Leisure and consumption

Table of Contents Introduction Discussion Conclusion Works Cited Introduction Over the years, there have been changes in the way different classes of people view both leisure and consumption based on their income as well as their lifestyle.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leisure and consumption specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Human beings aspire to be recognized by others and to form part of the most respected groups in society. There is therefore a struggle as people aspire to attain higher status and be among the upper class. This paper is going to look at the differences in the two aspects; leisure and consumption among the upper and middle class Americans during the late 19th century and the last part of the 20th century. Discussion There are a number of factors that have made the institution of leisure different among the different classes of people. Key among them is the fact that various forms of emp loyment have been a preserve of the upper class, for instance, they have specifically been excluded from industrial occupations and they take up those occupations within which more honor is attached such as the priestly office. The church has been used as a way of expressing social status with the clergy being paid well without necessarily having to do much work. Conspicuous leisure is where people take up leisure activities that show off social status. This has taken different forms with time. An example may be taking long holidays to exotic destinations and getting souvenirs while at it. The aspect of conspicuous leisure was first introduced by an American economist- Thorstein Veblen. During the 19th century, the upper class would own property such as land but would not take part in manual labor. They spent much of their time on leisure activities. As industrialization took place, the upper class became more useless in society as they mainly consumed but did not take part in the p roduction of goods and services (Veblen, 23). Conspicuous consumption on the other hand takes place among the upper class where they spend money on goods and services that display their wealth or income. The goods are not consumed for their specific utility but rather as a form of attaining status. The status was and continues to be viewed not only through the ownership of property but also through the ownership of persons specifically women. The use of slaves was a form of power and any kind of manual labor was a preserve of the poor in society. The upper class affected various aspects of life. For instance, women were used as trophies and this has continued to happen in modern society where women are used to show a man’s success. Sports such as football have continued to grow only as a result of conspicuous leisure and consumption of the upper class (Veblen, 44).Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Vicarious leisure and consumption on the other hand are the types of leisure and consumption that developed over the 20th century where masters used their servants to show off their wealth. The masters give their servants the time and opportunity to take part in leisure activities as a means of showing off their status. The upper class also portrayed vicarious leisure by having non productive labor performed by servants at a fee. Personal services are therefore performed by employees instead of a member of the household (Veblen, 49). Old money was the wealth that the very rich acquired through inheritance. This form of wealth was passed down from generation to generation. In the 1930’s there was a division of the upper class in the United States. There were the upper-upper class, whose families had inherited their wealth and the lower-upper class who had attained their wealth through investments as opposed to inheritance (Aldrich, 31). Old moneyhad one major advantage; it gave the young people who had inherited it a platform on which to develop themselves without having to worry about basic need such as housing and food. They would therefore be able to develop faster than those who did not have any inheritance. Families that were rich would command respect than those which did not which meant that old money was important in society and as a form of acquiring status. The inherited wealth may be in the form of either property such as land, businesses or slaves (Aldrich, 31). The leisure class composed of the elite in society who operated in circles and they spent a lot having other people attend to what they required. Over the years however, these circles have been broken or at least weakened as more people are able to afford leisure activities that were previously a preserve of the leisure class. In the past, some of the leisure activities included going to the theatre, playing polo and fox hunting. Leisure resources have however increa sed for instance sports teams and community centers therefore the activities that previously symbolized luxury have become affordable to many. The upper class is therefore forced to keep looking for new activities that are not taken up by people from lower social classes (Ruskin, 22).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leisure and consumption specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More During the post war era, the middle class in many states like Florida were able to get into jobs that were well paying. This therefore meant that they had high wages and would in turn be able to take part in leisure activities. They stopped viewing leisure as well as conspicuous consumption as only for the upper class but as something they could as well afford. In an attempt to raise ranks from the middle to the upper class, the middle class emulated the activities and consumption patterns of the upper class. The difference between the upper an d the middle class was that while the upper class stayed away from work, the middle class put a lot of effort in their work so that they may be able to afford the leisure activities. The middle class would wish accumulate wealth by being very producing in their early years and then staying away from such work after the wealth had been attained. Society was of the view that staying away from labor was a way of showing one’s level of wealth (Mormino, 223). The definition of high status has continued to change as the world becomes more dominated by celebrities. The upper class now comprises of famous people who define the trends such as fashion. As young people grow they emulate those people who are able to attract media attention. Both consumption and leisure have continued to be affected by celebrities. Companies have even used celebrities in their marketing strategy in an attempt to increase profits. With the help of the media, celebrities have been able to influence the way people think and behave (Veblen, 225). Conclusion As all Americans wished to form part of the upper class in America which was signified by both consumption behavior and leisure activities, the definitions of both leisure and consumption changed between the 19th and 20th century. One major difference is that the middle class in the late 20th century were in a position to engage in the activities that were a preserve of the upper class during the 19th century. It is also clear that as the media exposes more and more celebrities, the definition of high status has changed. Celebrity status has become the way in which status is portrayed in contemporary society.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Aldrich, Nelson. Old money: the mythology of wealth in America. New York: Allworth Communications, 1997. Print Mormino, Gary. Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida. Florida: University Press of Florida, 2008. Ruskin, John. The stones of Venice: The Savageness of Gothic Architecture. Bavaria: the Bavarian State Library, 2008 Veblen, Thorstein. The theory of the leisure class. New York: Forgotten Books, 1965 This essay on Leisure and consumption was written and submitted by user Bruno Merritt to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Kantha Industries Essay Example

Kantha Industries Essay Example Kantha Industries Essay Kantha Industries Essay TITLE OF CASE: Stagnation in Growth of Kantha Industry STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Whether the organization should go out of the village for marketing or organize exhibitions within the village. THE CASE: * 50 year old small scale industry in West Bengal. * Main products: Leather, textile and other handworks like Kantha stitch. * Employs 350 workers, out of which 72 are women. They work in groups of ten with monthly income of 400-800 Rs. * Products perceived as a luxury goods and not necessity. * Currently, the source of income is through exhibitions in nearby towns and cities. Major market being Kolkata. SCOPE: Considered merits and demerits of both alternatives as below: ALTERNATIVES: 1. Village exhibitions: Merits – Overall expenses of setting up an exhibition will reduce. Employment will be generated. Promotion tourism in and around the village. Subsidies from the Government will promote the industry further. NRIs will be a major customer base. Unique identity of the place and product. Demerits – There’ll be a loss of current customer base that is the nearby towns and cities. Revenue will be reduced as once it goes out of village, its price shoots up. 2. Organize exhibitions outside: Merits- greater revenues as exhibitions are targeted at the cities and towns where demand exist. Demerits- Expenses of organizing exhibitions so up. RECOMMENDATION: To run both alternatives parallel for some time and in the long run do away with exhibitions outside the village once the village exhibitions seems feasible and profitable. CONCLUSION: The organization should continue marketing out of village via exhibitions along with exhibitions within the village and then slowly after gaining popularity or doing good business it can continue with the exhibitions within the village and try for handicraft retailers and traders. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: kantha-stitch industry in West Bengal, which is a specific kind of decorative embroidery done only by the rural people of Bengal, has emerged as a highly lucrative industry, operating as an informal sector in India. However the people who create the exquisite patterns, after labouring for days, however, receive meagre remuneration and no recognition for their art. The main cause is that these products are not necessity rather a luxury or status symbol. So people in villages cannot afford it. The sales in cities and towns like Kolkata is better but not at all at a comfort zone. The main reason being the lac of promotion. The income mainly comes from the exhibitions which absorb a lot of capital investment. So this case study provides a decision making problem of whether to go out of the village for marketing or to organize exhibitions within village. For the analysis both the possibilities have been considered and merits and demerits of each have been analysed. Ultimately the conclusion which was reached of running both alternatives parallel for some time and in the long run do away with exhibitions outside the village once the village exhibitions seems feasible and profitable.

Willis Carrier and the Invention of Air Conditioning

Willis Carrier and the Invention of Air Conditioning I fish only for edible fish, and hunt only for edible game, even in the laboratory, Willis Haviland Carrier once said about being practical. In 1902, only one year after Willis  Carrier graduated from Cornell University with a Masters in  Engineering,  his first air conditioning unit was in operation. This made one Brooklyn printing plant owner very happy. Fluctuations in heat and humidity in his plant kept causing the dimensions of his printing paper to alter and create misalignment of the colored inks. The new air conditioning machine created a stable environment and, as a result, aligned four-color printing became possible – all thanks to Carrier, a new employee at the Buffalo Forge Company who started working for a salary of only $10 a week. The â€Å"Apparatus for Treating Air† The â€Å"Apparatus for Treating Air† was the first of several patents awarded to Willis Carrier in 1906. Although he’s recognized as the â€Å"father of air conditioning,† the term â€Å"air conditioning† actually originated with textile engineer Stuart H. Cramer. Cramer used the phrase â€Å"air conditioning† in a 1906 patent claim he  filed for a device that added water vapor to the air in textile plants to condition the yarn. Carrier disclosed his basic Rational Psychrometric Formulae to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1911. The formula still stands today as the basis in all fundamental calculations for the air conditioning industry. Carrier said he received his â€Å"flash of genius† while he was waiting for a train on a foggy night. He was thinking about the problem of temperature and humidity control and by the time the train arrived, he said he had an understanding of the relationship between temperature, humidity and dew point. The Carrier Engineering Corporation Industries flourished with this new ability to control the temperature and humidity levels during and after production. Film, tobacco, processed meats, medical capsules, textiles and other products gained significant improvements as a result. Willis Carrier  and six other engineers formed the Carrier Engineering Corporation in 1915 with starting capital of $35,000. In 1995, sales topped $5 billion. The company was dedicated to improving air conditioning technology. The Centrifugal Refrigeration Machine Carrier patented the centrifugal refrigeration machine in 1921. This centrifugal chiller was the first practical method for  air conditioning large spaces. Previous refrigeration machines used reciprocating piston-driven compressors to pump refrigerant through the system, which was often toxic and flammable ammonia. Carrier designed a centrifugal compressor similar to the centrifugal turning blades of a water pump. The result was a safer and more efficient chiller. Consumer Comfort Cooling for human comfort rather than industrial need began in 1924 when three Carrier centrifugal chillers were installed in the J.L. Hudson Department Store in Detroit, Michigan. Shoppers flocked to the â€Å"air  conditioned† store. This boom in human cooling spread from department stores to the movie theaters, most notably the Rivoli Theater in New York whose summer film business skyrocketed when it heavily advertised cool comfort. Demand increased for smaller units and the Carrier Company obliged. Residential Air Conditioners Willis Carrier developed the first residential â€Å"Weathermaker† in 1928, an air conditioner for private home use. The Great Depression and  World War II slowed the non-industrial use of air conditioning, but consumer sales rebounded after the war. The rest is cool and comfortable history.

Dances with the Wolves by Michael Blake Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dances with the Wolves by Michael Blake - Essay Example At the outset, the reader is given a glimpse of the character of the protagonist. When, in an attempt to commit suicide, Dunbar rides his horse into battle, he has the courage to face death head on and to stand his ground on the battle field. 1863. The war is at a deadlock. Soldiers, exhausted, are taking a momentary respite from the hard day of battle. Lieutenant Dunbar, gains consciousness, to find himself on the operating table with severe injuries, next in line to have his leg amputated. Dunbar shows immense courage when he decides to put on his boots and stumble back to the battlefield. He feels disillusioned, frustrated and helpless. â€Å"He had raised his arms in a final gesture of farewell to this life†¦. He had only wanted to die.†1 However, fate and his skill with a horse ensure that he twists and weaves through the enemy lines unscathed. He holds his ground on the battlefield and charges upon line after line of confederate soldiers. Upon seeing this, the moral e of the union army is boosted and they charge the field resulting in victory. Dunbar is branded a hero and decorated. Arriving at Fort Sedgewick, a deserted outpost, near Indian country, Dunbar showed courage, bravery, and a strong sense of duty by choosing to remain when many would have turned back. Dunbar as a reward chose to be posted at the western frontier. ... He forgot that he was completely naked; neither clothes nor a weapon to protect him, he bellowed at the enemy.2 When he met the rest of the natives (Wind in His Hair) too, he rushed forward fearlessly without any regard to his safety3 or any danger to his life thereby earning the respect of the Sioux tribe. He was surrounded by the Sioux tribe where he was putting up. The tribe tried to intimidate him by attempting to steal his horse and scare. To this Dunbar thought that he needs to have a dialogue with the tribe and sets out to see them, and in the way comes across a tribal woman who was injured. He took her to her tribal house, and in the amazement of everyone around they changed their perception about him and welcomed him. After having praised the tribe with his deeds he starts to live with the tribe on a permanent basis. He begins to build a rapport with the tribe and slowly engages himself in the culture of the tribe. He really appreciates the way the tribe is living and falls in love with the whole way of living which involves simplicity and humility unseen in those days in America. He becomes hero within the tribe when he locates a migrating herd of Buffalo and participates in the hunt. He is given the status of an honoured guest in the tribe and the people love him for helping them hunt the herd of Buffalo for their hunger needs. While at his stay in the tribe, he falls in love with Stands with a Fist and gets the approval of her father to marry her, and while doing so he abandons his fort for ever. He is given the name â€Å"Dances with Wolves† when he was chasing Two Socks and the Sioux were observing his move while he was through the act of

International Portfolio Diversification Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

International Portfolio Diversification - Essay Example Investing on the stock market can be a very risky venture. According to Yavas (2007), both the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) indicates that investors should hold a well diversified portfolio in order to reduce risk. Beta is used to measure risk. A stocks beta indicates the sensitivity of the stock’s returns to the market returns (Madura 2006, p. 304). Madura (2006, p. 304) states that investors who have a diversified portfolio use beta to determine how well their portfolio reflects movements in the market. Investors believe that favourable characteristics that are related specifically to a particular firm will offset unfavourable characteristics of other firms. This is also true for industries and so it implies that a wide range of stocks spanning various industries should be held. It is expected that certain factors affecting securities on the stock market are either firm or industry specific and so in order to reduce unsystematic ri sk holding securities from a wide range of industries is recommended. This is also true in relation to national securities. Certain risks are country specific and so in order to reduce risk international portfolio diversification is recommended. This paper examines how International portfolio diversification can result in a reduction in portfolio risk. It looks at various elements of risk that are associated with portfolio. It looks at market returns in five countries and shows how correlation between these markets can impact negatively on portfolio risk reduction. An analysis is also carried out to determine whether of the returns on stock markets in Japan and Canada are integrated based on their trade relationships over the years. The findings from other studies are also explored to determine how they concur with the results from this research. How can international diversification reduce risk? There are differences in the level of economic growth among countries. Some are develop ed while others are developing. Yavak (2007) states that these differences can lead to portfolio risk reduction as the timing of business cycles are usually different. According to Eiteman et al (2007) the case for international portfolio diversification can be broken down into two components. They are the potential risk reduction benefits of holding international securities and the potential foreign exchange risks that comes with it. Portfolio risk reduction The risk associated with a portfolio of securities is measured by the ratio of the variance of the return on the portfolio in relation to the variance of the market return (Eiteman et al 2007). As noted earlier, this is represented by beta. As the number of securities in the portfolio increases the portfolios beta approaches the market beta. A portfolio that is fully diversified would have a beta that is equal to 1. Therefore the risk that is associated with holding a particular stock can be reduced through diversification. How ever, risk cannot be eliminated totally (Eiteman et al 2007). This can be explained by the fact that the total risk of a portfolio comprises a systematic and a non-systematic element. The systematic element is associated with the market and unsystematic element is related to the individual elements in the portfolio. Increasing the number of securities in the portfolio reduces the unsystematic element (Eiteman et al 2007). This same approach can be taken in the form of investing in various stock markets across the globe. When investors hold securities in several countries they are able to cushion their portfolio from shocks in any one market. Therefore, if economic conditions in one country are affected by unfavorable factors, any resultant reduction in stock market returns may be offset somewhat by gains in other stock markets or at least be cushioned by the relative weight of other securities held in other parts of the world. This is however, assuming that the markets are not highl y

The Fight Or Flight Syndrome

The Fight Or Flight Syndrome The fight or flight response was coined by Cannon and refers to the physiological reactions that prepare us for a strenuous efforts required by fighting or running away, (Martin, Carlson Buskit, 2010, p 750). There is evidence for and against the modern man/women being ill because of the fight or flight syndrome. For example if the stress is short-term then there will be no adverse effects but if the stress is prolonged that individual could be vulnerable to illnesses; both psychological issues (depression) and physiological problems (heart disease). However, this is dependent on several factors that may act as a buffer against stress such as their self-esteem, coping strategies and other individual differences like personality. Lazarus and Launier (1978) regarded stress as a transaction between stress and the environment, (cited in Ogden, 2012, p 290). There are several physiological responses to stress such as heart rate increase, blood pressure rise, blood sugar level rise, digestion stopping and adrenaline release. These help the body to be alert and ready, therefore whether they flee or fight. Normally after the body is stable, but if the stress is prolonged then it has negative effects. For example, the digestion stopping may cause stomach ulcers; consistent blood sugar rise can cause diabetes and heart rate differences can cause coronary heart disease. This shows how much a person has changed from prehistoric times, where the only response was to fight or run away, to now where modern stressors are complex so this response is no longer appropriate and Cannon saw that it could make a modern person ill, (Martin, Carlson Buskit, 2010). The responses to stress link with Selyes General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which has three stages; the first stage is the alarm stage which involves the autonomic nervous system. Then the resistance stage is reached and then the exhaustion stage, where the person/animal loses their ability to adapt and leaves them vulnerable to illnesses (Martin, Carlson Buskit, 2010). This shows that the stress response will be advantageous in the short-term but if the exhaustion stage is reached it can have detrimental effects on that person. However, Selyes theory might not be valid due to generalisation problems; he carried out his study on animals, whose processes and responses are be different to humans (Martin, Carlson Buskit, 2010). There are two main groups of physiological changes. The first is sympathetic activation where a stressor triggers the nervous system in this region to produce adrenaline so this produces the fight or flight response. This activates hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) activity, this is similar to GAS, and this changes the carbohydrate stores and releases endorphins that act as pain relief ready to fight, (Ogden, 2012). This shows how the fight or flight responses in the body can be beneficial short-term. There is evidence for and against the fight or flight response causing the modern man to be ill but the outcome is dependent on factors that could modify the effects. One example is personality; if they have a hardy personality (Kobasa, 1977, cited in Sanders Suls, 1982) or if they strive when stressed it acts as a buffer against stress, (George, Everly Lating, 2002). People with a type A personality (see stress as positive) are motivated by stress and succeed when in this state, (Friedman and Rosenman, 1959, cited in Hayes, 2000). Nevertheless, if the persons personality is opposite then theyre more likely to get ill from stress, therefore helping to prove the statement true. Additionally, their self-esteem can effect this too; a person who has low self-esteem and low global self-esteem (negative evaluation of oneself turns to self-doubt and self-rejection) are more likely to get stressed then a person with high self-esteem, (Schrami, Perski, Grossi Simonsson-Sarnecki, 2010). The se factors make a person less susceptible and therefore helps disprove whether fight or flight responses make people ill. However, some data for this was collected by questionnaire so the findings may not be valid due to social desirability bias. Another factor that can act as modifier against stress is coping strategies. Selk (1973) stated that what makes us ill now is different to what made us ill before, for example more psychological problems occur now e.g. mental disorders (Esch, Stefano, Fricchione Benson, 2002) then physical ones and it depends on how that person deals with their environment, (Klirts Moos, 1974, cited in George, Everly Lating, 2002). A lot of research has stated the importance of social support to act as a buffer against stress, and can help prevent burnout, (Etzion, 1984). For example, good communication with your partner can decrease marital problems and stress. Social support works by motivating the individual and adding need-fulfilment. Women have better interpersonal skills so seek social support and therefore are less prone to stress in this particular way. Norris and Murrel (1990) suggest that low social support and a stressful life event e.g. death of a loved one is more likely to cause long -term stress. However, they state the complexity of the term social support as there are many different varieties and of differing levels. Another coping strategy is to gain a new activity; this gets you out, having fun and keeping that persons mind off the stressor(s) (Norris and Murrel, 1990). This shows that social support is important and lack of it can help to cause the negative effects of stress, (even more so when faced with a stressful life event). Therefore, suggesting that the fight or flight response can make someone ill in the wrong circumstances. However, other things must be taken into account individual differences e.g. what strategy suits them best and if they have a new hobby. Findings from studies show that both cognitive diathesis and the stress component (more environmental causes) go together to help suggest why people get stressed. Research shows that stressful life events trigger the susceptibility to stress; this put with other more biological factors like low self-esteem can make the person more vulnerable. This shows how the diathesis-stress model can help explain that its not just one factor that contributes to the fight or flight response making an individual ill, its a multitude of factors (both environmental and biological) that help explain the negative effects of stress. If its biological causes then some coping strategies used to combat the responses of fight or flight will not work as effectively as treatments that focus on genetic influences e.g. a hereditary hardy personality. However, it might be too early to come to this conclusion because more research needs to be done in this area, but its an effective explanation that takes an eclec tic approach to explain that the fight or flight can have its benefits but with the wrong diathesis and vulnerability to stress can show that a person can be made ill, (Zvolenskya, Kotovb, Antipovac Schmidtd, 2003). Nevertheless, there might be a problem with the fight or flight response itself not the modern day man. It hasnt been updated even though our stress response has changed and ignores research carried out since it was coined by Cannon in the 1920s. It mischaracterised the order in which the responses occur. A new sequence by Gray can explain the responses better for more modern times, it begins with the freeze response so the person/animal remains undetected. Then an attempt to flee and then a chance to fight occurs. Another model is the stop, look, listen approach which might be more valid today and is used in many military operations, which also relates to the freeze response. Additionally, the fright response (tonic immobility) or in other words playing dead is reached. This updates the fight or flight response to be freeze, flight, fight or fright. This revelation shows that there is a problem with the fight or flight response, that its responsible for illness in the modern day ma n/women encountering stress and that it needs adapting to new scenarios that could be encountered now, (Does fight or flight need updating?). The evidence suggests that the fight or flight response can be beneficial, but with the wrong circumstances and if the stress is prolonged then it can make an individual ill. Nevertheless, this can be affected by certain modifying effects for example, if the person has suitable/effective coping strategies. Other aspects of the argument, like whether the fight or flight response needs updating is important to take into account. Its still unclear what causes stress is it biology or environmental causes? Therefore, more research needs to be done on the causes so the treatments can be looked at for reliability and validity. Additionally, then more information will be available on whether the fight or flight response does cause illnesses or is it a positive relationship. [Word count: 1340/1320. Citations- 116.]

I am malala

Independent Reading l. Cultural Connections Mall Housefly is the protagonist, narrator, and author of I Am Mall. She is born into a religious Pakistan family in Swat during a time of women oppression. Housefly makes a point to write about her happiness and freedom before Taliban took over. Her Pakistan heritage encourages many cultural traditions including dressing conservatively. Women are instructed to show respect by wearing bursas, which covered their face and body. The role of women is to cook and care for their families, â€Å"We'd [women] be expected to cook and serve our brothers and fathers.While boys and men could roam freely about town, my mother and I could not go out without a male relative to accompany us, even if it was a five-year-old boy! This was the tradition† (26). Mall is a smart girl who had correct morals and beliefs. Her two priorities are religion and education. Mall does not agree with Taliban laws, including the emphasis of education only available f or men. Mammal's father, too, believes that such a thing was wrong. Her father and the holy Quern support her to stick up for what she believed in.She speaks on behalf of the community and those ho were afraid to speak up, â€Å"The more interviews I gave, the stronger I felt and more support we received† (141). This courage leads her to win the Noble Peace Prize. Written in her perspective, Mall uses many of her own experiences throughout the novel. â€Å"She [Amoeba] always says, ‘l have four brothers, and if I do even the slightest thing wrong they can stop me from going to school† (77). Mall explains both the history of women oppression and her own personal experiences to depict the horrible conditions in Pakistan.II. Vocabulary in Context Charisma: compelling charm that can inspire devotion in others; â€Å"Even today people elk of Mr.. Bout as a man of great charisma† (20). This word attracted me because it is in 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart. It promotes Mr.. Bathtub's character. Chapatti: unleavened flattered made from flour and water; â€Å"My mother made our usual breakfast of sugary tea, chapattis, and fried egg† (118). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It describes the food Mammal's culture ate on a normal day.Martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious beliefs; â€Å"Some of the girls refused, saying that their teachers had taught them that to become a martyr s a glorious thing† (66). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It encourages religion as the number one priority in their culture. Unexamined: Islamic soldiers; â€Å"The unexamined will find you wherever you go' (105). I chose this word because it is an Urdu term. It describes the threat to Mammal's father, telling him to shut down his school.Blasphemous: profound; â€Å"Muslims widely considered it blasphemous and it provoked so much outrage that it seemed people were talking of little el se† (27). I chose this word because it reminded me of ‘lurid' from 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart. It describes how angry Muslims were about the book published that was considered a parody of the Prophet's life. Burma: a long garment that covers everything from head to toe that Muslim women wear in public; â€Å"Wearing a Burma is like walking inside big fabric shuttlecock with only a grille to see through and on hot days it's like an oven† (37).This word attracted me because it was surrounded by similes. It describes the clothing women had to wear, supporting the idea that women do not have it easy. Aba: affectionate Urdu term meaning â€Å"father†; â€Å"Aba, I am confused. ‘ I told my father† (101). This word attracted me because ABA means father in Hebrew, too. This word describes how Mall was bilingual as sometimes she refers to her father in Urdu. Barbaric: exceedingly brutal; â€Å"If anything the Taliban became even more barbaricâ⠂¬  (86). This word attracted me because my brother used to use it frequently in his vocabulary.This word describes how cruel and powerful the Taliban became. Commiserated: express sympathy or pity; â€Å"When I was born, people in our village commiserated with my mother and nobody congratulated my father† (1). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It describes the tragedy that it was to be a girl at the time. Autonomous: having self- government; â€Å"†¦ We went with the newly created Pakistan but stayed autonomous† (13). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it.It is used to describe the independence once Britain divided from India. Ill. Writers' reflection: Throughout the novel, despite all of her misfortunes, Mall manages to keep a strong and optimistic attitude. Even in the hospital while she was struggling to survive, Mall does not want to seek revenge on the people that hurt her, â€Å"I didn't even think a single bad tho ught about the man who shot me-?I had no thoughts of revenge-?I Just wanted to go back to Swat. I wanted to go home† (282). This quotation shows how Mall never had bad intentions.She believes that if one takes revenge for wrongdoings done to them, the fighting would go on and on, â€Å"There is no time limit† (39). Mammal's writing is consistent in that she effectively delivered personal and emotional stories. She uses figurative language including imagery and similes to create a picture in readers' minds to help them further understand her perspective, Our words were like the eucalyptus blossoms of spring tossed away on the wind† (142). This quotation explains how her voice was not heard right away.It took time and effort, and so will most things people speak up for. She teaches readers not to give up on what matters to them. She uses a metaphor to describe the relationship between her and her father . â€Å"†¦ L was his universe† (246). Together, the y worked to get their voices heard. The diction throughout the novel is mostly informal. However, towards the end when she wins the award and meets highly respected officials, her beech becomes more formal, â€Å"l will request you all, and I will request that if you can help us in our education, so please help us† (184).Overall, I enjoyed Houseboat's story. I think that she shared many important lessons. Reading the book in her perspective opened my eyes and made me grateful to have as much freedom as I do. It amazes me that I am the same age as Mall, for she has accomplished so much in her life. Mall Yugoslavia is an inspiration to me and an inspiration to all. I am malala Independent Reading l. Cultural Connections Mall Housefly is the protagonist, narrator, and author of I Am Mall. She is born into a religious Pakistan family in Swat during a time of women oppression. Housefly makes a point to write about her happiness and freedom before Taliban took over. Her Pakistan heritage encourages many cultural traditions including dressing conservatively. Women are instructed to show respect by wearing bursas, which covered their face and body. The role of women is to cook and care for their families, â€Å"We'd [women] be expected to cook and serve our brothers and fathers.While boys and men could roam freely about town, my mother and I could not go out without a male relative to accompany us, even if it was a five-year-old boy! This was the tradition† (26). Mall is a smart girl who had correct morals and beliefs. Her two priorities are religion and education. Mall does not agree with Taliban laws, including the emphasis of education only available f or men. Mammal's father, too, believes that such a thing was wrong. Her father and the holy Quern support her to stick up for what she believed in.She speaks on behalf of the community and those ho were afraid to speak up, â€Å"The more interviews I gave, the stronger I felt and more support we received† (141). This courage leads her to win the Noble Peace Prize. Written in her perspective, Mall uses many of her own experiences throughout the novel. â€Å"She [Amoeba] always says, ‘l have four brothers, and if I do even the slightest thing wrong they can stop me from going to school† (77). Mall explains both the history of women oppression and her own personal experiences to depict the horrible conditions in Pakistan.II. Vocabulary in Context Charisma: compelling charm that can inspire devotion in others; â€Å"Even today people elk of Mr.. Bout as a man of great charisma† (20). This word attracted me because it is in 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart. It promotes Mr.. Bathtub's character. Chapatti: unleavened flattered made from flour and water; â€Å"My mother made our usual breakfast of sugary tea, chapattis, and fried egg† (118). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It describes the food Mammal's culture ate on a normal day.Martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious beliefs; â€Å"Some of the girls refused, saying that their teachers had taught them that to become a martyr s a glorious thing† (66). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It encourages religion as the number one priority in their culture. Unexamined: Islamic soldiers; â€Å"The unexamined will find you wherever you go' (105). I chose this word because it is an Urdu term. It describes the threat to Mammal's father, telling him to shut down his school.Blasphemous: profound; â€Å"Muslims widely considered it blasphemous and it provoked so much outrage that it seemed people were talking of little el se† (27). I chose this word because it reminded me of ‘lurid' from 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart. It describes how angry Muslims were about the book published that was considered a parody of the Prophet's life. Burma: a long garment that covers everything from head to toe that Muslim women wear in public; â€Å"Wearing a Burma is like walking inside big fabric shuttlecock with only a grille to see through and on hot days it's like an oven† (37).This word attracted me because it was surrounded by similes. It describes the clothing women had to wear, supporting the idea that women do not have it easy. Aba: affectionate Urdu term meaning â€Å"father†; â€Å"Aba, I am confused. ‘ I told my father† (101). This word attracted me because ABA means father in Hebrew, too. This word describes how Mall was bilingual as sometimes she refers to her father in Urdu. Barbaric: exceedingly brutal; â€Å"If anything the Taliban became even more barbaricâ⠂¬  (86). This word attracted me because my brother used to use it frequently in his vocabulary.This word describes how cruel and powerful the Taliban became. Commiserated: express sympathy or pity; â€Å"When I was born, people in our village commiserated with my mother and nobody congratulated my father† (1). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it. It describes the tragedy that it was to be a girl at the time. Autonomous: having self- government; â€Å"†¦ We went with the newly created Pakistan but stayed autonomous† (13). This word attracted me because I was unfamiliar with it.It is used to describe the independence once Britain divided from India. Ill. Writers' reflection: Throughout the novel, despite all of her misfortunes, Mall manages to keep a strong and optimistic attitude. Even in the hospital while she was struggling to survive, Mall does not want to seek revenge on the people that hurt her, â€Å"I didn't even think a single bad tho ught about the man who shot me-?I had no thoughts of revenge-?I Just wanted to go back to Swat. I wanted to go home† (282). This quotation shows how Mall never had bad intentions.She believes that if one takes revenge for wrongdoings done to them, the fighting would go on and on, â€Å"There is no time limit† (39). Mammal's writing is consistent in that she effectively delivered personal and emotional stories. She uses figurative language including imagery and similes to create a picture in readers' minds to help them further understand her perspective, Our words were like the eucalyptus blossoms of spring tossed away on the wind† (142). This quotation explains how her voice was not heard right away.It took time and effort, and so will most things people speak up for. She teaches readers not to give up on what matters to them. She uses a metaphor to describe the relationship between her and her father . â€Å"†¦ L was his universe† (246). Together, the y worked to get their voices heard. The diction throughout the novel is mostly informal. However, towards the end when she wins the award and meets highly respected officials, her beech becomes more formal, â€Å"l will request you all, and I will request that if you can help us in our education, so please help us† (184).Overall, I enjoyed Houseboat's story. I think that she shared many important lessons. Reading the book in her perspective opened my eyes and made me grateful to have as much freedom as I do. It amazes me that I am the same age as Mall, for she has accomplished so much in her life. Mall Yugoslavia is an inspiration to me and an inspiration to all.