The Things They Carried Vietnam War Novel - Free Essay Example

The author of this novel, OBrien recounts his experiences from the Vietnam war. Joining the war was a battle in itself for OBrien, as after receiving his draft notice in June of 1968, he almost fled because he was so opposed to the war itself. OBrien describes himself as too good for this war, too smart, too compassionate. This was an later realized flaw of the Vietnam war, lasting roughly 20 years, that of its questionable purpose. One of the main issues raised in this personal perspective novel is the act of peer pressure and embarrassment regarding the war. This is shown best in this quote from OBrien near the start of the book They carried the soldiers greatest fear, which was the fear of blushing. Men killed, and died, because they were embarrassed not to. It was what had brought them to the war in the first place, nothing positive, no dreams of glory or honor, just to avoid the blush of dishonor. They died so as not to die of embarrassment. Within this chapter of the book, OBrien explains the emotional baggage that the soldiers carry, whilst risking their lives for their country. OBrien suggests that a barely hidden coward is common within the soldiers. He explores the idea that men go to war not to be heroes for their country, but to avoid embarrassment. They are almost forced, due to the cowar dly stereotype that accompanies not enlisting. These ideas are further strengthened early in the novel, within a particularly prominent chapter On The Rainy River, OBrien has fled his hometown and made it to a lodge just before the Canadian border. Here he resides for 6 days in total, doing odd jobs for the owner of the lodge, Elroy. On the last day Elroy takes OBrien to the border of Canada on a fishing trip and lets OBrien silently decide whether he stays or goes. OBriens inner turmoil is finalized by this quote. In my head I could hear people screaming at me, traitor, turncoat and pussy. He voices that the only thing that stopped him from fleeing the war, was the thought that the people from home would think of him as a coward, ignoring his moral conscience to dodge the patriotic ridicule. Further on in the novel, OBrien eventually kills a Vietnamese soldier. He seeks the help of his fellow soldiers, especially Kiowa, who helps him rationalize this act by saying no sweat man, what else could you do. By highlighting the normalc y of his action with a casual tone, Kiowa is implying that killing is the right thing to do. OBrien uses this rationalization to suggest that the soldiers commit acts of murder mostly in a simple reaction to peer pressure, therefore alluding to the fact that their greatest fear is not that of taking a life, but of embarrassment. I can relate to OBriens perspective personally, as there are many instanced in life where I have felt pressured into undertaking social norms so to avoid feeling outcast. One major example that I have most recently fallen victim to, is the act of attending college. In my home country of England, work placements and apprenticeships are just as viable and popular options to graduating young adults. However here in America I have felt such a large pressure from society to not only get into college, but a well respected, higher level name such as UCLA or Berkley. Often people use this as a platform for judgement, evoking feelings of shame and embarrassment for those such as myself who in fact could not attend such schools. The shame may pass but the guilt goes deeper, making it a much harder feeling to shake. Many feel that this is the only way to attain respect from employers and colleagues, which is a completely unfair assumption as one may hold great potential but have chosen a differ ent or more financially convenient path in life- therefore being subject to bias and a negative social subconscious.

Love Bomb The Musical, Produced By Donna Spencer And...

Rhianna Jagpal WMST 1216 Love Bomb xxx words I attended the live performance of â€Å"Love Bomb† the musical, produced by Donna Spencer and directed by Reneà © Iaci. The production was put up by the Firehall Arts Center located at 280 E Cordova St, Vancouver, BC. The central storyline of the show was as follows: A concert of emotion rips through Justine’s (played by Sara Vickruck) first performance in years, and all because of one uninvited guest, Lillian (played by Deb Pickman), her music takes on a life of its own. Lillian is a desperate mother searching for her missing daughter while Justine is hiding a secret that could kill her career. As the musical’s storyline developed further, it was clear that a sensitive topic was the underlying issue: Prostitution. In the production, Lillian comes to discover that her missing daughter, Nicola, has actually run away with her highschool boyfriend. At the time Nicola was 16 and her boyfriend said to be 23 but in actuality was 33. The boyfriend was a pimp and had slowly lured little Nicola into becoming a prostitute. Within the first couple months of the relationship everything was normal and he financially supported Nicola in every way. He used money as a ploy to manipulate her. Once she realized she loved the thrill, money, and drugs, she was hooked. Worst of all, she was in love with him and there was no turning back. Lillian comes to meet Justine, a singer/songwriter who was once in Nicola’s position but was

The Rising Cost Of College - 951 Words

Regardless of what a student’s major is, college offers a person the knowledge that they will use throughout their entire life. It arms a person with skills such as communication, critical thinking, analytical capabilities, cultural literacy and leadership. John Henry Newman believed that acquiring such skills was the most important aspect of college and that its purpose was â€Å"training good members of society† (53). However opinions shifted on what the purpose of college is, people began to see it simply as a means to an end, a pathway to financial stability. Dan Berrett, a writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, attributes part of this change to President Ronald Reagan. Berrett writes that on February 28, 1967, then California governor Ronald Reagan, said â€Å"†¦we do believe that there are certain intellectual luxuries that perhaps we could do without,† he was referring to liberal education (qtd. in Berrett). The rising cost of college has also influenced the way people feel about liberal education versus high-tech training, people want to make sure their degree is worth every penny they spent on it. In a very practical way, college definitely serves the purpose of procuring a career, but it is also essential to shaping productive members of society. When considering a higher education people often wonder if the potential contributions to humanity outweigh a guaranteed salary and if they are mutually exclusive. A survey of 400 employers conducted by a consortium for theShow MoreRelatedThe Rising Cost Of College977 Words   |  4 Pagesof what your major may be, college offers you knowledge that you will use throughout your entire life. It arms you with skills such as communication, critical thinking, analytical capabilities, cultural literacy and leadership. John Henry Newman believed that acquiring such skills was the most important aspect of college and that its purpose was â€Å"training good members of society† (53). However at some point there was a shift in opinion as to what the purpose of college is, people began to see itRead MoreThe rising costs of college1169 Words   |  5 PagesYoshimasa Hirano Thomas Jordan Basic Composition 2/7/2014 The rising costs of college In the US, higher education is really important to succeed in the future. â€Å"In 2003, the typical full-time year-round worker in the United States with a four-year college degree earned $49,900, 62 percent more than the $30,800 earned by the typical full-time year-round worker with only a high school diploma† (U.S. Census Bureau). That means if you have a bachelor’s degree, you would get a better job and salaryRead MoreThe Rising Costs Of College Attendance1396 Words   |  6 PagesAs we are experiencing a time of rising student debt and high unemployment, how do we define a â€Å"right price† for higher education and what value does it hold? Annually, the federal Higher Education Act (HEA) currently provides up to $38 billion in loans to postsecondary education, $14 billion for programs and more than $10 billion in Pell Grants are awarded to college students. The Department of Education administers policies that are inclusive of and accountability for all levels of the systemRead MoreThe Rising Cost Of College Tuition855 Words   |  4 Pagesmoney through new technology platforms, and are the most educated generation of all time. Young adults are experience a higher level of poverty than any other age group. Young adults have been suffering greatly due to the rising cost of education and living. The cost of college tuition makes it even harder for them to achieve financial assistance. The amount of student loans debt in America is roughly around one point eight trillion dollars. Factors like the minimum wage also make it harder for youngRead MoreThe Myths Of Rising College Cost2366 Words   |  10 Pagesnational average of 20% between 2008 and 2012 (Hiltonsmith Draut, 2014). Higher education stakeholders, such as students, parents, public policy makers, have expressed their worries about the rising tuition as it has triggered a public concern about college affordability (Mumper Freeman, 2011). For public colleges and universities, it was the first time that they have witnessed that tuition as a share of total revenue surpasses the state funding for public institutions nationwide in 2012 (U.S. GovernmentRea d MoreRising Cost Of College Tuition2509 Words   |  11 PagesPower, Privilege Rising Cost of College Tuition in the U.S The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of higher education and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation in the 1970’s. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high schoolRead MoreRising Cost of College Textbooks1995 Words   |  8 PagesAsk any college student to state one of their largest expenses and it would be safe to bet the response would be â€Å"Textbook prices!† The cost of purchasing required materials for courses has reached numbers high enough to cause many students to take out second loans. Information released this year by the American Enterprise Institute shows that â€Å"College textbook prices have increased faster than tuition, health care costs and housing prices, all of which have ri sen faster than inflation† (KingkadeRead MoreThe Rising Cost Of College Tuition976 Words   |  4 Pagesyears, the soaring cost of college tuition has angered many students and parents, leaving many wondering where they will come up with the funds to pay. While college is still a pretty sound investment for most career paths, the cost of an education has outpaced general inflation by almost double, leaving many families simply unable to shoulder the fiscal burden without incurring large amounts of debt. How did we get to where we are today? A big part of it has to do with how colleges themselves haveRead MoreCollege Tuition And The Rising Cost Of Education Essay2116 Words   |  9 PagesCollege has been sold to the American people as the key to a better future. Complete the four-year degree program and watch oneself rise from the poverty of lower class to the white picket fence middle class dream. This may have been the case in the 1970’s, but college students today are facing over one trillion dollars in combined student loan debt (Denhart 3). In fact, the price of college has increased higher than any other good or service since 1978(Ivory Tower). With the cost of tuition skyrocketingRead MoreWhat are the Problems of Rising Cost in College Tuition?1323 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the Problems of Rising Cost in College Tuition? College fee is the main factor that depends on which institution of higher learning that a student is likely to join unless awarded a scholarship. It directly depends on one’s financial capability. The poor afford the cheap and less desirable intuitions that they can be able to afford while the rich can get access to high class type of education. Policies exist that govern the ability of institutions increasing their fees and at the same

Competitors in Electric Vehicle Market †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Competitors in Electric Vehicle Market. Answer: Introduction: Toyota RAV4 has cargo space and functionality, with more fashionable external designing and comfortable control panel. It has advanced off road experience of driving which is mostly favored by the young generation. It has higher setup of entertainment as well as infotainment. The car gives better warranty and sustainability for the purchasers. Surveys have revealed that the car is reliable with spacious interior. It has easier touch screen infotainment, which helps the drivers to easily understand the technology while driving. Their global vision is overcoming all the cultural barriers, from one side to the other side of the world (Cheong, Song Hu, 2016). A target market is referred to a group of individuals having similar needs or characteristics that the company has targeted to achieve. In order to reach 60% of the target market in three years, the company need to reshuffle its strategies. The target market for the Toyota RAV4 is the middle class income groups and the junior citizens. The company has a particular and specific audience in their minds and they mainly target the young adults. They have managed to gain the attention of a large proportion of their target markets (Garbelli 2016). They are looking out for more, by enhancing and improving their marketing strategies. They are targeting the younger audience more as well as the office goers, who requires car for the purpose of daily transportation. Some even wants to change their existing cars and upgrade them for better services. Therefore, marketers should advertise their products as per the consumers behavior. The company should try to create an emotional attachment with th eir target consumers, in order to gain more profit (Hibino, Noguchi Plenert, 2017). Growth goal and objectives Toyota Group has ten different businesses, which includes automobile, electronics, construction, chemical industry and more. It consumes electric hybrid or gasoline, attracts more young generation who loves travelling. The cars target market is mainly the middle class income group consumers and the junior citizens, basically young and full of life. Bank loans are available for the customers who are interested to buy the cars at very affordable interest rates (Hoque et al., 2013). Innovative marketing strategies undertaken by the Company can help in attracting the customers. They should promote themselves widely in all the platforms as well as social media platforms to reach the consumers as fast as possible. They mainly focus on their safety factors and target the family persons. It has high network of distribution and efficient sales. The company has its branches in more than 150 countries across the world (Holbrook, 2015). In this era of digital marketing, it is important to focus on that particular segment of marketing, in order to reach the global market. It will prove to be beneficial for any company, by helping it reach a wide number of customers. It will help in creating brand awareness and image goals; this in turn will help the company grow. Moreover, it is crucial to understand thoroughly, the behavior of the target markets or consumers of the enterprise (Cheong, Song Hu, 2016). Understanding the target markets will help the enterprise get an idea of what exactly their services or products would be and which sort of tactics would work the best. Whenever, the company launches any new product or service, target customers must be invited personally, along with their family members. This will make them feel special (Pohl Yarime, 2012). Image goals and objectives The company should participate in various events and give attention to their customers demands. Based on their marketing strategies, it will create AWARENESS among them. Good techniques of marketing and promotion would INTEREST the consumers. This will create a DESIRE of buying the product. Lastly they will actively perform their ACTION, that is, buy that particular product. Therefore, it is important to be careful while promoting a product. Toyota RAV4 is better than others as it has simple infotainment services, which is easily understandable. It gives a great driving experience, with classy interior and elegant look. In this way, it differentiates itself from its competitors (Hoque et al., 2013). Understanding the behavior of the consumers play a bigger role in shaping the strategies. The company should promote themselves widely in all the platforms as well as social media platforms to reach the consumers as fast as possible. Therefore, digital marketing is important for creating brand recognition. The company should organize various events, where they should invite their target customers personally, to make them feel special. They must look out for innovative strategies to market themselves, in order to compete with their competitors. They should focus more on their services and safety factors, which will attract the customers. They must hire professional employees and public relation officers, who must have good communication skills in order to convince the buyers. The company must announce offers and discounts, keeping the profitability in mind, to attract the buyers as well as create brand awareness (Pohl Yarime, 2012). Conclusion To conclude, the key success factor of the company is related to the design of their products. The cars exterior as well as interior styling has increased its demand. Moreover, the cars interior space, boot size, innovative and easily understandable technology increased its selling points along with the increase in its functionality goal. Most of the consumers love its spaciousness and unique characteristics of driving. Furthermore, with the emergence of the digital world, it has become very easy to promote or market anything and that too at any moment. Thus, digital marketing helped the company reach the global or international platforms and gain abundant attention. References Cheong, T., Song, S. H., Hu, C. (2016). Strategic Alliance with Competitors in the Electric Vehicle Market: Tesla Motors Case.Mathematical Problems in Engineering,2016. Garbelli, M. (2016). Managing Sustainability to Be First: The Toyota Case. InBusiness Challenges in the Changing Economic Landscape-Vol. 2(pp. 41-54). Springer, Cham. Hibino, S., Noguchi, K., Plenert, G. (2017).Toyotas Global Marketing Strategy: Innovation through Breakthrough Thinking and Kaizen. Taylor Francis. Holbrook, M. B. (2015). Creating value: the theory and practice of marketing research. Hoque, I., Faruque, M. O., Shahid, E. M., Pasha, S. H. A., Rahman, S. O. (2013). Analysis of Toyotas marketing strategy in the UK market. Pohl, H., Yarime, M. (2012). Integrating innovation system and management concepts: The development of electric and hybrid electric vehicles in Japan.Technological Forecasting and Social Change,79(8), 1431-1446.