Animal Farm Essay - 838 Words

Before watching the movie, I was expecting ninety minutes of boredom, a movie that didnt follow the storyline of the novel. But based on the spectacular anecdote written by George Orwell, thanks to the director John Stephenson and Producer Greg Smith, the satire Animal Farm becomes a movie . Like the book, the movie is a drama/ action film. It focuses on a farm, - Manor Farm- which is run by an alcoholic farmer known as the character Jones. Jones mistreats, abuses and starves the animals, forcing them to work day after day, striving to make the farm a success. This is because he is in debt and fears the possibility of losing the farm. Unfortunately, his hard work didnt pay off, and Jones was faced with more disappointment. The†¦show more content†¦Napoleon (the voice of Patrick Stewart) and Snowball (the voice of Kelsey Grammar) compete for the leadership. Napoleon being the manipulative character is, turns the animals against Snowball, and wins the battle and takes on the role that Jones had once had. Taking control and creating the same atmosphere of torture Jones had, Napoleon treats the animals with even less respect, and manipulates them into believing he is their hero, a saint like-figure. He had even engaged in trade, communicating with the humans, and although the animals were still lacking the freedom they craved, the farm prospers. Napoleon and the rest of the pigs benefit from the other animals hardship. The pigs appointed themselves the positions of upmost authority -living in the farm house, sleeping in the beds the humans had once slept in, drinking alcohol as Jones had, and slaughtering the animals as they vowed they wouldnt, after some of them had recognized how the actions of Napoleon contradicted all of Old Majors expectations for the future. Squealer and Napoleon were even responsible for the changing of the seven commandments to their advantage. They rewrite most of them so that they are beneficial to the pigs, deceiving the more g ullible animals into believing they werent breaking any of the rules that had seemed the be set in stone. No animal shall sleep in a bed had become No animal shall sleep in a bed withShow MoreRelatedAnimal Farm1555 Words   |  7 Pages Animal Farm written by George Orwell is an animal fable happens in a farm where animals start building a communism society, but end up being totalitarianism, hinting obliquely at the communists in the real world. The gaps between pigs and other common animals, demonstrate the theme that the corruption of power appears when majority is ruled. The intelligence superior allows the pigs placing themselves at a position which is closer to the power and which is more easily to corrupt. The inabilityRead More Animal Farm1881 Words   |  8 PagesGeorge Orwell’s political satire, Animal Farm, in which he uses oppressed talking animals to satirize the Russian Revolution. Early on in the novel, when the animals finally have driven out their oppressi ve master, Mr. Jones, they take the management of the farm into their own hands, creating a set of Seven Commandments based on the teachings of a wise old pig by the name of Old Major. Commandment numbers one through six are centered upon the general idea that no animal should ever come to resemble manRead MoreAnimal Farm Essay793 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell, many events have happened on the farm as the book surrounds itself on the Russian Revolution. As problems start to arise on the farm due to the idea of equality in Animalism, animals on the farm revolted to get their fair share. Soon they were able to overthrow their human master after a long period of mistreatment. Not long after, the pigs started to lead the animals since they were believed to be more â€Å"intelligent† than the rest. However as time goesRead MoreAnimal Farm Essay774 Words   |  4 Pagesin†. The book Animal Farm by George Orwell is based on the Russian Revol ution. In the book, the animals of Manor Farm are ruled by two pigs named Napoleon and Snowball. The animals follow all the orders that are given to them by the pigs because the pigs are â€Å"superior† and they know what’s right.In the book Animal Farm, many of the animals are influenced by the pigs to do things they don’t agree with, but will be faced with consequences if they don’t. The animals in the book Animal Farm relate to theRead More Animal Farm Essay836 Words   |  4 Pages George Orwell’s political satire â€Å"Animal Farm† makes some interesting contrasts between the patriotic character of Old Major, an older majestic looking pig, and Napoleon, a pig who seems to bide his time waiting for the right moment to seize control for his own evil purpose. Old Major makes a patriotic speech to the assembled group, expounding the virtues of animalism (socialism) In effect he is calling for a utopian socialism in which the community must sacrifice for the collective well beingRead MoreThe Novel Animal Farm 1362 Words   |  6 PagesExplain the type of conflict explored in your novel (character vs. man/self/nature/society). Use details from the novel to support your response. From a broad perspective, numerous conflicts emerge throughout the course of the novel Animal Farm, whether it be Man vs. Man or Man vs. Society. In further elaboration upon this reality, Snowball and Napoleon, two noteworthy pigs, conspicuously disagree on numerous topics-of-interest. Evidence from the text that further bolsters this claim is shown whenRead MoreCruelty in animal Farm1259 Words   |  6 PagesThis story Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novel about an animal revolution over an oppressive farmer. The irony in the story comes when the pigs turn into the very thing revolted against. They exhibit the same cruelty by treating the other animals the same or even worse than previous owners. This cycle of cruelty is shown in the Russian revolution by Joseph Stalin who is represented by Napoleon in the story. Cruelty in animal farm is shown by the human’s treatment of the animals, and the animal’sRead MoreAnimal Farm Essay1203 Words   |  5 PagesIn George O rwell’s novel Animal Farm, a major turning point in the novel was when Napoleon used his secret police force, his dogs, to exile Snowball. Snowball had previously been trying to improve the animal’s lives for the future by building a windmill. After Snowball was exiled, Napoleon became leader and everything immediately went amiss. Orwell stated that: Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer- except, of course, for the pigsRead MoreSymbolism in Animal Farm1766 Words   |  8 PagesSymbolism in Animal Farm Animal Farm is almost a direct parallel to Russia during the time of World War I through World War II. The characters all have real life counterparts that are easily seen. The events are also all real and conveyed in the novel in an easily understood way. The novel creates a new way to look at the events that transpired during this time period and allows people to really understand what happened. In Animal Farm, George Orwell employs many symbols to convey the parallelismRead MoreAnimal Farm : Human Nature in Animals823 Words   |  4 PagesHuman nature in animals. Was this really shown in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’? In fact, there were several messages about human nature reflected in ’Animal Farm’. The messages that were expressed through many different characters and their behaviours, gave an insight into human nature, and showed many characteristics of it. The idea of equality â€Å"all animals are equal† and socialism would make an ideal society. It would be effective on Animal Farm if it were not for the pigs’ hunger for power

Working Poor Free Essays

The Struggle of the Working Poor Revised Essay Sociology 113 Yvonne Barney October 19, 2012 The Struggle of the Working Poor Society often describes the impoverished with one word, lazy. Society has taught us that if a person wants to be financially successful, it is a simple process of education and hard work that will equate to a successful income. This is the American dream. We will write a custom essay sample on Working Poor or any similar topic only for you Order Now If the impoverished simply would get a job instead of being lazy, they would not need to rely on programs like welfare. The impoverished would succeed if they only would apply themselves. However, in an attempt to present another point of view, The Working Poor Invisible in America by David K. Shipler (2004) explored multiple variables this group struggles with daily. Chapter 1, â€Å"Money and Its Opposite,† explains the workings and effects of tax payments and refunds, the abuse of the poor by public and private institutions, the spending habits of the working poor, the consumerist culture of the United States, and the omnipresence of money as a guiding factor in the lives of the working poor. Chapter 2, â€Å"Work Doesn’t Work,† chronicles the struggles of three working women as they attempt to climb out of poverty through employment. They hold jobs that pay between $6 and $7 per hour and attempt to eke out a living with the additional assistance of welfare checks, food stamps, Medicaid, and other services. However, a slight raise in their pay creates an offsetting loss in benefits. Chapter 3, â€Å"Importing the Third World,† addresses the poor immigrant workers, both legal as well as illegal, laboring in sweatshop conditions in the United States. Shipler recounts the working conditions of numerous sewing shops in Los Angeles, where legal and illegal immigrants from Mexico, Honduras, Korea, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Thailand, Cambodia, and other nations work for wages below the federal minimum wage and without overtime pay. Chapter 4, â€Å"Harvest of Shame,† tells of the harsh living conditions of migrant farm workers across the United States. They receive low wages—mostly minimum wage; live in deplorable housing; are exposed to azardous pesticides and herbicides; face little government enforcement of labor laws; are difficult to organize due to the transient nature of their work and the undocumented status of most; and are constantly on the move, which does not allow their children stable access to education. Chapter 5, â€Å"The Daunting Workplace,† addresses the diverse challenges the workplace holds for those from the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. Many working poor have no work experience, no educ ation, a criminal record, a drug addiction, and a lifelong absence of role models. Dysfunctional families in which no one works, or even ventures outside the neighborhood, have provided no support system or role models. Chapter 6, â€Å"The Sins of the Fathers,† begins by unveiling an epidemic of sexual abuse that affects all classes and races in the United States. Both the wealthy and the poor are abused; however, the wealthy tend to have the financial as well as the family resources that enable them to overcome abuse. Chapter 7, â€Å"Kinship,† emphasizes the role that kinship plays in overcoming the hardships of poverty. Shipler writes, â€Å"Kinship can blunt the edge of economic adversity† (p. 179). He describes a family of five that has faced all forms of hardship and poverty—from job loss to cancer to the death of the mother—yet holds together through bonds of love and caring. He also chronicles the story of a woman who chose to earn significantly less and be plunged into poverty and debt in order to spend time with her children, one of whom eventually attended Dartmouth College. Chapter 8, â€Å"Body and Mind,† addresses health issues affecting poor families. Shipler mentions malnourishment, susceptibility to infections, disease, chronic conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies), premature birth, retarded cognitive and physical development, stress, and emotional distress, as well as material support that can help a family endure. It is not uncommon for children in poor families to suffer from poor diets, which can be the cause of numerous related health problems. Chapter 9, â€Å"Dreams,† begins with the ambitious professional aspirations of sixth and eighth grade children from poor families in Washington, DC. Shipler contrasts these aspirations with the enormous faced problems beyond their control. Chapter 10, â€Å"Work Works,† is dedicated to the positive impact that job training and working has had on some poor individuals and families. Job training programs that teach soft skills as well as hard skills and are successful in instilling confidence and self-esteem are appreciated by employers. Chapter 11, â€Å"Skill and Will,† emphasizes that American society must understand what it can do using the skills and resources it has to combat poverty. The approach to remedying poverty, Shipler argues, must be holistic, tackling all problems associated with it at once. The United States is often described as a place where anyone can â€Å"pick themselves up by their bootstraps† and realize the American dream of a comfortable lifestyle. But, for over 30 million Americans, this dream is no longer possible. Though we live in the richest and most powerful country in the world, there are many individuals who are living under or at the poverty level. While the United States has enjoyed unprecedented affluence, low-wage employees have been testing the American doctrine that hard work cures poverty† (Shipler, 2004). The status of poverty translates to families of four making around $ 18,850 a year. And as soon as they find work or move just slightly above the $ 18,850 a year (which is still a meager and deprived way to live), they are cut off from welfare subsistence and lose other support designed to help them, such as food s tamps and health insurance; This situation often leaves them no better off, and sometimes worse off, than when they were not working. Proponents of welfare reform have verbalized that the working poor are poor because of their lack of effort and laziness; this statement is an oxymoron. The working poor work longer hours, with less pay and few, if any, benefits. Some make the right choices and save a little money, avoid overwhelming debt, and live modestly. Even for those who live carefully off a working wage, it only takes one issue for their world to crumble around them. If the car breaks down or a family member is injured at work, what little savings they have accumulated could be gone in an instant. Why do people stay poor when popular opinion tells us if we work hard, we will be okay. The answer lies in the valued social inequalities; the opportunities available to each socioeconomic status level differ greatly. One factor that seems to distribute over the impoverished is lack of education. Lack of knowledge affects every aspect of life from basic health care to effectively raising children in a safe and secure environment. Children who come from a working-wage family should not be disadvantaged. There is no reason why the public education system should not give every child an equal opportunity to graduate high school and continue on to college or trade schools. The fact is public schools are funded to a large degree by property taxes. Impoverished schools receive considerably less funding and have to find ways to make their budgets work. Furthermore, the best teachers are often in school districts that can offer competitive salary. It is a well-known fact that children from affluent families tend to do better in school. Children from low income families tend to do poorer on tests, have a lower graduation rate, and are less likely to attend and complete college (Melville 2012). Yet the income divide has received far less attention from policy makers and government officials than gaps in student accomplishment by race. Now, in analyses of long-term data published in recent months, researchers are finding that while the achievement gap between white and black students has narrowed significantly over the past few decades, the gap between rich and poor students has grown substantially during the same period (Levitan, Magnum Magnum 1998). We have moved from a society in the 1950s and 1960s, in which race was more consequential than family income, to one today in which family income appears more determinative of educational success than race,† said Sean F. Reardon, a Stanford University sociologist. Professor Reardon is the author of a study that found the gap in standardized test scores between aff luent and low-income students had grown by about 40 percent since the 1960s and is now double the testing gap between blacks and whites (Tavernise 2012). A-1 In another study, by researchers from the University of Michigan, the imbalance between rich and poor children in college completion — the single most important predictor of success in the work force — has grown by about 50 percent since the late 1980s (Tavernise 2012). Tavernise (2012) concluded that 8 % of the working poor hold college degrees compared to 26% of all workers. Although, two-thirds of the working poor hold high school degrees; this proportion is much lower than the 88% of all workers who hold high school degrees. The consequence of not holding a high school degree is often poverty. 22% of workers who do not hold high school degrees fall below the official poverty level which is $23,050 for a family of four, and 34% fell below 150% of the poverty level which is $ 34, 575 for a family of four (â€Å"Problems facing† 2012) . There is some evidence that the working poor are less likely to receive job training from their employers. The combination of lower education and lack of training compared to other workers make it difficult for the working poor to climb out of poverty. Only 30% of the working poor live in married couple families, compared to 65% of all workers. Single, female-headed families are especially overrepresented among the working poor. Among the working poor, 49% live in families headed by a si ngle woman. Of those who live in families headed by a single female, 28% work but live below 150% of the poverty level. In addition, almost half (46%) of all single parents who work and have children under six years old are in poverty. Workers who were never married or those who were once married also face relatively high rates of working poverty. Twenty percent of workers who have never been married and 21% of those who were divorced, widowed, or separated lived below 150% of the poverty level (â€Å"Problems facing† 2012). The working poor are less likely to be covered by health insurance by their employers. Only 18% of the working poor are covered by health insurance available through their employer or their union, compared to 55% of all workers. Malnourishment, susceptibility to infections, disease, chronic conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies), premature birth, retarded cognitive and physical development, stress, and emotional distress can be a side effect of lack of health insurance. It is not uncommon for children in poor families to suffer from poor diets, which can be the cause of numerous related health problems. Although many of the working poor qualify for food stamp benefits, few receive them. The average food stamp benefit for a family of four is $ 496 per month (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 2010). Of those who qualify for these benefits, two-thirds do not receive them. It is unclear why the working poor do not receive these benefits, but lack of need does not seem to be the reason. Research suggests that the working poor do not know that they qualify for these benefits. In addition, welfare administrators in some states incorrectly tell applicants, especially men, that they do not qualify for these programs. Finally, often local agencies create added barriers to discourage welfare participation. The City of New York, for example, used to require that applicants return to the welfare office for a second visit in order to apply for food stamps. This requirement was eliminated only recently because of a court order (FamiliesUSA. org 2012). Many working poor families cannot find affordable housing. Almost one in six households are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of household income on housing expenses. Median level shelter costs, including mortgage payments, real estate taxes, property insurance, rent, nd utilities, account for 20% of the average non-poor household’s income. For poor households, the median expenditure can be as high as 60% of household income (Levitan, Mangum ; Mangum, 1998). In addition, poor families may face long waiting lists for available subsidized housing units, especially in rural areas. However, access is improving as extension educators provide the working poor with information about home ownership and special mortgage programs, and how to a ccess them. Balancing employment and parenting demands is especially challenging for the working poor. They have fewer financial resources, and the types of jobs for which most are eligible provide little independence, authority, and flexibility to respond to conflicting demands (Henly 1999). Child care is an important obstacle. Nationwide, high-quality child care is scarce and expensive. Respondents in one study paid, on average, $70 per week for child care, about 22% of their earned income. In the same study, about one-fifth of respondents reported they had no regular child care provider and had to piece together care for their children at the last minute or leave children home alone or with an older sibling. Thirty percent of respondents reported having left a job because of a child care disruption (Henly, 1999). According to a study conducted by the Urban Institute in 2005, more than two thirds of children ages 5 and under from low income families spend a significant amount of time in child care each week. This is significant because the quality of child care available to low income families is much worse than that available to higher income families, and the quality of the child care affects the child’s development. High quality, center-based care is expensive and is simply not an option for many low income families. Instead, they turn to informal, sometimes unregulated child care (Melville, 2012). There are federal programs to improve and fund early childhood education, but these programs do not work with the hectic working schedule of low income parents. Child care subsidies are available in some states, but not available to all low income workers. In other words, low income families often have difficulty accessing support systems that help them balance work and family life. As a result, the children of low income families are not given the same opportunities as their middle class counterparts (Melville, 2012). Unfortunately, high-quality care tends to be more expensive, and childcare subsidies in many states pay only the average market rate. Moreover, childcare subsidies cover only a minority of the low-income workforce (Henly, 1999). Parents who choose to enroll their children in high-quality child care often would have to pay the additional costs; a choice many cannot afford to make given other demands on the family income. For many working poor families, these additional costs; make selecting high-quality child care financially impossible (Schulman Adams, 1998). Extension educators can make sure the working poor know about and take advantage of available subsidies, and tax credits can offset the high costs of child care. Transportation is also a major barrier to financial self-sufficiency for many working poor families. Many of the working poor do not get to work with the ease that most working non-poor enjoy (Lambert, 1998). Even though some communities have identified creative solutions to local transportation needs, transportation remains a problem for many of the working poor. Mass transit, if available, is often sparse, not taking direct routes to most job locations. Outside of heavily populated metropolitan areas, public transportation is largely unavailable. Working poverty does not affect everyone to the same extent, and certain segments of our population are more likely to become members of the working poor. Individuals in this category include workers who are most likely to be allocated to the low-wage jobs that fail to provide full-year employment. Women make up a greater share of the working poor than do men, probably because on average they earn lower wages and work fewer hours. Although women comprise 47% of workers between the ages of 18 and 56, 56% of the working poor are women (FamiliesUSA. org, 2012). Non-citizens of the United States are also disproportionately represented among the working poor. Fifteen percent of such workers live below poverty, and 30% live below 150% of the poverty level. Blacks and Hispanics are especially affected; working poverty affects people of color to a much greater extent than it does white Americans. A surprisingly large number of blacks and Hispanics work below the poverty level. Twelve percent of all blacks who work fall below the poverty level, and 23% fall below 150% of the poverty level. Among working Hispanics, the poverty rates are even higher: 14% live below the poverty level and 29% of Hispanic workers fell below 150% of the poverty level (Shipler, 2004). The working poor face a number of difficulties: low wages, insufficient hours, layoffs, lack of skills along with limited health benefits affect their health and other conditions that may affect their work performance. Thus, prescribing one solution is not likely to solve the problem of working poverty. The working poor need higher wages and jobs that offer full-year employment, wage supplements such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, and access to services such as health care and child care. Most importantly, we should not assume that we can solve the problems of working poverty without income supports. Because many of the working poor are disabled or suffer from other serious health limitations, some workers may not be able to work more hours or in higher paying jobs and must rely on income supports in order to survive above the poverty level. References Center for American Progress (2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012 from http://www. mericanprogress. org/issues/women/report/2008/10/08/5103/the-straight-facts-on-women-in-poverty/ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2010). Retrieved October 10, 2012 from http://www. cbpp. org/cms/index. cfm? fa=viewid=1269 FamiliesUSA. org. (2012). Retrieved October 10, 2012 from http://www. familiesusa. org/resources/tools-for-advocates/guides/fe deral-poverty-guidelines. html Henly, J. (1999). Challenges to finding and keeping jobs in the low-skilled labor market. Poverty Research News, 3(1), 1-5. Levitan, S. , Mangum, G. , Mangum, S. (1998). Programs in aid of the poor. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press. Melville, J. (2012). Effects of low family income on children. Retrieved 0ctober 10, 2012 from http://www. ehow. com/list_6195251_effects-low-family-income-children. html Problems Facing the Working Poor. (2012). Retrieved September 30, 2012 from http://www. dol. gov/oasam/programs/history/herman/reports/futurework/conference/workingpoor/workingpoor_toc. htm Shipler, D. K. (2004). The working poor: Invisible in America. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Tavernise, S. (2012, October 10). Education gap grows between rich and poor, Studies say New York Times, February 9, 2012, A1. How to cite Working Poor, Essay examples

Kant An Act Of Moral Worth free essay sample

Kant: An Act Of Moral Worth Essay, Research Paper Jill had been driving down a abandoned route when her tyre became level. With no 1 about for stat mis she struggled with altering the tyre when Jack happened to be driving by and stopped to give her a manus. How and why is this an act of echt moral worth? When the chance arises to be helpful without acknowledgment or to make a good title when 1 is presented without believing about it, is to execute an act of responsibility with moral worth. Jack? s act was done for the? right? grounds to be considered a moral act. Kant would sort Jack? s act as a categorical jussive mood, intending his act delivers a class of action that must be followed because of its rightness and necessity. Before Jack pulled over, he may hold asked himself if he was willing to universalise the act of assisting another when they are in demand. We will write a custom essay sample on Kant An Act Of Moral Worth or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In this instance, this act seems to be one that could be a cosmopolitan jurisprudence, so it therefore must be moral. In footings of this peculiar scenario, it would hold been incorrect for Jack non to assist Jill when there was no 1 else around to assist. He had a sense of responsibility to assist the adult female. Jack avoided moving out of the sodium thiosulphate thetical jussive mood because he had no subterranean motivations in assisting Jill. There are a few different ways Jack could hold acted in conformity with responsibility, but non out of the interest of responsibility. If Jack had the motivation of opportunism because he finds joy in assisting others, he would be moving out of the pleasance that it gives him to make so. Jack merely helped Jill because in the terminal he is happy because Jill is happy. Meaning he merely did the act to do himself happy. In this instance, Jack? s action would hold no true moral worth. Another illustration of something Jack could hold done to move in conformity with responsibility would hold been to utilize assisting Jill as a means to look like a better individual. If he merely helped Jill to boast about what a helpful, fantastic adult male he was, so this act would besides hold no moral worth. These are a few booby traps Jack could hold fallen into if he were non moving harmonizing to moral jurispruden ce. Harmonizing to Kant? s doctrine, all of our actions of any kind must hold moral worth and should be performed upon a sense of responsibility. It is a good thing Jack had the sense of responsibility within him or else Jill could hold been in for some large problem! Anchoring for the metaphysics of ethical motives, Kant