Freeman vs. Quicken Loans, Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Freeman vs. Quicken Loans, Inc - Essay Example RESPA’s aim is to forbid any split of offending fees between corporations in the absence of unearned fees by the beneficiary. After Freeman and other couples lost the case in the state court, they proceeded to the Supreme Court claiming that the fees imposed on them were unearned. Recently, the Supreme Court decided that the plaintiff had to indicate the existence of a split between two or several persons for the purpose of a settlement associated with violation of the RESPA act. While making a decision, the court made various aspects of section 8(b) clear (Freeman v. Quicken Loans 5). There was a clarification on the difference between free-sharing and the user transaction. In the process, the court denied the definition regarding a consumer as a person capable of awarding â€Å"a split or percentage.† The issue that section 8(b) should not hold an interpretation needing fee splitting faced objection from the court. The decision by the court had various implications: t hat there may be future misinterpretations of the part (8b), and the queries regarding the suitability of the section in dealing with the settlement of matters such as credit report prices (Freeman v. Quicken Loans 7). Works Cited Freeman v. Quicken Loans. 566. U.S. Supreme Court. 24th May 2012. Print. Blueford v. Arkansas The case involves the charging of Blueford in the Arkansas Supreme Court. The court blamed the accused for the death of a child. Accusations entailed manslaughter, murder and negligent homicide. The court had required the jury to consider three aspects of capital murder, manslaughter and negligent homicide lest doubts existed. The jury could not reach a decision, so the court affirmed a mistrial (Blueford v. Arkansas 3). The courts attempt to perform another trial for Blueford who received resistance regarding the trial as a dual jeopardy. The conduct of the court to declare the suit a mistrial was not right. The argument by the defendant indicated that in the eve nt of the jury’s failure to decide the suit, the court had a responsibility of providing a succinct decision on the issue. Arkansas law provides that the jury had to charge the defendant on both or a single felony (Blueford v. Arkansas 6). The jury failed to convict the accused of any crime; they failed to acquit him. The dual jeopardy phrase does not allow a second trial if the acquaintance of the individual existed. The clause on double jeopardy requires the questioning of the jury’s conduct. The jury failed to make convictions based on capital and first degree murder although there was a chance for the decision. Retrial faced challenges because of the possibility of defeat by the defendant. The failure to make a correct decision was due to delusion of the Arkansas law. The reaching of a mistrial was a mistake from the judge. At first, he thought the jury would come to succinct decision (Blueford v. Arkansas 6). Works Cited Blueford v. Arkansas. 566. U.S. Supreme Cou rt. 24th May 2012. Print. Holder v. Martinez Gutierrez The US Constitution allows the attorney general to perform a cancellation of the elimination of an immigrant from the country. The immigrant must be subject to a condition of permanent residence for about five years. The person must have resided for a period of 7 years after entrance. The case involves the issue of Martinez’ immigration where he entered the state illegally. His father had followed required procedures and became admitted as an LPR. However, Martinez did not attain

Financial Independence of Elderly Statistics Project

Financial Independence of Elderly - Statistics Project Example Unfortunately for those who are approaching retirement age, the ever-increasing numbers of people eligible for Social Security means that the government may, in future, exhaust its allocated funds. The most interesting statistic here is that 23 percent of people aged 65 are still working. Some may be working voluntarily, but the majority of people are working simply because they have no other means of financial support. Many must take jobs that are far below their professional capabilities, and pay much less than they were once able to earn-competing with the younger generations is just too difficult. Only two percent of people aged 65 in the United States are financially independent. What did this two percent of people do that the remaining 98% did not Whatever the answer may be, it is evident that the vast majority of 65-year-olds do not enjoy financial freedom after working for more than 40 years. A recent Time Magazine article noted that those who are aged 65 and over often have one or even two jobs to support themselves. It occurs to me that the question of how to live like one of the lucky two percent is a very important one for me to answer, so that I don't have to live like one of the 98 percent.

Financial Analysis Tools for SMEs

Financial Analysis Tools for SMEs CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS INTRODUCTION The SME sector development is seen as a key strategy for economic growth, job generation and poverty reduction (Agupusi, 2007:2). This study endeavored to explore and describe the financial performance measures currently used by manufacturing SMEs in Mauritius. It was undertaken due to the fact that many studies were conducted on obstacles faced by SMEs in obtaining finance, but it appeared that not enough were undertaken on how these SMEs manage their finances; whereas some studies found that small businesses fail because more often than not cash flow is not properly managed (Mbonyane, 2006:18). In this context the Z-score model is presented as a useful bankruptcy model for SME. This chapter concludes the research project by summarizing the previous chapters and highlighting the results of the empirical study in Chapter Four with respect to the objectives of the research. It also includes comments on the contribution and limitation of the study as well as recommendations and suggestions for future research. SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH Chapter One presented the background of the study, followed by problem statement, rationale and objectives of the research, a preliminary literature review, research methodology and layout of the Chapters. Chapter Two presented a literature review regarding SMEs and their role in the Mauritian Economy. It was shown that the development of a sound SME sector is a key factor in job creation and economic growth for Mauritius. Many obstacles were pointed out as causes of SME failure, including financial performance skills, which were the focus of this study. Moreover, an international comparative analysis was presented. A brief discussion of non-financial measures was given as well, followed by financial performance measures that included financial ratios and bankruptcy prediction models. Chapter Three presented the research plan including sampling, data collection, and data analysis. Chapter Four presented the results of the empirical research findings on financial performance measures currently used by manufacturing SMEs in Mauritius. Thematic content analysis was used in presenting the results, taking the themes in the literature of the topic as basis for comparison. Chapter Five is the final phase of the study and aims at using the information from the literature study and the empirical findings to provide solutions to manufacturing SMEs’ financial performance measurement according to the findings and through recommendations. DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT The first objective of the study was to identify financial tools currently used by manufacturing SME’s in measuring their financial performance. This objective of the study was achieved during the field study with semi-structured interviews at SME premises that helped gather information on the financial performance measures used by each. The findings revealed the following ratios as the most widely used by respondents: Cash flow to total debt (used by six respondents); Current ratio (used by six respondents); Working capital to total assets (used by five respondents); Cash flow to average total current liabilities (used by five respondents); Gross profit margin ratio (used by four respondents); and Inventory turnover (used by four participants). Gross Profit Ratio The level of satisfaction was measured using a likert scale. The conversion of the 5- point Likert- type scale for the satisfaction with current financial performance scale to illustrate the total score was as follows: (not satisfied at all = 1 (1), not satisfied = 2 (2), somewhat satisfied = 3 (3), satisfied = 4 (4), very satisfied = 5 (5)). The higher the mean score indicates a higher level of satisfaction. Upon computing the mean for this scale,, it was found that the mean was 2.4000, this implies that there is a relative low level of satisfaction prevails with the owners of the SMEs concerning their current financial performance. It can be seen that all of the participants felt that measuring financial performance is important. However, despite the fact that measuring financial performance is important, none of the SMEs used a finance officer or an external consultant to evaluate their financial performance. It can be observed that financial ratios (100%) is the only used tool by the SMEs sampled as compared to tools such as Scoreboards (0%), the Bankruptcy Prediction Model (0%) and other models(0%). Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that even though the owners of the SME used financial ratios, only 39 percent of them found the ratios to be useful in helping to improve their financial performance. BANKRUPTCY PREDICTION MODEL The use of bankruptcy prediction models (another financial tool in the literature) was totally absent among the respondents. In fact, almost all the participant SMEs knew nothing or very little about bankruptcy prediction models. The limited use of ratios and non use of bankruptcy prediction models raises the issue of objective number two which is to recommend necessary improvements on financial performance measurement of SMEs which will be part of the recommendations. Also, the lack of knowledge of bankruptcy prediction models by interviewees at different SMEs may necessitate relevant training for the financial officers of SMEs; that is the issue of objective number three of the study, which will be part of the recommendations section as well. The last objective of the study was to recommend necessary improvements on financial performance measures used by manufacturing SMEs. The study found that most manufacturing SMEs used financial ratios to measure their financial performance, but to a very limited extent. Very few ratios were used by individual SMEs and most of the ratios used were not the best indicators mentioned in the literature. Though, some of the interviewees acknowledged that they need to use more ratios. This objective will be part of the recommendation section below. Another objective of the study was to recommend necessary training interventions that would be needed for manufacturing SMEs’ successful financial performance measurement. The research findings indicated that none of the respondents used any of the available bankruptcy prediction models; whereas it was proven in the literature that the models could be used successfully by SMEs as well as big businesses. SMEs could use the models not necessarily for predicting failure, but as a tool to constantly assess how they are doing financially so as to take necessary measures anytime they feel threatened. It was found that most of the respondents knew nothing or very little about the models, and it seemed quite obvious that relevant training is needed. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY These results can only be seen as a trend and further studies need to be conducted for any attempt at generalization. For this study for example, either emails were not responded to at all, or potential participants kept postponing, suggesting that the researcher call the following week. In the end, respondents had to be approached at their business premises and requested to participate. It is costly if it is taken into account that many SMEs would decline to participate, but works better as procedure; and should be considered in future studies. Also, it was noticed that more small businesses (70%) participated in the study because most medium business that were approached declined the invitation. Therefore, for a bigger study that would seek to generalize the results, researchers should endeavor to have a more balanced number between small and medium businesses that participate. There was very limited literature on the topic of financial performance of SMEs as well. This resulted on the study having to be built on theory. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that SMEs use more ratios, especially those in the literature study (Chapter Two) as improvement of their financial performance measures. SMEs should probably consider the use of the six most used ratios as summarized in section 5.3 above, since they seem to be working well not only for the majority of participants, but for businesses in general. It is also recommended that SMEs owners/ managers request and enroll their financial staff for training on bankruptcy prediction models at relevant institutions such as universities. The few models presented in this study may be used by SMEs as well, since they are simple and cheap, and should not pose problems to trained financial staff. Another recommendation would be for those SMEs that can afford it, to try the use of specialized software (e.g. PASTEL or PRO ACC5), which were indicated as effective by the few participants who use them. The SMEs would be able to use ratios that are computed from the software. The Z Score is also a critical business tool managers utilize to make informed business decisions to improve the financial health of the business. The Z Score helps managers assess the factors contributing to poor financial health. Z Score factors that contribute to under-performance; working capital, earnings retention, profitability and leverage can be isolated. This enables managers to initiate actions to improve the score of these factors contributing to financial distress. Targeting actions to specific under-performing stress factors allows managers to make capital allocation decisions that mitigate principal risk factors and produce optimal returns. Focus areas for managers to improve Z Score are transactions that effect earnings/ (losses), capital expenditures, equity and debt transactions. The Z Score provides a quantitative measurement into a company’s financial health. The Z Score highlights factors contributing to a company’s financial health and uncovers emerging trends that indicate improvements or deterioration in financial condition. The Z Score is a critical tool business managers use to assess financial health. It helps managers align business strategies with capital allocation decisions and provide transparency of financial condition to lenders and equity capital providers. Business managers use the Z Score to raise capital and secure credit. The Z Score is an effective tool to demonstrate credit worthiness to bankers and soundness of business model to investors. The Z Score is based on actual financial information derived from the operating performance of the business enterprise. It avoids biases of subjective assessments, conflicts of interest, brand and large company bias. The Z Score employs no theoretical assumptions or market inputs external to the company’s financial statements. This provides users of the Z Score with a consistent view and understanding of a company’s true financial health. SMEs should have proper financial planning. They should undertake both financing and investment program according to financial planning. SMEs should keep all records of financial transactions in a system way. This will provide accurate accounting and financial information for making both routine and non-routine managerial decisions by the management of SMEs. This will also enable lending agencies to conduct credit risk analysis; and rating agency to carry out the rating job for the SMEs. SMEs should introduce internal audit to restore effective financial control in the SMEs. SMEs need to have an effective management system as well as skilled manpower. This is expected to exert a positive influence in efficiency as well as productivity of SMEs. Good culture in the firm develops leadership in the organization who can be able to trace the financial distress early and thereby prevent SMEs from the exposition to financial and operating risk. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH Further research could be conducted on a wider scale in an attempt to generalize the findings to manufacturing SMEs in Mauritius; and in different regions of Mauritius. Further research could also be done to determine whether the findings of the study are consistent across different sectors. Financial performance measurement of larger enterprises could be another subject of study as well. CONCLUSION It is fair to say that, contrary to what one may think, many manufacturing SMEs (with respect to the number of studied SMEs) in Mauritius, use financial ratios (one of the financial tools in the literature study) to measure their financial performance. Though, this use of ratios by the studied SMEs is limited, because only a few ratios are being used by the respondents. Yet again, out of the ratios used, few are among those in the literature that were found to be the best financial measures or good financial distress predictors. None of the respondents used any of the available bankruptcy prediction models. In fact, most of the respondents knew nothing or very little about the models. Some of the participants have opted for the use of computer software and are getting satisfying results from them. Although most of the respondents have performed fairly well so far, to improve their financial performance, SMEs should use more of the recognized ratios identified in this study. Six ratio s were identified to be widely used by the various SMEs interviewed, and because most of the respondents indicated that their financial performance has been satisfying (even though some said there is a need to improve), these ratios should be taken into consideration. SMEs need also to train their financial staff on other financial tools such bankruptcy prediction models that are quite easy to use. It was also pointed out in the literaturereview that ratio analysis and bankruptcy prediction models (since they consist of a group of ratios with variables of different weights) have their shortcomings as well. Therefore they should only be used as an indication. This study will contribute toward filling the gap in the literature of SME financial performance measurement; and if taken seriously by SMEs, will help them in effective financial performance measurement by drawing attention to the various tools that are available to them for that purpose and the necessity of training financial staff on various measures as well.

Grooms Wedding Speech - Humorous, but Not Offensive -- Wedding Toasts

Groom's Wedding Speech - Humorous, but Not Offensive Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness a unique event in history - the very first and last time that my wife is going to let me speak on behalf of both of us. It is a privilege and an honor to do so. I just hope that, so soon into our married life, I don't let her down. Today has so far been a day beyond my wildest dreams. As a child, dreaming of my wedding day, I never dared imagine that I would end up marrying someone so intelligent, so witty, so popular, so gorgeous, and so altogether fantastic... (To his wife) Is this O.K. so far? Ladies and gentlemen, it is apparently my job to do all the thankyous. The first and biggest thankyou is to all of you. Thank you all for choosing to share today with us. We are delighted and touched to see so many of you here. And thank you, of course, for all the wonderful gifts. The father of the bride, on the other hand, who is picking up the bill for dinner, is completely distraught. When he saw the guest list with addresses in Ireland, Egypt, the U.S.A., Scotland, as well as the four corners of England, he was delighted, since he felt sure that most of you wouldn't make the effort to turn up. It's to his credit that during his speech you would never have guessed he is in fact a broke, or rather a broken, man. On the subject of his speech I’d like to thank him for his kind words. I hope that, as his daughter's husband, I can live up to the image he painted of me or, failing that, at least continue to keep pulling the wool over his eyes! We would also like to thank my wife's parents for all their efforts in organizing today. Their support has been invaluable, advice sound, and check-book largely available. I'd pe... ...he end and I know that whatever the future holds we’ll live it happily together. Of course this doesn't explain why it has taken us so long to get married. Well, outside church today, I was talking to one of her friends and she told me that, according to my wife, its all about maturity. She had asked my wife why we were getting married now, after all this time, and her response was this... "Men are like a fine wine. They all start out as grapes. It’s our job to stamp on them and then keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with..." It is my eternal good fortune that my wife's taste in wine is cheap, unrefined, and immature. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you again for being here today, for the wonderful gifts, for your good wishes and most of all for your friendship now and in the future. Here's to a wonderful evening. Groom's Wedding Speech - Humorous, but Not Offensive -- Wedding Toasts Groom's Wedding Speech - Humorous, but Not Offensive Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness a unique event in history - the very first and last time that my wife is going to let me speak on behalf of both of us. It is a privilege and an honor to do so. I just hope that, so soon into our married life, I don't let her down. Today has so far been a day beyond my wildest dreams. As a child, dreaming of my wedding day, I never dared imagine that I would end up marrying someone so intelligent, so witty, so popular, so gorgeous, and so altogether fantastic... (To his wife) Is this O.K. so far? Ladies and gentlemen, it is apparently my job to do all the thankyous. The first and biggest thankyou is to all of you. Thank you all for choosing to share today with us. We are delighted and touched to see so many of you here. And thank you, of course, for all the wonderful gifts. The father of the bride, on the other hand, who is picking up the bill for dinner, is completely distraught. When he saw the guest list with addresses in Ireland, Egypt, the U.S.A., Scotland, as well as the four corners of England, he was delighted, since he felt sure that most of you wouldn't make the effort to turn up. It's to his credit that during his speech you would never have guessed he is in fact a broke, or rather a broken, man. On the subject of his speech I’d like to thank him for his kind words. I hope that, as his daughter's husband, I can live up to the image he painted of me or, failing that, at least continue to keep pulling the wool over his eyes! We would also like to thank my wife's parents for all their efforts in organizing today. Their support has been invaluable, advice sound, and check-book largely available. I'd pe... ...he end and I know that whatever the future holds we’ll live it happily together. Of course this doesn't explain why it has taken us so long to get married. Well, outside church today, I was talking to one of her friends and she told me that, according to my wife, its all about maturity. She had asked my wife why we were getting married now, after all this time, and her response was this... "Men are like a fine wine. They all start out as grapes. It’s our job to stamp on them and then keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with..." It is my eternal good fortune that my wife's taste in wine is cheap, unrefined, and immature. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you again for being here today, for the wonderful gifts, for your good wishes and most of all for your friendship now and in the future. Here's to a wonderful evening.

Facilitate Counselling Process Essay

I declare that this assessment is my own work, based on my own personal research/study . I also declare that this assessment, nor parts of it, has not been previously submitted for any other unit/module or course, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of another student and/or persons. I have read the ACAP Student Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Policy and understand its implications. I also declare, if this is a practical skills assessment, that a Client/Interviewee Consent Form has been read and signed by both parties, and where applicable parental consent has been obtained. 1. Explain the purpose of counselling and the scope of counselling relationships, including professional limitations. Counselling is a professional progression avenue where a client can tell their story to a counselor in a confidential setting. Throughout the process counsellors attempt to build a relationship with clients built on trust and empathy. Counsellors guide clients to achieve personal goals, give tools to be their own solution creator and given them the opportunity to come to their own understanding of themselves and/or situation. Client progress can be attainable with clear, realistic and concise goals, which is managed throughout. In some instances referring the clients to secondary services, other professional avenues and alternate programs beyond the counsellors limitations will allow the client to achieve their goals and understanding. 2. Explain to a new client the nature of the client-centred approach to counselling. Alice, I’m here to listen, empathies and understand your story. You know yourself, you are the expert of your life, feeling and attitudes, I’m here to help you understand what it is you want to achieve. In this forum you are valued, respected and perceived without prejudice or judgment. I’m not here  to tell you what to do or how you should feel, I’m here for you. You are telling your story, your feelings are justified, and you will be understood. 3. Identify three important areas to address with clients in the initial counselling session. Confidentiality – Everything said during the session is bound by confidentiality. No information will be disclosed to a third party without the clients consent. Mandatory reporting – The counsellor is legally bound to disclosure information to relevant governing bodies, breaking confidentiality, in the instance where a minor is in danger and or the client is in immediate danger to themselves or others. Informed consent – The client is made aware of the cost, location, frequency, duration, and note taking of the sessions, out of session contact and late or no show fees. 4. Identify and explain two basic micro-skills of counselling and their purpose in facilitating client understanding. Counselling microskills are skills used to enhance and encourage communication with clients. Two basic microskils, which enhance building rapport with a client, is Attending and Active listening. Attending is showing that the counsellor is present to the client. The counsellor seated facing the client, giving the client the impression that the counselor is involved within process; Open posture, the counselor is available to listen to the client; Leaning forward, appropriately showing attention is being shown; Eye contact, appropriate eye contact showing interest and presences; Relax state with the client allows to the client to feel at ease and comfortable. Active listening allows to consellor to engage with the client, minimal responses can be verbal (hmm, yep) and non verbal (nodding, smile) actions to encourage the client to continue talking, they are being heard and understood. The use of paraphrasing by the counsellor, repeating the client story to them but using own words indicating the counsellor is listening, trying/understanding and empathising with the client. 5. Identify and briefly describe two client disclosures that would require immediate action on the counsellor’s part and what action you would take for each. If a client has disclosed immediate danger to themself or other the councellor is to call the Local Police department and/the Local Mental Health team. If a minor is at risk of significant harm, whether physical, sexual, emotional, psychological abuse or neglect the Department of community services is to be contacted. 6. Choose one of the following examples of clients’ strong emotional reactions and explain how you would respond in your role as counsellor: aggressive behaviour and reaction, excessively talkative, rapid changes in emotions. A client excessively talking I would use SOLER, slience as they need the outlet, miminal encourages to show them they are heard, paraphrase or reflect on what they have said to gain an understanding of what it is they are feeling. 7. Identify and explain three reasons why self-reflection is an important skill for a counsellor. Self-reflection within counsellors is to understand their own emotions, prejudices, bias’s and personal interests. Counselllors need to identify their own countertransference, anxieties and limitations. Engaging with appointed supervisors help counsellors to understand their emotions, create personal development, an outlet. Counsellors are a direct result of their strengths, limitations and values. Time spent on selfreflecting is time spent to better help and understand clients.

How Lady Macbeth(TM)s language reveals changes in her role and mental condition Essay

Q: By close reference to the text, show how Lady Macbeth’s language reveals changes in her role and mental condition. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the language of Lady Macbeth clearly reflects changes in her role and mental condition throughout the play. At the beginning, Lady Macbeth’s language is confident and controlled. However, by Act 5 Scene 1, she has undergone a complete transformation of character and is in a pitiful, pathetic condition. Shakespeare uses a variety of literary techniques such as iambic pentameter (or the lack of it), rhetorical devices, powerful imagery and varied sentence lengths to reveal Lady Macbeth’s disposition at different stages in the play. During Act 1, Lady Macbeth’s character is imposing and authoritative. This can clearly be seen by analysing her language and speech patterns. Shakespeare highlights the determination and control of her speech through the use of iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter is a poetic device, wherein each line has 10 syllables with the emphasis on each even syllable. It is used to create a rhythmic quality and to reflect ordinary speech patterns. In addition, iambic pentameter is also a technique of indicating the control and dignity of a character. In the early part of the play, nearly all of Lady Macbeth’s lines are written in strict iambic pentameter. The lines: † (He that’s coming) Must be provided for, and you shall put This night’s great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.†1 illustrate the fact that Lady Macbeth is a cunning, shrewd woman, who is in complete control of her mind. The iambic pentameter, coupled with what she actually says, establishes the fact that she is strong and capable character. Shakespeare leads the readers to come to the conclusion that she has the dominant role in the relationship, as she gracefully takes charge of all the decision-making. This is borne out by the content of the lines as well as the sophisticated vocabulary used. These distinctive character traits of Lady Macbeth may well have been inspired by Shakespeare’s contemporary Queen Elizabeth I, who was also a very commanding and influential entity. Shakespeare also makes use of rhetorical devices to establish Lady Macbeth’s domineering personality. Rhetorical questions, in particular, are heavily used. These are a speech technique used to persuade someone and sway their mentality. In Act 1 Scene 7, Lady Macbeth uses a ton of rhetorical questions to convince Macbeth to commit the regicide of Duncan. Questions such as: â€Å"Was the hope drunk/ Wherein you dressed yourself?†2, â€Å"Art thou afeard / To be the same in act and valour / As thou art in desire?†3, and â€Å"What cannot you and I perform upon / Th’unguarded Duncan?†4 are used to incite Macbeth and make him feel guilty. She is overly vituperative and malicious; accusing him of cowardice by saying things like he’s not a man, or that he doesn’t truly love her because he isn’t keeping his promise to her. The result is that she successfully manipulates Macbeth into doing something that she wants. This confirms the fact that she is an intelligent, influential woman. Another literary device that shows Lady Macbeth’s evil persona is the strong imagery used in her speech. Imagery is a technique used in literature to make the reader visualise a picture in their minds. The lines: â€Å"look like th’innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t†5 creates a distinct image of trickery and deceit, and gives a clear reflection of Lady Macbeth’s character. Another piece of effective imagery is the lines: † I have given suck and know How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn.†6 The above lines form a rather disturbing image in our minds, and give us a terrifying indication of Lady Macbeth’s mental strength. It highlights the malevolence that is inherent in her personality, in addition to her determination and her willingness to make sacrifices. However, the nature of such a statement does provoke one to think seriously about Lady Macbeth’s sanity. No person in their right mind would kill a child with the brutality that was described, especially not the child’s own mother. The lines shown above are one of many subtle hints of flaws in Lady Macbeth’s character which Shakespeare intelligently incorporates. These serve as inklings towards the total collapse in her character and mental state that is about to follow. In Act 3 Scene 4, the rapid decline of Lady Macbeth begins to take shape. In contrast to the early scenes of the play, her sentences become very short and she seems emotionally exhausted. Earlier, she would make long, influential speeches, which boasted of control and supremacy. This is not the case any more, although she does regain some composure by continuing to speak in iambic pentameter. She is now content to let Macbeth do the bulk of the talking. This indicates a reversal of roles where Lady Macbeth is no longer the dominant partner in the relationship. She is excluded from decision-making, as shown by Macbeth’s killing of Banquo without even bothering to consult his â€Å"dearest partner of greatness.†7 This scene is quite a significant one, as it marks the turning point of the deterioration in Lady Macbeth’s role and mental state. By Act 5 Scene 1, the language of Lady Macbeth has completely disintegrated. She is ridden with guilt and remorse, and this clearly affects her conscience immensely. Her psychological weakness at this point is illustrated by the use of prose, as opposed to iambic pentameter. This implies that Lady Macbeth has thoroughly lost all control and power which was typical of her in the first few scenes of the play. Her speech, which now mainly consists of incoherent phrases like: â€Å"Out, damned spot! Out I say! One, two. Why then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky†8, lacks the equanimity that she possessed in Act 1. She also uses a lot of imperatives and exclamations like â€Å"O, O, O,†9 which show that she is uneasy and deeply distressed. She dwells over the murders committed by herself and Macbeth, making it obvious that these incidents have been haunting her and causing her much disquiet. All the stress that had been bottled up in her mind is released while she is sleepwalking, and by the end of the scene, she is in a dismal condition, muttering a whole lot of useless drivel. It is no surprise that she later decides to do away with herself, as her body and mind have both crumbled to bits. Lady Macbeth’s language visibly reflects her role and mental state at different parts of the play. At the start, she is shown to be powerful and domineering which is demonstrated by uses of iambic pentameter, rhetorical devices and strong imagery. She undergoes a steady deterioration and by the end, she is weak and depleted, as reflected by the breakdown of her language. The stark contrast between her mental state at the start and end of the play is clearly demonstrated by comparing two sentences spoken by her at these times: â€Å"A little water clears us of this deed†10 when her hands are covered in blood after the killing of King Duncan, and â€Å"Here is the smell of blood still, all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this hand†11 while she is sleepwalking. The remarkable fall from grace of Lady Macbeth is wonderfully presented by Shakespeare, and plays a big part in the play as whole. Since it was Lady Macbeth’s ideas and persuasive techniques which led Macbeth to the throne, and set the foundations of his reign; her weakening, and subsequent death, is one of many indicators of Macbeth’s imminent downfall. Shakespeare’s use of various literary devices was excellent, and he is able to successfully draw attention to the decline of Lady Macbeth, and its overall significance. 1 Act 1 Scene 5 – lines 64-68 2 Act 1 Scene 7 – lines 35-36 3 Act 1 Scene 7 – lines 39-41 4 Act 1 Scene 7 – lines 69-70 5 Act 1 Scene 5 – lines 63-64 6 Act 1 Scene 7 – lines 54-59 7 Act 1 Scene 5 – lines 9-10 8 Act 5 Scene 1 – lines 30-31 9 Act 5 Scene 1 – line 43 10 Act 2 Scene 2 – line 70 11 Act 5 Scene 1 – lines 42-43

New York Immigration essays

New York Immigration essays Immigration is an event that has been occurring in New York since the 1624 when the Dutch West India Company assembled thirty families from Holland to established a settlement that became known as New Netherland. Many immigrants came to our nation looking for opportunities that their country could not provide for them. The prospect of political and religious liberty, as well as opportunities for economic advancement brought millions of immigrants to America. Through the years, immigration has played a key role in the New Yorks economic, political and social development in both positive and negative ways. During the colonial era most immigrants came from northern European countries. Their numbers declined with the onset of the Revolutionary War during the 1770s, but immigration picked up strongly again during the 1840s and 1850s. Between 1840 and 1860, the New York received its first great wave of immigrants. In Europe as a whole, famine, poor harvests, rising populations and political unrest caused an estimated five million people to leave their homelands each year. In Ireland, blight attacked the potato crop, and upwards of 750,000 people starved to death. Many of the survivors emigrated. The failure of the German Confederations Revolution of 1848-49 led many of its people to emigrate. Many settled in New York City, where the population increased from 200,000 residents in 1830 to 515,000 in 1850. By 1860, New York was home to over one million residents. More than half of the citys population at that time were immigrants and their American-born children. The masses of immigrants were overwhelming. By 1887, it became obvious that Castle Garden (immigrant receiving station) was too small to process the large numbers of immigrants pouring into the New York. The Castle Garden was so small that criminals were simply hanging out at the receiving station to rob the immigrants inside, instead of wai...