Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Brave New World Loss Of Individuality Analysis - 906 Words

How much would civilization and humanity change, if we created a society centered around stability? The futuristic novel Brave New World, published by Aldous Huxley, depicts a totalitarian government, which is a â€Å"political regime based on subordination†¦ and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation.† This government succeeds in securing stability with the use of biotechnological and socio-scientific techniques. The World State has achieved â€Å"Community, Identity, Stability† (21) and prosperity at the loss of individuality and humanity. In Huxley’s Brave New World, the reigning totalitarian government gets rid of individualism through artificial births, physiological training, and censorship of religion†¦show more content†¦Atkinson speaks on conditioning when he states, â€Å"†¦ children are formed to think along the lines of the state’s ‘suggestions,’ or what the state believe s and finds to be important.† At the Hatchery, children go through hypnopaedia. Hypnopaedia, or sleep teaching, is the repetition of a particular phrase until it is embedded in their minds. An example of this is the phrase, â€Å"everyone belongs to everyone else† (40). We learn this phrase is repeated one hundred times, three times a week for four years (52). The children are conditioned other ways, however. Young brave new worlders are traumatized with shock therapy to condition them against liking flowers and books. When they are older, the children visit hospitals to be death-conditioned; they learn death is natural and pleasant, not something to cry over. None of these processes can beat what soma does though. Soma is a drug that is supposed to make you forget the struggles of real life and to alleviate stress and pain. Rather, it provides an inauthentic sense of happiness which makes people comfortable with the lack of freedom they have. Soma is a substitute for r eligious feelings and is named â€Å"Christianity without tears,† (217) by Mr. Mond. Citizens are basically mentally powerless, making it impossible to protest stability. Not only are the citizens mentally limited, but theyShow MoreRelatedThe Brave, Condemned, And Wicked1133 Words   |  5 PagesArmani Astudillo Mrs. Segovia Theory Report 07 March 2017 The brave, condemned, and wicked The advancement of technology does not imply the enhancement of humanity , within â€Å" A Brave New World†, by Aldous Huxley, shows a world in which individuality is stripped and replaced by uniformity which can be shown best in the John the â€Å"savage†. Perception has its way of fitting people s circumstances to fit their complex, and in its’ entirety that s what this dystopian novel is about. Human emotionRead MoreA Brave New World by Aldous Huxley1756 Words   |  7 PagesAldous Huxley is best known for his novel Brave New World, which depicts a post-industrial revolution utopia. Huxley greatly feared the ramifications to an industrialized world run by consumer capitalism, which is displayed in Brave New World. The government within the novel focuses solely on the bettering of technology and not scientific exploration and experimentation. The society’s values lie in instant gratification and constant happiness. The utopia is maintained through the means of drugs,Read MoreMy Research For Brave New World1703 Words   |  7 Pages Cultural Clash In my research for Brave New World, I came across literary criticism that unveiled fresh perspective of the work when it comes to the psychology of characters. The idea of a perfectly stable world versus a world of recklessness and savagery that shape every aspect of human morale and convictions held at society’s core beliefs; which through psychological analysis of characters and how their external influences can vindicate questionable actions displayed by those in the novel. TheRead MoreThe Life and Works of Kate Chopin1569 Words   |  6 PagesKate wrote two novels and hundreds of short stories. Few of her stories were â€Å"Story of an Hour† and â€Å"The Awakening†. One of Kate Chopins most famous stories is the Story of an Hour. In the story Chopin was brave enough to challenge the society in which she lived because in the first half of the 19th century, women were not allowed the freedoms men enjoyed in the judgments of the law, the church or the gove rnment. This famous short story showed the conflict between the social traditional requirementsRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Brave New World 2696 Words   |  11 Pagesby undesirability defined by general human interpretation. In such societies, responsibility is almost universally placed on an oppressive and inexorable state, denaturing what defines one as human. This can be applied to both the settings of ‘Brave New World and ‘1984’. However, both authors approach their respective dystopian visions in different ways. Orwell envisioned INGSOC, a state based on security and repressive surveillance, utilising totalitarianism forms of control. Whilst Huxley depictedRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Brave New World, 1984, And King Lear3482 Words   |  14 PagesControl is presented in various ways in Brave New World, 1984, and King Lear. The ways in which the omnipresent governments in 1984 and Brave New World deploy power and control draw significant areas of comp arison to each other, as well as contrasting to the presentation of power and control in King Lear. Various methods are utilised in order to exercise power and control in 1984, King Lear, and Brave New World. â€Å"Hypnopaedia† is employed in Brave New World as a method of mass control. Infants areRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Brave New World And King Lear 2620 Words   |  11 PagesPower and Control is a central theme presented in â€Å"Brave New World†, â€Å"1984†, and â€Å"King Lear†. The ways in which power and control are deployed in the omnipresent governments depicted in both â€Å"1984† and â€Å"Brave New World† draw large areas of comparison to each other. Conversely, in â€Å"King Lear† it is the dissolution and eventual division of power that remains at the centre of the play. This will allow me to further my analysis of how the authors have presented power and control in each three texts.Read MoreOn Mother-Daughter Relationship in the Women Warrior6552 Words   |  27 PagesCultural confrontation and reconc iliation is always a major concern of the Chinese American writers who live between two worlds. Standing on the interface of the two cultures, Kinston, one of the representatives of those Chinese American writers, adopts the Chinese tradition of talk story and two generations experiences in America, and presents readers with the between-world situation in The Woman Warrior. Through her representative work-The Woman Warrior, Kinston explores the Chinese American experienceRead MoreMasculinity in Chuck Palahniuks Work7062 Words   |  29 Pagesit is depicted in Palahniuk’s writings and explore Palahniuk’s intentions and beliefs. I will interpret the responses of select critics in order to gain some understanding of what Palahniuk deems to be the ideal model of masculinity in the modern world, beneath his post-modern twists, transgressive characterization and vecernal style. This discussion will attempt to uncover what Palahniuk portrays as the cause of emasculation, i f anything at all. To begin I will discuss the excess of recent decadesRead MoreEssay on Analysis of George Orwells 19844218 Words   |  17 PagesAnalysis of George Orwells 1984 War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength. The party slogan of Ingsoc illustrates the sense of contradiction which characterizes the novel 1984. That the book was taken by many as a condemnation of socialism would have troubled Orwell greatly, had he lived to see the aftermath of his work. 1984 was a warning against totalitarianism and state sponsored brutality driven by excess technology. Socialist idealism in 1984 had turned to a total loss of

Monday, December 16, 2019

Themes in the Good Earth Free Essays

In Pearl Bucks novel The Good Earth she gives an inside look at the Chinese culture. In the novel Wang Lung is poor farmer married to O-Lan, a loving wife who takes care of Wang Lung’s father, plus her own children. Three themes that Pearl Buck uses are survival, family structure, and the subjugation of women. We will write a custom essay sample on Themes in the Good Earth or any similar topic only for you Order Now One theme used to show Chinese culture is survival. For example, when Wang Lung’s family is struggling to find food, his sons steal meat, and they defend themselves by saying, â€Å"I took it – it is mine, this meat (Buck 112). When it is hard to survive it can make a person do something that they wouldn’t normally do. Survival not only changes a person, but it also changes their outlook on life. While O-Lan was giving birth to another child Wang Lung is thinking, â€Å"Male or female it mattered nothing to him now – there was only another mouth coming which must be fed (Buck 81). † Trying to survive took Wang Lung’s excitement and turned it into worry. Pearl Buck is trying to show that if people are trying to survive that they will do anything possible. Another theme used is family structure. For example, Wang Lung’s father never had to worry about going hungry, â€Å"As for the old man, he fared better than any, for if there was anything to eat he was given it, even though the children were without (Buck 78). † No matter what the circumstances are, the eldest male in the house will always be served first. Even while there was no women around Wang Lung still had to serve his father. Associated essay: Themes Developed in Maru After Wang Lung’s mother died he had to be the one to take care of the old man, â€Å"Every morning for these six years the old man had waited for his son to bring in hot water to ease him of his morning coughing (Buck 3). †Even though Wang Lung is a man with no woman around him, he must take care of the oldest in the house. Pearl Buck is trying to show the respect and loyalty that people in China have for family. One last theme used in the novel, is the subjugation of women. For example, when Wang Lung is thinking of selling his daughter O-Lan tells him about her past, â€Å"I was beaten with a leather thong which had been halter for one of the mules, and it hung up on the kitchen wall (Buck 135). † Women were treated as nothing more than an animal. Not only were slaves treated badly but so were the daughters. When Wang Lung is waiting to find out the sex of his baby he reacts badly when he finds that it is a girl, â€Å"Wang Lung stood still. A sense of evil struck him. A girl! (Buck 65). Even though Wang Lung wanted children he is sickened to have a daughter. Pearl Buck is trying to show people just how far that women have come. All in all three themes that Pearl Buck uses are survival, family structure, and the subjugation of women. Some points that Pearl Buck is trying to point out are that survival changes people in drastic ways, family order always comes first, and that women are treated no better than animals. There are many more themes in this novel to show the importance of Chinese culture. How to cite Themes in the Good Earth, Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Essays Solution free essay sample

If the YTM = coupon rate the bond will sell for the face value (i. e. current price = face value). ?If the YTM gt; coupon rate the bond will sell for a discount (yield goes up, price goes down). If the YTM lt; coupon rate the bond will sell for a premium (yield goes down, price goes up). Discussion 1. Identify the three most important determinants of the price of a bond. Describe the effect of each? Answer The three factors affecting the price of a bond are coupon yield term to maturity. We will write a custom essay sample on Essays Solution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page T gt; The relationship between price and coupon is a direct one the higher the coupon, the higher the price. The relationship between price and yield is an inverse one the higher the yield the lower the price, all other factors held constant. The relationship between price and maturity is not so clearly evident. Price changes resulting from changes in yields will be more pronounced, the longer the term to maturity. 2. Given a change in the level of interest rates, discuss how two major factors will influence the relative change in price of individual bonds. Answer For a given change in the level of interest rates, two factors that will influence the relative change in bond prices are the coupon and maturity of the issues. Bonds with longer maturity and/or lower coupons will have the greatest price changes in response to a given change in interest rates. Other factors likewise cause differences in price volatility, including the call features, but these factors are typically much less important. 3. What is the purpose of bond ratings? Answer Bond ratings provide a very important service in the market for fixed income securities because they provide the fundamental analysis for thousands of issues. The rating agencies conduct extensive analyses of the intrinsic characteristics of the issue to determine the default risk for the investor and inform the market of the analyses through their ratings. 4. What are the important assumptions made when you calculate the promised YTM? Answer The most crucial assumption that the investor makes is that cash flows will be received in full (i. e. investors hold the bond to maturity) and reinvested at the promised yield. 5. You expect interest rates to decline over the next 6 months. What kind of bonds do you want in your portfolios in term of duration and explain your reasoning for this choice. Answer Given that you expect interest rates to decline during the next six months, you should choose bonds that will have the largest price increase, that is, bonds with long durations. 6. Which of the following bonds will have the greatest percentage increase in value if all interest rates decrease by 1 percent? a. 20-year, zero coupon bond. b. 10-year, zero coupon bond. c. 20-year, 10 percent coupon bond. d. 20-year, 5 percent coupon bond. Answer Since a zero coupon bond’s price today is determined just by the NPV of its par value, all of its payment is discounted for the maximum amount of time, whereas a coupon bond has many payments discounted for less than the maximum amount of time. Therefore, a zero coupon bond is most affected by interest rate changes. So, the longest zero coupon bond is the correct answer, which is statement a. 7. Which of the following statements is most correct? a. All else equal, long-term bonds have more interest rate risk than short-term bonds. b. All else equal, high-coupon bonds have less reinvestment rate risk than low-coupon bonds. . All else equal, short-term bonds have less reinvestment rate risk than do long-term bonds. d. All of the statements above are correct. Answer Statement a since high-coupon bonds have more reinvestment rate risk than low-coupon bonds and short-term bonds have more reinvestment rate risk than do long-term bonds. Problems 1. Two years ago you bought a governme nt bond for $1,000 because you liked the 10% p. a. coupon interest payment that you would receive for 10 years. Interest on the bond is paid annually. Two years later, when the market interest rate has fallen to 8% p. a. what is the value of your bond? Solution Since coupon rate is 10% and YTM has fallen to 8%, it must be the case that the price of this bond has increased (remembering the inverse relationship between bond price and yield). 2. The Morgan Corporation has two different bonds currently outstanding. Bond M has a face value of $20,000 and matures in 20 years. The bond makes no payments for the first six years, then payS $800 every six months over the subsequently eight years, and finally pays $1,000 every six months over the last 6 years. Bond N also has a face value of $20,000 and a maturity of 20 years; it makes no coupon payments over the life of the bond. If the required return on both these bond is 8 percent compounded semiannually, what is the current price of bond M? and bond N? Solution The price of any bond (or financial instrument) is the PV of the future cash flows. Even though Bond M makes different coupons payments, to find the price of the bond, we just find the PV of the cash flows. The PV of the cash flows for Bond M is: PM = $800(PVIFA4%,n=16)(PVIF4%,n=12) + $1,000(PVIFA4%,1n=2)(PVIF4%,n=28) + $20,000(PVIF4%,n=40) PM = $13,117. 88 Notice that for the coupon payments of $800, we found the PVA for the coupon payments, and then discounted the lump sum back to today. Bond N is a zero coupon bond with a $20,000 par value; therefore, the price of the bond is the PV of the par, or: PN = $20,000(PVIF4%,40) = $4,165. 78 3. Bond P is a premium bond with a 9 percent coupon. Bond D is a 5 percent coupon bond currently selling at a discount. Both bonds make annual payments, have a YTM of 7 percent, and have five years to maturity. What is the current yield for bond P? for bond D? if interest rates remain unchanged, what is the expected capital gains yield over the next year for bond P? for bond D? Explain your answers and the interrelationship among the various types of yields. Solution To find the capital gains yield and the current yield, we need to find the price of the bond. The current price of Bond P and the price of Bond P in one year is: P:P0 = $90(PVIFA7%,5) + $1,000(PVIF7%,5) = $1,082. 00 P1 = $90(PVIFA7%,4) + $1,000(PVIF7%,4) = $1,067. 74 Current yield = $90 / $1,082. 00 = . 0832 or 8. 32% The capital gains yield is: Capital gains yield = (New price – Original price) / Original price Capital gains yield = ($1,067. 74 – 1,082. 00) / $1,082. 00 = –0. 0132 or –1. 32% The current price of Bond D and the price of Bond D in one year is: D:P0 = $50(PVIFA7%,5) + $1,000(PVIF7%,5) = $918. 00 P1 = $50(PVIFA7%,4) + $1,000(PVIF7%,4) = $932. 26 Current yield = $50 / $918. 00 = 0. 0545 or 5. 45% Capital gains yield = ($932. 26 – 918. 00) / $918. 00 = 0. 0155 or 1. 55% All else held constant, premium bonds pay a high current income while having price depreciation as maturity nears; discount bonds pay a lower current income but have price appreciation as maturity nears. For either bond, the total return is still 7%, but this return is distributed differently between current income and capital gains.