Storytelling in Achebe Essay Example for Free

Storytelling in Achebe Essay In Achebe’s novel â€Å"Anthills of the Savannah† storytelling is presented as a means to escape the effects of colonialism in Africa. He presents Storytelling in many different ways: through myth and folklore, Beatrice, Ikem and the Abazonian elder and it is clear to the reader that storytelling plays an important part in Kangan. Achebe also explores storytelling as a way to pass down historical values from generation to generation, as shown by Beatrice’s process of enlightenment at the sight of the bird. He also uses storytelling to weave traditional religious elements with that of modern society. Ikem is a clear storyteller, and the reader sees this even more as the book progresses, after he witnesses the Abazonian elder’s speech. Achebe’s purpose to have the â€Å"Hymn to the sun† written by Ikem is to set the semi-religious elements of Kangan/Nigeria, against modernity, which in, chapter 3 particularly, is shown through the combustion of traffic that Ikem faces. This shows the reader the struggle in Post-colonial African countries. Ikem writes â€Å"like anthills surviving to tell the new grass of the savannah about last year’s bush fire. † which can be a symbol or metaphor for the oppression of women in post-colonial Africa and gives the title a relevance as it shows that the corruption and political struggles in kangan is a cyclical process. The oppression of women is further explored in Ikem’s â€Å"love poem† which he reads to Beatrice to thank her for the gift of â€Å"insight†. Ikem’s love letter states that the oppression of women is a problem in post-colonial societies but it is not only a problem in Kangan as â€Å"there is no universal conglomerate of the oppressed† and this is important to understand. The reader is further enlightened on the chaos when Ikem says â€Å" Reform may sound like a dirty word but then it is beginning to look as if it is the most promising route to success,†. The supposing style of his saying created through the words â€Å"most promising†, and â€Å"may† show that there may not be a solution to the chaotic problems. It also signals a change in Ikem’s character, as the tone and style of his saying show that he has changed his mind about what could be the best solution (before he was a passionate revolutionist). This version of storytelling is what ultimately leads to his tragic death later in the novel because he voices these opinions in his radical editorials. Beatrice, on the other hand is also a storyteller but in a different way than Ikem. Through her version of storytelling, she proves that there is indeed hope for women to have a better future in a post-colonial society. She is described as a â€Å"priestess† as through her character, Achebe has fused the Kanganese woman and the woman from the â€Å"house of the unknown god. † One particular stage which plays an important part in her evolution into a â€Å"priestess† is through her experience with the bird. The bird is a symbol for the fact that the effects of colonialism are starting to be evident. This is because even the bird is given a colonial voice, through an English proverb taught to her by her mother: â€Å"Is the king’s property correct?† and this questions whether the political government in place after colonialism is right. This has allowed Beatrice to realise the struggle between the African and English culture. The reader sees her assuming the role of â€Å"Priestess† more frequently as the novel progresses as she connects to the culture of Africa. She learns the story of â€Å"Idemili† a goddess in the African myth and although she does not know the story, she herself grows into a wiser and more compassionate woman, emphasising her evolution into a â€Å"priestess†. In chapter 16, just before Chris’ departure to Abazon, he spends one last night with Beatrice, and in this particular chapter, she exerts a â€Å"jest of godessy† which Chris is attracted to. Her â€Å"jest† as a goddess gives a sense of religious ritual to their intimacy, and her role is further reinforced when they talk about the â€Å"bedbug’s excuse† as Beatrice is weaving traditional elements of African culture with that of post-colonial Africa, and through this Achebe is exploring storytelling as being everlasting. The notion that the â€Å"story is everlasting† is further explored through the Abazonian elder’s speech. He speaks at great length about the power of storytelling and tells the Abazon community a story of the â€Å"Tortoise and Leopard† which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle between Sam and Abazon. Here he is conveying that the people of Abazon need to have a voice in the political regime. He goes on to say â€Å"Because it is only the story that can continue beyond the war and the warrior .. . The story is our escort; without it, we are blind,† and this shows how through storytelling, a community can retain its history and tradition and how it can seek advice on how society can progress in the future. This is why storytelling is everlasting. Ikem however, contrasts this view in his lecture at the University of Bassa, and expresses through the same story of the â€Å"tortoise and the leopard† that the role of a writer is to ask questions and not suggest solutions to them. The idea that â€Å"Storytellers are a threat† is shown as the power of writing manifests into a threat for Ikem, who is later taken away in the middle of that night and is shot and killed, and thus, another view with which Achebe explores storytelling with. Overall, storytelling is a major technique which Achebe uses, emphasising the novel’s purpose, to question the political regime that is in place in post-colonial African society and this is why storytellers are perceived as a threat. As Ikem, Achebe’s alter-ego says, the role of the writer is not to propose solutions to problems in post-colonial Africa. However, the â€Å"story is everlasting† as it allows a community who is struggling to maintain it’s History and tradition, and perhaps, even seek guidance on how to progress in the future. Achebe has used 2 very contrasting views on storytelling in order for the reader to gain a deeper insight into the events of the novel. His reason to explore storytelling links back to the multi-narrative structure employed in this novel, which shows that people must take into account different views in order to both question the problems in post-colonial Africa and find solutions to them.

Environmental Impact On London Restaurant Industry Tourism Essay

Environmental Impact On London Restaurant Industry Tourism Essay This modern city is vast but its history of growth has left distinct villages that lend it human scale. Each neighbourhood and city of London itself is nearly one having its own restaurant, theatre, gallery and many other attractions. (http://www.secret-london.co.uk/Welcome.html ) London is a cosmopolitan city and there are many historic places to visit in London. There are many businesses running in this historic place. But the business of restaurant is one of the biggest and busiest business in the world. There are Five thousand five hundred seventy restaurants in London. This business has changed the peoples daily life style. Now people want to eat out than they were used to in previous years. Now people like to dine out rather than dine at home. Dining style has been changed with the changing the business of restaurant. In this paper I will discuss how economic recession has affected the London restaurant industry and how boldly and strategically their entrepreneurs have managed to come out of this recession. I will also explain the current and future economic impact on London restaurants. Further, I will describe the role of investments how far they have increased in the presence of tremendous risks. I will also analyze the impact of social and cultural t raditions in this paper. Social life of London has entirely changed. I will also include and scrutinise the social status of the London inhabitants. So Increased congestion and population, rapid growth in factories burning various types of fuel, automobiles spreading poisonous gases and thus polluting the whole atmosphere of London. so all factors responsible for spoiling the London environment will be discussed and the ways and means to rectify will be considered. When to eat and when to sleep: The time for breakfast in London restaurants start from 7:30am but this is only at Workmens Cafes and sandwich bars for office workers. The big restaurants serve breakfast only from 9:00am and continue up to 10:30am. Serving of lunch takes place between noon and 2:30pm and the restaurants serve it only during that period. Tea is served as a separate meal between 4:00pm and 5:30pm and supper is served between 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Only some ethnic restaurants especially Indian, serve meals till midnight. The expected tip is between 10 and 20 percent of the food bill, but there is no tipping in the bars. The wise thing is to avoid eating beef in restaurants, or choose only items which have a low risk of contamination. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays. During Christmas period, the whole city shuts down and meals (The Food Time Line History). Current Restaurants in London: London is a capital city of United Kingdom. In recent decades it has established itself a renowned and most successful city in the world. It has overtaken New York as the worlds most important financial centre. It won the competition to host the 2012 Olympic Games which promoted the restaurants. London has proved to be a world leader in combating economic environmental climatic and social issues. It is the first major city in the world in which restaurants and hospitality has progressed tremendously. Change in consumer style has also compelled the restaurants entrepreneur change their business and cut down their crises and improve their designs to attract new customers. For example Peter Ilic, owner of the Little Bay restaurant group will not present a single food bill to diners at his Farringdon Road restaurant during February. Its entirely up to each customer whether they give  £100 or a penny, he says. All Im asking is that they pay me what they think the food and service is worth. Peter has run restaurants in London for more than 26 years and owns four Little Bay eateries the others are in Kilburn, Battersea and Croydon. Other London restaurants have stuck to the more traditional method of cutting prices to lure out cash-strapped diners. Arbutus, a smart bistro in the West End, has won several awards since it opened in May 2006 but still offers a set lunch for  £15.50, while Kensington-based Tom Aikens offers a lunchtime menu costing  £29, despite possessing a Michelin star. London is a multicultural city according to the different ethnic groups many new restaurants have established. For example Chinese restaurants in china town, Arab or Lebanese restaurants in Edgware road and many Indian Sirilankan and Pakistani restaurants in Tooting and South hall London. (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23633384-pay-what-you-like-restaurants-recipe-to-beat-the-crunch.do) Current Economic impact: Britain makes it out of recession but chancellor warns to struggle. Growth was described as very weak say shadow chancellor George Osborn. 20 Jan 2010 London Standard Evening. After financial crisis 2008 and worst recession restaurants in London along their entrepreneurs are struggling hard to progress and come up to meet the wants of new customers and guests. Despite recent challenges, confidence among restaurant owners is high with 89% saying that they intend to either maintain staffing levels or even increase staffing levels in 2010, with the majority (57%) e These are the latest results from Business Link in Londons Restaurant Barometer. (http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk ) Sustainability of restaurant market: Renewal review of their monetary support: Cut down prices Offer discounts: Employee demands because of chilly financial climate: Future Economic Impact: Current Investment Impact: To know or asses the gains, profits and estimate rate of investment growth in restaurant sector in London I have selected Luke Johnson. Best known name in restaurant investments.In1993 Luke took control of Pizza express with partners and subsequently became chairman. He promoted business from 12 to 250 restaurants and the share price from 40p to over 900p in 1999 and after selling he started new chain of restaurants which he sold in 2005.He started the new concept of Strada restaurant from scratch and took the chain into 30 units and sold it in late 2005 After total proceeds from these two disposals were 90 million pounds. ( http://www.lukejohnson.org/bio.php) Peter Harden of celebrated Harden restaurant Guides stated when commenting on History of London restaurants There are few people who have had more impact than Luke Johnson. In 2010 he was awarded DEAL OF THE YEAR prize at RETAILERS RETAILER award ceremony. AFTER recession it was very hard time for investment in restaurant industry although press releases showed sign of recovery in restaurant sector in London. October 2009 press release London Festival 8to 13 October. However they still felt chill, of recession wanted increased capital restaurants support. Ashley adviser to Business Link has two advices to restaurant industry. Restaurateurs should be watching costs very closely. They should be exercising a great deal of caution in their forecasting over the next six months and doing as much marketing as possible. The poll found that only half of the respondents have a website. Developing a website and enabling people to make bookings online are vital tools to help restaurants succeed.   Events such as Londons Restaurant Festival are also great ways to garner local support for the industry and market a business. Although there are many hurdles to cross over to bring resigned restaurant industry in same previous booming state they will have to take certain steps . (Eating and Drinking December 31, 2009,12:17PM ) Social Impact on London restaurant Industry: London is fantastic city to live in. It provides sports social clubs and restaurants for all status and class. Whenever you want to meet your friend or, new, strange people and want to learn a new hobby, wish to meet like minded persons restaurants and social clubs will provide. London is a multicultural city; you will see people of different Religions tolerating each other amicably. Britain is a secular country. People in London are not very religious. Very few go to churches. Smoking is banned in public places, in trains and transports. Drinking is very common above 18. It has some limitations. One can make friends with any sex. You can see couple kissing each other anywhere they like without any fear and enjoying their lives. There are also social meeting places in London like clubs and pubs. Multiculturalism: Big Society Concept embraces London: Upgrade restaurant design: Environmental Impact on London Restaurant Industry: There is a very much high environmental impact on London restaurant industry but on the other hand historically London has had low environmental quality but it has also always been a centre for trade and wealth creation. The environmental quality is affected not only by economic activity but also by geographical and weather conditions in London. London is the most densely populated region of England. Population density is around 14 times the average for all other regions. The Cavendish hotel is the best example of environmental impact on London restaurant industry. The Cavendish hotel was the first hotel in London which has been awarded a Gold Accreditation by Green Tourism for London by London development agency (LDA). The aims of the Green Tourism for London scheme is to improve the environmental performance and green credentials of hotels, venues, guesthouses, and many attraction across the capital. Also the Green Tourism for London was launched in 2007. http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2009/02/13/326189/Cavendish-is-first-hotel-in-London-to-win-Gold-environmental.htm Conclusion: Bibliography: Lashley C. Morrison A., In Search of Hospitality, Butterworth Heinemann, 2000 Current News: Evening Standard, Ep Magazine, Eating and Drinking, London Time Out 201l, The Times

The Principles Of Machiavelli Exposed in The Prince :: essays research papers

Machiavelli's views have been misinterpreted since his book was first written, people take him in the wrong way, and are offended by what he says. Careless readers take him in a completely wrong way, such as they think that he believes that the end justifies the means, that a leader should lie to the people, and that a ruler has to rule with force. In actuality, Machiavelli means no such thing, he says that there are times when the common good outweighs the means, and the morality of a rulers actions. He also says that you cannot be loved by everyone, so try to be loved and feared at the same time, but of the two, choose to be feared. The Prince is considered to be one of the most important of nonfiction literature written in the history of mankind. It gave an accurate and truthful description of the method of governing. Machiavelli understands the importance of a military force, and that a country has to be kept in order, even if that means lying to the people to get them to fight against a common foe. In Europe, the church was entangled in politics, and everything else, but Machiavelli suggests a secular state, which would allow the leader to do that which is necessary for the country and for his continued reign, though not necessarily moral.The ends do not justify the means, yet sometimes if the end is necessary for the continuation of a society, then the means do not have to be morally bound. A ruler cannot please everybody all the time, so therefore, he has to be cunning in order to maintain control. There are times when a ruler needs to lie to the populace, in order to reach a goal that is better in some way for the nation. By tying the church to the government, people expected the government to behave morally, but often times, an entirely moral ruler will be overthrown. A ruler cannot show any weakness, or else he will no longer be feared enough to keep him in power, and he will be overthrown. In The Prince, Machiavelli asserts that it is best for a ruler to be both feared and loved, but if he cannot be both, it is much better to be feared. People are unlikely to overthrow a ruler that they fear, because they fear the punishments for failure.

Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf is a well-known Anglo-Saxon poem that has been in English classes around the United States for almost as long as there have been schools around. Beowulf is not an actual picture of historic Denmark, Geatland, or Sweden around 500 A.D., yet it is on a general view, a self-consistent picture, a construction bearing clearly the marks of design and thought. Beowulf to us can only truly be enjoyed if one reads it in the old English version. The effects of the poem are not the same, although the sense of the heroic beast is very true. The story of Beowulf is still relevant to today’s society and relates to problems faced in current everyday life. In our society we face simple problems and difficult problems and all problems have a good and bad about them. It all depends on the person’s outlook for the course of action that they will take.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf strikes peculiar reactions among scholars, historians, and professors. The increase in the amount of confusion is caused by new twists to old theories and by new theories. Beowulf was composed for an audience that would take into account the struggles that the main character took, and the audience would see the poem in its own way. Though few can clearly understand the value of the poem, we must realize that judging the poem from a twentieth century point of view would be unjust to the author or authors of Beowulf.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most pleasing trends in recent old English studies has been the increasing awareness of the truth and importance of this simple observation. It is one which often has been overlooked by scholars and the ever growing critics. These people prefer to regard Beowulf as a source book for historians. Some people tend to overlook the meanings of Beowulf and perceive them in a wrong manner. In a profound lecture given by J.R.R.Tolkien in 1963, he tried to do what many people were trying to do, make sense of Beowulf. He gave an amusing and persuasive summary of the variety of theories of Beowulf’s poet’s ideas and aims.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tolkien said, â€Å"Beowulf is a half baked native epic which was killed by Latin learning, it is feeble and incompetent as a narrative.†(Crossley.9-17). Tolkien also said much more on behalf of Beowulf’s poet. It is not the fault of the poet but the result of our ignorance of the conventions in which Anglo-Saxon poems were written.

The Fulcrum and the Lever Essay -- essays research papers fc

I turn the key and unlock the deadbolt. It’s been a long day’s work. I have been working three jobs for weeks now. I come through the door of my tiny one-bedroom house and stare at the desk, piled high with debris: old junk mail, magazines, and a few bills. I keep thinking maybe on my day off I’ll clean this mess up, balance my check book and pay my bills. â€Å"But what’s the use?† I think to myself, â€Å"I have $210 left on my credit card, that’ll get me through another week.† Independence is what I wanted and that’s what I got. I have a car, a house, furniture, stocked cupboards, and plenty of I-can-do-what-I-want free will. I was working a lot, and sure was doling out a lot of dough, yet I felt atrophy kicking in. When I was dying to leave my parents house, I didn’t think that it would be like this. Going and doing whatever I wanted all the time was not something I did. Life cost money and the reality was kicking me in the stomach every time I walked in my front door and looked at my desk. â€Å"Where is that Consumers bill? How much money is left in my checking account? Do I even have any in my savings?† These thoughts break-danced in my head often. In a day where I see more commercials advertising credit cards, debt consolidation, and home mortgage lenders, one might find it hard to believe that debt can actually be a problem. Seeing those poor saps dance in a conga line screaming, â€Å"Freedom!† makes it that much harder to notice. With three maxed-out credit cards, and other debt in the thousands of dollars, I was one of those people screaming, â€Å"Save me!†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My life could go nowhere while I was struggling to make payments on three credit cards that I hadn’t even used in two years. One of my frustrations stemmed from the fact that all of this money was going to the credit card companies for things that I don’t even remember buying. With my student loan in deferment, I had only to worry about everything else. Working three jobs was not my cup of tea. The â€Å"American Dream† was killing me.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A lot of Americans are drowning in debt, with predators just waiting to add to the pile. Dave Ramsey, New York Times best selling author and financial advisor, says: Debt is dumb. Most normal people are just plain broke because they are in debt up to their eyeballs with no hope of help. If you're in debt then you're a slave, i... ...y Book. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation. 1999. Sylla, Richard. â€Å"American History Information About National Debt.† The Reader's Companion to American History. Houghton Mifflin Company. 20 May 2005. . Ramsey, Dave. The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2003. -----. More Than Enough: The Ten Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny. New York, NY: Penguin Books. 1999. â€Å"The Debt To the Penny.† Bureau of the Public Debt: United States Department of the Treasury. 20 May 2005. . Waggoner, Darren. â€Å"Going Broke?: Younger Americans have a serious debt problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not surprisingly, lenders and consumer advocates propose different remedies   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  for the credit crunch.† Collections & Credit Risk. 10.5 (2005): 21. Infotrac:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  General Reference Center Gold. Online. 31 May 2005. Webster, Noah. Noah Webster's First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language. San Francisco, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1995; Reprint edition 1 June 1967. Yaqub, Reshma Memom. â€Å"Swipe at Your Own Risk.† Parents. July 2005. 49-53.

A Streetcar Named Desire Film Analysis Essay

These actors take on the difficult task of bringing two complex, emotional characters onto the silver screen. With spot-on reactions to each others’ theatrical advances, the pair create an experience that is both enjoyable and expressively coherant. Vivian Leigh was cast for the role of Blanch DuBois for various reasons. She was white, slender, beautiful and had already acted in several other films. Tennessee Williams, the author of the original play, saw Leigh’s performances in plays such as â€Å"The School for Scandal† and â€Å"Antigone†, and decided that she was perfect for the role. All that Leigh needed to change was the color of her hair, which was originally black. Leigh does a splendid job of portraying Blanche’s ascending insanity by seamlessly transitioning from melodramatic anguish into her signature faux semblants, or pretense. An example of this is the scene where Blanche sits alone in Stella’s apartment crying until a delivery man comes to the door. Blanche is then quickly transformed into a mysterious temptress who seduces the young man into kissing her. Leigh’s uncommon ability to switch from such extreme emotions brings a refreshing distinction to the film. Blanche’s eccentric and offbeat personality requires a talented actress to be be fully realized. Leigh’s acting style works well with the other actors’, and expresses a coherence so profound that one might often forget that she is acting. The role of Harold Mitchell was one that needed to be fulfilled in order for the script to make sense. Mitch is described as being two hundred and seven pounds, six foot one and having â€Å"a massive bone structure†. His physique is an important aspect of his character, thus making it imperative for the actor to meet these conditions to be casted for the role. Karl Malden is tall and bulky, with a large nose and a receding hairline. These traits accenuate Mitch’s awkward demeanor and informs the audience of how lonely he is without him having to say it. Malden also shares Leigh’s ability to transition between emotional extremes. For instance, in the beginning of the scene where Mitch confronts Blanche about her lies, he is silent. Though after hearing more of her absurd grip on reality, he snaps into an aggressive brute who pins Blanche to the wall. Malden’s on-screen chemistry with Leigh is apparent throughout the film, and is believable the entire time. Vivian Leigh and Karl Malden’s performances perfectly depicted the tragic twosome that is Blanche and Mitch. With Leigh’s seamless transitions of polar-opposite emotions and Malden’s angry yet passsionate fits of rage, the two give what are easily the best performances of the film. From their intriguing introductionto their dreadful departure, no purer chemistry has been captured so passionately.

Once More

Read over something you've written with an eye for the devices you've used to connect the parts. Underline all the transitions, pointing terms, key terms, and repetition. Do you see any patterns? Do you rely on certain devices more than others? Are there any passages that are hard to follow-and if so, can you make them easier to ready by adding appropriate transitions or trying any of the other devices discussed In this chapter. Try revising your text to Include different ones. Pointing words help orient your reader and establish continuity wealth your writing.KEY POINTS use pointing words to help orient your readers. Plotting words point forward or backward to other sentences. Plotting words help to give your paragraphs continuity. Key terms a key term is a word that will be important on whatever subject you need to know, that involves a key term. You'll usually have to define a key term like in social studies a key term would be: Ideology so you would define it as: a set of beliefs and values. Key terms are Vocabulary that someone should know in order to understand the topic. Petition The writer is usually trying to express an emotion or a phrase. Just like in Robert Frost's poem â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening† he repeats the last line â€Å"and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep† to stress the extent of his journey and his exhaustion. In â€Å"the charge of the light brigade† repetition was most likely used to honor the men who died. By repeatedly stressing the number of men who fought and died for what they believe in they stress that they will not be easily forgotten.