang wars are prevalent between Latin and White American adolescents. For the reason that the White American adolescents despise and discriminate against the Latin Americans (particularly the Puerto Rican race), the Whites resort to bully the minorities and they even ostracize the Latin Americans by depriving them of their rights to use recreation places like the street’s basketball court, food houses, and the like upon believing that the White Americans are the most superior and the better race than the Latin Americans; and in so doing, the White Americans perceive and believe that should not mingle with those inferior and minority race (such that of the Latin Americans as an example) who were different from them (Brian 2005). Moreover, in this movie directed in 1961 by Jerome Robbins Robert Wise entitled: West Side Story, the conflict between the two opposing races namely the White and the Latin Americans was further described throug h presentation of some prevailing scenarios that the Latin Americans unjust encounter and experience with the White Americans.BodyThe West Side Story is a movie adapted from Broadway’s musicale. It was an adaptation of the infamous Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet (UAPI 2009). Starred by Natalie Wood as â€Å"Maria,† Richard Beymer as â€Å"Tony,† and George Chakiris as â€Å"Bernardo,† the rest of supporting characters of the film includes: Russ Tamblyn as â€Å"Riff,† Rita Moreno as â€Å"Anita,† Simon Oakland as â€Å"Lieutenant Schrank,† Ned Glass as whom they call â€Å"Doc,† William Bramley (as the notorious police of the street) named, â€Å"Officer Krupke,† Tucker Smith as â€Å"Ice,† Tony Mordente as â€Å"Action,† Eliot Feld as the â€Å"Baby John,† and lastly, David Winters, as the one who portrayed the character of â€Å"A-Rab (Shulman 1961).†The Plot of the West Side StoryThe Movie West Side Story was depicted in the life of the citizens of the White and Latin Americans living in the 1950’s in Manhattan streets of the United States. A division was clearly evident as it was created and recognized by the adolescents of the east coast and west coast of Manhattan. The setting begins in the mentioned streets of Manhattan as a self-gratifying and self-centered musical song was sung by the Jets (the name for the White Americans’ gang and clique). Throughout the song sung by the Jets, the Puerto Ricans/Latin American adolescent gang led by Bernardo were discriminated and ostracized. First instance was when a fruit held by one of the Sharks (the name of the Latin adolescent Americans)it was abruptly grabbed by another member of the Jets without consent and respect to the quiet Latino. Moreover, the Latin Americans/ Puerto Ricans were mostly driven away and out of establishments and public leisure places. It was evident in the entire film that the he ight of discrimination and prejudice occurred in the late 1950s to early 1960s and it was shown how the Latinos were mostly bullied by the White Americans (Dirks 1961).The setting of the West Side Story is at the basketball court of Manhattan. Even if the scenario in the court, it was obvious that the Latin Americans were discriminated as they were not favored to play in the same court with the White Americans. It was evident however, that there was a rival even in basketball for the two different races. Furthermore, a representative member of the Jets (White American adolescents) vandalized a wall and wrote: â€Å"Sharks stink!† Upon catching this adolescent in the act, the Sharks saw what the White American adolescent did and so they chased after him and the riot between the White and the Latin Americans began (Howe 2003).The Sharks (East side) and the Jets (West side)A hot-tempered and authoritative cop was assigned in monitoring the activities of the two distinct groups, The Sharks and Jets. The cop’s name was Officer Krupke, played by the actor William Bramley. Officer Krupke’s major task and obligation is to control and to minimize the rate of crime and therefore maintain peace and order in the streets of Manhattan.Meanwhile, the Jets (West side) were preoccupied in praising themselves with all pride and self-centered egoism. According to the Jets, they walk tall as they consider themselves the kings of the streets in Manhattan. The Jets perceive that the east side, Sharks (the Latin Americans) were a threat to their dream of being the king of the streets, in so doing, the Jets consisting of the White Americans just would not stop throwing mock at the Latinos and drive them away wherever the Jets hang out. Further, the Sharks or the Latin Americans led by Bernardo just kept themselves mum at a time just to keep their group away from trouble. However their threshold of patience was reached at a certain point of them when Bernardo was mocked by the cop, Officer Krupke himself- showing that he was in favor of the White Americans. In this case, Bernardo decided he would stand up for his group and race and they decided to fight in defense of those Jets and other White Americans who interfere with their freedom and right of peace (RC 2008).Upon Bernardo’s (leader of the Sharks in west side) and his group’s implicit decision to fight for their right of freedom, respect, and peace in Manhattan, they resort to fight with the Jets in a dance showdown. From that dance, the difference of the two cultures was shown in terms of their specialties in music genre: the Latinos were good dancers of boogie, salsa, twist, and cha-cha, whereas for the white Americans, they are good dancers but not as good and as creative dancers as the Latin Americans. During the dance showdown, two eyes met as if they were magnetized to notice each other inspite of the numerous Sharks and Jets dancing on the floor. The two love birds were Maria (played by the famous Natalie Wood) and Tony (as portrayed by Richard Beymer). Maria (a Puerto Rican/ Latin American woman) fell in love at first sight with Tony ( a member of the Jets, a white American) during the first dance showdown between the White Americans and the Latin American adolescents. Further, the dance showdown halted as soon as Bernardo (Maria’s brother) noticed the undesirable scene. Bernardo obviously did not want his sister to fall in love with a White American especially with belonging in their opponent Jets (Shulman 1961).In the next scene of the film, the West side Jets claim they have departed the social norm that is why they are anti-social and juvenile delinquents. According to the songs they sing, they need help and they could not be blamed for their behavior since each one of them have their issues and problems in their families. Most of them were misunderstood and belonging in broken family set-up. At the end of their song, they address officer Krupke (RC 2008).The climax of this move is when the conflict between the Jets and the Sharks became intense up to the point that both parties decided to pick a fight and end their rival in duel. ON the other hand, Maria (Bernardo’s sister and Tony’s girlfriend) secretly meet with Tony even she knows that it is dangerous for the both of them. Since Tony was madly in love with Maria, he took the risk and courted Maria. However, Maria requested and pleaded her Tony to try to stop the war between the two groups. Tony, hesitant at first for the difficult request of Maria, agreed to do his best and try to stop the fight as soon as possible (Shulman 1961).The West Side Story: A grand slam receiver of Academy AwardsHaving been released by the United Artists in 1961, the West side story gained praise and at the same time critiques from the viewers and it also achieved the title of: â€Å"the 2nd highest grossing movie† in 1961. The West side story received a tot al of ten Academy awards and it achieved several nominations and recognitions in the United States.This award winning movie, West Side Story achieved success in depicting the current existing culture of the Americans (both for the White and Latin Americans) during the 1960’s. The West side story achieved several honors and Academy awards namely for the following categories: for Best Picture, considering Robert Wise is the producer; Best for Supporting Actor played by George Chakiris as â€Å"Bernardo;† Best Supporting Actress for Rita Moreno who portrayed the role of â€Å"Anita;† another Academy award for the film’s Best Art Direction category considering the aspects of the right choice of set color and design, claimed by Victor Gangelin and Boris Leven; Best in Cinematography category: good choice and quality for the film’s color which induces the movie’s theme, claimed by Daniel Fapp; another award of Best in Costume Design for Irene Shar aff; Best in Directing for Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins; Best Academy award in Film Editing for Thomas Stanford; Award for the film’s Original Music Score and of the   Musical Picture credited to Johnny Green, Saul Chaplin, Sid Ramin, and Irwin Kostal; and last but not the least, the West side story also gained the Academy award Academy for Best Sound as credit to Fred Hynes (Todd-AO SSD) and Gordon Sawyer (Samuel Goldwyn SSD) (Howe 2003).In addition, the West side story achieved further recognitions, awards, and nominations were the result of the cooperation of the cast and those working staff behind the scenes. In 1997, the film was promoted by the United States Library of Congress (USLC) as it has been considered as a film that is being culturally significant and it was chosen to be preserved in the collection of the National Film Registry. Similarly, the West side story achieved further awards and recognition as Best in Writing and Screenplay based on material from an other medium, as credited to Mr. Ernest Lehman; another received award by this film is the Academy Award for Brilliant Achievements in the Art of Choreography on Film credit to and for Jerome Robbins (one of the directors of the West side story). Furthermore, the west side story achieved 1998 American Film Institution Recognition (AFI) as rating number 41 out of 100 movies in the United States. In 2002, it also gained American Film Institution Recognition (AFI) as rated number three in the Passions of the United States for 100 years. The songs used in the West side story also top rated the charts especially for the songs: Somewhere (rated number 20 for 100 years), also for the song America (rated number 35 for 100 years), and also including the song, Tonight (rated number 59 for 100 years) consecutively as recorded in 2004 charts. In 2006, it achieved recognition of100 Years of Musicals rating number 2 from AFI and apparently, the West side story achieved the recognition of 100 Year s for 100 Movies in its tenth (10th) Anniversary Edition rating number 51 from AFI, as put into account in year 2007 (Howe 2003).The Soundtrack used in the West Side StoryIn order for a great multi-million dollar winning movie to become possible, the choice of songs as background music for the movie’s soundtrack plays a very important factor in determining the success of the movie. Originally, the West side story was a musical created by Johnny Richards. In 1961, West side story was adapted and recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra as musical collection jazz orchestra using Bernstein scores. However the Stan Kenton Orchestra’s version was viewed and evaluated by the film directors of the West side story, it was the different version of musicale from the musicale included in the ongoing film. In fact, upon seeing the Stan’s orchestra jazz version, the directors claim that they should have used Stan’s version as soundtrack of the film but it was too late an d a new and different version was created by the song directors to be used in the West side story. Although The Stan Kenton’s version was not used as the basis of musicale background of the film, it gained a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Recording of a large group in 1962 (Shulman 196).This is not saying that West side story was free from flaws and considered therefore as perfect, but it was generally agreed by majority that the film was a good and timely musicale reflecting the current cultural norms and values of the Americans in 1960s. In manner of clothing, perception of power, basis for conflict, the prevalent prejudice and discrimination, and the diverse nature of language, music, and dance steps. The difference between the White and Latin Americans was explicitly described and presented in the portrayal of the main and supporting characters of the movie (RC 2008).Characteristics of the Characters in West side storyDescribed as â€Å"New York’s classic of the 1960s ,’’ West side story was astoundingly studded with magnificent and good starts who sang the songs like Tonight, Maria, I Feel Pretty, America, Officer Krupke, A Place for Us, and I Have Love (citation). Although Maria was criticized for delivering some lines the songs with uncertain accent, the musicale was a success for its overall success in portraying the life and culture of the adolescent, White and Latin Americans in 1960s. The characters of the West side story played a major role in making the film on of the best musicale created in the United States.First and foremost, Rita Moreno (girlfriend of Bernardo) and the one who played the role of â€Å"Anita,† delivered a great portrayal of her character in the movie. Anita, as a Latin American, was a graceful and flexible dancer, and at the same time, was good singer as she sang some songs in the film. Similarly, Russ Tamblyn, who played the role of Rif, was the persuasive leader of the Westside Jets and portray ed his character fairly as well.Having been playing the role of Maria, Natalie Wood portrayed her character as an innocent-looking, young, and a graceful dancer and singer, Maria. The character Maria fell in love with Tony, the member of the Jets gang in the west side. On the other hand, George Chakiris playing the role of Bernardo, as the brother of Maria and leader of the Sharks in the East side, portrayed the role of a discriminated leader of a minority group of the Latino adolescents in Manhattan. Bernardo could be quiet and soft spoken at times but he has the tendency for aggression to assert himself and represent his group in defending their race against discrimination and prejudice of the white Americans. Most and the rest of the characters exerted their best performance level in portraying their roles for the West side story (UAPI 2009).The Significance and Recommendation of the West side storyThought the West side story was just presented in such a simple way, it successful ly addressed the important issues and problems in the society existing long, long time ago at the onset of 1960s and still exists nowadays. The social issues of family set up of the adolescents (particularly as sung by the Jets), the lack of attention parents and school personnel who should aid the personality development of the disturbed adolescents, the racial issues, conflict, discrimination and prejudice existing among culturally-diverse communities, increased the awareness of the viewers (who may be a parent, a policymaker, or district guidance counselor) and so, they could devise ways and create programs for the benefit of the currently growing adolescents. Even if the culture describe in the film was during the 1960’s it is obvious that discrimination and prejudice is still occurring in some communities in the United States; in so doing, this film may serve as a guide for the adolescents and the adults to address and provide solutions to current problems in the society and its members- especially for the benefit of the adolescents who are in pressing need of guidance, understanding, attention, and advice from the adults. In such case, the West side story is must-seen (UAPI 2009).Indeed, the West side story is a re-tell or a remake and a musical version of the popular novel/movie Romeo and Juliet (citation). It is a musical drama with soul-inspiring and enervating song lines sung by the stars of the film. Just like the tragic Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet, the West side story ended with a tragic accident of killing the major characters in the movie namely Bernardo and Tony. Maria was left alone by her two loved ones due to the hatred built between the Jets and the Sharks of Upper West side Manhattan, New York City (RC 2008).Compared between the rival between Montague and Capulet families of Romeo and Juliet, the gangs Jets and Sharks hate could not stand each other as well. And so the gang wars between the two different races began (war exis ted between the Latin and White Americans in Manhattan, New York). Thus, the creation of the West side story was just in time to support the cinema/ silver screen in competition with the shows on television popularized during the 1960s (UAPI 2009).The Staff behind the Scenes of the West side storyThe film version of the West side story was based from the book of Arthur Laurents having the same title. Further, the musicale collection based from the collection of musical scores of Leonard Bernstein. The lyrics of the songs sung by the stars in the West side story were composed by Stephen Sondheim. Moreover, the choreography and the musical concept were contributed of Jerome Robbins. Further, the screenplay was written by Ernest Lehman. Producers of this film were Walter Mirisch, Robert Wise, and Saul Chaplin respectively. The cinematography on the other hand, was powered by the creative mind of Daniel Fapp. Color for the film was also powered by Technicolor and thus, the film itself w as taken in Panavision 700. This movie was astoundingly directed two of the greatest directors of the era: namely, Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise (UAPI 2009).The Relationship of the West side story to Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietThe West side story was indeed a vibrant film which is full of life among the characters. Further the Broadway musicale style of the 1961 film written by Laurents and directed by Robbins was a â€Å"hit† top-notching the charts of the best movies in 1960s in the silver screen. Replicating the tragic, Shakespearean novel, Romeo and Juliet, the West side story has the same characteristics of the play Romeo and Juliet since the lovers in the story, Tony and Maria attempted to risk the danger of having a relationship despite of their difference in their races. Maria was Puerto Rican and Tony was a White American making them members of the two opposite races (UAPI 2009).The two opposing and distinct races and ethnicities, White and Latin Americans were the focus of this movie. In order to present the differences in culture of the White and Latin Americans, the movie was able to show the attitude of White, European adolescents towards the Latin, Puerto Ricans. Further, the story was presented by producing the story using a ground-breaking, exhilarating musicale with an astounding well-performed choreography by the various outstanding artists. The West side story poses the emerging conflict present among the inhabitants of the Upper West Side Manhattan in New York City during the 1960s. The movie poses the problems of the adolescents in engaging in criminal chain and gang wars which obstructs the peace and order in the community of Upper West side New York. Moreover, in order to present such existing culture and social problems of the United States in 1960, the entire movie was taken and shot in the streets of Upper West side New York City and in Manhattan. However, some of the parts and scenes in the movie were shot and recor ded on the improvised sets and studios prepared by the floor directors (UAPI 2009).In comparison of the West side story in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Montague family came to be the counterparts of the White American Jets in the West side story. Similarly, the Capulet family was the counterpart of the Puerto Rican/ Latin American Sharks. Relatively, Bernardo’s abduction of Riff in a gang fight (Tony’s elder brother), simulates the similar scenario of the tragic accident of Mercutio (Romeo’s friend in Romeo and Juliet) being killed by Tybalt, who appears to be Juliet’s cousin. As a result, Romeo resorted to kill Tybalt as well as a revenge for the death of his friend Mercutio. Apparently, the same related scenario of revenge in a fight simulates the scene where Tony abducted Bernardo after stabbing Tony’s elder brother, Riff. Furthermore several characters in the west side story have their counterpart or equivalent characters that por trayed similar roles in Romeo and Juliet and these are the following: Anita in the West side story portraying the â€Å"Nurse† (Juliet’s confidante in Romeo and Juliet) and Doc in the West side story portraying the role of â€Å"Friar Lawrence† in Romeo and Juliet novel. But it is to put into account that the tragic suicide of Romeo and Juliet at the end of the story was not the same with the ending of the West side story since Maria, after the death of her beloved Tony, did not kill herself but she just furiously pointed the blame to the pointless, mad desire of the Shark and Jets gang (citation).Critiques argue for the West side story that the movie was a similar recreation of other classic hit musicales like the â€Å"Gypsy† and the â€Å"Dolls.† However it was interpreted that way by critiques and viewers, The West side story is considered as one of the America’s masterpiece production in the global silver screen. The West side story was a hit for it was a divergence from the current popular culture of movies in the 1960s. The unique musicale of the West side story discussed social problems in the United States: gang wars, racial discrimination, juvenile delinquencies and family problems through the songs sung by the adolescents, Jets in the entire movie (Zoglin 2009).Salient points to consider and some important scenarios in the West side storyFocusing on Maria and Tony’s love affair, they seem to risk what danger could happen the moment the other members of the Sharks and Jets the get to know the forbidden relationship of Maria and Tony. When the lovers hear the arrival of Anita (Bernardo’s girlfriend) Tony quickly escaped his way out of the house and he said Maria that they should meet at the drug store owned by Doc to elope and get married. However, Anita accidentally caught the presence of Tony quickly escaping the house. Anita was startled and reacted negatively at first but she listened when Ma ria explained how she loved Tony so much. Inspite of Anita’s grievance over Bernardo’s death she resorts to help Maria arrange their plan of eloping and getting married. Moreover, Anita gave Maria a hint that Chino of the Sharks is after Tony to kill him with a pistol (Zoglin 2009).As the officer, Lt. Schrank arrived at Maria’s house he questioned Maria for the riot/gang wars that recently occurred between the Sharks and the Jets. Maria was careful enough for covering up Tony in order to protect him from the further questioning and investigation of the officer. Maria lured the Lt. Schrank by sending Anita as an errand to Doc’s drugstore to buy a medicine to relieve the pain she is feeling in her head. Such action of Anita was for the purpose of delivering a message to Tony at the drugstore that Maria could not come and meet her for Maria was held as a detainee a under investigation of Lt. Schrank. However, upon entering the drugstore, Anita did not expect that she was going to be mocked by the White American, Jets. Not only this, the Jets tried to harass her as an insult to her being a â€Å"Puerto Rican.† Maria was disrespected by the rest of the Jets not giving her a chance to deliver Maria’s message for Tony. In so doing, the circumstance really made Anita really furious. Consequentially, Anita distorted the real message that she has to deliver (that Maria was detained due to Lt. Schrank’s queries) and she imparted that her message was to tell Tony that Maria was shot dead by Chino with a gun. The chaos was stopped by Doc as he yelled to them inside the drugstore and also, for the Jets to stop harassing and making fun of the Puerto Rican lady, Anita. The jets stopped and listen to the old man (Doc). However, Doc went down to the basement and checked out the hiding Tony. Further, he relayed Anita’s untrue, bad news to Tony that Maria was shot dead by Chino. So, Tony abruptly ran his way up and out of th e drugstore’s basement and then he searched for Chino with desolation and hopelessness and how he’d wish that Chino would kill him as well (Zoglin 2009).While searching for Chino, Tony saw Maria on the road. The lovers were so happy to see each other again especially Tony when he thought that his beloved Maria was already dead. Suddenly, Chino appeared in the scene and shoot Tony. Maria was so startled as her lover fell on his knees and landed on Maria’s arms. Maria, trying to comfort her dying lover sang a song for him so that he will not be afraid. The lovers affirmed that if their love was not possible here, they should continue their love somewhere place as they should see each other again in their next life and in the other world. The White Jets and the Puerto Ricans Sharks ran towards the death scene together with the cops (including Officer Krupke in the scene). Maria was infuriated with the mere presence of officer Krupke and she yelled at him not to eve n dare to come closer the dead body of his beloved Tony. Maria took the gun from the suspect Chino and there she pointed the gun ate everyone: the Sharks and the Jets. She blamed that the death of Riff, Bernardo, and Tony was the fault of the both gangs and the result to all their selfish hatred. So for the reason that Officer Krupke was hindered by Maria to get even closer to Tony, some of the members of the Jets and Sharks took the initiative in carrying Tony’s corpse. After the tragic killings of the leaders of the Jets and Sharks in the streets of Manhattan, New York, the gang war between the two gangs was considered over (Zoglin 2009).Realism was shown and achieved in the West side story since the songs used in the entire movie were a mixture of English and Spanish songs. In order to reflect the underlying multicultural theme of the story, the songs were carefully selected and very well performed by the actors/singers. Together jam-packed with a set of dance steps, pirou ette, leaps in its choreography, the overall mood of the movie was an exciting one (citation).The West side story was indeed a must-seen movie since it is very substantial and culturally significant. In order for people to understand the nature of conflict in different groups, and the reason for discrimination and prejudice, the West side story successfully presented the conflicts occurring among the adolescents resulting to their behavior problems and maladjustment in the society. In the form of musicale of songs and dances, the message of the film was carried out through the innovative and creative performances of the carefully-selected artists of the film (Zoglin 2009).Modified by Ernest Lehman, the rewrite version of the West side story had remained a striking and filled with energetic and enthusiastic songs reflected from its lyrics. Furthermore, the book version of the West side story play was containing songs which are mostly composed by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein . The talented directors of the West side story are Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Considering Robert Wise’s expertise I the field of directing, the collaboration with the professional dance choreographer, Jerome Robbins was a very intelligent decision and resulted to make the movie a real big hit in the silver screen (Zoglin 2009).Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins respectively gained recognition for the West side story. However, Jerome Robbins was pulled out of the West side story project since he was frequently the reason for procrastination of the shoots, budget-exceeding production rates, and also, Robbin’s frequent disagreement with Wise was a reason for the rest of the staff to remove him from the direction of the West side story. Robbins’ ideals for the completion of the West side story were becoming overwhelmingly expensive just for his wish to make the movie close to perfection. Four of the dynamic dance steps which Robbins choreographed in the West side story were the following: â€Å"Something’s coming,† â€Å"Prologue,† â€Å"Cool,† and â€Å"America.†The West side story is also focused on the love story of two different people having different races. However love was the foundation, Tony and Maria were separated due to hatred and violence. Tony was Maria’s first love. She loved the man inspite of the fact that they were belonging in different race and that her brother and their group of minority Puerto Rican gang (Sharks) not in good terms with the White American gang (Jets). When Maria first set her eyes with Tony, she fall (right then and there) madly in love with Tony and vice versa; these first encounter of Maria and Tony happened during the dance showdown between the Jest and the Sharks. Tony’s on the other hand, who was previously preoccupied with the activities with his gang in the West side has diverted his attention to Maria when he fell in love with her.However, consider ing the obvious fact that Maria’s brother, Bernardo was a leader of the Sharks and his prospect lover Tony was member of the opponent Jets, Maria still persists to pursue her forbidden and controversial love affair with Tony.   Maria knows that Bernardo would never approve of her love affair with Tony for Bernardo knows how cruel, prejudicial, and discriminating the White American race was. Meanwhile, Jets Sharks just would not stop claiming right over the west side streets of New York for their gang’s territory. At first, the Sharks could be observed that they do not have any intention of keeping the streets to their own, but the Jets just would not stop bullying and discriminating, and driving them away wherever they see them. The Sharks think, especially Bernardo (as their leader) that this was too much and they believe they deserve a right to whatever the White Americans enjoy doing and hanging around. So what the Sharks did is to engage in a fight with the Jets most of the time to defend themselves from the unjust dominance of the Jets. Consequentially, the rival lead to a fight between the Jets and the Sharks and this caused the death of Riff, Bernardo, and Tony as well (Zoglin 2009).Maria requested Tony if he could no something to stop the mad fight between the two gangs. At first, Tony hesitated to give in to Mari’s request but because he loves her so much and he would love to marry her, he agreed with Maria and he said he would do everything he can to stop the war between the two gangs. The sad thing is, Tony did not expect that his brother Riff was going to be killed in the gang war. So, to avenge the sudden death of his brother in Bernardo’s hands, Tony resorts to abduct Bernardo as well due to the sudden rage of his emotions (Zoglin 2009).The 1960s showed a great importance to the subculture created by adolescent Americans. Although the Americans are a culture in itself, it has different influence of subcultures branch ing out and one example of this subculture is the Puerto Ricans. The multicultural society of the gangs among the adolescent White Americans and Puerto Ricans in the New York, West side community was emerged during the 1960’s where gang wars chain gangs had become eminent and widely spread in the local news (Zoglin 2009).The West side story was indeed an enticing film by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. Similar to the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet, the west side story successfully addressed the social problem of juvenile delinquency and discrimination in the multicultural society of the United States during the 1950s to 1960s. Relatively, the love story of Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) is similar to the love story of Romeo and Juliet that the lovers crossed boundaries despite their difference in ethnicity, race, and culture. This shows that the heart does not choose the one to love. For Tony, It does not matter if Maria is a Puerto Rican, discriminated and a member of their enemy, Sharks. Same for Maria: she does not care if Tony is a white American, a mocker, discriminating, and a member of the Jets gang which is the opponent of Maria’s brother, Bernardo. The west side story was able to accomplish a creative, upbeat, and ardent choreography of dance steps and overwhelming lyrics of the songs sang by the characters in the West side story (Zoglin 2009).This invigorating and elating film is dazzling with the combination of songs and dance steps interpreting the lifestyle and culture of adolescent Americans in the United States during the 1960s. It was plausible to the extent that the prevalent gang wars among the diverging culture of the Puerto Ricans against the White Americans was portrayed in such a way that it seems less violent and therefore, there was no violent bloodshed in the movie. However, there was no need for blood-shedding, serious fight in the entire film in order to present how serious the outcome would be for eng aging in gang wars of the New York streets (Zoglin 2009).Officer Shrank warned both the Jets and the Sharks to avoid fighting on his streets or else, Officer Shrank threatened the boys that he would beat the boys up. After the encounter with Officer Schrank and Officer Krupke, Riff led his group to sing a song which is praise for the Jets. The Jets despise the Sharks for they were a threat to the streets in which the Jets wants to own. He persuaded the rest of his Jets members to perceive that their gang is the most strenuous, invincible, and superior team and that they deserve the right to everything especially in the streets of the Upper West side New York. Riff was very anxious to control the spreading volume of the Sharks since it was a tendency that the Sharks might dominate the streets of New York, should the latter multiply its members. In so doing, Riff persuaded his gang mates that they should fight against the Sharks/Puerto Ricans and kill them if they have to so as to con trol their proliferation in the streets. The one who should win the fight would be declared as the winner and therefore, would have the right to dominate in the Manhattan streets of New York. Moreover, Riff resorts to fighting their rival gang, Sharks with deadly weapon like a dagger for instance (Zoglin 2009).Overall, the story shows that there is both a similarity and difference in the culture of the Puerto Ricans and the White Americans. Though they are different in race, color, and ethnicity, both races was shown to have the same interests like in dancing, singing, basketball, and favorite hang-outs. Because of such similarity and interests, the White American Jets, led by Riff was pissed off upon always seeing the Puerto American Sharks wherever they go and spend their time. Further, it was explicitly shown that the Jets are more confident than the Puerto Ricans since they are the majority of inhabitants or citizens in New York during the 1960s (Zoglin 2009).From a challenge to a dance night out with the Sharks, the Jets just would not stop pissing the Sharks and driving their rivals away so that the Sharks would not be a threat to their desire of keeping their authority and ownership of the streets of New York west side. But what happened in the dance was overlapped with the instance when Maria and Tony saw each other and locked each other’s eyes for long time as if they are not seeing anybody but the two of them. Bernardo caught the both of them in the act that is why he did not decide to finish the dance; hence, he took his sister’s hands and pulled her off the dance floor (citation).Because of pride, the Jets boosted their egos by singing themselves song of somewhat victorious melodic songs as if they were the superior race and the others are just second class. Riff (the current leader of the Jets) decided that Tony should be the one to coordinate the challenge of the Jets to the Sharks. At first, Tony was hesitant to give in to the requ est. However later on, Tony agreed to tell the message to the Sharks. For the reason that Tony was once the leader of the gang since Tony was also a mastermind in co-founding the group of White Americans. On the other hand, Maria was conversing with Anita at a bridal shop where Maria is working. Maria told Anita (Bernardo’s boyfriend), how much Maria loves Tony and that she explained to Anita that his brother Bernardo, should not be that too much, extreme protective of her (Zoglin 2009).Inspite of the distinct difference of the Puerto Ricans from the White Americans, the two divert gangs were shown to be enjoying themselves using their talents in dancing and singing which makes them similar in their interests. The gang members Sharks and Jets may have experienced conflict between their groups because of their overt difference. The majorities of the White Americans dislike the minorities of Puerto Ricans because the Whites believe and perceive that they are the strongest race, invincible, and therefore, they should walk tall and act like kings! For the Jets: they should own, rule, and dominate the streets and they should have the right to the territory no matter what it takes (Dirks 1961).ConclusionThe West Side Story highlights the following scenarios which had occurred in the 1960’s: During the 1960’s, juvenile delinquencies are rampant among adolescents. Similarly, there is also prevalence of discrimination and prejudice among the White and Latin Americans. Puerto Ricans are disliked and bullied by the White Americans upon thinking that the White Americans are the superior race that should own the streets and that the Latin Americans, specifically the Puerto Ricans, have no right to be in places where the White American adolescents hang out and play. In so doing there were chain gang fights are everywhere. Emerging in late 1950s and early 1960s, the streets of Manhattan had become a place where there is no peace and order due to the freq uent gang wars that occur between the two distinct races of the Whites and the Puerto Rican adolescents. However, the love story of Maria and Tony having the opposite race shows that love does not choose the color, race, and ethnicity of a person as a basis of whom it should love.

Sexual Boundary Violations At Work Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Sexual Boundary Violations At Work Place - Essay Example Women occupying the relatively higher status in the workplace are also subjected to such misbehavior by men of either same status or higher position. Men always go after power either by conferred status or through acquired status. But women generally do not have an obsession with power. The powerful statuses they occupy in organizations are merely out of their work interest and involvement. Even after occupying a greater powerful position they want to retain it by persisting involvement alone. Women never resort to any other crooked methods for retention of power. But in case of men, once they taste the blood of power, they get ever intoxicated to it and want to maintain it at any cost. Especially when they happen to encounter women with the real power of ingenuity or skill, they get mentally annoyed, the cause of which is never able to be identified by their fickle psyche. As a result, they find sex discrimination as a tool to overpower women. This process of overpowering leads to s exual boundary violation and then subsequently to sexual harassments even. Workplace rudeness is the pinhole opening for Sexual Boundary violations in many organizations. The rudeness includes several aspects of misbehavior such as sending a nasty and demeaning note, not giving credit where a credit is due, giving dirty looks or another negative eye contact. ( Metts et al, 2009: p.252) Before landing on a clear-cut definition of sexual boundary violation, it becomes necessary to understand sexual boundary crossing.

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Personal Statement - Essay Example I have enjoyed archaeology since I was a small child, pouring through a substantial volume of books and published articles about general archaeology and Egyptology. Reputable and well-known historians and experts in antiquity have given me the fundamental self-taught education in the field that only served to inspire even more zealous interest in this area of study and career. Currently, I am studying at Kaplan International College in areas of generalized education. However, I was recently accepted at Westminster University to study law on the advice of my caregivers. Upon careful examination and assessment of their influence, I realize that my true passion is archaeology and aspire to reject their intentions to pursue an area of interest of which I am dedicated and highly motivated. Archaeology gives us a framework to identify with ourselves in the modern world by comparing historical record and lifestyle with contemporary culture. My enthusiasm for this area of study is unparallel ed and I can think of no more appropriate field that is perfectly constructed for my ambitions and level of interest.

Ethical Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethical Case Study - Essay Example Although the act of Paige seems neutral since the negative consequences seem to be balanced out by the positive ones, yet analysis of the two positive and the two negative outcomes suggests that the two don’t weigh equal. The positive outcomes benefited only two people i.e. Liz and Paige whereas the negative outcomes affected a lot of people i.e. the hotel as a whole and also, the woman and her child. In addition to that, although the grant of $50 note to Paige seems to be a positive outcome for her, yet that is bribery and has negative impact not only upon the whole society but also for Paige who would be held accountable for her act in this world or/and in the world hereafter. Agreed that Liz had remained a hardworking and loyal member of the staff and deserved special treatment, but not if that had to come on the cost of others’ peace. Therefore, the negative consequences of Paige’s act outweigh the positive ones, so Paige’s action was wrong. According to the third course of action, Paige could have granted Liz access to the room, but with the condition that she would clear the room within a maximum of ten minutes as soon as the expected customer arrives. Doing this, Paige would have respected the hotel’s rules, satisfied Liz as well as the customer. So according to the utilitarian theory, Paige should have granted Liz with conditional access to the room. The theory of ethical hierarcicalism suggests that â€Å"[a]n actual person is more valuable than a potential person† (jan.ucc.nau.edu, n.d.). In light of this principle, at the time when Paige was conversing with Liz, Liz was the actual person because she was there and the woman and her child were... This essay discusses that although the act of Paige seems neutral since the negative consequences seem to be balanced out by the positive ones, yet analysis of the two positives and the two negative outcomes suggests that the two don’t weigh equal. The positive outcomes benefited only two people i.e. Liz and Paige whereas the negative outcomes affected a lot of people i.e. the hotel as a whole and also, the woman and her child.  This essay discusses that although the act of Paige seems neutral since the negative consequences seem to be balanced out by the positive ones, yet analysis of the two positives and the two negative outcomes suggests that the two don’t weigh equal. The positive outcomes benefited only two people i.e. Liz and Paige whereas the negative outcomes affected a lot of people i.e. the hotel as a whole and also, the woman and her child.  According to the third course of action, Paige could have granted Liz access to the room, but with the condition t hat she would clear the room within a maximum of ten minutes as soon as the expected customer arrives. Doing this, Paige would have respected the hotel’s rules, satisfied Liz as well as the customer. Paige should have granted Liz with conditional access to the room.   The theory of ethical hierarchicalism suggests that â€Å"an actual person is more valuable than a potential person† (jan.ucc.nau.edu, n.d.). In light of this principle, at the time when Paige was conversing with Liz, Liz was the actual person because she was there and the woman and her child were potential people as they were expected but not there. Therefore, Paige’s act of granting Liz access to the room was ethically justified. But another principle of the ethical hierarchicalism suggests that â€Å"A complete person is more valuable than an incomplete person† (jan.ucc.nau.edu, n.d.).   Concluding, the course of action that is deemed justifiable by both theories of ethics is for Paig e to grant Liz with conditional access to the room.  

Analysis Of The Mare Chicose Landfill Environmental Sciences Essay

Analysis Of The Mare Chicose Landfill Environmental Sciences Essay The purpose of this research was to have an overview of how a landfill is being managed. To be more knowledgeable of the techniques that is being put in practice for a good management. In addition, to identify the negative effects of landfill to workers, the population and environments. A site visit at Mare Chicose Landfill was conducted for that purpose. With the help of an Engineer the details were being explained and thus help in the refi nining of our checklist From the results, two important points were found: Landfill Gas and leachate pond which are major factors which need more attention to avoid negative effects. A Landfill which is not properly managed causes a lot of problems to the health, contamination of ground water, odours, and many health effects. 1.1 Objective of the research A site visit was conducted at Mare Chicose Landfill, in order to have an overview of how a landfill is managed. The purpose of the visit consists of identifying the hazards of the landfill present with evaluation and calculation of the risks. Furthermore, the control measures that are being adopted and to determine if the measures are adequate. 2. Literature Review 2.1 Definition of waste According to Taylor and Allen (1) any material which is of no further use can be regarded as waste. Human activities produced wastes materials. Waste management philosophies outlined that most wastes can be reused or recycled. Waste can be classified into solid, liquid, gaseous. Sources of solid wastes include residential, commercial, institutional, construction and demolition, municipal wastes, treatment plant sites, industrial, agricultural (Tchobanoglous 1993). With the increase in population rate during the last decades, the generation of waste has accelerated, due to industrialization and urbanization and furthermore, with the developments of technology and science also (Cardinali Richard, 2001). Increase in standard of living has given rise to waste generation and efficient and effective control measures need to be implemented so as not to deteriorate the health of people and the environment (Khalil Nadeem, Khan Mubashra, 2009). It has been a great concern and much attention ha s been given internationally on this issue. Each country has different waste hierarchy and options due to different geography, cultures, environment among others. (Pitt Michael, 2005). According to a recent study carried out in UK (reported in Recycling World, October 2000) Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany growth in recovery and recycling exceeds the growth in waste. Followed by Denmark and Switzerland but in the slow lane are France, UK, and Norway where there use of landfill has increased. (Cardinali Richard, 2001). 2.2 Integrated Solid Waste Management and Waste Hierarchy Therefore in the light of these growing concerns many professionals have proposed theories and solutions as to how the pollution can be minimized (Halawani et al.1993).Also, in an attempt to reduce the final volumes of wastes and to have sufficient funds for waste management the recycling process and recovery material can be used to get funds for waste management; whereby, the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) comes into the picture. Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) is a framework that helps us to understand waste management and most importantly how to reduce wastes. (1):http://www.Taylor and Allen Therefore, it proposes a Waste Management Hierarchy for the best solution that put waste management options in order of sustainability, from the most favoured option to the least desired one. (Shown in figure 1).The Waste Management Hierarchy is a list of approaches to managing waste, arranged in order of preferability. The Environmental Protection Acts of most Australian States treats the Waste Hierarchy as a core principle and the UK Environment Agency supports the Waste Hierarchy as a general guide to selecting the best option for dealing with waste.   However, despite the fact that it is widely used throughout the developed world, some critics have questioned the effectiveness of the model is actually implemented.   For instance, in Australia implementation of the hierarchy has been patchy, with most effort to date focused on recycling and composting (Gertsakis and Lewis, 2003).   Figure 1: Sustainability and The Waste Management Hierarchy (adapted from J.Gertsakis and H Lewis, 2003) Also in an attempt to reduce waste, the chairman of the US Senate Environment and Public Works committee, suggest that manufacturers must take full responsibility of their products from the whole life cycle of the products and when it becomes waste also thus reducing the burdens on the municipalities (Cardinali, 2001). Both the developed and developing countries have experienced accidents due to releases of hazardous wastes(UNEP,1994,FEPA,1991:Shaw,1992)At the international level, the awareness regarding waste began in 1992 with the Rio Conference, where efficient handling of waste was priority of the Agenda 21.The Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 focused on initiatives to accelerate the shift to sustainable consumption and production and the reduction of resource degradation, pollution and waste by giving priority to waste reduction recycling, reuse followed by the safe disposal of waste .Therefore, as a measure of precaution it is in the best interest for most countries to make landfill as the last resort and option. 2.3 Overview of Landfills Landfill is the cheapest method for disposal of waste: it is immensely used by many countries. Solid wastes, is any unwanted or discarded solid item. Municipal Solid Waste comes from homes, businesses and other urban areas. But the heavy dependency on the landfill has led to filling up of most landfill sites. Example in America before 1988, 80% of MSW were disposed of in landfills. By 2009 four or five landfills in operation will be full and the cost of a new one cost approximately $90 million (Anonymous, 1992). According to Dr. W.L. Rathje, a garbologist at the University of Arizona, he gave this shocking testimony to the scale of modern landfills at a governmental hearing, quoting that: I was told that the largest monument ever built by a New World civilization was the Temple of the Sun, built in Mexico about 2000 years ago. It occupied thirty million cubic feet. I can still remember my shock when my students told me that A San Francisco landfill, made up of two mounds compiled since 1977 solely out of cover dirt and the MSW from three cities, held seventy million cubic feet, a total of nearly five Sun Temples. Landfills are clearly the largest refuse heaps in the world. Since land is a scarce resource, therefore the European union has sensitized many countries on the need to use sustainable methods .In this context therefore, the waste hierarchy (consisting of waste minimization, reuse, recovery; recovery such as energy recovery from incineration and finally disposal to landfill) and the BPEO (Best Practicable Environmental Option) are widely encourage to be used. Even though the amount of waste has diminished still the amounts of waste disposed of to landfill have increased (Pitt Michael, 2005). 2.31 Zero landfill Zero waste is a philosophy that promotes the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. Any wastes sent to landfills are minimal. Zero waste is not only about recycling but also avoiding landfills and preventing from waste production itself. The paradox is that the proportion of waste going into landfill may decrease but the volumes of Municipal solid waste are increasing ant that too in excess of 3 percent yearly for many developed nations (Douglas, 1992). The concept of zero landfill can never be achieved fully because there will be still a minimum of waste generated therefore landfill will always continue to exist. 2.32 Landfill Management: After being landfilled the waste decomposes into chemical and biological processes normally taking more than 50 years. But during the degradation process the solid waste generates 0.2 m3 of contaminated wastewater known as leachate, which in turn depending on the climate (amount of rainfall) and types of waste its colour varies from black to brown .Rainfall plays a very important role in creating leachates. Factors affecting leachates are: age, precipitation, seasonal weather variation, waste types and composition. Leachate include several parameters such as COD,BOD5, organic carbon, ammonia nitrogen , chlorides, iron manganese, phenols and AOX but little or no phosphorus.(2).Therefore pretreatment of leachate is vital. Treatment of leachate constitutes of: Leachate chanelling: Combined treatment with domestic sewage, Recycling, Biological treatment: aerobic or anaerobic, chemical precipitation: to remove high strength of ammonium nitrogen. CW (constructed wetland) is, however, a rel atively new approach to eliminating environmental pollution, based on purification of waste waters with halophytes planted in an artificial wetland and employing the self-cleaning ability of ecosystems for its biological treatment process. Presently, some hundred CWs are in operation in Europe (Bulc et al., 1998) Capping: Once cell is filled to maximum of waste, it is covered to prevent the entry of precipitation (rainfall) and the escape of gas, odour and introduction of further leachate. Moreover, can place soil over the capping or covering for a better protection. Two types of sealing liner: polymeric geomembranes and geosynthetic clay liners. Caps should include a drainage layer above and a gas collection layer between the caps lining system. Leachate pond affect groundwater if leakage. More polluted groundwater will be discharged into streams wetlands and lakes. 2.33 Landfill Gas and Flaring It is formed from the biodegradation of wastes. It normally occurs at elevated temperatures and eventually it will be saturated with water vapour. The major components of LFG are methane and carbon dioxide. Methane is an odourless gas and travelling away from sites can cause landfills fires when combines with air in certain proportions. Three processes by which landfill gas occurs; Bacterial decomposition, volatilization, and chemical reactions. The volume of landfill gas produced at a site depends on these factors: waste composition, age of refuse, presence of oxygen in the landfill, moisture content, and temperature. Source (2): http:www.scitopics.com Figure 2: Typical Gas Composition at an engineered Landfill Site. (Adapted from Environment Agency November 2002) The purpose of landfill gas flaring is to dispose of the flammable constituents safely and furthermore to avoid negative effects caused by odours, Care must be taken in the management of LFG so as to; Reduce impact on air quality; Gas does not spread beyond the perimeter of the site, to avoid landfill fires, to permit energy recovery and also to avoid odour and health risks. 2.34 Important points to be considered in the design of a landfill and facilities required inside the landfill are: Nature and quantities of waste, water control, operational and restoration requirements, construction effects must be considered ,risk assessment, protection of soil and water, leachate management, gas control and Environmental nuisances. Moreover, the access of the landfill, the opening hours, types of wastes accepted should be marked and displayed at the entrance. In addition to that provision of an office plus the first aid area, bathing and toilet facilities, lockers, mess rooms, waste reception area ,store, parking area and a wheel clearer is essential for preventing mud from being carried out on the public road lastly the provision of adequate water supply in case of fire. 2.35 Health effects on Landfilling Landfills should be the last resorts due to the scarcity of lands and many health problems encountered through it. There is a large body of literature on the potential adverse health effects of different waste management options. Example in a research done by (Saffron Lisa, 2003) it has been found that 220 papers have been published about the health effects from landfill sites. Many studies have been made on human populations about the hazards to health from landfill sites (Pitt Michael, 2005) but 101 are based on health impacts of landfill sites and 23 about health impacts of contaminated drinking water. Six papers discovered the evidence linking health effects with landfill sites. (Vrijheid M, 2000), revealed that health problems associated include respiratory symptoms, irritation of the skin, nose and eyes, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, headaches. Environmental (Vrijheid M, 2000).These studies was conducted in order to look for a link between landfill sites and the following health outcomes: Reproductive outcomes(31studies),Cancer(29), psychosocial impacts(19), health problem not specified in abstract(14),mortality(5), injuries poisoning(2).Also EPA, revealed that many problems which occurred are because of the poor management of landfills. Most often theses problems are long term and include possible contamination of the groundwater and surface water regimes, among others. According to recent research, it was found that women who live near landfill sites has an elevated risk of having a baby with congenital malformations and also suffers from stress, fatigues, headaches, eye infections or irritations, coughs, stuffy noise, dry throat, and nausea and spontaneous abortions.(www://bmj.com).Also the other health impacts associated according to another research done by an international journal (Saffron lisa et al. ,2003) revealed that there is an increased risk of contracting cancer and also it contribute to global warming and loss of biodiversity as well and the depletion of non-renewable resources. In addition, mentioned was made in this journal that people living near and far off the sites contracts nearly same types of health problems. Each people immune systems are different; one can be more resistant while the others can be less. Research on Landfill site in Nant-y-Gwyddon revealed that an increase rate in congenital abnormalities in residents near the site, but it has been challenged by (Roberts et al: 2000).They were also suffering from stress, fatigues, headaches, eye infections or irritation, coughs, stuffy nose, dry throat and nausea and spontaneous abortions. Also the birth prevalence of gastoschisis seems to be increasing internally and nationally. The main weakness of the studies about landfill health effects is the complete lack of exposure data. Where the hazards from landfill sites have been identified, as is the case in the National Priorities List sites in the USA, it is possible to estimate exposure using the EPA Human Exposure Model (Wolfinger, 1989). The results of this type of analysis are uncertain and are based on risky assumptions. These remain estimates, not data. Most often theses problems are long term and include possible contamination of the groundwater and surface water regimes, odour, noise and visual nuisances (EPA). In an international journal (Saffron lisa,2003) revealed that there is an increased risk of contracting cancer and also it contribute to global warming and loss of biodiversity as well and the depletion of non-renewable resources, mentioned was made in this journal that people living near and far off the sites contracts nearly same types of health problems. Each people immune systems are different; one can be more resistant while the others can be less. Figure3: Components of landfill (adapted from Department of Environmental Conservation New York) The above figure shows the components and how the landfill has been design considering the different layers from the top to the bottom. In order to promote rainfall run-off away from the landfill a 24-inch thick barrier protection layer composition of soil and overlying 6 inches of vegetation topsoil serve to prevent the underlying geomembrane. To avoid again infiltration of rainfall a 60 mm geomenbrane along with the underlying low permeability clay layer are placed, thus this is done to avoid generation of additional leachate. Sand or gravel together with pipe lines are being placed so as to collect landfill gasses generated by decomposition waste. It is then followed by the waste mass, where all the waste is stock till decomposition. It is obvious that waste which contains water generate leachate therefore a primary leachate collection with pipe in place, so as to prevent the contamination of deep water sources a 60mm thick geomembrane underlines the leachate collection system and on the bottom of landfill syrong textile component to make a composite liner. However, another secondary leachate collection pipe is present after structural fill to avoid completely the leachate underground contamination. The final is a plastic geomembrane is to protect again the soil and the deep water sources. This design serves to protect the environment from contaminants which may be present in the municipal solid waste. The landfill siting plan, which prevents the siting of landfills in environmentally sensitive areas, as well as on-site environmental monitoring systems, which monitor for any sign of groundwater contamination and for landfill gas, provide additional safeguard. 2.36 Specifically Engineered Landfill (Basel Convention UNEP) At the start of the project, proper planning shall be carried out considering that the landfill would not cause harm either to people or environment. Therefore high standard of controlling measures shall be put in place and establish control procedures which would monitor and even anticipate what to do after all cells have been filled. Hazardous waste must be disposed off before reaching the landfill and it can be done by either incineration or physio chemical processors. 2.37 Health and safety aspects associated with solid waste management All activities in solid waste management involve risk. From the place of collection to the final stage in landfill risk is directly associated. However, we need to quantify the risk and identify the main hazard which may cause harm to people thus having a direct impact on the business. Risk which exists and is liable to cause damage to our health safety and even welfare and can be categorized in the following context: Disease, injuries and accident Disease -Illnesses which comprise of infectious disease, allergies, respiratory damage and even cancer. Some disease is derived from direct injections of infectious micro-organisms, others involve infection through contamination of the food chain, whereby animals or other vectors have ingested infectious micro-organisms Injuries joint and spinal damage, fractures, puncture wounds, damage to eyes and ears and other part of the body Accidents- slides from unstable disposal piles, cave-ins of disposal site surfaces, fires, explosions, being caught in processing equipment, and being run over by mobile equipment The workers are greatly exposed to the various risk at the landfill are specially, those who get involves in the segagation process. This practice is good for the recycling processes but its health consequence is beard up by workers. Those workers are exposed to fecal matters, saturated toxic materials, bottle with chemical residues, metals containers with residues pesticides and solvents, needle and bandages from hospital, battery containing heavy metals, not to forget the pollution caused by the mechanical vehicles which is inhale by the workers. Moving into more details the occupational illnesses and health consequences which cause tremendous nuisance to the workers exposed in a landfill are:- The risk of vibration from heavy vehicles cause damage to the back and joint also the lifting of waste fill containers can damage our spine in the long run and if over- exposed very detrimental in the short run From our respiratory ingestion of particulates bio-aerosol, and volatile organic are penetrated in our system through our routes of entry Infection are being caused from direct contact with contamination material, dog and rodent bites, or eating of waste fed animals Wounds punctured or bruised can contribute or cause health problems like tetanus, hepatitis, and HIV infections. Frequent head and nausea are caused from anoxic condition where disposal sites have high methane, CO2 and carbon monoxide. The consequences of burning metals arise the risk of lead poisoning.(Sandra Cointreau,2006) 2.38 The need for risk assessment in a landfill Risk assessment is important in a landfill as it contributes in the planning process. Strategic goals are being evaluated based on the risk assessment carried out. The identification of hazards is essential so as to mitigate the various risks present in the landfill. Engineering and administrative control would be based on the risk assessment done and this show the gravity or severity of the hazard present in the landfill. This is done in order to mitigate the negative impact on environment. Risk assessment in a landfill would comprise of undergoing to find ways how to control or even reduce the deterioration of ecological system, As the analysis of two major areas: Adverse health and environmental effects of exposure to hazardous chemical and failure of complex technological system. The risk assessment of a landfill should take place well in advance before it is in operation and this analysis would identify the various problem which may crop up and predict or design ways how to mitigate risk and find appropriate control measure. Nevertheless, the ecological risk assessment and the engineering risk assessment must be combining under one main component which is the environmental risk assessment. Developing the risk assessment we should know:- What are types of waste we are dealing are they harmful? We must know who are exposed to those hazards(people, animals, aquatic life etc) (3)To what extent it is affecting environment (magnitude, frequency)? (4)Is there the need to provide corrective measures? Risk assessment involvement in the landfill would be a continuous process and it shall be carried out even after its closure. So, this evaluation exercise predicts and illustrates preventive measures for the environment. (TE Butt, 2008) 3 METHODOLOGY: HEALTH AND SAFETY TOUR AT MARE CHICOSE SANITARY LANDFILL 3.1 OBJECTIVE A site visit was organized on 29/09/10 at Mare Chicose sanitary landfill. The purpose of the visit was to see the geographical location of the landfill, understand the management operations, vehicular movement control, and plant installations requirements and identify the hazards with evaluation of the risks present in the landfill. A checklist was formerly prepared prior to the visit on the hazards. Most of the work was adopted from Hobart City Council/Environmental aspects register (3) 3.2 OBSERVATIONS The Mare Chicose sanitary landfill is the only engineered landfill of Mauritius and it covers an area of about 32 hectares of land. It is operational since November 2007 and is managed by sotravic ltee. The sanitary landfill has been constructed with a designed capacity of about 20,000 tons of solid waste. It was scheduled during design stage to receive about 300 tons of waste daily but actually receive 1200 ton per day. The five cells of the landfill as at to date are full. The construction of a 6th cell is under construction to respond to the increasing demand of waste disposal which include municipal waste, textile waste, tyres and papers. At the construction phase, precautionary measures have been taken not to contaminate underground water table. The bed is protected by a layer of high density polyethylene impermeable membrane followed by 400g/m2 three layers of non woven geotextile. Above it follows a thick layer of aggregates of size 32mm which is finally covered by another layer of 1.5mm geotextile. In between are located leachate pipes whose functions are to collect the liquid leachate to a leachate pond. In the design of the main pipes for leachate, the annual rainfall factor has been considered so that the accumulated rainfall on the bed is properly disposed off. Management of leachate is very important to ensure that there is no run out in drains and neighboring fields and cause environmental concern. Leachate also produce odour which is reduced with use of synthetic cover made of biodegradable plastic on top of the solid waste. (3): source http://www.risk assessement landfill The depth of the landfill is usually 4m. However the solid wastes are piled up to a height of 25 to 50m above ground level and are protected again on top with another layers of geotextile membranes, aggregates, sub soil and top soil which prevents infiltration of rain water in the disposed waste. Most of the disposed wastes in the landfill are organic and the settlement of the waste in the present cells will be about 6 metre over 15 years. It should be noted that methane gas is produced in dangerous concentration at bottom as a byproduct during decomposition of the waste in anaerobic condition. This gas has a green house effect and is managed through a flaring system: the gas is captured by aspiration from bottom of the landfill through a 460mm diameter slotted pipe to prevent its direct migration into the air. Methane is collected in a gas flare plant which has a capacity of 1500 m3 of gas per hour. It receives the gas through gas well chambers which are located on top of the capping. One gas well chambers cover a radius of 40m of the capped landfill. The captured methane gas is either used to produce electricity or is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide after the flaring process. The following analysis is done on monthly basis to prevent environmental problem: ,Leachate, Surface water for storm water monitoring, Underground water table and boreholes, air monitoring through gas analyser for CH4, CO2, and O2 (every three month), noise ,dust. The following health and safety measures have been taken at the landfill: The 50 workers posted are vaccinated against Tetanus and Hepatitis at intervals of six months. Regular health surveillance/medical checkup by a medical practitioner. Protective equipment provided: Earmuff, rubber boot, respiratory mask and eye goggle. All loaders/compacters in use are air conditioned and the machines are designed such that there is no risk of overturning. The landfill is a restricted area and access is authorized only with permission from Ministry of Local Government. All staff are trained in fire safety and first aid No work normally done inside waste- breathing apparatus is used if required. No radioactive waste, acids and medical waste are accepted. All liquid waste are directed to St Martin. All electronic waste are disposed off in separate concrete basin known as encapsulation. All asbestos are received only in sealed bags and disposed off deep in trenches and properly backfilled. A risk assessment was carried out during the health and safety tour at the sanitary landfill. The hazards identified have been evaluated in terms of its likelihood that a problem may occur and the damage it might cause. The consequences or potential severity of injury or damage, measured on a scale has also been assessed and a risk score given by multiplying the likelihood scale with the severity scale. The risk assessment carried out is quantitative and has been adapted from the five steps to risk assessment from the Health and Safety Executive. The steps are as follows: STEP ONE- Identifying the hazards STEP TWO Determine the risk or decide who might be harmed. STEP THREE Evaluate if the risk is tolerable. STEP FOUR Record the findings and prepare risk control plan. STEP FIVE Review the assessment if there is change in any work procedure/equipment. 3.3 RISK ASSESSMENT AT MARE CHICOSE For the purpose of this project, the following definition has been considered: HAZARD Hazard is defined as a source of inherent potential to cause harm or damage or injury. RISK Risk is defined as the likelihood/probability of the harm or damage or injury occurring. The risk assessment was carried out to evaluate the environmental and occupational hazards present on the landfill to determine the level of action required to reduce the risks to an acceptable level. When evaluating the risks imposed by the hazard, we have considered both the likelihood and severity of the event happening. LIKELIHOOD This is defined as the chance of an event actually occurring. When making an assessment of likelihood, we established which of the following categories most closely describes the likelihood of the hazardous event occurring: Very Likely Could happen frequently Likely Could happen occasionally Unlikely Could happen, but only rarely Very Unlikely Could happen but probably never will SEVERITY Severity is defined as a measure of the expected consequence should an accident occur. When assessing the consequences of an accident, the most severe category one could reasonably expect to result from that accident has been selected. The severity is categorized as follows: Major injuries irreversible injury and Death Moderate injuries a serious injury or damage to health requiring extended time off work to effect best recovery. Minor injuries a reversible injury or damage to health needing several days away from work to recover. Recovery would be full and permanent. Insignificant Injuries-require first aid only and may need the remainder of the work period or shift off before being able to return to work. Requires no action to control.When making the risk assessment, all aspects of likelihood and severity has been taken into consideration. The interrelated parameters of likelihood and severity has been defined as risk score and any score of 9 and above is rated as unacceptable or of significant risk requiring immediate action with implementation of important control measures. CONTROL MEASURES Control measures are defined as corrective measures already in place to reduce the risk at an acceptable level. Consideration shall also be taken that these control measures are either engineering or administrative. However, some other control measures do exists but it all depends on the financial position of the organization and also to what extent are the control measures appropriate for the hazard present. These control measure are adopted in order to either eliminate completely the hazard or to mitigate the hazards. Implemented by whom and when The health and safety officer shall propose to management the measure to be taken and who responsible to implement the control measure. Also, depending on the urgency and the degree of risk that the environment is exposed to, a time frame shall be established. Thus, in any work which has been delegated by the management to the department concern, the latter shall be responsible and also accountable in time limit proposed. VISIT TO MARE CHICOSE SANITARY LANDFILL SITE (Risk Assessment carried out on 29/09/10) LIKELIHOOD: 1=Very unlikely 2=unlikely 3=likely 4=very likely. SEVERITY: 1=Insigni

Kerouac :: essays research papers

Born on March 12, 1922, the youngest of three children in a French-Canadian family that had established itself in Lowell, Massachusetts, Jack Kerouac was by the age of ten already aiming to become a writer. His father ran a print shop and published a local newsletter called the Spotlight. Before long he began writing and producing his own sport sheet, which he sold to friends and acquaintances in Lowell. He attended both Catholic and public schools, and won athletic scholarships to the Horace Mann prep school (in New York) and then to Columbia University. In New York he fell in with fellow literary-icons-to-be Allen Ginsberg, the poet, and William S. Burroughs, the novelist. A broken leg hobbled his college football career, and Kerouac quit Columbia in his sophomore year, eventually joining the merchant marine and then Navy (from which he was discharged). Thus began the restless wandering that would characterize both his legacy and his life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To Kerouac, â€Å"Beat† – a shorthand term for â€Å"beatitude† and the idea that the downtrodden are saintly – was not about politics but about spirituality and art. The thirty published and unpublished books he wrote from 1941 to 1969 include Kerouac’s thirteen-volume, more or less autobiographical â€Å"Legend of Duluoz† – a study of a particular lifetime, his own, in the manner of Honore’ de Balzac’s Human Comedy or Marcel Poust’s Remembrance of Things Past.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kerouac set out to become the quintessential literary mythmaker of postwar America, creating his â€Å"Legend of Duluoz† by spinning poetic tales about his adventures. â€Å"I promise I shall never give up, and that I’ll die yelling and laughing,† Kerouac wrote in his diary in 1949. â€Å"And that until then I’ll rush around this world I insist in holy and pull at everyone’s lapel and make them confess to me and to all.† At the time when Norman Mailer was playing sociologist by studying â€Å"whit Negro† hipsters, Kerouac sought to depict his fascinatingly inchoate friend Neal Cassady as the modern-day equivalent of the Wild West legends Jim Bridger, Pecos Bill, and Jesse James. Like the Lowell boy he never quite ceased to be, Kerouac saw football players and range-worn cowboys as the paragons of true America; his diaries teem with references to â€Å"folk heroes† and praise for Zane Grey’s honest drif ters, Herman Melville’s confidence men, and Babe Ruth’s feats on the diamond and in the barroom. Kerouac brought Cassady into the American mythical pantheon as â€Å"the mad Ahab at the wheel,† compelling others to join his roaring drive across Walt Whitman’s patchwork Promise Land.

Foreign Policy in the Nixon Presidency Essay

Richard Nixon is one of the most controversial figures in American history. His presidency is remembered most for the Watergate scandal and his subsequent resignation but some of his foreign policies forever altered American foreign diplomacy. One of the major policies that President Nixon was responsible for was changing the nature of the United States relationship with China. He did this by setting into motion covert diplomatic actions and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Nixon’s reasons for improving relationships with the Communist regime was to force the Soviet Union to be more accommodating to American demands and to also help end the war in Vietnam. Another reason for improving relations was very personal for Richard Nixon. He wanted to show his power as an international statesman to the world and American public. American/Chinese relations for many years were friendly and involved the trade of goods and ideas. American missionaries had gone to China to bui ld churches and hospitals. The two countries were allies against the Japanese during World War II. After the war ended the United States was not an ally of China as a whole but one political group, the Kuomintang. The Kuomintang, led by Chang Kai Shek, were in battled in a civil war with the Chinese communists who would eventually win out. Chang Kai Shek would take his government to the island of Taiwan. After the civil war, the United States only recognized Chang’s Republic of China and kept the People’s Republic of China, led by Mao Ze-Dong, out of the United Nations and other international bodies. This led to an isolation of China by a majority of the international community. The only diplomatic relations the United States had with China were through intermediary countries. While relations with the United States were sour, the Chinese relationship with the Soviet Union had quickly deteriorated. Both China and the Soviet Union were communist countries but their ideologies were very different. Their relationship slowly became strained and both countries started to build up troops along their common border through the 1960s. After the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia and released the Brezhnev Doctrine, which stated that the Kremlin â€Å"had the right to correct deviationism in other communist countries by military intervention,† the Chinese no longer considered the Soviet Union as an ally. This led to violent border clashes between the two countries in March 1969. By the end of 1969 the Soviet Union had over a million troops stationed along the Soviet/Chinese border and missiles aimed at major Chinese cities. The year before, a former republican vice-president from California, Richard Nixon, was elected president. He had made a name for him self in Congress as a leading anti-communist and he went on to serve as vice-president under Dwight D Eisenhower. Even before he was elected president, Nixon had expressed interest in opening up relations with China despite his previous negative views of communism. In 1967 he wrote an article for Foreign Affairs magazine where he stated â€Å"We simply cannot afford to leave China forever outside the family of nations, there to nurture its fantasies, cherish its hates and threaten its neighbors. There is no place on this small planet for a billion of its potentially most able people to live in angry isolation.† After his election as President Richard Nixon decided to make China one of the primary focuses of his foreign policy. One of his primary reasons for doing this was to gain an upper hand in the now 20-year-old Cold War with the Soviet Union. The Soviets had taken over several Eastern European countries and turned them into communist states in an attempt to show the world the successes of Communism. Also by the late 1960s the United States was no longer confident that it could win a war with the Soviet Union since they had had the two decades since the Second World War to regain it military strength. This required the United States to have to change strategies in dealing with the Soviet Union. They now had to shift their focus to gaining China as an ally. The State Department in the summer of 1969 began to announce various unilateral gestures of reconciliation. Many restrictions on travel and trade were lifted. This would become know as â€Å"Ping Pong† diplomacy. It was so named after the United States ping-pong team was invited to the Chinese capital in April of 1971. During their visit the group was treated as though they were dignitaries or royalty. They played matches against the Chinese team but also visited important landmarks through out China. The American delegation was accompanied by members of the press and was closely watched by the American public. At a banquet for the visiting Americans, Chou En-Lai, the Chinese Premier told the group, â€Å"Exchanges between our two countries have been cut off for a long time but now, with your acceptance of our invitation, you have opened a new page in the relations of the Chinese and American people.† While the American ping-pong players were the talk of the media, behi nd the scenes Nixon was putting into action his plan to improve relations with China. He did this by employing his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, to make covert communications with the Chinese government. Before the Ping-Pong players had ever set foot in China and at the beginning of his presidency Nixon had Kissinger prepare a study on the feasibility of improving American/Chinese relations. Originally Kissinger was hesitant about the idea of talks with China even being quoted as saying â€Å"this crazy guy really does want to normalize relations with China.† But even Kissinger knew that an alliance between the United States and China could shift the global political powers more in favor of the United States and away from communism and the Soviet Union. One of the biggest roadblocks to improving relations with China was the issue of Taiwan. Since the Chinese civil war ended the United States had only recognized the government of the Republic of China on the island of Taiwan. So even as Nixon is trying to improve relations with communist China there is still the issue that the United States does not officially recognize the People’s Republic of China as a legitimate government. To ease some of China’s concerns, Nixon instructs his administration to terminate navel patrols in the Straight of Taiwan. Also in a radio address that Nixon gave on February 25, 1971 regarding his congressional foreign policy report he reiterated both his intention to protect Taiwan but open up talks with China. â€Å"We will search for consecutive discussions with Communist China while maintaining our defense commitment to Taiwan. When the Government of the People’s Republic of China is ready to engage in talks, it will find us receptive to agreements that further the legitimate national interests of China and its neighbors.† A visit to China was next on Nixon’s foreign policy agenda. He announced his intentions in 1970, taking much of the world by surprise especially the Soviet Union. He negotiated this visit first by secretly sending Henry Kissinger to Beijing in July of 1971. Kissinger made this covert trip by faking illness on a diplomatic visit to Pakistan and flying to China to convey Nixon’s intention to Premier Zhou En-Lai. It was decided that President Nixon would visit the following year. On February 21, 1972, Richard Nixon became the first United States President to visit China. The following week would become known as the â€Å"week that changed the world. † President Nixon would only meet with an ailing Mao Ze-dong one time during his visit but it would set in motion events that would lead to United States recognition of Mao’s government and an end to the Cold War. The visit ended with both countries issuing the Shanghai Communiquà ©. In this document both countries pledged to work towards normalization of relations. The United States also agreed to remove military forces from Taiwan. Shortly after the delegations return from their visit to China, Richard Nixon tasked Henry Kissinger with negotiating arms treaties with the Soviet Union. With the well-publicized visit closely watched by the Soviets the United States now had more bargaining power. In 1972, Kissinger negotiated the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks. The two Cold-War super powers agreed that they would begin limiting missiles, nuclear arms, and delivery systems. With his relative success in negotiating deals with both China and the Soviet Union, Richard Nixon was hopeful that he would have the same success in negotiating a deal with North Vietnam to end the Vietnam War. Going into his re-election campaign in 1972 the United States had been at war in Vietnam for 12 years, over 50,000 had been killed, and billions of dollars had been spent. His first major policy regarding Vietnam that Nixon put into place was the Nixon Doctrine. The Doctrine had three major tenants. First, the United States would honor all of its treaty agreements. Secondly, the United States would provide a shield if a nuclear power threatened an ally or a country the United States deemed to be vital to its national security. And, lastly, the United States would provide military and economic aid to countries under treaty agreements, but the requesting nation would be expected to bear primary responsibility to provide the manpower for its own defense. The Nixon Doctrine led to the withdrawal of ground troops from Vietnam and training the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in defense of their own country. Nixon had also hoped that his new treaties with China would help to isolate the North Vietnamese and convince them to sign a peace treaty. In 1973, a cease-fire was negotiated at the Paris Peace Accords and ended United States involvement in Vietnam. However this did not stop the spread of communism to south Vietnam. Nixon’s improved relations with China were largely unsuccessful in there being a positive resolution of the Vietnam War. While the entire episode of the Vietnam War was seen as a blemish on Richard Nixon’s Presidency he was still very concerned about his image not only among the American public but on the world stage as well. He wanted to use his visit to China to draw attention to his expertise as a global statesman. Among the people that accompanied Nixon on his trip to China was White House Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman. While Nixon was meeting mostly with Chinese Premier Zhou and negotiating agreements, Haldeman and Nixon’s wife Pat toured factories and schools throughout China. Mrs. Nixon was followed by a large group of press. Bob Haldeman was in charge of making their visit look very positive to the American public. Margaret MacMillan writes in her book Nixon in China, â€Å"The images flowed back to the United States, targeted for prime-time evening television. It was a presidential election year at home and Haldeman wanted to make sure that Nixon shone out as the great leader and statesman.† From the very beginning of his Presidency Richard Nixon always wanted to be seen in a positive light especially his portrayal in the media. He tasked members of his staff with combating any negative comments said about him and manage any news about him. He bordered on obsessive when it came to public image. His first week in office he formed a task called the â€Å"Five O’clock† group that was responsible for monitoring television programs for any negative comments about the President or his administration and defending them. With the Vietnam War and the protests to the end the war at the top of most news stories, Nixon needed to do something to get his name back in the limelight. Many believe that this a major factor for his motivation to reach out to China and his subsequent visit. During his time in China he made sure the entire trip was highly publicized. He did numerous photo opportunities at such places like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. The reception his visit received by the American public was very positive. This was their first view into the isolated nation in over 20 years. This view, however, was a carefully scripted play put on by the Chinese government. This was their attempt to show a â€Å"New† China, not one that was still suffering from th e isolationist policies of the Cultural Revolution. The Chinese officials responsible for showing China in a positive way had people picnicking outside of factories in the bitter cold listening to revolutionary music and then collected the radios they were listening to after the delegation left. These inconsistencies were noticed by a Canadian member of the press to which Premier Zhou had to quietly admit that this was wrong of them to do. But the idea of a â€Å"New† China would only help President Nixon portray to the world that America and China, even with such opposite political views, could come to an understanding. His visit took the entire worlds view off of Vietnam and on to him personally while he visited China. Kissinger had pled with President Nixon to not make his trip to China a media circus because of the impact it would have internationally with America’s allies and enemies. International reaction to the visit was mixed. The United States allies were mostly disappointed that they had been kept in the dark about the new relations. The British felt particularly offended that they were not informed before hand about the dealings going on between the Americans and the Chinese. Even with the somewhat cool reception in the international community about Richard Nixon’s visit to China it was still one of the most significant moments in United States foreign policy during the Cold War. Henry Kissinger wrote in his memoir On China, â€Å" The reward for Sino-American rapprochement would not be a state of perpetual friendship or a harmony of values, but a rebalancing of the global equilibrium.† Richard Nixon helped to accomplish this by improving relations with China in an effort to change the American relationship with the Soviet Union and end the Vietnam War. While his intentions were for both personal and professional gain, either way his foreign policies remain at the top of his successes as President. Nixon’s presidency is mostly remembered of one wrought with corruption and following the Watergate scandal, he is still the only United States President to resign from office. He became known as politician that would use any means necessary to accomplish his goals but this also led to his downfall. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bundy, William. A Tangled Web: The making of Foreign Policy in the Nixon Presidency. New York, 1989. Chang, Gordon H.. Friends and enemies: the United States, China, and the Soviet Union, 1948-1972. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1990. Devoss, David A. â€Å"Ping-Pong Diplomacy.† Smithsonian . 33. no. 1 2002 Keilers, John G. U.S. Army Military History Institute, â€Å"Nixon Doctrine and Vietnamization.† Last modified 2007. Accessed November 14, 2012. http://www.army.mil/article/3867/Nixon_Doctrine_and_Vietnamization/. Kissinger, Henry On China. New York: Penguin Press, 2011. Print. MacMillan, Margaret. Nixon in China: the week that changed the world. Toronto: Viking Canada, 2006. Nixon, Richard. Miller Center, â€Å"Radio Address About Second Annual Foreign Policy Report to the Congress .† Last modified 1971. Accessed November 14, 2012. http://millercenter.org/president/speeches/detail/3875. Nixon, Richard M. â€Å"Asia After Viet Nam.† Foreign Affairs, October 1967. http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/23927/richard-m-nixon/asia-after-viet-nam (accessed October 18, 2012) Small, Melvin. The presidency of Richard Nixon. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1999. Walker, Anne Collins, John Eastman, and Elizabeth C Eastman. China calls: paving the way for Nixon’s historic journey to China. Lanham, Md.: Madison Books :, 1992.