Sucks and Blows :: essays research papers

In popular culture words are often taken out of context to mean something other than what you will read in a dictionary, commonly referred to as slang. Classic examples of this throughout recent history is the word â€Å"bad† meaning good, or â€Å"sucks† implying bad, or â€Å"blows† also, oddly enough meaning bad. If it is not already evident slang almost never makes any matter of the original meaning of a word. One of the newest editions to the dictionary of slang can be heard walking down the hall of any school, college, or university. You will undoubtedly hear the word faggot within a few minutes of being on campus. Over the many thousand years of the evolution of a spoken word the harmless utterance has now taken on a new meaning and became an extremely negative and hurt-filled word, faggot. Researching the word faggot first brings forth the Latin word â€Å"fasces† (fascibus). Originating during the Roman Empire the fasces was an axe surrounded by a tightly wrapped bundle of sticks and a major symbol of the power and authority an individual possessed. It is said that fasces were carried as symbols of power by Roman lictors in front of certain important people such as kings, consuls, vestal virgins, and proconsuls. The number of fasces-bearing lictors helped symbolize the importance of the officials. During World War II Mussolini used the fasces as a symbol of absolute power in his tyrannical fascist government. Even still today the fasces is a symbol of power; there are fasces on the walls of the US House of Representatives and on the dime. During the late twelve-hundreds the Old French word â€Å"fagot† meaning bundle of sticks such as the one surrounding a fasces came to be. During the seventeen-hundreds the British added a â€Å"g† and derived the word â€Å"faggot†, also meaning bundle of sticks or wood. During this time a faggot was first used as slang meaning an unqualified soldier that was added to fill ranks in a military regiment. These soldiers were positioned around the perimeter to protect the more qualified soldiers from attack in the same manner the bundle of sticks protected the axe in a fasces. Later during the same century seniors in the British public schools began referring to a junior who does certain duties for a senior as a faggot. It is during this time that the first verb is derived in the form of â€Å"fag† (e.

Economics. Exchange rate to the larger country’s currency Essay

†¢A managed floating exchange rate refers to (an exchange rate that is not pegged, but does not float freely) †¢A small country with strong economic ties to a larger country should (PEG ((HARD OR SOFT)) THEIR EXCHANGE RATE TO THE LARGER COUNTRY’S CURRENCY) †¢An increase in the real exchange rate (real depreciation of domestic currency) will result in (AN INCREASE IN NET EXPORTS) †¢China has pegged its currency against the U.S. dollar. If demand for dollars decreases (THERE IS PRESSURE FOR THE U.S. DOLLAR TO DEPRECIATE. IN THIS SETTING, CHINA HAS TO PURCHASE DOLLARS TO MAINTAIN ITS PEG) †¢Consider Figure 10.4, â€Å"Supply and Demand in the Foreign Exchange Market.† If U.S. demand for the British pound decreases, in the long run (THE DEMAND CURVE WILL SHIFT IN TO THE LEFT, AND THE DOLLAR WILL APPRECIATE) †¢If the U.S. dollar depreciates in terms of the Euro (American goods would be cheaper for Europeans) †¢In a fixed exchange rate system, how do countries address the problem of currency market pressures that threaten to lower or raise the value of their currency (a & b only: if demand rises, countries must fill the excess demand for foreign currency by selling their reserves, if demand falls, then countries must increase demand by buying up the excess supply with domestic currency) †¢In the debate on fixed versus floating exchange rates, the strongest argument for a floating rate is that it frees macroeconomic policy from taking care of the exchange rate. Why is this also the weakest argument (the freeing of monetary policy from the task of maintaining an exchange rate creates a lack of external discipline on monetary policy and leads to an over reliance on inflationary policies to satisfy domestic economic needs) †¢Suppose a bond issued by the European Central Bank and denominated in euros pays 2% per year. Today the exchange rate is 1.87 dollars per euro. It is expected that the exchange rate in one year will be 2.06 dollars per euro. What is the annual dollar return on this bond (12 percent) †¢The price of a currency that will be delivered in the future is called (THE FORWARD EXCHANGE RATE) †¢Under a Gold Standard (THE EXCHANGE RATE IS FIXED) †¢Which is true (SOME COUNTRIES PEG TO A BASKET OF CURRENCIES) †¢Which of the  effects is not considered when choosing an exchange rate system (THE FISCAL ((SPENDING)) POLICY THAT THE CHOOSING COUNTRY WILL MAINTAIN) †¢Which of the following would be interested in holding foreign currency to engage in transactions (a & d only: a tourist, a manufacturing firm) †¢Which of the following would be interested in holding foreign currency to take advantage of investment opportunities (a portfolio manager) †¢SUPPOSE THE DOLLAR-YEN EXCHANGE RATE IS 0.013 DOLLARS PER YEN. SINCE THE BASE YEAR, INFLATION HAS BEEN 1 PERCENT IN JAPAN AND 9 PERCENT IN THE UNITED STATES. WHAT IS THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE (.0120) WORK: REAL EXCHANGE RATE = (NOMINAL EXCHANGE RATE) X ((FOREIGN PRICES) / (DOMESTIC PRICES)) THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PRICES ARE FOUND BY TAKING 100 + THE INFLATION PERCENT. THEREFORE, THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE = 0.013 X ((101) / (109)) = 0.0120 IN REAL TERMS, THE DOLLAR HAS APPRECIATED AGAINST THE YEN (TRUE) †¢DUE TO THIS CHANGE, THE U.S. DOLLAR WILL (APPRECIATE), THE CANADIAN DOLLAR WILL (DEPRECIATE), AND THE LENGTH OF THE EFFECT WILL BE (MEDIUM RUN) †¢Exports represent about ___ percent of Israel’s economy (40) †¢One of the reasons Israel’s currency has appreciated recently is due to (low interest rates in other major economies) †¢Israel’s benchmark interest rate is now (1.25%) †¢Market determined currency exchange rates are also known as (floating exchange rates) †¢What is the impact of currency depreciation on the country experiencing the decline in currency value (exports will increase) †¢When a country allows their currency to depreciate it will (increase exports) †¢When a foreign currency becomes more expensive in terms of another currency it is said to have; (appreciated) †¢How will lowering the interest rates impact the value of the currency (it will devalue the currency) †¢How does the appreciation of the British pound versus the euro impact the British economy? Goods priced in pounds are now (more expensive to consumers in Europe that use the euro, resulting in a further decline in British exports) †¢Why is the British pound appreciating versus the euro (because investors and savers that hold their wealth in euros are looking for â€Å"safe haven† currencies to place their money) †¢How does the Bank of England’s quantitative easing impact the pound’s strength (normally  quantitative easing would cause a currency to depreciate, so the fact that the pound is appreciating provides a strong indicator of investors’ fear of the euro)

Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart - 1129 Words

The most traumatizing and destructive statement someone can say is to â€Å"Be a Man.† As Carlos Gomez once stated, â€Å"So many men in this world (are) living in this sort of quiet desperation, confined in this box of toxic masculinity.† In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, some characters are the epitome of this toxic masculinity. Things Fall Apart shows the dimension of both Igbo people and culture, while highlighting the tale of a tragic hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s rise to glory was demonstrated by his humble beginnings and eye for prosperity. However, abundant cultural differences show how conflict emerges between individuals and what society expects of them. The novel also in part traces Okonkwo’s lack of emotional awareness as he murders his surrogate son while simultaneously criticizing his other biological son for being effeminate. Ultimately, Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity sparked aggression between the white missionaries, and eventually he was driven to commit suicide. Chinua Achebe reveals that the overpowering theme of hyper masculinity portrays one as emotionally unacceptable, and although one ideal, the author demonstrates how heavy masculine qualities tear apart relationships and structure in life. All aspects of Okonkwo’s personality revolved around his masculinity, especially in farming. â€Å"Yam, the king of crops was a man’s crop† (19). Although the pursuit of yams at a young age contributed to his success, it also defined the standards of a â€Å"man’sShow MoreRelatedChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1719 Words   |  7 PagesThings fall apart is a classic novel written around the turn of the century, the novel focuses on the protagonist who we can also call a hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected leader within the Igbo tribe of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Strong individual with a passionate belief in all the values and traditions of his people. Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a particular kind of tragic protagonist, a great man who carries the fate of his people. Okonkwo is a man who is inflexible andRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1033 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian novelist in worldwide. Things fall apart is Chinua Achebe’s first novel published in 1958, the year after Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence. And this novel is one of the first African novels to gain worldwide recognition. (Phil Mongredien, 2010) This novel presents people a story of an African Igbo tribal hero, Okonkwo, from his growth to death. The fate of Okonkwo also indicates the fate of Africa caused by the colonizationRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart883 Words   |  4 Pagesdehumanize the native population and convince themselves that they are helping. Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart attempts to correct these misguided views of African societies by portraying a more complex culture that values peace, and the art of conversation. Achebe also tries to portray the idea that not all European people they come in contact with are aggressive, and misconstrued in their view of the African societ ies. Achebe tries to show us the value of his society through repeated views into conversationsRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1410 Words   |  6 PagesTeddy Manfre Ms. Blass ENG 209-001 April 24, 2017 Things Fall Apart In 1958, Chinua Achebe a famous Nigerian author publishes one of his most famous novels Things Fall Apart. The novel takes place in a Nigerian village called Umuofia. During the time that this novel is published Nigeria is being criticized by the Europeans for being uncivilized. In response, Achebe uses his brilliance in this novel to express the valued history of his people to his audience. His focus in the novel is on the pre-colonizedRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1015 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Things Fall Apart, author Chinua Achebe utilizes his distinctive writing style in order to accurately capture the culture and customs of the Igbo people despite writing his story in a foreign language. Five aspects of Achebe’s style that make his writing unique is the straightforward diction present in dialogue, the inclusion of native parables convey Igbo life authentically, the inclusion of native Igbo words and phrases, detailed descriptions of nature and the usage of figurative languageRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1702 Words   |  7 PagesTitle: Things Fall Apart Biographical information about the author: Chinua Achebe was born in Nigeria in 1930. He had an early career as a radio host, and later became the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nigeria. After moving to America, he became an English professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Achebe has won numerous awards for his poetry and fiction, including the Man Booker prize and Commonwealth Poetry Price. He currently teaches at Bard College. Author: Chinua AchebeRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesCulture is an Important Element of Society Chinua Achebe is the author of when Things Fall Apart while Joseph Conrad authored Heart of Darkness. Conrad and Achebe set their individual titles in Africa; Achebe is an African writer whereas Conrad is Polish-British. The authors draw strength from their backgrounds to validity the authenticity of their fictional novels. Conrad writes from his experiences in the British and French navies while Achebe uses his African heritage. The theme of culture isRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1248 Words   |  5 PagesChris Lowndes Ms. Cook A.P.L.C. 21 October 2015 We Are Family: Hardships in One s Family in Things Fall Apart Specific attributes correlate with each other to help create or not create the ideal strong family. However, through those attributes arise conflicts and major disputes. This issue of trying to achieve and create a strong family is of immense importance in one’s life, especially in Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart, a milestone in African literature. For instance, the father leaves his legacyRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pagescertain degree of the priest class, libation, holidays, creation stories, divine systems of punishments and rewards. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is a story of tragic fall of a protagonist and the Igbo culture. Achebe demonstrates different examples and situations of where an African culture, in the instances of tribal religions, did certain things because of their tradition is and the way they developed into. African cultures pondered life mysteries and articulated theirRead Mo reChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1314 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebe masterpiece â€Å"Things Fall Apart† (1959) is the classic story of Okonkwo, a young man who strives to be revered by his village and family but because of his own internal character flaws meets his own demise. In the Igbo culture, family traditions are an important narrative throughout the novel. Okonkwo, the protagonist character of this story, begins with many attributes of what would be concluded as a hero with his cultural society. He is hard working, a material provider, feared and