British conquest essays

British conquest essays Canadian History has many distinct and unique chapters. Among the most significant of these chapters is the colonization of the area surrounding the St. Lawrence River in what is now the Province of Quebec. To better understand the colony of New France and its significance to the Canadian story, an examination of the administration, the church and the land tenure system of New France, will be necessary. The origins of New France are rooted in the 16th century. During his second voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, in 1535, Jacques Cartier discovered the existence of, "the St. Lawrence, the river of Canada" (Cafe and Lower, 1948. pg. 27). This river was to become the heart and main transportation system of the New France colony. Despite the fact that Cartier's discovery of the St. Lawrence area occurred in 1535, the first permanent French colony in New France was not established until 1608 when Samuel de Champlain and De Monts founded a colony on what is now the city of Quebec. It should be noted that the small French colony of Port Royal, located in what once was called L'Acadie (now part of the modern maritime provinces) was founded before Quebec, in 1605. However, it was Quebec City, located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, which was to become the center of New France, in terms of colonial administration and trade. The French settlement of northeastern part of North America continued slowly over the next 50 years. Fur trading companies controlled much of the colonial administration. These fur traders were concerned solely with the acquisition of furs from the Native people living in the area. They thwarted many of Champlain's efforts to attract settlers. Wars with England in Europe and the Iroquois in Canada also prevented many potential colonists from settling in New France. The war with the Iroquois would prove to be too costly for the fur trading companies to properly defend the colony. Despite this the colonial adminis...

Bellamy and Spencer

Bellamy and Spencer Introduction The following research paper explains how Bellamy and Spencer differ in the novel ‘Looking Backward from 2000-1887’.This essay also examines the Bellamy’s ideal future and also critically examines as to whether or not people can live in Bellamy’s world.’Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Bellamy and Spencer specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Looking Backward from 2000-1887’ is a utopian novel that was published by Edward Bellamy in 1888.Edward Bellamy was a Massachusetts renowned writer. In this novel, a thirty year-old American man by the name of Julian Wess wakes up after falling asleep for one hundred and thirteen years. After waking up, Julian Wess discovers that the society has done away with the class divisions.Also, he, he discovers that the same salary is given to workers all over the country and that poverty does not exist in the society. During the time that he was asleep, the United States had developed as a utopia society.Julian Wess is lucky to find Doctor Leete who guides him by showing him around and explaining to him all the recent developments that have taken place in the United States. Doctor Leete explains to him that the retirement age is 45 years and that resources are publicly owned. Edward Bellamy in his book powerfully criticizes capitalist society .The book is famous for its forceful arguments for abolition of the wages. The novel puts much emphasis on society’s freedom of choice with regards to pursuing occupations (Bellamy, 1929, P.3-6). How Bellamy and Spencer differ Both Edward Bellamy and Hilbert Spencer veered differently with regards to addressing the key economic and social issues. The two scholars attempted to address social and economic issues during the late 19th century between the period 1884 and 1899. Edward Bellamy’s idea in his major Utopian work’ Looking Backward,2000-1987â €™ were mainly nationalism i.e. a form of socialism where all the industries are owned by a nation and the economic inequality remains virtually unknown. Decisions concerning allocation of crucial economic resources are determined by the state. All important means of production such as power and land are publicly owned. Since the state owns all the resources, there is no personal income that is derived from ownership of the resources. Bellamy emphasized the adoption of militarization of labor and he believed that, workers should be organized into several industrial armies until they reach the retirement age.Advertising Looking for research paper on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to him, poverty can be eradicated if everyone does his or her industry duty accordingly. Bellamy held the view that workers should not be allowed to manage themselves because they may decide to choose slack pol icies which may cause the production capacity to fall. He was on the view that an economy which is based on mutual cooperation is beneficial as it is centrally planned and lacks any trace of competition (Rodgers, 2008, P.66-68). On the other hand, Hebert Spencer held a different view on how the society should be managed. Herbert Spencer was a sociologist and British Philosopher .Herbert Spencer emphasized on the application of the Darwinian evolutionary theory in the society. Darwinian evolutionary theory was coined by Charles Darwin in the mid 19th century. Charles Darwin held the view that species usually evolve as a result of natural selection and only the fittest species survive. According to this theory, survival for the fittest is a natural rule that must be followed by all the species failure to which they will die. In other words, those species including human beings that outwit others usually outlast and outplay them in order to survive. According to Darwinian evolutionary theory, the strongest in the society reign supreme whereas, the weak dies off. Charles Darwin argued that, for the society to evolve, the strong should continue to reign while on the other hand, the weak should die off. Herbert Spencer played an important role in developing the social Darwin’s theory. In fact, he was the one who coined the phrase ‘survival for the fittest’. He argued that, the freedom of individuals is greater than that of the community. According to him, government has an impact as far as progress of individual’s freedom is concerned. Spencer held the view that a clear distinction should be made between the meaning of the term ‘progress’ and ‘human happiness’. He further argued that ambiguity occurs with reference to these two definitions as progress is implied to mean human happiness for the reason that it enhances human happiness (Rodgers, 2008, P.66-68). Herbert Spencer was also on the view that the economic s ystem should be a leissez faire one i.e. one where the decision concerning the allocation of resources is made by the individuals based on price mechanism. According to Spencer, individuals should have the right to acquire and dispose off natural resources as they wish without any restrictions whatsoever. Spencer was on the view that individuals should also have freedom of choice and enterprise i.e. they should be free to purchase or hire the economic resources, organize the economic resources for production and lease or sell them in the market of their choice. The owners of resources should be free to use them as they wish.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Bellamy and Spencer specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consumers on the other hand should be free to spend their earnings as they wish. According to him, firms should aim at maximizing their profits while the owners of land should aim at maximizing their re nt. Employees should aim at shifting to those occupations which are associated with higher rewards and the consumers should be willing to purchase those goods and services which maximizes their satisfaction (Spencer, 2010, P.285). Herbert Spencer also emphasized on the competition model which is characterized by a large number of buyers and sellers with each buyer and seller accounting for an insignificant share of business. According to Spencer, prices of goods and services should be based on the decisions of the producers and consumers. Government intervention should not exist as far as price control is concerned (Rodgers, 2008, P.66-68). A brief conversation between Bellamy and Spencer Bellamy told Spencer that the main reason why women in modern society are more efficient and happy like men is due to the fact that, each person is provided with an occupation which he or she is well adapted to. According to Bellamy ,both men and women should be treated equally (Bellamy,1929,P.3-6) .Spencer on his part argued that, women plays a greater role in the society and they should be more appreciated as compared to their male counterparts(Rodgers, 2008, P.66-68). Bellamy’s ideal future The book ‘Looking Backward: 2000-1887’ was aimed at stirring thoughts of future. Edward Bellamy gave a forecast of what he believed the 20 the century would be. Edward Bellamy was on the view that society will eventually solve its own problems and thus develop to a perfection state. He believed that the new society will deal with all the vices ranging from crime to loafing. Edward Bellamy believed that criminals and loafers compromised law and order in the society. Criminals according to him are not responsible persons in the society as they prefer to lead a live that is characterized by lawlessness and violence. According to him, the former society was based on injustice and lacked moral authority of dealing with criminals and violent classes in the society. Society did not play its rightful role of judging the irresponsible beings. He argued that the future society has the responsibility of finding the criminal class and change them to become responsible beings. He further argued that the role of the government should not be limited to maintaining peace and defending its citizens against aggression by enemies but rather, the government functions should be extended to protecting its citizens against hunger, nakedness and cold. Public enemies do not necessarily mean state enemies but rather those aspects that subjects people to deplorable living conditions.Advertising Looking for research paper on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The government should aim at meeting both physical and mental needs of its citizens. Society should act to punish corrupt individuals. The wealth machinery of the country should not be entrusted to only a few people such as the political class. With this regards, Bellamy held the view that there should be no politicians or political parties (Karier, 1986, P.101). Bellamy believed that it is important for human nature to change. In order for people to lead productive and meaningful lives in future, they should aim at changing their current motives of action. He argued that former society was characterized by government officials who misused their powers for their own reasons. His ideal future society should be constituted in such a way that it is impossible for an official to make any private profit or misuse power. His ideal society should not provide a state official with an opportunity to engage in corrupt activities .The social system should not offer premiums because of dishones ty (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). His ideal future is one the one which is egalitarian. Edward Bellamy in his novel ‘Looking Backward, 2000-1887’ prophesized that one day, the society would change into an orderly one that is free from violent strikes, severe economic recession and corruption in government and in business. Bellamy emphasized that people should struggle for a better society which is founded on radical egalitarianism. He was optimistic that a massive transformation will take place in future following the emergence of industrial forces in United States. He argued that democracy cannot exist in a society where there is massive economic and political inequality. He further argued that a healthy society is one where production is aimed for use and not for profit and work is redefined in such a manner that it each person performs those tasks which he or she is capable of accomplishing (Lipow, 1982, P.24). Bellamy advocated for subordination of women. Edward Bellamyà ¢â‚¬â„¢s ideal; future was a perfect world where people coexists in an orderly and harmonious manner. According to him, women should be totally liberated and they should be accorded equal treatment with men. Bellamy noted that women have been severely undermined over the last decades of his own time. Women’s movements were not highly regarded in the society due to lack of thoroughgoing commitment with regards to economic equality. Bellamy hoped that gender equality will prevail in the society. In order for gender equality to be enhanced in the society, Bellamy noted that the society should move shift from being economic dependence to economic independence (Bedford, 1966, P.14). Edward Bellamy held the view that in future, productivity should be high. He hoped that the future of leisure will look bright. According to him, increased production in the future would be enhanced by the widespread use of automation. He was on the opinion that leisure should be abundant in future. Fo r leisure to be abundant in future, Bellamy held the view that the number work week should be reduced (Atkinson, 2004, P.303). Edward Bellamy hoped to live in a society which is comprised of an industrial army. Bellamy’s hoped that the society should be based on a bureaucratic model. He was on the view that, power should be concentrated at the top. According to him, the officers who serve in the industrial army should also be the state’s officials. The military should be able to impose discipline over the tanks and this will ensure that tasks are accomplished in an efficient manner without conflicts and disorders. With regards to the industrial army, impersonal and unselfish goals would be discovered by the masses for which they would strive willingly (Bellamy, 1929, P.126). According to Bellamy, an ideal world is the one in which the educational system provides everyone to attain his or her educational goals. Bellamy was on the view that everyone should receive educat ion to the highest degree. He argued that by educating only a few people, a wide gap is created between the educated and the uneducated. Education according to him is vital as it enables people to communicate with one another. Education also plays an important role in eliminating brutishness (Patai, 1988, P.69). Edward Bellamy hoped to live in a world where there is no private commerce. According to him, individuals will not have the right to own property and dispose off natural resources as they wish. This implies that people will not have the right to income generated from the resources i.e. interest, rent and profit. Bellamy believed that the use of money as a medium of exchange should be abolished. According to him, commerce can be carried on without money. Trading whether domestic or international does not require the use of money. He argued that, when foreign trade was carried out by private enterprises, money was important as it helped in adjusting the complexities of transac tion but the future commerce will be carried out by nations as units. Bellamy argued that books of accounts will serve effectively to regulate the dealings of merchants across the globe. He further argued that custom duties are unnecessary .This is because a nation only imports those commodities which are requisites .The bureau of foreign exchange in each country plays an important role of managing it trading(Bellamy,1929,P.34-41). Bellamy wished to live in a society where the government runs everything .According to him, the state should not only own all the resources but also regulate and control strategic resources. The government should intervene in the economy in order to create a framework of rules and regulations. According to him, the creation and enforcement of rules and regulations is only possible by having a society that is hierarchically organized. The government is vested with the role of promoting the general welfare of its citizens. According to Bellamy, the governme nt should ensure that there is equitable distribution of wealth (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). Bellamy wished that in future, labor interest should not be present as it is a major challenge. According to him, the government should assume the responsibilities of capital in order to solve labor related issues. The government by virtue of being a sole employer will ensure that all its citizens are provided with tasks which they perform enthusiastically and efficiently. The future government should take into consideration the industry’s needs before distributing its employees. According to him, the principle of universal military service should be adopted in addressing the labor issues. He was on the view that, every individual will be obliged to contribute his or her military services to protect the state once the society changes into a sole capitalist. Each citizen will thus contribute a substantial proportion of his or her intellectual services towards the maintenance of the countr y. This is achievable only when the sate becomes the sole employer of its citizens .Indeed, there can be no labor organization in a situation where the employing power is divided among many individuals and corporations (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). Bellamy’s ideal future is one where service is not compulsory upon all the individuals but rather a natural and reasonable aspect. According to him, the society should move from a situation where service is compulsory as this is a weak way of stating its absolute inevitableness. The entire social order should not be based on compulsory service for survival because, if a man has no means to provide for his or her existence, then he or she may decide to exclude him or herself from the world by committing suicide (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). Bellamy also held the view that the number of volunteers in any kind of trade should be exactly the same number that is required in that trade .In other words, the supply of volunteers should always meet the demand. Businesses have the role of ensuring that the supply of volunteers in any trade equals the demand. Volunteering rate should be closely monitored and if the number of volunteers exceeds the number required, then the trade should be understood to offer greater attraction as compared to others. However, if the volunteers for a given trade fall below the demand, then the trade should be inferred as tough. The administration has the role of ensuring that the attractions of various trades equalizes. This is important as it will ensure that labor conditions are addressed. Bellamy held the view that people should engage in those trades which they have a natural interest in. This is achieved by varying the number of labor hours according to the nature of trade’s arduousness. According to him, a person should not engage himself or herself in those tasks which are harder to be accomplished (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). Bellamy was on the view that, one does not necessarily have to stick to a trade or occupation which he or she initially entered. Thus, one may change his or her occupation later in life despite the fact that changing occupation frequently is not encouraged. Every person has the right of volunteering in an industry which he or she deems fit (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). Bellamy also held the view that the term of service should not be lengthy or for life. According to him, the term of service should begin late in life and also end earlier .Leete explains to Wess that workshops in former society were filled with young children and old people. Bellamy believes that the term of industrial service should be 24 years and it should begin after one completes his or her education at 21.The term for industrial service should end after one attains forty-five years. According to him, terminating at 45 provides one with an opportunity of remaining liable to special calls in emergency cases (Bellamy, 1929, P.34-41). We are yet to live in Bellamy’s wor ld as most of things that he envisioned are unrealistic and cannot be applicable in modern society. The future is not dependent on what we believe i.e. utopias does not exist. Utopia is in fact dynamic and therefore, a social system should be willing and ready to change in order to survive. The paths that individuals choose to follow plays an important role in determining whether they will live well lives in future or not. However, the increased use of technology has made it possible to assign machines with the role of making decisions. In the modern world, machines are used in virtually all areas. Electronic computers have enhanced accomplishment of complex tasks. In today’s world, people are able to live long and healthy as a result of innovations .The advents in science and technology have made it possible for an individual’s achievements to be based on his or her pursuits and not the amount of wealth and property that he or she acquires. Living in Bellamy’s world The world that Bellamy envisions is the one that will respect the rights of every individual regardless of his or her skin color,age,tribe e.t.c.The world will ensure that love prevails all over the place as people will love for others sake. True love is characterized by lack of envy or selfishness. Everybody would wish to, live in Bellamy’s world where public goods like education are adequately provided to all. His world would play an important role in shifting resources in pursuit of a grand scheme such as rapid industrialization .Also, it would ensure greater equality in income distribution and monopoly would not be encouraged. Everyone would be happy to live in Bellamy’s world that is characterized with beauty and general goodness. This world is however not achievable in modern times due to such reasons as Bellamy’s world would not result to a higher growth rate .there would be no self interest in pursuit of personal goods. In the absence of profit mot ive in production, there is no incentive for hard work and innovations. This will eventually give rise to inefficiencies in terms of low output per worker. Higher rate of economic growth cannot be achieved. This is because of lack of incentives available for hard work and quality of work. Usually, high level of skills and motivated by extra pay or profits. Living in Bellamy’s world will compromise the concept of consumer sovereignty. People will not have power to determine not only what is produced and what quality but also, how resources are allocated. In general, people are more sovereign in a free market economy where commodities are produced in line with their preferences. Also, the lack of competition in Bellamy’s world implies that, efficient allocation of resources between competing users will be undermined. Reference List Atkinson, R. (2004).The past and future of Americas economy: long waves of innovation that power cycles of growth.Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pu blishing. Bedford, H. (1966).Socialism and the workers in Massachusetts, 1886-1912.Boston: Univ of Massachusetts Press. Bellamy, E. (1929).Looking backward, 2000-1887.New York: Forgotten Books. Patai, D. (1988).Looking backward, 1988-1888: essays on Edward Bellamy.Boston: Univ of Massachusetts Press. Karier, C. (1986).The individual, society, and education: a history of American educational ideas.Chicago: University of Illinois Press. Lipow, A. (1982).Authoritarian socialism in America: Edward Bellamy the nationalist movement. New York: University of California Press. Rodgers, D. (2008).Debugging the link between social theory and social insects.Louisiana: LSU Press. Spencer, H. (2010).The Study of Sociology.London: READ BOOKS.

A Just Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A Just Society - Essay Example The report is summarized in a concluding paragraph and MLA referencing style has been used properly. Introduction What is a Just Society? Much research has been done to define the features and structures of a just society and how to develop one. However, it is an ongoing concept that needs to be considered at an individual level so that each individual takes part in the development of such a society that provides fair means of living to all. A society sees many successes and failures, and goes through many struggles and hardships till it reaches the milestone of being called a just society that arises from chaos and moves toward an intelligent order. A just society is one that treats all individuals as equal and provides them equal opportunities so that they are able to improve their lives and live according to better standards to come at par with the contemporary world. At least, the basic requirements of food, clothing and shelter are met, and after these all facilities and resourc es are equally and fairly distributed among all individuals. Everyone should be able to enjoy the best without being obstructed by or obstructing other individual’s rights to enjoy the very same prospects of life. Rule of law should be followed instead of the rule of jungle. Life of a human being should be considered important. People should have the right to feel secure and they should be given protection under all circumstances. They should be educated about what is right and wrong for the well-being of their society. Social problems must be eliminated. Although it is difficult to achieve, but if everyone struggles at individual level to cooperate with the authorities in fair distribution of resources, then it is not impossible to achieve a society in which justice prevails. Today’s world in which governments and nations are suffering from corruption, terrorism, white-collar crimes, inequality of rights, and discrimination of color, race, gender, ethnicity, and langu age, the concept of a just society is becoming vague with every passing day. We no more feel secure. We do not know whether the governments are playing fair games with us or are cheating us. We do not know what number of white-collar crimes is occurring in our institutions and how they are going undetected and un-encountered. We do not know how much a rich politician has stored in his banks and how many laborers are not getting their daily wages. However, what we do know is the number of strikes that were held in our city the previous day. We do know how many killings happened in a neighboring country. We do know how many suicides happened in the country a month ago because of poverty. We do know how many beggars sit at the end of our street. Hence, the concept of a just society needs to be covered seriously so that everyone knows what rights he has to ask for and what rights he has to give to others. And the Greek philosophers have done the task quite efficiently. Idea of a Just So ciety According to Socrates Socrates’ idea of a just society is based upon communism, commonly referred to as Socratic communism. Socrates was of the view that all parts of the society must be able to work in harmony. He laid emphasis on censorship in education of the society’s youth. The guardians who are the saviors of the common men, the rulers and the law-makers,

Holocaust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Holocaust - Essay Example 2 Even prior to the burst of the World War II, Nuremberg Law was ratified. On the one hand, the Nazis also subjected to slave labor and tortured to death the inmates seized in concentration camps. 2. Causes of the Holocaust What had made the Nazis to commit the Holocaust or the persecution of the approximately six million Jews was their discrimination and hatred against Jews or a phenomenon also known as anti – Semitism. The fundamental impetus for this disturbing massacre was only ideological. The Nazis had envisioned a world where the Jews would rule the world in which this was contradictory to the Aryan quest. They massacred millions of Jews as they regarded the Jews to be inferior to the Germans’ â€Å"supposedly† superiority. They killed these Jews because of the Nazi racial propaganda. 3. Pre-Holocaust German Culture and History The advent of the Volkisch movement in Germany and Austria – Hungary marked the second half of the 19th century. The anti à ¢â‚¬â€œ Jewish sentiments were so apparent. ... , that the it was pressed by Alldeutscher Verband to strip of their German citizenship all the German Jews and just be regarded of having an alien status.5 In addition to that, Class also called for the Jews to be singled out in all aspects of German life. Jews should not be permitted to own any land.6 For Class, they should not even embrace a public office or be engaged in banking, journalism and other professions of liberal nature where they could voice out their point of views.7 It was a total urge for anti - Semitism. 4. The Targeted Victims of the Holocaust The main victims of the Holocaust were the Jews residing in Europe. Hitler's Nazi regime massacred two - thirds of the nine million European Jews population. Nonetheless, it is of importance to note that during the Holocaust, the Jews were not only the segment affected. In fact, the Nazis also annihilated five hundred million Gypsies. Apart from that, there were more than three million Soviet prisoners of war who were killed. The mentally challenged and physically disabled individuals also were subject to killings. Under the Nazi rule, those undesirable to them including the Communists, Social Democrats, Polish intelligentsia, members of the trade unions, partisans, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals and others were subject to persecution. Selection of Jews located at Auschwitz-II (Birkenau) in year 1944 It is also the case that the children were also victimized by the Nazis. They were also subject to death. Though the total number of children killed in this period was not known, an estimate as high as one and a half million children were believed to be murder. 8 5. Germany’s Responsibility of the Final Solution In 1930s, the world outside Nazi Europe had been aware of the persecution of Jews and the situation

Road Trauma Essay Example for Free

Road Trauma Essay Road Trauma; two little words, that pack an almighty punch into the lives and families of those affected by vehicle accidents. A definition by the Australian Academy of Science: â€Å"The word ‘trauma’ is especially appropriate to describe the injuries inflicted by road crashes. The medical profession uses it for any bodily injury or wound, but more literally it means ‘a powerful shock that may have long-lasting effects’ – an apt description for the sudden violence of a road crash†. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention). Trauma is the hidden tragedy of the road. We have become accustomed and almost numb to hearing about the devastatingly high death toll; although unpleasant, crash fatalities are becoming an increasing circumstance and an unwanted occurrence for today’s generations. â€Å"There is limited, to no physical control over that types of injuries may be inflicted upon a victim in a road crash: from ruptured spleens to severed limbs, broken skulls/ severe whiplash and injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and fractured ribs†- explains the team at Nova’s road trauma unit. see more:speech on importance of road safety The shocking truth about the outcomes of being in a near fatal car accident is that the recovery from these grievances can take years of treatment, physiotherapy, medications and therapy, but the physical and psychological pain may never go away for both the wounded and their loved ones. (NOVA: Australian Academy of Science- Road Trauma Prevention). â€Å"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds. † ? Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistrals Kiss Australia, the seventh largest continent in the world, is homed to over 20,434,176 people. Research suggests that every year on Australian roads approximately 1,600 fatalities, and over 50,000 injuries occur. These are astonishing numbers, much alike the statistics found by The Southern Australian Road Safety Strategy, which places road crashes as the second highest known killer of young people aged 16 to 25 years old. For every road death it is estimated that an average 1,700 people are killed in road crashes each year. The Journey Beyond Road Trauma: Classroom Resources). Road trauma does not only affect the emotional state of mind of those affected and their families; it also influences the members of both communities, both big and small. A problematic issue which requires appropriate financial necessities, with the cost of road trauma costing Queensland community tax payers a whopping excess of one billion dollars per year; the increasing number of drivers being killed each year has become a bourdon for the Queensland Government and overall Australian society. QLD Government: Police and Road Trauma Prevention Strategies). In accordance to the statistic that almost 1,700 people are killed on Australian roads each year, it is three times more likely for drivers aged between 16 to 25 years be seriously injured or killed in a car accident, leaving them at more risk than drivers above the age of 35, who are additionally more experienced, proficient, knowledgeable and qualified to abide by the road rules at all times. Another attributing motive towards the deaths of younger drivers on our roads is the fact that young drivers are 75% more likely to participate in risk taking behaviours on the roads. This compulsion and tendency to par take in risk taking comportments comes with the freedom and independence getting your licence. It is a common component of becoming a young adult, but for far too many reckless motorists, the desire results can lead to serious injuries and even death on the roads. (The South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2003-2010). The Fatal Five’ is a highly recommended set of guidelines created by the Northern Territory Police Force, to help recognise the causes of casualties, and hopefully reduce the accident toll on Australia’s roads. According to the Northern Territory Police Force, the varying causes of dangerous factors that can potentially increase the chance of being in a vehicle accident include: Speeding, drink and drug use while driving, failure to wear seatbelts/ restraints of any kind, fatigue, inattention, and poor road use behaviour/ amateurish knowledge of road rules. These five spectacles of endangerment are the reasons for almost 5,000 teens in the 16 to 20 age group being eradicated each year as a result of a car crash, and over 400,000 teenagers being injured in the same age group. Southern Australian Police illustrate the most potential causes of death, via the ‘Fatal Five’ system were driving while under the influence of alcohol and speeding. In 2010, out of the male population drivers aged 15 to 20 killed in car crashes, 38% were speeding and 24% were under the influence of alcohol. (The South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2003-2010), (Autos. om: Driving and Safety- Car Crash Statistics Based on Age and Location). A continuous exploitation and abuse of the five most dangerous factors on Australia’s roads can potentially affect anyone sharing the road with a participant of risk taking. This report aims to analyse the extent of road risk taking behaviours, evaluate the current measures in place to address road risk taking behaviour, and make helpful recommendations on additional resources and strategies that would minimise road trauma and the associated long term community health concerns. Queensland is Australia’s second largest state; covering 1, 77200 km’s, and the third most heavily populated, with more than 4. 5 million inhabited residents. Queensland’s desirable lifestyle ensures that its current population of over 4. 5 million continues to grow and prosper. Brisbane, the capital, is located in the south-eastern corner of the state. Queensland is often referred to as ‘The Sunshine State’, due to its warm weather and low rainfall all year round. Queensland has a growing economy that is based mainly on tourism, mining and agriculture. The Regions of Queensland refers to the environmental sub- dividers in which the state is apportioned amongst, due to its large size and highly distributed population for both numerical and administrative commitments. Each region differs somewhat in terms of its financial prudence, population, temperature, and geography. (Wikipedia: Queensland). The Wide Bay Burnett is regarded as one of roughly eleven regions, by The Queensland Government Office of Economic and Statistical Research. It is classified as the costal and hinterland areas between Caloundra and Gladstone, and is approximately between 107 and 400 kilometres north of Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane. According to The Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Wide Bay region is homed to 273,267 people; 134,783 males and 138,484 females, with a median age of 43. (Census: For a Brighter Future). This previous statistic evidences that this region as a whole, should have a safer road status due to its higher intermediate age group. This pleasant statement is doubted, since drivers and passengers between the ages of 16 and 25 are over-represented on the Wide Bay’s road toll, especially in 2007; while taking the number of young drivers into consideration (14% of the population), they represent 37% of passengers, and 28% of drivers killed. Also documented in 2007 was the 1,600 young drivers and passengers seriously injured on the Wide Bays roads. (Australian Bureau of Statistics: Leading Causes of Death in Queensland). These shocking figures are hard to comprehend until you recognize that this small farming region is homed to one of Australia’s most dangerous stretches of road: The Bruce Highway. The Bruce Highway, according to the ABC Wide Bay, stretches 1,550 kilometres along the Queensland coast, connecting Brisbane to the states north. This area of road is classified as a major danger spot for motorists by The Australian Automobile Association (AAA). (ABC Wide Bay: Road Toll Statistics). The Bruce Highway has become a detrimental health factor to not only the community inhabiting the Wide Bay, but also to its many visiting tourists, who are unfamiliar and inexperienced with the current road conditions, which according to Road Trauma. Com, â€Å"57% of fatal accidents are possibly caused by poor road conditions, which is the fourth highest cause in the top ten causes of car accidents in the Wide Bay region†. (Cars/ Road Trauma. Com). The ABC Wide Bay road toll also proved that â€Å"the Bruce Highway saw the highest level of road trauma on the Queensland national highway network, accounting for 50 per cent of casualty crashes and 61 per cent of deaths from 2005 to 2009†. (ABC Wide Bay: Road Toll Statistics). Road Trauma has become a foremost cause of death and indisposition amongst the Wide Bay community, with risk taking developing into an unnecessary reason for morality. This is contributing to the road trauma statistics and therefore is detrimental to the health of the community. (Census: For a Brighter Future).

Essay example --

The goal of this experiment is to figure out the order of reaction for hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide, and to determine the energy of activation. To do this experiment each solution is changed to different concentrations for each trial of the experiment; changing the concentration of KI and H2O2, will give the order of reaction. After finishing the experiment it found that the order of reaction was, rate= k[H2O2]2[KI]1, and the average rate constant k, was 4.8Â ·10-5. From the first and final experiment with a change in temperature, it was found that the energy of activation was .0002228152. The final results were that potassium iodide was a catalyst for the reaction and that its parts were close to the same after the reaction was over. Introduction H2O2 or hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that is used in many places like in sewage plants to destroy bacteria, and also in peoples homes and daily life as a disinfectant. Hydrogen Peroxide is stable, but it will slowly decompose over a long period of time. When put on an open cut, hydrogen peroxide has a very fast decomposition and O2 is developed. Again the same thing happens when the catalyst KI is used with H2O2. Because O2 is released as a product in the decomposition, a pressure verses time graph can be used to see the change in pressure. The pressure will change linearly to time first, but then after the initial short lag phase of stable pressure is over the pressure will begin to increase with time. In this experiment it’s crucial to record the rate of reactions because the kinetic order of reaction can be determined based off the differing concentration rates. The rates from the experiments will be measured in kPa/s and have to be converted to M/s by calcu... ...aq) + I-(aq) → IO-(aq) + H2O(aq). The result of this reaction is water and gas pressure because of the decomposition of the H2O2 by KI. The rate law is Rate=k[H2O2]2[KI]1 Conclusion This experiment has taught me how a catalyst actually works. I didn’t know that there were steps in between a catalyst in the reaction that were all used, and then replaced so the reaction is the same when its used and when it started the reaction again. I now have a far better understanding of how a catalyst speeds up a reaction by decreasing the reaction caused by the activation energy. I learned that a specific catalysts might work better at certain temperatures, and they can be measured by the different temperatures for the first reactions and the final reaction. I also learned that by measuring the rate constant at different temperatures, I can find the activation energy.

Zara: It for Fashion

Report Title: Zara: IT for Fashion Executive Summary: Zara is a fashion company founded by Amancio Ortega in Spain in 1975. It is part of Inditex holding company, a large fashion retail chain that operates five other clothing brands. Since its inception, Zara has been financially very successful as it contributes the most to Inditex’s overall revenue. Also, Zara’s fast growth is represented by its massive global presence; it has stores all over the world from Americas to Middle East to Europe, its principal market. In my analysis, Zara’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to mass produce a large range of highly demanded latest designer clothes faster than its other competitors in the industry. By virtue of being first in the market, Zara is able to gain a larger chunk of the revenue pie than its competitors. However, Zara’s financial success and global brand recognition hides many structural inefficiencies and wastages across its business units. My analysis shows that Zara’s main problem stems from its inability to value the importance of having the right information at the right time. This is evidenced by Zara’s hesitance to invest in suitable technological infrastructure that collects, analyzes and interprets valuable data to make the most effective decisions. Furthermore, Zara’s organizational structure is plagued with disjointed business units that fail to understand the relationship between two separate units within the organizations. This faulty organizational structure has not only severely hampered Zara’s ability to garner synergies among its business units but also has become the source of lost revenue due to inefficiencies and wastages. Finally, the culture of making important business decisions within Zara by its management based off of gut feeling rather than a well analyzed business information, patterns and statistical method, greatly dangers Zara’s competitive advantages over its competitors. I would recommend Zara to tackle its two biggest problems– a) absence of modern technological infrastructure and b) lack of collecting, storing and sharing infrastructure needed to generate vital business information to make quality decisions. This recommendation entails the use of Windows based new POS system for all the Zara stores. Also, the use of cloud computing to collectively store all its data that could be used in generation vital business information. Furthermore, I would recommend the use of tablets instead of handheld computers to increase efficiency and communication capability in all of Zara stores. I would broadly divide the structural problems with Zara into two categories: 1. Outdated Technological Infrastructure The biggest problem within Zara is that they lack appropriate technological infrastructures that aid in the decision making process. I absolutely disagree with Sanchez’s argument that Zara does not need to fix something, in this case its POS system, if it is not broken. He also argues that upgrading the POS systems would make it more complicated. In my analysis, Sanchez’s argument fails because he sees Zara’s current comparative advantage in various market segments as a permanent thing rather than something that is constantly changing. Secondly, by opting for simplicity, Zara is sacrificing efficiency and effectiveness. Ultimately, the absence of the suitable infrastructure that can collect, analyze and interpret data to aid Zara’s commercials, store product managers and store managers to make quality decisions, makes Zara vulnerable to fall behind its competitors. Below are the few examples, where Zara’s lack of advanced technological infrastructure hurts them and possible solutions. First, Zara’s outdated technological infrastructure is inhibiting its speed and decision making ability throughout the organization. Zara is a company that depends heavily on capitalizing on new fashion trends rather than on expensive advertising campaign. Thus, it is imperative for Zara to correctly identify new market trends and execute manufacturing orders before its competitors. But it is unlikely that commercials at Zara will be able to consistently predict the new fashion decision without analyzing relevant data to derive information and business decisions. They may guess the new fashion designs correctly few times, courtesy of their experience, but in general their prediction will miss the target more often than not. So, unless Zara updates its archaic infrastructure that can efficiently collect data, help managers develop patterns and better understand the market, they will be forced out of the market. Second, Zara’s ability to forecast and analyze its performance under various market situations is handicapped by its old infrastructure. Most businesses that are successful take into account and analyze all the possible scenarios that can affect them before making critical decisions. Usually called event-driven analysis or simply, what if analysis; it gives a business a sense of all the possible opportunities and threats out there in the market. However, a business mostly requires a large amount of data that they need to analyze in order to conduct a successful what if analysis. In Zara’s case, they lack that data gathering and sharing ability because of their old infrastructure. So for example, Zara has no clue how their revenue is going to be impacted if Benetton opens up a hundred new stores in Madrid. This is serious problem for Zara because it may be losing market share but they have no accurate way of verifying it. Furthermore, Zara’s dependence on MS-DOS based POS system is threatening its viability as a business at a store level and limiting its expansion opportunities. Mainly because Microsoft has discontinued its support for MS DOS and Zara’s suppliers aren’t willing to a long term contract that guarantees future supplies of MS DOS based POS, Zara is in a vulnerable position. Also, the situation within a Zara store, in terms data collection and sharing, is dangerously low. For example, a Zara store manager currently cannot access critical business information necessary for decision making. Even information on simple things such as the sales figure, the pattern of sales, and the number of unsold items are unavailable to the store manager. Rather a Zara store manager currently has to rely on canvassing the store to determine generate business intelligence. Similarly on the hardware side, a Zara store managers over reliance on an outdated handheld computer is putting the prospective revenue of the Zara’s business at tremendous risk. Currently, a Zara store manager uses a hand-held computer with a very small screen, probably with poor image quality, to analyze information about the new clothing designs and then decide. In an artistic industry as fashion where people care about even smallest of small details, the store managers are asked to value and to decide their portfolio of new clothes using a device that is inadequate. Furthermore, the store managers have to rely on a dial up connection, which has a host of issues frequently, to link up with the office at La Courna once every night. With the store managers facing â€Å"hard deadlines† to post their orders and they having to rely on a dial up connection to send that important order, the pressure on the store managers must be very high. Possible Solutions: First, at a store level, Zara can choose from Windows, Unix or Linux based POS to replace all of its outdated MS-DOS based POS. In my analysis, a new POS based on Windows OS is the best solution for Zara’s current needs. First, the regular OS upgrades provided by Microsoft eliminate Zara’s concern about its OS being outdated. Zara can also leverage Microsoft’s variety of well tested software packages to aid in the collection, storage, analysis and interpretation of business information. Furthermore, with windows Live software such as SkyDrive, individual Zara store can store all its vital data in the cloud and share it among commercials and store product managers in different locations. Also, one benefit of using Microsoft OS is that almost all big software developers use MS OS as their primary platform. This ensures that Zara will not be disadvantaged due to incompatibility of major software. While on the other hand, licensing and maintaining fees for Windows can be expensive. Also, the issue with security may be a big concern for Zara as it uses Microsoft OS which has a history of being vulnerable to hacking, virus infection and so on. Second, Zara should upgrade to new POS terminals rather than reprogramming the new OS to fit the old hardware. First, there can be a problem if old hardware is not compatible with the new OS despite re-writing and customizing the new OS. Furthermore, the old hardware may fail to fully utilize the capabilities of the new OS system. More importantly, it may be faster for Zara to replace all the POS than reqrite the program for the old hardware. But the criteria for the new POS system should be that it should be able to store and communicate data to the central office at La Courna and to the store manager. Finally, an android based over an iOS based tablet could be a reasonable alternative to the current use of handheld computers. Because android tablets are more compatible with the Windows OS, which was the OS of choice for Zara, I would recommend an android tablet. Also, android tablets provide Zara store managers the ability to access critical business information from the cloud and easily communicate with the central office to place orders, evaluate new fashion designs, and send or receive critical business information from La Courna. Also, these tablets are compatible with a host of different spreadsheet and document applications that a Zara store manager could rely on to get vital business information before making purchase decisions. 2. Bad Business Practice: Random Decision Making, a Culture inside Zara. In my analysis, the culture inside Zara of allowing lower management to take important decisions such as production schedule and stock distribution based on their gut feeling and yet not checked by senior management, is simply too dangerous. Any business management student can attest that delegation of higher responsibilities to junior staff members and independent decision making is positively correlated with higher performance and returns, and I am all up for it too. However, research also has shown that in terms of decision making, the best decisions are made when experiences of managers are combined with their analysis of business information. While currently in Zara, decisions are solely based off of experience with no use of business information to draw inferences about pattern and trends. The primary two problems with such method are that those decisions tend to random and also, heavily biased towards personal preference and beliefs. A company like Zara cannot afford bad decision when its comparative advantage lies in producing clothes of the future. Below are the few examples of random decision making within Zara which have resulted in wastage and time lag and possible solutions to eradicate them. First, the decisions about Zara’s production based on random experiences can be very costly. Currently Zara’s store product managers, who decide what new design is approved in Zara, largely rely on their random observations of what people are wearing and conversations with Zara store managers to predict the next big fashion hit. However, decision making on the basis of experience alone tends to produce more misses that hits. And for a company like Zara which heavily depends on rapid production of latest fashionable clothes, â€Å"fashion misses† can be extremely costly. The ideal situation would be to allow business managers to combine their experience with valuable business information to derive business strategies and then apply them to decisions about future fashion trends. Similarly, the approach of commercials within Zara to decide the allocation of replenishment, highly demanded clothes in SKUs or DCs and most importantly, newly designed clothes is misguided. The current practice within Zara regarding allocation is to divide the available stock among all the Zara stores who wanted it. The critical problem with this approach is that it ignores the concept of opportunity cost. For example, let’s assume that using a detailed analysis, a commercial within Zara concludes that a piece of clothing â€Å"A† is highly demanded in London than in Bahrain. With this information the Zara commercial can push clothing â€Å"A† completely towards stores in London where it is highly demanded at the expense of stores in Bahrain. Rather than allocating among all stores, the approach of using business information to decide which stores have higher opportunity will be better for Zara’s bottom-line. Conversely, when the demand for the clothes exceed supply the Zara’s commercials allocated by looking at past performances and previous supply records. Although, this method is significantly better than the simple allocation, it could be much better if the commercials used further scenario analysis using previous business information to check if the success of the stores were a one off events or whether previously unsuccessful stores have turned a corner. Possible solutions: Zara’s main problem stems from its lack of infrastructure that is able to collect, store and communicate data so that all the responsible individuals within Zara can use it to make good individual decisions. Among the myriad of a Network options with the aforementioned capability, In my analysis, could computing is ideal for Zara. The advantages associated with using the cloud is its scalability. In the near future, Zara aims to expand its stores and its operations to new locations all across the globe. With a cloud based software the increased need to collect, store and share data within the Zara network will be as easy as buying extra space from the a cloud hosting services. In addition, cloud computing almost infinite amount of storage to store and backup data. This will be ideal for Zara who has a large number of store spread across many continents. Furthermore, unlike a distributed network, with cloud computing Zara store managers, commercials and store product managers can share common application software directly from the cloud without having to purchase or physically transport the software. However, security of the highly sensible data is a big concern when using cloud computing. Unlike a distributive network, there remains a threat that a close competitor in the industry unfairly accesses critical business information such as Zara’s new clothes design or cost of production, supplier’s list, when using cloud computing. Final Recommendation: My final recommendation for Zara aims to tackle two big problems within Zara – a) absence of technological infrastructure and b) lack of collecting, storing and sharing vital business information to make quality decisions. My first recommendation for Zara is to build a sophisticated technological infrastructure across the company. Zara should replace its old MS DOS based POS with a Windows based POS with advanced features such as touch screens, bar code reader and credit card to increase the overall efficiency and speed of transaction. Also, the development of a customized software that automatically stores detailed data about the transaction such as type of design, time (days, months), and cost automatically from the POS system and saves it in a cloud space. Also, I would recommend the use of tablet, preferably android, for individual store managers so that they can have easy access to vital business information in real time and also be able to communicate with the central office and DCs. Furthermore, I would even suggest providing tablets to all commercials and store product managers so that they can have access to specific and vital information about all aspect of the business directly from the cloud. The analysis and interpretation of all the information will enable them to making production, future design decisions, and allocation decisions. My second recommendation for Zara would be to subscribe to a cloud computing service provider in order to store all relevant data from all its stores, its DCs and SKUs. Also, I would suggest Zara to build customized software that has the capability to correctly organize relevant data into different categories according to specific need of different management levels within Zara. Regarding the security issues with using a cloud computing, Zara can enforce cloud storage access password on the basis of seniority in the management hierarchy. So for example, a temporary sub-store manager cannot access the future clothes design for Zara while a commercial has a full access. However, I would not recommend Zara to get involved in selling clothes online. Zara’s comparative advantage lies selling clothes through it well designed and strategically located stores that span all over the world. Thus, unless Zara can build up huge storage and distribution centers, hire e-commerce specialists and figure out a new business model, I wouldn’t suggest Zara to go online. Within the current organizational framework, going online would do more harm than good. The implementation of these two recommendations will insure that all the members of the management team have all the vital business information in real time in order to make an informed decision. Also, it will insure that Zara’s stores serves dual function efficiently serving customer and also providing important data back to the head office in Spain. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Stock Keeping Unit [ 2 ]. Distribution Centers

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 22. Promised

Thinking of Renesmee brought her to that center-stage place in my strange, new, and roomy but distractible mind. So many questions. â€Å"Tell me about her,† i insisted as he took my hand. Being linked barely slowed us. â€Å"She's like nothing else in the world,† he told me, and the sound of an almost religious devotion was there again in his voice. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy over this stranger. He knew her and I did not. It wasn't fair. â€Å"How much is she like you? How much like me? Or like I was, anyway.† â€Å"It seems a fairly even divide.† â€Å"She was warm-blooded,† I remembered. â€Å"Yes. She has a heartbeat, though it runs a little bit faster than a human's. Her temperature is a little bit hotter than usual, too. She sleeps.† â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Quite well for a newborn. The only parents in the world who don't need sleep, and our child already sleeps through the night.† He chuckled. I liked the way he said our child. The words made her more real. â€Å"She has exactly your color eyes – so that didn't get lost, after all.† He smiled at me. â€Å"They're so beautiful.† â€Å"And the vampire parts?† I asked. â€Å"Her skin seems about as impenetrable as ours. Not that anyone would dream of testing that.† I blinked at him, a little shocked. â€Å"Of course no one would,† he assured me again. â€Å"Her diet†¦ well, she prefers to drink blood. Carlisle continues to try to persuade her to drink some baby formula, too, but she doesn't have much patience with it. Can't say that I blame her – nasty-smelling stuff, even for human food.† I gaped openly at him now. He made it sound like they were having conversations. â€Å"Persuade her?† â€Å"She's intelligent, shockingly so, and progressing at an immense pace. Though she doesn't speak – yet – she communicates quite effectively.† â€Å"Doesn't. Speak. Yet† He slowed our pace further, letting me absorb this. â€Å"What do you mean, she communicates effectively?† I demanded. â€Å"I think it will be easier for you to†¦ see for yourself. It's rather difficult to describe.† I considered that. I knew there was a lot that I needed to see for myself before it would be real. I wasn't sure how much more I was ready for, so I changed the subject. â€Å"Why is Jacob still here?† I asked. â€Å"How can he stand it? Why should he?† My ringing voice trembled a little. â€Å"Why should he have to suffer more?† â€Å"Jacob isn't suffering,† he said in a strange new tone. â€Å"Though I might be willing to change his condition,† Edward added through his teeth. â€Å"Edward!† I hissed, yanking him to a stop (and feeling a little thrill of smugness that I was able to do it). â€Å"How can you say that? Jacob has given up everything to protect us! What I've put him through – !† I cringed at the dim memory of shame and guilt. It seemed odd now that I had needed him so much then. That sense of absence without him near had vanished; it must have been a human weakness. â€Å"You'll see exactly how I can say that,† Edward muttered. â€Å"I promised him that I would let him explain, but I doubt you'll see it much differently than I do. Of course, I'm often wrong about your thoughts, aren't I?† He pursed his lips and eyed me. â€Å"Explain what?† Edward shook his head. â€Å"I promised. Though I don't know if I really owe him anything at all anymore. . . .† His teeth ground together. â€Å"Edward, I don't understand.† Frustration and indignation took over my head. He stroked my cheek and then smiled gently when my face smoothed out in response, desire momentarily overruling annoyance. â€Å"It's harder than you make it look, I know. I remember.† â€Å"I don't like feeling confused.† â€Å"I know. And so let's get you home, so that you can see it all for yourself.† His eyes ran over the remains of my dress as he spoke of going home, and he frowned. â€Å"Hmm.† After a half second of thought, he unbuttoned his white shirt and held it out for me to put my arms through. â€Å"That bad?† He grinned. I slipped my arms into his sleeves and then buttoned it swiftly over my ragged bodice. Of course, that left him without a shirt, and it was impossible not to find that distracting. ‘Til race you,† I said, and then cautioned, â€Å"no throwing the game this time!† He dropped my hand and grinned. â€Å"On your mark †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Finding my way to my new home was simpler than walking down Charlie's street to my old one. Our scent left a clear and easy trail to follow, even running as fast as I could. Edward had me beat till we hit the river. I took a chance and made my leap early, trying to use my extra strength to win. â€Å"Ha!† I exulted when I heard my feet touch the grass first. Listening for his landing, I heard something I did not expect. Something loud and much too close. A thudding heart. Edward was beside me in the same second, his hands clamped down hard on the tops of my arms. â€Å"Don't breathe,† he cautioned me urgently. I tried not to panic as I froze mid-breath. My eyes were the only things that moved, wheeling instinctively to find the source of the sound. Jacob stood at the line where the forest touched the Cullens' lawn, his arms folded across his body, his jaw clenched tight. Invisible in the woods behind him, I heard now two larger hearts, and the faint crush of bracken under huge, pacing paws. â€Å"Carefully, Jacob,† Edward said. A snarl from the forest echoed the concern in his voice. â€Å"Maybe this isn't the best way – â€Å" â€Å"You think it would be better to let her near the baby first?† Jacob interrupted. â€Å"It's safer to see how Bella does with me. I heal fast.† This was a test? To see if I could not kill Jacob before I tried to not kill Renesmee? I felt sick in the strangest way – it had nothing to do with my stomach, only my mind. Was this Edward's idea? I glanced at his face anxiously; Edward seemed to deliberate for a moment, and then his expression twisted from concern into something else. He shrugged, and there was an undercurrent of hostility in his voice when he said, â€Å"It's your neck, I guess.† The growl from the forest was furious this time; Leah, I had no doubt. What was with Edward? After all that we'd been through, shouldn't he have been able to feel some kindness for my best friend? I'd thought – maybe foolishly – that Edward was sort of Jacob's friend now, too. I must have misread them. But what was Jacob doing? Why would he offer himself as a test to protect Renesmee? It didn't make any sense to me. Even if our friendship had survived†¦ And as my eyes met Jacob's now, I thought that maybe it had. He still looked like my best friend. But he wasn't the one who had changed. What did I look like to him? Then he smiled his familiar smile, the smile of a kindred spirit, and I was sure our friendship was intact. It was just like before, when we were hanging out in his homemade garage, just two friends killing time. Easy and normal. Again, I noticed that the strange need I'd felt for him before I'd changed was completely gone. He was just my friend, the way it was supposed to be. It still made no sense what he was doing now, though. Was he really so selfless that he would try to protect me – with his own life – from doing something in an uncontrolled split second that I would regret in agony forever? That went way beyond simply tolerating what I had become, or miraculously managing to stay my friend. Jacob was one of the best people I knew, but this seemed like too much to accept from anyone. His grin widened, and he shuddered slightly. â€Å"I gotta say it, Bells. You're a freak show.† I grinned back, falling easily into the old pattern. This was a side of him I understood. Edward growled. â€Å"Watch yourself, mongrel.† The wind blew from behind me and I quickly filled my lungs with the safe air so I could speak. â€Å"No, he's right. The eyes are really something, aren't they?† â€Å"Super-creepy. But it's not as bad as I thought it would be.† â€Å"Gee – thanks for the amazing compliment!† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"You know what I mean. You still look like you – sort of. Maybe it's not the look so much as†¦ you are Bella. I didn't think it would feel like you were still here.† He smiled at me again without a trace of bitterness or resentment anywhere in his face. Then he chuckled and said, â€Å"Anyway, I guess I'll get used to the eyes soon enough.† â€Å"You will?† I asked, confused. It was wonderful that we were still friends, but it wasn't like we'd be spending much time together. The strangest look crossed his face, erasing the smile. It was almost†¦ guilty? Then his eyes shifted to Edward. â€Å"Thanks,† he said. â€Å"I didn't know if you'd be able to keep it from her, promise or not. Usually, you just give her everything she wants.† â€Å"Maybe I'm hoping she'll get irritated and rip your head off,† Edward suggested. Jacob snorted. â€Å"What's going on? Are you two keeping secrets from me?† I demanded, incredulous. â€Å"I'll explain later,† Jacob said self-consciously – like he didn't really plan on it. Then he changed the subject. â€Å"First, let's get this show on the road.† His grin was a challenge now as he started slowly forward. There was a whine of protest behind him, and then Leah's gray body slid out of the trees behind him. The taller, sandy-colored Seth was right behind her. â€Å"Cool it, guys,† Jacob said. â€Å"Stay out of this.† I was glad they didn't listen to him but only followed after him a little more slowly. The wind was still now; it wouldn't blow his scent away from me. He got close enough that I could feel the heat of his body in the air between us. My throat burned in response. â€Å"C'mon, Bells. Do your worst.† Leah hissed. I didn't want to breathe. It wasn't right to take such dangerous advantage of Jacob, no matter if he was the one offering. But I couldn't get away from the logic. How else could I be sure that I wouldn't hurt Renesmee? Tm getting older here, Bella,† Jacob taunted. â€Å"Okay, not technically, but you get the idea. Go on, take a whiff.† â€Å"Hold on to me,† I said to Edward, cringing back into his chest. His hands tightened on my arms. I locked my muscles in place, hoping I could keep them frozen. I resolved that I would do at least as well as I had on the hunt. Worst-case scenario, I would stop breathing and run for it. Nervously, I took a tiny breath in through my nose, braced for anything. It hurt a little, but my throat was already burning dully anyway. Jacob didn't smell that much more human than the mountain lion. There was an animal edge to his blood that instantly repelled. Though the loud, wet sound of his heart was appealing, the scent that went with it made my nose wrinkle. It was actually easier with the smell to temper my reaction to the sound and heat of his pulsing blood. I took another breath and relaxed. â€Å"Huh. I can see what everyone's been going on about. You stink, Jacob.† Edward burst into laughter; his hands slipped from my shoulders to wrap around my waist. Seth barked a low chortle in harmony with Edward; he came a little closer while Leah retreated several paces. And then I was aware of another audience when I heard Emmett's low, distinct guffaw, muffled a little by the glass wall between us. â€Å"Look who's talking,† Jacob said, theatrically plugging his nose. His face didn't pucker at all while Edward embraced me, not even when Edward composed himself and whispered â€Å"I love you† in my ear. Jacob just kept grinning. This made me feel hopeful that things were going to be right between us, the way they hadn't been for so long now. Maybe now I could truly be his friend, since I disgusted him enough physically that he couldn't love me the same way as before. Maybe that was all that was needed. â€Å"Okay, so I passed, right?† I said. â€Å"Now are you going to tell me what this big secret is?† Jacob's expression became very nervous. â€Å"It's nothing you need to worry about this second___† I heard Emmett chuckle again – a sound of anticipation. I would have pressed my point, but as I listened to Emmett, I heard other sounds, too. Seven people breathing. One set of lungs moving more rapidly than the others. Only one heart fluttering like a bird's wings, light and quick. I was totally diverted. My daughter was just on the other side of that thin wall of glass. I couldn't see her – the light bounced off the reflective windows like a mirror. I could only see myself, looking very strange – so white and still – compared to Jacob. Or, compared to Edward, looking exactly right. â€Å"Renesmee,† I whispered. Stress made me a statue again. Renesmee wasn't going to smell like an animal. Would I put her in danger? â€Å"Come and see,† Edward murmured. â€Å"I know you can handle this.† â€Å"You'll help me?† I whispered through motionless lips. â€Å"Of course I will.† â€Å"And Emmett and Jasper – just in case?† â€Å"We'll take care of you, Bella. Don't worry, we'll be ready. None of us would risk Renesmee. I think you'll be surprised at how entirely she's already wrapped us all around her little fingers. She'll be perfectly safe, no matter what.† My yearning to see her, to understand the worship in his voice, broke my frozen pose. I took a step forward. And then Jacob was in my way, his face a mask of worry. â€Å"Are you sure, bloodsucker?† he demanded of Edward, his voice almost pleading. I'd never heard him speak to Edward that way. â€Å"I don't like this. Maybe she should wait – â€Å" â€Å"You had your test, Jacob.† It was Jacob's test? â€Å"But – ,† Jacob began. â€Å"But nothing,† Edward said, suddenly exasperated. â€Å"Bella needs to see our daughter. Get out of her way.† Jacob shot me an odd, frantic look and then turned and nearly sprinted into the house ahead of us. Edward growled. I couldn't make sense of their confrontation, and I couldn't concentrate on it, either. I could only think about the blurred child in my memory and struggle against the haziness, trying to remember her face exactly. â€Å"Shall we?† Edward said, his voice gentle again. I nodded nervously. He took my hand tightly in his and led the way into the house. They waited for me in a smiling line that was both welcoming and defensive. Rosalie was several paces behind the rest of them, near the front door. She was alone until Jacob joined her and then stood in front of her, closer than was normal. There was no sense of comfort in that closeness; both of them seemed to cringe from the proximity. Someone very small was leaning forward out of Rosalie's arms, peering around Jacob. Immediately, she had my absolute attention, my every thought, the way nothing else had owned them since the moment I'd opened my eyes. â€Å"I was out just two days?† I gasped, disbelieving. The stranger-child in Rosalie's arms had to be weeks, if not months, old. She was maybe twice the size of the baby in my dim memory, and she seemed to be supporting her own torso easily as she stretched toward me.Her shiny bronze-colored hair fell in ringlets past her shoulders. Her chocolate brown eyes examined me with an interest that was not at all childlike; it was adult, aware and intelligent. She raised one hand, reaching in my direction for a moment, and then reached back to touch Rosalie's throat. If her face had not been astonishing in its beauty and perfection, I wouldn't have believed it was the same child. My child. But Edward was there in her features, and I was there in the color of her eyes and cheeks. Even Charlie had a place in her thick curls, though their color matched Edward's. She must be ours. Impossible, but still true. Seeing this unanticipated little person did not make her more real, though. It only made her more fantastic. Rosalie patted the hand against her neck and murmured, â€Å"Yes, that's her.† Renesmee's eyes stayed locked on mine. Then, as she had just seconds after her violent birth, she smiled at me. A brilliant flash of tiny, perfect white teeth. Reeling inside, I took a hesitant step toward her. Everyone moved very fast. Emmett and Jasper were right in front of me, shoulder to shoulder, hands ready. Edward gripped me from behind, fingers tight again on the tops of my arms. Even Carlisle and Esme moved to get Emmett's and Jasper's flanks, while Rosalie backed to the door, her arms clutching at Renesmee. Jacob moved, too, keeping his protective stance in front of them. Alice was the only one who held her place. â€Å"Oh, give her some credit,† she chided them. â€Å"She wasn't going to do anything. You'd want a closer look, too.† Alice was right. I was in control of myself. I'd been braced for anything – for a scent as impossibly insistent as the human smell in the woods. The temptation here was really not comparable. Renesmee's fragrance was perfectly balanced right on the line between the scent of the most beautiful perfume and the scent of the most delicious food. There was enough of the sweet vampire smell to keep the human part from being overwhelming. I could handle it. I was sure. â€Å"I'm okay,† I promised, patting Edward's hand on my arm. Then I hesitated and added, â€Å"Keep close, though, just in case.† Jasper's eyes were tight, focused. I knew he was taking in my emotional climate, and I worked on settling into a steady calm. I felt Edward free my arms as he read Jasper's assessment. But, though Jasper was getting it firsthand, he didn't seem as certain. When she heard my voice, the too-aware child struggled in Rosalie's arms, reaching toward me. Somehow, her expression managed to look impatient. â€Å"Jazz, Em, let us through. Bella's got this.† â€Å"Edward, the risk – ,† Jasper said. â€Å"Minimal. Listen, Jasper – on the hunt she caught the scent of some hikers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time___† I heard Carlisle suck in a shocked breath. Esme's face was suddenly full of concern mingled with compassion. Jasper's eyes widened, but he nodded just a tiny bit, as if Edward's words answered some question in his head. Jacob's mouth screwed up into a disgusted grimace. Emmett shrugged. Rosalie seemed even less concerned than Emmett as she tried to hold on to the struggling child in her arms. Alice's expression told me that she was not fooled. Her narrowed eyes, focused with burning intensity on my borrowed shirt, seemed more worried about what I'd done to my dress than anything else. â€Å"Edward!† Carlisle chastened. â€Å"How could you be so irresponsible?† â€Å"I know, Carlisle, I know. I was just plain stupid. I should have taken the time to make sure we were in a safe zone before I set her loose.† â€Å"Edward,† I mumbled, embarrassed by the way they stared at me. It was like they were trying to see a brighter red in my eyes. â€Å"He's absolutely right to rebuke me, Bella,† Edward said with a grin. â€Å"I made a huge mistake. The fact that you are stronger than anyone I've ever known doesn't change that.† Alice rolled her eyes. â€Å"Tasteful joke, Edward.† â€Å"I wasn't making a joke. I was explaining to Jasper why I know Bella can handle this. It's not my fault everyone jumped to conclusions.† â€Å"Wait,† Jasper gasped. â€Å"She didn't hunt the humans?† â€Å"She started to,† Edward said, clearly enjoying himself. My teeth ground together. â€Å"She was entirely focused on the hunt.† â€Å"What happened?† Carlisle interjected. His eyes were suddenly bright, an amazed smile beginning to form on his face. It reminded me of before, when he'd wanted the details on my transformation experience. The thrill of new information. Edward leaned toward him, animated. â€Å"She heard me behind her and reacted defensively. As soon as my pursuit broke into her concentration, she snapped right out of it. I've never seen anything to equal her. She realized at once what was happening, and then†¦ she held her breath and ran away† â€Å"Whoa,† Emmett murmured. â€Å"Seriously?† â€Å"He's not telling it right,† I muttered, more embarrassed than before. â€Å"He left out the part where I growled at him.† â€Å"Did ya get in a couple of good swipes?† Emmett asked eagerly. â€Å"No! Of course not.† â€Å"No, not really? You really didn't attack him?† â€Å"Emmett!† I protested. â€Å"Aw, what a waste,† Emmett groaned. â€Å"And here you're probably the one person who could take him – since he can't get in your head to cheat – and you had a perfect excuse, too.† He sighed. â€Å"I've been dying to see how he'd do without that advantage.† I glared at him frostily. â€Å"I would never.† Jasper's frown caught my attention; he seemed even more disturbed than before. Edward touched his fist lightly to Jasper's shoulder in a mock punch. â€Å"You see what I mean?† â€Å"It's not natural,† Jasper muttered. â€Å"She could have turned on you – she's only hours old!† Esme scolded, putting her hand against her heart. â€Å"Oh, we should have gone with you.† I wasn't paying so much attention, now that Edward was past the punch line of his joke. I was staring at the gorgeous child by the door, who was still staring at me. Her little dimpled hands reached out toward me like she knew exactly who I was. Automatically, my hand lifted to mimic hers. â€Å"Edward,† I said, leaning around Jasper to see her better. â€Å"Please?† Jasper's teeth were set; he didn't move. â€Å"Jazz, this isn't anything you've seen before,† Alice said quietly. â€Å"Trust me.† Their eyes met for a short second, and then Jasper nodded. He moved out of my way, but put one hand on my shoulder and moved with me as I walked slowly forward. I thought about every step before I took it, analyzing my mood, the burn in my throat, the position of the others around me. How strong I felt versus how well they would be able to contain me. It was a slow procession. And then the child in Rosalie's arms, struggling and reaching all this time while her expression got more and more irritated, let out a high, ringing wail. Everyone reacted as if – like me – they'd never heard her voice before. They swarmed around her in a second, leaving me standing alone, frozen in place. The sound of Renesmee's cry pierced right through me, spearing me to the floor. My eyes pricked in the strangest way, like they wanted to tear. It seemed like everyone had a hand on her, patting and soothing. Everyone but me. â€Å"What's the matter? Is she hurt? What happened?† It was Jacob's voice that was loudest, that raised anxiously above the others. I watched in shock as he reached for Renesmee, and then in utter horror as Rosalie surrendered her to him without a fight. â€Å"No, she's fine,† Rosalie reassured him. Rosalie was reassuring Jacob? Renesmee went to Jacob willingly enough, pushing her tiny hand against his cheek and then squirming around to stretch toward me again. â€Å"See?† Rosalie told him. â€Å"She just wants Bella.† â€Å"She wants me?† I whispered. Renesmee's eyes – my eyes – stared impatiently at me. Edward darted back to my side. He put his hands lightly on my arms and urged me forward. â€Å"She's been waiting for you for almost three days,† he told me. We were only a few feet away from her now. Bursts of heat seemed to tremble out from her to touch me. Or maybe it was Jacob who was trembling. I saw his hands shaking as I got closer. And yet, despite his obvious anxiety, his face was more serene than I had seen it in a long time. â€Å"Jake – I'm fine,† I told him. It made me panicky to see Renesmee in his shaking hands, but I worked to keep myself in control. He frowned at me, eyes tight, like he was just as panicky at the thought of Renesmee in my arms. Renesmee whimpered eagerly and stretched, her little hands grasping into fists again and again. Something in me clicked into place at that moment. The sound of her cry, the familiarity of her eyes, the way she seemed even more impatient than I did for this reunion – all of it wove together into the most natural of patterns as she clutched the air between us. Suddenly, she was absolutely real, and of course I knew her. It was perfectly ordinary that I should take that last easy step and reach for her, putting my hands exactly where they would fit best as I pulled her gently toward me. Jacob let his long arms stretch so that I could cradle her, but he didn't let go. He shuddered a little when our skin touched. His skin, always so warm to me before, felt like an open flame to me now. It was almost the same temperature as Renesmee's. Perhaps one or two degrees difference. Renesmee seemed oblivious to the coolness of my skin, or at least very used to it. She looked up and smiled at me again, showing her square little teeth and two dimples. Then, very deliberately, she reached for my face. The moment she did this, all the hands on me tightened, anticipating my reaction. I barely noticed. I was gasping, stunned and frightened by the strange, alarming image that filled my mind. It felt like a very strong memory – I could still see through my eyes while I watched it in my head – but it was completely unfamiliar. I stared through it to Renesmee's expectant expression, trying to understand what was happening, struggling desperately to hold on to my calm. Besides being shocking and unfamiliar, the image was also wrong somehow – I almost recognized my own face in it, my old face, but it was off, backward. I grasped quickly that I was seeing my face as others saw it, rather than flipped in a reflection. My memory face was twisted, ravaged, covered in sweat and blood. Despite this, my expression in the vision became an adoring smile; my brown eyes glowed over their deep circles. The image enlarged, my face came closer to the unseen vantage point, and then abruptly vanished. Renesmee's hand dropped from my cheek. She smiled wider, dimpling again. It was totally silent in the room but for the heartbeats. No one but Jacob and Renesmee was so much as breathing. The silence stretched on; it seemed like they were waiting for me to say something. â€Å"What†¦ was†¦ that?† I managed to choke out. â€Å"What did you see?† Rosalie asked curiously, leaning around Jacob, who seemed very much in the way and out of place at the moment. â€Å"What did she show you?† â€Å"Srte showed me that?† I whispered. â€Å"I told you it was hard to explain,† Edward murmured in my ear. â€Å"But effective as means of communications go.† â€Å"What was it?† Jacob asked. I blinked quickly several times. â€Å"Um. Me. I think. But I looked terrible.† â€Å"It was the only memory she had of you,† Edward explained. It was obvious he'd seen what she was showing me as she thought of it. He was still cringing, his voice rough from reliving the memory. â€Å"She's letting you know that she's made the connection, that she knows who you are.† â€Å"Butrtowdidshedothat?† Renesmee seemed unconcerned with my boggling eyes. She was smiling slightly and pulling on a lock of my hair. â€Å"How do I hear thoughts? How does Alice see the future?† Edward asked rhetorically, and then shrugged. â€Å"She's gifted.† â€Å"It's an interesting twist,† Carlisle said to Edward. â€Å"Like she's doing the exact opposite of what you can.† â€Å"Interesting,† Edward agreed. â€Å"I wonder___† I knew they were speculating away, but I didn't care. I was staring at the most beautiful face in the world. She was hot in my arms, reminding me of the moment when the blackness had almost won, when there was nothing in the world left to hold on to. Nothing strong enough to pull me through the crushing darkness. The moment when I'd thought of Renesmee and found something I would never let go of. â€Å"I remember you, too,† I told her quietly. It seemed very natural to lean in and press my lips to her forehead. She smelled wonderful. The scent of her skin set my throat burning, but it was easy to ignore. It didn't strip the joy from the moment. Renesmee was real and I knew her. She was the same one I'd fought for from the beginning. My little nudger, the one who loved me from the inside, too. Half Edward, perfect and lovely. And half me – which, surprisingly, made her better rather than detracting. I'd been right all along. She was worth the fight. â€Å"She's fine,† Alice murmured, probably to Jasper. I could feel them hovering, not trusting me. â€Å"Haven't we experimented enough for one day?† Jacob asked, his voice a slightly higher pitch with stress. â€Å"Okay, Bella's doing great, but let's not push it.† I glared at him with real irritation. Jasper shuffled uneasily next to me. We were all crowded so close that every tiny movement seemed very big. â€Å"What is your problem, Jacob?† I demanded. I tugged lightly against his hold on Renesmee, and he just stepped closer to me. He was pressed right up to me, Renesmee touching both of our chests. Edward hissed at him. â€Å"Just because I understand, it doesn't mean I won't throw you out, Jacob. Bella's doing extraordinarily well. Don't ruin the moment for her.† â€Å"I'll help him toss you, dog,† Rosalie promised, her voice seething. â€Å"I owe you a good kick in the gut.† Obviously, there was no change in that relationship, unless it had gotten worse. I glared at Jacob's anxious half-angry expression. His eyes were locked on Renesmee's face. With everyone pressed together, he had to be touching at least six different vampires at the moment, and it didn't even seem to bug him. Would he really go through all this just to protect me from myself? What could have happened during my transformation – my alteration into something he hated – that would soften him so much toward the reason for its necessity? I puzzled over it, watching him stare at my daughter. Staring at her like†¦ like he was a blind man seeing the sun for the very first time. â€Å"No!†I gasped. Jasper's teeth came together and Edward's arms wrapped around my chest like constricting boas. Jacob had Renesmee out of my arms in the same second, and I did not try to hold on to her. Because I felt it coming – the snap that they'd all been waiting for. â€Å"Rose,† I said through my teeth, very slowly and precisely. â€Å"Take Renesmee.† Rosalie held her hands out, and Jacob handed my daughter to her at once. Both of them backed away from me. â€Å"Edward, I don't want to hurt you, so please let go of me.† He hesitated. â€Å"Go stand in front of Renesmee,† I suggested. He deliberated, and then let me go. I leaned into my hunting crouch and took two slow steps forward toward Jacob. â€Å"You didn't,† I snarled at him. He backed away, palms up, trying to reason with me. â€Å"You know it's not something I can control.† â€Å"You stupid mutt How could you? My babyf He backed out the front door now as I stalked him, half-running backward down the stairs. â€Å"It wasn't my idea, Bella!† â€Å"I've held her all of one time, and already you think you have some moronic wolfy claim to her? She's mine† â€Å"I can share,† he said pleadingly as he retreated across the lawn. â€Å"Pay up,† I heard Emmett say behind me. A small part of my brain wondered who had bet against this outcome. I didn't waste much attention on it. I was too furious. â€Å"How dare you imprint on my baby? Have you lost your mind?† â€Å"It was involuntary!† he insisted, backing into the trees. Then he wasn't alone. The two huge wolves reappeared, flanking him on either side. Leah snapped at me. A fearsome snarl ripped through my teeth back at her. The sound disturbed me, but not enough to stop my advance. â€Å"Bella, would you try to listen for just a second? Please?† Jacob begged. â€Å"Leah, back off,† he added. Leah curled her lip at me and didn't move. â€Å"Why should I listen?† I hissed. Fury reigned in my head. It clouded everything else out. â€Å"Because you're the one who told me this. Do you remember? You said we belonged in each other's lives, right? That we were family. You said that was how you and I were supposed to be. So†¦ now we are. It's what you wanted.† I glared ferociously. I did dimly remember those words. But my new quick brain was two steps ahead of his nonsense. â€Å"You think you'll be part of my family as my son-in-lawV I screeched. My bell voice ripped through two octaves and still came out sounding like music. Emmett laughed. â€Å"Stop her, Edward,† Esme murmured. â€Å"She'll be unhappy if she hurts him.† But I felt no pursuit behind me. â€Å"No!† Jacob was insisting at the same time. â€Å"How can you even look at it that way? She's just a baby, for crying out loud!† â€Å"That's mypointl† I yelled. â€Å"You know I don't think of her that way! Do you think Edward would have let me live this long if I did? All I want is for her to be safe and happy – is that so bad? So different from what you want?† He was shouting right back at me. Beyond words, I shrieked a growl at him. â€Å"Amazing, isn't she?† I heard Edward murmur. â€Å"She hasn't gone for his throat even once,† Carlisle agreed, sounding stunned. â€Å"Fine, you win this one,† Emmett said grudgingly. â€Å"You're going to stay away from her,† I hissed up at Jacob. â€Å"I can't do that!† Through my teeth: â€Å"Try. Starting now† â€Å"It's not possible. Do you remember how much you wanted me around three days ago? How hard it was to be apart from each other? That's gone for you now, isn't it?† I glared, not sure what he was implying. â€Å"That was her,† he told me. â€Å"From the very beginning. We had to be together, even then.† I remembered, and then I understood; a tiny part of me was relieved to have the madness explained. But that relief somehow only made me angrier. Was he expecting that to be enough for me? That one little clarification would make me okay with this? â€Å"Run away while you still can,† I threatened. â€Å"C'mon,Bells! Nessie likes me, too,† he insisted. I froze. My breathing stopped. Behind me, I heard the lack of sound that was their anxious reaction. â€Å"What†¦did youcall her?† Jacob took a step farther back, managing to look sheepish. â€Å"Well,† he mumbled, â€Å"that name you came up with is kind of a mouthful and – â€Å" â€Å"You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?† I screeched. And then I lunged for his throat.

Free Essays on Dominican Republic Carnival

The carnival is the most traditional popular festivity of the Dominican Republic. It goes back to the colony, on the eve of lent when people in Santo Domingo disguised themselves to imitate the European Shrovetide. The origin of the word "Carnival" comes from the Italian word carne vale, which means a removing of meat, as a proof of the sensual licenses given to the faithful during Shrovetide. Intense colors, music, religion are expressions of the joy and warmth of being a Dominican. Original masks, costumes, floats and masqueraded dance groups from different regions of the country come together to celebrate. In some towns the masqueraded dance groups parade the streets each Sunday of February while in other towns carnival traditions differ completely as to format and dates. For examples in Santiago the costumes represent the "Diablos Cojuelo" (devil) which are ornated with number of decorative elements: small round square mirrors, small bells, cowbells, ribbons, whistle, tiny dolls, etc. In Cotui, costumes are made of papers called platanuses and papeluses and in Montecristi, it is the Toros costumes (bulls). Each Sunday of February, Montecristi's street are the settings for tough and v iolent fights between toros (bulls) and civiles (civvies) with the use of whips. Undisguised and unprotected, the toros take on the challenge of the civvies and punish themselves by voluntarily accepting the furious whiplashes inflicted on them by the toros. The origin of this rivalry dates back to the first decade of our century. The most popular of all is in La Vega where thousands of people go out every Sunday of February to celebrate on the street. In addition to these festivities, many towns hold also other cultural popular festivities such as: Roba la gallina: A transvestite "Roba la gallina" is the most widespread character in the Dominican Carnival. This character has always had a presence throughout the national territory. Th... Free Essays on Dominican Republic Carnival Free Essays on Dominican Republic Carnival The carnival is the most traditional popular festivity of the Dominican Republic. It goes back to the colony, on the eve of lent when people in Santo Domingo disguised themselves to imitate the European Shrovetide. The origin of the word "Carnival" comes from the Italian word carne vale, which means a removing of meat, as a proof of the sensual licenses given to the faithful during Shrovetide. Intense colors, music, religion are expressions of the joy and warmth of being a Dominican. Original masks, costumes, floats and masqueraded dance groups from different regions of the country come together to celebrate. In some towns the masqueraded dance groups parade the streets each Sunday of February while in other towns carnival traditions differ completely as to format and dates. For examples in Santiago the costumes represent the "Diablos Cojuelo" (devil) which are ornated with number of decorative elements: small round square mirrors, small bells, cowbells, ribbons, whistle, tiny dolls, etc. In Cotui, costumes are made of papers called platanuses and papeluses and in Montecristi, it is the Toros costumes (bulls). Each Sunday of February, Montecristi's street are the settings for tough and v iolent fights between toros (bulls) and civiles (civvies) with the use of whips. Undisguised and unprotected, the toros take on the challenge of the civvies and punish themselves by voluntarily accepting the furious whiplashes inflicted on them by the toros. The origin of this rivalry dates back to the first decade of our century. The most popular of all is in La Vega where thousands of people go out every Sunday of February to celebrate on the street. In addition to these festivities, many towns hold also other cultural popular festivities such as: Roba la gallina: A transvestite "Roba la gallina" is the most widespread character in the Dominican Carnival. This character has always had a presence throughout the national territory. Th...