Saturday, December 28, 2019
Pros And Cons Of The Criminal Justice System - 764 Words
In chapter 4, the textbook discusses the Criminal justice system and how the system works. The criminal justice system is a system setup to punish those accused of criminal offenses. Crimes such as murder, rape, robbery or crimes that are considered felonies. Many people are found guilty of their crimes and others are found innocent. People find this a good system to properly punish those who have committed offenses. I disagree that the system is a good system that helps people. The reason for me disagreeing is that the system is not perfect. There have been cases where the jury has come to a verdict that was wrong. Cases where the jury wrongly incarcerated somebody or cases where the jury acquitted somebody when they were guilty. A systemâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦There was footage from Castileââ¬â¢s girlfriend livestreaming the aftermath of the shooting and the dashcam footage provided showed the officer shooting Castile 7 times with no hesitation. During the trial all the f ootage was provided to the jury so they could decide on a verdict. When the verdict was the decided, Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted of his charges of second degree murder. Despite having all of the evidence not in his favor. My opinion on Officer Yanez being acquitted of his charges is that he should have been incarcerated for the murder. If a system like this allows somebody to murder another person and walk freely from the case, what other mistakes are they bound to do? The footage showed Castile informing the officer that he wasnââ¬â¢t reaching for anything and still shot him 7 times. The jury came to the verdict that he was innocent. If the system is setup to punish criminals for crimes such as murder, then why was officer Yanez acquitted? This is just one of many police brutality cases, most cases the police officer tends to walk free acquitted of all charges. Even if they are police officers, they shouldnââ¬â¢t be treated any differently than another person in the criminal justice system. I feel very strongly about this subject because a system that is held at such high power is letting many people down. There are a lot changes that the system could make to further improve the way the system works.Show MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of The Criminal Justice System706 Words à |à 3 PagesThe criminal justice system is a used to protect our society from those who try to harm it. Departments such as courts, and police officers study the behavior of criminals; they want our communities to be safe. When a crime is committed these departments work together to protect the rights of our society and our own. As stated in the textbook, a crime is the ââ¬Å"Conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction for which there is no legally acceptableRead MoreThe Death Penalty Of The United States948 Words à |à 4 Pagesperfect justice for those individuals. An argument made by the website ListVerse explained, that people teach their children not to steal, or commit crimes because they will be sent to prison and punished (ListVerse). Completing their argument, the same website also explained that if the same child, who was taught not to commit crime, commits murder, and is sentenced to the death penalty they are taught nothing (ListVerse). It is important that the criminal justice system not only serves justice, butRead MoreThe Prison System And The Jail System1352 Words à |à 6 Pagesbe discussing is about the jail system. First, I will define the jail system, and what this system can do for the citizens. Second address the cons and pros about the jail system by illustrating the topic into main bullet points. Third, voice my thoughts about the jail system with adding pros and cons to a political action I should address, and concluding which action I am going to take to further y concern about the jail system. When hearing about the jail system, this is a political issue indeedRead MorePros And Cons Of The Exc lusionary Rule1017 Words à |à 5 Pageshave many systems, like all others, it is separated the use of some irrelevant or untrustworthy evidence. The system that I am referring to and the one that we will be discussing in this paper is the exclusionary rule. It is the introduction of a good evidence, that it is obtained by a bad law enforcement, is most common in the United State than other countries legal system. To put it in other words, the exclusionary rule is controversial. Therefore, many experts say that it sets criminals free onRead MorePros And Cons Of Mandatory Minimum Sentences1008 Words à |à 5 Pagesleast a minimum number of years in prison. The article I picked to review is an article on mandatory minimum sentences. The article reviews the pros and cons of mandatory sentencing. I will go over the pros and cons described in the article and give my opinion on how I feel about them. Staring with the pros of mandatory minimum sentences, the first pro is that mandatory minimum sentences discourage people from committing crimes. In the United States reportedly experienced a drop in crime whenRead MoreThe Death Penalty Is Not Legal Essay1157 Words à |à 5 PagesU.S 1,436 people were executed from 1977 through May of 2016. Most death penalty cases involve the execution of murderers although capital punishment can also be applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes (ProConorg). There are cons and pros to putting criminals on death row. Also, only certain crimes get the death penalty, and itââ¬â¢s not in every state. The death penalty is the punishment of execution, administered to someone legally convicted of a capital crime. The death penalty it not legalRead MoreThe Role of Sentencing in the Justice System630 Words à |à 3 Pagesextensive role in the criminal justice system. ââ¬Å" The sentencing of convicted offenders in the United States had been based principally on a rehabilitative modelâ⬠(Miller, 1981).It is the discipline predetermined for an offender. When thinking of the many sentencing components used, to predispose the price an offender has to pay for the crime committed. There are many pros and cons for the many different types of sentencing we use in the criminal justice system. Their are some extremelyRead MoreSaudi Arabian Justice System is Based on Islamic Law from the Quran602 Words à |à 3 PagesSaudi Arabia justice system is based on Sharia and Islamic law from the Quran and the Sunnah, which are the Muslim traditions formed from Islamic prophet Muhammad. Sharia has been adopted by Saudi Arabia in an unmodified method. The Saudi court system was created by King Abdul Aziz who founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia back in 1932, the kingdom was introduced to the country between 1927 and 1960. The Saudi Arabia first criminal method was issued in 2001, decisions are made without juries and usuallyRead MoreShould Capital Punishment Still be Used in the American System1260 Words à |à 6 PagesDeath Penalty ProCon.org). The death penalty is done ââ¬Å"primarily by means of lethal injectionâ⬠(ProCon.org Death Penalty ProCon.org). Many people are arguing whether or not capital punishment is effective and should still be used in the American system. Proponents of the death penalty argue that the death penalty deters crime. In contrast, opponents of the death penalty argue that the death penalty is cruel and goes against the ââ¬Å"cruel and punishmentâ⬠clause in the 8th Amendment of the ConstitutionRead MoreBureau Of Justice Statistics : The United States Primary Source For Criminal Justice1439 Words à |à 6 PagesBureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). U.S. Department of Justice. 25 Nov. 2014. Web. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. Bureau of Justice Statistics is the United States primary source for criminal justice statistics. The website has published information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, ââ¬Å"The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is a component of the Office of Justice Programs
Friday, December 20, 2019
Does God Really Exist - 2011 Words
Page 1 Does God really exist? The existence of God has been a controversial question for as long as time has existed. As many arguments can be made for and against the existence of God. In this essay, I wish to explore arguments both for and against and eventually come a conclusion that God does indeed exist. The very essence of Man, all his values and his beliefs, are wrapped up in this question, Does God exist? Most of us were brought up to believe that God does exist, and as such it is deeply engrained in our psyche. The religious books, for example, the Quran, the Bible and the Torah all claim great religious journeys and miracles that were experienced by biblical characters like the prophets and even ordinary people of theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦This point to the need to have faith, the ability to believe in that which is not tangible, that you cannot see, feel, touch or hear. A more cynical argument but still one that deserves a mention is the argument from French mathematician, Blaise Pascal. (2). He said that religion teaches us that if we believe in God and he does in fact exist, we will earn the reward of Heaven for ever. If, on the other hand, we do believe in God and he does not exist we will only have given up some forbidden fun prohibited by religion. If we donââ¬â¢t believe in God and he does exist we will have had the anti religious forbidden fun but we might go to Hell. If we do believe in God and he does exist then we have no problem. So, does it not make more sense to believe in God, forgo a little fun and be safe ââ¬â just in case? This leads us to look at Atheism, which the website Conservapedia lists as being defined as (7) the denial of the Existence of God. Paul-Henri Thiry was one of the first exponents of atheism as early as the mid 1700s. Atheists believed that as there is no proof that God exists as as religion has not managed to produce proof that he does exist ââ¬â you cannot believe that he does. Somehow, all the wonder of creation and of the intricacies of the universe appears to go unnoticed by them. Lately this theory has been watered down. Led by Charles Bradlough inShow MoreRelatedDoes God Really Exists? Essay1306 Words à |à 6 PagesDoes God Really Exists The idea of God has been one of the most debatable issues since the dawn of humanity and with it guided as well as deluded most lives in the pursuit for the truth. The impacts springing from the notion of God has from time memorial changed history, inspired more poetry and music including philosophy more than anything else, imagined or real. Peter Kreft once concluded that ââ¬Å"The idea of God is either a fact, like sand, or a fantasy like Santaâ⬠(Lawhead, p. 334). Over the causeRead MoreDoes God Or Evil Really Exist?1174 Words à |à 5 PagesDoes God/ evil really exist? All of the living things have to be set by all of evils thing in the world: sickness, agony, happiness, suffering the live and death. God creates incredible things and leaves all of them for human to freely use as they want. However, the more they have the more temptation they get. Thatââ¬â¢s why there are a lot of questionable about a creator, God based on all of these kinds of events happened. Is this belief in a benevolent God not at least paradoxical in the face of suchRead MoreEssay on The Existence of God1579 Words à |à 7 Pagesquestions regarding God, the argument from evil is a very peculiar argument. Most of the arguments we deal with will try to prove the existence of god. This argument on the other hand attempts to do the opposite and I really stress on the word attempt. Another reason why I say it is peculiar is because it is not just one argument, but rather a series of three arguments. In my opinion, this argument is quite weak and does not prove what it was inte nded to prove but rather it does the opposite. I wouldRead MoreDialogue of Good, Evil, and the Existence of God by John Perry1570 Words à |à 7 PagesDialogue of Good, Evil, and the Existence of God by John Perry In John Perrys book Dialogue on Good, Evil and the Existence of God, he used three characters in the dialogue in order to clarify the positions of the three characters (Weirob, Miller, and Cohen), the arguments they provide in support their positions and the end state of their discussion. This allows us to examine our understanding of the good, evil and the existence of God. Perry shows a clear position of WeirobRead More The Ontological Argument Essay1446 Words à |à 6 PagesProslogium, attempts to prove the existence of God simply by the fact that we have a particular concept of God - that God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. Saint Anselm presents a convincing argument that many people view as the work of a genius. It is also quite often considered a failure because, in William L. Rowes words, In granting that Anselms God is a possible thing we are in fact granting that Anselms God actually exists. In other words, it assumes the point it isRead MoreNietzsche: Morality Essay1389 Words à |à 6 Pagescontribution. But where does it come from. Is it something you are naturally born with, taught over time or given to you by a higher power? This argument leads to the existence of moral values by many philosophers including William Lane Craig. One of his excerpts argues that if there is an existence of moral values, which so me people agree, then there is the existence of God. He explains, God provides the best explanation for objective moral values in the world. If God does not exist, then objective moralRead MoreSt. Anselm Essay1022 Words à |à 5 Pagesis saying. This is the idea that Gaunilo had in mind when he wrote his criticism to St. Anselmââ¬â¢s Ontological Argument which states that if something greater than anything else that could be thought of is conceived in the understanding then it must exist. Gaunilo says it is foolish to believe in the existence of something just because it is understood. He says there must be some kind of other explanation. In this paper, I will try to explain both Anselmââ¬â¢s theory and Gauniloââ¬â¢s argument by first breakingRead MoreDescartes Meditation Iii1297 Words à |à 6 PagesPhilosophy Descartes tries to prove the existence of God in the third meditation. He does this by coming up with several premises that eventually add up to a solid argum ent. First, I will explain why Descartes ask the question, does god exist? And why does Descartes think he needs such and argument at this point in the text. Secondly, I will explain, in detail, the arguments that Descartes makes and how he comes to the conclusion that God does exist. Next, I will debate some of Descartes premisesRead MoreEssay on Mediations of First Philosophy by Descartes1296 Words à |à 6 PagesPhilosophyâ⬠Descartes tries to prove the existence of God in the third meditation. He does this by coming up with several premises that eventually add up to a solid argument. First, I will explain why Descartes ask the question, does god exist? And why does Descartes think he needs such and argument at this point in the text. Secondly, I will explain, in detail, the arguments that Descartes makes and how he comes to the conclusion that God does exist. Next, I will debate some of Descartes premises thatRead MoreMeditations On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes E ssay839 Words à |à 4 Pagesour body starts to decay and disappears, but does not display mind does not. How do we know the afterlife exists through? Descartes claims two reasoning needs to come true. The first is the existence of god. We need to know that absolutely everything is created by god and everything cannot crease to exists unless they are reduced to nothing by god. The other reasoning involves our bodies. We have to perceive our bodies a substance, so they can never really depart. In this book he also explains how
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Swing Jazz free essay sample
Swing Jazz Essay Introduction Swing Jazz. Does swing equal jazz? Is swing the same as big band music? Is swing exclusively dance music? Is there any such thing as pure swing? Benny Goodman, a famous American Jazz musician, clarinetist, and known as the King of Swing once said that swing music remains something you take 5,000 words to explain then leaves you wondering what It Is. (Opener and Morris 1-10) There are so many genres and submerges of music and more specifically Jazz that one could never fully explain how each came to be.However, many involved with the new and old eras of wing Jazz are intrigued by the bewilderment it causes musicians and dancers alike. In order to better understand Swing Jazz Music as a whole, I set out to research its deflation, history, greats, relationship to swing dancing and the swing revival. Definition of Swing When asked What is swing? Louis Armstrong once said, If you dont know, dont mess with it. (Opener and Morris 7) In short, swing music is a form of Jazz that developed in the sasss and matured through various different artists through until the late asss and early Cos, In which swing became the most popular musical style In America. The earliest use of the term swing was to describe the effect when all parts of a composition blended perfectly together. (Starr and Waterman 115) Defining swing music has proven to be confusing and challenging to both musician and fan. The word swing is derived from African American English.It was first used as a verb to describe the rocking and rhythmic momentum of the music. (Starr and Waterman 120) However, the term wasnt used as a noun until around 1935 (the start of the swing era) which Is when It became an excepted proper noun to describe the musical genre. There are three different uses to the word swing; the Swing Effect (as It relates to other genres and submerges of music), Swing Style (as it relates to the style of musical and the Swing Era (embraced by a mass audience as a musical genre 1935-1945).The Swing Effect Is better described as the description of how the type of music was played. For Instance, some ways bandleaders would get the music to swing would be to get front line musicians to play off each other which produced rhythmic harmony between them. This also happened through allowing the front line as a whole to lend their parts synchronously with underlying rhythm/harmonic forces of rhythm section and allowing for spontaneity among soloist and improvisation. It was ultimately the alterations made to classic Jazz that brought swing In to the view.The Swing Effect became Swing Style when big bands (Jazz orchestras as they were first describe quite bluntly, during the later sasss. The Swing Style was used to describe quite bluntly, the type of music, but not yet the genre. The Swing Era was the peak of the life of swing, lasting from approximately 1935 to 1945 as this genre of music was embraced by a mass audience in America. Through research, swing has been found to mean something different to everyone. Artier Shaw, bandleader, was found to say that swing music is not a verb it is an adjective it isnt a type of music, its a way of playing music. (Opener and Morris 7-8). Conversely, many argue that defining swing should begin with the movement that entertained America in the two greatest trials: Depression and WI. As more than just a musical concept, swing music even helped to pull the American music industry of the Great Depression. History of Swing Contrary to popular belief, swing music is not exclusive to Jazz and in its earliest form existed within folk styles and even African American spirituals. (Starr and Waterman 118) However the main roots of swing came from the birth of Jazz which was essentially African and European musical elements being put together.The birthplace of Jazz was New Orleans one of the few cities in America at that time that accepted African music. Jazz had two phases New Orleans and Chicago. Around 1922 there was a migration of musicians and generally blacks to the north in order to look for Jobs. This introduced Jazz to northern America and essentially brought Louis Armstrong to Chicago. The swing styles from New Orleans to Chicago changed in that the number of instruments increased, repertoire broadened to more popular song and dance pieces, and the tempo generally moved at a faster speed. What Jazz Has To Do With It) The politics of swing is believed to have brought America together through the hard times. Although the American society remained segregated along racial lines even as the country spent billions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting WI, swing music and big bands brought a youthful energy back to American music. The casual and cultural influence of swing music gave optimism to a nation rising from economic depression and WI. (Starr and Waterman 125) The Greats Both Black and White Relationships between black and white musicians and fans began to change throughout the swing era.Although black musicians still had difficulty getting equal airtime, times were progressing and even fans were racially mixed in the audiences at venues. Black dance bands still faced economic and social disadvantages, but overall the swing era represented a step forward in cultural communication across call boundaries. (Starr and Waterman 125) Benny Goodman was a dance band m usician during the depression years. He was a skilled Jazz improviser and a strict bandleader that insisted on perfect precision when it came to his musicians parts.He was said to have brought a kind of neatness, smoothness, and control without losing the swing feeling of the music. (Starr and Waterman 128) William Count Basis was a big band leader and Jazz pianist most related to the blues side of Jazz. Born in New Jersey and gaining his early experience as a bandleader in Kansas City (K. C. , Count Basis perfected his improvisational skills through competitive all-night Jam sessions called cutting session in K. C. These sessions gave a chance for musicians to test their musical skills and endurance against one another. Starr and Waterman 135) An important influence that Count Basis brought to K. C. As a piano player was the boogie-woozier blues rhythmic piano playing. It was a popular fad during the big-band era and an easy form of entertainment, especially in the southwest America where the walking bass of the left hand and the improvisational right hand had a powerful style to be heard over dowdy crowds. Another African American Jazz composer and musician was Duke Elongating, a pianist who formed his first dance band while attending high school.Elongating was known as an experimenter with musical forms, combining them in unusual ways and creating complex tones. (Starr and Waterman 135) He called his music American Music rather than Jazz. He also was very in touch with his band which in turn created amazing stability within the band that supported his experiments. He took pride in getting to know his individual players strengths and knees and often wrote parts or pieces for particular musicians such as Concerto for Cootie (Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me) for Cootie Williams (rhythm and blues trumpeter). Duke Elongating) As a Jazz musician, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era, trombonist Glenn Miller was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1942 and led one of the best known big bands. Famous recordings such as In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, and Pennsylvania 6-500 were among chart-topping hits that changed the music industry forever. Perhaps best known for his numerous compositions, the distinct sound he developed into swing music used high-pitched instruments to carry the melody with an other instrument play thing the same thing an octave lower.Glenn Miller is said to be the most enduring figure of the swing era, with reissues of his recordings achieving gold record status 40 years after his death. (Glenn Miller Biography) Swing Music vs.. Swing Dancing Which came first, swing dance or swing music? The first public references to the Lindy Hop were in 1928 which was Just before the music started to change. Whether ay never be known for sure. As the swing of swing became more stable, dancers found themselves taking ideas from musicians and musicians from dancers.Frankie Manning, Savoy landholder, said that he would often catch ideas from the band while dancing and the drummer or soloists would catch his steps. (Vises, Hart, and Wholesalers) Collaborations like these would often reinforce the beat or add drum shots. In the same way, while dancers got into position for aerials or lifts, tempos would generally increase to allow an easier flight as there would be no beat behind it. The adrenaline and adaptation f both performers (musician and dancer) supported each other in an exhilarating experience that is called swing dancing.The different views on The Lindy Hop are whether it was a good thing and improved race relations or if it was a sellout to European-American culture. Some believe that the commercialism of Harlem catered to white tourism only. Swing music declined during and after World War II, at which time the odd rhythms of the Be-Bop presented themselves (this was not as easily danced to). As submerges of Jazz continued to develop, swing dance became widely known as Jitterbugging and as even present during the next phase of American music: Rock and Roll.Swing Revival Between the late sasss and early sasss came a renewed interested in swing, blues and dance music from the swing era of t he sasss and sasss. This new swing revival brings a contemporary rock or aka sound to the Jazz base of the music which is called retro swing (or neo-swing). Specific bands who experimented with the swing sound and began the retro-swing movement would be Royal Crown Revue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Most revival bands based their sound on a modern rock and roll rhythm section and very small rags section (such as a trumpet, saxophone and trombone).The swing revival is based on the newest original style of swing music from the late sasss and early sasss that was known as the Jump blues. However the revival bands focus more on an arranged sweet style than the sasss improvisational hot style. Media has been heavily involved in the come back of swing in everything from films (Swing Kids, The Mask), movie soundtracks (Swingers) and even mainstream television commercials. Conclusion Music and dance that have been called Americas most important contributions to he world are being revived through our generation. We are owning our heritage And in the process we are also discovering that the real roots of swing are as fresh inspire artistic creation. (Opener and Morris 5) Swing music never went away; its something that you can hear and feel and even do. Johnny Copula, a famous trumpeter was once asked to define swing music. He said that each pulse of truly swinging music contains in it an open, Joyous space of possibility Just about any kind of music can swing a good marching band can swing. Bach played right can swing. (Opener and Morris 7)
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Strenght of Women in Indian Novels free essay sample
India has been a country where males have dominated society and oppressed the fairer sex. Only recently have things changed and currently India has its first woman president. This domination has caused women to actually believe that they are indeed inferior to men. It is therefore not surprising to find women content with the subservient life they were forced to lead, like in Mulk Raj Anandââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËThe Coolieââ¬â¢ where in Munooââ¬â¢s village, his aunt ââ¬Å"â⬠¦had done the housework herself, untiringly uncomplainingly and quietly. But in stark contrast, to find women voicing their opinions, or acting against the norms of society does shock the average Indian because examples are few and far between. Interestingly therefore, I was surprised to find that out of nine Indian novels that I read I found women with strong characters in six. The strength of these women can be categorized into three distinct groups with two books under each subdivision. The first category would consist of women with strong will powers, the second would describe women who fought against society and the final category would comprise of women who committed homicide.The first example of undaunted will power is in Sharat Chandraââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËQueenââ¬â¢s Gambitââ¬â¢ aka ââ¬ËChandranathââ¬â¢ where the daughter of a widow who eloped with a man is married to a rich village Brahmin, only for the villagers to oppose the union with the husband following suit. He refuses to eat from her ââ¬Å"â⬠¦filthy handsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Despite being pregnant, the wife quietly walks away from her husbandââ¬â¢s life and begins life afresh in the company of an old chess player. She gives birth to a baby boy whose father isnââ¬â¢t present for the first few years of his life. But the father returns and the wife not only forgives him for having deserted them but taunts him for his previous remark of eating her cooking ââ¬Å"â⬠¦will you eat rice from my hands? â⬠She then goes back to the village to resume the life they once had. Similarly in the 2008 Booker Prize winning ââ¬ËWhite Tigerââ¬â¢ by Arvind Adiga we see Pinky Madam disgusted with life in India, and wanting to return to the life she once had in America.She perpetually complains to her husband telling him ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Why canââ¬â¢t we go back Ashoky? Look at this fucking traffic jamâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ and ââ¬Å"â⬠¦You promised me, Ashoky, weââ¬â¢ll be in Dehli just three months and get some paperwork done and go backâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ But her husband has come to stay in India for good, and when one night in a drunken stupor she runs over a child on the road, a change begins in he r. She feels guilty and even more so, when the husband and the brother in law decide to charge the driver with the crime.Nonetheless, some miracle saves the driver but Pinky madam isnââ¬â¢t satisfied and feels guilty for her crime, she wants to compensate the family despite the opposition from everyone else in the household. When denied this opportunity she takes matters into her own hands. She commands the driver in the middle of the night ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ËYouââ¬â¢re going to drive meââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ ¦ she got out at the airport ââ¬â then slammed the door and leftâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Thus she chooses to renounce her rich and luxurious life and divorce her husband because she feels she has wronged society.But in our next category, it is society that is doing wrong to a history professor. In Gita Hariharanââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËIn Times of Siegeââ¬â¢, a writer of history books, Shiv, touches a sensitive issue when seemingly demeaning the image of Basava a Hindu poet who was regarded w idely as a divine figure. Fundamentalists storm protests against the helpless man and even ransack his office. His sole helper in his time of siege is the daughter of a family friend, Meena, who has broken a foot and is living with him, while his wife, Rekha, is away.Meena is dynamic despite her handicap and with the help of her friendsââ¬â¢ looks to combat the fundamentalists by distributing pamphlets and organizing rallies, which she hopes will help to exonerate Shiv. Her courage is a mismatch when compared to Shivââ¬â¢s who seems lost without her and depends on her like the crutches she uses to walk about. ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ Her face glows in the smoky room, almost like an avenging angelââ¬â¢s. Shiv finds himself drawn inâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ . They even share a romantic moment: ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Meena, the very heart of things. Meena, a sweet and disturbing mixture of irony and inexperience. Meena, whom he has just about touched; who transformed him, for all of fifteen minutes one evening, to a simple organismâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Finally as the days pass the event is forgotten and the dark cloud of attention lifts from Shiv without any serious consequence. Though in the last case no serious consequence ensues from the action, in Matampu Kunjukuttanââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËOutcasteââ¬â¢ the whole race of Namboodiri Brahmins are made to pay for their way of life, which permits illicit liaisons in the case of men, while women found guilty of this crime are ex-communicated.The birth of a girl in the ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Thazhath Houseâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ begins what Chematiri Otikkan, a reputed astrologer and priest, calls the ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Kali Yugaâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ or the destruction of their kind. Even though he foresees the havoc this girl will bring about on their sect, Chematiri agrees to educate the child. A beautiful Naboodiri Brahmin by birth she learns everything her master has to teach til l she comes of age. She is then married to man whose elder brother is unmarried.At first to her horror on her wedding night it is the elder brother who enters her chamber before the younger brother, who stands guard at the door, which is bolted from the outside. As soon as the elder brother touches her ââ¬Å"â⬠¦inner eye opened. The purpose of her birth was revealed to her in that moment. Her weariness vanishedâ⬠¦The primal figure of the Mother Goddess in a graveyard, wearing a garland of skulls, gleefully sucking the blood trickling from the decapitated demonââ¬â¢s head, appeared in her mindââ¬â¢s visionâ⬠¦ In that instance the bridal chamber was transformed into a chamber of birthâ⬠¦ Paptikutty!The Goddess of Revenge! The personification of power, an incarnation born on hearing the clarion call of Time itselfâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She then has affairs with a numerous important people and records all these experiences with proof and when she is produced in court she reveals all the details and gets many respected Brahmins whom she has seduced, ex-communicated. She is another Femme Fatale that one comes across so often in literature. Finally the last category is dedicated to the murderers, first in Shashi Deshpandeââ¬â¢s à ¢â¬ËIf I Die Todayââ¬â¢ in a medical campus a cancer patient, Guru comes and shakes up the lives of a few families.At first he is looked upon as a friend who is about to die, but as the days pass a general hatred for the man seems to spread like a disease among the doctors. One night he is murdered, and while probing into his death, another innocent man, Tony, is murdered too. The author clearly describes the troubles in the relationship of each of the families and nobody knows who the killer can be, only that it is someone among them. The climax of the story reveals that the murderer is Vidya, the Deanââ¬â¢s sister who seems to have no motive to kill Guru.The only possible explanation given by the storyteller is that ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Remember the relationship between her and her brother. The Dean was four years older. He must have been a tremendous influence on her, right from their childhood daysâ⬠¦She must have admired him and looked up to him. Letââ¬â¢s just say that and not get too Freudian.. . Oh yes, its obvious now she couldnââ¬â¢t bear anyone to mean more to him than she didâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ and ââ¬Å"â⬠¦there was Tonyâ⬠¦ going about telling everyone he knew who it wasâ⬠¦ and Tony was not ready to let her know so soon, eitherâ⬠¦ that was when Vidya decided to get rid of Tony before he got any closerâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Even more gruesome than these two win murders are the murders brought about by Queen Supalayat in Amitav Ghoshââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËThe Glass Palaceââ¬â¢. ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ Of all the princesses in the palace, Supalayat was by far the fiercest and most willfulâ⬠¦ sheâ⬠¦ fell headlong in love with her husband, the Kingâ⬠¦ andâ⬠¦ in order to protect him from her family she stripped her mother of her powers and banished her to a corner of the palaceâ⬠¦She then ordered the killing of every member of the Royal Family who might have ever been considered a threat to her husband.
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