Prescience, Genetic Memory, and Personal Identity in Frank Herberts Dune Trilogy :: Frank Herbert Dune

Prescience, Genetic Memory, and Personal Identity in Frank Herbert's Dune Trilogy "Any road followed precisely to its end leads precisely nowhere.   Climb the mountain just a little bit to test that it's a mountain.   From the top of the mountain, you cannot see the mountain"(Herbert, Dune 68). –Bene Gesserit Proverb Ben Bova begins his liner notes on Frank Herbert Reads his God Emperor of Dune (Excerpts) by stating that "All truly great art shares this characteristic: the more you study it, the more it reveals" (Herbert).   Although it refers specifically to the fourth book in the Dune Chronicles, his statement also applies to the trilogy that precedes it–Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune.   Herbert's "polyphonic" work contains themes on so many levels (ecology, politics, war, philosophy, religion, and technology, just to name a few), that it soon becomes difficult to separate one from the other.   The topic of human awareness, however, takes on a specific tone and special level of importance above all the others.   Whether looking at the Bene Gesserit sisterhood and their political intrigues and planning, or the Mentat's historical role as the human computer 1 , filing away and analyzing countless bits of data, human awareness somehow always becomes a focus.   Even in th e economics of the work, where the "coin of the realm," the spice melange, is able not only to extend human life, but also to open up both past and future to the properly prepared mind, does this theme become evident. With all of his attention on the awareness of humanity, however, Herbert had more common and more difficult questions on his mind.   By creating a character, Paul Atreides, who is able to see not only into the future, but also into the past lives that made up his long list of ancestors, the questions of personal and societal identity are brought forward.   These powers, which Herbert refers to as "prescience" and "genetic memory," respectively, give Paul so much knowledge that he is no longer able to function as an individual.   He finds himself limited to certain actions because he knows the outcomes.   Once on top of the mountain, so to speak, he can no longer see where he stands.   In turn, Paul's son Leto II and daughter Ghanima, as well as his sister Alia, are also forced to deal with the issues of such knowledge in the entirely different light of "Abomination," a condition that befalls those whose inherited memories are unearthed before they are born.

Initial Public Offerings Paper Essay

In order for a company to build their business, many pursue to either merge with another company or acquisitions from another company. Another option a company should consider when building their business is to make an Initial Public Offering. An initial public offering is the first sale of stock by a company to the public. A company can raise money by issuing either debt or equity (Know Finance., n.d.). Microsoft, Apple, and Samsung have stepped into the stock market by their IPO. These strides are what it takes to raise money and what roles help the company begin an IPO. Most corporations agree to an initial public offering with an investment banking firm by acting in the capacity of an underwriter. An investment banker is a person who works in a financial institution that primarily goal is to raise capital for companies, governments and other entities (Investopedia, n.d.). An underwriter is a person that provides several financial services that includes helping with assessing the value of shares and establishing a public market for first sales (Investopedia, n.d.). An underwriter responsibility is allotting securities issued to the public. There are several risks that are involved in a public offering. Initial public offering stocks is one of the risks involved in public offering (â€Å"Financial Web†, 2014). This is sometimes called going public because the stock is offered first to the public. Share, the risks of the company, can sometimes be profitable, but a risk too. An investor, shareholder, or individual may be at risks if they invest their money within a company that is going public for the first time (â€Å"Financial Web†, 2014). Pricing of good is one of the risks that are involved in a public offering. Pricing goods too high or too low is not acceptable in the public offering. Investors and shareholders will not invest in a company if there are any issues with the pricing. A firm and their investors will lose money their money if the price of goods is priced too low. This may cause investors to pull out of the firm corporation (â€Å"Financial Web†, 2014). Loss of income and revenue may sometimes make the underwriters hold the inventory and additional funds. Long holding period and lack of information are other risks that are involved in a public offering. Lack of information may cause investors to pull out of the firm because the firm failed to provide all of the documents and files. Long holding period may cause a decrease in stock price. The  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) protects the investors, maintain fair, efficient markets, orderly, and facilitate capital formation (â€Å"Bridge Capital Inc.†, 2014). The SEC deals with industries by monitoring, managing the terms of sales by preliminary prospectus and setting rules and regulations for companies. Preliminary prospectus is when the company and the securities are issues to the firm. A firm will have provided their income statement, balance sheets, its current activities, and other documents that provide information about the firm. The Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) was put in act to increase the success in private litigation for securities fraud. References: Initial Public Offering (IPO) | Know Finance. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.knowfinance.com/ipo/ Investment Banker Definition | Investopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/investmentbanker.asp Underwriter Definition | Investopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/underwriter.asp Financial Web. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.finweb.com/investing/therisksofinitialpublicofferingstocks.com Bridge Capital Inc. (2014). Retrieved from http://bridge.com

Animal Abuse and Criminal Behavior - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1847 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/04/05 Category Psychology Essay Level High school Tags: Behavior Essay Did you like this example? With decades of research on the topic, scientists and advocates have learned a lot about the correlation between pet abuse and domestic violence as well as the importance of this relationship. Monitoring past instances of animal abuse can be used for early identification of potential abusers for both human and animal victims. It is for this reason that many states have begun to consider creating an animal abuse registry, similar to the more widely known Sex Offender registry. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Animal Abuse and Criminal Behavior" essay for you Create order Intentional animal cruelty is of concern as it is often a sign of psychological illness. Repeated offences frequently show that the individual may be predisposed to committing acts of violence towards humans. Since this is a warning sign of possible violent behaviors, tracking animal abusers could be beneficial in ensuring the protection of both animals and people. Therefore, making and sustaining a registry of those convicted of animal abuse will be an asset in discovering and preventing possible future instances of criminal behavior. In an effort to take animal abuse cases more seriously, deter actions, and provide more substantial punishments to those who mistreat animals, animal abuser registries are becoming popularized within the United States. The registry requires convicted offenders to record their name, address, and image online. Consequently, this prohibits them from owning, possessing, residing with, having custody of, or intentionally engaging in any physical contact with any animal (NYC Health, Frequently Asked Questions). The government hopes these registries will provide peace of mind to communities by alerting the public to the presence of animal cruelty offenders in the community while providing heightened scrutiny of individuals perceived to be at high risk of re-offense to animals or people (ASPCA, Position Statement). It provides a tool to allow people to be more alert to those individuals convicted of cruelty to animals. Advocates claim that the stigma of being registered for all to see will serve to deter people from committing animal crimes. As part of the law, pet stores, shelters, and employees of other certain animal-related businesses and organizations are required to check these registries before finalizing the sale of an animal. They are also expected to refuse to sell or transfer ownership of an animal to anyone listed on the registry. Such registries have already been enacted in states such as New York and Tennessee. Although the registries that are currently established are quite new and havent seen much use just yet, one of the New York registries prevented a New York man in Massena from purchasing replacement animals just a few months after being convicted of animal cruelty and abuse. This mans dog had died after being left unattended for hours in his car while at the state fair. The same man also was facing allegations that he neglected 22 horses and had a foal in his care die at his St. Lawrence County farm (Parker, State Animal Abuse Registry). A substantial part of the opposition that creating a centralized animal abuse registry faces has to do with the worry that the expensive system will be underutilized. Although this is just one example, when given the resources, large-scale organizations, privately owned pet stores and breeders, and even individuals looking for good homes for their kittens and puppies have shown that they are grateful for and are willing to utilize the system to help screen potential owners. While the main and most obvious purpose of creating a registry is to prevent those with an abuse record from acquiring animals in the future, there is also a focus on how the registries could serve the dual purpose of identifying people who are at an increased risk of being involved in domestic violence disputes or carrying out violent attacks against other people (Carrozza, Animal Abuser Registry). Most of the research in this area has involved interviewing or administering questionnaires to victims in domestic abuse shelters to determine the prevalence of companion animal abuse. Studies dating from 1998 to present have reported that approximately half of domestic abuse victims have witnessed threats toward, or the actual abuse of a companion animal (Newberry, Pets in Danger). The studies have releveled that nearly 92% of domestic abuse perpetrators reportedly used threats to the victims pets were used as a means of generating fear to maintain control of the abused. Reaffirming the suspected correlation between animal and human abuse. Many children involved in domestic abuse cases reportedly believed that threats and harm directed at pets aimed to create and maintain fear in the home, isolate the mother, and prevent or punish the mothers attempts to be independent or leave the relationship (Carrozza, Animal Abuser Registry). On top of these high rates of animal to human abuses, a study conducted by the United Kingdoms HM Inspectorate of Constabulary found that police officers called for instances of domestic abuse often didnt take the situation seriously or recorded inadequate evidence: The inspectors, who interviewed hundreds of victims, found many felt they not been taken seriously or felt judged when they alerted police (Morris, Domestic Violence Victims). This is most likely due to the fact that when police arrive, the violent conflict has already ended. This leaves many of the cases as a their word against mine type of scenario. These studies did not include a large portion of Hispanic participants; however, considering the statistics of the study groups, imposing harsher punishments and psychological evaluations for animal abusers would prove to be an effective way of reducing the number of domestic abuse cases. It can also provide police officers a basis of action to go off of when they are called for instances of domestic abuse. Although there is a definitive connection between violence and animal abuse, some argue that animal abuse does not necessarily precede other forms of violence. While this may be true in some cases, as it was identified in a 2008 study, committing acts of violence toward animals as a child is one of the most reliable predictors of future violence (Hodges, The Link). In fact, 100% of sexual homicide offenders had a history of cruelty towards animals. This is because people who have either witnessed or partaken in violent acts in the past have become desensitized to it. Research shows that the more often someone is exposed to a certain situation, the more comfortable that person becomes with it (Hodges, The Link). This perpetuates the cycle of violence through childhood and into that childs teenage and adult life. One such example is the mass school shooting which occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018 in which 17 people were killed. This event has since b rought amplified attention to discussions of all kinds related to gun violence. Among those conversations is the link between animal abuse and violent crimes against people (Carrozza, Animal Abuser Registry). Reportedly, the gunman who caused these shootings had been known to abuse animals when he was younger and had a history of shooting small animals for fun (Esch, States Consider Animal Abuser List). Although there is no way to know for certain, many experts believe that the number of tragedies such as the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School could be lessened or even averted if these individuals are screened as a potentially dangerous threat due to a psychological condition early on. One of the intended goals of these registries is to identify people with mental disorders and provide them with the support and treatment they require. Although proposed registry is supported by over 83% of Americans (The Tylt, Nationwide Animal Abuser Registry?), the concept is not without opposition. There are still those who worry about the logical and ethical side of creating a system that requires such involvement to maintain and operate. Many animal rights organizations, including the ASPCA, feel that efforts would be better spent further enforcing the already established means of dealing with animal abusers such as mandated psychological assessment[s] and the inclusion of pets in orders of protection (ASPCA, Position Statement). This means that animals will be removed from a hostile or dangerous environment along with the victim. The ASPCA in particular worries about the phycological effects of requiring people to publicly register online may have on already mentally affected individuals. Many opposing voices believe the creation will lead to serious crimes being pardoned with offenders only needing to register their names. T here is also a concern for the human aspect. Some organizations feel that those on the registry will only be further distanced from the rest of society and feel mandated mental counseling would be more useful. On paper, this alternative may sound like a kinder option to those who abuse animals and people. However, depending on how soon or late in their lives patients are offered care, mandating counseling may not be any less of a ?distancer for those with mental health issues. Even if no discrimination is present, those receiving mental care, especially forced mental care, feel stigmatized, at least in the beginning (Henderson, et al., Mental Illness Stigma). It also isnt a guaranteed ?cure for older patients who already feel that they dont belong in their environment. Change cant be forced on an individual; mental health counseling works best for those who either seek out help and want to change for themselves: many of these patients [receiving mandated care] derive little benefit from available treatment programs because they often do not adhere to medication regimens or keep scheduled appointments (Monahan, et al., Mandated Treatment), or are still teens or young adults. Mandated mental care would be most effective if it was identified and administered early on; before the individual begins committing more severe forms of violence and further distances themselves from the rest of society. All considered, none of these alternatives explicitly prohibit abusers from obtaining new animals or track any of their previous offences of animal abuse. So, it is impossible for law enforcement to identify whether an individual merely neglected an animal or has a genuine need for mental help. There is also nothing stating that laws have to be mutually exclusive to either providing mental counseling or registering names to the online databases. Supporters hope that future laws include multiple levels of preventative action to ensure other offences do not occur. It is for these reasons that, on top of other forms of prevention, animal abusers should be recorded to alert others of the potential danger of allowing past animal abusers to adopt in the future. Animal abuser registries are intended to provide law enforcement and private entities information regarding those convicted of animal abuse. While there are concerns surrounding the creation of a national database, many feel that it will be useful not only in identifying those who are of potential danger to pets and animals, but also in identifying and providing help for mentally ill people before they become secluded from the rest of society. This will be a very useful and objective tool for us to lean on when it comes to denying adopters. Now, it wont just be our gut instinct † we have actual documentation to lean on (qtd. in Brulliard, Animal Abusers Registered Like Sex Offenders)

Gender And Social Conflict Within Gender Specific...

Gender and Social Conflict that is seen in Gender Specific Institutions Miranda Shipley Morningside College The topics that I have been assigned to study in this specific sociology course that I am currently enrolled in include: gender and social conflict. Other than the assigned textbook for this specific sociology class, entitled Introduction to Sociology, I will also be using the sources entitled Article Tools and Gender and Social Conflict I believe that these sources better allowed me to reflect and explain my experiences at the Planned Parenthood of the Siouxland area through the sociological gender and social conflict lens. The sociological conflict theory according to Kimberly Moffitt is defined as, â€Å" a†¦show more content†¦Do to the similarities in my area of volunteering and my topics, I often found it very easy to perform the required research necessary to adequately analyze these topics. Furthermore, while volunteering at Planned Parenthood of the Sioux Land Area I gained more insight and knowledge then I originally expected. Throughout my volunteer experiences at Planned Parenthood I was given many opportunities to interact with others as well as help those that are in need of medical and emotional assistance. These interactions included but were not limited to filing paperwork, creating visual displays, and restocking pamphlets / brochures, dealing with crowd control/protestors, as well as answering the phones and directing patients to the help in which they needed. Through these simple jobs that I was given at Planned Parenthood I was able to expand and hone in on my communication skills with others. Not only did I have to be able to have conversations with others while volunteering, I also had to be able to listen to what others had to say and find ways to help and direct them. Do to the type of patients that Planned Parenthood of the Siouxland aides as well as the procedures that Planned Parenthood and organizations similar to Planned Parenthood perform on their patients, there were many times that I was able to learn about my individual values and belief in regards to the field of female reproductive health. Prior to volunteering at this specific organization

Essay on Character Analysis of Lancelot in the Movie the...

In the medieval time, knight was a really essential part of the society, because they protected people and prosperities for them. They are respected, and have good behavior. In order to keep the good reputation, people came up with the code of chivalry which lists all the qualities that a knight should have. The movie, First Knight is about a man named Lancelot who is good with sword. He saves the life of King Arthur’s wife, Guinevere, and his behavior captures King Arthur’s attention. Then, he is invited to join the knights of the round table of King Arthur. He goes to a public trial because he has an affair with Guinevere, but then Camelot got invaded. Lancelot killed Malagant, and saves the day. In this movie, Lancelot is a great†¦show more content†¦Loyalty is very necessary for a knight, and Lancelot shows it vividly. Lancelot is not in a position that he is proud of when the problem comes, but he still works for what he believes in. Lancelot is facing a p ublic trial in Camelot. Suddenly, Camelot is surrounded by the army of Malagant. He threated King Arthur to give him the city, or everybody will die. King Arthur starts the battle with Malagant’s army, and he gets shoots in his chest four times by crossbow. Lancelot goes into the crown, and he fights with Malagant who is also really good at sword. It is a really tough fight, so both of them gets injured. He does not give up, and he kills Malagant eventually. Lancelot is not trusted by King Arthur at the time when Camelot is invaded, because he is caught kissing Guinevere. He may be killed by King Arthur, and he can just run away due to the enormous chaos in the city at that tie. But he remembers that he is a knight, and he cannot fail the people in Camelot. So he picks up a sword, and helps people to defend their city. When he is fighting with Malagant, he tries to save an old man under the brutal broadsword of a knight of Malagant. He gets injured because of this action. All Lancelot has done shows everyone that he has loyalty to the city, Camelot, and his lord, King Arthur. Lancelot is valiant, faithful and humble. When Lancelot is in Lionesses, he competes with other guys. HeShow MoreRelated Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail2221 Words   |  9 Pagesserious analysis of Monty Python’s parody of the female seduction motif in what may be the most memorable and hilarious episode of the film. Much of the humor in Monty Python and the Holy Grail derives from the pure absurdity of its characters and situations. King Arthur roams the British countryside on an imaginary horse, evil enemies can only be appeased with offerings of shrubbery, and the knights of the Round Table battle a bloodthirsty killer bunny, to cite just a few examples. The movie containsRead MoreKing Arthur Analysis1337 Words   |  6 PagesMandira Panta Arthurian Literature Prof. Beth Martin Birky Fim Analysis: King Arthur December 7, 2017 King Arthur: Historically Inaccurate but Intriguing The film King Arthur (2004), as it proclaims is the â€Å"untold true story that inspired the legend†. With Clive Owen and Keira Knightley as the main characters, the trailer looked very promising. Yet, the movie was a great disappointment to many of the Arthurian legends enthusiasts. Jonathan Rosenbaum, an American film critic said â€Å"If this is historyRead MoreStatement of Purpose23848 Words   |  96 Pagesone- or two-page statement of purpose that includes five or so paragraphs focusing on the numbered topics above. Others write three- or- four-paged essays that include one or more paragraphs for the items listed above. As always, follow word- or character-count guidelines noted in the prompt. As the list of content items suggests, organize your paragraphs chronologically and trace the development of your interest in an academic field or subject area, thus developing cohesiveness within and betweenRead MoreMarriage and Cohabitation13809 Words   |  56 Pagesconsiste d of loosely organized groups of as many as 30 people, with several male leaders, multiple women shared by them, and children. As hunter-gatherers settled down into agrarian civilizations, society had a need for more stable arrangements. The first recorded evidence of marriage ceremonies uniting one woman and one man dates from about 2350 B.C., in Mesopotamia. Over the next several hundred years, marriage evolved into a widespread institution embraced by the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans

Streams of Silver Prelude Free Essays

On a dark throne in a dark place perched the dragon of shadow: Not a very large worm, but foulest of the foul, its mere presence, blackness; its talons, swords worn from a thousand thousand kills; its maw ever warm with the blood of victims; its black breath, despair. A raven’s coat was its tested scales, so rich in their blackness that they shimmered in colors, a scintillating facade of beauty for a soulless monster. Its minions named it Shimmergloom and paid it all honor. We will write a custom essay sample on Streams of Silver Prelude or any similar topic only for you Order Now Gathering its strength over the course of centuries, as dragons do, Shimmergloom kept its wings folded back and moved not at all, except to swallow a sacrifice or to punish an insolent underling. It had done its part to secure this place, routing the bulk of the dwarven army that stood to face its allies. How well the dragon had eaten that day! The hides of dwarves were tough and muscled, but a razor-toothed maw was well suited to such a meal. And now the dragon’s many slaves did all the work, bringing it food and heeding to its every desire. The day would come when they would need the power of the dragon again, and Shimmergloom would be ready. The huge mound of plundered treasures beneath it fueled the dragon’s strength, and in this respect, Shimmergloom was surpassed by none of its kind, possessing a hoard beyond the imagination of the richest kings. And a host of loyal minions, willing slaves to the dragon of darkness. * * * The chill wind that gave Icewind Dale its name whistled across their ears, its incessant groan eliminating the casual conversation the four friends usually enjoyed. They moved west across the barren tundra, and the wind, as always, came from the east, behind them, quickening their already strong pace. Their posture and the determined drive of their strides reflected the eagerness of a newly begun quest, but the set of each adventurer’s face revealed a different perspective of the journey. The dwarf, Bruenor Battlehammer, leaned forward from his waist, his stocky legs pumping mightily beneath him, and his pointed nose, poking out above the shag of his wagging red beard, led the way. He seemed set in stone, apart from his legs and beard, with his many-notched axe held firmly before him in his gnarled hands, his shield, emblazoned with the standard of the foaming mug, strapped tightly on the back of his overstuffed pack, and his head, adorned in a many-dented horned helm, never turning to either side. Neither did his eyes deviate from the path and rarely did they blink. Bruenor had initiated this journey to find the ancient homeland of Clan Battlehammer, and though he fully realized that the silvery halls of his childhood were hundreds of miles away, he stomped along with the fervor of one whose long-awaited goal is clearly in sight. Beside Bruenor, the huge barbarian, too, was anxious. Wulfgar loped along smoothly, the great strides of his long legs easily matching the dwarf’s rolling pace. There was a sense of urgency about him, like a spirited horse on a short rein. Fires hungry for adventure burned in his pale eyes as clearly as in Bruenor’s, but unlike the dwarf, Wulfgar’s gaze was not fixed upon the straight road before them. He was a young man out to view the wide world for the first time and he continually looked about, soaking up every sight and sensation that the landscape had to offer. He had come along to aid his friends on their adventure, but he had come, as well, to expand the horizons of his own world. The entirety of his young life had been spent within the isolating natural boundaries of Icewind Dale, limiting his experiences to the ancient ways of his fellow barbarian tribesmen and the frontier peoples of Ten-Towns. There was more out there, Wulfgar knew, and he was determined to grasp as much of it as he possibly could. Less interested was Drizzt Do’Urden, the cloaked figure trotting easily beside Wulfgar. His floating gait showed him to be of elven heritage, but the shadows of his low-pulled cowl suggested something else. Drizzt was a drow, a black elf, denizen of the lightless underworld. He had spent several years on the surface, denying his heritage, yet had found that he could not escape the aversion to the sun inherent in his people. And so he sunk low within the shadow of his cowl, his stride nonchalant, even resigned, this trip being merely a continuation of his existence, another adventure in a life-long string of adventures. Forsaking his people in the dark city of Menzoberranzan, Drizzt Do’Urden had willingly embarked upon the road of the nomad. He knew that he would never be truly accepted anywhere on the surface; perceptions of his people were too vile (and rightly so) for even the most tolerant of communities to take him in. The road was his home now, he was always traveling to avoid the inevitable heartache of being forced from a place that he might have come to love. Ten-Towns had been a temporary sanctuary. The forlorn wilderness settlement housed a large proportion of rogues and outcasts and, though Drizzt wasn’t openly welcomed, his hard-earned reputation as a guardian of the towns’ borders had granted him a small measure of respect and tolerance from many of the settlers. Bruenor named him a true friend, though, and Drizzt had willingly set out beside the dwarf on the trek, despite his apprehension that once he moved out beyond the influence of his reputation, the treatment he received would be less than civil. Every so often, Drizzt dropped back the dozen yards or so to check on the fourth member of the party. Huffing and puffing, Regis the halfling brought up the rear of the troupe (and not by choice) with a belly too round for the road and legs too short to match the pumping strides of the dwarf. Paying now for the months of luxury he had enjoyed in the palatial house in Bryn Shander, Regis cursed the turn of luck that had forced him to the road. His greatest love was comfort and he worked at perfecting the arts of eating and sleeping as diligently as a young lad with dreams of heroic deeds swung his first sword. His friends were truly surprised when he joined them on the road, but they were happy to have him along, and even Bruenor, so desperate to see his ancient homeland again, took care not to set the pace too far beyond Regis’s ability to keep up. Certainly Regis pushed himself to his physical limits, and without his customary complaining. Unlike his companions, though, whose eyes looked to the road up ahead, he kept glancing back over his shoulder, back toward Ten-Towns and the home he had so mysteriously abandoned to join in the journey. Drizzt noted this with some concern. Regis was running away from something. * * * The companions kept their westerly course for several days. To their south, the snow-capped peaks of the jagged mountains, the Spine of the World, paralleled their journey. This range marked the southern boundary to Icewind Dale and the companions kept an eye out for its end. When the westernmost peaks died away to flat ground, they would turn south, down the pass between the mountains and the sea, running out of the dale altogether and down the last hundred mile stretch to the coastal city of Luskan. Out on the trail each morning before the sun rose at their backs, they continued running into the last pink lines of sunset, stopping to make camp at the very last opportunity before the chill wind took on its icy nighttime demeanor. Then they were back on the trail again before dawn, each running within the solitude of his own perspectives and fears. A silent journey, save the endless murmur of the eastern wind. How to cite Streams of Silver Prelude, Essay examples

The Narrator of Carlitos Way Essay Example For Students

The Narrator of Carlitos Way Essay This essay aims to analyze the function of the narrator in the 1993 movie, Carlito’s Way, directed by well-respected filmmaker, Brian De Palma. I will focus on how the narrator manipulates the audience due to his impartially interventions with the purpose of establishing a close relationship with them. The first scene of the movie is a good example of an internal narrator, who guides the audience through the plot of the movie through a flashback. However, before moving the viewer to the action, the narrator anticipates the beginning of the outcome of the film, thus giving us enough information to guess what could happen at the end. In this manner, thanks to the narrator, we know important information earlier than other characters so he already attracts us to him. Nevertheless, he does not disclose all the information to maintain suspense. In addition to this, we should also consider the subjectivity of the narrator’s point of view when he is on the stretcher and the camera spins around, which intensifies his personal perspective as a part of the manipulative device. Another interesting scene is that in which Carlito (Al Pacino) escapes from the brawl that has been between his cousin, Rolando and other gangsters. During his flight, the narrator’s voice is activated to tell us the protagonist’s intention of leaving the city and starting another life. This is how we are the first to know his new aim; the narrator is giving us the privilege to manage this information before the other characters know about it. Thereby, even though he just killed several men, we tend to identify ourselves with this character due to the narrator’s hopeful statement of intentions. Two more scenes should be taken into account: one is that in which the narrator tells us how he met his lawyer, David (Sean Penn) and what kind of relationship they have. We have seen David other times on screen but until the narrator does not explain who he is, we ignore his function in the film. The narrator clarifies their friendship since the very beginning to allow the audience to understand Carlito’s loyal position during the film, thus making us feel admiration for him although he eventually â€Å"kills† David. The other important scene belongs to the romantic storyline of the movie. There, Carlito shows his feelings for Gail (Penelope Ann Miller) by means of the narrator’s voice. He makes us his confidants and tells us many more things than he will tell Gail. Therefore, in these two scenes, through the narrator, positive features of Carlito are presented-allegiance and sensitivity-so his dark past is attenuated in order to extoll character’s good aspects rather than bad ones. As a result, this manipulation gets that we empathize with Carlito. To sum up, the protagonist’s role as an internal narrator prevents him from displaying an objective vision of the story. Although his interventions seem random, behind them a system of handling is hidden. That is, the narrator adopts the strategic position of showing his feelings with the aim of winning over the audience and achieving a kind of complicity with us. Consequently, we may think Carlito has good qualities but, actually, he is an antihero.