Friday, August 21, 2020

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy - Research Paper Example Waterway of Hormuz structures a bottleneck at the Persian Gulf, along these lines, a key situation to control the oil stream from the area. The Afghanistan intrusion acquired the Soviet Union closeness to the Strait of Hormuz, which could have been gotten to through an attack of Iran. Soviet activities presented danger to the steadiness of the whole area. The US alongside different nations were dependant on the oil for the working of their economies. The gracefully was additionally critical for the military to keep up its operational abilities. Saudi Arabia, thusly, was guaranteed of security by the US from socialist adversaries.â Iran was a key partner in the area to make preparations for the spread of socialism. Iran and Saudi Arabia were offered help to counter the Soviet Union and guarantee soundness in the district. The Iranian insurgency in 1979 entangled the circumstance; in this way, another tenet had the to be detailed. The prohibition of Iran requested a teaching to intro duce reasonable danger to make preparations for the spread of Soviets in the district and to locate a dependable trade for gracefully of oil to the US. President Carter’s tenet was a change in perspective from past principles of President Truman, Eisenhower, and Nixon. It was planned to clarify the significance of the Persian Gulf as key essential intrigue. The regulation clarified that any exertion by the threatening capacity to obstruct the progression of oil from the Persian Gulf would be viewed as an assault on US imperative intrigue and would be managed military force.â

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

ISIS Attacks in America Essay [ Completed in 2017 ]

ISIS Attacks in America Essay Table of Contents1 Opening2 Titles3 Related Topics4 Outline5 Introduction6 Essay Hook7 Thesis Statement8 Body8.1 Jihad8.2 The Sunni/Shia Split and the Roots of Radical Islam 8.3 The Relationship Between Al Qaeda and ISIS8.4 ISIS Attacks in the U.S.9 Conclusion10 Works Cited11 Closing   Opening In this essay about ISIS attacks in America, we examine attacks by the terrorist organization ISIS, which have occurred on U.S. soil.   Because of the structure of ISIS/ISIL, which operate in cells, it can be extremely difficult to determine whether a terrorist attack carried out by someone claiming to be working on behalf of ISIS was actually directed by ISIS.   Therefore, for the purposes of this essay, we are working on the assumption that attacks by people who appear to be radicalized Muslims and claim a personal affiliation with ISIS are, indeed, ISIS attacks.   This essay will give some background information on ISIS and explain how it is structured.   It will discuss how ISIS is effectively using terrorist attacks outside of the United States and its plans to translate that strategy into one that will be effective in the United States.   In this essay we will not only discuss current ISIS terror attacks, but also whether the strategies the country is currently using to try to prevent terrorist attacks are likely to be effective.   In addition to discussing ISIS attacks in America, this example essay will show you how to write an essay by providing examples of: the introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs combining evidence and analysis, and a strong conclusion.   The essay concludes by recapping the information presented in the essay as well as thoughts about the future of ISIS attacks in America and what the country can do to help reduce the risk of those attacks. Titles ISIS Is Coming to America, Or Is It?   Are Domestic Attacks by ISIS the Result of Terrorists Coming to the United States or of Radicalization of People Inside the United States? Weapons of Mass Destruction: ISIS has Perfected the Use of Vehicles to Kill Groups in Europe and Is Now Bringing this Strategy to the US Radical Islamic Terrorism: Is it Really the Biggest Threat Facing Domestic Security ISIS Attacks and the Trump Administration: Will the New Presidential Administration’s Approach to Terrorism Increase or Decrease the Likelihood of Domestic Terrorist Attacks Related Topics Radical Islamic Terrorism- What is radical Islamic terrorism?   How does it differ from the Islam practiced by the majority of Muslims?   Does the religion, itself, promote violence, or is terrorism a corruption of the religion. Afghanistan and Russia- How did Russian involvement in Afghanistan help bring about a modern era of terrorism?   While the mujahedeen fought with the United States in Afghanistan to repel Russian forces, they have since become radicalized against the Western world.   What are the roots of this radicalization and can the schism ever be bridged? Domestic Violence and Domestic Terrorism- While the media is quick to focus on the religious or political affiliations of people who commit mass killings when they are brown, the real answer to domestic terrorism may involve domestic violence.   Regardless of religious or political affiliation, most people who commit mass homicides in the United States have a documented history of domestic violence.   Is failure to respond adequately and appropriately to these charges part of the reason that the United States is struggling with a huge domestic terrorist problem? Outline I.   Introduction II.   Body A.   Background B.   Jihad C.   The Sunni/Shia Split D.   The Relationship between AL Qaeda and Isis E.   ISIS attacks on the U.S. III.   Conclusion Introduction In order to understand ISIS attacks in America, it is important to understand the roots of what is often referred to as â€Å"radical Islamic terrorism.†Ã‚   Radical Islamic Terrorism refers to terrorism by a group claiming to be Muslim and stating that the terrorism is done in order to fulfill religious obligations or further political/religious goals.   Religious terrorism is nothing new and is not limited to people of the Muslim faith.   In fact, the long history of political terrorism can often be traced to fundamental conflicts about religious beliefs.   However, radical Islamic terrorism has gained increased notoriety because, globally, it presents one of the largest sources of terrorist threats, even if it is still only responsible for a small portion of global violence. Most people in the United States were not really aware of radical Islamic terrorists prior to 9-11.   On 9-11, a group of terrorists from the organization Al-Qaeda used box knives in a well-orchestrated attack on American airplanes.   They then used those airplanes as missiles and aimed them at highly-populated buildings in highly-populated areas to maximize destruction. On 9-11, these terrorists were able to successfully use planes as missiles to destroy the World Trade Center in New York City, and damage the Pentagon.   When passengers on a fourth plane became aware of the terrorists’ intentions to use the planes as missiles, they were able to take back the plane, which resulted in it crashing in a relatively unpopulated area of Pennsylvania.   9-11 was the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and brought attention to the concept of radical Islamic terrorism and the concept of jihad. Essay Hook Like other religions of peace, Islam had one of its most inspiring concept, Jihad, perverted by those seeking power, and terrorists claiming allegiance to ISIS now use this concept to slaughter people around the globe. Thesis Statement Although domestic terrorism by radicalized white Christian males still poses more of a threat to the average American, there is no question that an increasing risk of ISIS attacks on American soil is a reality that Americans need to acknowledge and address before they become as prevalent as they are in Europe. Body Jihad In order to understand any variety of radical Islamic terrorism, it is necessary to understand the concept of Jihad, at least as interpreted by terrorist groups like Isis.   To most Muslims, Jihad is not a violent or radicalized concept.   In fact, violent Jihad is specifically prohibited by the Koran except for under very specific circumstances.   Jihad is a concept that refers to any type of struggle against the enemies of Islam and is, for most Muslims, conveyed as more of a spiritual type of struggle.   Jihad is often used to refer to an individual’s efforts to become a better Muslim.   Even in those rare instances when a violent action is considered part of Jihad, it must be declared by a proper authority and the war must be considered a just war. However, there is no question that the concept of Jihad has been highjacked by terrorists.   They use the concept of Jihad to promote the establishment of what they call an Islamic state.   This Jihad not only targets non-Muslims, but is also being used against Muslims around the world.   In many ways, the best way to view it is as if the terrorist leaders were using the concept of Jihad simply as a motivational tool, stripping it of any real religious authority while still claiming religious justifications for actions that all actual practicing Muslims would believe violated the Koran. The Sunni/Shia Split and the Roots of Radical Islam Another important thing to understand is that, much like Christianity’s division into two broad groups: Catholics and protestants, Muslims are split into two big groups: the Sunni and the Shia. Both groups consider themselves to be the one true Muslim faith, which has led to division and violence between Muslims and also helps explain why some Muslims are targeted by ISIS attacks.  Ã‚   When the prophet Muhammad died in 632 AD, Muslims split into two groups because of a disagreement about who was the appropriate successor for the prophet.   The Shia believed that only Muhammad’s descendants could lead the religion, which led to the formation of a religious leadership that was based along the same lines as a monarchy.   The Sunni believed that any of the worthiest Muslims should be considered for leadership. Until a few decades ago, globally the Sunni had a reputation as the more peaceful of the two parts of Islam because the Iranian Revolution was led by the Shia and helped create Hezbollah, one of the first modern radical Islamic groups.   However, the mujahedeen who fought against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan were a Sunni group that were eventually radicalized and became Al Qaeda The Relationship Between Al Qaeda and ISIS Given that Al Qaeda and its leaders were the number one U.S. public enemies for a very long period of time, many people assume that ISIS is simply Al Qaeda with a new name.   While it is true that ISIS’s original leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was part of Al Qaeda, almost as soon as he branched off from Al Qaeda there were apparent differences between the two groups.   Perhaps the most significant difference is that ISIS considers itself an Islamic caliphate.   Its goal, which it has largely accomplished in the Middle East is to take over territory and spread the Islamic state in those areas. This is a different ideological approach than the one taken by Al Qaeda, and this difference is important because it impacts how ISIS uses violence.   Both groups have an extreme ideological opposition to the West.   However, while Al Qaeda seemed more focus on disruption, ISIS is more focused on acquisition.   In other words, Al Qaeda hoped to form a global movement of Muslims that would contain the Westernization of the world, while ISIS hopes to regain territories that have already been Westernized and eventually include them as part of the caliphate.   Therefore, even very similar terrorist attacks may have significantly different motivations. What both organizations have in common is that they eschew traditional top-down leadership structures.   Instead, they use cells to accomplish their terrorist acts.   These cells often work in almost complete isolation, not coordinating with any other cells.   It makes it impossible for people to determine the true size of ISIS, how many countries it is in, or even the extend of its presence in those countries.   It also makes fighting them incredibly difficult.   This cell structure proved invaluable for Al Qaeda in its early days, , â€Å"al-Qaeda was linked—whether directly or indirectly—to more attacks in the six years following September 11 than it had been in the six years prior, including attacks in Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia,  Turkey, the  United Kingdom,  Israel, Algeria, and elsewhere† (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016).   Although Al Qaeda remains active, its loss of Bin Laden impacted its global effectiveness and ISIS becam e the real threat. You may have heard of ISIS referred to in a number of different ways.     ISIS, ISIL, IS, and Daesh all refer to â€Å"the jihadist group which controls large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq† (Irshaid, 2015).   It is the organization responsible for most of the radical Islamic terrorist attacks around the globe.   Not only does it control most of the Middle East, but it is also responsible for a dramatic increase in terrorist attacks in Europe. Because weapons are more difficult to acquire in Europe, ISIS has been promoting the use of vehicles to effectuate mass homicides.   Though any one of these strikes may not injure a huge number of people, they are easy-to-plan, easy-to-carry-out, and almost impossible to completely prevent, making them a very effective tool for terrorism. ISIS Attacks in the U.S. The first ISIS attack in the United States occurred in 2014 when a man who had recently converted to Islam and who had ties to ISIS attacked four police officers with a hatchet.   The perpetrator was killed during the commission of the attack, which made it impossible to question him about his motives.   The attack is assumed to be ISIS-related and has been labeled terrorism, but the attackers lengthy history of criminal violence and instability could just as easily support a mental illness hypothesis.   The attacker, Zale Thompson, was a former member of the U.S. Navy who was involuntarily discharged.   He was arrested at least six times in connection to domestic violence, though never convicted of the charges.   Before the attack, he was a frequent visitor to known terrorist websites, but does not appear to have had any actual contacts among terrorist groups.   As a result, this attack seems more ISIS-inspired than an actual coordinated attack by ISIS.   This is an im portant distinction, because if ISIS can inspire homegrown radicalized terrorists to plan and commit their own attacks, then they can inspire terror with very minimal effort. In May 2015, an attack with a much clearer relationship to Islam, occurred.   Two men shot at police officers who were guarding the entrance to the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, where an art exhibit featured images of Muhammed.   In Islam, it is prohibited to portray Muhammed.   Once again, the perpetrators were killed during the commission of the crime.   ISIL/ISIS took responsibility for the crime, but law enforcement did not find any evidence that anyone other than the two perpetrators committed the crime.   It seems like another incident of ISIS inspiring radicalized people to take terrorist actions without having any responsibility or direction for actually planning the attacks. In December 2015, a married couple opened fire on the Inland Regional Center in San Bernadino, killing 14 people and seriously injuring over 20 others.   The husband was a U.S.-born citizen and the wife was a lawful permanent resident of the United States.   They were eventually killed in a shoot-out with police after initially fleeing the scene of the crime.   Characterized as homegrown terrorists, they were inspired by terrorist groups, had visited Saudi Arabia, and had amassed a weapons stockpile.   They did have co-conspirators, but, like the other terrorists, they do not seem to have been part of a cell structure.   However, one of the challenging aspects of cell-structured terrorist organizations is that the lack of cohesive units and the fact that they discourage communication between groups means that it can be difficult to differentiate between an established cell and lone-wolf operators.   Something about this couple was different from prior attacks; they had a long history of promoting terrorism and they had stockpiled the weapons necessary to carry out those goals. In 2016, the Pulse nightclub massacre became the largest gun massacre in the United States, though it is no longer the deadliest.   It was committed by a single actor who targeted Pulse because of a professed hatred for the LGBT people who frequented the club.   Many people labeled this a terrorist attack, and, it is certainly true that, like the other Abrahamic religions, Islam has a history of being anti LGBT.   The shooter claimed allegiance to ISIL and told a hostage negotiator that the shooting was motivated by U.S bombings in Iraq, but no evidence was ever found connecting him to ISIS. In November 2016, at Ohio State University a terrorist used a car to kill and injure people.   The attacker was a Somali refuge and he was found to be a radicalized Muslim.   ISIS took credit for attack and said it was a response to their call for individuals to carry out terrorist attacks.   However, once again, there was no evidence of communications between the terrorist and the organization. In October 2017, a man drove a flatbed pickup truck into a group of pedestrians and cyclists in New York City, killing eight people.   The perpetrator was shot, but survived.   While the attack is still being investigated, a flag and a document pledging allegiance to ISIL were found in the truck.   However, like the other people who have carried out ISIS attacks in America, he seems to have been self-radicalized and acting without direction from anyone actually in the organization. What does it mean that all of these radicalized terrorists are committing actions in the name of ISIS without having any apparent contact with ISIS?   Unfortunately, it seems to mean that ISIS is very successful at encouraging this type of violence.   ISIS has used social media to describe how to use a vehicle to commit a terrorist attack, and this type of attack has been very successful in Europe.   Now it appears to be coming to the United States.   All ISIS has to do is wait for some disgruntled, angry person to decide to use Islam as his excuse for violence, commit the terrorism, and say it was done for them. Of course, the attacks themselves do not actually forward any type of real political agenda.   They are, in execution and impact, almost identical to the type of mass shootings and other killings that have become commonplace in modern America.   However, because the shooters choose to claim allegiance to a radicalized version of a religion that is only practiced by a minority of Americans, these attacks serve to increase distrust, xenophobia, and racism in the United States.   This increase in negative feeling, in turn, will fuel feelings of isolation among the very people most likely to be involved in terrorist attacks- angry, young males.   This makes it likely that the United States is only going to see an increase in attacks credited to ISIS, and, because many of these terrorists have been homegrown, that closing our borders will have only a negligible impact. Conclusion The terrorist group ISIS has been linked to a number of terrorist attacks in the United States since 2014.   However, the nature of these attacks have tended to be lone wolf perpetrators who are not coordinating their activities with ISIS.   Instead, they are inspired by ISIS and essentially forming their own small terrorist cells.   There is no proven way to fight this form of terrorism, which present challenges for leadership in America and around the globe. Works Cited Bertrand, Natasha. â€Å"We’re Getting to Know Just How Different Isis is from Al Qaeda.† Business Insider, 21 May 2015. http://www.businessinsider.com/difference-between-isis-and-al-qaeda-2015-5.   Accessed 29 November 2017. Encyclopaedia Britannica.   â€Å"Al-Qaeda.†Ã‚   14 October 2016.   https://www.britannica.com/topic/al- Qaeda.   Accessed 19 November 2016. Irshaid, Faisal.   â€Å"ISIS, ISIL, IS, or Daesh?   One Group, Many Names.†Ã‚   BBC News, 2 December 2017.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27994277. Accessed 29 November 2017. Closing   Hopefully this ISIS Attacks in America example essay has helped you gain a better understanding of ISIS, ISIL, and radical Islamic terrorism in the U.S.   Furthermore, it should have provided you with a good format for writing an informative or expository essay.   This topic is subject to constant update and is more complex than can be conveyed in a short essay, which highlights why you may want to focus on specific elements of the topic in your own academic writing.     Ã‚  If you have any questions about how to write an essay about ISIS or any other complex topic, please contact us for assistance. View or Download this full document in (.docx) format. --> Open Full Document Open full document and source list OR Order A Custom Written Essay Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Class Passing In The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde

The essay describes â€Å"class passing† in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story was set in the Victorian era where social class meant everything. It was an important matter, especially in the nineteenth century. It gave structure to people when building their social cliques, and it placed people in groups regarding their assets, family, and education. Not everyone may share the same opinion about how social class forms people and how it builds their ideas about others. Stevenson uses certain settings to show society criminalizes class passing. There is a certain scene in the book where Stevenson describes a scene of Mr. Hyde’s neighborhood and his apartment. He is being investigated by a lawyer for a murder in town. Many†¦show more content†¦This was the home of Jekyll’s favourite; of a man who was heir to a quarter of a million sterling.† I know this is a lengthily excerpt from the book but it is needed to describe the scene. W hen entering into the neighborhood an early and grim feeling was present. It is described as â€Å"some city in a nightmare†. Yes, this is where Hyde lives, heir to Jekyll’s quarter of a million pounds. I can imagine the lawyer made it a point to be aware of his surroundings and be on guard for any suspicious activity. Cities described in a nightmare are usually dark, filled with crime, lower class citizens, have housing that isn’t up to the average standard for living conditions, children roaming the streets not knowing where their parents are; the list could ago on in a nightmare. I’m sure the lawyer was probably hesitant to walk into Hyde’s apartment. How could this man be Dr. Jekyll’s favorite person? How could he like someone who was in a lower class than he was? Why couldn’t he just have a friend that lived like he did? All in all, Mr. Hyde is automatically judged on where he lives and people think he is a lower-class citizen. Secondly, the inside of Mr. Hyde’s home. â€Å"An ivory-faced and silvery haired old woman opened the door. She had an evil face, smoothed by hypocrisy; but her manners were excellent. Yes, she said, this was Mr. Hyde’s, but he was not at home; he had been in that night very late, but had gone away again in less than an hour; thereShow MoreRelatedThe Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde1822 Words   |  8 PagesThe Use of Space in Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) is widely regarded as one of the most prominent works of Gothic fiction. The story has over the years become ingrained into the collective human consciousness, providing a cautionary, often-sensationalised tale of the mysteries of human nature and of our dual capacity of being simultaneously good and evil. 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Chesterton as being able ‘to pick up the right word up on the point of his pen’. * Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson  was a Scottish  novelist, poet, essayist, and  travel writer. * A literary celebrityRead MoreBook Report - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde4772 Words   |  20 PagesA. Title of the Book: â€Å" The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde† B. Author: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 -1894) * As a novelist, he is often noted for the powers of invention and depth of psychological insights found in his work; a skill defined by G. K. Chesterton as being able ‘to pick up the right word up on the point of his pen’. * Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson  was a Scottish  novelist, poet, essayist, and  travel writer. * A literary celebrity duringRead MoreThe Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde1323 Words   |  6 Pagesinsanity. While the case written about by Robert Louis Stevenson in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is fiction, a person’s physical appearance can change when they transform to one of their other personalities; for example, if a man has another personality who is a woman, he would dress as if he were a woman. Therefore, his physical appearance for each personality is different to those who see him often. For this chapter, there will be an exploration into some case studies from the nineteenthRead MoreSpeech : Speech Therapy 1776 Words   |  8 Pagesexcited for what was awaiting the next year. After a short summer break, forth grade was about to start. Another great year was ahead as this was the year I meant my dear bestie Brianna Sullivan. This dynamic duo would have often been separated during class due to over abusing the privilege to talk. 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Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Empowering Women through Courtly Love Essay - 1153 Words

During the Medieval time period, a woman would generally be forced to depend upon a man for her livelihood. However, in the world of courtly love, some could say that this was the first idea of goddess worship. Where the man is unable to survive without his beloved. As a result of this, her love causes him to achieve noble deeds, and become obedient to her in hopes of winning her affection. In The Lais of Marie de France, specifically Chevrefoil and Yonec, the author does not follow all of the rules of courtly love, yet she does illustrate to the reader the relationship between the man and his woman. She describes the beauty, intelligence, and wisdom of her female characters, giving them power over the men who love them. While Marie de†¦show more content†¦She is the one with the upper hand in the relationship, and the one with more power. The queen not only fails to express her sadness during times of separation, but she also fails to verbally express her love and need for him. This also gives her more power, leaving the man vulnerable and feeling as though he must fulfill her every desire in order to win her love. Throughout Chevrefoil, the queen never proclaims her love for Tristram. Instead, the only time her love for him is declared is when Tristram himself declares it: Sweet love, so it is with us: without me you cannot survive, nor I without you (â€Å"Chevrefoil† 110). At this point, it is unclear to the reader if the queen actually loves him, or if she is just using the power she holds over him to get what she wants. Through Tristrams declaration of love, it is very evident that he is unable to survive without her. He would certainly stop at nothing to keep the queen at his side, as his nobility depends on it. In Yonec, the woman continues to use the man as she sees fit. After being locked in a tower for years, the lady is in great distress (â€Å"Yonec† 86). Burgess describes the man she was married to as intensely je alous. At this point, the lady is yearning for a man, and when one just happens to conveniently appear in her chamber and professes his undying love for her, she is overwhelmingly quick to take advantageShow MoreRelatedWomen s Portrayal Of Women Essay2705 Words   |  11 Pagesabout women in ways that objectify and try to control them because back then women were not given much agency in society. The women that are being portrayed in this type of literature about unrequited love are seen as extremely flat characters who are just the objects of affections for the narrator. This is problematic as it just portrays women as someone for the narrator of the poem to pin over although women are so much more than that. However, there are some authors trying to empower women and acknowledgeRead MoreThe One and Only Wife of Bath Essay2762 Words   |  12 Pagesfor Women in the Middle Ages to be striped of equality and bow to the otherwise male dominated society. For the representation of w omen Chaucer uses the Tales of â€Å"The Scholar†, â€Å"The Second Nun â€Å"The Reeve’s†, and â€Å"The Franklin† and many others in a very dry, pretentious manner to steer readers into the view of how a women of the Middle Ages should be as a so called â€Å"virtuous† wife or woman. The concept of marriage plays a major part in manifesting the idea of the issues of inferiority of women. The

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Santiago Essay Example For Students

Santiago Essay In the still of the night Santiagos crying cut sharply like a knife. Hiscrying was relentless, as though it would never end but then, a child of threeknows no other way to express his horror. Abraham Naser walked down the narrowstreet made of hardened earth and nothing more. His dress was pure class, whiteblazer and pants with matching wide brimmed hat. Lost in thought he rolled hiscigar between his lips, then, as if in a motion as natural to him as histendency to smile at beautiful women, he adjusted his gun stuffed tightly in theback of his waist bond. It was then when Abraham ran into the women he knewwould change his life; the women who would be his wife Arabic coffee tasted forthe first tome is surpassing and strong, but soon, it turns soothing and sweet. Placida Lineros head snapped back at her first taste, and they both laughed. Their eyes spore of there long future from across the small round table. The cafà ©had been Abrahams idea, but it was now Placida who didnt want the momentto end, ever. Walking down the isle had been Placida dream since she was alittle girl. In Spain girls are brought up to make mariace a priority. ForAbraham, on the other hand, an Arab male of wealth turn of the century Spain,life had always meant just the opposite. A man of festivities, of party andcelebration, Abraham loved his boos, cigars, and women. And not necessary inthat order. He felt and, not a beginning to his life. Placida was a spark oflight, beauty able to contain her joy news spilled like a flood. Abraham findshe is happier than he had ever been, but battle with the confession of hischanging life. In his excitement, Abraham rushed out to the baby store. There, abeautiful radon haired young women, eyes blue then the sea, assists him inselecting a crib of finished wood and white lace. The celebration that nightwill be remembered for all time. The drinking, the smoking, the guilt, theself-loathing and the broken promise. He could not explain even to himself howanother chance meeting ¾with the young women from the baby store ¾ nowstood to destroy his life. How could he have been so foolish he asked himself?How? In the nine months before Santiago was born, Abraham, could not come tounderstand his motivation for braeing his marriage promise again and again. Perhaps he was just self destructive, maybe his problem was psychological, ormaybe, he was just bad person. The guilt drove him and his confusion grew at thesame rate that the finishing in the babys room did. A comment from Placidahad brought if all crashing down inside his head. Her joking voice you arethe same old Abraham. What did you do, marry the owners daughter. Where haveall these things come from? His blood had run cold, and he felt himselfperspire, but the moment passed. The night Santiago came two were born; son andfather. Before he could reclaim his word, his admission that was more like aconfession, jumped from his mouth. Over his son he cried for forgiveness from awomen whose face was a slate of emotion. I have known. She exclaimsreaching and touching his cheek. Stunned. How? He stuttered for howlong? Long enough. Ill never ever see her again. Never. Ipromise, he begged. I know, I know, she seemed to dismiss justlook at our son. Isnt he beautiful At three years ol d eating an ice creamwithout weaning most of it is not only a challenge, its a fantasy. The hotsun made all of their smile gimer, the park was crowed, but to the three of themAbraham, Placida and Santiago not another soul exited on the face of the earth. .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .postImageUrl , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:hover , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:visited , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:active { border:0!important; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:active , .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2 .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4404681b3d9f6c9341ba7be5ad248ac2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Gilded Age EssayThey walked over the little bridles of white woods, holding hands in a chain oflove. A family, a family with the sound of the last shot. Still ringing in hisears, Santiago crys in horror. From the foot of the bed Placida rocks Santiagoin her arms as his father and his lover lay dying in the bed solid silk. Ssshh, ssshh. I know I know.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Marital intimacy skills

Introduction Marital matters are becoming eminent in most parts of the world due to increased rates of divorce. Marital issues also have a great impact on the social part of a community; the social problems that come as a result are not limited to children or the parents but they are common to everyone.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marital intimacy skills specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The marital problems that occur at times are associated with lack of commitment of intimacy between them or at times insufficient marital skills that the couples have. Other attributing factors include inability to cope with conflict, lack of positive attitude towards each other and finally the degree of forgiveness which at times goes as low as being interpreted as un forgiveness (Everett, 2007:1). Intimacy has been viewed as the heart of every relationship and if not the heart it is a very essential part of the same . It is an integral part of complete love which entails zeal and dedication. Intimacy is in real sense a very hard word to define, no much consensus has been gained in its definition and there are so many components involved in its makeup. According to Harper Elliot (1988), intimacy can be defined as attending and responding to both self and others. It is also argued just like love, intimacy is mutual meaning it is a mutual interaction. Self disclosure which enables one to share self with each other enhances growth in the feeling of closeness and therefore intimacy is increased. Sharing of personal experiences and exchanging cognitive and emotional information is one way of self disclosure for couples which help them to share themselves out to each other. Closeness which replicates a lot on intimacy is a matter of awareness. Successful marriage is enhanced through self disclosure, emotional intimacy, and understanding and caring. The above named elements are attained through traini ngs which will help the couples attain them. The most vital and acceptable training is the training of good communication skills. Communication skills are very important for they are a key element of increasing intimacy in a family. Though these skills are offered, personal maturity is seen to be a fundamental element for attaining an intimate relationship. Maturity in this sense is attained through the use of virtues that enhance human well being like honesty, trust and generosity among others (Natalie, 2005: 34).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The key elements of intimacy Intimacy can be broken down into four domains namely emotional, intellectual, physical and shared activities. These are the factors that determine the health of marital intimacy. Where these factors are ensured, there is successful marriage and healthy marital intimacy. The above elements are meant to ti e the relating people together out of will and love and work in the individual to enhance their intimacy. Intimacy is about communication and the varying levels of connections the people in love share. Intellectual connection revolves around sharing of morals and set goals which at times people think is the key element of an intimacy. The intellectual intimacy or connection is involved with a lot of disagreement and agreement which when resolved enables one to develop skills in effective communication. A strong couple has the abilities to teach and learn from each other. Care is the other most searched for and desired aspect of an intimate relationship. It is therefore a pertinent issue for an intimacy. Many times emotionalism overshadows rationality. Trust is one of the instinct that without in a relationship it as well as crippled. In a relationship one seeks for genuine emotional support for love is evidence that emotional ties really exists. The four main element of intimacy are truthfulness, loyalty, honesty and commitment. Intimacy for a couple has different intimacy which include verbal, sexual, psychological, spiritual, intellectual and emotional. All are in the same package and of the same importance if the couple has to win the game of intimacy for one another. When these six types are learnt and implemented in one life the relationship grows and there is a deeper way of satisfaction for each one of them. As the partners strive to meet the six domains of intimacy conflict finds its way. A relationship which predicts out intimacy also spells out conflict In an intimate relationship frustration, anger and conflict are inescapable. This is because they are the uniting fibers of human relationships. Marriage is an intimate relationship which demands a lot and has many challenges as compared to other human relationships. This is due to the fact that is the most intimate relationship of all the human relationship. Conflict is a hindrance to intimacy. Peopl e with great attachments are the people are exposed to fights and conflicts depth more often. Learning the value of the conflicts which occur in a family is the genesis of building a good communication strategy in a marriage. Intimacy is known to get deeper when conflict arises and they are handled, though the process most of the times is painful but it is very fulfilling. In deed love tends to deepen after a quarrel (Howard Clinebell, 1965:1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marital intimacy skills specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conflicts are brought about by the differences we carry along from our families and also by failure of the partners to detach themselves from their original offspring. Conflict may also rise from differences in ideas and way of doing things. Therefore skills to handle all this differences are required by both parties which will help them handle their issues peaceful and main tain and enhance their intimacy. Communication in conflict resolution is another major area that needs skills which should be taught and learnt (Waring, 1988:65). Communication as a key to closeness or intimacy Relating which is the genesis of intimacy is all about communication. The depth of a relationship can be established in the confines of the quality of communication. Good communication is how well one can pass and receive messages and meanings; it’s therefore a key tool to achieve mutuality in a relationship. The heart of a marital intimacy understands each other. Communication is not limited to verbal styles it is not only done through words. For example a wife who coldly responds to the husbands greeting after tough day’s work conveys a lot of information to him. This is equaled to have used a loud outburst full of anger. Communication is a combination of many aspects and it is simultaneously in that when you are speaking to your spouse you give different faci al expressions and also tones which in themselves convey some messages (Howard Clinebell, 1965:1). The extent unto which a couple can be able to communicate is one of the ways to measure how your relationship is established. The modes of communication that one desire varies; others love it done through feeling others through colors and others like it dictated through scenes. A single statement may have different meaning depending on what accompanies it. Tough words spoken followed by caress or a soft touch reflect a lot of love though the statement may be powerful depressing. The same statement from the mouth of a boss will sound awkward like, ‘I never thought you would ever come back’. The statements we use may cause our spouse or partners get away from us or draw them close to us. The statement, ‘I thought you would never come back’, with a tone that is soothing implies acceptance but if done with other tones it may reflect denial. Communication is a two way traffic affair. In a marital relationship the information received is interpreted in the context of what happened between them earlier. When one is able to communicate with both parties agreeing to it, is a very important skill for the growth of marital intimacy. Marriage is one relationship which gives chances for multilevel passing of messages and meanings. For a couple to achieve this they need to learn some few aspects of communication and very important statements which enhance good communication (Howard Clinebell, 1965:1).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To enhance intimacy in a relationship, non verbal communication is very important to spice up the relationship. You don’t have to always use the word I love you they may seem obvious, a romantic glance or a kiss with affection like at the back of the neck, a playful touch in an apt spot are some of the ways you convey that message. Giving a gift, listening keenly, giving flowers and many other are ways of communicating your affection and showing intimacy through communication. The satisfaction and joy yielded in marriage comes with the ability to invent news of communicating as a means of showing intimacy. Lack of communication both in sending messages and improper listening in many of the marital relationships is interpreted for neglect. Can intimacy skills be learnt? In a view of trying to understand marital intimacy skills, they are the skills that enable people relating with each other intimately, manage to live in harmony and grow together. They therefore precisely inclu de conflict resolution skills, good communication skills, and other virtues like honesty, generosity among others. The analysis shows more than half of the people who get into marriage never have in mind these virtues and neither think about them before. This implies though they thought they would handle these issues they finally overwhelm them hence the best way to help them or resolve is getting advice which is way of being trained. Learning of the vital marital intimacy skills helps build up the desired relationship between the two partners. Intimacy can be defined as the ability to blend with your partner emotional, physically, in spiritual matters and also in the sexual communion. It is also the ability to understand the difficulties of living and sleeping with a stranger after the wedding. Marital intimacy is the process of the couple to honestly disclose themselves to each other of who they are and how satisfied they are with their marital relationship (Clinton Sibcy, 2006). Intimacy skills are taught and can be learned through the marital enrichment programs. Like any other skill, the marital intimacy skills can be acquired trough learning when one goes through the marital enrichment programs. Professionalism in counseling can be utilized to effectively design sessions which will help the couples develop intimacy and other skills. Intimacy is a very key factor or element for a lasting relationship. Intimacy skills are not independent in that they must be learnt in conjunction with other skills which would enhance a stable and long lived relationship. The skills are learnt at different paces by different couples and they are useful for resolving marital issues. Programs set for marital counseling according to some theories are known to clearly evident that intimacy skills can be learnt and taught with the goal idea of making a stable lasting relationship. This is said to be specific to circumstances and groups. The cream of a good marriage has been ide ntified to revolve around the confines of good communication, conflict resolution, positive behaviors and intimacy. This makes in clear in the minds of everyone how intimacy is vital in a marriage and how much influence it has in marriage life (Hickmon et al, 1998: 589). Self disclosure is the center bolt of intimacy. Self disclosure is affected by different factors including commitment to the relationship, meaning and the frequency of disclosure. Undiscriminating disclosure, which entails sharing only the negative information about one’s spouse, is a leading killer to intimacy. Enhancement of intimacy starts with what is in the mind. The marital intimacy skills which revolve around conflict management, communication and commitment are skills that can be learnt. Intimacy is maintained by balancing the six types of intimacy. For if that is not done it leaves one of the partners without being satisfied. In deed if one is valued than the rest it implicates negatively on the inti macy level of the family. Intimacy builds up on values and virtues which are a good platform for the growth and expansion of an intimate relationship. Commitment affects intimacy in real sense is referred to as the foundation and it’s also vital for the growth of intimacy. The virtues which are the baseline of intimacy are learnt and developed and it is unless the people involved understand the importance of this virtues they are able to guard them and also implement them (Natalie, 2005: 34). Sexual intimacy is what comes to the mind of many when marital intimacy is mentioned. It is an area of great importance in a marital relationship; myths have it that this area is naturally learnt and come automatically. This may be true but learning on the matters of how to satisfy your husband or wife sexually is one vital aspect of a marital relationship. Training on this key element helps one overcome the barriers of sexual satisfaction and also learn new ways of engaging in sex which would help one enjoy more in this area. Being one reason why most people get into marriage to avoid multiple partners being taught how to prepare yourself and your partners for this task is very important. This skill does not come from nowhere it calls for one to sit under skilled individual or trained personnel to get this information (Eggerichs, 2005:1). Intimacy so much calls for values and virtues to grow and develop. From much of what we have seen is that intimacy develops after identifying some values you admire in an individual hence they play a key role in the development and maintenance of intimacy. The best of the marriages that have enjoyed complete intimacy in the relationships are those who have managed to working on their skills in commitment, communication and conflict resolution. The above discussions were to help you understand the integral role communication and conflict play in intimacy. These three elements are best achieved through programs which enable the spo uses to learn from each other (Natalie, 2005: 34). Most of these factors are learnt in the primary level of pre-marital counseling and through marriage enrichment program. This is an activity which has helped promote mutual commitment to each other. The people who enroll are helped to develop good communication skills and listening skills, in this they also get to acquit themselves with conflict solving ways. The couple is able to share their feelings, developing interactions skills and a desire for an intimate relationship. This training is consent of the couple who value their marriage. Meaning they are deliberate and willing to make an impact on their marital growth. This means those who are willing to do something about their relationships should be helped during their pre-marital counseling. The marital intimacy skills can be learnt through interaction with each other and also from a caring couple (Eggerichs, 2005:1). Communication skills have been of great influence to the int imacy of couples. Many couples are suffering from communication breakdown in their marriage which means the solutions in their families is communication build up. They therefore need to be helped to learn how to communicate to each other in the view to build up their intimacy once again. Proper communication in marriage creates understanding between the two parties. This is vital in making them closer to each other and be able to share with each other. Where there is communication failure, parties do not even get to know each other as is expected in any kind of marriage setup. Communication skills cannot be developed or gained they can only be taught. For example there are couples who can rarely talk about their sexual lives and cannot be able to make meaning about their desires, leaving them wounded hence no desire for sexual intimacy making the general outcome of intimacy incomplete (Natalie, 2005: 45). One of the leading healers of intimacy in families is the learning of conflict resolution skills and communication skills. How one handles the conflict is a skill you learnt from other and from past experiences. This calls for one to be taught interpersonal skills in this particular area. These are better learnt using technical examples which help the couples internalize their situations in the view of the example offered to learn better. Sharing is dreaded by many but so far it is the leading way of off-loading the burdens of our hearts and also learning from each other. Self-disclosure is a major element of intimacy but it should not be done without learning how best to do it. For it can kill the intimacy in a family due to the manner it is done or when. During conflicts is not the best time to disclose your partners weaknesses actually it’s the time to learn by watching and listening carefully. Skills in this are very important to retain the intimacy of the relationship at its cream. Skills are central part of a successful marriage, many people get into marriage for a couple of reasons but it does not hit them the need to acquire intimacy skills needed to make their marriage a success. Most people have been known to enter into marriage without any knowledge of intimacy skills. Ephesians 5:31, talks about a union where a man will be joined to his wife and becomes one flesh this shows how much disclosure is expected between the two parties. Conclusion Marital intimacy skills are very vital for every relationship. Lack of these skills means destructive antagonism and blame games in the relationship. These skills are not in borne they are learnt through experiences but more they are taught by professionals who include the trained church pastors and other professionals in this particular domain. Having in mind many people get into marriage for a couple of reasons but it does hit them the need to acquire intimacy skills needed to make their marriage a success. Most people have been known to enter into marriage without any knowledge of intimacy skills. This has caused these people to have a lot of challenges in their marriage. Many marriages have been Brocken because the parties do not know how to relate with their spouses. The learning o the marital intimacy skills are very vital because it enable people to be able to solve the challenges that come their way. Most of the marital issues and problems are ascribable to ignorance or lack of these skills. People need to be advised to attend counseling on marital intimacy skills. This would save many marriages from breaking and from other related issues like domestic violence. Marital intimacy skills are matters of values and virtues that people required to allow an honest disclosure to each other continually. They are therefore attributes that can be learnt and people should willingly open up to these teachings for them to be effect on their marriages and relationships. Reference List Clinton, T Sibcy, G. (2006). Why you do the things you do: The secret to healthy relationships. Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers. Eggerichs, E. (2005). Love and respect. Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers. Everett, R. (2007). Marital intimacy skills. US: MightyStudents.com. Web. Harper, J. M Elliot, R. M. (1988). Can there be too much of a good thing? The relationship between desired level of intimacy and marital adjustment. American Journal of family therapy, 16(44), 351-360. Hickmon, W. A, Protinsky, H. O. Singh, K. (1998). Increasing Marital Intimacy: Lessons from Marital Enrichment. Contemporary Family Therapy. Volume 19, Number 4, 581-589. Howard, J. Clinebell, C. H. (1965). The Intimate Marriage. Chicago: religion-online.org. Web. Natalie, A. S. (2005). How virtues and values affect marital intimacy. California: Department of Marriage and Family Therapy. Web. Waring, E. M. (1988). Enhancing marital intimacy through facilitating cognitive self Disclosure. Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers. This research paper on Marital intimacy skills was written and submitted by user Gabriella Becker to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Saturday, March 14, 2020

The eNotes Blog 9 Dark Reads for Every Type ofBooklover

9 Dark Reads for Every Type ofBooklover Whether it’s morbid humor or downright macabre, everyone needs a spooky-themed read now and then- and that doesn’t just mean thrillers. Whether you want a modern or a classic, non-fiction or a novel, an epic poem or a play, we have nine sinister stories for you. 1. For the Brooding Romantic: Jane Eyre  by Charlotte Brontà « Jane Eyre has an undoubtedly tragic beginning, complete with a ghostly visitation and a deadly epidemic. Jane is an orphan surrounded by deaths- those of her parents, uncle, and best friend- and long abused by her aunt and the superiors at her boarding school. After boarding school, Jane goes to Thornfield estate to work as a governess, where she is tormented by deranged laughter coming from the attic in the night. Whats more, the strange demeanor of her boss, Mr. Rochester, along with their ensuing love affair, build the story into a thrilling romance-turned-horror. 2. For the Historical Fiction Aficionado: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Erik Larson’s widely acclaimed historical novel The Devil in the White City follows two men: Henry (H.H.) Holmes, the devil, and Daniel Burnham, the architect of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Burnham is turning Chicago around from a city that was practically a wasteland to â€Å"the White City.† However, Chicago’s most notorious killer, H.H. Holmes, is lying in wait. After Holmes attends the hugely successful fair with his new bride and her sister, he takes them back to his infamous â€Å"castle,† a labyrinth built to accommodate his murderous habits. This fictionalization of a true-crime tale adds suspense and theatrics to one of the most infamous murder cases of American history. 3. For the Ghostly Thespian: Hamlet  by William Shakespeare Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is one of Shakespeare’s most tortured and complex protagonists. Visited by the ghost of his recently-deceased father, Hamlet discovers that the king was, in fact, murdered by his own brother, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, in order to usurp the throne. Claudius amplifies this blow to the late king’s memory by marrying his wife and Prince Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, shortly after the king’s death. Hamlet’s ensuing torment over whether or not to kill Claudius in revenge for his father’s death- punctuated by murders, madness, and suicide- seal his fate as a classic tragic hero. 4. For the True-Crime Junkie: Ill Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara Michelle McNamaras true-crime story paints a grisly portrait of the then-unidentified Golden State Killer, who ran rampant throughout California from 1974 until 1986. McNamara not only coined his now infamous moniker, but she is also widely credited with drawing the attention to this four-decades-long unsolved mystery that led to his capture. Ill Be Gone in the Dark just might be the greatest true-crime novel of the decade, and any murderino or Dateline-watcher will be absorbed by this book from the first page. 5. For the Fan of the Supernatural: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley As for paranormal tales, Mary Shelley’s classic exploration into the question of what makes us human remains unsurpassed. Dr. Frankenstein achieves his obsessive goal of reanimation and unleashes his creation upon the world. As the monster discovers his lonely fate, he seeks revenge on his creator. This classic horror laid the foundation for many of its successors, and its questions about the humanity of scientific creations have only become more relevant in todays world. 6. For the Creepy Classics Lover: Inferno by Dante Alighieri The oldest text on our list, Inferno paints a grisly landscape of hell- in all its regions, creations, and horrors- informed by Dante’s medieval context. This epic poem describes in graphic detail the torment of sinners in the afterlife, giving readers a disturbing perspective of medieval theology. While Dante’s melodrama adds subtle humor for todays readers- for example, his fantasies of meeting his hero, the ancient Roman poet Virgil, and of his enemies being tortured for their sins- his scenes of human suffering paint a bleak picture of life after death. 7. For the Grim Poet: â€Å"The Raven,† â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† and â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe Though these are a series of distinct poems and short stories, Poe’s defining and ominous style cemented his canon in the history of poetry are best represented in these three works. Death of a one true love, murder, and foreboding omens tie these tales to one another, giving readers a feel for Poe’s gothic style of poetry. Plus, they are great starting points from which to enter Poe’s extensive collection of other grim works. 8. For the Macabre Humorist: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty Caitlin Doughty’s first publication, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, is the memoir of Doughty, a twenty-three-year-old novice mortician. It follows her from her first job as a crematory operator, filled with morbid misadventures, to her time in mortuary school, where she develops a passion for changing the way people view death and dying. Doughty’s sharp humor and unusual enthusiasm for undertaking make this book a distinctive combination of creepy and clever. 9. For the Dystopian Devotee: 1984  by George Orwell A picture of a dystopian future, Orwell’s classic novel is gaining relevance as it is referenced more in the media today more than ever before. In Oceania, the homeland of 1984’s protagonist, Winston Smith, most everyone is constantly surveilled by the government, or â€Å"Big Brother.† This totalitarian regime goes to great lengths to maintain power- burning â€Å"dangerous† books, altering history, forcing citizens to participate in allegiance rituals, and eradicating love and intimacy; that is, until Winston and his lover, Julia, defy Big Brother’s rules in pursuit of knowledge and freedom.